"Ladies and gentlemen."
The voice echoed through the ship, reaching every nook and cranny.
The students, who were just going about their normal lives, looked up in shock at the sudden announcement.
Not just that.
The way the Commander spoke, it felt too casual compared to previous times.
"We will be approaching the Imperial Academy's registration planet soon."
"I thought we were going to Earth," a student said to his friend.
"That was what they told us," the friend replied with furrowed brows.
As if he could hear their inner thoughts, the Commander continued talking.
"That was a mistake on my part, I did not know registration took place on another planet," he said.
The students looked towards the speakers, then away.
"I wonder how Silas is doing, we might not see him after today," Amelia said slowly.
"You can see him during holidays," Sylvester replied, walking towards her.
Billie kept a small distance between both of them, her hands dipped in her pockets.
"Hey."
All heads turned towards the source of the voice.
The movement was instantaneous.
Silas gazed at them with a smile.
"How are you doing?" He asked, scratching his head nervously.
They looked at one another.
"Why are you here?" Sylvester asked, walking up to him.
Silas smiled as they shook hands.
"Well, I might as well say my goodbyes before we reach the registration planet," Silas said.
"What goodbye?" Sylvester asked, brows slightly raised.
"I got some insider information. I am in the top 100 of the Academy, Empire-wide."
For a moment, there was silence.
One that stretched so long that it felt too awkward.
But the group stood rooted in place, stunned by the revelation.
Even Amelia and Billie, who had expected a result like that, were shocked.
After all, to them, it was only a chance, not a certainty.
But now, seeing that Silas had really gotten into the top 100, they could only open their mouths in shock and awe.
"How did you get the information?" Hope suddenly asked, causing everyone to snap back to their normal state.
It was true — how could Silas get information on something of that level?
"Commander Humphrey," Silas said directly.
Once again, Silas had stunned them.
"The same one in charge of this spaceship?" Hope asked, her eyes almost popping from their sockets.
Silas nodded calmly in response.
"What the hell were you doing behind our backs that made you and the commander close enough to be sharing secrets?"
Silas smiled. "Long story."
He looked at the group with a smile, then raised his hand.
"Wine?" He asked, showing a bottle of the original pineapple-flavored Star Dew he had bought at the Nova Mall previously.
They nodded at the same time, as if their minds were interconnected.
They began walking towards the kitchen.
"Cups," Silas said, snapping his fingers at the counter.
The Chef rushed out immediately, carrying a tray with six glass cups.
As he set it on the table, he locked eyes with Silas.
Silas smiled in response.
The Chef shook his head and walked away with the tray.
Silas brought the wine out and uncorked it.
He filled his own glass halfway before setting it down with enough force to make the other cups shake.
"Help yourselves," he said.
The others looked at the wine, unsure of what to do.
Sylvester was the only exception.
He took the wine and poured himself a cup.
"Really, we did not see each other for a month or so and this is how things are between us," Silas said, dropping his cup on the table.
There was another wave of silence.
"This is really awkward," Silas sighed as he looked away.
"Silas," Billie called.
There seemed to be a hint of emotion in her tone for the first time since Silas had known her.
Silas looked towards her.
"Doing this is not going to change the fact that you are leaving," she said. "Just forget about us and continue with your life."
As she spoke, a single bead of tears fell from her eye.
Before it could fully form, Billie swept it away.
Then she stood up from her chair, walking away from the table slowly.
In front of the door, she looked back one final time before she walked out.
Amelia looked at Billie's fading figure, then smiled.
"I just hope you don't go around breaking the girls' hearts there," she said, her face flushed red before she ran out.
But Silas could feel it, the emotion behind her words.
"Hey, you don't have to feel down," Sylvester said, tapping Silas on the shoulder gently.
"Once you get stronger in the future, you can always see them. Moreover, there's the Nexus Dimension where you guys can meet constantly."
"Here, let's drink — a toast to your future."
Sylvester raised his glass.
"You really don't think, huh?" Hope asked, shaking her head slowly.
Sylvester frowned.
"He is right, I only need to grow stronger," Silas said, raising his own cup.
A soft clink chimed through the room as the glasses met.
Hope sighed, taking a cup for herself and filling it.
"To your future."
"Wow, you did not tell me it tasted this sweet," Silas said as he took a sip of the wine.
The wine felt as though he was drinking something made from the very origin of pineapple.
Sweeter than anything he had ever tasted before.
"What were you thinking? I told you before, this wine is the specialty of our Orion Sector; there's no way it wouldn't be good."
Silas nodded slowly.
Time passed in a blur.
Sylvester did all the talking, Silas only nodding at certain points.
He had long since stopped focusing on what Sylvester was saying.
Hope had also left a long time ago.
"I guess it is time to leave," Sylvester said, rising from his seat.
Silas looked at him for a moment.
He also stood up.
"Bye," he said.
Sylvester nodded.
To Silas, Sylvester was like a brother.
All his life, he had only ever had female friends.
Sylvester was the one who broke what had almost felt like a curse to Silas.
He was a few steps away from the exit when he suddenly turned back.
His eyes rested on Silas gently.
"If possible, try to make friends with Eric Norwald."
Silas furrowed his brows.
"Who is that?" He asked.
Sylvester turned back.
"I don't know much about it, but I heard something from the Patriarch. Eric Norwald is said to be the most talented person in our history, even more talented than the first Emperor and Levi."
Sylvester slowed at those words, looking around as if to ensure no one was listening.
"There is even a rumor that he would be the next Primordial Realm expert in the Human Empire after so many years."
Silas blinked, then nodded.
"Thank you."
Sylvester smiled as he exited the kitchen, hands dipped in his pockets, expression as casual as ever.
But beneath it, there was a sense of loss.
"Asher," Silas called gently.
The air stirred as Asher stepped through it.
"Master Silas."
Silas faced Asher.
"Master?" He asked with a raised brow.
Asher shook his head.
"Stop trying to act tough every time," he said.
His tone was solemn.
"What are you talking about?" Silas asked, tapping Asher on the leg lightly.
Asher sighed.
He did not push it further.
"Should we go to your room?"
Silas pondered the question for some time.
"Let's drink together," Silas said, pointing towards one of the chairs.
Asher stared at the chair for a moment, then nodded.
He pulled the chair out and sat in it.
"Have you ever heard of Eric Norwald?" Silas asked as he downed another glass of wine.
"You are taking too much of this wine," Asher said.
"I don't know if Sylvester told you, but this wine, due to its special ingredients, can make even Stellar Realm experts drunk."
Asher set the bottle down after taking another fill.
His finger danced around the cup.
"Have you ever heard of Eric Norwald?" Silas asked again, ignoring what Asher had said completely.
Asher sighed.
"Yes," Asher replied.
"According to what I know, he is the only child of the President of the United States of America."
"What is that?" Silas asked with furrowed brows.
"The thing is, unlike other planets that have one governor, Earth has nations, and each nation has a president that oversees their welfare," Asher said. "The United States of America is one such nation, and it is one of the strongest on Earth."
Silas blinked.
"Even the Empire does not interfere with the rules of these nations."
Silas thought for a moment.
"How do you know of this if you have never been here?" Silas asked.
Asher shrugged.
"I met a person who told me all of this in the Nexus Dimension about two thousand years ago."
Silas creased his brows, then shrugged.
"Okay."
With that, they continued drinking, with Silas thinking about his future.
"Bye," he muttered beneath his breath.
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