The Pursuit Of Catalyst: A Dive Into Another Verse

As the next pair of students were called for their match, the five friends gathered near the edge of the courtyard, where a few benches stood beneath the academy's marble colonnade. The late morning sun filtered through the columns, casting patterned shadows across the floor. The distant sounds of cheering and spell clashes continued as the duels proceeded.

Ashia sat close to Sylves, her gaze occasionally drifting toward him as if to make sure he was really there.

Serena stretched her arms with a sigh. "I swear… these exams feel longer than the entire year."

"I forgot how noisy the academy is," Elza said with a faint smile, brushing her silver hair behind her ear. "But… I missed it."

"You weren't this talkative when we first arrived," Serena teased, nudging her gently. "Void training did you good."

Elza chuckled softly. "Hawk Frost didn't give us a choice. Speak up or get crushed."

Elas laughed. "Typical of that lunatic. But it worked, clearly."

Sylves turned to Ashia. "You've grown a bit taller. You too, Serena."

Ashia nodded shyly. "Just a few centimeters. But I studied everything… every day. I didn't miss a single lecture."

"I heard," Sylves replied with a smile. "I'll want a full report, you know."

Elas leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "I started a fencing club. It's small, but people seem to enjoy watching me show off."

"Sounds like you've been training more than showing off," Sylves said with a smirk.

"You wound me," Elas replied, mockingly placing a hand on his heart. "And you? Was it really ten whole months of non-stop training?"

Sylves nodded. "Training. Study. Reflection. Hawk didn't waste a second of our time. I hated him every day for it... and I'm grateful for it now."

They shared a quiet moment, each feeling the weight of the passing year in their own way.

The crowd cheered as the last match concluded.

Ashia stood. "The duels are also over."

Afternoon – Academy Courtyard

The examination duels had concluded, and a chime rang through the academy to signal the break. The tension that had gripped the students all morning now dissolved into chatter, laughter, and the rustling of lunch packs unwrapped under the trees.

Sylves, Elza, Ashia, Serena, and Prince Elas sat around a shaded stone table in the garden behind the examination hall. Plates of warm bread rolls, fruit, and seasoned rice were spread across the tabletop, alongside mugs of cold berry juice.

Ashia had packed an extra portion just for Sylves.

"I still can't believe you got full marks," Serena muttered between bites. "You didn't even attack at first."

Sylves smirked faintly. "I didn't need to."

"You were showboating," Elas teased, "and the girls from Class B nearly fainted."

Elza, quiet but present, softly added, "It was more controlled than before… but still too reckless." Sylves glanced at her in surprise but smiled.

Ashia beamed. "It felt like I was watching a different person entirely… but at the same time, I knew it was you."

Then Sylves looked at them all and set down his cup.

"Hawk will be back any moment now," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "Elza and I will be leaving again. We'll return tomorrow evening—just for the rest of the exams."

Ashia's expression faltered. "That soon…?"

Elza, perhaps sensing her emotions, reached out and touched Ashia's hand lightly. "It's not forever. Just for now."

Serena crossed her arms, pouting. "You two always vanish like ghosts."

Prince Elas gave a mock sigh. "Training in secret, growing stronger, returning to steal all the attention. Truly unfair."

Sylves stood slowly, brushing crumbs from his cloak. "We didn't choose this. But we will return."

He paused, glancing at the group with a thoughtful expression. "Actually… I think all our years in this academy will pass just like this—battles, laughs, small moments between chaos. That's why… I have an idea."

Everyone looked up.

Sylves gave a faint grin. "Wait until the exams are over. Then I'll tell you."

Ashia stood beside him, still reluctant to let go. "Then… please come by for dinner before leaving tomorrow evening. I'll cook."

Sylves smiled warmly. "I wouldn't miss it."

Just then, a low humming noise echoed through the courtyard—space bending slightly. A black portal shimmered into view behind the trees.

Elza and Sylves exchanged a glance.

"It's time."

Without another word, the two walked toward it—robes swaying, backs straight.

And then... They were gone.

---

Next Day – 3:00 PM

Outside the Written Examination Hall

The courtyard buzzed softly with the quiet tension of students waiting for the final exam of the year. The written assessment—feared not for its difficulty, but for its strict rules—was moments away.

Ashia stood near the staircase, her long hair tied back neatly, clenching her notebook to her chest. Serena leaned against a pillar, visibly reviewing notes in her head, and Prince Elas paced in short, slow steps, humming to ease the building nerves.

"They're late again," Serena mumbled, scanning the crowd.

Ashia's eyes darted anxiously to the usual spot where Hawk Frost's black portal would appear.

But this time… there was nothing.

Instead, from the far path leading from the Staff Headquarters, two black-robed figures strolled calmly toward the exam hall.

"Sylves!" Ashia called, lighting up.

Elas smiled, hands in his pockets. "So they took the long way for once."

Sylves waved lightly, Elza beside him with her usual quiet poise.

"Sorry, everyone," Sylves said as they approached. "I was held up by the Headmaster. Just a quick meeting… nothing serious."

Elza added, "We made it in time."

Just then, the tall iron doors of the hall creaked open, revealing Professor Castra Klint, a sharp-featured woman in gray robes. Her piercing golden eyes scanned the students as she stepped aside, gesturing them in.

"Inside. No delays."

The murmuring ceased. Students filed in with a mix of hesitation and grim acceptance. Ashia, Sylves, Elza, Serena, and Elas exchanged quick nods before slipping inside.

---

Inside the Examination Hall

Hundreds of desks were arranged in perfect rows under enchanted chandeliers. Magic-suppressing glyphs lined the walls, making the room eerily still. At each desk sat a crisp sheet of parchment and a black-feathered quill.

