The Beltrum Royal Academy had never felt so quiet.
As Rio passed through the familiar iron gates, students stopped to look—whispers following him like a breeze. Word had already spread. He had returned… but alone.
The sharp clang of his boots echoed through the corridors as he walked, his expression heavy. He made his way past the Grand Library, past the alchemy labs, until he finally stood before the old wooden door bearing a bronze nameplate:
Dr. Celia Claire – Chief Researcher, Advanced Magic Division
Rio knocked once, then entered.
---
The Burden of Truth
Celia stood in front of a chalkboard scribbled with magical formulas and notes. Books were piled up on her desk, her quill still hovering with magic. She turned, eyes wide when she saw him.
Celia (relieved):
"Rio! Thank the heavens! Where have you been?!"
Before he could respond, another voice rang from behind him.
Flora (hopeful):
"Where's Jon…? Is he outside?"
Rio looked between the two women, his throat tightening.
Rio (solemnly):
"He's not coming back. Not yet."
Both women froze.
Celia:
"What…?"
Flora (eyes trembling):
"No… but why?"
Rio stepped forward and explained everything—Saji's disappearance, his travels, his reasons, the promise he made to return.
When he finished, silence hung in the air like a storm about to break.
Then, Rio smirked a little, trying to lighten the mood.
Rio (awkwardly):
"Oh… and uh, he left a message for you, Celia."
Celia (wiping her eyes):
"What did that idiot say now?"
Rio scratched the back of his head.
Rio (mimicking Saji's voice):
"Tell Celia to grow two large breasts by the time I return. It might motivate me to come back sooner."
There was a long pause.
Flora blinked, half in shock, while Celia's eye twitched.
Celia (furious):
"THAT—STUPID—JERK!!"
She threw a book at the wall, then another one.
Celia (shouting):
"He disappears without warning, leaves me a love letter I had to deliver, knocks me out, and then dares to say that?!"
Rio (grinning):
"Yeah, that's Saji all right."
Celia (muttering):
"Asshole. Absolute bastard. I hope a wyvern bites off his smug face."
Despite the anger in her words, there was also a hint of sadness behind her eyes. Flora placed a hand on her shoulder.
Flora (softly):
"He'll come back. I believe in him."
Celia scoffed, turning back toward her books.
Celia:
"He better. Because when he does, I'm going to kill him... right after I hug him."
Rio exhaled and sat down on the corner of the desk.
Rio:
"Until then… we wait. We grow stronger. Because I have a feeling Saji's journey is far from over."