The Grand Assembly Hall slowly emptied.
Thousands of cadets spilled into the Academy courtyards, conversations breaking out everywhere.
Some celebrated.
Others argued over rankings.
Many were already speculating about Kharos Vale.
Gamma Squad walked together in comfortable silence.
David still wasn't used to the weight of the Champion's Blade resting against his hip.
Nor the small silver leader's insignia fastened to his collar.
June glanced over.
"...You planning on smiling today?"
David blinked.
"...I am smiling."
"No."
"You're thinking."
"Same face."
Nyra laughed.
"...He's right."
David sighed.
"I've had a busy morning."
Lucian smirked.
"I think that's an understatement."
Mira looked toward David.
"...Congratulations."
Castiel nodded.
"...You earned both."
David looked around at all of them.
"...We earned them."
Lucian smiled.
"There he goes."
David frowned.
"...What?"
"Already saying 'we.'"
June grinned.
"...Captain behavior."
David rolled his eyes.
"...Don't start."
"Oh, we're absolutely starting."
They stepped outside.
Bright sunlight warmed the Academy grounds.
Cadets crossed every pathway.
Some stopped David to congratulate him.
Others congratulated Lucian.
Many congratulated the entire squad.
For almost half an hour...
They barely made it across the courtyard.
Eventually...
June stretched dramatically.
"So..."
"What now?"
Silence.
No one answered.
They had spent an entire year chasing the Tournament.
Now...
It was over.
Nyra looked between everyone.
"...We never actually celebrated."
June stopped walking.
His eyes slowly widened.
"...You're right."
Lucian immediately knew where this was going.
"...No."
June ignored him.
"We won the Tournament."
He pointed at David.
"He's Champion."
He pointed at David again.
"He's our new Squad Leader."
He pointed toward Commander Vance's building.
"We're going back to Kharos Vale."
He looked around dramatically.
"And somehow..."
"We haven't eaten."
David laughed.
"...That's your biggest concern?"
"It should be yours too."
Mira smiled.
"...He's not wrong."
Castiel quietly added...
"...It has been several hours."
June pointed triumphantly.
"See?"
"Castiel agrees."
Lucian sighed.
"I think he stated a biological fact."
"Still counts."
Nyra laughed.
"I think we deserve one day."
Lucian looked around the group.
One by one...
Everyone nodded.
Even David.
Lucian smiled.
"...Alright."
June threw both fists into the air.
"YES!"
Several nearby cadets looked over.
June didn't care.
"I officially declare today..."
"...Gamma Squad Appreciation Day."
David laughed.
"Can you declare that?"
"I just did."
As they began walking toward the Academy gates...
June suddenly stopped.
"...Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
"We're missing something."
David frowned.
"What?"
June pointed directly at him.
"The sword."
David looked down.
"...What about it?"
"You can't carry the Champion's Blade around all day."
"Why not?"
"Because..."
June spread his arms dramatically.
"...People are going to challenge you to duels."
Lucian stared at him.
"...No they aren't."
"They might."
"They won't."
June thought for a moment.
"...Fair."
Nyra smiled.
"...I think it looks good."
David looked at her.
"...Really?"
She stepped closer.
Without saying a word...
She reached up.
Adjusted the Leader's insignia on his collar.
Then straightened the strap securing the Champion's Blade.
"There."
David smiled.
"...You keep doing that."
She looked at him innocently.
"Doing what?"
"Fixing my uniform."
June immediately pointed.
"There!"
"I saw it!"
Nyra blinked.
"Saw what?"
"You did it again."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You fixed his collar."
"I fixed his insignia."
"Last time it was his collar."
"This time it was both."
David couldn't stop smiling.
Lucian quietly looked away.
"...I'm pretending this conversation isn't happening."
Mira laughed softly.
"...Probably for the best."
Castiel folded his arms.
"...Agreed."
June looked around dramatically.
"I'm the only honest person here."
Nyra looked at David.
"...Ready?"
David nodded.
"...Yeah."
Then...
Without thinking...
Nyra reached down.
Took his hand.
"Come on."
She smiled.
"We're celebrating."
She started running toward the Academy gates.
David stumbled once before laughing and following.
June slowly watched them disappear ahead.
A grin spread across his face.
He looked at Lucian.
"...You see that?"
Lucian didn't even look up.
"I saw it."
"They're holding hands."
"They are."
June looked at Mira.
"You saw it too."
"I did."
Castiel quietly nodded.
"...So did everyone else."
June blinked.
"...Wait..."
"You all knew?"
Lucian finally looked at him.
"June."
"...You're the last person to figure it out."
June stood completely still.
"...No."
A pause.
"...I've known the whole time."
Mira smiled.
"...Of course you have."
"I was simply..."
He folded his arms.
"...allowing nature to take its course."
Lucian started walking.
"...Keep telling yourself that."
The rest of Gamma Squad followed.
Still laughing.
June hurried after them.
"I absolutely knew!"
"No one appreciates my subtlety!"
His voice echoed across the Academy courtyard.
For just a little while longer...
Gamma Squad was simply six friends enjoying a beautiful afternoon.
None of them wanted the day to end.