Farewell

Not far from the village entrance was an old house that was too big for a single family to live in.

Inside was a lively atmosphere of numerous children of different ages, playing, singing, and some even practicing with a wooden sword. 

The house, although big didn't have any intricate structure inside, there were only one or two necessary rooms and a huge spacious hall that accommodated all the children.

"Children, be careful not to hurt your brothers and sister while practicing."

A mature-looking woman with grey hair in the kitchen exclaims looking at the bunch of children. Her loving eyes were filled with worry but she didn't stop them.

Although dangerous, she knew the importance of swordsmanship, especially for all 15-year-olds inside the house.

Airi and White had already returned, but unlike the other children, they were in the kitchen with the woman and two other girls who looked like twins and were of the same age as them; helping the Mother prepare the food.

The woman turned back to the kitchen and seeing the four, her brows frowned with even more worry. Out of all the children who entered fifteen years, only these three were girls and she couldn't help but worry about them more.

Though all of them have received swordsmanship training in the village, unlike men they were naturally weaker.

Talking of boys, she looks at White and his thin figure, feeling a sudden headache. 

"Mother you are worrying too much about us, although it will be dangerous, we will be able to handle it together." Seeing the worry and concern, one of the twins called Lu consoled her. 

She had long black hair and black eyes that were dotted with concern, her build was slim which made her look tall.

"Hmm, the village chief also said we should be fine as long as we remain cautious on the trial." Added the other twin calmly. Her name was Ruu, and her appearance was similar to Lu but her hair was shorter and her eyes detached and distant.

"Hehe, that's right, there is no need to worry Mother, you know I am very good with swords, right? I can protect Lu and Ruu, and there is also Big Brother, whose swordsmanship is unparalleled." Airi happily joined in on consoling their Mother and steered the beef stew.

But the kitchen suddenly turned quiet and silent as the three people were speechless.

The mature woman shook her head with a smile her, worried expression seemed to go away and the twins grimaced slightly as they were used to Airi bragging about White all the time,

This was not the first time this had happened and it was also why Airi was term a weirdo by everyone; the little girl's obsession with her brother was unmatched!

Airi was termed a talented swordsman by the village chief.

Her swordsmanship among her generation was excellent despite not joining training or sparring regularly. 

But, White? Not to mention her level, he was the weakest in the village without any talent. Not to mention he doesn't join the village training, they haven't even seen him pick up a sword to train.

That was why the orphanage Mother felt a headache, thinking of him.

Seeing the weird look directed at him, White didn't say anything and ignored it, the little girl was also just smiling as she steered the pot

White was notorious in the village for being lazy, disobedient, and the weakest in terms of anything. According to everyone's opinion, he was just a waste that only knew how to eat, sleep, and laze.

But in actuality, White just doesn't want to be bothered by anything or anyone in the village.

Training? Swordsmanship? He was past that point long ago.

Having a weak body, he would sometimes train in the forest, usually alone.

But one day, the little girl Airi happened to catch a glimpse, and due to the girl's constant bickering, he sometimes taught her swordsmanship. Luckily, she was gifted by nature which surprised him a lot.

White found it extremely funny that a person like him would end up in this kind of place, he wasn't laughing at the poverty of the place but at himself. 

He grew up in a place far worse than this and was only supported by a certain humble woman. White thought trailed off remembering his mother, but he quickly snapped off and sighed,

'A master.'

This was a word White heard too frequently over the years and holds the utmost respect and prestige than anything in this world.

According to the rumor, masters were mighty beings who could perform miracles, they had the strength of the strongest of beasts, speed faster than the fastest animals, and flew like dragons in the skies. The people of this village worship and revere such beings.

In the past few days, the reason the people were excited and thrilled was because their descendants who reached the age of fifteen had the chance of becoming the masters mentioned above!

This was also the reason all these snot-nosed children were excited and couldn't calm down.

Of course, even saying having the chance to become one is an overstatement, because there was no news of the previous candidates ever becoming one, but there are still chances according to the village chief.

According to him, there were two trials of the master that all the fifteen-year-olds would take tomorrow, and the trials lasted for some days, so they had to be prepared today for departure tomorrow.

Night came, and the village was especially bright today as light illuminated from each house.

The sound of cheering and laughing came from everywhere and inside the orphanage the children sat with a bowl of stew, their eyes shining.

"The beef stew looks too delicious, I can't resist any longer," said a boy with black hair and a thin build, he radiated energetic energy and he was one of the special people today; a 15-year-old.

The other children nodded in agreement; agreeing with the boy. 

"Lenju, Mother went to get her bowl, can't you wait a little bit more? We will all eat together." Lu retorted, being the talkative one among the twins, she would naturally stop him.

'This nonsense of a girl again,' thought the boy named Lenju as he hesitated, at that moment the Mother walked in, smiling.

She saw the children's eagerness and some quarreling among them.

"Children, I have something to tell you all," she declared as she sat down.

All the children quietened down and looked at her wondering what she was going to say, especially the people whose last day was today.

Lu, Ruu, Lenju, and Airi all looked at her and in a corner, White also listened.

"Children, all fourteen of you will be going to a faraway place tomorrow. But before that happens, I want you all to keep in mind that you are all brothers and sisters no matter where you are or what you are," she said seriously.

"I also want you all to look after one another wherever you are and not fight among yourself," her voice softens a little and continues,

"Even if you don't pass the first trial you can always return here and live with your little brothers and sisters or you can even start your own family in the village." 

"But if you qualify for the second challenge and happen to go somewhere far away. I want you all to try and regularly send me messages about your well-being, with any information about your brother and sister who went before you, if you meet them." her voice was shaky and her head turned down slightly, her eyes containing some sadness.

White looks at the rare meal, the times this orphanage prepares these kinds of meals in his life could be counted with one hand.

Hearing the Mother's words, he glances at her. 

He knew what kinds of feelings she must be feeling now, every year some of her children would pass the first challenge and go somewhere very far away. Only people who failed the first trial would return after some years, but not all, some would disappear, their fate unknown.

She didn't want her children to participate in the selection, but she didn't have the power nor the will to stop it.

White couldn't help but pity her. He could only shake his head and sigh.

"That's all I wanted to say. Now eat up, there are second servings for you all," said the lady with a light smile, all her previous mood seemed to disappear.

All the children cheered and began to wolf down all the food.

As such, the night slowly passes. 

The moon reached high up in the sky and its soft moonlight shone down on the village. The light calmed the heart with a certain melody hidden inside, it passed through the old roof landing on the people of the village; seeming to be blessing them, but no one noticed.