Goodbyes

V1 Chapter 12: Goodbyes

The town of Balek is a pretty small town in comparison to this world. Some may even say that this town acted like a satellite city for the town of Ishara. 

There were very few residential buildings in Ishara, so most of the people came to Balek town for residency. 

This town didn't have many roads and pathways built to connect itself to the major cities of the Etunesian Kingdom, which made it a fair bit of a secluded town, with visitors mainly coming from Ishara.

Being a secluded town, this town was relatively quiet and monotonous from the rest of the world. A small town where most of the people knew each other from birth, daily doing the same things for the rest of their lives until they get buried in the same soil.

But in recent days, there was a bit of an uproar about a new silver potential born inside this town.

Lord of the Town, Robert Balek, had spread this rumor all around the city after Jake agreed to be under their banner.

Everybody and their moms were talking about the silver potential. The identity of the said person wasn't revealed, but most people speculated that the second son of the A-ranked adventurer might be the most probable candidate. 

Hordes and hoards of questions kept coming to the Hill family about their son. Eventually, they had to give in some of the information to calm down the people, but they never let any of these people come near Jake. 

Many people tried to tie their daughters into a marriage with Jake, but Jake's parents declined all the offers. Of course, they would have agreed if Jake had agreed to a marriage, but he didn't.

Today was another uproar in the town; the new celebrity in the city, Jake Hill, was leaving for the Capital to complete his studies. The news of him coming under the Lord's banner only fueled this commotion. 

As the rumors about Jake were spreading and he became a celebrity. The dark side of the town, The Underworld, was also planning some yet-to-be-known things. 

Barnes needed to solidify his control over this town to rise up in ranks in the Underworld, and he made a perfect plan for just that. 

As the town was in an uproar, the target of all this attention, Jake, was getting ready to set off on his new journey.

– 

[Jake's POV]

Today I am going to leave my home. I can't say I felt good going a thousand miles away and leaving my loving family. I have to leave the first feeling of belonging I have had since my mother passed away in the previous world.

I didn't even realize until now that It has been more than five years since I was reborn into this world filled with magic and fantasies. (For some reason, this day makes me nostalgic)

A feeling of being alone again crept inside of me again. 

Getting out of my melancholy, I picked up my leftover supplies and started to move out of my room. Getting one last look at the place I had been in for the previous years, I closed the door, and my heart instantly became heavy.

(Calm down, It's not like I would never see this room again)

During these five years of my stay, there's one thing I have come to realize. No matter what world you go into, it will always be unfair. (I still think that fate is playing with me)

I feel powerless right now; just the thought that I have to follow orders for the rest of my life brings out a strong repulsive feeling from my very core.

As dissatisfied as I may be, I am five; neither I have any significant power, nor do I have any choice left in this matter. I still have to follow the 'rules' of this world (At least while I am weak)

I could feel the positive side of the arrangement that I was in; after my studies, I could come back to the town to serve as 'Town's Guards.' (I will be closer to my family then)

This arrangement makes sense for now. Not only can I get strong enough with better education, but I can also think of a way to escape these rules and wretched people all around.

I stood at my front gate and looked back at my house, and a wave of nostalgia hit me. (Ah, I am going to miss it), this house contained all my childhood and time spent in this world. 

I focused on my mom and Clark; they were standing at the gate, (this is the last goodbye, huh?)

My mom was teary-eyed; she came closer to me and brought me into a tight hug. "Please take care of yourself; everybody will miss you here!" 

"I will take care, mom, and I will miss you too."

"Stay away from dangerous things" my mom again whispered into my ears (Looks like she is afraid of things she heard about the Capital.

"I will; you guys take care too."

"Hmm… and do not skip your meals because of your busy schedule" my mom went on and on about the basic everyday things. 

"I will take care; why are you worried about these small things?"

"How can I not worry? I was able to make sure you did these things here, but I will not be there to keep a check on you," she again said sternly (Moms are all the same…)

My dad was watching this scene with a solemn face. He gestured to me about the departure. Breaking the hug with my mom, I nodded to dad. 

I then turned to Clark and gave him a quick goodbye which he replied in one word. 

Then my dad and I set off towards the City Lord's Mansion for our departure. I was given a Knight party for my protection on the way. I was to meet my entourage at the mansion and set off from there.

We stayed silent for most of the way, with dad just asking questions if I prepared all the stuff that I was supposed to. 

We approached the mansion, and a vast garden came into view, indicating the start of Noble premises. 

The houses that were built around this area were big and luxurious, made for the people of Noble blood, where a simple commoner could only wish to enter.

The vast garden looked like an artificially created meadow, filled with ankle-length grasses and waist-length bushes of colorful flowers spread all over the place. 

The natural beauty in this place looks astounding, and it only increases the glory of the already mighty mansion where Baron Balek lived. 

The difference between the two sections of society was openly on display for each person to see. 

The mansion looked straight out of a fairy tale. Truly majestic that reflects the sunlight to the best degrees to over enhance this look.

As if expecting our arrival, a butler who was wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie was waiting for us in front of a huge metallic grilled gate. Beside him, there were two Knights whose faces were hidden, standing and giving another majestic vibe to this scenario.

(The nobles do care about appearances, sigh~)

The butler bowed his head slightly and said, "We were waiting for you, Mr. Andrew and Jake; allow me to welcome you to the estate of Baron Robert Balek."