CHAPTER 11 Part 1: I Won’t Fail... Not Again8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJysUPacnNl 維尼
We left the godforsaken desert just a few days ago, it was hard riding the wagon on the sandy plain so we walk throughout the day and camped out during the night. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡol5dB4Pv7y 維尼
Daytime was so hot that we could’ve dehydrated within minutes if it wasn’t for the abundant cacti present and during the night was so cold Tiffany had to use magic to keep us all warm, thankfully she had what I think was an endless supply of mana. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UQGroGmev 維尼
A week after and here we are in the meadow that is a day’s worth of travel towards the Kingdom of Niru, on the horizon was a silhouette of a castle reaching further into the sky than any other. The sight of colorful flowers remind me of Gadvell, my peaceful hometown before it was ravaged and destroyed. The smell was quite different from our village but still, it is quite welcoming. The swaying of grass as the morning wind blows helps calm my nerves. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJbkOMTEY8 維尼
I closed my eyes as the contraction of my lungs created a vacuum, pulling in the scent scattered everywhere, I felt the wind brushing the hair on the side of my face as it whispered into my ears softly.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5IOhIae4b 維尼
[Damn… that’s nice.] 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6UHtjYR7I 維尼
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From where we stood tall stone walls surrounding Niru were in sight, no wooden gates or any gates block the entrance, though that maybe the case we were still quite far to be able to see what’s inside.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV3b1aE0kT 維尼
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It was a peaceful experience, no monsters in sight and lots of wild animals that can provide us food. Honestly, I’m sick of the distasteful meat of monsters, they aren’t pleasing to my tongue, they stick on my teeth and rough to swallow, so I’m happy to not eat monster meat anytime soon.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d65GCZrz8 維尼
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“It’s so beautiful~” Yuna said, eyes sparkling as she peeks out from the wagon looking at the flowers.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfe5GwVT3q 維尼
“Yeah, it’s refreshing after spending a week on that desert” Luke said still guiding the horses, enjoying the view of the flowery meadow.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnb6YPRF2R 維尼
“We only have one day to enjoy the view, so look as much as you want” Tiffany said while scrutinizing the field, smiling softly.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ4RWhV2fk 維尼
“What do we do when we get inside? Do we book for an Inn?” I asked both Luke and Tiffany, inside the roofless wagon with Yuna.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡENCjTll5C1 維尼
“I’ll try and reveal my identity to the king and queen and hope that we can get a nice house for ourselves, usually it’s hard to get an audience with the king and queen but I’m hoping that we can skip a lot of steps just because I’m holding one of the 4 strongest titles and conveniently get ourselves some things to settle down with and admit you two to the Academy immediately.” 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAxlYqDOuZ 維尼
“You can do that? Even if we’re not in LouwenDale?” Yuna asked, her head away from the flowers and into my long eared aunt, amazed at Tiffany’s authority.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q66FeceZb 維尼
“That’s why I’ll try, kiddo” 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ppxYtPnB 維尼
“What do we do if that plan failed?” I asked8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58XwTuUg4N 維尼
“Then all we could do is sleep in an affordable Inn, register to the Adventurer’s Guild, earn some money, and admit both of you to the Academy. It doesn’t really matter either way. It’s just easier and convenient if things went our way. But our priority, for now, is getting a place to stay and registering both of you to the Adventurer’s Guild and get your Adventurer’s cards.” Aunt Tiffany shrugged, raising her shoulders.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡos5YWFw8wn 維尼
“Yeah, I’d like to get a place to stay immediately, a nice and comfy bed to sleep in, a nice view, and a warm and cozy bath would be nice too.” Yuna said daydreaming about the Inn we would stay in, holding her hands together.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡisrswyf36c 維尼
“Then we better–” Luke stopped the wagon mid-sentence8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcr6P0Jt2F 維尼
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We looked at where Luke was staring and saw a human boy around 10 years old, wearing some sort of uniform and looking lost. The boy had light brown skin, short and curly hair, black eyes, black round eyeglasses that fit him well, he seemed to be slightly taller than Yu-chan, and me. He looked mature in his uniform, staring blankly at Luke.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZqDFJwis9 維尼
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“Um… excuse me sir, is it alright if I ask for a ride home?” the boy finally asked, his cheeks appeared to be more red than it would naturally look. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwPWhLcOxY 維尼
“Sure… but we were sort of in a hurry if it’s okay with you, we’d be going to the castle in the capital first” Luke answered 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpTsEho7cn 維尼
“I have a bad feeling about that guy…” Yu-chan warned me, whispering into my ears8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAROzrflfk 維尼
