Point of view of Angelica Yue
"Wow… time really passes quickly." I thought aloud, sheltered from the noise in the streets inside my room. "Now… now that I will finally be an adult, I will be able to do what I want… and with whomever I want."
Drawing a smile on my face I stood up, to open an old map I had to see the route that had cost me so much to plan.
"Soon… soon we will see each other again, Drake…."
Several years had passed since I moved to Swaford, the coastal city, a city that received my grieving family with a warm embrace after the murder of my older brother, Paul.
Upon arriving, my parents adapted quickly thanks to the help of some old friends they had in the city. While for my part, I adapted gradually, all because of my insecurities after that incident. Luckily, thanks to my students, a pair of human nobles who grew quickly until they seemed almost my age, I managed to feel accepted again.
Currently I am 39 years old, just one year away from entering adulthood, so my parents did not oppose the idea of me traveling through the central continent as an adventurer. With their approval and blessing, I remember starting to secretly plan every detail of the things I would do in these almost six years I had before meeting Drake, my first love in the capital of the Kingdom of Alum, Slorah.
Ahh!! I wonder if he will be counting the days like me! I thought excitedly while looking at the map. Surely he is!
With a smile and my face flushed, I rolled up the map, which was titled: 'Road to be with my beloved' before hiding it in a secret place so my parents wouldn't see it. After a few minutes, I managed to calm down, before my mind betrayed me and I went back to thinking about him, making me hide among the sheets of my bed filled with an emotion I found hard to hide.
Coming up with ideas of how he would look after all these years, the hours passed, until night, when my parents and sister finally returned from the festival in Swaford.
After hearing the sound of the front door opening, followed by laughter that flooded the hallway, they quickly pulled me out of my thoughts about Drake. "They are close." I whispered.
"Big sister! Big sister!" A high-pitched voice shouted before my bedroom door burst open, revealing Susam, my little sister, who came jumping in with an energy that seemed to never run out. Behind her, my parents appeared from the hallway with calmer expressions, but with a warmth they always brought with them lately.
"Angélica? What are you doing here?" My mother asked kindly, as she saw me sitting on the bed with Susam trying to climb on top of me. "We thought you would be out with Gean and Ángel enjoying the festival."
"Your mother is right, we worried seeing that you weren't in the main square." Added my father, crossing his arms with a slightly annoyed expression.
"Yes, I'm sorry, we planned to accompany them as we agreed, but... before leaving their mansion an unforeseen last-minute event arose and several hours passed until they finally told me they couldn't." I replied quickly, trying to sound natural while hiding my nerves behind the slight lie. The truth is they told me since the morning they wouldn't go, but I wanted to be alone to finish the final details for my trip.
My mother, apologetic for my words, nodded, appearing satisfied with the explanation. "I see, that's a shame. But well, since you are here, we brought some delicious things from the market to eat. Get ready for dinner, okay?"
Before I could respond, Susam pounced on my legs, pulling at my clothes with her restless little hands and a face of total wonder.
"Big sister, big sister! Guess what! Today I saw many animals in the street!" She said with her tiny voice, waving her arms. "They were flying! They were like giant balloons all over the sky!"
I laughed softly at her excitement, before stroking her hair while looking into her eyes. "Really? And tell me, were those animals attached to a string that people were holding?"
"Yes! That's right!" She replied, giving a little hop of joy. "Did you see them too, big sister? Because I didn't understand how they flew!"
"Hehe, you see, Susam, those weren't animals as such, but they were special balloons for the festival." I replied smiling, caught up in her innocence as I accompanied her to the dining room.
"Balloons?" "Yes, they aren't very common around here, but since this is a festival that happens every 10 years, they made them for entertainment, surely."
Dinner passed between laughter and anecdotes from the festival. My parents talked about how much the city had grown, while I enjoyed the food, feeling a knot in my throat because of what I was about to say, because I knew this family atmosphere was something I would miss very much.
Upon finishing eating, I left the silverware on the table and took a deep breath, catching everyone's attention because of my strange breathing that showed more than I intended.
