Project: TheirWorld - Chapter 041 - Part 1

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Graduation

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TheirWorld

When she returned to the School of Good Books, Grimhai greeted her enthusiastically - but when she asked him about her graduation, his smile faded a little.

“Ah, yes,” he went, pulling out what looked to be a letter. “Arrangements have been made - but I am afraid that you graduation cannot be held here at the school. It seems that you have a number of very - unusual - friends.”

“Then…?” Guin inquired.

Grimhai stood directed her to the door. “Walk with me.”

Following Grimhai out from the school, her heart soared. It must be the spirits! She though in her excitement - a thought that grew stronger as they entered the forest and headed toward the crossroads where she had first met Wise.

As if by magic, Jormund, the spirit of Melora, Dawl, and Alta Noin were already standing, waiting for her, even though it had only been a short time since she had left most of them with the Dragon King.

“Master Hunter, what is that look on your face?” Grimhai asked. While Jormund and Melora were standing together, smiling at Guin, Dawl was looking at the two of them as if he had seen a ghost.

At Grimhai’s question, Dawl looked between everyone and answer, “N-No reason…”

“Mr Dawl,” Guin ginned, guessing what gift the Dragon King had bestowed upon him. “How many people are standing here?”

“People…” went Dawl in a weak voice.

“Jormund has told me all about it!” Mrs Noin exclaimed happily. “Melora is here with us now! I bet you can see - isn’t she lovely! If only Rew were still here! He would be so happy!”

With a pale face, Dawl took his grandmother’s arm and pat her hand. Looking at Guin, he said, “The world is… and interesting place. It seems I have more to learn than I thought.”

“Interesting indeed,” Grimhai agreed. “And it’s about to be even more so! There should be tree more meeting us here…”

Liorax appeared and floated in Guin’s face. “I have something to offer my Che-child pet. That isn’t against the rules, is it?”

Grimhai shrugged. “I see no reason for it to be.”

“Liorax…” Guin said, affectionately patting him on the head. She hadn’t even thought of him as a possibility. “Wait,” she went, turning to Grimhai. “Teacher, you can hear him?”

“I am a key instructor,” Grimhai told her. “I have access to all that I need in order to guide you properly.”

While Guin mocked herself for not thinking about that before, a soft, feminine voice came into her head. “My webs have shown me that I am to offer the child a boon,” the voice of the webspinner said. Guin couldn’t see her anywhere, but it made her happy to know that she would send her off.

“Very well,” Grimhai said. “And the last?”

“Would be me, I suppose,” came a new voice. Guin spun around, jumping back when she turned to see a horse-sized fox with cream-colored fur, nine tails flickering at its back like seaweed in the tide. The eyes that now stared into Guin’s were a soft, cherry-blossom pink, filled with intelligence and wisdom. The large fox began to circle as Guin grabbed Liorax from the air and hugged him tight. “Tethaigou has told me of you, fox-child,” it said in a threatening voice. “He told me of how you aided Reili and her kit. For that, my thanks be given - but now that I see you, I see that there were… other motivations. You are not just any fox-child. You are one of my blood. How rare.”

“W-Who…?” Guin tried to ask, though she was quite confident that she already knew the answer.

The fox raised its beautifully shaped head proudly. “I am Amikavi,” she said. “Reili’s child was the kit of my kit Gomi - as are you, if my nose is trustworthy - and it is. Reili’s trust in you was not so blind, it seems.”

“G-Gomi!” Guin exclaimed, blinking. “Wait. Then. Tik-Tak and I are - Were…” Looking down, she fought her tears. What is wrong with this stupid game? Not to mention Gomi being a part of her character’s story! It was he who had given it to her!

“I hate to interrupt,” Grimhai said, clearing his throat. “It is such an honor, Lady Reili, but it is time to let Guin graduate.

“Very well, teacher,” Amikavi sat on her haunches. “I shall be here to represent Reili, her son, Gomi, and Tethaigou. Be honored.”

The eight of them gathered around her her. Jormund and Melora, DAwl and Alta Noin, Grimhai with Liorax on his shoulder, Amikavi, and - Guin assumed - the Webspinner.

Stepping forward, Grimhai said: “Guin Grey. Student. Candidate. I, Grimhai Kidalmar, pronounce you a graduate from the School of Good Books, and the tutorial of the TheirWorld!* Guin bowed as the others applauded at his words. “Before you now stand eight masters and friends who will help prepare you for the journey that lay ahead. Each in turn will offer their boons to you, and then, we shall send you to the Second Fate!”

Grimhai came up to her first and handed her a large pouch. “This pouch will double your inventory size. It isn’t much, but it should help you on your journey. Fare thee well, Miss Guin.”

Next came Jormund and Melora. Jormund pat her on the head. “Truely, there is nothing that I can give you that will ever pay you back for what you have given me. You have given to me my life, my love, and my family,” he told her, then lifted his spear. “I never was a fighter,” he chuckled. “For all the warnings I have given you, you have proven that you have spirit - moreso than I ever had. Perhaps this spear will serve you better than it ever served me.” Taking the spear, Guin reached up and gave him a hug.

Melora laughed beside him. “Candidate!” She said, leaning forward and kissing one of Guin’s cheeks. She took out two books and said, “These are for you. One is a history of the Compasses. The other, shall give you a great stat bonus. Thank you, for saving this forest.”

Guin thanked them both again, and they stepped back to their places. Dawl stepped forward then with Mrs Noin...