The bright morning sunlight illuminated the magic academy building in the capital of the Garveon Kingdom, bringing a warmth that chased away the remnants of the night's cold air. Inside a quiet closed room, far from the bustling students who were just starting their activities, Kazien, his three fiancés, and Erica stood side by side.
Today was their graduation day. The silvery-white-haired youth felt very grateful and fortunate that his graduation certificate handover ceremony was held privately, avoiding unnecessary commotion and public spotlight.
Dean Claus stood before them with a proud smile adorning his face. He held five high-quality parchment scrolls tied with golden ribbons, the symbol of graduation from the magic academy.
"Forgive me for having to graduate you this quickly, far ahead of the proper time." Dean Claus said in a very sincere tone, his eyes looking at the five extraordinary students before him in turn. "And congratulations on the graduation of the five of you. You are the most special batch."
"It is alright, Dean Claus. We deeply understand the situation." Kazien replied politely as he received the parchment scroll. "Thank you for everything, for all the guidance and facilities this academy has provided while we were here."
"It is exactly this academy that should be thanking you!" the dean replied with an emphatic tone. The middle-aged man patted Kazien's shoulder softly. "After so long, our academy has finally regained an absolute victory in that prestigious tournament. After you have truly left here and the situation is safe, I will immediately announce the winners as well as the fastest graduates in the academy's history with the full names of the five of you."
"Thank you very much, Dean Claus." the five of them replied in unison, nodding their heads respectfully.
Kazien, Alvin, Allen, Arken, and Erica held their graduation certificates with feelings of relief and happiness.
Alvin smiled very happily as he held and stroked the surface of his graduation parchment. The golden-yellow-haired High Elf turned to look at Kazien with sparkling eyes.
"My Dear, will we display this certificate in the living room of our mansion later?" he asked just to confirm, imagining a beautiful frame to display the proof of their hard work.
"Of course, Alvin!" Kazien answered while smiling gently. "Wasn't my main goal in entering this academy from the beginning to get this certificate? We certainly have to display it in the best place."
Hearing that answer, Alvin nodded in satisfaction, which was then followed by enthusiastic nods from Allen and Arken.
After chatting for a moment and officially bidding farewell to Dean Claus, the five youths stepped out of the dean's office. Their next destination was the teachers' council room to say goodbye to the teaching staff there.
As soon as they entered and said goodbye to Professor Dania, the woman who always appeared stern instantly lost her composure. She stepped forward and hugged Kazien tightly, then proceeded to hug Alvin, Allen, Arken, and Erica in turn.
"I will definitely miss the five of you very much." Professor Dania said in a sad tone, her eyes slightly teary. "Congratulations on the graduation of the five of you!"
"Thank you very much, Professor!" they replied in unison with warm smiles.
Professor Dania wiped the corner of her eyes, then looked at Kazien with a gaze full of determination. "I promise I will implement the teaching methods and advice you told me about that time. I will dedicate myself to making the education system in this academy much better!"
"I entrust everything to you, Professor." Kazien said politely. "In that case, we beg our leave."
"Yes! And may all of you succeed in achieving whatever you hope for after walking out the gates of this academy." Professor Dania prayed sincerely.
Kazien nodded while smiling, then led his group to walk away leaving the teachers' room.
As they walked down the academy corridor for the last time, the footsteps of the five youths felt very light. Yet at the same time, their shoulders still bore a very heavy burden. They had to face a great disaster that would sweep the entire world in the future.
"Brother Kazien, where are you going after this? Will you immediately return to the Altavis territory?" asked Erica, who was walking beside him, breaking the silence between them.
"It seems so, Erica." Kazien answered. He turned to look at the purple-haired girl. "Do you want to come there with us?"
Erica shook her head slowly. "I will just stay here for the time being and help Mother. It would be a pity if no one cooked for her when she is tired and returns home."
Kazien smiled and nodded in understanding. "Alright if that is indeed your wish."
Upon arriving at Elisa's mansion, the five of them were immediately warmly welcomed by all members of the Altavis family and also Hudeon, who were already waiting for their arrival on the terrace.
"Have you officially graduated?" Selena asked enthusiastically as soon as she saw her younger siblings stepping in.
"We have, Sister!" Kazien answered in a cheerful tone while handing over his graduation certificate scroll.
The pregnant red-haired woman took the certificate, untied its ribbon, and read it with a proud smile blooming on her face.
"Then after this, what will you do in the near future?" Davin asked, looking at his younger brother's face.
"It seems I will relax and wait until tomorrow passes, only then will I return to the Altavis territory." Kazien answered. "Right now, I am still busy giving my affection to Haverd."
Kazien suddenly walked closer, then leaned his body forward and looked at Davin's face from a fairly close distance.
"Hey, Brother Davin... do you love me?" Kazien asked in an innocent tone.
Davin was slightly surprised by that very sudden question, but he answered it quickly. "Of course I love you, you foolish Kazien! Why are you suddenly asking me such a ridiculous thing?"
Kazien smiled broadly. "It's nothing. If only you weren't my biological brother, I definitely would—"
Snap!
A very hard flick of a finger landed right on Kazien's forehead. Virena, who had been standing near them since who knows when, immediately took physical action so that Kazien would not finish his absurd sentence.
"Ouch... it hurts..." Kazien groaned as he took a step back, rubbing his reddened forehead.
"Stop your useless hypotheticals, Kazien!" Virena stated firmly in a fierce tone, her eyes glaring sharply at her younger brother. "Do you not see Karen is right beside him?"
Kazien pouted his lips, glancing briefly at Karen, Davin's wife, who was currently smiling amiably at him.
"I just miss Brother Davin. Why are you getting angry at me instead, Sister Virena?" Kazien complained listlessly.
"If you miss him, go ahead and hug him or do whatever is up to you!" Virena scolded, still with her same strictness. "But your hypothetical is too crazy to be said to Davin, who is already officially married! If you really want to marry someone like Davin, just look for a distant relative on our mother's side!"
Kazien immediately shook his head vigorously. "I don't want to. I already have the three of them! If told to look for another, I am absolutely not interested. As for Brother Davin, he is indeed the first man I loved. Hehehe."
"Enough, enough. Let's all go inside!" Duke Elgard suddenly invited, mediating the petty argument that was always a hallmark of his family.
Not a single person dared to refute the Duke's words. Everyone complied obediently, leaving the casual chat on the terrace of the house and walking side by side into the mansion.