"So, Eltanin, Zahir, you two are here because we have found an opening for a warlock mentor." The tower secretary said, from behind her desk. Eltanin sat in her seat, upright and restless.

Eltanin's eyes widened under her helmet. She turned her surprised gaze toward her mentor. Zahir remained firm.

"So, we'll be assigning you to study and learn under a new teacher. That is all."

Eltanin let out a whimper.

"Hm? Is there something you want to know, Eltanin? We have all of your mentor's details ready to be sent to you, so there is no need for questions. We will be informing your new teacher that we have found a student for them as soon as you leave."

"No, it's nothing." Eltanin let out, her voice choked.

Zahir set a forlorn glance toward Eltanin. He could tell she was devastated, but was there anything he could do? He felt like it was for the best if she studied under a fellow warlock.

"Zahir, I'm sure you're happy to hear that you no longer must mentor. You may now go back to leading your scouting team, full time."

"Y-yes, I'm sure my team will be happy to hear that."

"If there are no further questions, you two are dismissed." The secretary finished, turning to look at her monitor.

The guardians walked out of the Vanguard hall, Eltanin looked at the floor as she walked.

Zahir broke the silence. "Hey, uh, I know I'm a titan, and I've never had a student before, but... did I do an okay job of teaching you?"

"Yes." Eltanin whispered, "you were the best teacher I could have asked for. You did so much for me, and I'm grateful." Eltanin wrapped her arms around Zahir from the side, before quickly releasing him and running to the courtyard, silently.

Zahir stood still, frustrated. He didn't want it to end this way. Something about their last exchange made something click in his mind. He felt the same way he did the moment he saw his student's first sparks of potential.

"She seems really torn up about all of this." Crucius said, as Eltanin loaded up into her ship.

Zahir said nothing, turning around after he saw her ship disappear into the sky.

"You leave something in the hall?" Crucius asked, as Zahir backtracked.

"No."

Zahir walked back to the secretary, who was adjusting her microphone.

"Hey, miss! Don't call yet!" Zahir yelled, beginning to run.

"Oh? What is it, titan?" She asked, pausing.

"Listen. About the mentor change..." Zahir started, sitting back down.

"Zahir? Why are you here?" Eltanin asked, in the middle of polishing her rifle.

"What do you mean? It's time for your next lesson." Zahir set his shotgun down in the Venusian fern, smiling softly under his helmet.