The moment the carriage wheels crossed the boundary stones, I knew this place was different.
The air changed first.
It smelled clean—salt carried on a distant breeze, warm stone, something faintly sweet like citrus or polished wood. Sunlight spilled across white roads and pale rooftops that reflected the sky instead of swallowing it like Ignis always had. When the kingdom gates of Newoaga came into view, tall and curved like they were welcoming rather than warning, all three carriages slowed together.
Kazen leaned halfway out the window, grinning like a kid who'd just been given permission to do whatever he wanted.
"Welcome," he said proudly, "to the best coastal city in Okrith."
Kai squinted. "It's too bright."
Varein laughed softly. "You say that everywhere."
I stayed quiet, watching.
The gates opened, not with a creak of age, but with smooth, practiced ease. Guards in pale blue and silver armor saluted as we passed, their expressions respectful—familiar. Not rigid. Not suspicious.
Kazen waved back like he knew them.
Of course he did.
Inside, Newoaga unfolded like something out of a storybook. White-stone streets curved gently instead of forming harsh lines. Canals of clear water ran beside walkways, sunlight shimmering across their surfaces. Balconies overflowed with flowers—real ones, alive, not conjured or maintained by aura. Merchants laughed openly. Children ran barefoot across warm stone.
No soot.
No hunger in their eyes.
No fear clinging to the corners of the world.
I felt… out of place.
Kai whistled low. "Yeah. Okay. I get it."
Varein leaned back in his seat. "This city breathes."
Kazen folded his arms smugly. "Told you."
The carriages rolled deeper into the city, climbing gradually until the streets widened and the houses grew larger. When we finally stopped, I thought—briefly—that we had arrived at some kind of public estate.
Then I realized…
No.
This was his home.
The Drayle Villa rose before us in layered terraces of pale stone and dark wood, open archways allowing the sea breeze to flow freely through the structure. Ivy climbed the walls in careful patterns. Fountains murmured quietly in the courtyard, water catching sunlight like scattered gems.
The gates opened automatically.
I swallowed.
"…Kazen," I said slowly, stepping down from the carriage, "you live here?"
He scratched the back of his head. "Uh. Yeah?"
Liam stared openly. "You didn't tell us you were this rich."
Arion looked like he was afraid to step on the ground. "Are we… allowed to breathe here?"
Theon adjusted his cloak, expression stiff. "This estate could house a minor noble family."
Seraphyne's eyes sparkled. "Oh, this is nice."
I stood there, bag slung over my shoulder, unsure where to put my feet. Everything felt too clean. Too open. Like I might dirty it just by existing.
Before I could overthink it further, the front doors opened.
Maids and butlers lined the entrance in neat rows, bows practiced and elegant.
"Welcome home, Young Master Kazen."
The words echoed slightly.
My shoulders tensed on instinct.
Kazen waved awkwardly. "Hey, everyone. Uh—this is my class."
Before anyone could say more, two figures stepped forward.
A tall man with sharp, composed features and calm teal eyes. His presence was quiet, but unmistakably authoritative. Beside him stood a woman with gentle eyes and a warm smile, her posture refined but relaxed.
Kazen straightened immediately.
"Father. Mother."
Mr. Drayle inclined his head. "Welcome. All of you."
Madam Drayle smiled wider. "You must be Class 1-S."
Her gaze moved over us—not judging, not measuring. Simply… attentive.
"We've heard a great deal about you," she continued. "Especially regarding the Dratonian Forest."
My chest tightened slightly.
Mr. Drayle nodded. "You protected our son. And more than that—you fought as knights should. On behalf of my family, thank you."
He bowed.
Deeply.
I froze.
So did everyone else.
Kazen panicked. "Dad—!"
Aldred cleared his throat sharply. "Lord Drayle, that isn't—"
"It is appropriate," Mr. Drayle said calmly. "Strength deserves acknowledgment. Especially when wielded with restraint."
I didn't know where to look.
After a moment, Madam Drayle clapped her hands softly. "Now, before you all collapse from travel exhaustion—rooms."
That, at least, pulled everyone out of their stunned silence.
Inside, the villa was even worse.
In the sense that it was unfair.
High ceilings. Open halls. Sunlight everywhere. The floor beneath my boots felt warm, polished smooth by years of careful care. Art lined the walls—not flashy, but meaningful. Landscapes. Ocean scenes. Quiet moments captured in paint.
This place felt… lived in.
Comfortable.
Not a display.
Rooms were assigned quickly.
One by one, everyone realized something.
"Wait," Kai said slowly. "Everyone has their own room?"
"Yes," a maid replied cheerfully.
Seraphyne blinked. "Everyone?"
"…Except one," another maid added, glancing at a small tag.
I felt it coming.
"…Rain?"
I sighed.
They brought out a small bundle of straws.
