The Road to the Guild
And so, though the day had brought its share of chaos, it ended in peace.
"I really thought my heart would stop today," Armel said, settling into a chair as she watched her sleeping son.
"I'm truly sorry…"
"I know you didn't mean for it to happen."
"And thank goodness he wasn't hurt too badly."
"Really."
"I should get Serina something — a gift, at least."
"That would be nice."
"Fer… so what do you think?"
"About our son?"
"Yes."
"If you're asking about his swordsmanship," Fer said, "his growth has been extraordinary."
"Has it…"
Armel's face darkened.
"Hmm." Fer stroked his chin and went on. "He was clearly distracted by you for a moment — he let his guard down. But then…"
He hesitated.
"He came at me with a speed that shouldn't have been possible."
"That can happen, can't it?"
"That's not what I mean."
"It was mana."
"Mana?"
"Usually it doesn't awaken until around ten years old."
"That's right."
"But that was mana."
"It could be another effect of the Records," Armel murmured.
"Ha… so many things to sort out from here on."
She pressed her fingers to her forehead, sinking into thought.
"Armel… are you truly all right?"
At last she exhaled a long breath.
"When he went flying… for a moment, I saw my brother."
Fer gently took her hand.
"Armel… that was an accident. There was nothing anyone could have done."
"Fer." Her voice was quiet. "Saying there was nothing anyone could have done is just an excuse."
"But you told me yourself," he said. "That no one blames me anymore."
"I did."
"Armel. The same is true for you. No one blames you anymore either."
"I know. I know that. And still… I can't forgive myself. I just can't…"
"Armel…"
"Let's carry it together. Little by little."
"…We should."
For a long while she couldn't answer.
"Thank you."
"Think nothing of it."
"Fer, I have a thought. Once our son is a little older… what if we sent him there?"
"There… you mean the Neutral Country?"
"Yes. The nation that held to its neutrality right through the war."
"That's true…"
"And the country that changed both our lives."
Anger and old grievance flickered across Fer's face. Seeing it, Armel could do nothing but hold him.
"If we send him there, he'll be safe for a while. And what happened back then was never your fault."
"But I failed to protect everyone. After everything I'd sworn…"
"I'm all right."
Little by little, Fer began to settle.
"My emotions have been all over the place lately."
"They have, haven't they. It feels like we feel more than we used to."
Fer set down his tea and spoke again.
"You're right. Sending our child to the Neutral Country would be for the best."
Armel took his hand.
"Thank you. I think this place is too small for him."
"Well — he is your son."
"Then if he enrolls at fifteen, we should contact that friend of ours beforehand."
"That would be good."
After he began learning the sword, the seasons turned swiftly.
Spring came. Summer passed. Autumn faded. Winter ended. And spring returned once more.
I turned eleven.
"Mom, Dad — are you up?"
"Oh, there's our boy. All that training must be doing something — you're bursting with energy every morning!"
"I'm glad you're full of energy too, Dad!"
"I've still got enough left to hoist you clean off the ground!"
"You're growing so fast."
"I'll grow even more! I'll get bigger than Dad!"
"Now that I'd like to see!"
"I'm looking forward to it myself. Grow big enough to lift your father right up."
"Of course!"
"All right then — time for breakfast. If you want to grow taller than your dad, there can't be a single vegetable you refuse."
"Ah… then I'll start being taller than Dad tomorrow!"
I felt Mom's sharp gaze.
"I've told you before — picky eating is a bad habit."
"Yes…"
"Haha. Eat a little of everything, son. That's how a body gets stronger."
"Yes…"
"Come on — sword practice again today."
"Both of you, come home early. It's still chilly out!"
"Yes!"
"Understood."
Clang!
"Your swordsmanship has improved quite a bit."
"Really?"
"It has. This should be enough."
"Son."
Fer fell silent for a moment.
"Huh? What should be enough?"
Dad smiled.
"Tomorrow, you and I are going to register at the guild."
Thwack!
"Ow!"
Startled by his words, I failed to parry his blade.
"The guild — for real?!"
Just hearing the word set me alight. Only a few months ago Dad had said my swordsmanship wasn't ready for guild registration…
"Dad, why the guild all of a sudden?"
"Hmm… your skill is still just past beginner level. But I think taking simple commissions and growing through them would do you good."
He ruffled my hair this way and that.
"Everything you've done with me has been sparring. Real combat is different."
Was that the spirit of not harming me…?
"But as you live, there will come moments when you have to take up a sword. If you don't want to hesitate when that day comes, now is what matters."
"Dad, why do you look so dark all of a sudden?"
"Huh?"
A flicker of fluster crossed his face. He glanced at the sky, then forced a smile.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking how much you've grown already…"
He squinted up at the sky.
"Dad, are you crying?"
"I'm going to keep growing! Cry later!"
"What? I'm not crying."
"Oh, come on!"
"Haha. All right. From here on, all that's left for our boy is to grow."
His words filled me with excitement.
"Guild, guild, guild…"
"Son! Fer! Come in for dinner!"
Mom's voice carried from far off.
