Their food came when they were talking.

Aston leaned back slightly as the butterfly shimmered one last time before folding its wings and going still, like a hairpin once again.

So that's what caused it.

It wasn't just illusions or the bust of light. The passive skill - Soft-Scale Scatter must have bent light around it just enough to throw the crystal's sensors.

The implications were interesting. He filed it away.

"Yours is kinda cheating," Rowan muttered with half a grin, stabbing his glazed root veggie. "Disappearing butterflies, light-bending wings… if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I'd think you just flicked glitter."

Seria chuckled softly. "Call it cheating all you want. It's only fair if it works."

Gray chirped in response, its tail flicking as it and Mirage picked at the grilled fish.

The rest of their meal passed with light talk. Rowan teased Seria about her "noble upbringing", which she refuted with mock indignation. Seria joked about Rowan's tendency to nervously overeat before big events. Aston mostly listened, his thoughts drifting now and then to the final trial.

Three days… it feels close… and distant…

Eventually, they stepped out into the setting sun. The gentle clink of plates and laughter from the inside faded behind them as they parted ways.

"Rest well, Seria said. "We'll need it."

"Don't spend all night overthinking," Rowan added with a smirk, nudging Aston's shoulder.

Aston nodded, "You too."

He walked with Gray perched lazily across his shoulder, the streets quieter now, while Mirage flew overhead. That night, he barely slept.

—

The next morning, the sun filtered through the window in Aston's room. Gray lay stretched out beside the window, belly-up.

Aston took his morning shower. When it was around eight in the morning, his phone rang.

Aston, now dressed, picked up his phone and received the call.

"Good morning, Aston. This is Grant. We're finishing the renovations of your home. Since you had moved into a hotel, the boys have quickly done the job. Do see us later around one in the afternoon before we leave for your final checking."

Aston brought the phone closer to his ear. "Good morning, Grant. That's great news. I'll be there before one."

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"Perfect. See you then," Grant said before ending the call.

Aston lowered his phone, staring at the black screen for a moment.

The thought settled like a quiet ripple in his chest. The renovations were finally complete. For days, it had felt like something distant, part of a future he'd deal with later. But now, it was real. No longer just a memory of scorched wood and hollow silence.

He exhaled lightly. A part of him was glad. Another part wasn't quite sure what to feel.

Gray stretched on the windowsill, blinking lazily in his direction.

Aston gave the cat a small smile. "Guess we're going home soon."

Gray rolled over in response, tail flicking like punctuation. Aston glanced at the time. Still early. He packed his bags, stored them in his pendant, and went downstairs for breakfast. They had a scrumptious meal before going to the front desk to check out.

"Sir, are you sure? You still have a few days remaining in your reservation. We will not be refunding the unconsumed days," the front desk attendant asked Aston.

"Yes, that's fine. We have somewhere else to be," said Aston.

"Okay, thank you for staying at Fairfax Hotel," the attendant smiled and bid goodbye to Aston's group.

They exited the hotel and went to Emberlight Emporium.

The familiar scent of herbs, oils, and faint metal greeted Aston as he stepped into the shop. The place was just opening, sunlight spilling through the tall front windows and casting long shadows across the counter.

Behind it, Rufus was arranging a set of vials on the shelf when he looked up, and blinked in surprise.

"Well, well," he said, rubbing his eyes dramatically. "Is it the afternoon already? Or has time folded in on itself?"

Aston gave him a small smile. "Morning, boss."

Rufus stepped out from behind the counter, his apron already dusted with traces of powder. "Your shift doesn't start until this afternoon, you know."

"I know. I'm not here for work."

Rufus tilted his head. "Then… the exam?" He gave a careful nod, his tone gentler. "Hey, listen. If things didn't work out, that's okay. You gave it your all. The world's not gonna end."

Aston shook his head. "It's not that. I passed."

Rufus blinked. "You? Well, of course, you did," he said quickly, trying to act unsurprised but clearly failing to hide the pride flickering across his face.

"That's my boy. Knew you had it in you."

Aston nodded, then shifted a little. "That's actually why I came. I'd like to ask for an extended leave. The final trial is in a few days and I want to focus on preparing for it."

Rufus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Extended leave, huh? That's not something you ask lightly."

"I know, But it is important. Just a few days. After the trial, regardless of the result, I'll come back."

Rufus gave him a long look, then sighed and smiled. "Well, I suppose if one of my best workers is off chasing greatness, I can't be the one to clip your wings."

He extended a hand and clapped it firmly on Aston's shoulder. "Go. Train, study, or punch a tree if you have to. Make it count."

Aston smiled more genuinely this time. "Thanks, boss."

"Just don't get yourself turned into a magical frog or something. I'd have to file so much paperwork."

Gray let out a chirping meow as if to second that sentiment.

Rufus chuckled. "See? Even your furball got my back."

Aston chuckled, then said his goodbyes to Rufus, and snaked the path towards his house. He would see the new changes to their home.

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