*36*

I stood proudly just off the edge of a stage. The whole city has gathered to watch this graduation. Most of them are for their own children, while everyone else came to see the first Orelie in almost one hundred years graduate from the academy. I've seen a few other celebrations. Not everyone joins the academy at the same time, so there's usually a couple students graduating every few months or so.

Now it's my turn. I was able to complete my training within two years instead of the normal four. I'm the first for many things.

I glanced around, seeing three other students varying in age. One looks about my age, the others a few years older. From what I've been told, people usually know what magic they're going to specialize in by the time they turn thirteen or fourteen. For others, it takes a while longer if an Orelie isn't around to help. I'm guessing that's what happened to the older students.

Ergo took the stage and the crowd instantly grew silent. "Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for coming for this wonderful occasion. We have four students ready to graduate and head into the world to find their purpose. As you may know, one of them is special; an Orelie. The first to graduate in almost one hundred years."

"I know I may not have been headmaster for long..." his words got lost on the wind. I had cast my gaze out to the crowd and spotted Crae. He's here with Mystic and Fenin. As if he felt me staring, he turned his head to lock eyes with me. He gave a small smile and a wave, which I returned. Things have gotten... better between us. I'm still scared of his Demon form, but I've forgiven him. He had his reasons, and if I was in his position I probably would have done the same thing.

"...so, without further ado, I shall now call the names of those who have exceeded our expectations and have graduated with the highest of honors. Please come to the podium when I call your name. Abon Thornwhip, Earth and Nature Mage. Alran Breeze, Wind and Weather Druid. Jakal Morrowind, Alchemist."

"Finally," I started up the few steps to join the others. "Kyrene, Orelie." The applause had been steady and calm for the other three, but the moment my name was called, the entire crowd got to their feet, cheering wildly. Mystic has climbed onto her seat while Fenin held her steady as she waved madly to get my attention.

I stood beside the other students, who also clapped and congratulated me. I felt my cheeks burn with all the attention, but I couldn't help but grin. This feeling... I've never felt it before. I feel pride. Pride and joy.

One by one, Ergo handed a small silver clasp to each of us. In turn, he told us how to pin it to our cloaks. The symbol engraved on the clasp is different for each of us. Mine has the symbol of an eye being held up by cupped hands. I fastened my cloak with it as the crowd became even louder.

Once we were given the OK to join the crowd, I made a beeline for Mystic. The second I got within her line of sight, she rushed over and brought me into a tight embrace.

"I just knew you could do it!" She squealed as she bounced in place. "I never had any doubts! You're simply incredible! Party at my place!"

"Actually," she pulled away and raised an eyebrow at me. "There's... someone I need to talk to first."

Understanding crossed her face. "Well, go on." I slowly turned from her and scanned the crowd. It didn't take me long to pick him out. He stood patiently near the edge of the crowd, hands tucked behind his back as he stared towards the academy. I took a deep breath and made my way to him.

He looked up as I approached, a small smile touching his lips. "You never cease to amaze me."

"I'm glad you could make it, Crae." I gripped my staff tightly. "It means a lot to me."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." I watched his gaze glance down to my left hand holding my staff.

My grip tightened a bit as I prepared to say what's been on my mind these last few weeks. "Um... how's life back home?"

"It's... quiet. It's nice, though. The Fairies miss you." He scratched at his neck. "So, uh, what are your plans after this?"

"I was thinking of going home and finding my place in the world." A movement to my left caught my attention. Myla and Striker are waving me over to them, grinning madly. They don't want to come closer to Crae; Myla especially.

"What are you hoping for?" I turned back to him.

I bit my lip. "I was wondering if my room back home is still available."

His eyes widened as a wide grin spread across his lips. "Yes... yes, of course it is! I'll just need a day or two so I can make sure the place is cleaned up. Can you give me a few days?"

"Sure, that won't be a problem. I need to pack up my things here and grab what I have left back at Mystic's. I'll send a message when I'm on my way."

