Night came and went without any surprises whatsoever, and after that nice dinner and a few hours spent around the fireplace discussing what was to come and the various things we had done here in this house, everyone went to their rooms and drifted off to sleep.
Everyone except me, because my earlier thoughts about how I wasn't guaranteed to make it continued to swirl around inside of my head, making sleep impossible; honestly though with the lack of any mining today and my cultivation level, a single night of missed sleep meant nothing.
I spent most of it cultivating anyways, so mentally I still got the rest I needed as I just continued to nourish my Spirit Root cycle after cycle, slowly building my way up to that seventh bud forming completely so that I could advance to the next stage.
There wasn't a whole lot of time left for me to utilize to breakthrough before the Elder arrived, and my goal now was to breakthrough since it would almost guarantee my admission into the Sect, something that would bring pride not only to myself but also to my family, who believed in me far more than I believed in myself.
So with a very successful attempt to empty my mind of all thoughts, I just sat on my bed and spent the hours drawing in Qi and funneling it into my Spirit Root, ensuring that everything went smoothly and making as much progress as I could.
The knock at my door hours later drew me out of my mind, and when I opened it I found Leo standing there with uncertainty twisting his smooth features; the moment he looked up at me with his dark blue eyes I couldn't help but chuckle and ruffle his hair, forcing that uncertainty away and instead causing him to pout at me.
"What's gotcha so wound up, huh~? Your just gonna be headin' on up to the fancy city with your pretty Master~! What's there to worry about, hm~?"
Seeing him blush at the mention of how gorgeous Alchemist Vi was made me smirk, and although I found the idea of him getting with his Master a bit unpalatable, I still couldn't help myself as I teased "So you do~ think that she's pretty~?"
"Y-Yes, but that-!"
I just cackled and continued to ruffle his hair before pulling him into a tight hug, lifting him up slightly and swaying side to side as I murmured "You'll do fine, Leo. Giovanni'll be nearby at all times, y'know that right? Plus that contract or whatever sounded good, right?"
He nodded and hugged me back, though when I continued to hold him he eventually started 'punching' my shoulders, causing me to laugh some more before I released him, watching in amusement as he almost crumpled to the ground from the sudden lack of my arms around him.
Right as I was about to say something else Mother turned the corner and gave me a stern look as she said "Isabella, don't be teasing your brother about those kinds of things! And Leo, she is to be your Master! Keep things cordial!"
"I dunno Mother, she was givin' him some looks when we were at the pavilion... and you know what happens when a pretty lady and a pretty boy spend a lot~ of time together, don'tcha~?"
She fixed another glare on me before dragging Leo away, like she was somehow able to prevent that from happening just by having him not listen to me; laughing some more and watching them go, I turned back to my room and made sure everything was tidy before heading back out, joining everyone for breakfast.
The buzzing atmosphere felt odd since for so long breakfast was always a warm yet 'charged' meal where we all knew that soon enough we would be hard at work, but now... there was no need to go to the mines, and Leo wasn't going to be here for dinner tonight...
That was an odd feeling to have as I looked towards my brother, watching him eat for a few moments before finishing my own bowl and snatching his when he pushed it forwards, causing him to point his spoon at me like he wasn't done with it.
Even as we went through the familiar motions of breakfast it was still just... different, and after everything was eaten and the dishes were cleaned everyone got into their thicker robes and stepped outside, stepping onto the path that led into town as a family.
Leo's rucksack with his few spare outfits, boots and some knickknacks was slung over my shoulder while he carried a small pot, trowel and a parcel of herbs with him; the fact that everything that was 'his' could fit in a single sack and be carried in his arms was just...
But that was just what our lives were like, and although I felt a bit ashamed by the fact that all of us only had enough things to be stuffed into our own rucksacks it wasn't really something that mattered, least of all when we had one another.
The pavilion was a bit busy since it was noon, with many of those that worked in the town itself coming here to eat together and have a moment of rest, whilst some of the children ran around and enjoyed the relatively dry area for as long as they could.
Alchemist Vi was in the same spot as yesterday, though all of her things were gone; she just stood there, waiting, staring at the roof above and not minding the various glances from everyone else, nor caring for the whispers that drifted over to her.
She looked down and spotted us immediately though, sending a shiver up my spine that was quelled when I remembered that she was likely a strong Cultivator herself, so sensing us from afar wasn't that crazy of an accomplishment.
"Mister Luca! Everyone! I felt the agreement last night, so I am rather pleased~! Leo, is this all you have..?"
She stepped forwards and looked at Leo's arms before turning and nodding when I gently moved the rucksack towards my front, dangling it there before blinking in surprise when it just... vanished, alongside the things that were in his arms.
"Have you said your goodbyes already?"