"By the way… I wanted to tell you that most of my things are already ready." I started, trying to keep my voice from trembling. "And, by how things are going, I will probably leave when the festival ends, in about three days."
Silence fell over the table suddenly. My father stopped his cup halfway, looking at me with evident surprise that quickly transformed into an expression of sadness.
"What? In three days? So soon, daughter?" He said, letting out a heavy sigh. "B-but, why don't you wait a little longer? At least until you turn 40 and officially enter adulthood. We could celebrate here, calmly and…"
I appreciated the gesture with my gaze, feeling the warmth of his affection, but my decision was already made.
"I really appreciate it, dad, but I can't." I replied firmly. "In a few weeks there will be a special campaign in Skipsearing, north of here, to help new adventurers get established. If I don't go now, it will cost me much more time and money to do it on my own later."
My parents looked at each other, and although they said nothing more, I could see the sadness in their eyes. My mother squeezed my hand on the table, while the atmosphere became a bit heavier at the thought of my departure.
I understand them… I know it hurts them that I'm going so far after everything we went through with Paul. I thought, feeling a pang of guilt in my chest seeing their faces. But I must be strong… since this is something I must do. Not only for my career as an adventurer… but for him, for the road that will take me back to Drake.
A long silence settled at the table after my words. My parents looked at each other, sharing a look I couldn't quite decipher, before my father stood up calmly. Without saying a word, he walked toward the back room, leaving the three of us in an atmosphere charged with a melancholy tension.
Susam, who had been unusually quiet, looked at me with an expression of pure confusion and sadness on her small face.
"Big sister… are you leaving already?" She asked with a thin voice, clinging to the edge of the table.
It hurt me to see her like that, so I moved closer to take her hands in mine. "Yes… I have to leave now. I'm very sorry if I can't stay longer, really…" I smiled, trying to reassure her.
"But you see, I promise to write often! Besides, I'll come every two years to see how much you grow, does that sound good, little one?"
Hearing my words, Susam's eyes lit up a bit at the promise, regaining part of her energy. "Yesss! You'll see I'll grow very fast!"
I smiled at her enthusiasm, feeling a bit of relief, until the sound of heavy footsteps made me turn my head. My father was returning from the other room carrying two bundles in his hands, both wrapped in simple brown paper, something common for giving gifts or presents.
With curiosity, I saw how he approached me while my mother also stood up beside him. They stopped in front of me and, with a solemnity that moved me, they extended the gifts to me.
"We expected to give you this later, maybe on the day of your fortieth birthday…" My mother started with a soft voice, but loaded with emotion. "But… since there is so little time left before you go… we believe it's better for you to have it now."
I felt my heart skip with joy. Without being able to help it, I got up and gave them a group hug as hard as I could, burying my face between them.
"T-Thank you! Thank you very much, really!" I exclaimed with a broken voice while several emotions ran through my soul, emotions loaded with pain, sadness, and melancholy. "I love you guys so much, you don't know how much."
Upon separating, I felt my cheeks wet from a few tears that were starting to come out, so I wiped them quickly with the back of my hand. My parents gestured for me to open the packages, and so I did with still-trembling hands.
Opening the first one, my mother's, I found a complete set of adventurer's clothing, clearly designed for excellent mobility. Just by touching the fabric, I felt a constant vibration of mana; it was high-quality magical equipment, designed to withstand the hardships of travel.
Feeling very happy after opening the first gift, I went for the second one, which was smaller than the other. Upon opening it, my breath stopped completely.
No.. it can't be. I thought in shock at what I had in my hands. This is… "It's a Freedom fruit."
I froze. It was an object so absurdly rare and expensive that I only knew it from the illustrations in advanced botany books. Seeing it in person felt almost like a dream.
"Dad, this is… I can't accept it, this must have cost a fortune…" I tried to say, but he stopped me by putting a hand on my shoulder with a firm look that allowed no argument.
