"It's all your fault.."
"If you never had mess with the device, we could've…."
(No. I didn't intend…)
"Search him! Maybe he's carrying substance."
(It was all just …)
"Xaviel Mobius, by the right of the campus board. We hereby ban you from the Quantum Research Laboratories and file a report on the allegations of using narcotics."
(No… Why would no one..)
(Believe… me?)
"HUAAA!!" Xaviel screamed as he woke up. His body was tingling and drenching in sweat. As he became soberer, he looked around the room and said, "Where am I?"
(That's right, I am at the Crestia's household.) Thought Xaviel.
(To dream about it again. The mess I made.)
He rose from the bed and moved towards the window.
(Maybe I am at fault, but it doesn't make them right to treat me like that. How selfish!)
"What are you doing at the window?" Said a familiar voice.
Xaviel was startled and looked at his back. The voice originated from Serena, who was opened and entered the room.
"Um… What are you doing?"
"What? This?" Serena's face suddenly became red.
"Don't get the wrong idea !!! It's just... I heard screaming." She continued.
"Oh. Gosh. Sorry for bothering you.."
"No worries. Guess I should be going."
"Wait!!"
"What is it?"
"Can you come here by the window for a sec?"
"Ew. No."
(THIS B. WHY IS THERE AN 'EW'?) Thought Xaviel.
"I promise it's nothing weird. I just need to talk. To someone." Xaviel looked down.
Serena stayed silent, not responding to his words.
"But, I understand, maybe-"
"I am all ears," Serena suddenly responded to him and walked towards the window.
"Thank you.."
Serena and Xaviel are now both at the window. They're both looking to the outside view as the morning breeze flows through the air.
"Is this about last night?" Serena asked him.
"Yes.."
"I don't suppose your really amnesiac. I laughed from the first time I heard that excuse," Serena said as she smiled.
"Hey. I tried my best!" Xaviel responded, slightly annoyed.
"So if it's really not that. Do you have no other place to return? Maybe where your friends and family are?"
"Haha...I guess that's the problem.."
"I don't think they really… want.." Xaviel tries to explain, but his words are somehow restrained.
"I see. So you and your people had an 'argument.'"
"Yes…"
"And you ran away?"
"Mmm... Not intentionally.."
"Then you should go back."
"Huh? But why? I don't really think that they-"
"So you and they had an argument. They didn't understand how you felt. And in turn, You didn't know how they felt. Even if you misunderstand one another, that doesn't mean the other wants them gone." Serena explained.
(How would I feel? If I were in their position?)
(To have my lifetime work destroyed by an overslept douchebag who didn't even bother to prepare well for presentation day?)
(I would be angry)
(But that someone suddenly disappeared. The person who was used to be my partner, best friend.)
(I guess… I would be worried.)
"One mistake may make you a criminal, but to a friend. If they considered you more than a just any other friend. A best friend. They would let you make up for your past mistakes. At least that's what I know." Serena said as she smiled towards Xaviel.
"I guess. What your saying is true." Xaviel then smiled back towards her.
"Since that's settled. Let's have breakfast," Serena walked towards the room's door.
"I'll be right down," Xaviel replied.
(What Serena said was right. That means I must find a way back home. The question is, how?)
Xaviel then prepared himself and exited through the door of his room. He walks swiftly through the 2nd-floor hall to the staircase. He went down and continued his walk to the dining room.
Mika happily waved at him while Hoff and Quilla greeted him as he entered.
"How's your bed? Was it comfy enough?" Said Quilla.
"Yes, thank you, Madam Quilla," Xaviel replied.
"You're welcome," Quilla smiled as she began to scoop mashed potato and feed it to Mika, who was drawing on a piece of paper.
Xaviel then took a look at the table.
Serena was already finished her breakfast. Her plate was empty clean. Now she is accompanying Mika drawing.
(Wow, that was fast… To think she can eat that fast) Thought Xaviel.
While Hoff was still reading a newspaper, simultaneously sipping coffee, leaving his chicken mashed potato untouched. Xaviel notices someone is missing from the table and asks, "Where's Maru?".
"Maru usually doesn't come home," Serena answered.
"Ever since he got promoted, Maru had a lot of duties. He usually stays over in the village guard base. However, sometimes he would come home when free," Hoff explained to Xaviel.
"I see. He is really a good guy," Xaviel said.
"He? You mean Maru?" Hoff asked, hoping to clear the confusion.
