Piece 17 (part 1)

It's the final day of the week, and I cannot feel more excited for tomorrow.

After hearing both Mom and Dad's story, I realized that the two met each other so early in their younger days. Dad was only seven years old, and Mom was nine. And yet, Dad was the one who is so masterful when it comes to magic, and he even taught Mom most of the magic that she knows.

As a result, a conversation happened yesterday at night time, right after the diner closes.

"Can Dad also join us for our magic training this weekend?" I asked the two of them at the kitchen last night, and they both looked at each other before chuckling.

"W-What?"

"It's nothing. In fact, we actually have something even better planned for the weekend." Dad revealed to me, and I became even more curious.

"W-What is it??"

"Well, it has been around two weeks since we came to Cytus. I asked your grandma, and she mentioned that you've never really visited any place outside of Cytus before. Aside from the ruins of Veldonia, that is." Dad explained to me while cleaning the dishes, and Mom pointed her finger to the kitchen.

"We figured you might need a refreshment, considering you've been working at the diner for so long." Mom revealed their true intentions, and I only stared at her blankly.

… is it really me who needed refreshment? And not you, Mom?

Of course, I can't ask that. I'll just enjoy what is about to come without complaining.

"That's amazing! But, what about the diner?"

"Grandma is coming with us! Right, Lady Estella?" Dad turned to Grandma who is currently at the diner, wiping the tables clean. 

She only turned her stern glare at us with slight annoyance. Immediately, all three of us can tell that she did not agree to this trip plan at all.

"One singular day of her not working at the diner equals one singular day in hell. I wish I'm that dedicated." Mom said so blatantly, and she even said it loud enough for Grandma to hear.

"At least I have a commitment, unlike a certain empress who kept disappearing from her empire." Grandma said from the diner, and we all heard it.

Right… Mom disappeared for three whole years after leading the empire for only two years. She then proceeds to become a stone statue for the next ten years. What a portfolio for an empress.

While the two ended up bickering, Dad told me a bit more about what the plan was. He plans on keeping the destination a secret from me until the time comes, but one thing for certain is that all four of us will be going.

Uncle John will come at the weekend for the trip, and I'm excited about the place we're going to visit.

Unfortunately for me, and for everyone else… the trip will have to be postponed.

.

.

.

"Eh? Study tour? At this time of the year?"

A teacher came into my classroom very early in the morning. He announced that the school will have a short touring trip outside the city for an entire day during the weekend, and he gave us the pamphlets for what the tour is about.

This, of course, caused a lot of confusion from the students' side. Not only is it done this season, but also rather sudden since the weekend is tomorrow.

"Yes, it's going to be a really quick one! We found a sponsor who's willing to aid us in this manner, and we're really grateful to them. Please give the pamphlets to your parents and let them know about it, okay?" The teacher said after handling the pamphlets on the teacher's table, and he then left us to give some more of those to other classes.

The students of my class all surrounded the pamphlets at the teacher's table. I was a little hesitant because my Saturdays are the most exciting part of the week, because I get to spend time with Mom and Dad for the planned trip. But, I guess this one is more important.

"Here, I got one for you." Nile came back from the teachers table after joining the crowd in grabbing the pamphlets, and she handed one of it to me. I studied the contents a little bit, and I was surprised at what it was about.

"Knighthood training?? What are we, knight trainees??" I complained instantly after reading it, and Nile only folded her arms.

"Right? Everyone else is also quite concerned. Obviously, we've all heard about how tough it was to be trained as knights. But, it's compulsory, so…"

"What if I just call in sick?" I quickly had the brilliant idea, and Nile grinned widely at me.

"Let's go eat some barbeque stuff and pretend we're sick."

"Plan received!" I gave her a thumbs up, and it seems like our plan to skip it entirely is going to succeed.

However, it was ruined when our homeroom teacher came to the class to talk more about the trip.

"You are not allowed to skip it. Those who did will have their entire year's P.E. subject score halved." The homeroom teacher announced it to the whole classroom, and I let out a sigh of disappointment.

I guess I have to go, after all…

"Knight trainee? You're going to be a knight?" At home, Mom asked with such a concerned look after reading the pamphlet, and I shook my head at her.

"It's just a short one day tour, basically. I doubt we'll be doing anything rough like real knight training. It's just going to be a small guidance." I explained to Mom what the homeroom teacher told us about the trip, and she understood it right away.

"I see… then, we'll have to postpone the trip. By the way, this tour sounded a lot like what your dad used to do with the universities he invented…"

"Huh?" I became widely confused with what Mom uttered, but she doesn't even realize I can hear her. She quickly chuckled and shook her head.

"In that case, why not give it a try?"

"What about our trip?"

"Milly, the future is still very long. Your mom and dad aren't going anywhere, honey. We can take our time." Mom said rather softly while caressing my hair, and I realized I was being a little hasty.

Now, it's decided. I guess I will join in on the trip. It's a pity that I don't get to go on a trip with Mom and Dad, but at the very least, I'll be able to do it in the future. This experience of going to knight training, however, doesn't come very often.