I wonder what she told me.

After the talk I had with my mother the other day, I have spent my time reading about [Zrephia] 's ancient city. I got really curious to know more about that intriguing destroyed city which at one point in history was the capital. Unfortunately, the few books I have on this subject lack a lot of detail. Even so, they have served me well to pass the time.

Setting aside other matters, today marks the arrival of a group of adventurers from the capital tasked with eradicating the trolls from the mine. I woke up especially early this morning in anticipation, eager to observe these adventurers, even if it's from a distance. I got up from my bed, and after putting on a shirt, I walked to the door of my room when I heard the voices of my mother and one that seemed to be Kase's. I opened the door, and as I thought it was Kase. My mother and Kase were sitting facing each other, having breakfast while they talked and laughed.

"I can't believe you were part of the Dark Dragons guild. It is one of the strongest guilds in the city, where only elite adventurers can join," Kase was saying with enthusiasm in his voice, "Knowing that someone like you will train me gets me excited."

"Praising me won't make your training easier. I may look like this now, but I take things very seriously regarding training." My mother responded with a gentle tone of voice.

"I'm not lying. Knowing that you are an elite adventurer deserves my respect and admiration," Kase continued, "This may sound rude, but knowing that you are a young and beautiful woman makes me even more nervous. No one would think that you are a mother."

From what I got from their talk, it seems my mother has decided to train Kase. I knew this could happen, but I expected she would have warned me with anticipation. After all, I didn't expect to suddenly meet Kase in my own house. It seems like they are just getting to know each other, telling him about her experience as an adventurer. I guess it's normal, though Kase's way of expressing himself sounded somewhat frivolous. I wonder if this is how he always talks.

"Darx!" My mother said, finally noticing my presence, "It's weird to see you up at this hour. Sit down. I'll prepare you something."

"I wanted to see the group of adventurers before they left for the mine, so I got up early to go see them with Oliver," I replied as I sat in front of Kase next to the chair where my mother was sitting.

"So, you're interested in being an adventurer, after all," Kase told me, with a monotone tone of voice very different from the one he was using moments ago when talking with my mother.

I'm starting to think that Kase is the type of person who only likes spending time with women.

"I'm still undecided, but I admit I'm interested," I replied, "Although, I'm not old enough to take the ritual yet, so I have time to decide."

"I see..." Kase responded, looking disinterested.

Being the two of us at the table while my mom makes breakfast is awkward. Kase doesn't look interested in talking with me, and I don't think we have anything in common either. The only thing he does is keep looking at- wait... he's only been looking in my mother's direction all this time while she is cooking. Kase just has a weird smile on his face as he keeps his gaze on my mother. Seeing the direction of his eyes and seeing my mother, ...Is he looking at her ass? ...He is! And this asshole doesn't seem to care that I notice.

*BUM!*

I hit the table with my fist.

"Hey, Kase, don't you have to go!? It's no good keeping Jax waiting," I spoke, my annoyance evident on my face.

Kase turned to look at me like I was a nuisance, "I don't have to go with Jax today. I received permission to accompany the group of adventurers going to the mine. Still..., you're right. It's about time for me to leave ."

Wait, What? Will Kase go with the adventurers? Isn't that dangerous? I imagine that it was his father who arranged everything so that Kase could go to the mine with the adventurers.

"Ilene, I'm leaving," Kase said, standing up and returning to his happier tone of voice, "Thanks for the food! I'll be here early tomorrow to start our training."

"Be careful in the mine, Kase. I don't want your training to end before it starts." My mother responded without turning to see him.

Kase didn't say anything to me and just left. With the little I've seen, I can say that I don't like Kase very much. I really don't see the amazing person Amelia describes him as. However, I am still indebted to him for saving my and my friends' lives. What a pain...

After breakfast, I headed towards the path that leads to the mine, hoping to see the group of adventurers. As usual, Oliver was already there waiting for me.

"Hey, Oliver!"

"Good morning, Darx! You arrive at a good time. The adventurers haven't passed through here yet."

"Great! I hope they don't take long," I reply, "I'm sure if Amalia didn't have to be training with Jax, she would be here too."

"I know! This morning, I saw her before she left with Jax, and she told me how much she wanted to go with us, hahaha!"

