Chapter 44: Chapter 44 : Finals End Celebration Begins
The next three days passed in a blur as the group went through the rest of their final exams. They all felt relieved once they were done with their exams, and decided to celebrate by having a group dinner at the main complex. They reminisced about the past year and how far they had come since their first day of school.
The following day, the results of the final exams were posted on the bulletin board. Arin, Azazelith, Luke, Kira and Sam all passed their exams with flying colors, and they were overjoyed with their grades. They all hugged each other and congratulated one another on a job well done.
The Headmaster of the school, Raven, congratulated the entire student body in the Great Hall of the school. He praised the students for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, and encouraged them to enjoy their well-deserved break. He reminded everyone to be safe and responsible during their time off, and to return to the school ready to continue their studies in the 11th month of the year, Frostbite.
The group spent the next few days packing up their belongings and saying goodbye to their friends and teachers. They were excited to return home for the summer break, but also sad to leave behind the memories and experiences of their first year at the school. As they passed through the portal back to their world, they couldn't help but feel excited for the adventures that lay ahead.
Arin, Azazelith, Luke, Kira, and Sam were all excitedly packing their bags for the upcoming weekend celebration at the royal palace in Ignis. They had all been looking forward to this event since the invitation had arrived, and now that finals were over, they could finally let loose and enjoy themselves.
Arin carefully packed his formal attire, making sure to include his Sapphire Adventures Association badge, just in case he ran into anyone from the association at the celebration. Azazelith, on the other hand, was excited to show off her new dress that she had been saving for a special occasion.
Luke and Kira were discussing which magical artifacts they would bring with them, and Sam was packing some of her favorite books to read on the journey. They were all excited to see the royal palace again and hoped to catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince, who had courted Sam during their last visit.
After finishing their packing, the group headed to the portal room and stepped through the shimmering portal, emerging on the other side in the bustling city of Ignis.
As the group approached the grand entrance of the Ignis Palace, a sense of familiarity washed over them. Arin, Azazelith, Luke, Kira, and Sam had been here before, though under different circumstances. The last time they visited, they had successfully rescued Crown Prince Leonus from the clutches of the sinister Order of Shadows. The daring rescue mission had forged an unbreakable bond between them and the prince.
Upon their arrival, the palace gates swung open, and there stood Crown Prince Leonus, his eyes twinkling with excitement and warmth. He wore a regal outfit that accentuated his noble features, but his demeanor was anything but aloof. With a broad smile, he greeted each member of the group with a heartfelt embrace, making them feel immediately welcome.
"Arin, Azazelith, Luke, Kira, and Sam!" he exclaimed. "I'm thrilled you could make it to the festival this year. Welcome back to Ignis Palace."
The group exchanged pleasantries, their shared history evident in their easy banter and laughter. The prince's genuine interest in their well-being and happiness was clear, and he was eager to show them the best of what the palace and the festival had to offer.
As they walked through the palace grounds, the prince regaled them with tales of the kingdom's latest achievements and upcoming events. He spoke of the festivities planned over the next few days, his excitement infectious.
"You've all become such good friends of mine, and your last visit meant so much to me," the prince said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I wanted to make this festival extra special for you all. I've arranged for a private tour of the palace gardens, a visit to the royal library, and some exclusive events I know you'll enjoy. And of course, tonight's visit to the city's most private tavern is just the beginning."
The group, touched by the prince's thoughtful gestures and the depth of their friendship, felt truly honored to be his guests. As they settled into the palace and prepared for the festivities ahead, they knew that their time together would create memories they would cherish forever.
As the group strolled through the palace gardens, the sweet fragrance of blossoming flowers filling the air, Arin eagerly shared some of their recent adventures with the prince. His eyes lit up with excitement as he recounted the group's experiences.
"Leonus, you wouldn't believe the incredible things we've been up to lately!" Arin began. "We've finally finished our finals at Arcanum. It was tough, but we all came out stronger and more knowledgeable."
The prince nodded, impressed by their dedication to their studies. Arin continued, "And that's not all. We've formed a new second battalion called the Eternal Wardens! They have been great additions to the Order and we've been training them hard and honing their skills to bring them up to the same level as the Rune Wardens. The prince's eyes widened in admiration, and he congratulated the group on their new battalion.
"And that's not all," Arin added, his eyes shining with pride. "The King of Aurora himself knighted our entire group, making us official nobles of Aurora! We couldn't believe our luck."
As Arin finished his tale, Azazelith chimed in, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "Oh, and there's one more thing," she said, glancing at Arin. "Arin proposed to me, and I said yes! We're engaged now!"
Crown Prince Leonus' eyes widened in delight as he congratulated the couple, clapping Arin on the back and embracing Azazelith. "This is wonderful news! I couldn't be happier for both of you."
The prince's face lit up as he thought about the upcoming Bicentennial celebrations. "I'm certain this will be an unforgettable weekend, and I'm overjoyed to spend it with you all," he said, his gaze lingering on Sam for a moment. His feelings for her had grown considerably since they first met, and he cherished every moment they spent together.
As the group continued to share their stories and laughter, it was evident that their bonds of friendship had only grown stronger. With the Bicentennial festivities about to begin and the prospect of an exciting weekend ahead, the group couldn't wait to create even more cherished memories together.
Leonus suddenly turned to them with an excited gleam in his eyes. "I have a surprise for all of you tonight," he announced, the anticipation in his voice palpable. "We're going to a private tavern that's quite exclusive and a favorite spot among royalty and nobility."
The group listened intently as the prince continued, explaining the tavern's unique reputation. "It's the most private tavern in the city, a place where we can truly relax and unwind without feeling like we're constantly being watched. It's a hidden gem that allows us to be ourselves."
He went on to describe the magical enchantments protecting the tavern, ensuring the privacy of its patrons. "The place is shrouded in powerful spells that prevent any prying eyes or ears from invading our privacy. When we arrive, each of you will be given a bracelet enchanted with a memory spell. Once you leave the tavern, you'll only remember the events that transpired between those wearing the same bracelet."
Pausing for a moment, the prince added, "As for me, my royal privilege allows me to bypass the memory spell on the bracelet, so I will remember everything that happens tonight."
The group exchanged glances, intrigued and excited by the prospect of an evening at such an exclusive and mysterious location. They trusted Crown Prince Leonus implicitly and knew that he always had their best interests at heart. As they prepared for their night at the city's most private tavern, their anticipation grew, and they looked forward to the memories they would create together—memories that would be theirs alone to cherish.
The group, still buzzing with excitement and laughter from their delightful evening, made their way back to the Ignis Palace. The moonlit path seemed to sparkle with the magic of their shared experiences, casting a dreamlike glow on their surroundings.
Arin and Azazelith, more flirtatious than ever, playfully teased each other as they walked, their love and affection for one another evident. As they reached their room in the palace, they shared a tender look before disappearing inside, eager to spend the rest of the night enjoying each other's company.
Soon after, Luke and Kira also broke away from the group, their eyes alight with the promise of more shared moments together. Hand in hand, they made their way to their room, excited to create more memories in each other's arms.
Finally, only Crown Prince Leonus and Sam remained. The prince, his gaze warm and tender, began to say his goodbyes to Sam, expressing his gratitude for the wonderful time they had spent together. As he prepared to leave, Sam suddenly grabbed his hand, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Without a word, she pulled him into her room, leaving the prince pleasantly surprised and eager to spend more time with her.
As the door closed behind them, the palace seemed to sigh with contentment, its ancient walls bearing witness to yet another unforgettable night filled with laughter, love, and the magic of true friendship.
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