Chapter 17 - 150th Anniversary

The following weekend, Flo returned to the Active Ability Academy for her required practical classes.

Caecilius was already waiting for her in the training grounds, standing tall in his dark cloak with his three-star insignia pinned neatly to his chest.

Flo hurried over, breathless.

"Sorry! I was late because Cocol got stuck in a tree."

Caecilius blinked. "Cocol?"

Flo looked over her shoulder and remembered Caecilius couldn't see him. Cocol was currently floating peacefully through the main Academy gates, trailing behind her on his golden leash.

"I will tell you all about it. It's a really long story."

"...I see."

"No, you don't." Flo laughed.

She liked that about him. He never asked unnecessary, tedious questions and trusted her.

Their instructor, Mr.George, eventually gathered the practical class together.

"Everyone, listen up!" he called out, clapping his hands. "This year marks the Active Ability Academy's 150th anniversary!"

A wave of excited chatter instantly broke out among the students.

Mr.George raised a hand for silence.

"There will be a grand celebration next weekend. The King himself will be attending, along with several senior members of the Ability Authority."

Flo's eyes went wide.

"KING BALQUEZ?!"

Caecilius glanced sideways at her.

"Have you met him before?"

"No!"

"Then why are you shouting?"

"I've never met a king before!"

Caecilius considered this reasonably.

"That is fair."

Mr.George continued detailing the upcoming festivities, describing formal ceremonies, ability demonstrations, music, market stalls and a massive evening banquet.

Flo was already mentally drifting off, imagining all the food.

"I may not be able to stay with everyone during the event," Caecilius murmured quietly beside her.

Flo turned to him, surprised.

"Why?"

"My uncle will be attending."

"Your uncle?"

Caecilius nodded.

"My uncle is the Chief of the Ability Authority."

Flo's jaw practically dropped.

"WAIT. Your uncle is Mr.Wilkin?!"

Caecilius looked mildly surprised by her reaction.

"Yes."

"THE Mr.Wilkin?!"

"Apparently."

Flo stared at him in utter disbelief.

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

"You never asked."

Flo opened her mouth, closed it and opened it again.

"That is such a Caecilius answer."

The subtle corner of his mouth twitched upward.

"So I have been told."

Flo looked down at her boots, her tone softening slightly.

"So you really won't be there with us?"

"I'll be present," he said. "Just with my uncle, most likely."

"Oh..."

Flo's expression fell slightly.

Caecilius noticed. His dark gaze lingered on her disappointed face for a quiet second before he added,

"I may come back later."

Flo immediately brightened, her eyes sparkling.

"Really?"

"If my uncle does not keep me entirely occupied."

"Then I'll save you some cake!" Flo beamed.

"Thank you." Caecilius smiled lightly.

"You're welcome!"

The day of the 150th Anniversary finally arrived and the Academy grounds were completely transformed.

The ancient stone halls were draped in vibrant banners, woven flowers and floating magical lamps. Long banquet tables spanned the central courtyards, overflowing with roasted dishes, pastries, fruits and sweets.

Students were scattered everywhere.

Some were putting on flashy ability demonstrations, others were playing carnival games and decorative TwiLight barriers hovered in the air like shimmering glass screens.

Flo stood near the main archway alongside Amelia and Perry.

She wore a soft ivory-and-lavender dress styled with delicate silver threadwork, her long teal-to-violet-to-golden hair pinned loosely behind her shoulders.

Amelia looked over at her.

"Flo."

"Hmm?"

"You look really pretty."

Flo instantly beamed.

"You too!"

Amelia was dressed in a sleek, tailored dark outfit with sharp magenta accents, looking every bit like the formidable operative she was training to be.

Perry stood beside them in a formal orange coat that looked stiff and distinctly uncomfortable.

"I can't believe they made us dress like this," Perry grumbled, tugging at his high collar.

Amelia scanned him up and down.

"You look fine."

"I feel like a curtain."

Flo giggled, covering her mouth.

"You're a very handsome curtain."

"Aah… "I want some peri-peri fries," Perry said solemnly, making all three of them break into laughter.

Suddenly, the bustling chatter of the crowd began to quiet down.

King Balquez had entered the grand courtyard, flanked by high-ranking officials and royal guards. He greeted the Academy staff warmly before taking his place upon the ceremonial platform.

A moment later, another delegation entered through the main gates.

Flo immediately spotted Caecilius walking alongside an older man with grey-streaked dark hair, a sharp jawline and an exceptionally composed aura - Mr.Wilkin, the Chief of the Ability Authority.

King Balquez walked up the stairs to the elevated platform and gave his speech.

"For 150 years, this Academy has stood as a place where ability users learn not merely to wield their powers but to understand them. Cirnia has prospered because generations of ability users have chosen to use their gifts alongside ordinary citizens, protecting our cities and advancing our society. May this Academy continue to guide those who will carry that responsibility into the future."

Then, Mr.Wilkin gave his speech.

