The Departure

Allen became a servant of Baron Granvelle.It was almost evening, but he was told that he would not have to serve this evening. Allen was said to leave for the capital tomorrow at noon.

When Rodan returned home, he told Theresia that Allen had become a servant at Granvelle. Theresia said she was happy for him but her tone of speech was rather sad.

Then in the morning, I went out to fetch water. I couldnt sleep much.

The eyes of the serfs who had come to fetch water were kind. They were the same serfs I had met many times over the past eight years.

As a reward from the lord, twenty of the serfs who had been hunting boar, along with their wives and children, were to be promoted to commoners. This news spread through the village overnight. A number of serfs have already decided to become commoners.

Oh! Allen. I heard youre going to work for the Lords family. Im so happy for you!

Thank you very much.

The serfs who were fetching water congratulated me.

I went home and filled the jar with water, while my brother Mash was still upset. He says that he will miss me. I wanted to be there for Mashs appraisal ceremony next year, if I could.

I had breakfast and started getting ready. I put my wooden sword on my waist too.

Here, take this with you.

As I said last night, its fine.

He refused the small purse that Rodan offered him. Inside were quite a few silver coins. Its over three hundred pieces of silver that I earned from defeating Albaherons. I said that my father should keep it in case something happens to anyone in the family, as I think I will be paid by the Lord.

Just take it!

All right.

Rodans tone became rough, but Allen had no choice but to divide them into small bags and take only 100.

I didnt have that much to take with me, so I was ready to go. Everything fit into a small purse.

Oh! Youre still here.

Gerda arrived just as I was about to leave. Next to him were Michilda, Kurena and Lily. They had planned to show up on their way to the residential area, but they seemed to have come all the way to see me off.

Kurena looked very sad.

Are you sure youre leaving?

Yeah, take care of yourself, Kurena.

Kurena had heard from Gerda that Allen was leaving the village. She was too upset to respond to Allens words. She was holding a wooden sword in her hand as usual.

Okay, lets play knights.

What? Play knight.

Yeah.

Yeah!

(Okay, okay. I want you to have the last laugh.)

Kurena suddenly felt better when she heard that they were going to play knights. However, the yard was unusable because twenty Albaherons were being processed. It would be done outside in the yard, with two families watching.

Grasping the wooden sword, I received the words that I had been hearing for over five years.

My name is Knight Kurena! Lets go to the battlefield! When I heard it again, I felt passionate.

I am Allen, the servant of Baron Granvelle. Master Swordsman Kurena, come at me.

Kurena makes a face like, What? The name I used is different from usual. Her name is different from usual as well. Because I called her Master Swordsman, not a Knight.

Rodan had risked his life to hunt Boars for the past 13 years. As a reward, Allen was placed in the service of a noble family. Allen took the name of the heavy title his father had risked his life to win.

Whats up? Arent you coming? Allen asks.

Im coming, replied Kurena.

The game of knights begans. Its the same game that Allen and Kurenas parents have been watching for years. A wooden sword was being wielded with great force. Its not the speed an eight-year-old should have.

Playing knights for a farewell?

Yes, its nice, isnt it?

Rodan asked, to which Gerda replied that this was just like Allen and Kurena playing for the last time.

However, the family watching the game immediately felt uncomfortable. They had only ever seen Allen being pushed by Kurena. Kurena must be the stronger knight by far. But today, Allen was completely overpowering Kurena.

What?

Whats the matter, Master Swordsman, is this your limit! Allen said.

When challenged, Kurenas strength increases. However, she was the one dodging and she was slowly getting pushed back by Allen. Kurena was on the defensive.

Yesterday, when Allen decided to leave everyone, he chose to part with Kurena after one last knight game.

And he was determined to win the knight game today.

What? Why?

Kurena was puzzled. She was pushed by Allen, who had never won before a single time against her. Its not his usual move. Its a speed she hasnt seen in the past five years. Allen and Kurenas parents were also watching in disbelief.

Allen was currently using 20 E-ranks Birds for his blessings. Birds blessing boosts his agility, so he became explosively fast.

