Chapter 31: The Week of Resolve
Fate had finally regained himself.
The trauma from the unfaithful incident no longer shackled his mind. The lingering weight in his chest had eased. His breathing was steady now.
Clear.
Resolved.
He summoned Soo-ah.
The familiar materialized before him.
"Soo-ah," Fate spoke calmly, "could you do me a favor and help me recover faster?"
Soo-ah obeyed without hesitation.
Fate began unwrapping the bandages covering his body. One by one, they fell away, revealing bruised skin, partially healed wounds, and fading scars.
When the last bandage dropped—
Soo-ah activated his skill.
Healing Fluid.
A shimmering liquid formed midair, glowing softly with drifting particles of light. It flowed gently over Fate's body, coating him from shoulder to ankle.
The process was slow—
But far faster than natural recovery.
The luminous fluid seeped into his wounds. Muscles tightened. Torn tissue reconnected. Bruises faded like mist under sunlight.
The light reflecting from the healing liquid shimmered against the window, scattering faint golden particles across the room.
Time passed quietly.
And then—
It was done.
Fate's body was completely healed.
Soo-ah withdrew the skill.
The glow vanished.
Fate clenched his hand.
No pain.
He stood.
Without wasting time, he headed toward the dining room.
At the same time.
Fiona was preparing dinner.
She had just finished arranging the plates and was about to call for him when.
Fate was already seated at the dining table.
Fiona froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Master Fate… are you fully recovered…?"
"Yes." Fate answered.
A simple answer.
Then he added,
"With the help of my familiar, Soo-ah, I managed to recover much faster."
Fiona studied him carefully.
No instability.
No strain.
Relief washed over her expression, though a trace of concern remained.
She spoke again.
"Master Fate… what will you do now?"
She continued before he could respond.
"Valhalla Academy is currently under lockdown due to the ongoing investigation. No classes will be held for the time being."
Fate absorbed the information.
Lockdown.
Classes resume next week.
He responded calmly.
"I'm thinking of going home for now… and getting stronger by clearing dungeons."
Fiona's expression changed immediately.
She shook her head firmly.
"You can't do that! You just recovered from your injuries…!"
Her voice sharpened slightly.
"As your personal maid, I can't allow that."
Their eyes locked.
Silence filled the dining room.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
Then—
Fate's tone shifted.
Serious.
"Fiona… nothing will change if I just sit still and do absolutely nothing."
"But—!"
She tried to argue.
He cut her off gently.
"Fiona."
She flinched slightly at his tone.
The resolve in his eyes was unshakable.
Her shoulders lowered.
"…I understand."
Her gaze dropped to the floor.
Fate noticed.
He smiled softly.
Before heading back to his room, he said,
"Don't worry. I won't push myself."
Fiona exhaled deeply as he disappeared down the hallway.
Inside his room.
Fate sat at his desk.
He pulled out a clean sheet of parchment and dipped a quill into ink.
He needed to write a permit to the Academy requesting temporary leave.
(In order for me to return home, I need official permission. I'll submit it for verification so I can leave tomorrow.)
He paused.
(And I should inform my family as well… Let them know I'm coming home this week.)
He began writing both letters.
The quiet ticking of the clock echoed faintly.
Sunlight illuminated the room, stretching across the wooden floor.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
The sound broke the silence.
Fate stood and walked to the door.
When he opened it—
Familiar faces greeted him.
Kyle.
Isabelle.
Chloe.
Lisa.
And Autumn.
Fate blinked.
"What are you all doing here?"
Kyle answered first.
"We figured since there won't be classes this week, we'd come visit you."
Isabelle leaned forward slightly.
"I heard from your maid that you're going home for the week?"
Fate opened the door wider.
"Well… yes. I'll be heading home."
He stepped aside.
"Come in. Let's talk properly."
One by one, they entered.
They sat on the floor casually.
Fate's gaze shifted toward Autumn.
"I understand Kyle, Isabelle, Chloe, and Lisa knowing where
my dorm is… but Autumn? Didn't expect you here."
Autumn stiffened slightly.
"I-I heard about the incident f-from other stu-students… and I wanted to check o-on you… so I asked where your d-dorm was…"
Fate nodded.
"Is that so? Thanks."
"N-no problem…"
A faint smile appeared on Autumn's face.
Fate looked around at them.
"So. What do you all plan to do now?"
Chloe answered honestly.
"To be honest… we don't know."
She exhaled.
"We can't exactly go home right now."
Fate tilted his head.
"Why? Family issues?"
Lisa responded.
"It's because our homes are far from here."
She explained.
The Ashensteel Family resided in the far North of the continent.
The Aurevane Family governed lands in the West.
The Serfort Family held territory in the East.
The Astryx Family ruled in the very South.
Fate listened carefully.
When she finished—
Fate spoke.
"How about you all come with me tomorrow?"
They looked at him.
"We'll go dungeon clearing." Fate said
Silence.
Then—
Kyle raised his hand.
"Count me in. If we're just staying here doing nothing, it's better to go out and train."
Chloe nodded immediately.
"I'll come too. I agree."
One by one—
They agreed.
Only Autumn remained silent.
Fate looked at him.
"What about you, Autumn?"
Autumn lowered his gaze.
"…Am I even worth going alongside you all?"
The room grew quiet.
"I'm not even evenly matched with your group…"
Fate laughed lightly.
"When I helped you the day we met…"
He leaned slightly forward.
"That was the moment you became part of this group."
Everyone nodded.
Autumn's lips trembled slightly—
But he smiled.
It was small.
But genuine.
Fate raised his fist.
"Then it's settled. This week—we're getting stronger."
Everyone raised their fists.
"Yeah!"
The room filled with laughter.
Energy.
Resolve.
Though some of them had experienced trauma severe enough to leave lasting scars.
They refused to be consumed by it.
They chose to rise instead.
Outside the door—
Fiona stood quietly.
Listening.
When she heard their laughter.
She smiled.
(In the end… they are still children.)
(Children who will grow stronger.)
She turned and walked down the dormitory hallway.
(And I will support them… with everything I have.)
She headed toward the Professors' Faculty.
Upon entering.
She approached Professor Sirius.
"Professor Sirius."
Professor Sirius looked up.
"What is it—"
He paused.
"Head Maid Fiona…?"
Meanwhile—
Fate and his friends continued drafting the permit and finalizing the letter to his family.
Hours passed.
Fate sealed the letter.
Together, they headed to the Mail Service to ensure fast delivery.
The letter was processed immediately.
A carriage departed from Valhalla Academy.
It traveled past the capital's bustling roads.
Through forest paths.
Until it reached—
Kindspring Manor.
The one who received the letter—
Was Isaac.
As always—
He delivered it to Vale.
Vale opened the letter.
As he read.
A smile appeared.
He turned to Isaac.
"Isaac. Prepare a large carriage tomorrow. It will head toward Valhalla Academy."
Isaac bowed slightly.
"Understood, my lord."
After Isaac left Vale's office.
Vale retrieved parchment and quill.
He began writing a response to Fate.
Meanwhile—
Isaac prepared a carriage large enough to accommodate eight people.
At the Academy—
Fate and his friends were packing what they would need for tomorrow.
A new week.
A new trial.
A new opportunity to grow stronger.
Chapter 31 End