Graduation (Final Chapter)

It is almost summer. Half a year has passed since the incident happened. I can feel the heat radiating from the classroom windows. Fulvius, who is seated next to me, is carefully working through the chemistry exam practice problems. You might be wondering, what about me? Last night, I successfully solved an example of a biology university admission exam. Now I'm doing nothing but daydreaming about the future.

"Hinata, do you sometimes worry that you won't pass the exams?" Fulvius asks while setting the pen down on the desk.
"Sometimes, yeah, but it doesn't bother me as much anymore," I respond unconcernedly.
He asks in disbelief, "How come?"

"There will, however, always be something I can do. In the end, I can pursue the same course of study at a lesser-known institution," I explain.
"I guess I'm trying my best since I'm determined to get into this particular university. I have been wanting to go there for years," he expresses himself with excitement.
I jokingly tell him, "Don't stress yourself out too much, you might have a blockage on the exam from the tension."

As soon as the bell rings, Hideki approaches us, "Hello guys, are you up for a drink or two?"
Fulvius immediately responds, "Yes, why not. I am getting thirsty."

We are now on our way to the school canteen, and Emiko has joined us. The only positive outcome of the plant incident is that we are now a united group of four people. Chisaka-sensei granted us permission to continue with our club. There was one condition though, no dangerous rituals anymore. We are mindful of that and avoid doing anything risky, but a little magic here and there won't do any harm, right?

Hideki enquires, "So where and how are you going to spend your holidays?"

"I'm going to the mountains, and Fulvius might join me if he passes his entrance exams and doesn't need to do any more studying," I remark.
"Sounds good. I'm cheering for you," Emiko says.

"And how about you two?" Fulvius queries.

"I'm going to see my grandparents. They live in a small village near the sea. Since I haven't seen them in a very long time, I want to visit them and be there for them if they need anything," Hideki responds.

"I'm going to see my father because he lives abroad and I don't get to see him very often throughout the year. Hideki and I are going to a summer camp," as Emiko explains Hideki's face turns a little red.
"That's really lovely. I hope you both have a wonderful summer break," I tell them.

We choose to return to the classroom, and as I am walking, a girl bumps into me. I reach down to pick up my drink container after it falls on the ground.

She apologizes, "Hey I am very sorry I didn’t see you there."
"Don't worry. It can happen to anyone," I stand up as I reply.
"You are Hinata, correct?" she inquires and looks straight into my eyes.
"How do you know my name?" I ask, a little surprised. I don’t recall seeing her before.

She slowly leans toward me, then she puts her hand close to my ear and whispers, "I know everything about you and don't fool yourself to think you're the strongest mage around." Then she grins with a hint of malice and walks away, leaving me upset.

When Fulvius notices that I fell behind them, he comes to me and inquires, "Is everything all right?"
I'm watching the mysterious girl leave with her friends when I turn to Fulvius and respond, "Yes. Everything is fine."

Time flies by so rapidly as the end of the school year draws near. In addition to preparing for entry exams, we must also study for final exams. Right now, things are very hectic. I spend most of my time at home learning with Fulvius for the upcoming exams, rarely leaving the house. We help each other get through the study materials and even enjoy learning together. Every day after school, we go to either his or my house to learn, and we continue to do so until graduation day.

It's time to graduate. We are patiently waiting for Chisaka-sensei to arrive in the classroom. She's delivering us our diplomas with final grades. They are all piled up together.

Chisaka-sensei sits down on her chair and says, "Good morning class, I hope you will all be pleased with the results."
She continues, "Please come one by one to obtain your diploma when I call your name."

I can't wait to receive my diploma and am getting impatient. One by one, the students move on, and now it's my turn. I go to pick it up and make sure that all of the grades are written accurately. I return to my seat while smiling contentedly.

"Wow, you have outstanding grades," Fulvius exclaims.
"Yeah, thanks to our learning sessions, I wrote the final tests excellently," I answer.
"Wait a minute, it's my turn now," Fulvius says as he rushes to get his diploma.

"Not bad, your grades are also excellent Fulvius. Now, I'm confident that we may enroll in whatever university we choose," I exclaim joyfully.
Fulvius reminds me as he scratches his forehead, "It's too early to be celebrating Hinata; we need good entrance exam results in order to enter them."

I take his hand in mine and say confidently, "Don't worry, if we could handle this, we can handle anything!"

As Fulvius and I stroll hand in hand towards the schoolyard, not even in our wildest dreams could we imagine something dreadful happening right now deep in the forest. In the place where the plant's corpse once stood, there is now a small seed slowly sprouting from the ground.