"Do you like that one?" Leon asked, his eyes narrowed as he saw me swinging the sword around. We were a weapon store, surrounded by the scent of fresh leather and polished metal, right by the lively plaza.

I paused, feeling the weight of the sword in my hand, its hilt perfectly molded to fit my grip. "It definitely feels right," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty, "but... The problem is that I'm not going to fight monsters anytime soon." I carefully examined the craftsmanship of the sword, my gaze lingering on the intricate engravings before gently setting it back on the rack. "Soon, I'm going to outgrow the sword without even having used it."

Taking a look at the vast collection of weapons decorating the walls, I admired the many assortments available in the capital. I had already found several weapons that matched my build, but choosing the right one was proving to be a challenge. "Yeah, I know what you mean," Leon replied, sympathy flickering in his eyes. "And I agree. You should get a larger-sized sword so that eventually, you'll grow into it."

I nodded in agreement. "That's the plan," I admitted, my brows furrowing in contemplation, "But I don't know what size to get since I don't know how big I'll grow." My gaze wandered back to Leon. Why don't I just use him as a reference? "Do you remember what kind of sword you used when you were a teen?"

"Hm?" he let out, knowing where I was going. A grin danced on his lips as he began scouring the store. "Let's see?" I watched, anticipation coursing through my veins. Genetically speaking, since Leon is my father, I'm guessing I'll follow the same growth pattern as he did.

After what felt like an eternity, Leon returned, triumphantly presenting a sword in his hands. "Here's one, the only one in fact," he declared, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia, as he outstretched the sword in front of me.

"Is this really the only one?" I asked, my hand stretching out eagerly to grasp the weapon. Leon nodded. As I took a long look at the sword, my eyes were drawn to its ornate details, a touch too fancy for my tastes.

My fingers curled around the dark hilt, contrasting sharply with the silver-colored guard and pommel adorned with intricate golden designs. The double edge blade was thin and dark colored. It felt unfamiliar yet oddly balanced as I tested its weight with a few experimental swings. It didn't feel completely wrong, but not entirely right either. "I guess this is the one."

With the purchase made, I fastened the sword to my hip. But as we walked down the bustling streets, a small string caught my attention, dangling nonchalantly from the fanciful sheath. It was then that self-consciousness washed over me. A little noble boy wearing a fancy sword on his hip? How embarrassing. The realization sank in that I might appear to others as a pampered child. I sighed inwardly before removing the sword. Turning to Leon I asked him to hold onto it.

We then moved on to a place that sold all kinds of artifacts. With a sense of curiosity and anticipation, I approached the front desk and greeted the man, "Hello, sir." As I spoke, I walked towards him, my steps filled with purpose. "Do you happen to have a strong box-shaped artifact with a complex lock that I can use to store valuable items?" I asked, my voice carrying a hint of longing.

"My, my, how very specific, but yes, I have just the thing," the man replied, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes. Gesturing for me to follow him, he led me further down the store, and my heart raced with anticipation.

As we reached a section with several boxes lined up, my eyes widened with amazement. "Wow!" I couldn't help but exclaim, my voice filled with amazement. The crates before me were cube-shaped that seemed to be made from some kind of metal. I ran my fingers gently across its surface, feeling its coolness beneath my touch.

As I examined the boxes, my attention was drawn to a small circular layer that stood out. It was adorned with six symbols, three on the top and three on the bottom, along with a sturdy handle. The uniqueness of this design intrigued me further, and I couldn't help but admire its clever construction.

"These safe boxes are made from one of the toughest metals found in this continent," the man explained, his voice filled with pride. "Inside, there are a number of runes that run along every wall, all connecting here," he continued, pointing towards the layer that stood out. With each word he spoke, I could feel my excitement growing.

"You have to imbue mana to all six points in a specific order, which will break the effect of the runes temporarily, allowing the small door to open. When closed, the runes will once again reconstruct and keep the box tightly shut," he concluded, "Now, take your pick."

"Hm," I let out, my brow furrowing as I deepened my thoughts. Sounds just what I'm looking for. The reason why I want one of these is because the maids walk into my room constantly to clean and they reach every spot. It's been more than once that I had to take out the Exosia orb from the fear that they'd find it. With this safe, they should take the hint to leave it alone and not open it.

I glanced at the assortment of safes on display, my eyes settling upon a decent-sized box that appeared perfect for housing the Exosia. "This one looks good," I said aloud, my voice carrying a hint of satisfaction.

