We were early.
Painfully early.
The Lionhearth kingdom gates loomed tall and pristine under the pale gold of morning, banners fluttering lazily as if even they hadn't fully woken up yet. The cobblestone road leading out of the capital was quiet, too quiet for a group of eleven students hauling bags, weapons, and questionable packing choices.
Class 1-S stood gathered in a loose cluster near the gates, belongings piled at their feet.
And they were waiting.
"For the last time," Liam said, arms crossed, foot tapping against the stone, "if Rain overslept again, I'm throwing him into the ocean myself."
"You don't even know what the ocean is," Kai shot back.
"That doesn't mean I won't throw him into it."
Seraphyne sat on her bag, legs swinging as she leaned back on her hands. "He's not that late. You're just dramatic."
"I am precisely the correct amount of dramatic," Liam replied.
Theon squinted down the road. "Maybe he got lost?"
Arion blinked. "How do you get lost leaving the academy?"
"Rain finds ways," Kazen said calmly, adjusting the strap of his bag. "It's a talent."
Aelira sighed softly, eyes closed. "He'll be here."
Right on cue, footsteps echoed against stone.
I appeared from around the corner of the street, bag slung over my shoulder, hair still slightly messy, eyes half-lidded.
Liam turned immediately. "TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!"
I stopped a few steps away, squinting at him. "It's too early…"
"That's not an excuse."
"It absolutely is."
Kazen laughed. "See? Alive. Barely awake. Classic Rain."
Seraphyne stood up and walked over, peering at my face. "Did you even sleep?"
"…A little."
"That wasn't an answer."
Before the interrogation could continue, a familiar presence stepped forward.
Instructor Aldred stood a short distance away, arms folded, black coat draped neatly over his shoulders, eyes sharp even at dawn. He looked over all of us once, slowly, like he was counting to make sure no one had vanished overnight.
"Everyone here?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," several voices answered at once.
He nodded. "Good. Remember—this trip only happens because you asked for supervision. That means you behave."
Kai grinned. "Define behave."
Aldred's gaze flicked to him.
Kai straightened instantly. "I will be the picture of responsibility."
Aldred turned away. "We'll see."
Three carriages rolled up moments later, wood polished, horses stamping impatiently. The drivers hopped down, glancing curiously at the pile of students.
"Right," Aldred said. "Carriages as assigned."
We'd already pulled straws earlier—after an argument that lasted far longer than necessary.
Carriage One: Instructor Aldred, Theon, Liam, and Arion.
Carriage Two: Me, Kazen, Varein, and Kai.
Carriage Three: Aelira, Liraeth, and Seraphyne.
Liam looked smug as he climbed into his carriage. "Enjoy your chaos, Rain."
I waved tiredly. "Have fun babysitting."
The carriages lurched into motion, wheels rattling as Lionhearth slowly faded behind us.
Carriage Two was… loud.
Kai immediately sprawled across the seat like he owned it. "Ahh. Freedom."
"You're on my foot," Varein said flatly.
Kai didn't move. "Then don't put your foot there."
Kazen leaned back, arms behind his head, watching the countryside roll past. "You guys are going to love Newoaga."
I glanced out the window—fields stretching wide, the air changing as we traveled farther from the capital. "You've been there a lot?"
"It's my hometown," he said casually.
Varein blinked. "Wait. Your hometown?"
Kai sat up. "Hold on. You never mentioned you were rich."
"I never said I was rich."
"You said your family has a place big enough for all of us."
"…Okay, maybe a little rich."
I frowned slightly. "So the ocean is near there?"
Kazen nodded. "Right at the edge of Okrith. You'll smell the salt before you see it."
"Smell it?"
Kai grinned. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
The ride stretched on, hours passing with jokes, light bickering, and the occasional shout from Carriage One when Aldred told them to keep it down.
At one point, the carriages stopped so the horses could rest.
Arion nearly tripped getting out. "Why is the ground moving?"
"That's called travel," Liam said.
Seraphyne poked Aelira's arm. "You excited?"
Aelira hesitated, then nodded. "A little."
Liraeth cracked her knuckles, plasma flickering faintly. "I just want to see what everyone's so loud about."
When we resumed, the air changed.
It became warmer. Wetter.
The wind carried something unfamiliar—sharp, clean, endless.
I sat back, heart light.
This wasn't training.
This wasn't another battle.
It was summer.
And for the first time in a long while, it felt like we were just students again.