The morning air outside the Nasarik estate was calm.
Too calm.
Kaelus Magna stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders like he'd been waiting for this moment all year.
"…Yeah, I'm not doing that."
Eryndor Nasarik raised an eyebrow.
"…Doing what?"
Kaelus smirked.
"…I'm not about to go in no carriage."
He cracked his neck.
"…I'm finna make an entrance."
Before anyone could respond—
BOOM.
The ground split slightly as Kaelus launched into the sky—
Vanishing into a streak of wind that tore through the clouds.
Eryndor watched him go.
Then sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"…This guy…"
From beside him—
Darius Sletti chuckled.
"…He's right though."
Eryndor glanced at him.
"…Don't tell me—"
Darius grinned.
"…See you at the entrance."
And just like that—
He dissolved into shadow.
Gone.
Eryndor stood there alone for a second.
Then exhaled.
"…Y'all really gotta stop doing that."
A faint smile.
Then—
CRACK.
A thunderbolt split the air—
And Eryndor vanished with it.
Celestia God Academy — One Year Later
Celestia God Academy had changed.
Not physically.
But in presence.
The air was heavier.
Sharper.
Students returned from across the great continents of Nohr—
Each one stronger.
Refined.
But today—
Wasn't for them.
Today was for those who had crossed the line.
Those who were no longer candidates.
Deities.
Because in this academy—
God candidate was the limit.
Once that limit broke—
You didn't stay.
You were sent out.
Given a final mission.
Not assigned.
Not guided.
Just one purpose:
Ascend.
And today—
They would graduate.
Inside the highest tower—
Seraphina Caldris stood by the window, a cup of tea resting lightly in her hand.
She looked out over the academy grounds.
Quiet.
Watchful.
"…It's finally time."
She took a sip.
Slow.
Measured.
"…The Prophecy of Noxis will be fulfilled."
She set the cup down.
Her gaze shifted upward—
Past the sky—
Past the clouds—
"…Noctareon."
The name carried weight.
History.
The Original God of the Black Sun.
The one who gave up his throne.
The one who chose a successor.
And now—
That successor had arrived.
Not just ready.
Inevitable.
A knock sounded.
"…Come in."
The door opened.
Lysan Eravon stepped inside.
"…Will you be sad?"
Seraphina didn't turn.
"…About what?"
"…That they're leaving."
A pause.
Then she smiled.
Softly.
"…I'll see them again."
She finally turned her head slightly.
"…Just not here."
Lysan nodded.
Understanding more than most.
"…I see."
He turned.
And left.
Silence returned.
Then—
Another knock.
Seraphina didn't even need to look.
"…Come in."
The door opened slowly.
She turned—
And smiled.
"…You're nearly unrecognizable."
Standing there—
Was Rein Clark.
Taller.
Broader.
Presence overwhelming.
He smirked.
"…Long time no see, headmistress."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"…You're graduating today."
"…No need for formalities."
Rein chuckled.
"…Alright then…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…Princess Seraphina."
A faint pause.
Then she walked past him.
"…Let's go."
They stepped outside—
And immediately—
The temperature dropped.
Frost crept along the ground.
Slowly.
Silently.
Students turned.
Some shivered.
Others froze entirely.
And then—
She appeared.
Stellar McLaren walked forward.
Each step—
Froze the air around her.
Snowflakes formed.
Then shattered.
She stopped several meters away.
Inhaled.
Exhaled.
And just like that—
The frost vanished.
The temperature normalized.
She looked at Seraphina.
"…Good morning, headmistress."
Then turned to Rein.
A small smirk.
"…Muscle brain."
"…You've grown more muscles, I see."
Rein scoffed.
"…Shut up."
Before anything else could be said—
The sky shifted.
A massive current of wind swept across the academy.
Students staggered.
Trees bent.
The clouds above twisted—
And lightning ran across the stratosphere.
Fast.
Violent.
Then—
Silence.
And in that silence—
Kaelus Magna appeared.
No sound.
No landing.
Just—
There.
Only a few saw it happen.
Rein.
Stellar.
Seraphina.
Lysan.
And one of the senior instructors—
Soryn Vale.
Kaelus stood upright.
Calm.
"…Miss me?"
The wind responded to him like it always had.
Alive.
Before anyone could answer—
BOOM.
Lightning struck beside him.
The ground cracked.
And from that strike—
Eryndor Nasarik emerged.
Standing still.
Eyes calm.
Presence—
Unmeasurable.
Behind him—
A shadow stretched.
And from it—
Darius Sletti stepped out.
The three stood together.
Not as students.
Not as candidates.
But as something else entirely.
Something that had already shaken the world once.
Seraphina watched them.
And for a brief moment—
Even she smiled wider than usual.
"…The Black Sun Syndicate."
The air itself seemed to recognize them.
Because this time—
They weren't here to learn.
They were here—
To leave.