(Raye's POV)
"..."
I silently looked up at the sky as I floated on the calm river. The water rippled softly beneath , reflecting the blue sky above. I had already finished bathing, but I was too lazy to get out just yet. My body felt light, my mind even lighter.
'I just want to relax a bit more.'
After all, who knows if I'll even get the chance to rest properly once we depart from the academy? The thought lingered in my mind, heavy but quiet.
"Hmm, the others are probably preparing to leave as well..."
I muttered as I stared blankly at the drifting clouds. Ti moved slower here, and that made it harder to move.
We're all supposed to be at the gate about an hour from now.
'I guess I need to get out now.'
With that thought, I looked at the peaceful blue sky one last ti. I stayed there for a few seconds longer, morizing the stillness. It was quiet, almost too quiet, but it was the kind of quiet I liked.
"Hup...!"
With a small breath, I stood up in the river and began walking toward the edge. The gentle water dragged around my ankles before letting go.
My clothes clung tightly to my skin, heavy from being soaked. Droplets trailed down from my hair to my hands.
"Dirt will stick on my feet on my way to the cabin at this rate."
That's annoying.
So, with a flick of my hand—
S W O O S H~
A gust of wind spiraled around ! The air spun fast enough to whip the water off my clothes, yet gentle enough not to sting.
FWIP-
Within seconds, I was completely dry, my hair flowing freely again.
"That's better."
I nodded to myself, satisfied.
*****
It didn't take long to return to the cabin. As soon as I ca into view, I saw Jerusha outside helping Zephyrus and Pyro with their training. The three looked lively as usual, their voices mixing with the sound of wind and flas.
They noticed right away. All three waved cheerfully, and I just waved back before stepping inside.
I went straight to my room.
There—
I changed clothes, picking a black long sleeve and a pair of pants.
And on top of those, I pulled out sothing old but familiar.
Fwish~
A black, tattered cape with a hood.
It was given to by the old man a long ti ago. It had gotten damaged before, and he took it from , saying he'd replace it with sothing new.
'But I didn't expect to see this hidden in his room... I thought he threw it away.'
I couldn't help but smile at that thought. For so reason, it made feel lighter, warr even.
Moving on— I already prepared all my things a few days back. Everything I'd need for the trip was neatly packed in the corner.
I turned my gaze toward the pile of bags, lifted my hand, and—
SWISH~
They all disappeared instantly into my spatial ring.
And just like that, I was done preparing.
"..."
I stood there silently for a while, doing nothing. The stillness of the room wrapped around like fog.
Creak—
Finally, I moved and opened the door.
But even after stepping out, I stopped again. My eyes drifted to the door in front to mine.
"..."
It was Old Man Rey's room.
"Haaaaa..."
I sighed quietly.
"I'll be out again for a while."
I whispered.
Tap— Tap— Tap—
My steps echoed lightly as I exited the cabin.
...
...
...
*****
"Are you ready?"
Jerusha asked as soon as she saw Raye co out of the cabin.
"Mhm."
Raye nodded, smiling faintly.
"Let's go."
Then he said that.
-Let's go! ep!
-About ti
FWOOSH~
Pyro and Zephyrus darted toward Raye, both shrinking their bodies so they can perch neatly on his shoulders.
Jerusha giggled softly, finding the three of them cute.
"Hehe, lead the way."
She said.
"Okay."
Raye replied simply.
Then—
BAM!
SWOOSH—!!
He launched forward like a bullet, the ground cracking beneath his feet.
SWISH—
Jerusha imdiately followed after him, her movents smooth and fast as wind itself.
In the blink of an eye, both disappeared from the cabin's view.
Though, before leaving completely—
"..."
"..."
-...
-...
The four of them looked back at the cabin for a brief mont. None said anything.
*****
Raye and Jerusha had left early even though there was still more than half an hour before the et-up at the academy gate.
Why?
Well, obviously...
"We're here." - Raye
To visit Old Man Rey in the school hospital before departing.
"..."
Raye smiled bitterly when his words were t with silence.
Pat—
Jerusha gently patted his back with a small smile.
Raye looked at her, returned the smile, then nodded before sitting on a chair beside the bed. Jerusha sat on the other one next to him.
Zephyrus and Pyro quietly landed on their heads, both silent.
The four of them looked at Old Man Rey.
"..."
Old Man Rey lay motionless on the bed, breathing faintly but steadily. He looked thinner now— almost fragile.
"Geez, I'll need to feed you a lot once you wake up."
Raye muttered with a smirk, he said that as if he's really talking to Old Man Rey.
"You've been sleeping for so long now. And to think you always called lazy for oversleeping... What a hypocrite old man."
He chuckled softly, still smiling.
"Even though I only oversleep because you always make do a lot of chores until my stamina drains."
He said, his voice beca quieter.
"..."
Then his smile faded slightly.
"..."
-...
-...
Jerusha, Pyro, and Zephyrus didn't say anything. They just listened.
"Hoooooh..."
Raye let out a slow breath, his eyes wandering toward the ceiling.
"Ugh, my eyes hurt... I probably didn't get enough sleep, haha."
He rubbed his eyes, forcing out a laugh that sounded tired.
Then, slowly, he looked back at the old man again.
"We'll be gone for a while, old man."
He murmured.
"We won't be able to co and visit you for so ti..."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"Ah, but Kyle and Devin will stay here in the academy. They'll co from ti to ti."
"Haha, that's good news, right? You won't be lonely..."
He tried to sound cheerful, but his voice cracked a little near the end.
"..."
Then silence returned.
'Haha… this sucks... I'm about to cry…'
Raye thought to himself, blinking rapidly. His vision blurred slightly, but he held it back.
"..."
Jerusha, Zephyrus, and Pyro didn't need to see his tears to understand.
They already knew exactly what he felt...
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