Kairo didn't rush home after leaving the academy. Instead, he chose to walk through the streets, taking in the city one last time. The thought lingered in his mind—this might really be the last time I walk these streets.
The city was alive, as it always was.
Tall, stone buildings stood on either side of the streets, their rooftops layered with slates of dark gray, reflecting the light of the evening lanterns. Narrow alleys branched off between them, leading to hidden courtyards, bustling marketplaces, and quiet corners where merchants and wanderers alike sought refuge from the main roads. The city wasn't as grand as the capital, but it had a distinct charm—one that Kairo had come to appreciate over the years.
The air carried a mix of scents: the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery, the sharp tang of herbs and spices from a street vendor's stall, the faint metallic scent of the blacksmith's forge where apprentices hammered away at their craft.
People moved through the streets in waves, each step filled with purpose. Young scholars in academy robes, merchants with carts loaded with goods, adventurers and mercenaries dressed in battle-worn leathers and cloaks. A group of children ran past him, laughing as they weaved through the crowds, their wooden swords clashing in a playful mock battle.
Kairo felt a strange sense of nostalgia as he walked.
Although he hadn't grown up here—he had moved from his village years ago—this place still held memories for him. The quiet nights spent studying under flickering candlelight. The afternoons sparring in the training grounds. The small moments of laughter and conversation with classmates, even if he had never truly let himself get too close.
He had always known that one day he would leave, but now that the time had come, he found himself unwilling to move too quickly.
This place… it was never really my home.
But still, it had been a part of my life.
As he turned a corner, lost in thought, he suddenly found himself stopped by two familiar figures.
He blinked, focusing on them.
Two girls stood in front of him—one with short, wavy auburn hair and confident eyes, the other long, with jet-black hair that fell softly over her shoulders.
Kairo recognized them instantly.
"You're… Liora. And the other one is Vivy, right?"
Liora grinned. "Yes, sir! I thought you wouldn't remember us. I'm glad you do, though."
There was a playful energy in her voice, but Kairo could sense something deeper beneath it. A hesitation. A question she hadn't yet asked.
For a moment, she simply looked at him, then finally spoke again.
"So… what's your plan now?"
Kairo exhaled softly.
He didn't need to ask what she meant. He could already guess.
They're leaving too. Just like me.
It made sense. Liora had always been restless, never one to sit still for long. And Vivy, while quieter, had always followed her lead. The academy was safe, structured—but not everyone wanted to be confined within its walls forever.
After thinking for a moment, Kairo gave a simple answer. "We'll talk about it tomorrow."
Vivy nodded in understanding, but Liora's expression shifted slightly. A flicker of disappointment.
Kairo noticed.
She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Since that's what you want… fine. But tomorrow's a promise, right?"
Kairo blinked, slightly caught off guard by the seriousness in her tone.
Still, he answered, "Yeah. It's a promise."
Liora's mood lightened a little, but then she frowned again, tilting her head.
"Wait—where are we supposed to meet?"
Kairo opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say anything, Vivy pulled Liora closer and whispered something into her ear.
Liora immediately burst into laughter.
Kairo narrowed his eyes slightly. "What?"
Liora grinned. "Vivy says we should just meet in front of the academy. Since a guy like you probably doesn't know any good places, right? Right? Right?"
Kairo stared at her, silent.
Liora burst into another fit of laughter. "Oh, come on! That was too easy! You really don't know any places, do you?"
Kairo sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. In front of the academy, then."
Liora smirked, clearly pleased.
"Great! Don't be late!"
With that, the two girls walked off, leaving Kairo standing there, watching them disappear into the crowd.
He exhaled softly.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, everything will change.
Kairo continued walking through the streets, letting the rhythm of the city guide his steps. The air had cooled, the once-busy markets now quieting as lanterns flickered to life, casting golden hues on the cobblestone roads. The scents of fresh bread and roasted meats had faded, replaced by the damp earthiness of the approaching night.
He didn't rush.
Even as his legs carried him closer to home, his mind wandered elsewhere—to the past, to the present, to the unknown future that stretched before him like an unwritten page.
By the time he reached his house, the weight of everything finally settled on him.
Kairo unlocked the door and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar silence. His home.
With a heavy sigh, he threw himself onto the worn-out sofa, letting his body sink into the fabric. His arms rested limply at his sides as he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts churning.
A day like this—so much had happened, yet it still felt like time was dragging forward, slow and unrelenting.
He turned his head slightly, eyes drifting toward the clock on the wall.
Just afternoon…
He groaned, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Ughh… so much time left, yet it still seems like it's not enough."
Time—what a cruel thing. When you wanted more of it, it slipped away like sand through fingers. But when you wished for it to pass quickly, it stretched endlessly, suffocating and vast.
After a moment, he sat up, running a hand through his messy black hair. His fingers brushed against his forehead, lingering for a second before he exhaled and stood up.
No use just sitting here.
He moved toward his bedroom, the wooden floor creaking softly under his steps. Inside, the space was just as unadorned as the rest of the house—just a bed, a desk littered with papers, and a single bookshelf against the wall.
Kairo reached for his notebook, flipping it open as he sat at the desk.
He began writing.
Plans. Strategies. Considerations.
What would come next? Where would he go? What steps would he take to avoid unnecessary attention? How would he survive outside the academy's protection?
The words flowed, ink staining the pages as he outlined every possibility, every risk.
Minutes turned into hours.
The scratching of the pen against parchment was the only sound in the room.
Eventually, Kairo glanced up—and blinked in surprise.
Outside, the sky had darkened.
It was night now.
He sighed, stretching his arms before closing the notebook and placing it back where it belonged, neatly on the shelf among his other writings.
As he moved toward his bed, a new thought settled in his mind.
Home.
His real home.