After about twenty minutes of anticipation, the group of five imposing adventurers, exuding strength and an aura of omnipotence, finally arrived. Oliver and I watched them pass by, imagining that possibly, one day, we would look the same. Next to them was Kase, wearing what appeared to be an expensive-looking armor with distinct gear; he briefly turned to see us before returning his attention to the adventurers' group. We lingered, observing them until they disappeared down the road.

"Why is Kase with them?" Oliver asks, surprised.

"He told me this morning that he had permission to go to the mine with the adventurers."

"Was he at your house this morning?" Oliver asked, looking confused, "I didn't know you had already become friends."

"Friends!? I don't think we even like each other. I don't think the relationship will be as bad as the one I have with Fabe. Still, I'd better keep my distance from him," I reply, "My mother will take care of Kase's training starting tomorrow, and he went in the morning to plan things with her."

"I see... Kase usually goes to dinner at the Inn in the afternoons. It seems he likes our food, but I have never had the opportunity to speak with him other than the day I thanked him for helping us."

"At least he seems to have good taste in food," I added.

"Kase usually comes with Amelia. It seems that they get along," Oliver continued, "When he's with Amelia, Kase acts friendly, but when he is alone, Kase doesn't seem interested in talking with anyone else, which makes it difficult to approach."

"I understand you. That's the same impression he gave me," I said.

I had no idea Amelia and Kase had been spending time together after the training with Jax. I can't help but worry that Kase might be causing trouble for Amelia. I know she's more than capable of taking care of herself, but it wouldn't hurt to let her know that I'm here for her if anything happens.

"Do you have something to do today, Darx? I was planning to spend the afternoon fishing if you want to come too."

"I haven't gone fishing for a long time. I'm in!"

I hadn't made any plans for today, so when Oliver suggested going fishing, it sounded like an excellent way to spend the day. There's a great spot for fishing north of the village, along the riverbank. It's about a 30-minute walk and a relatively safe place where even kids play. The area has a small waterfall and enough open space for children to enjoy. Amelia, Oliver, and I used to frequent this place during our childhood, considering a small cave there our secret base. Ah, the good old days.

Oliver had everything prepared, so I just needed to head home and grab my homemade fishing pole. Once there, we arranged our gear and cast our nets into the water, chatting while hoping for a good catch.

"Those adventurers looked pretty strong, Darx. Do you think they will have difficulties with the trolls?" Oliver asked.

"I don't think so. My mother once told me that guilds usually send the most suitable adventurers for each type of quest. Plus, those adventurers looked pretty strong."

"It seems to me that those adventurers are from Oblivion. Amelia told me about it in the morning," Oliver said as he lay down on the grass.

"How did Amelia know that?" I asked.

"Kase told Amelia."

"Oh, I see..."

"Now that I think about it, they are not the first adventurers we have seen," Oliver said, turning to me with a big smile on his face, "Do you remember the time one saved us, Darx? If I remember correctly, she stole your heart. Hhahahaha!!"

"Shut up, my heart is well protected inside my chest."

This happened when we were still children. On one occasion, while Oliver and I were exploring around the forest, a giant spider appeared. We ran but ended up trapped between a large rock and the spider with nowhere to run. When we thought it would be our end, suddenly, a fireball struck the spider, leaving it charred instantly. The person who saved us was an adventurer who was passing through. She was not only the first adventurer we saw but also the first person of another race. She was a Dark Elf. I still remember she was quite tall with red hair and pointed ears. Oliver and I were paralyzed, but in my case, I was more surprised by her beauty. To this day, I still remember her words, "Be sure to pay me once you grow up." That was what she said after saving us. To this day, I think she was so cool! I wonder if I'll get to see her again if I go to the [Riledo].

Oliver and I were so impressed with that encounter that from that day on, we decided that we would be adventurers when we grew up. The following day after that encounter, instead of going to play, Oliver and I started our 'training'.

"Oh, I catch something!" Oliver shouted, taking me out of my remembrance.

"Don't let go, Oliver!"

After a few hours of fishing and talking, we started to get hungry. We gathered some wood and made a fire to grill the fish we had caught.

"Darx, there is something I must tell you," Oliver said as soon as we started eating.

"Mm? What happened?"