“It’s fine… the castle is where I live anyway” the boy smiled, he talked to Luke as if he were conversing with a king or queen.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡOczjXe4Tba 維尼
“Sure, hop in!” Luke welcomed the brown-skinned boy8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GzyLEzxNe 維尼
“So… where you guys from?” the boy asked while climbing up inside8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx0VlHroLN 維尼
“Gadvell of the kingdom of LouwenDale” I said giving the boy a hand8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJefTqb0JeS 維尼
“What!”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjhYxTHDEc 維尼
“What so surprising about that?” I asked8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOP6DI54RZ 維尼
“I’ve heard from the maids in the castle that the Demons recently destroyed LouwenDale… I’m not sure if you guys were affected but I’m sorry for the things you’ve experienced.”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzQn6cUvkf 維尼
“You guys get information quick, how is that even possible?”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfWBX2wKir 維尼
“First of all it has been months since their attack, secondly, LouwenDale is the most powerful and most advance kingdom in the continent, having the Manasophy Academy and many magic tools developed by their researchers which helped every one in the continent, that is why LouwenDale is important and its destruction is a big deal”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcESZK7Wi2 維尼
“Ow… I didn’t know LouwenDale is that big of a deal…”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbf7bMvj4Y 維尼
“And losing LouwenDale is causing panic within the castle…”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM3XZTQdJM 維尼
“…”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cL9gz8Ac7 維尼
“So, what’s your name four eyes?” Tiffany asked not bothering to look back from the front8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡkULcsxgozu 維尼
“Frod Geller, ma’am” he said respectfully8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRjxd7H6jU 維尼
“Geller? You mean you’re the son of the king and queen?!” Tiffany asked, now looking back, curious at the boy who wore a school uniform.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5e4Cw86qz 維尼
“…Yes, miss… oh you guys don’t have to bother…” he said somewhat not wanting to answer, stopping us from giving the prince our respect8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡmARDqfZZ8N 維尼
“Why does the crowned prince doing outside of the castle?” I asked knowing that princes and princesses aren’t allowed to leave8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jVsh0oLod 維尼
“Well… it gets suffocating sometimes, so when I get the chance I sneak out of the castle and see the world.”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBSjiDjN9S 維尼
“I see…”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwShA2OxSt 維尼
“Anyway, I think I can pay you guys back for the trip home by helping you all with whatever you need… as long as it’s within my power.” Frod offered8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37kPXucIoh 維尼
“Can you help us with meeting the king and queen then?” Tiffany asked respectfully towards the prince8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwoQmNff6j 維尼
“Yes, I can!” Frod answered with sparkling eyes, his mouth curved into a smile8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PdY4Wszd3 維尼
“Then sit back and enjoy the ride!” Luke said as he whipped the horses, resuming our trip8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGOWxgzTPP 維尼
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“So… you with that beauty over there?” Frod whispered after he took a seat next to me, gesturing with his head towards Yuna who was at the opposite end of the wagon now. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZbg1lp57 維尼
“Ah… no, she’s kinda like family to me” I answered whispering to his ear8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡno4R5JPV2o 維尼
“You should probably start confessing soon, if you two are planning to attend the academy, men will start swarming her the moment she step inside. If you two dated both of you will enjoy your stay at the dorms… if you know what I mean hehe~” he said bobbing his brows up and down and had this mischievous smile like an old man, being assertive8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXrpF90t5b 維尼
“The heck are you saying? we’re less than 10!” I furrowed my brows, still whispering8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcOtocQhQN 維尼
“Hey, the earlier the better, more years together, plus having someone there to support you whenever, is kind of nice and nothing beats a girl’s touch, just imagine ey~ hugging and comforting each oth—” he smirked looking at me as I remembered the night Yuna and me were comforting and hugging one another, averting my eyes.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Vb1Hq6Y5 維尼
“Seems like you already have~” still whispering he gave me a teasing smile, his elbow nudging my side.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p3vCLkiyE 維尼
“We never did such a thing!” I rolled my eyes as he laughed, getting the attention of Yuna who was still gazing at wildflowers, while Luke chuckled a bit.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH0xFZhJmu 維尼
“whacha talking about?” Yuna curiously asked tilting her head8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvTUt6jfLt 維尼
“Oh, nothing just boy stuff haha” Frod answered giving me a hand.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡG75r0KRFGT 維尼
“Yeah!” I followed up8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYnkE9oaP3 維尼
“Ow… I guess I can’t really join in” Yuna said strangely avoiding Frod’s gaze8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S8ZKU6Agk 維尼
