Chapter 306: Karma (XXIV) [Goodbyes]

Scribble…

“Mhm…”

I hummed thoughtfully as I scribbled a book with an ink pen.

“This should be enough,” I nodded, before leaning back in my chair.

I wrote down everything I had seen in the battles earlier. Each strike, each habit, each strength and weakness… it all belonged here.

This way, they could analyze their own weakness and improve them since I won’t be here to teach them.

Of course, I didn’t want them to completely rely on this book since the stronger they get, the easier they’re going to find their own weaknesses.

But I figured that giving a small help wouldn’t hurt much.

“Now… I should meet up with James and Derek since I’m going to the Divine Realm,” I stretched my arms above my head.

And then, as I stood up, the space around me twisted before I reappeared right in front of the Silverleaf Academy.

It didn’t take me long to find both of them.

“Yo! Aestrea, you’re finally here, man!” Derek instantly wrapped an arm around my neck, and so did James with a sly grin.

“You son of a bich, you really got a damn palace?!” James grinned intensely.

“Mhm,” I nodded slighly.

“Seriously?! When the hell are you inviting us over?!” James leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

I shook my head with a faint smile.

“In a few years.”

“You damned bastard…” James groaned, though the grin never left his face.

Smiling, I pushed their arms aside, but just as I did, Derek suddenly tightened his grip around my neck.

“Oh no, no, no. You’re not running off just like that.”

Before I could even reply, James hooked his arm on the other side of me, dragging me along with the same sly grin he always wore.

“C’mon, you ass. It’s your last night here before you fly off to god-land or whatever the hell you’re calling it,” James said.

“Divine Realm,” I corrected with a sigh.

“Yeah, yeah, fancy words,” Derek waved me off. “Point is, you’re drinking with us. Tonight. No excuses.”

“I don’t even drink that much—”

Both of them shouted at the same time.

“Too bad!”

I clicked my tongue, but they didn’t let go.

James already had me locked on one side, Derek on the other, dragging me down the crowded streets like I was some poor criminal being taken to jail.

It didn’t take long before we reached a noisy bar tucked between two shops, the sign above it glowing faintly.

Laughter and loud voices spilled out as soon as Derek shoved the door open.

“Here we go!” he grinned, practically throwing me into the first empty booth he found. James slammed himself down across from me, already flagging down the barmaid.

“Three mugs of the strongest stuff you’ve got!” James shouted.

I raised an eyebrow.

“That fast?”

“Hell yeah. You think we’re wasting time sipping tea tonight?!” Derek laughed, sliding into the seat beside me.

I leaned back, letting out a small chuckle.

“You two really don’t change.”

The mugs came faster than I expected. Big, heavy, filled to the brim with frothing drink. James was the first to grab his.

“Cheers to our bastard big brother Aestrea, who’s about to leave us behind!” he laughed, lifting it high.

“Cheers!” Derek echoed, smacking his mug against James’s. Then both of them turned their eyes on me.

I sighed, grabbed mine, and lifted it halfway.

“Cheers…”

Clink!

The sound of mugs clashing echoed loudly before the three of us drank.

The liquid burned all the way down. It was quite strong, indeed… it seems that it was a leverage for awakeners.

Bam!

Both James and Derek slammed their mug down.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” he shouted.

James wiped his mouth with his sleeve and leaned closer. “So… Divine Realm, huh? What’s it like? Gold everywhere? Holy light? Angels feeding you grapes all day?”

“Not even close,” I shook my head.

Their eyes locked on me as I leaned forward.

“But actually… I’m entering the Academy of Gods there. That’s what it really is.”

Derek nearly choked on his drink.

“Wait, what?!”

James slammed his mug on the table.

“Hold up. Academy? As in… classrooms? Books? Tests? You, a goddamn student again?”

“Pretty much,” I admitted, resting my chin on one hand.

“It’s not a normal academy though. It’s for ascended gods. People who stepped past the mortal wall. The ones who are strong enough to be called divine.”

Derek blinked at me, his usual grin slowly fading. “So… you’re telling me… you’re going to school with actual gods?”

“Yeah.”

The table went quiet for a moment.

