As the closing ceremony, which had been quite an overwhelming experience for me, concluded, cadets began flooding out en masse.

The crowd stretched out in a single direction, their steps light.

They were headed toward the gate terminal.

The only way out of Shioram is through the gate.

Most are returning home to heal their tired bodies and minds after a demanding academic period, while some, blessed with protections that persist outside of Shioram, are likely planning personal training sessions.

The Blessing of Growth still applies outside Shioram. Without it, external training sessions would be impossible.

I swept my gaze …