It was before noon that Celes visited the chief for the last time. If she is being honest, she is still feeling uncomfortable after the previous incident. However, the chief helped her a lot of time, so she felt obliged to say goodbye before leaving the village.
"I see. You decided to leave the village."
Celes sat down on the floor. The girl bowed her head.
"Thanks for letting me stay in this village."
A week has already passed. It was an enjoyable vacation for her. The scenery, atmosphere, event, and everything about the village are just peaceful. Truly an unforgettable experience.
"It's rare for a visitor to stay here. I apologize for what I did a few days ago. It was rude of me to scare you like that. I didn't mean any harm to you or your teacher."
"It is okay." Celes lets an awkward laugh. "I know you're not trying to hurt me or anything. Also, I've experienced something way scarier. So it's not a problem."
It was a bit of a flashback for her. The first time Celes met Lumina, it was like hell. It traumatized her a bit, but because of it, she could become stronger.
"I am curious. Can I ask something?" Argus spoke. "Is there anyone else in the village who knows you can do magic? What you did is kinda creepy."
"Only a few people know. I would appreciate it if you could keep it a secret, just like the others."
Argus nodded.
The chief has a lot of secrets. The village, forest, barrier, why no one may go out, and maybe many more.
"Are we done?"
"Yes. Lumina is waiting for me at the entrance. She might get mad if I keep lingering here."
Celes stood, and Argus does the same. It's time to leave.
"Once again, thanks for everything."
"If there is another chance, I hope you will visit this village again. Everyone will welcome you in a better way next time."
For three days, Celes was teaching the older woman in the villages how to cook. It was Argus's request, so her mother could cook better. Now she got along almost with everyone in the village.
"Uh, I am not sure I can promise that." Celes forced a smile. "Anyway, what is with you?" Celes gave a weird expression to Argus.
"Nothing." The boy looked away.
The two of them only met briefly. After what happened, Argus thought of Celes as a good friend. It surprised him they had gotten this close in such a short amount of time considering Celes come from outside.
This is the first time Argus experienced a goodbye, not because of someone's death. And yet, it still made him sad.
"To be honest, I never expected you to feel sad because I will leave the village."
"Sh-shut up! I am not sad. I just feel grateful because you taught my mother how to cook."
Lumina gave Celes three days to do what she wants. Within those three days, Celes taught several people in the village how to cook. This is her first time teaching other people to cook.
"Argus."
The chief soft voice attracts attention.
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Are you curious about the outside world?"
"Eh?"
Argus doesn't understand. Where does this question come from? He was only there to take Celes off. For some reason, listening to the outside world from the chief's mouth makes Argus' body shiver.
"Do you want to go outside?"
"Huh…"
Argus is at a loss for words. He just stood at the same point, feeling uncomfortable and confused.
There's no rule or anything to talk about outside the world. However, when you were born here, you seemed to be bound to that place. It's just like an instinct. Even if someone makes a conversation about it, no one talks about how they want to go outside. This village is enough for you, thus there's no point talking about anything beyond the forest.
"So, how about it? If I give you a chance, do you want to go?"
"Can… I?" His voice trembled. He looks perplexed. "Are you serious? I… I can go?"
Why? He is there for almost twenty years, but why only now? He thought for a moment. Nothing makes sense. He always prepares himself to live trapped there forever, like everyone else. If there's a chance in the future he could go to any place, of course, he wouldn't hesitate to take it. Argus holding back his confusion and tears at the same time. Just stop, as his mind speaks.
"Celesta Arcenite, can I ask you for a favor? Would you please be kind enough to take Argus with you?"
"Eh, with me? I am not sure if I can do that. I mean, it's up to my teacher."
Celes is sure that they will go with Lumina's teleportation magic. So, this is beyond her capabilities remembering how strict Lumina rules against a stranger.
"If it's you, I am sure she will listen to your request."
"Alright. I will try to ask my teacher."
The chief and Argus had helped her during her stay in their village. What is the worst case that could happen?
"Wait, a moment! I haven't said yes."
"Do you not want to?"
"That's now what I mean. It's just too sudden. Why now? And why me? I don't understand."
"Can you promise me something?"
"Huh? Promise? What is it?"
"After you go to a lot of places. Learn and experience many things out there. Promise me that one day you will come back here to this village."
Argus shrugged his shoulders tensely. His heart has mixed feelings. However, as the chief said. It was his only chance, so there was no way he would refuse.
"I promise. I promise I will come back here."
