Afterwards, Chris-sensei and Katharina-sensei went to greet the other students.

I was surrounded by friends and juniors too, and we talked for a while.

I also talked to Shallot.

Currently, Shallot has taken over from Natalie as student body president.

She pledged to spread the importance of magical engineering to the students and teachers of Sanzar Academy.

I knew that Shallot would make a great student body president.

The people I met at Sanzar Academy, I spent a lot of time talking to them.

The number of students left in the program is getting smaller.

And then I saw Berg’s figure.

Berg is surrounded by girls.

He’s as popular as ever.

I meet eyes with Berg.

When Berg noticed me, he smiled and then came over to me.

This guy comes up to me when he sees me. I don’t think he’s a faggot, is he?

“You seemed to be enjoying being surrounded by girls.”

“Hahaha, I’m honestly overwhelmed.”

“You didn’t look too happy about it, did you?”

“Did I look like that?”

“No, I lied, it was your usual pasted-on smile.”

I’ve known Berg for eight years now.

I can now somewhat discern whether Berg is laughing heartily or being fake.

By the way, more than 80% are love laughs.

“A pasted on smile is awful, I was just being sincere.”

“Wouldn’t it be more sincere to just say you’re not interested in them?”

“Haha, I can’t say that.”

“I’m sure.”

Berg is kind to everyone without dividing them, which is why he is so popular today.

If Berg had a bad mouth, I don’t think the girls would stick around.

Owen might be able to make that clear.

I do think about what I’m saying.

“But when you say it, you say it right. I wanted to be like you.”

I twisted my head in response to Berg’s sudden confession.

“What’s the big deal about being me?”

“Too much humility can sound like sarcasm.”

Humble is a word that suits Berg better.

“I’m not modest, I used to dream of being a wizard, though I soon had to give it up, for I don’t have the constitution to be a wizard.”

“That’s not something you’d expect from a graduate of Sanzar Academy.”

I said with a chuckle.

“You know why, don’t you? I’m a failure at magic, and I’m jealous of a talent as dazzling as yours”.

“Jealousy? You don’t really feel jealous.”

“That’s true, because I didn’t show it, but now I don’t have any admiration for Owen, because I’ve decided to go my own way, and it was you who made me think that, so I want to say thank you Owen.”

“You say some stinky things sometimes, have you lost your mind being so moved by the graduation ceremony?”

“I’m not impressed, but it’s an opportunity I’m taking.”

“That’s kind of creepy.”

I said, and Berg laughed like he was hurt.

“You’re always so hard to hit.”

“It’s a man’s nature to be annoyed when he sees someone popular, so just dismiss it as envy.”

“I’ve never heard of that before.”

“The popular guys don’t get it.”

“I think you’re irresistible enough. …… Oh well, I didn’t mean to bring this up.”

Gosh, Berg coughs it up.

“It’s been great learning with you Owen, you’re the reason I’ve stuck with it.”

Seriously, Berg says, I don’t think so, okay?

I think Berg would’ve done just fine on his own without me.

I know that Berg is a hard worker.

But Berg seems to mean what he says, so I return the words in all seriousness.

“I’m glad I got to have some friendly competition with Berg.”

“It’s nice of you to say so.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Yeah, that’s about it.”

I smiled at Berg, who nodded as if copying me.

Then Berg laughed, too.

I’m rather fond of the distance between me and Berg.

More of a rival than a friend.

Written “strong enemy” and not “friend”.

It’s a pure rivalry.

I think Berg was aware of me at the same time I was aware of him.

We’re aware of each other, and this relationship is just right for us.

I reach out my hand quickly towards Berg.

“What’s with the hand?”

“I thought this was goodbye, so I thought I’d shake your hand.”

“Goodbye ……, yes.”

Berg took my hand in his.

Berg’s hands were lumpy and hard.

Despite his fresh appearance, Berg is a man of hard work.

It was the hand of a man who kept swinging his sword, which you could tell.

“See you around, and good luck in the Knights Order.”

“Owen, you’re the one who should be doing well in the Mage Corps.”

“Yes.”

And so we parted.

We said our goodbyes to all the people we met at the school.

I took one last walk around the school by myself.

I was there for eight years. I have memories all over the place.

I walk to chew on them.

It’s getting dark.

“It’s really graduation.”

I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to do it.

Then I instantly felt the sense of graduation.

After listening to the president’s speech, I had hope for the future, but now I am deeply moved by graduation.

“Thank you for everything.”

I bowed my head deeply and said thank you.

That’s how I graduated from Sanzar Academy.