Graduation

Covered in blood and visceral, Will stepped out from the underground dungeon to Elder Thaddeus' cottage.

"Elder Thaddeus! I did it! I'm a Master Spellsword," Will exclaimed after appearing in his old loft room.

Will ran downstairs, into Elder Thaddeus's corner study where Elder Thaddeus was reading a book on his rocking chair. Elder Thaddeus wore a gray sweater vest, and a checkered blanket sat on his lap.

"Congratulations," Elder Thaddeus smiled.

Nisha purred and rubbed her body against Archimedes'.

Will told Elder Thaddeus the story of entering the forest, attacking the Goblin Forest, fighting the necromancer, reverting the altar, and escaping from the Kobold army.

"Well done. But you still need to consolidate your rank first. Quickly sit on the floor and meditate. Focus on your mana whirlpool, see the turbulent water, focus on settling the water and consolidating your mana," Elder Thaddeus closing his book.

After a few hours, Will's magical aura stabilized. Will flexed his aura, he felt it exude strength.

"A master below the age of 20. Ha-ha, what a good disciple I selected. You are my greatest discovery. I'm so proud of you," Elder Thaddeus said petting Archimedes.

"Thank you, master!" Will bowed.

"Go home and clean up. Then head to Elizabeth's graduation. While you're there be sure to report your rank change to the Mage Guild and your Guardian Guild.

Remember all mages and knights must report their rank promotions to their respective guilds within 48 hours.

The kingdom keeps a registry of all knights and mages ranks," Elder Thaddeus said.

"I didn't know that?" Will said momentarily stunned.

"When you were a student, the academies were responsible for reporting your ranks," Elder Thaddeus said.

Will respectfully bowed goodbye to Elder Thaddeus before running to his house to bathe and change clothes.

…

Elizabeth sat nervously in the drawing-room of her house speaking to her family. Her father, mother, sisters, and brother had all come to watch her graduation ceremony.

Yet, all Elizabeth could think about was whether Will was alive. It had been two weeks since she last received a letter from him.

Sasha stood against the wall, next to the duchess' maid. She too was worried about Elizabeth's emotional state.

In Fermion, it was said a woman's maid in waiting was a lady's best friend. That was certainly true for Elizabeth and Sasha.

Sasha knew how Elizabeth stayed up late and worried. She knew how many midnight therapy sessions Elizabeth had called her into Elizabeth's room.

However, Sasha was not the only one who could tell Elizabeth was secretly worried. Mothers have a keen eye and intuition toward their children.

A woman newly in love has a fragile heart, as the saying goes. Charlotte remembered being in Elizabeth's shoes. She also knew the solution to fix such a problem.

"The spies tell me Will's fine, has he spoken to you already," Helen lied, it was a small lie to put her daughter at ease.

"Oh, father is it true?" Elizabeth said excitedly.

The quick change of conversation had thrown Duke Francis vont Whitby.

He planned to speak truthfully until he caught his wife's eye. She starred at him like she was trying to burrow into his head through his eyes. The Duke had seen this expression of hers and knew what it meant.

"Yes, he's fine," the Duke said confidently selling the lie.

"See dear, I told you he's fine. Nothing can harm that husband of yours. I bet he's rushing to get here now," Helen flat out lied.

"Thank you mother, that puts my heart at rest. I was so nervous these past two weeks," Elizabeth confessed.

Now that her daughter's anxiousness subsided, Helen's anxiety increased.

Helen began praying to the primordial gods for Will's safe return and that he appear before the ceremony.

Just as her prayer finished there was a knock on the door. The entire drawing-room turned to see the new guests.

"Baron vont Ballard," announced the butler.

Helen briefly wondered if God's answered her prayers or if this was a coincidence. Regardless she promised to become more pious in the future.

"Greetings," Will said walking into the drawing-room and seeing the entire ducal family together for the first time.

Will bowed to the Duke and duchess before handing Elizabeth a bouquet of red roses from his garden. The roses Elizabeth had ordered the gardener she hired to plant when she stayed in Gadreel.

Elizabeth had to restrain herself from attacking Will. She desperately wanted to wrap herself in his embrace.

Thankfully, Will also fulfilled her wish. Will hugged her tightly until the Duke coughed.

Hearing the signal Will separated from Elizabeth and sat in an empty chair.

"Did your breakthrough?" Asked the duke's son, Francis II.