“So… what’s her name anyway?” Frod asked, now curious of Yuna’s name8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f2XqxnSSv 維尼
“Yuna… Yuna Crest”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO3PtjSwYO 維尼
“she’s beautiful, no? if you want, I can help you with her, you know as a wingman… uhhh…” 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBi2l52f4O 維尼
“Sura… Sura Pridesworth I… don’t really want that kind of relationship right now… with her or anyone” I answered awkwardly, still whispering not wanting anyone to hear8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsca50Qu1a 維尼
“Come on Sura! Not everyone can get close to someone as beautiful as her, if she were royalty, I’d get her for myself. Look at her wavy grey hair dancing in the spring wind, look at her shining bi-eyes as she gaze at those wildflowers, I know you looked directly at her eyes before, haven’t you fallen for her brown hazel eye and her sky-blue eye that look innocently as she stares back at you?” 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfnmBOIIMt 維尼
“Frod, I don’t know why you’re saying all this but you’re stepping out of bounds, can you chill bro? we only just met moments ago” I said annoyed at how pushy he has been8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeG4TXP02b 維尼
“Ohh… I’m sorry… I just rarely talk to someone my age casually. People often get intimidated knowing I’m the prince so I rarely get the chance to talk to people my age…” He said apologizing8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡSorXwFZy7u 維尼
“Then why not lie?” I asked8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYY30Zb2c4 維尼
“I’m not allowed to lie about ‘who I am’” Frod said emphasizing a certain part8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DURTnZbgE 維尼
“I see… well, I can’t really do anything about that… just… stop forcing me to fall for my friend.” I said8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTEKcNJGoW 維尼
“So… can I be your friend as well?” he asked with puppy doll eyes8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVZVc3SDWO 維尼
“Yeah… that would be fine”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdEfYOAxSU 維尼
“nice~”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3U99J4U84 維尼
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We continued our journey through the meadow, Yuna avoided Frod the whole time we were traveling, not wanting to associate herself with the prince of Niru. Strangely enough, prince Frod was rather friendly towards all of us, he even gave Yuna her space knowing that she doesn’t like him somehow. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡELxFOgWTa0 維尼
Our journey in the meadow was short and uneventful, the night was peaceful, Yuna looked like she wanted to sleep next to me but didn’t because Frod was with me. Frod and I talked to each other suddenly becoming like close friends, talking about magic and sword arts. Surprisingly Frod was relatable for someone who couldn’t talk to people his age. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcnWQe1k0K 維尼
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After Frod finally got to sleep, I stared blankly into the late-night sky, decorated by the thousand stars that dominated the dark indigo canvas, twinkling away from the reaches of my hand. The moon above gave light over the flowers of the meadow, creating a scenic view, perfect for a romantic stroll. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSm1vgymxF 維尼
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I sat up, pondering about my feelings towards Yuna, disturbed by Frod’s words, I thought about why I couldn’t fall for someone so young, remembering my real age and my younger sister Misaki.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2eqaoj7OC 維尼
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[what would Misaki think if she were here and knew that I was considering having a relationship with someone younger than her... *Sigh* What am I even thinking…? I still have to get stronger… I still need to avenge my father. I got no time for love… I still need to protect my family, to protect the family my father left behind… I won’t fail… not again!]8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9kcKnD5mZ 維尼
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Distractions may help sometimes. Love may give me strength but… I don’t think being overly reliant on someone will be healthy for me or Yuna, I’m not even emotionally stable. 8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FNclaMOMg 維尼
I reminded myself of my responsibilities to my father and family, to get stronger, to be ready for any danger, to avenge my father, to kill the one responsible for the destruction of Gadvell and LouwenDale.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IcHJ975dF 維尼
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[I won’t fail you this time Griffin… I’ll protect our family.]8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1c6XBqwUQ 維尼
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As I made my promise to myself and my father I opened the portal, the dimensional rift to summon the dagger my father left me, and held it in my arms, crying myself to sleep, buried by the seemingly impossible responsibilities that even my father couldn’t achieve. My real feelings resurfacing, feeling overwhelmed, I said to myself.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOx25voUBG 維尼
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“I can do it…”8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvPH2YueFs 維尼
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Then I fell asleep, eyes dry and mind empty.8964 copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7hXGiZgoM 維尼
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