Chapter 16 — The Weight We Carry
The sky was weeping.
Or maybe it was just the rain falling heavily as they returned to the Academy.
No one spoke.
Lux walked at the front, his uniform torn and bloody, hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Synoh followed behind, keeping an eye on Yuta, who limped heavily, barely able to walk.
Edward and Mina carried their wounded friend carefully, but Yuta barely reacted.
His eyes were hollow.
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Flashback — Yuta's Memories
As Yuta staggered, his mind wandered — back to a time not so long ago.
He saw himself, Marcus, and Emily under the summer sun, laughing together.
Training together.
He remembered the first time he summoned his companion — a small fox spirit.
Marcus had cheered the loudest. Emily had given him a flower crown to put on the fox.
"No matter what happens, we'll always have your back, Yuta!" Marcus had said, laughing.
"Yeah! You're our best friend, dummy," Emily added, punching his arm lightly.
Those warm days felt like a dream now.
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The Reality
Yuta collapsed to his knees as they entered the Academy gates.
Synoh rushed to him, but Yuta barely moved.
"They're gone..." Yuta whispered, voice cracking.
"I couldn't save them... I—I should have been stronger—"
Fel, still sealed in Synoh's sword, whispered:
"It's not his fault. But grief blinds the young..."
Lux turned around sharply.
"Yuta," he said, voice tight, "This isn't your fault."
Yuta lifted his head, tears streaming down his face.
"If I summoned something stronger... if I wasn't such a coward... maybe—!"
Lux grabbed Yuta by the collar and shook him hard.
"THEY DIED BECAUSE THEY DISOBEYED!!"
"They died because they made the same mistake I warned them about!"
Yuta froze, stunned.
Lux's eyes softened, but his voice remained steady.
"We all carry pain. We all carry regret. If you drown in it... they died for nothing."
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Yuta's Depression
After being treated by the Academy's healers, Yuta locked himself in his dorm room.
He didn't come out for meals. He didn't show up for training.
Lux visited once, standing outside his door silently — but never went in.
Synoh tried too, but Yuta never answered.
The Academy became quieter.
Everyone knew about what happened.
Instructor Irina personally came to visit Synoh and Lux a few days later.
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Irina's Lesson
"You both made it back," Irina said, looking at them.
"But the wounds you carry are heavier than the ones on your skin."
She looked at Lux especially.
"You gave good orders. You did your duty as Captain. Their deaths were their choice — not your failure."
Lux didn't reply.
Irina sighed and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Leading people means carrying their graves too. If you can't accept that burden — step down now."
Synoh watched as Lux slowly shook his head.
"I won't run," Lux said quietly.
Irina smiled faintly, sadness in her eyes.
"Then... grow stronger, Lux Alaric. Become the kind of leader they would be proud of."
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End of Chapter 16