The morning sunlight filled the academy courtyard in a way that made everything look calmer than it really was. Students were spread out in loose groups, some chatting about recent events, others focused on their own routines. It was one of those weekends that didn't feel like a weekend because everyone knew something big was on the horizon, but no one wanted to be the first to bring it up.

Arios walked across the courtyard with Lucy and Liza on both sides of him. None of them were in a rush. It wasn't that they had something important to do, but rather the opposite. They finally had time to breathe, and after the entire dungeon exam arc, they needed a day that didn't involve monsters, traps, or someone trying to sabotage them from the shadows.

They crossed a row of benches where some first-years were arguing over a deck of spell cards. Someone shouted about the rules, another claimed cheating, and a third dropped their whole pouch of tokens on the ground. Lucy slowed down to glance at them.

"They always argue about that game," she said.

"It's because none of them actually read the rulebook," Liza replied. "They play however they want and just yell when someone does something unexpected."

Arios shrugged. "That's every card game I've seen here."

They kept walking until they reached the small garden path that curved around the outer training field. The academy staff maintained this area well. Flowers, trimmed hedges, and the quiet sound of moving water from a small fountain in the center made it feel separate from the chaos of the courtyard.

Lucy moved ahead and stretched her arms. "It feels too peaceful. I almost forgot the academy still has exams left."

"We all did," Liza said, walking behind her. "Even though they keep sending those reminder notices."

Arios remembered the notices—short sentences sent magically to every dorm reminding students of "final assessment preparations" and "mandatory assembly soon." They didn't specify what exam, but everyone already knew the rumor: a final exam on a private island used only for special events.

They hadn't received official confirmation yet, but the clues were obvious.

Lucy turned around and walked backward while looking at Arios. "Do you think it's true? The private island thing?"

"It's probably true," Arios said. "The academy owns multiple isolated locations. They've used them before. This wouldn't be new."

Liza tapped her finger against her arm. "If it's an island, it means survival elements. Or at least something close to that."

Lucy frowned. "I don't like the way you said that."

"You'll be fine," Liza said. "We've done worse together."

"Not comforting."

Arios watched them go back and forth with a small sigh. Their group had grown even closer over the last few months, especially after the dungeon incident. They were used to each other's rhythms now—Lucy's worrying, Liza's overly blunt comments, and Arios stepping in between them whenever they started pushing too far.

They walked until they reached the shade of a larger tree behind the training fields. Students usually gathered here to rest after practice, but today it was empty. Lucy sat down first, brushing off a few leaves from the bench. Arios sat next to her, and Liza sat on his other side, resting her elbows on the backrest.

Lucy looked at the sky for a long moment before speaking. "Do you think they'll announce the final exam soon?"

"It should be sometime this week," Arios said. "They'll want to give basic instructions before sending us out."

Liza leaned forward. "You sound sure."

"It's not hard to guess," Arios said. "They delayed the mid-term reports because of the investigation with instructor Garron. So they'll want to wrap things up cleanly before the semester resets."

Lucy pulled her knees together and clasped her hands. "I guess that makes sense."

A small breeze moved across the field, brushing through their hair. A few leaves dropped from the tree above them.

Liza scooted a little closer. "Anything bothering you about it?"

Arios leaned back. "Not bothering. Just anticipating. We don't know the exam format yet."

Lucy let out a long breath. "I hope it's not another dungeon."

"It won't be," Liza said confidently. "If it's on an island, the layout will be open. They won't trap us indoors again."

Lucy relaxed slightly at that.

The three of them sat there quietly for a while. Students walked past occasionally, chatting or laughing, but the noise stayed far enough away. It felt like a small moment carved out for them alone.

After a few minutes, Liza broke the silence again.

"What do you want to do today?"

Lucy tilted her head. "I don't know. We've been doing training or studying for weeks. Maybe something normal."

"Normal for us?" Liza asked. "Or normal for actual students?"

Lucy gave her a flat expression. "Normal for regular students."

"So not fighting," Liza said. "Not running. Not climbing. Not sparring."

"Exactly."

Arios rested his hand against the bench. "We could walk around the upper courtyard. They have small booths for weekend snacks."

Lucy perked up a bit. "That sounds good."

Liza nodded. "Fine by me."

They stood up again and began walking back toward the main path. Lucy walked slightly ahead, turning every few steps to make sure they were following. Liza kept her hands behind her head, looking relaxed. Arios walked between them, listening to their occasional short comments about random things they passed by.

When they reached the upper courtyard, a few stalls were already open. A snack vendor sold crispy bread rolls filled with meat. Another offered roasted corn with spices. Students lined up lazily, chatting while waiting.

Lucy immediately gravitated toward the aroma. "I want the bread rolls."

"You always do," Liza said.

"And? They're good."

Arios stood in line with them. When they reached the front, Lucy ordered first, then looked toward Arios as if expecting him to tell her it was too much food. But he didn't say anything. She blinked, then looked away awkwardly.

Liza nudged him. "You're supposed to say something like, 'Are you sure you can finish all that?'"

"I don't need to," Arios said.

