A few hours have passed, and Grimhild finally gathered her stuff together.
A large bag was on the floor, and she appeared to have changed into a new attire consisting of a witch hat, black cape, dark boots, and a skirt which was the same color as the rest of her outfit (black).
Sitting on a rocking chair inside her cabin, she was reading a book, sipping on her tea, and indulging in her studies.
Zarutha, her delivery owl, flew towards the mage, landing on the arm of the chair.
"Did you know slimes can reproduce with other lifeforms to create hybrids?"
"W-Who starts a conversation like that?" Asked the owl.
"It's a book that I'm reading, learning about the creatures of Midgard, and it's quite helpful. I conduct my research every day so that my knowledge never wavers. Studying is important, you should know that much."
"Yes, well, it is true, slimes can reproduce with other species. Did you know that there used to be a village of goblins, ogres, and all sorts of creatures who listened to some slime as their leader?"
Grimhild nodded her head.
"Of course I do, but that village was wiped off the face of Midgard centuries ago by a group of knights. Apparently, the slime leader could take a human form whenever he pleased, so he manipulated his way into human society, trying to form a peace treaty with them."
The owl nodded its head.
"Indeed, indeed, humans are ruthless creatures, aren't they?"
"Sometimes being ruthless is a must, Zarutha."
"Pfft, of course the sadist says that!"
"Be quiet." Grimhild flicked the owl off her chair and stood up grabbing her bag. "I leave in an hour, I'm going to say my goodbyes to everyone in the forest."
Zarutha flapped its wings, flying to the mage's shoulder.
"Grimhild, with your departure, the Midland Forest won't be protected anymore! The gnomes, unicorns, slimes, and all sorts of creatures will be fearful of the Vrunemir knights returning to the forest. How will we deal with them?"
Grimhild closed her eyes in thought, proceeding deep into the forest.
"I've already planned for that, Zarutha."
"Y-You have?"
"What sort of monster do you think I am? Did you expect me to leave everyone in the forest to those wicked men?"
"Well yeah!"
"...Your honesty hurts."
"You're the one who said we weren't friends, you jerk!"
Grimhild grinned.
"I was just kidding."
"It's hard to tell with your expressionless face, and that deep, monotone voice. It's not my fault!"
"You've known me for years, and you can't tell when I'm joking, and when I'm not?"
"Shut it!"
"G-Grimhild!" A voice appeared in the forest, revealing a small gnome sticking its head out from behind a tree. "Is it true? Are you leaving the Midland Forest?"
"Ah, Hobtoe, yes, it is true, I will be leaving today."
"Grimhild, you can't! You can't!" A group of smaller gnomes popped their heads from the ground, jumping onto the mage's legs. They appeared to be children. "How will we survive without you?! Those bad men will return to torch the forest with their magic! No one's strong enough to deal with them except you!"
"Fizzletoe, Glimmertoe, and Lillitoe do not fret, this domain will be under my protection, even while I'm gone. Those men seek to drive out the creatures of the forest to capture rare beasts that live here and use them for weapons and armor, but they cannot accomplish that without magic."
Fizzletoe, the young gnome girl, tilted her head to the side, confused.
"Without... magic?"
"So you haven't noticed," Grimhild muttered.
"Notice what?" Asked Glimmertoe.
"There's a barrier around the Midland Forest, preventing the law of magic. Humans, and any other race cannot perform their spells since it's practically impossible with the ordinance of magic gone."
The gnomes all looked at each other with big smiles, until Hobtoe approached, asking, "But what if they found a way?"
"Hm?" Grimhild lifted her brows in question.
"What if they found a way to bypass the barrier, and use their magic?"
"No need to get your panties in a bunch, Hobtoe, I put three individual barriers around the forest. Deciphering, and trying to override one barrier will take years, even for master magicians, so it should last until I return."
"Incredible..." Muttered Zarutha. "I see why Lancelot wants to face you."
Grimhild smirked.
"Lancelot only wishes to face me to cure his boredom. I'm certain that he's done all the pleasures in the world except for fighting someone strong."