A grin spread across the man's face as he enthusiastically responded, "Great choice! Just wait here a moment." He swiftly walked away, disappearing from sight momentarily. Within seconds, he returned, holding a file folder in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he opened it and deftly extracted a small piece of paper, no bigger than a card. "Here it is! Now, we just have to ensure it works."

I fixed my gaze upon the piece of paper, recognizing it as the combination of the safe. The man's fingers glided over the symbols carved onto the safe, infusing them with mana in a specific order. As he concluded this process, the box emitted a low, melodic hum, prompting the man to grasp the handle and pull it gently. The small door swung open effortlessly. "Yup, it works! Here ya go, kid," he exclaimed, handing me the paper.

"Thanks!" I said. Then eagerly glanced at the paper, my eyes quickly scanning its contents. As I did, I noticed a number written on the top corner, along with the six distinct symbols that mirrored the ones on the box. Before long, I figured that these symbols indicated the exact order of placement. I carefully tucked the precious piece of paper into the safety of my pocket, ensuring it wouldn't get lost or damaged.

As the man closed the lid of the safe box, "Huh!!" a strained grunt escaped his lips, his face contorting with the effort as he picked it up. Struggling, he shuffled forward and placed the heavy metal box on the counter. "Phew! These things sure are heavy, you better let your dad carry this for you," he chuckled, his voice laced with a touch of good-natured teasing. "Anyway, that'll be fifteen gold coins."

"Here you go," Leon finally broke his silence, his voice calm and composed. He smoothly extended his hand, releasing the coins into the man's waiting palm. His gaze briefly flickered towards the box, scrutinizing its bulk before shifting to meet my eyes. "You can carry it, right?" he said, his tone playful.

Letting out a sigh I reached my hands up and picked up the heavy metal safe as easy as if it were a cardboard box. "Let's go," was the only thing I said as I turned to face Leon. Thanks to my gravity magic I am able to carry this thing with ease.

"Pleasure in... doing business... with you," the man stammered out, his confusion palpable in his words as he witnessed the seemingly effortless feat.

After our exhilarating shopping adventure, we made our way toward the waiting carriage. With a gentle thud, the carriage door closed behind me and the carriage began moving forward.

***

Sitting alone in my room, a surge of excitement ran through me as I focused my mana, channeling it to the very tip of my finger. With each symbol etched on the box, I embraced the power, imbuing them in the exact order as inscribed on the paper. With a low hum, I firmly grasped the small handle and pulled it open.

My heart raced as I delicately placed the Exosia orb at the center. With a sense of secrecy, I closed the box, ensuring it was perfectly concealed. Then, with calculated steps, I moved the safe, finding the perfect spot to stash it away, within the depths of my closet.

Now, the combination. My eyes darted around the room, seeking another hiding spot, until they landed on the bookshelf adorning the wall. A smile crept onto my face as I realized the perfect solution. Making my way toward it, I carefully selected one of the many books and nestled the small piece of paper into a pocket hidden within the book's hardcover.

Taking a deep breath, satisfied with my implementation of security measures, I turned my attention to the next task at hand. Walking back to the closet, I retrieved my old sword, its worn handle familiar to my touch. Gripping it firmly, I could almost feel the memories resurfacing, the battles I fought up in Canavar, the monsters I killed.

With a burst of determination, I clasped the sword tightly, its reassuring weight guiding my every step as I left the confines of my room. My destination, the serenity of the backyard. There, I was greeted by Leon, leaning casually against a towering tree atop a small hill. His presence added an air of camaraderie and support, strengthening my resolve.

Using his earth magic, Leon dug a small hole. Taking one last, gloomy glance at the weathered sword, I took note of its rusted surface, chipped edges, and slight distortion of the blade, all proof of my countless victories and hardships. It had served me well, however, I knew it was time to part ways. With that, I allowed myself to relinquish it to the earth, entrusting it to the ground's embrace, a fitting farewell to my most loyal companion. Since it was my first sword I didn't really know how to take care of it so it gave out quickly.

"Any final words," Leon said. With his hand, he passed it over the hole, gently burying the blade under the earth, ensuring its safe final resting place.

"Oh, my unnamed sword. I still remember the day I found you hung up in a storage room," a bittersweet smile graced my lips, realizing how unexpectedly attached I had become to a mere weapon. "You served me well but this is goodbye."

Handing me the new sword we had purchased earlier, Leon offered comfort, his eyes filled with understanding. "Here you go," he said, passing over the weapon that promised longevity. "This one will last far longer than your last, so try not to get too attached," he cautioned. Nodding in silent acknowledgment, I took the sword.

