Chapter 9: Memories

A few months passed…

It's my 5th anniversary of my reincarnation, also known as my 5th birthday, it's a tradition here that a rather bigger party would be held during your 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th birthdays, these were indicating the transitions from a newborn to a child to a teen then to an adult. Given that 15 year olds are considered adults in this world, maybe I won't actually have to wait that long.

Like two years ago when Claire turned five, we held a whole party with her being the center of attention. At the party was a bunch of nobles and father's friends, even Von came back that day, taking time out of his studies. Even though that was the case for Claire, I still didn't get my hopes up, after all I was still just an adopted child, and wasn't truly announced as a member of the Farion family.

I woke up like every other morning, ate my morning breakfast like every other morning, went out to practice swordplay with Iris like every other morning… I did get a small happy birthday comment from Iris as we trained. The day continued on like that, I didn't have lessons with Rena due to her having something to do and couldn't take the time out of her schedule.

During that period of freetime, I went outside to get some spells up, practicing some combinations and spell stacks. It was going all fine, I was having no trouble with casting, but one thing stood out to me, a strand of something, dark brown coloured, stuck out from one of the bushes, the strand wiggled around slightly…

There were two people that had that colour, one was father and the other was Von… I originally thought it was father playing around with me, but on second thought I figured that wouldn't be the case… Father would never do something like that, he was strict with his actions, never goofing around, unless he was flirting with mom of course. 

I chanted the incantation for Conceal…

I walked into the bush stealthily as I turned the corner I saw the one spying on me, the young man had a muscular body, all the lines on his arms were defined, on the young man's hip was a huge sword, this was the first time I had ever seen one this big. That came out wrong, my bad…

The young man pushed through the bush, putting his head in peeking out to the empty yard… "Huh?" The young man mumbled, his face filled with confusion, he peeks again, "Where did he go?" The young man turned around, I finally got a good look at his face, he was definitely Von, no doubt about it… 

Did he get bigger? I thought as I analysed his body, my gaze slowly moving up his body, up to his face, then up to his head where a strand of bed hair sticks out like a sore thumb. 

As Von scratches his head, confused at where I have gone, I burst into laughter as I see Von's utterly confused face, my eyes well up in tears as my uncontrollable laughter made me tumble into the bush behind me. Von turned around as he heard the rustling of the bush, Von's eyes darted around the surrounding area scanning for any anomalies, his hand slid down his waist down to the hilt of his sword, gripping it tightly he began to approach where I was. I continued to laugh loudly even though my voice was concealed for now, as my focus began to waver, the conceal spell started to wear off, revealing my voice and my body which was stuck in the squashed bush.

Von lets out a soft sigh of relief as my body and voice was revealed, his hand falling off the hilt of his weapon as he sees the familiar face and figure. Chuckling softly, in his deep voice he asked, he seemed genuinely impressed and confused at the same time, "How did you do that?"

"Oh that—" I replied, breathing heavily as I recover from the uncontrollable laughter from before, still smiling and chuckling a little, I continued, "It was a new spell I learned—"

Von helped me back up, with a smooth pull, he lifted me out of the bush and back on my feet. We began naturally walking back to the house.

"So what brings you back?" I asked, looking up at Von.

"Heh?" Von stops in his tracks, "Did you forget what day it is?"

"What day?"

"Man, ain't no way you forget your own birthday, when I was your age, I would be asking for presents the moment I wake up!" 

"Ohhh that… You came back for that!?" 

"Man, I'm your big brother, of course I would come back for my little brother's fifth birthday… Why would I ever miss that? It's your fifth birthday, you are officially not a baby anymore."

I was surprised by his response, I never had a real close relationship with Von, I mean we could always talk and get close whenever he came by to visit but the occurrence of him visiting in itself was rare. Unless there was a big thing happening he would never leave school to visit, I never thought myself as being a big thing…

Deep inside my heart, I was thanking him, it was something he wasn't required to do… I wouldn't be unhappy if he just skipped… But this short conversation just made my day.

Just before sunset, father came back also. 

//

As the night went on more and more people started appearing, Iris came later, Rena came out of her room. 

It was finally time, mother placed the final dish on the long table, we all took our seats. 

We began digging into our food, Von took plate after plate, loud conversations were going on from all sides of the table.

