"This will be the end of today's events and festivities! Congratulations to everyone and I hope to see all you first years on this stage next year!"

The crowd that had previously been half asleep roared once more, cheering on their hero and face of the school that would be representing them in the big leagues.

Trying to hide his inner turmoil, Moby was escorted off the stage, but instead of going back to where his friends once were, he was escorted to another room behind the stage, him and HikariYami.

There, they had a long meeting with General Ryker, who explained to them many details about elite school and letting them ask any questions they wanted to ask while at the same time apologizing for the short notice of informing them. Needless to say, Moby bombarded him with several questions so he was absolutely certain about everything whilst Hikari sat there nervously silent, Yami switching in every now and then to ask interesting questions.

Looking at HikariYami to his side, Moby could not help but take note of her appearance. From what he remembered, she looked almost the exact same, the same short and child-like appearance with a covered mouth.

As he and his class approached closer and closer to adulthood, so did many of their features. But as for him and his family, they did not change at all which Avilia explained to them that their transformation had simply brought them to the prime of their life.

HikariYami was no demon, maybe it was just who she was or maybe she had changed but he had simply not seen her in so long that he was imagining things so, he disregarded those thoughts.

As they both left the room and swore to secrecy, Moby bore a very conflicted look on his face, processing all of the information while Hikari was still as shy as ever. they looked at each other slightly awkwardly and spoke for the first time in a year…

"H-hello big brother… How has the year been…"

"Yeah… It's nice to see you. I haven't seen you in ages. I'm doing fine, how about you?"

"I-I've been working hard… All alone... This elite school sounds like a very scary place… Want to stick together when we're there…"

"Sure thing!" Moby smiled. "It would be nice to stay with someone I know!"

She brought out her arms and grabbed onto Moby's hands, looking at his face with a bright smile that bore no nervousness.

"Thanks big brother!"

She shook his hands, her face turning immediately red before she ran away awkwardly, leaving Moby slightly confused. Yet, he could not help but let out a smile and a chuckle.

As Moby left the area behind the stage, he was greeted by a crowd he did not expect to see so soon…

"THAT'S MY BOY! HAHAHA!"

Mason Griffith gave him a pat on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of him despite how hard he trained and became stronger throughout the year.

"Thanks…"

"You know, I really wanted Jayden to come with you but she's still too weak. She started her training so late that it's almost impossible," He laughed, his daughter staring daggers at him from behind. "You're special! Most kids there start training since they're in the womb, or are beyond gifted! You managed to get this strong in under 1 year of receiving an ability! This calls for a celebration!"

Jayden was slightly embarrassed and wanted to speak her mind to her father yet the mention of the party completely changed her mood.

"Let's go! Albert! Get the car and invite everyone! We're hosting this thing tonight! This can't wait! Let's go now!"

Like an excited little kid, Mason began walking to the exit, everyone following behind him and huddling over Moby with bright smiles, Jayden holding onto his hands.

They all asked him the usual questions which he answered mostly honestly yet holding out on one major part of it all.

When they reached the outside of the school, they dodged all the paparazzi and headed to their car parked in a secret parking lot for reserved people only.

There, before they all entered, Mason leant back and whispered into Moby's ears far away from everyone else.

"You know, and I know what's gonna happen but I won't be telling them anything… You'll have to be the one to break the news okay?"

His voice was so serious, completely unlike what he was showing on the outside which greatly caught Moby off guard, yet still left hm with enough calmness to respond to his part-time master.

"Yeah… I know…"

*******************************

A Magnificent chandelier shined light brightly at the hall below, hanging from and radiating warmth across the hall. The stained glass windows in the arched ceiling danced in the glimmering light while marble icons and carved images that proudly showed the Griffith family name and shadowy raven mascot look down upon the slate floor of this radiant hall.

At the sides of the room were various elegant seats for those who wanted to converse while the center was reserved for those who wanted to dance the night away… Music of the classical kind playing throughout the entire room.

In the corner, on a table filled with food, the figures of four people were sat, a man with purple hair and a beard standing out from the rest. The Hart's and the Griffiths seemed to be on very good terms even still as they both chatted and laughed together in celebration of the achievements of Alex's best friend.

It had already been over an hour since the party had started.