“Damn. And here I thought our academy days back in Silverleaf were rough. You’re really moving up, huh?” James whistled low, shaking his head.

I gave a small smile.

“If you can call it that. Every student there will be strong. Some older than time itself. They’ll crush me if I don’t keep my guard up.”

“Of course. Even in god school you’re picking fights.” Derek finally let out a laugh, though it was a little forced.

Picking fights, huh…

If only they knew that I’m the enemy of every single god in there.

James leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck.

“You know what? I can picture it. You standing in some giant hall, surrounded by shining gods and monsters in human skin, and you’re just sitting there, looking as calm as ever.”

“…Probably,” I muttered, taking another sip of my drink.

The truth was, I didn’t know what to expect.

The Divine Realm was still dangerous ground, even for me. But I wasn’t about to tell them that. They already looked like they were struggling with this goodbye.

Derek finally slammed his mug down.

“Alright, then that means one thing.”

“What?” I asked.

“We party harder tonight. Because who knows when the hell we’ll see you again. You’ll be too busy training with gods, while me and James rot here drinking cheap beer.”

“Hey!” James snapped, though he laughed after. “We’re not rotting. We’ll be legends here too, just you wait.”

“Legends of getting drunk every weekend, maybe,” Derek teased.

The two of them started bickering as usual, and I couldn’t help but smile. Even in moments like this, when we were close to parting, they never changed.

James suddenly leaned toward me again, more serious this time.

“But, Aestrea… don’t forget about us, alright? I know you’ll be meeting gods, goddesses, whatever else they’ve got up there… but don’t you dare forget the two bastards who had your back since day one.”

I looked at him, then at Derek. Both of them were waiting for an answer.

“…I won’t,” I said simply.

Derek grinned, clinking his mug against mine again. “Good. Because if you do, I’ll drag your ass back down here even if I have to wrestle a god myself.”

James laughed.

“I’d pay to see that.”

“You’d die before you touched the front gate.” I chuckled.

“Worth it,” Derek shrugged.

Clink!

The three of us raised our mugs one more time.

For a while, we just sat there, drinking and talking about nothing and everything.

The time we fought together, the times we almost died, the stupid mistakes that somehow turned into victories.

Every memory came alive again in their voices.

At some point, Derek leaned back and stared at me seriously for once.

“Y’know… it’s gonna be weird without you around, man.”

James’s grin faded too.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah… you’re always the one keeping us in check. Without you, it’s just… me and this idiot.”

“Hey!” Derek snapped, but his smile returned quickly.

I looked at both of them, the faint warmth of the drink spreading through me.

“…You’ll be fine. Both of you. You’re stronger than you think.”

James tapped his mug against mine again, softer this time.

“…Still doesn’t make it easier.”

Derek raised his.

“Then let’s make this night count.”

Clink!

The three mugs clashed once more.

For hours, the bar around us faded away. It was just us, three idiots sitting at a table, making noise like always.

And for the rest of that night, we laughed louder than anyone else in the bar.

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The morning sun was bright, too bright. It made the stone of Silverleaf Academy glow like gold, and the courtyard was already full of people.

I stood at the center, surrounded by faces I had come to know… faces that looked at me with smiles, tears, or both.

“Big brother! Don’t forget us, okay?!” one of the younger students shouted.

“Yeah, come back soon!” another added, voice cracking.

I smiled faintly, raising a hand to wave at them.

“Of course. You’re all my family too.”

One by one, students stepped forward. Some gave me clumsy bows, some grabbed my hands tightly, and some just cried.

I ruffled their hair, hugged them, or whispered small advice, the same way I always had.

It felt strange… I had fought monsters, gods, even fate itself, yet saying goodbye to these kids was harder than any battle.

When I turned, my wives were waiting.

Vivian stood proud, her voidflame aura burning faintly around her body, but her eyes betrayed her.

They were wet, shimmering, even as she forced a smirk.

“Don’t go around picking fights with gods just because you get bored, alright?”

“If you don’t come back, I’ll drag you through space myself. And you know I’ll do it.” Yara leaned on her spear, lips curved into a small smile.

Zeva, that battle-mad woman, actually looked… calm.

“You’d better return stronger than you already are. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive you.” She crossed her arms and muttered.

