Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Dawn of Farewell
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The World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament came to a glorious close, ushering in a grand festival that stretched on for days.
Celine, the Thiên Hoa Ilryong, claimed victory in the adult division with a performance that rivaled even Aki's.
"The adult division finals were seriously insane, right?"
"For real, Celine pulling off that comeback."
"Both master and disciple are monsters."
I missed the finals, where she staged a dramatic reversal against her archrival Moreon, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
That's because I was listening to the tale of the Slime Slayer, Cora, at the time.
"Therefore, outsiders, we hope you will heartily enjoy the festival of the blue city <Terbenopl>!"
This was the Republic's grandest festival of the year, lasting a full ten days, its scale so massive that Delaiten's seasonal celebrations seemed like child's play.
They say that wherever the laurel crown's owner stops by a shop, not only the champion but everyone present gets a free meal.
'It was originally a festival for the consul returning victorious from a great war, or so I hear...'
With an era of prolonged peace, it seems to have evolved this way. Not a bad change, I thought.
"Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!"
Wherever Aki went, cheers erupted and flower petals rained down.
Celine, the adult division champ walking beside her, got overlooked. Guess there's only room for one superstar.
"Try this one, Aki!"
"Aki, gonna eat dat!"
"No, ours is tastier!"
"That too, gonna eat dat!"
Aki soaked up all the love from Terbenopl's citizens.
When Aki ate something and flashed a beaming smile, citizens clutched their chests and swooned. Everyone rushed out with food just for a glimpse of that grin.
Watching the scene from atop the clock tower, a smile crept onto my face unbidden.
'Was it a joyful experience, Aki?'
I hope it becomes a cherished memory in your immortal life. It's the most I can give you...
For three days since the festival began, I'd guarded Aki with Bell Sidias from dawn till deep into the night, yet strangely, I felt no fatigue at all.
Odd.
Truly bizarre.
That's when I sensed Valensidis's presence behind me. He'd jumped through space using black magic.
"Got the ship to the hot islands?"
"Secured it."
"I'd love to set sail right now, but..."
The Slime Slayer, Cora, was in no shape for a sea voyage.
We were waiting for her recovery, but I also wanted Aki to enjoy the festival a bit longer.
Practically speaking, ships were scarce during festival season.
"We'd have to wait for the fleet to form anyway. Nothing to do with your will."
"Hmm, the linked fleet, eh."
"Something bothering you?"
"Nah, nothing."
"If you're leaving, now's the time. Fewer passengers since everyone's at the festival. Wait till it ends, and too many humans will spot your hatchling, making it hard to move."
Ships from <Terbenopl> to the Tershy hot islands—merchant, fishing, or passenger—all travel in fleets.
Pirates base themselves on scattered islands in the South Sea, and deep-sea monsters attack frequently.
Witches bind the ships with chains of their abilities and protect the fleet with spells against dangers.
That's the linked fleet.
Think of it as countless ships moving as one.
Only the ultra-wealthy who could hire powerful witches or mages solo would sail alone—a rare few.
So we had to wait for this fleet.
"Just found their method intriguing."
No such thing back when the Red Dragon Legion was strong.
Try piracy, and fireballs rain from the sky—who'd dare?
Sea monsters didn't even think of emerging, scared of dragons patrolling the skies.
A sign of the era where dragon protection is fading.
"So when does the fleet depart?"
"Dawn, two days from now."
"Two days..."
"Checked on Cora. She's much better. Eager to go already. Seems to have bonded with Pipi, her bodyguard."
"Good. Then now..."
I drew a deep breath, words halting. My gaze, fixed on Aki, shifted to Celine beside her.
A quiet sigh escaped.
This must be what they mean by happy memories turning into heavy burdens.
'But Aki, you need to get used to it from now on.'
Someday, even with me...
That night, after wrestling with over a hundred apprentice applications, I told Celine.
She didn't say things like "The festival's not over yet" or "Leaving already?"
"Yeah, you have to go."
Her eyes calm, accepting as if it had been decided from the start.
But the tremor at the end of her voice was unmistakable.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
Who knew arranging someone's farewell would be this hard.
"I want to come too, but..."
"No, you need to focus on reviving the sect."
"I know. I'm the sect leader now. You hear? Survivors scattered across the continent are gathering. Fewer than ten, but all thanks to Aki."
Aki and Celine's wins preserved Thiên Hoa's status among the six great sects. Making Celine the youngest sect leader ever.
"Anyway, thanks for telling me early. No—thanks for not vanishing suddenly."
"..."
"There's a gift I need to give as your master."
"A gift?"
"Don't ask. Want it to be a surprise."
"Then I have something to say too. Should've said it long ago, maybe..."
"What?"
"After we part this time, we might never meet again. Can't tell you why."
Aki enjoyed the festival the next day too.
In the Republic's biggest metropolis, with every delicacy piled high, even her massive appetite couldn't keep up with the variety and volume.
That night, belly stuffed, I called Aki back.
"Come here, Aki."
"Aki, cominggg."
"Gonna dye your hair black for a bit. So people won't recognize you."
A dragonkin's human form is just a provisional shell, midway between illusion and reality.
Dye it, and it reverts in under two days.
But for this, one day would suffice...
The farewell happened at dawn, hair dyed.
"Aki sleepy dat..."
Aki rubbed her eyes.
Before the South Sea at sunrise, waves lapping quietly like the night sky.
The familiar salt scent, crying seabirds, dawn city's hues, early fishermen's shouts...
If Aki were like me, she'd never forget these little details.
"Yeah. Sorry to wake you. But I have something for you."