I observed the conversations going around, the chatter was all pretty jumbled up, as I looked to my right, I saw Von, he wasn't talking to anyone, it's rare for him to be this quiet… His eyes were dead focused at one place, on one person… 

"Hey," Von whispered as he nudged me at the dinner table, "Your teacher's kind of hot… Mind introducing me to her?"

I looked over to Von, my eyebrows raised, leaning in, I whispered in his ear, "Hell no."

You might be my big brother, but I'm sorry man… Master Rena is mine.

Von clicked his tongue before burying his face in the large piece of steak, he seemed genuinely disappointed that I didn't introduce him.

We continued to eat our food, after a while, almost all the food was devoured, father clanked his fork against his metal cup.

The noise of the metal hitting echoed through the room, stopping all the conversations. The room fell completely silent as father stood up from his seat, his golden cup of red wine in his hand.

"Ahem—" Father grunts, "Today is my second son's lucky fifth birthday, from the beginning I always knew he was something else, at the young age of one he was able to walk and talk, at the age of two I was notified by my wife that this little child had just destroyed the walls of the mansion with an elementary level spell, I didn't believe her until I came back and saw the gaping hole… Now he's five I expect lots of good things from you my son… Gryne. Cheers!" Father lifts his cup high in the air as he finishes his speech.

After chugging down the remainder of the red wine in his cup, everyone claps. Father walked over to my seat on the other side of the table, hiding something behind his back, as he kneels down on one knee in front of me he opened his palm, showing me the small object hidden within, in the silence of the room, sounds of ticking filled my ears… I looked down at father's hand, perched atop his palm was a beautifully crafted watch, a small crystal frame housing golden needles which tick with every second.

Light clapping and slight applause come from the others as father stands back up and walks back to his seat. Next, mother walked next to my seat, she didn't kneel down… Her face twisted into a wide smile, as she handed me a piece of clothing, just by feeling the texture of the fabric I knew it was expensive, it was silky smooth, the tight stitching almost perfectly blended the pieces of fabric together. I looked down at the masterfully made tailcoat, I looked back up at mother who was still smiling, her body shadowing me from the light, "Thank you, mom."

Mother went back to her seat 

A maid walked over, handing Von a long large object. The object was wrapped loosely in pieces of brown paper, it was wrapped up horribly.

Looking me dead in the eye, Von began speaking, "Gryne, you have grown a lot haven't you, you would be a man soon, and in being a man we must wield a sword, a sword to protect the ones dear to us, a sword to protect our family—"

"Oh man, Von! Would you shut up already, the kid is five let him have his happy childhood." Mother's sober voice cut in.

The whole table bursts out laughing.

Von sighs— handing me the long gift he got me.

Placing it on my outreached hands, I feel the heavy object pull me to the ground. With my current body, I would struggle to even hold this object, whatever it is.

"Open it." Von prompts me to unravel the badly wrapped present.

I ripped the pieces of loosely bound paper apart revealing the object inside, inside was a long blade, sheathed in a jet black leather cover, the sword was beautifully crafted, clearly made by a master craftsman, a long match black handle blends into the colour of the sheath well.

"It's a pretty good gift, ain't it?" Von remarks his voice beaming with hints of pride.

Iris speaks up, her voice gruff as usual, but there was a slight calmness this time, it wasn't the aggressive and stern voice she normally speaks in, it was more casual, "I don't really know what you like, but I always see you burying your head in some book, I don't really read myself so I won't know if this is interesting, but just take this here…" Iris handed me a book, it was average sized, to what I know, books in this world is actually pretty expensive, given that they are all fully handwritten, Iris continued "I found this in town last time I was there, I knew that your fifth birthday was coming up, so I just bought it for you."

"Thank you Master Iris." I say, grateful for the present she gave me.

//

I sat in my room, all my gifts stacked atop my wooden deck.

Rena gave me a wand, it was a short wooden stick about nine inches, I shouldn't really call nine inches short should I? Given the fact that mine wasn't even 3 inches back then… Sigh— The wand was made by Rena herself, hand crafted, there was a small crystal ball stuck to the base of the stick, around the stick hovered 3 small rings. I don't really understand the uses for the rings, they weren't runic rings? Were they just there for aesthetics? 

I hear two knocks on my door, then a soft warm voice speaks out, it was Rena's.

"Gryne, it's me. Can I come in?"