"Shall we stop here for today?"
"Yes!"
Ever since I'd started learning the sword, every day had felt wonderful.
"Mom, I'm hungry!"
"Tonight it's roast chicken and all sorts of vegetables."
"Meat!"
"I know you love meat, but you have to eat your vegetables too."
"Yeees—"
Dad's laughter rose behind me.
"What are you laughing at!"
"Just that our son is adorable."
"Shall we eat first?"
We sat at the table and began our meal. Dad paused, looking at Mom.
"Dear."
"Yes?"
"I've been thinking of registering our son with the guild. What do you think?"
For a moment no one spoke. I could only look back and forth between them.
"Guild registration?"
Mom's brow furrowed slightly.
"He's going to enter the Academy. Does he really need to do this?"
"That's exactly why I want him to. He can handle a sword reasonably well now, and his basic stamina is solid. Better to go into the Academy with some real experience than none at all."
"…You won't put him on anything dangerous?"
Fer smiled.
"Only simple commissions at first. Slime cleanup, learning to identify herbs — that sort of thing."
"Ha… all right. But for a while, you stay with him."
"I will."
At those words I shot up from my seat and ran to Mom.
"Really? Am I going to be an adventurer now?"
She looked at me and smiled.
"You'll have to pass their test first. Then you can become an adventurer."
"Still! Getting to go to the guild and maybe become an adventurer — I'm so excited!"
Dad nodded.
"We'll go together tomorrow morning."
My heart hammered in my chest.
The guild. Commissions. Subjugations. Adventure.
Stories I'd only ever heard about were about to open up in front of me. I could hardly wait.
That night, sleep would not come easily.
The next morning—
Bang!
"Mom! Dad! Get up!"
"Good heavens!"
"Son, what is it?"
Armel stared at him through a half-awake haze.
"You're supposed to knock."
"Sorry. I just got so excited about going to the guild."
"All right, all right. I didn't realize you'd be this thrilled. Our boy."
"Thank you for saying yes, Mom."
She smiled and walked toward the kitchen.
"Good. Since Mom granted your wish today… you'll grant Mom's wish too, won't you?"
"Yes!"
Without a word, she tapped her cheek with a finger.
"This is Mom's wish."
"Mom! I'm eleven now — it's embarrassing!"
She turned away, looking forlorn.
"I see… so you won't even do that for your mother anymore."
"Dear, shall I do it instead?"
"You stay out of this."
Now Dad looked forlorn. He glanced at me and whispered,
"Son, that was your mistake just now. Smooth things over with your mother before we leave for the guild."
"Yes…"
The table was rather quiet.
"Mom. The meat tastes even better today!"
"Thank you…"
Her voice was lower than usual. An uneasy feeling settled in my chest.
Even after the meal, I couldn't quite lift her spirits.
"Mom, should I clear the dishes?"
"It's fine. Just get ready for the guild."
It was the first time she had spoken without looking at me. Something tightened in my chest.
I went to my room to prepare.
"Well then. Shall we go, son?"
"Yes."
At the front door, Mom gave a limp little wave.
"Be careful…"
Once we were outside, Dad let out a deep sigh.
"Son, why couldn't you cheer her up?"
"But she just kept saying it was fine, no matter what I did."
"Son. That's not how it works… Go back and do it properly."
"What?"
Dad looked at me for a moment, then pointed to his own cheek.
"Ah!"
I bolted back, calling to Mom as she was closing the door.
"Mom!"
"Son? Did you forget something?"
"No, it's just… Mom, could you lean down a little?"
"Hm?"
I quickly pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"I'm heading out, Mom!"
My face burned. She pulled me into a fierce hug.
"My boy."
"Yes."
"I know you're growing bigger every day. But to a parent, a child is always a child."
She smiled softly and added,
"So as long as it isn't too embarrassing for you… could you keep doing this for me?"
In that moment I understood. The thing I'd thought was embarrassing was, to a family, simply love.
"Yes! I'll keep doing it."
"Thank you. I love you always."
"I love you too, Mom."
As I turned away, I whispered,
"But I don't want to do it with Dad — he's got a beard."
Mom couldn't hold it in. She laughed out loud.
"All right then. Just for Mom."
"Yes!"
I scrambled back outside. Her voice followed me.
"Son! Fer! Both of you — be careful out there."
"Yes!"
"We'll be back."
"Son."
"Yes?"
"What did you talk about with your mother?"
"Why do you ask?"
"No reason… she just looked so happy."
"It's a secret."
"Whaaat — come on, son. Can't you tell me?"
"Nope!"
Dad walked on with a faint air of regret.
"Fine. Let's get to the guild."
We passed through the village center and went a little farther in. The voices around us grew rougher — the clash of metal, tankards slammed onto tabletops, laughter and shouting and someone's curses mixed together.
I stayed close to Dad's side, looking up at the buildings. A large sign hung overhead.
Tarsha Adventurers' Guild.
"This is the place."
Creeeak.
I had no idea then.
That beyond this door — for the first time in my life — I would feel what it meant to know I could die.