Legacy Of Ennea

=== Nicolas's Point of View ===

The next time when I am awake...

I feel someone is sleeping on me... and it is very warm...

I know this feeling...

I open my eyes... and I can see a white wolf sleeping above me...

"R-Rin?" I called his name...

Where am I...

I know that it is in the 26th floor, but whose house is it?

I looked at the person next to me...

It is Ed... and on the other side... it is Ethan...

W-Why is Rin with us?

Ah, I don't really care... it feels nice, so warm in this cold labyrinth floor...

Should I sleep again? Maybe while hugging this warm thing above me...

When I was about to hug him...

"Ummm Nisan?" a voice come from in front of our bed...

I immediately sit on the bed...

Rin fall to the bed but still sleeping...

I can see Nate...

"N-Nate? What are you doing here?" I asked Nate...

"N-Nothing, it is just funny to see Rin sleeps with you..." Nate said while smiling...

"Ah, what time is it?" I asked while looking at the clock...

"W-What? 9 AM?!" I said in panicked...

"That's fine... there won't be any class today..." Nate said

"What? Who said?" I asked Nate...

"Grandpa... he said that we did great job..." Nate said...

And I can feel Ed is moving...

Ed sit on the bed as well... and looked at me...

"Good morning..." He said

"Good morning Ed..." I greeted him...

Ed direct his view to Rin...

"R-Rin?" he called his name in panicked...

"H-He is so fluffy..." Ed said

"Y-Yeah! I know right!" I said

Both of us begin to pat Rin... but it looks a bit disturbing for Nate...

"Hey... you can't keep treating him like a pet..." Nate said

"N-No... it's just... he is so fluffy..." I said

Ed nodded hardly...

And I can feel Ethan moved...

He sit on the bed...

And looked at all of us...

"Ugh... what time is it?" Ethan asked...

"12 PM" I said while smiling...

"WHAT?!" Both Ed and Ethan shouted...

And I laughed really hard...

"N-Nisan... that is bad..." Nate said

"That's okay! You should see their face!" I said

Even Rin is awake now...

"Why so loud?" Rin complained

"Hey! All of you! It is breakfast!" Nathalia popped her head in and shouted through our window...

"Okay!" the five of us said in unison...

We left the house... still with our pajamas... and go to the dining hall, which is an outdoor room

The dining table is located near the lake... and we can see the beauty of the lake, and especially the giant tree...

Orseus looked... a bit restless...

While we are eating, I asked Ethan about yesterday...

And he explained the story, while Nathalia and Nate is telling Dad how we defeated the Colossus... and so does Karl and Fredrich telling Julian and Persey...

While Grandpa look doesn't even care... as always

When everyone finished with their food... I started a serious conversation...

"Oh, I have to remind everyone... that we have to retrieve the Auxillium Staff..." I said

After hearing my words... everyone become silent... and they looked at me... even Grandpa...

"It is in Haven right?" Orseus asked Precilla...

"Yes, it is supposed to be there..." Precilla said...

"Nico, can you check it?" Ethan asked me...

Check? Using Clairvoyant?

"Hmmm, I never try it on an object, let's give it a shot..." I said while standing up... and I move to the lake, everyone is following behind my back...

I activated my magic...

'Create Elements'

And I touch the lake with my staff and create an effect like an air drop to the lake...

'Auxillium Staff' I said it within my heart...

And...

"What?" Ethan said in confusion...

It is... blurry...

"That is the effect of Barrier Magic..." Orseus explained...

"Can you zoom out?" Nathalia asked me...

"Let me try..." I said

But I can't do it...

"Once it touch the barrier, you can't do anything about it..." Orseus explained...

"Hmmm Barrier Magic... then, there is a big chance that the staff is in Haven..." Precilla said...

"You sure?" Ethan asked...

Precilla nodded...

"The central cathedral is always being protected by barrier magic..." Precilla exlaimed...

"Wait..." Morgan stopped us... and he draw everyone's attention...

"It was protected right? I thought Highpriest Marius and his people evacuate with King Ethen to Aerios Kingdom..." Morgan said

Now... everyone become confuse...

