The day spring break began, the Academy buzzed with excitement. Students rushed about, gathering their belongings, sharing plans, and exchanging parting words. I stood near the dormitory gates, my bag slung over one shoulder, as Rachel, Cecilia, and Rose approached me.
Rachel, ever the light of the room, flashed me her warm smile. "You better not forget about us while you're at Mount Hua, alright? And take care of yourself, Arthur. And call me, many times."
I smirked. "I'll try, but no promises about forgetting. The monks might brainwash me."
Rachel gave me a playful punch on the shoulder. "I'm serious. And don't come back with some weird philosophy about abandoning material possessions."
Cecilia snorted, her arms crossed as she leaned against the gate. "If he comes back preaching, I'll make sure to knock some sense back into him. Honestly, Arthur, you and Seraphina going to Mount Hua... it feels like the setup for a bizarre romantic drama."
