The proud, aloof man in white robes, the bearer of the blue sword, knelt before the inner court gate as though mountains of gold and jade had shattered at once.

Giselle's heart trembled, but she said nothing.

"Wait here," she said softly. "I'll go get Teacher."

Taking a deep breath, she turned and rushed into the inner court, her figure disappearing in a blur.

Alfred remained kneeling.

As time passed, the storm in his heart slowly settled. A cool breeze drifted by, carrying with it the gentle scent of greenery unique to Central Academy. The air was moist and fragrant, soothing the soul.

I'm back… after thirteen years.

Today, I've finally returned.

Kneeling there, Alfred felt an unfamiliar sense of peace.

Back then, I was arrogant and impulsive. I understand now… but can what was lost ever be reclaimed?

I'm sorry, Rihanna. I'm sorry, Teacher. It was all my fault.

Rihanna, wait for me. I'll carve your name into my battle armor. We'll never be separated again.

As long as you wish it, I'll sacrifice everything.

Time flowed strangely, both slow and swift.

When Giselle returned, Alfred was still lost in memory.

She stopped a short distance away, her face pale, hesitation etched into every step. After a long pause, she gathered her courage and stepped forward.

"T-Teacher doesn't want to see you," she said, her voice trembling.

"Mn. Thank you," Alfred replied calmly, without lifting his head.

Giselle hesitated, then added softly, "Teacher said… 'let him kneel there.'"

Alfred raised his head sharply, his entire body trembling.

He wasn't afraid of his teacher's anger.

He was afraid of his teacher's indifference.

As long as Teacher was furious, there was still hope.

"Thank you, Giselle," Alfred said, biting down on his lip. His back straightened as he continued kneeling, straighter than before.

"Just keep kneeling for now," Giselle said gently. "You know Teacher. His words are harsh, but his heart is soft. When I told him you were back, I saw it… just for a moment. He was happy. He couldn't hide it. He still cares deeply about you. Give me some time. I'll persuade him again."

Alfred shook his head lightly. "I don't deserve his forgiveness. But for the sake of my disciples… I ask this of you."

Giselle nodded, then turned and disappeared back into the inner court.

*

"The sun's almost up. Why hasn't Teacher come back yet?" Raziel paced anxiously around the room.

After leaving, Alfred had called once, telling them he had matters to attend to and instructing them to stay in their rooms so as not to disturb Ray's deep meditation.

Instead, the three of them had gathered in Alfred's room, meditating and waiting.

Earlier, they had cracked the door open to peek at Ray. Lily and Violetta had turned beet red when they saw him soaking naked in the bathtub.

Lily had immediately covered Violetta's eyes… while keeping her own wide open.

A moment later, Raziel took the moral high ground and dragged them both away, depriving them of any further "scenery."

Now, with Ray still meditating and Alfred nowhere to be found, Raziel's heart was in chaos.

Even though he had resolved to stand with Ray, taking the exam was still the best outcome. They were only thirteen. In three years, they'd be sixteen, too old to take the exam. This was their only chance.

Lily, the calmest among them, sat cross-legged on a chair, deep in thought ever since she'd seen Ray in the bath.

"Let's just wait," Violetta said softly. "Raziel, stop pacing. We already made our choice. If we miss the exam, we'll treat this as a vacation. Once Captain wakes up, we can go sightseeing. At worst, we'll make him treat us to dinner. His face will hurt from how stingy he is."

She giggled.

Raziel made a strange face. Sadly, it was true. Aside from necessities, Ray barely spent a coin. Everything went into savings. Feeding his bottomless stomach outside was simply too expensive.

As dawn crept in, Raziel's agitation slowly faded.

Even if Ray woke up now, it would be too late.

Their inn was far from Central Academy. The exam would start in an hour. They wouldn't make it in time.

If they missed it, then they missed it.

Regret would follow, but they had made their choice.

Suddenly, Lily's eyes snapped open. She looked straight at Raziel.

"I'll stop mocking you in the future."

"Huh?" Raziel blinked, completely caught off guard.

"What do you mean by that?" Raziel eyed Lily suspiciously, as if she'd just insulted him in a language he hadn't quite decoded.

Lily replied calmly, "It means I've finally decided you count as a male."

His face darkened instantly. "So you're saying you used to treat me like a girl?"

Lily let out a soft laugh, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Interpret it however you like."

Before he could retort, Violetta skipped over and hooked her arm through his. "So that means we're actually a group of sisters! If Big Sis Lily hadn't told me, I never would've known."

Raziel nearly choked. He yanked his arm free with visible effort. "You girls are impossible! You'd never dare mess with Ray like this." He huffed, then waved his hand. "Forget it. I'm starving. You two watch over him while I grab breakfast. Want anything?"

Lily nodded immediately. "Meat buns, juice, yogurt. Oh, and some vegetables."

Violetta began counting on her fingers. "Bread, jam, yogurt, and a fried egg. Actually… make that two. I'm still growing, after all."

Raziel snorted. "Yeah, growing into a fried egg!" He bolted for the door the instant the words left his mouth, vanishing before Violetta could explode.

Not long after, a knock echoed through the room.

"He's back already?" Violetta muttered as she went to answer it. When she opened the door, however, it wasn't Raziel standing outside, but the white-haired woman from yesterday.

"Oh, Auntie, it's you," Violetta said. "Where's Teacher?"

Giselle stepped inside. "Your teacher is fine. He's handling some matters at the academy for you all. Has your captain woken up yet?"

Violetta shook her head. "Not yet."

Giselle sighed softly. "Then we can only wait. Once he wakes up, I'll take you all over."

Violetta blinked. "Take us over? But… isn't it already too late?"

A faint smile curved Giselle's lips as she gently ruffled Violetta's hair, mirroring Alfred's habit. "Don't worry. Your teacher has already settled things. The exam will be more difficult, but you still have one last chance. We'll leave as soon as your captain wakes."

"Really?" Violetta's eyes lit up. She bounced in place. "That's amazing! Teacher is the best!"

Although they had been prepared to give up the exam for Ray, having both was infinitely better. Missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would have been a lingering regret.

Lily stared at Giselle, stunned. She hadn't expected this outcome at all. It felt as though an invisible mountain had finally been lifted from her chest.

*

In the washroom, Ray remained submerged in the bathtub. The water had cooled to lukewarm, but a golden mist still coiled through the air, wrapping his body in a luminous veil.

Inside his spiritual world, he stood once more within the familiar mystical hall.

"Did I succeed?" Ray asked quietly.

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