Professor Klint's voice echoed throughout the hall.

"You may begin."

The silence was immediate—only the soft scratch of quills and the rustle of pages could be heard.

Sylves sat near the center, eyes calm as he quickly began writing.

Ashia, a few rows ahead, focused intently, lips moving silently as she recalled spell theory and magical history.

Elza worked with precision, and Serena muttered under her breath, calculating elemental formulae.

Elas, surprisingly relaxed, twirled his quill once before diving into his paper.

---

One Hour Later – Outside the Hall

As the large clock above the doorway struck the hour, the doors opened once again, and students poured out—some groaning, some stretching, others instantly diving into discussion.

"I forgot the dates on the Void War Treaty section!" Serena huffed.

Ashia smiled. "I think you made up for it in the rune diagrams."

Sylves joined them a few steps later, stretching his arms behind his head. "Not bad. I was worried about the potion mechanics section, but they kept it simple."

Elza nodded. "Same. I left one answer blank, though…"

Elas scoffed playfully. "What kind of genius duo are you?"

Sylves glanced at Ashia. "So… dinner?"

Ashia beamed. "Yes Master! I've been planning it since last week."

The group smiled together, standing just outside the hall as the late afternoon sun bathed the academy in golden light.

Tomorrow would be the final day of exams… but for now, tonight was theirs.

With the mood lightened and their group reunited, they walked side by side through the halls of the academy—toward warmth, dinner, and the comfort of being together once again.

Room 104 was filled with the warm scent of simmering herbs, grilled vegetables, and freshly kneaded bread. The long table in the center of the room had been rearranged to make space for five—Ashia had gone to great lengths to prepare this dinner. The lights were dimmed slightly, lanterns glowing softly, creating a cozy ambiance that soothed the nerves from the intense day.

Sylves sat in his usual spot at the head of the table, his uniform jacket folded neatly over the back of his chair. Elza sat to his left, quietly helping Ashia arrange the last of the dishes. Serena and Elas took their places opposite each other, both peeking over the table's spread with barely contained excitement.

Ashia walked in, holding a covered pot with both hands. "Please enjoy, everyone," she said gently as she uncovered it to reveal a fragrant vegetable stew with rich spices. Beside it, plates of buttered bread, seasoned rice with mushrooms, and stir-fried greens waited.

"This looks amazing," Serena said, eyes sparkling. "Did you really make all this by yourself?"

Ashia nodded, her cheeks tinged pink. "Yes. I wanted to welcome Master and Miss Elza back properly."

Sylves looked up from his seat. "You've done wonderfully. Thank you, Ashia."

Her heart fluttered. "It's my duty, Master."

They all began to eat. The first few moments were filled only with the sounds of quiet chewing and appreciative hums.

"I missed this," Elza said suddenly, her tone gentle. "It's strange… even the academy's dining hall couldn't compare."

"Because Ashia puts her heart in it," Sylves added. "Everything tastes better that way."

Elas swallowed a mouthful and grinned. "If she keeps cooking like this, I might move into Room 104."

Serena laughed. "You just want free meals."

They shared a round of lighthearted teasing. For a while, the room was filled with laughter and stories—of exam nerves, of the moment Cloud Lovelace tried to duel barefoot, and of how Hawk nearly set a training dummy on fire because it looked "too smug."

Ashia served seconds without needing to be asked, listening intently when Elza described a training exercise that had ended with Sylves falling flat into a muddy pond. Even Sylves couldn't help but smile as Elza reenacted his grumbling.

As the meal drew to a close, Ashia poured warm berry tea into small cups. She quietly glanced at Sylves. "Master, did the food suit your taste?"

Sylves met her gaze with soft eyes. "It was perfect."

Her heart warmed more than the tea in her hands.

And as they all sat in the glow of lanternlight, full from the meal and the comfort of reunion, Sylves looked around the table—at Elza's calm smile, Serena's bright laughter, Elas's carefree chatter, and Ashia's devoted gaze.

Yes, he thought.

This… this was home.

As the plates were cleared and the last of the tea sipped, a peaceful quiet settled over Room 104. The soft hum of the lanterns swayed with the breeze from the open window. Everyone looked satisfied—content not only from the food, but from the warmth that came with long-awaited reunion.

Sylves set his teacup down gently and looked at Ashia. "You've improved," he said, a calm but genuine smile on his lips. "I remember the first time you tried to boil rice... you nearly lit the pot on fire."

Ashia flushed red, both embarrassed and happy. "Y-You remember that, Master?"

"I remember everything," Sylves replied. "But today… everything was perfect. The flavors, the balance, the presentation—remarkable."

Ashia's hands tightened slightly around the edge of her apron. "T-Thank you… Master."

Serena leaned over to whisper to Elza with a grin, "I think he almost sounded like a professional food critic."

Elza chuckled softly.

Then Sylves stood up, brushing his fingers through his silver-blonde hair as he looked toward the door. His expression shifted from warm to composed.

"It's time for us to leave," he said quietly, the mood gently shifting. "Come on, Elza."

Elza rose from her seat without hesitation and gave Ashia a soft smile before walking toward Sylves.

Ashia's eyes lowered, her heart sinking despite the pride she felt. She bowed politely. "Please rest well tonight, Master… Miss Elza."

Sylves gave her a final glance, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment longer than necessary.

"I'll see you again soon, Ashia," he said.

Then, with a light wave to the others, Sylves opened the door and stepped into the corridor, Elza walking beside him as always.

And just like that… the quiet of Room 104 returned.

But this time, it felt warm—not lonely.

---