The road to Saintellia was long. From their village at the top of the mountain, it seemed near. However, as they traversed down the mountains, the path seemed stretched. Between that mountain and the City was a vast, warm savannah.
The cold winds that had once accompanied him as he walked faded as he reached lower altitudes, replacing the soft, snowy terrain with rocky trails and dense forest. Nevertheless, he pressed on forward, determination fueling his body. He clenched his rough fists, their roughness a sign of his struggle and the scars proof of his hard work.
On the first day, he traveled, walking by foot, resting a few stops. However, carrying a heavy bag was adding to the struggle. The elder didn't manage to find a carriage for him, unlike Yoko, whose carriage was sponsored by Lady Celestia, the sponsor for the girl prodigy. \
However, despite this, he felt no fear. He had prepared and wanted this moment for years, and now, in five days exactly, he'd take the open-for-all exam for the academy, and right there, opportunity already presented itself.
It's a chance to become a magician.
He sat at the nearby log, grabbed a wooden cup from his bag, and drank a cup of water from the nearby running river. He took a sip and thought it tasted fine. He drank the cup whole, quenching his thirst.
He placed it back inside and grabbed the map. He opened it and saw that he was still quite far away. Then, he ran his fingers through the dirt and used the dirt to mark where he traversed along the way.
"I'm so tired," He murmured to himself, as he rolled the map and placed it back. He knows that even though he is tired, there is no going back now. It is now or never.
He ran his fingers through his messy, white hair as he looked out into the far distance.
I wonder how Yoko does now. I'm sure that she's now a top magician in the city. Does she still remember me?
Thoughts ran through his mind as a strange sense of unease filled his lonely heart. But he shook his head, not wanting to think negatively along the way.
While that is important, it's me, being a magician, that is much important.
He thought to himself as he carried the bag again and continued his journey.
Walk, rest, and sleep. This cycle repeated every day until, eventually, on the third day, he arrived at the place called "The Hollowcask" or the so-called crossroads.
It is located between the three main cities in the area. Merchants who traveled to different cities usually stopped here.
It is a very small village, with less than ten buildings, mostly for taverns, resting places, and auction places. It is an old place with eerie similarities to an abandoned city. However, as Tsukishiro arrived, it is bustling with merchants and their carriages, both rich and poor.
"So this is the crossroads." He murmured as he looked around in curiosity. Wooden placks were nailed everywhere, mostly looking for people to do jobs, and papers that displayed bounties of criminals around the world.
Should I rest here first? I only have two days before the exam starts. And going to Saintellia, based on my map, would at least take a day by foot. Or perhaps I could do some quick jobs to earn some gold.
He moved closer to some of the wooden placks nailed on standing boards. Most of them are looking for simple jobs, such as mercenaries to deal with bandits along the roads, laborers to help merchants carry their goods, and some odd jobs, such as escorting livestock or gathering herbs from nearby forests. However, one specific job caught his eye.
Carriage Travelling to Saintellia City. In need of a fighter or magician to protect goods against looters or bandits.
Reward: 20 Gold Coins.
Will leave immediately.
"A trip... to Saintellia." He murmured. It was like a stroke of luck, giving him what he immensely needs right now.
He took the wooden plack and looked for the place to give it. He spotted a small, wooden building, with a sign that says "Job" in a worn-out, wooden plack. He walked over and gave the plack over.
A petite man greeted him, with a cigar lit on its mouth.
"Laborer? Yer too handsome to be a laborer. Magician, perhaps?" he asked in his hard accent as he took the wooden plack from Tsukishiro's hand.
"M-Magician," Tsukiishiro replied.
"Ah, yes. Do ya see that carriage over there, with the fat man in blue standing beside? Make sure to send sum proper greetings, ya hear me? That folk is goin' to collapse dis place if ya don't." The man pointed out before bursting into laughter at his own statement.
"Tsukishiro awkwardly laughed before bowing down and walking towards the man in blue.
"Greetings. I saw your plack for a job offering, and I'm interested." Tsukishiro approached.
The man with brown hair, a fat physique, and a brown mustache, who was looking at a list, directed his glance over Tsukishiro. He looked at him from top to bottom, carefully examining and judging him.
"You don't look so strong. Can you even use magic?" The man said arrogantly, clearly in doubt of Tsukishiro's abilities.
"I can." He raised his left palm up and summoned a faint, dark magic on top.
Still dubious, the man squinted his eyes in pure doubtfulness. However, he sighed,
"If you die, it's none of my business, alright? Just protect the goods. You'll be with them." The man pointed to another two employed men. Both of them carried weapons, one a sword and the other an archer. However, they looked unimpressive and nervous, as if it was their first time doing a job like this.