"You really do assume a lot, you sadistic mage."
"I'm only speaking the truth."
Grimhild chuckled and proceeded onwards into the forest. Holding the young gnomes in her arms, she hugged them tightly, and met with the unicorns, hobbits, slimes, leprechauns, and all sorts of humanoid creatures, wishing them farewell.
Everyone knew Grimhild, and Grimhild knew everyone.
It was mutual respect and love.
She played with them, danced with them, and sang songs with them one last time until departed on her journey to Magic Academy.
It was a great big party.
With hours soon passing, and without Grimhild realizing the time, nightfall fell upon them.
Campfires and glowing pixies lit up the night sky, and unicorns ran in circles around the party, leaving behind rainbow trails. Leprechauns threw their gold into the air, and the hobbits cheered with their mugs in hand.
The gnomes launched spells into the sky which acted like fireworks, exploding, and creating all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Everyone was happy.
Everyone was united.
Everyone loved Grimhild.
The party lasted for a while, until everyone passed out, drunk and exhausted, leaving only Grimhild and Zarutha awake.
"They pulled me into their pace, I didn't expect to have a party before leaving."
Grimhild was sitting on a log, resting her hand underneath her chin with the owl on her shoulder.
"They've known you for years, so it shouldn't be a surprise that they knew how to manipulate you into mingling with them."
"I suppose so."
The youth of a mage stood up, fixing her hat atop her head.
"I've said my farewells to everyone, and I'm entrusting this forest to you from now on, Zarutha, so please keep everyone safe."
"I can't believe you're relying on a lowly delivery owl like me — my only talent is flying to kingdoms and delivering mail to master, and nothing more."
Grimhild would rub Zarutha's head with her finger, smirking.
"I've taught you a little bit about magic, and most of my spells, you should be fine."
"If you say so..."
Standing up from the log, the youth kept the campfire burning and returned to her wooden cabin. There, she took a few books from her bookshelf and stuffed them inside her bag.
"I'll prepare summoning magic, and head off now, take care of yourself, Zarutha."
The owl flew off her shoulders, landing on the window sill.
"You can trust in me, master, I'll do my best."
"You called me master, you must be serious about this, hm?"
"Of course I am! This forest means a lot to me, and it's the only family that has ever cared for some lowly delivery owl such as myself. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure its safety!"
"I believe in you." Grimhild approached the exit of her cabin before taking one good look at her owl. "Goodbye, Zarutha, I'll miss you."
"Ah, right... goodbye master, I wish you farewell."
"Mm."
Grimhild nodded her head, and left the cabin, closing the door behind her.
Walking into the middle of the grass, the mage lifted her hand and began her summoning spell.
In only a few words, a magic circle appeared on the ground with countless magical symbols inside of it.
A bright light shone, illuminating the forest until a wooden carriage manifested in front of her.
"Greetings, Master Grimhild! We have come under your summoning!"
But that's not all; four skeletal horses had also appeared, but they were glowing with blue flames inside their bony bodies.
"Greetings, Reta, Getoh, Luka, and Zorta, my destination is the country of Mesnil, I'm certain you can get me there in a few days at most, no?"
"Why of course, master Grimhild! We are the four horses of the apocalypse for a reason! There is no land mammal faster than us."
Grimhild smirked, throwing her bag into the carriage before hopping inside.
"Midgard is quite huge, you know?"
"We shall not disappoint you!"
Sitting in the carriage, the youth took one last look around her, gazing upon the Forest.
"Let us be off."
"Right!"
The four horses of the apocalypse began their march to the country of Mesnil, galloping outside of the forest in haste.
Grimhild reached into her bag, pulling out one of her books to study along the way, but hundreds of gnomes, leprechauns, and hobbits caught her attention, waving goodbye.
She smiled dearly, waving back at them, until the horses breached the barrier of the forest via Grimhild's magic, finally heading to the road.
Some cried. Some begged her to stay, while others were happy that she was living her life to the fullest
Grimhild's adventure finally began, where she would obtain new friends, and companions through her journey.
It was only a matter of time until she returned.
"I'll miss you all."