It is true, they should have brought the staff with them to Aerios Kingdom, right? I am pretty sure they won't leave such important thing...

"That is true... I saw his guard is with him..." Precilla said...

"Then, there will be 3 chances..." Morgan said...

All of us looked at Morgan seriously...

"The first option is, it is brought by High Priest Marius to Aerios Kingdom, and remain there..." Morgan explained...

"Wait..." Leon said

Now we looked at Leon...

"Don't you think it is weird? If it was brought to Aerios Kingdom... it should be in Navroth's hand right now isn't it?" Leon asked...

That is a good point, Aerios Kingdom is no more, now it is part of Reudora Kingdom and if Navroth use the legendary weapon?!

"No..." Grandpa said...

When grandpa talks, all of us face him ...

"Navroth can't use the legendary weapon... so it will be useless for her..." Grandpa said...

S-She can't?

"But, does she know that the legendary weapon is a threat?" I asked Grandpa...

"Hmmmm, I believe she knows... but I have the feeling, that she left the staff..." Grandpa said

"Why?" I asked...

"Because she loves challenges... the more powerful the enemy, the more she like it..." Grandpa said...

T-That is a bit unpredictable now...

"Morgan, continue..." I said

"S-So... it is between in Aerios Kingdom, Haven, and Reudora Kingdom..." Morgan said...

"Reudora Kingdom?" Ethan asked...

"Yeah, just for precaution..." Morgan said

I nodded... there might be a chance that they hide it there...

"Where is Navroth now?" Nate asked me...

"I don't know, the picture is blurry as well..." I said

Hmm...

Blurry, now I remember something...

I don't think that King Zeon and King Ethen is dead...

"I don't think that King Zeon and King Ethen is dead..."

D-Did I just said it?

Everyone is now looking at me...

"W-What do you mean?" Ethan asked me...

Ethan looked at me speechlessly, and so does Leon...

"Ummm, you see... actually, I tried to look for them using my Clairvoyant, about 4 months ago..." I said

Everyone looked at me intensely....

"It is just blurry.... like what happened just now..." I said

Ethan and Leon looked at me happily...

"Oh, but... it is just a probability ... I don't know for sure..." I told them...

"T-That is fine... you give us hope!" Leon said happily

Ethan nodded as well...

"Then!" Tousan stood up...

"All of you will have a test!" Tousan said

"W-What test?" I asked tousan...

Everyone is looking at him seriously

"We will select only several people... this mission is too dangerous..." Grandpa said...

"Hmmm... that is a good idea..." Rueger said

Orseus nodded as well, and so does Persey...

"We will train you for another 6 months... and after that, we will select only 10 people from you..." Tousan said...

"T-Ten? That is a small group!" I told Tousan...

But he shook his head... means he won't change his mind

"Ten people will check Aerios Kingdom..." Tousan said...

"I am alone will check Haven..." Grandpa said...

"Y-You alone?" Tousan asked...

"Hey! Don't underestimate me..." Grandpa said

"And you two..." Grandpa said while pointing Orseus and Rueger...

"Both of you will check Reudora Kingdom..." Grandpa said

Both of them nodded...

"H-Hey! How about me?" Tousan asked...

"No, you are staying here, with the other kids!" Grandpa said...

"W-What? Why?" Tousan complain...

"Because you are weak! You are in the same level as Nate!" Grandpa said...

W-Wait.... Nate is weak?!

Even Nate looked at Tousan with a bit surprised...

"And also, you are going to be needed here..." Grandpa said...

"F-Fine..." Tousan gave up...

Six months from now... that is quite a long time...

"Fine... let's all work together!" I shouted... and they shout another battlecry...

Every day, I train my magic with Grandpa... and train my swordsmanship with Rueger...

While Nate train with Rueger all the time...

The one that follows my step is Ed, he learns magic and swordsmanship as well, and we have the same style as well, which is Maxim Style...

Maybe we should study directly under Maxim's watch...

But he won't be returning for 6 months from now...

Nathalia train with Rueger all the time...

