Glassford, Acadian Empire.
The city lay on the western edge of the forr Southern Federation.
It was unlike any other city on the continent. Built and governed jointly by humans, elves, dwarves, and gnos, its streets reflected all four cultures.
After the Southern Federation was annexed by the Acadian Empire, Glassford did not decline. It flourished.
The reason was simple.
In the heart of the city lay the entrance of the Soaring River Secret Plane, a hidden realm officially recognized by the Acadian Royal Family as the greatest secret plane within all of Ulier. Its resources, trials, and opportunities were unmatched.
In the past, only the young Magi of the Southern Federation were permitted to enter. It was a regional privilege. But that changed under imperial rule.
Now, promising young Magi from across the continent, including those of the Empire itself and the Baja High Forest, competed fiercely for limited entry slots.
Securing a place within the Soaring River Secret Plane beca a symbol of talent, influence, and future potential.
And so, Glassford evolved from a regional city into a continental stage.
Adam walked through the crowded streets of Glassford, blending into the flow of Magi and ard escorts.
The city was louder than usual. Carriages bearing faction insignias rolled past. Delegations from across the continent moved through the streets, each protecting their most promising Mana Foundation Magi.
The Soaring River Secret Plane would open the following day.
Different dialects filled the air. Robes marked with symbols of different arcane academies brushed shoulders with elven leathers and imperial uniforms. It was easy to see that the atmosphere was tense and competitive.
Adam did not alter his appearance. There was no need.
No one would recognize him anyway. And even if they did...
He no longer cared.
After spending more than seven years training in Mabi, Adam and Valerian made their way to Ulier.
Their first stop was Behal, where Adam paid respects at his parents' grave. He stood there in silence for a long ti before finally turning away.
From there, they traveled to Glassford, hoping to reconnect with old friends and familiar faces.
But after a few days in the city, asking around, listening quietly, and piecing together fragnts of information, they received sothing they had not expected.
Heartbreaking news.
Adam walked quietly toward the public cetery, a bouquet of white flowers held in one hand. Valerian lay tucked within his robes, only his furry head peeking out. He said nothing. His ears were lowered, his mood heavy.
As the raven-haired youth passed through the streets, people couldn't help but glance at him twice - especially the ladies.
His features were striking, his posture composed, and his presence calm. More than a few eyes lingered a mont longer than necessary.
Yet none sensed anything unusual.
His aura was completely withdrawn. There was no pressure, no mana fluctuations rolling off him. To others, he seed like nothing more than a young noble scion visiting Glassford for the opening of the Soaring River Secret Plane.
No one would have guessed he was a Mana Core Magus.
One of the most formidable Magi this world had ever produced!
Adam stepped through the iron gates of the cetery. A sad smile rested on his lips, and deep inside his heart, there was laughter... not of joy, but the kind he had long chosen as his answer to sorrow.
He walked along the narrow stone path, passing rows of weathered grave marks. So were old and cracked, others were freshly carved. Nas and short epitaphs that tried to summarize entire lives in a few words.
The wind stirred gently. His footsteps slowed and finally ca to a halt. Before him stood a gravestone carved with a na he knew well.
It read:
Rowan Jennings
Beloved Husband, Devoted Father, Loyal Friend
He lived with quiet strength and left with enduring love
Adam's lips quivered as he read the epitaph of his forr butler, a man he had co to see as a dear friend and soone he regarded almost as family.
And now... only a na carved in stone remained.
Beside his grave stood another marker.
Carla.
They had walked through life side by side, through hardships and good days alike. And now, even in death, they remained together, their nas carved into
stone only a few feet apart.
Adam bent down and placed half the bouquet over Rowan's grave, and the
other half over his wife's.
Valerian could no longer hold himself back. He leapt out from Adam's robes and
landed before the gravestone.
"Rowan!!" he bawled, tears trickling down his furry face.
The young dragon cried his heart out. Rowan was a big part of his childhood
and ant a lot to him, after all.
Adam remained silent for a ti, his eyes reddening.
Soon, he too couldn't hold it in any longer.
And so...
He laughed and laughed and laughed.
A long ti later, the pair finally quieted down a little. Valerian lay beside
Rowan's marker, his eyes heavy with grief.
Adam sat down cross-legged before the grave. He took out a bottle of wine and two cups. The youth poured one for himself, and the other... for Rowan.
"Cheers!" Adam laughed and then downed the entire cup.
He poured himself another drink, then began talking to his friend from beyond
the grave.
"I heard from the locals that you rebuilt your family business here, eh? I'm proud of you, Rowan! I know how much it ant to you to restore what you once lost. I'm glad you managed to do it. I'm so happy that you and your wife
lived till old age.
"They also said your children grew up to beco Magi. Hahaha! Isn't that wonderful? Don't worry, I'll check in on them from ti to ti and make sure they're doing all right. This is the least I can do for all that you've done for Val
and ."
He lowered his gaze and murmured:
"As for ... I've been through a lot. You wouldn't believe it, Rowan."
The raven-haired youth spoke quietly, as if Rowan were still standing beside
him.
He talked through the evening without pause. The sun dipped below the horizon, and the twin moon rose, casting pale light across the cetery stones.
The night passed in silence, broken only by his warm voice.
When the first light of dawn touched the sky, and the sun rose once more,
Adam finally fell quiet.
He had finished recounting his grand adventures.
Adam cast one final glance at the grave marker. With a smile on his face, he
turned around and walked away, leaving behind his gentle, parting words: "Farewell, my friend. And thank you... for everything"
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