Chapter 10: Bloodstained Nobility
Having firsthand experience with death only to be reincarnated, maybe for a while my perspective on it was skewed. Things were going well, almost too well. I'd been born with the potential for power. I'd been able to develop strength well beyond my age. I'd gotten to spend two years going up and down the kingdom as an adventurer, fighting all kinds of monsters and living that rugged life with my party members.
It had all been going so, so well.
To the point I'd genuinely let myself forget the possibility that, at any time, things could go horribly wrong.
Nyle's voice yelling at me as something lunged from the woods around us. I felt a searing flash over my right eye as I tried to face the new threat, only to be shoved out of the way.
The sound of flesh and bone ripping, a splash of something warm on my face as I turned just in time to see the young man's face twisted around in agony as something clamped its fang riddled jaws down on his torso.
The same beast had one of its taloned feet firmly on the ground, the limp form of Leyland impaled on one of its claws. And with a casual twist of its neck, it tossed Nyle aside, his body messily crashing into a tree.
A red drake, a lesser sort of dragon that normally should've kept up to the mountains.
We should've only been hunting some goblins, a totally normal hunt meant to cap off our move into the B Rank at long last. And out of nowhere, a monster way out of our current range had shown up. And in a single, split second, right before any of us realized it, two of us were dead.
The right side of my face burned from the pain, my eye forcibly shut. I didn't know if I couldn't see out of it because of the blood rushing into it from the cut, or if the eye itself had been destroyed when the thing slashed at me.
Shaky breaths, blood thumping in my ears as the drake roared at me. A scream split my throat, hard enough I felt my vocal cords threaten to tear from the strain. As the drake lunged again, my body moved on its own, carried by years of developed battle instinct.
I felt almost separate from myself, pulled away from my own senses as I rolled under the drake, driving my sword into its soft underbelly. I barely even heard the beast's roar as I ignited the blade with magic, raking it through as flames burst from under its scales, burning so intensely they turned from crimson to blue as I ripped the sword along its underside.
The sound I made didn't even seem human. It was animalistic and wild. Not the kind of sound you'd think a person, a child, would make. And I didn't let that animalistic scream go as I ripped the blade free from its body, azure flames wrapped so intensely around my sword that as it was finally pulled free, the blade itself was turning to slag. I only stopped screaming because my throat wouldn't allow me to.
The drake still wasn't dead.
I approached its head, the melting blade still burning in my hands. It let out a feeble roar, and my response was to drive the sword right through its damned eye. As the beast screamed again, I let the flames loose, engulfing the beast in azure flames from within until they were again bursting out from its inside, the disembowelment I'd delivered spewing those flames like a furnace.
And then the blade snapped, leaving only a slagged stump of a sword in my hands as the drake finally died.
Before I could drive that stump into the beast, breath catching in my throat to try and scream again, a hand gently grabbed my arm.
"Aegir, enough… it's dead. You don't need to do more," Oscar's voice broke through the haze, my arm slipping from his hand as I stared at the dead drake. "Let me heal you. You're more wounded than you think, and I don't want you losing that eye."
"Alright…"
I didn't even bother to move, just sitting down as Oscar placed his hand near my face, the soft green glow of healing magic starting to shine as soon as he began chanting.
"Angel of miracles, bestow your heavenly breath on the pulse of life. Heaven-borne sun, the divine messengers abhor red. Dive into a sea of light and spread your pure-white wings. Thus shall the red be driven forth. Shine Healing."
As the warmth of the magic washed through me, all of the lingering pain from my wounds washed out. My face felt awkward for a moment, the sensation of things reconnecting that I'd ordinarily never feel pricking at my head. Slowly, I opened my right eye, wiping away the blood that had been obscuring it to find my vision in it restored.
Oscar slowly looked me over, nodding at seeing it was done.
"What about…" as I croaked the words out, my voice scratchy and broken from my earlier screaming. "Nyle and… Leyland…"
"I'm sorry," Oscar shook his head, tightly gripping his staff. "They're already… I can't."
"But you're a priest!" I stood, my voice cracking again as it rose back to a yell. "Shouldn't you be able to bring them back?! They only died a few seconds ago, so shouldn't you…"
"Resurrection magic exists, yes, but it's far beyond my capabilities. Such magic is within the God Class, and is highly restricted even in Millis," Oscar looked away again, and as I turned, the man stopped me from facing the bodies of our comrades. "Don't. Don't let your last image of them be… this. I'll collect their things and cremate their bodies. Then we need to return to Roa."
All I did was nod, shuffling to another tree and moving behind it, out of view as Oscar got to work. It was all I could do but curl up to myself. And the second I heard Oscar's voice cracking under his own chants of magic, I felt that haze finally break.
I'd spent two years with them. Going all across Asura to make our names as adventurers. Nyle and Leyland hadn't been weak. And yet they were gone so easily, all from a freak accident of something we couldn't have possibly expected.
Right in front of me, with almost no warning, I'd had to watch them both die. And there was nothing I could've done to stop it as I am now.
All I could do was cry until my voice gave out.
The return to Roa was… quiet.
Even the guild hall turned somber as only Oscar and I returned, still showing the signs of our battle without any sign of Nyle and Leyland besides the urns Oscar had interred their ashes into. And while he dealt with the official end of things, I just took to a table, splaying out what we'd collected from the two across it.
The remains of my sword. Nyle's sword. Leyland's bow and arrows. And probably most importantly, a pair of badges. Party markers Nyle had made for all of us, crudely made by still full of care, small metal roses painted blue he'd made as a sign of pride in our party. He'd talked a lot about getting more people into the team, expanding out more and more as our reputation grew.
He'd even talked about wanting to become the leader of a clan group at some point.
"Dammit… dammit…" I cursed to myself as my fingers raked on top of the table, frustrated tears still falling down my face as I stared at those badges.
"It's done…" Oscar came to the table, setting down my adventurer plate and his, both with the name of the Blue Roses removed from them. "All we need to do now is… decide where we go in the future."
"I… I need to go back to Ars," My hands balled up, biting my lip a bit. "There's… things I need to take care of there. And I only have a few days."
"I see. I… I'm going to return to Millis," I looked up at Oscar, the priest looking just as downcast as I was, his hands bunched together before him. "It will be a long journey, but I need the pilgrimage. Death is never an easy thing to tackle… and I would feel more content in my prayers back in my homeland."
"I get it. So… what about their remains?"
"Leyland doesn't have any family… so I'll do him the honors of taking his remains to Millis to be interred in the church. He wasn't a believer, but it's the best rites I can grant him, as a friend and comrade."
