The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 97: Moments Before Tomorrow

The sky over Eboncrest shimmered with a velvet glow, stars blinking like old secrets whispered above. It was the final night before departure—and somehow, the Academy felt different.

Softer.

More alive.

The Practice Hall had been converted into a celebration hall—if one could call it that. Tables lined with modest food, floating candles flickering over heads, and the faint hum of magic-infused music. It wasn't a grand farewell. But it was theirs.

Sylvia, already two cups into some suspiciously fruity punch, was giggling at Arisha's attempts to teach her how to dance using wind currents.

"You're supposed to float, not flail!" Arisha laughed as Sylvia spun and landed directly into Elvern's lap, who promptly turned red and choked on his drink.

"Apologies," Sylvia said coolly, brushing off her skirt like it hadn't just happened. "Gravity disagrees with my elegance."

"Not just gravity," Elvern mumbled, coughing.

Across the room, Elsan was being grilled by Kleez, who had donned a feathered cape and a monocle made of what looked suspiciously like a chicken bone.

"So...tell me, noble water man," Kleez said, dramatically leaning over the table. "Can you cry underwater, or does that offend your people?"

Elsan blinked. "I—I don't know."

"Hmm." Kleez nodded gravely. "Neither do I. But I shall test it personally. For science."

Aelric, ever the prince, stood by the window with arms crossed, gaze fixed on the stars. But his usual sternness had softened. For once, he wasn't training. Just...existing.

Then there was Zen.

Leaning quietly against the balcony railing outside, the breeze teasing his dark hair. Shadows curled lightly at his feet, but they weren't aggressive. Just...present. Like they, too, wanted to listen to the night.

He didn't turn when footsteps approached.

"I thought I'd find you here," Lyra said softly, joining him.

She wore something simple, elegant—moonlight resting on her blue hair like a crown. She didn't speak for a moment, just stood close, watching the night with him.

"You're leaving tomorrow," she finally said.

Zen nodded. "Mm."

A beat passed.

Lyra looked up at him, eyes flickering with something between mischief and meaning. "Try not to die. It would be annoyingly inconvenient."

Zen almost smiled. Almost. "I'll try."

Silence again—but not the awkward kind. The kind filled with things left unsaid.

She turned slightly, brushing her shoulder against his.

"I'll miss this," she said. "Miss you."

Zen's eyes finally turned to her. "I'll come back."

"You better. Or I'll come drag your cold, brooding body back myself."

He tilted his head. "That would be a challenge."

Lyra leaned in just a little, voice a whisper. "I like challenges."

Their eyes locked.

Close.

Closer.

[System Nex: internal squealing intensifies Okay, okay, this is it. Just a little more. Do it for the system. Kiss. Her. Zen.]

Zen's eyebrow twitched.

"Are you making that face because of me," Lyra asked with a smirk, "or is your mysterious ghost cube yelling in your brain again?"

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Zen chuckled softly. "...Yes."

She laughed, the sound like windchimes, then took his hand gently.

"Then tell your ghost cube," she whispered, "he's got good taste."

And then, just before the moment could pass

"Zen leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead."

Lyra's eyes widened ever so slightly, her breath catching as a faint blush bloomed across her cheeks. She stared at him, stunned for half a second—then narrowed her eyes, smiling softly with mock offense, even as her face stayed pink.

Zen looked away, rubbing the back of his neck, his usual coolness flickering into something... uncertain. The faintest hint of red touched the edge of his ears.

Lyra leaned in, her voice a quiet tease.

"Coward," she whispered.

Zen exhaled a short laugh, unable to meet her eyes for a moment. "Maybe."

[System Nex: Emotional damage! He really went for the forehead kiss. This man is a tactical menace.]

But Lyra didn't move away. Instead, she stayed close—Her shoulder touched his again, like the kiss had reached her heart, not just her skin.

And in that shared silence beneath the starlit sky, nothing more needed to be said.

As the Academy buzzed behind them, the two stood together under the stars, the world narrowing to just them.

Tomorrow, destiny.

Tonight, each other.