The students of the Imperial Academy of Valor moved in a steady line, luggage in tow, following Daemar and Rauk through the wide stone streets of Tharvaldur. Just minutes away from the hotel, the cavern widened into the grand port.

It was a sight to behold. Dwarves bustled about, shouting orders as cargo was loaded onto runed vessels. The piers stretched out into a vast underground lake, its dark waters reflecting the glow of hundreds of mana lamps overhead. Ships lined the docks, each reinforced with carvings and enchantments for long voyages.

But among them, one ship immediately stood out.

Its hull was sleek and black, polished until it gleamed in the lamplight. Lines of violet mana pulsed faintly across its frame, and intricate engravings curled along the sides like flowing script. Tall banners bearing the Estermont crest fluttered in the artificial wind generated by the mana vents.

Students murmured in awe, their voices carrying excitement. "Is that really ours?" "It looks like a palace!" "I've never seen anything like it."

Elyra crossed her arms and smirked, clearly pleased by the reactions. Her gray eyes glinted with pride as if to say: of course it's ours.

Noel's steps slowed slightly as he took it in. His gaze lingered on the crest, the elegance, the impossible extravagance of it all.

'This ship again? I wonder when I call him. Well, I won't complain if I have to travel in luxury again.'

The group advanced down the pier, the dwarven dockhands bowing slightly as Daemar led the students forward. The massive vessel loomed above them, a fortress of steel and mana, promising both safety and opulence.

Their journey home had officially begun.

The students filed onto the Estermont vessel, their footsteps echoing against the polished wooden deck.

Inside, the corridors were wide enough for three people to walk shoulder to shoulder. The walls shimmered with crystal sconces, illuminating tapestries woven with Estermont symbols. Servants hired for the journey guided the students toward their quarters.

Noel opened the door to his room and paused. It was larger than his dorm back at the Academy: a wide bed with clean linen, a sturdy desk with ink and parchment, and even a small cabinet stocked with fresh towels and travel essentials. He set his bag down, shaking his head. 'Elyra doesn't do things halfway.'

Across the ship, laughter and shouts echoed as students explored. Garron's booming voice carried down the hall: "This training room is mine!" The sound of weights being tested followed immediately after.

Charlotte squealed as she peeked into another chamber filled with swirling lights and enchanted music crystals. "It's like a festival hall! We're never leaving here."

Selene, in contrast, walked through silently, her cyan eyes scanning each room with detached curiosity, though Noel noticed the faintest flicker of interest when she saw the training hall.

By the time the students regrouped, the Estermont vessel no longer felt like a ship. It felt like a floating academy in itself—rooms for study, training, leisure, and rest all in one.

Noel lay stretched out on the wide bed, eyes closed, arms folded behind his head. The gentle hum of mana through the ship's walls was steady, almost lulling him to sleep. For the first time in weeks, the air around him felt still.

Tock. Tock. Tock.

A knock at the door broke the silence.

Without opening his eyes, Noel muttered, "Come in."

The door creaked, and Marcus stepped inside. His brown hair was slightly messy, and his expression carried the same heaviness Noel had seen since Tharvaldur. Without asking, Marcus sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"They're waiting for us," Marcus said after a pause. "The others already started celebrating. You coming?"

Noel finally opened his eyes, rolling onto his side to glance at him. "Give me a minute."

Marcus nodded but didn't move. His gaze lingered on the floor. After a moment, he spoke again, voice low. "I can't stop thinking about it. Everything that happened. I feel… useless. Like I should've done more. Seen more. Everyone fought, everyone contributed. And me… I just—"

Noel sat up, cutting him off gently. "It's normal to feel that way. None of us saw it coming. Don't blame yourself."

Marcus turned his head, eyes narrowing slightly. "But you… it's always you. Always on top of every problem. It feels like you never falter, like you're always one step ahead."

A dry chuckle escaped Noel's lips. "That's not skill, Marcus. That's bad luck. Trouble likes to find me."

Marcus blinked, then let out a weak laugh, shaking his head. Some of the tension drained from his shoulders.

"Now get up," Noel said, standing up. "We're not missing the food."

The great hall of the Estermont ship pulsed with life. Enchanted crystals filled the room with warm light while music from mana stones vibrated through the air. Long tables were set with food and drink, and laughter echoed as students from the Imperial Academy of Valor relaxed for the first time in weeks.

Marcus and Noel stepped in together, earning a few claps on the back from their classmates. The room was crowded—not only with the forty students of Valor, but also with the girls of Luceria Grand Academy. Their presence drew curious glances; after all, Luceria was known as an academy exclusively for women.

Noel leaned toward Elyra, lowering his voice. "What are they doing here? Isn't Luceria… all female students?"

Elyra smirked, sipping from a crystal glass as if the question amused her. "Redna stayed behind to take care of Nicolas. She asked Daemar to escort the Luceria girls back to their academy in the northwest of Elarith after they drop us off in Valon. This was the simplest way."

"I see," Noel murmured, glancing around at the sea of purple uniforms mingling with his classmates. 'No wonder everyone looks surprised.'

Roberto slid in beside him, bumping him with an elbow and nodding toward a group of Luceria girls laughing together near the tables. "Look and learn," he said with a grin, clearly teasing.

Noel sighed, shaking his head, though a faint smile betrayed him. "You never change."

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