The skies above the Ivory Arcanum shimmered with spell-imbued clouds, drifting lazily across a painted-blue horizon. Magical airships floated high above like silent guardians, their sails catching enchanted winds. In the courtyard below, five young adventurers stood with their respective mentors, bags packed, weapons sheathed, hearts uncertain.
It was time to part ways.
The moment had come sooner than any of them wanted.
The courtyard was beautiful, white stone engraved with runes of power and protection, a fountain in the center bubbling with crystal-clear water. The breeze carried a gentle warmth, but not one of the young adventurers felt it. Not really.
Their thoughts were far heavier than the light air would suggest.
Yuzu adjusted her hat nervously, standing beside Xiao, who was already hovering off the ground like he'd missed gravity's memo. His hands sparkled with arcane energy, a dozen tomes orbiting his head lazily like moons around a wizard planet.
Xiao: "You ready?" he asked her with a grin.
"N-no," Yuzu admitted, hugging her staff. "But I'll go."
"Good girl," Xiao nodded, then pointed at her forehead.
Xiao: The moment you set foot in the Obsidian Labyrinth, you're mine. No more hiding behind Fireball spam."
She winced. "eh??"
Xiao: Let's go.
Meanwhile, Rika stood beside Blue, trying not to pass out from how cool he looked. His bow was slung across his back, silver and leaf-carved, and his cloak fluttered even though there wasn't any wind. Beside him stood one of his elf companions, Maya who looked at Rika with a kind but evaluating gaze.
"You'll be training in the Elven Grand city," Blue said.
Blue: Hope you like mountains. And falling.
Rika grinned nervously. "I think I'm ready?"
Blue gave her a rare nod of approval. "Good. I only take promising ones."
Hina was already hugging Hanagi, tears welling in her eyes. The saintly healer returned the embrace warmly, then stepped back and placed a glowing hand over Hina's chest, where a faint golden sigil appeared.
"Just a charm," Hanagi said.
Hanagi: To protect you during your first week.
"I'll miss everyone…" Hina whispered, looking over at Red, then at Selena. "Even Lio."
Selena stood frozen, her travel pack slung over one shoulder, her eyes never leaving Red.
Lyra stood beside her, arms folded, watching the scene with casual patience.
Lyra: Well, assassin training waits for no one, Red. You wanna say your final dramatic words, or should I drag her by the wrist?"
"Shut up," Selena hissed.
Red hadn't spoken since the group had gathered. He'd stood silently at the edge of the fountain, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Now, slowly, he walked up to Selena.
They stared at each other.
No words yet.
Just silence, stretching between them like a tightrope.
Selena finally broke it, her voice a whisper.
Selena: You're really sending me away.
Red didn't flinch. "You'll come back stronger."
Selena: That's not what I asked.
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
Red: Yes.
She turned her face away, fists clenching.
Selena: Why? Why do you always make decisions alone? Don't you think I want to stay beside you? Fight beside you?"
Red looked away, his jaw tightening.
Red: You almost died, Selena.
"So did you!" she snapped, her voice suddenly sharp and broken all at once.
Selena: Every time you leave, I wonder if you'll come back in one piece. But I never asked you to stop. I just wanted to walk beside you.
He took a step closer.
Red: You will. But not yet.
Selena: Why not?!
Red exhaled slowly, the edge of steel in his gaze dulling just enough to let his true fear slip through.
Red: Because next time… it won't be orcs. It'll be worse. And I can't..." He stopped, voice cracking for the first time.
Red: I can't watch you fall again.
Selena's eyes brimmed with tears.
She stepped forward, gripping his armor with trembling hands.
Selena: Do you know how scared I was? Not of dying, but that you'd be alone after we were gone. I don't want to be stronger so I can protect myself. I want to be stronger so I can protect you.
Red closed his eyes.
Red: I know.
A pause.
Then Selena took a breath, stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek.
"Then promise me," she whispered.
Red opened his eyes slowly. "Promise you what?"
Selena: That when I come back…" Her voice wavered.
Selena: You'll be waiting.
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
Red: I'll wait.
She let go and stepped back, tears finally falling. Lyra put a hand on her shoulder, guiding her away.
Lyra: Come on, kid. No crying during assassin training. Save your tears for the poison tests.
Selena tried to laugh, but it came out as a hiccup. She didn't look back.
One by one, the young adventurers followed their mentors.
Yuzu gave a bow before vanishing into a portal conjured by Xiao. Rika gave Lio a big thumbs-up and ran after Blue, who was already whistling. Hina lingered for a long second, then ran back to Red, hugged him tight, then darted to Hanagi before she could change her mind.
Just like that, they were gone.
All except Lio.
He blinked, looking around.
Lio: Wait a second...did they all leave?
Red turned.
Red:…Yeah.
Lio scratched his head.
Lio: Why didn't anyone say goodbye to me?"
Red: You were unconscious half the time.
Lio: ooh...
He looked around the empty courtyard, then back at Red.
Lio: So, where are we training? A mountain? A lava pit? A secret cave full of sword spirits?
Red turned and started walking.
Red: Outside at east gate of Silverhaven. We'll start with basic footwork.
Lio: Wait, what?! Everyone else gets a best place? while I...get… bricks?
Red glanced back. "You've got enthusiasm, Lio. But your fundamentals are terrible."
Lio puffed out his chest. "I can work with that!"
Red nodded. "Good. Because you're about to sweat blood."
Lio paled. "That's… not just a metaphor, is it?"
Red: Nope.
Lio: …ooh.
As they walked together back to the Silverhaven, the white stones underfoot seemed to shine brighter.
Lio: Hey, Red?"
Red: Yeah?
Lio: Thanks for picking me.
Red looked over at him.
Red: You weren't left behind, Lio. You stayed with me.
Lio grinned. "Heck yeah I did."
Soon, when they arrived at Silverhaven
The training began.
Behind them, the magical wind of the Ivory Arcanum shifted, carrying echoes of footsteps, laughter, and heartbreak. Across distant ranges and halls of power, Selena, Hina, Yuzu, and Rika stepped into the trials of legendary training. Each one walking a new path. Each one carrying the memory of Red in their hearts.
And Red? He remained behind, watching the sky.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Preparing for the storm he knew would come.