Tale Thirty-Nine, Knowledge for All

When he had returned to his research in Atlasdam, never had Cyrus thought he would receive a royal commendation from the king of Atlasdam - no doubt at the behest of Princess Mary, one of his stalwart pupils. Even less so did he expect the promotion to the headmaster of the Royal Academy of Atlasdam. Now, from the academy and the headmaster's office to the official, black and gold-trimmed robes befitting his stature as headmaster, it all fell under Cyrus's purview.

As such, the professor had received much academic standing and grant funding for his research into ensuring all portals to the realm of the thirteen gods stayed closed, including continued protection of the Gate of Finis.

Power like that of Galdera need not return to the realm of mortals.

So, with his research and by extending the right to higher education to all within the Flatlands, those of low and high births, and all in between, Headmaster Cyrus wished to uncover the answers he sought and find those wishing to protect the power of the gods.

But where would he start with such a thing?

After a year of research since that fateful day of facing Galdera, Cyrus had only a fraction of the answer he sought.

Of course, the king and Princess Mary supported him with all of their power. But that could only be counted on for so long without promising results.

Leaning back in his office chair - formerly Yvon's - the headmaster closed his eyes, thinking more on the issue at hand.

Indeed, how can one protect Orsterra alone? No, like us, there needs to be more than one protector, Cyrus lamented mentally.

An unbidden smile rose to the raven-haired man's face upon thinking of his fellow adventurers within the Octopath Travelers.

"Yes. Just as we had forged our bonds to protect Orsterra, we, too, sought our own goals and overcame them together," Cyrus mused fondly, folding his hands under his chin. "Then why should I not search for such students, such candidates as those with their own drive? Their own goals to pursue and thus come together as one - driven by their own destiny, united by a shared purpose?"

Cyrus stood from his chair, muttering to himself as he stared out the ceiling-to-floor window behind his desk to the academy courtyard below. Students flittered there and there, moving from class to class. Some carried books, others training weapons - all part of the new physical curriculum Cyrus wished to interweave with the other courses offered by the academy. The king had listened to the headmaster intently, concerned about the discoveries the scholar had made in his travels. Now, such programs to aid in creating the next generation of Travelers had slowly been implemented in the academy.

"All too slowly, if you ask me," murmured Cyrus. "It is too early, of course, but I wish I could find our fledgling fellows sooner rather than later…"

Just then, a soft rasp of knuckles echoed on the door to Cyrus's office.

Without waiting for a response, Therese entered the office, a tray in her hands.

"Professor Albright," she greeted happily as she came to the center of the room. "Am I interrupting?"

The headmaster turned to his dear student-turned-assistant with a small smile.

"No, my dear. I am just musing to myself."

Therese smiled, a faint, familiar blush on her face.

"I see. Well, you wouldn't know the sun is setting, would you?"

"I… really?"

Cyrus returned his attention from Therese back to the window. Sure enough, the soft orange glow of a setting sun and the stretching shadows that preceded evening spread across the courtyard below. Perhaps the students who he saw walking around were returning their books or equipment, ready to call it a day.

"Ah, so it is."

Therese came up to Cyrus's desk, setting the tray down. She proceeded to pour the port she had brought with her into two small wine glasses. Fingers pinching at their stem, Therese then took the two drinks with her and came to the headmaster's side.

"Here you are, Headmaster. Something to take the edge off of a long week," the young woman explained.

Cyrus took the drink happily. "And with such good company, too. Cheers."

"Cheers."

The rims of their glasses met, producing a crystal-like clink and briefly distorting the colorful rays of sun penetrating the window that peered into Cyrus's office. Taking a sip of their drinks, Cyrus enjoyed the port he had chilled with his ice magic.

Always chilled.

Both he and Therese sighed contentedly after allowing the rich red wine to tingle their taste buds with sweetness.

"You shall be departing for Flamesgrace soon, correct Headmaster?" Therese asked.

"Yes. I shall soon be able to meet my dear friends once again. I am eager to see how we have all grown since our parting," Cyrus waxed poetically.

"I daresay you may have grown the most."

"How so?"

Therese giggled. "Well, you can talk with me easily without accidentally saying anything untoward."

"Come, I was not so bad."

"I don't know. There were moments, Headmaster Albright."

Cyrus chuckled. "I suppose so. Mayhaps we will discuss those moments in further depth when I return?"

Therese's eyes locked with the headmaster's swirling questions dancing behind her pupils after hearing such simple words.

"...what do you mean, Headmaster?"

"Please, Cyrus, Therese. I believe we are past the point of such formal titles."

Unprepared for where this conversation was heading, Therese gulped and stuttered, "Y-yes, Cyrus."

"Thank you, my dear. We shall talk more about this when I return. You have my word."

Regaining control of herself, Therese's smile returned brighter than before. "Yes. I would like that very much. But, might I ask what has brought this up so suddenly?"

Cyrus hummed to himself as he returned to the window, something drawing his eyes to the courtyard once more.

There, below, wandering the brick-lain paths encircled by greenery were six familiar faces and a snow leopard. Six people whom Cyrus had wished to see more than anything. Six people whom Cyrus knew, whether by fate or something else, would be here on the eve of his departure to Flamesgrace. Six people whom he wished to replace with students taught by him and the faculty at the academy.

Yet, even if it was deep down, Cyrus always knew they could never be replaced.

He grinned.

Then, he answered Therese's question. "Today felt like the day for reminiscing and thinking of the future, all at once, I believe."