I cried in my mother's arms. They didn't say anything until I finally stopped crying. They couldn't believe what had happened to me, and even my parents' own guardians didn't know something like this could occur.
"Then what should we do now? Should we ask the Headmaster directly?" Father asked once I had calmed down a bit.
"That's right. Maybe we should ask the Headmaster directly to get an explanation about this," Mother added, agreeing with him.
"In that case, let's go back to the school and look for the Guardian Headmaster," Father said and stood up.
"Father… can we wait until the afternoon? The school is very crowded right now, and I don't want anyone else to find out about this," I begged.
Father looked at me and thought for a moment. "Alright, if that's what you want, dear. We'll wait until the school is quieter," he said.
"Thank you, Father… Mother…"
Mother kept holding me and gently stroking my hair. Father asked his guardian partner to check the school's condition and let us know when it became less crowded. While waiting, Father walked to the market to buy us some drinks and bread so we wouldn't be hungry.
From time to time, I hid beneath the bridge so I wouldn't be seen by people passing by, especially the parents and students who had finished their "soul union." They all looked so happy with their families and partners.
"Don't be afraid, dear. We're here with you. No matter what happens, you're still our beloved child," Mother said, comforting me.
"You're a strong child, Rene. I believe you can get through all of this," Father added.
I smiled at them. "Thank you, Father… Mother… I love you both so much." I hugged the both of them.
Being near them made me feel safe and warm. They had always supported and protected me until now. I was grateful to have them as my parents.
"The school is starting to quiet down. The parents have left and gone home," said Rian, Father's guardian, who had just returned.
"Alright, let's go back to the school and meet the Headmaster," Father said.
Mother and I stood up, ready to follow him back to the school. But just as we were about to walk, a silver light suddenly appeared a few meters ahead. The light formed into someone. A Guardian wearing a long white robe with his distinctive silver hair—Yue.
"What is that?" Father asked.
"Yue?" I ran toward him. "What are you doing here, Yue?" I asked.
"Trying to help a certain crybaby friend of mine," he said, smiling at me. "Come with me for a moment, there's something I want to show you." Then he immediately flew off, leaving me behind.
I was confused by his sudden request. My parents also looked confused, not understanding what was happening. I ran after Yue, and Father and Mother followed behind me.
I kept running after Yue. He was flying toward the school, but I had no idea what he wanted to show me.
"Yue!! Are we going to the school?" I shouted to him, trying to confirm.
He didn't answer and didn't even look back—almost as if he didn't hear me at all. After running for a few minutes, he finally stopped somewhere. I stopped too, panting heavily. Yue floated forward and went inside the door in front of him. I looked at the building—this was the altar hall.
"Hey, Yue! Why are we here? What do you want to show me?" I shouted and ran after him, entering the altar hall.
When I entered the altar building, I felt something extraordinary from within. At the front, the light from the soul union circle shone beautifully. I remembered how last year I had also been in this room to witness the seniors' "soul unions." The circle of light back then was just as beautiful as it was now. But because the room was empty and quiet today, the light reflected off every wall, making the entire hall look even more beautiful and sparkling.
In front of the altar table, someone was already standing there. A guardian wearing a pure white robe lined with golden floral embroidery—Master. Master was the guardian who oversaw this altar building. Any ceremonial event held here would be arranged and carried out by him.
Yue floated forward toward Master. Master looked startled when he saw Yue approaching.
"Greetings," Yue said to him.
"Y–You… how can you even be here?" Master asked, and he seemed a little afraid.
"That's what I've wanted to know for a long time. Why was I left alone?" Yue answered.
I didn't know what was happening between them, so I simply stayed quiet and waited.
"What do you want here?" Master asked.
Hearing that question, Yue only smiled at him. Master looked at Yue, then looked at me, then looked back at Yue.
"No. No. I can't do that," Master said quickly.
"I'm not asking you to do it," Yue replied casually.
"What?!" Master looked shocked at what Yue had just said.
I intended to step in between them, but my intention vanished when another person entered the room. He wore a white robe with blue floral lines, and there was a golden school emblem stitched at the edge of his collar. His expression was calm and relaxed, yet he carried a dignified presence as he walked into the hall. He was the Guardian Headmaster—the Highest Council of the South.
This was my first time ever seeing him in person. Not many people were allowed to see him, much less meet him directly, because he was a High Council member who held an important role for this country. It was an honor for me to see and meet him like this.
"Calm down, Master. I will handle him," the Guardian Headmaster said.
Hearing this, Master bowed respectfully. "Very well, if that is what the Headmaster wishes." He stepped back several paces from his position.
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End of chapter 14