Dream Life Chapter 43.2: “The End of Childhood”

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　After discussing the future with the three of them, I took my wooden sword and headed for the garden of the mansion to be alone.

　As I wielded the wooden sword, I thought about the level I should be aiming for.

(I’m aiming for at least double my current Magic Art level, level fifty. At the moment, I’m using magic every day until I’m at the last of my MP, so my level is definitely increasing. However, at the current rate of growth, it will be very difficult to make it to level 50. I don’t really understand the growth system, so I can’t say for sure, but from an RPG perspective, it would be safe to assume that experience gained in battle will lead to level increases. If that’s the case, I should be able to level up faster if I go hunting monsters while studying at the magic academy…) (Zack)

　And then I can proceed to think about my other skills.

(Swordsmanship will be self-training since Grandfather isn’t there. I don’t know how effective it will be, but we have to continue training in the mornings and evenings as before. If I were to choose magic and swords, I would be just like everyone. If that is the case, I should specialize in magic. And what to do about Magical Combat? This depends on the time available and the training location. …Then there is Stealth and Detection. Training both will be difficult in Doctus. After all, I have to go into the forest and the mountain actively. I wonder how dangerous that area is…) (Zack)

　When I was swinging my sword, my grandfather came.

“You’re lost in thought. What were you thinking?” (Govan)

　I stopped swinging my sword.

“I was thinking about what I wanted to be. Sword, magic, and scouting skills, and how I should develop them.” (Zack)

“What you lack is experience. You will be strong as soon as you have enough experience. But it is dangerous to go at it alone. Even if you are as talented as you are, you should not go into the forests and mountains alone. The Caem Mountains north of Doctus are especially dangerous…”

　Based on my own experience, my grandfather seemed to be concerned that I might be moving recklessly.

　But I am willing to hunt monsters with a little recklessness. I don’t have any companions at the moment. I don’t know how Liddy will settle the matter, but I prefer to think of it as a one-man job.

“I’ll try to work it out, knowing that it will be a bit overwhelming. I’m not in a hurry, but I don’t want to not do it and regret it later.” (Zack)

　Grandfather muttered, “Is that so?” and left the place.

　That night, Liddy came to my room.

“I went over to Guy’s house earlier. We talked about Sharon…” (Liddy)

　I nodded silently and urged her on.

“Sharon wants to go with you. Guy said he couldn’t because of the money. He only shook his head when I said I’d pay for it.” (Liddy)

　After all, the entrance fee is 10,000 C and the annual cost of 3,000 C seems to be a bottleneck. Guy was reluctant to borrow money from my grandfather’s companion, Liddy, and refused to accept it.

“I’m here to borrow your wisdom. Sharon was pretty insistent that she would run away from home and follow you. If things continue like this, Guy and Sharon’s relationship is going to get be ruined.” (Liddy)

　Sharon had made up her mind after I had talked to her at lunch, but the possibility of her staying with me after Liddy’s talk seemed to have shaken her up again.

“Let’s see… How about doing this? First of all, we will make it a condition that she will have to be in the top 5, where their admission fee is waived. If you get in the top 5 in the entrance exam, it means you have that much talent, so there’s a reason to enter the Magic Academy. In addition, I am lending money to Sharon personally, so it’s not a reason for Guy to object.” (Zack)

　Liddy said, “Right. I’ll go talk to Sharon,” she said, and turned to walk out.

　I called out to her.

“If Sharon fails the exam, Liddy, you’re staying in the village. And don’t push Sharon. Think of Guy’s pride as a father…” (Zack)

　She interrupts me.

“I know. She would do her best to be with you, even if you don’t push her. I think Guy is just thinking about his little girl and trying to get her to give up. So, she’ll be fine.” (Liddy)

　Then she starts to walk out of the room but turns around as if remembering something.

“Better yet, keep Mel in mind. I know you’re shocked that Sharon wants to keep up and she doesn’t.” (Liddy)

“Oh, got it. I’ll think about it.” (Zack)

　Liddy then went to Guy’s house again.

　After about thirty minutes, she told me that she had succeeded in persuading Guy to go with me.

“Sharon’s motivated, too. She’s good enough to pass at the top of her class if it weren’t for you. Now I can stay with you.” (Liddy)

　I had no doubts about Sharon’s academic and magical abilities. But I also know that taking an exam is about more than that.

“I suppose if I could muster enough strength, I could. But for Sharon, who has never left this village, I think the examinations that hundreds of people will take together will be quite tough. You shouldn’t be too optimistic.” (Zack)

　Even though I told her so, she answered with a confident smile, “Don’t worry”. I was thinking that I would have to talk to Sharon about it tomorrow, with a hint of uneasiness in my voice.

　The next day, after morning training, I talked with Sharon, but she wasn’t worried at all about the exam. I felt bad for making her anxious, but I proceeded to talk to her about the exam, which hundreds of people take.

