I gave Adel a wary smile mainly because she was giving me a strange look like I was some kind of big piece of meat. Sorry to say I am not a wild animal…. Or am I? I once again had to question just what I was exactly. Whether I was an animal or not, at this moment, I felt like I was being targeted by not one but two people. For some reason, the snickering guard was also staring at me as well. So the goosebumps on my body were tripled. They got tripled due to the strange smile on the guard’s face. I really couldn’t wait for this messenger to leave.

“T-thanks, you are quite cute yourself, Adel.” Although I was saying this with a forced smile due to the intensity of their stares. It was true that Adel was a beautiful girl. Her hair was golden and not like a blonde golden but a true golden color, and her purple eyes really matched well with it. She seemed more like a small little goddess than a human.

“Hehe, you are a charmer La… Faith.” Adel replied with a sweet smile. I guess my flattery eased her up a bit because her stare was no longer as strong.

“Since this is how things are, then Faith will be there for enrollment.” With my father agreeing to the considerations that Adel gave, I was now bound for the capital. Luckily not with Adel. I do not think I could handle being stared at for so long. The trip to the capital was a long one. Even if I were to leave today by horseback, it would probably take me at least five months to arrive, maybe even barely making it for the entrance test. But if I were to use magic, I could make it in less than a month. And I figured it would also give me a chance to explore a bit, so I planned to leave soon.

After a few more words of pleasantries with Adel, Adel decided to take her leave. It seemed she was in a rush to head back. Outside the house, Adel was once again holding my hands, gazing into my eyes with those purple eyes that drew one’s attention. “Faith, I will see you in the capital! I shall also be joining you at the academy so let’s be friends, okay?” -.

I looked at the sincere smile on Adel’s face and actually smiled back. For once, she was looking at me normally. I could read it in her eyes the uncertainty and anxiousness as she asked me to be her friend. It seemed she truly wished to be my friend. At least, I hoped. Having a friend is always a good thing, especially one who is able to pass on the king’s words. My guess is she is at least a count, marquess, or duke’s daughter. I do not know if there is some kind of inner circle title that ranks each of these nobles’ titles, but I do know that either way, for an in name lower noble like me to have such a person come to me personally, I should feel privileged and yet…. I only feel it is a waste of resources. Sending so many knights out to protect one person when they could have just sent a messenger. I hoped those knights were getting paid extra for this.

“Yes, let’s be friends, Adel.” And so I made my first real friend, I think. I will have to wait and see. So until we meet again, we are just parting acquaintances. After Adel’s departure, my mother, for the first time in her life, tied me to her side and spent every waking moment with me. She knew I was going to be leaving soon. I have never once had the chance to say goodbye to people I loved and cared for until now. And just the thought of leaving my warm and loving family really pulled on my heartstrings to the point that I started to tear up.

Leaving home for the first time. Venturing out into the world all alone, while exciting, it was at the same time a cause of worry. Things like what happens if I meet a powerful foe that I can not defeat? What if…. Well, that was all I was worried about, really. Food and other things were easy to come by. I could just hunt for some food and cook it anywhere. Water was never a worry, and I have never been afraid of sleeping outside. I mean, if it really came down to it, I could just sleep in my dragon form. How many idiots would try to start a fight with a dragon?

Actually, now that I think about it, no matter what world you live on, there will always be that one idiot. At least in the novels I read, there was always a hero who thought they were king. Always stealing the cute companions from the other males in the group and always talking about how righteous they are. I have always hated those kinds of characters. In those kinds of novels, it was the side characters that I found more attractive. Like the knight who was willing to do what he could for the group while the hero played around. This was why I always liked the ones about the villains or villainess that were trying to change their fate. It usually ended up with someone who reincarnated into a book.

In a way, I would not have minded reincarnating into a book myself, but this world is far from any novel I have ever read. I could be that side character who died without ever being able to show up in the novel. Maybe the lynching was my true doom. At any rate, all I know is that I was about to start my journey, and I could not be any happier yet sad.

I spent another two weeks at home. I was preparing for my travels and stuffing my inventory with all kinds of good things like food and more food. I also made a few tents that used monster hide sewed together then using a kind of weatherproofing glue made from monster fat that sealed it all together. I made five in total, just in case. You never know. My food stockpile was enough to feed all of Wandermere and Cyrilia villages for a year. It was a mix of rice, forest vegetables, and lots of meat. I was even able to find some monster fish in a small pond near the other side of the plateau. They were rather big and could feed a few families.

And of course, I packed a lot of clothes. My mother and Rachel also made a bunch of new clothes for me as well. And my father…. He had a new set of leather armor made for me. It fit me perfectly and seemed like it would last a good while.

But all good things eventually come to an end. I was standing with a large backpack on my back that I would stash away later but kept on for appearances’ sake. After all, my parents still did not know about my system. “Faith, you are to be careful on the road. Do not follow any strange men even if they offer you candy.”

I really wanted to laugh at my mother’s words, but I did not wish to get the red bottom technique before I left. She was dead serious in saying this. “Don’t worry, Mother, I do not like candy all that much.” This was true. The candy in this world was far behind in standards. While many kids like it, it was different for someone like me who had candy back on Earth. I think it is mostly due to the fact that candy here was usually just sugar cane with no flavor or flavored with honey. While it was good once and a while, the same flavors over and over got a bit much.“Yes, you have always been a strange child.” My mother held her cheek as she said this, as if getting lost in her memories. After a few moments, she finally smiled and pulled me into a hug. “Always remember you have a home here.”

“Mmm…. I will come back to visit as soon as I can.” I finally couldn’t stop the tears as I hugged my mother. I was crying for two reasons. I loved my mother of this world, and because I never got to say goodbye to my mother on Earth.

My mother and I hugged for who knows how long. Only when we parted did she wipe her eyes and turn around. I knew she was reluctant to see me go, but I had to. “You grew up so fast. It seemed like just the other day you were running around in your diaper, finding everything strange and amazing.”

“Father, I still do that now minus the diaper part.” I said with a chuckle. I hugged him tight and buried my face into his chest. My father was a good man and an amazing father. “Don’t get into too much trouble while I am gone.”

“Haha! Why am I the one who’s getting lectured?” My father let out a loud laugh as he picked me up and hugged me tightly. He swung me around a bit which caused the others to laugh. I will surely miss everyone so much.

Last but not least were my brother and Rachel. Rachel held my hands while my brother handed me another shiny object….I, of course, snatched it up as soon as I saw it. “Faith, take care of yourself. “

“You too. Take care of Big Sister Rachel and my little nephew. And Brother, protect the village well while I am gone.” I spoke in a low voice at the end. I would be gone, so one less deterrent would be gone. The village elder of Wandermere may try to act up while I was away.

“You can count on it.” My brother nodded and ruffled my hair.

I finally looked at Rachel and whispered: “Keep track of all the times he has wronged you. I will get back at him for you.”

“Hehe…. I will have the ink ready!” We both chuckled and hugged before I stepped back and looked at my amazing family.

“Mother, Father, Brother, And Big Sister Rachel, I am off….” I walked backward a few steps with my hands behind my back before turning around and beginning my new journey. As I ran down the road, I raised my hand and waved at them. I could hear my mother and father yelling to me to travel safely from behind. I will come back here the first chance I get.

Volume 2 End!