The crisp morning breeze whistled through the trees as sunlight filtered into the Elwin home. Birds chirped with a melody that usually brought peace, but today, there was a strange stillness in the air—at least for Wilsen Elwin. Standing at the edge of the courtyard, his fingers trembled as he held a neatly folded letter sealed with the crest of the Moonblade Academy.

  Master Krom's seal.

  Wilsen’s heart sank. The moment he had been preparing for was finally here.

  Theo, now eight, was soon to leave.

  The letter was brief but packed with the gravity of change. It outlined the details of Theo’s enrollment into Moonblade Academy, one of the most prestigious foundation academies of the Western continent. It was to last three full years, with only a single short break each year when students were permitted to return home. The date of departure was marked clearly—three months from now.

  Wilsen read it thrice before sighing and folding it shut. “It’s time, huh…”

  Despite knowing this day would come, his heart clenched. A father, no matter how strong, is never ready to watch his little boy walk into the world alone.

  He approached Theo later that evening, sitting on the porch with a bowl of fruit, blissfully unaware of the life shift about to be dropped on him.

  “Theo,” Wilsen said softly, sitting beside him.

  Theo turned with his usual brightness. “Yes, Father?”

  “I’ve got some news.” He smiled, attempting to ease in. “First… you’re going to be a big brother.”

  Theo blinked. “R-Really?”

  Wilsen chuckled at the reaction. “Yes. Your mother and I just found out.”

  A wide, gleaming smile stretched across Theo’s face as he jumped up, eyes sparkling. “I’m gonna be a big brother! That’s amazing!” He spun in circles, giddy and laughing, already thinking of all the stories he’d tell his little sibling.

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  But Wilsen’s smile waned. He inhaled deeply and placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder.

  “There’s more… you’ve been accepted into Moonblade Academy. It starts in three months.”

  Theo’s joy paused mid-laugh. His spinning stopped. “What?”

  Wilsen gently explained, voice steady but low, about the schedule, the years apart, the curriculum. Theo listened in silence, nodding slowly—but the light in his eyes dimmed. The breeze that once brought cheer now seemed to whisper change in a language he didn't like.

  Later that night, as the moon shone faintly above the Elwin house, Theo lay awake, staring at the wooden ceiling above his bed. His hands were folded on his chest. For the first time in a while, his heart felt… heavy.

  A familiar presence stirred over him.

  “You’re taking this harder than I expected.”

  Kael’s voice echoed in his mind.

  Theo didn’t reply. He just sighed.

  “It’s not like you’re going to war. It’s just a school. A few years. You’ll return stronger. Isn’t that what you want?”

  “I know… but…” Theo turned over, hugging his pillow.

  But?”

  “I’ll miss my family.”

  Kael paused. “Why? You’ll see them again.”

  Theo was quiet.

  Kael narrowed his presence inside Theo’s mind. “I don’t understand you. You’ve trained harder than most adults. You’ve pushed your body and mind. But this—this is what makes you feel like breaking?”

  Theo didn’t respond.

  “You want to protect them, right?”

  “…Yes.”

  “Then become strong enough so they never need to fear. So you never need to feel this again.”

  Theo looked out the window toward the moonlight. “But I also want to be with them.”

  Kael didn’t reply.

  The next three months went by in a blur. Each day was filled with intense training—Wilsen pushing Theo’s swordsmanship further, and Kael pushing his mind into new philosophical, magical, and emotional realms. Theo's ability to harness mana had become second nature now. His body had grown leaner, his instincts sharper. But beneath the strength, that boyish glow still remained. He was getting stronger every day—but hadn’t lost himself.

  Wilsen and Elara cherished every moment. They took long walks, cooked family meals together, laughed over silly stories, and shared quiet evenings beneath the stars. Elara’s belly slowly began to round. Theo would often place his ear against her, whispering promises to be the best big brother in the world.

  Kael, ever present, watched all this with unease.

  “What is this… warmth?” he whispered to himself one night, seeing Theo curled up beside his mother’s chair, fast asleep with a book open in his hand.

  “It’s… peaceful.”

  And he hated it.

  But he also didn’t.

  The final morning arrived.

  Theo stood at the entrance of the house, dressed in a dark blue tunic and cloak provided by Moonblade Academy. A small bag hung on his back—books, clothes, and a single drawing of his family tucked in the side pocket.

  A sleek black carriage stood outside, bearing Master Krom’s insignia.

  Wilsen was silent, arms crossed. His jaw was tight.

  Elara held back tears, brushing Theo’s hair with shaking fingers. “Remember to eat well. Don’t skip sleep. If you feel cold, use the scarf.”

  Theo nodded quietly.

  Wilsen stepped forward and knelt. He placed both hands on his son's shoulders. “You’ve grown… so fast. I knew this day would come. I just didn’t expect it to hurt this much.”

  Theo’s lips trembled. “I don’t want to go…”

  “You have to.” Wilsen smiled, his voice soft. “This is your path now. Become the man you were meant to be. Then come back. We’ll be right here. Waiting.”

  Theo hugged his father tightly.

  Elara joined in, wrapping both her boys in her embrace. “We love you, Theo.”

  Kael, nestled in Theo’s consciousness, remained silent.

  “…Why does this hurt?”

  Theo stepped into the carriage and looked back one last time.

  His father, tall and proud. His mother, waving with tears streaming down her cheeks. The house, the trees, the village—his entire world.

  He smiled, even through the tears.

  “I’ll come back,” he whispered.

  And the carriage began to roll.