Chapter—When the Bell Rang for the Last Time
Two days passed.
Not with the roar of battles, nor with the tremor of cracking earth—but with silence.
Luke did not transform into the Auramaster even once.
No midnight flights across borders.
No whispered conversations with Auru beneath the stars.
No distant cries echoing through the flow of aura.
Instead, his days were filled with revision notes, worn textbooks, half-empty pens,he used for his exam and the strange calm that came before a door closed forever.
Today was his farewell.
Luke stood before the mirror in his room, fingers slowly adjusting the collar of his formal coat. The fabric felt unfamiliar against his skin—smooth, stiff, almost ceremonial. A black blazer, clean white shirt, neatly pressed trousers.
So this is what it feels like, he thought. To finish something.
Graduating.
A word that once felt distant, unreal—something meant for other people.
He looked at his reflection. The same face. Same eyes. Yet behind them lay secrets that could tear the world apart.
He picked up his bag and stepped outside.
Morning sunlight spilled across the street, gentle and warm. The air carried the faint smell of dust and breakfast from nearby homes. Somewhere, a radio played a cheerful song.
At the corner, his friends were already waiting.
Marin stood with her arms crossed, formal attire crisp as ever. Uno leaned lazily against a pole, tie slightly loose. Chika adjusted her sleeves nervously. Liod checked his phone, then looked up.
"You're came right time," Marin said, kindly.
"We expect that only from him"Liod says.
Uno added"Do you remember when we where small ,Luke became late to go school and he start to cry that he became late."
Liod added "After that he rarely became late in school."
All except Luke start to laugh.
Luke in reply"Do you forget Uno that when you eaten a watermelon seed you became worried and start to cry that tree will grow from your head.Your Face was Spectacular."
This time Luke and other except Uno laughed.
Talking about there passed
memory ,gathering some laugh
they started walking together, footsteps falling into a rhythm they had followed for years. The road felt shorter than usual, as if the school itself were pulling them closer.
Then it appeared.
The gate.
The building.
The classrooms where they had slept through lectures, argued with teachers, laughed during breaks, and dreamed about futures they barely understood.
Luke slowed his steps.
One last time.
Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was completely different from any other day.
Desks were pushed aside, chairs arranged loosely. Colorful paper decorations hung unevenly from the walls. Someone had drawn stars and signatures all over the blackboard, with a huge, messy FAREWELL written in the center.
Music played softly from a phone speaker.
Laughter echoed.
At one corner, a group of students took selfies, shouting, "One more! One more!"
Nearby, someone tried to crack jokes but kept wiping their eyes.
A boy stood quietly by the window, staring outside, jaw clenched.
Luke walked in slowly, absorbing everything.
So this is how it ends.
Chika rushed over, holding a marker. "Luke! Write something on my sleeve!"
"Something meaningful," Uno added, smirking.
Luke hesitated, then wrote carefully:
No matter where we go, we started here.
Chika smiled brightly, though her eyes shimmered.
Uno handed over his shirt. Luke signed it.
Marin didn't ask. She simply stood beside Luke, arms folded, watching the room.
"You're quiet," she said.
Luke smiled faintly. "Just… didn't realize how heavy this would feel."
Marin nodded. "Endings always are."
A teacher entered briefly, smiling warmly at the chaos.
"Enjoy today," she said. "You won't get it back."
Those words settled deep in Luke's chest.
Moments blurred together.
Someone tripped while dancing—everyone burst into laughter.
A student hugged their friend suddenly and broke down crying.
Another group sat together, talking softly, as if afraid loud voices would break something precious.
Luke laughed. Luke smiled. Luke stayed quiet.
Then the announcement came.
"All graduating students, please proceed to the auditorium."
The chatter softened as everyone stood.
The auditorium filled quickly—rows of students in front, teachers lining the walls. The stage lights glowed softly.
The principal stepped up to the podium.
"Today," he began, "you step out of one chapter of your life… and into another."
Luke listened, hands resting on his knees.
"You've Succeeded here. Failed here.Made mistakes you regret—and memories you'll treasure forever."
A pause.
"Be proud. The world ahead is uncertain, but you are not powerless.Congratulations to all my Dear Students "
Applause filled the hall.
Names were called one by one.
Students walked onto the stage, bowed, accepted their certificates, and returned.
Now it was turn of Luke.
Luke felt his heartbeat slow—then speed up.
"Luke."
He stood.
As he stepped forward, something deep within him stirred.
Excitement. Relief. Accomplishment.
And then—
His aura reacted.
A faint pressure bloomed in his chest, like a pulse echoing outward. His senses sharpened. The air felt denser.
No.
For an instant, it was like that evening—the music resonance, the invisible vibration responding to emotion.
Luke stopped walking.
Closed his eyes.
Breathe.
He pulled inward, compressing his aura, guiding it into stillness. His breathing slowed. His heartbeat steadied.
The pressure faded.
When he opened his eyes, the principal was watching him with mild concern.
"Are you alright?" the principal asked gently.
Luke smiled. "Yes, sir. I was just… remembering my passed beautyfull memory in this school."
The principal's expression softened. "Good. Memories are what guide us forward."
He handed Luke the certificate.
"But future is awaiting for you all so, Walk confidently into your future."
Luke bowed deeply.
The ceremony ended soon after.
Outside the gate, the five of them stood together, unwilling to move.
Chika wiped her eyes. "When will we ever come like this again?"
Uno exhaled slowly. "Feels unreal."
Liod looked back at the school. "But we move forward."
They followed their plan.
Lunch at a restaurant—laughter spilling between bites, teasing, sharing stories.
Then karaoke.
Uno sang horribly on purpose.
Chika overperformed dramatically.
Marin surprised everyone with her calm, steady voice.
Luke sat back, watching, smiling.
It was simple.
It was precious.
On the way home, Auru's voice drifted softly beside him.
"Today… you controlled your aura very well."
Luke nodded. "I'm getting better."
"And?"
"It helps," he said quietly. "If I can control myself… I can protect my identity."
Auru floated near his shoulder. "Then this farewell wasn't just from school."
Luke looked up at the night sky.
"…Yeah."
It was the end of one life.
And the quiet beginning of another.
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End of chapter.