"Therefore," Alfred continued calmly, "none of you should feel discouraged. You weren't defeated by ordinary Soul Masters, but by legends. If you continue advancing through the Hall of Heroes, you may one day even face the original Central Seven Monsters themselves."

Ray swallowed hard.

Before his thoughts could even catch up, the words burst from his mouth. "I want to join!"

The moment the Immortal Guild had been mentioned, every trace of hesitation vanished from his heart.

Since childhood, the Immortal Guild had been more than a legend to him. It was a dream. And more importantly, its founder had possessed the same martial soul as him—Silverfalls Vine. That alone erased every doubt he had ever held about joining Alfred's organization.

Raziel Phoenix hesitated only briefly before nodding. "I want to join too."

Alfred raised a hand. "There's no need to decide immediately. You can return home and discuss it with your families."

Raziel Phoenix shook his head firmly. "There's no need. Opportunities like this don't come twice. I'll join. My family can be convinced later."

Ray and Raziel Phoenix both turned toward Lily.

Out of the three of them, she had performed the best. Whether she joined or not mattered more than either of them wanted to admit.

"I'm sorry, Teacher," Lily said calmly. "Ray, Raziel Phoenix… I won't join."

There was no hesitation in her eyes. No regret.

"Huh?" Ray and Raziel Phoenix blurted out together.

Lily shook her head lightly. "There's another organization I've already chosen. I can't join the Immortal Guild."

Ray instinctively wanted to argue, but Alfred cut him off. "That's fine. Everyone walks their own path. As long as you've thought it through, there's nothing wrong with your choice."

He nodded at her. "With your talent, you'll shine anywhere. I'll make separate arrangements for the combat portion of your training."

"Thank you, Teacher," Lily replied simply.

Ray couldn't hold back any longer. "But Lily, it's the Immortal Guild! A sect with twenty thousand years of history, countless mysteries, and—"

Her expression flickered slightly, but her resolve didn't waver. "I'm sorry, Ray. I decided to join the Spirit Tower before we came here. Their terms don't allow me to join any other organization."

Ray froze.

Alfred's eyebrows rose faintly. The Spirit Tower already made its, move? He wasn't surprised. Lily's brilliance had been obvious from the very beginning. Her unprecedented elemental control, terrifying combat sense, and overwhelming potential made her irresistible.

And as she said—joining both organizations would only cause conflict.

Alfred looked at Ray and Raziel Phoenix again. "What Lily said is correct. The Immortal Guild and the Spirit Tower are both peak organizations. You may only join one."

"If you join the Immortal Guild, you cannot join the Spirit Tower in the future. If you ever leave the Immortal Guild, you must return everything you've received from it, including cultivation techniques."

"With that in mind, think carefully. You may give me your final answer later."

Ray didn't hesitate for even a heartbeat. "I don't need time. I want to join the Immortal Guild. It's my dream."

Even if it meant walking a different road from Lily.

Raziel Phoenix glanced between the two of them, then nodded decisively. "Teacher, I've decided as well. I'll join the Immortal Guild."

Alfred gave a small nod. "Very well. Today's testing ends here. After the paperwork is completed, you will officially become outer disciples of the Immortal Guild. I'll explain the rules, benefits, and responsibilities later."

On the bus ride back, Ray stared out the window, silent and withdrawn.

Volt had left.

Barbara had left.

And now even Lily had chosen a different path.

His companions were leaving one by one, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

If joining the Immortal Guild hadn't been his lifelong dream, he would have chosen the Spirit Tower without hesitation—just to stay with Lily.

But fate seemed intent on leaving him alone.

Beside him, Raziel Phoenix nudged his arm. "What's wrong? Still down because Lily didn't join the Immortal Guild?"

Ray shook his head slowly. "I just feel like everyone I care about keeps leaving. My parents left. Vivi left. Volt and Barbara left. Now Lily's walking a different road. Maybe… I'm just meant to be alone."