Celine looped a leather cord around Aki's neck. At its end hung wood.
Thiên Hoa's symbol, the red laurel tree.
And atop it, she bestowed light. The victory laurel that turned to light after the ceremony.
"Ooo...?"
Aki's sleepy eyes widened.
The cross-shaped red laurel encircled by the wreath. Reflecting moonlight into rainbows, the mark of the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament champion.
"Same as Master dat!"
Aki alternated glances between Celine and the wood, grinning wide. Celine placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Truly joyful times, Aki. Teaching you was the greatest luck of my life."
"Was it luck dat?"
"Yeah. Like a light piercing the darkness... You're too young to get it. Aki, you have to go now. And I can't go with you."
Aki blinked blankly, then looked up at me.
My chest tightened.
I nodded, and Aki tilted her head at Celine.
"Why can't go together dat?"
"I have duties here, and you have places to be."
"When duties done, go together dat! Wait, Aki wait dat!"
Aki didn't know this was forever.
I knew. Celine knew too—I'd told her.
Yet somehow, Aki resisted this parting fiercely, as if sensing we'd never meet again.
"Aki..."
Memories flooding back, Celine bit her lip.
Head bowed long without words, then she sprang up forcefully.
"The mindset of a Thiên Hoa disciple, first rule!"
Before every training, she'd make Aki chant it. Aki clenched her fists and replied.
"Like dragons, martial arts exist only to protect the weak with strength!"
"Second rule!"
"Like dragons, martial arts must illuminate the land's dark corners!"
"Third rule!"
"Must harbor a dragon's heart in one's chest!"
A lonely light gleamed in my eyes watching.
The end of bonds...
Those moments chanting with Celine would linger in Aki's mind forever.
- Lin, promise me? When you return, you'll be an adult who can share the light of magic with others.
As vivid as my last moments with Dean Aunt in my head.
"Always remember them!"
"Got ittt!"
"Good! With that conviction in your heart, we're not parting, Aki. We're going together always. I'll be in your heart forever."
Celine poked Aki's chest with her index finger. Aki's restless face bloomed into a flower-like smile.
"Then really together always dat?"
"Of course. Ever seen me lie?"
"Seen lots dat!"
"?"
"???"
"Ahem, anyway! Watch for colds... Stay healthy always, Aki."
I glimpsed Celine swallowing cliché lines like "See you again."
Maybe she thought even those would wound when recalling this brief bond later.
Celine chuckled, patted Aki's shoulders twice.
"Then."
She turned away—from Aki, from this eternal farewell. A master can't show tears.
"..."
Aki, not grasping, looked blankly up at me.
Something similar yet different.
That day, I knew what to say but couldn't. Now, Aki wants to say something but doesn't know what must be said.
I didn't want Aki feeling that same regret.
'Watch me, Aki.'
I first clasped hands in gassho.
Then mouthed what Aki should say, gave her back a light push.
"Stay healthy dat."
Celine aimed for a stoic farewell, preserving a master's dignity.
If her first disciple hadn't clasped hands in respectful gassho...
It all crumbled there.
Brief silence, then Celine whirled, hugging Aki tight.
[Two hours until fleet departure. Those not yet boarded, bring your ticket to the designated rowboats...]
She held on until this announcement echoed at the docks.
Some emotions can't be voiced, so she clung to that final warmth.
Too young, Aki didn't grasp her master's tears but patted her back anyway.
'You're far better than me, Aki.'
Past shadows overlaid the scene, a wistful smile forming.
Back then, why was a simple thank-you so hard... How lifelong the regret.
Hand on Celine's shoulder, I gave sincere thanks.
"Thanks for teaching Aki well, Celine."
"Thanks are mine. For entrusting Aki to me that day, truly..."
Last things Celine handed me: two hair ties and Thiên Hoa robes.
"Aki likes twintails? These make it easy."
Celine waved as we rowed to the fleet on the distant horizon.
And surely, even after we vanished beyond, she stood waving blankly.
As Dean Aunt did, per big senior brother's letter.
And surely, if I were sending off Tureina, I'd have done the same.
Are all masters' hearts alike?
"Why Master cry dat? Sea wind stingy dat?"
Aki, watching fading docks and Celine, turned and asked.
No answer would do, so I paused rowing, placed a hat on her head.
Summer dawn spread over the horizon. Past dawns, invisible, overlapped it.
That farewell dawn, chest-tightening whenever recalled...
"Aki, memorize that dawn. It'll help you meet Celine again someday."
This memory will surely be sad, heart-aching.
But.
It'll warm a corner of your heart, a sturdy soul's pillar...
"Pray this memory supports your immortal journey, Aki."
Watching Aki feels like gazing into a past mirror.
The present mirror reflects only, unchangeable. The past one differs.
I can teach it what I couldn't do then, what I should have...
"Ah."
Perhaps that's a parent's heart.
And perhaps.
That was Dean Aunt's heart toward me.
"Yeah, so this is how you felt..."
Paths unseen in books appear, and one walks them. Beyond intellect's horizon, toward truth.
Socrafres.
- Inheriting 'unique magic' research progress from surrounding environment.
- Progress: 76.7% => 79.8%.
Recalling Aunt and Alakish's smiles, Aki rested her chin on my shoulder, grinning wide.
"Then Aki watch with Papa dat!"
"Why?"
"So Papa meet Master later toooo?"
Whatever delighted her, she giggled.
So I just smiled.
With Aki, I forget all sorrow, laugh like the old boy. Still don't know why.
I'll know when I reach truth.