Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months.
And months quietly folded into four long years.
Rion grew from a tiny, confused seven-year-old…
into an eleven-year-old who still got bullied by Lorn every single day.
But he trained—hard.
Sword at dawn.
Magic at noon.
Teasing from Lorn 24/7.
A perfect routine.
---
A soft breeze passed over the vast training plain.
Rion lifted the wand Lorn had given him four years ago. Tiny cracks ran across it from overuse—and from Lorn occasionally whacking him with it.
He inhaled.
Focused.
Channeled Essence.
"Lumina Ray!"
A small sphere of light blinked at the wand's tip…
…flickered…
…AND—
BOOM!
A blinding flash shot forward and exploded harmlessly in the air.
Rion almost dropped the wand.
He did it.
He ACTUALLY did it.
Lorn blinked, stunned. For a rare moment, she wasn't teasing.
She sighed.
He really pulled it off… that brat. Hah. Guess he's not hopeless after all. Maybe… maybe my teaching wasn't a waste. Or maybe I'm just incredible. Yes, that must be it. Obviously.
She exhaled deeply and approached him.
"Rion… you finally did it. Today—your training is finally complete."
Rion's eyes widened.
No teasing tone. No sarcasm.
Just… warmth.
And then she smiled—a real smile, gentle, soft, nothing like her usual "I enjoy watching you suffer" grin.
Rion froze.
His heart made a very strange noise.
He thought.
Wh-who is this woman? What did you do with my evil teacher?!
"Since your training is done," Lorn said with a small stretch,
"we have some time. Let's explore a little."
Rion nodded.
---
They walked through the shimmering plains, Lorn leading him like an older sister who still pretends she isn't proud.
First, the flower garden—a sea of wild colors swaying in the breeze.
Then the village, peaceful and warm.
They reached the river next, a clear, glassy surface shining like silver.
Rion admired its calm beauty—
Until SPLASH!
A wave hit his face.
He blinked.
Looked at Lorn.
She held her hand above the water with that smug expression.
"Oh. My hand slipped," she said.
"You liar! You totally did that on purpose!"
Rion splashed her back.
She shrieked—not in fear, but pure playful outrage.
Soon they were both drenched, laughing like idiots.
For the first time in his life, Rion saw Lorn's true smile—not teasing, not mocking, just… happy.
And it felt warm.
---
They sat on a hill overlooking everything.
The plains.
The river.
The village.
Everything looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Lorn held a flower between her fingers, rolling it slowly.
"You've worked hard," she said softly. "Harder than most adults I know."
Rion smiled shyly.
But then her voice lowered… strangely.
"Rion… there's something I need to tell you."
He looked up.
Her expression had changed.
The playful teacher was gone.
The warmth faded.
She looked like someone carrying a burden she wasn't allowed to speak about.
"W-what is it?" Rion whispered.
Lorn closed her eyes briefly.
When she opened them, they held depths he couldn't understand.
"There are truths in this world," she began quietly, "truths you shouldn't chase too early."
Her fingers tightened around the flower.
The stem snapped.
Rion swallowed. The air felt heavier.
"What… truths?"
She looked at the sky.
Not at the clouds.
Not at the horizon.
At something beyond them.
Something Rion couldn't see.
Her face paled ever so slightly.
"If you ever feel something staring at you from behind the sky…" she murmured, "ignore it. Don't look back."
Rion felt cold.
"Teacher… why does that sound like you're warning me?"
"Because I am."
Silence fell over them.
A thick, suffocating silence.
Then she forced a smile, one that didn't hide the fear in her eyes.
"One day, you'll understand. Not now."
Rion hugged his knees, suddenly small.
"…Do you really think I'm scared?"
"That means you're smart."
Her hand brushed his hair gently.
"And I need you to stay smart."
---
Evening fell.
They reached the village gate.
The cart that came to pick Lorn up was already waiting.
Paul gave a polite bow.
Lorn hugged everyone lightly—until she stood in front of Rion.
She hesitated…
Then wrapped her arms around him in a warm, lingering hug.
"Goodbye, Rion," she whispered. "Keep training. And… stay safe. Don't be sad. We will meet again."
She placed a slender wand in his hands—smooth, elegant, and carved with a quiet, radiant beauty.
"This will guide your path as a mage," she said softly. "And I… I'm waiting to see the future you create, Rion."
Rion's smile trembled. He was thrilled to receive his first wand—his own wand—but the weight in his chest reminded him this was also the last time he would see her. The joy and sorrow tangled together, leaving him unable to decide which feeling hurt more.
Paul leaned close to her ear and murmured,
"Please don't tell anyone about this."
She nodded.
Then she stepped onto the cart.
Rion waved with a big grin.
"I'll see you again, Teacher!"
But Paul placed a hand on Rion's shoulder.
His voice was quiet… almost guilty.
"Rion… listen. When outsiders leave this land… they forget everything. Everyone. Even you."
Rion froze.
His face went pale.
He stared at Paul.
"…What?"
"It's how this land works," Paul said softly. "This place protects itself by erasing memories of it."
Rion didn't hear the rest.
He bolted.
"Teacher!! WAIT!!"
He ran after the cart, dust kicking behind him.
"Teacher!! You knew—YOU KNEW EVERYTHING BUT DIDN'T TELL ME!"
The cart kept rolling.
Lorn turned back, eyes widening at Rion's tears.
She leaned out, shouting over the wind.
"I'm sorry, Rion! I wanted to tell you but— I didn't want you to be sad!"
Tears streaked down her face as she looked at him, her voice trembling yet sharp with emotion. "I… I want to hold on to all the good memories with you, Rion, but life… life isn't always what we expect! But promise me… you will become a good man. You will become the greatest mage "
Rion's voice cracked as he ran, breathless:
"Teacher!! I promise— I'll become a great mage! I'll make you proud! Even if you forget me, I'll never forget you! I'll find you again one day! So don't ignore me—PLEASE—!"
Tears streamed down Lorn's cheeks too.
"Rion… thank you. Truly. Even if my memory fades—your effort won't. I'm proud of you Rion... I am proud of you."
The cart rolled further.
Rion slowed.
Lorn raised her hand one last time.
"Goodbye, Rion."
He whispered with trembling lips,
"…Goodbye… Teacher…"
And the cart vanished into the horizon.
Leaving Rion standing alone in the twilight,
clutching his wand,
his tears falling quietly to the earth.