The mercenary nodded approvingly. "Well, keep that spirit. It'll help you where you're going." With that, the man turned away, joining the other mercenaries as they prepared the horses and supplies for the journey.
Not too far off, the blacksmith returned to Yoshirata's side, patting him on the shoulder. "You'll be well-protected on this journey, but remember, kid, always keep your wits about you. The world outside this village is different, and it's full of surprises." His tone was fatherly, almost like he was offering a piece of himself with his words.
Yoshirata took a deep breath, a twinge of nervousness settling in now. "Surprises, huh?"he thought, glancing at the men preparing for their mission. He suddenly felt the weight of the journey in a way he hadn't before. This wasn't just some trip to a neighboring town,this was the first real step into a larger world, one that was as dangerous as it was exciting.
A loud whistle cut through the air, and one of the cavalry members called out, "Alright, everyone, mount up! We're leaving in five minutes!"
Yoshirata quickly grabbed his travel bag, which held the few precious items he was bringing along,his books, a picture of his parents, and a small pouch of food in case he got hungry along the way. He looked around, making sure he had everything before taking a steadying breath. He felt his heart beat faster, filled with both nerves and anticipation.
"Yoshirata, you forgot something important," called Keimoto, his voice echoing across the open field as he approached from a distance, a familiar figure jogging toward the group.
Yoshirata turned, his eyes widening in surprise. "Dad, what are you doing here?" he asked, stunned to see his grandfather catching up with him after their emotional goodbye.
Keimoto slowed as he reached him, breathing a bit heavier but smiling warmly. "You forgot your lucky charm," he said, holding up a small necklace. It was a simple but beautiful piece, with a delicate chain and a striking red emerald at its center. This was no ordinary charm,it was the last keepsake from Yoshirata's deceased parents, something Keimoto had entrusted to him for strength and protection.
Yoshirata's heart swelled with gratitude and a tinge of sadness. "Thanks, Dad," he said softly, reaching out and taking the necklace from Keimoto's weathered hands. "I almost left without it." He examined it for a moment, watching the gem catch the sunlight, memories of his parents flooding his mind.
Keimoto put a steady hand on Yoshirata's shoulder, his eyes warm yet serious. "This charm has kept our family safe for generations. Your mother held it close to her heart, and now it's your turn. Keep it with you, and remember where you come from."
Yoshirata nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "I will, Dad. I promise." Carefully, he placed the necklace in his bag, securing it in an inner pocket so it would stay close but safe.
Keimoto gave him one last affectionate squeeze on the shoulder before stepping back. "Alright then, you better get going before you miss the departure," he said, a hint of pride glinting in his eyes.
Yoshirata straightened, giving his grandfather a final look filled with appreciation. "Thank you, Dad... for everything."
Keimoto waved, watching as Yoshirata rejoined the group, the charm now tucked safely away, a piece of his family going with him on this new journey.
Yoshirata was assigned to sit on a sturdy wooden cart along with other young travelers headed to the academy. He noticed a girl about his age with long dark hair sitting quietly in the corner, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if she were lost in thought. Beside her was a boy holding a wooden staff, its surface marked with carvings. Yoshirata guessed they were also future students, their own destinies entwined with the academy just like his.
"Hey," he greeted them, offering a friendly smile. The girl glanced at him, giving a small nod, while the boy returned his smile, raising his staff slightly as if in acknowledgment.
"I'm Yoshirata," he said, trying to break the ice.
The boy leaned forward. "Nice to meet you. I'm Taro. And this is Eiko." He gestured to the girl beside him, who gave a faint smile but said nothing. "You headed to the magic academy too?"
Yoshirata nodded eagerly. "Yeah! It's my first time leaving the village. I'm both excited and a bit… nervous."
Taro chuckled. "Same here. My dad's a healer in the eastern village. He wants me to follow in his footsteps, learn the arts of healing magic."
"Oh, that's cool! I've always wanted to see how magic worked," Yoshirata replied, eyes lighting up. He glanced at Eiko, curious. "What about you?"
Aiko finally spoke, her voice soft but steady. "I'm going to study elemental magic. My family's always been connected to it. I guess it's in my blood."
Just as they were starting to get comfortable, the driver cracked his reins, and the horses began to move, pulling the cart forward with a jolt. Yoshirata felt his stomach flip, excitement mingling with a bit of fear as the village faded behind them. Keimoto's figure grew smaller until he was just a dot in the distance, his presence a comforting memory that Yoshirata held close.
The cart rattled down the winding path, and soon, the village was completely out of sight. The forest stretched around them, tall trees forming a canopy that cast dappled shadows over the path. Sunlight trickled through the leaves, creating shifting patterns on the ground, and birds called from deep within the woods, filling the air with a sense of life.
As they traveled, Yoshirata occasionally glanced at the mercenaries riding alongside the cart. Their faces were calm and alert, scanning the surroundings as if expecting trouble at any moment. The leader, the man with the scar, kept close to the front, his hand resting on his sword as his eyes swept the forest.
Yoshirata's curiosity got the best of him. "So, Taro," he whispered, leaning closer, "have you heard of these demonic rabbits?"
Taro's eyes widened, his voice hushed. "Oh, yeah! I heard they're ferocious. They've got sharp teeth, claws that can shred through armor, and they're wicked fast. My dad told me to be careful in case we run into them."
Yoshirata swallowed, his excitement tinged with fear. He hadn't imagined facing creatures like that on the journey. Just then, he noticed one of the mercenaries looking over and quickly sat back, hoping they hadn't heard his conversation.
After a few hours, the forest started to thin, revealing a vast, open plain beyond the trees. The sight took Yoshirata's breath away,the endless green grass stretched as far as he could see, dotted with wildflowers in shades of blue, yellow, and purple. It was beautiful, and for a moment, Yoshirata forgot all his fears, lost in the beauty of the world around him.
The mercenaries guided the group to a spot near a small river where they would rest briefly before continuing on. Yoshirata hopped down from the cart, stretching his legs as he breathed in the fresh air. The water sparkled in the sunlight, and the gentle sound of the flowing river filled him with a sense of calm.
Taro and Aiko joined him, and the three of them sat near the river's edge, dipping their hands into the cool water and sharing small stories about their homes and their hopes for the academy.
Just as they were starting to feel at ease, the scarred mercenary approached them. "Alright, kids, break time's over. We've got a long road ahead, and we need to keep moving if we want to reach the academy by nightfall."
With a nod, Yoshirata grabbed his bag and climbed back onto the cart, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The journey to the academy had just begun, and he couldn't wait to see what awaited them next.