I walk towards my door, unlocking it and allowing her to head inside my bedroom. Rena paced around my room, looking around before situating herself comfortably on my bed, her butt digging deep into the soft mattress. Rena was in her sleeping attire, her sleeping gown, it was like a lingerie with thin fabric covering her body, fitted loosely.

"Gryne…" Rena said after sitting down atop my soft mattress, "Have you ever thought… About pursuing magic in the future?"

Huh? That was a surprise question. I have never thought about that before. I wonder if I could do that, according to Rena, if I was on the market, parties and schools would be dying to get me with them. Maybe this could be a valid path for me, it's a fun thing I enjoy doing after all, it would be way better to do this than stay in an office all day working nine to five.

"I have never thought about that." I honestly respond to Rena, hoping to get some more insight into the topic.

Her voice was kind of somber as she spoke, Rena responds, "If you ever do decide to pursue magic, I would recommend you to find a mage or magic school, and study there, they should provide you with the resources to ascend your magic to a higher level. I have heard pretty good comments about one in the North Ether continent during my travels, if I do recall correctly, it's called Asta Magic University."

Why is she talking like we won't be seeing each other again, I mean I would continue to study with her in the near future right? Why is she giving me options for other schools?

"In no time… You would surpass me in strength… and then I would run out of things to teach you, it would be a shame if you waste your talent only learning from me…" Rena continued, "I will hold your final lesson and exam in one month time…"

Final lesson? Final exam? What is this? I thought— My eyes begin to well up in tears, as I put down the wand in my hand down on my wooden desk, walking towards my bed, sitting myself next to Rena.

I sobbed and sniffed up the snot running down my nose and drooling into my mouth, I tried my best not to cry… 

"Don't worry… You can let it out… It's okay, Gryne." Rena said warmly, her voice a little shaky as she pulled me in close, into her arms.

I cried onto Rena's soft gown, my tears soaking the thin fabric wet, making it damp. 

I feel a cold droplet of water splash onto my head. Was it raining? No way right? We are indoors. I look up slightly curious at the situation, my eyes still red with tears welling up in the corner. 

The droplets never stopped falling onto my face, it was not any rain water, it was the holy tears of my goddess herself. 

Rena was crying.

I could tell by the view, she was trying to hold it back. 

There was a tiny pause of sobbing as Rena noticed me looking at her. Her facial expression drifts into a calm smile as the tears in her eyes continue to show her real emotions.

//

Rena confirmed two days later that she was leaving in one month.

The news was really sudden, even for Iris and Mother, their reaction when hearing the news showed how shocked they were. Not talking about mother's reaction, you could have guess how she was like, Rena and mother actually had a pretty cool relationship after the first time they met, I listened into some of their conversations where it was just mother bragging about her past adventure, they seem to have developed some sort of friendly bond with each other where mother just yaps and Rena just listens.

Even Iris, who stays calm in most situations, had a reasonably big reaction for her standards, to say the very least she was pretty darn shocked. She wasn't begging Rena to stay like mother but it was clear that she didn't want Rena to leave.

Rena had pretty much gotten a pretty good relationship with everyone around the house, in the beginning some of the maids were reluctant to speak to her because of the racial prejudice against demon kin, but after a while I saw them speaking with each other like they were old friends. I am pretty sure that Rena was a genius in terms of getting others to become friends with her.

I guess you can't keep an adventurer lounging around.

//

Throughout the month, I planned to get as many memories with Rena as possible… But I couldn't think of anything to do… To be completely honest I don't even know Rena that well… Her personal life, her story was all things I never dived my head into.

I never left the comfort of the mansion and the wheat fields since I got reincarnated into this unfamiliar world, I mean I didn't really have a reason to ever leave.

That was my intention after all, to not leave, I was scared… There wasn't really anything to be afraid of but still I feared… I feared that this dream I have now is going to fade once I was faced by reality.

I don't want to wake up from this 'dream'. Back in the old world, I felt fear… Despair… Depression… And that one feeling of pain when I got my bones crushed by a truck.

Whenever I look out into the towns from a distance, all those vivid memories rush back into my head, I experience it over and over again… I was cold… Alone.

Back then, everyday as I lay on my bed, I would dream that one day I would be reincarnated and live my life the way it should be… When I sit around, or pacing around the small apartment I rented, I would dream of a fantasy where there isn't death… And I wasn't alone…

This is a normal dream right? I wasn't anything special… I thought I was before… But I was proven wrong in the few hours before my death… That might have been a good thing, it gave me a reality check, it allowed me to experience life for once and do some good for the world for once in my lifetime. It would be worse if I just died from a heart attack randomly in my apartment wouldn't it? I had died knowing I saved someone… That was a noble cause… Right?

