I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling while my hands clenched into fists. Trying my hardest not pierce my skin.


    God, what am I supposed to do now?


    Mom has every reason to keep me here. This island is probably the safest place on the planet but even she is unsure of that.


    I closed my eyes hoping that would help, but it didn''t stop the thoughts from circling in my head.


    If I run off after seven year and I''m wrong, if I make the wrong move, I could get myself or worse, the people close to me. Hell, what if this method turns out to be a curse that destroys your body. Then I''m basically killing myself with a few extra steps.


    But if I stay here and do nothing, if I just wait like Mom wants, I''ll be useless. I''m the son of one of the strongest knights. I should at the very least go help out.


    I sat up, gripping the sheets.


    "Seven years." I whispered to myself.


    That''s the minimum time I have...but why that time specifically.


    That''s so much of my life taken away isolated in constant fear.


    Not the otherworldly experience I hope for...but I did get seven years of uninterrupted paradise. I should be lucky that I''m not in hell right now.


    What am I kidding, I''m slowly going to walk myself in there.


    I glanced toward my window, the sunny sky. The sun hasn''t dropped since the eclipse started and it''s alarming.


    I don''t know whether it''s night or day.


    What''s going to happen to the environment? Just how much changes will this world undergo? And most importantly, how are the people able to adjust to the changes?


    As I was deep in thought, I heard a soft knock against the door.


    ---


    Before I could answer, it creaked open, and Jade stepped inside.


    She didn''t say anything right away. Instead, she walked over and sat on the floor near my bed, hugging her knees, "Umm what''s up?"


    Her eyes flickered toward me. She looked caution for some reason.


    "You really want to leave?" she finally asked.


    I sighed, rubbing my face, "Yeah."


    She hummed in thought before leaning back on her hands, "I figured. You looked so serious earlier, even when your mom dragged you out of the shed."


    I glanced at her, "Were you spying on me?"


    She shrugged, "Hard not to when your mom was yelling. Plus, I was actually watching you hit the tree trunk. It''s by the most entertaining thing on this curse island."


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    At least she is update with the lore of this place.


    I sighed before asking, "Since you know already, what would you do in this situation?"


    "If it were me," she started, "I wouldn''t try to leave right away."


    I raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"


    She nodded, "Firstly, am I prepared for the outside world. In your case, no you were shelter in the comfort of your home. Secondly, I would ask myself, how many people am I hurting if I get involved compared if I didn''t. If didn''t want to visit my dad, I would be hurting myself but since I chose to see him. I end up hurting his family."


    I crossed my arms and stared at ground, "With that logic, staying here sounds like the best choice."


    Jade grinned slightly, "Your mom has her reason, right? End of day, you are a child. You limited to a lot of things."


    I thought about that for a second.


    That… atually very true. I would be very limited as a child.


    Seeing my expression shift, Jade smirked.


    She stood up, brushing off her dress, "Anyways, I''m glad I could be helpful."


    I looked up, "Is there reason why you wanted to chat with me?"


    She just grinned and walked toward the door. But before stepping out, she glanced back at me.


    "You are the only person I can talk with. Your mom doesn''t want to look at me but treat me like a normal person." she said with a wink before slipping out of the room.


    I didn''t hear any footsteps after she closed the door. She must be still standing there.


    "JADE! YOU ARE MY SISTER! OF COURSE I WILL TREATED YOU WITH SOME RESPECT!" I literally shout at the top of my lungs.


    After a few seconds of silence, "OKAY BROTHER, IF YOU WANT TO HANGOUT! I''M ALWAYS AVAILABLE!" She shouted back before running off.


    A soft smile appeared on my face.


    Maybe Jade was onto something.


    ---


    Jade''s words lingered in my mind long after she left.


    I had to be smarter about this.


    Mom wasn''t going to budge easily, but if I gave her a reason to trust me.


    I took a deep breath, pushed myself off the bed, and left my room.


    Mom was in the main hall, standing near the window with her arms crossed, staring out at the endless ocean that surrounded the island.


    She looked quite was relax, "Looks like you to getting along."


    Part me expected that she didn''t hear us screaming at each other.


    I stepped forward, "Mom, can we talk?"


    She turned her head slightly, "If this is about what happened earlier, Nero, I''m very sorry for becoming aggressive and hurting you." Her eyes were looking directly at the wrist she hurt.


    "It''s not about that and honestly I don''t care about that. I have a proposal to make with you."


    She turned to face me fully now, arms still crossed,she had that suspicion look on her face, "A proposal?"


    I nodded, "We stay here for ten years. I train, I learn, and grow stronger. But if after ten years, the world still isn''t saved, then I get to leave and help."


    Mom''s jaw tightened, "Nero—"


    "I know you want to keep me safe," I said quickly, stepping closer.


    "But we both know that hiding here forever isn''t a real solution. If things get worse, this island won''t be enough to protect us. I need to be ready for that. We need to be ready."


    She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples, "Ten years…" she muttered.


    I pushed forward, "That more than enough time for dad and Ethan. Plus they might establish a way of defeating them for good by then."


    Mom was silent for a long moment.


    Then, finally, she sighed, "...You''re serious about this?"


    I nodded firmly. "Completely, all I need is my summoning book and gauntlet. I learn as much as humanly possible."


    She watched me, her sharp eyes searching for any sign of hesitation. When she found none, she let out a slow breath.


    "...Fine."


    I blinked, "Wait, really?" I was expecting mom to use her slippers to shut me down but she actually agree.


    She crossed her arms again, "I don''t like it. And I don''t think you should be worrying about things like this at your age. But… I know I can''t keep you caged forever. Ten years, Nero. That''s my limit. Your father and Ethan better win over there otherwise I will be piss."


    "Deal." I said with a smile on my face.


    Mom walked past me, pausing only for a moment to place a hand on my shoulder, "Scary thing is, you too would have done the same thing."


    Then, she left the main hall.


    I exhaled, shoulders relaxing slightly.


    Ten years.


    That was more than enough time to prepare.