The village where he had once lived, before everything had changed.
Before the academy. Before the powers. Before the burden of something greater had been placed upon him.
He sat on the edge of the bed, fingers gripping the sheets as he stared at the floor.
"I am far from home."
The words came unbidden, a whisper in his mind.
"I think I want to visit my home… my village."
He exhaled, leaning back against the pillow, his eyes tracing the wooden beams of the ceiling.
Today had been important. Everything was shifting, like the turning of a great wheel. A new path, a new road stretching ahead, uncertain yet inevitable.
And yet…
He clenched his fists slightly.
"No matter how far I go, I will still be myself."
That much, he had to believe.
No matter how much the world changed—no matter how much power he gained, how much knowledge he uncovered—he wouldn't lose himself. He wouldn't forget who he was.
He wouldn't lose his will.
The world could try to break him.
But it would never own him.
With that thought, Kairo let out a quiet breath, his muscles finally relaxing.
A faint smile ghosted his lips.
"Yes… I won't lose myself. I won't lose my will."
And with that final resolve, he closed his eyes—letting sleep finally take him.
Morning light spilled through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the wooden floor. The faint chirping of birds outside signaled the start of a new day. Kairo stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he took in the familiar sight of his bedroom ceiling.
For a moment, he just lay there, his body still sore from yesterday's ordeal. The pain had lessened, but a dull ache still lingered deep within his bones, a silent reminder of his struggle with the flowers inside him.
He inhaled deeply, pushing away the grogginess before sitting up.
Routine. Order. Stability.
These were things he could still control.
He got up and went through his usual morning habits. A cold shower to jolt his senses awake. The sharp sting of icy water against his skin helped clear his mind. Once he finished, he changed into a fresh set of clothes, keeping it practical—something light, flexible, and easy to move in.
Breakfast was next. Since he hadn't eaten much the night before, he made sure to prepare a proper meal. He fried some eggs, toasted bread, and sliced up some fresh fruit. He even brewed a cup of tea, letting the herbal aroma fill the kitchen as he sat down and ate in silence.
After finishing his meal, he moved on to exercise. A series of stretches, push-ups, and light endurance training—not too much, just enough to keep his body in check.
And then… he checked the flowers.
Standing in front of the mirror, he pulled back his sleeves and observed his arms. The vines and petals no longer showed on the surface, but he could still feel them. Moving. Resting. Pulsing inside him like a second heartbeat.
"They really did bury themselves deep inside me…"
He pressed a hand against his left arm, feeling the faint, unnatural warmth. Though it wasn't painful anymore, the sensation was still foreign.
"I'll figure this out later. For now, I have to focus."
With that thought, he turned away from the mirror and began packing.
He took only what was necessary—a change of clothes, basic supplies, a few books, and of course, his notebooks. Each one contained detailed notes, sketches, and personal reflections. They were his most valuable possessions, a record of everything he had learned.
Once everything was packed neatly into his medium-sized backpack, he slung it over his shoulders and stepped outside.
The streets of the city were already alive with movement. Vendors called out their wares, children ran through the alleys, and carriages rattled over cobblestone paths. The scent of fresh bread and spices mixed in the air, blending with the distant sounds of merchants haggling and craftsmen hammering away in their workshops.
Kairo walked at a steady pace, letting himself absorb the sights and sounds around him.
"This is really the last time I walk these streets."
As he approached the academy, he noticed a few familiar faces among the students passing by. Some glanced at him but quickly turned away, as if unsure how to react.
Kairo found a quiet spot near the entrance and waited.
Minutes passed.
Then, two figures approached.
Liora and Vivy.
Liora was dressed for travel. Her outfit was simple but practical—a sturdy jacket, fitted trousers, and boots meant for long distances. There was no doubt she had chosen her attire with adventure in mind.
Vivy, on the other hand, wore her usual noble attire. Fine fabrics, elegant yet impractical for travel. But something about her appearance struck Kairo as odd. There was an unfamiliar weight in her posture, something she was keeping to herself.
He let the thought go for now.
He greeted them with a nod.
They greeted him back, and Liora immediately jumped in with a question.
"Sooo, what's the plan?"
Kairo looked at her, slightly confused.
"Wait… Did they not plan anything at all? Are they just going to rely on me for everything?"
A brief moment of irritation passed through him, but he pushed it aside. He barely remembered them despite being in the same class for nearly a year—he had no right to judge them so quickly.
He sighed and said, "Yeah, we should visit that new antique shop. Have you heard about it?"
Vivy immediately nodded enthusiastically, as if she had been waiting for someone to bring it up.
Liora, on the other hand, gave a casual shrug. "I've heard about it. I've walked past it plenty of times, but I've never actually gone inside."
Kairo nodded. "Then let's head there while we talk."
The girls agreed, and they began walking through the city.
As they moved, Liora explained, "The reason I never went in is simple—I never saw the owner. Every time I passed by, the shop was just... empty. No lights, no signs of life. Figured it was just bad luck on my part."
Vivy added her own perspective. "Well, I'm not allowed to go out much, so I only know about the shop from rumors."
Kairo glanced at her. "What kind of rumors?"
Vivy smirked. "Oh, you know... strange artifacts, mystical relics, secret auctions held at midnight. That kind of thing."
Liora laughed. "Sounds like a load of nonsense."
Vivy pouted. "Some rumors have truth in them."
Kairo chuckled softly but said nothing.
As they turned the final corner, the antique shop came into view.
The building itself was old, tucked between larger establishments as if it had been forgotten by time. The wooden sign above the entrance was faded, its lettering barely legible. The windows were covered in a thin layer of dust, and a faint, musty scent lingered in the air.
And yet…
There was something unsettling about it.
The three of them stood in front of the entrance.
Kairo took a breath.
"Let's see what's inside."