Leon too... since Rueger can use Ares Style as well

Ethan and Precilla focus on learning swordsmanship under Orseus's watch...

Morgan... he is training with Tousan... studying about tactics...

The test will be done one by one...

Also, I tried fighting against Eria... I requested a duel... and I survived 8 combos from her...

While Nate survived 31 combos...

I-I guess I am not talented in swordsmanship...

What is unexpected is... Ethan, he challenged Eria as well, and survived 29 combos... which is great!

Ethan is working really hard... and his skill are getting closer toward Precilla...

And without realizing, it is our test day...

6 months has passed...

We are currently gathered in the grass field, near the horses...

"Today... finally come, whether you are qualified or not... but please, do not let yourself down if you lose... since there is always time for you to train harder..." Grandpa said...

T-That is breaking our mental a bit...

"First... I will asked... those who don't want to join fighting, move back... you will be staying in this place..." Tousan said...

I can see several people moves back...

Karl... and Fredrich... also Julian and Persey... there are four of them...

"Then...let me give an exception for these two people... they do not need to join the test..." Tousan said...

M-Me please... I don't want to waste my energy here...

"Ethan and Morgan... you are needed in this mission..." Tousan said...

N-Not me?!

T-Tousan... I feel betrayed...

I can see a relieved face from Morgan...

He is not good in fighting... but at least he got the brain...

Then, suddenly... the room become shaky...

"W-What happened?!" Nate asked...

But I know this feeling...

Since 12 months has passed...

"It's him..." Grandpa said...

And a light was shot from the ceiling of the floor? To the middle of our houses...

From here, we can see a man standing there...

"Don't worry about him... I am not feeling any bloodl.u.s.t from him..." Grandpa said

All of us nodded...

"First match will be... Nicolas against..." Grandpa said...

"Me..." Grandpa said while smiling...

Fighting Grandpa... I somehow got this feeling already...

Now, we are given a big space to fight...

"Hey Nicolas, can you make a stadium for us... I guess that might be cooler..." Ethan said while smiling...

H-He is teasing me? That boy... he just want to enjoy the match comfortably...

I created a big stadium... not as big as Seraviel's stadium... just big enough for us to fight with our magic...

Grandpa and I prepare the distance...

I looked at the audience seat, and I can see a big man with red eyes is watching me...

Ugh I hate this...

Maxim Maxwell... the third... even fourth, ninth and tenth combined can't defeat him...

"So, the rules are simple, no killing, and fight until one is unable to fight..." Tousan said...

"Both side agree and ready?" Tousan asked...

I nodded... and Grandpa nodded as well...

"Then... the battle....begin!" he shouted and left the field...

'Create Elements!' I said while holding my staff on my left hand... and a sword on my right hand...

I have prepared for any attack now...

I looked at grandpa and he is not moving...

What is he thinking? I hope he is giving me a chance to win...

I can shot him immediately with [AIRSHOT] which is fast... and so I did...

[AIRSHOT]

I direct the staff on him... and he begin to move...

Which make I missed the shot...

He is moving really fast... but I have a lot of time, since we have a great distance...

'[WALL]' I created a wall behind him and he looked surprised...

'[WIND]' I pushed him back with the wind so that he hit the wall I just created and cornered him... but, it is not that easy...

"[WALL]" he said and created a wall in front of him...

Which is bad for both of us... since I can't see where he is going... and so did he...

I run toward his wall... and suddenly, an earth spike was shot by him from the ground to my previous position...

H-He is planning to kill me?!

I immediately stopped... and a big spike was shot in front of me from the ground, upward... exactly in front of my eyes...

'[UP]' and I raise Grandpa's ground level where he become standing higher... as high as the [WALL] he created...

But, bad news... I can't see him...

W-Where is he?!

I feel the earth shaking underneath me...

I immediately moved back, and an Earth Spike was shot upward...

H-He is not joking! He is going to kill me...

How did he know my position? Earth Magic?

[GRAVITY 0] I casted on myself... and I use my wind magic to control it... which literally, I am flying...

