Having learned the truth, Isha was clearly still reeling from the shock. She stared blankly at Lena for a long time, utterly unable to believe that the frail girl before her was the very Silverbloom Sword Princess who had taught her.
As time passed, however, she gradually came to terms with this reality, her carefree demeanor slowly returning. That was until, during their conversation, she learned that Celia would soon be leaving her side.
The news struck her hard. She instinctively wanted to plead with Celia to stay, but upon realizing that Celia’s departure was due to the demonic tattoo, the words of entreaty caught in her throat, leaving her in silence.
No matter how reluctant she felt, she could not disregard Celia’s safety.
Celia, of course, noticed her emotional state. It wasn’t just Isha; Aurora and Lena were also visibly reluctant to part. Therefore, Celia proposed one last open-air hot spring bath together as a final farewell.
The recent demon incident had granted the students of Ruun Academy an extended holiday, and the curfews had been lifted. Thus, the four of them ventured to Hunterston’s renowned open-air hot spring resort.
The springs here appeared significantly more luxurious than Vidona’s. The staff treated everyone with utmost respect, even Lena, who possessed no magic, received the same courteous service.
After entering the changing room, showering, and donning a bath towel, she made her way to the springs. There, she found Celia and the others already submerged, quietly awaiting her arrival.
Without a word, her toes gently touched the water’s surface as she slowly settled into the warm embrace of the spring.
The warm spring water enveloped her entire body, instantly bringing back memories of past hot spring experiences. From former teammates to current juniors, from their first meeting to this impending farewell, time had flown by, stirring a melancholic sadness within her.
Celia and the other two remained largely silent, behaving as if it were their first time in a hot spring. They were quiet, almost unsure of what to do.
After a long while, Isha’s entire head emerged from the water. She looked at Celia and softly asked, “Little Ya, will you really come back soon after returning to the Demon Realm?”
“I should, yes. And whether I return or not, the three of us will always be one hero team.”
Celia patted her chest, attempting to reassure her, but the uncertainty in her words did little to uplift Isha’s spirits.
Resting her head on Lena’s shoulder, Isha’s heart found a warm, reliable sanctuary. She mumbled, “Sister Lena will always stay with us, right?”
Lena’s heart sank. She lowered her head, dreading that very question.
Before coming to Hunterston, she too had believed she would always accompany them, watching them graduate from the academy little by little. Yet, such was life; plans never kept pace with change.
Celia had decided to leave the academy and return to the Demon Realm to seek a complete family lineage. As her mother, Lena naturally couldn’t just stand by and watch her daughter’s efforts go unsupported.
Perhaps it was time for her to leave the academy as well, to unravel the mists shrouding Sophia and to seek the truth. She needed to penetrate the mysteries surrounding Sophia and truly understand the Demon Queen.
Lena didn’t know how far Sophia would go, but at least she had tried. This was her explanation to her daughter.
Seeing Lena fall silent, Isha received her answer. She hugged herself tightly, her eyes reddening.
“You’re all liars,” she murmured.
Only a short while ago, they had explored Faine Street together, even joining the Silverbloom fan club. Now, in the blink of an eye, they were about to go their separate ways.
Soon, only she and Aurora would remain at the academy. The mere thought of it made Isha incredibly sad.
Aurora also disliked goodbyes, but she wrapped an arm around Isha, leaning close to her ear to comfort her. “Little Sha, separation is for a better reunion. By then, we’ll be much stronger, and Little Ya can return to the human race. Even Senior Silverbloom might not seem so out of reach then, you know?”
“Exactly! This is just a brief parting. Why be sad when we’ll see each other again? I just hope that next time we meet, you won’t have been left too far behind by me!”
Celia crossed her arms, huffing twice, masking her reluctance. With this reassurance, Isha’s mood improved somewhat.
They were right; this separation was only temporary, a prelude to a better reunion in the future.
They would have many, many more days to spend together.
Wiping her eyes, her gaze settled on Celia’s face, then slowly drifted downwards, finally resting on the slightly perky curve of her forearms.
‘Little Ya’s ‘left too far behind’… could she mean…’
“Ah!”
Noticing Isha’s gaze, Celia yelped, turning around to tightly cover her chest. Her cheeks, already flushed from the steam, grew even hotter.
“I wasn’t talking about *that* place! I meant power! Power! Understand?!”
The mention of power made Isha indignant. She, too, crossed her arms and scoffed, “I won’t lose to you! Next time we meet, I’ll be able to subdue you with one hand! And it’s not just power; I’ll win against you in *that* area too!”
“Ah! What are you saying?! Who—who cares about that size?! I don’t care! When we meet again, I’ll have won anyway! Won twice!”
“Oh, anyone can talk big! Don’t let me leave you far behind even in magical rank!”
Their bickering resumed. Gradually, Isha seemed to forget the sorrow of parting, returning to her usual self. Aurora, who had been silent, gathered a few strands of hair and, for the first time, joined their playful battle.
“What’s all this noise? Under my magic, you’re both my defeated subordinates.”
