The two were met with applause as they descended back to the world. The entire arena roared, singing them praises. A burst of confetti took to the skies, although delayed, probably from the shock. The spectators stood up and clapped, celebrating the match they just witnessed.

“Way to go!”

“Congrats!”

“That was awesome!”

Carol let Raphael down. Raphael used his magic to remove any debuffs still on them. Carol could feel her limbs moving normally again.

“Thanks-” she said, but stopped. Raphael grinned from ear to ear before pulling her to his embrace.

“Congratulations!”

“Thank- thank you…” Tears dropped from her eyes. The training she endured all these years, especially the harsher ones she began less than two weeks before this battle, it all paid off.

“CAROL!” Lerus came running to the scene, Koski flying next to her. Raphael let Carol go, watching her as she fell into Lerus’ arms the next moment.

“Congrats! That was awesome!”

“Thanks.”

Koski approached Raphael.

“Sorry I can’t bring home the title.”

“Ah, do not worry about that, Great Mage Sir. If anything, I’m extremely grateful for your willingness to participate. I believe I have just witnessed a fight of the millennia.”

“Just how old are you?” Raphael laughed as he shook Koski’s hand.

Raphael then looked toward Carol, and standing side-by-side, they bowed to the audience. The shouts grew louder as the audience celebrated the magnificent fight. They made their way to the center of the arena. The head of the tournament gave Carol a golden medal, one almost as heavy as herself. It was so heavy that she was forced to put it on the ground.

“And give it to our victor, Carol Priya!”

Carol grinned as she looked at all the people surrounding her.

“Thank you!”

* ••

Four lines of chairs lined up in the Kaleyan Rangers’ training hall. Lerus stood in front of the Rangers, the students in the first two rows with the rest of the Rangers sitting in the last two. Standing at the rear next to the walls were Raphael, along with Carol’s parents, Meky, Lucas, and Tania.

Tania in particular stood quite far from him.

"... Why are you distancing yourself like that?"

"Carol will kill me if she sees me making any moves on you."

"Ah, right."

"Don't just affirm that!"

Lerus stepped forward, standing behind a microphone.

“Thank you for gathering here, everyone. I hope you are having a good day so far,” she said, speaking with a calm demeanor.

“Today, I am excited to announce that our friend, Carol, has won the Moluart Mountain Tournament." Her words were greeted with a loud clap from the audience, Raphael among them. Carol’s mother looked at him.

“I’m surprised you’re here, Raphael.”

“Of course I am. I’m also happy for her.”

“Even if you lost?”

“Fighting is never my strong suit.”

Carol’s mother chuckled hearing his words.

Lerus, standing in front, looked toward Carol.

“Carol, can you come to the stage?”

There was actually no stage, but Carol stood up from her seat on the right side and walked toward the microphone.

“Hello everyone. I want to thank you all for the support you gave me. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you,” Carol said while surveying the room, before looking toward the rear, smiling at Raphael. Carol’s mother slid closer to him and gave him a little elbow. Lerus gave her another medal, one more appropriate for her size. Lerus then moved in front of her, a Ranger badge in her hand.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Do you, Carol Priya, swear to protect the people of this land, from all threats, big and small, and do your very best to maintain the peace?"

"I swear."

"Very well. Congratulations." Lerus came closer and attached a pin to the right side of Carol's Ranger uniform.

Everyone in the room stood up and clapped, celebrating Carol’s graduation.

* ••

They had a feast after the graduation. A celebration of Carol's success.

“Carol-Sis!” Emma walked up to her.

"Yes?" Carol turned to address her.

“Congratulations on winning! I still have a lot to learn.”

“Me too. We’ll continue together, okay?”

“Okay!” Carol made a salute. Her eyes caught the arrival of her high school friends and her boyfriend. Emma noticed and lightly elbowed her before moving away, heading toward Tania. Carol smirked before scurrying away.

“Yo,” a boy with spiky red hair greeted. Lucas, the chef, with Meky and Raphael next to him.

“Lucas, it’s been a while.”

“Yep.”

“I know, right? He’s so busy in the kitchen that he can’t see you.”

“I at least can come and watch the finals.” Lucas chuckled.

