The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary - 41 - Spending our Days in the City

After my brother woke up from the clinic, we didn’t really talk much after that…

It was awkward…

I didn’t know what to say, nor did I know what to do…

So we just walked our way back to the Tangerine Inn after we both recovered from the clinic.

At the silent midnight, each step I made was muffled by the piling snow that kept pouring from the sky.

In a few more steps, we will finally arrive at the inn…And being nervous about this silence between my brother and I, I slowly leaned back to see how Theodore was doing, yet surprisingly so, he wasn’t looking towards the road…instead, he had his eyes pointed towards a certain tower.

“…” His mind was still set on the magic academy…

I doubt his focus will go anywhere soon with what he heard from the old man.

‘To Fall in love with magic is what defines a mage…’

Knowing that, I don’t think I can help him any further than I should.

But I wanted to at least kill the tension between us.

“When is the exams again?” I asked.

“Two…two days from now.” he said as his voice was clearly showing a clear nervous tone.

“…And are you ready?” I asked

“…After hearing Mr. Ron Wessel’s words, I…I don’t really know what to think of it.” he said.

“And why?” I asked as I stopped walking entirely.

“Even after all the training I went through, the pain I endured, now that the day of the exam is nearing, I’m feeling less and less confident.”

“You’re just nervous. Its pretty common to feel like you won’t succeed in anything when something as big as passing the academy is on the line.”

“…”

“But that also just means that you care this much to want to go to this school.”

“I do care…I really do!”

“Then if that’s what you want, then prove it. The old man is confident that you have a chance, so I don’t think there’s anything else to worry if someone like Ron Wessel vouches for you.”

“But he said that talent isn’t enough…what if I’m not enough for the school to think so?!”

As he spoke, I could see him unintentionally back away one step.

It was a show of cowardice that I mostly see in people that were new to fighting.

Theodore was weak…and he might even be slightly less brave than most kids, but he has the skill to become something more. I had to do something.

“If you continue to think like that,then I think its best that you back away from this.”

“What?”

“Is your love for magic so shallow that you couldn’t even hold on to the start of the race? While the race hasn’t yet even started, here you are worrying about something that has yet to be judged! To me, that is the most cowardly thing I can ever witness to see in a man.”

“!?”

“You love magic don’t you?”

“…I do.”

“Then no matter what it takes, just show the judges how much you care about magic.”

“…” but even to my encouraging words, Theodore was silent.

He only stared in a bewildered sense…and remained to be silent.

Two days…two days from now, the exams will finally start.

***

At the corner of the Fether Village, the newly built domain of the Amber family was found to be stacking with plenty of snow over the roofs and grounds.

As it continues to pile up, a woman by the window was staring at the moon with a reminiscing gaze.

As her blonde shined against the moon’s light, she sighed in her momentary loneliness at the thought of one person.

“Oh Thill…two days, I haven’t seen you for two days now.” she said as she looked extremely lonely.

“I haven’t touched your skin for over two days and I’m starting to forget how you smells…how warm your hand feels, how soft your lips are…” she was having a bit of withdrawal from the lack of Thill’s presence in the village.

‘But that also meant that in five more days…if I can endure for five more days, I can see you again.’ she thought as her slight show of red was on her cheeks.

In that night, Evelyn continued to struggle at the thought of not having Thill by her side.

***

Our plans for our visit into the city went a bit awry.

Instead of having to procure a home for the boys to stay in the city while they were studying, I made the decision to halt the purchase until we made sure that it was guaranteed that Theodore could pass the exams.

If he didn’t, certain necessities in picking a house would be changed.

As for Thomas, because he wanted to learn the culinary world and wished to one day work as a high-end chief, we did what we could and visited the places that helped him go through with his process to go to a culinary school.

Luckily, he already knows what he has to do to get a job here in the city as an apprentice to a restaurant.

Because of his connection with the baker at our village, he already knew someone who could help him go through the process of actually going to a restaurant that properly teaches children.

So it was already guaranteed that he would remain here in the city to learn the culinary world.

After Thomas was able to arrange his preparations for being able to study in the city, in the next half day of our time here in the city, we walked around, looking around the places that seemed interesting.

For one thing, we first visited one of the most luxurious bakery that was known in the city. And was also Thomas’s target for the day.

The Sweet Tooth.

As we walked in the shop, I was a bit surprised to see how large and how busy the shop was. Compared to our small shop in the village, the Sweet Tooth was four times larger.

I could see three lines of customers piling up in front of three counters, to see this much people at this time of day at this season…it made me curious how good their pastries were.

And seeing Thomas drooling by the mouth as he stared at the dozens of pastries put in front of him, I was glad to see that he was enjoying himself.

“Thomas, I’ll only limit you to five pastries for the day.”

“Reallly!?” Thomas was excited by that promise.

So much so, he immediately went in line to buy those pastries he wanted so much.

Meanwhile Theresa, Thalia and Tilly were also by the shop, looking at the dozen of pastries put on a rack.

They marveled at the beauty of the goods that were made by this top quality shop.

But as for Theodore…he’s mind was still on the Academy’s upcoming exam.

“…”

After we enjoyed ourselves at the Sweet Tooth, the next place I had in mind was a clothing shop so that the girls could enjoy themselves.

Thalia and Theresa were extremely happy to find a shop filled with all sorts of clothes put in display. Just like at the pastry shop, they couldn’t help but marvel at the variety of clothes that were calling to their name for them to put on.

