Sir Arun and Sir Gomo were eating with joyous expressions.
They invited us to join them, but we initially refused.
Maybe, even after everything, I still couldn't forgive myself for what happened to Surya.
If only I had been more vigilant...
If only I had kept my guards up around him...
He might still have been alive.
He might have been living peacefully with Nini in the Greto Capital.
I think this guilt will remain with me for a long time.
My stomach growled.
Loudly.
Everyone heard it.
Sir Arun suddenly appeared behind me and began massaging my shoulders.
[Arun]: Seems like the young man was hungry after all.
Before I could react, I was teleported onto a nearby seat.
Was that even teleportation?
Whatever.
The moment I saw the rice, paneer, chapatis, and all the other dishes...
I lost control.
I started eating.
A lot.
I probably ate nearly half the food myself.
My friends eventually joined me.
Soon, we were talking, laughing, and sharing stories about everything that had happened.
Apparently, Sir Gomo had only recently returned from a ten-year-long mission.
Master Krishna had assigned him to Isolated Dimension 777 to assist us alongside Sir Arun.
Sir Arun, however, had been sent there for entirely different reasons.
He never revealed what those reasons were.
Still, seeing the General of the Immortalus Society sitting right in front of us was surreal.
Gomo Taka.
The Living History.
The strongest sorcerer alive.
And, apparently...
The Pervert King.
I was genuinely in awe.
Just as our conversation was coming to an end, Sir Arun pointed toward me.
[Arun]: By the way, where is your coat?
Everyone looked at me.
I smirked.
[Pratik]: Someone else is getting ready for it.
I said proudly.
I had given my coat to Yash.
He wanted to see the Sorcery World for himself.
But I knew how protective his mother was.
I couldn't simply take him away from Greto and bring him along with us.
So I gave him a challenge instead.
[Pratik]: Come to Earth yourself when you become strong enough to wear this coat.
And then...
I gave it to him.
I could already imagine his smirk.
I wonder how long it will take him to visit Earth.
Five years, perhaps?
Maybe we'll meet again after five years.
For now, everyone was going their separate ways.
The Ganas had departed for Morco.
Nini had remained behind on Greto Planet.
Yash had stayed on Greto Planet as its prince.
Marshal Griho had departed for the Dragon Empire.
Before leaving, I asked Marshal Griho to give Girishika my regards.
I wonder how she'll react.
I hope she'll be happy to know we're alive, safe, and doing fine.
Actually...
I decided to write her a letter myself.
The problem?
My handwriting was so terrible that even I couldn't decipher what I had written after a few minutes.
In the end, Sir Arun had to write the letter for me.
Earth
After a few days of travelling, we finally reached Earth.
My reaction?
The moment the spacecraft landed, I ran outside and jumped into the air.
We're back!
After everything we'd been through...
The battles.
The losses.
The trials.
We were finally home.
But before I could properly celebrate...
Someone appeared in front of me.
Oh no.
Master Krishna.
[Krishna]: Seems like you're quite excited.
[Pratik]: Well, that's not... I mean... what is... that... no—
Damn it.
I'm messing up.
[Krishna]: Your mission was supposed to be about the Dragon Empire. Somehow, you spiralled into half the galaxy and ended up in places completely unrelated to your assignment.
[Pratik]: Actually, it... that... no, I—
I'm messing up again.
His gaze is terrifying.
Krishna sighed.
[Krishna]: While you couldn't prevent the war, you managed to keep the situation from escalating further. I'll overlook the mess you caused.
I blinked.
[Krishna]: The Dragon Empire sent their gratitude along with several artifacts and treasures one month ago.
I see.
That must have been Girishika.
She was the new Queen now.
[Krishna]: You will receive 100 points as a team out of a possible 200. Am I clear?
His voice carried enough authority to make everyone straighten up.
[Pratik]: Yes, Master.
I couldn't exactly argue with that.
Krishna continued.
[Krishna]: I've heard that you faced numerous challenges and even fought Haidoro. The fact that you're still alive tells me you're capable of taking the ISFC examinations. We'll see how you perform.
He turned around and began walking away.
I watched him leave.
Yes.
I could take the ISFC examinations.
But...
Something inside me had changed.
My original goal had been simple.
Climb the ranks through ISFC.
Eventually become the Leader of the Immortalus Society.
The most prestigious position a sorcerer could attain.
I wanted that title so that everyone around me could feel proud of me.
And, honestly...
So that I could earn enough money to live a better life.
But my goals weren't the same anymore.
I wanted to save people.
More and more people.
And to do that...
I needed power.
I needed to become stronger.
I will give my ISFC exams after 5 years. The next round of ISFC since it is taken once in every five years.
[Pratik]: Master!
Krishna stopped.
I spoke before I could lose my courage.
[Pratik]: I actually want to train under you.
My eyes were filled with determination.
Krishna looked back at me.
[Krishna]: I see.
He paused.
[Krishna]: In that case, complete your annual passing requirements first. If you do, I'll personally train you.
And with that...
He teleported away.
I stood there silently.
This meant I wouldn't be taking ISFC this year.
My pay would probably remain low.
But...
That didn't bother me anymore.
I could continue living the way I always had.
More importantly...
I could become stronger.
I clenched my fist.
My friends smiled behind me.
We were entering a new stage of our lives.
A stage of understanding.
A stage of change.
A stage of realisation.
Monster Realm
[Kae]: Seems like Pratik and the others made it out safely.
Karnkasur nodded.
[Karnkasur]: Yes. Their bounties have increased considerably. All thanks to the news surrounding Herto.
He paused.
[Karnkasur]: I wonder what Herto was doing in Isolated Dimension 777.
Kae continued smiling calmly.
That man never seemed to lose his smile.
[Kae]: It was obviously part of Yash's plan.
He casually ate a piece of guava.
[Kae]: He called Herto as a backup. Once Herto Company's forces entered Isolated Dimension 777, Yash and his friends could blend in with them and escape safely from Haidoro.
Kae chuckled.
[Kae]: It was an excellent plan. Unfortunately for Haidoro, the intervention of Sir Gomo completely disrupted everything.
[Karnkasur]: What should our next move be?
Kae remained silent for a moment.
Then his smile widened.
[Kae]: Hmm...
He took another bite of the guava.
[Kae]: We should lay low for the time being.
A pause.
[Kae]: Five years.
Karnkasur looked toward him.
[Kae]: After five years, we'll begin making our moves again.
His calm smile remained unchanged.
[Kae]: And perhaps... it will be the perfect opportunity to announce the Pikra War.
The Pikra War.
A war destined to be remembered as Black Day in the history of the Sorcery World...
If the Sorcery World survived long enough to remember it.
To be continued...