The air between Luca and Seraphina remained tense, the weight of their unresolved conversation lingering heavily in the quiet street as neither of them spoke further. The silence that stretched between them felt fragile, as though even the smallest word might shatter the delicate balance that barely held their composure together.

Luca opened his mouth slightly, intending to respond, yet the words refused to form clearly within his thoughts.

Before either of them could continue—

A powerful gust of wind descended suddenly from above.

The sound of beating wings echoed across the empty village, the force of the air stirring loose dust along the deserted road as a massive eagle-like beast descended from the sky, its enormous wings casting a shifting shadow across the ground.

The creature landed with controlled precision several steps away from them, its sharp golden eyes scanning the surroundings with disciplined alertness.

Upon its back stood three figures.

They dismounted swiftly, their movements coordinated and efficient, the familiarity of trained professionals evident in the way they assessed the environment within moments of arrival.

Luca instinctively shifted into a guarded stance, his senses sharpening as he observed the newcomers carefully.

However, beside him, Seraphina’s posture relaxed subtly.

Relief flickered briefly across her composed expression.

One of the three individuals stepped forward, his presence steady and authoritative as he addressed them calmly.

"We will take responsibility for the situation from here," he said evenly.

"You may return to the academy."

Luca’s gaze moved between the figures, recognition dawning gradually as he understood their affiliation.

So... they are from the academy...

Seraphina remained silent for a moment, her thoughts briefly considering the situation before she gave a small nod.

"Understood," she replied calmly.

"Then we will take our leave."

The man inclined his head slightly before adding,

"You will need to provide a detailed report directly to the Dean upon your return."

Seraphina and Luca both nodded in acknowledgment.

Without further delay, they turned and departed from the village, leaving the quiet street behind as the academy personnel began their own inspection of the location.

They traveled some distance away before finally slowing their pace, the silence between them returning once more, though now layered with the unresolved conversation they had been forced to abandon.

Luca glanced briefly toward Seraphina as he spoke thoughtfully.

"Is it acceptable for us to leave so quickly?"

Seraphina’s gaze remained forward, her expression calm though distant.

"They are personnel assigned directly by the Dean," she replied quietly.

"If they have been dispatched, then the matter has already been placed under his authority."

Her tone carried quiet certainty.

"If the Dean has made this decision, then we are expected to comply."

Luca nodded slowly, understanding the reasoning behind her response.

Without further discussion, he extended his hand slightly as he summoned Aira from the beast space.

The enormous Kunpeng materialized gracefully, its vast form shimmering briefly before stabilizing, its presence commanding the open sky above them.

Luca stepped forward slightly before turning toward Seraphina.

"Let us go," he said calmly.

Seraphina paused briefly, her thoughts momentarily distant before she summoned her own contracted beast.

A massive hydro serpent emerged gracefully, its body composed of flowing translucent water that shimmered faintly beneath the daylight.

She stepped lightly upon its back before speaking once more.

"It would be better if we travel separately," she said calmly.

Her tone remained composed.

Controlled.

"I will wait for you at the academy gates." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Without further words, the hydro serpent lifted gracefully into the air, carrying her swiftly across the sky as distance formed between them once more.

Luca watched quietly as her figure grew smaller against the horizon, the unspoken weight between them remaining unresolved.

He exhaled slowly.

Then stepped onto Aira’s back as the Kunpeng spread its immense wings.

The wind rushed past as they ascended into the sky.

Luca’s gaze remained distant as thoughts continued to swirl quietly within his mind.

"I have... a lot to think about..."

High above the endless stretch of land, the vast wings of the Kunpeng moved steadily through the open sky, each powerful beat pushing them forward with effortless grace. The world below appeared distant and small, forests blending into rivers, hills dissolving into hazy lines along the horizon as the calm blue expanse surrounded them on all sides.

The wind brushed continuously against Luca’s face as he lay flat upon Aira’s broad back, one arm resting loosely beside him while his other hand shifted slightly beneath his head. The rhythmic motion of flight, steady and uninterrupted, carried a strange calm that contrasted sharply with the storm raging within his thoughts.

His eyes remained closed as he exhaled slowly, the faint sigh carried away instantly by the rushing air.

"Just... what even happened..." he muttered quietly, the words barely audible above the whisper of the wind.

Fragments of memory resurfaced once again, far clearer now without the haze that had once clouded his mind. The blurred moments from those two days refused to fade, each recollection returning with uncomfortable clarity whenever he allowed his thoughts to drift.

