Amelia and the rest leave the village

After an afternoon of training with my mother, I took a shower and coming out of the bathroom; my mother already had the food ready. Today's training was not very efficient, as I was very distracted. Tomorrow Amelia leaves the village and I could only think about that.

"Have you talked to Amelia? Tomorrow she's leaving after all. "Mother asked as we ate.

"I did talk to her a bit this morning. It was a very short talk..."

"Uh? Did you have a fight with her? I never saw you guys argue before."

"Is not that. It's just that Amelia has been weird and busy all the time."

"I have noticed that she doesn't come around anymore. She used to spend more time here than in her own house. Well, she is likely quite nervous herself as she will soon leave."

I'd like to think that Amelia is just nervous, but I'm sure there's something else. The dilemma is that she doesn't want to tell me anything. Every time I try to ask her, she gets angry or looks like she will cry and looks for excuses to leave.

While eating, I noticed a small black box that was on the table. I reached out my hand to take the little box to see what it was and when I opened it, I noticed that inside there was a necklace that seems expensive.

"Is this necklace yours, mom?"

"Oh, it was a gift from Kase. This morning he came to say goodbye as he left the village this morning and gave me that necklace. I tried to refuse it, but he was very insistent."

"I thought he would leave tomorrow with the others. But why would he give you something like that?"

"He said it was in gratitude for training him. And he left earlier because he says he didn't want to deal with Mr.Enzo rumors."

Yesterday there was a trial in the village for Noah's ****. Some people were angry about how Mr. Enzo's maid acted, saying that she could stop Noah without killing him, but at the end of it all they only gave her community servicen which angered certain people. Rumors began to spread that Mr. Enzo paid to help the maid, and even the rumor that Oliver left the village because Kase beat him began to get mixed up.

After eating, I went to my room where I lay down and opened a book to read something, but I still can't concentrate. I don't want Amelia to go leaving things this way. I got up from my bed, intending to go to Amelia's house when I heard a knock on my window. When I turned to see the window, I saw Amelia, which surprised me. I walked to the window and opened it.

"Hey, Darx! Can you come out?" Amelia asked.

"Sure..."

It was strange that Amelia looked for me through the window since she had never done it. She usually enters through the front door. I went out of the window and got to where she was. My first impression on seeing her is that she looked ...normal. She didn't look weird like the days before.

"Hi, Darx. Sorry to make you go out when it's this cold."

"Don't worry. But it's freezing tonight. Don't you want to come inside?"

"I'd rather we talk outside. There is something I want to talk to you about." Amelia said as she started to walk.

"Okay."

We walked to the bridge. At this time, there is no one outside, and the only thing that we can hear is the sound of the river that passes below. Reaching the middle of the bridge, Amelia stopped.

"Many things have happened in these months. Every day I looked forward to this day in which I would leave the village to go to the city and become an adventurer, but being tomorrow the day I was expecting, I am very nervous." Amelia said, looking at the river.

"Although I am not the one who will leave, I am also nervous. It'll be lonely without you and Oliver."

"I'm going to miss you too, Darx. A lot. More than you can imagine."

"So why have you been so distant these days? If something happened, I would like you to tell me."

Amelia continued looking at the river without saying anything for a few moments, but she didn't seem angry or sad this time. She looked calm and thoughtful.

"These days, I've been thinking a lot. I will not lie to you saying that nothing happened, but it is not something I want to talk about. Especially with you." Amilia said as she turned to see me. "I care a lot about what you think of me. What happened is something I want to forget."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Yes! I feel like things are going to get better."

"If you are fine, then I will not insist more, but I hope you will tell me one day."

"Thanks, Darx."

Seeing her better before she leaves has taken a great weight off my mind. I was worried that our relationship would change, but it seems that everything is back to normal. In six more months, I will also go to the city and can meet her and Oliver.

"And how are your parents Amelia?"

"They are sad that I am going to leave, but they are also supporting me. My mother has not detached me for a moment lately. HAHAHA!"

"I see HAHAHA! I'm sure you will accomplish great things, Amelia. And don't worry, I'll visit them often to make sure they're okay."