"And… Nyle?"
"The guild will handle that. His family is still in Donati, so they'll return his things to them," Oscar spared me another look, and he no doubt saw how my face tensed up.
Donati… the place Leonel had been sent to. A sudden reminder of things I still had to deal with myself. Not something I really wanted to think about right now.
Oscar stood. His hand drifted along the table, grabbing Nyle's sword and pushing it closer to me.
"But this… you should keep this."
"What?" I stared at the priest as he pushed the sword closer again. "But… shouldn't it go to his family?"
"Nyle… would likely have preferred you have it," Oscar let out a breath, putting a hand to my head. "A swordsman needs a blade. And this isn't some kind of heirloom either, so his family would have no attachment to it. You're better off keeping it. In a way… it'll keep Nyle by your side, even with his passing."
"Yeah… you're right," taking the sword in both hands, I held it carefully before placing it in my lap. It was far from a bad sword. Wherever Nyle had gotten it, it was well made. Handle wrapped in a fine blue cords, a simple but well-made cross guard decorated in flower images. And I knew from watching that the blade was strong and sturdy. I had served the man well. "I'll make sure it sees everything Nyle wanted to."
"Good. Don't linger on the grief for too long, or you'll lose focus of everything else," Oscar sat down again. "But also, never forget them, and hold fast to the good memories you made with both Nyle and Leyland. Aegir… if one day, your travels bring you to Millis, I'll be happy to meet again. Even if it takes years."
"I'm… sure at some point I'll find my way there," I gave my best attempt at a smile, Oscar nodding. "Though… this isn't how I thought we'd go our separate ways."
"Neither did I. But… fate can be funny that way. So… I know you're not a believer either, but could you join me in a prayer for them?"
"Of course."
As Oscar and I fell silent, even the others in the guild hall held off on their chatter. We hadn't been in Roa for long. Hell most of them probably barely had any clue who we were. But everyone was an adventurer, or close to adventurers. Not a soul would dare intrude on two people holding a silent prayer for their departed comrades.
Everyone had some idea what that was like. I could tell that much. That was the way of this world, how it worked. Loss would happen. And when it did, you never knew if you could actually be prepared for it.
And yet, the weight of knowing there was still more for me to deal with even after was crushing. I didn't have the time to wait and mourn. I wanted to. But I couldn't.
And that only made it so much heavier.
I almost thought that when the day finally came for me to return to Ars and confront James, to finally decide what my future was going to be regarding the Greyrat houses, that I'd be doing so in higher spirits. But as I returned to that grand jewel of a city, all on my lonesome among the bevy of other travelers for the first time in two years.
Carrying the sword of my departed party leader, bearing fresh scars that while not external, weighed down on everything as I returned to those familiar streets that had been such a part of my childhood in this world. And it only increased because each step closer to the Noble District was one step closer to that damned manor I wish I could have nothing to do with at this point.
It ends after whatever happens in the next couple of days… don't care what James has to try and say anymore. I just want out…
With that thought in mind as I arrived at the gates to the Boreas manor, I eyed one of the guards as I rolled up.
"Been a while, but I'm sure at least one of you can recognize me," as I spoke, the guard eyed me for a moment. I'm sure that hard as the wild hairstyle and my scars made it, he was still able to recognize the youngest son of the household in my face.
"Ah… oh! Young Master Aegir!" the guard quickly went to attention, his companion doing the same. "Forgive me, I didn't quite recognize you after these couple of years… has your training trip abroad gone well?"
"So that's the story he gave everyone…" I muttered it out, the guard raising a brow. "Nothing. And no, it didn't quite go well. Is my uncle inside?"
"Yes. Preparations for Young Master Leonel's return alongside the retinue from the Zephyrus family are underway in fact. Lord James has been expecting you, actually."
"Then seems like I'm just in time. I'll wait in the foyer."
"Understood! Welcome home, young master!"
I only waved the guard off as he and the other one opened the gate, stalking past them as I made my way to that looming manor. When I got inside, something about the wide, ornate halls only felt more annoying than ever. It was too ostentatious, too well made. I wanted rustic, I wanted simple. This atmosphere didn't feel right anymore.
Even the servants milling about, too busy with their tasks to really give me more than a passing glance, didn't quite sit right with me to watch. I felt and looked out of place. A rugged adventurer, standing in a hall of nobility.
I didn't belong here. I didn't belong here. I want to leave. I want to leave…
"Well well, look who actually kept up his end of the bargain," whirling thoughts ended as James' voice cut through the air. I looked up the stairs, the main stepping down while glaring through me, absolutely unpleased I'd actually bothered showing my face despite the deal we'd made. "I was half wondering if you'd decide to run off after these two years. And yet, here you are."
"We made a deal. I get two years, and then we settle this on your stupid party when Leonel gets back," I wasn't sparing any pleasantries, venom dripping from my voice as I walked up to James. "So let's get this shit over with and figure it out… I already know the answer, so let's just go through the motions."
"Maybe I should've made the wiser choice and just locked you up in this manor…" James almost spit at me, but with the way I was glaring at him, he also didn't seem keen to push it. "Grell!"
I wanted to feel comforted when the familiar butler rounded the corner from the ground floor. But at this point I honestly didn't care.
"Aegir has returned… get him cleaned up and presentable. The party is in a few hours, make sure he at least looks the part of noble… even if he won't act like it," James turned while glaring at me, striding back up the stairs with thudding steps.
"Master Aegir, I'm pleased to see you return safely," Grell approached me, giving a bow. "Though I must say… you've taken to quite the rough appearance in your two years out."
"Not a lot of time to care much when you're on the road," at least with Grell, I felt I could be friendlier. "Let's just get this done, okay? I'm not in the mood for James' shit tonight."
"Master, your…" the butler cut himself off. Seems he'd keyed into my bad mood. "I understand. If you wish to tell me what happened, let us do so while I clean you up… perhaps right now, what you need is someone to talk to. I understand your uncle is not it."
"… thanks."
"Of course, my lord."
Some while later, I'd told Grell everything that had happened over the last couple of years. Me and the Blue Roses going abroad, even me meeting Ghyslaine back in Roa and my recent encounter with Paul in Buena Village.
And of course, what happened only a few days ago, with that disastrous job that got Nyle and Leyland killed. The one that made the B Rank I now held feel more bitter than it should have.
"I see… it seems you've seen and been through quite a lot," and all the while, Grell had been trimming my hair down, taking it from that wild mane to the more managed but still inherently messy look I'd sported before I left.
