Leaving Cyrus

"I see, so it's finally time," said Lilia.

It was a few days after the incident at the martial academy. After dinner, Shui had decided to tell everyone that he would be leaving. To say they were reluctant to see him leave was an understatement, but none of them tried to stop him.

"When will you leave?" asked Lilia.

"Early tomorrow."

""What?!""

Even Lily was surprised by this news. After all, though she had prepared for it, it was too sudden.

"Why so suddenly?" Lilia asked.

"Well, I'm just about finished with what I need to do here and I have something really important that I have to do so..."

Lilia sighed in exasperation. This boy was always willful but she couldn't believe he would only notify them the day before he was going to leave.

"Did you tell the girls at Fairies' Wardrobe?"

"Yeah, but not that I would leave tomorrow, or else they would throw me a going away party or something."

Lilia didn't doubt that. With how much they doted on him it was obvious that it would happen.

No matter how much she sighed, Lilia couldn't accept how sudden this was, but she didn't feel the urge to stop him. So instead of his carefree expression, she looked down at the cute baby in her arms.

"Fine. It's not like me saying no will stop you."

"Thanks Aunt Lil-"

"However, make sure visit every once in a while."

"Got it."

Once Lilia agreed to let Shui go, the twins sighed in disappointment. They would have loved if Shui stayed with them, but they knew that he had a bigger world to see. As he looked at the depressed faces of the twins, Shui was reminded of something else.

"Sia, Ross, Josh, stay back I have something I want to teach you."

That simple sentence was all it took for the twins' eyes to light up. Even Sia's face brightened in anticipation.On the other hand, Ryan and Lily appeared slightly disappointed.

Later in the night, the three siblings sat down and faced Shui in the cultivation room. Shui stared at each of them before moving towards Sia.

"Sia, you're sharp and perceptive. Though you're the youngest, maybe since you're around Lily a lot you're rather cool-headed in battle. I want you to keep this up and lead these two muscle-heads, okay?"

"You can count on me."

After she nodded her head with determination, Shui tapped her forehead and passed on the Ripple-less Water Method. Through this cultivation method, Sia would be able to attain a state similar to the Still Heart state, but unlike the Still Heart state rather than forget the self and focus on the task, it would allow her to become more perceptive and rational in any situation.

Next were the twins who he had already promised a skill that would take advantage of their relationship as brothers.

"Josh, Ross, though you two are very similar, I know that Josh likes reading in his spare time and that Ross knows a lot about animals. The two of you seem to be the same but you should also embrace your differences."

Both of them were shocked and embarrassed at the fact that Shui knew them well, but they still nodded firmly.

"Good."

To these two, Shui passed on the Dual Mountains Art. With it, the two would be able to bring about even greater strength together by making their strengths more obvious and cancelling out their weaknesses in battle. Being able to know these methods simply by wanting to know them made Shui feel omniscient in a sense, but he only knew the basics. Eventually, these three would know more about the methods than he did.

As they became engrossed in studying what he gave them, Shui left the room and looked around.

'...'

This place was like a second home to him, one that he had personally worked on, but soon he would leave. He didn't want to think about it, but there was a chance that when he came back, everything would be different. This place might not even be here anymore. But these thoughts didn't give rise to doubt or hesitation. He was only just starting his journey, but he wasn't so weak. He might tumble along the way, but giving up wasn't what got him here.

Early the next day, without any coordination needed, everyone got up to see Shui off. He never told them the exact time he would leave, but they all woke up before him and ate breakfast together. During breakfast, there were many times when Lilia was close to crying, but she always managed to hold herself back. This wasn't a sad day.

After breakfast, everyone followed Shui to the gate.

"You didn't have to see me off you know." said Shui as he looked back at them before leaving.

"But we wanted to."

Lilia's reply left no room for him to argue so Shui shrugged his shoulders. He then turned to Ryan.

"I'm sure you don't need me telling you this but, don't stop pursuing the way of sword."

Ryan tightened his grip on the sword he always carried with him and strongly affirmed.

"Yes."

Shui looked at the twins next.

"Make sure you two have made some progress when I get back. It's not like you'll be going to school anymore anyways."

"Of course."

"You can count on us."

Although they were the buffest of the group, right now they were the closest to crying. Shui smiled at this irony before turning to Sia.

"Keep working hard, okay. So that you can help protect your family."

"Hmph, that's what I planned to do."

Even now, Sia wouldn't be honest but Shui still patted her head and chuckled at her puffed up cheeks.

Finally, was Lily. The two of them only smiled at each other since they didn't need to speak to send their messages.

'Keep them safe.'

'Yes, Master.'

With that settled, Shui took steady steps away from them, away from Cyrus.

While watching his departing figure, Ryan whispered to his sister.

"Are you sure you don't want to follow him?"

She wasn't flustered by his words and she didn't turn to him either. Her tone as she responded, was perfectly calm.

"Yes. He trusted me to stay here and protect everyone, so that's exactly what I'll do."

"I'm a little jealous. Should I call him Master too?"

"Just focus on your sword."

Lily sounded upset, but the two of them knew she was only joking so they shared a chuckle. Lily didn't know when Shui would return. It could be next week or year, but once she focused on her heart, she feel his warmth as if he was right next to her. Even though they would be separated, she was now at ease as she would know that he was safe.