After I leave the Adventurer's Guild, I start walking towards the office where Corvin might be. If he isn't there like last time, I will just try to practice my sword techniques with a stick there. I am not someone who will waste an opportunity when it arises.
Plus, even if Corvin is there, I can still do the sword practice with sticks because I won't be able to do anything. I am only there to tell him where to tie the threads.
Oh.
That reminds me.
How old am I?
I think I am almost 5 years old.
I think I will turn 5 around next week, I think?
Really.
How old do humans have to be to finally get their ability?
It is taking so long.
Anyway, along the way, I started sneezing for no reason. Like, why? Every now and then, I start sneezing for no apparent reason. Am I coming down with a cold, or what?
Anyway, after around 20 minutes of walking, I finally reach the office where Corvin might be. I knock on the door. Expecting that the same guy as last time will answer, I wait a bit. I hear footsteps from behind the door and it opens.
I get surprised by the face who opened the door. That face was Corvin. A bit weird though. Isn't he supposed to be on patrol right now? Oh well.
"Hi Corvin. I thought you are on patrol right now?"
"Oh. That. Well, there is supposed to be an influential noble coming to this village. The lower ranking soldiers, like me, are checking on the village's order and are making sure that no major crime happens while the nobles are here."
Oh?
That is the first time I heard of this. An influential noble coming here? Also, coming on the exact same week I turn 5. What an amazing coincidence. I wonder what kind of person that noble is. If they are nice, I might just apply to work there when I get older.
Hey, wait.
Was that the reason my parents weren't in the house this morning? There was a meeting about the noble's visit and they were called there as well? That makes sense for father but, mother has a job?
I am kind of getting off track here. I always overthink things. I should stop that.
"So, are you allowed to come to the base with me?"
"Yes. I knew you were coming, so I asked my superior to schedule my break around the time I thought you were coming here. But, we have to finish it fast. After my break, most of us will be going to the nearby volcano to make sure that there isn't a powerful monster living there."
Oh.
Then, I will make sure not to bother you so that we can finish our business fast.
"Alright, I will not get in your way so that you can finish tying it together before you have to go on your expedition."
"Thank you for understanding my situation, Alex."
"You are welcome."
After finishing our conversation, we walk through the front gates, follow the trees we left marks on, and finally arrive at the giant tree in the clearing.
When we arrived, I thought of something important.
"Corvin."
"Yes?"
"How much thread can you produce?"
"I can produce as much as I want. However, it takes concentration to carefully wrap threads around something."
"Ok."
Hmm.
Maybe I can also try to understand him and his past more.
After our brief exchange, Corvin headed towards the pieces of wood we left the last time we went here. I watched while Corvin as he grabbed one piece of wood and threads started coming out of his fingers. He then slowly manipulated the threads from his fingers around the piece and wrapped it tightly. He repeated the process with another piece of wood and connected them together.
Actually, it only took around 5 minutes to connect 2 pieces. We might finish this in less than an hour. However, I really want to start talking to him. I know I said that I will practice but, the silence is just too loud.
"Corvin, is it okay if I ask you some questions?"
"Ok. Go ahead."
"What was life like for you when you were younger?"
"Oh."
After I said that, Corvin's face darkens. Did I ask something I shouldn't have? I think I definitely did. I must change the subject.
"Sorry. If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay."
"No. It is just, I remembered something painful. But, since it is you, I can tell you about it."
Painful? Was his life before coming to Vulcan bad?
"I was born in the royal capital of the Anastelo Kingdom, Axanon. My family were commoners who were having trouble paying rent for our house."
"You were born in the royal capital!?"
"Yes, I was."
Unexpected place of origin. However, he said a family of commoners. That means, he must have had an incentive for him to become a knight. Why did he become a knight?
"What was your family like?"
"My family? Well, before I left to go here, I had a younger sister who was around your age and my mother. I also had an older brother."
Oh.
Didn't he say that they were having trouble paying rent? Why did you leave them? No, wait. That is not the thing I should be asking. Had an older brother?
"You said that you had an older brother?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago."
Died.
That is...
He must have felt grief when he died. I would be overwhelmed with misery if I had a sibling who died.
"I am sorry for that. What was your brother like?"
"My brother was named Travis. We were always competing with each other when we were younger. I loved and admired him so much. Then, when our sister was born, he dropped out of school to become a royal knight. He was able to become one and sent us money every month."
Wow.
Such close ties to his older brother. Plus, he was even able to become a royal knight. I am assuming that they are knights for the King himself.
"Then, assassins came to kill the King in the early morning. Travis was the last one to leave, so he was the one who fought them. He was able to restrain them and stop them from killing themselves but died on the way to the royal court magician."
That is...
I don't have words to describe the amount of sadness he must be feeling. I think that I might cry.
"That was when I decided to become a knight as well so that I can continue the legacy of my brother. Well, I think I am still far from becoming a knight worthy of serving the King. If Travis was still alive, I think he would say, 'What? I can do that much faster than you!'."
That is a good reason.
His resolution must be as hard as rock.
My evaluation of Corvin is rising. Before, I thought that he could be someone friendly to talk with. Now, I think he now more like a person to admire. Wow. However, I still have some questions.
"How about your sister and mother?"
"I won a tournament and gave most of the prize money to them. I also hired guards for them as well."
"What are their names?"
"My mother's name is Lia and my sister's name is Sierra."
Lia and Sierra.
If I meet them on my journey, I will make sure to tell them that Corvin is doing fine.
"Well, it looks like I am done with the tying."
What?
I look at the pieces of wood. They don't look like pieces anymore, though. They look like a box. There is even a door! How were you able to do that!?
Looks like time flew by fast while we were talking.
"Will you be on time for your expedition to the volcano?"
"Yeah, I think I will."
"Thank you for your help."
I said those words from the bottom of my heart.
"You are welcome, Alex."
After saying that, Corvin turned around and started running through the trees. Corvin is an amazing guy. I think that was the first time we had a talk like that.
And so, the outside walls of my base were finished.