Nags and Ray were both dancing with random girls from important people of other families, Ray being extremely nervous while Nags seemed bored, as if he could not care less.

Yet, Moby and Jayden were nowhere to be seen from within this room...

********************

*Eeaarrr…*

Slowly, the sound of the door opening rang into Abby's ears, making her curl up into a ball and hide under her sheets pretending to sleep. However, she forgot the crucial mistake of leaving her game opened so the person who entered knew she was still awake…

"Hey Abby, I've come to visit…"

As soon as she recognized who it was, she shot out of her blankets straight as an arrow with star-like eyes.

"Moby!!!"

However, her bright mood did not last for long as she spoke.

"W-why are you here… Shouldn't there be a party for you?"

With a smile, Moby strode and sat right next to her, her not flinching at all.

"Yeah… But, I wanted to make sure that you're not lonely…"

"Oh don't worry about me! You should be out there having fun!" She laughed. "I have Alex always with me! Did you come to play a round of Dario kart?"

Although her mental state was not in the right place, over the year it did improve. Day by day playing video games with her, they subconsciously kept on scooting and sitting closer and closer to each other until one day they were naturally both sitting side by side. She seemed to have regained some of her sanity and thinking yet she was far from a full recovery.

Now, more than anything, Moby wanted to drag her out of her bed and make her experience the outside world for once before he left. But, in her current state and seeing that many of the guests might hold some contempt, he was still certain it was not a good idea…

"Hey… Abby… Listen… I have something important to tell you… In a week… I will be leaving for a year and I won't be coming back even to visit once…"

"..."

"You're joking, right? You always know how to play with my mind!"

She laughed once more, yet Moby was dead silent…

"Wait… Are you serious…"

"Yeah… This is the last week I'll be spending with you for a long time…"

Without even knowing it, her eyes completely flooded into waterworks… And for the first time ever, she leant close to him and hugged him with all her might, her tears staining his black suit.

"You can't be doing this!! You and Alex are the only people I have left! You can't abandon me like this you jerk!"

Moby's heart cracked seeing her sight as he could not help but shed a tear himself.

"I don't have a choice… The military is forcing me to do this and there is a lot of things there I need to…"

"BUT YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE! You're the future demon lord are you not!? Just beat up the military and tell them: 'NO! I can't leave because Abby needs me!' "

"Oh! Stop being so selfish you..." Moby smiled at her words as she hugged him tighter, making him hug her back. " That's not how life works and I'm nowhere near strong enough to do that… This will be an important life lesson for you okay? You will have to live without me for a year. It will be a good test to see if you do what I've taught you. This is just how life is, nothing lasts forever and nothing is perfect."

He played with her hair, trying to calm her down.

"BUT! I won't be able to—"

"Shhh…" He lifted her up and looked at her crying, grayish crimson eyes and spoke directly to her with a smile. If you want to have a chance to hear anything from me over the next year, let me teach you something that you used to know but seemed to have forgotten.

Abby seemed to have no idea what Moby was talking about, yet she nodded and slowly wiped her tears once again.

For the next few minutes, Moby managed to reteach her how to use her mind-link. The first time he tried it, the mental stress on her was too great to do it. However, this time, she had more motivation and reason to do it than ever before so she pushed herself to success.

'Abby, can you hear me?'

'Wow! You're in my brain!? Cool!'

'Of course, I am!' Moby could not help but chuckle at her child-like amazement. 'With this, I can talk to you in most places. I'll be sure to let you know and talk to you whenever I can in elite school."

Moby stood up and stretched his muscles, looking at the door before feeling a tug on his arms.

"Are you leaving now…"

"Hmh." He nodded. "But don't worry! I'll be back soon! We have a week until my departure and I promise to make it the best week of your life! You choose anything and I'll do it!"

Moby kneeled down and looked Abby straight in the eyes before she spoke.

"Promise?"

"Yeah, promise." He lent in and kissed her softly on the forehead, making her tear-filled face go bright red before he faced the door to leave.

"Bye! I promise to see you soon!"

"B-bye…" He heard a nervous voice as he left the room, before it was followed by the voice of a man he now knew all too well.

'Good luck my future overlord… And good luck to you too lord Avilia… I am certain you will find some of the answers you seek…'