In the end, as the two girls strolled through the village until evening arrived, they found themselves with a surplus of topics to discuss, engaging in the timeless conversations that girls often share.
Having completed their convocation weeks ago, they had been casually visiting the academy, meeting up with friends and passing the time until they received their results and embarked on their respective paths in life – whether as ordinary individuals or as summoners.
However, today marked their final visit to the academy, as they no longer had any academic obligations and were now regarded as adults responsible for contributing to the barony.
Silverstone, renowned for its wealth in silver ores that held significance for all races, had been providing free education to the children of the barony. This commendable initiative had placed a considerable strain on the barony's finances, necessitating a high tax burden compared to other baronies. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of the territory did not complain much, as the improvements in the barony over the years were evident indicators of the value derived from their contributions.
Rumours circulated that if the current ruling baron of Silverstone could attain the prestigious Gold rank, he would automatically be elevated to the status of viscount. However, this speculation held little significance for the two young ladies, who were engrossed in their conversation. It was during this exchange that Mia unexpectedly revealed a piece of vital information.
"My father finally found what he was looking for after so long," Mia said.
"Really?" Lucia uttered, surprised, as Mia nodded her head to confirm what she had just said.
Seeing that her friend had confirmed her previous words, the surprise in Lucia became stronger because she knew the significance of the news Mia just revealed to her.
In truth, Mia did not originate from Silverstone but from a certain Earldom far away from the barony.
This was pretty much obvious from the fact that her father was a rarely seen silver-ranked human who should not be in a place like a barony on a normal occasion.
It has been six years since Mia and her father arrived in Silverstone. It was also at this time Mia and Lucia's friendship began.
Unlike whatever eventful encounter one might expect to have happened between the two, given their current close friendship, the thing that actually joined the two at first was when they ended up being desk mates on the first day of school.
It was partially because of their growing friendship after this and shared training with Mia, a village girl like Lucia could top several of her peers who were supposed to be ahead of her in the academy due to their advantages from a young age.
Returning back to Mia, as she had just said, the reason she and her father had bothered coming to this backward place, regardless of how advanced it was compared to its fellow baronies, was because of an item. And whatever item could make a silver-ranked human interested must be a very valuable item.
Lucia was not supposed to know anything about Mia's father's goal in the first place, but after three years of friendship, Mia could no longer keep it in. Apart from knowing that the item Mia's father was looking for was a material for Mia's summoning ritual, Lucia knew nothing else.
However, this was not what was really on Lucia's mind as she contemplated the implications of her friend's revelation.
"So you're leaving Silverstone soon?" Lucia asked, as though she already knew the answer, or so she thought.
"Yes," Mia answered, and just before Lucia could sigh in sadness, Mia added, "Just not with my father."
"I see, wait! Huh?" Lucia exclaimed, caught off guard by Mia's statement.
"Surprised?" Mia asked her friend with a smile, noting the confusion evident on Lucia's face.
As they continued to work along the bustling street, the sun slowly bidding farewell for the moon to arrive, and the gas-powered lamps by the side of the streets gradually coming to life, Mia spoke to clarify her friend's confusion.
"My father and I have discussed this before. When I become a summoner, I'll leave him to explore the world by myself," Mia stated, using her feet to kick a small stone in front of her.
"And he didn't have any problem with that?" Lucia asked, suspicion evident in her voice.
"He did, but I won in the end," Mia said with a laugh, continuing to explain to her friend.
"I told him that I did not want to rely on anyone, and I want to find my own path in the summoning world myself," Mia said, clenching her fist as she spoke.
"So you weren't joking when you told Albert those words?" Lucia asked, surprised, as she wondered why anyone would refuse to have things easy in life and instead choose the harder route.
As they continued their leisurely stroll, the street lamps casting a warm glow around them, Lucia pondered Mia's determination. It was clear that her friend possessed a fierce independence and a burning desire to prove herself in the summoning world.
"But why would you choose to face the challenges alone?" Lucia asked, genuine curiosity lacing her voice.
Mia's eyes sparkled with determination as she looked at her friend. "Lucia, I want to discover my true potential. I want to push myself to the limits, face the unknown, and grow as a summoner. By relying solely on my own strength and instincts, I believe I can truly understand the depths of my abilities."
Lucia admired Mia's resolve, even if she couldn't fully comprehend it herself. She had always known Mia to be a strong-willed and determined individual, never one to shy away from a challenge. But this decision to venture into the summoning world alone, leaving behind the safety and support of her father, was a whole new level of courage.
"I respect your decision, Mia," Lucia said, a mixture of admiration and concern in her voice. "Just promise me that you'll stay safe and reach out for help if you ever need it. You don't have to face everything alone."
"Don't worry, Lucia. I'll make sure to stay safe," Mia replied, and Lucia nodded in response. Silence loomed between the two for a while before Lucia spoke again.
"So when are you leaving?" Lucia asked.
"In a day or two," Mia replied.
"That soon?!" Lucia exclaimed in a surprised tone, casting her head down with her hands at her back. "Why didn't you tell me before now?!" she asked, a little angry, wondering why her friend had kept such news hidden for so long.
Sensing the impending misunderstanding, Mia quickly raised both her hands and spoke rapidly. "Aye! It's not my fault, Lucia! I only learned this information this morning from my father's assistant," Mia explained, intercepting the words Lucia had intended to speak.
"Is it compulsory for you to leave the barony, though? And here I thought we would make waves in the kingdom together after becoming summoners," Lucia said, prompting Mia to open her mouth to reply.
"We still can, but we can't deny that regardless of how big the barony is, it can't compare with the real world filled with limitless possibilities and opportunities," Mia said, stopping in her tracks to gaze at the evening sky.
Lucia also halted, pondering her friend's words. She was beginning to realise just how ambitious Mia was. It wasn't that Lucia lacked her own ambitions, like wanting to become a powerful summoner. That was a common aspiration for everyone. But it seemed that Mia's ambitions went beyond that alone.
Mia's words lingered in the air, filling Lucia's mind with a mix of awe and uncertainty. She admired Mia's ambition and hunger for exploration, but a part of her couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness at the thought of their paths diverging.
"I understand your desire to seek more than what the barony can offer," Lucia finally spoke, her voice laced with a hint of wistfulness. "But I can't help but feel a sense of loss, knowing that we won't be embarking on this journey together."
Mia turned to face her friend, and her expression softened. "Lucia, our friendship is not bound by physical proximity or shared experiences. No matter where we go or what paths we choose, we will always be connected. Our bond is strong enough to transcend distance and time."
Lucia nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She knew deep down that Mia was right. True friendship didn't require constant togetherness; it thrived on trust, understanding, and unwavering support.
"I believe in you, Mia," Lucia said, her voice filled with heartfelt sincerity. "I know you will achieve incredible things in the summoning world. And when the time is right, our paths will intersect again, and we'll create waves together."
"Then again, it's not like we can't communicate in the future. Due to my decision, I'm going to follow in my father's footsteps and join the Adventurer's Guild, and even if you join a noble house in the end, you can still use the Adventurer's Guild messaging system to message me," Mia stated as Lucia nodded with realisation.
Mia smiled warmly, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. She reached out and took Lucia's hand in hers, a silent vow passing between them. They stood there for a moment, their connection unspoken yet palpable.
As the moon ascended higher in the night sky, casting its gentle glow over the village, Mia and Lucia resumed their stroll, their steps synchronised in harmony. They talked about their dreams, their aspirations, and the adventures that awaited them.