Naval Headquarters.
Snap…
As the door closed, Rosen came out of the Chief Instructor's office with a certificate in his hand, on which a few words could be vaguely seen:
Graduate early.
Approved.
There was also the seal of the Naval Academy.
Yes.He graduated.
Just now, in the Chief Instructor's office, Rosen had submitted his graduation application to Zephyr.
Smoker also applied for early graduation.
He was rejected.
And Zephyr left him with one simple evaluation
"Are you worthy?"
Rosen, however, was approved.
No way around it.
A student who had surpassed him in just a few months, someone Zephyr could no longer even teach —
Facing Rosen, even someone as strict as Zephyr couldn't find a single reason to refuse his early graduation.
That's all.
After Zephyr's approval, Rosen became the only student to graduate early since the establishment of the Naval Academy.Thus ended his nearly four months of Military Academy life.From a student, he officially transformed into a Sailor.
….
"Graduation?"
Rosen glanced at the diploma in his hand.
A piece of paper.
A stamp.
And now, I'm graduating.
It seemed that as the only student in the history of Naval Headquarters to graduate early, his graduation process was far too simple. No testimony from classmates.No grand graduation ceremony.Not even a photo, like when he graduated from college in his previous life.
But this wasn't because the Naval Academy or Naval Headquarters didn't take Rosen seriously.
On the contrary—
They took him extremely seriously.
There were no testimonies from classmates because no one in the academy could match him.
There was no high-standard graduation ceremony because, when he graduated alone, even Zephyr's students were still in class.
Even Gion and Tokikake, who had the potential to be future Admirals, were still in training.
No one could graduate alongside him.
Looking across the entire Naval Academy, there was no one who could walk the same path Rosen was taking.Even someone with the qualities of a future Admiral was only qualified to meet him, not walk beside him.
As for suspending classes for a day — that was specifically to prepare for Rosen's graduation ceremony.
He certainly had that weight.
Even Admiral Sengoku and Chief Instructor Zephyr had asked Rosen more than once to allow them to suspend classes and hold a grand graduation ceremony.
In the end, Rosen refused.
It wasn't because he was pretending to be aloof. Nor because he didn't care about fame or recognition. Who isn't Frivolous when young? Which teenager doesn't like to show off?
Rosen was no exception.
That was exactly why he rejected Sengoku and Zephyr.
Ceremony?
He wanted Naval Headquarters, every branch, and the million-strong navy to witness his appointment as Admiral.He wanted all the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Four Emperors, and the Three Admirals present to witness his promotion to Admiral.
And there was another sentence Rosen didn't say aloud. Not because he didn't dare, but because he felt it would be better to prove it to Zephyr and Sengoku with facts.
I want Imu to be demoted, and the Gorōsei to bow their heads to witness my coronation as king.
Yes.
Rosen liked grand, lively ceremonies too. But they had to be the kind that shook the world.
To reach that level…
He had to become a general, a commander, and a king.
Just a graduation ceremony at the Naval Academy? Even if the entire school closed for it, what difference would it make if all teachers and students attended?
That was just a small fight.
Better to wait until the day he became a general, a commander, a king. A day when all nations would witness it, and all kings would bow their heads.
That would be a ceremony..
As for now, there was no need to trouble the students still studying and training.Since no one in the academy could keep up with him, and only one could graduate early—
He would end his military academy career alone.
Just like Rosen's graduation application to Zephyr:
One man applied.
One man graduated.
No need for teachers or students to witness.No need for a grand ceremony.
Because his very existence already represented the highest standard of Naval Headquarters.
…
Rosen, thinking about how he refused Sengoku and Zephyr's plans for his graduation ceremony, returned to the academy Dollmitory, casually using Hirenkyaku as he moved.
Snap.
He pushed open the Dollmitory door. What came into view was a familiar room, a familiar bed, and two familiar figures.
"After all, we were classmates for two days."
"You didn't even tell me you were graduating early. Aren't you afraid of breaking my heart? Brother."
Tokikake walked toward Rosen, his expression saying loud and clear: You hurt me.
"Still"
"You don't even consider us classmates."
"Rosen."
Gion stood up from the chair, walked over on her long legs, and stared at Rosen with her sharp, beautiful eyes.
…
"How could that be?"
Rosen shook his head.
It was true that no one in the academy could match him.
But classmates?
He still had two.
Gion and Tokikake.
…
"So does Instructor Zephyr.You're the first student in the academy's history to graduate early.It's one thing if there wasn't a graduation ceremony— But why wasn't the whole school even informed?"
Tokikake shook his head.
"That's not it."
"Both Zephyr and Sengoku Told me more than once that they wanted to suspend classes and prepare a grand graduation ceremony for me."
Rosen didn't let Sengoku and Zephyr take the blame.
"Isn't that amazing?The academy would suspend classes, and teachers and students would all come just to witness your graduation.That's something many students could only dream of!"
Hearing this, Tokikake looked stricken, as if he were the one qualified to make Sengoku and Zephyr prepare such a ceremony.
Gion said nothing, only watching Rosen, waiting for his answer.
….
"I just thought—since I was the only one graduating early, I should leave school quietly."
"Not many people know me."
"As for classmates, it's just you two. There's no need to bother the rest of the academy."
Rosen put away his diploma as he explained to Tokikake and Gion.
…
"You're qualified. Aren't you?"
"Or maybe… you're just not interested in things like rituals."
Tokikake looked puzzled.
"Yes."
"I'm qualified. And I'm not uninterested in ceremonies."
"It's just that my heart is too big.Too big for something like suspending classes at the academy and gathering teachers and students.A ceremony of that scale simply can't satisfy me."
Seeing that Tokikake kept pressing, Rosen didn't hide his true thoughts.
…
"How can you be satisfied then?"
Hearing this, Gion immediately perked up.
In their eyes, a ceremony where classes were suspended and the whole academy attended was already the highest Honor for any Naval Academy student.
Looking back at the academy's history, no one had ever received such treatment. Because only Rosen had graduated early And only Rosen had been approved.
Yet, as the sole recipient of such an honor, he had refused it.
…
"When I become an Admiral, I'll definitely invite you both to attend."
"Until then…Don't you understand?"
Rosen packed his luggage, saying words that instantly set Gion and Tokikake's hearts racing.
Become an Admiral? Neither of them doubted it. Even Rosen becoming Fleet Admiral one day was, in their minds, a matter of courseSomething inevitable. The only thing that truly made them curious was this:
When Rosen became an Admiral of the navy,
What kind of ceremony would it be?
...
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