Raziel Phoenix burst out laughing. "What nonsense. Don't you still have me? I'm not going anywhere."

Ray sighed. "Maybe one day you won't have a choice either."

"Who said I'm leaving?" a familiar voice cut in.

Lily suddenly appeared beside them. She grabbed Raziel Phoenix by the collar, yanked him out of his seat, and calmly sat down in his place next to Ray.

"You're too emotional," she said flatly.

Ray blinked. "Maybe."

Lily continued, "I only chose not to join the Immortal Guild. That doesn't mean I'm leaving class zero. No matter what organization I join, I'm still here with you."

Raziel Phoenix immediately leaned in from the side. "If you said 'with you' instead of 'with you guys,' he'd be way more touched."

"Get lost!" Ray and Lily snapped in unison.

"You two are bullies!" Raziel Phoenix complained indignantly.

Ray laughed softly. "Sorry, Lily. I didn't mean to blame you. Everyone makes their own choices. I just… haven't been handling things well lately."

Lily looked at him quietly.

"I'll work on it," Ray added. "I don't want to stay like this."

Raziel Phoenix popped his head back in. "Whenever you need to vent, I'll volunteer. For example, you can let me beat you up."

Ray snorted. "I'm not convinced I'd be the one getting beaten."

*

The end of the semester arrived, bringing a month-long vacation.

For most students, it meant rest and freedom. For Ray, it meant silence.

Lily and Raziel Phoenix both left campus to return home, leaving Ray alone in the dormitory.

Where can I even go?

Ironspire City?

His parents weren't there anymore. Could that place still be called home?

The only place left to him was Gilbert's workshop.

If he buried himself in cultivation and forging, maybe the ache would dull.

His Immortal Guild registration had already been submitted by Alfred to the Dazzling Era Immortal Guild. Once approved, he would officially become one of them.

Standing alone in the empty dormitory, Ray clenched his fists.

Then I'll just keep moving forward.

No matter what.

Ray let out a quiet sigh as he packed what he would need for the next month at Gilbert's workshop.

"Ray."

The familiar voice made him pause.

"Teacher."

Alfred stood in the corridor, hands tucked within his sleeves, waiting patiently.

"What are your plans for the vacation?" Alfred asked in his usual even tone.

Ray hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't really have any plans. I was thinking of focusing on forging and cultivating."

Alfred considered this briefly. "If that's the case, come with me. I have some business to handle in another city. It'll be a chance for you to see the world outside the academy and take a short break."

"Huh?" Ray stared at him in surprise.

"Do you want some time to think about it?" Alfred asked.

Ray shook his head immediately. "No, I'll go."

In that instant, the heaviness that had been sitting in his chest seemed to lift. Traveling with Teacher… Wherever they were going, it was better than being alone.

Alfred didn't elaborate, and Ray didn't ask.

*

An hour later, they stood on the platform at West Ocean City's soul train station.

Alfred, dressed as always in his spotless white robes, carried no visible luggage. Ray had long since guessed that his teacher possessed a soul storage device. Ray himself traveled light, bringing only a few sets of clothes and his pair of forging hammers.

Alfred drew countless glances from passersby. Women of all ages found their eyes drifting toward him, while to Ray's surprise, several girls his own age stole curious looks in his direction.

Ray wore simple white sportswear he'd bought himself, cheap and practical. Though he was no longer short on money, frugality was a habit he couldn't shake. Compared to Alfred's robes, whose material he couldn't even begin to identify, his clothes were painfully ordinary.

Having spent an entire semester together, Ray knew Alfred valued silence. As long as his teacher didn't speak, he kept quiet as well, determined to be an obedient companion.

A low rumble rolled through the station as the train approached.

When Ray saw his destination, his eyes widened slightly.

Arcana City?

Once the capital of the Arcana Empire, it remained one of the largest and most influential cities on the Xynnar Continent. The distance from West Ocean City was enormous.

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