The azure skies shone above the academy district as the spring sun encouraged the flora to bloom. The rays were gentle, and the serene breeze brought along the warmth of spring. Today was the day on which many academies held their graduation ceremonies, and the Royal Kingsland Academy was no exception.
“Look up at the sky,” Silverd said. “Even the heavens are blessing your departure as you all begin a new chapter in your lives.”
His speech was short as he stepped off the podium. It was a part of his public duties to attend the academy’s graduation, but he had a different reason this year—his grandson was also present, having just overcome a series of hardships.
“Head of class, Ein von Ishtarica.”
The hero’s name was called, and the boy stepped up onto the podium. The auditorium was filled to the brim, and every single person was focused on Ein. Huh, I’m not as nervous as I thought I’d be, he thought. He was already used to getting up on grand stages, and thrilled to know he’d developed the mental endurance for it.
Compared to the war of words he’d had with Heim just before the war, this was a piece of cake. However, Ein had never thought to link the two occasions together before. He couldn’t help but crack a little smile. Just the other day, the prince had been swinging his sword through a battlefield, and now he was speaking before his peers at his own graduation ceremony. He began his speech, his voice reverberating throughout the room.
“I...”
He spoke valiantly and confidently. Every movement he made commanded the attention of everyone who was present to hear him.
✦ ✦ ✦
The festivities would be called Victory Day. The name was quite self-explanatory, and combined with the celebration on the eve of the holiday, the jubilee would continue on for ten days—the longest festival in Ishtarican history. After the graduation ceremony concluded, the real party would be kicked off.
“Ein’s speech was really something, huh?” Butz said.
“I-Indeed... It was simply magnificent,” Leonardo agreed.
Butz looked quite relieved now that it all was over while Leonardo still had tears in his eyes.
Loran chuckled. “How long are you going to be crying for, Leonardo?”
“Where else shall I cry then?!” the son of House Pholus exclaimed. “I can recite His Highness’s speech by heart! Truly, he’s a splendid man. For the first time, he divulged his life in Heim before he came to Ishtarica, and he spoke of all the experiences that he had here! It’s been a priceless treasure to simply hear it all from Ein himself!”
“Yeah, yeah, Loran and I know that,” Butz said. “How long will you keep weeping?”
The trio walked out of the auditorium and onto the grassy lawn between the school building and the gates. Graduates and students were chattering among themselves—some expressed joy at their graduation while others were sad and lonely to see them go. They all cried as they parted ways with their friends, but rejoiced at the start of a new chapter in their lives.
“We really graduated,” Butz murmured.
This would be the last time that they’d set foot in this academy. As the realization set in, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of melancholy.
“You guys are...” he started.
“I’ll be working in a lab near Kingsland,” Loran said. “Leonardo, you’re bound for the Legal Affairs Bureau, right?”
“Yeah,” Leonardo nodded. “I’ll be learning under my father. I managed to pass the exam as well.”
“Feels weird that we won’t see each other as frequently anymore,” Butz said as he scratched the top of his nose. It was rare to see a few tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
The trio fell silent as they gazed at the terraced café—it was a place filled with many memories. They stood there for a while, reminiscing about the past.
“Oh, there you guys are!” Ein shouted. He held a tube containing his diploma in one of his hands.
“Huh?! E-Ein?! You sure you can be here?” Butz shouted.
“Huh? Why not?”
“Your Highness, your speech was excellent!” Leonardo cried. “I was moved to tears and continued to cry at your speech. Wait, Butz is right! Why are you here?”
“Aren’t you going to the parade?” Loran asked.
Ein was scheduled to visit the academy district’s main street and join a procession that would take him all the way to the castle. He was set to leave right after graduation and shouldn’t have had any time to spare.
“I made something of a selfish request,” the crown prince replied as he smiled while scratching his temple. “There was something that I wanted to do on my graduation day. Truth be told, once the ceremony was over, I wanted to hang out all night with you guys in the city.”
“I mean, we’d love to, but you know you can’t do that!” Butz replied.
“Yeah. But I had to see you all, one last time, at least. I didn’t want to just leave.” The royal walked over to the terrace, much to the confusion of the trio. “I want to speak with you guys, one last time... Where we always sat.”
Everyone was stunned. How could the crown prince, the nation’s hero, return home with such a trivial request? Simultaneously, they all smiled joyfully. Ein hadn’t changed a bit since they first met and would always be their friend.
“Well, if you’re begging!” Butz shouted.
“I’m honored to receive such an invitation,” Leonardo said.
“Heh heh heh! This is our last day together, after all!” Loran chimed in.
And so, they lined up and gracefully walked against the flow of the other students, headed straight back to the building. The students gasped at Ein, but they only greeted him and did nothing more.
As the four walked together, Ein had his usual carefree smile on his face. No one dared to disturb their final leisurely moments together.