“Huh?” x2
Celia and Isha simultaneously looked at her indignantly, seemingly not at all convinced that she was the victor. Facing their sharp gazes, Aurora elegantly continued to fiddle with her hair, a calm composure gracing her features.
Seeing a new round of their war about to erupt, Lena offered a helpless smile. Then, she lifted her head, pointed at the starry sky, and feigned surprise. “Oh, look, a meteor shower!”
At the words ‘meteor shower,’ the three girls immediately looked up at the night sky. Golden streaks of light, like raindrops, silently glided across the brilliant expanse, falling towards the north.
“Wow!”
Isha had never witnessed such a beautiful sight, the sparkle in her eyes reflecting the splendor of the starry sea. Celia, after a soft hum and a glance at Lena, clasped her hands before her chest, closing her eyes to make a wish. Before she did, she mumbled, “Just you wait! I’m wishing right now that next time we gather, my strength will far surpass yours!”
“Little Ya, that’s cheating!”
Seeing Celia close her eyes to make a wish, Isha frantically assumed a praying posture, closing her own eyes to wish. However, unlike Celia, she didn’t silently recite her wish; instead, she blurted it out in her eagerness. “I—I wish that when we all gather again, we can be together for a very, very long time!”
Having made her wish, Celia sighed and reminded her, “Little Ya, wishes don’t come true if you say them out loud.”
“Ah? What do I do then?”
“Then make another one!”
“But, but that’s my only wish.”
Isha gripped Aurora’s arm beside her, looking anxious. She couldn’t think of a new wish immediately, and the meteor shower was likely nearing its end.
She deeply regretted it; she had never heard that wishes spoken aloud wouldn’t come true. If she had known, she would have silently wished, just like Celia.
Seeing her distress, Lena also closed her eyes, silently making a wish. Then, she ruffled Isha’s hair, smiling. “Don’t worry, your wish should come true.”
The wish she made was for Isha’s wish to come true.
Understanding the meaning behind her words, Isha’s worry turned to joy. She threw her arms around Lena and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.
“Sister Lena! You’re the best!”
This made Celia’s eyes redden. She, too, hugged Lena, kissing her on the other cheek, while also huffing at Isha, as if vying for Lena’s affection.
Lena had intended to use the meteor shower to end their squabble, but she hadn’t anticipated that it would backfire, making her the object of their contention.
With her cheeks thoroughly kissed, the hot spring excursion came to an end. They had, at last, arrived at the moment of farewell.
Orl had already arrived in Hunterston, his luxurious magic carriage parked outside Ruun Academy. Before Celia boarded the carriage, Orl requested a private word, so Lena temporarily transformed into her human form and followed Orl.
Leading her to an secluded corner, Orl, wearing white gloves, cast aside his aristocratic pride. He knelt on one knee, bowing his head. “Your Royal Consort, I have an impudent request.”
‘He has something to ask of her?’
A flicker of surprise crossed Dorothy’s face.
“Speak.”
Having received the queen’s permission, Orl fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly deliberating his words.
“A vital treasure has been stolen from the royal palace. Her Majesty has suffered several sleepless nights because of it and has become quite gaunt. I am truly worried, so…”
“I know. Meli also mentioned this to me.”
Dorothy understood what Orl was asking of her. Upon hearing of Sophia’s insomnia, she pursed her lips, a hint of concern she hadn’t even noticed herself entering her voice. “From what you say, that treasure seems exceptionally important to her?”
“Yes.”
“What is this treasure?”
“I do not know.”
Orl’s demeanor was perfectly stable; he showed no signs of lying. Thus, she abandoned the idea of pressing further.
“I will go.”
She nodded, agreeing to his request, and Orl’s expression visibly brightened.
Afterward, he returned to the carriage, while Celia waved her hand, walking towards the carriage and bidding everyone farewell with a smile.
“Goodbye, everyone!”
“Have a safe journey.”
“Little Ya, don’t forget about us!”
“How could I!”
Waving her hand, Lena watched her step by step onto the carriage, the reluctance in her heart growing stronger. Yet, until the very end, she did not try to make her stay.
It was merely a brief separation; in the future, they would have a better reunion.
The magic ropes shimmered in the night, and the carriage lifted from its spot, flying directly towards the brilliant starry sky.
Peeking her head out the carriage window, the spring evening breeze ruffled Celia’s hair, momentarily obscuring her view of them. Once she reached up to tuck the stray strands behind her ear, Lena and the other two figures had already become incredibly small.
Yet, by the moonlight, she could still discern Isha’s desperately waving hand, Aurora’s wind-swept hair, and Lena’s gaze, filled with reluctance and love.
Only when they completely vanished from sight did she lower the curtain and settle back into the carriage compartment.
Starlight illuminated the carriage. Orl’s pet owl hooted as it flew into the compartment. After playfully teasing it a few times, the young girl quietly lay on the long seat, closing her eyes as she awaited the next stop in her life’s journey—the Demon Lord’s Castle.