"Hellooo!!" Hanna's voice echoed behind me, making me turn around. Her energetic footsteps approached, and she playfully peered over my shoulder. "What are you guys doing?" Her eyes widened with wonder as they locked onto my new sword. "Wow! Is that your new sword!? It looks so cool! Lemme see! Lemme see!!!"

Reaching out, Hanna eagerly snatched the weapon and held it in her hand. Her eyes lit up like stars as she carefully unsheathed it. "Wow!" she exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face. With an infectious enthusiasm, she began swinging the sword around, testing its weight and balance.

Leon and I exchanged glances, silently acknowledging Hanna's contagious excitement. With a nonchalant shrug, we refocused our attention on her. "When are you going to buy me one?" Hanna asked, turning to Leon, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"You're still in training, so you'll have to use practice swords for now," Leon replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Once you learn internal mana control I'll get you one."

"Deal!" Hanna exclaimed, her joy evident. She handed me back my sword with a mischievous smile. "Here you go, brother."

I couldn't help but remind her, "Aren't you supposed to be getting your things ready? You're leaving tomorrow morning." The reality of Hanna's impending departure to school sank in. It wasn't mandatory for students to live in the dorms but the house was too far to come and go on the daily.

Her expression dimmed momentarily, but she quickly recovered, flashing me a smile. "Yeah, yeah! I know!" she replied cheerfully before walking away, her enthusiasm returning.

Later that night, we gathered for a family dinner. Since both Hanna and Alexander were leaving, we wanted to savor this last meal together. Taking my seat at the table, I noticed a tinge of gloom in the air. "Hehe, what's with the awkward mood here?" Nina said, attempting to lighten the atmosphere with a forced laugh. "Let's just enjoy this time we have together."

"Y-Yeah, she's right," followed Theodore. "It's not like she's leaving forever..." He gestured with his hands, as if trying to emphasize his point. "Plus, we'll all be going to the same school soon." His eyebrows furrowed, expressing a mix of confidence and reassurance.

As I listened to them comforting Hanna, my gaze drifted off and landed on Flare. She was eating on the floor some distance away, absorbed in her own little world. I couldn't help but watch her intently. Suddenly, she bit into a piece of lemon, and her wolfish face contorted into a funny expression, her eyes narrowed and her snout lips puckered in response to the sourness.

"Yeah, I know," replied Hanna with a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "But it's still a bit scary..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes uncertain. She hesitated, before finally mustering the courage to voice her deepest fear. "... What if I can't make any friends?" Her words hung in the air, tinged with worry and longing for reassurance.

"Ha," I chuckled quietly to myself. Flare's antics had distracted me for a moment, giving me a brief break from the weight of the conversation. But as Theodore's side-eye met mine, I quickly composed myself as I cleared my throat. After a moment, my lips pressed tightly together as I attempted to hide the amusement that lingered.

"Of course you can," Nina began, leaning forward and reaching out to grab Hanna's hand, her smile warm and encouraging. "You're one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. I'm sure you'll make lots of friends." Her words carried a genuine sincerity, her eyes reflecting her deep belief in Hanna's potential.

"You... Really mean that?" Hanna looked back at Nina, her face a canvas of conflicting emotions. Questions, doubts, and hopes swirled in her eyes, unsure of what the future held. Slowly, a glimmer of hope began to spread across her face as she absorbed the sincerity in Nina's words, searching for solace in the friendship they shared.

"Of course I do," Nina replied, her voice confident and matter-of-fact. Hanna, on the other hand, remained silent, but her lips curled up into a warm smile.

"Hehe!" I couldn't contain myself, and a burst of laughter escaped my lips, slightly louder this time. Instinctively, I smacked my hand over my mouth, the sound of the slap echoing through the room. I desperately tried to clear my mind, but the image of flare in my brain only grew clearer until a light chuckle escaped my lips.

Aware of the curious gazes focused on me, my laughter subsided. Shifting my attention to the others, I noticed their incredulous expressions fixed upon me. "I'm sorry," I managed to speak, wiping a tear from my eye. "Don't mind me." I nonchalantly brushed them off with a dismissive motion of my hand. "Just keep talking."

But instead of resuming their conversation, they remained silent, their gaze still locked on me. Perplexed, I couldn't help but ask, "What?" My confusion mirrored my tone.

"Arata," Theodore's voice matched the expression on his face. "What is wrong with you?"

"Huh?" I stammered, visibly confused and increasingly aware of the attention I was receiving. "W-What do you mean? What's going on?" A tinge of embarrassment tinged my words, as I wished I wasn't the center of their bewildered gazes.