"Don't say that, daughter." He said seriously, before looking into my eyes while showing a side that was hard to see in him. "After your brother's death, I set a goal for myself, that was to take care of my family with everything I had, even my life. That's why, when you told us you were leaving, an uneasiness ran through my body, an uneasiness that only stopped when after much effort and work, I managed to obtain that miraculous fruit thanks to a favor an old friend owed me, Julius Godfrey, the one who helped us get here."
"That is why, daughter." Continued my mother. "Even though we won't be there with you, I hope with this you remember that we love you too, and that we will always wish you the best."
"Dad… Mom…."
With a feeling of fulfillment, we spent a pleasant night laughing all together. The next day, the Maritime Route festival still rose with strength, making the city center a place with quite a few people.
Ignoring all that, I headed to the house of some noble twins I had taken as disciples shortly after arriving in this city. Something that by the way was not so difficult, since the rank of my core and the record I had at the university backed me up.
Upon arriving at their mansion, which was in the most luxurious area of the city, I was received at the entrance by some guards from their family, who upon seeing me, quickly opened the door to let me pass through the wall that surrounded their home. Whenever they do that, they make me feel like someone quite important, hehe.
I walked through the garden path, enjoying the view of the perfectly tended flowers and the fountains that adorned the entrance, until I reached the large carved wooden door. Upon seeing me, one of the servants hurried to open it for me, welcoming me with a bow, as if I were the owner or family of this place.
However, as soon as I set one foot inside, a huge and powerful jet of water shot directly at my face.
What the...?
Reacting out of pure instinct, I covered my hand with air magic and, with a sharp movement to the sides, I managed to part the water just before it touched me, diverting it toward the lobby walls. When I regained my vision, I spotted my two students on the other side, holding back laughter behind a decorative vase.
I let out a heavy sigh, putting on a face of: "It can't be, again…."
"I-I am very sorry, lady Angélica!" Said the butler, approaching with an expression of total resignation. "But as much as I tried, I couldn't refuse my masters' orders…."
I made a small sign with my hand to indicate for him not to worry, before fixing a murderous look on Gean and Ángel and, seeing it, they began to feel shivers all over their bodies.
Seeing me approach, both tried to escape running toward the stairs from different sides, but it was useless. Boosting myself with a bit of magic, I closed the distance in a blink and grabbed them firmly by their clothes from the back.
After scolding them for a few minutes for their immature behavior, I let them go while crossing my arms. "Don't you think you're already old enough to keep playing these tricks? You are seventeen years old after all, so start behaving like the nobles you are."
Both lowered their gaze, a bit embarrassed by the lecture, until I asked them if they had already decided what they would do today at the festival.
"Well, about that… we still haven't agreed." Gean huffed, looking away. "I want to go see the fabric exhibition and the masquerade ball in the north square, but he refuses, he's a fool who doesn't know how to appreciate art in these types of events!"
"And I told you that's the most boring thing there could be!" Angel reclaimed immediately. "I want to go to the shooting trials and the weapon exhibition tournament. That is a real festival!"
It can't be….
I stood looking at them, sighing as if I were disappointed in my own disciples for making a mountain out of a molehill. "But, why don't we just do both things? That way you will both be happy and we won't waste time arguing."
The brothers remained in silence for a moment, looking at each other before starting to blame each other for not having thought of something so simple.
With that silly problem solved, we finally headed out to the festival. We spent the rest of the afternoon going through the stalls, going from one place to another to fulfill the wishes of both. We saw the beautiful fabrics Gean wanted, we ate traditional sweets while walking, and then I accompanied Angel to the shooting stalls, where, to no one's surprise, they ended up competing against each other to see who was better at the thing Gean didn't want, filling the air with laughter and friendly little fights.
Already in the evening, back in the tranquility of the mansion, I felt it was the right time to give them something I had prepared, as the point of my departure was drawing closer and closer. I searched in my bag and took out a pair of armbands, handing them to each one.
"Here, it's a gift for having endured my classes all this time." I said with a smile.
