The Beginning After The End (New Heights Book 2) (6 page)

The
dinner was amazing as the chefs went all out tonight.  My mother made sure
to include some of my favorite dishes, some of which she made herself.

The
table was pleasantly loud, as Adam made loud jokes and made fun of some of the
members with their embarrassing moments while exploring the dungeon.

“Adam,
you seem to forget the time when a horned mole snuck up under you while you
were taking a piss in the dungeon.  As I recall, you got so scared you
landed straight on your back, peeing on yourself like a fountain.”
 Jasmine coolly said while she was sipping her tea, not even bothering to
look at the petrified Adam

“PFFFT!
I spit out my food as I try to control my laughter.”  My father just
straight up laughed at him while pointing his finger, almost falling off his
chair.  Even Vincent was holding in his belly to try and keep from
laughing.

“NOOOO!!
Y-You!! I thought no one was awake when that happened
?!
”
 Adam’s face turned ghostly pale and his shoulders slump at his utter
defeat while the women were just shaking their heads in embarrassment at the
male’s behavior.

All in
all, everyone was having a great time.  Ellie chimed in, telling us about
her adventures in learning how to read and write, trying to be a part of the
grown up conversations as well, while Lilia just giggled and agreed.

After
dinner, everyone migrated to the living room where the fireplace was.

“Happy
Birthday again Son.  This present is from your mother and I, and of course
Ellie as well.”  My father handed me a package wrapped in cloth while
Mother was holding back Ellie who was trying to unwrap the present herself.

Opening
it, I see a fingerless glove meant only for my left hand.  It was black
and simple but embedded on the top of the glove were 3 white stones.

“Your
father hunted the material for the glove and I imbued my healing spells unto
those three white stones.  Each of the stones carries a single use spell.
 I’m sure it’ll be useful to have some safety measures while you go out on
missions.”  My mother looks at me with sad smile.  I can tell she
still wasn’t ready to send me off.

“Thanks
Mom, Dad, Ellie, I love it.  This’ll be really useful for me.”  I
give each of my family members a big hug.  Putting on the glove, I could
tell how sturdy the material was, not to mention that the three healing spells
would be extremely useful in a tight situation.

“Ahem!
Next is us!”  Vincent pulls out a small.  He dramatically gets down
on one knee and opens the box.  Inside the box were two silver rings, one
plain, and one with a small clear gem.

“…”

Uhh….
Where is he going with this?

“Honey!
 Stop teasing the boy!”  Tabitha smacks Vincent’s shoulder while he
holds in his laughter.

“Okay
okay!  Arthur, this is more of a present for your family than you but I’m
sure you’ll appreciate it as well.”

“This
ring” Vincent pulls out the plain ring, “Is what you will be wearing, while
this ring,” He hands the gemmed ring to my mother, “Is what your mother will be
wearing.”

Tabitha
continues on for him, “Alice, while Arthur is wearing the ring, you’ll be able
to tell whether he’s okay or not.  The plain ring is able to keep tabs on
the mana circulation that naturally flows in a mage’s body.  If the
natural mana flow stops, the ring you're holding, Alice, will glow red and emit
a high pitched sound.”

“We
thought really hard on what Arthur may need during his time as an Adventurer
but Lilia was actually the one that brought up the possibility of giving a
present that’ll help him and his family.  Unfortunately the rings can’t do
much more than that but I thought this will bring you some peace of mind Alice,
Rey.” Vincent shrugs his shoulders.

My
mother tears up while clutching unto the ring.  “Oh Tabitha, Lilia, thank
you!”  She hugs the both of them in a tight embrace.  “Thank you
Vincent,” She gives Vincent a deep bow while he was shaking his hands, saying
how this was nothing much.

I
couldn’t help but smile, looking at my mother.

If
this ring can free my family from constantly worrying about me, then this was
the best gift I could ask for, but there was worry in my mind at the
psychological presence wearing the ring would have on my mother; she’d be
constantly checking it.

“Well
how are we going to beat that guys?”  Adam chimes in.  My guardian
angel Durden walks towards me, handing me a roll of parchment

“You
see, we also thought along the same lines as the Helstea family.  We
couldn’t really think of what to give the little monster so we decided on
this!”  Adam waves his arm in a dramatic manner.

“Those
two scrolls are sound transmission scrolls!  I’m not going to elaborate on
how expensive this was, because it was EXTREMELY expen…OUCH!” Jasmine smacks
Adam on the head.

“Cough!
 Anyways!  With this, you now have a one-time source of
communication.  Just infuse mana into the scroll Arthur, and you’ll be
able to send a message to the other scroll.  After the holder of the other
scroll receives it, Mama Leywin, she can then send the reply!  After the
reply is sent and the other person listens to it, the parchment will then turn
to ashes! TADA! You’re welcome!”  Adam gives a dramatic bow.

