Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 8: Adventurer (Part 3)

After securing everything, I made sure I had everything, slipped on my bag, then headed down stairs. As I arrived Ginzo ran up to me, but I grinned as he handed me a basket of sandwiches. "I got these for you since it seemed like you hadn't eaten today... Eat them slowly." I giggled as I took it, "Thanks Ginzo-san! I ate a little bit, but I left so early because I didn't want my parents to change their minds."

I looked over to the party and waved to Ginzo, "I'll stop by on my way home from the frontier in two and a half-ish years!" I then ran off to meet them. Hilton held out his hand, "As you guys saw Iris-chan kicked my ass, so she's strong enough for this quest." I looked up as I saw one woman and one other man. Hilton looked about late twenties, the woman looked mid-twenties, and the other man looked late teens.

The woman shook my hand, so I shook her's back. "I'm Clara, the frontliner. I'm twenty-seven. Hilton's thirty." The man waved, "I'm Mikeal. I'm seventeen, almost eighteen and our support." I waved, "Nice to meet you. I'm Iris. I just turned fifteen about two months ago. I can pretty much do anything, but I prefer dealing damage. If need be I can make barriers or heal. I'm not that good at tanking, but since I can make a barrier and heal, then I can."

He pointed to me, "So, it's cool with you guys, right?" They nodded, so I smiled, "Pleasure to be traveling with you for the next three weeks!" They nodded and we headed out towards their wagon. "You can hop in the back with Mikeal if you want." I glanced at Gengi and huffed before nodding, "Alright..." I got into the back of the wagon with him as they then set out.

I began munching on the sandwiches, "You said three weeks to Jyra then a week more to Yoryth, which is the frontier?" They nodded, so I held out my watch and started calculating the map and seeing if it's accurate. "Alright." Gengi, you and I can make it in three days after they drop us off. So make sure to stay rested. I want to get there as fast as possible and to train.

He nodded and curled into my lap before I turned my attention to my locket. I smiled softly as it glowed golden. I looked up as he asked, "Why's it glowing?" I smiled softly and looked at it, "My childhood friends, older brother, and my fiancé made this for me... It glows based on who I think about... Everyone's training and getting stronger to reunite in the academy... My fiancé... It's been three years since I've seen or talked with him and a year for everyone else... In three years, I'll be with everyone again..."

I giggled as he asked, "Are you sure he'll remember you?" I nodded, "Yes... He will... His mana crystals... They're pure, so I'm able to tell... He loves me in a way that I can't understand, but I love him and there's no doubt that he's the one I want to go around the world and be with..." I looked up as Hilton looked at us, "You're pretty young to have such deep feelings..." I glanced to the side, "Yes, well... I've been with him for a long time... It's difficult to explain, but... I have no doubts." He huffed, "Well... That's good... I hope it works out." I grinned, "Thanks!"

I held out my hand and brought a sketchbook and my art set out. I looked up as Mikeal asked hesitantly, "Are you a noble?" I glanced to the side then giggled at him, "If you want me to be." He sighed, "Well, it doesn't matter either way. You're here to adventure and train, right?" I nodded, but flinched as Clara scoffed, "I hate nobles. Especially the royal family! They do nothing, but spoil that princess! I bet she doesn't know any heartache!"

They looked at me as I looked to the side, "That's not true... Spoiled and sheltered, but even... The princess gets hurt... She might not get physically injured, but she's experienced heartache. I think having people you can bond to is better than any riches. Receiving things from people you love is nice, but you have to give them your time and attention for those presents to mean something... Bonds are the most important thing..." I gripped the necklace as it glowed multiple colors, "Losing people is heartbreaking." I looked and giggled at Gengi nuzzling my stomach.

I looked up as Hilton asked, "Are you close with the princess?" I looked down, "... In a way..." I looked out the back, "... Are you wanting me to leave since I'm connected t-" Clara looked at me then down, "No. It doesn't matter if you're connected to them or not... You're putting your life on the line for training and getting stronger. There's nothing cooler than that." I blushed brightly and hid in my scarf, "I-I see..."

I grabbed the sketchbook and art set and made myself comfortable as I began drawing the goblin encounter, meeting Ginzo, fighting Hilton, getting my license, then heading off on the adventure with the three of them. It took hours to draw and all the while I talked with them about world affairs. We border three countries and the one to the north are the wild lands also known as the New World because it's inhabitable thanks to the demon beasts.

To the southeast is Drum, it's known for its medicine and probably where Law went and where Doctrine is from. To the southwest is a country bordering the water named, Waters Seven. Weird name, but whatever. As for us, we border the New World and those two countries. It's our duty to keep the beasts from invading. There are some intelligent and passive demon beasts, like Gengi, willing to be with humans and right where the three countries meet is the academy. It means people from all three countries attend, including nobles and royalty from other countries.

It's the elites of the world. I have to be ready to beat all the students and make my way to the top. I won't let that hinder my ambition though. That's why I must challenge myself at the frontier and get battle experience. I'm not sure if two and a half years will be enough. I'll probably head back two months before the entrance exams for the academy. The academy has class systems instead of years, so to graduate you have to complete all the classes.