Both took them with wonder, immediately noticing the symbol they had embroidered. This being my personal mark, a design I had designed myself a few years ago. Seeing it and looking at me to confirm it, they got excited noticing it was the same symbol I wore on a necklace.
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!" They said at the same time, before trying them on over their noble clothing.
Talking a bit more with them, I noticed they started to get nervous, something that made me wonder why, but without giving it importance, we continued until finally the sun finished setting.
"Well, guys, I think it's time for me to go, thanks for the conversation. Don't forget to come the day after tomorrow for my farewell." I said, standing up and visualizing the exit.
With downcast looks they said they would be there, before I said goodbye again and walked away, puzzled by their strange behavior.
A few steps later, I felt how this time both pulled on my clothes, but in a way that clearly said they didn't want me to leave. Thinking about what to say to them so that all this wouldn't be harder than it already was, I froze after hearing what they said firmly in unison shortly after.
"Angélica… we want to accompany you on your journey."
What? I stayed in shock for a second, processing their words, until I let out a nervous laugh while shaking my head.
"Hahaha… No, you can't."
"B-But we are serious!" Angel insisted, getting in front of me to prevent me from walking out of this conversation.
"Hey, listen, your parents will never let you leave just like that." I replied, trying to get serious so they would understand it wasn't a game, before trying to walk around.
"Actually, we already talked to them." Gean replied with a triumphant smile, after blocking my new escape route. "And in the end they said that, if we went under your care and supervision, they wouldn't stand in the way of our decision to leave the city as adventurers."
Without words for their answers, I quickly searched for another excuse. "No, you can't… you can't neglect your home and your duties as nobles for a whim."
"Angélica, come on… we are the fourth children." Angel replied with total naturalness. "We don't have important duties or inheritances to manage. We are free to make our own way."
Ah, damn, right….
I kept making excuse after excuse, mentioning the danger, the expenses, and the difficulty of the trip, but for everything they had an already prepared answer. I realized they had really planned everything in advance.
I felt my head confused, not knowing what else to say to their insistence.
"Teacher, understand! We already thought of everything!" Both said in unison, putting their arms around each other's shoulders while showing me their thumbs up with total confidence. "When we have a common goal, there is nothing that stops us!"
Upon seeing their determination and realizing they wouldn't take no for an answer, I let out a long sigh, which finally ended with a laugh before them.
"Hahaha… No."
In the end, after staying until later that night talking with their parents I finally accepted, convinced when I heard that they paid me just for being with them, something more like a job as their guard than anything else.
…
With the new preparations I was quite busy replanning everything, including the two burdens I never asked for to finance part of my trip.
When finally the day arrived, I began my new journey as an adult adventurer, or so I thought at least….
"Hurry up!! The caravan will leave us!" I shouted while helping to carry some of my silly disciples' things with magic. "It's Gean's fault, who can't decide which hat to wear now!" "Liar! I had already chosen it but you told me I looked horrible! I hate you!"
Why did I accept….
With regret, I went to them to get them out and finally go to the city terminal, where my family was waiting.
After an emotional farewell with my parents, we finally set off for Skipsearing and then Witleton, which were near the Kingdom's mountain range.
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Joshua_Goose: Wow, it's already been a year since the end of volume 1... Looking back, I noticed that volume 2 was written in a year, which I found quite disappointing, because I've planned the story up to volume 10, and if I keep going at this pace, I'll never get around to writing those epic and interesting ideas...
That's why, from now on, I've made the firm decision that there will be one chapter per week of this incredible story (If I stick to this, we'll be releasing 2.8 volumes per year, hehe).
Besides that great news, I want to tell you two things.
First, I'll be preparing 5 chapters in advance for Patreon, where the subscription will be cheap (I'm still deciding on the price). So if you like the story, don't miss this opportunity to support me and enjoy several benefits.
The second thing I want to tell you is... Happy Holidays!! Especially, Merry Christmas!!! I hope you have a wonderful time with your family!! Or alone if that's the case! Remember to pamper yourselves during these happy holidays!
:D