There was less fanfare than expected the day of their departure. The field in front of the castle remained quiet, even if they all could sense peeking faces from the windows as students—future soldiers—scrambled to get to line up. The dragons were silent as well, only shifting and huffing gently at the morning dew. Families scattered around, saying their goodbyes to their children.

Nagan was on edge, if he were being honest, to the point where every time Az moved his head, Nagan's eyes would immediately flicker to the dangling silver at his ear. He considered moving to Az's right so he could actually concentrate on what Aunt Cilara was saying.

The earring was a gift from Aunt Cilara; delicate silver chains with a small emerald attached to it. When you looked closely at it, you would see ivy vines etched around the gem. Aunt Cilara wanted Az to represent the family if he would be wearing any sort of jewelry.

While they knew Aunt Cilara would have eventually found out—it was only a matter of time until she demanded Az to sit for a haircut—but her reaction was a bit different from what they'd thought it'd be.

"It would have stronger symbolism if you put it in the same area as Nagan," she had said, pushing Az's rich brown hair away from his ear. It was the only time she allowed him to slouch. "What to do with the previous area, however...We will have to find something. Silver matches your complexion better, but you did well, choosing gold for Nagan. I knew I raised you with good sense."

He was given something similar, one that resembled the ruby stud Az had given to him last year but with an emerald. Nothing was carved into it as to "not imprint the Arcloven symbol on an Elvar," but the sentiment was felt all the same. It was just another way of the Arclovens saying, "You are part of our family, no matter what name you carry." It sat proudly just below Az's gift.

Another conversation suddenly caught Nagan's attention, and he tilted his head slightly to hear over his shoulder. The voices were a little hard to distinguish at first, and he didn't recognize the woman's voice, but Master Honoria's vocal cadence was soon the only thing he could hear.

"This is your chance to rise above the rest and seal your place amongst the greatest Dragonmages. Do not follow in his footsteps and fail me." The hairs on the back of Nagan's neck raised at Master Honoria's next words: "You will not disappoint me."

"Yes, sir."

Nagan couldn't help but take a brief glance over his shoulder at that, only seeing Master Honoria removing his hands from Carthadeus' arms before quickly looking away. That...was not something he expected. He's experienced his fair share of tough love—Aunt Cilara has mastered the technique—but even she had her tells; her soft smiles that let you know she was truly proud of you. Master Honoria's words...he couldn't help but think they sounded more like a threat rather than reassurance. But then again, he wasn't his child (thank the gods for that). He didn't know his tells. Perhaps whatever Carthadeus heard was positive.

"Families, you have a few minutes to wrap up your goodbyes before our departure."

Nagan's head snapped in the direction of Professor Fai. The professor now wore the same uniform as the rest of them, but even from the distance, he could tell the uniform was much older than theirs.

It wasn't in disrepair or ragged, not in the slightest, but there were tell-tale signs of it being worn before. Some buttons hung looser than others. There were places where tears were mended. The hem frayed slightly, a single thread hung at his side.

What really caught his attention, however, was the cloak. While Nagan and the rest of them weren't allowed to modify their cloaks yet—most of them were still growing—Professor Fai's cloak had pewter grey scales sewn on the inside, most undoubtedly the shed scales of his dragon. A dragon's scales were one of the toughest materials out there, after all, and much lighter than wearing heavy metal armor. Not only that, dragon scales were already attuned to holding enchantments. They were the perfect form of mage armor. Once they were given their final cloaks (and when their juvenile dragons started shedding larger scales), they would be able to do the same.

The goodbyes were brief and routine. A gentle squeeze on the shoulder from Master Arcloven, Aunt Cilara pulling them down for a hug, and Florine nearly tackling them to the ground. It wasn't as if any damage would be done, she barely reached Nagan's chest and was even smaller compared to Az, but Nagan always ended up taking a step back upon impact. Florine was stronger than she looked.

Nagan stole a final glance back to Carthadeus and felt a strange sort of relief as the older boy pulled away from a hug from Madam Honoria.

Az nudged his shoulder.

"What?"

"Don't look now, but someone is trying to get your attention."

Nagan followed Az's gaze to a large window overlooking the ground. Two figures stood at it, one with crutches under her arms. With help balancing from Nurse Marvi, Milora waved as enthusiastically as she dared, a grin on her face as she mouthed the words, "Be safe."

Nagan waved back, mouthing his own, "I will," as Az followed suit. Gath and Aitor soon followed the gesture, and even Carthadeus gave his own awkwardly timid wave. Milora's face lit up more when they all responded, but Nagan could tell she was close to tears by the way her smile wavered. He didn't blame her, they were being sent closer to the frontlines than they were promised, but he wished there was time to reassure her one last time.

Professor Fai waited until their goodbyes were complete. "Alright, as much as I know you hate leaving Milora, she's in very capable hands. It's time we get going."

"I think she's more worried for us than we are worried for her," Gath commented, hiking his pack further up his shoulder.

Muttering a few more goodbyes, the boys gathered around their dragons. By now, every step they took in preparation for flight was automatic. Checking and securing, tugging and attaching. It only took a few minutes for all of them to be mounted on their dragons, Gath and Carthadeus last as they had the bigger dragons.

"Ready?" Professor Fai called back from the front.

"Yes, sir!" the boys chimed.

And in seconds, they were off the ground.

In a flurry of colors, they all circled around to gain altitude, pulling their masks over their mouth and nose when they reached chilling heights. The heat from their dragons radiated off them, surrounding their riders with warmth. Nagan always loved the thrill of riding, and he could feel Ravi buzzing with excitement, but they both knew it wasn't time to fool around. The time to play had long since passed.

It was when they reached the stronger wind currents when they began to glide, but Nagan could still see the ground below. At the shores of Carvolier, he could see the water dragons and their mages practicing in the turbulent waters as the tides recede. The flying dragons also had their fair share of water training in case of an emergency, but Nagan couldn't imagine swimming in waves higher than his head. He would have to remember learning some of their breathing spells in the future.

Flying further into the ocean, he could spot ships sailing in the wind, some preparing to dock while others just starting their journey. To his surprise, water dragons ran alongside some of the ships, especially the larger merchant vessels. Probably to keep pirates at bay if they didn't have dragons of their own. It made sense, though, for dragonmages with water dragons to focus on careers for the water, like astrologers such as Sarg, even if he didn't get a dragon. It all depended on the specialty.

But there would be more time to contemplate those things. A long journey laid ahead of them.