"Thanks, Darx, that leaves me more relaxed. I'm going to work really hard in the city..." Amelia went silent for a moment, looking at the ground, but she lifted her face and stared into my eyes. "...t-to become someone you can fall in love with."

"Ehh!?"

What did Amelia just say? Amelia's face turned completely red, but she doesn't stop staring at me. Even her eyes are a bit teary. Was that a declaration of love? I got nervous, not knowing how to respond. Then Amelia approached me, leaving her face very close to mine. I think I'm turning red too.

"Don't forget your promise, Darx. I'll be waiting for you in the capital."

"Ah, Yes..."

Amelia then gave me a quick kiss on the lips and then ran home. A few yards away, she turned. "Don't forget that the wagons leave early, so don't fall asleep. I'll be waiting for you at the entrance to the village."

After saying that, Amelia ran home, leaving me confused on the bridge. Did Amelia propose to me !? I am beginning to realize that I am bad at understanding this kind of thing. How should I act tomorrow? I stayed a while longer on the bridge until the cold of the night calmed me down.

I went back to my house, but I couldn't sleep much thinking about what happened. In the morning, I almost fell asleep, but luckily my mother woke me up on time. I ran to the entrance, where the wagons were already starting to leave. In one of the carriages that were already leaving, I noticed Fabe and Cal. They both looked angry when they saw me.

Nevertheless, I was looking for Amelia and Mia since I wanted to say goodbye to them. The first one I noticed was Mia. Who already had her things in the carriage, and her parents and grandmother were with her. When Mia saw me, she ran to where I was.

"It took you a long time. I thought you weren't coming." Mia said, hugging me, which surprised me.

"I'm sorry I didn't wake up on time."

"It doesn't matter; I'm glad you came. I'll say hello to Emma and Oliver for you."

"Thank you. I wish you luck."

“I’ll write you as soon as I found a guild.” Mia tells me with a smile. “Then you’ll know where to send your letters to.”

“Okay, stay safe out there, alright.”

“Will do.”

After that, Mia entered the wagon, and it left. Later I met Amelia with her parents. When her parents saw me arrive, they greeted me and left us alone.

"It took you a long time. You didn't wake up in time, right? Until the end, it's the same." Amelia said as she hugged me.

"Sorry, I was worried about not being on time."

"It's time to go, miss. Please get in the wagon."

Unfortunately, we did not have time to talk more because Amelia's wagon was already about to go. Amelia and I hugged one more time, and Amelia got on the wagon.

"I will send you a letter as soon as possible. Be sure to send me letters too." Amelia said, waving her hand as the wagon moved forward.

"Give it your best effort! I'll see you soon." I also said, waving my hand.

I saw how the carriage went away little by little until I couldn't see it anymore. The other people who came to fire someone also started to leave. I got a feeling of loneliness. It will be lonely to be without Amelia and Oliver. The best I can do in these six months is to keep training.

During the following days, my mother insisted that we continue our training, which I accepted. I'm not particularly eager to give her more work than she already has, but I realized how weak I am after facing Kase. If I don't improve quickly, I won't be able to become a good adventurer. Also, I wouldn't like to lose another fight against Kase. But more than anything, I want to be able to protect the people I love.

Sometime later, news reached the village. One morning when I left the house, I noticed that all the people looked excited. They talked to each other with happy faces. After asking what was happening, I found out something that shocked me.

It turns out that during his ranking ceremony, Kase received an S rank. Although I don't like to admit it, I know that Kase was talented, and my mother told me on one occasion that she expected him to receive a high rank but to be S. Really? S ranks are super rare. There are less than 10 in the whole world, and to think that he will be part of them.

Mr. Enzo was pleased with the news. I can’t blame him. Any father would be proud of his son when he receives a high rank and more if it is an S rank. The whole village that a few days ago was unhappy with Mr. Enzo and Kase suddenly changed their opinion, and now they are praising them. If I meet Kase in the capital once again, I will be at a disadvantage. I had never really thought about the rank I would receive, but now I want to push myself in my training, and hopefully, I can also receive a high rank.

I have to make the best of these six months.