The day has finally come.

I put on a formal dark suit, with golden embroidery that complements my badge, now hung around my neck like a medallion. This polished appearance of mine perfectly matches my near-shoulder-length hair.

With glistening boots, clean white gloves, and the pristine image of a Scholar, I enter the great hall alongside the rest of my family: my father, Luther, my mother, Janith, my sister, Selicia, and finally… the star of the occasion… my brother, Craig.

Today is his Coming-Of-Age Ceremony!

Due to its small scale, the current scenery is reminiscent of a family gathering.

There aren't many guests this time, although a few friends from the Academy are attending since they've already accepted my invitation.

Of course, out of tact and societal boundaries, I didn't invite all my High Noble friends.

Perhaps I should have.

That way, Selicia and Craig would believe my stories.

In any case, the party isn't as fancy or grand as mine was, but it is still one that adheres to customs, and so we all have to participate. Since this serves as a momentous occasion for my brother, I take it with utmost seriousness and celebrate his day.

For his gift, I have already prepared an entire set of musical instruments, a craftsmanship set, as well as a jet black horse.

I'm relatively wealthy now, so it's the least I can do.

For Selicia, I already gave her an early birthday present—an E Grade Armament.

Of course, I had to help her process a Limited License so that she'll be able to openly wield it. The whole thing should be sorted after a week, so there are no problems there.

Hopefully, her possession of an Armament will grant her more prestige in the Knight Academy.

That, and the fact that her brother is a First Rate Scholar.

These are the little ways I can help my sister, but everything still hinges on her ability in the end.

Nothing worthy of note really happens in the Ceremony.

Except one…

"I will now be making a presentation dedicated to my dear family. To my loving and supportive brother, my graceful yet fierce sister, my strict but considerate mother, and my strong but gentle father… this is for you all."

Craig takes the stage and actually shocks everyone with a stunning performance.

His musical display sends shivers down my spine as I listen to it, realizing that everything he has shown me since my return is but a fraction of his true ability. Despite being a single person leading the music and playing all the instruments at once, it's almost like I am seated in a concert.

My body trembles at the sound.

I feel the melodies embed themselves deep within my soul.

I can't help but stare at him, watching his eyes are tightly shut in concentration and unmatched immersion. With a soft smile and a delicately slim body, he swerves on the stage, dancing, singing, and playing the instruments—all at once.

The lights seem to shine brighter, and everything seems filled with energy and an unnatural level of vibrancy. It's like a spell has been placed on everyone and everything, filling us all with sheer mystical brilliance.

Radiant like the sun… serene as the wind… perfection incarnate.

His appearance is that of a deity who has graced the world with beauty and poise.

This elegance… this dignity!

To think I denied my brother from pursuing this path in my past life!

How incredible he is!

I can't help but think I'm blessed to be witnessing this.

Craig… is simply superb.

He had long transcended the realm of the ordinary, but now I can truly see him reaching a new domain—the realm of the divine!

"Amazing…" Before I realize it, my eyes grow moist and tears descend my face.

Truly… amazing!

"Javi! Javi! Do you see?" Selicia pulls me by the hinge of my garment and points at Craig while jumping excitedly. "See how awesome Craig is! He's so cool!"

I laugh and nod.

"Yes! He really is cool!"

Forget about me and my five years in the Royal Academy.

This sight before me has simply overshadowed all the achievements I bragged about to them.

Truly… divine!

Without realizing why, I slowly shift my gaze to my parents.

A part of me must have wondered what they thought of Craig's surprise performance.

Mother… she's in tears.

I can see the look of pride in her eyes as she touches her chest and weeps while staring at her son.

Her body trembles while she keeps nodding amidst sobs.

Craig's voice must have reached her.

But what about Father? I stare at him with concern and a bit of hesitation in my heart.

Hope burns faintly within me, as I hope he has changed. Just like Mother, perhaps he too has been saved by the melodies and can not look at his son with a gaze of amazement.

'Look at your child!' My thoughts echo within me. 'Look at how amazing he is!'

But—

My father isn't moved at all.

He has a perpetual frown on his face, his gaze furrowed as his features express disapproval.

I see… I understand.

Craig isn't following tradition.

It isn't a manly act, or a respectable thing for the male child of a Knight Household, to indulge in the realm of arts and craft.

Singing and dancing… how can a man of the Aditi Household indulge in that?

Especially when this child has immense talent in combat!

Why isn't he fighting instead?!

I understand the thoughts of my father—his frustration and his shame.

I held the same in my past life.

But, father… can't you see? Craig is not like us.

He isn't a fighter at heart, nor does he belong in the world of chaos and violence. His heart is truly free, fated to soar high into the heavens and transcend the bounds of the mundane reality which we call the world.

I can see it—the future.

Craig will become a phenomenon that will take the world by storm.

He is destined for greatness.

'Why can't you see it, father?' A sad sigh leaves my lips. 'Why can't you be proud of your son?'

**************

The Ceremony eventually ends, and everyone goes their separate ways.

Even though I would have loved my Academy friends to spend the night over in the Estate, all the space has been taken, which means I have to send them off that evening. Still, we part ways with bright smiles on our faces and promises exchanged.

I'll have to make sure to visit them within the next few years, that's for certain.

After bidding them farewell at the gate of the Estate, I spot my father also wishing a safe journey to some of his own visitors and the Minor Families who won't be able to stay over.

Coincidentally, he also stares in my direction.

