Time to say goodbye
Dear Management! Dear educators and teachers! Colleagues! The student council president began her speech at the end of the school year.
Shhh, Connor whispered to Adam. Let her talk it's the first time I've heard anyone speak besides the principal, and his speeches are, as you well know, very tedious
Adam, William, and Connor sat side by side, along with the rest of their class, sitting in the front row in front of the podium on the rise. The speech took place where physical education classes usually took place. It was sunny outside and it wasn't going to rain. It will be a very memorable day for each of the boys because from now on, each of them will be considered an adult.
With Eva's encouragement, Adam decided to overcome loneliness and began to get to know other people in the class better. At first, it was hard for him, but in the end, he managed and got to know the whole class better. He started with each person's name at the beginning and unfortunately ended there. He was doing better with girls than with boys thanks to the help of his new friend he met earlier this year.
It was hard for him to admit it, but the end of high school heralded the imminent separation from William for the next few years or longer. Their paths will part when Adam goes to the knight's university and William to the university of magic or apprenticeship with some master magician in his tower. William has not yet decided on his future place and they may be divided not only by cities but also by numerous baronies and counties.
Ultimately, William may even choose to study in the far mountainous north of the continent with a mysterious magician who invited him within a year. So they are unlikely to meet for a very long time.
Ewa thought it would be a good idea to meet new people and he should start with those who he associates with a few years of high school and even better start with those who could accompany Adam to his future university.
And that's how he met Connor, a handsome tall blond boy with brown eyes. Connor is weird, at least to Adam. Where Adam is suspicious of others' intentions, Connor is trusting. Adam is a born loner, Connor is the soul of the party, a great leader, and is very popular with women.
A beautiful blond boy likes girls and he is muscular and tall. Very tall, even taller than Adam, about two meters and a few centimeters. The icing on the cake is that he is a good fighter, the best in the school, apart from Adam of course. He can be described as the perfect gentleman, or so I claim to be.
All it took was a little willingness on Adam's part to start their acquaintance, Connor did the rest. And so they became friends in Adam's way through a constant sword fight with each other, to see who is better.
Maybe, for now, they don't have the same bond as Adam and William, but in the future who knows? At this rate, it may change in a few years, especially since William will be gone and Connor will always be able to challenge him to relieve his stress. At least until each of them is knighted, and then maybe they'll even serve in one county.
Their meeting was also not every day. When Adam got bored during a small apocalypse at the Guild base, he decided to challenge the children of other Guild members. The first person he challenged to a fight, as you can guess, was Connor, who was brandishing a sword at makeshift training dummies outside the building.
Not wanting to show weakness, Connor accepted the challenge and began the ongoing race with Adam, who is better. They fought many times and clashed swords with each other. Adam won most of the fights, but Connor did not give up and managed to win the fight more than once.
At first, Adam tried to fight the other kids, but they weren't as challenging as Connor had been before. Either they were weaker than him, or they used magic, which Adam found unworthy in a duel, or they specialized in some other field, such as alchemy or craftsmanship, and neglected physical training. That's why only Connor was left to fight.
Each of the boys did not give up and trained harder and harder, which meant that their strength began to increase at a huge pace not similar to how they trained alone. There's nothing like good male competition.
...
I didn't say anything, Adam complained quietly.
But of course, William replied mockingly just as quietly.
And so, at Connor's request, the boys did not speak until the end of the ceremony, listening to the new chairman.
Then it was time for the last return to classes and time to say goodbye to other friends. William and Adam had much to say to each other, but it wasn't the right time yet.
Each of them wanted to settle this much later, away from other people who might be eavesdropping.
STATUS
Name: Adam Cadrod
Titles: Mommy's Son ,Adept Sorcerer, Beginner Knight, Best Friend ,Disciple and 6 others.
Species: Human/?
Faction: -
Status: healthy
Statistics: Body E+
Mind D+
Soul D+
Skills: Knowledge lv5(?), Martial arts lv4, Mana knowledge lv4, Sword fighting lv10, Faith lv?,Inspection lv2
Talents: Genius Warrior,
Innate features: Eva[part of the system]
Curses: none
[Nothing has changed Adam, you don't have to do this every day]
Custom is custom, only Adam said and then he remembered what must happen today and suddenly became sad.
[Maybe I can help somehow?] Eve asked, trying to comfort Adam somehow.
It's not all right, Adam replied lying, only he didn't know if he was lying to himself or maybe to Eve.
...
[And what college did you choose or are you still wondering] Eva asked, trying to distract Adam by breaking the uncomfortable silence.
No, maybe you can help me choose. Two heads are better than one.
[Of course]
[Would you like me to name your universities by ranking or distance to your mother's house] Ewa tried to make a joke.
Distances if possible. Adam replied impassively, stopping his head with other things.
Eve did not take it personally, knowing what condition Adam was in.
[The nearest is County Londynium University run by a governor you probably already know. You even got a letter of recommendation from the director himself. Although I don't recommend it due to its quality which is overshadowed by the next two choices but do what you want]
What's next? he continued impassively.
[About the same distance there are two decent choices. The University of Cambridge and Oxford in Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire respectively. You can easily get there, just send a letter]
Is there anything else? he asked mechanically.
[Of course, there are 11 other counties further away that would probably want you. But on second thought, you won't want to go there from what you've told him]
Why? Adam asked curiously.
[For example, the location of the university. Two counties are in the swamps and you always complain about them Three in the mountains and the others are so far away you won't choose them anyway if you want to see your mother again this year]
Well, as always, you're right.
[Delete them at the beginning, arguing that they are too far away, and you will not be able to return on time during the break from classes. Do you remember or have you changed your mind?]
