Departure

"Damn, that really helped revise my topics. Thank you, Raiyu." Tristan said as he patted Ryan on the head, ruffling his hair.

"Don't mess up my hair, that's no way to show appreciation!" Ryan playfully swatted away the hand, laughing.

Across the table filled with plates of pastries and cups of tea, Oliver picked up the scribbled mess of a sheet of paper and tried to make sense of how they turned it into this.

"You know, you should go check out the actual design copies too." Tristan commented, standing up after the long discussion and stretching his back, "You are old enough to start considering what you want to do. Who knows, you might even improve upon the design." He laughed, while Ryan fixed his hair.

Hearing this, Oliver stiffened and tried to make his escape casually, "Ah, you two go eat something, I'll be out playing for a bit." He said, pointing outside the eatery's door with a weird smile and twitching eyebrows.

"Speaking of age, you are also turning ten in a couple years, Ollie. What trade are you thinking of learning?" Ryan asked from the side curiously.

"I, uh, I think I'll think on it more," He said hurriedly, running out, "You two have fun! Bye!"

"..."

"..."

"You think he thinks we will make fun of him? Is that why he isn't telling us?" Ryan asked Tristan contemplatingly, fixing the chairs back into place.

"I think he hasn't chosen yet. Just give him some time, he'll work it out." Tristan answered nonchalantly, picking up the cutlery to wash.

"I hope so." Ryan mumbled, staring at the door through which Oliver had left.

'Should I go after him? Maybe help him sort his choices?' He thought to himself.

[I think it would be better to let him go through this himself. He's got plenty of time for now.] Codex placated him.

'I guess,' Ryan thought, pushing the issue to the back of his head.

After all, he had a lot to do, himself.

Oliver was mulling over his life choices, and looking to make one that might make or break his life. Tristan was in equal parts nervous and excited about his future. Meanwhile, their little brother was thinking on — out of the dozen things he could be doing — what he should be focusing on next.

'Let's go by the order of priority... I still need to learn to read and write, I can't understand any blueprints or read any magic books unless I do that, I also need to tinker around with Nova... What do you think, Codex?'

[I think it is important that we focus on learning the written language.]

'Always the boring task first, huh.' Ryan sighed, 'Sure.'

"Hey, Triss, can you drop me off at the Scribe's?"

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Over the next few hours, one thing Ryan noted was that learning the written portion of the language was much easier than the vocal counterpart. Or it may be because he was already quite familiar with the phonetic structuring.

Nonetheless, he estimated it would take him anywhere from a week to a month to get comfortable enough to read a book. A much shorter time frame than he had anticipated.

The education center — or the Scribe's Lodge as it was called — was run by a sweet childless couple in their middle age. They were one of the most learned people of the village, and quite liked young children. Making them ideal teachers.

As it turns out, they did not really want payment — they appreciated it, of course — but what they really wanted was to spend time with kids, hoping they might be blessed by one of their own someday. Respecting their wishes and appreciating the effort, the kids' parents took turns to send them food each day.

While Ryan had found a new way to be productive, time continued to pass by, and soon, three days have passed since the day of the choosing.

Today, Tristan and the rest of the children his age would be leaving with the Headman to the nearest city with a cathedral — Eristonia.

Before the break of dawn, Ryan and his family were standing at the entrance of the village, facing against the great forest.

"I packed some sandwiches for the journey, eat them before they get soggy, 'kay? And don't be too nervous, if you feel like you're confused or something doesn't feel right, just tell the headman or the nearest adult, they'll help. And you've kept the emergency knife I gave you, right?" Eloise reminded the stiff and sleep deprived Tristan.

"I know, mom, it is the fifth time you've rephrased that sentence." He groaned, yet still complied and showed her the camping knife stowed at the bottom of his leather backpack.

There were dozens of other people, too. Standing nearby, cautioning their own children and cautioning them some more.

As the first rays of light pierced through the veil of night, the headman and his second eldest son emerged from the village ranch. Accompanying them was a much larger companion — standing nearly a meter and a half tall and just as wide — its body covered in rugged scales, supported by four short, thick legs, hiding an extreme amount of force.

The creature resembled a heavily built tortoise, yet far more nimble, its reinforced limbs and sturdy shell designed for endurance. With effortless strength, it pulled a carriage twice its own size, its movements steady and unyielding.

Despite its menacing appearance, there was some sort of hat on its head, connected to the shell behind.

Apart from that, the headman was wearing some leather armor, along with a sword sheathed by his waist, his second son, Bron, also carried a long bow behind his back, along with a quiver full of arrows.

"I believe everyone is ready. Let's take a name call, shall we?" Bron jumped off of the carriage as it stopped near the small crowd and called out sternly, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

"Terry," He started.

"Ah, I'm here, sir!" Came a voice from behind the crowd. Terry was a clumsy boy, living with the farm people, yet despite his clumsiness, he was one of the most liked kids, due to his kind nature.

And on the calls went, soon Tristan left with a hug and boarded the carriage with Cloe, Terry and the rest of the kids, as well.

"Come back soon, Triss!" Ryan screamed, cupping his hands in front of his mouth, and waving enthusiastically, receiving a barely audible cry in return.

The trip was supposed to take a week or so, with just the journey to and from the city taking one day each.

'I can't wait to visit outside the village myself...' He thought, looking at the empty path where the carriage had been, coming to senses, he slapped his cheeks and turned around to head back with a bright grin and a sparkle in his eyes and the first rays of run falling his way, 'I still have much to do here!'