"Sounds perfect." He held his arms open. I didn't realized I had moved in to hug him until I felt his arms wrap around me. We pulled away after a few seconds so he could make the trek home.

I took a deep breath and faced my friends. Striker had an eyebrow raised when I got there and Myla held her hands over her mouth in shock. "Is it really happening?"

"What?"

"The ring! That hug! Something has to be going on between you guys!"

I shook my head. "No, Myla. Nothings going on between us. At least... not yet, I don't think. I just asked him if my room is still ready for me. I won't be starting my return trip for a few days."

Her face fell. "Wait, you're leaving? I won't ever see you again?"

"Don't think like that." I pulled her into an embrace. "Of course you'll still see me! I'm not going away forever. I'm going to stay with him for a while until I find my place in this world. Maybe it'll be back here, maybe it's wandering the world and doing good deeds. I don't know what the future holds, but I know you guys will still be in it."

"Okay," she held me tightly, her fingers digging into my cloak. "You better hold true to that promise!"

"Of course." I stepped away and faced Striker. "Promise to take care of her while I'm gone?"

He rolled his eyes. "Duh."

"Cool. Anyway, I have one last thing to say. Party at Mystic's place!"

"Wait, what?!" Came from a short distance at my shouting.

"Come on, I'm sure she won't mind." I led my friends over to Mystic and Fenin. It took some convincing, but I was able to talk her into letting them come with us. We took an express cart to Millpost, making the three day journey in a few short hours. The second we got to their house, Mystic began setting up for the party. In less than an hour, we were dancing, eating, and having the time of our lives.

At some point during the party, the residents heard about the party and began flocking to the house. Word quickly spread of my accomplishment, as even more people began to arrive. Soon, the five person party turned into an all-out celebration. More decorations, entertainment, and food began filling every spot it could on her lawn and spilled into the streets. Even Fenin's old performance group made an appearance.

