*Chirp chirp
The birds chirping outside can be heard as I walk down the stairs with a huge bag on my back.
When I came to it, it was already time to depart.
The effect of sensei's attack left me sleeping for several days. Just thinking about the fight makes my body starts to hurt again, or the spiritual side to be exact.
The last attack that she used was not meant to deal damage on the physical body but to the spiritual body. It ignores the physical defence.
Though it may be a powerful attack, one cannot learn it without mastering the Fierce Soul and Etheria control.
"Do you really need to go now? Are you sure you're okay now?"
The one talking on my right is Alou. She had a worried face while saying talking to me.
"Yeah, I'm fine now. Sorry I wasn't able to fulfil my promise…."
"Wh-what are you talking about? I should be the one apologising to you! Saying those selfish request…."
Silence….
Silence invaded the place for a while before it was disturbed by a clap.
Clap, clap.
"What are you two doing just standing there?"
"Ah, sensei…."
It was Martha-sensei. She poses like she's mad but she was smiling.
"Thank you for preparing this things for my journey sensei."
I said while holding the strap of the bag on my back.
The huge bag that I'm carrying is prepared by Martha-sensei from what I heard from Alou. Both of them put many things in here for me to use while traveling.
I haven't got the time to check it but since it is Martha-sensei and Alou, I'm sure everything inside this bag are all helpful.
"You can stop calling me sensei now, you already finished studying under me after all. Martha is fine. I'll allow you to use my name without honorifics, ufufu"
She seems to be enjoying this so I guess I'll just play along.
"Eh? O-okay, M-Martha?"
She reaches on the pocket and pulled out a white envelope and put it towards me.
"Ufufu, good boy. Now take this."
"This is?"
I took the white envelope as I ask the question.
I looked at its seal and turned back to Martha-sensei.
"I, Arch Mage Class Martha, part of the Ethericia Council, hereby declare Ares as a Mage Practitioner who finished his training and is now granted the title "Master"! Take that as a recommendation to the Magic School."
After she said so, words begun to magically appear on the white envelope.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH??????????!!!!"
Suddenly, the two people behind Martha-san who has been keeping quiet up until now made a loud voice and shocked reaction.
Only Alou is unfazed. What is going on?
"Both of you are being too loud Espina, Leutte."
"M-Martha-san, are you sure about this? Isn't it a bit early to…."
"Early what? Weren't you watching when we fought? Can you really say that it is early Espina?"
"T-that's right Martha-san, Espina is right, jumping from Apprentice to Master is unheard of."
"Not at all Leutte."
The one who answered was not Martha, but Alou.
"Alou?"
"In the records, one man was able to jump from the lowest to the highest rank you know."
"B-but that is…."
"It is Martha's decision to make. I trust Martha's eyes on evaluating a person's talent, are you not?"
"O-ofcourse I believe in that too, I'm just…. Surprised."
"That is true… even the prodigy Aloumine-sama started from the bottom after all."
They started talking about things I can't comprehend but one thing is for sure, this is a very unusual thing.
"Enough, enough… I've made up my decision, so that's it. Anyone has a say to it? Hmm?"
"N-no ma'am…."
When Martha said so, Espina and Leutte straighten their backs and answered.
Looking at Leutte, it seems that she has more to say but was unable to say it because of Martha. If it is something that will shake even Leutte then this is a very important thing.
I need to give my thanks.
"Thank you, Martha-sama, and Alou too. From the looks of it, the two of you planned this together."
I looked at Alou while saying so.
"S-seriously…. This is the only time when your observation is admirable Ares…"
"Eh? Is that a compliment or what?"
Ahahaha.
Everyone started laughing leaving me with a large imaginary question mark above my head.
I said my goodbye and thanks to everyone here. I am really grateful to them.
Alou started to weep while I'm giving my gratitude to them. She was reluctant but she was able to calm down after a while.
I brushed her head and hair one last time.
"…Thank you everyone, we will meet again. "
After I said my goodbye to everyone I walked right above the circle located at the center of the fountain on Alou's mansion.
I started pouring etheria on the circle and it started glowing, sign that the magic is activating.
I looked back at everyone behind me and waved at them goodbye.
Light started to block my view and the last thing I saw was the teardrop of Alou's eyes running down on her cheeks while she was sending me off with a smile.
I closed my eyes and after a while, the feeling on the sole of my foot touching the ground.
As I opened my eyes, a different and unknown place came into my view.
I am now standing outside the Nymph Forest's barrier.
If I walk a few kilometres I will reach the exit of the forest.
The feeling of excitement suddenly run around my body.
I gripped the strap of my bag and took my first step.
"Goodbye, Nymph Forest."
I uttered those words as I move forward…