The Road Ahead

The boys walked back toward the tavern, their footsteps quiet against the cobblestone streets. Both were lost in thought, the weight of their upcoming future at the academy hanging over them. Abell strolled ahead, his gaze wandering to the families walking past.

A small family of three caught his eye—a mother, father, and their young daughter laughing as they strolled. The sight stirred something in him, a fleeting memory of his own mother and sister.

"Do you think Theo could've handled Wido?" Abell asked suddenly, glancing back at Gaius. His tone was calm, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Gaius raised an eyebrow, studying him carefully. "Perhaps," he said finally. Then, after a pause, he added, "Getting cold feet? If so, you shouldn't come with Hugo and me."

Abell stopped walking for a moment, turning to face Gaius with a blank expression. "No," he said firmly. "I just want to gauge how strong he really is."

Gaius blinked, caught off guard. He had meant to tease Abell, but the seriousness in his tone made him reconsider. There was something sharper in Abell's focus now—something determined.

They continued walking in silence for a while before Gaius spoke again. "Why do you want to become a Luminary?"

Abell smirked faintly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What's this? Are we becoming friends now?"

Gaius rolled his eyes. "Not even close. I just want to know why you try so hard. Your mother and sister are famous Luminaries, so it's not about wealth. Is it about proving yourself to someone?"

Abell's smirk faded, and he looked away. "Why does it matter to you?" he asked, his voice quieter than before.

"It doesn't," Gaius said plainly.

Abell didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the cobblestones beneath his feet.

"It's nothing as noble as you think," he said finally. "I just want to become like the Liberator. Actually, no—stronger than him." His tone was casual, but his eyes betrayed something deeper.

"Tch," Gaius scoffed, speeding up his pace. "You really are just another battle-hungry meathead."

Abell watched as Gaius walked ahead, his expression somber. He reached for his sister's hilt, fingers brushing the worn metal as he stared at it intensely.

"I'll become strong enough to find you. Hang in there," he thought.

Finally, the pair arrived at the tavern, a little past midday. The air inside buzzed with the chatter of workers just getting off their shifts. This was the Gray family's busiest time, as Gia and Camus prepared for the rush of customers.

The two entered through the front door, but before they could take another step, Gia's voice rang out.

"GAIUS! Where have you been?!" she yelled, her hands on her hips.

"And you too, Abell! I sent you to find him, but you took forever to return. I swear, all you boys are the same!"

Gaius sighed, crossing his arms and meeting her gaze with thinly veiled annoyance.

"What's with that look, huh?" Gia snapped, narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing," Gaius replied quickly.

"Sorry, Miss Gray," Abell cut in, scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile. "We got a little sidetracked."

Gia huffed but waved them off. "Fine. Just sit down. Hugo and Camus should be back soon. I need to get the shop ready for the evening."

As she stormed off, Abell leaned closer to Gaius, whispering, "Your mom is scary."

"More like annoying," Gaius muttered, his expression flat.

Time passed as they waited in silence. The tavern grew livelier with each passing minute, the hum of voices and clinking glasses filling the space.

The front door opened again, and Hugo entered with Camus at his side, both laughing like old friends. They immediately spotted Abell and Gaius sitting at the closest table.

"Finally, Gaius decides to show himself," Camus said with a smirk. "I thought you were backing out, son."

"Nope. Trust me, I'm ready to leave," Gaius replied, his tone sharp.

Hugo turned to Abell. "So, where'd you find him? You took so long I was starting to think you got lost—or just didn't want to face Gia again."

Abell chuckled softly, then explained their detour and what happened at Noctua Hall.

Hugo's eyes widened with interest. "So you saw young Theo Benedict, huh? Impressive, isn't he?"

"He's alright," Gaius said, shrugging.

"Yeah, he didn't seem that strong," Abell added, trying to sound casual.

Camus burst into laughter, crossing his arms as he leaned against the counter. "I think I hear a bit of fake confidence in those answers."

Both boys froze for a split second, the flicker of doubt in their expressions betraying their words.

Hugo grinned, leaning closer to the table. "Don't worry. You'll have your chance to prove yourselves soon enough. Just make sure you're ready when the time comes."

"This group of students may turn out to be the most interesting in a while." He added.

Abell and Gaius exchanged a quick glance before straightening in their chairs, their determination renewed.

The tavern bustled with activity, but the group managed to find a quieter corner to gather around a sturdy wooden table. Gia and Camus had outdone themselves, bringing out steaming plates of roasted meats, fresh-baked bread, bowls of hearty stew, and pitchers of cool cider.