The
members of the Twin Horns were all taking turns smacking Adam’s egotistical
performance but they give my family a warm smile.

I
could tell my mother and father’s moods turn a whole lot better knowing that
they won’t be sending their son off to who knows where without knowing how he
was doing and what would become of him.

I give
each of the Twin Horns and the Helstea family a hug, thanking them for the
presents.  Lilia turned beet red while Tabitha just giggled at her.

Honestly,
I already had what I needed, but the ring and scroll will be an invaluable
source of comfort for my family, which I was worried about the most.

Soon
after, my parent’s ex party members all left to go back to their inn.  The
Helstea family went back upstairs when Lilia started dozing off, tired from the
long day, leaving me with just my parents.  Ellie was asleep while
cuddling the snoring Sylvie.  I was already all packed up, prepared to
leave tomorrow morning; meeting up with Jasmine in front of the house.
 Tonight would be the last chance to have a real talk before I leave.

“Tomorrow
is the big day Son.  Are you excited?”  My father clasped my
shoulders.  My father’s eyes were a little red as I could see him holding
back some tears.

My
mother didn’t fight her emotions and just gave me a big hug while crying.

“I’ll
be fine Mom, Dad.  I promise I’ll try to be back home every chance I get.
 If anything happens, you’ll be able to know.”

After
talking about my life and the dangers of an Adventurer, my parents ushered me
back into my room.  I plopped into bed and stared at the ceiling, Sylvie
asleep next to me.  I had family and now, I had people who loved me.
 I had people that cared about me for who I am, not for the position I
had.  It’s a nice feeling and I don’t want to give it up.  I’ll fight
for it and make sure to treasure this emotion that I was devoid of in my
previous world.  For that, I need to better myself.  More so than
when I was a King.

“Crying
won’t work!  Shouldn’t you be used to water by now Sylv?”

“Kyuuuuu…”
Sylvie finally escapes from my grasp and flees out of the shower, still wet.

“Haa…”
I shake my head as I finish washing up.

Wearing
nothing but a simple T-shirt and pants, I take one last look at the room I was
living in for the past couple of months.  I put on my glove and ring,
packing the coat and mask along with a few other necessities into my bag.
 I strap on Dawn’s Ballad and my short sword, both on the back of my waist
where I was most used to before walking out.

“Trust
in Jasmine when things get rough.  She may be the youngest but don’t doubt
her strength and experience as an Adventurer.”  My father advises while
giving me one last firm hug.

“Why
are Brother and Sylviee leaving? No!  Stay here!”  My sister was now
struck with realization that I wouldn’t be home for a while.  She was bear
hugging my waist and refused to let go.

“Honey,
your brother will be back okay?”  My mother tries to console her.

“NONONONONONO!
 Stay!!”  My sister wasn’t listening anymore and starts shouting
while crying.

I
kneel down and give her a big hug.

“Can
you protect Mom and Dad while I’m gone for a bit Ellie?  You’re a big girl
now right?”

“UUuuu…hic…I
can protect them…” I wipe the tears streaming down her face.

“Atta
girl.  Your big brother is going to be gone for a little bit but I’ll be
back.  I feel a lot better that we have someone strong like my little
sister here to protect the house.”

“Eng!”
Her eyes still filled with tears, she looks at me with a look filled with
determination.

Patting
her head, I give Mother and Father a hug.  “We’ll miss you.  Don’t
forget to keep the ring on your finger okay?”  My mother squeezes me
tightly.

“Stay
safe and know your limits Arthur.”  My father gives me one last advice.

Know
my limits.

I walk
down the front stairs to where Jasmine was waiting.

I wave
at them one last time, my sister waving both her hands while she was biting her
lips to keep from crying.

“Let’s
go Jasmine.”  I say while putting on the mask and coat.

She
nods as we head downtown to the Adventurer’s Guild Hall.

______________________________________

The
Guild Hall was not what I expected it to be.  A place filled with thugs
seated around wooden tables downing beer was what I imagined inside my head.
 Instead, it was a marble structure with an intricately designed interior.
 There were tables made from metal where I could see other Adventurers
giving us a passing glance.  The whole place had a luxury hotel-like décor
that didn’t suit some of the more barbarian-looking Adventurers here but I just
kept walking.

“Welcome!
 How can I help you two?”  The front lady gives me a professional
smile.

Before
I say anything, I see Jasmine slide something towards the clerk lady.

“I
would like to sponsor him to take a rank examination.”  Her face remains
expressionless as she says this.

“Y-yes!
 I understand.”  Nodding several times before handing back whatever
Jasmine passed to her.

“Please,
come over this way.”  She guides us towards the back door

*Murmur*
 *murmur*

“Oy,
there’s someone taking a rank examination.”  I hear whispers around us
from the Adventurers seated.

