Aren turned his attention toward the students whose voices had begun to rise above the general noise of the hall. His sharp gaze followed the direction of the disturbance until it landed on a pair standing slightly apart from the crowd.
Ashan and Narasha had moved to the side of the hall, away from the center.
Aren narrowed his eyes.
"…That boy," he muttered. "The one who used a lightning blade."
His eyes lingered on Ashan's outfit for a moment longer than necessary.
"What's with that outfit?"
Before he could think further, a familiar presence moved beside him. Sisiliya stepped closer, her black hair shimmering softly under the lights. She gently wrapped her arm around Aren's, leaning in with a warm smile.
"Honey, what's the matter?" she asked softly.
Aren turned toward her and smiled, the sharpness in his eyes easing.
"Sisil, that's the boy I told you about," he said. "The one who coated his sword with lightning yesterday. Do you remember?"
Sisiliya followed his gaze and looked toward Ashan. Her eyes widened slightly with interest.
"Oho… I remember him now," she said. "Seeing him properly like this, he's quite handsome for his age. But that outfit…" she tilted her head, amused. "It's certainly strange."
Then, in the very next moment, her eyes shifted, and froze.
She noticed Narasha standing close to Ashan.
"Oh my…" Sisiliya breathed out softly. "Aren, did you see the girl with him? She looks like a celebrity."
Aren turned again, this time focusing on Narasha. For a brief second, even he paused.
"…Hmm," he hummed. "She is a new student. I've never seen her before."
His gaze swept over the nearby crowd, many of whom were clearly sneaking glances at the pair.
"Now I understand why those boys suddenly started making a fuss."
Sisiliya sighed, watching the two quietly.
"They seem like a couple," she said. "Not just the girl, there's something about that boy too. They both have a unique attractiveness. To me, they match well."
She smiled faintly and added, "Weren't we also like that at their age?"
Aren closed his eyes.
Memories surfaced, days filled with reckless confidence, shared laughter, and battles fought side by side.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Those times with you were the best. Back then… you were the most beautiful woman I knew."
Sisiliya let out a soft laugh and nudged him lightly.
"Aren, stop flattering me," she said. "My younger self wasn't anything special. I was just ordinary."
Aren scoffed under his breath.
"Why would I lie?" he replied. "To me, you were better than anyone else."
Sisiliya's expression softened at once, a faint blush touching her cheeks.
"That's enough," she said, turning her face away. "Anyway… I'm worried about our son. I wish he were here."
Aren nodded slowly.
"I feel the same," he said. "But he's away handling something important."
Sisiliya frowned.
"He's been pushing himself too hard. I can't help worrying. Why don't you keep a closer eye on him?"
Aren's gaze drifted back toward the crowd.
"He's not a child anymore," he said calmly. "We've already guided him and shown him the path."
He paused, then continued,
"He has his own pride. He needs to find his own answers. All we can do is watch, and step in only when he truly needs us."
After a brief silence, he added,
"That special condition of his won't break him. His spirit is strong."
…
Meanwhile, Ashan guided Narasha further toward a quieter corner of the hall, where the stares were fewer and the noise slightly muted.
"Now this is better," Ashan said softly. "We can enjoy the party here."
Narasha tightened her grip on his hand slightly, drawing his attention. He turned to her.
"I'm sorry, Narasha," he said gently. "Did coming here make you uncomfortable?"
She glanced toward the crowd, her expression cold.
"I don't like the creepy glances of those weaklings," she said bluntly. "It disgusts me."
Ashan rubbed her fingers reassuringly.
"Hang in there a bit longer," he said. "I'm staying by your side."
Before she could reply, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Ashan!"
Nevil emerged from the crowd, waving enthusiastically as he approached. Ashan smiled.
"Oh, it's Nevil. I was just about to find him."
Nevil stopped in front of Ashan and stared at him from head to toe.
"…This is the strangest thing you've ever worn," Nevil said honestly. "It's funny because you actually look good in it. Where did this idea come from? A new fashion trend?"
Ashan smirked.
"A man I know once wore this outfit," he replied. "He looked too cool in it. So I decided to make one for myself."
Nevil scratched his head.
"You know people are talking about you and Narasha, right?"
Ashan nodded.
"That's exactly why we came here. We were getting too much attention."
Then Ashan reached behind him and pulled out a sheathed sword.
"Nevil," he said, holding it out. "Take this. It's the sword I promised you."
Nevil's eyes widened.
"This is fast!" he exclaimed. "Did you buy it from here?"
He partially unsheathed the blade, inspecting it closely.
"Woah… this feels durable. High quality too. What kind of sword is it?"
Ashan thought briefly.
"If I remember correctly," he said, "it's called a Black Hound Sword."
Nevil froze.
"…A Black Hound Sword?" he gasped. "You're joking, right? There are only a few of these in the market! Each one costs millions!"
Ashan casually showed the badge tucked in his pocket.
"The academy let me choose a weapon from their storage as a reward for winning the duel," he said. "So I picked this, for you."
Nevil shook his head vigorously.
"Ashan, you might've broken my sword, but this is too much. That was your reward. I can't take this."
Ashan smiled and gestured to the sword at his own waist.
"You don't need to worry," he said. "I already have a good sword. And it's stronger than most."
Nevil hesitated.
"…Then is it really okay for me to take this?"
"Of course," Ashan replied. "With that sword, you'll perform much better."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"Look. The headmistress."
All eyes turned toward a small balcony overlooking the hall.
Maren stepped into view.
The moment she appeared, the murmurs died. Conversation faded into nothing as her presence alone imposed silence. She surveyed the hall calmly, then brought her hands together in two sharp claps.
The lights dimmed instantly. A single beam illuminated her figure.
"My dear students," Maren said, her voice clear and unwavering. It carried effortlessly through the hall. "The celebration will now begin. Thank you all for gathering here tonight."
Applause erupted, filling the space.
Maren raised one hand. Slowly, the noise settled.
"Before the feast begins," she continued, "there is something you must understand."
Her tone deepened.
"From tomorrow onward, these halls will shape you. And those who will guide you are not ordinary instructors."
Another beam of light flared beneath the balcony.
One by one, figures stepped forward, their silhouettes sharp against the glow.
"These are your professors."
The hall grew quiet.
"Fifteen years ago, an S-rank gate manifested here," Maren said. "A catastrophe later known as the Demon's Gate."
A ripple of tension spread through the students.
"Monsters flooded our land. Cities trembled. Lives were lost before help could even arrive."
Her gaze hardened.
"Awakeners from across the nation answered the call. They did not come because they were ordered to. They came because someone had to stand."
She gestured toward the figures below.
"Many of those who entered that gate never returned. But those standing before you did."
The silence became absolute.
"They fought through despair, blood, and fear. And in the end, they sealed the gate."
Maren paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"Since that day, they have remained here. Not as legends. Not as conquerors. But as guardians of this academy and the future it protects."
Her eyes swept across the hall.
"You stand here safely today because of the choices they made. Because of the lives they were willing to risk, and lose."
She inclined her head toward the professors.
"Give them your respect. Listen to them. Learn from them."
"If you place your trust in their guidance, I promise you this. Your future will not be weak."
She straightened.
"That is all."