"Tomorrow there will be the graduation ceremony."
Zeyang read the message Andrea had sent in reply to his asking how things were going.
He went into Lombardi's office and told him.
"Yes. She was one of the best in the course, and I've already requested that she be assigned to us," the chief replied, lifting his gaze from the documents in front of him. "If you want to go, I'll give you the day off."
"Thank you," Zeyang said as he left.
Then he wrote to Lu Shen to share the news and ask if he would like to attend the ceremony with him: Andrea was there thanks to him.
Shortly after, his affirmative reply arrived.
---
The large courtyard of the barracks hosted the new cadets of the Unified Police.
Standing in orderly rows, in their dark blue uniforms, they were an impressive sight. Despite the cold, the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly, illuminating their insignia.
Andrea stood in the middle section, third row. Zeyang and Lu Shen watched her proudly.
When the ceremony ended, the young woman approached them with a smile that lit up her face. Her hair, now longer, was gathered in a soft low ponytail, and her eyes shone with a new light.
"Thank you for coming."
"We wouldn't have missed this day for anything. We're proud of you," Zeyang replied with a smile. "We'll give you a ride home, too. Go get your things."
Andrea nodded and went back inside, saying goodbye to her colleagues, then returned shortly after with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
Before heading back, they stopped at a restaurant suggested by the sorcerer to celebrate, and, prompted by the two men's questions, Andrea recounted her experience over those months.
"I'm truly grateful to have been assigned to Commander Lombardi. I just hope I won't cause any further trouble, after everything you've already done for me."
"Finally there'll be another Seeker, and my workload will lighten," Zeyang said with a wink.
She smiled. Then she turned to the sorcerer. "I'm grateful to you as well. And if you should ever need my services again, please know you can always count on me."
Lu Shen smiled at her. "Andrea, you're an excellent Seeker. But what I truly want is for you to begin your new life leaving that part of your past behind. Treasure your experience and channel it into your new work."
"And now let's get going," Zeyang said, standing up.
The drive back was pleasant, and when they dropped Andrea off at home, she was serene.
When they arrived in front of the sorcerer's villa, Lu Shen thanked him. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be there."
"Thank you for giving Andrea the chance to start over."
The sorcerer lowered his eyes and stepped out of the car, heading toward the gate. Zeyang watched him, making sure the magical wards were intact, then drove back home.