I keep
my questions to myself for now as we follow the clerk.  Passing through
the door, we’re inside a small room with two couches facing each other.
 On the far end of the room is a desk facing the door with a slender man
seated, his head down.

“Hmm?”

The
man looks up revealing an angular face.  The man had black hair parted
down the center that reached his shoulders.  His glasses were thick and
frameless, giving his narrow eyes an even sharper look.

The
clerk next to us gives the man a deep bow before explaining, “A Class
Adventurer Jasmine Flamesworth has requested this er… gentleman to take the
rank examination.”

“Ah!
 Miss Flamesworth.  How are you doing these days?  I met with
your father not too long ago…” The slender man gets up from his desk, walking
towards us.

I turn
to look at Jasmine as she gives him a silent, curt bow.  I raise an
eyebrow when I notice that her fists are clenched at the mention of her father.

“Cough…
Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you!  My name is Kaspian Bladeheart and I
am in charge of this branch.  You must be a friend of Miss Flamesworth.
 Is there a name I can address you by?”  He casts his studying gaze
at the masked figure that had a small reptilian kitten on his head.

“Kuu!”
Sylvie answers for me.

I made
Sylvie go into her original form during my time as an Adventurer, so her horns
protruded out more and her red spikes were visible.

“Please
just call me Note.”  This was the identity I was going to go by from now
on.  I got the idea from looking at my mask.  The blue streak that
went through the left eye slit reminded me of a single half note.

Kaspian
does a quick double take when he noticed Sylvie, but other than that, he
doesn’t mind the small beast on my head.  Seeing mana beasts doesn’t seem
to surprise him because of his line of work.  “Yes! Well… Sir Note, we
will proceed with Miss Flamesworth here as your sponsor.  Do you know how
this will work?”

Shaking
my head, I let him explain.  “An Adventurer of B class or higher has the
power to sponsor a new Adventurer to an examination.  Depending on how
well you do, this exam will give you the opportunity to be placed into a
suitable rank.  The rank exam will consist of only a practical portion.
 Now, judging by your weapons, I can assume that you are a Fighter or
Augmenter yes?”  He looks quizzically at the black stick tied to my waist
below my short sword.

“Yes.”

“Okay!
 Usually there would be a quick application along with an inspection of
your mana core before the exam but since it is Miss Flamesworth here sponsoring
you, I will just waive that.  Mary, take these two to the examination
hall.”  He ushers us towards another door.

“Y-yes!
Please, Mr. Note, Miss Flamesworth, right this way.”

I look
at Jasmine through my mask as we walk through a long corridor.  Is this
why she wanted to be the one to follow me?  What was the Flamesworth
house?

I
squint as my eyes try to adjust to the brightness change from the dark passage.
 We were inside a brightly lit, indoor, dirt-floored coliseum.  The
seats were just exaggerated stairs that were mostly empty except for around 10
people sitting in random spots.  On the stage at the bottom were two
Augmenters fighting.

“Please
follow me to your seats.  There are a couple other exam takers today so
please stay seated around here until the examiner calls your name.”  The
clerk gave us one last bow before walking back down the rows of stone seats.

I lean
forward after I put Sylvie down between to Jasmine and I.  Jasmine just
leans back with her arms crossed.

“Haa!”
 A large mage with a shaved head swinging the polearm was at a
disadvantage as the opponent he was versing, a man of average build and short
black hair and a scar down his cheek, was easily dodging all of the clumsy
swings.

The
scarred man looked bored, as he didn’t even bother using the broadsword he had
in his right hand.

“Take
this!” Daring to announce his next attack meant he was either confident or he
was just an amateur.  In this case, it looked to be the latter.

The
polearm he held high above his head suddenly glowed a dim orange as a heat wave
surrounded his weapon.

The
scarred man raised an eyebrow in slight surprise but otherwise remained the
same.

“Hell
Smash!”  He bellowed as he swung down.  Just like how Conjurers chant
spells to focus their intent, many Augmenters also choose to do something similar,
like vocalizing the name of their move.  However, for such a simple move,
it seemed unnecessary.

Shaking
his head, the scarred man held up his broadsword.

*CLANG*

The
polearm was flung up into the air as the shocked examinee just looked at his
empty hands.

“Your
skills as a polearm wielder is nonexistent and your battle senses are lousy…
and that’s me being nice.  You depend too much on physical strength
compared to your mana reinforcement, throwing your attack’s balance off.
 It says your age is 35 but you’re now only at the dark orange stage.
 I would normally put someone of your caliber at E class but seeing how
you have a fire affinity, if that little heater move you just did can even be
called fire, I’ll pass you as a D class…barely.

I nod
in agreement at the scarred examiner’s assessment.