I thought this was a dream for quite some time… From getting dumped in the cold alleyway to meeting Rena… It felt like a dream, something I fabricated in my head… Something I made up. Even though this all feels too real, every word that comes out of Rena's mouth, everytime I feel mother's touch… It feels too real. If this was just some other dream, I'd wake up back in that world feeling the despair and the depression I felt before…

No… This isn't a dream, it wasn't like any other fantasy I have created in my sleep before, it feels too real… This is reality… this isn't something I could create in my head. I told myself over and over again.

Even still… I can't bring myself to head into town, it just feels like if that ever happens I would wake up… I knew I wouldn't because I ain't dreaming, but still I fear, it's like when you unlock a new part of the map and the server crashes on you, deleting all your progress, reverting you to that useless pathetic wimp you were before. When I see other children playing in the wheat field, I look away, I feel their eyes glare at me, the judgement, the hate… I have felt this all too much before… It was one of the main reasons I broke.

"I have to do this." I mumbled under my breath, my voice muffled as I buried my face in the soft pillow on my bed.

I decided to make some memories with Rena… I decided to go into town. It's the least I can do.

//

I looked up at the lumbering horse, next to me Rena stands.

"You told me you wanted to go into town right? What did you call this event, a date?" Rena said as she placed the saddles and material we need for travel on the back of the tall horse.

Somehow I got Rena to agree to heading into town for a date… Hahaha, certainly some things are unexpected. That loosened the mood a little, I took a deep breath in, sighing as I go.

"Okay then upsies daisies." I hear a voice speak out as I feel soft hands lift me up placing me atop the leather saddle of the horse.

Rena climbed up after she placed me on top. Wrapping her arms around me, like a makeshift seat belt, she flicks the whip thingy on the horse, whatever it's called.

The horse began moving, the horseshoe clicked against the dirt ground.

I was scared… I shook as the horse moved step by step, closer and closer to the nearby town… I shook in fear, fearing the eyes of judgement, the eyes of hate, the eyes of underclass… Those eyes were the reason I quit school, the main reason I became a shut in shithead.

"Gryne… Are you okay?" Rena asks from behind me, her arms wrapped tightly around my body, bringing me close. I could feel her body warmth against the back of my neck.

I loosened up a little, my body slowly shivered less, and less. I knew I was going to get stares of judgement and stares of hate… But this time I am not alone to face it, Rena was behind me, facing these eyes with me together.

After about thirty minutes or so, we arrived in town, as I expected there were the eyes that judged and the eyes that hated, these were mostly directed at Rena but still they existed. I got a lot of other forms of eyes, they were of fear and slight judgement. I didn't feel the same pressure, the same energy I once faced myself, I didn't feel that I was going to break as if I was about to collapse, maybe it was because of Rena who walked beside me, holding my tiny hands in her own; maybe it was the different way they stared; maybe it was their different expression; maybe it was their unfamiliar faces; or maybe it was because of my identity, I'm not the guy I once was, not the failure who lost everything. I'm Gryne Notros– Farion, son of Ava Estaline, student of Rena Ristalia, that's who I am now and who I will be going forward.

Rena and I stayed in town for a while, we got something to eat, bought something, and chatted about. It was the typical stuff you do on a date, but it was something to remember.

When we were eating at a cafe, I told the lie that I was going to the toilet. I snuck out from the backdoor of the small restaurant and headed to a small stall on the side of the road, the stall had jewelry stacked upon shelves, rings, necklaces, and piercings. I saw Rena eyeing on one of the necklaces here as we passed by.

It should be this purple one here, or is it that bluish violet one there. I stood at the stall, staring at the two strings of necklaces, both had a gold chain and a similar coloured gemstone, so which one is it?

"Hey, little man, whatchu lookin' for." A raspy voice asks.

I look to see the old jeweler, his gray beard masking his mouth and the dim sunlight of dusk reflecting off his shiny bald head. "Ummm," I reply, "I want to get a gift for my teacher, which one do you think is better." 

I point at the two glistening necklaces. 

"Is your teacher a she?" The old jeweler asks, there wasn't any judgement in his voice, unlike with all the other people in town.

"Yes." I replied.