Is he hiding under the ground? If that so, he can't see me and I can't see him... a blind battle...

Since I am on the air, he don't know where am I yet...

I decided to use it for the first time...

[ILLUSION MAGIC]... and I summoned my illusion on the arena...

Grandpa immediately hit it with the earth spike...

I know it right... he can see me whenever I touch the ground

And he is literally going to kill me...

I should do it seriously as well...

[THUNDER MAGIC]

And the Fire Sphere and Yellow Sphere shine brighter...

[THUNDERBOLT] I said within my heart and I throw a thunder from my hand, like Zeus... through the ground...

I know that it is ineffective, but that is the most destructive spell I got...

Feeling an enormous of mana from the thunder... Grandpa left his hideout, which is under the ground and successfully blocked my attack with Earth Magic by making a shield out of earth magic

Again, I can't pierce his earth magic... like the class he set up in Neku School...

Noticing me up above him...

He shot me with [WATERBALL]... but apparently, I am quite good in controlling myself flying... so that attack missed...

He shot an Earth Spike which I big enough until it reaches my height level... but I can still avoid it...

Until suddenly, he uses his Fusion Magic... and shot it toward me... the [WOOD MAGIC]

And to counter [WOOD MAGIC], I used [CUT] from Wind Element... the wind is cutting every woods that are trying to approached me...

But the [WOOD MAGIC] is closing my view... I can't see where is he...

The [WOOD MAGIC] keep attacking me nonstop...

And so I lost him from my sight...

I decided to restore the arena with my Earth Magic... so I clean up the mess we made by descending all of the walls I made and Grandpa made... also the [EARTHSPIKE] grandpa has made...

Until suddenly... before all of the mess cleaned up, I got hit on my head...

W-What!? He hit me with his staff...

I fall down to the floor... but then he created water... to slow down our fall...

Until we arrived at the ground safely...

"Battle End! Winner... Zerotus Maxwell..." Tousan announced...

Everyone in the arena looked speechless...

I lost...

I looked at Grandpa's face, he looked a bit disappointed...

Everyone is looking at me with surprised... like they never thought of me losing the fight...

But I hear someone is clapping... I looked into the direction and...

"That is a great fight..." Maxim said while clapping his hand...

T-That man... is actually enjoying it?

He then jumped to the arena... and create a crater on the ground...

And he pointed his finger to me...

"Do you know why you lose?" He asked me...

I believe because he is the fourth... but if I answer something like that, Maxim will laugh at me... so...

I shook my head...

"Because you did not thing a step ahead... you only think a way to counter every spell he throw..." Maxim said...

"I-I guess the fourth is inevitable..." I said while looking down...

"No..." Grandpa said...

"In magic, you have surpassed me..." Grandpa said...

Maxim nodded as well...

"But you are kinda dumb..." Maxim said...

And I feel really offended...

Am I really that dumb?!

"Let me ask you... are you a mage? Or a swordsman?" Maxim asked me...

"B-Both..." I said

He then threw me another question

"If enemy come closer... are you going to pushed them back with your [WIND MAGIC] or you are going to use your sword?" He asked me...

Now I really think about it...

"I will be using my magic..." I said

"Then, holding the sword is useless... you are a right-handed person, your power will be reduce when you use it on your left hand..." Maxim said

I just know about that...

"Woah... so you just knew about that?" Maxim asked me...

I nodded...

"If you are going to fight Navroth... you should be better than this..." Maxim said...

"Then! Help us!" I said

"To fight Navroth? I will be dead..." Maxim said...

"Not, if you are with us..." I said...

"Excuse me? All of you can't even defeat me..." Maxim said...

"T-Then! Train us!" I said seriously...

"Nah... I am too busy..." Maxim said...

And he return to his seat...

T-That man... I have to convince him more later...

"Grandpa... thanks for the fight..." I said and left the arena...

But before I left...

"Oh.. Nico.. Can you clean the arena?" Grandpa asked...

"Sure..." I said and I return the surface into normal...

After that I deactivate my magic... and sit next to Maxim...

"Why are you here?" He asked me...