“Taking an exam is a nerve-wracking experience. So you shouldn’t expect to do as well as you normally do. Liddy is very optimistic. So, even if you don’t make it…” (Zack)

“It’s okay. I might be nervous, but I will never lose. Lydia also told me. If I want to be with Master Zack, I should do my best enough to die. It’s just an exam. It’s not a fight, so I won’t get killed. That’s why I wouldn’t lose to something like that.” (Sharon)

　Sharon has also experienced several real battles in the past two years.

　Although she’s never been in close combat, she knew firsthand the dangers of life. So, she assured me that there is nothing to be nervous about in an exam-level match.

(It’s true that you won’t be killed, but exams are nerve-wracking. …With no information, maybe she doesn’t understand, but if Sharon says it so strongly, maybe she’ll be okay…) (Zack)

　Then I told Mel that Sharon was going to take the exam for the Magic Academy.

　I was afraid she would be distraught during the conversation. However, when she heard that Sharon was going with me, she quietly listened to my story without becoming distraught, although she occasionally bit her lip.

“I am frustrated to hear that, but it’s impossible for me to go with you. Besides, I will be stronger if I ask the former lord to teach me the sword. So, I will stay here and do my best.” (Mel)

　I was surprised at Sharon, but I was also at a loss for words because I felt as if Mel had become an adult all at once.

“I see… I understand. I’ll do my best not to lose to Mel.” (Zack)

　After saying that, I left her.

　June 30

　The day before Midsummer’s Festival, I was busy preparing for my departure the day after tomorrow.

　The sword that Bertram had been working on–the bastard sword–was successfully completed and adjusted so that I could carry it on my back.

　After saying goodbye to Scott, the distillery manager, and Rob, the hunter, in addition to Bertram, I will depart for the academic city of Doctus, some 370 km away, on July 2, the day after the Midsummer Festival.

　With me on my way to Doctus will be Liddy, Sharon, and Sharon’s father, Guy.

　I have asked Guy to be my escort and guide, but if I or Sharon fail the exam, he will also be my escort on the way back.

　July 1st.

　While the summer festival music was playing in Castle Hill, I finished preparations for departure and sat leisurely on the southern slope of the hill.

　Then I heard the footsteps of someone approaching.

　It was Mel and Sharon, who had spotted me.

　They sat beside me and said nothing for a while.

　Until last year, we had been running around the festival site, but today we were spending a leisurely time at Castle Hill.

　Mel, who was sitting in her sit, right next to me, quietly opened her mouth.

“Master Zack is leaving tomorrow, right?” (Mel)

　I lay down on the grass as if stretching, and replied in a mumbled voice, “Yes, I guess so.”

“I guess we’ll say goodbye until next summer. When are you coming back?” (Mel)

“Summer vacation is two months from July. It will be around the middle of July at the earliest. Well, I might fail the exam and come back early next month.” (Zack)

　When I said that jokingly, Mel said in a serious tone,

“Master Zack needs to get stronger! Please make sure you pass! This is the same for Sharon.” (Mel)

　I’m startled by the sound of her voice and half turn my head to face her.

　There was a strong will in Mel’s eyes as she stared at me.

“Yes, you’re right. I have a reason to be strong. I’ll make sure I pass the exam.” (Zack)

　Mel nodded in agreement, and then moved closer to me with her developing body.

“This is a charm.” (Mel)

　She said shyly and brought her face close to mine to kiss me on the mouth.

　I was suddenly blinded by the suddenness of it all, but then I noticed Mel’s tears falling down my face, and I hugged her tightly to accept her, and our lips met.

　I wondered how Sharon was doing beside me, but she didn’t say anything, probably because Mel and Sharon had talked it over. And seeing that Dan, who is always with her, is not there, he must be in on it too.

“I will really miss you… I really want to be with you…” (Mel)

　I hugged her again, while she was sniffling after saying that.

“Five years goes by so fast. Let’s all live happily together again…” (Zack)

　And then a quiet moment passed. We did nothing, just the three of us looking up at the sky.

　As I looked up at the blue sky, I felt that “our childhood” was now over.

A/N: This concludes the first Volume.

Thank you for reading this far.

Forty-five chapters and 270,000 characters.

I regret that this is a little too many words for a single volume of a story without a climax or an ending.

This is the first time I have written a story about domestic politics, and it is just so difficult.

It only made me realize how lacking my knowledge was.

From the second chapter, there will be almost no domestic politics, and the main focus will be on life at the Magic Academy, especially magic, and the investigation of the mission given to the main character.

(Plot-wise, that’s what I plan to do, but I’m not too sure…)

I plan to write more about the development of the village, but I’m not sure when that will be. If the population grows steadily, there will be many problems, and the main character’s wisdom will definitely come in handy.

Thank you very much for your support up to this point.

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