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We did not linger once the celebration ended. My family and I chose to depart imdiately afterward. We would sleep within my Divine Realm regardless, so no one raised any objections. With Fuyu's special door offering direct access to the castle where everyone resided, returning there felt natural and effortless.
Triton had enjoyed these past days more than he would admit, yet I could sense his growing longing for his mother and friends. It had been over a week, and guilt tugged at for keeping the boy away so long. I resolved to hasten our journey back to the Aquarius Archipelago and then to Jotunheim, where we would begin our new lives.
I hoped for peaceful days ahead, watching my children grow without constant peril. The thought of enrolling them in a school even crossed my mind. There had to be one sowhere. Jotunheim might lack such institutions, but I had heard of magic academies in Midgard and Alfheim, overseen by gods. Still, my little ones might be too young.
Benladra seed ready, yet as dragons, we often educated our own. Hoschooling felt acceptable, and their mothers and I had already taught them much. But doubt lingered. There were gaps in our knowledge, and formal schooling could help them socialize, forge friendships with peers, and imrse themselves in the world's broader culture.
I discussed the idea with Alma, who agreed readily. Her two eldest would soon reach school age, and she sought a suitable place for them—perhaps an academy tailored for exceptionally powerful children born to divine beings.
Did such a school exist? Probably not. We might need to create one, recruiting teachers from across the realms. It would be a daunting task, yet the vision excited . We could invite remarkable instructors—dragons, titans, even Venerables with ti to spare.
This academy could nurture the next generation of guardians, ensuring they learned the full truth and prepared for future threats.
But that would co later.
"We're finally over the sea!"
Triton's joyful shout rang across Fuyu's deck. I stepped through the door from my room, erging onto her flying form, and found him gazing down at the endless ocean with bright eyes.
She had flown at full speed to reach these waters quickly. We refused to delay his hocoming any further.
"We'll reach Aquarius in a couple of hours," Fuyu announced gently.
"You heard her, Triton," I said, resting a hand on his small shoulders. "You worked incredibly hard to help save the world. You deserve a proper rest now."
"Yeah, I did!" he replied, puffing out his chest with pride. "It was exhausting and awful. I never want to fight in another war. So please don't drag into that stuff again."
I laughed warmly. "All right, all right. I'm sorry. Your help was truly vital that ti. You're still growing, and you deserve a real childhood. But I want you to know sothing. I'm certain you're making your father proud."
"...Really?" His guarded expression softened, vulnerability flickering in his eyes.
"Absolutely," I nodded. "I spoke briefly with your dad once. He was excited for your future, for all the great things you would achieve. And look at you now. You helped save the world, Triton."
"I didn't do it alone. Everyone contributed, and you handled most of the heavy work," he sighed. "But yeah, I helped. And I'm glad I did. I would have felt worthless watching everything happen without stepping up."
I chuckled. "I knew you'd feel that way. You're brave and strong, son. When you're older, you'll beco an incredible dragon."
"You really think so, uncle?" A genuine smile broke through, lighting his face.
My words had touched him deeply, despite his usual bravado. It ward my heart to see.
"Of course," I assured him. "Happy to hear that, huh? You're still a kid at heart."
"S-Shut up!" He crossed his arms and turned away, cheeks flushing.
I grinned and ruffled his hair. "Here, take this."
I handed him a delicate golden bracelet set with a rainbow-hued jewel.
"What is it?" he asked, curiosity overriding his grumpiness.
"A magic artifact," I explained. "It will let you step through any portal I create. If you ever want to talk to soone... besides your mom or friends... I'll always be there."
For Aquarius' sake, I needed to offer this.
The boy had only his mother. I never intended to replace his father.
Yet I would gladly serve as a paternal figure, or at least a steadfast uncle.
"Eh? That's..."
He started to protest, then paused. Silently, he accepted the bracelet and slipped it onto his wrist.
"...Thanks."
His quiet honesty revealed how much this journey had matured him.
It filled with bittersweet emotion—sorrow that a child so young had endured such trials, like my own children, but pride in how strongly he had grown.
"You're welco."
I reached to pat his head again, but he dodged with an annoyed huff.
"Don't pat my head! I'm not a little kid anymore!"
"Aren't you about five? Wait, remind of your age again."
"M-My age doesn't matter! I grew fast because my body is different!"
"It's not different in a bad way. You're special. Kate is similar—her true form is ethereal too, you know."
"Really?"
"Yes. So you're not alone in that. Relax. Your powers were incredible, by the way. During that final fusion, you held everything together better than anyone."
"I did?!"
"Definitely. Your unique nature saved us. Without you, the fusion wouldn't have lasted nearly as long."
"Wow... So I really was the hero in the end! Heh!"
His beaming smile lifted my spirits imnsely.
This child deserved every bit of love and joy the world could offer.
"Anyway, hungry? Let's grab sothing to eat before we land."
"Yeah! A hero's feast!"
"Don't push it. You're speaking to the Dragon King here—show so respect!"
"The Dragon King who couldn't have won without ! That makes the Dragon Prince!"
"Hey, you're getting cocky again!"
But that was perfectly fine.
Kids should be allowed to be kids, after all.
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