My adventuring gear had been left to the side of my old room, Nyle's sword propped up against the wall. Being in noble attire yet again felt suffocating. It wasn't even due to being uncomfortable, I just didn't like it anymore.
It wasn't me.
"Master, as adventurers, I am sure your companions knew that death was always a possibility," my face shifted to a glare. And gently, after setting the scissors to the side, Grell put a hand to my head. "However, that does not mean you shouldn't grieve. That you survived, and now carry your leader's sword, should motivate you to keep moving ahead."
"Oscar said the same…"
"And your friend was correct. Mourn them, celebrate the memories you made with them. But don't wallow in the grief and allow that to be all you remember of their lives… though, I can admit you're hardly in a situation that will make this process easy," I only sighed, Grell getting to tying the longer parts of my hair into a presentable tail.
"I wanted to while on the way here… but knowing what was waiting only made it worse," my hands bunched up on my lap, Grell moving around and grabbing a makeup set from the table before me. "How the hell can I mourn when I have this hanging over me?"
"I think, my lord, that you made the right choice to hold to your promise," Grell knelt, getting to applying some light makeup to my face… all to hide the scars I was so proud of. "I know it weighs on you… but the fact you decided to at least see this through despite how you feel is admirable, more than you know. Especially for a boy your age. It will only be for one more night. You can manage that, can you?"
"I hope…" Grell moved aside, and I was able to look at myself in the mirror.
And it felt… wrong.
It was my face, recognizable as ever. But with the makeup to hide my scars, the fine clothes of a noble, and hair neatly groomed, trimmed, and pinned up, it didn't feel like my face.
It was the face of Aegir Boreas Greyrat, the noble.
Not Aegir Greyfeather, the adventurer.
It wasn't me.
"Hahahaha…." The laugh that escaped my throat was dry, hollow. "Y'know… when I told James what I planned two years ago, I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with all this nobility stuff… even like this, I don't really cut it, huh?"
"Well, from my perspective, I see a young man who is at a crossroads in his life, despite his youth," Grell stood behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I see someone who has been able to find his way in this world, despite the life he was born into. You are both a Boreas and an adventurer. Nobility does not necessitate some façade, you know? Remember, the Boreas emblem is a wolf… and I see before me a boy who has grown to fit that image better than he thinks."
"Hehe… funny, actually. People around Asura started calling me "Scarlet Wolf" after my reputation spread enough."
"Then my assessment is accurate," Grell pat my shoulder. "Now, let's go. Your final night as Aegir Boreas Greyrat, yes? Wouldn't do to make a bad impression on the way out, would it?"
"Grell, you…" I looked to the butler, the man giving me a soft smile.
"While me and many of the others have missed you, I wouldn't dare tell you to remain here when your heart clearly remains beyond the walls of this manor. You deserve freedom, Master Aegir. Not to simply be a pawn in the games Master James wishes to play. So, thought it may go against my station as a butler of the Boreas Household, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go through with your decision. Leave, and live the life you wish to."
"Grell… thank you," I stood, Grell nodding to me. Taking in a breath, I slapped my face, working to clear my head up. "I'll have time to sort my feelings later… let's get this done."
"Lead the way, Master Aegir."
As long a time as it'd been, I can't say I was surprised to see how ostentatiously decorated the main dance hall of the Boreas Manor had been decorated. A coming of age party was certainly made an occasion for the nobility. And considering this was also supposed to be an engagement party, seems James and the Zephyrus family head only made the party even more well decorated and arranged.
And not to mention a suitably annoying number of people. Many of whom couldn't seem to help but steal glances my way as I elected to stick to the wall rather than mingle. And I couldn't help but pick up on the quickly spreading gossip.
[Who's that boy in the corner?]
[I believe he's the third son of the Boreas. The prodigy who could use Advanced magic before he was even ten.]
[Ahhh, Aegir was his name, yes? I heard he was studying abroad for the last couple of years. He's not far from coming of age himself.]
[I hear he's also quite skilled as a swordsman. You'd think he'd have become a Royal Knight or something… a third son won't have much use in the courts outside of that.]
[I mean a scholar has some use. If he contributes the right thing to the Mage's Guild, it'd show well on the Boreas House.]
"Tch… is politics all they can fucking think about?"
"My my, two years out of the city and you've become quite the rough talker!"
"I'm sure it's because he was out in the sticks for most of that time, Princess."
Two years it may have been, but recognizing Ariel and Luke's voices was all too easy.
"Surprised to see you two here," turning, I bowed my head to Ariel as the princess approached. "Well, the Princess anyway. Last time Luke and I saw each other was only about a month ago."
"Indeed… and you still owe me for that last sparring session, by the way," Luke folded his arms, and his eyes then moved to Nyle's sword at my waist. "That sword…"
"Ah… it's uh, something of a keepsake," I rested my hand on the pommel of the blade. "Let's just say some things happened not that long ago. And leave it there, for now."
My eyes moved outwards, stopping at James, who was all too keen to glare me down even as he was chatting with who I assumed had to be the Zephyrus head, along with a younger looking man whom Luke glanced towards as well.
"Perhaps you can tell us the full story another time. Still…" Ariel then, boldly so, took me by the arm. "Knowing how you were back at the academy, I'm surprised to see you in a party like this. I thought they weren't your thing."
"I'll dismiss myself. I leave Princess Ariel in your care, Aegir," I gave Luke a stilted look, and the way he smirked at me as he trotted off into the crowd, eyes locking to a crowd of girls as he did, told me exactly why. Son of a bitch knows all eyes'll be on me now!
"Oh, that Luke. He should remember he's in someone else's home." Ariel giggled, and I sighed.
"I'll tell Grell to keep an eye on him after the party. Also, shouldn't there be another guard with you?"
"Derek had some business of his own to attend to tonight. A shame, I would have quite liked for him to meet you. I'm sure he'd love to hear about your studies as a mage."
"Hahaha, I'll keep that in mind for another time then."
"As for what I mentioned…" Ariel leaned over a bit, and again I sighed.
"To be honest, these kinds of parties are even less my thing now," I let the annoyance show on my face, Ariel chuckling.
"You don't quite affect the airs of nobility anymore, so it's no wonder," as if to make her point, Ariel started feeling my arm up along the sleeve of my shirt. "A noble's arm wouldn't feel this firm. They have a bad habit of letting their muscles go to waste, even if they learn swordplay."
"So, Luke and I are exceptions?" I shut one eye, trying not to pay any mind to the annoyed looks turning my way.
