Tuesday morning arrived.
I woke up earlier this morning and Kim Jaesuk keep pestering me to train together.
'Doesn't this guy know that training with him is bad for my heart?'
But I still went to train with him after doing my daily morning task as usual.
"Why are you so energetic today?"
I asked him.
"Hmm? Not really, I'm the same as usual..."
"..."
'This dude...'
I wasn't sure what happened but, I can see that he's trying to cheer me up because he kept complimenting me in every clash.
"Yes, that's it!"
"Nice block, I'm coming again"
"That's a good strength, I almost fell..."
"..."
I'm speechless at his effort, but I really appreciate it.
"Thank you..."
"Huh?"
"Its nothing... Let's finish today's training and go back"
"It's still noon though? How rare"
"Yeah, I need to tell you and Adrian something. I told him to come early as well..."
Cleaning up after practice, we walked home and met Adrian on the way.
"Oh hey, just on time"
He said.
We then arrived at home together and went straight to my room after greeting grandma.
Grandpa's probably fishing again out there.
"I'm leaving the village soon"
"!?"
I dropped the bomb straight away.
"What? Are you crazy? It's dangerous out there!"
Adrian shouted at me while Kim Jaesuk just looked at me.
"Where are you gonna go anyway?"
"I asked grandpa about it, and he said there's a big village nearby. Just about an hour of walk..."
"What about money? And all other stuff?"
"Grandpa said I can take some money and belongings to bring with me"
"He approved of you going?"
Adrian looked surprised, Kim Jaesuk then asked
"Is it because of that time at the forest entrance?"
"Not really, I just wanted to experience how this world looked like"
I'm not lying when I said that.
I really am just curious about how this world look like.
"I'm going to the Empire, to become a student at the academy"
"What the heck is that?"
"...'
---
[The day before]
"Academy?"
"Yes, that's where a lot of people around the continent gather to learn"
"..."
We were sitting near the river when grandpa suddenly mentioned that I should go attend the academy.
"Remember that I told you there are four big influence that can't be ignored? Its the Empire, the Church, the Merchant Association, and lastly the Academy. These four holds the greatest power in the continent"
"How do I get there in the first place?"
"By walking, of course"
"Eh?"
"Get some experience while you're on the way and by the time you reached the academy, you won't be clueless"
"Since it's an academy, don't I need to enrol or something?"
"Don't worry about it. I have a friend there that can let you in straight away. I'll write you a letter and you can give it to him"
"..."
"It's month 10 day 25 right now, so get ready to depart on the first of month 11"
"That quick?"
"Yep, the faster the better don't you think?"
Grandpa gave a quick smile before assuring me
"Don't worry about it, you can bring some supplies for your journey. Talk to your friend about it as well..."
---
"It's a place where I can study about swords, magic, and stuff"
"For what? Aren't you currently learning swords here?"
"It's not enough... I want to become strong faster"
After I said that, silence enveloped us and Kim Jaesuk started speaking.
"Okay... but I'm coming with you"
He said with a serious look.
"Of course you're coming with me"
"?"
"We're together in this remember?"
"..."
"What about me then?"
Looking at Adrian, I nodded at him.
"You're coming too. All three of us will go together to the academy... Grandpa will take care of the enrolment he said"
Nodding at my words, we all then got back to each of our room.
(knock knock)
Just a few minutes after I entered my room, someone knocked on my door.
"It's me..."
"Jaesuk?"
I let him in and we sat next to each other at my bed.
"What's with the sudden decision?"
"..."
"You didn't even talk to me about it..."
"Sorry, but I really want to go"
"Don't you have something to say to me?"
Here comes a question that I can't answer.
'I'm jealous of you, so I want to learn something else at the academy'
"There's nothing..."
"Okay then... when are we departing?"
"Next Monday"
"Grandpa knows?"
"Yep"
"..."
After a brief silence, Kim Jaesuk got up from the bed and walked outside.
I stared at his back before laying down on my bed, closing my eyes to sleep.
---
The day after that, we all continue doing our activities just like usual.
Nothing changes, except for the fact that Kim Jaesuk becomes more silent.
I'm currently sparring with him, but it's very awkward because he's usually more talkative.
Not able to stand the awkward silence any longer, I started speaking.
"What's wrong with you?"
"?"
"Why are you being so quiet?"
"No... it's nothing"
"What was that?"
"It's nothing!"
He said a little agitated.
Hearing his tone of voice, I gradually get upset to.
"Hey I'm just asking what's wrong with you, why'd you get so mad?"
"I'm not mad at all! What're you talking about?"
"With that tone of voice? Dude how long we've been friends for, of course I know when you're mad"
"..."
All of a sudden, he increased the strength of his swing.
"Urk..."
"You know why?"
(tak tak)
"You wanna know why?"
"Wha-"
"It's because you keep deciding thing by yourself!"
"?"
Swinging it harder, he keep pushing me back.
"You could've talked to us before deciding something! Just like before when you get me to ask grandpa to teach us the swords"
"..."
"Why don't you talk to me first?!"
"I- I'm just..."
"Just what?"
"The idea was spontaneous, the one with the sword..."
"What the heck"
Hearing my answer, he suddenly stopped his approach.
I then continued speaking
"For the academy trip, grandpa was the one who suggested it..."
"?"
"The way he talks, it's like he's trying to get us to leave faster... that's why I decided that it would be best to agree straight away"
"I see..."
After explaining it to him, he looks less upset than before.
But I still can't tell him that a slightly part of me wants to go to the academy for a more selfish reason.
"Okay... I get it now"
Saying that, Kim Jaesuk put away his sword.
"Then let's make sure we get a bit stronger before leaving"
Then he walked outside to the field, followed by me.
Seeing him walking to the middle of the field, Ars is currently practicing a swinging motion whilst Sutra is nowhere to be seen.
"What do you guys need?"
Ars then stopped his training and asked us.
To my surprise, Kim Jaesuk then bowed his head.
"Please train us!"
"What?"
"We want to get stronger quickly, please help us!"
He keep the bowing posture while asking for Ars' help.
Seeing him like that, I've no choice but to do the same.
Bending my upper body slightly, I begged Ars as well
"Please help us..."
Ars looked a little overwhelmed before realising that everyone on the field is currently looking at us.
Seemingly having no other choice, Ars scratched his head before sighing
"Aghh fine... on one condition though"
"What condition?"
Smiling slightly, Ars said
"I won't hold back.."