After leaving the secret realm, Dago took one last look around the valley, then flew off into the sky.
Bernal knew more of his secrets than anyone else in this world.
Over all these years, the two had long since become an inseparable whole.
Bernal knew he would return, just as he knew Bernal would be waiting right where he had left him.
There was no need for a solemn farewell between them.
Half a month later, on a sunny, breezy afternoon.
On a street paved with shells and pebbles, a young man strolled past two swaying carriages to the clear, pleasant chimes of wind bells in the sea breeze.
The young man stood tall and straight, with short, dark chestnut hair that was soft and slightly wavy.
His hair complemented his complexion, taking on a warm hue in the sunlight.
He walked with his eyes lowered, as though pondering something, exuding an air of peace and composure, along with a distinctly scholarly bearing.
Even dressed in the plainest gray linen robe, he would have been exceptionally handsome and striking in the most prosperous capital, let alone this remote little port town-
Everyone fortunate enough to see him, man or woman, could not help stopping their work to steal a few curious glances.
"Hum-"
At a three-way junction leading down a slope, Dago suddenly stopped. A deep purple light flashed through his lake-blue eyes, unseen by anyone. For an instant, they were as deep and brilliant as a starry sky, only to dim again a moment later.
Almost.
Dago drew a soft breath and murmured the word inwardly.
Just now, he had fallen only a hair short of completing the most basic form of Astrolabe Divination described in the Primordial Star Codex.
His spiritual power was still the limiting factor,