Moment of Parting

The next day, Lux told Sona that she was going on a long trip.

Then, she learned from Sona that Sona had also just joined the Illuminati's choir, recommended by Mrs. Buweier, and had become a backup organist for the orchestra.

Although a choir might sound like an organization for singing, the Illuminati's choir was actually the highest-ranking musical ensemble in all of Demacia. While called a choir, it was in fact a complete orchestra of extraordinary scale and caliber.

After all, an orchestra that could afford an organist would need an organ at the very least—and organs were often integrated into an entire church or concert hall.

For this reason, the organist was the most crucial role in the choir orchestra, second only to the conductor and lead singer. Although Sona was only a backup organist, and the third in line at that, considering her age, it still represented a very proud form of recognition.

Upon learning that her friend also had a new mission, the emotions of parting between Lux and Sona naturally faded considerably.

"I'm going to disaster relief, you're going to be a musician, we all have bright futures"—in this situation, even a first parting seemed to carry the meaning of a new beginning.

Thus, what was originally a rather sad farewell quickly turned into two twelve-year-old girls holding hands and chattering excitedly about their futures.

This time, Karya did not spoil the mood by suggesting they catch up on lessons. He simply listened quietly as an audience to their chatter.

Twelve years old, what a wonderful age.

Twelve years old, in Karya's previous life, on Earth, they were still at the age for elementary school—precocious girls would start caring about their appearance; boys would engage in debates about "who is stronger" that were as pointless as comparing Guan Yu to Qin Qiong.

For these elementary schoolers, parting might mean a classmate transferring to another school due to their parents' job changes. Even if they didn't fully grasp the meaning of separation, they would still feel a pang of sadness.

Twelve years old, when Karya first arrived in Runeterra, it was the age when one was no longer considered stillborn and could be given a name—a twelve-year-old child would be counted as a member of the tribe and a half-laborer for the first time, and would also lose their exemption from tribal retribution after their tribe was wiped out.

In that era of nascent civilization, Karya, who had transmigrated to Runeterra, could only do his best to be a leader of children while strategizing for Setaqa, doing his utmost to protect these "older children" who had just stepped into this cruel world.

Twelve years old, in current Demacian noble families, it was also the time to bear responsibilities. Especially for precocious noble ladies, they would quickly ignite the flames of love, only to have those flames quickly extinguished by their families.

Thousands of years had passed. Although Karya had dwelled on his past failures, he still firmly believed that the wheels of history would keep rolling forward...

Even though he had been infected and corrupted by the Void, Karya could at least still be a teacher, spreading the spark of hope.

That was enough.

With that thought, Karya joined the conversation, playfully teasing Lux and Sona about some of their outlandish fantasies.

"To be a dragon rider? Lux, do you really understand dragons? Those elemental beings are nothing like Dragonbirds—"

"Mind your own business?!"

"To hold a concert in Placidium? Sona, you'll need to practice Ionia's religious music more. Those solemn melodies are not easy to play..."

"I will work hard."

"..."

"..."

Beside the garden pond of the Crown Guard family, Karya finally stood with Lux and Sona as a true friend (meaning he was standing by the shore), chatting freely with another generation of young people.

Just like three thousand years ago, on a freezing night in the Great Sai Desert of Shurima, he sat by the campfire with the orphans accepted by his tribe, creating their own written language.

Just like two thousand years ago, in the first human university in Shurima City, he publicly announced, against the wishes of the Royalty, that the school would forever be open to anyone.

Just like a thousand years ago, amidst the raging Rune Wars, he barely managed to awaken and guided the wielder, leading that group westward into the Rune tree forest.

Karya was not a successful person.

Having transmigrated with his body, his strength and talent somewhat disgraced his status as an Ascended and a transmigrator—his body was frail, he couldn't feel Magic Power, and even after ascending, he could only fight using his own attributes.

He dedicated himself to bridging the rifts between races but ultimately failed to prevent the Icathians' dissent—although he treated students from all regions equally, he couldn't prevent the pride and discrimination of other Shurimans.

The meticulously cultivated Rune tree did not get to bear fruit before he himself fell into the ranks of the Darkin during the War—his thousand-year plan for the tree ultimately failed, and he could only barely shelter some refugees from the Rune Wars.

