The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 34: Weight of Silence

Zen walked toward the Lunar Dormitory with a heavy heart, his steps slow and silent. The world around him blurred into a haze of grey and drizzle, matching the storm in his chest. He didn't speak to anyone, didn't look around. When he arrived, an academy assistant was stationed near the dorm gates.

Zen handed over his name tag quietly.

"Ah, Zen. Welcome to the Lunar Dormitory," the assistant said with a professional smile. "Follow the hall straight down, take a right, second door on your left. That's your room."

Zen nodded silently and followed the directions.

His room was surprisingly beautiful. A large window let the golden dusk light spill onto a clean wooden floor. A well-made bed sat neatly in the corner, along with a writing desk, a bookshelf filled with beginner texts, and a wardrobe crafted from dark oak. The room was calm, silent... perfect for being alone.

Zen quietly placed his things aside and laid on the bed. His mind spun with the same painful thoughts.

"No magic... I'll never be able to use it."

His hands clenched into fists.

"All that effort, all those hopes... just to learn I'm nothing special. Maybe... I really am useless."

His breath trembled. Despite all his willpower, he couldn't stop the flood of doubt.

"Even if I become strong with a sword... it won't be enough. How will I ever see my parents again? No matter how strong I become... the dead don't come back."

Zen closed his eyes tightly. He wasn't a child anymore, not the five-year-old who cried beneath the burning sky. But that boy still lived inside him... still longed for the warmth of his father's hand, the gentle hum of his mother's voice.

He didn't touch his lunch. He didn't move. He just lay there, sinking into his thoughts.

Outside, the rain faded, but his mind remained clouded.

---

Meanwhile, in the girls' dormitory, Lyra sat by her window, her expression dim. She hadn't eaten either. Her thoughts were consumed by Zen—by his broken expression, the pain in his eyes.

When the rain stopped, she stepped outside again, returning to the bench where they'd last sat together. She waited. She kept waiting...

But Zen didn't come.

---

Back in his room, Zen's thoughts spiraled. Guilt, pain, doubt—all tangled until his mind screamed in silence. Exhausted, his body gave in, and he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

---

When Zen awoke, hours had passed. The light outside had softened—the sun about to kiss the horizon.

Then he remembered.

Lyra... she told me to meet her.

His eyes widened, panic rushing through him. He shot up from the bed.

"She's been waiting..."

Zen rushed out of his dorm.

But as he rounded a corner, he was suddenly blocked by a group of students.

"Hey."

A tall student stepped forward, draped in the deep blue and gold uniform of the Royal Class. His presence was commanding, and his smirk oozed arrogance.

"I've heard about you," he said. "Zen, was it? The one with no magic?"

Zen narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

"I'm Delan Mirros," the student said, his voice carrying weight. "Let's make this clear. People like you don't belong here. So let's settle it. One-on-one. A month from now. Duel me."

Zen clenched his jaw. "Fine. I accept."

Delan grinned. "Good. I'll be looking forward to humiliating you."

With that, he and his group walked away.

Zen exhaled and hurried on.

---

Lyra was still sitting on the bench when he arrived. Her head was low, arms wrapped around herself.

Zen slowed as he approached. "Sorry... I'm late."

Lyra looked up. Her eyes were tired, but she managed a small pout. "You're very late."

Zen sat beside her, head low. "I'm truly sorry... for making you worry."

Lyra gave a faint smile. "It's okay. I'm not as sad as you are."

Zen chuckled weakly. "I still have swordsmanship. Maybe I can get strong that way."

Lyra raised a brow. "Yeah, swordsmanship's kinda cool too."

"I planned to learn both... sword and magic. But now... sword alone will have to do."

"You still have to visit all the gods, you know," Lyra said. "Well... not the demon god."

"I hate demons," Zen muttered. "They took everything from me."

Lyra blinked. "What happened? I don't know anything about your past..."

Zen shook his head. "Forget it."

Lyra smiled softly. "If no other god gives you their blessing, I hope the God of Destruction does. He's also called the Sword God, right? If he blesses you, maybe you'll gain skills too—sword techniques that use magic. Not sure what they're called..."

Zen shrugged. "Even if I get nothing... it's fine."

Lyra leaned close. "You'll still have me."

Zen blinked. "Stop teasing."

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"I'm not teasing now," she whispered, her gaze honest and warm.

Zen's heart skipped.

---

"Love birds, are we?" a voice chimed from behind.

Both of them jolted.

Turning, they saw Princess Arisella, arms crossed, a playful smirk on her lips.

"W-we're not!" Lyra said quickly, her face turning red.

Zen looked stunned. "Princess... when did you get here?"

"I didn't need to take the admission test," Arisella said, flipping her hair. "Perks of royalty. Royal class, top of the tower."

She walked over and plopped beside Zen, making him the center of the trio.

"So," Arisella smiled. "Did you both skip the dining hall? I waited to meet you."

"Hey!" Lyra frowned. "I told you to eat! Don't tell me you didn't!"

Zen looked at Lyra. "You didn't eat either?"

Lyra crossed her arms. "Guess we're both the same."

Arisella laughed. "Then let's fix that. Come on! Let's have an early dinner. My treat!"

---

The three walked to the Hall of Nourishment, the academy's grand dining hall where all students gathered to eat. As they chatted and ate, laughter returned—soft, tentative, but real.

As they left the Nourishment Hall

Lyra turned to Zen. "Don't be late tomorrow morning, okay? I'll be waiting."

"I won't," Zen nodded.

"Goodnight," Arisella chimed, waving.

Both girls said their goodbyes and headed to the girls' dorm.

Zen watched them go, then turned and began walking back to his own dorm....