《Burning Feathers》 0 : Two boys in the Wild The soft sound of the breeze filled her ears, the flames that is her body grow colder than she knows. The feelings of nothingness fill her up as her eyes close and her body fallen into an unending abyss that would soon embrace her, once the flames have dimmed, the world ancient mage is no more than a story told to the children. The world of Eradoria has seen the glory of the past, the victory against the demon kind and free from eternal darkness that bestowed on them, a war of hell and earth. As the flames sleep, the world of Eradoria have change into far more modern, city is built more profound and powerful, people have changes and accepted the unknown. But their ignorance would soon come back to bite them¡­ In the deep sleep, there¡¯s would only be nothing but Void. Void that would never let her awake, a void that she has accepted. A void that embraced her after the sword pierce the demon king chest, is this a curse? Or is this just the consequence of¡­¡­ her mind couldn¡¯t comprehend the thought of accepting it. Accepting the truth? Is it something worth to accept? Is it something that she has to hide? Nobody would understand her choice from the beginning. Is it irrational. Stupid. Pathetic. A thought that ate her very heart out, she wanted to tell others about it so much, but something pulled her to not accept this. Maybe the void does this to her? Or maybe something else? You might not understand it too, just like her. But let the flame of the bird sleep peacefully¡­ for now. The land full of green grass is filled with the sound of the two children laughing and playing together, chasing each other and smile with innocence from the world. The two children running around so happily until they play for too long and trapped in the deep and dark blue forest they have been told to not walk in by the villagers. The boy with blonde hair look around the forest with a fearful look, his eyes unblinking as if waiting for any dangers that might appear. Meanwhile, the black hair boy in front of him continue to march his step further into the woods with a sense of confidence. The blonde squeal when a squirrel jump from the bushes to the tree, the black hair boy laugh at his friend cowardly squeal, ¡°You¡¯re really gonna be scared of a passing squirrel, Bryan?¡± the mocking tone from the black hair boy make the blonde, or Bryan, squint his eyes in annoyance. ¡°I didn¡¯t know there was a Squirrel!¡± Bryan look around their surrounding, the trees stood tall, taller than the all-known giraffe. Bryan could see the squirrel from before watching them at the tree branch and disappear into the hole in the words. ¡°Roy, why are we continuing this? This is too scary, let¡¯s just go back!¡± ¡°Oh c¡¯mon! don¡¯t be a scaredy cat, Bryan. This forest is nothing to be scared of, it¡¯s just leaves and woods!¡± ¡°I know that, but the Ghouls¡­¡± ¡°First the squirrel now the Ghouls?¡± The black hair boy, or Roy, turn to look at Bryan. His expression showing sign of boredom and frustration at Bryan cowardly act. He know that Bryan hate these kind of stuff, yet he follow him to venture into the woods with him when he himself know it¡¯s a scary place. Every time there¡¯s some sound, Bryan would freak out and that frustrated Roy more than ever. ¡°You want to be a Mage right? Want to be part of those hunters when you grow up?¡± Bryan nod at his word. Roy have been close with Bryan, being there for the blonde through thick and thin. Needless to say he understand Bryan more than he understand himself, Bryan have a dream that Roy supported. The dream to become a Mage and be part of that Infamous Monster Hunters group known as ¡°The League of Hunters¡± is a pretty big one, to Roy understanding, Bryan didn¡¯t show any sense of bravery needed. He is pathetic, coward, and too kind. The League of Hunters only needed a person who¡¯s brave enough to venture into the dark areas like this forest and brave enough to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Roy reach over for the fallen wood stick in the ground, holding it tightly in his hand and then begin hitting the air toward Bryan. Bryan back away and his hand raised in defense, simply telling Roy to stop it, but the boy didn¡¯t stop, instead he begin to hit it at Bryan body and straight into his head. ¡°Ouch!¡± Bryan whimper in pain, his hand move by itself to cover his own forehead and back away from Roy attack. ¡°What was that for!?¡± Bryan ask, looking hurt at his friend. ¡°You should¡¯ve fight back, being this cowardly wouldn¡¯t make you a hunter! You need to be strong, to be brave!¡± Roy throw the stick to him, the blonde watching it fall to the ground near his foot. ¡°I¡¯m gonna run and you try to hit me with that stick, okay?¡± Bryan hesistantly pick up the stick, inspecting the thing clearly, the rough feeling of it and the small little branches still connected to it. ¡°Are you sure? What if I hurt you badly?¡± ¡°Who care if it hurt?¡± Roy suddenly run much to Bryan surprise. The blonde had no choice but to chase after him, hand raising the stick as he tries to ignore every sound and just focus on one thing; Hitting Roy. It feels refreshing to be honest, to be able to play freely in the wild without the worries of the adult waiting back home. Although it¡¯s not safe of course, the wild is unpredictable to the young minds like Bryan and Roy. They could be in danger of monster lurking or maybe even get caught in some deadly plant, but the world is already dangerous for children like them isn¡¯t it? After The Hundred Years War¡­ children lost their parents to a war that was unnecessary, they are alone and have no one to help them find safety amidst the destruction the adults have created. They only wanted to be held in a hug and have someone tells them that ¡°everything will be okay.¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. But the two boys stood still amidst the battle, with a father lost in battle and mother shot in the head by the enemies, they have learn how to adapt and survive on their own. The world will give them the hardest challenge and they still thrive, needless to say their survival pay off and they have a forever home in an Orphanage called Cloverloft. Though, it didn¡¯t stop them to play in the wild and be free again. And play they did, until Roy stumble upon a plant vein and fall down, he let out a grunt as Bryan rush to his friend side, ¡°Roy! Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m fine, should¡¯ve be more cautious.¡± Roy answer with an aloof expression and instead curiously look into the vein. The tendril is a small looking thing with a blackish color, no thorn or anything, reminding him of a cable. Roy notice that the tendril is trailing toward something, something farther into the wood¡­ But curiosity always win him over, Roy immediately stood up and look at Bryan, ¡°Let¡¯s follow that trail, Bryan!¡± ¡°Seriously, Roy? Can you see just how suspicious that is?¡± ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon, you¡¯re no fun.¡± ¡°Yeah, but at least I¡¯m not trying to prey into something that maybe I shouldn¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Whatever.¡± Roy roll his eyes and quickly left him to follow the trail of the black veins. Bryan seem not amused by his trick and have no choice but to follow, ¡°Don¡¯t you leave me alone in this!¡± Roy always know a trick to let him follow, It always frustrated him. The air start to get more colder and colder, the sound of the animal almost a distant thing in Bryan ear. He stuck with Roy the whole time as if he will disappear any second and he gonna cry all the way back home. His eyes look over toward the many tall pine trees surrounding them, it felt so menacing¡­ as if those tree are watching their every move, the more they follow the trail, the more trees they¡¯ve seen and more darkness begin to fill the area. ¡°Bryan, look!¡± Roy shout and point to something right infront of them, a big and large amount of black vein tendrils curling up into some-sort of makeshift pupa in the ground. Bryan mouth part slightly at the sight of that thing, he never seen that kind of thing in any book he read. So weird¡­ and those weird thing are sometime dangerous. ¡°Do you know what that thing is?¡± Roy ask, his eyes still lingering on that veins. ¡°Uh¡­ No, I¡¯ve read book about plants and the book didn¡¯t tell about this weird vein stuff.¡± ¡°Oh really? So it¡¯s never been recorded¡­ then we could show this to the world!¡± Roy excitement of exposing this new stuff have only brought dread to Bryan, he grabbed the stick from Bryan hand and eagerly walk over to the big stuff. ¡°Roy¡­ I don¡¯t think we should¡­¡± ¡°Oh please, Bryan! We¡¯ve could have a lot of money if we show this to those government people, they be fascinated!¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t think they will¡­ beside, it could be one of Ghoul nest and we should really leave-¡° ¡°AH! Ghoul this, Ghoul that. They are scary, yes, but they only eat bones you know? and who the hell got intimidated by a bone¡­¡± Roy stab the stick into the tendril, ¡°¡­eating¡­¡± he tries to rip it apart, ¡°¡­Monster!