"Really? Sorry, may I ask? Before that, where are you from and why are you like that?" I said with a bit of suppressed tension. It seems it's not just me who feels this way; Ryan and Evelyn are the same.
He then removed the hood of his robe and smiled cheerfully, a contrast to before. "Sorry, I must have scared you all. It's okay, I'm used to it. What you mean is my physical appearance, right? There's nothing wrong here; I just have a genetic disorder commonly called Albinism. Haha, come on, I really just want to form a party with you all, nothing more."
As far as I remember, albinism isn't like that.
"I also just made my Hunter identification card yesterday." He showed me his card:
Name: Julian.
Age: 18
Address: Rivertown, Inklings District, Reed Street 07.
Awakened Path: Close Combat Fighter.
Rank: Adept.
Attributes: Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth.
'Quadra elemental? That's truly rare, especially for a close combat fighter. I, a mage, only have two Attributes.' I nodded, touched my chin, and said:
"Hmm, I'm really impressed that you have four Attributes as a close combat fighter."
"Yeah, but each of them is only at a low level," he answered, shaking his head, still smiling.
I delayed my return home to chat with my new party members so chemistry could develop.
However, I was still wary of the white-haired man even though he seemed friendly and easy to talk to.
That strange smell was still there. But is it only me who feels it? Why do Ryan and Evelyn seem normal near him?
Maybe it's just my feeling.
"Alright, I think that's enough for me here. You can continue chatting here if you want, but I have to go home now because I have matters to attend to," I said, pretending to look at my wristwatch.
"I want to go home too," Ryan said, politely disengaging from Julian's arm.
Evelyn nodded, wanting to go home as well. Including Julian.
"Bye, I'll go first..." I said before turning to leave.
Okay, now I have a party to go to the dungeon next week.
Now I just need to submit this fake permission letter so I can go outside the wall.
...
"So, you'll be gone for a few days?" Alicia said after reading my permission letter on the sofa.
"Sure, this is really an opportunity, you know? This is the first time Professor has invited me to intern there," I answered cheerfully while petting my dog Debby on my lap. "Gosh Debby, you're really very heavy now."
Alicia furrowed her brows.
"Relax, it's only a few days, and besides, I'm with Professor Nolan."
She sighed and then said, "Alright, then why are you still sitting there? Prepare your things quickly so you won't be in trouble tomorrow like last time."
I put Debby down from my lap and stood up. "Yeah, yeah, don't bring up that day again. I'm different now," I said before going up to my room.
Mission accomplished.
I spent that day preparing. I also went to the market briefly to buy a foldable tent and a heat-resistant robe that really drained my wallet.
After arriving home, I gathered the items I would bring on the table: Sword, Stage 2 Rune, spare clothes, and others.
In the evening, we all gathered for dinner. I told Aunt Maya about my departure tomorrow; she supported me and hoped I could become successful and live in the city center. Meanwhile, Alicia was now quieter; she wouldn't speak unless I or Aunt Maya started the conversation first.
Finally, that morning arrived. I wore a formal white uniform with neat hair and held a suitcase containing supplies for going to the city center.
Meanwhile, the bag containing my supplies for going outside the wall was placed in a different bag, and I dropped it out of my bedroom window so I could pick it up later.
"Are you ready?" Aunt Maya said downstairs as I descended the stairs while adjusting my collar and tie. Alicia beside her was already in her school uniform; she was willing not to leave first to say goodbye to me.
"Of course, Aunt can check it," I said confidently after standing in front of her.
Aunt Maya opened my suitcase, checked my items one by one, then after making sure, she nodded. "It seems everything is complete."
I scratched the back of my neck and said, "Hehe, alright then, I'll say goodbye now." I took Aunt Maya's hand and kissed it.
"Be careful there."
I nodded, then I walked to Alicia; she looked gloomy.
'She must be lonely at home.' I extended my hand to shake my sister's hand.
She shook my hand lazily. "Be careful."
"Come on Alice, don't sulk like that. Your brother will feel bad leaving." With a slightly stiff gesture, I patted my sister's head. "I'm sorry. You might be alone at home for a few days."
I then stepped back while pulling my suitcase and smiled. "But don't worry, Alice, I haven't forgotten my promise to you on the 12th."
She now looked at me, her pouting face beginning to soften gently. Maybe because I remembered her promise.
"Bye, Aunt, Alice." I waved to them both, then to Debby, who didn't understand anything. "Bye Debby."
Aunt Maya smiled, almost chuckling.
Then I walked faster. "Alright, goodbye." I turned away.
With quick steps, I left the housing complex, then hid in a corner of the wall to see if they had left the complex.
After a few minutes, I saw Alicia leave through the gate and walk away with her backpack on her shoulder. Aunt Maya then appeared; she chatted briefly with the security guard at the gate before finally a taxi arrived, she got in, and the car started moving.
I stood up, left my suitcase where I was, then ran hurriedly with panting breaths that I exaggerated.
"Adrian, are you back again?" asked the security guard.
"I-I forgot something," I answered, passing him.
Then I went to the back of my house and picked up the large bag I had thrown from the window, then walked out again. The security guard who had greeted me earlier shook his head, and I responded with a smile.
After reaching my previous hiding spot, I took my suitcase and pulled it.
Then I entered a public restroom and changed from my formal suit into the heat-resistant robe I had bought.
And now, all I had to do was head to the wall I had checked yesterday.
About twenty minutes passed, and I finally arrived beside the wall. I gathered rocks, placed the suitcase among the roots, and covered it with stones.
'Okay, done. This should be safe, right?' I sighed.
I hugged my bag and then looked at the top of the tall, mossy wall.
'This is definitely going to be difficult, especially since I'm carrying a heavy bag.'
I focused on releasing Wind Magic. Then a tornado began to form around my feet and slowly lifted my body.
I ascended slowly.
Finally, after 2 minutes, I reached the top of the wall, panting heavily.
The view in front of me hadn't changed from when I last saw it.
I stepped to the edge of the wall to look down.
Honestly, here I was a bit hesitant to go down because I was afraid of what might be behind those dense trees?
To check, I shot four wind arrows into the dense trees below me.
But so far, I didn't see any movement except for startled birds flying away due to my magic.
'Oh come on! You've come this far, what are you waiting for?' I tried to strengthen my resolve even though my legs were trembling slightly.
"Fuhh..." I released my wind magic again to lift my body.
Then I began to descend very slowly.
Suddenly, my wind magic seemed to lose its lift, causing me to sway uncontrollably.
"W-what is this?" I tried to control it by releasing as much mana as possible.
But instead, my wind tornado actually vanished due to excess mana causing it to scatter.
I was in free fall from a height of thirty meters.
'Damn, I'm going to die!' I kept trying to use my magic.
And finally, my body crashed into the dense tree canopy. My body then bounced from one large branch to another.
In that helpless position, my hand kept searching for anything to grab.
'Damn!' Finally, my hand managed to grasp a tree rattan, but my body still slid down and fell.
My head hit a rock below.