[Name] Allen

[Age] 8

[Talent] Summoner

[Level 7

[Strength] 152 (190)

[Mana] 208 (260) + 200

[Attack Power] 75 (94)

[Endurance] 75 (94)

[Agility] 144 (181) +200

[Intelligence] 216 (270) +200

[Luck] 144 (181) +200

[Skills] Summoning4, Create4, Synthesis4, Strengthening4, Grimoire Expansion3, Inventory, Delete, Swordsmanship3, Throwing3

[Experience] 0 / 7,000

Skill Level

[Summoning] 4

[Create] 4

[Synthesis] 4

[Strengthen] 4

Skill experience

[Create] 47,946 / 1,000,000

[Synthesis] 47,900/1,000,000

[Strengthening] 47,640 / 1,000,000

Summons that can be obtained

[Insect] EFGH

Beast EFGH

[Birds] EFG

[Grass] EF

[Stone] E

Holder

[Insects]

[Beasts]

Birds] E20

[Grass] E20

[Stone]

Allens agility was already rated A. So, he was quite fast. Now that he was Level 6 and had blessings of 20 E-rank Birds, his agility has exceeded 300.

Kurena, who hadnt leveled up, couldnt handle it. She quickly lost and Allens wooden sword stopped at Kurenas throat.

I lost.

Hmmm, I guess its a draw for the Magic Swordsman Kurena.

(Ive used most of the magic stones, but thats okay.)

What?

It was a complete defeat for Kurena. Allen and Kurenas parents saw it as a win for Allen.

Its a draw, thats for sure.

A draw?

She scratched her head and looked at her as if to say, A draw?

Yes, a draw. Its a draw, Master Kurena. We have to wait until the next battle to find out who really won.

What?

The game has not been finished yet. So, we will have to wait until the next time we meet, Kurena.

Yes, and Ill be the winner! Allen!

With both hands on the wooden sword, Kurena answered with a smile.

I wanted to see that face.

Allen knew that. When she turns 12, she will go to the Academy of the Kingdom, and after that she will serve the Royal Family. Her status and place of residence will be different. We might not be able to meet again. In fact, its more likely that we wont see each other again.

Even so, Allen wanted to end this knightly game without having a clear winner. He used most of the magic stones he had saved up for that purpose.

The game of knights was over, and I said goodbye to everyone as I was leaving. Theresia hugged me.

She tells me to be well. I feel like crying. But I cant cry.

I went over to Mash, who was crying.

Mash, you have to be strong and protect Muras!

Yes, yes.

I hugged him tightly and said goodbye.

I and Rodan went to the village gate.

There was no conversation, but I was okay with that.

When we arrived at the residential area, I saw a familiar face in the square. It was the potato-faced Dogora. Next to him was Peromus. He rushed over to me with something in his hand.

Hey Allen

Here, take this.

He bluntly held out something that looked like a stick.

Hmm? What? Are you sure?

Dogora, the son of an arms dealer, handed me a dagger. Ive seen this dagger somewhere before.

(This is the dagger for which I checked the price two years ago. It cost 50 silver coins. I couldnt buy it after all.)

I decided to spend the money I earned for my family. It was a dagger that I had wanted, but had never been able to buy. Dogora must have remembered the story his father had told him.

Thank you, Ill keep it.

Its my gift to you. See you later!

Although they had known each other for only two years, he was undoubtedly Allens friend. He put the dagger next to Allens wooden sword and walked on.

The villagers called out to him, Take care. Apparently, the news of him leaving the village to serve the Baron family had spread to the residential area as well.

This is the village where you were born.

Yes, father.

Rodan, who had been quiet for a long time, spoke to Allen when they were almost at the gate.

You will not stop being a servant. You will do your duty well. Until then, I wont need to hear from you.

He told me not to force him to contact me and not to let go of the good fortune of being able to serve the Baron.

Yes, Ill do my best.

With that, I parted ways with Rodan in front of the gate.

Allen was told it was time to leave and to get on the carriage. He got in and gazed out the window of the carriage and looked at the village where he was born and raised for eight years. As the carriage slowly began to move forward, the village became smaller and smaller. Rodan was no longer in his sight. The village was moving away.

The tears he had been holding back finally spilled over.

In this way, Allen left the Kurena village and began to live in the capital of Granvelle territory, Grandver.

For eight years he had been a serf, but now he was a commoner and a servant of the Baron Granvelle.

ARC 1 COMPLETE