Changes:

Bodouin -> Baudouin

Academy -> Training Academy

When the meeting ended, I immediately went back to talk to my parents in order to get their permission.

So, youre saying that youre going to leave this village?

Although youre mother will be lonely, I wont object since its Eldo-chans own decision.

Indeed, I also dont have any particular objections.

I got their permission much easier than I expected. Well, even if I get in with a recommendation, it doesnt mean I was certain that Ill become an Aluminare pilot. There was also the possibility that depending on my results in the Training Academy, I could be dropped out from the selection. If that time comes, I will have to return to this village and take over my fathers hunting business. If so, I may be able to get a hunting license while Im in the city.

Then its decided that Im going. To realize my dream.

Take care, okay?

That night, we ate a slightly sumptuous meal and I crawled into my bed.

It was a little unexpected that my parents didnt ask me anything concerning Ange.

Thats why I thought the odds that my parents would ask me what I would do about Ange were high but

Its just that, I hate to separate with her in the middle of a fight. At worst, we wont be able to meet each other again.

I thought Id meet her at the Village Chiefs house but in the end I wasnt able to meet her. That Ange, I wonder where is she?

The next day. Since I have various things to prepare, my grounding was dropped 2 days earlier, so I went to visit the captain.

I got permission from my parents.

How long would it roughly take?

Yeah, theyve been checking on it since the morning. Its about time they come back.

They must be talking about the knights that I saw when I came to the Village Chiefs house, they were inspecting all kinds of things on my machine. It was really impressive to see the way a professional quickly does an inspection.

Excuse me.

Speaking of the devil.

A man in mid-twenties came in. It was probably because he was inspecting the Aluminare that there are some stains on him all over.

Red hair and golden eyes. His physique was rather thin compared to the Captain and the XO, if I had to say it he gives the impression of being delicate.

How was it, Ritz?

It will be a challenge to make it move. There are compatible spare parts but there are a lot of spots that are broken. It is missing one arm to begin with, and all the joints are already weak. There was a rupture in the section of the hydraulic pump that was temporarily repaired, there are many sections where the transmission cables were broken, it was hard locating them. Sense Board is being inspected by Carine right now but its such an old machine that it will be a little bit hard to read and write information on it.

Ritz kept reporting while briskly scratching his head. That behavior was somehow similar to the XO. Since he was reporting about the condition of the machine means that this person was probably a mechanic. If so, he may be the XOs apprentice.

High Magia Liquid will not be a problem if I set aside a few amounts, but it will take about 1 week to repair it. I really want to seriously repair it until it is good as new!

It was quite a close-call. Rather than winning, it would be more correct to say that I made them withdraw. I think he still wanted to fight because he was still in the condition to do so.

Even if the generator and the cockpit was exposed, he should still be able to fight with his skills. He didnt do so because he simply wanted to avoid any risks. It wont happen in the real battlefield.

Who is he?

Really, so it was you. I heard that you repaired it all on your own until it could move. That would certainly excite my father. Im Ritz, nice to meet you.

What a courteous young boy. Once we get in the city, Ill invite you to a good shop.

I briskly scratched my head while I was grinning.

I wonder what kind of industry will it be

Stop spouting non-sense and get back to maintenance right now! Ill follow afterward.

Yes sir!

As Ritz left the room, the XO let out a huge sigh.

No matter what he cant ever act properly.

He should be able to graduate from the Training Academy as a mechanic.

As the captain was smiling sarcastically, the XO let out a sigh to show his disappointment. It seems like the Training Academy do indeed have an etiquette training.

By the way, it looks like Ritz motion of scratching his hair was inherited from the XO.

Well, it is as youve heard. We will probably depart in one week. Until then make your preparations. And if you can, I want you to give us a hand. Since you have the skill to repair it on your own, you wont be a hindrance.

Actually I got plenty of help from Ange so I did not repair it on my own, but will Ange help me now? She seems to be avoiding me, so I cant ask her to help.