However, even after failing countless times, Karya, who had awakened once more, had not lost hope!

He didn't crave a powerful body, nor did he wish to lord over others while he still had consciousness.

He preferred to be like this now, by the children's side, laughing and joking with them, then secretly remembering their embarrassing moments, pulling their pigtails, and in the most comical and lighthearted way, recording their every step of growth, reminding them not to forget their past, and not to betray the person they once were.

The Void's infection was never a concern.

As long as he could awaken again, Karya was willing to sow the seeds of hope once more, loosening the soil for these young saplings.

Until one day, children of twelve years old in Runeterra would no longer need to bear burdens they shouldn't have to carry prematurely.

A long, long time ago, Setaqa had asked Karya why he did this. Karya hadn't answered then.

Because in his eyes, it was simply the way things should be.

However, Karya's sense of the natural was unattainable for many.

That was all.

Three days later, Lux, with her dress sword and packed belongings, boarded a carriage bound for Silvermine City in the north, protected by a squadron of elite guards.

The young girl, leaving the Demacian Imperial Capital, was both excited and sad. She watched the scenery flash by outside the carriage window and endlessly fantasized with Karya about her trip to Silvermine City—her emotions were so intense that Lux even started rambling incoherently, not even knowing what she was saying.

Fortunately, Kuren's timely intervention interrupted Lux. This loyal old butler, though not surnamed Crown Guard, held considerable weight within the entire Crown Guard family. Ogesha sending him out showed the importance she placed on this journey.

Mr. Kuren was usually involved in management work and served as the family's external steward, more like a "professional manager." He wasn't someone who "watched Lux grow up from childhood," but he still held considerable respect and importance for their renowned young lady.

Especially when he saw Lux, on her first departure from the Imperial Capital, her eyes full of longing and excitement as she looked out the carriage window, yet her expression remained composed.

As expected of our little Crown Guard princess!

Now, while he had the time, he needed to discuss taxes with Lux at length. Compared to disaster relief and on-site disaster assessment, which required flexible handling, auditing accounts was undoubtedly the most professional task of this trip.

Faced with Kuren's patient instruction, Lux could only stop her internal chatter with Karya and respectfully begin her studies.

This study turned out to be extraordinary.

Lux's learning performance stunned Kuren, who had been prepared to teach her the whole way.

In Kuren's opinion, his young lady was simply exceptionally talented!

This was her first time encountering accounts, yet she could mentally sort everything out clearly, even drawing inferences and discovering omissions.

Kuren himself couldn't discover problems at such a speed!

Could it be... that Madam hadn't told the truth before, and had actually taught Miss?

That couldn't be it; Madam wouldn't joke with him like that.

Besides, judging by Miss's demeanor, it truly seemed like her first time dealing with these things. She couldn't even draw the common symbols used in bookkeeping properly...

Although he had some doubts, Kuren's respect for Lux undoubtedly grew – but this was different from his previous respect for her status. This time, he respected Lux's ability.

However, if Kuren knew the actual situation, he would surely be greatly disappointed and even beat his chest in regret.

Lux was exceptionally talented?

She didn't understand a damn thing about auditing!

Only someone like Karya, who had been in charge of logistics management for years, could understand everything so easily.

Karya originally didn't want to help Lux here.

He wouldn't have agreed even if Lux had begged him.

However, when Lux mentioned that she had fallen behind on many classes, Karya immediately and without hesitation overstepped his bounds.

"Um... Kuren, hurry up and teach!

You can leave after you're done.

Next, Lux still has to catch up on her studies – she fell behind on her magic lessons due to attending various farewell banquets these past few days!"

Watching Mr. Kuren hurry away, Lux couldn't help but secretly chuckle to herself.

Karya also seemed unaware that while he was helping Lux with accounting, he was acting just like a math teacher covering for a gym teacher.

Indeed, after being a teacher for a long time, one always develops some occupational habits.

This chapter briefly introduced some of Karya's past – of course, there will be more in the future, appearing in various forms in others' memories, in stories, and in Karya's own half-true, half-false boasts.

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