¡± the stick create a cracking noise that suddenly cause Roy to fall backward with his bum striking the ground first. ¡°Ouch!¡± ¡°You really need to start being more careful.¡± Bryan didn¡¯t spare him a sympathetic glance, that¡¯s Roy fault for doing some foolish thing not his. He ignore Roy grunt of pain and approach the massive amount of weird looking vein tendrils, he look inside, only more and more tendril. Bryan curiously grab one tendril and easily rip it apart, the tendril felt soft and fuzzy to his palm. Huh, that was easy. Bryan begin to rip more and more tendril away, revealing a deep layer inside of it. Roy come back at his side and watch as Bryan continuously rip those tendril away like a mad man, ¡°So these tendrils are weak¡­¡± he murmured, then he help him on each tendrils. More and more layers start to peel away and more of the ripped tendrils begin to pile into a junk behind them. They pause without a second thought, a woman with a plain white outfit, coat with nothing but tendrils that seems to almost cover her up. Even though they are shock by the sight, but with a single look toward each other eye¡¯s they know they must keep ripping it up until the woman have no more black tendril coating her up. At first they thought there will be some sort of treasure inside or maybe an abandoned dragon egg? But they never ever thought to find a person inside this thing! Even more worrisome that the person is very skinny but not malnourished, it¡¯s a wonder that her skin is still perfectly rosy ivory with no bruises and only small dirt on her face and forearms. After ripping the last remnant of the tendril, Bryan quickly hold the woman hand and begin to check her pulse, he press 2 finger on side of wrist under the thumb. After that, he lower his head to her chest, closing his eyes and then hear the heart beating at a normal rate. ¡°How is she?¡± Roy ask, one hand resting on his hip as he look at the woman with disinterest. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ sleeping.¡± Bryan answer, a confused expression play on his head. His palm move near her lips and sense the slow, rhymtic pattern of a breath. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s better than her dying.¡± Roy said, walking over to the woman side, ¡°But seriously, why is she sleeping in the middle of the forest?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I guess these tendrils are protecting her from the cold?¡± Bryan stand up, huffing in the process. ¡°We should get her back to the orphanage, it¡¯s not safe if she sleep here¡­¡± Both the boys look down to the sleeping woman with nothing on their head, no thought appear on how to carry this woman back to the orphanage. She look like an adult in her early 20s, they are definitely not going to carry her on their back or she¡¯ll broke their spine off. Roy realise something and turn to look at Bryan. ¡°Let¡¯s drag her.¡± ¡°Seriously?¡± 1: Please take me as your student! There was a forgotten fairy tale that they told children, a tale of two people from two different kind. A tale of a girl that hail from the fire clan and a boy that hail from the smoke clan. It was a story of a growing love, a forbidden love bloom from the two people that live in the opposite side. Their Clans have been in Century-old war with each other and with no peaceful way to stop the repeated Cycle of hate between them, But they believe their love could be the ultimate way to end the Cycle once and for all. Sadly, it wasn''t easy to convince the leader of both Clans and instead the two is banish away from both lands. With only small supply, they begin to travel together. Learning stuff together, trying new things, fascinated by something and most importantly always smile to her. The Boy know that the war is useless, always happening without any reason. He remember how he tries to stay neutral at every decision the leader made, trying to evade every occasional recruitment for boy of his age, it was a tough life living in the smoke clan. Until he meet her, the girl from the Fire clan who have the same ideal as him, it was the first time he ever felt so much happiness since growing up. It was his fondest memory. He love the girl, so much. But the girl... She doesn''t think it that way. The girl quickly realizes that something is off about him, how easy he is to jealousy and how controling he is. She thought after a small confrontation, he would be fine, he would changes, but it seems to only make the boy troubled more and more in the head to the point of him starting a rebellion againts not just the two Clans but the whole world. The girl is shattered by his action, but... what the use of heartbreak when she already know he is beyond saving now? She should''ve seen this. Should''ve stop him before he became the danger itself. At last, a female praying Mantis will always eat the male praying Mantis head, isn''t it? Is it already her duty to stop him. To kill him. To not let him cause more chaos. The girl would stood in the mountain, observing the people as they cheer the victory of the death of the boy. But she never smile. For her feelings have returned to nothingness. The sound of the singing bird, the dancing wind and the flip of a book have pull her back and waking her up to reality once again. The woman notice the first thing she seen, a concrete ceiling with a lamp. She breath heavily at the dream she just had again, the same dream again. "Ah, you''re finally awake." A soft sounding female voice appear fron the side and she turn her head to notice a beautiful Elf lady with such soft feature to her face, her gray hair falls at her back while tangle in a loose single braid, her eyes is as enchanting as the blue sea. Her outfit is a simple long black dress with white turtleneck collar and connected to a mermaid skirt and a flounce sleeves, there''s white diamond pattern on the end of her skirt and wearing a black Chelsea boots. The elf close the book in her thigh and proceed to smile at her. A smile that she doesn''t trust all too well, "Where...?" She ask, her voice a bit strained from the sleep. "You''re in Cloverloft Orphanage, Miss." The elf answer with confidence, "Two of my boy found you sleeping in the forest, wrapped up on some weird looking black tendrils that seems to trap you inside, nevertheless I¡¯m glad you are safe from any kind of bruises or infection." The elf woman brought the chair she is sitting in closer to the bed, hand clasping together on the book. She could sense the other woman wariness of her, the caution in those Indian red eyes. "How are you feeling now?" She ask softly. "Uh, Good, thanks... And who are you?" The woman ask her again, this time her voice tense a bit. "I''m Hatsumi, Hatsumi Miki." An innocent name indeed, "No need to be so tense, Miss. I mean no harm at all. Beside this place is filled with children that only want to know more about you." Hatsumi tries to be gentle and cautious at her own word. She know every word she let out could be suspicious to a person that seems quite cautious. The sound of whisper break the tense atmosphere and Hatsumi turn around to find the children all standing in the door with curiousity in their eyes. They are always so curious that it''s a bit frustating... But they are just children and children are still growing, still wanting to know more about the world and careless of the danger around them. "Ah... Don''t mind them." Hatsumi turn back to the woman and ask once again, "So, what''s your name? It''s best to get familiar with one another right?" The woman still stare at Hatsumi with caution, but the sight of the children standing there with bright eyes make her soften for a moment. "It''s... Freya." From the way Freya spoke her own name, it feels foreign to herself, as if it''s something she haven''t said in a long time. "Freya huh? That''s a nice name." Hatsumi notice that Freya seems to be looking at the outfit she''s currently wearing, a short-sleeve blue sweater. Her hand moving around the fabric, palm pressing into every corner just to feel it. "This... outfit¡­" "That''s... a sweater, a comfortable little outfit right?" Hatsumi answer with a bit of shock, did she not know what a sweater is? Best to ask her. "Have you ever wear a sweater before?" "uh, yes I did, though I always wore the same kind of attire everyday. It¡¯s just¡­" she look back to the sweater, ¡°¡­Feel nostalgic.¡± Silence fill the room as Hatsumi tries to process every bits of Freya words, nostalgia is a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. Hatsumi herself have experience nostalgia in her life as century-old elf, she felt grief, love and mostly a sense of longing over the past. But for Freya¡­ it seems to be different in her side, the way she speak as if she is speaking to the wind, to the ghost of her past, a feel of longing so great that she cannot move from it. Hatsumi notice a small tear streaming down from Freya eyes into her cheek. ¡°Freya¡­¡± Hatsumi whisper her name, Freya face remain the same aloof as it is. Eventually she wipe the tear away and look back to Hatsumi. