Humanity's Hero Of Despair

The work at Keeper Academy is grueling.

Ivy, Ignis, and I spend many hours traveling around campus, burning debris, and rebuilding walls. The sound of everybody working together to restore the academy is almost comforting. Justus takes charge of the rebuilding process, occasionally giving orders on where to move things. Even amongst the chaos, it feels like the air contains something new.

Hope.

When the messenger from the HLH arrives, all of us barely notice it. The messenger speaks rapidly to Justus and then leaves to go back down to Stonelight. Justus then finds some students and whispers to them, which makes them run around campus to tell other people.

What is it?

The answer to my question walks toward me as Justus makes eye contact with me. He looks back and forth between Ivy, Ignis, and me.

"The messenger brought news that the HLH are ready for us to return to the palace. Since other students were around me, I had them run around campus to spread the word. We will leave soon," Justus says, making sure the three of us hear the news. He then moves around campus to spread the word even further. Before we all start moving to the airfield, I look at the campus.

It is far from perfect. However, the campus now looks like it isn't in the middle of a battlefield. The building of Sky Point is now put back together. This makes me smile because it reminds me of the time Ivy and I were there.

Things are becoming better.

Ivy shoots me a quick, playful glance as she notices me looking at Sky Point. I don't know if it is my imagination, but I swear my cheeks are slightly red. Ignis notices this and chuckles to himself.

People are already being lifted off the airfield.

"Let's join them," Ignis says as he gestures for us to follow him.

We follow everyone off the airfield, where we descend from the sky in an air bubble made by a skilled wind mage. We land in the courtyard of the Tarondar Palace. The students' footsteps sound like a stampede as we all race to get to the throne room first. All of us are in awe at how quickly they repaired the Palace.

The HLH is impressive.

Justus, Duke Grey, and Duke Frost all help people find space within the room. It is hard enough since we have enough people to overflow into the halls. Justus clears his throat.

"Today, we bear witness to a new beginning. A new era for Stonelight and soon a new era for Tarondar. An era for restored humanity. In order to lead our efforts in freeing Tarondar completely from the Eradicators, we need an official leader and crown family. All in favor of Duke Grey becoming King of Tarondar and his family becoming the new royal family?" he says while gesturing toward the Duke in surprise.

Everyone keeps their hands up. It is a unanimous vote.

Justus enthusiastically gestures for Duke Grey to take the throne. After a moment of silent conversation between them both, he finally sits on the throne. He sighs for a moment and quickly regains his composure. He sits upright with a beaming smile. A smile fitting for a King. His speech sounds like a bright torch lighting up the night sky.

"Thank you, everyone, for choosing me as your new King. We must first convince the entirety of Tarondar of this. That we are a nation of humans where all types of magic is allowed. We are the country of magical freedom!"

People roar. Their voices ring throughout the entire palace.

"In order to celebrate our progress in getting here, we will give out some important rewards. These rewards have been decided by Justus, Maura, and me. First up, Leena. Since I am King now, you are hereby declared a princess. Through your ambition, fighting skills, and ability to never back down, you have proven to be an inspiring face for humanity."

Leena can't do anything except nod and accept the tiara given to her.

"Next up is Zephyr Uracain. You have proven to protect and inspire your allies to victory. Your powerful wind magic can change the course of the story. As the heir of the late Abel Uracain, you are now the new General of Tarondar!"

Zephyr accepts his General medal graciously. However, he still hangs his head down low. The events of the day still shock him. If it doesn't shock him, I would be more worried.

"Maura Lotus, you are the person who defeated the Keeper King and made this accomplishment for humanity possible. In recognition of that, you will be the leader of the knights in charge of protecting Stonelight, Mistfall, and training people to become stronger. Meanwhile, Zephyr's army will focus on attacking."

My sister bows to King Grey as she receives her medal and sword, marking her as the Captain of the Tarondar knights. Another round of applause lights up the room. Duke Grey raises his hand for silence. Everyone waits in anticipation.

"Nico."

My body almost flees the room right there and then. Did I mention I dislike this much attention? I slowly will myself to walk closer to him.

"Because of your bravery, we will turn you into a Baron. You defeated the Keeper Principal, protected your friends, and led the movement for the HRC to become a real thing to begin with. Anyone disagree with this decision?"

Nobody raises their hand against me becoming a noble. That is good. Even though other outlying cities within Tarondar might have other opinions.

"Then it's settled! Nico Lotus, you are now the Baron of Mistfall. You are to lead the people who are residents of Mistfall and protect them. They will refer to you as your Lordship. You will also receive a mansion in Mistfall," Duke Grey announces happily.

The idea of my friends referring to me as your lordship makes me silently laugh and chuckle.

"Your highness, I request I do not have a mansion built in my name in Mistfall. I would much rather just expand upon the house I already have there," I reply, hoping nobody thinks I am weird.

"Very well, we will just expand upon your current house then," Duke Grey says as he stands up from his throne. "That is the end of all the awards and promotions for now. This is only the beginning for equality among mages. We won the major battle, but now we need to win the war."

How many more lives the war will take from me is a great question. I am now a Baron in the village where I grew up.

Expecting the unexpected should become my new life motto.