"Good. You have my permission. Please be careful. You've never been outside, so listen carefully to what Celes says."
Argus and Celes were still standing at the same spot. Both of their faces look the opposite completely. One looks happy, and the other seems troubled.
As soon as they left the house. Argus jumped and screamed in joy. He doesn't care if someone heard him.
"Ooh!!!! I don't know what the hell happened," he paused as he remembered something. Argus still didn't understand, but it didn't matter. "W-wait a moment! I need to tell my parents and prepare some stuff!"
Celes was overwhelmed speechless to see Argus' stupid face as he ran. Too dumb to notice that the girl can just leave him. Sadly, she still had the conscience not to do that.
Celes walked with her backpack toward the front of the village. She can see Lumina standing waiting at the entrance.
"Are you done?"
"I want to ask you something, but can you promise not to be angry?"
"When was the last time I was angry with you? Getting angry at you will just exhaust me and waste my time."
When Lumina crossed her hand, the brown cape moves a bit.
"I don't know. You seemed angry every time. Especially when I made mistakes."
"Hmm?!" Her eyebrows sharpened looking scary.
"No, no, no… that's not what I mean!" Celes's reflex took a step back.
"If you have anything to say, just say it already!"
While avoiding Lumina's eyes, Celes gulped and opened her mouth. "Uh, do you mind if we bring someone else?"
"Someone else? I am assuming it's that boy."
"Uh, yeah." She nodded. "The chief asked me to take Argus with me. You're the one who will teleport us. I am wondering if it's okay. You're gonna teleport us, right?"
The forest has a powerful barrier. You need more than luck to pass through. The chief should be able to disable it for just a day. However, it might need time and energy to recover the barrier.
"I guess I don't mind. He seems to have helped you many times."
"Eh, really? I didn't expect you to agree on this easily. I thought you were gonna refuse."
"Just don't forget your promise."
"About the academy, right? I-I will do my best to study there!" answered Celes with full spirit.
It was a few minutes before Argus finally appeared with a small backpack. Celes was wondering, what did Argus bring with him?
"I am here. My parents said okay. Everything is fine. I am ready!"
Argus' smile is too big. Celes knows Argus is excited. But instead of being happy, people will think he is either crazy or insane for having a stupid face.
While Celes tried to look away, Lumina stare at him with a disgusting expression. As if there was something wrong in his head. Argus, whose mind is full of beautiful colors, responded by laughing happily.
"Well, whatever! Celes!"
Celes held Argus's shoulder and Lumina grabbed Celes's hand.
"Close your eyes!" Celes whispered to Argus as she closed her eyes.
"Hmm…" Argus didn't pay attention since he was still on cloud nine.
The light surrounding them. It feels as if they become light and flying without a body, just spirit. Nothing and empty. You could still feel the sensations on your skin. They are moving too fast, or maybe they are not moving at all.
"We are here!" Lumina spoke as she let go of Celes' hand.
Argus fall to his knee. Both hands touched the green grass and brown soil. When he opened his mouth, the contents of his stomach came out.
"Wha! T-that is disgusting! Stay away from me!" Celes kept her distance as fast as possible. "I told you to close your eyes!"
"Ugh… that's weird." Argus' cheerful face turns blue. "My head! My head is spinning right now. W-what just happened?"
Argus' body is trembling non-stop. This is the first time he feels something like this. Not a beautiful experience at all. Argus turned around and lay down on the wide ground.
Celes looked around. A head was a vast green field without end. Behind her, there is a familiar forest.
"Wait, where are we?" Celes ignored Argus and glanced at Lumina.
"We're outside the forest."
Celes had a bad feeling. The girl experienced the teleportation magic many times. She knows they can appear wherever Lumina wanted. So, why, instead of the capital, they are near the forest?
"Consider this as one of your punishments."
"I am sorry?" It's not clear whether she's apologizing or asking a question.
Celes tilted her head with a blank expression while watching Lumina vanish in front of her.
"You're kidding, right?! L-Lumina?"
Lumina can just straight teleport them into the capital and yet, there they are, just outside of the forest. Comparing this to the past, this punishment isn't that bad. Still better compared to staying in the dark forest alone or trying to survive in the desert.
Argus lying on the grass looking up at the beautiful blue sky full of clouds. Only a fragrant smile remained on his face. He felt awful, but still appreciated whatever he had just experienced, no matter how painful it was. They hadn't started yet, but somehow they were exhausted.
"Ugh, I guess we need to walk from here." Celes sighed. "Come on, wake up! We have to get to the nearest village before dark!"