“Commemoration?”
“Yeah,” the Principal replied, her tone firm, “Announcement to the worlds, Those who saved the academy will be honoured for their bravery… It’s a way to acknowledge everything you’ve done.”
Aether blinked, a bit surprised, before nodding slowly, “I suppose it’s also a way to pacify the parents and everyone else who’s been angry with the academy.”
The Principal gave an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of her neck, “Well, that’s part of it, yes.”
Aether’s expression hardened suddenly. “However… I’m not interested.”
The Principal frowned, “Why not? It’s a perfect opportunity for you and Victor to boost your reputation, to show just how far you’ve come. It would make it easier for you to finally reveal yourself. No more need for the act—no more hiding wearing a mask…. Victor… I think people will acknowledge you”
Aether chuckled, shaking his head dismissively, “I’m not interested in fame or glory. And as for Victor…” he paused, his tone growing more thoughtful. “It’s better if Victor remains as he is… for now.”
The Principal studied him carefully before letting out a deep sigh. “Well, it’s your decision,” she said, nudging her eyebrows at him. Then, with a sly glint in her eyes, she added, “Though I suppose you don’t need the money, either…”
Aether blinked, momentarily caught off guard, ‘Is she seriously trying to bribe me with money? Hahahah! How little she must think of me! I’m fucking filthy rich! Your pocket change isn’t going to sway me. I could buy this whole academy if I wanted to!…
in the near future of course!’ he thought, inwardly amused.
Seeing no reaction from him, the Principal’s lips twitched with frustration before she continued, “Well then… I guess I’ll just offer that 1,000,000ˀ to someone el–“
“OH! Wait! Did you just say commemoration?” Aether’s face lit up dramatically as if he’d suddenly misheard her, “Of course, I’d be honoured to receive such an award! Who wouldn’t want that kind of recognition from their favourite Master? Victor will definitely will come… He only though” He grinned wide.
The Principal’s face twitched in barely contained irritation. As much as she wanted to knock some sense into him, she was already exhausted from dealing with endless issues. With a sigh, she waved him off, “Just be ready tomorrow morning.”
She turned to leave but paused, glancing back over her shoulder, “By the way, I heard you haven’t spoken to Delphine yet.”
Aether froze, his hand hovering over the training room door. His eyes dropped to the floor, his mind suddenly clouded with guilt, ‘I failed her…’ The words echoed in his mind, too heavy to say aloud.
‘I promised her… I swore I’d protect everyone and make sure her visions never came true, but I failed! I fucking failed her!! How can I even face her now?’ His chest tightened as the guilt clawed at him.
Worse still, fear gripped him… fear of what she might see in her next vision.
First, he needed to overcome that fear. Otherwise, no matter what plans he had in mind, they would all come crashing down.
The Principal watched him, her expression softening, “She’s sad, you know. Whatever the reason you’ve been avoiding her… just make sure it’s worth the pain it’s caused her.”
Grip
Aether’s grip tightened around the door handle. He gritted his teeth, struggling with the weight of her words. After a long moment, he finally answered, his voice low, “I… I’ll talk to her.” Without another word, he entered the room.
The Principal stood in silence, staring at the closed door. ‘I wonder if it’s because of her visions…’ she mused before walking away.
As Aether stepped inside, he was immediately tackled by Snowflake, her tail wrapping around him in an enthusiastic embrace.
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“Maasstterrr~”
Aether smiled, “How are you, Snowflake? I trust you’ve been protecting the place?”
“Yesss, Snowww~ protecteddd~ everything~” she hissed happily, nuzzling against him.
Aether chuckled softly, his eyes wandering over the various creations and artifacts that filled the room. Each one was worth more than most could ever dream of… priceless, even.
A smirk crossed his lips as a sense of determination settled over him. ‘Well… it’s time to finish what I…. left,’ he thought, ready to move forward.
…..
…
The next morning dawned crisp and clear, yet the air felt heavy with a sombre anticipation. The academy grounds were filled with people—students, citizens.. all gathered for the commemoration.
At the front of the assembly, the Principal stepped up to the podium. Her posture was firm, but her expression reflected the weight of the moment. Her eyes swept across the sea of faces before her, all waiting to hear her words. She took a deep breath, gathering herself before beginning.
“Ladies and gentlemen, students, and honoured guests,” she began, her voice steady with authority but tinged with emotion, “Today, we come together in a moment of both immense sorrow and profound gratitude.”
The crowd stilled, their attention wholly focused on the Principal. The professors in the front row exchanged solemn glances, the events of the battle still fresh in their minds.
“I know the depth of our loss… My students, My family!! Many of them are young, full of promise, dreams yet to be fulfilled. They stood in the face of unimaginable danger, knowing that their sacrifice might be the last chapter of their story. They fought not just for themselves, but for their friends, their families, and this academy that they loved
We gather to commemorate those who gave everything—their dreams, their futures—so that we may continue to live ours”
As her eyes swept around saw everyone staring at her with pained eyes.
“We mourn them today…. We mourn the loss of their laughter in these halls, their bright futures that will never come to pass…. Let us hold their names in our hearts, for they have etched themselves into the very foundation of this academy with their courage. Their sacrifice was not in vain.”
A soft breeze rustled through the academy grounds, the newly renovated buildings standing as silent testaments to the destruction they had narrowly survived.
The Principal paused, letting the weight of her words settle over the audience.
With a graceful motion, she flicked her fingers, and the large curtain that had been concealing the memorial stone began to rise. The crowd collectively held their breath as the massive stone, intricately etched with the names of the 1,340 lost souls, was revealed.
“This memorial stone, bearing the names of those we lost, will stand as a permanent reminder of their sacrifice…. a black stain on our history, but also a testament to the resilience of this academy. May it remain here for generations to come, so that their bravery is never forgotten.”
The Principal’s voice grew softer, more reverent, “Please, everyone, rise and offer your prayers to the Arcane Goddess, that the souls of our fallen may rest peacefully.”
The crowd stood as one, bowing their heads in solemn prayer.
As the ceremony continued, a hush fell over the assembly, but in a far corner of the gathering, Victor stood with an expression of utter disbelief.
“You mean… your name is Kira? Not Kyra?” Victor asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
The black-haired girl standing before him raised an amused eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “You saved my life, fought for me, and yet you’ve been calling me the wrong name this whole time?” She let out a light, playful laugh, “That really hurts, you know.”
Victor blinked, his mind reeling as he tried to process what was happening. The girl standing before him wasn’t the one he had known—or so he thought.
‘Does that mean… the souls of those who died at the summit were truly lost?’ His thoughts raced as he glanced around, noticing familiar faces among the crowd—Leon, who appeared perfectly fine, was chatting with Kai, who bore a few bruises for some reason.
Shaking off his confusion, Victor turned back to Kira, who was blushing faintly under his gaze.
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She awkwardly chuckled, her cheeks flushing a deeper red as she cleared her throat. “A-Anyway, from here on, I’ll be your attendant. I hope I can be of service to you,” she said, extending her hand.
Victor stared at her, still trying to piece everything together, but he shook her hand nonetheless, “I… I’ll be counting on you,” he managed to say, still somewhat bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.