"All these days that we haven't been going to training have given me time to think about many things," Oliver began to speak with a serious expression on his face, "What happened with the troll made it clear to me that I am not made for the life of an adventurer. Although, that is something that perhaps I already knew from the beginning but never wanted to admit."

Upon noticing the direction of the talk and seeing that this was serious talk, I stopped eating to pay attention to what Oliver was saying.

"It's just that I enjoyed going with you and Amelia to the forest and spending time together," Oliver continued, "For me, that was what made me happy. However, I realized that it was not fair to Amelia, you, or me to continue doing things half-heartedly."

"So, what do you plan to do, Oliver?"

"One day after the village festival, I will leave the village and travel to Riledo," Oliver said with determination in his voice, "I have decided that I will follow my dream. I will go to work in the capital and save money until one day I can have my own restaurant in the capital."

Seeing the shy Oliver so determined seems incredible to me, "It appears like you already have your life plan ready." I said.

"I do!" Oliver continued, "I hope I can work in an Inn while I save money and then open the best restaurant in the city. My relatives in [Riledo] will let me stay with them until I gather the money to live alone. We have been exchanging letters, and everything has already been agreed upon with them and my mother."

"If you'll be leaving the day after the festival, that means you'll leave before Amelia," I spoke.

"Yeah... I thought about waiting to go with her, but my relatives in the city need someone to help them at the Inn as soon as possible, and I don't want to miss that opportunity. Nevertheless, they agreed to wait until after the festival since I want to take that memory with me. After all, it is the day the three of us wait for every year."

Just as Oliver says, we look forward to the festival every year. The entire village celebrates all night with lots of food and music, and everyone seems so happy. It's melancholic to think that this will be the last festival the three of us will spend together in the village. Both Amelia and Oliver look so determined with a clear goal. I find it enviable. I also need to make a decision soon and decide what I want to do with my life.

"I'm sure you will do well, Oliver. Your food always tastes delicious," I said sincerely with a smile, looking at Oliver, "Once you have your restaurant, I would like to be the first customer."

"You bet!" Oliver said, smiling at me the same way.

"Amelia will be delighted to spend the festival eating and playing," I continued in a more joking tone at the same time that I returned to eating my fish.

"Hahahaha! You are right! Amelia especially enjoys the festival because there is so much free food," Oliver continued, "Considering everything she eats, I can't believe she doesn't gain weight at all."

Oliver and I continued eating and talking about random things for a long time until the rain made us pick up our things and return to the village. As we reached the heart of the village, we parted ways, each of us heading towards our respective houses.

"See you later, Darx!"

After separating from Oliver, I continued running until suddenly, when I was crossing the bridge, I saw Amelia walking slowly with her gaze toward the ground. That scene seemed strange since I didn't understand what Amelia was doing, walking distractedly in the heavy rain. From the direction she comes from, it seems she comes from Mr. Enzo's mansion. I wonder if something happened to her.

"Amelia!" I screamed as I approached her. However, Amelia was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear me.

"Amelia!" I called her name again, this time closer to her.

"Ah, eh, Darx! S-Sorry, I was not paying attention." Amelia said, looking scared.

"Are you okay? Why are you walking in the rain?" I asked.

She stares at me like she's not sure to tell me what's wrong.was thinking about what to reply.

"I-I'm fine... just a little exhausted," Amelia responded to me with a faint smile and a tired look.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! The training and all the walking here have made me tired."

"I see... Are you coming from the mansion?" I asked.

"Y-Yes, I wanted to know what happened at the mine, so I went to ask Kase."

I have the feeling that Amelia is hiding something from me. Could it be my imagination? Although considering her routine—collecting flowers in the morning, training with Jax, and then crafting potions—it's understandable that she would be tired. Perhaps I'm overthinking it.

"Do you want to come over to my house, Amelia? I've read more about [Zrephia] and found interesting things."

"Of course!"

"In that case, let's go!"

"Okay, but I'm tired, so you'll have to carry me."

"Uhhh!!??"

"Piggyback!!"

"EH!? AUCH!!"

Ultimately, I had **** but to carry Amelia on my back. She didn't talk much on the way, and she just hugged me tightly. And just for a moment, it appeared she whispered something in my ear, but because of the noise of the rain, I didn't hear what she said.

...I wonder what she told me.