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to make it all awkward.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Freya.¡± Hatsumi put her hand on her shoulder and pat It gently, ¡°I know how it feel, the need to be back in the past and relive the moment before any tragedy happened.¡± At the mention of the word tragedy, Freya shoulder tense and her lips pressed together. But she won¡¯t let it shown, having been used to hide her own weakness. Hatsumi stand up, holding the book by her side and looking down at Freya. ¡°Now, have you eaten anything yet?¡± Freya shake her head, ¡°Oh, then you wake up on the right time, I still have the leftover of a cauliflower soup I made.¡± The mention of food make the star shine in Freya eyes, her head raise instantly as if the thought of food excited her. ¡°There¡¯s food?¡± ¡°Of course there will be food, I wouldn¡¯t leave a person alone with starvation.¡± ¡°That¡¯s kind of you¡­¡± Freya rub the back of her head and smile at her, ¡°Thanks, Hatsumi.¡± Hatsumi smile back and watch as Freya stand up from the bed, the last time she even taste food so good was during the camp where she made a salmon fish into roasted salmon. No spices, no other seasoning, just a plain roasted salmon and it¡¯s already so delicious to her. Her stomach immediately grumble at the thought of food again, eager to savor the greatest thing mankind has created. Freya follow her to the kitchen and to explore more of this place. While the children also following them to the kitchen, like a small little herd of chick. ¡°Now, now kids. Don¡¯t interrupt the guest.¡± Hatsumi warn them and they immediately run away. Freya observe the whole area of the orphanage, it have concrete wall that seems to crack at each corner and wooden floor that creak on every step they made. She could hear every chatter and the running noise of the children just from the floor alone, the place is mostly empty except from the multiple painting lining up on the wall that depict a lot of badly drawn sketch. Without realizing, they already reach the kitchen, that was near the room she¡¯s in. The fragrant smell filled her nostril and it is truly the greatest aroma she ever sense, until the voice of a loud young boy ring in the kitchen. ¡°She¡¯s the woman we found!¡± Freya turn toward the voice and see two young boy with black and blonde hair sitting together, the black hair boy point his finger at her and then wave his hand. ¡°Hey, miss! I¡¯m Roy and this is Bryan!¡± Roy ruffles the blonde boy hair. ¡°We¡¯re the one that found you in the forest, you know? you should compensate us!¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Roy, stop it. You¡¯re embarrassing yourself.¡± ¡°Embarrass for what? I speak the truth!¡± Freya only hum and walk over to them, asserting dominance by being more taller than they are. ¡°Oh really? You want me to compensate you?¡± ¡°Of course, not just me but Bryan too. He did help after all.¡± Roy wrap his arm around Bryan shoulder and bring him closer, ¡°This kid is smart but he is also a coward, so I deserve a much higher compensation than him!¡± ¡°What? Not fair!¡± Bryan retort back, looking at his friend with anger and Roy only stick his tongue out to mock him. ¡°It¡¯s only fair because I¡¯m braver than you.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not!¡± Freya stare at them with disinterest in her eyes, letting them squabble right infront of her. But then an idea appear on her head and spoke, ¡°You guys only wanted the money, right?¡± they both stop and look at her, Roy nod enthustiatically, already a money-hungry kid. ¡°I have no money¡­ so¡­ have this.¡± Freya lift both of her palm up, letting them stare into her palm. There¡¯s nothing at first¡­ but then something red glow from her palm which amazed both of them¡­ sparkle appear from her palm and two candies materializes from her palm. ¡°here, candies.¡± ¡°That was¡­ magic?¡± Bryan murmured with astonishment, meanwhile Roy grab the Candy immediately and eat it with excitement. Bryan grab his own piece but just stare at it for a long time and back to her, She stare back to him and nod. ¡°Yep. Magic.¡± Hatsumi smile at their antic, she quickly grab the bowl of cauliflower soup and walk toward the table to put the bowl down. She could sees the excitement in Bryan eyes when he sees the magic Freya just did, the young boy have always been wanting to be a mage for so long, practicing basic magic by himself even if he have trouble with it. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could perform magic.¡± Hatsumi said, watching as Freya walk to the table and took a seat in the chair, her red eyes staring into the bowl of cauliflower soup with interest. She lift a spoonful and seems satisfied at the taste. ¡°It was just a simple summoning magic after all, everyone could learn how to do it within three days.¡± Freya sip another spoonful of soup into her mouth again. ¡°I see¡­ but I think someone is really fascinated by it.¡± Hatsumi point to Bryan who keep staring into her with awe, Freya stare back at him and look back down to the soup, she remember the time where a young boy would always be fascinated by every magic she does. A magic that so basic to her yet it is something new to the boy¡­ it was a good memory she prefer to not remember again. ¡°I know you just wake up, but Bryan always wanted to be a mage, if you have time¡­ could you¡ª" ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t want to.¡± Freya say so suddenly which made Hatsumi look a little surprise that she doesn¡¯t think he is deserving of her being his teacher. After all¡­ Bryan really want to learn magic so bad, but he have been incapable of succeeding the easiest magic an early mage would spell. ¡°The last time I teach someone, everything ended up badly.¡± One hour later, Freya is staring into the window from the kitchen while drinking a cup of water in peace. Hatsumi told her that she have been asleep for maybe¡­ almost three thousand years? That was a lot to comprehend for the elf to understand. Nevertheless, she miss a lot of centuries where Eradoria is now completely modern and few months ago there was a peace treaty sign by each country following the aftermath of the 100 years war. The world really didn¡¯t change after the war against the demon king three thousand years ago¡­ Her peaceful time is interrupted by the sound of Bryan voice appearing beside her, ¡°Um¡­ Miss Freya uh¡­ can you be my teacher?¡± He ask so meekly, beside Bryan is Roy who¡¯s been standing there with his arms crossed. ¡°I have been learning magic a lot, though¡­ I¡¯m not that talented at it. But I still want to learn! And I heard from Miss Hatsumi that you¡¯re an ancient mage from three thousand years ago!¡± Freya remain her neutral expression as she address his need. ¡°Did you overhear our conversation, kid?¡± ¡°Well¡­ yeah, sorry I did, I just really want to talk with you but I¡¯m too shy to do so..¡± Freya remain quiet, she stare into the window again and sigh, putting her cup down and stare at him. ¡°Sorry, Bryan. But I can¡¯t, the last time I took a student it was troubling and I have to put an end to his chaos.¡± Bryan seems surprise by her sudden rejection, he stuttered immediately. ¡°W-What? But¡­¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not interest in taking student again.¡± Freya is clear on her resolve that she won¡¯t take him as her student, not after what happen to a certain student in the past that been using his power as a mage to brought dangers to the world. Bryan smile fell immediately and he look down with dejected expression, Silence fill the area again, this time with a much more tension than ever. Bryan look down to the floor and seems to give up in the moment, meanwhile Roy notice the tension in the kitchen and look to his friend. Gloomy again. Roy turn to look at Freya and his fist clench at the thought of someone making his friend sad, but Roy calm himself down and know that he need to be careful when talking to adults about this stuff. From experience, Adults are stubborn and hopefully he can convince him. Roy step forward, ¡°Miss, I know we just met, but you can¡¯t do this to my friend. He is smart and hard worker! From the very moment we met he always tell me how much he wanted to be a mage! From tireless learning how to control the water, then summoning stuff like you do¡­¡± Roy turn to look at Bryan and point his finger at him, ¡°¡­Just look at how wimpy he is!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Bryan look back to Roy. ¡°He¡¯s too na?ve, too much of a coward, nobody think he could achieve anything other than being smart. He¡ª¡± Before Roy continue his speech, Freya immediately cut him off and said. ¡°What motivation does he have?¡± ¡°Huh? Motivation?¡± ¡°Every mage have motivation to be who they are, without motivation you couldn¡¯t move forward and be one.¡± Freya turn to Bryan and spoke with a more softer tone, ¡°Learning spell¡ªeven the easiest one¡ªis still dangerous, you did something wrong could cause your mana to instantly depleted.