"I would say most who becomes Knights like Luke and Derek are the exceptions… even rarer though are those nobles who go abroad and don't turn tail as soon as they realize their lives are actually in danger," Ariel shot me a knowing smile. She was one of the few aware I'd been using a false name as an adventurer, mostly since it wasn't like I could stop Luke from telling her about what went on at the Water God Dojo. "In some words, you give off the impression of a person who's become bloodstained."
"And what exactly do you mean by that?"
"I'd say there'd be proof on your face were it not for the makeup clearly hiding it," Ariel snickered as my free hand instinctively traced along one of my scars. "I can see it in your eyes too. You have the eyes of somebody who's had to witness death and lived to tell it. It makes you stand out even more in this crowd of people who don't even think of the idea they may die."
"I imagine you've got some idea of what it's like to have your own mortality hanging over you."
"Indeed, I do."
This was hardly the kind of conversation you'd think a couple of children could be having. But such was the world we lived in. Compared to the modern world I remembered, where children could spend far more time just being children, that wasn't a luxury we had here. A princess who'd been subject to assassination attempts, and an adventurer who'd fought and been scarred in more ways than one.
And man, things were getting a bit too grim. Time to change the subject.
"You know, I just remembered something funny," Had to change the mood somehow before things got too gloomy here. "Not that long ago, while I was out in the Fittoa region, I actually had the sheer luck to meet Luke's uncle. Only just remember he mentioned the guy at our graduation a couple years ago."
"Ahaha, oh I've heard the stories. The shame of the Notos Greyrats, the son who ran off only to come crawling back when he got married and had to become a father," Ariel gave a light laugh. "Did James make any comparisons between you two at all?"
"Oh, he did," I let out a dry snicker. And then I realized something else. "Ah, where are my manners? I should've congratulated you. Your tenth birthday wasn't that long ago, right? I'm sure this is barely anything compared to the party that was held then."
"Indeed, it was. I would say it's a shame you couldn't be there, but seeing you now, I'm sure you'd have hated it more than I did," I let out a hissing snicker, Ariel giggling.
"So… how long are you planning to cling onto me?" The slip to my more usual tone only amused the princess, who elected to instead lean into me further.
"My knight has gone off to cavort with other women! And it simply wouldn't do for me to be unprotected, even at a party such as this," Ariel's sly tone got me to look to the side, the princess all too smug. "And besides… aren't you glad to know my presence alone infuriates your uncle so?"
Ariel gestured with her eyes, guiding my gaze back to James. And indeed, the fact Ariel and I were conversing at all, much less her clinging onto me for the hell of it, was leaving the man with a notably popped vein on his brow.
"He doesn't like it when I stand out. And yet you should've seen his face when I told him little I wanted to be involved with noble politics. I wish there was a way I could have preserved the image, I'm sure you'd have found it hilarious!"
"Hahaha, oh I'm sure I would have. Seeing those who are a bit too stuffed up for their own good get ruffled is always amusing to witness."
"Presenting now! Lord Leonel Boreas Greyrat! And Lady Laila Zephyrus Greyrat!"
"Oh my, seems the wait is done," Ariel drew her gaze to the main doors of the hall opening. "Seems it's time for the main show to begin."
"Don't go and steal it now," Ariel snickered at my remark, the room now going quiet as the musicians also began playing a tune.
In the two years since I'd seen him, Leonel had matured well. Now he was practically the spitting image of Philip, yet with the same sharp eyes I could just remember Hilda as having. If you wanted to get the image of an ideal noble young man, I'd certainly say Leonel was cutting it. And perhaps because of the Zephyrus being from the northern end of Asur along with their military ties, I could tell from afar he at least hadn't been slacking on his training.
Where he stood compared to me now, we'd have to see just what the result was in the end.
Next to him, her arms looped through his, was the young lady who he was to be engaged too, the whole reason he'd been sent off to Donati to begin with. I had to admit, she wasn't bad looking. A cute, heart shaped face and sandy blonde hair, met with pale green eyes that added a certain something to her pale complexion.
"My, I'd heard the Zephyrus daughter was a looker," Ariel hummed, a hand to her chin. "What do you think, Aegir?"
"I think even then, she doesn't quite compare to you, Highness."
"Ahaha, please, you don't have to flatter me. But thank you," And yet Ariel looked pleased as pie I'd praised her instead. Guess that was one part of her that was at least still a bit childish.
As the two proceeded down the center, getting all the words of welcome and congratulations one could expect from the crowd—vapid as some of it absolutely was—I caught Leonel glance my way. I half expected to see a pleased smile, a welcome look. But instead, his stare remained placid, only acknowledging enough to let me know he had indeed seen me.
His eyes… where'd that old passion of his go? I felt something in me sink at that sight. Maybe he'd seen something too. Exactly what Ariel had—that I didn't have the same expression as the boy from two years ago.
The expression of a noble. Or rather, maybe it was an expression he knew I'd never had to begin with.
From there… what else could I say? It was the lavish party of nobility. How else could I describe it as anything but extravagant and luxurious? Leonel was initially wished the expected pleasantries of a birthday; gifts were handed out and words exchanged. Food that I'm sure was making half the servants envious from their own hunger, watching these noble sorts gorge themselves on it like there was no care at all, drinking themselves blind on wine and spirits and all the other things you'd expect of them.
And yet that whole time, I remained entirely on the sidelines, drawing eyes of ire and envy as Ariel stayed by my side, instead electing to tell her a bit about what I'd been up to the last two years. What parts of Asura I'd seen in the lands beyond the capital, the monsters I'd hunted, the people I'd met.
"So then, what was the most dangerous thing you've hunted down?" Ariel asked an oh so expected question.
"Well, recently it was…" I paused, my right hand wrapping around the hilt of Nyle's sword. "It was a Red Drake. The one that… I think you can guess. I took it down, but the occasion was hardly one that would let me feel that proud of it. Hell, I barely remember the actual fight."
"Ahh, I see…" Ariel hummed, tenting her hands. "Well, I do hope the next time it'll be a hunt you can be proud of, and not something that leaves you with a bad memory. So, that sword isn't yours?"
"No. It was my party leader's. I uhm… kind of melted mine into nothing," reaching into the pocket of my coat, I drew the remains of that old sword, the one I'd gotten when I was ten. "I may have overdone it with a fire spell, and unfortunately the blade couldn't handle it."
"And such a shame too," Ariel took the remains of the blade to look it over, "Luke told me it was such a nice sword as well. Though I suppose it means your magic has simply grown that strong."
"Maybe so," Ariel handed the hilt back to me, carefully so. I was a tad impressed with the respect she was showing there. Really was quite mature for her age.
And just in time too, as James and the head of the Zephyrus family stood up to the forefront of the festivities, where Leonel and Laila were seated at a main table.
