Chapter 327: Come Back Stronger
Lancet packed his travel case while half the dorm watched. Kasto and Anita had shown up at his room in the Gold Dorms and they surrounded him alongside his three roommates, watching him pack his things into a leather case.
Kasto straddled a chair like an interrogator, Anita stood with her hands on her hips, and Min Tu feigned disinterest from her bed. Amira leaned against the partition, tracking Lancet as he loaded underwear and some kits.
"So where are you going?" Kasto finally asked.
"Somewhere," Lancet replied, folding another black shirt.
"We all saw the King’s ship, you know?" Anita pointed out. "Then you and Renan and some other students were summoned by the king. And now, suddenly, you’re leaving. Come on, tell us where to."
Lancet shook his head as he continued. "No can do."
They fell silent, giving each other glances. Min Tu peeked from her bed, peeking above the pages of the book at Lancet’s back as he packed his things.
Then she covered her face with the book and returned to fake-reading.
"Renan is doing the same thing," Amira said, her voice cutting through the tension. "But he won’t tell me anything either. Just that it’s confidential."
Lancet shook his head again. "I think even saying that is saying too much."
Kasto slowly turned back toward Lancet. "What are you two doing?"
"Nothing together," Lancet said.
"Is he your best friend now?"
Lancet looked at him with an eyebrow raise. "Renan Falconhart is not my best friend, Kas. We’re barely even friends."
The jealous Machinist gave Lancet a pointed, accusing look before snapping away.
Min Tu finally looked up. "How long will you be gone?"
"A while. I can’t tell you."
Kasto threw his hands up. "Jeez, mysterious guy much? You disappear for five days, summon a Phoenix, and now you’re leaving on something classified."
"Is it dangerous?" Soren asked quietly from the wall.
Lancet stopped packing. "Probably. But as you know, I’m not going alone."
"That does not make it safe," Min Tu said.
Lancet paused, stood straight and looked over to where Min Tu was. She had the book lowered enough for her full face to show, and her eyes, darkened by mascara, were glaring right at him.
Angrily.
"You’re right." Lancet smiled at her. "It makes it safer."
She looked even angrier.
He zipped the case shut and dragged it by the door. "I’ll tell you everything I can when I’m back."
Anita folded her arms. "Just don’t come back with another legendary woman." She thought about it for a moment. "Or maybe do."
They all gave him their good luck on whatever this secret journey of his was.
Later that evening, Lancet crossed the city to Solaris’s apartment.
She opened the door wearing one of the outfits they had bought together: fitted brown trousers, a cream blouse and the short ivory jacket she had decided was acceptable because it did not restrict her shoulders.
The modern clothing still looked slightly strange on her, mostly because the golden feather-crown framing her face made everything else seem too ordinary.
"I’m leaving the Academy tomorrow morning," Lancet said, bypassing the television humming in the background.
Solaris turned. "For how long?"
"About a month. Golden Barracks."
Her eyes sharpened at the name. "The military camp. So you are beginning preparation for this war you told me about?"
Lancet nodded. "That means I won’t be around while Frieda starts training. Just to remind you of what we talked about last time."
Solaris seemed to have learnt what an eye roll was. "I remember," she said boredly.
Lancet followed her to the kitchen where she was making a giant bowl (almost a freaking bucket) of cereal. He pretended not to see.
"I’m not asking you to be soft on her, but don’t make her regret showing up. She nearly gave up her fire completely. She’s afraid of it."
Solaris looked at him, considering his words. "I will teach her."
"That’s all I need." Lancet watched her take the bowl to the living room where she had found a history channel that recounted some of the greatest mayors from the past.
Solaris seemed to be enjoying and adjusting to modernity quite smoothly. Lancet liked to see that, but he also wanted this for all of his Heroines.
"You are going to war training," she said, watching him leave, "and your concern is still a student’s fire."
"I made a promise."
Her expression softened by a fraction. "Then I will make certain your promise is not wasted."
Lancet smiled at that. "Just a head’s up. She’ll be coming here tomorrow." He headed for the door but stopped. "And oh, don’t tell her anything about where I am going."
"As you wish."
After that, he found Frieda near the Elementalist training halls, clutching several books to her chest. She smiled when he approached, but it faded the moment he explained he was leaving.
"You and Renan," she said, her fingers tightening around the book covers. "So what happens with the training?"
"You go without me. Solaris agreed to teach you. That part hasn’t changed." Lancet met her nervous gaze. "Take it seriously. She understands fire better than anyone you’ll ever meet, but if you waste her time or hide mistakes because you’re embarrassed, she’ll walk."
Frieda exhaled slowly and nodded. "Will she be angry if I lose control?"
"Probably. But she’ll know why it happened. That’s the difference." He pointed to the books in her arms. "Tomorrow. Her apartment first, then the training ground. Don’t let her scare you."
Frieda gave him a doubtful look.
Lancet thought about Solaris threatening to burn people’s souls. "Actually, she might scare you a little. Just ignore that part."
