hotmtlnovel Chapter 223: Farewell, Colzen Academy
Chapter 223: Farewell, Colzen Academy
Similar scenes played out as Colby called Ian, Harry, David, and Siegfried onstage; the scout course started a wave of cheers for Ian, the mage course for Harry and David, while the warrior course destroyed their throats for Siegfried.
As more of the representatives stood onstage, the longer it took for cheers to die down—pure chaos.
It wasn't even over as the ace representative, the one who took the championship for Colzen in a hopeless one-versus-three situation still hasn't gone up the stage.
Shye repeatedly took deep breaths—he just felt too giddy.
The feeling of loving the crowd's attention burgeoning in his heart. It felt good.
After all, who wouldn't want to be a hometown hero?
What he didn't expect was that the academy had something for him.
"Colzen's ace representative, Shye Crowley!" called Colby, signaling something with his hands as he made eye contact with a staff member holding some sort of remote control for a certain mana-powered device.
Hearing his name, Shye proudly stood up and strode up the stage with a wide smile on his face.
As he did so, huge holographic screens appeared in four corners of the square allowing everyone to witness a certain glorious scene play out.
They all saw it before and they sure as hell want to watch it again.
After all, it was the final moments of their ace representative's battle with Aslan Academy's ace representative.
Witnessing once more how Shye, despite being battered, bruised, and exhausted, struggled fiercely to survive the onslaught of the ember wyvern as though a brave general who would never allow his beloved motherland to fall while the Aslan representatives fell one by one, the people watching the replay couldn't help but cheer at the top of their lungs—thunderous would be a slight understatement—even louder than the cheers for Wendy's cute antics.
People love heroes, and Shye was Colzen's hero; their pride.
[Congratulations! You've earned 1890 points!]
[Congratulations! You've earned 502 points!]
[Congratulations! You've earned 1051 points!]
[Congratulations! ...]
As a bunch of notifications appeared in front of him, Shye's heart felt warm—Colzen City would always have a special place in it.
Even as he soared through the skies as a prominent adventurer, he would always proudly say that this city nurtured him to become who he was.
If there comes a time when he could pay the academy and the city back for everything it has done for him, then he would do it without a second thought.
Although there were a few unpleasant encounters here and there, the entire city and the academy have mostly been supportive of his growth, not holding him back for petty and stupid reasons such as being jealous of his talents.
Hence, he vowed to give back in the future.
Hopefully, Colzen will be one of the most prominent and well-developed cities in the future.
However, that's for the future. As he is now, he was far too weak and poor to be of help.
With a positive outlook, Shye sentimentally shook the hands of the deans (and the archpriest), who had been so supportive of him throughout his entire journey.
The deans of other courses—Dean Evelyn Privett, Dean Gaston Shadowvale, and Dean Luster Vanz—extended him the same treatment as if he were one of their own students, evoking immense gratitude and appreciation from him towards them.
As Shye and Shirley walked towards Siegfried and the others who were already waiting, a few lowerclassmen swarmed him, saying their heartfelt goodbyes and words of gratitude for inspiring them to be better versions of themselves.
Naturally, Shye warmly returned their sentiments, taking a moment to say his goodbyes before proceeding with his walk toward where his friends awaited.
The eight of them (including Shirley), then walked together towards the gate, bidding each other temporary goodbyes.
Their voices slightly trembled with the intensity of their emotions, as they all struggled to mask them; yet, despite their efforts, slender streams of tears inevitably trickled down their cheeks.
Even Wendy's usually icy expression cracked.
Shye and the other representatives were the only friends she had, so one could only fathom the anguish she must have been experiencing—parting ways after growing accustomed to each other, with the duration of their separation uncertain.
Still, although goodbyes mark the end of a chapter in their lives, it also symbolizes a new beginning.
As the eight of them arrived at the exit gates, Siegfried was the first to go his own way.
He already bid his goodbyes and he wasn't as sentimental as all of them, hence, with a simple last glance—his face adorned with a gentle smile, Siegfried walked off.
"Well then, Crowley, everyone, see you in Valenzia City," Kiin remarked, striding away in a direction separate from Siegfried's.
"Bye guys, take care of yourselves, we're all so talented, and we're bound to see each other again, so don't make that face, Wendy," David said, ruffling Wendy's hair before walking off with Harry while waving their hands with a smile.
After David left, Wendy became even sadder.
Throughout the years, David was the person she conversed with the most. Despite her inability to reciprocate his romantic affection, they maintained a close friendship.
Hence, tears once again streamed down her cheeks as she watched one of her close friends leave.
Seeing her pitiful appearance, Shye and Shirley rubbed her back, making her feel slightly better.
Once Wendy regained control of her emotions, Shirley, Ian, and Wendy grouped.
"Shye, take care of yourself okay? Don't be lazy in preparing a proper meal and always take a bath. I'll inform you through a letter once I've settled down in Nookbury City."
"Well then, see you around, Crowley."
"Okay, take care you three. Ian, make sure to drop Wendy off at her guild branch before you go off on your own."
"Yeah, don't worry. I'll ensure her safety."
"Thanks."
After a short conversation, Ian, Wendy, and Shirley walked off, leaving Shye alone in front of the gate.
Feeling the weight of solitude, Shye took a few moments to close his eyes, reflecting on several cherished memories from his time at the academy.
He then cast one final glance at the familiar academy gates and drew in a deep breath before setting off in a new direction under the dimming dandelion skies.
'Farewell, my beloved academy. Thanks for everything.'
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END OF VOLUME 1 - Adventurer Academy