The gates of Ashura stood tall, carved into the embrace of mountains, just as they always had.
But today—
They felt different.
The cart rolled in slowly, its wooden wheels creaking after a long journey.
Dust followed behind them like a trail of stories waiting to be told.
Anugus held the reins, calm as ever.
Behind him—
Dazai, Kaizer, and Azlea sat, each lost in their own thoughts.
"…We're back," Kaizer muttered.
Dazai looked ahead.
"…Yeah."
Azlea smiled softly.
"Home."
The First Spark
A kid spotted them first.
"HEY! THEY'RE BACK!"
That was all it took.
Within seconds—
People started gathering.
From shops.
From homes.
From streets.
Voices overlapped.
"They're here!"
"The ones who went to the Academy!"
The cart hadn't even stopped—
When Kaizer jumped off dramatically.
"HEY HEY HEY—"
He spread his arms wide.
"IT'S YOUR BOY KAIZER—"
Dazai followed, landing beside him, trying to look calm and cool.
"We're back."
Azlea stepped down—
SMACK
She hit both their heads.
"Idiots."
Crowd Madness
People rushed forward.
Questions flew like arrows.
"What was the kingdom like?!"
"Did you pass?!"
"How strong were the other students?!"
"Did you fight monsters?!"
Kaizer puffed his chest.
"Relax, relax—one at a time!"
Dazai nodded seriously.
"We'll answer everything."
Kaizer added—
"After we go home and eat first."
The crowd laughed.
"Fair enough!"
Split Paths
After some greetings, they split up.
"See you later!" Kaizer waved.
Azlea nodded.
Dazai just raised his hand slightly.
They went their separate ways.
Kaizer's Home:
The door slammed open.
"HEY HEY HEY—"
Kaizer walked in like a superstar.
"IT'S YOUR BOY KAIZER, I'M BACK—"
Inside—
Orion sat calmly, reading a book.
Iris stood in the kitchen, cooking.
Both turned.
Silence.
Then—
"KAIZER!"
Iris rushed and hugged him tightly.
"My baby! You're back!"
Kaizer grinned.
"I told you I would be."
She pulled back quickly.
"Did you pass?!"
Before he could answer—
Orion stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Serious face.
"…How many hearts did you win?"
Kaizer looked him dead in the eye.
Equally serious.
"…I don't know."
SMACK
Iris hit Orion's shoulder.
"WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING HIM?!"
Orion frowned.
"It's an important life skill."
"NO IT'S NOT!"
The Real Shock
Suddenly—
The door behind Kaizer creaked open fully.
Revealing—
A mountain of items.
Weapons.
Clothes.
Random glowing objects.
Snacks.
More snacks.
Even more snacks.
Iris blinked.
"…What is that?"
Orion adjusted his glasses.
"…Did you rob a kingdom?"
Kaizer crossed his arms proudly.
"No."
Pause.
"…I conquered it."
Iris narrowed her eyes.
"…Explain. Slowly."
The Story (According to Kaizer)
"So basically—"
"I fought monsters—"
"Saved villagers—"
"Became famous—"
"Won money—"
"Bought stuff—"
"Simple."
Orion nodded.
"Reasonable."
Iris stared at both of them.
"…I regret everything."
Banter Mode Activated
Iris pointed at a glowing dagger.
"What is THIS?"
Kaizer picked it up.
"Oh this? Limited edition shadow blade."
Orion leaned closer.
"…Can it cut vegetables?"
Kaizer paused.
"…Probably."
Iris grabbed it.
"Good. You'll use it in the kitchen."
Kaizer froze.
"…Wait WHAT?"
Family Moment
After all the chaos—
They sat down together.
Iris smiled softly.
"…I'm proud of you."
Kaizer blinked.
"…Really?"
Orion nodded.
"You came back stronger."
Kaizer grinned.
"Of course I did."
Azlea's House — Calm but Funny
Azlea walked into the garden.
"Mom, Dad—I'm back."
Clarice turned from her painting.
Faron looked up from his notebook.
Both smiled—
Then froze.
"…What."
Because behind Azlea—
Was Anugus.
Carrying what looked like an entire marketplace.
Barely standing.
The Welcome
Clarice blinked.
"…Welcome home?"
Faron stood up slowly.
"…Do we need a warehouse?"
Azlea sighed.
"…Just help him first."
Anugus dropped everything.
"…Finally."
Living Room Talk
They sat together.
Warm.
Peaceful.
Clarice leaned forward.
"Tell me everything."
Azlea smiled.
And she did.
The academy.
The exam.
The battles.
The rankings.
"…I ranked 34."
Silence.
Then—
Faron stood up.
"…MY DAUGHTER IS TOP 50?!"
Clarice smiled proudly.
"I expected nothing less."
Azlea rolled her eyes.
"…You both are too much."
Anugus Observes
From the side—
Anugus watched quietly.
A small smile on his face.
This is what peace looks like.
Dazai's House — Something Feels Off
Dazai stood in front of his house.
Knocked.
The door opened.
Arora stood there.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"Dazai…"
A soft smile formed.
She cupped his cheeks.
"You're back."
Dazai smiled faintly.
"…Yeah. I'm back."
He stepped in.
Dropped his items.
Then hugged her tightly.
"I missed this."
She held him gently.
"I know."
"Where's dad?" Dazai asked casually.
Arora froze for a split second.
"…He'll be back soon."
She smiled.
But inside—
No… not yet…
They sat down.
Dazai leaned back.
"21,000 participants."
Arora blinked.
"…That many?"
"Only 7,000 passed."
She smiled.
"I knew you'd do well."
Dazai grinned slightly.
"Guess my rank."
She laughed.
"I don't know… top 100?"
Dazai looked straight at her.
"…8."
Silence.
"…What?"
"I ranked 8."
Her eyes widened.
"You WHAT?!"
She stood up instantly.
"That's incredible!"
She hugged him tightly.
"Your father would be so proud…"
Dazai smiled.
"…Yeah."
But something about that line felt…
Heavy.
Stories and Smiles
Dazai told her everything.
The journey.
The city.
The exam.
Even some funny parts.
But—
He skipped something.
The curse.
The loss of control.
He stayed quiet about that.
Arora noticed.
But didn't push.
As Dazai talked—
Arora smiled.
Listened.
Reacted.
But inside—
Her thoughts were restless.
Arthur…
Where are you…
Background Life
Outside—
Ashura buzzed.
Kids ran around.
"Did you see Kaizer's stuff?!"
"Azlea brought magic books!"
"And Dazai is rank 8!"
The town was alive.
Proud.
Happy.
But beneath it—
Something subtle shifted.
Closing Scene
Night fell again.
Three homes.
Three different energies.
Laughter at Kaizer's house
Warm peace at Azlea's
Quiet thoughts at Dazai's
Dazai lay on his bed.
Looking at the ceiling.
"…Rank 8…"
Then—
He closed his eyes.
Deep inside—
The hunger remained.
Silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
Home brought comfort.
But not answers.