AFTER the award ceremony came the Summer Solstice Celebration’s party. Students congratulated other continuing students for making it to the next school year while bidding farewell to the graduating class.
Flinging off their sweltering blazers, Mia and the team ran to the front quad where summer graced the air. Dry, hot winds caressed their cheeks as they squinted at the blaring sunlight.
The faculty enjoyed themselves, surrounded by their happily chattering students. Professor Rueger was at the center of the biggest group. The man dubbed as “the Wall” changed entirely when he was freed from the responsibility of his job; his face was still on the scary side, but he transformed into a friendly gentleman after work.
“Thanks to you, Professor, I’ve come to realize what I want to do with my life,” said one of the surrounding students, bowing deeply. “I suffered through your relentless workload, but I’m glad I did it. I’ll work hard after graduation too. Thank you so much.”
“You can do it. Hard work is your greatest asset.”
Warmth spread through Mia as she watched his students thank him.
“You know,” Henrik suddenly mentioned in a whisper, “until Felix infiltrated the Sanatorium, I thought Professor Rueger was the culprit.”
“You did?”
“Yes, because as Professor Einz’s superior, he was the most likely suspect for her attack. Let’s not forget how much the Wall obstructed us in the beginning too. I thought he had some sort of ulterior motive for getting in our way. Didn’t he lay into you pretty hard too, Mia?”
“Well, yeah, when you put it like that… My gripes about him ended when he accepted our Grand Plan though. He’s just more passionate about helping his students succeed than others. So I’m really glad Professor Rueger was the professor in charge of us.”
Mia’s solemn trip down memory lane was interrupted by high-pitched, grating giggles. It came from Angelica, who was chatting up a different male law student a small distance away. Mia couldn’t tell what his school year was from her angle, but she could make out his blond hair and blue eyes. He assertively held her hand, a giddy blush alight on his freckled white cheeks.
On the other hand, Angelica was disinterested and smiled at him insincerely. Mia watched her, wondering what had happened to her attachment to Felix, when Angelica suddenly noticed her gaze and flashed a triumphant, bratty smirk.
Apparently, Mia would never shake her animosity. Discouraged, she glanced at Felix.
“Looks like her affections died thanks to the rumors of me being infected with Demon Claw.” He smiled sardonically.
“Nah, I think it’s because she got whiff of another rumor too,” Henrik chimed in.
“Another rumor?”
“The one about the Prince being in the second-year class. I’ve got a hunch somebody purposely spread that one.” Henrik shot Felix a knowing look. Neither affirming nor denying Henrik’s insinuations, Felix merely offered an extremely pleased grin.
“Anyhow, doesn’t it feel great to know she has such a clear objective to go after?”
✦ ✦ ✦
SUNLIGHT faded over the horizon and oil lamps sparked to life in the front quad. One by one, the remaining sections of darkness were lit by fireflies. Lured by the naturally lit greenery and the flames, girls and boys who had paired off during the party disappeared outside. Feeling the end of the party nearing, Mia was glum. Although she was moving on to her second year at the Academy, she wasn’t happy.
With their Grand Plan turned in, there was no need for the group of four to convene and study together. After all, the team had only formed for the sole purpose of writing up the Grand Plan.
Now that they had completed their primary objective, the team would break up. From here, they would strive to achieve their respective goals separately in their graduation research. Whether they wanted to stay in the team or form a new one was up to each member.
If I remember correctly, Mathias said he was only in it for the year. And Henrik also…gave a time limit, since he was only cooperating until we submitted the Grand Plan.
Nothing was compelling them to stay together after this. Should another, more attractive topic catch their eye, they could switch to it next year and submit a different Grand Plan.
Desolate fretfulness tainted her sense of accomplishment with a smear of gloomy black. Smothered under the weight of her anxieties, Mia sighed and sighed again.
Felix anxiously asked her, “Something wrong?”
“Yeah… Professor Rueger spoke highly of our team, but…I think we’ll let him down because we’ll be working separately from here on out,” Mia mumbled.
Felix responded reflexively with, “Why? Mia, I have every intention of continuing my research with you? I mean, weren’t you going to give me the okay once you develop a medicine and save your mother?! In which case, I have to give it all I’ve got to work with you and get that medicine developed as soon as possible!”
“Give you the ‘okay’? Huh? Since when was that decided?! I never said anything of the sort!”
Flustered, she sought help from her other friends, but Mathias ignored her confusion and wearily answered, “If Felix is stickin’ with it, then I am too… Not like I’ve got a choice. I’m the babysitter.” Mathias shifted his gaze from the gaping Mia to Henrik. Henrik lightly rolled his shoulders.
“I have no intention of letting you guys have all the fun with this topic—More like, this topic is no longer just yours, Mia. I’ll be mad if you plan to hog it to yourself. Just so you know.”
“Then…then you will all continue this research with me?”
The three boys nodded with a look that said, “Isn’t that obvious?”
It seemed Mia was the only one with any doubts. She couldn’t hide her delight; the team had reformed right as it was to be dissolved with their first year.
“Thank you…thank you!” She spontaneously took each of their hands and shook them, swinging it up and down as hard as she could.
“Woohoo!” Felix lit up.
“Whoa!” Henrik’s eyes widened in surprise.
“H-Hey!” Mathias panicked.
They all had distinct reactions and smiles.
Mom…just you wait. I’ll definitely succeed in saving you, with these people at my side…!
The place she could never have reached alone, she had reached by borrowing their help—no, by joining with them to help each other. Together, surely, they would reach the highest wall, climb over it, and attain their end goal.
Mia took Felix’s hand in hers once again, and he giddily took Mathias’ hand. Mia took Henrik’s in her free hand, and he expressionlessly grabbed Mathias’ other hand.