The golden glow of lanterns bathed Silver Heaven Marketplace in warmth as laughter and music filled the streets. Stalls lined the cobblestone path, selling everything from honey cakes to tiny enchanted trinkets.
Shaun, Shaumin, and Sabastian walked together, snacks in hand, blending easily with the crowd.
"Man, it's been forever since I relaxed like this," Sabastian said, biting into a skewer.
"You mean without nobles breathing down your neck?" Shaumin teased.
"Exactly," Sabastian grinned.
Shaun chuckled. "Feels good to breathe normal air instead of academy dust."
They passed a dart-throw stall where Shaun hit two targets in a row before missing the last.
Shaumin smirked. "Close, but not perfect."
"Still better than you'll do," Shaun said.
A minute later, Shaumin's dart bounced off the rim, earning loud laughter from both Shaun and Sabastian.
By the time the curfew bell echoed faintly from the academy, the trio had eaten their fill of fried lotus chips and roasted nuts. They stopped by a fountain, an evening wind cool against their faces.
Shaumin leaned back against the railing, his expression thoughtful. "You know… this feels real. No titles, no expectations."
Sabastian nodded. "Guess that's what freedom smells like—roasted meat and street dust."
Shaun laughed softly. "We should do this more often."
Shaumin smiled. "Agreed. Next time, I'm picking the place."
Their laughter mingled with the crowd's as they headed back toward The Leafsong Nest, unaware that they still had one surprise waiting for them.
**********
By the time the trio returned to The Leafsong Nest, the night lamps were already lit, casting golden circles along the courtyard path. As Shaun reached for the dorm door, a sharp voice cut through the still air.
"I don't care what the rule says! I'm not leaving until you let me stay with him!"
Shaun froze. Wait… that voice— Three hurried toward reception, where Lady Naomi stood behind counter, calm but firm as ever, while Natasha—hands on her hips, cheeks puffed with frustration—glared like a thundercloud ready to strike.
"Natasha?" Shaun called, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
Her head snapped toward him instantly, her expression brightening for a moment before she frowned again. "Shaun! Perfect timing! Tell Lady Naomi there's no problem if I share a room with you."
Shaumin blinked. "…She said what?"
Naomi folded her arms, expression unchanging. "Miss Ikazuchi, as I already explained, this dormitory has separate buildings for male and female residents. Co-habitation is not permitted under any circumstance."
"But we're just friends!" Natasha insisted—then paused, realizing how that sounded, and quickly added, "Well, mostly!"
Shaun rubbed the back of his neck, unsure whether to laugh or panic. "Natasha, it's fine. There's no need to argue. Lady Naomi's right—there are rules for a reason."
Naomi nodded, her tone softening slightly. "You'll have your own room in the girls' building, dear. It's just across the courtyard. I promise, it's just as comfortable as the boys'."
Natasha's shoulders drooped. "But… I wanted to be closer to Shaun." Her voice came out small, honest.
Shaun sighed gently, smiling with a hint of warmth. "You will be close. Same dorm, same meals, same training. Besides, I'd rather not get kicked out on my first day."
After a long pause, Natasha finally crossed her arms and huffed. "Fine. But only because it's you saying it."
"Good girl," Naomi said kindly, handing her a brass key with a pink-tagged number. "Your room's on the first floor—number seven. Settle in and rest. You've had quite the journey."
Natasha took it, muttering under her breath, "Still think it's unfair."
Shaun chuckled quietly as she walked off toward Naomi to sign the dormitory undertaking.
Shaumin leaned toward him, smirking. "She really is something else."
Shaun nodded, watching her go with a soft, helpless smile. "Yeah… she always has been."
Once the air around the reception had calmed, Shaun and Natasha stepped outside into the courtyard. The evening breeze carried the faint scent of blooming lilies, and the gentle glow of lanterns painted soft halos across the garden.
Shaun turned to her, still half smiling. "So… when did you plan on telling me you were moving here too?"
Natasha grinned sheepishly, clutching her bag. "It was supposed to be a surprise. My mother finally convinced Father to let me stay in the dormitory. She said it would help me become more independent—" she hesitated, then added with a pout, "—but really, I just didn't want to walk to the academy every day without you."
Shaun blinked, his cheeks tinting faintly. "You came all the way here just for that?"
"Of course!" she declared proudly. "You think I'd let you wander around without supervision?"
From behind them, Shaumin's voice cut in teasingly. "Sounds more like ownership than supervision."
Natasha shot him a glare so sharp that even Shaumin raised his hands in surrender. Sabastian tried—and failed—to hide his grin.
Shaun cleared his throat quickly. "So… did Lady Naomi give you your room number?"
"Room seven," she said, holding up her brass key with a pink tag.
Shaun froze mid-step. "Wait—seven? That's my room number as well."