¡± Mana is a powerful energy that reside in every living beings soul, is considered to be the manifestation of soul that could be channeled as raw magic. All it came from the deepest heart of each living beings, where Mana make up most of their spiritual energy and because the role of these Mana is very important part of Eradoria history as Mana doesn''t just shape who''s the person is but the whole history. Although, every beings have different way to adapt to Mana. Animals or Monster use Mana as a way to enhance their senses, while for Plants they use Mana only as the last resort to adapt in a situation without the use of the sun light. Mankind on the other hand... Vary individual, though unlike plants or animals, Mankind Mana are unique for they could use the ability of Mana to the fullest. For example, like the Mages who are famously known to be very skilled in Mana usage and they Knights for using Mana as an offensive attack. The drawback of Mana, is that because they are the spiritual energy of every beings, the constant usage of Mana it could cause something called ''Mana Exhaustion'' where a person will fall into fatigue and even drowsiness, making them very prone to deadly attack. For humans, Mana are a priceless gift from Heaven, despite they couldn''t channeled it perfectly without the help of a magical tools, Humans will always strive to weaponize Mana. Freya look down to her cup and then show it to Bryan, ¡°If you want to prove yourself so much¡­ then changes this water into coffee.¡± ¡°Changing it? But¡­ I don¡¯t know that spell.¡± Bryan said, a bit surprise by her sudden request. ¡°It¡¯s an easy spell, you just need to concentrate and imagine the taste and looks of the coffee to change it.¡± Bryan hold the cup and stare at it with nervous expression, ¡°If you¡¯re nervous, you will change only the looks but not the taste. Which is an immediate fail.¡± Bryan look up at her and nod, alright¡­ this is what he supposed to do right? Bryan close his eyes and begin to follow the instruction Freya told him. The color and the taste of the coffee¡­ he have to remember it, he did tries coffee once, but it was a long time ago, hopefully he can do it. The cup soon begin to glow, the sound of mana flowing into the cup is like a majestic sound Roy ever heard, then smoke came from the cup and Freya nod. The water have change into coffee and Roy is amazed by the sight of it, ¡°Woah!¡± ¡°Not bad.¡± Freya said, she pat his shoulder to stop the magic process and then grab the cup, she notice that the color have change into coffee, but the taste? She lift it to her mouth and taste it. After a few second of quietness, and put the cup down. ¡°It¡¯s still taste like water¡­ but you did well. I guess you did have the potential to become a great mage, Bryan.¡± Bryan smile appear again and Roy hug him, a celebratory hug, ¡°Great job, Bryan! Now you can change every water into coffee!¡± Bryan laugh and nod, he could do it! Even if it a failure¡­ he could still do it! ¡°Does it mean I¡¯m your student now, Miss Freya!?¡± Bryan said excitedly. ¡°Hm¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do anyway... so I¡¯ll take that as a yes. You impressed me for someone of your age.¡± Freya word made Bryan smile even more and she know the boy is happier than ever, just like the face of the student she took three thousand years ago. ¡°Tomorrow, we train and have a lot of talking.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± 2: How to feel Motivated Everything feel like a blur to Freya, days turn to month and month turn to year. In just the blink of an eyes, everything change around her so fast. This orphanage, once so lively now filled with more silence than the sound of the wind breeze around her, while she watch everything change through time¡ªher body remain the same¡ªit never age, never change in any size, she could eat thousand of food and it will remain the same. She sat down in the rock, watching as snow fall from the sky and the tree covered within it. The sound of wind buzzing and magic ring in her ear, Freya turn to look at the source, finding Bryan standing in the snow and tries to manipulate it using his wooden staff. The young boy has turn into a teenager now, more polite and bold than the wimpy kid he used to be. He currently wearing a heavy winter outfit accompanied with a hat, not that it matter, the cold of the winter still hit him. His wooden staff aim directly to the snow once again and he keep chanting the word, ¡°Snolowa!¡± watching the snow tries to float, his wooden staff is keeping the hold of the snow as it float around the air, slowly forming into some block of snow¡­ then it fell straight into his face. ¡°GAH!¡± Freya look at him with an aloof expression, her eyes narrow and judging him again. ¡°Dammit! Why does It keep failing!¡± Then he complaint like a noisy kid, her hand move to her cheek and her elbow resting on her knees, ¡°I already told you to not practice Snolowa without learning how to control your temperature first.¡± She said with a dismissive tone, Snolowa is a spell that focused on creating golems from snow. To use this spell perfectly, the Host must stand in an area with a lot of snow around, then they will focus on channelling their mana that cause the snow around them to grow colder and the snow will float around the air to form a golem of all size that is fully obedient toward the Host. But the downside of this spell, when the snow get colder it will make the Host body temperature drop rapidly and in the end, the spell will failed. Snolowa require another spell to work at the same time, one that keep the body temperature in check for the Host. ¡°I know that¡­ but what if I could do it without using any of those body temperature spell?¡± Bryan exclaim, getting up from the snow attack that he inflicted on himself. ¡°Then you¡¯re an idiot. You keep failing and instead of trying to find the reason, you want to keep trying to practice it.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ that harsh.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care, kid. I want you to learn that temperature spell now.¡± Bryan frown, his lips pressed together as he brush the remaining dust of snow away. Freya is a great teacher, but she is so persistent and slightly harsh too. Sometime he just wish that his teacher could just leave him alone for the time being and let him do it on his own¡­ His gaze move back at Freya as she stand up and begin approaching him with that same disappointed look. ¡°The temperature spell is called Tempria, the spell that stabilizes your body temperature in any situation.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why you don¡¯t wear any winter outfit? Because you are using Tempria now?¡± Bryan said with an amused expression, Freya only wear a white dress that Hatsumi give and that dress truly didn¡¯t help her in the winter because of how plain and thin it is. Freya grab his wooden staff and raise it to the air, her eyes focused on the snowy ground, ¡°You can say that.¡± She aim the staff into that snowy ground, her body calm and her gaze focused on each snow that is slowly¡­ start to float. Bryan eyes widen as the floating snow gradually gotten bigger and bigger, circling around her as magic flow around her whole form. Then those snow begin to stack on one another and form into a giant robot-looking golem with a diamond as it face, the snow golem lay it head and bow to Freya expressing gratitude for bringing it alive into the world. Freya stare into the golem long enough before turning to look back at Bryan, seeing the young man shocked expression was amusing, she do it all as if it¡¯s the most casual stuff to ever exist. ¡°H-How did you do that?¡± Bryan stutter, failing to hide how amazed he is, ¡°And you don¡¯t even say the spell name either!¡± he added. ¡°Because I¡¯m more experience than you are.¡± Freya turn to the snow golem one last time, before swinging the staff into the golem causing the golem to disintegrated into air and every bits of snow drop to where it rightfully belong. ¡°Tempria should be an easy one, usually new mage gonna have a trouble learning it. Even I have to take ten years to learn how to control it perfectly.¡± Freya approach him and give him the staff back. ¡°But that was in the past¡­ nowdays everything is easy to do and you can just search thing up on the big online world for any spell.¡± She retreated back to the safety of the rock chair while continuing her speech, ¡°With your raw talent, I bet it must be super easy too. Because of that¡­¡± She sat on the rock and cross her arms, ¡°I want you to learn that in only one week.¡± ¡°EH!? One week?¡± ¡°Yes. Starting now.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°I will not listen to any of your attempted negotiation.¡± ¡°¡­You can just say no.¡± She¡¯s back to being the no-nonsense person she is. Bryan grab his burner phone from his own pocket, he got it recently when Hatsumi decide to buy it for him. She¡¯s such an angel, but the only problem here might be that he doesn¡¯t understand that much on how phone work¡­ all he know is just to search up in the web and begin the spell. Just like what Freya say, it definitely easy. While watching the young man train with all he got, the door is open and Hatsumi step outside wearing a sweater and gloves. She look at Bryan with a smile on her face, the determined expression from the young man truly lift her entire spirit today. ¡°I guess the spell didn¡¯t go well?