Chapter 25: Graduation (2)

The day after the mission is a rest day.

However, we don't just lounge around. We sleep enough to recover from fatigue and start light training in the afternoon.

As usual, I write reports and loosen up with Denif in the training ground when Orhen returns.

He waves at us from a distance, and his face doesn't look too bad.

'Good thing.'

A few days ago, he was quite shocked, but it seems he has somewhat composed himself.

Of course, he's not really okay.

Just because we're spies doesn't mean we don't grieve over the death of a relative or colleague.

We just get used to it or don't show it.

Moreover, we haven't experienced such deaths ourselves.

Orhen's eyes weren't red, but his puffy eyelids suggested he was still suffering.

"Um... Hi. Are you, are you okay?"

"Yeah."

Denif greeted him awkwardly. That's not good. In times like these, you should treat them as usual.

There's no right answer, but it's based on personal experience. When I was in college, a friend's father passed away.

Even if it's a nanny, to Orhen, she must have been like a parent. It must be similar.

I smiled lightly and waved.

"Did you have a good trip?"

"Yeah. I heard Kallin and Denif were fine. Still, I feel bad for not being able to participate."

"Don't worry about it. It wasn't a difficult mission."

I patted Orhen's shoulder lightly.

It's good to give such light comfort while treating him as usual. It seemed to work; Orhen smiled gently.

"Yeah... Thanks."

"You've worked hard. Go inside and rest."

"No, I've rested enough. I met Marhan too. I need to train."

His firm words made me look at him for a moment. Suddenly, I thought:

Maybe Orhen is training because he misses people.

- I don't want to see people, but I miss them.

That's what a friend who lost his father said, drunk as a skunk.

Denif is the same, but Orhen only has us to rely on, besides the Duke and Marhan.

"Alright. Um, since the weather is nice, how about a 30-minute break?"

"Suddenly? What's up with you?"

Denif perked up at my words. He loves to play.

Of course, he still works hard. His competitive spirit makes him follow whatever I do.

"Since we won't have many more days like this together."

"True."

Denif nodded, but Orhen's expression darkened slightly. I realized my mistake.

I quickly changed the topic.

"Let's rest under that tree. I'll get some water."

I tried to spend time with Orhen, but I ended up saying something wrong.

I didn't realize that for someone who has lost someone, another form of farewell could be difficult.

Feeling guilty, I returned with the water. Denif was saying something silly, and Orhen was smiling brightly.

I was relieved. It seemed Denif had fixed my mistake.

'He does come through when needed.'

Denif often makes jokes, but he's a great mood maker when needed.

After getting used to his jokes, I often laugh and think, 'This crazy guy.'

"Kallin, you're going to the Empire, right?"

"Yeah, definitely."

As I handed him the water and sat on the bench, Denif asked. Going to the Empire is essential.

The beginning of Haisen's downfall and the princess are there. Denif tilted his head.

"I really don't get it. Why the Empire?"

"There's a lot to learn in a tough place."

"I get that, but it's dangerous. It's far and the culture is different."

"Don't you know? I'm just drawn to the Empire."

"Really, you have a strange streak of determination. Right?"

Denif nodded at my words.

Everyone knows I want to join the spy unit in the Empire.

Denif kept asking as graduation approached.

I had no reason to hide it, so I told him, and Denif said he hadn't decided yet.

I think he's hesitating because of me and Orhen.

We've always spent time together, so he might want to go to the same place.

Orhen has a place he wants to go, but he won't tell Denif, saying it's a secret.

'Well, everyone will do well wherever they go.'

Mohen and Rekon. I still remember the kids who graduated three years ago.

We are stronger than they were then.

Assuming the standards are the same, we can choose our desired places without any problems.

Hmm. Come to think of it, there are no new kids joining us.

Maybe they couldn't find any talented kids? It's not a big deal.

I asked Denif.

"Still haven't decided?"

"No, I'm thinking about it. Orhen, what about you?"

Denif turned to Orhen.

"Can you tell us now?"

"Maybe."

Orhen looked up at the sky. His contemplative gaze seemed distant, like the sky reflected in his eyes.

Suddenly, I had a hunch.

If he has a place he wants to go, there's probably a reason, like me.

Connecting it to the recent news about his nanny, a picture forms.

'If Orhen was from a noble family somewhere...'

Would he want to go back to that place? Maybe to seek revenge, like Denif in the game.

It could be Haisen, the Empire, or another kingdom.

I wasn't particularly worried. After all, the Duke brought him here, so he must have a plan.

Denif urged him.

"Come on, tell us. I need to decide too."

"Are you really hesitating because of me?"

"Of course."

Orhen's question made Denif nod.

Indeed, my guess was right. Denif wanted to stay with us...

"You're not going to the same place as us."

...No, he's not. I scratched my cheek, feeling awkward.

Orhen, who had a slightly disappointed look, hid his expression and asked.

"Why not the same place?"

"I want to become incredibly strong and surpass you guys."