Will released his Master rank Spellsword aura out into the drawing-room.

"You did it!" exclaimed Duke Francis leaping from his chair.

"I did it," Will agreed.

"Quick tell us about your adventures, I want to know everything!" exclaimed the Duke.

Will recounted the story for a second time that day. When he got to the part about the necromancer, the room was shocked speechless.

"You defeated a necromancer?" Francis II asked in disbelief.

"If I hadn't broken through during the fight I might've died," Will say truthfully.

"Let's not speak of death on this wonderful day," Helen said pointedly.

"The duchess is right. Will, I'm sure you want to register your new rank as soon as possible. Hurry run to your guild and inform Marshall Rolf," the Duke instructed.

"Yes your grace," Will bowed and got up to leave.

"Elizabeth you may leave with Will. You all just reconnected, there's no need to separate you so soon. Baron, we'll also let your parents know you're here," the Dukes said politely.

"Thank you, your grace," Will bowed to the duchess and then escorted Elizabeth out the house and across the street to Knight Academy.

When Will and Elizabeth arrived at the Knight Academy to a flourish of activity.

It had been a year and a half since Will set foot on the Knight Academy campus. Many fond memories flood his mind.

Will and Elizabeth walked to the ornate pagoda on campus and walked to the top floor.

They were surprised to find a party! The entire Guardian Guild was celebrating on the floor.

When Evan saw Will he called the celebrations to pause.

"Stop the celebrations, stop the party. Everyone looked at who joined us today! It's due to leadership and bravery, like Baron vont Ballard, his brother, and other knights like him that we can celebrate being the top Guardian Guild's branch in the entire kingdom!" Evan said to thunderous applause.

Will thanked Evan for the introduction and applause. Will and Elizabeth were chatting until Grace and Sarah interrupted. They barged in and hugged Will.

"How have you been?" Will asked them.

"We're fine. Thanks to your efforts, being Quartermaster for a semester was easy. Sarah and I took a 3rd year onboard. We're training her to be the Quartermaster next year," Grace said.

"I'm glad I could be of service," Will said.

"Thanks for coming. A lot of us were wondering if you were going to make it today. I'm glad you came. You're a big part of the class!" Sarah hugged Will again.

"Ah look who came to claim the spotlight one last time," Vincent sneered but reach out to shake Will's hand.

"You know Vincent we may have our differences, but you're an alright guy. No matter how hard to try to be disagreeable, I see the real you. You're always welcome to stay in Gadreel as my guest," Will said shaking Vincent's hand.

"The reason you want to invite me is to upstage me!" Vincent complained and walked away.

"I don't know why you're always nice to him, he's never been nice to you!" Grace frowned.

"Will's nice to everyone…that might be a customer," Elizabeth joked. Grace and Anne laughed too.

"Why didn't you cadets tell me a Master ranked Knight was here?" Marshall Rolf admonished the party-goers.

"Will! You're already a Master Knight? No, you just recently broke through, didn't you?" Marshall Rolf read Will like an open book.

"Yes…" Will said wondering how he knew. But Will knew Marshall's were a step away from becoming generals.

"Show off," Vincent mouthed across the floor.

Will ignored Vincent, but the other celebrators marveled at Will, it made him feel uncomfortable.

"Follow me and let's update your record," Marshall Rolf said leading Will and Elizabeth to his office.

Once inside Will and Elizabeth stood, while Marshall Rolf sat at his desk.

"I can't believe you broke through to Master before your brother.

I can't believe you, broke your thought before you turned 20.

Maybe, I should have suspected since your Grandmaster Thaddeus disciple.

Alright, I update your record, Master Knight Will. Listen, I wanted to tell for a long time how proud I am to have instructed a knight of your caliber,"

said saluting Will.

"Thank you, Marshall Rolf it was a privilege to have you as my Guild Master," Will said returning the salute.

"Now hurry up and change, the deadline for 4th years is in half an hour. The graduation ceremony begins in an hour!" Marshall Rolf said shooing Will out of his office.

Elizabeth giggled. She had never seen someone bully Will this well.

In half an hour Will was dressed and in the Knight Academy Coliseum's where he used to battle for class position.

The 4th year cadets all sat in the waiting room, where they used to sit waiting for their names to be called before they went out to fight.

"Okay listen up! I need you all to stand and line up according to your 3rd-year positions," a staff attendant said.