¡± Hatsumi begin. ¡°You guess it.¡± Freya said lazily, she let out a big sigh after saying that. ¡°I hate stubborn people¡­¡± ¡°Well that¡¯s just Bryan, he¡¯s a nice kid but he could get really stubborn!¡± Hatsumi chuckle as she cross her arms and yell to Bryan, ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Bryan! Keep it up so you can protect this orphanage!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Bryan yell back in the distance. Hatsumi encouragement truly make the young man even more motivated now, he continue to read from those site and try to channel his Mana. It is a boring sight for Freya though, she have been watching her students been in his shoes, always so passionate and motivated to achieve what they want. But in the end, their future could show their downfall or their rise from the ashes. ¡°Don¡¯t encourage him that much, too much of a mental burden if you ask me.¡± Freya said, keeping her tone natural. ¡°Better to keep it realistic, we don¡¯t know if he really could protect this orphanage or not.¡± ¡°It sound like you¡¯re doubting his ability, Freya.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to sound harsh¡­ but I am, even if he succeded the hardest spell he could, I still doubt that he have the will to protect someone in the face of real dangers.¡± Silence fell among them, snow continue to fall in their gaze as the young man become the center of their attention. ¡°I spoken from experience you know? I have a student who could have been the greatest mage ever in Eradoria only to be consume by his obsession for more.¡± ¡°I see your point, we are bind to destiny be it the worst or the best. But¡­ in this age, the decision we made will be the one to bind us closer to this role we are destined with. A child grow in lawless area could be the first ever police they had or the child could simply embrace being in that kind of environment, bringing no changes to the situation.¡± Hatsumi sound full at peace right now, Freya tilt her head to look at her. ¡°But I believe we can help them shape it, shape them into someone better than ever. Environment play a pivotal role after all, a parent could raise their child to be a bad person and a parent could guide their child to be a better person.¡± She clap her hand together and spoke, ¡°Since I¡¯m Bryan caretaker, I want him to be a successful figure in the future and give him a lot of Motivation!¡± her eyes is twinkling with stars now. ¡°Beside, we both live a long life didn¡¯t we? There¡¯s a time where we stop feeling motivated after all.¡± ¡°Motivation¡­¡± Freya ponder her words, she remember feeling motivated to learn more about this world, to find interesting things and discover new creature. She was young back then, just like Bryan. But those motivation eventually diminish as years come by, founding herself more and more burn out the more she force herself to do it. Suddenly, something click on her mind. ¡°Oh, right¡­ Hey Bryan!¡± Bryan stop his practice and turn to look at Freya, ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°What was your motivation? I forgot to ask¡­¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Silence fall among them once again, ¡°Miss Freya, it¡¯s been ten years¡­ and you just remember it now?¡± ¡°Hey, I¡¯m asking here.¡± Freya narrow her eyes. Bryan let out an awkward chuckle and rub the back of his head, ¡°Well¡­ I wanted to join the League of Hunters and be a mage to protect the innocent children from losing everything they had, parent, home and memories.¡± He sound proud of himself, confidence in his dream to be the protector of the children.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. An admirable dream, the sparkle in his eyes already told her just how determined he is on going to take the next step to his dreams. No matter how hard the challenge that gonna come at him, the young man will never stop at reaching it, one step of the ladder at the time. But it wasn¡¯t that dreams that caught her, but the group he is talking about¡­ ¡°League of Hunters? What is that?¡± ¡°Eh!? You don¡¯t know what that is?¡± Bryan is shocked, how came someone don¡¯t know about the league of hunters, the greatest hunters group in the whole world! ¡°H-How?¡± ¡°Bryan, you expect someone from three thousand years ago to know about that?¡± Freya retort with her eyes narrowing again, as if looking at him with a death serious stare. Hatsumi cover her mouth as she giggle at their conversation. ¡°Well, I could help you with that, I¡¯m actually a former member myself.¡± Hatsumi said, approaching her and begin to explain it. ¡°The League of Hunter is a prestigious Private Military Company that specializes in eradicating monsters in land, sea, or air. They operatize everywhere in Eradoria to hunt monster and any other anomalies that they sees as a threat to peace.¡± ¡°I see¡­ so they¡¯re just some bunch of protector groups.¡± ¡°No they¡¯re not!¡± Hatsumi seems to take an offense in that, ¡°The League of Hunters are professional group of hunters that doesn¡¯t work mindlessly, they have strategy that make them the same level as the elite Whiteblade Army of Gaia!¡± Freya doesn¡¯t seems to keen on listening further, she roll her eyes with disinterest in her voice, ¡°Now you¡¯re just praising them¡­ but how come I never know you were part of them? Also, you should be the one to teach Bryan and not me.¡± ¡°Well¡­ I only spend like¡­ a three years because of some troubles I cause, but that¡¯s not the case now.¡± Hatsumi cheek reddened immediately, her head lolling to the side as if wanting to hide the embarrassment she felt. ¡°A-Anyway, I¡¯m not a mage, Freya. You really expect a non-mage to teach someone who wanted to be a mage?¡± ¡°Heh¡­ so underneath that kindness of yours there¡¯s a naughty side too?¡± Freya smirk. ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± ¡°Uh, guys¡­ It¡¯s dinner time. Let¡¯s just get over this and have dinner together, right?¡± Bryan have to step in before they could argue again, Hatsumi pout and Freya have that annoying smirk of hers. God¡­ he really don¡¯t understand these two people who could possibly live longer than Eradoria itself. Dinner come as usual, although this time it¡¯s more quieter knowing there¡¯s no more bunch of screaming children. All of them have been adopted in the last ten years now¡­ there¡¯s only small amount of them and they gather together to enjoy the dinner time, it felt like a big family dinner, a warmful one. Roy talking about his medical skill and bickering with the other kids, Bryan trying to calm him down and Hatsumi being the perfect caretaker ever. Such a scene she come to adapt in the past ten years with them, but all she wanted to do now was to continue her other task and do some progress on it. Even if Hatsumi keep being telling how worry she is, Freya would still do it no matter what. The silence of the night truly welcome her and the moon shine so brightly in the sky, the star glimmering with life and the cold air keep her in peace. This is where she rightfully belong, quiet without any talks or laughs on her surrounding. She sat on the edge of the cliff, away from the dark forest looming behind her, her eyes closed as she tries to focus on channeling her Mana to close. But after minutes or even hours that come, she still feel nothing has change. Her eyes open once again and looking into her hand, ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She clench and open her fist, ¡°¡­It¡¯s been ten years, but my Mana still won¡¯t close¡­ it seems I have to suppressed it for now.