"We must thank you all for coming tonight, despite many busy schedules," James then looked off to me and Ariel as he swept the crowd, yet again looking all too displeased by my presence near the princess. "While this is, of course, a party to celebrate Leonel's coming of age, you can easily assume there is more to it since my friends from the Zephyrus family are here as well. Cillian, if you would?"
"Of course, thank you very much," the man named Cillian was a stocky fellow. About as tall as James but with a stronger looking frame. Reminded me of Sauros a bit. He looked ex-military, from how hard set his expression was and his nearly cropped black hair and beard. His eyes were the same pale green as his daughter's. "To those who may not know me, I am Cillian Zephyrus Greyrat, the father of young Laila here. She too is about to come of age, and, in an agreement between myself and Lord James, is to be married to young Leonel! However, this is not me giving my daughter to the Boreas Greyrats, quite the opposite!"
"I decided Leonel's talents would better serve the likes of the Zephyrus in their dealings with the army and local militias in their home territory, and as such his marriage to Laila will be on the pretense of him taking on the Zephyrus name and becoming the heir for Cillian, who unfortunately has not been blessed with a son of his own," I looked to Leonel as James finished the declaration. I wouldn't say he looked resigned about it either.
Maybe some part of me had expected some kind of cliché outcome. That Leonel would have only been more opposed to this arranged marriage after two years. And yet, he looked… accepting. Yet I still remembered how much he'd been against James, in his own way. Though… maybe that was me holding onto what he may now, as an adult in this world, saw as a childish attitude unaccepting of his station.
And then Leonel stood.
"As some of you may know, as a child I achieved the Advanced Rank in the Water God school here in Ars," said my brother. "And in the two years I have been with the Zephyrus, I have also been educated in matters of military craft and the management of our borders against the likes of bandits and monsters. When I was younger, I'll admit I had many different plans in my head. But, now I see where my responsibilities lie, and what I can do with my own skills. Not as a Boreas, but as a Zephyrus."
The crowd clapped along as Leonel sat down, giving a smile to Lailia, who returned the expression. And… they did look happy. Who was I to say Leonel making that choice was wrong? I hadn't seen him at all in the last two years, even when I'd been up in Donati since it wasn't like I'd been near the Zephyrus estate he'd been staying at.
"Well, seems Leonel has adjusted well to the ways of the Zephyrus family," noted Ariel, and I gave a hum. "Would you like to know what they're like?"
"Do tell," I simply nodded.
"The Zephyrus, since they manage our northern border, are closely tied with the military, but they also manage a lot of militias around the area up there. Did you spend any time in Donati over the last two years?"
"A little bit. Was up there last winter before we headed back down south. Spent the time in one of the towns near the Red Dragon Mountains. That was definitely an experience."
"Well, as you can imagine, that kind of environment means the people of Donati are quite hardy. They're used to harsh seasons and regularly dealing with the monsters that come down from the mountains," Ariel twisted a bit of her hair, her gaze stopping on Lord Donati, "And this is even reflected by the Zephyrus clan. Their members are raised valuing martial prowess, and learning swordsmanship is standard practice among them. In fact, I hear the Zephyrus even practice North God Style, despite the fact the school is seen as "unsavory" among the nobility who practice Water God."
"Well the various forms of North God do tend to go for rather… tricky methods of fighting most would see as rather… unsavory."
"The Zephyrus are also known for having a particular fetish for pretty boys."
"… eh?" That one felt like getting smacked in the face with a brick, Ariel giggling as my expression cracked.
"What? It's quite well known that the Greyrat houses have their preferences. The Notos like Luke prefer women who are… well-endowed, to remain polite. And your Boreas house is known for their fetish for beast race women. In line with it also a particular fondness for animals."
"… I noticed cats and dogs like hanging out around me at inns actually," Ariel giggled again as my eyes lidded. "Anyway… I'm sure once the speeches are done we'll back to festivities… and me losing my mind over it all."
"Oh it can't be that bad."
"To be honest, the only reason I don't think I've curled up from the stress is because I've been talking with you, Ariel. Kept my mind off of it…" I clicked my tongue, feeling that pit well back up in my gut. "But I've also just wanted to leave the entire damn time… I really don't want to be here."
"Then allow me to help you keep your mind off of it for a while longer," Ariel tightened her hold on my arm, giving a playful wink. "Would you be my dance partner again, like you were two years ago?"
"Ahaha… I'd be honored, Your Highness."
As much as I hated the feeling, as much as I just wanted to get out of here and leave, I could put up with it for a while longer. After tonight, I'd be done… but first…
I had a brother I needed to have a talk with first.
After the party was done and guests began to file out, with my only personal goodbye being to Ariel and Luke, I'd been quick to hurry off to my old room and start gathering my things. The only plan I had left was to talk with Leonel, since him and the others from the Zephyrus house were staying for a few days in order to finalize everything about the marriage and all those other things I couldn't care less about.
After that though, I'd be gone. All I needed was to make sure I was as prepared to go as could be.
"Where do you even plan to go?" Grell broached the question as he helped me pack the travel case I'd lifted out.
"First off, back to the Water God Dojo to meet up with Renault," I took the clothes Grell handed me, thankfully much sturdier and travel ready attire than the normal outfits of nobility. "After that… I'll figure it out once I get to that part. I still need to deal with things here before I leave."
"Didn't you just get back? And yet you're already planning to ditch?" Grell and I turned, finding Leonel at my door. "Were you even going to bother talking to me?"
"I'd have hated to ruin the mood during your big party," I slammed the now full case shut, locking it shut with quick flicks of the latches. "Besides, I think I stole the spotlight enough because I was with Ariel the whole time. You saw James' face."
"I'll excuse myself for now," Grell bowed, taking his leave out into the hallway, shutting the door as Leonel stepped into the room.
"So, looks like your growth spurts are kicking in," said Leonel. "You've started to get a lot taller than last time I saw you."
"I better be. Can't be using short swords my whole life," as I moved the case aside, near Nyle's sword, Leonel noticed the remains of my old sword sitting not far off.
"What happened to this?" Leonel picked the hilt up. "Burned away?"
"Blame my own magic. I pushed it further than I thought it could handle on accident," I plucked the hilt away, tossing it into a secondary rucksack of other effects I'd packed up. "Though if it makes you feel better, I did that killing a red drake. Not a bad way to lose a sword."
"Wait, you've fought a red drake?!" Leonel spun me around, his eyes wide in shock. "What kind of hunts have you been on these last two years?!"
