Chapter 20
Colt learned three of the five basic footsteps and to summarize, it was basically retreat and sidestep; which to be fair is extremely useful. His training turned from being 6 hours to 10 hours but every single day he trains, he sees himself to be coming back for more.
He does not know what it is but he actually became addicted to training, it was a miracle he didn't think would happen. And as the final day of Tutorial Training came, Colt and Neun came face to face.
It was dead into the night, most of the staffs in the manor were already resting and only Colt, Mina, and Neun were outside.
"Hey, Butler Neun…"
"That's master to you, disrespectful disciple."
"…Master, what exactly am I training for? To be honest I think I am training for health reasons rather than to become strong."
Neun looked at Colt and saw that the flames underneath his eyes are burning brighter than it had ever been.
"Did something happen? You seem to be in a rush my disciple. Did something happen?"
Ignoring the fact that Neun is acting more and more like an old hermit that irate Colt for the past few days; he's actually pretty astute from time to time and as he noticed the change, he was quick on his wits and says the right thing.
When he saw Colt not answering that question, he became serious.
"This training is nothing but the basics of the basic, and you know it and all of it builds the foundation for aura to manifest on your body; you should be aware what aura is right?"
"Yes, it's basically the mana for Mages or the prana for Illusionist."
"That is correct, aura manifest in different people at different times, others manifest it when under extreme stimulus and some heaven sent geniuses are born with it but the most fundamental way of manifesting it is through training.
"Train the body enough and you will be rewarded with aura. We do not undergo much meditation like Mages or undergo baptism like illusionists. Warriors train their body and core to become stronger vessels and once you reach a certain threshold…"
Neun picked up Colt's training sword and made a vertical swing. A splash of water appeared as the swing was fully realized.
"You can call upon the elements and do this…"
Colt was honestly amazed, but being amazed is not enough for him to become stronger. But he also knows that being impatient will lead to, in the end, Colt shook his head.
He can work harder and push his body to the limits, but any more and he will only be destroying his body. In the end, he couldn't say anything to Neun.
Neun on the other hand gave him a piece of advice.
"Whatever it is you are chasing, just make sure you take it slowly, if you run like a horse for war, you will trip be shot in the neck as you cannot see the greater view. That's enough, you can now rest, tomorrow is the day you will leave for the capital. Do not do anything stupid, okay, my disciple?"
Neun then left, feeling satisfied as he had said something profound to his disciple and acted like an old master.
As always, Colt was helped by Mina. She was patient and while in the
Mina prepared herself to leave, but just as she was about to take her leave, she became conflicted on what to do. In her hand, she held the towel and Colt's spare clothing. She looked at it and then turned to Colt's wardrobe.
At first, she abandoned the idea that suddenly sprouted in her mind and decided to make do with the wardrobe, but in the end, she hurriedly took the towel and clothes of Colt in her room and locked it so no one could enter.
No one ever knew what happened to the towel and the clothe because before even the sun rose from the eastern mountains, it had already been washed.
Colt's luggage had already been prepared since three days ago; and as the coachman prepared the carriage and loaded it with their luggage Colt and Mina said their farewells to the Edgeworths.
"Older brother, don't go....the sweets!" Lyra hugged Colt and begged him to stay, she now has a better relations.h.i.+p with him but the sweets Colt donates mattered most.
"Don't worry, in two months I will return…I'll bring back a lot of sweets then, okay?"
"You promise?"
"Yes, yes, I promise."
Although Colt felt wronged being loved for the desserts he donates to Lyra, he couldn't say much because ever since he came to this world, he hasn't really paid any attention to her.
Their connection was built on top of the foundation of desserts, as brother and sister that's not something good.
'I need to spend more time with my siblings once I return.'
Good thing he acknowledges his mistakes but how he acts on it is a different matter altogether.
Lyra was satisfied with Colt's promise and turned to his parents.
"Take care of yourself out there, okay?"
"Yes, Mother, do not worry about this son of yours. Besides, I have Mina with me, I won't die by doing anything stupid at least." Colt jokingly stated. But he shut his mouth quickly when the Countess gaze him a glare for what he just said.
'It seems like every mother in every world is terrifying. The only thing missing is a slipper or a stick.'
"I'll leave her to you, Mina."
"You can trust in me…Mother."
Count s.h.i.+ckly didn't say much and only gave Colt a thumbs-up as if to tell him go out there and be free.
As for Risa, she was merely looking at Colt with a pleasant smile.
"Get me the brand-new Heavenly Pillow of the Willow Merchant groups. I hear they made it using the fur of a Cloud Beast, make sure to give me that and I'll do what you asked of me the other day."
"Don't worry, I'll give it to you, just make sure to watch over your training in swordsmans.h.i.+p."
It was bizarre for Colt to talk like this with Risa. She was supposed to be one of the hardest working character in the novel so why is it does Colt need to bribe her in order for her to train?
'This novel is getting f.u.c.ked.'
The two said their farewells and as they did so, Colt decided to head to the orphanage where they said their farewells as well.
"Do you really have to go?"
"I'm sorry, Filla but daddy has to go this so I can take you back home with me without others looking down on you."
"I don't care about others; I only want to be with you!"
"Me too sweety, but, I can't bear others doing that to you so, wait for daddy okay? I'll come back in two months, when your birthday comes."
Filla was hesitant to separate with Colt. It was understandable as she was but a kid who just reunited with her father. But she knows that what he is doing is for the better.
"You promise you'll return on my birthday?"
"Yes, I promise. Have I ever broken a promise before?"
"Yes, multiple times already!"
"…"
'f.u.c.k you original!'
Colt cursed the original in his heart.
"Well this time I won't break it."
Filla gave Colt a hug and only separated minutes later.
"I leave her to you, Sister Mary."
Mary nodded her head.
Hylda looked at Colt and smirked. She chortled a bit.
"Take care out there, big bro. Make it big out there, I'll come to watch the Scarlet Festival if I sell enough flowers."
"I don't even know if I'm partic.i.p.ating in that thing, but if I really do partic.i.p.ate, just ask Sister for money, I have given her funds for a lot of things."
"I won't hold back."
It was finally time to leave the city. Colt and Mina would be escorted by the Vice-Captain who was supposedly just came back from his vacation.
As Colt looked back at the city gates, he remembered the last week he was in there.
He felt a certain sadness that one would feel when they leave their homes.
Farewells are always sad and hard. But it is also exciting because once you leave your home you will be greeted a whole new world.
And this world is a world that is filled with magic and adventure.
He does not know what will happen at this point of the story and what will change with his actions, but in order to live his life to the fullest, it is paramount for him to look around him and embrace the world.
'Now, let's see what's ahead.'
Volume 1 end.