"We're having a serious discussion here," said Theodore, his tone conveying that I should know better, his eyebrows furrowing in disapproval. I could see the deep crease forming between his brows as he spoke.

"Wait what? N-No, this is just a misunderstanding," I stammered, my hands waving in front of me as I tried to convey my innocence. But by the look on their faces, with their crossed arms and raised eyebrows, I could tell they weren't buying it. Their body language screamed disbelief.

"Ugh," Theodore let out a exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes dramatically. The motion of his eyes gave away his frustration before he even spoke. "Please enlighten us, what did you see?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm, his hand making an exaggerated gesture as he spoke.

"Hm!" I stiffened a bit, my body tensing up as they all waited for me to show them the cause of my laughter. I took a deep breath, preparing to share the source of my amusement. "Okay, check this out," I exclaimed, turning my head to the side, my eyes scanning the room until I found who I was looking for. "Flare, come here!" At my call, she came running to me and hopped on my lap, wagging her tail eagerly.

I then picked her up, cradling her in my arms, making sure everyone had a clear view. With a mischievous grin, I grabbed a stray piece of lemon from my plate, squeezing it into Flare's mouth. "Grraa!" a mysterious sound escaped her snout, her eyes widening and her ears twitching in response to the sour taste. The corners of my lips curved into a knowing smile.

Seeing Flare's reaction, I couldn't help but chuckle slightly, albeit not as much as before. I glanced back at the group, noticing that Nina, Theodore, and Mia's cheeks had inflated with air, their mouths pressed together to stifle their laughs. Their bodies shook slightly, their shoulders trembling as they fought to contain themselves.

And what finally made them break was Hanna, who couldn't hold it in any longer, erupting into a fit of laughter more intense than mine. Her head tilted back, her eyes crinkling with joy.

"Huh?" I was a bit at a loss for words as I watched them. If I'm being honest, I didn't think I'd get this reaction out of them. But looking at how they all laughed together brought a smile to my face.

Breaking the mirthful atmosphere, Alexander, wearing a slight scowl on his face, stood up abruptly. He uttered dismissively, "So stupid," without glancing at any of us. His demeanor caught everyone off guard, causing their laughter to fade away into an uneasy silence.

"What's his problem?" questioned Theodore with a curious gaze as he watched him walk away.

***

The following morning, we all gathered outside, bidding our last farewells to Hanna. There she stood, with her suitcase, dressed in her school uniform. Her blazer, a deep shade of darkness, was neatly buttoned over a crisp white long-sleeve shirt. Adorning her neck was a vibrant red bow tie, perfectly wrapped. Her lower half showcased a pleated skirt, revealing her legs, along with tall socks and polished dark shoes.

Alexander, too, sported a uniform, similar to Hanna's, beside the skirt. His attire consisted of dark pants and a regular tie, in contrast to Hanna's charming bow tie.

Emma, with a touch of hesitation, embraced Hanna tightly. "Be careful out there," she said, her voice laced with worry. "And stay out of trouble."

Leaning in, Leon joined them, enveloping Hanna in a heartfelt hug. "If you need anything, you can always send us a letter."

Hanna, well-acquainted with these parting words, nodded knowingly. "I know, I know," she replied easily, as if having heard them countless times before.

As Mia approached, she wrapped her small arms around Hanna, holding on tightly. Hanna, being taller, reached down, gently caressing the back of Mia's head. "Bye, Mia," she whispered, her voice filled with affection.

Releasing her embrace, Hanna looked at me, expecting me to do the same. I took a deep breath, audibly sighing to signify my reluctance. Drawing closer, I pulled Hanna into a warm hug. "Goodbye, sister," I murmured, my voice tinged with bittersweet sadness.

"B-Bye, Arata," Hanna muttered softly against my ear. Hearing her words I kind of felt myself grow a bit sad since we weren't going to see her until the next season. But I couldn't let her see that.

Gradually pulling away, I met her gaze, mustering a smile. "You should get going now. You don't want to be late," I gently advised, trying to lighten the mood.

"Right!" she replied, returning the smile. Gathering her belongings, she began walking towards the waiting carriage. With one final wave of her hand, she called out, "Goodbye!" Her voice carried a mix of excitement and apprehension before she stepped inside the carriage.

I then looked beside me toward Alexander who also began to walk to the carriage. I noticed that his mother had a troubled expression as she watched her son walk away. As I wondered about their family problems, I stood by my family as we watched the carriage ride away.

See ya later, Hanna.