Well, this is it, Allen thought with a long sigh. The third years are finally graduating, which means Rose will be leaving.
With less than a week remaining of the academy year and the final exams out of the way, it was time for the third years to make their early departure, so that they may fully graduate from the academy and begin to pursue their interests in the field of magic.
At the end of every academy year, the academy holds the third years' graduation ceremony, to celebrate the successes of all of their graduating students and to send them off with a final goodbye.
The Student Council President traditionally gives the speech during the ceremony, and coincidentally enough Rose also happened to be a third year, but it wasn't all that uncommon for the current student council president to be a third year.
Allen, Thomas and Cecily all sat together alongside their C ranked students, much closer to stage up front. Their friends Adam, Oliver and Sybil, who were former D ranks and now members of their training club chose to sit near them.
"Do you think it's starting soon?," Thomas asked impatiently, as he kept his eyes up on the currently empty stage.
"I would assume so," Cecily guessed, as she kept her eyes enthralled into her textbook. "They don't always keep us waiting long"
"I hope we don't have to wait long!," Thomas remarked, as he shifted in his chair. "I'm already getting tired"
"Just wait you idiot!," Cecily barked, as she slammed her textbook on the top of his head.
"Ow, seriously!," Thomas yelped. "That's it, I'm getting you back this time!"
As Thomas and Cecily began to scuffle, Allen noticed Rose finally making her appearance in the front of the stage. All eyes within the crowd began to land on her, as they happily awaited the beginning of her speech.
"Greetings everyone, as you all know I am your Student Council President, Rose Marion!," she began, as the confident but excited smile grew.
Small cheers went throughout the crowd as she began her speech. Rose patiently waited for the excitement to settle down before continuing.
"This academy year is quickly coming to a close, and it's finally time for this year's current third years to make their graduation, alongside myself!," Rose announced loudly and clearly, and with much emotion.
"All of you third years currently in the auditorium have truly worked hard on both your studies and mastery of your magic! You have put much time into learning the basics, and more time into perfecting your magic!"
"There is still a long road ahead of all of us, and I'm sure all of you will work hard alongside me towards our current goals, whether that is to become a magical knight, having your sights on becoming a Triumvirate member, or even other professions such as magical artifacts or research! The important thing is you keep focused on your goal and work hard towards that end!"
Excitement and interest in the room remained as Rose continued her speech. However, her confident and ecstatic energy slowly became more serious before she continued.
"I myself, personally seek to become a magical knight, following the footsteps of my late sister," Rose continued, as her smile began to slowly fade. "She was very talented, smart and one of a kind. She had worked hard to get where she was, and unfortunately did not make it to where she strived to be"
Small tension filled the room as everyone began to pick up on Rose's saddened expression. Her fellow students began to empathize with her.
"I had always felt trapped in her shadow, feeling like I could never make it to her level. She had outshined me in every way, and I simply could not keep up with her. It was only until after the fact that I realized I was part of the reason she had worked so hard"
Silence remained in the auditorium, as her fellow students remained quiet during her serious speech. But instead of keeping her saddened look, Rose began to perk up, and her confident smile came back.
"However, thanks to a certain someone, I've begun to realize my own potential, and to stop comparing myself so much to my late sister," she continued, as she spoke loudly and confidently once again. "I will never forget how important my sister was to myself and to those around her. And I may never grow as strong as she once did. But regardless of that, I will work hard towards my own goals, and become the best that I can be"
She's talking about me, isn't she?, Allen thought as he had an awkward and embarrassed look on his face.
"So I tell all of you students, regardless of your current year, rank or status: work hard to become the best you can be!," she shouted, with much emotion. "Don't try to restrict yourselves based on the wishes of others! Work towards what you want to do!"
As Rose took a moment to breathe, several cheers went throughout the auditorium. Rose had certainly made a heartfelt speech that resonated with many of her fellow students.
"And so, I wish all of you luck to my fellow third years, as well as the rest of you all!," she continued. "And I wish the best of luck to whoever will become the next Student Council President after I have graduated. I hope they will work hard towards keeping the academy a safe and fun environment for all mages!"
"It has been a pleasure and a wonderful experience being your Student Council President these past two years, and a student for all three. Thank you!"
Cheers and applause come from the audience, as everyone praises Rose's speech. Rose does a quick bow to the audience, and gives everyone a few waves with a large smile on her face before she exits off of the stage.
"Well, that speech was certainly interesting," Thomas commented, as the clapping began to subside.