Mia’s eyes were red, her hands clutching her dress. She didn’t say anything; she just buried her face against my chest for a moment.

I stroked her hair softly.

At the same time, Maria hugged from behind, stuffing her head into my shoulder. I held her head with my other hand, stroking it softly.

“I’ll be back.”

Alaine looked down, trying to hold their composure, but I could feel the wind shift faintly as if they were crying without letting tears fall.

I approached her, and then softly caressed her long ears, causing her cheek to flush slighly.

“Take care of the girls, alright?”

Alaine nodded at me calmly, although her lips were twitching.

Ruli and Leaf, my little twin assassins, stood side by side.

“Don’t forget the promise, you’ll come back to take care of us again!” Ruli puffed her cheeks.

Leaf nodded quickly.

“And… eat with us again too.”

Chaerin was next.

My adopted daughter.

She was trembling, biting her lip hard to hold back tears, but the moment I knelt down, she broke. She threw her arms around me, hugging me with all her strength.

“Papa… please come back… please…”

My throat tightened, but I hugged her back, kissing the top of her head.

“Of course, Chaerin. I’ll always come back to you.”

And then… Lumi.

“Master… do you really have to go?” She pressed herself against my hand, glowing faintly.

I chuckled, patting her soft form.

“Unfortunately… Eat well while I’m gone, alright?”

Turning around, I suddenly felt a figure throwing herself into my arms…

“Isabella…?”

“Mhm!”

She hugged me tighter.

I smiled lightly, patting her back softly before whispering to her ear:

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back to marry you.”

Her eyes shimmered at my words, a faint smile gracing her lips before she reluctantly let go of me.

“…Violet?”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise as I spotted her in front of the twin brothers.

“Aestrea, I heard that you’re going… to the Divine Realm?” Violet asked me with a nervous smile, to which I nodded.

“I see…,” she nodded, lowering her head.

Thud!

She suddenly hugged me, before whispering in my ear.

“I love you, Aestrea… I didn’t dare to say it before because I didn’t know if these were my true feelings…” Her eyes teared up.

“But after you’ve saved my mom, I instantly realized what those feelings were, so…” Her hand reached out to my cheek, caressing it.

“…I-I… wanted to say my proper goodbyes…”

Drip…

Tears fell from her eyes, wetting the ground beneath us.

Instantly, I lifted my thumb and wiped her tears with it.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, still trying to wipe her tears away.

“When I get back, I’ll give you a proper response… just wait for me.” I smiled lightly.

Violet’s face brightened at my words as she nodded firmly, tears still swelling up in her eyes. Then, she walked away, reaching her mother, who waved at me.

I also waved back with a smile.

“…Now that was unexpected.”

Finally, James and Derek stepped forward.

“Damn it, man… I didn’t think this would be so hard. We joked all night, but… now it feels real.” James scratched his head, trying to laugh, but his voice cracked.

Derek forced a grin, his hand gripping my shoulder tight.

“You better not get all high and mighty up there. Remember, you’re our idiot Aestrea first, and a god second.”

I met their eyes, then pulled both of them into a rough hug.

“You two… don’t change, alright?”

“Not a chance,” James muttered, his voice muffled against me.

“Damn right,” Derek added.

When I finally pulled back, everyone was watching me.

So many eyes, so many feelings.

I took a deep breath.

“All of you… Thank you for standing by me, for trusting me… and also, for making me have such a great academy life.”

The courtyard was silent for a moment, then it filled with cheers, claps, cries, and voices calling my name.

I raised my hand one last time.

Crack…

And then… the space around me twisted.

Their faces blurred, fading into light as I stepped onto the crack.

The last thing I heard before everything disappeared:

“Come back safe, Aestrea!”

And then… here I was.

In the Demon Kingdom.

“Lilith,” I called out.

Almost immediately, a swirling purple portal appeared, with Lilith coming out with a charming smile, still wearing the same revealing outfit as always.

“Master~, you finally called me~” she purred into my ear, interlacing her fingers with mine as her long, heart-shaped tail curled around my arm.

“Let’s go.”

“Mhm~!”

…Let’s go meet the Demon King, that is.

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