"It wasn't intentional," I brushed his hands off, Leonel looking surprised at the brusque rebuff. "It jumped me and my party when we were on a goblin hunt. The kind of thing that can happen out of nowhere when you're out there in the wilds."
"You're… different now."
"So are you," I stepped past Leonel, grabbing the case and Nyle's sword. "What, pray tell, did you expect to happen after I'd been traveling for two years? That I'd just be the same kid who was waiting for you in Ars? Come on, be realistic… two years is going to change anyone. We've both grown, that much is obvious."
"Obviously but… isn't this a bit drastic?" Leonel gave me a somewhat stilted smile, and I raised a brow. "Two years ago… your face looked so bright. You were the happiest kid I knew. But now… now it feels like I'm staring at someone completely different. It's in your eyes…"
"My face too," I conjured some water in my palm, running it over my face to remove the thin makeup hiding my scars. Leonel flinched when I turned to him, the revealed scars on my face clearly more of a surprise than anything. "I'm not the same little kid who waved you off two years ago, Leonel. Just like you're not the kid who only went to Donati because it's what you had to do. Pretty obvious to me you actually like those Zephyrus folks."
"The Zehpyrus were good to me over the last two more, more than I thought they'd be," Leonel let out a breath. "You're not wrong. When I went there it was only because it was what James made me do. I thought all it'd be was more of his political games… and, sure it definitely is."
"Oh, there's no doubt about any of that," Leonel gave me a look over my sarcastic cut in.
"Buuut! After a while there, I realized that… they actually appreciated me. I wasn't looked at like I was a nuisance because I had something to contribute, something people appreciated me being capable of."
You fitting nicely into that family's fetish also probably helped… I elected to keep that one to myself.
"Lord Cillian was brusque at first, sure. I don't think I've had an introduction that ended with being challenged to a duel," Least it was something in your wheelhouse. "But after I proved myself… it was different. After that he was keen to teach me all about the business Donati engages in, showing me around the territory and seeing how the people deal with things like monsters, even how to lead militia groups and everything. And… I even started liking Laila. I thought she'd just be another stuck up noble girl like all the ones at the academy. She was even nice to Grenia despite her being a beast tribe member."
"It's nice to hear it all worked out nicely for you. I'm sure it was a really good and blissful two years, by the sound of it. But I don't know what this has to do with me."
"Come on, I've heard some of the stories!" Leonel put his hands on my shoulders again, even if I gave an annoyed look. "The Scarlet Wolf, the little flame that made his name during Donati's winter and beyond. You're getting famous around the countryside, just like you said you would."
"I see. Guess it would start spreading around quickly enough… probably some dang bards catching on," Leonel chuckled as I let out a drawling grumble over it.
"And I know you have a party, but…"
"I don't," Leonel flinched at the sharp words. And again, I brushed his arms off of me. "The Blue Roses disband… two of us died to that red drake. Me and the other survivor went our separate ways. So, I'm on my own from here."
"Then… come back to Donati with me!"
"Hah?!" My expression stilted, a brow raised as an all too astounded feeling hit me. "You're not serious."
"I am! When am I not?!" Leonel put a hand to his chest. "I know that back then I wanted to focus on the Boreas, on changing the fact James was only using us as tools to keep father and grandfather in check. But… if we weren't Boreas anymore, that wouldn't matter! It'd be better for both of us! You'd be around people who want to see you use your talents!"
"… you mean like the people I've already spent the last two years with?" I let out a sigh. "I think you're forgetting something, Leonel: I don't like the nobility. I've wanted nothing to do with any of this for as long as I could remember! That entire party, the only thing I wanted to do was leave! I don't like it here; I don't want to be here. And going from one noble manor to another isn't going to change a thing."
"You'd just toss that out?!" Leonel looked as surprised as James had been back then. "You've had two years to travel around the country and see what it's like out there. Don't tell me you prefer living that way! You'd still have a place to always go back to, somewhere safe! Not always being on the road, not knowing if you're going to be sleeping under stars or a roof all the time."
"And what if I said I do prefer that? To me, all this crap is just a cage! Doesn't how golden it is, it's not the life I want! I don't want people making decisions for me all because of my name!"
"Who says you wouldn't be able too?"
"Geez, I don't know, James? I doubt the Zephyrus would be any better for me. They'd just be letting me go with as a courtesy to their new heir! If anything I'd just become another bargaining chip for entirely different reasons!"
"That wouldn't happen!"
"Prove it," Leonel flinched at the simple, cutting demand. After a moment, I let out a breath. Then perked up when an idea hit me. "Know what? I have a better way to resolve this than shouting at each other like idiots."
"How?" Leonel raised a brow, and I lifted up Nyle's sword.
"The other thing we promised to do once we met again. A duel. With real blades. You win, I'll go with you to Donati. I win, you don't protest anything I do from here on out."
"Are you really gonna risk all of that on a duel?! You're still the younger brother here, don't forget that!" Leonel's attempt to pull rank on me only earned a glare. "You've had two years, I'm sure you've been up and down Asura! Is there still more you want to do?"
"Are you kidding me?" I threw my arms out as I gave an aghast sound. "I just made B Rank as an Adventurer because I took things slow! There are more things I can still do, places I can still see! I want to delve into ruins and labyrinths, to travel to places like Sharia, Millis, the Begarrit Continent, and maybe even the Demon Continent! I want to head to the Holy Sword Land to keep learning arts as a swordsman, to find more magic I can work into the arts I'm developing as a Mage Knight! And if I'm kept in some gilded cage because of my noble blood and being some useless third son, I'm not gonna be able to do any of that! If I get stopped here… then my party members will have died for nothing, when all they wanted was to go just as far as I do. So… sorry, but I can't go along with your plans, Leonel."
"You're really set on this? On just… running away from everything?" I scoffed at that.
"What am I running away from? I'm not like you or Romeo. I don't have responsibilities as a noble, and I'll repeat it until it gets through your skull that I want nothing to do with it anyway… so, I'll repeat my point," I drew Nyle's sword, raising it until it was level to my shoulder, point towards Leonel. "The only way to change my mind is to beat me. Prove you're stronger than me, and I'll listen to you and go to Donati. If not… then I go with my own plans."
"… fine. Have it your way," Leonel brushed my sword aside, a steely look coming to his face. "If that's how I'll convince you."
"Only thing I'll hear out at this point."
Being in the manor's sparring room felt far different than it had years ago for me. I was used to the lively atmosphere of the Water God Dojo or being out in the wilds. Sure, it was roomy, but far from what I would have preferred now.
