Chapter 91: David’s Funeral
Death will always remain a mystery and a scary thing, even to those who have crossed paths with it and survived. We celebrate life, victory, survival, and a lot more, but death is once and final. Despite the relief they felt, despite the joy of survival, standing in the cemetery, most couldn’t help but break down into tears. This also served as a reminder to everyone that rifts were dangerous, no matter the level.
This made most realize how lucky they were. It made most of them realize how fortunate they were to have Silas at the camp at that time. It made most question, "What if Silas wasn’t around?" "What if he arrived alone?" "What if..."
There were a lot of what-ifs, and no one liked the sound of it, especially those who had gained firsthand experience of what it felt like to become prey to a monster.
The cemetery was quiet, as it should be. There were no reporters here, no flashing cameras, and no excited whispers about S-Ranks or awakened abilities. Only silence.
Rows of white headstones stretched across the gentle hill overlooking New Liberty, bathed in the soft orange glow of the late afternoon sun. A cool breeze drifted through the neatly trimmed grass, carrying with it the scent of fresh flowers and earth. Black-clad figures stood beneath the open sky: students, teachers, parents, academy officials, and even government representatives had come.
At the center stood a simple white coffin, which was empty since there had been nothing left to bury. David Gronsan had been devoured whole by the Borotus. Mr. Sylvester had risked his life retrieving what little remained, a bloodstained fragment of David’s academy jacket that had snagged on a broken tree branch during the attack.
His parents had refused to let that be discarded. Instead, they had washed it, folded it, cried over it, and watched as it burned. The ashes now rested inside a pristine white urn engraved with delicate silver lettering.
David Gronsan.
Beloved Son.
May You Find Peace Beyond the Rift.
It wasn’t much, but it was all they had.
***
Silas stood quietly near the back. He wore a fitted black suit that somehow still looked effortless on him. His newly evolved appearance drew countless glances even here, but unlike the previous days, nobody stared because of his beauty.
Today, everyone’s eyes carried sadness. Beside him stood Chloe. Her long white hair flowed gently in the breeze, contrasting with the black dress she wore. Her expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever, yet Silas noticed the way her fingers lightly gripped the sleeve of her coat. On his other side stood Anna, whose eyes were just fixed on the urn.
A few steps away stood Alpha. For once, the cheerful, easily startled boy wasn’t fidgeting. His head remained lowered, hands clasped before him. Silence suited him strangely well.
Principal Theodore stepped forward. The usually composed old man looked years older than he had only weeks before. He looked toward the gathered crowd and began.
"I have delivered countless speeches throughout my life," He said, his voice carrying softly across the cemetery. "I have welcomed thousands of students into Valecrest. I have congratulated champions. I have celebrated awakenings. I have even expelled students."
A faint, bitter smile crossed his face.
"But never..." He paused. "...never did I imagine I would stand before one of my own students in this manner."
The breeze picked up, and several students quietly wiped their eyes.
"The Rift Incident will undoubtedly be remembered. Many will speak of heroes. They will speak of impossible victories, speak of the blue rift that should never have existed. They will speak of S-Ranks and monsters."
His gaze slowly shifted toward David’s parents.
"But to a father and to a mother... History means nothing." Silence engulfed the place as many tried hard to hold back their tears. "Their son is gone."
Mrs. Gronsan broke into tears once more, collapsing into her husband’s embrace. Some students began crying alongside her, as they couldn’t hold it in anymore. Peter stared blankly at the urn.
Principal Theodore continued.
"David was not the strongest among us. He was not the most talented. He was not the loudest. But he was one of ours. And today, we say goodbye."
He stepped back, and the priest nodded at him before beginning the final rites. Prayers were offered, flowers were laid, and one by one, students walked forward, placing flowers on the urn. Victor silently saluted while Alicia bowed her head in respect. Marcus stood before the urn for almost an entire minute before whispering,
"I’m sorry..." No one heard the rest.
Christian followed. He instinctively reached out with the extra arm his awakening had granted him before freezing. Slowly, he dismissed it, and only his remaining real hand placed a flower beside the urn.
***
Eventually, Silas stepped forward, and the cemetery became even quieter. Everyone unconsciously watched him, the boy who had conquered the blue rift. The boy, many believed, had saved every remaining life inside it. Silas looked down at the white urn. He didn’t say anything for a long time, not because he was sentimental, but because he had nothing to say. He wasn’t being heartless here. He didn’t know the guy on a personal level or any level for that matter, and he had been through his own share of shit. All he could do was to show some empathy.
"Sorry."
He could only say one word, nothing more, because what else could he say? Justice had already been served. He just hoped, wherever David was now, he had found peace. Silas gently placed a small white flower beside the urn before stepping away.
Chloe walked forward after him and silently laid down an icy blue flower she had created from mana. Unlike ordinary ice, it didn’t melt. It shimmered softly beneath the sunlight, beautiful and serene. A murmur spread through those nearby when they saw it, but she didn’t speak. She ignored them and bowed once before returning to Silas’s side.
Finally, the urn was lowered into the earth. Shovels of soil fell gently upon it, and each sound echoed heavily in everyone’s hearts. When the grave had been filled, a polished white headstone was placed above it.
For several minutes, no one moved. No one wanted to be the first to leave. The breeze continued to dance through the cemetery, and birds chirped somewhere in the distance. Life carried on as it always did.
Silas looked at the fresh grave one last time before quietly turning away. He understood that very well. The others slowly followed, and behind them, only fresh flowers remained, gently swaying beneath the evening sun, surrounding the newest grave in the cemetery. David Gronsan had become the first student of Valecrest Collegiate Grounds to lose his life inside a rift. Everyone silently prayed he would also be the last.