The Academy gates had never looked so ordinary.
For nearly a year...
They had represented discipline.
Schedules.
Training.
Examinations.
Today...
They represented freedom.
For the first time since arriving at the Academy...
Gamma Squad walked through them with nowhere they needed to be.
No instructors.
No drills.
No deadlines.
Just...
A week before Kharos Vale.
June stretched his arms over his head.
"...I forgot the sky looked different outside the Academy."
Lucian glanced upward.
"It doesn't."
"It feels different."
"I'll allow that."
David smiled as they followed the main boulevard leading toward the city.
The streets were alive.
Restaurants overflowed with Academy cadets.
Families filled outdoor cafés.
Children chased one another through the parks.
Street musicians played beneath colorful banners celebrating the Academy Tournament.
For the first time...
David realized how much life continued outside the Academy walls.
Nyra slowed beside him.
"...You've never really been into the city, have you?"
David shook his head.
"...No."
"My father couldn't afford trips like this."
Nyra looked at him.
"So today..."
She smiled.
"...you let us."
David laughed.
"I don't think I have much choice."
"You really don't."
June suddenly spun around while walking backward.
"Attention!"
Lucian sighed immediately.
"...Here we go."
"As acting Director of Celebration Planning..."
"You appointed yourself."
"I was unanimously elected."
"No one voted."
"I voted."
"That's not unanimous."
"It is if nobody objects."
"We're objecting."
June ignored him.
"Our first order of business..."
He pointed dramatically down the street.
"...Food."
"Second..."
He pointed toward a nearby shopping district.
"...Dessert."
"Third..."
He looked around thoughtfully.
"...More food."
Mira laughed.
"...That's your entire plan?"
"I'm open to suggestions."
Castiel spoke quietly.
"...A bookstore."
June stared at him.
"A bookstore?"
Castiel nodded.
"I've been waiting three months for a new release."
June blinked.
"...You're serious."
"...Yes."
Lucian looked toward Castiel.
"What book?"
"The Complete Military Campaigns of the Third Expansion Era."
June slowly looked at David.
"...He's joking."
David smiled.
"...He's not."
June looked back at Castiel.
"...You read those..."
"...For fun?"
"...Yes."
June placed a hand on Castiel's shoulder.
"...I'm worried about you."
Nyra burst into laughter.
Even Castiel smiled.
Just a little.
"...I've been told that before."
David noticed.
The smile.
Tiny.
Gone almost instantly.
But it was there.
He didn't mention it.
He simply smiled to himself.
They reached the center of the plaza.
A massive fountain dominated the square.
Water danced through the air as dozens of cadets gathered nearby.
Some recognized Gamma Squad immediately.
Applause broke out.
Someone shouted—
"Champion!"
Another—
"Gamma Squad!"
David instinctively rubbed the back of his neck.
"...I'm never getting used to that."
Nyra leaned closer.
"...You don't have to."
June immediately waved both arms.
"THANK YOU!"
David looked at him.
"...What are you doing?"
"I'm accepting on your behalf."
"No one asked you to."
"They didn't have to."
Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I think I preferred when no one knew us."
June gasped dramatically.
"...Speak for yourself."
A little boy, no older than eight, tugged on his father's sleeve.
"Dad..."
"Is that really them?"
His father smiled.
"I think it is."
The boy hesitated.
Then slowly walked toward David.
He stopped a few feet away.
"...Excuse me."
David knelt so they were eye level.
"Hi."
The boy held out a small wooden practice sword.
"...Could you..."
"...sign it?"
David blinked.
"...Sign it?"
The father laughed awkwardly.
"He's been pretending to be you since the tournament."
David looked completely lost.
"I..."
June whispered from behind him.
"...You've become famous."
David accepted the wooden sword.
"...What's your name?"
"Eli."
David smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Eli."
Using a small engraving stylus offered by the boy's father, David carefully carved his name into the wooden blade.
Then he handed it back.
"There."
Eli stared at it.
Like it was priceless.
"...Thank you."
David smiled.
"Train hard."
"I will!"
The boy ran back to his father.
The father nodded respectfully.
"Thank you, Cadet Wyn."
David returned the nod.
As they walked away...
Nyra looked at him.
"...You made his day."
David watched the boy excitedly showing everyone the signed sword.
"...I think he made mine."
Silence settled over Gamma Squad.
Comfortable.
Warm.
June finally broke it.
"...Alright."
"Now I want fans."
Lucian didn't miss a beat.
"Be quieter."
"They'll come."
"I don't think that's how it works."
"...Worth a try."
Everyone laughed.
For a little while...
There were no monsters.
No rankings.
No missions.
Just six friends walking through the city together.
None of them noticed...
High above...
On the rooftop of a distant building...
A lone figure watched Gamma Squad disappear into the crowd.
Hidden beneath a dark cloak.
Motionless.
Watching.
Then...
The figure turned.
And vanished.