Of course.
We gathered around, laughing and groaning as fate decided my roommate. I pulled first—short straw.
Figures.
The last straw remained in Varein's hand.
He looked at it, then at me.
Then he smiled.
"I guess it's you and me."
The room we were assigned wasn't small. Two beds, spaced comfortably apart. A balcony overlooking the inner gardens. Clean sheets. A window open to the sea breeze.
I set my bag down slowly.
Varein did the same.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he said quietly, "It's been a long time… since the exam."
I nodded. "Yeah."
He extended his hand, expression earnest. "Thanks for being my friend, Rain."
My face heated instantly.
I slapped his shoulder, probably harder than necessary. "You're weird."
He laughed.
And somehow… it felt normal.
Later, once unpacked, the villa erupted into noise.
Someone—Kai—got lost trying to find the dining hall and somehow ended up in a music room. Arion nearly knocked over a decorative vase worth more than my entire childhood. Seraphyne immediately claimed a sunlit balcony as "hers." Liam argued with Theon about architecture.
Then we all went exploring around the Drayle's villa, and boy was it massive.
The villa's courtyard was especially massive—stone paths lined with greenery, fountains gently flowing, sunlight filtering through tall palms. Tables had already been set up by staff, covered with trays of fruit, pastries, chilled drinks, and things I couldn't even name.
Liam was already eating.
"HOW DID YOU GET HERE FIRST?" Seraphyne shouted.
"I have priorities," Liam said calmly, mouth full.
Aelira stood near the fountain, dipping her fingers into the water, watching the way it shimmered. Liraeth leaned against a pillar nearby, arms crossed, plasma crackling faintly as she stared at the sky.
"This place is insane," Arion whispered. "My entire village could fit in this courtyard."
Kazen beamed proudly. "Welcome to my childhood."
"You grew up here?" Theon asked, eyes wide.
"Yep."
Everyone stared at him.
"…I hate you," Kai muttered.
Kazen laughed. "You'll survive."
I hovered near the edge, unsure what to touch, until Seraphyne grabbed my wrist.
"Eat," she ordered. "You're not allowed to be awkward on vacation."
"I wasn't being awkward—"
She shoved a fruit skewer into my hand.
I took a bite.
My eyes widened.
"…Okay," I admitted. "This is good."
She smirked victoriously.
Later that afternoon, the topic everyone had been circling finally landed.
"So," Kazen said, clapping his hands. "Beach tomorrow."
Everyone cheered.
Everyone except me.
"…What do you do at a beach?" I asked honestly.
Silence.
Then—
"You weren't kidding?" Aelira blinked.
"I grew up in the slums of Ignis," I said. "We didn't exactly have… oceans."
Kai stared at me like I'd confessed to never seeing the sky.
"We're fixing that," he declared. "Immediately."
Seraphyne grinned. "First thing tomorrow."
Instructor Aldred, who had been quietly sipping tea nearby, sighed. "I already regret agreeing to this."
"You're coming too," Liam said.
Aldred paused.
"…I will be supervising."
"That's a yes!" Theon cheered.
Aldred pinched the bridge of his nose.
As the sun dipped lower, the villa glowed gold. Some of the class sprawled across the grass, others lounged by the fountain. Someone—probably Kai—started a mock spar that ended with Arion falling into a bush.
Laughter echoed everywhere.
I stood near the balcony doors, watching them.
Kazen joined me, arms resting on the railing. "You okay?"
"…Yeah," I said. "Just… didn't think life could feel like this."
He glanced at me, expression softer. "You deserve it."
I didn't know how to respond to that.
So I smiled.
Then came dinner..
Dinner was… overwhelming.
Course after course appeared. Seafood I'd never tasted. Fruits sweeter than anything I remembered. Bread so soft it practically melted.
I ate slowly, afraid of embarrassing myself.
Kazen noticed.
He slid a plate closer. "You don't have to rush."
I nodded. "Thanks."
Laughter filled the table.
For the first time in a long while, it didn't feel fragile.
Later, after dinner, after too much laughter, after Kai nearly set a curtain on fire—
I found myself back in the room with Varein.
He laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey, Rain," he said. "Promise me something."
"…What?"
"When summer ends," he said quietly, "we don't go back to pretending this was just a break."
I thought of the forest. The blood. The fear.
Then I thought of the courtyard. The laughter. The warmth.
"I won't," I said. "I promise."
He smiled.
Outside, waves crashed faintly in the distance—something vast, something new.
Tomorrow, I'll see the ocean for the first time.
And for once, I wasn't afraid of what came next.
As I laid in bed, listening to the distant sound of waves and the muffled laughter of my friends echoing through unfamiliar halls, I stared at the ceiling.
This place wasn't mine.
But for now…
It was where we were together.
And somehow, that was enough.