"You're already the strongest, Denif."

"Think about Kallin's strange days."

Denif calls my good days 'strange days.'

As I told the Duke, it's not a yearly cycle but happens about once every six months.

Come to think of it, I've grown a lot. The first day I held a sword, I lost to Denif...

Now, on my good days, it's not hard for me to beat Denif.

"I'll become overwhelmingly strong. I'll become the youngest deputy leader and leader faster than you guys."

Denif looked at me and said.

I didn't quite understand, but I got the feeling.

If we're in the same place, one person will find it harder to rise.

Maybe he wants to go to his alma mater and show off his success.

I've never been to an alumni meeting, but I've heard about it.

I grinned and replied.

"But you know, becoming a deputy leader or leader isn't just about being good at fighting, right?"

"Of course. Hey, I'm just pretending to be dumb."

"What?"

"Really."

While we were talking, Orhen suddenly spoke.

"I'm going to Altre."

Altre?

Altre is one of the two kingdoms bordering Haisen.

"Altre?"

"Yeah."

"Why there?"

"Just because."

When Denif asked, I continued my earlier theory and was sure Orhen was from a noble family in Altre.

"Alright, then I'll go to Temerjan or Haisen."

"Which one do you prefer, Denif?"

"Hmm, probably Haisen. My father is nearby."

I also thought he would go to Haisen. He follows the Duke closely.

He probably went to Haisen in the game too.

"Seems like we've all decided."

"We're all going our separate ways."

Orhen's mutter was filled with deep regret. I couldn't go with him, though.

I have my plans, and Denif is determined. Orhen must have his own goals.

"We might meet again. We can do joint missions between spy units. It's not uncommon to transfer to other units for security reasons."

"I've heard that."

My words seemed to comfort Orhen, but he still looked regretful.

Only Denif was grinning.

"Alright, when we meet again, I'll show you that I'm the strongest, even on Kallin's strange days."

What an oblivious kid.

While I was scolding him in my head, Orhen chuckled and puffed out his chest.

"Denif is a fool. Why are you only focused on Kallin? I'm not going to sit still either."

"Really? Then challenge me."

Denif giggled, finding it cute.

Maybe Denif is better at cheering people up than me.

Hmm. It's a bit of a blow to my pride.

* * *

Time passed quickly.

There were no external missions, just days of training. The Duke didn't show up.

Marhan and Lena reviewed what we had learned so far, like Mohen and Rekon did in the past.

It was quite good.

It helped refresh the slightly faded memories.

Last night, Marhan told us that tomorrow is graduation.

I don't know what kind of test will be at this graduation, but fortunately, it's not one of my good days.

'I didn't expect it anyway.'

It just happened recently, so it won't come for at least six months.

We gathered at the training ground as usual. The Duke and the leaders and deputy leaders of the four spy units were waiting for us.

'Huh?'

I stood in front of Marhan, but the looks I was getting were unusual. The leaders and deputy leaders were looking at me with intense gazes.

I glanced between the atmosphere and me, trying to read the room. A man smiled.

"Phiri, is that him? The kid who noticed your presence."

"...What? Noticing your presence? What are you talking about?"

"Everyone already knows. Your reaction confirms it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Phiri has been caught a lot. By the kids."

The conversation was loud, as if for me to hear. They said 'kids,' but the atmosphere suggested otherwise.

While scolding Phiri, they were trying to make eye contact with me.

'Are they trying to recruit me with their eyes?'

I'm going to the Empire anyway, but it seems I've unintentionally gained popularity.

Orhen asked Denif if that man was who he thought it was.

Denif, who had already heard the story, nodded and playfully glared at me. It was a mix of jealousy and competitiveness.

I mouthed, 'What?' Why are so many people looking at me today?

At that moment, Phiri, who had been denying it, suddenly shouted.

"Marhan! Did Marhan tell you?"

"I didn't."

"Then how did they know?"

Phiri's words made the Duke wave his hand and interject.

"I did. I read the report."

"......Ah, how could you say that? Dad, you're embarrassing me."

Wait? Daughter?

As far as I know, the Duke doesn't have any biological children. So Phiri must be a fellow student.

I had heard there were others before us, and one of them must be Phiri.

The Duke laughed.

"Good information should be shared. Besides, Kallin already has a place he wants to go, right?"

"Is that so? Hey. No, Kallin? Kallin, right? Kallin, do you have a place you want to go?"

Phiri looked at me and asked in a soft voice.

At the same time, the other leaders and deputy leaders looked at me with hopeful eyes.

I was thinking about how to respond when Phiri smiled.

"Come to the Empire. Okay? I'll really take good care of you."

The other leaders and deputy leaders chuckled.

"Can't you get good treatment elsewhere too?"

"True."

It was half a joke, half serious.

"Come on, I'll really take good care of you. Better than these people."

Her tone and eyes were a mix of annoyance. I felt I should say something before the situation got worse.

We'll be working together soon anyway. I slowly opened my mouth.

"Um. I..."