Grell had chosen to stand as the witness to the duel. And out of respect, I wasn't going to use Nyle's sword for the fight. Instead, both Leonel and I were armed with two of the many basic swords kept in the hall for training use. Both of us dressed in basic sparring gear to protect what we could even with the duller sparring swords.
But our stances couldn't be more different as we both readied ourselves.
Leonel stood in that familiar fencing stance that was more common among the nobility. Mine was a looser hold on the blade based mainly on the Sword God stance, with my left forearm acting as a rest for the blade. Something I'd settled into as part of the hybrid swordplay and magic style.
If there was a way to say how the two of us had settled in as swordsmen, that alone was enough. But, like our duel two years ago when Leonel tested me for Advanced Rank in Water God Style, I wasn't going to use magic.
Just swordsmanship alone would have to be enough.
"This will be the last chance for either of you to back down," said Grell, looking between us. "Are you both sure this is how you wish to resolve your dispute?"
"Already said I wouldn't listen to anything else," was my final statement on it. Grell then looked to Leonel.
"If it's the only way… then I accept."
"Understood. Then we me as witness, this duel may begin!"
I made the first move as soon as Grell made the call. I knew there was no chance Leonel would make the first move. That wasn't the Water God school's style, even if he was a Sword God user on the side. And swords rang out the second Leonel countered my opening swing, the blades sparking from the friction as Leonel directed his blade to let mine slide past his own.
"Fat chance!" Not even waiting, I gripped my sword two handed, slamming my feet down hard as I shoved into Leonel from the side, refusing to be carried forward. A trick I'd picked up from North God thanks to Renault, a sudden change in direction meant to throw off Water God techniques like Flow.
Leonel growled at the sudden shove, our blades locking together as the guards slammed together. When the lock broke, Leonel was quick to retaliate, and I met the swing head on.
The dueling room was ringing with how often our blades collided as the duel went on. Attacks were met by parries or blocks. Leonel certainly hadn't fallen out of practice. He and I were going blow for blow without any issue. But… there was something that felt off the longer this went on.
Slow… he feels way too slow compared to what I'm used to.
Two years of fighting monsters and needing to adapt to them. Two years of training with a Sword Saint who was still so much stronger than I was now. Two years spent building up a completely different kind of experience than what Leonel had developed.
"Is this all you've got?!" I felt something burning inside of me as I deflected Leonel's blade, my brother stumbling back with a shocked look. When I beat him last time, that was a test. We were even. But now… did he seriously lag behind me despite keeping up his training? What is it? What's the difference? Is it effort or talent? Is this really where I am, and it wasn't enough for me to be able to save my friends?!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Swords continued to ring as those thoughts ran through my head. I could feel it with each blow. I was pushing Leonel back, my swings stronger and more aggressive than his own. Even when he deflected or blocked, I pushed on through any way. Water God, Sword God, North God… I'd use all three to push through anything he threw at me.
I needed to be better. I needed to be more precise. I needed to be more skilled. I needed to be faster. I needed to be stronger.
If I wanted to survive in this world. If I wanted to have the journey I was planning on. I needed to go further. And this place wouldn't do it. The cage of a noble life wouldn't provide that. Stuck with this name, with people who'd see me as nothing but a tool with useable talents.
Enough. I want nothing to do with it. I'm going to get out of here. I'm going to leave it all behind!
A sudden bloom of warmth and pain on my face pulled my full attention back to the fight. Leonel's blade had slipped past mine, and despite the duller edges, had still left a cut right across my left cheek.
"That's my win!" Leonel smirked as his blade moved, and I only scoffed.
"Who said this was to first blood?!" In response, I shouldered Leonel. Hard. The wind flew from Leonel's lungs as he was sent skidding back across the mat, clutching his gut as he tried to collect himself. "What?! Scared you'll lose if this keeps going the way it is?! We duel till one of us can't fight anymore! You want me to accept a loss, then actually beat me!"
"Duels among the nobility…" Leonel stopped as soon as my sword ended up in his face.
"This isn't between nobility. Get it through your fucking head. We're fighting on my terms, an adventurer's terms. None of this clean, first blood shit. I said prove you're stronger than me… and so far, you're doing a shit job," I flicked my thumb across the cut, removing the blood. "One thin cut doesn't mean a thing out there in the field. You get nicked, you keep going. So, like I said, actually beat me!"
Leonel dodged out of the way as my sword came down, the blade lodging into the floor and splintering wood. I didn't even give him the time, ripping the sword upwards. Leonel barely blocked, being sent skidding across the room again as my swing connected. And it was barely a few more moves before I was right in his face again.
One more hit. No dragging this crap out.
My sword was dead silent as I swung it with both hands. Leonel blocked, holding his sword by the hilt and blade in an attempt to parry. But the silent slash connected, and it connected fast and hard. A ping rang through the air as the sword in Leonel's hands broke in two, and the same instant he went flying back until he hit the padded wall of the training room.
"That's enough!" Grell raised his hand as I started approaching Leonel, stepping between him and I with arms raised. "The duel is over. The winner is Lord Aegir."
"That's that," I dropped the sword to the mat, approaching Leonel as he staggered to his feet. "You're not weak, Leonel… looks like I just got stronger than you."
"Why?!" Leonel spat the word out, holding his arm and using the other hand to wipe some blood from his chin. Even with the protective gear and the wall padding, that last hit absolutely did some damage. "Why do you want to leave?! What about Father, everyone back in Roa?! What about Eris?! If you give up being a Boreas, then what about them?"
"What, you think anything I'd do here would matter? Please… did you forget the only reason you and I were here is to be bargaining chips for James? Only use I have is whatever he finds politically useful. I only got two years because I bargained… heh, then again, he was even more shocked than you when I said I wanted nothing to do with all of this."
"THAT! That right there!" Leonel stood in full, grabbing me by the collar of my shirt. "You've ALWAYS been that way! Back then I thought it's just because you were a kid! Of course you'd act out and be rebellious! But I thought that maybe, as you got older, you'd realize what this all meant!"
"… and what would that mean for me?" I gave Leonel a hard look as I asked. "Tell me, exactly, what I'd get out of remaining in this household and accepting the role of nobility instead of living the way I want to."
"You could've become the new head! You're talented enough, smart enough! Hell, from what I saw you're sure chummy with Princess Ariel! You don't have to just be all resigned to this idea you'd get nothing out of staying with the Boreas House or coming with me! And instead, you'd just toss it all aside because you… because you don't care?! Would you really be that selfish?!"
