Episode 125
Leaves fell, branches bare against the sky. The first snow had fallen long ago, and today’s steady snowfall blanketed the academy. The cold air nipped at Elonia’s skin, even through her warm clothes.
“Elonia!”
Elonia turned at the sound of her name.
A figure in a white graduation gown, almost invisible against the snow, but with a shock of bright red hair that stood out starkly against the white backdrop. It was Garnethia.
Elonia, despite knowing better, felt a pang of longing.
The combination of white snow and red always triggered a bittersweet memory.
Garnethia, now a young woman, her features maturing, spoke softly,
“The graduation ceremony is about to begin. You should head over soon, since you’re the valedictorian.”
“Okay.”
Elonia nodded, her own white graduation gown identical to Garnethia’s, her footsteps leaving larger prints in the fresh snow than they had years ago.
She remembered a boy with hair like spun moonlight, with eyes and lips as red as camellias.
Seven years since Lucius left.
He hadn’t returned, and now, it was Elonia’s turn to leave the academy.
A wave of nostalgia washed over her.
“We’re finally graduating.”
“I know. It’s finally here.”
Garnethia smiled.
Much had changed in seven years.
The brainwashing had been completely eradicated from the academy.
Thanks to Lucius, the prayer altars were useless, and the detection devices, the pocket watches and rings, had been silent for three years.
Elonia clutched the small silver ring around her neck.
The ring Lucius had given her before leaving. The ring that had fit her small finger when she was nine was now too small, so she wore it on a chain around her neck.
She had experienced so much at this academy, and now, as she was about to leave, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.
‘…I wish he had returned before my graduation.’
Lucius wasn’t dead. The apostle’s power still lingered in the ring.
But his absence meant he had failed to find the holy relic and kill Tristan.
When Llewellyn, who was the same age as Lucius, came of age, Elonia had wanted to visit Heilan, to see what had happened. But leaving now would be a betrayal of Lucius and her mother’s sacrifice. She couldn’t bring herself to do it.
‘He promised to return.’
She was graduating now. She would be able to participate in diplomatic affairs with Heilan.
But impatience was a dangerous emotion.
She had to trust him and wait.
Elonia, steeling her resolve, headed towards the Grand Hall, where the graduation ceremony was being held.
The ceremony was held in the same hall as the entrance ceremony.
Headmaster Endymion, his eyes glistening with tears, as always, began the ceremony.
“I still remember the day you all arrived, your eyes shining with anticipation for your new life at the academy.”
The new students, back then, had been too busy staring at Elonia to listen to his speech. Fortunately, there were a few who were actually listening this time.
Endymion, touched by their attention, sniffled and then gestured for Elonia to take the podium.
“Now, we’ll hear from our valedictorian, Elonia Ainar Ravanta.”
Elonia, who had been sitting in the front row, stood up, a valedictorian badge pinned to her gown, and walked towards the stage.
She took a deep breath and began her speech.
“Congratulations on your graduation, fellow students.”
Her clear, strong voice captured their attention.
Her speech wasn’t long.
After a few formal remarks, she read the final sentence,
“The knowledge and experience you gained during your seven years at the academy will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for your future growth. Thank you for your hard work. I look forward to seeing you all again, out there, in the real world.”
A thunderous applause filled the hall as she finished her speech.
After a few words from each department head, the graduates tossed their caps in the air.
The sight of the white caps raining down was both liberating and bittersweet.
Elonia, smiling brightly, felt the weight of her academic burdens lift from her shoulders.
The professors stood by the door, offering their congratulations to the graduates. Caroline was waiting for Elonia.
“Your Highness, congratulations on your graduation. This old woman will miss you.”
“Then retire and come work at the Imperial Magic Tower. I’ll get you a position.”
“Oh my.”
“I’m just kidding. I’ve learned a lot from you, Professor Caroline.”
Elonia smiled, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. She had been exhausted by Caroline’s constant attention, but she had also learned a lot from her.
She had gained control over her powers at a much younger age than she had as Chelon. And thanks to her excellent grades, she had even received an invitation from Gaia Academy.
She had no intention of accepting it, of course. She had other obligations, and having witnessed Llewellyn’s suffering at Gaia Academy, she didn’t want to end up like him.
After saying goodbye to Caroline, Elonia greeted Garnethia and Olivia.
“Garnethia, I’ll see you in a month.”
“Yes, Elonia.”
Garnethia had passed the exam and become Elonia’s personal assistant. She would still see her often, even after graduation. But Olivia was different.
