Silent Goodbyes
The morning mist still clung to the roofs of Greenhold Academy when the bell tolled—deep, resonant, and commanding. Its sound rolled across the mountain campus like a ripple through water, waking even the laziest of disciples.
Today was no ordinary day.
Seven days remained before the Fall Quarter Examinations, and as tradition dictated, all outer disciples were to gather for inspection and announcement.
The cobblestone paths filled quickly with robed figures. The cool morning air buzzed with anticipation, gossip, and the faint hum of Mana that always drifted over Greenhold like a living current.
The Outer Sect Gymnasium—a massive circular structure of jade stone and carved dragon pillars—loomed ahead. It could hold tens of thousands, and yet, as disciples streamed in from every direction, it still felt vast and echoing.
Up front, the lecturers of each department stood in quiet conversation. Among them was Amaya Green, her long black hair cascading down her back, her jade-green eyes sharp as glass. Her outfit—tight-fitting training attire that accentuated her elegant, curvaceous figure—drew more than a few distracted gazes.
Then, someone in the crowd whispered, loud enough for the ripples to spread.
"He's here."
Heads turned. Whispers grew louder.
From the edge of the gymnasium, two familiar figures entered.
One, calm and confident, with shoulder-length black hair and striking gold eyes that caught the morning light. Kai Dawnsworn.
The other, tall and broad-shouldered, his black eyes steady as iron—Boomer.
The crowd stirred instantly.
"I heard senior brothers from both schools went to recruit Boomer yesterday."
"That kind of treatment isn't for just anyone."
"Then what's that loser doing walking in front of him?"
Their mocking voices carried freely across the air, not bothering to hide. Kai heard every word, his enhanced senses sharp as ever—but he only smiled faintly, brushing them off like dust. No one here could possibly understand the bond between him and Boomer.
As the pair approached the center stage, Kai's golden eyes found Amaya. A teasing spark lit them.
"Senior Sister Amaya," he greeted, tone light and sincere.
Her lips pressed into a line. "Where have you been these past days?"
"Cultivating, of course," Kai said, spreading his hands like it was obvious. "Since I made a promise to you, I can't exactly slack off, can I?"
For a second, she hesitated. His tone was playful, but his eyes—those golden eyes—held something steady and honest. Maybe he really had been training.
Her expression softened just slightly. "Have you progressed into the Growth Plane?"
"Senior Sister," he said with perfect seriousness, "I've already stepped into the Unstoppable Plane."
The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.
Amaya blinked. Then her face darkened like a storm.
"You—!" she hissed, glaring at him with disbelief.
Around them, laughter exploded.
"Hahaha!"
"Did you hear that? From the Nexus Plane to the Unstoppable Plane in less than a month?"
"What's next? He ascended to the heavens too?"
A familiar voice joined the mockery—Leo, tall, handsome, and smug as ever.
"Senior Sister Amaya," he said, staring at Kai with open disdain. "What should we do with this guy?"
Amaya exhaled sharply, folding her arms. "You're running out of time, Kai Dawnsworn. If you want to stay in the academy, then focus. Reach the Growth Plane before the exams, or you'll be expelled."
There was no anger in her tone now—just disappointment.
Kai watched her, eyes softening. He could read it—she genuinely cared. That was what made her words sting more.
He smiled, faint but warm. "Don't worry, Senior Sister. I won't let you down."
For a moment, Amaya froze. The morning sun glinted off his gold eyes and brushed over his face. He looked so damn sure of himself that she almost believed him.
Then he ruined it.
"And don't forget what you promised, Senior Sister."
Her entire body stiffened. "You—!" She stomped her foot, face flushed, and turned away before he could say another word.
Watching her retreating back, a few male disciples gaped. Then, predictably, the jealousy started to bubble.
"What the hell is with that guy?"
"He's shameless!"
"I'd kill to have Amaya Green even look at me like that…"
A middle-aged lecturer approached Amaya from the side, shaking his head. "Why waste your time on someone like him?"
She glanced at Kai and sighed. "He's gifted. I can't understand why he failed to break through the Nexus Plane after three years. Maybe… maybe a miracle will happen at this year's exams."
The man snorted. "A miracle? You're too kind, Amaya."
Not far away, Kai turned to Boomer, whispering, "How come no one believes me when I tell the truth?"
Boomer gave him a blank look. "Would you believe that someone went from Nexus to Unstoppable in less than a month?"
Kai chuckled. "Fair point."
He glanced around and spotted Feya, standing beside Mary, her black hair tied neatly, her eyes soft but distant.
"We'll become official disciples next spring," Kai said casually. "Should we give Feya a hand too?"
Boomer followed his gaze. "If she trains with you, she might reach the Enigma Plane by then."
Kai nodded, a faint grin tugging at his lips. He stepped forward through the crowd—who, unwilling though they were, parted before him. No one wanted to cross Boomer's path.
But just before Kai could reach her, Mary stepped forward, her posture stiff and cold.
"What do you want?"
Kai tilted his head. "I just want to speak with Feya."
"Say what you need to from here," Mary replied flatly.
Ignoring her, Kai looked past her toward Feya. "I need to talk to you."
Feya's eyes darted away. "It'll be the same if you said it from over there."
He blinked. "Feya, what's this about?"
Mary scoffed. "You don't understand? She doesn't want to be near you. So mind yourself."
A flicker of steel flashed in Kai's gaze, but he forced himself to breathe. "Forget it," he murmured.
The tension hung heavy—until Boomer's deep voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Kai wanted to ask if you'd train together from now on."
Kai whipped his head toward him, startled. "Boomer…"
Boomer rarely spoke—but now his black eyes burned like coals.
The crowd went silent.
Even Feya froze. Her lips parted slightly, and for the first time, she looked at Boomer directly. "Boomer," she said softly.
Her voice trembled. The quiet that followed was almost sacred.
Mary sneered. "Do you really think Kai's worthy of training with Feya?"
Boomer didn't look at her. His gaze stayed fixed on Feya. "I want to know what you think."
Feya's small fists clenched. Her nails dug into her palms. She trembled—torn between fear and something unspoken.
Finally, she shook her head, her voice quiet but firm.
"Boomer… we've all grown up. I think it's better if we keep our distance."
She exhaled slowly, as if a weight had been lifted—but her eyes were faintly wet. Somewhere deep inside, she knew she'd just severed something that could never be mended.
Kai stared at her for a long moment. The crowd around him blurred into noise and color.
Then he smiled faintly—sadly—and shook his head.
She really has grown up.
The bell struck again, long and low, echoing across the academy like the sigh of a giant. And in that sound, something inside Kai went quiet too.