"Want me dead that bad, huh?" Adam raised an eyebrow, causing Liz to fumble her words.
"No!... You know that's not what we meant... It's just a surprise, you know... We thought we'd never see you again, you idiot." Liz tried to explain but ended up cursing and lightly punching his chest. "It's good you made it."
"Yeah. It's good to be back." He managed a small smile and nodded at his classmates' greetings. Despite his sadness, he wouldn't suddenly change his personality and treat people he'd known for years coldly.
"Teacher." Adam nodded at Mark, who stayed at the back of the group.
"Adam." Mark inspected his haggard face and clothes in silence.
Their last meeting wasn't exactly pleasant, and they had parted on bad terms. But after Adam cooled his head for a few days, he recognized that he'd been too childish to blame Mark for such a tragedy.
Mark did everything he could to defend the village, and it wasn't his fault that his mom died.
Still, recognizing his mistake didn't mean Adam would suddenly put on a good face and become friendly with him again. They had already passed that point. To him, Mark would be considered merely an acquaintance at most.
"Shit! What's this doing here?!"
"What the hell?!"
Curses erupted among the group, causing Mark to shift his attention to the source. His pupils contracted when he saw two heads lying near the grave.
"These two... the magi I fought." Despite the blood covering them, Mark recognized them. He would never forget the twins who caused chaos and almost killed him. They had only retreated because he threatened to send an emergency signal to the academy.
How could they end up dead in such a miserable way in just a few days?
Mark shifted his attention to the suspect. Even now, his Predator Sense skill was warning him about the person in front of him, just like last time. No—this time, the warning was much stronger.
'Just what kind of ability did he awaken?'
Mark knew their relationship wasn't as before and doubted Adam would tell the truth if he asked about his Gift.
But this is also good, Mark thought. The more outstanding he is, the higher my evaluation rewards will be after I deliver the students back to the academy.
"Adam, were you the one who brought these here? Who are they?" Liz asked, shifting her attention from the heads to him.
"Nobodies. Just a few nobody pirates." Adam was too lazy to deal with their questions, so he brushed them aside.
Nobody would believe the two heads belonged to the magi who attacked the island. And Mark didn't seem to have any intention of telling them either.
"By the way, have you visited your homes? Nothing happened, right?" Adam remembered before he left, they were in a hurry to check if their home islands had been attacked as well.
"Fortunately, nothing happened," said Steve, the oldest student. "Looks like those bastards accidentally stumbled upon this island. My condolences, by the way."
"Thanks." Adam nodded. "Since everything is fine, then what are you guys gathering here for?"
"Did you forget? We were about to set off to the academy. Fortunately, you made it in time," Liz explained.
"Is it today already?" Adam hadn't really counted the days since there was a lot on his mind, so he was surprised to find they were leaving already.
"I guess I'm lucky then."
"Not that lucky, with that stench." Liz faked puking. "Gosh, you seriously need a shower. ASAP."
His other friends snickered and took a few steps back. Adam's mouth twitched, but before he could retort, Mark interrupted him.
"There's no time to waste. The ship will be here any time now." Mark cast a cleanse spell on Adam and motioned for everyone to follow him.
"I really need to learn that spell," Adam said, earning nods from everyone—especially the girls, who looked envious.
Adam quickly buried the two heads and left with the group. As they passed through the town, he noticed the houses had been restored, and the rubble was nowhere to be found.
He didn't expect them to repair the town this fast, but clearly Mark and the others must have helped out.
Adam also noticed the townsfolk watching them pass with lingering looks. Some even wished them goodbye and good luck.
Looks like they already know we'll be leaving.
Soon, the group stopped at the shore and waited.
After half an hour of idle talk and boring waiting, Mark finally spoke. "It's here."
Adam and the group looked around but couldn't see anything out at sea.
Just as they were about to ask, space distorted in the distance, and a giant steel ship appeared.
Aside from Mike, everyone stared at the approaching behemoth in surprise.
"Teacher, is this..." Evan started.
"It's the academy ship." Mark nodded. "Make sure to follow the rules, or else you'll receive severe punishment..."
Mark gave a few more instructions, but Adam's thoughts were already elsewhere.
Did the ship distort light to remain unseen? Does it use magic or technology to accomplish that?
Many questions flashed through his mind, and by the time he recovered, the ship had already docked and lowered the gangplank.
"Board the ship."
Mark led the group straight up the gangway and onto the ship.
A few people were standing around the deck. Adam noticed a few youths around their age looking over at the group and deduced that they must be adepts from other areas.
Mark led them to a weird machine that resembled an ATM and inserted a card he pulled from his pocket.
After clicking a few buttons, a tray extended below the screen, carrying ten white cards.
Mark picked up the ten cards and distributed them to the group.
"Make sure you don't lose it. It's a hassle to replace."
Adam looked at the card and noticed one side read "Temporary Pass," while the other side displayed the serial number and room number on the ship.
"Your rooms are on the same corridor, so follow me," Mark said before leading them onward.
On the way, they passed a few magi dressing like the ship's crew, and other adepts being led by a magus just like them.
"You'll find a guidebook inside with everything you need to know. Make sure to read it, and try not to wander around too much or start a conflict with the other students..."
Mark kept talking for a while before pausing. A flicker of unknown emotion crossed his face.
"This will be farewell, then. It has been a wonderful five years, and I'm proud to call you my students. Remember to always stand proud and strive to grow into great magi."
"Teacher..."
Some students couldn't help shedding tears. They had been just kids when they started learning under Mark, and some even considered him a parent-like figure.
So when the time came to bid farewell, they couldn't help feeling emotional as they hugged the elder who had taken care of them over the years.
At the back of the group, Adam watched the scene with conflicted emotions. He still hated Mark for his incompetence, but he couldn't deny the man's dedication in teaching them magic and knowledge.
Part of Adam's strength was due to Mark's guidance, and he couldn't deny that fact no matter how much he hated to admit it.
Just as Adam was unsure what to do, Mark called him over.
"Hey, Adam. Always remember that you're the strongest in your class, so make sure you don't fall behind once you reach the academy, okay? A magus respects only two things: strength and knowledge. So don't let me down."
Adam looked blankly at Mark, who was trying to give a passionate speech but failing to get him excited.
"Yeah." Adam turned toward his room and left the last words without looking back.
"Take care of yourself, old man."
Mark and the group widened their eyes in surprise before smiling.
"Finally, that stone-faced bastard said something nice." Liz cursed Adam, who seemed to have put a wall between them ever since he came back.
She knew his change came from his mother's death and probably from failing to kill the pirates who caused it.
Fortunately, it didn't seem like he'd become completely heartless. He still remembered his friends.