¡± Just as she stand, a loud scream ring from the forest get her attention. Her sense is alerted once again, the forest is dangerous at night with the Ghouls coming to haunt at the darkness of it. But someone is screaming¡­ mean someone have been wondering the dark forest and the Ghoul might have caught them. Could it be Bryan or Hatsumi? Whoever the fools that enter the forest at night should¡¯ve known better. Freya begin to run toward the sound, she won¡¯t let somebody foolishly dies in this forest. The terrified cries of a man get closer and closer as she continue to venture into the forest, the source of his voice an easy guide to find him. "G-Get away!!" The man yell loudly accompanied by the sound of the Ghoul melodious and eerie growl. "Gah!!" The man thought everything is going to be over at this very moment, all of his lifework ended in the hand of the Ghoul. But a sparkle of light appear infront of him and the Ghoul scream so loud it almost broke his ear drums. He cover his ear and notice someone running to cover him, "Are you okay?" He look up and see Freya, the calmness in her gaze do nothing to stop the terror in his veins. "I-I..." He stammer out useless word, but she quickly cut him off. "I''ll handle them." Freya stare into the Ghoul infront of them, the Ghoul malnourished, bluish and transparent legless human body floating in the air. Their large hole of void that replace their face let out a whiff of air and their massive human mouth that stretch vertically from the bottom of the torso to the throat with the teeth shaped like a canine and sticking out from each other opening and close, Saliva falling down to the ground. The Ghoul growl again and Freya notice it calling it friends, more Ghoul begin to appear from the Tree, bushes, and even the Woods. "Stay here okay?" Freya told the man and the man nod urgently, he watch as one of the Ghoul jump to her with it wide mouth opening and ready to eat her. He Scream and the Ghoul scream back. He open his eyes to see Freya jumping from each trees and the Ghouls chasing her like a zombie horde. Freya twirl her hand and a light beam appear from her palm, she dodge one of their attack and Slam the light into their wide monstrous mouth. The Ghoul scream again before disintegrated into nothingness, but it''s not over yet. Freya ears ring as more Ghouls flanking her back, so she raise her hand and flame engulf her whole left arm then she swing it around the Ghouls. The Ghouls scream again before dissapearing one by one. Another Ghoul appear from the tree, jumping down and tries to engulf her in it wide mouth. But Freya manages to Dodge once again by rolling to the side and quickly raise her hand to summon another light beam and smash it right into it back. "They shouldn''t be coming again... Hopefully." Freya sigh and walk back to the man. "You okay?" She said, both hand resting on her hips. "Ah! Yes, thank you Miss, I''m so happy you appear!" He is relief, very relief. "I-I''m Alfred and you are?" "Freya." Freya look down to the way he dresses, baggy winter jacket and trouser with hiking shoes and Beanie hat. What interested her is the big looking bag on his back, she wanted to ask but realizes where they are now. "Follow me." Soon they walk out of the dark and grimy forest and reach a safer area, a bench near a lampost that is still on everyday and every time. She sat down there beside him while holding a mug of hot cocoa that he had presented as a thank you act. "So... You''re a tourist?" She ask him, while staring into the cocoa. "I prefer the term Traveler than tourist, sound more formal right?" Alfred said, a smug smile on his face as he drink his own mug of hot cocoa. "I guess so. But still, that was a Foolish move, going into the dark forest where the Ghouls usually roam." Freya added, the Ghouls are creature who love to wander in dark and isolated areas due to their fears of the sun and anything that produce light in their area. Those creature know human are curious about the dark and use their every advantage to eat the bones of theirs. "Yeah... I was reckless, but i got save by a pretty lady, so that''s a plus." Alfred give her a charming smile while she look disinterest. "Shut up." Alfred just give her a chuckle before sipping his hot cocoa once again. "But really, I''m grateful for your help. Without you, i might not be able to reach my dreams of traveling the whole world, Freya." Alfred put his mug down and lean into the bench, watching the moon in peace. "Also that move of yours? Totally cool." "You''re praising me too much, Alfred. I was just there when you decided to enter the forest." She dismissed him once again, staring into the pile of snow in the path. "Oh yeah? Well I''m glad you just there." He soon realizes something. "Wait... how do you get in there in the first place?" "I am already there by dawn, training my Mana as usual." "Huh... So you done this alot?" "Yeah." Silence fell between them once again, only the sip of hot cocoa and the breeze being the only noise. How many time have she gone through this silence already? She get fed up now. So she quickly ask him, "Why did you become a Traveler, Alfred?" "I wanted to travel the whole world again after the war, i want to see everything that have change or find something new. Maybe... I could even be the first person to find a hidden area in Eradoria?" Alfred word struck a memory that she thought she have abandoned, a memory of her young self, how she once travel the whole world with such eagerness to find new things only to get burned out and stop doing it altogether. "You... Don''t feel bored about it?" She ask, her voice stuttering slightly. "Bored? Yeah, once. Back when every situation got worst for me, i used to stop Traveling and find myself sitting in bed and drinking beers." Alfred gaze is focused on that hot cocoa with such intensity, "I don''t think i could return back like i used to be when i travel, i thought everything is over... but then i meet my wife and honestly? It brought my happiness back, seeing the mountain in Belkovsky for the first time or seeing the stars in Haloa Luna. My wife dreams is just like mine and after she pass... I have to do it for her, to reach places she wanted to go and take a picture like we used to have." "I... See..." Freya close her eyes for a long moment then back to him. To continue someone else dream seems like a burden to her, but Alfred manages to do it with smile and it even brought back his motivation once again, "I''m sorry about your wife." "No worries, Freya. I''m sure she must be watching me from the heaven and be proud of how cool her husband is." Alfred added casually, he had move on from her death and fully accepted the situation now. Always looking to the sky and know she must be watching. Freya roll her eyes and sip the hot cocoa one last time, the tasty and warm feeling of the cocoa Coat her throat and then her whole body. She put the mug down as she sigh and stare at the now empty mug, she might not see her reflection again but she can sees her own eyes watching herself. "Even after the war you still continue to travel?" She ask one last time. "Yeah, but in the end... I manages to find my purpose again, isn''t it? To travel again and to help others in need. Being a Traveler is not just about going to different places, but it also to form a close Bond with new friends we might make there." Alfred said, determination flow in his veins. War truly is horrible isn''t it? She remember standing among the sea of dead bodies while venturing into the demon region three thousand years ago to stop the demon king. She thought everything will be in peace after that, but humans just gotta be humans and start another war The thought of traveling this world again, of seeing it change, searching for something new and meeting new faces again like with Hatsumi and the others. Her eyes close as she remember those days where she travel by foot in the sea, in the land to reach the highest or lowest area and to find everything new. Her motivation surge once again and her need to travel the whole world came back once more like a blooming flower. The time before she sleep, she approach Hatsumi sitting in the dining room chair and she boldly said. "Hatsumi, I''m going to travel the world again." 3: Today is the start of something new So many stuff to fit into that suitcase, Clothes, Canned food, Lighter to heat the food and other useless stuff like extra traditional medicine that she not gonna use in any situation. But Hatsumi is kind enough to provide her need for traveling, especially the outfit she given to Freya that will keep her warm and fancy for the rest of the travel. Freya look around in the mirror as she observe herself, her soft palm touching her pale cheek and pressing it gently, her rosy lips opened and close, Finger brushing her short hair strand with the color White on the outer layer and Red on the inner layer, her eyes sharp yet still feel doll-like with those pink colored eyes that seen hardship yet still sparkle with life and hope. Now her eyes gaze down toward the outfit she wore, the outfit that Hatsumi gave during her time in League of Hunters, it is fairly simple; a skater dress with long flutter sleeve underneath her peplum leather jacket with a cravat around her neck, alongside a pillbox hat, a stocking and loafers shoes. Freya doesn¡¯t think much about how she dress, it¡¯s a perfect outfit and a comfortable one, though this outfit seems to be more fancier and cleaner than the whole orphanage which has wall with ripped wallpaper and bedrooms with those annoying cockroaches infestation. She turn her body around the mirror, staring into her slim back and thigh then to feel her chest, due to the tightness of the jacket it make her chest more shaped and a bit bigger than she thought. ¡°Woah¡­¡± She murmur as she look down to her own chest, head going into certain fantasy not safe for children. The sound of a closed suitcase break the thought and keep herself calm when facing around, Hatsumi is holding the suitcase that sitting nicely in the ground. A proud smile appear on the elf lady face, a smile fill with nostalgia and untold story of a good memory. ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I have used this suitcase,¡± The elf turn to Freya, ¡°The outfit look gorgeous on you, Freya. I always know it fit you.