Frieda laughed again.
When it was time to say goodbye to Miss Maecil, Lancet found that part incredibly difficult.
His professor intercepted him near the Summoner-D classroom after the last lesson. She had heard the rumors and didn’t bother hiding her frustration.
"You understand the competition is not stopping because you are gone," she said, crossing her arms. "You are our strongest representative, and one of the last challenges may involve direct Class performance."
"I know." Lancet held his hands up in surrender. "I really do know."
Maecil stared at him, then she smiled. "Thank you, Lancet. For everything you’ve done for us so far in this competition."
Lancet’s eyes lit up.
"Wherever it is you’re going," she stepped forward, pointing her ruler to his chest. "Be safe. And come back stronger."
Lancet gazed into his teacher’s eyes, and his own smile broke through his face. "That I can promise," he said.
She gave a single nod, then unexpectedly pulled him into a quick hug. Lancet froze before awkwardly returning it. She pulled away just as fast, looking embarrassed enough to pretend nothing had happened. "Go on now."
The next morning, Awakener Supreme woke before sunrise.
The western landing court filled with students long before the chosen group arrived. Nobody had officially announced anything, but secrecy only made people more curious. Rumors had spread through dormitories overnight, and by dawn the balconies, walkways and upper windows surrounding the court were crowded.
Some claimed the King had recruited the Academy’s strongest students for a secret operation. One student insisted the Academy was preparing for a Demon invasion. Another claimed Vernon Heavenblum had been promoted directly into the Kingdom Rangers.
Lancet heard all of it as he crossed the court with his travel case. Kasto and Anita walked beside him until the security line stopped them.
"This is ridiculous," Kasto said, looking past Lancet at the others assembling near the transport ship.
Vernon stood several paces ahead with a compact military case beside him. Valeria carried almost nothing except her spear and one hard travel pack.
Nereus waited near the edge of the landing court, dark coat closed against the morning cold. Renan stood with Frieda, Amira and Sienna near one of the barriers.
Espel had arrived alone.
Professor Estelle Nightingale stood beside a larger case, black hair streaked red beneath the early light. Danistasia and Ordenance were already speaking with several royal officers near the ship.
Kasto whistled. "What kind of mission needs all of them?"
Lancet smiled. "The classified kind."
Anita punched his arm, a frustrated look on her face. "Stop enjoying this."
"I’m not."
"You are."
Lancet looked toward them. For once, he did not have a joke ready. Kasto looked at him, all their past memories rushing through his mind. He remembered the kid who had entered that Bronze Dorms with him.
He’d grown so much since then. Smiling, he held out his fist.
Lancet looked at it and bumped his own fist to it.
"Don’t die," Kasto said.
"Planning not to."
Anita stepped forward and hugged him before he could react. "Come back."
Lancet smiled over her shoulder. "I will."
Over Anita’s shoulder, he saw Min Tu standing a little farther back. After Anita released him, Lancet walked over to her.
"Hey you."
She looked at his case, then at him. "You still won’t tell me."
"Nope."
Min Tu nodded. "I figured."
Lancet waited for her to say anything else. But she looked away toward the ship.
After a moment, she spoke. "Just don’t come back acting even more important."
Lancet flashed her a brilliant smile. "No promises, Minny."
Min Tu’s cheeks turned all red and her mouth twitched. She wanted to say something else but Lancet turned toward the security line and started heading for the ship.
This one was larger than the ship Romsgard had used the previous day. Gold-black armor covered its hull, and six blue engines glowed beneath the wings while faint mist rolled across the landing court.
Students pressed harder against the railings when the boarding ramps lowered.
"That’s Vernon!"
"Valeria’s going too!"
"Is that Professor Nightingale?"
"Why is the Headmistress leaving?"
"Lancet’s there!"
Lancet glanced up and saw hundreds of students were watching, some waved at him while others simply stared.
The entire Academy seemed to be trying to understand what could possibly require this many powerful people to leave at once.
Lancet joined the line. Renan stepped ahead of him. Espel followed behind.
Professor Nightingale moved toward the ramp without looking at the crowd. Danistasia stopped near the entrance and turned once toward the Academy before boarding.
Ordenance gave the buildings a longer look, then followed. Lancet reached the base of the ramp and looked back.
Kasto had both hands cupped around his mouth. "COME BACK WITH ANOTHER WIN!"
Anita waved while Min Tu watched quietly. Luke had shown up late but Lancet saw him join the crowd with wide eyes, not knowing what the hell was happening.
He grinned. Then he raised one hand toward them and boarded the ship.
The ramp closed behind the chosen group. Outside, students continued talking as the engines grew brighter.
Inside, Lancet stowed his gear and claimed a window seat. The Academy spires shrank beneath them as the ship banked toward the horizon, heading for the Golden Barracks.
Lancet leaned back, letting a smile surface. Between war preparation, Character Exploration, glitching Dungeons, and the impending Warning Gates, it was going to be a heavy month.