The day he graduated, Ash decided to return home.
With nothing urgent requiring his attention, it had been a long time since he had last seen his family.
Lunaris had changed greatly over the years. Not only had she become much larger, but she had also learned to control her size at will. For long journeys, she would enlarge herself enough for Ash to ride comfortably.
The two set off immediately.
They traveled for three days and three nights, stopping only occasionally to rest before continuing on their way.
By the morning of the fourth day, the familiar outline of his family's estate finally came into view.
Ash dismounted from Lunaris before walking to the front door and knocking. Lunaris also became tiny and hopped onto his shoulder like she always used to.
A few moments later, the door opened.
Standing there was a familiar face.
It was Selena, the maid who had found him as a baby eleven years ago.
For a brief moment, she simply stared at him.
"Sel."
Ash greeted her with a small smile.
"Young Master!"
Without another word, she hurried inside.
"Master! Madam! Young Master Ash is back!"
Footsteps echoed through the mansion.
Before Ash could react, Eleanor rushed over and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"Ash, you're finally back!"
A moment later, Leon walked over and lightly knocked Ash on the head.
"What were you thinking? It's been years since your last visit."
Ash rubbed the spot where he had been hit.
"I've been busy."
"Busy?" Leon snorted. "Busy enough to forget your own parents after becoming famous?"
Ash let out a helpless smile.
"That wasn't my intention."
"Good," Leon replied. "Because if you stayed away any longer, your mother was about to drag you back herself."
"I would've," Eleanor said without hesitation, still refusing to let go of him.
Ash chuckled softly.
Although he had returned home a few times over the years, each visit had been brief. Between the academy's accelerated curriculum and his training, several years had passed since his last trip home.
To Leon and Eleanor, however, none of that mattered.
To them, he was still the son who had left home far too early.
"Come inside," Eleanor said as she finally released him. "You must be exhausted after traveling."
Ash nodded.
"It has been a while."
"Have you had breakfast?" Eleanor asked.
"Not yet."
"Then come on," she said immediately. "We were just about to eat."
Leon chuckled as he led the way to the dining room.
"It seems your timing is still as good as ever."
The servants quickly prepared another set of utensils, and before long, the three of them were seated around the table.
As they ate, Leon looked at Ash.
"So, what brings you back this time?"
"I just wanted to visit."
"Really?" Leon raised an eyebrow.
Ash nodded. "It's been a while. I also wanted to tell you about what I've been doing these past few years."
Leon laughed.
"We already know most of it."
Ash looked at him curiously.
"You've become the youngest graduate in Elwing Academy's history," Leon said. "Then you became an adventurer and started climbing the ranks faster than anyone expected. News like that spreads quickly."
Eleanor smiled proudly.
"Every time someone mentioned your name, your father would pretend not to care. Then he'd secretly ask for every little detail."
"I did not," Leon replied immediately.
"You did."
Ash couldn't help but smile.
"Still," Leon continued, clearing his throat, "I'd rather hear it from you than from rumors. So, go on. Tell us everything."
Ash nodded before beginning from the very start.
He told them about the Academy City, the different system used from the second year onward, and how he had continued passing acceleration exams one after another. He spoke about his graduation at the age of ten, his registration as an adventurer, and the many missions he had completed over the past year.
Naturally, he left out anything related to the System.
Instead, he attributed much of his progress to hard work, Lunaris, and the opportunities the academy had given him.
When he mentioned graduating at ten years old, Eleanor covered her mouth with a smile.
"You've really grown."
Leon, however, looked at him with a more serious expression.
"You worked yourself too hard."
Ash paused.
"I know you don't like wasting time," Leon continued. "But you're still a child. Strength is important, but so is enjoying your childhood."
Ash gave a small smile.
"I understand."
Whether he truly did or not, Leon couldn't tell.
After all, Ash had always seemed far more mature than children his age.
The conversation continued for over an hour. Occasionally, Eleanor would ask about life at the academy, while Leon was more interested in Ash's missions as an adventurer.
Only when the meal had long since ended did the topic finally change.
"So," Leon asked, "what are your plans now?"
"I'll continue taking adventurer missions for the next few years."
"Not returning to the academy?"
"I've already graduated."
"And after that?"
Ash answered without hesitation.
"When I turn fifteen, I'll join the army."
Leon and Eleanor exchanged a glance.
"The army?" Eleanor frowned slightly. "That's dangerous."
"I know."
"But you've already accomplished more than most people do in their entire lives."
Ash simply shook his head. "There's still somewhere I need to go." He didn't explain any further.
The army itself wasn't Ash's goal. It was simply the next destination the System had set for him.
As for why... Even he didn't know.