You have assisted GERTHA SEENE in her trial

GERTHA SEENE’s Level has increased to 2.

It seemed that unsealing someone was treated as a trial in its own right. That was a relief. It meant that even if Dallion ever lost a battle that wasn’t the end—there was always a chance of him being unsealed.

In less than a split second, the boy was back in the real world. The temptation to experiment with his new skills was enormous. After all, it would only take a moment. There were enough items in this room alone for him to increase his skill by five more at least. However, he resisted. Any excuse Dallion made to stay longer would only make leaving harder. Even now he was wondering whether not to find other people that had had their powers sealed and helped them, then possibly level up the village before he left.

“I have to go, Mom,” he whispered, stepping away from her. “I need to find out what’s out there.”

“I know… you’re so much like your grandfather.” She took a step back as well. There were still tears in the corners of her eyes, but the air about her had changed. She was no longer the sad, frail woman Dallion had known her to be. There was a new strength emanating from her—the mark of an awakened. “Go and don’t worry. I’ll take care of things here and keep an eye on your brother. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the same idea and rushes out to follow in your footsteps.”

That would be the day, Dallion thought. The world was not yet ready for Linner; thankfully neither was Linner himself.

“See you, Mom.” Dallion took his backpack from the floor and left. It all felt too similar, like the time he had set off for college back on Earth.

Thinking about it, college was an amp comparison. Once he stepped out of the village area, he would also leave its protection. From then on he’d have to rely on himself to set his path forward, not on area guardians, or misguided tyrannical rulers. For all his faults—and there were many—the village chief had kept all the people safe. Outside, there would be no such protection, and while it was unlikely Dallion would face creatures as dangerous as chainlings, there would be considerable threats.

“Did you finish what you had to do?” a female voice asked.

Gloria was leaning on a building nearby, looking at Dallion with an amused smile on her face. Now that she no longer feared her grandfather, the girl had improved her clothes to the point it was obvious they were level five at least. Dallion also noticed that the building she was leaning on had changed since the time he had entered his home.

“Yes, all finished.” Dallion walked to her. “And you’ve been doing your best to impress me.”

“Idiot.” There was a barely noticeable blush on her face. “I just wanted to remind you that you’re not the only one with skills.”

“I’m sure. So, will you join along?”

“Excuse me?” Gloria blinked. The question had caught her completely by surprise.

“Will you join me out of the village? Any way you look at it, it doesn’t have much to offer. Even if you improve it, it will remain a small village at the end of the known world. The cities will be much more suited for your skills. Besides, Veil could handle things fine in Dherma. And he wants to.”

“Always thinking about yourself,” Gloria sighed. “No, Dal, I won’t be joining you. And no, it’s not only the things my grandfather feared. Everyone knows the world is a scary place, you just don’t care. Well, I do, and I also care what happens here. It’s not about fixing a few houses, it’s about making this village mean something, the village I was born in. Sometimes I feel you take all that for granted.”

That was the truth, and more than Gloria could know. Dallion never saw Dherma as his home. Strangely enough, he didn’t see Earth as his home either. In his mind both places had become temporary lodgings that were nice while he remained there, but not the place he wanted to be. It was difficult to explain, so Dallion didn’t bother thinking about it much. All he knew was that something was waiting for him out there.

“And when you place it on the map, what then?” There was no spike or bitterness in his words, just unbridled curiosity. “Will you find a husband and become the next village chief?”

“Who knows? Maybe, maybe not. The point is that it will be my decision.”

“Everything you’ve done was always your decision.” Dallion chuckled. “Back from the day you got me to help you pass your trial in the awakening shrine.”

“Yes.” Gloria held firm. “I guess it is.”

“I guess this is goodbye then?”

The girl nodded.

“Take care, Gloria. Maybe we’ll see each other again somewhere.” He started walking.

“If you ever get tired of the cities, you can always come back,” Gloria shouted behind him. “We’ll be here for you.”

I know, Dallion thought, but didn’t say it out loud. He had made his mind as well. There was no turning back at this point.

Dallion adjusted his backpack and continued on. A few moments later he heard the sounds of running steps behind him. At first, he hoped that Gloria had changed her mind. Soon though, his improved hearing told him it wasn’t her—the person running after him was slower, heavier built.

“Dallion!” The familiarly annoying voice of Vanessa Dull filled the air. “Dallion, wait!”

Some things never changed. Chaos, echoes, and changes had no effect on Dallion’s aunt who was rushing towards him a large bag over her shoulder. No doubt she had heard he was leaving the village, just as she heard about everything, and wanted to catch him for some parting gifts… gifts for her, that is.

“Hello, Aunt Vanessa.” Dallion stopped and did his best to smile. After all, this was the last time he was going to see her. Might as well depart on a high note. “How can I help?”

Instead of an answer, the woman dropped the bag at his feet, breathing heavily. She wasn’t the type of woman used to running, so this small dash had taken a lot out of her.

“I… I…” she tried to peak gasping for breath. “I heard you’re leaving the village.”

“That’s right.” If there was anyone who hadn’t heard by now they certainly had. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll improve everything you’ve brought before I go.”

“This is not for you, it’s for me! Some things my last husband left me! Now that things are returning to normal, I can finally put them to some use.”

Dallion took a glance in the bag. It was full of statues and decorations. Apparently, the woman wasn’t as poor as she had created the impression of being all these years. That was so typical of her. Still, to turn down a free item improvement… that was unexpected.

“Here.” The woman looked around, then shoved something in Dallion’s hand. “Hide it and keep it safe.”

Dallion took a glance. The item was small and metallic, very much like a locket or piece of jewelry. The metal, however, was unmistakable—blue metal, the same used for making emblems.

“How did you get this?”

“My late husband gave it to me. What did you expect? He was a travelling merchant.” The woman snorted. “You’ll need it if you’re to walk through the realm.”

“You knew about this?” Dallion whispered.

“Of course, I knew.” Vanessa crossed her arms. “Just because I ask for a small favor now and again, I’m not stupid! Why do you think I wanted your parents to send you to the monastery of the Seven? At least there you’d have been free from Aspion’s nonsense. Now get going. The faster you get out of here, the less painful it’ll be.”

That was it—the last words of advice Dallion received from a friend he never knew he had. All this time he thought that his aunt had only looked out for herself. That was only part of it. She was looking out for many people in ways that no one could realize. All the selfish requests, the random pieces of advice, they had all been subtle nudges to get this or that person moving in the direction that would be best suited for them. She had been a distraction to Dallion’s mother, keeping her from thinking about the past, she had done her best to keep her family’s spirits up in her own way, and she was the only one to have found a traveler’s emblem which she had now given to Dallion.

“See that, Nox?” Dallion said more to himself than to his cub. “The world is filled with hidden gems, as long you know where to look.”

Taking a deep breath, he took one last step, leaving the village area behind him. From here on the future was his to forge.