The courtyard of Spectra buzzed with anticipation. It was graduation day for one of the academy's most legendary classes, and the ceremony had drawn prestigious figures from across the world.
Guests gathered in rows of seats, whispering among themselves while casting curious glances at the graduates lined up in the center. Among them, a few names stood out as true prodigies. Young talents who had already achieved remarkable feats even before graduation.
Arthur, tall and strong, radiated the leadership he was known for.
Seraphina, beside him, stood like an untamed warrior, her red hair tied back in a ponytail that gave her a fierce, determined look.
Derek wore a cocky, carefree smile. The kind that only someone fully aware of their name and legacy could wear.
Luna, meanwhile, remained quiet, observing everything with a calm, unreadable expression.
And finally, there was Kai, more relaxed than the others, wild in appearance and exuding a natural confidence that matched his reputation as a fierce fighter.
"We finally made it."
Kai let out a laugh.
"Who would've thought we'd see so many familiar faces here just to watch us dressed like this."
"I thought you'd be the first to ditch the ceremony, Kai."
"Hmm? Believe it or not, I actually like events like this."
"You?"
Derek raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"Not that it matters. Today, all eyes are on me. The prodigious Derek."
Luna let out a quiet sigh and smiled.
"Is that your biggest motivation, Derek? To be noticed?"
Seraphina chuckled softly.
The audience watched the group with admiration and recognition.
They were the children of great families, the promising talents everyone expected to lead the world to a new era of glory.
Each one of them looked like they'd carry a piece of the world with them into the future.
But beside this group of shining prodigies stood a figure that didn't quite fit.
He was there, silent, with a distant gaze, as if he absorbed everything around him without really being part of it.
Unlike the others, there was no aura of heroism or grandeur in his stance.
He was almost invisible next to them, and yet... there wasn't a single person in that courtyard who hadn't noticed the strange, dark presence of the boy with red eyes and an unreadable expression.
In the guest seats, two figures whispered about him, clearly intrigued.
"That's Evan, right?"
"He's not like the others."
"Doesn't come from a noble family. Never heard of any great achievement from him. No idea how he even got into Spectra."
"I think he's a scholarship student."
"What? Seriously? Someone like him graduated with this class?"
"Shhh. Quiet. The headmistress is here. You know she doesn't like that kind of talk."
Elsewhere, a member of the Aureus Guild who had come specifically to observe the stars of the day made a comment about the group.
"So, what do you think of them?"
A man with long dark hair answered while watching the graduates.
"He doesn't shine like the others... but he's peculiar. It's hard to tell what he's thinking. It's like he's in another world."
"What? What are you talking about, sir?"
"Ah... nothing important."
...
Fuuuuh...
In the silence of my room, I sat in front of the computer, fully absorbed in the words I was typing.
The graduation of the characters I had created and developed for months felt more vivid than ever. On the screen, Arthur, Seraphina, Derek, Luna, Kai, and other key characters came together in a scene I could almost see.
In my head, each of them felt so real. Like old friends or fascinating strangers whose lives I had the privilege to peek into.
I sighed.
I looked again at the description of Evan.
He was a character I still planned to explore much deeper later on.
Unlike the others, he didn't have their accomplishments or immediate brilliance, but he would become a major figure.
I knew some readers who liked him might end up hating me for what I was planning. But if it made sense, it would be worth it.
As I typed the final line about him, I felt a chill. A strange sensation.
I shook my head and smiled.
"Just imagination."
I closed the file.
These were the characters of my novel.
And this was the world they would never leave.
I closed my laptop, already getting ready to rest.
After that day, I was left with one certainty and one doubt.
The certainty was that this world was one they would never leave.
And the doubt...
Was whether they were ever just characters in my novel at all.