The buzz of excitement gradually mellowed as the candidates began to collect themselves.

Genevieve adjusted the strap of her bag, brushing imaginary dust off her shoulder. "I'll be heading straight back. I need to settle things at home and prepare on my own terms. I'm not a fan of group transport."

Yosef stretched with a loud yawn. "Not me. I'll be taking the carpool."

They both looked at Aston.

He gave a faint smile. "I'll join the carpool on the seventh day."

Genevieve offered her hand first. "See you at the academy, Aston, Yosef."

He took it firmly. "Looking forward to it."

Yosef gave him a lazy two-middle finger salute. "Don't get all famous before we start classes, yeah?"

"I'll try not to," Aston said with a chuckle.

And with that, they each went their separate ways, stepping out of the tent and into the world, not minding the glaring stare of Tristan.

—

Aston arrived home just after dusk. Gray leapt from his shoulder and padded into the living room, stretching lazily. Mirage flew towards an empty chair.

The house felt a bit warmer than usual.

They ate a simple meal, cleaned up, and turned in early. That night, his sleep was dreamless and undisturbed.

For the first time in a while, he didn't feel like he had to wake up on alert.

—

Morning light streamed through the window as Aston stood outside Emberlight Emporium.

Inside, Rufus was behind the counter, polishing a crystal orb with an old cloth and a bored expression— until he saw Aston.

"Aha! Look who's back from dragon-slaying or whatever hellish nonsense they had you kids doing. How's the trial?"

Aston smiled. "I passed."

Rufus froze for half a second, then grinned broadly. "Well, I'll be damned. You actually did it."

"I came to thank you… and to officially resign."

"About time," Rufus said with a laugh, then grew just a little quieter. "You've always been dependable, Aston. I'd rather see you go than watch you rot here. I'll miss ya, kid."

Aston blushed as he heard what the boss just said. He wasn't the type to be all mushy.

Rufus extended a hand. "If anything ever goes wrong, my store will still be here. This place is too stubborn to close."

Aston shook his hand, warmth blooming in his chest. "Thanks, boss."

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Rufus waved him off with a big smile on his face. "Now get out of here before I actually start feeling things."

—

Later that day, Aston stood in his small backyard.

I just had this house renovated. But the academy is far away…

He was thinking about the house— what would happen if he went out for a long time. The things inside would probably be stolen. Or worse, the house itself will be squattered. He didn't want anything to happen in the house full of memories.

Soon, he decided what to do.

He picked up his old phone— it was time to buy a new phone anyway and called Grant.

Grant's voice crackled through. "Hello."

"Hi, Grant. This is Aston. I was wondering, can you suggest a security agency for my house? I will be going out of the city in the long term and I really don't want to leave it unguarded."

Grant replied, "A security agency, huh? I know a guy. Trustworthy. I'll send him on your way."

"Thanks, Grant."

"You've earned your place, Aston. Don't let anyone shake that home of yours."

A few hours later, a knock on the door was heard.

When Aston opened it, a man looking gruffer than Grant was standing at his door. He was donning a chin strip on his face and was wearing a red bandana over his short, black hair. Overhead, an eagle, presumably his spirit beast, was perched on his roof.

"You Aston?" said the man with a heavy voice, tilting his sunglasses over his forehead.

Aston nodded. "Grant sent you?"

"Mhm. The name's Ric. Short for Ricardo. Security's my game. Let's talk inside."

Aston gestured a motion to invite Ricardo inside.

They have discussed the details regarding the security issue, also offering to have one of Ricardo's personnel come by every now and then.

—

The days that followed moved both too fast and too slow.

He spent them training in the field behind his house, refining his basic techniques, improving his stamina, and sparring against Mirage.

He took long walks around the city, eating foods he'd always passed up, trying things he'd never had time before. He also took the time to buy the latest new phone for 5 gold.

Gray, always nearby, alternated between lazing in sunbeams and pouncing on Mirage mid-flight. They were growing too.

Some afternoons, Aston would just sit on the roof and watch the clouds, his mind running through the list of preparations.

He cleaned the house the way one did before a long trip. Not because he expected to return soon, but because he wanted to leave it with dignity.

But beneath it all, there was a steady pulse of anticipation.

On the night before his departure, he climbed on the roof with Gray curled behind him, and Mirage beside him. The stars stretched across the sky, looking like spilled silver dust across a dark mantle.

He remembered the first time he had climbed up here— alone, shivering, hungry, and confused. Back then, he only wanted to survive.

Now, he wanted to grow.

A smile touched his lips. "We made it, guys."

The little furball meowed softly and nestled against his side. The owl hooted by his side, its feathers shimmering under the starlight.

He admired the view and thought retrospectively about what happened in the last months— his awakening, the auction, the trials, and more.

After a while, they went down and went toward the gate. Aston lit a small lantern in front of the house.

Not for light. Just to mark the place.

A quiet thank-you.

He stood outside the door for a moment longer than needed, eyes trailing on the once worn-out steps.

Come to think of it, when his aunt left, it was the house that remained and witnessed everything— his despair, his hunger, his loneliness, his confusion, but also his love, his kindness, and his revival.

Tomorrow, everything will change for the better.

But tonight, he will rest inside one final time in a long while.

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