Chapter 209: Chapter 191 – Late Departure

"Peace of the heart is not something to be sought, but something you realize had been in you all along, you had just tuned it out all this time." - Unknown Philosopher, from the pre-historic periods.

The firstday of the next week, Cal bid her farewell to Xain, Layla, and Ying Xiao. The young girl had spent the rest of the last week busily, as she went around and thanked everyone who had helped her during her stay in Paradise, something that brought a bit of a melancholic smile on Cal's lips.

 

She herself spent most of the past week with Xain and Layla, as she caught up with how they were doing. For the most part, she was glad that the empire was doing well so far in its reconstruction, even if Xain had some difficulties as he pushed for more reforms.

 

Difficulties Ying Xiao's part in his plans for the future would hopefully sweep away. The young emperor and his empress were also ecstatic as well as nervous about the child they were about to have. They paid a visit to Aideen and had her check on Layla and the unborn baby in her womb just to be certain.

 

When Aideen confirmed that the baby was a healthy girl and that they would likely have nothing to worry about, it soothed their worried minds, as did her promise to come over and help out when the time comes for Layla to give birth.

 

So it was that Cal sent them home after their weeklong reunion with a bunch of souvenirs and well wishes, as well as a promise and reassurance to Xain that should he ever need her help, she would be there for him, no matter what.

 

Two weeks after Xain departed, Cal went to Levain with the rest of her students. She came to witness her students' early graduation, for the last few of them, that is. Out of all her students only Ognar, Willa, and Fheeri would graduate in this ceremony, as they were the ones who joined the institute last compared to the others.

 

The ceremony itself was simple, as the department heads of the early graduates gave a speech on why they deserved it - Vark had just made a short speech in Ognar and Willa's case, the result of the yearly tournaments three years running spoke for itself already - before the graduates got up to the stage and received their diploma from Garth as the dean.

 

Cal counted a baker's dozen of students who graduated early, though she learned that most of them were already in their last year, and simply graduated a bit earlier. Anomalies like her students who straight up skipped whole years were supposedly pretty rare.

 

After the quick ceremony, a short speech from Garth followed, as he wished the esrtwhile students of the institute the best of luck in their future endeavors. Applause from the audience came after his speech, while the students who had just graduated dispersed to seek out their respective families and friends.

 

Cal's students naturally sought her out, and she praised them accordingly, before they moved back to Paradise for a celebratory feast. Everyone who planned to join her for the trip this year had already packed up long ago, so they were prepared to leave by the next morning.

 

They enjoyed a lavish dinner at the Magnus' place, where the old half therian cook made a lavish meal from meats most of them had not even heard of, like flesh from the deep-sea trawler, a massive beast that grew forty to fifty meters long, that sustained itself from small plants and animals so small they could barely be seen.

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The creature itself was not unlike a gigantic jellyfish in shape, albeit far meatier and self-aware, as it was noted to have attempted an escape when predators swam by. These docile creatures were considered delicacies by deep-dwelling merfolk, and apparently Magnus had the luck to have acquired some from them.

 

As for the meat itself, Cal found it quite curious. The flavor reminded her of crabmeat, but the texture was more akin to beef, especially with the pockets of sweet yet savory fat deposits interspersed between the muscle fibers.

 

After the sumptuous meal, they all went to rest, and the next morning, they gathered close to the gate hub. Cal saw Elaina and Sidonie there with their pets, as well as Ognar, Giselle, and Willa. Kino had came along as Aideen said there were a few people she would introduce Cal to in the Elmaiya Empire, while she had re-hired Dan in case they needed a healer.

 

The rest of her extended family was there as well, as was Aideen, but they were present for a different reason. As Cal would start her trip from Tohrmutgent once again this year, her family wanted to go visit Mimia and Drietven, while Aideen apparently visited the Bone Lord semi-regularly.

 

They went through the gate and was soon directed towards the Palace of Bones like last time, and soon enough, found themselves seated around a long table with Mimia and Drietven, as well as the Bone Lord himself in his mortal guise.

 

Aideen had brought her "grandpa Aarin" an assortment of sweets from the best shops in Paradise, and to Cal's surprise Unitia had also presented the Bone Lord with some handmade elven cakes of hers. Apparently Aideen had given her advice on what to give to the Bone Lord, since he definitely seemed to truly enjoy it as he indulged in the sweets.

 

For their own enjoyment, several kinds of local sweets were served by the palace's servants since it was still early in the morning, along with cups of hot tea. Cal found many of the local sweets quite a delight, to be honest.

 

Sweets made from sweetened glutinous rice weren't uncommon in Ptolodecca, and made Cal think of similar sweets she used to enjoy back home at the Empire. She favored the triangular chunks of pressed and compacted glutinous rice drenched with palm sugar and some dessicated coconut the most, as the slight bitterness in the sweetness of the sugar reminded her of the syrup made from the tree saps back home.

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