Chapter 412: Return

"Yo!" Timothy smiled while waving his hand. "How are you?"

"I’m good. It does look like you’ve gotten something great as well."

"I do, but it shouldn’t be comparable to what you got. You basically saved our asses out there." Timothy chuckled. "Not many were able to witness what you’ve done on the battlefield, but it doesn’t change the fact that without you, we would have been wiped out."

"I’m merely saving my own life. By the way, it does seem you have a bodyguard with you." Auric glanced at the male student standing not far from Timothy.

Timothy nodded. "Yeah. Lady Merlin has asked him to keep a watch on me and stop me with force if necessary."

"Hmm?"

"It’s my probation period. Since I’m trying to make myself sober, someone needs to be around me so that I won’t touch any alcohol."

"Ah! I wish you luck then. Just come back to me when your condition flares up again. I have several clues on how to treat you, but I need to study it first. I might have to ask you to test a few things for me."

"Sounds good to me," Timothy agreed. "Lady Merlin wants me to pass this to you."

Timothy handed over a small piece of paper.

Auric carefully took it and opened it, only to find a few words on it. "Get stronger fast."

"That grandma..." Timothy took a peek and sighed.

Auric chuckled before putting the message back in Timothy’s pocket. "Yeah. You can take that back."

"What? No!" Timothy didn’t want trash, but Auric had playfully escaped.

The banquet was quite low-key. They didn’t dare to make the event too extravagant because the city was in the middle of repairs. In fact, the banquet was no longer held at the hotel. It was a small venue that hadn’t been destroyed yet.

Still, after fighting alongside each other, it did look like the students were able to get along with each other.

After experiencing a life-and-death battle, it was normal for a bond of camaraderie to form.

Auric didn’t have much interest in forming those bonds because he simply wanted to get this over with.

"It does look like a lot of girls are eyeing you." Ellia gracefully approached Auric.

"Hahaha. I should be fine." Auric chuckled.

"In that case, how about I help you a little?" Ellia extended her hand. "I wonder if this gentleman here would invite me to dance."

Auric was slightly taken aback but soon smiled as he extended his own hand, taking hers. "I’d love to. Oh, sorry. Lovely lady, will you honor me with your hand for a dance?"

"I’d love to." Ellia smiled.

The others were dancing around.

Ellia was enjoying it at first, but she suddenly whispered, "I don’t know what you’re experiencing right now, but I know something is going on with you. I’m not planning to ask because I feel it’s personal. However, if you want some help, I’m just one phone call away."

Auric looked at her in surprise. Then again, it was really impossible to hide his thoughts from Ellia. After all, they thought the same way. It wasn’t hard for Ellia to figure out something was wrong.

He appreciated the fact that Ellia didn’t plan to pry, so he smiled back. "Of course. Thank you."

"You’re welcome." Ellia didn’t say anything else. Auric was truly handling everything by himself. Even during the raid, he actually used his own power so that everyone could remain asleep the whole time without saying anything.

For the time being, she didn’t sense him to be exhausted or having any other conditions that would concern her, so she chose to just trust him and offer her help.

In the end, a few more people were asking for a dance with him. The first one was Katarina, who definitely didn’t want to lose as his assistant, preventing a lot of people from being able to ask him for a dance.

Then, Vera approached him. It was quite a surprise since according to her, she and Eric had become a couple.

However, it made sense why Vera wanted to fake this dance since her family still thought she was chasing him for the sake of her family. If she didn’t do anything, her family would get angry. If they found out about Eric, it would definitely cause a big mess.

That was why Auric accepted and helped her. This way, no one would approach Vera, and her family would feel relieved, buying Eric precious time.

The closing ceremony ended with Vanessa’s small speech.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has come to this place. The students have trained and fought well. I’m sure that all of you will grow up just fine, so use this experience and do your best.

"The instructors have also done their part in guiding the students. At the same time, I’d like to express my special thanks to those who have gone to stop the main beast wave, buying precious time for all of us to survive.

"Last but not least, I’d like to thank all the support staff. It doesn’t matter whether you are a teaching assistant or a cleaner. You clean the facilities and rooms so that the students and instructors can focus on the training. Every one of you has an important role, and I don’t plan to undermine any of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

"In that case, please get a good rest tonight and head back tomorrow. With this, I officially announce the completion of the training program." Vanessa nodded with a smile.

She left without hesitation, not wanting to handle the mess that Head Instructor Ryan or Ultias had created. If Ultias had just shown up on the battlefield, the situation wouldn’t have been this bad for them.

So, she didn’t want to be another sacrificial pawn like Stella. Still, she noticed Stella on the battlefield and realized that Stella had chosen to work for Auric.

Then again, compared to living in Dermania, Stella would probably be more appreciated if she worked for Auric.

...

The next day.

Everyone was boarding their respective planes, heading back to their respective countries. Auric managed to say goodbye to Timothy before leaving. In fact, he was going to ask Eric and Tommi whether they wanted to let Timothy join the group.

As soon as the plane carrying the country’s representatives arrived, it was greeted by cheers from thousands of people who had been waiting for them at the airport.

Supervisor Jacob led the team at the front followed by Auric and the biggest contributors in the training program.

"Kyaaa!"

"Welcome back!"

"Our Prince Auric is the best! Congratulations!"

"Ellia!"

"Katarina!"

"Vera!"

They basically had their own fan clubs.

Of course, people were still skeptical about Ellia, considering she had a unique element, but they couldn’t deny the fact that Ellia had achieved a lot in this training program.

Katarina was the champion of the Rank 4 competition, while Vera almost beat Clarice.

The reporter on the side said, "Just look at those cheers. It’s amazing. Thousands of people are welcoming the heroes back home. The national team will head to the memorial first to pay their respects to their fallen comrades."

It was a small parade. Of course, Supervisor Jacob wanted Auric to remain visible to everyone since he was the public face of this national team.

After they arrived, they lined up and started the small ceremony.

Auric grabbed the flower prepared for this ceremony and put it on top of the monument, and the others followed suit.

Once everything was over, Supervisor Jacob proudly announced, "I’d like to thank everyone for making our country proud. You have truly done a great job in the training program.

"I’d like you to remain sharp and continue your progress. Use the experience you’ve gained in the training program and become someone you can be proud of.

"Thank you for everything. Now, it’s time for everyone to go home."

Finally, everything was over.

"See you soon! I don’t know what kind of occasion will bring us all together again, but I have a feeling that we’re going to meet each other again pretty soon." Vera waved her hand. "My family has been waiting for me not far from here, so I will go back with them. Thank you, guys."

"Take care, Vera." Katarina waved her hand. "I’m also going back. Auric, have you..."

"Don’t worry. Everything has been processed. I will be home in no time." Auric nodded, reassuring her.

"Great. In that case, see you soon. Just text me if you need anything."

"You got it."

Katarina kept waving her hand while walking away with Vera, leaving Ellia and Auric behind.

"You’re planning to go back to your home first, right? I guess this is where we part. I’m planning to head straight back home. Stella has been waiting for me in Thunderer City."

"Yeah. I have no choice but to go back first. Are you sure you’re going to be all right?"

"I’m fine. No need to worry." Auric waved his hand.

"I see. In that case, I’ll go back first."

"Yep. Take care." Auric was finally alone. Maya also returned to her family before heading back to Thunderer City, but with this achievement and the fact that her criminal record had been erased, she could basically go anywhere.

Still, he could finally go home.

Home... yeah, home...

His mother was gone. His father had gone on a "business trip" without any sign of coming back.

So, this meant he would be alone at home.

Could that place still be called home?