"Hahahaha," the old man laughs croakily, "So it's like that huh? Hahaha… I would choose this one if I were you," the jeweler points at the bluish violet gemstone necklace, he continues, "this here represents the blessing of love, I'm sure that your teacher is going to love it, hahaha."

"Is that so…" I answer, still indecisive.

"Just take this one here," the old man says as he hands me the necklace.

After paying the kind jeweler, I headed back to the restaurant and reunited with Rena. After finishing my meal, we rode the horse back to the mansion.

That was my first time in town, it was a decent experience after cutting out all the judgemental looks on the people's faces… What's wrong with me anyways, why are they staring like I'm some sort of monstrous beast.

To be honest this time I couldn't care less, they could stare at me all they want, I had Rena next to me anyways, it's not like I'm alone anymore.

//

Within the blink of an eye the rest of the month passed by, I stood there in the middle of the wheatfield where me and Rena had our first lesson together. Rena stood next to me, her right hand gripped tightly on her staff.

The cool spring wind blew across the wheat field as the rustling sound of grass filled our ears…

"Finishing where we started off, huh?" I heard Rena mutter under her breath as the wind bellowed, her voice was no more than a mere soft whisper.

"..." I let the spring breeze graze across my cheeks… It's really the last lesson with Rena, huh? I thought as I closed my eyes, determined to show Rena the progress I have made in the last two years.

"Okay then, let me demonstrate, this is the Imperial level spell— Ashak. It's a half supporting spell and I can only do this once, so watch carefully." Rena says as she walks about 5 metres away from me, her staff at the ready.

Rena begins her chant, "Shadows of the abyss, may I use thy strength, explode into a cloud of black mist that blinds me enemy… Abyss, bless me with the darkness that lies within the void, may thee loyal servant show the world a glimpse of thy true strength— Ashak."

I listened closely to Rena's incantation as I watched eagerly waiting for the spell to activate. Once the last 'k' sound of Rena's chant echoes across the barren wheat fields, a black cloud of mist erupts from the tip of her staff shrouding the surrounding area blinding my sight.

For the next minute, I couldn't see a thing, there wasn't anything in sight, it was completely black, it wasn't dark like a shut room without candles, it was the void itself, not a single flicker of dim light passed through, still I could feel the grains of wheat bushing against my thigh and calves. The darkness slowly dispersed after the minute was up. 

Once the darkness fully went away, all that was left was grains of black sand covering the wheat and soil beneath it. I looked around for Rena, doing a three sixty, I spotted her sitting beneath a tree her back leaned upon the thunk for comfort and support. Taking deep breaths in and out, Rena spoke, gasping for air during the middle of her sentence, "Now— You try—"

It was for sure a powerful spell, not only did it drain Rena of her mana reserves, it also had an area of effect, in video games this spell was the definition of top tier, learning this in the final lesson is not a let down at all.

I looked down at my hands which tightly gripped my wand, unlike normally I was incredibly stable, there weren't the usual shaking from the lack of confidence, or the overthinking when I learned a new spell.

I was still, setting my foot on the ground, clenching my toes which scrunched up my socks inside my shoe, I raised my wand high in the air, doing a motion where I traced a circle in the air.

How did the incantation go again? Ahh… Yes, I spoke, "Shadows of the abyss, may I use thy strength, explode into a cloud of black mist that blinds me enemy… Abyss, bless me with the darkness that lies within the void, may thee loyal servant show the world a glimpse of thy true strength— Ashak." I finished the whole chant in one swift breath, there were no breaks in between nor was there any doubt… A cloud of black smoke erupts from the tip of my wand blasting forth… I understand the darkness within this spell, it was like an unseen hand crushed my heart, this was a spell that required a sacrifice— Pain.

A painful spike, as if needles were stabbed into me from all sides, I shivered in pain as I walked out of the black cloud… The spell was strong, it sucked away your mana so much so quickly that it hurt your physical body. I understood that I still wasn't at the peak yet, that was the truth… I couldn't deny the factual evidence of my weakness.

In the end I burnt through nearly three quarters of my mana reserves, I held up the cloud for one and a half minutes before collapsing from exhaustion.

//

I woke up laying on a soft pillow under a tall tree, looking up I saw a beautiful view. Wait no, this isn't a pillow, it was too smooth, too smooth that it didn't feel like the fabric of a pillowcase.

