Chapter 25 – Farewell to the Academy

Graduation day had finally arrived. The morning sun shone brightly over the wide courtyard of the Magic Academy, where all students had gathered in their ceremonial robes. The usual bustle of training grounds had been replaced by a solemn stillness. The academy’s banners fluttered high above as the great bell tolled three times, signaling the start of the ceremony.

Zareen stood with his team in the middle row. His heart pounded—not out of fear of failure, but because he realized this was the end of their long journey as students. After today, each of them would walk a different path.

Beside him, Rina wiped the tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

“I can’t believe we actually made it this far,” she whispered.

Arven chuckled and patted her shoulder. “You’re getting sentimental. Our lives are just about to begin, you know.”

Dario smiled faintly. “Still… she’s right. It feels strange. We’ve spent every day together, and now we’re all going our separate ways.”

Zareen glanced at each of them in turn. *They’re not just classmates. They’ve become my family in this world.*

---

### The Graduation Ceremony

The Headmaster, a venerable wizard named Maestro Elvador, stepped onto the podium. His long robes shimmered with golden runes, glowing under the sunlight. His voice was deep and commanding.

“Children, today you close the final chapter of your lives as students of this academy. But remember this: the world beyond these walls is far harsher than any exam you have faced here. You are no longer protected by the academy’s walls. From this day forward, you are true magi, responsible for the power you wield.”

Applause echoed through the courtyard.

Then came the awarding of the new identity cards. One by one, students stepped forward. Their cards glowed and changed colors according to their abilities.

“Bronze!” someone shouted excitedly as one student’s card lit up.

“Silver! Congratulations!”

“Gold! That’s amazing!”

The crowd erupted in cheers when Gino’s turn came. His card shone brilliantly, blindingly white, before settling into a radiant **Platinum** hue.

“Platinum!” several voices cried out in awe.

Gino raised his card high, his face glowing with pride. He cast a quick glance toward Zareen, as if to say, *See? I made it.*

Then it was Zareen’s turn. He stepped forward calmly, handing over his card. The entire courtyard fell silent.

But no light appeared. His card remained as pitch black as ever.

A tense murmur spread through the crowd.

“Why didn’t it change?”

“That’s… a Black card, isn’t it? Those are supposed to be incredibly rare!”

“Unidentified… they say even the academy can’t measure the power of someone with one.”

Instructor Ardian nodded gravely. “Zareen’s card remains Black. This means his potential cannot be measured by ordinary standards.”

Zareen lowered his gaze slightly. He knew this was something beyond his control. Yet, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. *Perhaps this isn’t a weakness at all… but simply a different path.*

---

### The Farewell Evening

After the formal ceremony, the students held a farewell celebration in the academy courtyard. Magical music filled the air, floating lanterns drifted into the night sky, and the scent of food wafted through the warm evening breeze.

Zareen sat with his team, sharing a simple meal. Rina looked at him with a soft smile.

“Thank you, Zareen. If it weren’t for you, I might have given up halfway through.”

Zareen blinked, startled. “Me? But weren’t you the one who kept us motivated?”

Rina shook her head. “I could only stay confident because you were there. You always had our backs. That’s why we made it this far.”

Arven nodded. “Yeah. Without your binding spells, our attacks would never have landed as well as they did.”

Dario grinned. “And don’t forget—when that monster nearly got me, you were the one who held it back.”

Zareen fell silent, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. For so long, he had thought of himself as nothing more than a support, a shadow behind others. But now he realized that every small thing he had done had mattered.

---

### A Rival’s Approach

Not far away, Gino stood surrounded by his team, laughing boisterously as usual, basking in the attention. But when his eyes met Zareen’s across the courtyard, he excused himself and walked over.

“Zareen,” he called.

Zareen turned. “What now, Gino? Here to brag again?”

Gino smirked. “Platinum card. You saw it yourself, didn’t you?”

“Yes, very impressive,” Zareen replied flatly.

But then Gino unexpectedly clapped him on the shoulder. “But honestly… I’m glad your card stayed black.”

Zareen raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because it means… you’re still my rival. If your card turned out like everyone else’s, that would be boring. But with that Black card, you’re still a mystery. I want to see just how far you can go—and whether you can surpass me.”

Zareen’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You really haven’t changed.”

“And don’t you dare change either,” Gino said, his tone half-serious but his eyes full of challenge.

They shared a small laugh before returning to their respective groups.

---

### The Farewell Promise

As the night deepened, the floating lanterns began to dim, signaling the celebration’s end.

Before they parted ways, Rina raised her glass. “Hey, why don’t we make a promise?”

“What kind of promise?” Arven asked.

“That no matter where we end up, if we ever meet again, we’ll still have each other’s backs. Even if we’re apart now, our friendship won’t fade.”

Dario nodded firmly. “I’m in.”

Zareen smiled broadly. “Me too. The world is big—we might cross paths again someday.”

They clinked their glasses together beneath the moonlight.

In the distance, Gino glanced over and silently raised his own glass. Though he wasn’t sitting with them, deep down he knew—his journey and Zareen’s were far from over. Their rivalry would continue in the dangerous world beyond.

---

### Closing Scene

That night marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Zareen, Gino, and their friends were no longer mere students. They were now magi, ready to carve their own paths.

But deep within Zareen’s heart, unease stirred. His Black card was not just a symbol of mystery—it was a sign that his destiny was unlike anyone else’s. And someday, he was certain, that card would lead him to the truth—about who he was, and the role he was meant to play in this world.