"Yes. I think Maru is inspirational. He is very dedicated to his duties and consistently abides by rules for everyone's safety. I would really like to be like him," Said Xaviel as he smiled.
"Haha. Well, you sure can be like Maru. But I rather have you working for me than to Mylen's family," Hoff said laughingly.
"Speaking of which, I am starting the job today, right? When are you gonna give me the details?" Xaviel asked.
"Ah yes. How about you finished breakfast first, then meet me in the backyard again," Hoff suggested.
"Seems okay to me," Xaviel agrees.
Hoff then rose from his seat and proceeded to walk towards the backyard, leaving the cup and newspaper on the table,
(Wait… Mr Hoff… finished? I don't recall him eating breakfast yet) Thought Xaviel.
Then his eyes went onto Hoff's plate. There was no more food available there. Xaviel then was mesmerized. Hoff had managed to finish his breakfast in a very short interval without him noticing.
(This man is impressive) Thought Xaviel.
***
Hoff had taken Xaviel for a walk, they started to walk from the backyard towards the mountain. For about 20 minutes, they walked, crossing the plains until they reached the Village's border gate. Unlike the other entrance (where Maru guarded), it was filled with more people. 5 gate guards were present at the village gate. They were also armed with crossbows, greatswords, and maces.
Xaviel was amazed, as he had never seen such medieval weaponry up close before. Hoff notices his amazement as he says, "Amazing, isn't it? Our guard's weapons are imported from the Avaloria Province."
"I should tell you some details of your work. But, let's get inside first," Hoff continued. He and Xaviel are now standing in front of a shack. Hoff took out a key and opened the door to the shed.
Creek
There is a bed, bookshelves, desk, and chair inside the room. The room was like a mini home. Hoff then told Xaviel to sit on top of the bed while grabbing and scooting the chair facing him.
"I am about to tell you about the continent and its rule, and maybe we'll tap on a bit of history too, is that alright with you?" said Hoff.
"Alright," Xaviel answered and began to listen intently
"In this continent, we are united under the rule of King Kyma Rizes, the indomitable King of this continent. Before, this land was a battlefield. A battlefield of the war between 12 countries. The King was no ordinary man. He had the power to desolate all his opposing army. Not long after his rise as the leader of his own country, he quickly became the victor of the long war between 12 countries. Under his rule, he decreed that all the war losers may keep their territorial land not as a country but as a province of his kingdom. He also demanded to have 1/6 of the continent, which the other provinces would have no choice but to comply with. Then it began. Every province became a small country limited by The King's power. Those same provinces are now led by The Strongest families on the continent. We know them in this era as the aristocrats," Hoff explained to Xaviel.
"So, the Kirzig Village is ruled by one of those aristocrats?" Xaviel asked.
"Yes, and No," Hoff responded to Xaviel's confusion.
"By the law of King Kyma, it is true that the aristocrat family would rule the province. However, Kirzig Village is actually built illegally by this province's natives," said Hoff.
"I don't really understand. Can you elaborate?" Xaviel asked.
"Sure. Our province is named "Mylenia" and is governed by the Mylen family." Hoff said
(I heard that name before) Thought Xaviel.
"The one who owns the forest, and you said on the table?" Xaviel promptly asked.
"Yes, precisely. The Mylen family is quite a unique one. From my own experience as the son of a former steward at the household, They were greedy rulers who cared only to expand their grand mansion located northwest of this Village. Before there was a small town, it was demolished, and people were forced to be workers that lived in the bunkers like a prisoner," said Hoff.
"That's.." Xaviel gasps.
"The workers had never sought salvation until my father, Gallow Crestia, sent a secret message to Kingdom Capital. Since the aristocrat family who rules the province had to attend Kingdom Summit every 2 months, the word of power misconduct came to other provinces' rulers. Forcing the corrupt Mylen family to give back the workers' right to live. This brings us to this moment where Kirzig Village is built by my father and where Mylenia may flourish and be happy. Though, of course, our free will come with a price. Can you guess what was it?" Said Hoff.
"Workers. The Village Guards. Am I right?" Xaviel said
"Precisely. You're really a smart man Xaviel." Hoff said.
"So, what was the point of telling me this?" Xaviel asked.
"Xaviel, I know you're secret," Hoff said.
(What? My secret? Does he know?) Thought Xaviel.
"You…."
"What on earth?" Xaviel eye's widened.
(What did he just say? )Thought Xaviel.