"She's such a natural at speeches," Cecily added. "She radiates much confidence and friendliness. There's no wonder why everyone loved her as the student council president"
"But now, she will be leaving," Allen sighed. "This was her last year, after all"
Both Thomas and Cecily looked over at Allen, picking up on his distraught emotions. They understood what Allen felt: that one of their good friends would be leaving, and there might be a large window until they see her again.
"Yeah, I get you Al," Thomas sympathized with him. "We'll make sure to say our proper goodbyes"
"You're right," Allen agreed with him. "Let's meet up with her soon"
The third years' graduation ceremony came to a close, and all of the students began to make their way out of the auditorium. All of the third years began to group out in spaces in the hallways, making their proper goodbyes to one another, and to any of their underclassmen.
Allen and the rest of his friends (excluding the newer members of the recently reformed training club) met up in their own area outside of the auditorium. There, they were hoping to meet up with Rose to make sure to say their final goodbyes before Rose finally left.
"Well, today is finally the day," August was the first to speak. "We will finally say our goodbyes"
"It's really hard to believe," Allen sighed. "The year has really flown by. And it only felt like yesterday that I met with Rose in William's office for the first time"
"And yet, here we are," Stephen couldn't help but smile. "We've been through it all together. The ups and the downs. But in the end, we can finally all come together one last time before the next year"
"I certainly enjoyed my time with everyone!," Thomas remained in a better mood compared to everyone else. "But, it'll definitely be sad seeing our friend Rose go!"
"And here she comes," Alice commended.
Everyone turned to see Rose making her way over to them, with an understanding smile on her face.
"Sorry about that, you all, I know I took longer than expected," Rose admitted. "I wanted to say my goodbyes to my fellow student council members first"
"It's all good, Rosy," Stephen grinned.
"Oh, still calling me that, are we?," Rose asked with a mischievous grin on her face. "Well, I'll make sure everyone calls you Steph while I'm gone!"
"Please don't," Stephen pleaded, while everyone else got a giggle.
"How about we say our final goodbyes in a more private space?," Rose suggested. "The training room? We'll get less attention there"
"You're right," everyone agreed, as they noticed the stares from everyone else. With several of them within the group being well known now, it was harder for them to talk in a hallway without being noticed.
The seven of them made their way over to their training space they always used for their training club. Allen unlocked the training room door, and the seven of them made their way inside, taking in the room in a different light, as this would be the last time all seven (eight if counting Sarah) of the original members would be in the room together.
"Well, this is it, you all," Rose sighed, as she took one last good look around the training room. "I will be taking my leave today, as you all know. I plan to start my magical knight training, so I can become a proper magical knight. I don't have much time, so who would like to start with their final words?"
"I'll go first," Cecily offered, which surprised everyone. She stood in front of Rose before continuing. "Rose, I know you'll do well. Work hard, and all of us know you'll become a wonderful magical knight"
"Thank you, Lily," Rose gave her a heartwarming smile, followed by a hug.
"If I might go next?," Thomas asked. Rose nodded in response.
"I may not be the smartest person of the group, but I know for sure you'll do a wonderful job," Thomas nodded. "And, we'll catch up to you soon!"
"Thank you, Tom," Rose smiled, giving him his hug.
Thomas' face suddenly turned red, as he was not ready for the hug. Thomas noticed Cecily giving him a glare in the background, but like usual he had no idea why Cecily gave him that look.
"Perhaps I'll go next," August put his hand up to draw attention. "Rose, we all know you're strong, confident and a natural born leader. But, you're compassionate, kind, and honest. I know you'll make an excellent magical knight, that everyone can count on"
"Thanks your highness," she answered as she gave him his hug.
"I've told you all to not call me that!," he rolled his eyes as everyone else behind him giggled.
"I suppose you're next, with that look you're giving me?," Rose asked, as her attention was drawn to Alice, who was staring at her intently.
"Please," she quietly answered. "I'll miss you. You'll do well"
"And that's the quiet and short-answered Alice we know and love," she gave an understanding smile as she hugged her. "And I suppose Sarah will need her hug, too?"
Alice slowly took her glasses off, and the coloring of her eyes and hair began to shift, turning from blue to an earthly brown, similar to Thomas' features. Her cold and quiet nature quickly turned warm and loud as Sarah made her appearance.
"You already know what I think!," she stuck her tongue out at her. "I'll have Allen all to myself after you're gone!"
"Sarah!," Allen exclaimed as his face turned red.
"Never gets old," Stephen smirked, as he gave a pat on the back to Allen.
"You're not helping Steph!," Allen spluttered as everyone chuckled around him.
"Yes, I know Sarah," Rose said with a sigh. "But don't think I've given up just yet!"