Her eyes widened. "What!? Seriously?" Then a slow, delighted smile spread across her face. "See? Even fate agrees we're meant to be together!"
Shaun blinked. "Yeah, but—mine's in the boys' building."
Natasha placed her hands behind her back, humming softly. "Still the same number. Destiny doesn't care about buildings."
Shaumin smirked. "She's got you there, Thunderhawk."
Sabastian laughed. "Guess fate's got a sense of humour."
Shaun sighed, though a tiny smile tugged at his lips. "If fate says so… guess I can't argue with that."
Sabastian laughed softly. "Looks like dorm's going to be more lively from now on."
Natasha twirled her key with a grin. "Just wait, Shaun Thunderhawk—you and I are going to make this place unforgettable."
Just as Natasha and Shaun finished talking, the clear chime of the reception bell echoed through the hall. Naomi's voice carried from below, calm and composed.
"Shaun, someone's here for you."
Shaun blinked, confused. "For me?"
When he turned toward the doorway, his eyes widened in shock. Standing there, travel-worn yet smiling proudly, was Sharek Thunderhawk with a heavy travel bag.
"Father!?" Shaun exclaimed, rushing forward. "What are you doing here?"
Sharek chuckled, setting the bag down. "Came to make sure my son didn't forget his old man the moment he left home."
Shaun grinned, his chest tightening. "Of course not! But… I didn't expect you, that's all."
As Sharek stepped closer, his expression suddenly shifted. His eyes caught the faint bandage wrapped around Shaun's forehead.
"Hold on—what happened to you? Why are you hurt?"
Shaun instinctively touched the bandage, smiling awkwardly.
"Ah… this? Nothing big. Just a small accident during training at the academy."
Sharek frowned, clearly concerned. "An accident?"
Shaun shook his head lightly. "But don't worry—it's already healed, really."
Sharek sighed, though relief softened his voice.
"You've got your mother's habit of hiding wounds behind smiles."
Then his tone lightened. "Anyway, you were supposed to come home last Saturday morning. Your mother nearly tore the roof off when you didn't show up."
Shaun rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… about that. Something came up, and I couldn't make it."
Sharek sighed, glancing again at Shaun's bandage. "Yeah, I figured that. That's what I told her—not to come. She was so worried," he said with a weary smile. "I had to stop her; otherwise, you'd be stuck here listening to her crying for hours. She'd never let go."
Shaun laughed softly. "Yeah, that sounds like Mom."
Sharek handed him the travel bag. "Your luggage. She packed this herself. She made sure I didn't forget a single thing."
Shaun accepted it gratefully. "Thanks, Father. Tell her I'm fine here—Lady Naomi's really kind, and everyone's been treating me like family. She doesn't need to worry."
"I'll tell her," Sharek said warmly. "Just make sure you keep studying hard and graduate soon. Make us proud, son."
"I will," Shaun said firmly. "That's a promise."
Sharek smiled, then glanced behind Shaun at the small group watching nearby—Shaumin and Sabastian.
"And these are your new friends, I take it?"
Shaun nodded. "Yes. These are my new friends—Shaumin Skyline and Sabastian Seaborne."
Sharek's brows rose slightly as his gaze lingered on Shaumin. "Skyline… as in Minister Sherlock Skyline of the Emperor's Monarchy?"
Shaumin inclined his head modestly. "He's my father, yes. But here, I'm just another disciple."
Sharek blinked in surprise before a proud smile tugged at his lips. "Well, that's something you don't see every day—a minister's son befriending my boy. Seems Silver Heaven brings people together."
Shaun grinned. "He's not like the others, Father. Shaumin's real."
Sharek chuckled. "I can tell." Then he turned toward Natasha, his expression softening. "And you, young lady—please look after this reckless one, will you? He's got a talent for trouble."
Natasha instinctively replied, "Yes, fa—" She caught herself, flushing slightly. "I mean—yes, Uncle. I'll look after him."
Sharek laughed heartily. "Good save. Then I can rest easy."
After handing over the last of Shaun's things, Sharek tightened his cloak and turned toward the door. "Alright, I'd best head back before nightfall. The path home's long."
Shaun hesitated, his throat tightening. "Take care, Father… and tell Mother I'll write soon."
Sharek nodded, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. Then he turned respectfully, bowing his head slightly.
"I leave my son in your care, Lady Naomi Sylverleaf. Please take care of him."
Naomi smiled gently. "You needn't ask me, Master Thunderhawk. Your son is now part of our family—I'll take care of him like the rest."
Then, with one last warm smile, he stepped out into the fading twilight. As his father disappeared down the path, Shaun stood silent for a moment. It was strange—how a single goodbye could weigh heavier than a hundred words of encouragement.
"I will make them proud," he whispered to himself.
And as night settled over The Leafsong Nest, a new rhythm began—the quiet heartbeat of a home where destinies would soon intertwine.
**********