I was exhausted by the time everything began to calm down in the early hours of the next day. The sun was just starting to rise as I laid my head on my pillow.

~~~~

"If anything happens, you know how to find me." Mystic said as she held me tightly in her arms.

"Everything will be fine," I assured her as I squeezed her back. "I don't think he'd do anything to harm me. I trust him."

"Okay." She sniffed and pulled away wiping at her eyes. "We can communicate with the Fairies. Send little messages back and forth, ya know? I'm sure they'd be happy to help you."

I smiled and held my staff tightly. "Of course, Mystic. I'll see you later." I hoisted my bags over my shoulders and began the long trek back to Silver Valley. Once I get in the vicinity, I need to take a trip to the sycamore. I haven't seen him in a few months. I know he would love to see me and see how powerful my magic has become.

It was a nice, refreshing journey to Silver Valley. Elementals and Fairies danced around me as I walked. I did stop a few times to play with them, sometimes using my air magic to take flight and play a game of chase.

When I got within an hour of Silver Valley, I pivoted and headed for the direction of the sycamore. More animals and magical creatures of the land began to come out from hiding as I came nearer to my destination. Sylphs floated lazily by me as deer and birds walked and flew beside me.

"There she is!"

I looked up and grinned. "Fern! It's so nice to see you again." I held my finger out for her to perch on.

She landed on my finger and rested her fists on her hips. "It's about time you got back! I've been so unbelievably bored without you to talk to! Crae is always 'oh, woe is me! I shouldn't have lied to her! What am I gonna do if she never comes back?' Do you know how annoying that gets constantly hearing that every day?"

I giggled and continued walking to the sycamore. "Well, you won't have to hear that anymore. I'm coming back, and I'm staying for a long while."

"Hell yeah!" She sprung up and zipped around my head. "Finally! You have no idea how badly I've waited for you to say those words! But before we can do anything else, you have a friend that needs visiting."

I smirked and gripped my staff tighter. "Wanna race?"

"Oh, you're on!" I sprung into the air and manipulated it to allow me to fly. I ducked and weaved around trees and fallen limbs as Fern stayed just out of my finger's reach. To help get the lead, I took into the air past the tree line. The wind whipped around me as more Fairies and Elementals joined our game.

When I found a small break in the trees, I dipped back down and moved the earth to cushion my fall. At the edge of the cliff leading into the glen the sycamore resided in, I used the earth to help me glide gracefully to solid ground.

I glanced around, finding myself alone before my friend. I smiled softly up at him and placed my hand against his bark. "Hello, sycamore."

His leaves rustled in response as his voice entered my head. ~Hello, Orelie. It's wonderful to feel your touch again.~

"I've missed you." I said as I gently traced my hand over his bark. I felt one of the lower branches reach down and lightly hold me to the tree. After leaning my staff against it, I reached up and began climbing.

At about a quarter of the way up, I stopped on a sturdy branch and leaned against him, taking in the calming scents. As I relaxed against him, I told him of my last few months at the academy and what I planned to do. He listened intently as I spoke, moving slightly when I told him I'd be staying a while.

~It will be lovely seeing you more often.~

"I look forward to it." I grabbed onto the branch I was sitting on and began to slide off. He lowered himself to gently place me on the ground then righted himself.

I grabbed my staff once more and placed my hand against him. "I'll be back. There's one more thing I need to do."

~I'll eagerly await your return.~ I turned and began making my way out for Crae's home. It didn't take me long to find the path leading to the clearing where he resided.

There it sat, his picturesque two story cottage nestled against a large hill. A wooden fence surrounded the area around his home and off behind the hill. The wild grass stopped at the fence line and neatly trimmed lawn led up to the cottage.

I placed my hand on the gate, staring down at the stone pathway leading to the front door. The memory of him carrying me through the gate and inside the house flashed through my mind as the gate silently swung open. It clicked behind me as I placed slow steps on the stone path.

When I looked back up, the door was before me. I took a deep breath and tapped the door three times with my staff. Ten seconds later, the door opened.

Emotions I hadn't felt in a long time swirled through me. Joy, happiness, anger, betrayal, sadness, fear, remorse, confusion, and...

Love. Now that I can put a name to it, I know for certain this feeling of elation in my heart is love. Seeing him in his crisp, clean suit and slicked back hair reminded me of how I felt before everything with the Witch happened. I was overjoyed to see him every morning. I wanted to spend every waking moment with him even if we were doing two separate things in the same room.

I was caught off guard and my heart began to flutter in my chest as he smiled. "Welcome home, Kyrene. I made us some tea and some snacks." He stepped aside and gestured for me to enter.

I slowly stepped in and took in the familiar atmosphere. Everything is just as it was when I last saw it. Even the book I had been reading is in the exact same place I had set it down last.

I sat down on the couch and set my staff beside me. Crae handed me a cup before he grabbed his own and sat in his chair. It was silent for a moment as we sipped the tea. What do we say?

I sighed softly and set my cup down. "Crae, I don't want to move too fast."

"What do you mean, Kyrene?" He set his cup down. "Move too fast for what?"

I bit my lip and messed with the promise ring on my finger. "I've come to terms with some of the feelings I had before the whole... thing happened. I didn't know what they meant at the time, but I do now. The thing is, I don't know if I'm ready to act upon them yet. It's still so very foreign to me."

He leaned forward in his chair, staring at the table. "It's very new for me as well. I'd never felt human emotions before I met you. I learn more about them every day. It's an exciting experience I want to have with you, if you'll have me." He met my gaze.

I saw a brief moment of the future through his eyes. It was years passing as we grew closer together. Hardships, happy days, doing jobs together, growing, loving, and eventually, I saw the Vision I had over two years ago. I saw myself in a flowing white dress holding flowers as I danced through a field of wild flowers.

I smiled softly and picked my book back up, turning to the last page I had read. "I think I can stay and help us understand the emotions we experience."

He gave a soft chuckle and leaned back in his chair once more. "I look forward to it."