Olivia and Simon approached her. Olivia, her face filled with regret, took Elonia’s hand.
“Come visit often, El.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for everything, Your Highness.”
“Take care, Prince Simon.”
They were more comfortable with her now.
Olivia and Simon were no longer hostages.
After eliminating the prayer altars, Elonia had suggested abolishing the hostage system. Artius had listened and brought it up at the Noble Council meeting.
But the nobles had been hesitant, so they had compromised. Olivia and Simon, as royalty, would be reclassified as international students and allowed to stay in Ravanta for three years after graduation.
Olivia would be staying at the Bereta estate, and Simon would be staying at the Archer estate.
‘It’s not ideal, but it’s the best we can do for now.’
Elonia, after saying goodbye to her friends, looked for her family.
Artius, holding a large bouquet of flowers, had been waiting for her.
Elonia, smiling, rushed towards him.
“Dad, sorry for making you wait.”
“It’s fine. Congratulations on your graduation.”
Artius handed her the bouquet, which was almost as large as his torso, practically burying Elonia in flowers.
Elonia, peeking out from behind the flowers, grumbled,
“Why did you bring such a large bouquet?”
“He got a bit carried away.”
“Aunt Rosalyne?”
Lady Asta appeared beside him.
Elonia’s face lit up at the sight of her. And if Lady Asta was here…
“El, we’re here too!”
“Congratulations on your graduation, Your Highness.”
“Llewellyn, Alberich!”
The Asta brothers were also here.
Elonia was sixteen now, and Alberich and Llewellyn were twenty-six and twenty-two, respectively.
She had thought Llewellyn would always be a child, but he had grown taller, his features maturing, Lady Asta’s genes finally showing.
“You look well, Llewellyn. You looked like you were dying the last time I saw you.”
The dark circles under his eyes, a constant fixture since he entered Gaia Academy, were gone. Llewellyn puffed out his chest proudly.
“This older brother is always perfect.”
“Your Highness, he’s lying. He’s been fussing over his appearance since yesterday morning. He put on a ton of makeup today.”
“Brother!”
Llewellyn shrieked at Alberich’s betrayal.
Alberich, unlike Llewellyn, was living a healthy and comfortable life.
He had become the Captain of the Imperial Knight Squadron. He was a Sword Master, and he had been waiting for this opportunity. It was a natural progression.
“Don’t call yourselves my sons in public. It’s embarrassing.”
Lady Asta placed a hand on her forehead, and Elonia chuckled.
“Let’s go. Sarah is waiting.”
Elonia herded her family towards the exit.
It was her graduation day. She wanted to put aside her worries and enjoy a celebratory meal with her family.
The grand family dinner, an annual tradition to celebrate Elonia’s return from the academy, was over.
Elonia, back in her room with Sarah, started getting ready for bed.
Her room, which she would be using every day from now on, was exactly as she had left it.
‘Sarah must have taken good care of it while I was gone.’
Elonia, looking at the box on her nightstand, thought,
Artius, Sarah, and Lady Asta had been treating her like a ticking time bomb ever since she found Philemon’s diary and cried seven years ago.
It was understandable. Only Elonia, with the apostle’s ring, could see the contents of the diary. And the parts that weren’t written with apostle’s power were so mundane that they wouldn’t have understood why she was crying.
‘I can’t tell them the truth.’
So she had put the diary back in the box, placed it on her nightstand, just like before, and placed her dagger, which she always carried with her, beside it.
And the next day, she had returned to the academy.
As if nothing had happened.
She couldn’t accept the fact that Philemon had been Alexia. Even her own identity as Chelon hadn’t felt so heavy before.
She needed time, time to separate herself from Chelon, to process her emotions.
And everyone, seeing her pretending to be fine, had played along.
“You’ve grown so much… Congratulations on your graduation, Your Highness.”
Sarah, as always, brushed her hair, her voice gentle.
“Thank you, Sarah.”
“I’m so glad I’ll be seeing you every day now.”
“Me too.”
Elonia and Sarah smiled at each other.
This quiet, peaceful moment before bed, with Sarah brushing her hair, was always a time for reflection.
Elonia, looking at Sarah, felt the passage of time.
Artius and Lady Asta, being swordsmen, didn’t seem to age.
But Sarah was different. She looked young, thanks to her noble lifestyle, but she was in her forties now.
And Sarah wasn’t the only one who had noticed.
“Our princess, you’ve grown so much.”
Elonia smiled silently.
“You’re old enough for your debutante ball now…”
And then Sarah said something Elonia had completely forgotten about.
Her peaceful reverie shattered.