"What part of 'I want nothing to do with this' hasn't already sunk in?!" I grabbed Leonel's arm and yanked him off of me. "This isn't even being selfish! All I am here is a hostage, a tool to be used and discarded! You know that! And do you think I'd have become an adventurer if I was fine with living that way?! If I could've been born a commoner, without any of these damned expectations from you and everyone else, I'd gladly take that over dealing with all of this!"
"Are you kidding?!" Leonel looked aghast. "What about your education, all the opportunities you only got because of this family?! You wouldn't have had any of that if you'd been born in some country house out in the woods!"
"I'd have found a way," And yet I could only affirm the notion. "I'd still do what I am now. Being born into nobility only let me get a head start. One I'm grateful for… but one I'm past now. So, sorry… but I plan to live this life my way. I'm not going to waste it by letting myself get chained down by this nobility stuff."
"What in the hells is…" one of the doors blew open, James trailing off has he stormed in once he saw me and Leonel. For a second, the man took in the sight, his eyes settling on me after registering the messier state Leonel was left in. And without a second to spare he stormed up to me. "What did you do?"
"We just had a duel is all. And I won," James glared as I gave a flat answer. "Though your timing is actually perfect… cause I'm leaving."
"WHAT?!" James' brow cricked as I moved, the man grabbing me before I could get past him. "What do you mean leaving?!"
"Uncle James, let him go," Leonel wiped his chin off, a bitter expression on his face. "We dueled to decide whether Aegir would come with me to Donati or leave… and he won, so he's leaving."
"You two actually think you can just decide those things on your own?!" James snapped, and I raised a brow.
"Leonel's an adult now, and he's not even a Boreas anymore. So… I think he can," Leonel gave me a surprised look, and I brushed James' arm off with a quick flick of my wrist. "And I settled on what I'm doing. I'm leaving the Boreas Greyrats, totally. You won't have to worry about me trying to become the new head over Romeo."
"You would…" James gnashed his teeth, his hands balling until his knuckles turned white. "What's to stop you from returning to Roa and meeting back up with Philip and Sauros?! You think I'd just let you walk out, knowing you could join them and become a tool for their own schemes?"
Schwing!
In an all too quick motion, I retrieved the sword I'd dropped and brought it up under James' chin, the man flinching as his hair settled back from the sudden shift of air.
"I'm not gonna be anyone's tool, family or not," I affirmed the notion, perhaps more to myself than anyone else here. "And if you won't let me walk out peacefully… I'd be perfectly willing to force my way out. And I don't think you or I are confident any of the guards can stop me."
"I… you…" James' face was bright red as he could only grind his teeth as grumble out expletives. I could see it all over his face, that he was running through every option he believed he had to play. Perhaps the biggest roadblock he had through, was the awareness I was in the good graces of one of the royals. Who knew what hell would come down on his head if he did something to tick off even the young princess? "You totally renounce any ties to the Boreas house? Name and even rights associated to your title?"
"I won't even use the Greyrat name. From now on, it's Aegir Greyfeather. If it makes you feel any better, pretend I'm dead."
I lowered the sword, dropping it to the ground and going to Grell to gather my things. Without another word, I exited the sparring room and started down the halls. Nobody followed me all the way out into the foyer, and even into the front yard of the manor. Time to cool off from this simmering feeling, to let my thoughts collect a bit. And, as I got further and further from the manor, closer to the gates leading me back to Ars, a sudden call drew my attention.
"Aegir, wait!" Leonel was hurrying after me, Grell hot on his tail. "You're just… going to leave without any other words?!"
"We settled it, didn't we?" I looked to the side. I didn't want to look Grell or Leonel in the eyes. "Just… let me be selfish, alright? If anything it's better this way. You don't need to worry about James pulling anything."
"Why do you think I wanted to come to Donati with me?!" Leonel's voice cracked a bit. "I wanted to get you away from all of this! Up there… you'd at least be freer to do what you want."
"Why do you think I'm leaving? It's the same result in the end," I shook my head. Now that I'd gotten a few minutes to calm down and think, it was sinking in.
If I left it like this, without the terms being good, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. I didn't hate Leonel; I didn't even blame him for settling on the way his own life was. I had the memories and ideas of someone from a different world, I was working on a totally different mindset than he was. So, I couldn't pin the blame on Leonel for not quite getting my aversion to this nobility stuff.
But… he was my brother. And he'd been there with me for most of my new life in this world. And that mattered for something to me goddammit.
"Look, Leonel…" I sucked in a breath, gathering the nerve to look my brother in the eyes. "I'm doing this because… I want to live on my own terms. Nobody else's. I get it, I really do, and I appreciate you wanted to help me in the way you thought was best. But…" my hands tightened on the straps of my bags and sword. "The kind of life you have, it's not the life I want or feel like I'm for. But… I don't want to ruin our relationship over this crap. So… please, at least let me do this much."
"Aegir…" Leonel had tears welling in his eyes, and he quickly wiped them away. Stepping over, he bumped my chest with a fist. "You know… you never did visit me while you were traveling."
"Hehe… sorry. When I was in Donati we got caught in the border towns during the winter… couldn't have gone towards the capital there even if I wanted to," I put a hand on Leonel's arm, giving him a slight smile. "Next time, I swear I'll drop by… and there won't be any of this stupid family drama to put a wrench in any of it or make us fight. Sound good?"
"Heh… yeah. I'm expecting to hear a lot more stories about you by the time you show up," Leonel bumped my chest again. "And… don't stick to alone, alright? Find a new party to adventure with… and tell me all about the places you end up seeing. Hehe… you're gonna want stories to tell your future nieces and nephews after all."
"Ahaha, c'mon, at least wait until we're in our twenties before you drop that on me," Leonel and I bumped fists, and then I turned to Grell. "Grell… thanks, for everything. I wouldn't have met Ingo if it weren't for you, and you've been nothing but kind to me even if I've been a pain in the ass."
"Service has been my pleasure, Master Aegir," the butler took a low bow, and I nodded to him. "And if I may give some advice, to the young Master Greyfeather, perhaps leave Ars and seek work back in Roa. Adventurers tend to have far more amenable work out in the country than the big city after all."
"Heh… maybe I'll do that."
"If you do… let dad and mom know I'm alright," Leonel and I clasped hands as I gave him an affirming nod. "Good luck Aegir. See you around."
"See you around!" I turned on my heel, giving Leonel and Grell a backhanded wave as I strolled on past the Boreas gates, for what I knew would be the last time in my life.
From now on, I wasn't going to live life as either one or the other. Aegir Boreas Greyrat could be left in the past. Now, I could look forward to the future of Aegir Greyfeather.
To the life of an adventurer. And only an adventurer.