"I do need to talk about it with Professor Seraphina..." he murmured, his voice low yet resolute despite the uncertainty within him.

"I can’t just forget about it... and pretend like it never happened..."

For a moment, he paused, the wind continuing to brush softly against his hair as the sky stretched endlessly above.

"...even though," he added slowly, "...from some point of view... it might seem like the easier choice."

Silence lingered briefly between his thoughts.

Then he shook his head faintly.

"No..."

His voice grew firmer, quiet conviction forming within his tone.

"That isn’t right."

His fingers curled slightly as the internal conflict sharpened.

"I have to take responsibility for what happened..."

The words did not come from guilt alone.

Nor obligation.

It was something else.

Something deeper.

"Even if we weren’t fully in control..."

He exhaled slowly.

"There is no one else to place the blame on."

His eyes remained closed as he allowed the thought to settle fully.

"I’m not thinking about taking responsibility because I believe everything was my fault..."

His voice softened slightly.

"...it just feels like the right thing to do."

Yet even as the conviction formed, uncertainty followed immediately behind it.

"But how am I even supposed to talk about something like this...?"

The question lingered heavily.

The complexity of the situation left little room for simple resolution.

Slowly, Luca shifted, pushing himself upright as he sat upon Aira’s broad back, the powerful wind rushing more strongly against him now that he no longer lay flat.

His hair moved freely with the current of air, strands brushing lightly across his face as he lifted one hand instinctively toward his forehead.

His fingers pressed faintly against his temple as another realization surfaced.

"There is... someone else I need to speak to about this as well..."

His brows tightened faintly.

A quiet groan escaped him as the weight of that realization pressed even more heavily upon his thoughts.

"Ahhhh..."

"How am I even supposed to tell her about this...?"

The wind roared gently past as he remained seated in silence for a moment longer, the vast sky offering no answers to the dilemma now forming within his mind.

Finally, he exhaled slowly before leaning forward slightly, his hand brushing gently against the feathers beneath him.

"Go as slowly as you can, Aira..." he said quietly.

The Kunpeng responded with a subtle shift in its wings, reducing its speed slightly as though understanding the quiet request of its rider.

Because for the moment...

Luca needed time.

Time to think.

Time to decide.

And perhaps...

Time to gather the courage required for the conversations awaiting him.

The golden hues of early evening had begun to spread gently across the horizon as the vast sky gradually softened into shades of amber and fading blue. The wind carried a calmer rhythm now, no longer as sharp as the rushing currents of high altitude, yet still steady enough to remind Luca that the journey was nearing its end.

Far ahead, beyond layers of distant hills and scattered forests, a familiar silhouette slowly emerged.

Arcadia Academy.

The tall towers stood proudly against the fading sky, their elegant structures reflecting the warm glow of evening light as if welcoming those who returned after long journeys. The wide outer walls stretched across the landscape with quiet authority, the familiar sight stirring a subtle tightening in Luca’s chest.

His heartbeat quickened faintly.

Reality returned fully.

"We still need to report to the Dean..." he muttered quietly, the reminder settling firmly within his thoughts.

The mission had not yet concluded.

There were still questions to answer.

Still consequences to face.

Aira’s immense wings slowed gradually as the Kunpeng descended gracefully toward the academy gates, the powerful creature adjusting its trajectory with effortless precision.

The ground approached steadily.

Within moments, Luca stepped down from Aira’s back as the massive beast landed softly upon the open clearing outside the academy entrance.

He exhaled quietly before raising his hand slightly, allowing the Kunpeng’s form to dissolve into faint particles of light as it returned calmly to the beast space.

The familiar surroundings of the academy grounds felt strangely reassuring after the unnatural silence of the vanished village.

Then—

His gaze shifted slightly.

Seraphina stood not far from the entrance.

Her posture composed as always.

Her presence calm.

As though she had only just arrived as well.

Luca stepped closer, offering a faint apologetic expression as he spoke quietly.

"Sorry... I suppose I am late."

Seraphina shook her head lightly, her voice even.

"I arrived only moments ago myself."

Her tone remained professional.

Neutral.

Yet not distant.

"Let us go."

Luca gave a small nod in response, steadying himself as they both turned toward the academy entrance.

Without further words, they stepped forward together, the quiet weight of what awaited them lingering silently between each step.