A few days passed, and the time to leave Barbatos Academy to head to the Rowan Tribe had come.
In the distance, a giant flying Manta Ray, escorted by several smaller ones, steadily flew toward Barbatos Academy to pick up Cai, Lux, Iris, and Keane.
The one leading this escort mission was none other than Xander's father, Hector, who was a Ranker that belonged to the Rowan Tribe.
After everything that happened inside the Sacred Dungeon, they decided that it would be best to escort their High Priestess back to the Rowan Tribe, instead of letting her travel back without people protecting her.
The relationship of the Rowan Tribe with the Six Kingdoms was relatively smooth on the surface, but Cai's grandfather, Maximilian, didn't want to take any chances and sent Hector as insurance.
"It has been a while, Hector," Alexander said as soon as the Giant Manta Ray landed at the gates of the Academy. "From what I've heard, you've been quite busy as of late."
"Indeed," Hector replied with a smile. "But my workload is nothing compared to the Headmaster of Barbatos Academy. I'm sure that I'd probably quit after a week of being in your shoes."
A faint smile appeared on Alexander's face as he chatted with one of Maximilian's most trusted subordinates.
"Is there any news from the Six Kingdoms?" Alexander wondered.
Hector shook his head. "The only thing I'm sure of is that they are preparing to challenge the Gate of Famine. Of course, whether they can succeed or not is another matter."
"They are getting impatient."
"Well, I can't really blame them. Their representatives made a lot of bad decisions in the previous campaign."
Hector smirked before giving the Half-Elf a side-long glance.
Cai and Keane had already decided to stick with Lux through thick and thin, so he was sure that the two would not participate in the exploration of the Gate of Famine unless the Half-Elf was going too.
"Well then, I won't keep you here for long," Alexander stated as he handed a communication crystal to Hector. "Make sure to get in touch when they make any unforeseen moves."
Hector nodded and promised to keep Alexander updated if he discovered something amiss.
"Come sit here next to me, Iris," Cai said as she summoned a seating cushion for her best friend, who would be accompanying them back to her tribe.
"Okay," Iris replied and sat beside the Boar. "I hope that Grandpa Maximilian is doing well."
"Gramps is still hale and hearty," Cai commented. "He won't die even if he is killed."
Iris giggled because she found Cai's confidence in her grandpa quite amusing. However, she could understand what her best friend was talking about because she felt the same way toward her father, who was also a Saint.
Lux and Keane sat a few meters away from Cai and Iris, giving the two girls some space to chat with each other.
Joining them was none other than Xander, who had mostly recovered from the injuries he received from the Gate of Conquest.
"When are you planning to go back to the Domain of the Fallen?" Xander inquired as he sat beside Lux and Keane.
"A month or two from now," Lux replied. "Perhaps, I'll take it easy and stretch it into two months."
Xander nodded. "That might be for the best. Right now, you should strengthen yourself to the fullest. My father has also advised me to not participate in any expeditions for the time being."
Keane, who was listening to his two friends, calmly sipped some water from his jug before commenting.
"I feel sorry for Einar and Val," Keane commented. "Since they are the only ones left available that can enter the Domain of the Fallen, they will surely be pestered by the Six Kingdoms."
Lux and Xander exchanged a glance and gave each other knowing smiles. They were certain that Einar and Val would not be stupid enough to challenge the Fate of Famine on their own, especially after what they had experienced in the Gate of Conquest.
Hector glanced at the teenagers who were happily chatting with each other before signaling his mount to take flight.
"We'll take our leave, Alex," Hector said as he bid his farewell to the Saint, who was also their tribe's mightiest ally. "I'll keep an eye on your kids for you."
"Good." Alex nodded. "Lux is a troublemaker, so I apologize in advance if he causes trouble for your tribe during his stay."
Hector laughed after hearing Alex's words. If the Half-Elf really did cause trouble for their tribe, the one who would deal with the red-headed teenager was not him, but their Tribe Chief, Maximilian, himself.
"I will applaud him if he has the guts to do that," Hector commented after he finished his laughter. "Farewell, Alex."
"Farewell," Alexander replied. "See you at the conference."
Hector gave the Headmaster of the Academy a thumbs up before urging his Mount to return to their tribe.
The Giant Manta Ray then slowly rose to the air, and let out a soft hum before flying towards the West, where the Rowan Tribe was currently located.
Alexander and Alicia watched them go and only returned inside the academy when the Rowan Tribe's envoy was no longer in their sight.
—-----------
Wildgarde Stronghold…
"Are you sure about this, Nero?" Rainer asked his disciple with a solemn expression on his face.
"Yes, Master," Nero replied. "I will resign from my position as Guildmaster and leave the Wildgarde Stronghold."
"But why? Surely, you don't have to do this, right?"
"Master, I have already made my choice. Thank you for everything that you have done for me until now. If in the future, the Wildgarde Stronghold will face a danger that they can't handle on their own, I will be sure to lend a hand. Goodbye, Master."
Nero bowed his head respectfully towards Rainer before turning around to walk towards the portal that would send him to Elysium.
There was nothing waiting for him in Solais anymore, so the only place he could thrive was Elysium.
Also, he had received a letter from Aron, inviting him to the Vahan Empire.
Nero wasn't stupid, so he knew what the High Ranker was planning. There was only one reason why Emperor Andreas' right-hand man would extend an invitation to him, and the brown-haired teenager found this funny.
'You plan to use me as a tool to fight against Lux,' Nero mused as he stepped into the portal. 'Let's see who will be using who. I am no cannon fodder.'
The Prodigy of the Wildgarde Stronghold no longer had anything to lose.
He lost his home, his pride, and his Abyssal Power when the Half-Elf defeated him in their duel.
However, there was one thing that he didn't lose, and that was his resolve to stand at the peak and look down upon the world that had tried to take everything from him.
To his surprise, he felt as if a great burden had been lifted off his shoulders as soon as he appeared in Elysium.
Now that he had left all of his attachments behind, including his grudge against Lux, he felt as if the world had started to look a little more beautiful in his eyes.