"Trying to convi-"

"Later, after the fight... I love watching people fight..." Maxim said...

This man, a grown up man that loves to see other fight... what a legend...

And so, I decided to leave Maxim and sit next to Ethan...

"Nice fight..." Ethan said praising me...

"Hey! Tell me how Grandpa was above my head..." I said to Ethan...

"Ummm... you notice the last Earth Spike? The tall one?" Ethan asked me

I nodded...

"He moved on that thing, while you are busy cutting the [WOOD MAGIC]" Ethan said

T-That is... too unpredictable...

"Do you plan on winning?" Ethan asked me...

I nodded...

"Then, you should plan how to win..." Ethan said...

He looked at me while smiling...

T-That is a nice word...

At the same time it is true... I want to win against grandpa... but don't plan how to win it...

"You are too soft when it comes to fight against your family or friend..." Ethan said once more...

"Since I do not plan to attack my own family and friends..." I said...

"How about Navroth?" He asked me while watching the match... it is Rueger vs Nate...

Navroth...

"She is my mom... I don't know why, but I have the responsibility to end her as well..." I said...

"End your mom's life? Are you sure you can do it?" Ethan asked me...

I was so sure back then... but now, I am a bit... hesitating...

The world right now should be in peace under one ruler...

She wants to unite the world... with fear, that is wrong...

"I don't know whether I can or I cannot... all I know is that I have to..." I said...

"If you keep hesitating, you won't be able to help us..." Ethan said...

"I-I know... but it is hard for me as well..." I said...

"Don't you think about the other?" Ethan asked me...

"Hundreds are dying everyday... and we are stuck here..." Ethan yelled...

He shouted quite loud, and I looked around...

Maxim and Ed are the only one that sits nearby... and they are looking at us...

Seeing me panicked... Ethan stood up...

"I-I am sorry..." Ethan said and left...

Ethan left the arena and everyone is watching him leaving without words...

Hesitation...

"So, what's the problem?" a voice next to me...

I looked at him...

"Maxim... what are you doing here?" I asked him...

"I love watching people fight..." Maxim said with a smile...

H-He is hopeless...

I let a sigh... and begin my explanation...

He nodded several times...

"I see... do you believe in him?" Maxim asked me...

"Of course! He is my friend!" I said...

"Friend... that is a dangerous word... I asked you one more time... do you believe him?" he asked me seriously...

"Rueger win!" Tousan shouted...

And I can hear applauses from the other...

While Ed... he is watching both of us...

I nodded once more...

"Then, both of you are still not in sync..." Maxim said...

"If he is a good friend, he should understand your situation... and you too... he is a Perius... a Perius always has the sense of responsibility... like Ares, my brother..." Maxim said...

Ares...

"Ares Maxwell?" I asked...

He nodded...

"Next! Precilla against Orseus!" Tousan shouted...

Maxim looked at the arena...

If I am not mistaken, he created the Ares Style... for swordsmanship... Leon and Roxane are using Ares Style...

"Ares is always fighting fiercely, he knew no mercy..." Maxim said...

"But, when he see the weak, he will protect them even in the cost of his life... he was a good man..." Maxim said...

"How about you?" I asked...

He looked at me...

"Me? You mean both of us? We don't actually care about other..." Maxim explained...

"I-I do care about other..." I said...

"Yes, but only your own family and friends..." Maxim said...

N-Now, I can't tell whether it is wrong or true...

"Which is why, I let my brother become the king..." Maxim continues...

"King?" I asked...

"Ares changed his family name... and our family support his kingdom... until these days..." Maxim explained...

So... that is why the reason Ares become the King, not Maxim... and he created a new family name...

I discovered about Ethan being my family two years ago, when I was still with Euclio... but we agree to keep it secret...

"I see, is there anyone else I know would be part of my family? Like maybe Leon?" I asked...

Maxim suddenly laughed...

"Why the dragon race?" Maxim asked me...

"B-Because, Euclio is a prince from Qiteron Kingdom..." I explained...

"It is! Qiteron Kingdom is part of our family...." Maxim said, and he looked pretty interested...