[Don't even tell me that you suddenly changed your mind because of the William situation because I'll be angry with you]
No... Not everything has stayed the same. I haven't changed my mind, is there anything else? He asked, torn by his earlier answer.
[I'm saving the best for last. A university that will meet all your conditions and is the first in the ranking, guess which]
Hmmm, Adam thought for a few minutes and gave up after giving many wrong answers. I don't know tell me now.
[The University of Paris is the current capital of the Knight's union. It's close enough to give you the challenge you want. It should be perfect]
[The only downside I can see is that you didn't get an invitation and you'll have to take the entrance exams. Knowing you, it's probably not even a problem]
[If I were you I'd pick the last one but you decide I'm just an imaginary voice in your head]
[So you have already decided if you want to wait, maybe a new one has been created not long ago outside the ranking]
I know, Adam smiled. I choose...
The boys met after the end of the year in their own meeting place. In an old dilapidated tenement house on the outskirts of the city. When they were smaller, they even set up a base here and pretended that it was their little kingdom. Adam as a mighty knight and William as a court magician interchangeable with a wise king.
That was until an old grim incident happened there, but they decided not to talk about it again. No one found out, and there's no need to reopen old wounds.
Now they come there only in important moments to reminisce about old times and now also about what will happen next.
...
William... Adam started the conversation sadly.
I know Adam. I know. William answered him just as sadly. I understand, you don't need to say more, I understand.
It had to come eventually, and we can't be together all the time. It's time to part, but I guess we both expected it? William asked, expecting what his interlocutor would say.
No only Adam answered stupidly.
You're lying and you know you're lying too. We couldn't go to the same university together and you know it, don't deny it's true.
Not with my weak body and your impatience for magic. That would never happen. No matter what we did, we tried many times and it didn't work out every time.
Besides, why are you so concerned, it's only a few years and then we can go back to how we used to be, right? William said, trying to sound as though he didn't care. In his heart, however, he felt it even worse than Adam, but in his opinion at least one of them must behave maturely. It had to be him.
I owe him a lot, and that's all I can do to ease his pain, William thought sadly. Then he hardened his heart and went on.
Everything will be fine we can always send each other letters what do you say?
Of course my friend. A less worried Adam replied. Of course.
They talked like this for many hours, explaining to each other all the things they had to say to each other. They told every problem they had and the solution that would suit them. In the end, their friendship was more lasting than ever before. But they didn't know how long it would last.
As they parted, they hugged each other in a brotherly embrace, knowing that this might be the last time for a very long time.
And so they parted, each went to his home to start packing for the journey, time was waiting for no one. The new future ahead of them no one knows if it will be better or worse.
...
Unknown to them, their next meeting will be later than either of them thought. They will be different people carrying the burdens of their own responsibilities. They will meet in circumstances that neither of them would ever have predicted. But it will be many many years later.
Are you sure you have everything? Adam's mother asked again within a few minutes. Checking my son's luggage again.
Do you know French well? I taught you it when you were little, but I don't know how much of it you remember.
Yes mom, you don't have to worry and leave my things I was just packing them. The boy said, trying to get out of the house as quickly as possible but to no avail.
[I think WE packed it ourselves, you couldn't even take half of it without me. Need I remind you how many times today have I told you to take something you might need?] Eva began to complain.
Yes, I know, Adam replied in his mind. But Mom doesn't know about you yet, and I'd like it to stay that way, at least until I'm independent.
[Isn't it funny how much has changed in a year?]
Haha you're right Adam replied as he started to smile.
Do you enjoy what I do? She asked pissed mother at the boy's behavior.
No, not quickly replied Adam when he remembered that besides him in the room was also his mother.
For the next hour, there was a fight over luggage. In which Adam tried his best but in the end he fell and had to pack again. When everything was over and he was about to leave the door his mother suddenly stopped him.
Wait, Kassandra shouted as she remembered the most important thing before he left.
Here you go, you'll like it. She then gave him a silver necklace filled with runes that contained a carved trinity symbol.
What is this? The boy asked as he took it and placed it around his neck.
Fortunately, of course. And also has a more important role - it will prevent "our family" from detecting you when you are out of town. You sure you don't want a huge target on your back, do you?
Yes?
Then never take it off, no matter what happens. Only when you decide that you can handle the entire witch convention can you take it down yourself.
Thanks for good words. See you next year, see you mom.
Goodbye my son, I love you too.
The boy and went out through the door of his old homestead then took a deep breath. For the first time in his life he inhaled the smell of freedom and it was so pleasant to him.
Adam was waiting for the train on the platform with the luggage. The train was late as usual, but that's nothing new, especially since the governors of the counties where the railroad tracks are located still haven't returned to what was before.
[Why are you so quiet? Did the separation from your mother shake you that much?] Eva asked mockingly.
No... Surprisingly no, I feel strangely liberated and perhaps even stronger.
[We're about to check it out, you know what to say]
Yes, said Adam STATUS.
STATUS
Name: Adam Cadrod
Titles: Mommy's Son, Beginner Knight, Best Friend ,Disciple and 6 others.
Species: Human(?}
Faction: -
Status: healthy
Statistics: Body C-
Mind C-
Soul C-
Skills: Knowledge lv5(?), Martial arts lv4, Mana knowledge lv4, Sword fighting lv10, Faith lv?,Inspection lv2
Talents: Genius Warrior,
Innate features: Eva[part of the system]
Curses: none
[Do you see what I see?]
Yes replied Adam
[First time I see there is a question mark next to race and you have higher stats than this morning. Any idea why?]
No it's weird, I feels like a weight has been lifted off of me.
While the two of them were wondering what had happened, the train came from above the horizon. It's time to go inside, but for Adam it will be a long and surprising journey.
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