Two days had passed since Father's death…
And Arthur was no longer the boy he once was.
In those two sleepless, silent nights, he had turned over his father's final words again and again in his mind:
"Be strong, even in the hardest moments… Always look forward—perhaps one day, a light will rise from within the darkness."
His heart, though broken, held a new spark of determination.
The man who had been a lantern in the cold nights of his childhood was gone…
But a flicker of that flame remained alive within Arthur.
Now, three days had passed since the great examination—
An exam that felt like more than just an entrance to the Academy; it was a gateway to a new world.
The main hall swelled with noise and nerves,
A sea of faces filled with either hope or dread, all gazing at the stage.
Footsteps, whispers, breaths caught in chests—
All of it twisted together in the thick air of anticipation.
Then, a tall man with a commanding presence stepped forward.
Instructor Kyle.
His voice echoed like thunder across the hall:
"This year, out of 326 talented participants, only ten will be accepted.
The names I'm about to read will report here tomorrow to formally begin their journey into the Academy."
His words cut the silence like an invisible blade.
Arthur's eyes were dry, but his heart pounded in his chest.
Some clenched their hands tightly.
Others whispered prayers under their breath.
And then…
The first name was read.
The second… the third…
Everyone was caught on the edge of a single moment that could forever change the course of their lives.
Instructor Kyle held the list in hand.
A hush fell over the hall. His voice rang with dignity and finality:
"The first accepted student… Lucia von Reinhardt."
A soft gasp rose from one corner.
Lucia's eyes shimmered with tears, her trembling hands covering her mouth in disbelief.
"The second… Julius Flameburn."
A boy with messy dark brown hair and eyes full of pride smiled and straightened his back.
Arthur glanced at him.
His heart was racing.
He made it in too…
"Third… Sophia de Laurentiis."
A brief silence followed, then a few murmurs.
A girl with light silver hair quietly stood up.
Her eyes, like the frozen surface of a sea—cold yet deep—swept over the crowd without a word.
Arthur was still holding his breath.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly…
Names were read one by one:
Fourth… Fifth… Sixth…
Only a few names left…
His heart pounded in his chest.
He'd curled into himself like a bird waiting for warmth in the dead of winter.
His mind was full of images of his father—his smile, and those final words:
"Be strong, little Arthur..."
"Ninth… Karen Blaze."
Only one name remained.
Breaths caught.
The instructor paused. He lifted his gaze, and this time, his voice softened slightly as he said:
"And the tenth… Arthur."
For a moment, silence.
Then… murmurs spread through the crowd.
Arthur lifted his head.
Everything around him faded—voices, faces—
Only the echo of that name remained in his mind.
He had been accepted.
His eyes sparkled, but no tears came.
Not from joy, not from grief.
Only a faint smile that felt more like a vow than anything else:
"I'll stay strong… for myself, and for the promise I made to him."
Arthur looked around.
Joy and relief radiated from the faces of the chosen ones.
Julius, practically glowing with pride, said loudly:
"I knew I'd make it. Luck? No... this is just the result of hard work."
Sophia, quieter than ever—like a still lake at sunrise—only wore a soft smile on her lips.
Her gaze, however, was distant, as if her thoughts wandered far from the room.
But across the hall, different sounds could be heard.
Suppressed sobs, silent tears, and at times—anger and frustration.
Those who had placed all their hopes on this moment now faced a harsh, cold reality.
Someone wept quietly.
Another knelt in a corner, defeated.
For some, this exam wasn't just a chance—it was everything.
Amidst it all, Instructor Kyle spoke again:
"The names I read—stay. I have something to say to you."
As the remaining participants slowly left the hall, only ten students remained.
The air felt lighter—but an invisible weight now rested on each of their shoulders.
Kyle said:
"Tomorrow, at this same hour, we depart for the Academy.
From that moment on, the Academy's dormitories will be your home—until the day you graduate.
Tonight… say goodbye to those you love.
Because tomorrow, a new life begins."
Arthur returned to the orphanage in silence.
The hallways, the wooden chairs, the sound of children's laughter…
It all felt different now.
The younger children gathered around him—some smiling, some with teary eyes.
The sisters, including Sister Maria, embraced him with warmth in their tired eyes.
After packing his belongings, Sister Maria quietly approached him.
Her gaze was gentle, though laced with sorrow, as she said:
"Arthur… I know you're still young.
Losing someone is never easy, especially when that someone was your whole world.
But… there's something he wanted you to have before he passed."
Arthur blinked, surprised. He asked softly:
"From Father…?"
Sister Maria pulled a necklace from the sleeve of her robe.
A delicate silver chain, bearing a polished green jade pendant that shimmered in the candlelight.
Etched into the gem was the symbol of a grand, ancient tree.
"This necklace… it's something he carried with him for years.
It's more than a keepsake."
She paused—then continued:
"This necklace has a power—one that preserves the body's state.
Not just physical health, but also magical energy, speed… even mental clarity.
Your father… he battled that illness for years, but he survived because of this.
Not for himself… but for you.
For the children.
So he could stay by your side—until his time came."
With trembling hands, Arthur took the necklace.
A single tear slid silently down his cheek—
But a soft smile touched his lips.
It was as if Father… was still there, beside him.