The three young mages woke up late the next morning, having slept very late. The remaining students were preparing to resume lessons after their free day ended. With Ginx gone, Ashviel wondered if Sir Mat Helsing would want to stay around as their full instructor, or if he would return to his expeditions after ending his assignments.
He stepped out of his room with Kael and headed for the training grounds. They had not gone far when Sasha came to call them that Master Vauxall awaited them at his quarters. The reason the young woman became a messenger in the manor baffled Ashviel. She was not an instructor of any kind, nor had she ever joined them at the training. He decided to ask Manfred about it later.
They did not find Master Vauxall in his room, but looking through his window, Kael spotted him walking towards the gate with Lord Blue Beard and Sir Mat Helsing. "There," he said and both went to meet him.
"I hope you are set," he said when they got to him.
"Set for what?" asked Ashviel. His unexpected outing with Ginx had brought little good after all.
"You can't stay with me any longer," said Lord Blue Beard, "not after Ginx's act."
He spoke to them at length, explaining why they could not stay at the academy as concise as possible. Ashviel was nonetheless confused – it was as if life was playing games with him. Just when he had prepared his mind to stay in the academy for seven years, his master abruptly changed the plan.
"You may want to say your farewell to your students," said Master Vauxall when the lord was through, "but you should be quick about it. I am to leave today ordinarily."
They walked by to their quarters slowly. They packed their belongings in their space pouches, and went to meet the students. Dame Ulys had not been seen for days too, and Ashviel later learnt that her espionage skill was vital to the uncovering of Ginx's treason.
They got to Smythe, Manfred and Lensel, who were reading a book in their training area.
"Where's Kyra," Kael asked. They did not find her when they woke at the hall, and had not seen her all day.
"I believe you should know better," said Smythe.
"Manfred," Ashviel began, not knowing exactly how to start. He was going to explain his departure without giving himself away.
"I didn't see much of you two yesterday," said Smythe, closing the book in his hand to walk over to them.
"I don't know how to say this friends, said Kael, swallowing hard, "but Ashviel and I will be leaving the academy."
The three were shocked by the declaration. "Did you commit any crime?"
"Not at all," answered Ashviel, "the reasons are…complex."
"I know you guys are not ordinary," said Manfred, "since you are Master Vauxall's students."
"I'm glad you understand," said Ashviel, truly glad he did not have to go through much explanation.
"So," said Lensel, "when will you be leaving?"
"This instant"
"This instant?' they asked in unison.
"We're sorry, we learnt only moments ago."
They all went silent for some time – all five of them. They had only spent a month and few weeks together, but they have gotten along with each other so much that they appeared to have known each other since when they were little kids.
"I'm going to miss you three," said Smythe.
"Me too," replied Kael. Then he placed his hands into his pockets and brought out three Rek crystals. They were still new, since he had just received them from Master Vauxall some days back. "I think you might need this."
"What are these?"
"Are these Rek crystals?" asked Manfred. Next to Kyra, he was the most erudite of the students.
"Yes," answered Kael.
"You may want to ask Sir Mat Helsing to teach you about it," concluded Ashviel.
"And here," Kael said, quickly producing the rapping tempest scroll from his space pouch.
"A space pouch?" asked Manfred again.
"You should concern yourself more with the scrolls. They contain a wind spell scroll."
The three offered profound thanks for the gifts, and almost began to pore over the scroll immediately.
"It may take a while for you to get it though," said Kael.
"Just one thing," added Kael, "make sure Lord Blue Beard doesn't catch you with it."
"Sure."
They were escorted out of the room to find Kyra, and after some minutes of fruitless searches, they decided to head back to Master Vauxall. They got there and were shocked to find her speaking with Master Vauxall, Lord Blue Beard and Sir Mat. She had a large backpack behind her, and had had her hair coifed in her pixie style.
"Is she going with you," asked Lensel.
"No, that's not possible," declared Ashviel.
"Say your farewell to her," Sir Mat said to them when they got closer to the group.
Ashviel looked from his master to the knight, "Master Vauxall—"
"She'll be accompanying you, Blue Beard had agreed," said Master Vauxall.
Kyra went to meet her friends, with Lord Blue Beard and Sir Mat Helsing, leaving Ashviel and Kael alone with Master Vauxall.
"All the same master, are you sure she won't…" Ashviel tried to protest. The idea of allowing Kyra accompanying them sounded disagreeable to him.
Master Vauxall took a sip of his wine, "Don't worry, she knows already."
"Knows what?"
"Everything there's to know, I told her this morning."
"But Master," Kael said.
"If she's going to accompany you, then she deserves to know. Moreover, she's seen too much already and confiding in her would be better than keeping her in the dark."
"Alright," said Kael, "but where are we going now?"
"Wait till I tell you."
By then, Kyra had bid her three old friends goodbye, leaving them teary-eyed with shock and grief. "I have to go, but I'll be back one day," she had told them.
"Now Mat," said the Lord of the academy, "I don't know whether to punish you or praise you for your parts in Ginx's death."
"I'll favor the latter," said Master Vauxall, and as he spoke, he brought out a space pouch and gave it to the knight. "I ripped it off Tudor," he said.
"Ah, you give much gifts," said Lord Blue Beard.
Sir Mat offered his gratitude and the four proceeded to leave the academy.
"So long," said Kyra to her friends as they exited the big blue gate.