In a blink of an eye, three days passed. Today was the day that Alicia was leaving to continue her journey to the capital. She woke up early this morning and specifically woke up the two sleepy heads next to her so that they could say their goodbyes. She put on her normal armor and the new metal plates that she had recently had made for her over it. The owner even put a magical enchant on them so that she would not outgrow them right away. They would grow along with her every time she put them on. Alicia was very happy about this since she did not know when she would be able to get another set of armor later on in the future and the best part was that they did not charge her for the extra service!
Looking stylish in her new gear Alicia put her sword on her hip and walked out of the cottage towards the main hall. Loeri found a comfortable spot on top of her head and fell back asleep while Frey was munching on a ball of Magicule for breakfast.
When Alicia got to the front door she was met by the entire Whittlee family. Ela and Rebecca had tears in their eyes, Scott was staring blankly at Alicia like he always did with his cheeks bright red, and Dalton looked at the little girl all decked out in her armor and gave a warm smile.
"Alicia the next time you are passing through you will have to come and visit us. Maybe by then my little brats will be half as disciplined as you are." Dalton said as he walked forward and patted Alicia's right shoulder.
"Uncle what about Frey!? What About Frey!? Will you miss Frey too!?" Frey jumped up and down shaking her fist in the air, feeling left out of the goodbyes.
"Haha! Little one, do not worry I will also miss you. You're more than welcome to come and visit when you get older too." Dalton gently patted the top of Frey's head making sure he was very delicate in the process because he was afraid he might hurt the little fairy. Frey only giggled and hugged Dalton's finger causing Dalton to chuckle.
"Alicia I wish you could stay longer. I had so many things I wanted to do with you and show you!" Ela said as tears rolled down her cheeks. She was already acting like Alicia was her blood related daughter.
"Aunt Ela, I promise I will come and visit when I have a chance and we can go out to eat and do some shopping together." Alicia firmly promised. Ela always gave her a motherly feel which she truly missed.
Rebecca walked over to Alicia and gave her a big hug before bursting out in tears sobbingly saying: "Big Sister don't go! Who will play with me when you leave!?" Alicia patted Rebecca's back and let the little girl cry until she calmed down.
"Rebecca I promise to come back. You will be my eternal little sister okay?" Alicia said with a smile as she wiped the tears from Rebecca's eyes.
"Promise?" Rebecca asked quietly.
"Yep, I promise!" Alicia answered as she gave Rebecca another hug. This caused Rebecca to finally smile.
Alicia then turned to Dalton and said: "Uncle Dalton I want to thank you for the hospitality that you have given me and my family. I also want to thank you for sparing with me these past few days. The things I have learned have been very insightful and has helped me improve my swordsmanship by leaps and bounds.
"You're too courteous! The help I gave was because you will be my junior soon and one day you maybe even be someone I have to look up to! Just make sure you do not fall down the wrong path as you get older. Don't follow any weird men when you reach the capital. Although some might offer candy, do not follow them!" Dalton said seriously. Alicia couldn't help but laugh. He was still treating her like a little kid. Just on this though made Alicia feel warmth in her heart.
"I promise! Uncle Dalton, Aunt Ela, Little Sister Rebecca, Big Brother Scott, Thank you for being so kind to a stranger like me. I hope to see you all soon!" With these words, Alicia walked out the front door afraid to look back as a few tears welled up into her eyes. She did not want to cry. These past few days had really made her feel a bit homesick but at the same time, it made her feel the love of a family.
"Not going to cry?" Loeri asked in a soft voice.
"Nope. Partings are always hard but they are unavoidable. The Whittlees are very good people. Uncle Dalton is the perfect example of what a knight should be like. I hope there are more of such righteous knights in the capital." Alicia sniffed as she pushed her tears fully back. Her eyes were even more full of determination now. Her path was set. She wanted her dream of being a knight to come true. Meeting knights like Dalton only strengthened her resolve to become a knight. She did not care about hardships or if she had blood on her hands. As long as nothing went against the code of a knight she would not care about the rest. Those who had sinister thoughts and did not care for the life of another did not deserve to live anyways. Those she has killed up until now were all lives that deserved to die for their actions.
Time flew by and Alicia was now standing on a hill that overlooked the main road. In front of her was a large line of carriages that were awaiting entry to the city in front of her. This was the capital of Alastine the City of Virtue!
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