The sun was beginning to set over the academy when Kael and Lucien walked toward the outer gates.
Most of the students who had been dismissed had already left. Some walked in silence. Others argued bitterly with teachers. A few simply looked lost.
Lucien stretched his arms behind his head as they walked.
"Well," he said casually, "that was a short academy career."
Kael said nothing.
His mind was still moving through calculations.
Power levels. Rankings. Seventy-three stronger than that man.
The world had just become much larger.
Footsteps hurried behind them.
"Wait!"
Kael and Lucien stopped.
Alaric ran toward them, slightly out of breath. His usually calm expression looked conflicted.
"I'm coming with you," he said immediately.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"That was quick."
Alaric shook his head firmly.
"I'm serious. If they're going to throw you out for something so stupid, then I don't want to stay here either."
Lucien chuckled.
"Loyal to the end, huh?"
But Kael turned to face him fully.
His grey eyes were calm.
Cold.
Calculating.
"No," Kael said.
Alaric blinked.
"…What?"
"You are not leaving."
Alaric frowned.
"I just said—"
"And I heard you," Kael replied calmly.
Lucien leaned against the gatepost, clearly enjoying the conversation.
Kael continued.
"You have something we don't."
Alaric hesitated.
"The wind affinity?"
"Yes."
Kael's voice remained steady.
"This academy values power above all else. That means it also has the best resources, the best teachers, and the best information."
He stepped slightly closer.
"If you leave now, you throw that away."
Alaric clenched his fists.
"But you two are—"
"We were judged too early," Lucien interrupted with a grin.
"But we'll manage."
Kael nodded once.
"You will stay."
Alaric looked frustrated.
"You're ordering me?"
Kael shook his head slightly.
"No."
Then he spoke more quietly.
"I'm giving you a task."
Alaric paused.
Kael looked back toward the academy buildings.
"They said students train here for seven years."
He turned back.
"Good."
His grey eyes sharpened.
"Then in seven years… you will become as strong as possible."
Alaric stared at him.
Kael continued.
"Learn everything this academy can teach you. Grow stronger than any student they have."
He paused.
"And when those seven years end…"
Lucien's grin widened as he understood.
"…you come find us," Lucien finished.
Alaric looked between them.
"And then what?"
Kael answered simply.
"Then we begin."
For a moment, no one spoke.
The wind moved gently through the academy courtyard.
Finally, Alaric exhaled slowly.
"…Seven years."
He nodded once.
"Fine."
He looked at both of them seriously.
"Then don't die before that."
Lucien laughed.
"No promises."
Kael turned toward the gates again.
"That won't happen."
The academy gates opened.
Beyond them stretched the long road leading away from the academy.
And toward their home.
They walked for nearly an hour before the academy finally disappeared behind the hills.
Lucien kicked a small rock along the road.
"So."
He glanced sideways.
"You're taking this surprisingly well."
Kael looked ahead.
"Why wouldn't I?"
Lucien shrugged.
"You got kicked out of the most famous academy in the region."
Kael's voice remained calm.
"They misunderstood my ability."
Lucien smirked.
"Yeah. I noticed."
They walked in silence for a few minutes.
Then Lucien spoke again.
"You know…"
He looked toward Kael with amusement.
"It's funny how things worked out."
Kael glanced at him.
Lucien grinned.
"You don't remember me, do you?"
Kael stopped walking.
"…Should I?"
Lucien laughed.
"I thought so."
He pointed down the road ahead.
"You really don't recognize your own town?"
Kael looked forward.
In the distance, beyond the rolling fields, small wooden houses and familiar rooftops were beginning to appear.
The same narrow streets.
The same stone well.
The same quiet village.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Lucien continued walking.
"Yeah," he said casually.
"We grew up in the same place."
Kael watched him carefully now.
Lucien scratched the back of his neck.
"You were always the quiet kid who stared at everything like it was a puzzle."
He smirked.
"Hard to forget that."
Kael studied him.
His mind searched through the body's memories.
Then… faintly…
A boy.
Older.
Always picking fights.
Always training.
Always watching.
"…Lucien," Kael said slowly.
Lucien snapped his fingers.
"Finally."
He stretched his arms again.
"Looks like we're stuck together after all."
Kael turned back toward the road leading to the village.
The sun was almost gone now.
Their journey had only just begun.
And somewhere far away…
Seventy-three people stronger than the academy's headmaster walked this world.
Kael's mind turned toward the future.
Seven years.
Let's see what this world looks like when we meet again.