"Alright, that's it for today's training. Tomorrow's the Hero assessment. I'm giving you the rest of the day off—go relax properly."

"Yay! Another holiday!"

After half a day of training Celia's squad, Dorothy decided to let them off early to unwind.

Isa nearly bounced with joy. She licked her lips, already planning how to spend this break stuffing her stomach full.

Unlike her excitement, Celia seemed deeply troubled. She often stared blankly at the trees in the training ground, nodding expressionlessly when Dorothy spoke without much reaction.

Aurora wasn't faring much better, her own worries weighing her down.

Dorothy noticed but figured their low spirits were just nerves. After all, their six months of hard work led to tomorrow's test. Failure would waste it all—and disband the squad. Celia would have to abandon her dream of becoming a Hero and return to the Fiona Clan as heir.

Anyone would be tense.

Except Isa.

Dorothy chuckled softly, ruffling Celia's hair. "Don't stress. It's just a fourth-tier monster. You'll pass."

If other Heroes heard "just a fourth-tier monster," their jaws would drop. Many seasoned Heroes in the guild still battled third-tier beasts. Only the most respected could defeat fourth-tier ones.

Celia's squad reaching this level in half a year would shatter most Heroes' worldviews. They could handle most fourth-tier monsters—barring surprises, tomorrow's test was a sure pass.

"Got it."

Celia's reply stayed flat, unmoved by the reassurance.

Dorothy said no more, simply dismissing them to enjoy their holiday. She believed real relaxation would ease their tension better than her words.

After agreeing, the trio left the training ground.

Isa skipped behind, hands clasped behind her back, humming softly. Her pink skirt bloomed like a flower with each twirl. She was already dreaming of snacks—especially that cake shop she'd been eyeing but never had time for.

Lost in cake fantasies, she didn't see Celia stop ahead.

"Ouch!" Isa yelped, rubbing her nose. "Celia, why'd you suddenly stop?"

Celia stayed silent. Aurora, however, seemed to read her mind. "Thinking about Elder Silverflower?"

"Yeah."

Celia looked around. The winter sun was warm, but the season's end had people bundled in thick coats, their breath puffing white in the cold air. A sharp inhale stung her nose.

"Time flies. Tomorrow's the assessment. Whether we pass or not... Elder Silverflower will leave us, won't she?" Her voice held a trace of sadness.

In the guild, only Aspirant Heroes had instructors. After the assessment, with their Hero badges earned, instructors departed. From then on, squads stood alone.

"N-no way..." Isa's cake dreams vanished. Her heart felt heavy as a stone. She'd never imagined Elder Silverflower leaving—they'd become family. "I don't want her to go..." She bit her lip, head bowed.

Celia sighed, pulling Isa into a hug. Aurora said nothing, but her gloomy mood betrayed the same fear. Their tension wasn't about the test; Dorothy's comfort had missed the mark entirely.

Clutching hope, Isa asked Celia, "Is there any way to make her stay?"

Celia's cleverness must have a solution!

But reality crushed her hope.

"Isa, she's the Silver Blossom Sword Maiden. She can't stay with us forever. I just didn't expect it so soon." Celia forced herself to accept it. "Her world is different. Being our instructor was already a huge honor. We shouldn't ask for more."

"But... but..." Isa didn't understand. She just didn't want her mentor gone.

"Isa!"

When Celia offered no help, Isa spun around and dashed back toward the training ground. Celia called after her, hurrying to follow.

After they left, Dorothy sat alone on a bench at the field's edge. She gazed at bare trees and the occasional crow flying past. Winter wind tousled her hair. Her black-gloved hand rested on the seat, half-hidden by her robe, making her look lonely and burdened.

Seeing this, Celia's heart ached.

"Silverflower-sensei!"

Isa barreled into Dorothy's arms, clinging tight. Dorothy blinked out of her solitude, gently patting Isa's back. "What's wrong, Isa?"

"Don't leave us, okay?" Isa mumbled into Dorothy's chest, her voice muffled and trembling.

"Isa!" Celia stood nearby, exasperated. "You're making Elder Silverflower uncomfortable."