Next day.

Morning light spread softly over Concord Isle.

The port sat in a calm bay, protected by green cliffs. The sea here was quiet, unlike the rough waters outside.

Many ships were anchored. They were merchant ships, fishing boats, traveling ships, and even a few warships. None of them carried flags. This was a neutral place.

Docks made up of stone stretched into the water. Sailors tied ropes, moved cargo, and repaired their ships. The sound of wood creaking and seagulls calling filled the air. The smell of salt and fish was strong.

Near the docks were simple buildings made of wood and stone. There were repair shops, storage houses, and small inns for travelers. Workers moved in and out, busy with their tasks. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Behind them were small homes where the workers lived. Smoke rose from chimneys, and life there was quiet and steady.

A larger building stood facing the port. It was where rules were kept and problems were settled. No fighting was allowed here.

A horn sounded in the distance as another ship arrived. No one reacted much. Ships came and went all the time.

The ship from which Amon and the others were traveling also came to a halt.

Last night, he and Scarlett had slept on the fighting top, in each other’s arms all night.

Now they had reached their destination. So they got down from the ship, wearing the same outfits as last night.

After that, all the villagers got down from it.

Amon’s eyes lit up with excitement as he looked around. "Finally... greenery! I can see green forests and mountains afar! Haha! I am so happy to see them again."

His friends were no different. Julian, Ethan, Katherine, Oliver, and Steffeny were also looking at everything with excitement.

Julian pointed ahead with wide eyes. "Hey! Look at that! How big that building is!"

Ethan turned toward the horizon, his voice filled with amazement. "Mountains... they are mountains covered with green trees."

Katherine smiled brightly. "This is so beautiful!"

Scarlett, who was standing beside Amon, looked around calmly, though a faint smile appeared on her face. "I am quite happy to see these things again."

Just then, Kael called out from the side.

"Hey! Amon."

Amon turned to look at him and smiled lightly. "Hello, Kael! What’s up?"

Kael scratched the back of his head slightly before speaking. "Well... you know that we are going on different paths from here."

Amon’s eyes widened in realization. "Yes... you are right. I forgot about that."

He looked around himself. Everyone—the village people he had spent more than four months with—were now going their separate ways.

A hint of concern appeared on his face. "But what about those who were born in that village? Those who don’t have a home outside?"

Kael smiled lightly. "Good that you asked. Actually, many of them are reluctant to part from each other. So Roland and the others are currently talking to the people of Valmoria... I mean, your kingdom. It seems some high-ranking person has come."

Scarlett raised her brow slightly and asked, "So, what is Roland trying to do?"

Kael replied, "He is trying to ask them if most of us who don’t have anywhere to go, or don’t want to separate, can live somewhere together in the Valmoria Kingdom. Create a new village. Which, to be honest, is kind of hard."

Then he laughed lightly. "While I need to go home and meet my family after so long, haha!"

Amon and Scarlett smiled at his words.

Amon nodded softly. "Well then... it’s goodbye, I guess."

Kael nodded. "Yeah, it is. But I will come to meet you guys again. Then I am going. Anyway, the ship will depart in an hour."

After saying that, Kael went back inside the ship.

Amon remained silent for a while.

Then he turned to Scarlett with a calm expression. "Shall we have a morning walk on this dock?"

Scarlett looked at him briefly, then nodded. "Sure."

She extended her right hand and wrapped it around Amon’s left.

Their fingers intertwined.

Both of them started walking along the long dock, where people were working, moving, and calling out to each other.

The morning breeze gently swayed Scarlett’s long red hair.

Amon looked ahead and spoke in a half-quiet tone, "It seems our time has also come to say goodbye..."

Scarlett glanced at him calmly. "Just ’bye’ is enough. It’s not like we won’t meet for a long time. I will come to meet you in a few months."

Amon chuckled softly. "Hehe~ sure. I will be waiting for you."

They continued to walk side by side while talking.

Then they stopped at the edge of the dock and sat down. She sat on his left side.

Scarlett turned slightly toward him. "So, you will join the academy again?"

Amon replied thoughtfully, "I don’t know. It’s near the end of the year. The new year will start soon, which means a new academy session. If I get the chance, I will join again. But probably directly in the second year."

Scarlett nodded softly. "I hope you can join it."

Amon smiled. "Thanks for that."

Scarlett smiled quietly and then leaned toward him. Her head rested gently on his shoulder.

Amon didn’t say anything. Nor did Scarlett.

The murmurs of people faded away. The waves hit the edge of the dock. The cold breeze cooled both of them.

After a while, Scarlett spoke softly, "Also... train your new powers well. If you get used to them, you can become much stronger. I already told you a few things on our way and even showed you."

Amon nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for that. I will train hard."

"Good," she replied.

After a while, she pulled her head away from him.

Her expression turned slightly serious. "It’s time now. My ship will depart soon. I have to go."

Amon nodded and stood up with her.

They looked at each other.

The wind swayed her blood-red hair, revealing her amethyst crystal-like eyes that looked at him with warmth and gentleness.

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

Amon’s heart beat loudly as he looked at her.

The sunlight poured over her, making her look even more beautiful.

Scarlett spoke softly, her voice gentle. "Get back to your kingdom safely... bye, Amon."

Amon smiled softly. "Yes... bye."

Then he paused slightly, a faint playful expression appearing on his face. "Want to drink my blood for the last time?" he asked gently.

Scarlett shook her head lightly. "No... not that."

She leaned forward.

Closer to him.

Her amethyst eyes came very close, staring into his. Then her eyes slowly closed as she got near him.

Something soft touched his lips. For a few seconds, that softness remained. It was soft like feather.

For a moment he forgot to breathe.

Every thought, every word, his all worries and things he was wondering about, they dissolved without a sound. There was only this. The brush of her lips.

Amon also closed his eyes, quietly savoring the moment. His heart continued to pound in his chest loudly.

A feeling that he never felt before. And this was just too beautiful. Something that he could never forget.

For a few more seconds, they remained like that.

Then the softness left his lips.

Amon slowly opened his eyes. Only to see Scarlett walking away from him. After a few steps, she turned back to look at him.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson, but there was a happy smile on her face.

She raised her hand and waved. "Byee!!"

Amon’s complexion turned bright red.

He raised his own hand and waved back. "Bye! Scarlett!" he said loudly.

And just like that she left for her home.