Chapter 172: Departure
Upon hearing the plan, Jovian’s mouth twisted into a wry smile.
He gave a slow shake of his head, the strands of his white hair swaying with the movement.
"So, that was the old man’s call?" he asked, raising a hand before anyone could respond, the motion relaxed but unmistakably conclusive.
"You know what... Forget it. It doesn’t matter anymore."
His blindfolded attention returned to Selia.
The usual playful edge in his posture softened into something more deliberate, more genuine.
When he spoke again, the light tone remained, yet beneath it ran a clear thread of sincerity that the open field itself seemed to quiet around.
"Come with me," he said.
Jovian was never exactly the charming or charismatic type with women, but he was also never one to hide his emotions or desires.
Since sweet words weren’t his style, he figured the best approach was to be upfront, laying everything out before anything even started.
’At worst... I’ll end up friend-zoned again,’ he thought as he continued outwardly.
"Be my companion on this path.... We both chase power, so we might as well chase it together."
At such words, Selia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The colorful grass continued to sway around their boots, the multi-colored sunlight warming the air between them, yet none of it touched the careful stillness that settled over her.
In truth, the bond and relationship between these two was frail... if it could be called a relationship at all.
Deep inside, though, the gratitude for the lives he had once saved- hers, her sister’s, and her aunt’s—still lived in her chest like a warm fire.
It was something that wouldn’t fade from her mind.
Beyond that, though, she knew almost nothing about him.
From the day Jovian had saved them, he’d been gone just as quickly—whether it was because he was absentminded or too wrapped up in his love for exploring, he hadn’t lingered more than an hour before disappearing.
"...Jovian," she murmured, the name slipping out as she searched for the right words. "You saved us," she said at last, her voice quiet but steady.
"I’ve never forgotten that... but following you would mean leaving behind everything we know."
Her gaze dropped to the ground before she added, "And besides... I’m not some easy woman. I don’t even know you beyond your name."
After that, silence settled over the field, and Jovian made no move to break it.
He stood there, white hair drifting in the gentle wind, and when he finally answered, the shrug he gave was easy, almost casual, yet the words that came with it carried no mockery.
"And... I’m not an easy man either," he admitted honestly, knowing he wasn’t the type to be driven by lust.
In his mind, it would be any woman’s fortune to have him as her companion.
"I won’t pretend I thought this would go smoothly from the start," he continued, his smile never fading.
"I just wanted to make my intentions clear... and I’m sure getting to know each other will be the least of our problems."
Pausing, he gently tilted her head upward until their eyes met again.
"More than that, I want all of you to come with me, rather than throw your lives away in a meaningless war. We’ll travel from world to world, finding trouble... or letting it find us."
A short, genuine laugh escaped him as he stepped back and looked over the small, mismatched group that had gathered beneath the seven suns.
"Haha, doesn’t that sound like it will be fun?"
In that moment, Melissa and Jack shared a quick, knowing glance.
Whatever quiet uncertainties they might have held onto, their minds had been made up long before.
Melissa broke the silence first, her tone calm and unwavering.
"Count me in... You know, I’m with you, through thick and thin. That’s never changed."
Jack let out a short, rough chuckle and moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
"Same here. You know I’m not going anywhere. No matter where this road takes us, I’m in."
Selia and her sister still hesitated.
The thought of leaving everything they knew—and even more, venturing among the stars—felt so alien to them.
Who could say what the unknown might hold?
It was their aunt who finally broke the silence.
A small, decisive smile touched her lips, carrying years of quiet strength and the faint relief of someone who had already measured the debt they owed.
"The least we owe him is this," she said. "And the thought of traveling so far... it is enticing. Count us in."
Jovian’s laughter rang across the field, bright and unrestrained.
With a casual flick of his fingers, the Dreamer’s Drift materialized in the air before them— it hovered just above the colorful grass, its surface catching the seven suns and throwing soft reflections across their faces.
Shock rolled through the group like a tangible force, each person visibly reacting in their own way.
Jack was the first to break the heavy silence, his voice rough and laced with disbelief.
"Where the hell did you get something like that?"
Melissa didn’t even glance at him, her gaze locked on the massive ship ahead, eyes wide and unblinking.
"Is... that an actual starship?" she asked, almost breathless.
Jovian’s only response was a slow, confident smile, the kind that gave away nothing.
"I’ll explain everything later... just get onboard for now."
HUMMMMM!!!!!
However, before any of them could take a single step, a massive distortion of fate tore open directly above the Dreamer’s Drift.
The air itself seemed to fold inward with a deep, resonant pressure.
In that moment, the Dean of the Academy of Eternal Knowledge stepped out of the rift and landed squarely on the deck of the small vessel with his robes settling around him.
Jovian turned toward the older man who had once brought him into the Academy, the same easy smile already in place.
He stored the Fate Breaker Sword with a casual motion, the blade vanishing as though it had never been drawn.
"Old man, I was wondering when you would show up."
The Dean’s eyes drifted from Jovian to Melissa, then to Jack and the rest still lingering by the patch of vibrant grass.
With an easy, almost effortless motion, he stepped down from the Dreamer’s Drift, pausing just long enough for his gaze to rest on the vessel.
When he finally spoke, his voice came out low and steady, each word carrying a quiet weight.
"Are the three of you planning to abandon your duties as disciples of the Academy?"