[scene : Clarice and Colt are playing in the house]
After a month of rest at home and caring for my dear mother and sister,
I've finally established a firm bond with Clarice.
That way if ,for some reason, I decide to leave, she'll fondly remember her big brother.
[scene : Colt walking around the town observing people and their daily transactions]
Anyway I started going outside again, just strolling around town seeing the happy quiet life…
It's very precious.
Those people live under the care of a good nobleman who doesn't misuse his power and who actually cares.
Talk about a rare specimen.. wish people like him existed on earth.
*Looks down*
If they did then..
*Clenches his fist*
Doesn't matter anymore, what matters is me living the life that I deserve, no matter who I'll have to eliminate to get it.
*A voice interrupts Colt's thoughts*
The voice [male, full of confidence] : "Hey, Colt is that you??"
*Colt turns around*
Who's calling??
*Sees Ken and Bella behind him*
Wait… that orange hair
Colt [surprised] : "Ken !! Is that you??!!"
*Ken is now about 12 same as Bella and they both have grown nicely*
*Ken bulked up a bit and he's turning out to be good looking, same with Bella, he walks around with a wooden sword on his hip*
Ken [smiling] : "Yeah, it's me , we've grown huh?"
*Looks at Bella*
Colt : "Yeah, but, then.. this must be .."
Ken : "You guessed it, it's our dear friend Bella."
Not bad, these two are turning up nicely.
Colt : "I see you two have changed, I'd say your training is paying off Ken, never thought you'd go for a knight."
Ken : "You noticed, huh? But I'm not going to be a knight, I want to be an adventurer"
That's strange, Ken was always easy to find because of his aura, so why??
Ken : "I know being a knight is the easy way.. but, *a bit of malice seeps into his voice* I don't want to be under the nobles' orders, we're just lucky our lord is a good man, but the others…"
Wait, how does he know about that??
I'll ask later.
*Looks at Bella*
Colt : "And what have you been up to??"
Bella : "Well, I've been training to be a healer so…"
A healer?? How did she pull that off??
Colt : "How did you get that??"
Bella : "About 2 years ago a party of adventurers came here on a quest, I got close to the healer of the party, and she wanted to train me, I took her up on it… and turns out I had a talent for it…
She stayed for a month, and then came back every once in a while to see how I was doing."
Her aura isn't that small either…
2 years ago and they stayed for a month…
Could it be…
Nah.. coincidences like these don't happen.
Ken : "Now then Colt, tell us what you've been up to, I see you were training as well."
Colt : "True, but believe or not.. I've been traveling as a merchant apprentice."
Bella : "For real! Did you go to the royal capital??"
Colt : "Yeah , I've been there,"
Ken : "Don't hold out on us … tell what it was like."
[scene : The three sitting on a bench, Colt's lips move, then Colt stops talking]
Ken [ to Bella, excited] : "We have to go see it someday."
Bella [excited] : "Yeah, we might even work there."
Colt : "Work there? Do you plan on becoming an adventurer too?"
Bella : "I'll form a party with Ken and maybe more people will join us."
Is that…
No way… no… it's not gonna happen…
Life isn't that simple…
They're people not puzzle pieces…
It's not a (this fits with this one) thing is it??
Either way, I can't wait to see how this turns out…
Anyway, time to ask "the question".
*Colt takes Ken away a few steps and whispers*
Colt [whispering] : "Why do you hate nobles all of a sudden??"
Ken : "Come on, you've traveled, you've seen how the other domains are managed… these nobles are rotten to the core…"
I'm with you on that one.
Ken[with more hate] : "I heard all about from adventurers, and when I heard the story about how we were going to starve.. it was a real bless he died before that happened."
Uuhhh, ha, ha.
Bella[ going after them, pouty because they left her behind] : "What are you two talking about??"
Colt [flustered] : "Well .. we were-"
Ken [nonchalantly] : "He was asking why I hated nobles."
Colt : "Ken!! Don't tell her that."
Bella [a bit mad] : "Why?? I'm not a kid anymore.. we're about to become adults. We need to grow up and face reality."
At that moment it hit me…
To me, they're kids… but in this world, you're a full grown adult at 15, granted adolescence pride and ego remain, but…
I have to understand…
Those aren't the looks of kids.
[scene : A close shot of Ken's eyes, eyes full of determination yet they're dimmer than when he was a kid]
There is a bit of bitterness in their eyes.
The same you'll find in any adult.
[scene : Ken swinging his sword, scene shifts to Bella practicing healing magic]
I had it easy because of my powers and knowledge… it's been a picnic for me so far…
But, they… they worked hard, they steeled their resolve, they faced reality, and didn't let it crush them.
[Flash back to Colt killing the domain lord]
I was determined to destroy that reality… just because I can.
[scene moves back to the present]
But they adapted… became infinitely stronger… maybe not physically… but mentally… they're really not kids anymore
[internal smile]
Guess I still have a lot to learn.
Colt [smiles] : "Thanks you two, you opened my eyes, I just learned something valuable, you've changed a lot. I'm proud to be your friend."
*Shakes hands with both of them.*
Ken [surprised] : "What's all this all of a sudden??"
Colt [smiles] : "Oh, never mind… I'm just happy is all."
*They both suddenly stare at him*
Colt : "What?"
Ken : "You've changed too Colt."
Bella : "You've become more…"
Ken : "Sincere."
Oh yeah, this is the first time I've spoken like this with them.
Guess I have changed…
Colt : "Let's meet again sometime, even if you're busy… I'll find you."
*Leaves while waving*
*Gets home.*
Clarissa : "So, how was your day today?"
Colt : "Hey, mom… I met Ken and Bella again today."
Clarissa : "That's good , did you have fun?"
Colt : "I…did."
*Looks at Clarissa*
Guess we all have to grow.
Better get my affairs in order.
Thank you Ken, Bella.