I was on Rena's thighs, she looked afar, not noticing that I woke up. I looked from down under, getting a good look at her neck. Rena looked down at me as I stared. Shit… She must have noticed me staring.

A warm breeze of spring wind blew across the wheat field as the grains of wheat rustled and rattled, blasting away the black dust left by the spells, the wind blew back Rena's hair, I looked up at her. A small smirk grew across Rena's face as she brushed aside her bangs tucking them behind her ear, "Congratulations," She said her tone tweaked with slight pride, "You passed, you are now officially an imperial class mage."

This was my first real achievement, I haven't done anything like this before, not in this life or the last one. I looked blankly at Rena's awkward but warm smirk, then I realised I have finally gotten something to be proud of. I felt a weird sensation build up inside me, it felt new, it felt special, I knew what it was… A sense of true accomplishment.

This was my real first step into the real world, it wasn't the time before where I was forced out into the world… I took the first step myself, the bright guiding light of Rena showing me the way forward.

//

Early in the morning of the following day, Rena stood outside the mansion with her travelling gear fully equipped, her suitcases in each hand, she was a spitting image of the girl who came two years prior, only more mature and a little older. Mother didn't look any different either, I guess that's just how elves are. The only real thing that changed was that I got a little taller and a little bigger.

A carriage clicks into the driveway surrounded by the tall trees of the garden.

"You know that you are welcome to stay here whenever you want," Mother said her voice shook with a little sadness.

"Thank you mistress," Rena replied, "I'm afraid I can't accept your generous offer… I'm an adventurer after all, I can't be held within the boundaries of a house… And plus… After getting to know Gryne I realised how truly weak I am, I realised that this isn't enough, I have to get stronger, I need time to hone my magic skills to truly be a mage worthy to be Gryne's master."

I felt a little bad for making her lose confidence in herself, my mind went through different possibilities in order to get her to stay. Maybe I could ask for more insight into other topics, or maybe I could…

No. 

I spaced out deep in my thoughts, unable to find a way to make Rena stay. I felt a hand placed on my head, I snapped back to reality. I look up, Rena's hand softly placed on top of my head, her eyes warmly looking at me, lively as if they were speaking.

"Gryne, I wished I could've taught you more, it's my fault I'm an incompetent master, I didn't have what it takes to teach you…" Rena grimaced, I sensed slight sorrow in her voice.

"No master, you taught me lots, you taught me all sorts of things… Miss." 

"I'm happy to hear that, Gryne…" Rena softly replied, "Oh yeah… That reminds me," Rena reached into the inner pocket of her long robe, pulling something out. A pendant, with a small broken stone stung to a small leather cord. I looked closely at the necklace, was that something I've seen before? I swear I have seen this before. 

"This would just be a parting gift from me, it's not much… But I hope you like it." Rena said as she handed me the pendant, as it was placed on my hand the stone stung onto it began to glow with a dim white light.

I remember now… The shattered mana crystal…

"Thank you…" 

It wasn't Mother nor was it any else who gave me the courage to overcome the fear of heading out. It was Rena, that time when we went into town, she was the one who held my hand, giving me courage to face the eyes of the people…

That really meant something.

I say that she gave me courage when all she really did was hold me when I'm scared and wrap her arms around me when I shook. It's not much but still I thank her for it. Leaving the safety of the mansion and facing the outside world would have been way worse, it might even have given trauma which I wouldn't be able to overcome. Her holding me tightly might just have given me that little boost, not losing spirit and breaking through that one beginner's barrier.

"That reminds me," I said, "I have got something for you also." 

I took the small box I tucked inside my pocket before out, handing it to Rena, "I hope I got the right one." I said with a playful grin.

Rena got onto the carriage, putting her hand out of the window waving back at me. I waved until Rena and the carriage disappeared from the view, down the slopes and through the serene pastor fields. In my hands I clutched onto the things she gave me, the wand and the small pendant.

Because of her I can now step into the world, it was something not Mother or anyone else did for me, I knew that it wasn't her intention I suggested it in the first place. But… She was the one who gave me strength, the one who did it in the end.

And… I respected her for that.

"Thank you Master Rena!" I shouted into the fields where the carriage disappeared into. I feel my eyes well up in tears. I promised myself not to cry… 

I feel mother's hand on my head as I let out sobs as the teardrop runs down my cheeks, dripping down onto the floor.

I would never forget anything she had taught me before.