Tsukishiro introduced himself, however, he was only met with silence and awkwardness. Their gazes didn't move, nor did their body; it was as if they didn't hear him. This struck Tsukishiro as weird, however, he shrugged it off.
The merchant man told them to hop on the four-wheeled carriage as they were going to set off now. They sat inside, along with the goods. Silence reigned over them as they journeyed forth.
Everything seemed to be peaceful, not until the dark night struck. They arrived at a forest area with manmade roads up ahead. The journey was peaceful for a moment, until several rustling sound was heard throughout the surroundings.
At first, Tsukishiro shrugged it off as animals just roaming around. However, it continued to rustle around continuously, and the footsteps seemed to multiply. It is as if something or someone is circling them.
Having a bad feeling about it, he left his bag inside the carriage and hopped out. As the carriage was moving relatively slowly, he ran up to the Merchant, who was in front, and immediately asked him to stop.
"Please, stop the carriage. There's something, or someone, circling us."
"What?!" Anxiety and fear replaced his eyes as he immediately pulled the horses back and stopped the carriage.
Tsukishiro focused his senses in an attempt to accurately tell where the sounds were coming from.
The sounds continued for a few seconds after suddenly stopping. It was silence, only the sound of the nocturnal animals sounding.
At this moment, Tsukishiro felt like something was going to happen. And he was right.
After that moment, many figures emerged from the bushes and from behind the trees. All of them were bandits, carrying axes and knives, ready to take them down.
"Such riches inside. I can already feel richness in my chest."
"Exactly! Give us the riches, and no one gets hurt!"
Tsukishiro looked around him. They were clearly outnumbered. Beside him, the other two assigned protectors were trembling and in fear.
"What is this pipsqueak? Are you scared?!" One of the men taunted, as they all burst into laughter.
It seems like only he could stand a chance against these people.
This battle will be a little different. They are humans, not animals. I haven't had much experience in real human-to-human fighting, but the self-taught lessons are enough for me to defeat them.
With no hesitation, he prepared himself and entered a fighting position using his knife.
"Dark magic, vanquish these evils in front of me." Tsukishiro chanted before launching a shockwave around him that completely pushed off all enemies. Then, while still being distracted by the shockwave, Tsukishiro took this opportunity and embedded his weapon with dark magic and dashed toward each and every one of them, inflicting a deep wound on both of their knees.
He was so fast that only five seconds had passed, yet he managed to defeat them all at lightning speed. The rustling sounds disappeared, soon replaced by the bandits' groans.
Tsukishiro took a deep breath, his dark magic fading from his small blade, and then flicked the blood off. The fight had been easier than expected, but his heart still pounded from the adrenaline.
The merchant's face was pale with shock, he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. His heart pounded quickly as she clutched his chest. His eyes were bewildered as he stared at the fallen bandits.
The other hired guards, who couldn't do anything, looked at Tsukishiro in utter shock, and their hands shook in nervousness.
"You... did all that." The merchant stammered as he wiped the tears off his forehead. "I underestimated you, young man." He added,
Tsukishiro only smiled and bowed his head. He turned his gaze towards the far reaches around them, scanning the surroundings. At least for now, danger doesn't seem to lurk around.
"Are there more of them?" The merchant asked, still anxious.
"We're clear," he said as he placed his knife back.
The merchant let out a large exhale of relief. "I thought my products were all done." Then, he glanced over the two guards, who were still shaking in fear. "What about you two?! How long are you all going to stand there?" He yelled out, causing the two guards to flinch, their eyes looking down in shame.
The merchant then glances back to Tsukishiro, and with studying eyes, he looked at him from bottom to top. "You are no ordinary traveler, are you?" he asked.
"N-Not really. I'm just someone who needed a carriage towards Saintellia."
"If I may ask, what would your business be there?" The merchant asked, his tone interested.
Tsukishiro hesitated before replying, "I want to become a magician at the academy."
The merchant chuckled. "In my good mercy, you're welcome to stop by my shop if you need some job."
"Really? Thank you very much!" Tsukishiro's expression lit up as he bowed his head in gratitude.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go now."
Now, job's secure. There are fewer things to worry about.
Tsukishiro went back inside the carriage with a smile. As each second passes, his excitement continues to grow. The time of finally arriving at his dream city, the city where his childhood friend his, and the city where his dream will come true.
Thoughts rushed to his mind, with only four hours left in the journey.
I wonder how she is doing.
Has she become a magician now?
I think she's already one of the strongest.
Does she... still remember me?
Occupied by thoughts and sheer excitement, it wasn't long before the merchant yelled out.
"We're here!"