The mist slowly faded.
Time: 4:10 AM.
Auren stood still, taking a deep breath as his eyes caught the faint tip of the rising sun on the horizon.
He glanced down—Rose and Sunny were still sleeping peacefully.
Placing both hands on his waist, he whispered to himself:
"Auren… the reason you haven't gone to Hollow Mountain yet… is because of them."
"You never had friends your entire life. Just a lonely kid. And now that you finally have them… you're planning to leave?"
He looked up at the sky, his chest heavy.
"Hey sky… hey sun… why does it feel like this?"
"Why this… dilemma? Why does it feel like I'm lost again?"
Hoshin Maru entered the grand hall, his expression calm but firm. Every mage in the room stood at attention, the weight of battle still lingering in their eyes.
He stepped forward, his voice clear and resolute:
"Listen, mages of Ryuki — today, I am proud of you. You did what was needed."