"Uh huh," she said as she raised an eyebrow. "Just you wait, he'll be mine before you come back and-"
"Yes, yes, we get it Sarah," Rose cut in. "Now do you want your hug or not?"
"Hmph," she muttered as Rose awkwardly gave her a hug.
"Guess I'm up next. Gotta save best for last," Stephen grinned, as he looked at Allen first, then back to Rose.
"You're quick witted jokes may annoy me, but they never get old," Rose admitted. "Any words from you?"
"You know I'm pretty straightforward with this kind of emotional stuff," Stephen shrugged. "Look, just follow the advice you gave everyone else. Work hard, and I know you'll one day be the person your younger self would be proud of"
"Thanks Steph," she smiled as she gave him his hug.
"Best for last," Stephen echoed, as he pointed in Allen's direction.
"Right," Rose answered, her face getting red.
"Well, this is it Rose," Allen spoke first, scratching the back of his head. "This is going to be our second goodbye"
"Indeed it is Allen, just in different circumstances," Rose answered, avoiding eye contact here and there. "Any last words before I depart?"
"Well, I think you know what I want to say, but I'll say it anyways," Allen began, taking a deep breath. "You've been an inspiration to us all, really working hard to push us to be our best as mages. You've helped all of us so much, especially me with my training, and for that I am always grateful. There might have been a period where we lost you, and I don't want to ever happen again. So please, no matter how far away you might be, how busy you might be, just always have your friends in the back of your mind, will you?"
"Always, Allen," Rose promised, with a heartwarming smile. "I'm… I'm going to miss you… all of you…"
"Yeah, we get it. You're going to miss Allen the most!," Stephen smirked, before Allen hit his back.
"Well Allen? One last hug?," Rose asked, her face turning red again.
"Yeah. Of course," Allen answered, doing his best to not be nervous.
The two of them gave each other a warm hug, Rose making sure to hug him the longest, to Sarah's annoyance. Cecily patted the top of her head, telling her she'll be fine, and reminded her she'll have Allen for two more years anyways.
"Well you all, it's been a blast," Rose looked at each and every one of them, trying to not let her tears fall. "I promise all of you, one day will come that I'll become a full-fledged magical knight, and see all of you again!"
"Yeah, you'd better!," Stephen grinned, putting an arm on Allen's shoulder, to his annoyance. "We'll be waiting for you!"
"And I'll be waiting for all of you too, as magical knights!"
Rose finally began to walk away, as everyone waved goodbye from behind her. But before Rose exited the training room, she turned back around, her once emotional face turning towards more serious.
"One last thing you two idiots!," she exclaimed, pointing at them.
"Who, us?," Allen and Stephen asked at the same time.
"Who else?!," she rolled her eyes. "You'd both better try for the student council while I'm gone! I know you two will do well! Especially you, Steph!"
"Yeah, yeah, and get even more work? I'll pass," Stephen waved his hand down.
Rose gave him a glare before speaking. "And you Allen! I know you can do well, so just try!"
"I'll… think about it!"
"Hmph, sure," she quickly turned her head back around, finally exiting the training room, and slamming the door behind her.
"Well, that's certainly the Tsundere Rose we all know and love," Stephen shrugged. "The Blue Rose will always have thorns at her sides"
"Yeah, but that's the best part about her," Allen admitted. "That assertive side of her… she might put out a strong facade at first, but on the inside, she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet"
Everyone nodded in response, as they all thought about the memories they shared and created with her this entire year. It had been a long road for all of them for sure. But with one chapter ending, a new one shall begin. Everyone had already begun making new friends, expanding their training club. They still had a long two years ahead of them, before they could catch up to the Rose they all looked up to.
But seriously, she's never changed, Allen couldn't help but think. She's always been the same, no matter the age. And I respect and care for her all the same. And I'll save her again, if that's what it takes to keep the strong, confident and kind Rose I know.
Images of a young Rose that Allen had first met back in his training days with William had suddenly popped into his head. Taller than him, with a stronger look of desire to grow, and forced Allen to become better. But then the image shifted, towards the Rose that he knows today. Allen finally catching up to her in height, but still behind in skill. The once hardened look on her face became more soft and caring, but the confidence never wavered. But the image finally shifted one more time, when Allen had finally caught up to her during the tournament. The look of approval on Rose's face finally appeared, proving Allen's hard work had finally paid off.
But even so, no matter what, I won't stop trying to grow stronger, Allen promised himself. Even if Rose isn't here, even if William isn't here… I'll grow strong enough so that one day, there will be many who look up to me as I do to Rose and William!