As the girls shopped at the clothes store,  me and the boys just stood by side, waiting until they were finally able to pick what they wanted.

It took them three hours to choose…

And we just spent our time just standing around…

“…Ugh, my legs hurt.” said Thomas.

“Endure it, this is a rare occasion for the girls.” I said as I crossed my arms.

After they finally finished buying their clothes, the next destination I had in mind was the church.

Normally at this time, church masses only happen at weekends at early morning, but I didn’t bring my siblings here to pray, instead I brought them here to look at statues that were displayed in front of the church.

Five statues stood in front of the church in honor to five heroes who once saved the kingdom from its end.

The first commonly known one was the Spear Hero, Samsel Spiel. A hero that wielded the sharpest spear ever made.

The next hero to stand by his side was the Sword Hero, John Anvil. A man who carried the largest and thickest broadsword known to man. It was said that John Anvil was a talented blacksmith who made the sword on his own. The material of the sword was said to have been found by John Anvil himself who he claimed fell from the heavens.

The third hero was the Bow hero, Orika Constellation. A woman who held great talent over a bow that was enchanted to never miss. Her bow that was made of the elvish God tree, the strongest and most enchanted tree almost comparable to that of a God’s bone.

The fourth hero was an Unknown Nomad who carried the strongest shield ever made. No one knew his name, not even the heroes. But to the invitation to end the threat against the kingdom, the nomad followed the heroes into battle. To commemorate his achievement, they made a statue of him even though no one knew his name. He was a mystery to many, especially the heroes themselves.

The Fifth and final hero was Casio Coohn. A masterful mage who carried the greatest knowledge in his mind. And with his knowledge, he casted magic faster than any bow can ever throw. It was said that he was one of many who reached the 9^th stage of the pure core on his early mid forties. He was a genius unparalleled by anyone else.

Looking at the five statues, my siblings were mesmerized by the grandeur of each hero’s strength.

Even Theodore looked to the Fifth hero in awe. So for a moment, his troubles were forgotten.

“So who did they fight to gain the title of a hero?” asked Thalia as she was staring at the Spear hero’s sharp spear.

“Well, from what I know, the heroes fought all sorts of enemies to defend the kingdom. One sort of enemy was an opposing kingdom that was on the other end of the world. An invading  kingdom that brought millions of soldiers on their boats.”

“Really? And it took just five of them to oppose that many people?”

“Not really, in that kind of fight, I’d imagine that they were probably generals leading their own armies provided by the king himself.”

“And who won that fight?” asked Thomas.

“Obviously its our heroes. I mean the kingdom is still standing today after all!” said Thalia proudly.

“Not exactly…rather than victory over another kingdom, both opposing forces were at a draw. Despite the large difference in numbers, the heroes were able to defend against the enemy…but the war took too long. Many lives were taken, especially on the enemy’s side. So they decided to pull back.”

“So it was our win after all.” said Thomas.

“…No, despite the fact that our kingdom wasn’t invaded, many lives were lost in that war. It may seem like a victory, but war has a funny way of making sure both sides lose.”

War never changes no matter which side you are on. Because at the end of it all, blood is dropped from both sides. Lands are ruined, families are torn apart, lives are lost…

Just thinking about the kind of war that I myself went through…I know for a fact that I never won anything from that war.

As we toured most of the places known for in the city, time went by in a flash and we made it back to the tangerine inn.

But as we stood at the entrance of the tangerine inn, we were confronted by a familiar face.

“…Oh, if it isn’t the Cicial family.” With a simple gaze and a simple unperplexed expression, Orion…the guard hound, the man who has his nose up to my business, was by the door of the tangerine inn.

Looking ever so unbothered by the cold snow, he simply waved his way to us as if we were on friendly terms. And what’s different now was the fact that he was wearing his official Guard Hound uniform, giving his presence even more authority than usual.

“…Are you following my family now?” I asked.

“No, unfortunately not. Other important businesses came to my lap.” and as he spoke, not long after, a few other men in the same uniform as him came walking out of the tangerine inn.

And by their side, a woman walked out with a black veil hiding her face from the people.

Dressed in a rather eye catching noble black gown, with a frilled umbrella that stopped the snow from falling down on her back robes. Her entire attire contrasted that of the very snow we all walked on.

She was as black as coal…yet her presence spoke of such silence and unwanted attention, I could easily tell that this woman had used magic to conceal herself from the world.

Judging by how the people from the streets were ignoring her company, it was clear that this woman was powerful in her use of spells.

Even my brothers and sisters didn’t spoke of her notice.

And as she walked pass by us, she climbed up to her carriage and started making their way out of streets.

“I’ll be going now, you all be careful with the slippery roads.” said Orion as he too followed the carriage  in his own feet.

Not before long, my family returned to their senses.

“W-what happened?” asked Theresa.

“It’s nothing.” I said as I walked forward to the inn.

“Just a second ago, I thought I saw a familiar face?” said Theresa.

“…It must have been your imagination.” I said.

Judging by the woman’s magic, it was strong enough to muffle my sister’s head. Magic really is troublesome sometimes.

And just like my sister, everyone else was a bit dizzy from the concealment magic the woman used.

It may seem rude, but I don’t have time to figure out what was happening with that woman. Despite my interest towards how that woman was involved with the King’s guards, I had other priorities in mind.

As we settled back in the guild, I went to my bed and remembered that tomorrow was finally the time to have Theodore take the exams. And judging by his expressions, I doubt that he was a hundred percent ready.