And like I thought there was nothing, but even then—I couldn't hold my smile back as I read each word.
But it did confirm the suspicions I held,
Kage is cursed—making it impossible to receive whatever I classify as knowledge.
That does explain everything— I looked up at the window, and jumped out of my seat.
The sun had already passed its midway point,
It's far past noon... I left the books on the desk as I ran to the exit.
I can't let Mim wait too long!
I ran through the streets, and each street that closed in to a road slowed me down—it was too crowded, so I continued through the living quarters.
The road the inn was located on came into sight, but as I came closer, I could hear clapping sounds right of me, along with the high pitched groan of a boy.
What is this... I slowed my steps down, and slowly approached the corner, my sword already reflected the little light that reached from the road.
And as I turn I could see it—a boy was getting hit by another.
Both boys were around my age—one was dressed like me, while the other wore clothes similar to my old ones.
A noble... right? Why is that boy doing nothing, he is just taking the hits? I dropped my sword back, the shaking of my blade inside its scabbard announced my presence.
Oops... The noble jumped back—he had a smile on his face with his chin held high, with his bloodied knuckles, layers of skin were peeling off.
"Uhm... w-what is happening here?" I looked at the boy who lay at his feet—against the wall.
"Teaching this disgusting commoner a lesson." He let go of the boy as he walked to me.
"W-what did he even do?" My legs felt unstable while I spoke to him.
How do I even speak to someone my age...
"I was walking down the streets when he bumped into me, he did not even apologize to me—daring to make eye contact with me."
What should I even say...
"So I am just teach him some manners, something his parents were unable to do."
"But my apologies if you wish to join, just wait for a bit longer until I've had my full." He turned away again, and walked back again.
"So you're beating him to death for nothing?" I lifted my head up, still shifting my eyes away as he looked at me.
"Nothing?"
"How dare you say that—my will is truth. And I have decided that I am far from done with him."
"He could have hit you long ago..." I looked down again, feeling my balled fingers hurt.
"What are you even talking about? A commoner would never dare to lift his arms against a noble—they are like the dirt underneath our feet."
"You should understand it... or wait—the way you talk, the way you stand, and the way you protect this garbage."
"You are a one of them—aren't you!?" His feet were right against mine, his stares burning the hairs on my skull.
"I thought so. Join him."
"I need to go to my inn, I need to go."
"I said JOIN IN!"
"I can't..."
He just chuckled as his fist flew towards me.
I thought so—he is really slow.
I moved my head away, and curved my left over his punch—a crack sounded as he flew back, blood flooded from his nose as he lay on the streets.
I need to leave...
"Good luck..." I tried to say to the other boy who was still conscious, but I was unsure whether I even said it out loud, or just in my head as I ran away.
I continued down the streets, and finally reached the road the inn was at—I could even read the sign in the distance.
I swung the door to our room open,
"Mim—I'm back~" The smell of fish lingered in the room as I saw her lay in bed.
"You haven't gotten out of bed at all—have you...?"
"No... but I was waiting on you! And the innkeeper even brought me breakfast!"
"Ah... he really did so? He is nice, isn't he?" I covered my mouth by balling my fist while faking a cough.
"Yes—he really is!..." Her eyes started to shift away from me as she grabbed the pillow from behind her,
"How did the tournament go...?" She sat up, and hugged the pillow—revealing just half her face.
"It was no problem—they were all too weak for me!" I lifted my head higher with each word I said.
"I knew it—you're really strong! I was worried for nothing, stupid!" She threw her pillow behind her and laid back down.
"Of course I am—it's all to protect you!" I pointed my finger at her.
"Protect me? I can protect myself!" She lifted her chin even higher than I did.
"I know, I know—you're really strong, but we can never be sure right!?" I brought my finger back, and pointed it the floor,
"Now get up, we're going out now."
"Yes!! Let's go!" She jumped out of her bed.
And as the day went on we went and saw the north of the city, we were able to see new merchants and new buildings.
Especially the big building at the end of the road, but we couldn't enter—it was protected by its own separate wall.
As I looked up I saw the sun disappear behind the city walls, so I decided to walk back already.
Only eating before we headed back up, and lay in bed.
Today was tiring...
And soon the darkness took my consciousness in...
"Who did this to you son?!" The man asked, dropping everything he was doing.
"It was a boy who was dressed as a noble, but he was clearly a commoner! He even carried a sword around—he also had black and silver hair. It was a strange looking boy." The kid said, with tears in his eyes, clutching his fingers tightly.
He had sustained a broken jaw and nose after he got hit, and that was something the brown-haired boy couldn't accept—and neither could his father.
After hearing his son out, the bearded, brown-haired man— stood up heavily and commanded his servant to search for the perpetrator.
After a while information came back,
"The boy is staying at the ocean's dream, along with his little sister."
"Did you take them with you?!" The noble didn't even look his way.
"No, we could no—" The man lowered his head.
"HOW DARE YOU!? THAT KID DISRESPECTED THIS HOUSE, I WON'T LET HIM GO SCOT-FREE!" The count fumed, bellowing so loud that spit flew everywhere—most of it landing on his head servant.
"Calm down sir, we'll get him tomorrow, but outside would be quite troublesome. You see..."
"So he is well liked at the swords tournament here? Deal with them tomorrow." The count flopped back onto the couch.
"Contact Caleb. Tell him to take care of him if he comes up against him—and if he doesn't follow, he already knows what will happen."
"I will make sure of it, and what about his sister?"
"Just take care of her during the tournament." The count just waved his hand as if swatting a fly.
The servant bowed down,
"Yes, master—consider it solved."