"When the Ability Authority established this Academy 150 years ago, our purpose was simple: to ensure that no ability user would be left to discover the limits of their power alone. An ability without understanding can become dangerous but with discipline, knowledge and proper training, it can become a force for protection and progress. This Academy was built to provide that knowledge and today, we celebrate every generation that has carried its teachings forward."

Everyone raised their glasses to the toast.

As they climbed down the stairs, Flo raised her arm and waved with uninhibited enthusiasm.

"CAECILIUS!"

Caecilius turned his head, his sharp eyes softening slightly the moment he caught sight of her. He murmured something to his uncle before breaking away from the procession and walking straight over.

"Hello, Flo."

"You came!"

"I told you I would."

Flo smiled brightly, taking him in.

Caecilius was dressed in a formal black NightGlower military uniform with polished silver trimmings and his three-star insignia pinned over his heart.

Caecilius looked at her dress, his gaze sweeping over her softly.

Then, with complete, unfiltered straightforwardness, he replied,

"You look pretty."

Flo stopped functioning. Flo felt her cheeks warm up slightly.

Amelia's eyes widened in delight while giggling.

Perry slowly turned his head to stare back and forth between them.

Flo's entire face flushed brilliant crimson.

"Ah..."

She quickly looked down at her shoes, fanning her face.

"Th-thank you! You... look good too."

Caecilius simply nodded, utterly oblivious to the social explosive he had just detonated.

"Thank you."

Flo took a deep breath, trying to recover her composure. Amelia covered her mouth with both hands, shaking with suppressed laughter. Flo shot her a fierce, warning glare.

"Don't."

"I didn't say anything!" Amelia squeaked behind her hands.

"You were about to!"

"I was!"

Before Flo could swat her best friend, Mr.Wilkin approached the group.

Caecilius immediately straightened into immaculate posture.

"Uncle."

Mr.Wilkin smiled, his sharp eyes crinkling warmly as he looked at Flo.

"And who might this young lady be?"

Flo offered a polite, graceful bow.

"Hello! I'm Florentine but everyone calls me Flo."

"I've heard quite a bit about you," Mr.Wilkin said.

Flo blinked.

"From him?"

Mr.Wilkin glanced sideways at his nephew.

"Haha, yes. All good things, though"

Caecilius looked distinctly embarrassed.

"Uncle."

Mr.Wilkin chuckled softly.

"Relax. He only said you were performing remarkably well at the Academy."

"He's really good himself!" Flo said enthusiastically.

Caecilius looked at her.

"You have only seen me in practical classes."

"Exactly! And you're really good!"

Mr.Wilkin gave his nephew an amused look.

"It seems you've made quite an impression."

Caecilius gave a quiet sigh.

"Apparently."

Mr.Wilkin turned back towards Flo, his expression thoughtful.

"And I've heard the Observatory has been rather busy lately."

Flo kept her smile bright and innocent.

"Very busy!"

"Good," Mr.Wilkin nodded respectfully. "Research is vital work."

There was a genuine warmth in the Chief's voice that instantly put Flo at ease.

She liked him immediately.

"Are you going to stay for the rest of the celebration?"

"I might have to leave early for official purposes," Mr.Wilkin said.

"Then you should definitely try the cake before you go! It looks amazing."

Caecilius looked quietly at his uncle.

"She has already recommended food to me as an operational necessity."

Mr.Wilkin laughed out loud.

For a while, the three of them stood together, chatting comfortably while Amelia and Perry drifted off towards the nearby food stalls.

Flo looked around the illuminated Academy grounds.

The festive music, the floating light displays, the laughter of students, the King conversing with instructors, the Ability Authority officers mingling in the crowd and Caecilius standing beside his uncle...

It was peaceful.

Almost too peaceful.

Flo's smile slowly faded as her mind drifted back to the Ghost Observatory.

To the Lost Beings.

To the accelerating pings, the white threads, the decaying soul connections and the looming question that had been haunting her for weeks.

Why?

Why were there suddenly so many?

What was causing people to become separated from their bodies across Cirnia?

And why did her DayShine magic seem to be the only thing capable of stabilising them?

Something dangerous was unfolding in the shadows of the city.

She just hadn't uncovered the root of it yet.

Flo looked up at Caecilius.

He was listening attentively to his uncle, answering in his usual concise, dry tone.

For some reason, standing there near him made her racing thoughts slow down.

Despite everything she didn't yet understand, she wasn't facing the mystery alone anymore.

She smiled softly to herself, grabbed a plate from a passing server and cut a slice of rich berry cake.

"One thing at a time," she whispered.

She took a bite and her eyes practically exploded with joy.

"Oh my God."

Caecilius paused, turning to look at her.

"What?"

"This cake!" Flo held the plate directly out to him. "You have to try it!"

Caecilius looked down at the cake, then back up into her sparkling eyes.

"Is this another one of your necessities?"

Flo offered him a bright, mischievous grin.

"Absolutely."

And for the first time that evening, Caecilius let out a soft, genuine laugh.

In that moment, under the warm festive lights of the Academy, Flo allowed herself to forget about the dark mystery waiting in the shadows, just for a little while.