¡± ¡°Hm, I do wonder how you even find one that fit me.¡± Freya answer, her hand playing with her cravat before approaching Hatsumi, ¡°But thank you, Hatsumi. Your generosity is noted.¡± Hatsumi felt a flush of embarrassment at her gratitude, why not? Freya bow to her like she some sort of saintess that give her the basic necessity to survive. ¡°Ah! You don¡¯t need to do that, Miss Freya. In fact, I¡¯m glad to have given this outfit to you, I always wanted to give that to someone after I retire from League of Hunters.¡± Hatsumi cross her arms and look into the window where the sun light has entered the room and filling it with sense of life around them. ¡°I Used to travel from country to country with that outfit, but now since I¡¯m not with them anymore¡­ I feel like looking at my old self who were so full of hope to impress the big wings on her first day.¡± Freya could feel Hatsumi blue eyes gazing at her from top to bottom, staring at every small detail with focus and a hint of warmth. It¡¯s been decades since she join them, it¡¯s been decades since she even wear this, but everyday she keep on washing it and keeping it on good condition. The outfit is a memory worth to protect, memory of the time where she raise her hand with others and lend them down for the people falling into problem. Before the war, before the fire that burned the earth and the fire that spread their ashes of terror toward the people, sadly she was one of those people, coward warrior that were brave in their first years but as the real enemies appear her legs would turn into a noodle and her veins would be filled with sea of panic. In the League of Hunters, there¡¯s a code, a code where warrior should not back away, to not be a failure when face with dangers. But she run and this is where it took her. Looking back at it again doesn¡¯t make her feel shame or regret for that time, instead she was glad she could survive and be alive to see someone else wearing her attire. Being an Elf, she have seen many disappointment and proudest in her long life, but this¡­ is truly her proudest moment ever. Like a mentor giving the mantle to the chosen disciples. ¡°Is something the matter, Hatsumi?¡± Freya pull her back to reality again after being lost in the sentimental memory the attire hold. Hatsumi shake her head and one hand rest on her hip, acting all casual to her. ¡°Nothing, just¡­ I¡¯m proud you know? I think I just fulfilled my dream to give it to someone else.¡± She let out a sigh, a heavy one that show she tries to hold the tears away but keep it to herself. ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡¯m just getting too sentimental¡­¡± ¡°You are Sentimental.¡± Freya word a jab to her heart, oh how bold and cold that word coming out of her, with no care for the feeling of the poor elf lady infront of her. Hatsumi should¡¯ve expected this, Freya have been dismissive toward how other feels and boldly say it, sometime it harsh and sometime it just rude, but that what she appreciated. Freya a honest person, when she¡¯s not afraid to say it, then she totally mean it. ¡°A-Anyway¡­¡± Hatsumi try to change the topic, she clear her throat to keep the embarrassment away. She was just about to speak, but the sound of the door creaking caught her attention immediately. They both turn to the source of noise and see Bryan and Roy coming in. ¡°Miss Freya¡­ You really are leaving?¡± Bryan said meekly, his hand holding each other like it was a fragile glass that would break and his eyes seems a bit red than usual. He must have cried before, holding those tears away when he hear her leaving, but Knowing Freya personality she might never think of it that way. ¡°I already told you didn¡¯t I?¡± She spoke, calmer than the usual commanding tone she would often give during training. ¡°If you wanted to go with me, then we¡¯ll go together or you want to stay here and train by yourself. Now, what would you chose?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Bryan cannot said it out loud to her, He doesn¡¯t know if He should go or not. In the best way, He¡¯ll go with her right away and continue to learn more from her to be better. But this place¡­ this Orphanage¡­ He is attached to it. He been here when he and Roy where starving from lack of foods, this place also been the first place for him to finally socialize. Leaving it is hard. Would you leave a home that hold such deep attachement to you? Even with changes and that, it still your home. It is forever your home and nobody could change the way you see it. Bryan know she¡¯s waiting, like a person waiting for their kettle to let out those popping sound for answer if it heating or not. His head hung low and look like he is waiting for any miracle to happen and answer his own decision, he know she¡¯s gonna accept whatever choice he pick but he doesn¡¯t want to think of all the consequence that could come to him in the coming days. ¡°I-I¡¯ll stay!¡± Everyone is looking at him, Freya, Roy and Hatsumi. Waiting for his reason, a reason that seems more like bullshit than what he had in mind. ¡°I uh¡­ I can¡¯t leave this place¡­ I just¡­¡± ¡°Is it because you¡¯re afraid of Traveling?¡± Freya ask immediately, her tone raise as if she judging and testing his critical side. ¡°No! I¡­¡± ¡°It is because Cloverloft is the only safe place for us, Miss Freya.¡± Roy immediately speak up, stepping forward as if protecting Bryan from the cold tone Freya usually gave. ¡°The town around us is quite dangerous and since this is the aftermath of War, nowhere is safe. There¡¯s been an increase of monster around the town and because of that Bryan doesn¡¯t feel safe to be away from this place.¡± Roy eyes turn to meet Freya, a spark of respect for the boy who have been a bit arrogant in the first place. ¡°You should be careful, Miss Freya. Bandits and Thiefs are everywhere, especially you¡¯re a woman.¡± ¡°No safe place for a Woman, eh¡­¡± Hatsumi murmur with a melancholic tone. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± Freya said, raising her hand and clenching the fist. ¡°I¡¯m strong, remember?¡± she might be bold and brutally honest, but Freya is very confidence on her ability and she always back it up with how she easily punch the hole and cause a crack, shatter a mirror piece with a soft hold of her finger and running faster than a cat could. She wasn¡¯t just a mage, she was a brawler too. Freya approach Bryan, her confidence walk is enough to intimidate the teen for a moment, but then she hold his shoulder and he felt those fear disappear instantly. ¡°Since you will stay, I believe there¡¯s no need for us to continue the training?¡± Bryan nod in confirmation, ¡°Then you just need to train by yourself, I believe you had the potential to do just that.¡± Her hand pull away only to hang it in the air, ¡°But of course, you must have a helper¡­¡± A yellowish glow flow around her hand and the room soon turn darker as the glow begin to light their whole body. Bryan watch in awe as a heavy looking book is summoned into her hand, a thick book with rough purple cover and no title at all, only abstract ornament that seems to show this book is from the past, the past where she live to tell the story. ¡°This is a personal spell book from Fiore.¡± ¡°Fiore? The famous first ever Mage, Fiore Whisper!?¡± Bryan spoke with surprise.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s my first student.¡± Freya tap the book cover as if to blow some nonexistent dust away. ¡°This book had been her journal, she have filled it with spells and how to do it as if she was writing a guiding book to people instead of a journal. I don¡¯t know why she do that, but she wanted me to take it and give it to someone else.¡± Her eyes gazing down to the book cover, the cover that have been so intricate and old, she remember when Fiore created her own book, on how proud she is when she introduce it to Freya. That girl would spend her time asking about spell and their uses just to write it, said she wanted to make history and put this book in some treasure for fun. ¡°It was 4000 decade ago¡­ I don¡¯t know why she change her mind about this book and just told me to give it to someone else rather than burying it.¡± Freya hand him the book and Bryan could feel the weight of the whole world rest their burden on him, holding a book so antique and old to time that remained perfect and safe in someone hand is just too much for him. Especially if the book came from a very famous figure in history, Fiore whisper, the First mage to ever exist and invent many spell that is spectacular and beautiful. He hold the book and almost drop it in an instance, ¡°Woah! This¡­ is Heavy.¡± Bryan tried to lift it and could hear Roy sigh. ¡°Gosh, You¡¯re so clumsy.¡± Bryan just laugh awkwardly at Roy comment, he immediately put the book on the nearest surface ever. It was heavier than it look and his arms almost felt like it is going to be ripped apart just by lifting it. ¡°This is not a fake, right?