Chapter 20 - Everybody Wins (1/2)

Chapter 20: Everybody Wins

“No! Absolutely no way! Arthur! Do you know how dangerous it is to become an Adventurer? You’ve just gotten back after we all thought you were dead and now you’re saying you want to go get yourself killed out there? No way! Absolutely not.”

My mother was on the verge of tears while saying this. She’s never been good at controlling her emotions. Eleanor is besides her, clutching onto her leg.

“Mama, don’t be angry. Brother not bad a person! Uuu… Mama, don’t cry.”

Director Goodsky left the manor after my announcement. I could tell she still wanted to ask me a lot of questions but we excused ourselves to have a family talk. We were currently inside my parent’s room with my mother standing up in front of me, forbidding me to even think about doing anything remotely dangerous.

Father was a bit more rational. I could tell he didn’t like the idea as well, but he couldn’t really see any reason for me not to be an Adventurer besides my age.

I wasn’t going to debate with my mother. She was saying all of this because she was worried and I don’t blame her. It was something I expected and I wanted to slowly ease her into the idea but I guess that plans out of the bag now.

After being silent the whole time, my father finally speaks up. “Honey, let’s hear Arthur out at least. I’m not saying I agree to him becoming an Adventurer but don’t you think we should at least listen to what he has to say?”

*Hic*

My mother stops her protest and just quietly sniffles.

I grab my mother’s hands. “Mom. I wasn’t planning on leaving tomorrow. I was looking forward to spending a couple of months at home with you guys anyhow.”

Her face softened at that and I just gave her a warm smile, Sylvie following suit and licking her hand.

“What I meant by becoming an Adventurer was so that I can get some experience. After being in the Elf Kingdom for three years, I missed a lot about what I should know about this world of ours. I just thought that becoming an Adventurer would be the best way to gain some practical experience.” I say, not letting go of Mother’s hands.

“I understand where you’re coming from Arthur. Although I was a bit older, I was also itching to get some real life experience in fighting as soon as I awakened as a mage.” He reminisced. “But your mother is also right in that it is dangerous.”

My mother nods her head vigorously at this.

I think for a little bit.

“Dad. Mom. What if I were to have some sort of guard or supervisor with me? Would that make you feel a bit more at ease with this whole idea?”

“Hmm… You know, that’s not a bad idea.” My father’s head winds as he starts thinking of different ideas.

“B-but… I still won’t be able to see you for months!” My mother begins to protest again.

Shaking my head, I say to her. “Mom, I’m not going to go on long trips or go on dangerous missions to faraway places. I’ll try to come back every so often, maybe even more frequently than that, depending on what I do.”

“Brother, are you leaving?” My sister looks at me as if she was just told that Santa didn’t exist.

I start to panic. “Nono Ellie I’m staying here. You’ll be seeing your brother a lot from now on okay?”

Apparently, both my mother and father have told Eleanor a lot of stories about me and how strong and smart I am. One of Ellie’s favorite bedtime stories was how I saved her from a bunch of bad guys on top of a cliff and that I got hurt so it’ll take me some time to come back home. Eventually, I became a sort of hero figure to my sister.

I look back at my mother. Her face was considerably more at ease after talking about this. I guess she just a.s.sumed the worst-case scenario and thought I wanted to slay the world’s strongest evil at the age of eight or something.

“Why did you want to be an Adventurer before even going to school anyways? Isn’t it usually the opposite?” My mother softly mutters.

“Dad’s reason was a part of it in that, I want to test my skills out in real life situations. Also, Mom, I want to at least try to fit in with everyone when I go to school. It will be a lot harder to fit in if I begin school at the age of eight. I don’t think I’ll be able to make much friends with such a big age difference.”

For once, Mother gives me a look of approval. A mother’s worst nightmare is her child becoming a loner.

I say this while thinking of Sylvia’s dying wish. She wanted me to enjoy life and have a life not just of training. This was a promise that I planned on keeping no matter what.

“Besides, I’m going to be here for a couple of months anyway. Who know, maybe you’ll get sick of me by then and throw me out before I even get the chance to leave.” I wink at Mother.

That earns me a thump on the head but she chuckles as well. “You! You’re just like your father at times like these. Thank G.o.d you at least have my intelligence.” She gives me a big hug, leaving me with a warm feeling inside.

“Hey! What about my intelligence! He was gifted with my adept abilities in fire too!” My father protests.

“Hmph! MY son got his deviant powers from me.” Mother just turns me away from my father and just sticks her tongue out at him.

“Ellie too! Bleh!” My sister copies my mother and sticks her tongue out at my devastated father.

“Sniff! No ones on my side.” He just playfully cries, trying to hug his my daughter.

This leaves us all in a fit of laughter.

The next day is a Sunday, leaving my father with the day off. Both the Leywin and Helstea family are dining together for breakfast.

“So did you guys settle on what to do about Arthur?” Asks Vincent, half chewing on his omelet.

Tabitha shakes her head; “I swear. Sometimes, I have such a hard time believing you’re a n.o.ble with your horrible dining habits, dear.

“Kukuku, don’t worry. At least your husband’s better than mine. Remember that one dinner party where Rey spit out his food from laughing so hard? I had to use Ellie as an excuse to leave the table because I was so embarra.s.sed.” My mother just sighs.

“Cough! Anyways! Yes, after talking about it yesterday night, we agreed to let him become an Adventurer under some conditions, Vince.” My father just lightly blushes as he tries to switch back the topic.

“Oh? What conditions?” Responds the curious Tabitha as she’s cutting the omelet into smaller pieces for Lilia.

“He’s not going to become an Adventurer until after his birthday, which is in 3 months. We also decided on having a guard with him on his missions. Besides that, I feel like he’ll be smart enough to manage the rest on his own. Of course, the last condition is that he’ll be visiting as often as possible.” My father explained, working on the rest of roast beef.

“Do you have anyone in mind for who his guard is going to be? Heck, is there even a guard that is capable of guarding him? I feel like Arthur is going to be the one protecting the guard!” He just chuckles at the ridiculousness of an eight year old protecting a grown, veteran Adventurer.

My mother answers him, looking at my father, “We haven’t really thought of a person that fits the criteria. Rey and I thought we could use one of the Helstea Auction guards, but we couldn’t really come up with anyone right?”

“Can I have more omelet please?” My sister chimes in with her fork raised in the air.

“I got it!” My father stands up from his sudden revelation, making me almost choke on the piece of meat that was in my mouth.

“The Twin Horns will be coming back from an expedition in a dungeon soon. I received a letter from the Adventurer Guild Hall that says they should be back within two months! It’s perfect! Why did it take so long for me to think of this? We can just have one of the Twin Horns to look after you. Arthur! You still remember them right?” My father’s eyes shine in excitement.