Ken
It's time.
I headed back home, training didn't yet end but l wanted to speed things up. Went straight to my room and started packing my clothes and other stuff. I want to live before they notice me, doing it anonymously was the best way to avoid any impact before travelling. My time had run out, the train in the East port might arrive in a couple of hours so l needed to quicken my pace.
"Why am l tearing up? This isn't right."
For some reason, my body felt weak while packing up, it acted as if l'm doing something wrong. Like l previously said, l won't let my emotions defy my actions. What l'm doing is according to my choice, no one forced me, l decided this.
I finished packing and headed downstairs, l didn't pack much, just your ordinary packing: clothes, and some food. I think Blake and Iris could keep the place to themselves, when l found it while arriving at this village, it was abandoned so l guess rental won't affect them. I stepped outside ready to dash out when l encountered the trio standing in front of me with a perplexed expression. I stood motionless.
"Where are you going, big brother?" Arthur asked.
"Uhm... Work l think." I replied nervously.
"You're bad at lying, Kenny." Iris added.
"Wait, teacher has an actual job...? I mean yeah." Blake whispered.
Talk about worse possible scenario, what would they doing here of all time? They don't usually show up even if l disappeared during training, they could handle things on their own. But l've to dodge all the questions and get going, l don't want to miss my train. On a second thought, Arthur gave me a deep stare, not the one's of confusion but suspicion. Does he know l'm lying? I know for a fact he can't be easily fooled.
"Why, are you sad, big brother?" Arthur continued, "your energy has a weak flow, what are the hiding from us? I'm not stupid you know." Arthur concluded.
Knew it.
Kid is something. No point in the hiding the fact l guess, even if l dodged the question, Iris and Blake wouldn't be bothered, but Arthur will watch me like a hawk. I need to tell them the truth, it's better than feeling betrayed, I'll make it simple and snappy.
"Alright you caught me. The reason for all this packing is because l'm heading out, the time has arrived for me to set sail to the outside world."
"....?"
"That's right, our years together has come to an end."
".....?"
I finished my statement, yet they seemed confused, that's all l had to say, nothing more or less. As l looked at them, they had a face of disbelief.
"What are you saying, Kenny? Are you trying to say you'll leave us alone!?" Iris teared up.
"Well, yeah."
"I see, guess you got tired of us..." Iris whispered weakly, setting her gaze downward.
"What! No, no, no. I love you guys, and being around you guys brings meaning to my existence, what would l have been if l never met you guys. Don't think like that, it's... just personal reasons you see."
"Yet, l thought here we were all a family... that we would stay together until the end of time, but..."
You're still too young to understand, not everything in this world can last forever, even memories fade away. That's why it's best to enjoy the moment you have with the people you care the most. But l can't tell them that, they're way too young to understand. Seeing Iris break character, makes my heart ache. It's not easy leaving something precious behind.
"Hmm. One day, when you're all grown up, let's meet again and create all those memories. That's when you've matured enough." I continued talking, Iris begun pouring down and went behind Arthur who seemed unfazed.
As usual, Blake didn't say anything to me. It hurt me a little but l bet he didn't have much to say. He also teared up, but silently as he went behind Arthur. My words might've struck pretty hard but they'll adapt, it's called progress.
"Ken," Arthur called out, and continued, "when we meet again, l'll be stronger than you, and even better than you. Doesn't matter where you end up in, doesn't matter how much influence you'll have, remember one thing, l'm not the type to allow my rival to surpass me. I'll even engrave my name in stone, so the next generation will know how much of a badass l am."
"Ack!" I gasped after Arthur concluded, what powerful words spoken by a little boy like him.
Everything he said had meaning, and l felt proud hearing that. I knew he didn't need me around, he's already grown up and ready for the outside world. Not a single tear were shed from him, his voice didn't even crack while talking to me, his cold gaze continued staring at my soul.
"Ha-ha-ha. Do you even have emotions?"
"Of course, l'm human after all. Just not the type to be crying over every little thing, these type of stuff are bound to happen, so l'm fully prepared to handle it."
"Good! I've one last thing to say to all of you." I announced as they all silently watched me.
"Speak up, Ken!"
"Impatient as usual, right. I'll be heading out to achieve my goals, that's reaching the dragon continent. It will be a long journey and l cannot guarantee a return, l want to change the order of the world and assert peace. Which means getting stronger along the way, and improving my swordsmanship. I'll become a Hunter, and travel the world and see natures chaos. I need y'all to start acting now, choose your paths, the world is unpredictable. Keep training harder, so that one day you are able to use your own wings. Stay with each other, assist each other, life's goals cannot be accomplished alone, having friends along the way makes things less difficult, not easy. What l especially need from you guys is to become confident, emotionally strong, dependable, and also financially stable. This world doesn't support the penniless, crazy."
"Loud and clear, you forgot to add surpassing you in strength." Arthur added, having a evil grin. " I still haven't won a single battle with you, so once we meet, let's fight so l can proclaim my title."
"Gosh! You are troublesome."
"Go well, don't let your ego consume you in the process."
"Huh?"
I should be saying that to you, little impatient boy.
"Take care, Kenny. Let's meet again soon."
"Take... bye sir."
Iris and Blake both said their good byes. I patted their heads, and waiting for a final goodbye, but he stood silent facing the other way. I shift my hand to pat his head but he slapped my hand away and dragged Blake and Iris away.
"You said your goodbye, aren't you going to miss the train... big..." Arthur muttered, cutting his words.
"Take care, please stay safe."
I said my final word, watching them cry their lungs out. Even l let out a drop, but it wasn't the time. I turned around and sprinted to the East port. I hope to meet them again, and fulfil my promise to Arthur.
Goodbye.
Students. Till we meet again.