"Also, Ethan is the prince of Perius Kingdom... which is why, I thought that Aerios might be?" I asked...

But he shook his head...

"Aerios Kingdom is not part of us... but we have been their allies since the three kingdoms..." Maxim explained...

"I-I see..." I said...

Seeing me a bit down, he tell me a surprise... "There is one more person in this place which is actually part of your family..." Maxim said and he stood up...

"Until next time, I will be returning next year..." Maxim said... and left me...

"N-Next year?!" I asked him

And he nodded...

"W-Wait..." I called him...

He stopped walking and looked back...

"C-Can you at least stay here for a day?" I asked...

"Why?" he asked me...

He seems not to be interested with the tournament...

"I want to try to fight you... again...." I said...

He looked at me speechlessly... but then he started to laugh really hard... even everyone is looking at him...

After a moment,

"Interesting! Fine..." he said happily and he return to his sit...

Ed suddenly come closer to me...

"F-Fighting him? Again?" Ed asked me

"Are you serious?!" Ed said...

I nodded...

"If we can't defeat the third... how can we defeat the first?" I asked Ed...

He looked a bit down... but then he say "We need Auxillium Staff, so that you will be equal with the first..."

"How can you know that I will be able to use the staff? It seems to be very powerful, but if I can't use it... we have to find other alternatives..." I said to Ed...

Ed looked at me seriously, he looks anxious...

I hold his shoulder...

"Don't worry, he won't kill me..." I said to calm him down...

"How can you be so sure?" Ed asked...

"It seems that he won't kill the first blood line..." I said...

"I see..." Ed said...

We watches the whole matches... and the winner are always Grandpa, Rueger and Orseus...

But one...

Nathalia...

She defeated Rueger...

She outsmarted Rueger... I know it since the previous life, she is a genius...

We all are gathered in the arena I have made... and Tousan started to select each of us...

"There are only ten members that are allowed to join the mission, two places has been taken by Ethan and Morgan, and one place has been taken by Nathalia, since she won against Rueger..." Tousan said proudly...

I looked at Nathalia and she smiled happily...

"Seven seats left... the fourth place will be taken by Noah..." Tousan said...

Noah looked relieved...

Hmm, Noah... he deserve it, he was fighting grandpa as best as he can do...

"Next, Erin and Rin..." Tousan said...

Both of them give a high five...

Hmmm I know that both of them will be accepted! Both of them are strong...

But, how about me?

"Nate and Leon..." Tousan said...

Both of them nodded...

Nate is a hard worker! He deserve it! And so does Leon...

Wait, how about me?

"And two left..." Tousan said...

W-Wait... why my name is not announced yet?!

"Edmund, you pass..." Tousan said...

Ed then breath normally!

He was holding his breath this whole time?!

Tousan looked at me...

Yes! Pick me please!

"Roxane... you pass..." Tousan said while looking at me...

Now I am look like an idiot...

Not only me... but Ed, Nate and Nathalia looked at me speechlessly

I-I am not selected?

"All of you will be under Ethan's command, and Morgan will his hand... so, follow their lead..." Tousan said while still looking at me...

"Okay!" the ten of them said in unison...

But then someone raised his hand...

It is Ethan... he returns and stand next by my side...

"What is it Ethan?" Tousan asked Ethan...

"Can I ask a question?" Ethan asked...

"Sure..." Tousan said...

"Why both Nicolas and Eria are not included? I see both of them have a lot of potential..." Ethan asked...

Eria too! She did not pass... what is wrong with this... she is one of the strongest around...

I looked at Tousan... and he looked at me back...

"Because he does not have the will to fight..." Maxim said from the audience seat...

All of us looked at him...

Maxim is standing up and come closer...

Until he is standing in front of me...

"This boy, has a lot of potential, but I believe you understand why..." Maxim said to Ethan...

Ethan then direct his face away...

"Hesitate, and you won't be able to move forward..." Maxim said

"I don't know about the girl" Maxim said while looking at Eria...

"But, what I know is this boy... is under qualified for the mission..." Maxim said while pointing at me...

