Silent Goodbyes
The morning fog still lingered on the rooftops of Greenhold Academy when the bell sounded—deep, rich, and authoritative. Its peal rolled across the mountain campus like a stone in water, rousing even the most sluggish of disciples.
This was no ordinary day.
Seven days now until the Fall Quarter Examinations, and according to tradition, all outer disciples were to report for inspection and announcement.
The cobblestone roads filled rapidly with robed figures. The crisp morning air hummed with anticipation, rumor, and the low thrum of Mana which always wafted over Greenhold like a living tide.
The Outer Sect Gymnasium—a giant circular building of jade-stone and carved dragon pillars—rose before it. It could seat tens of thousands, and yet, as disciples poured in from all sides, it still seemed immense and echoing.
At the front, the professors from every department stood in hushed conversation. Among them was Amaya Green, her dark hair falling in a waterfall down the back of her training uniform, her jade-green eyes glinting like glass. Her clothing—form-fitting training uniform that showed off her elegant, hourglass shape—attracted more than a few wandering stares.
Then someone in the front row whispered, loudly enough for the waves to ripple through.
"He's here."
Heads turned. Gossip swelled.
From the edge of the gymnasium, two familiar figures entered.
One, calm and confident, with shoulder-length black hair and striking gold eyes that caught the morning light. Kai Dawnsworn.
The other, tall and broad-shouldered, his black eyes steady as iron—Boomer.
The crowd stirred instantly.
"I heard senior brothers from both schools went to recruit Boomer yesterday."
"That kind of treatment isn't for just anyone."
"Then what's that loser doing walking in front of him?"
Their mocking voices carried freely across the air, not bothering to hide. Kai heard every word, his enhanced senses sharp as ever—but he only smiled faintly, brushing them off like dust. No one here could possibly understand the bond between him and Boomer.
As the pair approached the center stage, Kai's golden eyes found Amaya. A teasing spark lit them.
"Senior Sister Amaya," he greeted, tone light and sincere.
Her lips compressed into a line. "Where have you been the last few days?"
"Planting, naturally," Kai replied, throwing his hands out like it was self-evident. "Now that I vowed to you, I can't really slack, can I?"
She stood there for a moment, unsure. His voice was teasing, but his eyes—those golden eyes—were steady and truthful. Perhaps he had actually been training.
Her face softened a little. "Have you reached the Growth Plane?"
"Senior Sister," he replied in seriousness, "I've already entered the Unstoppable Plane."
There was a heavy silence that followed, heavy enough to suffocate on.
Amaya's eyes blinked. And then her face clouded like a storm.
"You—!" she spat, eyes blazing at him in incredulity.
Laughter broke out around them.
"Hahaha!"
"Did you hear that? From the Nexus Plane to the Unstoppable Plane within a month?"
"What's next? He went up to the heavens too?"
A sarcastic voice added to the ridicule—Leo, tall, good-looking, and arrogant as ever.
"Senior Sister Amaya," he addressed her with open disdain, glaring at Kai. "What should we do with this guy?"
Amaya let out a sharp breath, crossing her arms. "You're running out of time, Kai Dawnsworn. If you wish to remain in the academy, then concentrate. Get to the Growth Plane before the exams, or you're out."
There wasn't any anger in her voice now—only disappointment.
Kai stood there, eyes softening. He could see it—she truly cared. That was what made her words hurt all the more.
He smiled, weak but warm. "Don't worry, Senior Sister. I won't let you down."
For a fleeting moment, Amaya paralyzed. The morning sun caught the gold of his eyes and stroked over his face. He was so damn confident that she almost believed him.
Then he spoiled it.
"And don't forget what you said, Senior Sister."
She bristled all over. "You—!" She planted her foot and scowled, turning away before he could utter another sentence.
Plenty of male disciples stared at the retreating back. Then, as was inevitable, the jealousy began to boil.
"What the heck is wrong with this guy?"
"He's outrageous!"
"I'd die for Amaya Green even to regard me like that…"
An older lecturer walked up to Amaya from behind, shaking his head. "Why bother with someone like him?"
She looked at Kai and let out a sigh. "He's talented. I don't understand why he couldn't break through the Nexus Plane in three years. Perhaps… perhaps there will be a miracle during this year's exams."
The man snickered. "A miracle? You're too generous, Amaya."
A little distance away, Kai addressed Boomer in a whisper, "Why is it that no one can believe me when I speak the truth?"
Boomer stared blankly. "Would you believe that someone improved from Nexus to Unstoppable in under a month?"
Kai laughed. "Well said."
He looked around and saw Feya standing next to Mary, her black hair pulled back neatly, her eyes soft but faraway.
"We'll be official disciples next spring," Kai said offhandedly. "Should we assist Feya as well?"
Boomer looked where he was staring. "If she trains with you, she could make it to the Enigma Plane by then."
Kai nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He moved forward through the crowd—who, resentful though they were, parted for him. No one desired to get in the way of Boomer's path.
But just as Kai could get to her, Mary moved forward, her stance rigid and unfriendly.
"What do you want?"
Kai inclined his head. "I just need to talk to Feya."
"Say what you have to from there," Mary said dryly.
Disregarding her, Kai gazed beyond her in the direction of Feya. "I need to speak to you."
Feya flicked her eyes away. "It'll be the same if you said it from there."
He blinked. "Feya, what's going on?"
Mary scoffed. "You don't understand? She doesn't want to be near you. So mind yourself."
A flicker of steel flashed in Kai's gaze, but he forced himself to breathe. "Forget it," he murmured.
The tension hung heavy—until Boomer's deep voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Kai wanted to ask if you'd train together from now on."
Kai whipped his head toward him, startled. "Boomer…"
Boomer rarely spoke—but now his black eyes burned like coals.
The mob fell silent.
Even Feya stopped moving. Her lips parted a fraction, and she looked at Boomer for the first time. "Boomer," she whispered.
Her voice shook. The ensuing silence was almost reverent.
Mary sneered. "You honestly believe Kai's worthy of training with Feya?"
Boomer did not glance at her. His eyes remained trained on Feya. "I want to hear what you have to say."
Feya's little fists curled. Her fingernails pressed into her palms. She shuddered—in conflict between terror and something unspoken.
At last, she nodded her head, her voice low but resolute.
"Boomer… we've grown up. I think we should keep a distance."
She breathed slowly, as if a weight had been removed—but her eyes were faintly wet. Somewhere deep within her, she knew she'd just cut something that could never be repaired.
Kai gazed at her for a moment. The people surrounding him fuzzed into noise and color.
Then he smiled weakly—sadly—and shook his head.
She actually has grown up.
The bell clanged again, deep and long, ringing across the academy like the sigh of a giant. And with the sound, something within Kai fell silent too.