Volume epilogue

In the highest room of the main building, there was the Rector's study. After the tournament and celebrations, the old man sat peacefully, sorting through various reports. Unnoticed, a shadow slipped into the office and headed towards the head of the Academy.

"Hello, hello, young man," the Rector greeted the guest without looking up from the papers, "why are you here so late? The celebrations have already come to an end."

"I came to leave this for you," the departure statement slowly descended onto the desk.

"What? You suddenly decided to abandon this esteemed institution? There won't be a second chance like this."

"I realized that I don't belong here."

The Rector calmly studied the visitor.

"How foolish! You have done much good in this year."

"It doesn't matter. I'm still an outsider here. I will only bring inconvenience to others."

"And what about your friends?"

The visitor sadly lowered his head.

"They will mourn for a while, but they will learn to live without me."

"How foolish to give up everything like this. Although I suspect you have hidden motives for such an action."

"Then I'll take my leave."

The visitor was about to leave, but the Rector called out to him again.

"Young man, allow me to tell you something first," the Rector looked the visitor in the face and smiled mischievously, "our world was created by magic, and all its corners are connected by invisible lines of force. The Academy is just one of the centers where these lines intersect, and from here, one can influence events in the most remote corners of the continent."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Just because recently, one person used force he couldn't control, but it was so powerful that it shook the foundations of the world. Perhaps if he had used that force elsewhere, nothing would have happened, but by striking at the heart of the Academy, he disrupted the seals on some ancient prisons."

"Are you accusing me of something?"

"People must take responsibility for their actions, and that's why I would like you to be responsible for yours."

"Heh, so you won't let me go?"

"I cannot hold you back, but if you don't face those you unintentionally released into our world, your friends will. And most likely, they won't survive that battle."

"Do you think my presence will change anything?"

"I believe it will, but if you don't care about the lives of your comrades, then you can leave," the Rector returned to his tasks.

After a moment of contemplation, the visitor headed towards the exit.

"Aren't you taking this with you?" the Rector pushed the departure statement with his hand.

"No, I'll stay until I resolve all the problems, but then I'll still leave," the visitor slammed the door shut, and silence once again reigned in the room.

"Why are all champions so foolish?" the old man mumbled, biting his worn-out pipe and reclining in his chair.