Now, I am looking at the ground...

That is true, I was not fighting seriously... I'm afraid that I could kill Grandpa...

"If you thought that you could kill your grandpa, that is your biggest mistake... he is the fourth, and you underestimated him..." Maxim said while leaving me behind...

He is walking toward the seat, and sit there watching us...

Now, the moment of silence...

Ethan raise his hand once more...

Now all of us looked at him...

"I am not going..." Ethan said...

Now everyone looked at him in confusion...

Including Tousan, grandpa, Orseus and Rueger...

I looked behind my back, and I see Maxim is smiling...

"Euclio asked me personally to help Nico anytime and everywhere... I decided to follow his words..." Ethan said...

"I-If Ethan is not joining, I w-"

"No, the rest of you have to... that is a command..." Ethan said to Noah...

Noah shut his mouth...

"E-Ethan, you don't have to..." I said...

"That is my decision alone..." Ethan said while looking at Tousan... and Tousan is looking at him as well...

Everyone stayed silent...

But finally Tousan say something...

"Fine... then it will be 9 people journey" Tousan said...

"That's for today..." Tousan said... and all of us dismissed...

That night...

Inside the dungeon, there is no sun, but we have clock powered with magic...

I am sitting next to the lake...

The lake is big, and this place is peaceful, since everyone should be sleeping at 2 AM...

And from this place, I can see a man sitting in the middle of the lake, which is on the root of the giant tree.

Is Maxim actually sleeping?

I don't know... I have a lot of thoughts in my mind...

I don't have the will...

That's what Maxim told me... and so did Ethan...

'If you keep hesitating, you won't be able to help us...' Ethan said...

Hesitation...

'Hesitate, and you won't be able to move forward...' Maxim said...

Hesitation...

Why do I hesitate?!

Killing my mom?!

Attacking my own grandpa?!

Of course I will hesitate!

"Yo..." a low voice come behind me...

I looked back and...

"Ethan..." I called him...

He come closer, and I create another seat made of Earth Magic...

"Thanks" he said while taking his position to sit...

I give him a smile...

But then I direct my view toward Maxim, which is not moving at all...

Ethan...

He is not coming because he want to stay by my side... a personal request by Euclio?

"So, Euclio gave you a personal message?" I asked Ethan...

I looked at him...

"Actually... no..." Ethan said...

"W-What?!" I said in surprised... and he laughed...

H-He is lying?!

"But what I know is, I should be by your side..." Ethan said...

I am looking at him, while he is looking at the giant tree...

"You are hopeless..." Ethan said while smiling...

"Yeah, I know..." I said...

"That is why Euclio is always by your side..." Ethan said...

I nodded...

I never be this clueless... when Euclio is by my side...

"Ed tried to convince Clement to deploy you for the mission..." Ethan said...

E-Ed did?

"But..." Ethan said...

"But?" I asked...

"Refused..." Ethan said...

"I see..." I said while looking at the lake... and that man is still not moving...

"Hesitation..." I said suddenly...

Ethan looked at me...

"I know that killing your mom is very hard for you, but let me clear things for you... she is not your mom" Ethan said while looking at me seriously...

I let a sigh...

"Yes, I know..." I said...

"But you can't accept it easily..." Ethan said...

I am surprised.... Then I looked at him and I nodded...

"Nico, let me tell you something..." Ethan said...

And I face him...

"If you keep hesitating, you will be regretting it one day when you lose someone close to you..." Ethan said...

I gulped...

That is scary, but that is true...

"That's true..." I said

"I hope you remember that..." Ethan said...

I nodded...

Then I feel someone is walking behind us...

When I turn back, it is Eria...

"Eria?" I called her...

"Hey, can't sleep?" she asked both of us...

Ethan nodded... and so do I...

I created another seat for Eria with my earth magic...

"So, why do you think, that you are not accepted?" I asked Eria...

Eria let a sigh... then she sat down...

"I don't know..." she said...

Hmmm, that is hard...

I looked at the lake...

It is so peaceful... we can hear the sound of waterfall from the mountain...

This lake, is beautiful...