For a moment, we stare at each other in silence. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out, and I watch as he turns away, his steps trailing back to the Main Building.

As I watch him walk away, I stand still.

I turn away, already choosing to also go my own way.

But—

"Father!" I don't even realize that my feet have begun to move in his direction until my pace increases and I charge towards him.

He stops in his tracks and turns to me, a complex expression on his face.

His eyes are heavy, and his slouching body bears very little resemblance to the proud and noble stature my father is known for. Right now, as we stand shoulder to shoulder, it's almost as though the difference in our height isn't present any longer.

We are equals.

"You've really grown up, Javier… You and your siblings."

My father's calm voice is deep, reverberating through the air like a low rumble devoid of impact.

This isn't the oppressive sound I am used to.

It sounds more… hollow.

"Craig's performance tonight was astounding. Selicia can't stop shrieking about it, and mother expressed her pride for him during and after the performance. The only one who doesn't seem happy about it is you, Father…" Without frowning or expressing my disapproval, I speak with absolute calmness.

"Why?"

I stare at him inquisitively, not with judgment or condemnation.

Now isn't the time to get confrontational.

I was tempted to simply walk away from him without exchanging any words, but that doesn't sit well with me. Somehow, even though I know it isn't my duty to educate my father or save him from his current ways, I still want to try.

Try to reach him, in some way, and have this conversation with him.

Regardless of the kind of man he is and what he has done, I still recognize him as my father.

—My family.

"Is there a reason to be glad?" His voice is bland, as his gaze flickers for a moment. "Despite the preferred path set out for each of you, it seems everyone has chosen to walk in the direction that they please—your brother included."

"Is that so bad? Even Mother has come to accept—"

"Your mother and I… see things very differently now. I reckon the only reason we have remained together for this long is out of consideration for the family."

Huh?

Is this what I think it is?

"What are you saying, Father? Are you two separating?"

Father pinches his nose and sighs, half upset and half exhausted. "I didn't say that. But… no, it isn't for you to know or for me to say. All I will say is that everyone has chosen their own path, and I guess I simply have to accept that."

A wry smile forms on my face.

It really is a divorce.

So it seems my mother has finally decided to take her own happiness into her hands.

I suspect that she only chose to stay until Craig became of age.

She'll probably remain in the Aditi Household for a year or so while they secretly finalize the divorce and ensure everything is stable before she finally moves out.

As surprised as I am with this development, I also don't feel very bad about it.

Mother was not happy in her marriage.

This is for the best.

"I accept my blame in the matter. I should have been more involved in your upbringing instead of burdening her with the task. I… made the mistake of assuming that she would handle it all perfectly, and when you all started going astray, I lashed out at her rather than take responsibility for my negligence."

'No father… You are still missing the point.' Thoughts echo in my mind, but I let out sighs instead. It seems, even the divorce hasn't made him realize it yet.

It isn't my mother's fault that we turned out this way, and it isn't his fault either.

We… are simply our own people.

"Remember what I told you before, Father…" I smile at him, hiding the sadness in my eyes.

"The most important thing in a man's life is time—how he chooses to spend every moment of it in pursuit of what he truly wants. Everyone has their own paths, Father. We all want different things, and as much as we love you… We won't spend our time pursuing the things you want."

Life… keeps moving forward.

Time runs out.

Nothing lasts forever, and everything in this world is finite.

It took me that long dream, my past life, to realize all of these truths about what we call life.

"I will be leaving soon, Father." Removing my gaze from him, I look up into the sky and witness the twinkling stars slowly dotting the landscape. "I want to travel the Kingdom and witness the wonders of the world."

"…."

"I do not intend to return unless something of great significance happens in the Estate, or I am summoned for specific reasons. I will probably be away for another series of years…"

It feels a little unfair.

I just returned after spending five years in the Academy, yet I will be leaving again.

But this is what I want to do.

I don't regret it.

"It isn't too late to work things out with Mother, you know? You still have time to chase after what it is that you want. The Aditi Household will be fine, I promise. As the Heir, I will make sure nothing happens to it."

In the past, I didn't have enough power to protect the Aditi Estate.

But that's different now.

"You can't start over, but you can make up for lost time if you start now."

"Javier…"

"Yes, Father?" I turn to look at my father, and his hands touch my shoulder at that exact moment. Despite my garment getting in the way, I feel the warmth of his rough, trembling hands seeping into my skin.

With a complicated expression on his face, he gives me a smile.

A sad, gentle smile.

"Thank you."

"For… what, Father?"

My father grows silent for a moment, as though in thought regarding my hesitant question.

Then, he laughs a little—a small chuckle, almost like a passing cough.

"… For talking to me tonight."

After hearing those words, I turn dazed.

But, my lips curl up almost immediately, and I nod at him, placing my hand on his shoulder, before pulling him in for a hug.

"Anytime, Father…"

I feel his hesitance to hug me, but he eventually does, and I can feel his immense weight resting all over my body.

Father is heavy… too heavy.

Just how much load have you been carrying all this time, Father?

It's fine now.

Just let them off… and move forward with your own life—forging a path into your desires.

That is life.

Your life… and yours alone!

Finally, we disengage from the hug and separate towards our respective destinations.

As I watch my father's frame sluggishly disappear into the night, I clutch my chest and feel a warm, illuminating glow within the depths of my heart.

The light of hope.

'I still hold onto hope, Father, that one day… You too will wake up from your own long dream.'

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