When Will graduated from undergraduate and graduate school the staff made the graduates line up by the last name.

Back then he lined up in the middle, now he was first in line. Evan was second, Chloe was third, and on the line went. Everyone from his class was, there except for Anne.

On queue, music began playing and Will led the 4th year class from the waiting area to their seats on the coliseum's sandy floor.

After the 13th bell sounded, the instructors and Headmaster marched and sat on a raised wooden stage. Headmaster Abe walked up to the podium and began his address.

"Greetings to the Knights Academy. I welcome your parents and family to the graduation ceremony.

Today is a momentous occasion because today we celebrate the graduation of these fine cadets. These cadets have exemplified honor, sacrifice, and service to their country while attending this academy.

This is our 339th combat class. This is also the 17th class to participate in a war. Unlike previous years, no cadets perished or were imprisoned. We're thankful to see your children return safely to the academy.

After the war, I received reports from knights about our cadets on the battlefield. I'll summarize for brevity's sake. Over 30 letters spoke to our cadets' bravery and leadership. Ten letters addressed our cadets not losing morale. The king wrote me about our cadets' outstanding temperament and commitment to duty.

This year we saw three cadets taking leadership roles. When I call your name please stand and remain standing until all names have been called. Mark for leading his squadron of knights. Samuel for his leadership in the Intelligence Command Post, and Baron William vont Ballard who was the Army's Quartermaster for almost the entire duration of the war. Please give them a round of applause," Headmaster Abe sat down.

Then Marshall Rolf came to the podium.

"Headmaster Abe, instructors, family, and friends. It is my privilege to greet you today.

I have the honor to present and recommend the graduates of the Guardian's Guild. Guild members, please stand?

Headmaster Abe, I present these candidates for the graduation," Marshall Rolf said and then he returned to his seat.

One by one the other guilds presented their graduates to the headmaster.

Once the guild masters finished, Headmaster Abe returned to the podium.

"Acting on the recommendation of the Guild Masters concerned and by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the King Remus Albus Fermion IX, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree earned, with all of its rights, honors, and responsibilities. Congratulations Knights of Fermion!" Headmaster Abe said enthusiastically.

"Shall the candidates and please come forward to receive your official Knight certification!"

"Ranked first three years in a row and with the greatest contribution points in academy history Baron William vont Ballard, Lord of Gadreel!" Headmaster Abe shouted, like a sports announcer whose team won the World Cup.

Will stood up from his seat and walked across the podium to shake Headmaster Abe's hand.

From the platform, he could see Elizabeth sitting next to his crying mother. James vont Ballard smiled wide smile almost reached both ears. After receiving Knight Certificate, Will returned to his seat.

Quickly, the rest of Will's combat class was announced, walked across the stage, received their certificate, and return to their seats.

After all the certificates were conferred, Headmaster Abe said, "Let's congratulate all of today's Knight one more time. On behalf of the academy, I thank everyone for attending today and taking part in this wonderful ceremony.

Parents and guests, please remain seated during the recessional."

The Headmaster Abe left the podium with the marshals and teachers behind. Once the faculty and guild masters left, it was time for the knights to leave the coliseum for the last time. Will saw his status screen update:

Rank: 1 (Baron)/ Lord of Games/ Gaia's Champion

Class: Merchant

Sub Class: Spellsword Knight

Attributes:

Constitution—67

Strength—64

Dexterity—55

Intellect—71

Charisma—17

Ranks Skills: Management (60), Diplomacy (40), Accounting (52)

Class Skills: Appraisal (15, 100), [Radar]

Abilities: Master Swordsmanship (3, 75), Master Terramancer (5, 75), Gaia's Blessing (multiplies your spell strength x2), Journey Blacksmith (2, 50).

It was a bittersweet moment. Will could tell his classmates felt the same surreal sense he did. They had finally achieved their dream. No longer were they cadets, but knights of the kingdom.

The commoners like Mark, Evan, Grace could now apply for minor noble last names like Rupert.

After Will's graduation he met up with his family, he hugged his crying mother and smiling father.

After that, it was time to register as a Master Wizard and watch Elizabeth graduate. However once the Mage Academy found out Will was already at the rank of Master, Headmaster Wang allowed him to participate in the Mage Academy's graduation as well.

The graduation ceremony was similar except the light mages and elemental mages sat in two separate columns.