“All right, that concludes today’s training. Tomorrow is the Hero’s Assessment, so you can have the rest of the day off to rest well.”
“Yay! Another holiday!”
After training Celia’s squad for half a day, Dorothy decided to grant them a holiday, allowing them to relax.
Isha practically bounced with joy. She licked her lips, seemingly already planning how to best use this holiday to properly satisfy her appetite.
In stark contrast to Isha’s excitement, Celia’s mood appeared quite grim. She frequently found herself staring blankly at the trees within the training grounds. Even when Dorothy spoke, Celia merely nodded impassively, showing little reaction.
Aurora fared no better, burdened by her own worries.
Dorothy observed all of this, yet she assumed their low spirits were simply due to nervousness.
After all, their half-year of diligent effort culminated in tomorrow’s assessment. Should they fail, all their hard work would be for naught.
Furthermore, the squad would disband if they failed, forcing Celia to abandon her dream of becoming a hero and return to the Fiona family to dutifully serve as its heir.
At such a moment, anyone would feel anxious.
Except for Isha.
Dorothy chuckled softly, then stepped forward to pat Celia’s head, offering reassurance. “Don’t be too nervous. It’s only a fourth-tier magical beast; you’ll definitely pass.”
To dismiss it as ‘only a fourth-tier magical beast’ would surely make any other hero’s jaw drop.
Many heroes in the guild had spent years fighting third-tier magical beasts, while those capable of defeating fourth-tier ones were revered figures.
That Celia’s squad had reached this level in half a year was enough to shatter the worldview of countless heroes.
Their strength was sufficient to handle most fourth-tier magical beasts. Thus, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they were certain to pass tomorrow’s assessment.
“Understood.”
Celia’s reply remained flat and uninspired, her mood unlifted by the comforting words.
Seeing this, Dorothy said nothing more, simply instructing them to leave the training grounds and enjoy their holiday.
In her opinion, the relaxation gained from a holiday would soothe their emotions far more effectively than any words of comfort she could offer.
Celia and the other two exited the training grounds after agreeing.
Isha strolled with her hands clasped behind her back, humming a cheerful tune. Occasionally, she would spin around twice, her pink skirt flaring out like a blossoming flower.
She was filled with anticipation for the snacks she would soon devour.
She had long coveted a cake from a particular bakery, but due to a lack of time, she had forcefully suppressed her desire, preventing herself from indulging.
Now that they had a holiday, she finally had the chance.
Just as her mind was consumed by thoughts of cake, Celia, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. Isha, caught unawares, bumped right into her.
With a soft ‘Ouch,’ Isha rubbed her nose in pain, a hint of grievance in her voice. “Why did you stop so suddenly, Celia?”
Celia remained silent, but Aurora, standing nearby, seemed to intuit her thoughts. “Are you thinking about Senior Silverbloom?” she asked.
“Mm.”
Celia lifted her gaze, surveying her surroundings.
The sunlight remained warm, but the season had already reached late winter. People on the streets were wrapped in heavy coats, and white mist plumed from their mouths and noses with every breath.
With a deep breath, the winter chill pierced her nostrils, bringing a slight sting.
“Time flies so quickly. In the blink of an eye, tomorrow is the Hero’s Assessment. Regardless of whether we pass or not, Senior Silverbloom… will leave us, won’t she?” A trace of melancholy colored her voice.
Within the guild, only aspiring heroes were assigned instructors.
After the Hero’s Assessment, once an aspiring hero earned their badge and became a true hero, their instructor would depart.
From then on, they would be a self-reliant squad.
“No, that can’t be…”
Isha, too, understood Celia’s meaning. Upon realizing their instructor would leave, all thoughts of cake instantly vanished from her mind, replaced by a crushing weight in her heart, making her feel utterly miserable.
Her small face crumpled. After half a year of companionship, she had never once considered that Senior Silverbloom would one day leave them.
She had long regarded her as an indispensable elder and friend.
“I don’t want her to leave…” She pressed her lips together, lowering her head in deep sorrow.
Celia sighed, then stepped forward to embrace Isha.
Who would want Senior Silverbloom to leave? Though Aurora showed little outward emotion, her subdued mood today betrayed her own reluctance to see their senior depart.
Their feelings had little to do with tomorrow’s assessment; Dorothy’s earlier comfort had, naturally, been entirely useless.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, Isha turned to Celia. “Is there any way to make her stay?”
‘The captain is so clever, she must have a way to make Senior Silverbloom stay!’ Isha thought.
Yet, reality sent her hopes plummeting.
“Isha, she is the Silverbloom Sword Princess. How could she possibly stay with us indefinitely? She was bound to leave us eventually; I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.”
Although Celia also wished to keep Senior Silverbloom, she knew it was fundamentally impossible. Thus, she forced herself to accept it.
“Her world is different from ours. It was a tremendous honor for her to be our instructor; we shouldn’t hope for her to stay and accompany us any longer.”
“But, but…”
Isha couldn’t understand why Celia thought this way; she simply didn’t want their senior to leave.
“Isha!”
Realizing Celia wouldn’t help her, Isha spun around and ran back the way they came, heading towards the training grounds. Celia cried out her name and hastily followed.
After they had left the training grounds, Dorothy sat silently on a chair by the side of the field, gazing up at the bare trees and the occasional crow flying past.
The cold winter wind ruffled her hair. Her fingers, resting on the armrest, were half-hidden by her dark robe, making her appear both deeply troubled and profoundly lonely.
Witnessing this scene, a sudden pang of pain struck Celia’s heart.
“Senior Silverbloom!”
Isha rushed directly into Dorothy’s embrace, clinging to her tightly, giving her no chance to pull away.
It was then that Dorothy seemed to emerge from her solitude. She gently patted Isha’s back, asking softly, with a hint of bewilderment, “What’s wrong, Isha?”
“Please don’t leave us, okay?”
Isha buried her head in Dorothy’s chest, her voice muffled and tinged with a sob.
“Isha!”
Celia stood to the side, calling out Isha’s name once more, her tone filled with helplessness. “You’re going to make Senior Silverbloom uncomfortable.”
****