Chapter 150: Graduation Day
Several Days Later...
The academy grounds were buzzing with activity from the early hours of the morning. Final-year students moved about in their formal black graduation robes, each one bearing the Belsorth insignia embroidered in gold thread.
Family members had begun arriving in waves. Some came in elegant carriages, others in steam-powered vehicles. A few of the wealthier families arrived via airship, landing on the designated platforms that had been set up specifically for the occasion.
Inside one of the preparation rooms reserved for graduates, Ethan was in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting his collar.
Percival was nearby, tugging at his own robe with visible annoyance on his face. "I don’t understand how anyone made this thing and thought it was comfortable," he complained, pulling at the sleeves.
Ethan glanced over at him with a smirk. "It’s not that bad."
"Easy for you to say," Percival shot back. "You’re not part werewolf. This shit is itchy as hell."
Across the room, Lucy Hargreeves was seated at a table, bent over some prototype device she had brought along despite this being graduation day.
Her fingers moved along it as she triple-checked the calibrations on what looked like a compact scanner of some kind.
Anna, ever the organized one, was going over the class processional order for what had to be the fifth time. She called out names in sequence, making sure everyone knew exactly where they were supposed to stand and when they were supposed to move.
"Stark, you’re in the third row, fifth position," Anna said without looking up from her list.
"Percival, same row, sixth position right behind Ethan."
"Got it," Ethan called back.
Percival just grunted in acknowledgment, still fighting with his robe.
Lucy finally looked up from her device and said, "Anna, you know they’re going to tell us all this again when we line up outside, right?"
Anna quickly replied. "And when they do, everyone will already know where to go because I told them first."
Lucy shook her head with a small smile and went back to her device.
The outdoor had been decorated elaborately for the occasion. Banners bearing the Belsorth Academy crest hung from tall posts positioned around the perimeter.
Rows upon rows of chairs had been arranged in neat lines, all facing toward a raised stage at the front.
The seating area for graduates was separated from the audience section by a walkway down the center. On either side of that walkway, the audience seats were filling up quickly with family members, friends, and notable figures from across Grayfort and beyond.
Francesca sat with Eduardo and Valerie in one of the middle rows, all three of them dressed formally for the occasion. And they all had proud smiles on their faces:
The graduates then filed in from the side entrance in the order Anna had so meticulously organized, each one walking with measured steps toward their assigned seats.
Ethan found his spot in the third row and sat down. Percival dropped into the seat right behind him a moment later, still looking uncomfortable in his robe.
Once everyone was seated, the Headmaster, Mr Kolinski Hillman took the stage. He was an older man with silver hair and a long beard, wearing blue robes that marked his position.
"Graduates, families, distinguished guests," the Headmaster began, his tone formal but warm. "Today we gather to honor the achievements of this year’s final class, young men and women who have spent years preparing themselves for the world that awaits them beyond these academy walls."
He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the rows of graduates.
"You enter a world of breach zones, guilds, and for some of you, businness" he continued. "A world where the skills you have learned here will be tested again and again."
His expression became more serious.
"But you also enter this world equipped to face these challenges. You have proven yourselves capable. You have demonstrated your worth. And today, we recognize that accomplishment."
The speech went on for several more minutes, touching on the academy’s history, the achievements of past graduates, and the responsibilities that came with being a Belsorth alumnus.
Eventually, the Headmaster began calling names.
One by one, graduates stood and walked up to the stage to receive their certificates. Each one shook the Headmaster’s hand, accepted the rolled scroll bearing the academy seal, and returned to their seat.
The ceremony continued until every graduate had received their certificate. And afterwards, he said the final words that brought forth applause and cheers from the audience.
Eventually, it all came to a slow end and students were saying their goodbyes, promising to stay in touch even though many of them knew those promises would be difficult to keep.
Some already had guild offers waiting for them. Others were heading straight into family businesses or continuing their training in specialized fields.
Ethan had Isabella by his side, but they were all standing in a large group with the arcorys family.
Maya Heydrich was somewhere in the crowd, attending on behalf of her brother Wilson.
Beatrice Morgenstein had also come for her graduation, though she’d kept herself separate from alot of the crowd. She said nothing to Ethan or Wilson, neither of whom paid attention to her anyway.
But Ethan noticed the moment her gaze landed on him and Isabella, and they both held their hands together.
The look on Beatrice’s face was brief, but it was there. That flash of pain before she turned away and disappeared into the crowd.
-
A few minutes later, Lucy Hargreaves approached them, looking all jovial per usual.
"Ethan," Lucy said as she stopped in front of him. "Do you have a moment?"
"Yeah, of course," Ethan replied.
Isabella then stepped aside to give them space.
Lucy began, "I thought about your offer.."
Ethan nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"I’ll take it," Lucy said simply. "I want to work with you and Stark Induatries"
Then a genuine smile appeared on Ethan’s face. "Glad to have you on board."
Lucy nodded and smiled back. "When do you want me to start?"
"Whenever you’re ready," Ethan said. "Take a few days if you need to get things in order, but after that, I have this space I already set out for you."
Lucy smiled and then they shook hands to seal the agreement. After then Lucy walked away to rejoin her mother.
Ethan watched her go with a smile on his face, and when he looked at her mom, she did seem happy.
Well, that would most likely always be the case if you received a million after your husband’s killer was announced dead.
Not long ago, Ethan had confirmed where the bounty went, only to discover it had been sent to the Hargreeves family.
A short while later, while Ethan and the members of his house were about to leave, Bettie spotted him and went on to approach.