Abell's eyes widened at the feast in front of him. "Do you eat like this every day?" he asked, already reaching for a slice of bread.

Gaius shrugged, his expression neutral as he reached for a plate. "Not really. This is special because we're leaving."

"Hey mother, are you sure this is okay?" He asked.

"Don't worry about our finances dear, it's time for you to focus on the academy." She said demandingly.

Millia skipped up to the table, carrying a smaller dish of something golden and fragrant. She placed it in front of Gaius with a determined look. "I helped Mom make this. It's your favorite."

Gaius paused, his hand hovering over the dish. For a moment, his stoic mask cracked, and he gave her a small nod. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Millia said, plopping into a chair beside him with a proud grin.

Gio, already halfway through a drumstick, pointed it at Gaius. "You'd better enjoy this because when you come back, you'll owe us big. I'm talking a feast—no, two feasts! You owe us for leaving us behind."

Abell chuckled as he grabbed his own plate. "Sounds like you've got high expectations for him, Gio."

"Of course! Gaius is going to be famous," Gio declared, puffing out his chest. "And when he is, I'll be the one telling everyone, 'That's my brother!'"

Millia rolled her eyes. "He's already the best. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone."

"Enough, you two," Daren said, sitting down with his own plate. Unlike his younger siblings, his tone was measured, though there was a faint smirk on his face. "Let Gaius eat in peace for once."

Abell took a bite of the stew, his eyes widening. "This is really good."

Hugo laughed from across the table, raising his mug. "Enjoy it while you can. You won't find meals like this on the road, and definitely not at the academy. You'll be lucky to get plain bread some days."

"That's encouraging," Abell muttered.

Camus entered the room, wiping his hands on a towel as he approached the table. "It's not every day we send off one of our own," he said, his voice carrying a mix of pride and gruffness. He placed a hand on Gaius's shoulder. "You've worked hard for this, son. Don't let anyone make you doubt yourself."

"I won't," Gaius said quietly, focusing on his plate.

Camus leaned back, crossing his arms. "Abell make sure he doesn't do anything too stupid. I know this one can get into some pretty shady activities."

"I've stopped doing those for a couple of weeks now" Gaius said flatly.

"Don't worry I'll make sure to keep him in check," Abell said , earning a laugh from everyone at the table.

Gia appeared moments later, carrying another pitcher of cider. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. Let the boys eat. They'll need the energy for the road."

Hugo raised his mug again, his expression unusually serious. "To Hallion," he said. "And to the journey ahead."

Camus nodded, lifting his own mug. "And to these boys surviving the academy."

The table fell quiet for a moment as everyone clinked their glasses and drank. The weight of the departure settled in the air, though no one wanted to say it aloud.

As the meal continued, Millia broke the silence, leaning close to Gaius. "You promise you'll write to us, right? And visit when you can?"

"Yeah, yeah," Gaius said, though his tone was softer than usual. "I'll visit."

"You'd better," Daren said, his smirk returning. "Otherwise, we'll have to come find you."

"I'd like to see you try," Gaius shot back, though his faint smile betrayed his appreciation.

Gio leaned forward, his face serious for once. "You'll come back stronger, right? You'll be the strongest Luminary in the world, right?"

Gaius glanced at him, his stoic mask softening. "I'll be stronger, Gio. Don't worry about that."

Satisfied, Gio grinned and returned to his food, the mood lightening once more.

As the meal wound down, Gia placed a small bundle on the table in front of Gaius. "Here. It's not much, but it's something to remind you of home."

Gaius opened the bundle to find a carefully wrapped loaf of bread and a small jar of their family's spice blend. He looked up at his mother, his usual reserved demeanor cracking just slightly. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Gia said, ruffling his hair.

Hugo stood, clapping his hands together. "Alright, boys, time to wrap it up. We've got a long road ahead, and we're burning daylight."

Abell groaned as he pushed himself up from the table. "Do we really have to leave this food behind?"

"Yes, you do," Gia said firmly, ushering them toward the door.

Camus clapped Gaius on the back as they prepared to leave. "Take care of yourself, son. And remember—you've got a family waiting for you here."

"I know," Gaius said quietly, slinging his pack over his shoulder.

The group stepped outside, the warm afternoon air greeting them as they prepared to depart. Behind them, the Gray family stood watching, their faces a mix of pride and sadness.

"Come back soon!" Millia called out, waving furiously.

Gaius turned back briefly, giving her a small nod before falling in step beside Hugo and Abell. The road ahead was long, but for the first time in a while, it didn't feel daunting.