Understood. Well then, excuse me as I will make my preparation at once

Sure

I went back home right away in order to prepare for the journey.

A week passed by in a blink of an eye.

The 31st Aluminare squad had 5 members. Baudouin the Captain, the Executive Officer and Chief Mechanic OReil, the mechanic Ritz. And then there are 18 year-old Benoit and 22 year-old Carine which I just met recently.

Carine was in charge of the Sense Board and the only female member of the squad. She wears red glasses and sports a pinktwo side up hairstyle. Furthermore, she was a woman who had a strong impression due to herbeauty spot near her mouth.

The day to depart had finally come after working with these 5 people in repairing the broken Aluminare until it could move and finished with the start-up test.

And right now, I have someone to say my last farewell to.

Ill be so lonely.

Sorry.

Mama and I embraced each other. Despite that I was a reincarnated person, I was a little sad to be separated from them for they are the ones who raised me for 15 years.

Its alright, its something Eldo-chan decided to do on his own. Besides, I had a vague feeling you will do this someday.

I see

Yes

The other villagers had gathered also to cheer me on for my departure. Although Ange wasnt among them.

In the end, I wasnt able to meet her.

Its about time to go.

Ritz-san informed me of the departure.

Then, Im going

Wait!

I turned around as I was about to go under the Aluminare, for I heard a voice coming from the crowd of villagers. Without a doubt, it was Anges voice.

As I looked back, the crowd of villagers divided and I saw Ange beyond it.

Ange!

Eldo-kun!

Ange was slowly walking towards me. Ritz seeing the mood, just shrugged his shoulders and observed the course of event.

Im sorry Eldo-kun. For not meeting you until this day.

Well Its because I somehow also knew that such a day would come. Eldo-kun, even though there were just only the two of us, the whole time you only had your eyes set on the Aluminare.

No, that was Im sorry.

Well its the truth. Still, to think that she yearned for me that much.

Its okay, I forgive you. My mother told me that the ability to forgive is one of a womans charms.

Is, is that so

To think that auntie told her such things Rather, I thought she was the kind to take you to the bottom of hell as a punishment.

Tell you what, because I heard that you were going to leave the village, I also thought about my future. Or better yet, It occurred to me that I could probably follow you no matter what you say.

Thats

It was likely that shell strongly come along on her own personal reasons. There are plenty of work in the city, with Anges level of cuteness, she would be sought after as a receptionist or a waitress.

I have no ways to stop her.

As I made an awkward expression, Ange expressed an alluring smile like when her pranks had succeeded.

Its fine. I understand that it will just cause trouble you. Although I want to be by your side, I dont want to become your shackles. Even now no matter how hard I try, I cannot stay by your side. Thats why, after consulting with my parents, I decided to send you off with a smile.

At these words, I released a sigh of relief.

Because of that, I thought of making this until you departed.

As she was saying that, Ange took out from her pocket a necklace-type amulet. This was the so-called charm.

Is this perhaps Anges handicraft?

Did you notice it? I made it with uncles help.

This uncle must be this villages sole blacksmith, Ondo-san.

However, Ill remember that she made this amulet to the point of getting burned.

This mark is?

Its a gear, for always playing with machines Eldo-kun, the wing looks like the wings of an angel, so that it would protect you.

While talking, her cheeks became deeply red. If I indirectly look around, the villagers were grinning.

Well, thats right. Although she said it will protect me, I soon found out the the meaning of her name was Angel. Well, its best not to say it.

I see, thanks. Ill treasure it.

I took the amulet from Ange and wore it around my neck.

As I wore it, the chain made some tinkling sound.

Come back from time to time, okay? If you dont come back very often, Ill come to see you.

Ill do my best.

It was vaguely evasive, peculiar to the Japanese. I expected that during my stay at the Training Academy, I wont be able to come back. There are stories such as a new recruit returning home in order to meet his childhood was highly frowned upon. I hope that I can return home by the third year.

Then work hard, okay?

Yeah, Im going then

Having received Anges blessing, I left the village for my journey.