Chapter 477: GRADUATION

The grand parade grounds of the Imperial War College in Alika City were lined with thousands of ceremonial guards, weapon masters, and visiting dignitaries.

Towering white marble pillars draped in crimson and gold tapestries framed the massive cobblestone arena beneath a clear, brilliant sky.

Today marked the official graduation of the highest military institution on the continent.

A full year had passed since Squad 25 had concluded their harrowing deployment in Boni Valley, completing their master curriculum in strategic command and governance.

Standing at the pinnacle of the graduating class in pristine dark iron and silver dress uniforms were the heroes of Squad 25—Kiuga, Bukata, Maita, Zolinka, and young Ulekai.

Beside them stood their fierce western rivals, the top trio of Kafika: Gavina, Pavire, and the deadly Teshini huntress.

These eight elite graduates had achieved the highest academic and combat scores in the history of the War College.

They had proved their martial excellence not only in strategic examinations, but across the bloodiest battlefields of the continental war.

In the high royal viewing gallery sat Supreme Mandra Taziraka, Grand Marshal Senraki, Marshal Salka, Kun Nakia of the West, and Lady Kiana of Sekana.

Beside them sat Grand Zorath Kaka Asakana, who had traveled south from the Iron Citadel in his white bear-fur mantle, grinning broadly as he prepared to cheer for his brothers.

A deep, earth-shaking rumble suddenly vibrated through the stone arena, silencing the murmurs of the immense crowd.

The massive wrought-iron southern gate of the War College swung wide open, and an awe-inspiring gasp swept through the thousands of assembled spectators.

Entering the parade grounds was Supreme Chief Sagiri, arriving as the supreme guest of honor atop the colossal ancient desert beast Zaira.

The ancient desert beast moved with majestic, fluid grace, her shimmering blue-black armored scales polished until they reflected the sunlight like liquid glass.

Around Zaira’s colossal neck hung an enormous ceremonial garland of woven golden desert shyflowers.

She glided down the red carpet with deep, rhythmic rumbles of pride, acknowledging the cheering crowds with regal poise.

Sagiri wore a regal midnight-black southern sovereign tunic embroidered with ancient silver runes, with the radiant master blade of Nokai sheathed across his back.

His dual-colored amber and silver eyes shone with calm, sovereign authority, captivating every eye in the arena.

Riding gracefully beside Sagiri atop the ancient desert beast’s crest was Healer Lira, looking breathtakingly radiant in the traditional ceremonial sovereign attire of the South.

She was draped in flowing robes of pure, pristine white silk, trimmed with delicate golden embroidery and woven desert shyflower patterns.

Resting gracefully around Lira’s slender neck was the magnificent Malkia Honor Collar, a wide circular torque crafted from woven silver threads, desert pearls, and deep turquoise gemstones.

The traditional southern collar was styled after the ancient discs worn by noble matriarchs, resting flat against her collarbones and framing her face with stunning majesty.

On the morning of their departure from Azareen, Sagiri had personally fastened the ancestral clasps around her neck to protect her honor from idle court gossip.

What had begun as a protective gesture for an innocent maiden had blossomed over the passing months into a deep, tender closeness that bound their hearts together.

As Zaira glided to the center of the parade ground, Sagiri and Lira stepped down onto the red carpet with effortless elegance.

The entire student body, along with hundreds of senior instructors and generals, snapped their fists over their chests in a thunderous salute of absolute reverence.

“Behold the Supreme Chief of the South and Healer Lira!” the chief herald’s voice boomed across the arena. “Welcome to the Grand Master Graduation of Tasaka!”

Sagiri nodded with quiet dignity, taking his seat of honor on the royal dais alongside Supreme Mandra Taziraka and Grand Marshal Senraki.

Lira sat gracefully beside him, her soft grey eyes glowing with pride as she looked down at their companions standing on the parade floor.

Grand Marshal Senraki stepped forward to the edge of the dais, holding a velvet-lined silver tray bearing the golden Master Sashes of the War College.

“These graduating warriors have achieved the highest honors in the history of our institution,” Senraki declared with crisp military precision.

“They have demonstrated mastery in strategic command, advanced siege tactics, and frontier defense, proving their valor on the battlefields of our world.”

The first to be called forward was Kiuga, who stepped up the marble steps with his sharp, analytical eyes steady and focused.

Supreme Mandra Taziraka personally draped the golden Master Strategist Sash across his chest, appointing him as Senior Strategic Advisor to the Continental Defense Council.

Next came Bukata, standing tall and broad with his scarred face split into a proud grin.

Senraki fastened the Master Vanguard Sash across his broad chest, naming him High Commander of Heavy Siege Fortifications.

Maita, Zolinka, and young Ulekai stepped forward together, their faces shining with youthful pride.

Maita received the Master Infiltration Sash, Zolinka was awarded the Master Alchemical Ordnance Sash, and Ulekai was named High Master of Long-Range Reconnaissance.

From the front row of the gallery, Kaka leaped to his feet and let out a roaring cheer that echoed across the entire academy.

“THAT’S MY SQUAD! NOBODY BEATS SQUAD 25!”

Kaka pounded his heavy iron gauntlets together with a deafening clang, causing the entire gallery to erupt in laughter and thunderous applause.

Marshal Salka shook his head with an amused smile, watching his boisterous former student cheer with unbridled joy.

Next came the top graduates of the West, as Gavina, Pavire, and the Teshini huntress marched up the steps in flawless cadence.

Gavina stood tall, her massive emerald hunting beast coiled around her shoulders as Kun Nakia smiled with fierce pride from the gallery.

Senraki awarded Gavina the Master Beast-Tamer and Frontier Assault Sash, naming her the primary Field Commander of the Western Ridge Armies.

Pavire received the Master Aerial Scout Sash, while the Teshini huntress was awarded the Master Close-Combat Assassin Sash.

Gavina turned her head toward the dais, catching Sagiri’s calm gaze with a sharp, confident huntress smirk.

She nodded respectfully to Lira and the radiant silver honor collar resting on her neck.

With the master sashes bestowed, the graduates turned in unison to face the assembly, unsheathing their ceremonial weapons in a brilliant flash of silver steel.

The combined battle roar of the graduating class echoed off the marble walls, shaking the very air of the capital.

Kaka raced down from the viewing gallery, throwing his massive arms around Bukata, Kiuga, Maita, Zolinka, and Ulekai in a ferocious northern bear hug.

“You did it, brothers! Masters of the realm! Tonight the drinks are on me!”

Gavina, Pavire, and the Teshini huntress laughed from nearby, sheathing their weapons with fluid elegance as they joined in the celebration.

They raised their hands in mutual respect, congratulating Squad 25 on their hard-earned honors.

Supreme Mandra Taziraka raised his hand, addressing the cheering thousands.

“Let the realm rejoice! The future of Tasaka stands before you, forged in courage and united in honor!”

Outside the War College, the ceremonial cannons of Alika City fired in rhythmic celebration, sending colorful plumes of smoke rising into the sunlit sky.

The young cadets who had started as raw recruits in the sands of Galka had officially claimed their places as supreme commanders.

Sagiri looked down at his brothers and sisters, his heart full of peace and profound gratitude.

Hand in hand with Lira beneath the warm sun, the Last Keeper smiled, knowing that the world was finally safe in the hands of the masters they had become.