It's been a year since that day when I explored my first dungeon.
Ever since then, I've kept up my training regimen with everyone.
Unfortunately, I haven't improved much in a year, as I'm still stuck on the first magic tier. My physical condition and dexterity have gotten better, which I'm really proud of.
"Magnus, here." I hand Magnus a sack full of looted items.
I go exploring dungeons at least once every two or three weeks. I loot everything I can and hand it over to members of the [Crescent Moon] so they can sell it, as I don't leave this mountain.
It's a good system that helps me improve. It doesn't make me filthy rich, but it's nice to have this.
"Alen." I started to leave, but Magnus stopped me. "Barret and I have to talk with you."
"You're already fifteen."
"And you can't live here forever."
"…What?"
"We know you don't want to leave… but—"
"It's been nine years since they left and… we reckon your parents'll co—"
"No… no, I… I get it."
"These last six years…" Karla and Khyle opened the door to Magnus' office. "We've been asking and searching everywhere, but we couldn't find them."
"And we won't be here forever… Kid, we care about you, so… listen to what they have to say." Karla laid her hand on my shoulder.
"We want you to enter Aurum Academy."
That name!!
"I'm mates with the director. I asked her to make you a student there."
"She told us that, usually, they wouldn't admit you, as the enrollment period is already over."
"But because she owes a lot to Barret and our group, she'll make an exception."
"You'll have to immediately take the same entrance exam as any other student, though."
"Milly'll take you there right now."
"She'll give you a tour and be off as soon as you start the exam."
"Wait. But what if I fail?" I can't focus on everything. All this information, these feelings—I need time to process it.
"You won't." They all had serious expressions. They knew what I was capable of better than anyone else.
"It's an academy city, so there are several markets to buy everything you may need, and also various places to live near the academy. You'll live there for the next three years of your education."
"Every gold coin you made this year from your explorations will last you at least… four or five months."
"You'll have to earn your own booty after that."
"Wait—three years!?" Slow down, please. "And what about vacations? I can come back, right?"
"…"
"No, Alen."
"We aren't seen as the most righteous of people."
"At least for these three years… pretend that you don't know us."
"What!?"
"Kid, calm down." Karla grabbed both my shoulders. "We kno—"
"No, I don't want to leave you." Alen's fears… my fears… At this rate, they'll end up with the same fate… "What if it's not three years? What if something happens and I never get to see you again!?" I've gotta think of a way to avoid their deaths.
"That won't happen, Alen." Magnus tried to calm me. "We know this is asking a lot… but please, believe in us."
"We'll never abandon you, Alen," Khyle tried to reassure me.
"We don't want you makin' unnecessary foes because o' us."
"This is the best thing for you, kid."
"I… I…" I lower my head. "I understand. I just… don't like it. To me, it doesn't matter if everyone else thinks you're bad guys—you're all my family… and I don't want to lose another one."
In the future, we'll end up fighting on different sides. And I want to save each and every single one of you.
Do I tell them to never join [Dark Eclipse]? Or do I try to save them in the future? I have options to save them later. Do I tell them I'm not really the Alen they know? But what would happen then? Do I… What do I do?
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
"You won't."
"We'll always be on your side, kid."
"We be willin' to bend our code for ye, matey."
!!!
"This family is way more important than anything else. Who cares about honor and our word when one of us is in danger?"
"I kinda agree. But we're no cavemen. We'll still try to keep our word. We'll just… bend the rules for family's sake."
That… that's exactly what I need.
"Would you… be willing to do that… for me?"
"Not just for you, kid." Karla stepped away. "I'd give up everything to protect this group."
"The same goes for you, Alen." Khyle leaned against a wall. "If we're the ones in trouble, come and save us." He looked behind him. Even though there's a wall, I can feel that Milly's right behind it.
"Arrr, years o' upholdin' our code, and we shatter it for a scallywag that can scarce clear a dungeon!" Barret looked to the side.
"Hoho, I personally don't mind. After all, isn't this what you've always wanted, Barret?" Magnus teased our captain. I didn't fully understand the meaning of those words. But they clearly worked, as Barret got all red and started arguing with both Magnus and Karla.
In the end, seeing this group of mercenaries… no… my family… I agreed.
While I may not like separating from them and acting like I've never met them, I have to enter Aurum Academy to avoid an apocalypse that will fall upon this world.
After saying goodbye to every member, I stepped outside and saw the purple-haired member who had prepared a small cart to carry my things.
One of the things I pride myself on is the fact that I got really good at knowing what Milly was thinking about.
She clearly wasn't in on our talk, as she definitely was against the idea of me leaving—given that she sees me as a younger brother.
---
Even with Equs going at full throttle, it still took us three days.
From the mountain I'd been living on for the past year, we first moved north and entered a path called Frigid Peaks.
Aurum Academy is surrounded by the biggest mountain range on the whole continent. The only way to enter is through the four paths built on the north, northwest, and west.
The north and northwestern paths lead to the same destination: the red tower at the northwest.
There are two paths to the west. They eventually merge and lead to the green tower on the southwest.
During these three days, Milly and I have been having short but pleasant conversations.
Maybe it's because she's only known an Alen who has never left home, so she taught me random bits of information about how to survive in a city. From scammers, to map usage, and even how a school works.
On the morning of the third day, we finally arrived at the front gates of the academy.
Having seen the majestic pixel art of this place in the game, my expectations were quite high.
They were all blown away.
Aurum Academy is the best academy in Terra (what Earth was called in-game).
Situated on the southeastern part of the Nhuam continent, Aurum Academy is considered its own country, despite its large city size.
Neutral to every other nation and kingdom, parents from all over the world send their children to study here. No matter their social status—royalty, high or low-ranking nobles, the common man, or even those who have nothing to their name—everyone can be accepted if they pass the exams.
Aurum Academy is the place you send your children if you want them to become kings, adventurers, judges, scholars, or any other well-respected professional.
And it's the main setting of the game [Dragon's Roar].