Four years had passed since the coordinated assaults on Van and Dox.
Four long, mercifully quiet years.
The world that once trembled under demonic corruption had begun to breathe again.
Cities rebuilt. Markets reopened. Festivals returned. The clang of weapons had given way to the laughter of students spilling from the towers of Luminar Academy—once called Eldrath, now reborn under new light.
Kael stood at the highest balcony of the Grand Spire, the morning wind teasing his hair. From this height he could see the marble courtyards where banners fluttered—silver and blue, colors of the academy's rebirth.
He breathed in the peace as if it were sacred.
> It feels strange… to hear birds instead of screams.
"Still brooding?" a familiar voice teased.
Kael turned to see Lyra, her white-gold hair tied in a ribbon, her healer's staff resting lightly against her shoulder. She smiled, bright as the morning itself. "You promised you'd smile today. It's graduation, not another demon hunt."
Kael chuckled. "Force of habit. My mind doesn't know how to rest."
Behind her came Thorne, the warrior with a grin as wide as his sword. "And here I thought we'd finally get a day off without you analyzing battle formations."
Kael shrugged. "Maybe I just like being prepared."
"Or maybe," Lyra said, nudging him gently, "you don't know what peace feels like anymore."
Her words lingered. For years Kael had lived through blood, steel, and fire—every breath a calculation for survival. Now, the silence felt heavier than battle.
---
The graduation ceremony began with the chime of crystal bells.
Students lined the marble plaza, wearing robes embroidered with their disciplines. Professors stood proudly beneath the gleaming statue of Aelric Eldrath, the academy's founder—and Kael's father.
As the headmaster spoke, Kael's eyes drifted across the crowd.
There they were—his family in all but blood:
Lyra, healer and light of their team.
Thorne, warrior and unshakable shield.
Amara, mage of unrestrained brilliance.
Elian, the calm elven archer.
Vex, the curious alchemist who never stopped tinkering.
Luminor, the Keeper-Librarian, whose eyes seemed to hold every equation in existence.
Malina, beast tamer and heart of compassion.
Pallas, the young dragon girl with a mischievous smile.
Brown, the once-undead ruler now standing silently at the back, disguised in human form, his long hair flowing like dark silk.
And Zephyr, Kael's loyal pet beast—now more human than ever.
---
Zephyr's Return
As the final names were called, a bright, silvery breeze swept across the courtyard. Feathers shimmered in the air, spiraling toward the stage. From the light stepped a boy—no older than sixteen, with silver hair, bright blue eyes, and the same mischievous grin Kael remembered from his beast form.
"Zephyr?" Kael said, startled.
The boy bowed playfully. "In the flesh—or at least, borrowed flesh."
Lyra gasped. "He's… human?"
Zephyr nodded, his tone softer. "A new ability. Humanification. I can take the form of anyone my mana remembers… but I chose this one."
Kael looked closer, recognizing the faint resemblance. "That's… the boy you saved. The one who didn't make it."
Zephyr's expression gentled. "He always wanted to see the academy. I thought—maybe, this way, he finally could."
Kael felt something in his chest tighten. "You've been with my parents, haven't you?"
Zephyr nodded proudly. "Aelric and Serephine are doing well. The gardens have grown enormous. They even built me a roost—though I don't use it much anymore."
Lyra smiled warmly. "They must be happy to have you there."
"They are," Zephyr said. "And so am I. But I couldn't miss this day."
Kael clasped his shoulder, smiling. "Welcome back, partner."
---
When Kael's name was called, the crowd erupted in applause.
He walked to the platform, received his insignia, and looked into the sea of faces.
> "Today marks the end of our student years," he said softly, voice amplified by enchantment.
"But not the end of our journey. Peace is a gift—but it's also a test. We must learn to protect it without losing ourselves."
The students listened, still as stone.
> "To fight was easy. To heal will be harder. Yet I believe we can. Because I've seen courage, friendship, and hope strong enough to turn death itself away."
The crowd stood in silent respect before bursting into cheers.
Lyra's eyes shimmered. "That was beautiful, Kael."
Thorne clapped him on the back. "Not bad for someone who used to hate speeches."
Kael grinned. "Don't remind me."
---
That evening, Kael went to the eastern training grounds.
The field was empty except for Kaiden Eldrath, his uncle, standing with a wooden staff.
"You're late," Kaiden said.
"Ceremony ran long."
"Peace makes people slow," Kaiden murmured. "Let's see if it's made you weak."
They clashed, aura against aura. Each movement precise, each strike heavy with memory.
Kael's control had evolved—his aura pulsed steadily, his breathing synchronized with his core.
Kaiden smiled faintly. "Better. You've finally stopped fighting yourself."
Kael exhaled, sweat glistening. "Peace doesn't mean stillness, Uncle. It means balance."
Kaiden nodded. "Then you've truly learned."
---
The next morning, the team gathered at the Guild Hall, where they were to be officially ranked. The massive hall buzzed with activity—new adventurers whispering their names, bards singing their feats.
The Guildmaster pinned a golden crest to Kael's chest.
"S-Rank Adventurer, Kael Eldrath," she declared.
"Your deeds have restored balance to this land. May your name be a shield to all who follow."
Each friend received their crest in turn.
For the first time, they all shared one title—S-Rank Adventurers.
Legends.
---
Later that evening, they met by the lake. The sunset shimmered across the surface, the same lake where their first mission began.
Malina released glowing petals into the water. "For those we lost."
Pallas stretched her wings. "For the peace we'll protect."
Brown stood at the water's edge, his reflection wavering between human and shadow. "And for those still waiting in the dark."
Kael looked toward Zephyr, who sat cross-legged nearby, skipping pebbles across the water.
"You're staying with us for a while?" Kael asked.
Zephyr nodded. "Until your parents kick me out—or until I get bored pretending to be human."
Kael laughed. "Just don't flirt with the innkeeper's daughter again."
Zephyr grinned. "No promises."
---
Luminor sat nearby, drawing strange diagrams in his journal.
Kael peeked over his shoulder.
"More equations?"
"Always." Luminor smiled faintly. "Mana synchronization, arcane density, resonance decay. If I calculate the rate of energy loss using the standard model——I might build a device that stabilizes chaotic mana bursts."
Vex whistled. "That's… complicated."
"Elegant," Luminor corrected.
Kael laughed. "Don't ever change."
---
As the stars appeared, Kael leaned back in the grass, Lyra resting beside him.
"Hard to believe it's been four years," she murmured.
"Feels like yesterday," Kael said. "But also a lifetime ago."
She smiled softly. "So what's next for Kael Eldrath, the S-Rank Adventurer?"
He looked up at the stars. "Maybe I'll finally learn how to live… instead of survive."
Lyra laced her fingers through his. "Then I'll make sure you do."
Her voice was warm. The stars reflected in her eyes.
And for the first time in years, Kael let his heart rest.
---
> Peace isn't the absence of battle, Kael thought as dawn rose.
It's the promise that when the next battle comes, we'll be ready—together.