¡± Bryan question came from the countless Fiore fake spell books that doesn¡¯t work, he have spend a lot of hard work money just to buy those kind of books and be disappointed when he realizes it was fake. A lot of spell have been removed to be more reader-friendly and even more simpler instead of the complex Magic chemistry that Fiore famously used during the invention of spells. ¡°Straight from the woman herself.¡± Freya answer without hesitation, which came to a shock to him when he find out that this book is real and was given right from Fiore. He gulp immediately and stare into the book for a long time. Why does she give this to him? She did say that he is talented¡­ but talented by what? A good Mana capability or a fast-learner that still have trouble doing magic? Freya stare at him and break his focus, ¡°Don¡¯t think much if you¡¯re worth of the book or not, I give this because I want to. I have no use of this book anyway, it just a bunch of spells that I have mastered after all.¡± She read his mind isn¡¯t it? Bryan stare at it for a long time, for a long time he feel more motivated to learn, to master the spells and to finally join the League of Hunters. It was like the first day where Hatsumi has given them a fried rice when he and Roy arrive in this orphanage, it was the most happiest day of his life. ¡°Thank you, Miss Freya. I Promise to keep this book in good condition.¡± ¡°Hm, I know you will.¡± Freya hum, ¡°Hatsumi, I¡¯m going to leave now.¡± ¡°Eh? So early? I didn¡¯t give you the bag of Euro yet!¡± Hatsumi seems to panic a bit that she¡¯s going to leave sooner, did she expect Freya to give a warm hug or goodbye? Seems like she¡¯s not that type of person. ¡°I¡¯m getting impatient.¡± ¡°Please wait a moment!¡± Hatsumi rush away to the drawer and begin searching for any sign of bag to keep the money for her travel, Modern Eradoria use the multinational dollar for their daily life called as Euro. Euro is a much more straight forward and simpler way to spend their money, each money have different color with that only amount. Like grey mean it only cost 20 Euro or Blue mean 200 Euro, it was easier to understand than in the past where Freya have to use silver and gold coins to pay it up. Those silver and gold coins is the same and the only difference is the color, to measure them, the coins cost base on their height. Smaller silver coins is only 1 Euro, while big silver coins is only 10 Euro. The same goes to gold, although gold one is more expensive than the silver. It was a fortune that the money system is finally renew and they could enjoy a much more simpler way to understand money instead of using their height differences to understand. Life would been much harder than before if that happen, because Freya suck at counting money. ¡°Miss Freya!¡± She turn to the voice that call her and expect it to be Bryan again, that boy always asking stuff to her, but surprisingly it was Roy. In his hand is a medkit, the white box seems to be scratched all over and the red cross color also seems to be dullen, this medkit must have been repeatedly used and tossed around. ¡°Here, a Medkit for you.¡± ¡°Medkit?¡± it was an odd gift, but she accepted it. Freya observe the Medkit closely, turning it around and ask. ¡°Thanks, but what is this for?¡± ¡°You can use that if you accidently got injured, Miss Freya. I¡¯ve keep a medical book inside for you to understand.¡± Roy seems proud at saying it, as if it have been his dream to say that to another person, but Freya only stare with a stoic face she always give almost like she¡¯s not impressed at all. But, to be truth, Freya doesn¡¯t want this, for her Medkit are useless. If she got hurt, then she just gonna leave it to recover by itself. ¡°Uh-huh¡­¡± A thought suddenly appear, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you know much about medical stuff, Roy. You look like someone that doesn¡¯t care about reading stuff like this.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s because Roy have been such a clumsy person and always got in trouble with himself! Like yesterday, he got sick from staying in the snow for too long and I have to be the one to watch over him and give him a herbal drink for it. If Bryan keep finding way to let himself get hurt or sick, then I have to be the one to keep him safe.¡± ¡°R-Roy¡­ you don¡¯t have to tell her¡­¡± Bryan face turn red with embarrassment, the blonde back away in shyness. It was like being told his biggest weakness toward the enemy but with his former teacher. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I? if you aren¡¯t clumsy, maybe I don¡¯t learn medicine stuff!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not clumsy!¡± ¡°Yes you are!¡± ¡°No I¡¯m not!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°Cut it out, you two!¡± Hatsumi finally break the small squabble the boys had and Freya couldn¡¯t help but smile at the sight of them like this. It was nice seeing two friends still needing each other and care for one another, Back in the day, she would have friends like them. Bickering and snitching at each other with no end, but it was still fun in the end, they could watch the sun raise and gaze at the star at every opportunity they had. The world was cruel to them, but they ignore every warning and enjoy life to the fullest. Before everything have to came to an end. ¡°There¡¯s still time for bickering, boys.¡± Hatsumi scold them, stopping their little fight before letting the gentle smile out and turning to Freya. ¡°This time, we gonna say our goodbyes to Miss Freya and wish her a good luck in her journey.¡± She hand over the bag of Euro, a heavy looking bag that Hatsumi personally save for the orphanage now half of it are given to her for her long travel. ¡°Do you still remember how Euro work?¡± Freya open the bag and stare into the many money inside, most of them are just 20 Euro stack together that could be 200 Euro or more. She look back to Hatsumi and nod, ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Hatsumi.¡± ¡°No need to thank me, Freya. These Euro are gonna be important after all, save them and don¡¯t waste them okay?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°There¡¯s also a map I put in your suitcase, just in case if you didn¡¯t have a phone.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Freya grab the suitcase and look around the room, she¡¯s silently saying goodbye to this place. Goodbye to the memory they made for the past ten years, goodbye for the nice soup and fried rice that she once serve and Goodbye for the memory where she could watch those children run away and laugh without care for the world. Once she made her journey away from Cloverloft, she won¡¯t be visiting it anymore. She won¡¯t be there if this place collapse or disappear entirely. It was the consequence after all, to move on with her life to a new path that could accept or reject her entirely. Sharing goodbyes and hugs with them, Hatsumi know this is their last time. Even though she hope Freya would visit once, she know everything wouldn¡¯t be the same anymore. But the memory stay and she wish Freya a good journey. Five months have passed, Freya realizes that Cloverloft is so far away from the society, surrounded by forest and in this winter time she sees nothing but landscape full of snow everywhere. She eat and sleep, then wake up to continue her walk. In the walk, she found many interesting insect like the Sting ray worm, where a small worm with a sting ray looking physique roam around a dead kitten that seem to die out of starvation in days before. She watch as the Sting ray worm and Maggots eat the kitten corpse and then she pay respect to the kitten before standing and continue her walk. Two years later, Freya learn how to be patient and fish often. She know she been circling the land and doesn¡¯t reach any city, but now she just wanted to find more things to do and discover it. She caught a big fish in a small pond and it was a Gold Fish that gotten bigger in the pond, Freya think the Gold fish is tasty so she took it in and begin to cook, the problem is, she doesn¡¯t know how to cook and started to miss the taste of the soup back at Cloverloft. But since It have been a years, she keep eating the same tasteless fish for the rest of her years. Six years later, Freya walk around an abandoned warehouse isolated just like Cloverloft orphanage. It was night time and that Warehouse was also dangerous, bear trap everywhere as if it have been a hunter den and the trap are left there for people to get caught into. Then there¡¯s the Ghoul who have been hunting, no luck, they always run away when seeing her again. They better know who they are messing with. Eleven years later, Freya is moving from town to town, watching people interact with each other and hearing their story of the time before the war. One elderly said that before the war, the town was flourishing with life and people, children running around playing together or helping the elderly with their harvest, but after the war, the people begin to flee the town and it soon become nothing but an empty-filled town with little hope left. The more town she visit, the more lonely it get. Twelve years later, Freya is now finally close to a city, city called Orwanda that will be her first path in her travel.