“By the way, the video of our battle is circulating online.” Raphael handed over his phone. The video was a full video of their battle, totaling an entire thirty-four minutes. To Carol, the battle felt like it only lasted a couple of minutes at the longest.

“You’re going to start receiving sparring invitations.”

“Eh?” Carol checked the comments, and it was true. People’s attention was primarily on her. No one was denying the strength of Raphael’s magic, it remained the magical, mysterious power that only he had. For that very reason, it would be tough for anyone to learn anything from him.

Carol, meanwhile, came like an angel descending from heaven. A girl who could somehow defeat the undefeatable boy.

“Sigh… I’ll deal with it when it comes to it,” she said as she handed the phone back to Raphael.

“But now, it’s time to feast!”

* ••

Finishing his work, Raphael stored the last medicine tube in a cardboard box, one created using his own magic. He took it in his hands and moved it outside his laboratory. He smelled a sweet smell floating through the air the second he opened the door.

“Carol?” he asked. It was a calm Monday morning. Normally, Carol would be at work at this time, especially since she had already graduated and was now a full-fledged Ranger. As a gift for her performance, though, she had been given this week as a week off.

“You’re done for this batch?” Carol asked, stirring the frying pan. Inside were several River Oysters.

“Yeah.”

“Will Fraone be picking it up?”

“Yep, he’s on his way.”

“Invite him to join us for lunch.”

“I’ll tell him when he arrives.”

“Couldn’t text and fly, huh?”

“Yeah.”

They heard the sound of an airplane coming from outside his home.

“Just in time.” Raphael put the box down. His mind thought about a trolley and concentrated on its shape. Lines of magic formed and turned into a real trolley. He took the boxes of magic medicine and put them onto it, before pulling the trolley out. Carol undid the apron she wore and assisted Raphael in moving the medicine.

He opened the front door and then the front gate. He checked the road, making sure no car was passing by, before pulling the trolley toward the plane, Fraone already waiting next to it.

“Fraone, care to join us for lunch?” Raphael asked as they approached the parked airplane.

“Sorry, but got something to do back in Proteorno," he answered as he opened the rear cargo door.

“Ah, that’s unfortunate.”

“Just send me some raw seafood next time. Mr. Rodger would definitely love them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“They’re offering some for me, actually. I can ask them to deliver it if you want,” Carol said while assisting in the loading process. The two had become legends following the tournament. For the first time in centuries, humans managed to defeat dragons in their own tournament. The news spread like wind, and now even the people in Proteorno knew about their victory. It would only be time before they were invited to every dragon tournament as special guests.

“I’ll contact you about it later.”

“Nobles really are busy, huh?”

“You’ll be soon.” Fraone tapped on Raphael’s shoulder. The Rangers had already received several sparring and duel requests following Carol’s victory, so his words applied to both of them.

“Just remember not to push yourself,” Fraone said as he checked the cargo, making sure they were strapped down. He got off and closed the cargo door before making his way toward the cockpit. He started the airplane's engine, it roared as it spun the single propeller. Fraone waved to the couple before bringing the plane to the end of the field and taking off. Raphael and Carol exchanged gazes, before returning to the manor.

* ••

“So, what are your plans now, Miss Ranger?” Raphael asked as he helped Carol with preparing the food.

“You’ve finally achieved your childhood dream, right?”

“Yep. It’s been a while.” Carol beamed. Raphael was reminded of the day she said that. It had been years ago, he no longer remembered the details. He did remember Carol standing in the middle of class.

My dream is to become a Ranger! I will pwo- I mean protect Raphael!

It was embarrassing to think about, but Carol at that time showed absolutely zero embarrassment, even under the confused stares of their classmates. She had come a long way since that day.

“Raphael?” she asked, looking at his sudden smile.

“Congratulations.” He brought his hand over to her head and started ruffling her hair.

“Umm… thank you?” Carol’s cheeks reddened, but she didn’t move away.

“Thanks for protecting me.”

“Oh, yeah, I can say that now, can’t I?” Carol giggled. She had proven herself to be able to not only stand on the same ground as Raphael, but at the same time, defeat the great mage himself.

“I hope you continue taking care of me.”

“Of course, now and forever.”

The two shared a toast, enjoying their lunch together.

END