"I could stay in this place forever..." Eria said...

Both Ethan and I nodded...

"This place is too good to be real..." Ethan said...

"But it is real..." I said...

I looked at the middle tree, and see Maxim stood up...

I believe the three of us see that, until...

"W-Where is he?!" Eria asked

He is gone...

And I can feel my head being hit...

"Ouch..." I shout...

Both Ethan and Eria looked back and looked surprised... and so do I...

"M-Maxim?! I thought you..." I said while pointing at the tree...

"You can't even see that? How can you defeat the first! Especially with the hesitation you have there!" Maxim said...

He remove his sword above my head...

That is the legendary sword... Mountain Slasher...

"Starting from tomorrow, I will teach you, and you swordsmanship..." Maxim said while pointing at Ethan and Eria...

Now both of them looked excited...

"H-Hey, how about me?!" I asked...

"You? Learn your magic by yourself..." Maxim said with flat voice...

T-That is annoying...

"You are a mage, not a swordsman..." Maxim continues...

"B-But, I can use swo-"

"No, you do not have the talent in swords... use your talent to its maximum, and you are going to succeed in everything... even in defeating Navroth..." Maxim said...

Then silent comes... until...

"Have you fought her? I mean Navroth..." Ethan asked Maxim...

"No, but she is about 10x stronger than me..." Maxim said...

"How do you know?" Eria asked...

"My brother Ares told me..." Maxim said...

Oh... he is going to mention all of the legends...

He told the three of us the stories, where he studied all of the style from his siblings, Alice and Ares... and he developed the new one... Maxim Style...

Also, he told Ethan about our relationship, since both of us is a family... Ethan looked surprised, but then he looks happy...

And at 4 AM, we decided to take a sleep... when I return, I can see Ed is sleeping already...

I patted his head, and sleep by his side... and beside me is Ethan...

I guess, my problem with Ethan is clear already...

At 8 AM...

I feel something warm on my c.h.e.s.t...

When I open my eyes...

"Rin?!" I am surprised...

But, this time, he showed a sad face...

I know why,

we will be separated for a year... I look his tear are starting to show up, and so I hug him...

"Don't worry Rin! You should worry about yourself..." I said to him...

Behind Rin, I can see Ed and Erin...

I release the hug, and Rin nodded...

"You should wait us here!" Rin said...

I nodded...

"Make sure to be back in a year..." I said

He nodded...

That's the plan, this is a year mission... since next year, we will be moving to dwarven kingdom, following Euclio's plan...

Rin moved away from the bed, so that I can see both Ed and Erin...

"Ed..." I called his name...

He looked sad...

Ethan is awake...

"H-Huh? Is it time already?" He asked...

I looked at him, and his hair is a mess...

"Yes..." Eria said from the window...

"Eria?!" I am surprised...

And she jumped and enter our house from the window...

Then she hugged Ed and Erin...

T-That is a surprise...

Eria always look very cool... but this time...

Then, another boy and another girl come by jumping through the window as well...

Instantly, they hug me...

"Nate... Nathalia..." I said...

"Nisan! Make sure you stay alive!" Nate said...

Am I in danger? I think they are more in the dangerous zone...

This place is too peaceful...

But...

"Yes, and you too..." I said to Nate...

I also patted Nathalia...

"Nathalia, take care of Nate..." I said to Nathalia...

"Sure..." she said happily...

Then she grasped me harder...

"You should have done it seriously..." she said to me...

Is she talking about yesterday battle?

"Next time... don't worry about me..." I said...

"Both of you, make sure you stay alive, I won't make it here without both of you..." I said...

"What do you mean! You are the strongest from the three of us!" Nate said...

Nathalia nodded...

"N-No... Nate is the hardest working person, and Nathalia is the smartest, I am just a burden, without the two of you... I can't survive my childhood..." I said while still hugging them...

Hearing my words Nate cried...

And I am still not letting them go off my hug...

Until...

"Hey... faster we should be going..." Zerotus said from the window...

"S-Sure..." Nate said and release my hug... also Nathalia...

Everyone inside our house left...