CHAPTER 226: EXITING THE ACADEMY

Orion felt an overwhelming wave of compassion toward Nyss, fully understanding her guarded, withdrawn nature.

Gently, he placed a reassuring hand upon hers, briefly squeezing her slender fingers in comfort.

"Nyss," he spoke softly yet firmly, his voice carrying sincerity, "nothing has happened to me so far, and nothing will happen to me later as well. If your aunt can ignore whatever curse you are going through, then I can do so as well."

She looked at him hesitantly, her eyes highlighting the conflict she was feeling inside.

Orion gently smiled, "I’m not merely saying this to boast, but I actually have confidence in myself. And even if you can’t trust in me, trust in my potential and talent."

"You have seen it for yourself, do you think I would go down so easily? And you are not to blame for the misfortune that follows you, after all, you are just as clueless about it as the rest."

Her eyes widened slightly, moistening faintly with restrained tears, clearly moved yet uncertain. Orion continued gently, determined to reassure her completely.

"If anything, it sounds like you’ve simply experienced far too much loss for one person to bear alone," Orion continued softly. "I can’t change your past, Nyss, but I promise you’re not alone now. Even if not the others, I’m here for you. You don’t have to face this by yourself anymore."

Nyss stared deeply into Orion’s gentle eyes, emotion finally breaking through her carefully constructed barriers. A faint tear escaped, trickling slowly down her cheek, her expression vulnerable yet much more relieved.

"Thank you, Orion," she whispered softly, her voice thick with suppressed emotion. "You have no idea... how much hearing that means to me."

Orion smiled gently, compassion filling his gaze. "You don’t need to thank me, Nyss. Friends support each other."

She nodded slowly, her quiet gaze gradually filling with genuine warmth. Beneath the cherry blossoms, with petals softly falling around them, Orion and Nyss sat quietly together, sharing a moment of peace as the stillness remained for a while.

***

Orion gently rose from the stone bench beneath the cherry blossoms, casting one last reassuring glance at Nyss, who remained seated, her eyes gazing softly at the falling petals, her expression finally holding a quiet sense of relief and calm.

He began walking slowly away, heading toward the academy’s main exit, the soft rustle of grass beneath his footsteps harmonizing with the distant murmur of students’ voices.

[I didn’t expect her past to be so sad, Master... (｡•́︿•̀｡)]

Lumi whispered quietly, her typically cheerful voice subdued and filled with genuine sorrow.

Orion exhaled deeply, nodding subtly. ’Neither did I, Lumi. She hides her pain behind a mask of indifference, but beneath that aloof façade, she’s carrying unimaginable burdens. It’s heartbreaking, honestly.’

Lumi hesitated briefly before softly asking,

[But Master... aren’t you concerned? It seems like her ’curse’ is quite real... Even she believes it herself.]

Orion paused momentarily, his footsteps slowing. He turned his gaze upward, observing the blue skies above, the soft afternoon sunlight filtering gently through scattered clouds.

A warm breeze brushed softly against his face, carrying with it the faint fragrance of distant flowers.

He smiled faintly, shaking his head confidently. ’Concerned? Perhaps a bit—for her sake. But afraid? Absolutely not.’

[You’re truly not scared, Master?]

Lumi asked again, her voice laced with a blend of admiration and lingering worry.

Orion let out a soft chuckle, resuming his steady pace toward the academy gates. ’Scared? Of a curse like that? Lumi, you know me better. I have the bloodline of the True Dragons, the potential of the Perfect Human, and I—stand at the pinnacle of all races."

"Compared to that, this supposed curse of misfortune is hardly threatening. And even if there is some strange force behind Nyss’s misfortune, I have confidence I can overcome it.’

Lumi remained quiet momentarily before giggling softly, her usual enthusiasm returning.

[Master, you really are incredible! It makes Lumi so proud to follow you! ( ˵✧‿✧˵) ]

Orion laughed gently, feeling warmth and affection toward his cheerful companion. ’You’re my little cheerleader, aren’t you, Lumi?’

[Always and forever, Master! (≧◡≦)]

She replied happily.

By the time their conversation had come to a pleasant pause, Orion had reached the grand gates of the academy, passing through the intricate archway that marked the boundary between Thunderpeak Royal Academy and the bustling outside world.

Just outside, he spotted the luxurious obsidian carriage waiting patiently, its polished exterior gleaming softly in the afternoon sun.

Standing next to the carriage were two familiar figures—Edgar, calm and dignified as always, and Lucan, leaning casually against the carriage with his usual mischievous expression.

As Orion approached, Lucan straightened with a grin, waving dramatically. "Ah, there he is! Our prodigious climber of towers returns victorious again!"

Edgar gave a calm smile, shaking his head lightly at Lucan’s theatrics. "Welcome back, Young Master. We heard about your impressive feat in the Tower of Myths."

Orion chuckled softly, giving both men a friendly nod. "You two have been busy gossiping, I see."

Lucan shrugged nonchalantly, feigning innocence. "How can we not? It seems like half the academy is already abuzz about your performance. Honestly, Young Master, leave some glory for the other students too."

Orion laughed lightly, shaking his head with amusement. "Oh, please. I’m just doing my best. There are plenty more challenges ahead."

Edgar stepped forward calmly, a hint of genuine pride evident in his typically composed demeanor. "Regardless, your progress continues to exceed our expectations. You’ve done well, Young Master."

Orion’s eyes warmed appreciatively. Edgar’s praise, always sincere, held particular meaning for him. "Thank you, Uncle Edgar. Coming from you, that means a lot."

Lucan rolled his eyes playfully, pretending to wipe a tear dramatically. "Such tender moments! Ah, my heart can hardly bear it!"

Orion and Edgar simultaneously glanced at Lucan with amused exasperation, prompting another burst of laughter from the mischievous demon in disguise.

"Alright, enough chit-chatting," Edgar finally interjected calmly, opening the carriage door smoothly. "Shall we head back now?"

"Yes, let’s head back," Orion said with a contented smile, stepping gracefully into the carriage.

Orion settled comfortably onto the plush velvet seat inside the luxurious obsidian carriage. Lucan was driving the carriage at the front, his mischievous eyes glancing lazily around the road, while Edgar sat quietly opposite Orion, posture impeccably straight as always.

A soft jolt signaled that the carriage had started moving, wheels smoothly rolling along the paved streets, creating a gentle rhythmic background noise.

Orion leaned back thoughtfully, reflecting deeply on his recent experiences in the Tower of Myths, particularly the striking performance of the Dual-Aura Blade Dancer.

After a quiet moment, Orion broke the peaceful silence, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Uncle Edgar, there’s something I’d like your opinion on."

Edgar turned his head slightly, asking in a slightly curious voice, "Of course, Young Master. Ask whatever you wish."

Orion paused briefly, gathering his thoughts carefully before speaking. "While climbing the Tower of Myths today, I encountered an Echo on the seventy-seventh floor who wielded two swords—each imbued with a different elemental sword aura simultaneously."

"I wanted to know just how challenging it is to achieve something like that. Is dual sword aura mastery common?"

Edgar’s brows lifted slightly in genuine surprise, clearly impressed. Lucan also glanced back at Orion curiously, suddenly more interested in the conversation.