Chapter 189 - beginning of the adventure

After that day, things returned to normal as much as they could. My aunts and uncles all left with their children.

Even Grandma left because of her work.

But before she left, we all spent an amazing time together. Grandma helped us with our normal training, pointed out a few of our weaknesses, and gave us many insights into swordsmanship.

Luna and I also had an amazing time training, eating, and testing out many new techniques, spells, and more.

After Amy officially became the successor to the family head, her responsibilities and workload increased.

But all good things must come to an end someday. Grandma eventually left, and Amy’s academy trial came around, so we traveled to the academy to enroll her.

I looked at the magnificent sight of the academy again. It never ceased to amaze me how this entire place was created through one person’s Space Magic and existed as her own world.

Then we met with the Empress again.

Luna and Elena went to her side, and we met with Sister Isabella as well. She seemed to be doing well.

"Hello, Sister Isabella. It’s been a while."

She looked at me and nodded. "Hmm, you’ve grown a lot since I last saw you."

I smiled and nodded.

Then sister Isabella went to talked with Amy and Mom for a few minutes before she went over to the Empress side.

After all the pleasantries, we rested for the next day. Mom and the Empress returned to their respective work.

As soon as morning came, we went to the trial grounds, and I wished Amy good luck.

I wonder what kind of trial they’ll hold this time.

Amy and Elena went to join the other participants.

Then we went to the observation room, where I met the Empress again. She looked at me and nodded.

I nodded back and went to our seats.

After seeing that all the participants were present, the principal of the academy gave the signal to begin the trial.

Just like last time, the participants were teleported to a different location.

The Empress explained that this trial involved a certain number of flags scattered throughout the location where they had been teleported.

Each participant needed to collect five flags and hold on to them until the time ran out. Stealing flags from opponents and killing them were both valid strategies.

As for those who were killed, they would be teleported back to the academy.

Then the trial began.

I watched as all the participants rushed around as if their lives depended on finding the flags.

I looked at them curiously, wondering whether they would search for the flags themselves or try to rob those who had already collected them.

I watched the participants from all the races fight for victory. Amy and Elena weren’t falling behind in the slightest.

They fought for flags, but Amy and Elena stayed out of each other’s way. They neither teamed up nor fought against each other.

Then I saw Amy move like lightning across the battlefield in search of flags.

She collected four of them before locating a dragon kin who had one. A grin appeared on her face as she went after him.

She used her obsidian sword to cut down the dragon kin. No matter what he tried, Amy had a solution. After all, she had the versatility that came with her affinities.

Amy successfully secured all five flags and waited.

Elena also secured all the flags she needed, so she stopped and waited as well.

If anyone dared to approach them, they would kill them.

Both of them were in peak condition.

I continued watching the movements and fighting styles of the other participants.

Finally, the trial ended.

Anyone who approached Amy or Elena and got eliminated had only themselves to blame. The powerful candidates didn’t approach either of them because they already had all the flags they needed. If they got into a battle and a third party interfered, they would be finished.

They didn’t want to risk that possibility.

The matches were finally over, and Amy and the others returned.

The principal went to meet them and offer her congratulations.

We left the observation area as well. This time, no one came looking for trouble, since no children from the other races had attended.

I just shrugged and went to meet Amy. This was goodbye for a long time.

She gave me a warm hug and said, "I’ll be waiting for you at the academy. Stay safe while adventuring."

I returned the hug and said, "Don’t become a fat pig by the time I see you next time."

She didn’t hesitate to hit me.

"You brat! You ruined our warm goodbye!"

I smiled at that. "It’s only going to be three years."

Then Sister Isabella spoke from the side.

"You don’t need to spend all three years at the academy to graduate."

Amy and I looked at her as she continued.

"As soon as you reach S-Rank, you can graduate. But you? You’re never going to graduate."

My eyes twitched.

Then I asked, "So, Sister Isabella, what rank are you now?"

She just smiled.

"Oh, me? I’m on the verge of becoming S-Rank. As soon as I complete my Domain, I’ll graduate. So, by the time you arrive at the academy, Amy will already have graduated."

My eyes twitched as I looked at Amy.

She didn’t say anything. She just looked away.

I pointed a finger at her.

"You knew this, didn’t you?"

Amy acted as if she didn’t know anything.

"Oh, me? How could I know that, Gray? Don’t make things up."

My eyes twitched at how fake her voice sounded.

Then I realized that she wouldn’t be here when I arrived. A flash of sadness passed through my eyes.

Amy noticed and immediately panicked.

"Hey, hey, Gray, calm down! Even if I have the qualifications to graduate, I’ll still be here."

Then I shook my head and looked at Mom.

"Mom, is there any way I can participate in next year’s academy trial?"

Mom’s eyes twitched, and she shook her head.

"Even if you have the power to pass it next year, there’s no way to do that."

"The academy is an independent state. It doesn’t make exceptions."

I nodded sadly.

Amy just smiled and said, "Don’t worry. I’ll still be here when you arrive."

I shook my head, and determination appeared on my face.

"It’s fine. I’m going to rush my way to S-Rank and graduate early."

Amy’s eyes twitched as she hit my head.

"Don’t you dare! Enjoy academy life while you can. Don’t rush things!"

Luna, who was standing beside us, spoke up as well.

"Then you’ll have to rush ahead alone. I want to enjoy academy life slowly."

My eyes twitched as I finally relented.

"Fine! When you become S-Rank, you can go ahead and graduate."

Amy just laughed.

"Don’t worry, little brother. I have no intention of skipping a year."

Then we talked for a while. Finally, Amy, Elena, and Isabella went their separate ways, while I returned with Mom.

I put on a calm smile, but deep inside, I felt empty without Amy’s nagging and our fights.

Mom noticed, but she let me be. She knew there was nothing she could say to comfort me. What was she supposed to say? That the feeling would fade with time?

Amy wasn’t someone whose absence I could simply get used to that easily.

Instead, she only said, "It’s only for three years. Just think about chatting with your sister again once you’ve caught up to her power level."

I smiled at that and nodded.

Luna was in the same boat. Both of her sisters were now at the academy.

Then we left the academy grounds.

The Empress asked, "So, when are you two starting your adventure?"

A small light appeared in my eyes as I said, "As soon as possible!"

Then she grinned and said, "So, what do you think about dropping you two off in an unknown village to start your adventure?"

"Isn’t that the kind of fun you’ve been looking for?"

I thought about it and asked, "Really?"

Even Luna looked at her mother suspiciously.

"Really, Mom?"

The Empress nodded and said, "I’ve talked with Seraphina, and we both think it would be good for you two to experience the real world."

"No one will interfere with you two, but guards will watch over you from the shadows."

I looked at her, my eyes lighting up, and nodded.

Then I looked at Luna. She nodded as well.

The Empress nodded in approval.

Mom look at us well and smile as she nodded as well then said "be safe then gray if anything happens use that item astride don’t hesitate to use it understand son."

I nodded "don’t worry mom i can teleport and i have a good perception."

Mom nodded as empress come closer to me as she wisper.

"Then i put my daughter’s safety on your hand protect her well."

I nodded while promising her.