"You are, huh. I understand that you want to stay here because it this place is very cool but, won't it be better for you to be going back home?"
"What do you mean?"
"You see, there is this rule for people to not leave Quaran unless they have a significantly powerful entourage to protect themselves during this time of the year to minimize casualties on the snowy mountain path. Plus, you guys were captured by some kidnappers and I don't even know what kind of things you had to deal with even before that."
I somehow always run into people who seem to care for me at times when I can't afford to listen to their advice. I love the fact that there are many people in this world who care about me but, they always tell me not to get into dangerous situations when my future is going to be nothing but that. That is why I must soldier on and just keep going, even if I have to ignore them.
"Actually, I don't want to go back home. I know that my parents and everyone else I know will support any decision I make but, if I go back home without results, the entire trip would have been wasted and all the experience I could have gotten here would be as well. So, I will have to politely decline your proposal."
"You're that kind of person then, Alexander. Well, if that is you want to do then, I shouldn't try to stop someone who is trying to become an honorable fighter when I also ignored the advice of my friends all those years ago."
He just tried to give me advice when he also ignored the same kind of advice when he was in my position!?
"Okay, bye!"
One footstep later and I stopped sensing the presence of both Glaive and Alyssia. I hope that they will be fine and will be able to continue on with their regular lives.
"Now that they have left and we are by ourselves, let's get going to the entrance, shall we?"
We then proceeded towards the gate where a line has formed. Weird. I thought that there wouldn't be this many people coming to Quaran when it was still cold. This place is just that famous. Their reason for coming to this place is obvious though.
They probably came here for the main attraction of this city once every 2 years during this season. The ceremonial test of power known as the Proving. It is said to be sacred ritual to decide if the next generation of knights is strong enough to protect what they hold dear. It is even shown to just about every major settlement on this continent through artifacts that I think are very powerful due to them being able to show images to places hundreds of kilometers away.
This kind of audience is also going to be present when I finally get into the Proving. I will shock the world when I pass on my first try. But, before anything ambitious like that, I must actually be able to get inside first.
- 30 MINUTES LATER -
Damn was that line very long. It took us around 30 minutes just to finally reach the entrance. I just hope that this security check is not going to take us too long. If it does then, I will have to avoid getting into to many cities because of the wait alone!
"Hello there. How many people are coming in?"
"Yes, hello. The there are 10 of us coming inside right now."
"I see. Alright, take out your Identification Cards now so that we can scan them."
Wait, Identification Cards? I don't think I have ever heard that term being used before.
"Um, excuse Mister Guard but, I don't think I have one of those things with me."
"What, you don't? Hmm... is this your first time visiting a city before?"
"Yes."
"So, you came from a village. Which village did you come from?"
"I'll answer that. He came from Vulcan and we are the guards who were assigned with escorting him all the way here."
"Vulcan? Guards? Wait, are you a-"
"If you are going to say that I am a Zetranos then, yes I am. Please don't sweat over the small details, okay."
"You really are a Zetranos! Um, so, I only need you to tell me the full name of the child and the name of the man you are delivering this child to so that I can check the records."
"Sure. The boy's full name is Alexander Noxien Zetranos. The name of the man we serve is Lord Ostensio Loros Elsher. He is the elder brother of his mother, check it in your records. We will need to get going soon."
"Yes."
Wow.
The influence of my name is useful all the way here as well. That is certainly very convenient for all of us. Also, that is the name of my uncle? If that is so then, my mother's last name before she married my father was Elsher. That is an interesting fact to know about. I can't believe I actually never asked her this directly. I am such a fool for not asking my own parents about their past!
"I have just consulted the records and yes, the information you have given us is correct. Welcome to the Mountain City. I hope you find that your stay here will be quite satisfactory."
"Bye."
"Goodbye. I expect great things from the descendant of the 1st Hero."
That again.
*********************
"We're here."
"Whoah!"
I just spread my tendrils to check the layout of the house and, oh my Death God.
What is this!? This is the house my uncle owns?! I figured that they must have been important because of the fact that they have a last name but, are they some kind of noble!? This is certainly going to be interesting as a boy who lived his entire life surrounded by nature in a remote village suddenly starts living with his uncle and his family in a huge house in a famous city.
Yup, I am definitely not dreaming right now.
"Do you like your new home?"
"Um, yeah."
"Good. I will introduce you to our lord right now and the rest of his family once we get inside."
We started walking down a path right towards the main entrance. I am getting a bit nervous. What if they are actually pretty strict!? What if they expect me to be someone who is amazing and ask me to do something I can't?!
"Here we go!"
My tendrils felt the door open and it was amazing. The moment my tendrils slipped in to check the interior of the house, I was stunned. Such a huge amount of space?! Is this what it is like for those living as nobles!? Wait, does that mean that Luscia has an even bigger and more extravagant place where she was born because she is the King's niece?!
I underestimated the amount of money these people known as nobles have. I will need to get used to this soon.
"Ah, welcome back my guards! It is so nice to see all of you back after a while. I was starting to think that something happened."
"Don't worry about us, Sir! We just ran into some minor inconvenience and were late by a few days. Please forgive us!"
"I won't punish you. As long as it is okay with my nephew then, it is alright! I assume that you are my nephew? You look a bit different than what Irene told me in her letters. Your name is Alex, correct?"
"Yes, Sir! M-my name i-is Alexander N-Noxien Zetranos, Sir! I am happy that you have let me live with you!"
Oh my Death God am I pathetic. Just kill me now so that I don't have to suffer anymore!
"You don't have to be so worried. Just relax. We are your family after all. Also, hearing my own nephew call me Sir is off-putting so, just call me Uncle."
"Okay..."
He is a lot different than what I thought he would be like. He is kind of like that one guy in your family who is always relaxed and is the jovial type.
"Oh, yes, I forgot. Ray, come over here!"
"Okay, Daddy!"
Ray?
Also, wasn't that the voice of a young girl? So, my cousin is a girl as well. I wonder why fate can't give me someone who is a guy. The name of my cousin is Ray, huh. That is a name that kind of sounds masculine but also feminine at the same time.
"I'm here!"
Before I knew it, I heard the voice of Ray again. This time, in the room where we are right now. Time for a good first impression!
"Hello-"
"Oh, hi guys! Nice to see all of you again. Huh? Who are you supposed to be? I never saw you before."
Well, there goes my chance at a good first impression with her!