Date: Final Exam – Evening of Results
Location: Academy Grand Hall
---
The sun hadn't even risen when names were posted.
Students gathered in silence, breaths held, eyes wide. The final rankings — the culmination of a year's sweat, sleepless nights, and shattered bones — glowed faintly on enchanted parchment.
Whispers turned to gasps. Gasps turned into cheers.
> "He did it!" "She ranked top five!" "I'm not last! I'M NOT LAST!"
---
Top Rankings:
1st – Nitsuo of House Caelum.
2nd – Alice of House Eirenthal.
3rd – Lily of House Everwinter.
4th – Riya of no noble name (with ten points over the Headmaster's prediction).
5th – Gideon of House Arkwright.
6th – Elric of the Church of Pure Dawn.
7th – Anna of House Valeriant.
8th – Leander of House Varelios.
Yes. Leander made it. Barely. Rumors say he bribed a proctor with muffins. Unconfirmed.
---
By midday, the gates opened.
Families arrived.
Some rushed. Some hesitated. Some didn't come.
Lily's younger sister hugged her tight, eyes wet. She whispered,
> "You were strong, Big Sis…"
Anna's family brought her a bouquet and a small illusion flower that glowed when you laughed. She made it flicker until it nearly burst.
Elric? His Church didn't attend — but David handed him a letter. One word on it: Proud.
Gideon's father saluted him. No words. Just a proud hand on the shoulder. Gideon's lips twitched into a smile.
Alice… stood alone. But she didn't look lonely. She was watching us. That was enough.
Then—
> "Nitsuo!"
My mother nearly crushed me in a hug. She cried.
My father didn't.
He just stared for a long time… then patted my head.
> "You've grown."
He said nothing else. That one sentence was enough to fill an empty room.
---
Titles Awarded by Headmaster Reyn
Nitsuo – Silent Tactician
Alice – Fang of Winter
Lily – Moonflower of Elareth
Leander – Blazing Fool (he requested Blazing Phoenix. He was denied.)
Anna – Warden of Illusions
Riya – Sunborn
Elric – Lightbearer
Gideon – Iron Wall of Arkwright.
When they announced my title, the crowd went silent.
Then… applause.
Even some nobles bowed their heads.
---
Evening – The Celebration
Tables stretched across the Academy garden, lights glowing in floating lanterns. Laughter rang through the air like music.
Leander was already drunk on juice. (No one tell him it wasn't wine.)
Anna performed a stage illusion of our final battle. She made Elric's doll cry again.
Alice? She kept swatting away students trying to talk to her. One poor soul tried flirting.
> "Are you free—?"
"Only from distractions."
He fled.
Riya was laughing. Actually laughing. Her cheeks red, her eyes glowing under fairy lights.
Gideon ate half the buffet table. No one stopped him.
---
Then there was i.
Sitting under the stars, back against the oak tree where we trained. Lily sat beside me.
We didn't talk for a while. We didn't need to.
Then she whispered,
> "A year ago, I didn't think I'd meet people like this."
I nodded. "Neither did I."
> "Do you think it'll always be like this?"
I looked around — at the laughter, the teasing, the dancing, the chaos, the stillness.
> "No," I said quietly.
"But that's what makes it precious."
She smiled, and for the first time… leaned her head on my shoulder.
I didn't move.
Anna screamed in the distance.
> "I CAUGHT THEM! "
Elric's drink exploded. He calmly raised a napkin like a white flag. Riya ducked under the table, red-faced. Alice just glared and muttered,
> "Idiots."
We all laughed.
---
Tonight, we weren't warriors.
We weren't tacticians or fangs or heirs.
We were just us.
A team.
A family.
---