In the early morning, I woke up to loud rapping on my door.

"Larken, dear!" "
Needless to say, it was my mother.
Hurry up and pack your things!"

Reluctant to leave my bed, I merely covered my head with my sheets.

"Larken!" she screamed, still banging on the door.

"Fine!" I yelled back, finally opening my eyes. I heard her footsteps fade as she walked away, and I sat up.
"Good God," I muttered, glancing around my still dim room, wondering what to pack for my journey. Dad said I wouldn't need to pack extra clothes. My eyes finally rested on my desk, that still had the mage books, courtesy of my father.

Minutes later, I was standing outside our house, wearing a brown leather backpack holding all of my books. My mother was crying over my departure, and my father was grinning madly as he walked over to me, holding a few items in his hands that I couldn't make out.

"Larken," he began, staring right at me in my blue cotton shorts and grey shirt.

"Yeah?"

"Here are some items for your trip"
He then presented to me a hatchet, a credit card, and some Maple Messenger.

"Uhh... thanks," I said, taking them and putting it in my bag. Suddenly, my sister ran out of the house and wrapped her arms around my waist.

"Are you going to come back?" she asked quietly, hugging me tightly.

"Yeah, sure!" It was a lie, despite the grin on my face. I had no idea if I'd be returning.
"Well, uhm, I'd better go now."

Mom cried harder, but my dad just quickly pushed in the direction of the eastern gate of Mushroom Town.

"Contact us when you get to Ellinia!" and "I love you!" were the last words I heard from them before leaving the small town.

I stood on a large hill, feeling the wind blowing against me. Yet, I could still stand firmly on the ground. My eyes glanced over the map of Maple Island that I was smart enough to pack, seeing where I should go.
On the edge of the island, apparently, was a harbor called South Perry.

"Guess there's where I'm going," I said quietly, putting away the map and taking out the small axe. I kind of got the idea that this wouldn't be easy. But I just grinned anyway, and raced down the hill, determined to become a mage.