Vol. 5 Ch. 92

Over a month had passed since Mevis’s abrupt departure.

The academy assigned Noa a new instructor.

Just like before, the teacher was a one-on-one mentor with a distinct personality—cold, stern, and commanding, much like Mevis. It was as if the academy deliberately chose someone similar, perhaps to provoke Noa’s dislike for that type of instructor.

The new teacher was equally skilled, yet they were not Mevis.

Despite the change, Noa dedicated herself fully to her training. Her discipline remained unwavering, as if she believed Mevis might be watching her from the shadows.

She caused no trouble for the new instructor and never questioned the academy’s decision to replace Mevis.

Day after day, Noa maintained her strict routine: eating, sleeping, spending time with her sisters, and training—relentlessly.

Her gaze, however, had grown quieter, more distant. Only in the company of her sisters did the faintest trace of a smile appear.

Moon and Aurora noticed.

They knew why their sister had become like this.

Mevis’s departure had been a blow not just to Noa, but to them as well.

Even though they weren’t Mevis’s direct students, her presence in Noa’s life had naturally brought her into theirs.

Moon adored Mevis. Who wouldn’t love a beautiful, strong older sister who always praised her baking, no matter how it turned out? "Delicious," Mevis would always say.

Aurora liked her too. Mevis would laugh at her harmless pranks and shield her when others got upset, saying, "Leave it to me to handle." Once everyone left, she’d gently reprimand Aurora with a smile: "Don’t do that again."

Above all, Mevis gave them a warmth that felt not like a mere friendship, but something deeper, something inherently kind.

And then she was gone.

Without a word, leaving only three letters behind.

Moon had cried for hours when she found out.

But as time passed and their sorrow ebbed, the dragon sisters accepted the reality.

"She’s different from our sister," they reasoned.

"If Noa were Mevis, she wouldn’t have left after nearly two years together."

Still, the two resolved:

"We’ll make Noa happy again! Like before!"

Moon stood with hands on her hips, her little tail wagging with determination.

Aurora, lying on the grass in front of her, scratched her head.

"So, do you have an actual plan, third sister?"

"Emmm… no!"

Aurora fell back into the grass, arms stretched wide, staring at the clear blue sky with her pink eyes.

"Forget it, third sister. Captain always said, ‘You can’t just decide to make someone happy. These things take time.’ Noa needs to find her own way out."

Rarely had the goddess of mischief herself been stumped.

Moon pouted, sitting down beside her. Her tail drooped as she began picking at blades of grass in frustration.

"But I don’t want to see her like this. If Noa isn’t happy, I’m not happy."

The two sisters lay there, deflated, staring up at the sky.

Suddenly, the sunlight on their faces was blocked by a figure. A familiar, flowing blue presence entered their vision.

"Helena!" Moon exclaimed, her eyes widening. "What are you doing here?"

Helena smiled softly and sat down gracefully, her legs tucked neatly behind her.

"I came to ask if you’ve thought of a way to cheer Noa up."

The dragon sisters raised their hands, then waved them in defeat, replying in unison:

"Nope"

"Do you have an idea, Helena?" Aurora asked.

Helena scratched her temple, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"I have an idea, but it’s more of an opportunity than a solution."

Moon and Aurora shot up like springs, leaning in eagerly.

"What’s the opportunity?"

"Next week, the academy will hold a fireworks festival to celebrate the start of the long holiday. Before Mevis left, she promised Noa they’d watch the fireworks together."

Helena hesitated, then continued, "I thought… maybe seeing the fireworks might cheer Noa up a little."

"Really? Then we have to take Noa to see them!" Moon said excitedly.

Aurora, however, furrowed her brow.

"But what if it backfires? What if seeing the fireworks just makes her miss Mevis even more?"

Helena sighed.

"That’s why I said it’s an opportunity, not a guarantee. She’ll go, not just for the fireworks, but to remember Mevis. Whether she finds closure or feels worse afterward… no one can say."

Aurora fell silent, her usual cleverness offering no solutions.

Moon, however, refused to give up.

"We’ll find a way! Three dragon sisters are better than one genius!"

Aurora and Helena exchanged skeptical glances.

"Second sister, where did you even hear that saying? It’s terrible."

Helena chuckled softly, closing her eyes. "All we can do now is wait for the fireworks festival."

A week later, St. Heath’s Academy held its grand fireworks festival on the eve of the holiday.

Moon held Noa’s hand, with Aurora and Helena trailing behind, as they headed to the field early to secure the best viewing spot.

The fireworks hadn’t started yet, and the principal was giving a speech. It was the usual fare: "Enjoy your break, but don’t slack off. Stay safe and listen to your parents."

Finally, the speech ended, and the festival began.

The first firework shot into the sky, bursting with a crack into the academy’s crest. Cheers erupted from the crowd.

"The principal really outdoes himself every year," someone remarked.

"Yeah! I heard this year’s finale will be even fancier!"

Fireworks continued to light up the sky, forming various cute shapes that reflected in the students’ beaming faces.

"Look, Noa! That big dragon is from your youth division!" Moon tugged at her sister’s hand, pointing excitedly.

Noa nodded faintly, offering a small "Mm" in reply.

She smiled and watched with her sisters and Helena. She was happy.

But…

Noa’s gaze dropped to the empty seat beside her.

The person who had promised to watch the fireworks with her wasn’t there.

She clenched her hands briefly, then pushed the thought away. She wouldn’t ruin the mood for her sisters. At least, not until the festival ended.

"Look at that rose firework! So pretty!"

"Yeah, but isn’t it all just red and yellow? Kind of boring."

"True… when will they make fireworks in other colors?"

As the colorful explosions continued, the light illuminated Noa’s face, her forced smile slipping. Her mind wandered back to a memory.

"Noa, let’s watch the fireworks together at the end of the term, okay?"

"Okay, teacher!"

"What kind of fireworks do you want to see?"

"Emmm… Fire ones are boring. I want thunder ones! Dad made ‘Happy Birthday’ for Mom once, and it was amazing!"

"Wow, you’ve got some good ideas."

"Hehe~"

They’d made a promise.

So why had Mevis broken it? Why had she left without saying goodbye?

Who knew when—or if—they’d ever meet again?

Noa blinked away her thoughts. She hadn’t been this sentimental before.

Feelings were exhausting. Was this what Mevis had meant by "adult regrets"?

Sensing Noa’s growing melancholy, Moon and Aurora exchanged glances and quickly stepped in.

"It’s getting cold, Noa. Let’s go back."

"Huh? Aren’t we staying for the rest?"

"We can watch the replay later with the recording stone. Let’s head back now."

"Okay…"

Just as the sisters turned to leave, the vice principal’s voice boomed over the field.

"Everyone, before we conclude tonight’s festival, there’s one final firework! This one was a special gift from a mysterious friend, dedicated to one of our students. The message accompanying it reads: ‘Wishing you a bright future.’"

Noa stopped in her tracks, turning slowly.

An orange-yellow firework shot into the sky like a spear piercing the darkness.

It soared high before exploding into a dazzling display of blue light, casting a radiant glow over the field and Noa’s face.

"Wow! Thunder fireworks! They’re so rare and beautiful!"

"Whoever sent this must be amazing! Thunder magic is so hard to use for fireworks."

Noa stared at the sky, the lightning intertwining with the brilliant display.

Finally, she closed her eyes, a soft smile gracing her lips.

"Thank you, Mevis."

Far away, atop a mountain, a shadowy figure stood on a treetop, watching the fireworks.

Her long hair swayed in the wind as she turned slightly, her voice a faint whisper.

"This was our promise, Noa."

With that, she disappeared into the night.