Lucy glared lightly at him. "Why not?"

"Because you'll finish it."

Liza laughed loudly. Lucy's cheeks turned faintly red.

They moved to a stone railing overlooking the small stream that ran beneath the courtyard. Students liked to stand there and eat because it was cooler and the sound of moving water was calming.

Lucy took a bite from her bread roll and nearly closed her eyes from satisfaction. Liza snatched a piece from her other roll without asking. Lucy shouted at her, and Liza ate it calmly, pretending nothing happened. Arios watched them quietly, finishing his own food.

After eating, they stayed there longer than necessary. Students walked behind them, some talking about the upcoming final exam, others simply going about their day.

Lucy leaned on the railing. "There's so much talk about the island exam. If it's that important, they should just announce it already."

"They will," Arios said. "Probably tomorrow or the day after."

Liza stretched her arms. "Whatever it is, we're ready. There's nothing they can throw at us that we haven't dealt with already."

Lucy puffed her cheeks. "Don't say things like that. It sounds like you're begging the academy to prove you wrong."

Arios nodded. "It does sound like that."

Liza looked at the two of them. "I didn't mean it that way. I just meant… we handled the last exam. So this should be manageable."

Lucy tapped her fingers on the railing. "As long as it doesn't separate us again."

The conversation died down. They all remembered the trap that split them apart in the dungeon. Lucy's worry wasn't exaggerated. Arios noticed that she spoke more quietly when the subject came up, almost as if she was scared even bringing it up would cause it to happen again.

Liza glanced at her before speaking softly. "They won't pull that trick again. Not in a standard academy exam."

Lucy seemed relieved at the reassurance.

Arios looked toward the sky. It was clear—no clouds, steady sunlight, mild warmth. A peaceful day, despite everything. That peace was fragile, though. He could tell. The academy was preparing for something. The staff movements were tighter. The notices were more frequent. Even Damien and the council seemed more active behind the scenes.

A final exam on a private island wouldn't be ordinary. That much was guaranteed.

After a while, Lucy turned from the railing. "Let's walk more. I don't want to stay in one spot all day."

They walked around the courtyard, passing the fountain, the statue of the academy's founder, the announcements board filled with flyers for clubs and events. Everything felt normal, and yet, the tension under the surface made it clear this peace wouldn't last long.

When they passed a small open practice area where some first-years were training basic movement spells, Lucy stopped.

"Remember when we used to practice here?" she said.

Liza smirked. "You mean when you used to lose your balance every five minutes?"

Lucy glared. "I don't lose my balance anymore."

Arios nodded. "You improved a lot."

Lucy brightened a little at that.

Liza crossed her arms. "And what about me?"

"You also improved," Arios said plainly.

Liza stared at him. "I can't tell if that's supposed to be a compliment."

"It is."

She accepted it anyway.

They continued walking, making small talk, pointing out random things around the academy. Nothing important happened, but that was the whole point. After everything, they needed a day without danger or stress.

Eventually, they found themselves near the library steps. Students walked in and out, carrying books or rushing with scrolls. The library was always busy at this time, especially with upcoming exams.

Lucy stopped halfway up the steps. "Do we… want to go inside?"

Liza shrugged. "If you want."

Arios nodded. "We can."

They entered the library. Tall shelves, endless rows of books, students whispering in corners—it was the same as always. The three of them browsed the aisles casually. Lucy looked for books related to survival spells. Liza skimmed through weapon manuals. Arios wandered through the archive section, not looking for anything specific.

After nearly half an hour, they regrouped near the front desk.

Lucy hugged a book to her chest. "I found something useful."

Liza held two manuals. "These might help with coordination drills."

Arios held nothing. Lucy stared at him. "You didn't pick anything?"

"I was just looking."

Liza shook her head. "He reads everything and remembers it all anyway."

Lucy looked impressed. "It must be nice being like that."

Arios didn't respond.

They left the library and walked down the stone path back toward the courtyard. The sky was starting to shift toward late afternoon. Students still wandered the grounds, but some were heading back to their dorms already.

Lucy slowed her pace again. "I know we're not supposed to worry yet, but… when they announce the exam, I hope they give enough time to prepare."

"They will," Arios said. "The academy wants us to succeed."

Liza raised a brow. "Do they?"

Arios paused. "They want us to survive. That's good enough."

Lucy sighed.

They kept walking until they reached the garden path again. This time, they didn't sit. They simply walked slowly through it, savoring the break from everything. Lucy occasionally picked small flowers and spun them between her fingers. Liza walked with her hands in her pockets, looking bored but calm. Arios watched the path, the plants, the faint movements of students in the distance.

When they eventually reached the dorm area, Lucy turned toward Arios.

"Do you want to hang out more? Or go rest?"

Arios looked at both of them. "We can stay out longer."

Liza smirked. "Good choice."

They didn't do anything special. They wandered the academy grounds, talked about nothing important, ate small snacks, watched other students train, and simply enjoyed time without danger. The entire day was slow, quiet, ordinary.

And yet, all three of them felt the same thing underneath:

The next exam was coming.

And it would change everything.

Even if none of them said it out loud

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