3 Farewell, my friend. PoV.

"So they are finally gone, huh..." Sighs Yao as we are walking back from the port, her always serious look having a trace of melancholy.

'Yes, they have finally embarked on their journey' I think while grunting in agreement to Yao. I have always been a person of few words, but they have accepted me as such. It is quite amusing how they sometimes understand what I think without even saying anything.

"We will soon go, too. I wonder how is it going to be at the big cities" Says Yao with a look mixed with expectations and firmness. Her past history as an orphan wasn't as good as our friend Kevin. Most of her accomplishments were done solely because of her determination to survive, and while she has astounding talents, it wasn't easy at all. That doesn't mean Kevin didn't have it hard, the raids to his village took the people most important to him and he even had to fight to survive, but at least he could live with his Uncle until a fair age...

'Fair age, huh... what a detestable combination of words' I smirk internally at that thought, and think about what Yao said. It has been a while since I have been to one of those cities and academies...

With a bit of grimace remembering those times and my father, I look at Yao.

"Take care of yourself"

With a bit of surprise on her serious expression, she contemplates for a bit and gives me a firm nod. "I will!" She answers with resolution in her words. Really, what a serious girl she is.

Then, her expression soften again a bit and says "But I am more worried about them. Besides Hugh that didn't even try, I am still surprised those two got their appliances rejected, the Knight's Academy must have quite high standards... ¿Will they be okay? That idiot Kevin maybe doesn't know how close he came to dying today, that man was full of killing intent!" Anger could be noticed by the end of her sentence.

Yes, that man was very close to killing Kevin, even remembering that scene makes my heart jump. Even if there were 10 of me, I couldn't have stopped him from killing my friend even if I tried with all my strength.

I feel that my fist had clenched too hard without noticing, so I calm myself by evening my breathing for a bit. 'Next time I see that man, I am going to make him pay for that' I silently vow in my heart, and I start remembering that scene again, this time with amazement.

Kevin knew full well that he might die at that moment, yet he didn't stand back from his words and looked firmly at that man, his hands trembling a bit and his breathing quickened even when he tried to stay calm.

Just as we were arriving at the port this morning, we heard a cheerful shout from a familiar voice that said "Today seems like a great day to die!" I instantly grimaced at that moment and I started running there.

We quickly arrived, and we saw a man looking at Kevin with obvious killing intent in his calm voice and expression. "What do you know, kid? So you wish to die today? If so, I will gladly make your wish come true" His hand on the hilt of his sword looking every bit as menacing as having a bullet coming towards your heart and you being unable to move or defend.

Kevin looked at the man, and smiled "I don't know much. I obviously prefer to not die today, and it isn't my wish to do so." There wasn't a bit of hesitation on his voice, it seemed the youth I had known all these years had transformed again, as if his disheartened self that he tried to cover up after his failure never existed at that moment.

The man smirked "I think it is too late for second thoughts, kid, you should've thought more before you spout nonsense, do you regret having to die because of your stupidity?" Obvious bloodlust was in that man's voice, he didn't care for one second about Kevin's answer, and it seemed he just wanted to unleash on someone and our friend was just the person he picked for that.

I remember that with every bit of fury as I had in that moment, and I guess I wasn't the only one, outside of us that had already gotten in battle mode, there were quite a few people furrowing their eyebrows at the man.

"Ha! If I die now it would be a pity, but I don't regret what I said nor I am having second thoughts about it, I truly believe in them as much as my Uncle had. I am calm because I can stay true to myself at this moment, and that simply brings me a huge relief... But be prepared, because I will fight to my last moment before dying, old man" I was shocked while looking at Kevin saying those words, he was obviously afraid, he was obviously cornered, yet he said it fluently and natural that no rehearsed speech would be that perfect. I don't know how many people perceived it, but at that moment I knew I wasn't wrong when judging him when we became friends, and, in fact, I had seriously underestimated him! I sensed that in that regard, I was left in the dust by this man whose surname is Lunz.

After that, everything calmed down, the man furrowed his eyebrows at the words of Kevin, and then looked towards the city and the direction of the boat and quickly took his sight back. The whole place seemed to relax as he sighed. "It will be amusing having you onboard, kid" He said with obvious coldness as he stepped inside the boat.

Really, what a guy. Then, I notice Yao looking at me strangely and I remember her words again, pondering for a bit I knew the answers to each.

"They won't be okay" I answer honestly and reserve my opinion on why they weren't accepted, as I perfectly knew. Both of their background were of low class, even if their talents were very high, they weren't noticed because they weren't given enough time or resources to play them out at their full might, and, even then, it would've been hard. The written test, even if it may look simple, it had a lot of weight to enter the Knight Academy, and this training hall is quite deficient in it, or phrasing it more elaborately, it is deficient for those that have no money. Hugh and I did try to help them out, but without constant supervision and field training, it was quite hard for them to be up to par. Even so, they quite excelled with just that bit, but sadly... they were useless at the point of view of those "Big shot" that prefer to have people with at least a moderate status. It was a biased test from the beginning.

But even with all that, I am, in part, relieved they weren't picked, but I have my suspicions on Brian not passing. That world might have swallowed them up, and it is very probable that they would have their potential buried, after all they are, at least, one of the most talented youths of this town. That's why I think they will have more freedom in that dangerous journey, which I am pretty sure will be filled with battles and blood from what I have gathered. It won't be easy at all.

I notice the growing worry in Yao's serious expression, making me smile at her "But..."

She perks up instantly at my words.

I look firmly towards the horizon, to the opposite side that my friends went to, and say "... I am sure they will fulfill their promises"

- Yes, one day we will fight again! And be prepared, because I won't give it to you easily -

I remember those words from my friend and the expression of the other two. One that feigned indifference at what's to come and the other as serene and as sharp as always.

Yao looks at me surprised and gives a soft smile as rare as my owns "Yes, they sure will. We have to fulfill ours, too!" She says energized and we simply continue walking to our destinations.

I simply give a small smile back, I have probably smiled more today than in the past few weeks, heh.

'Yes, I have to fulfill mine too. My own battle has already started, isn't that right, Reiss' Royal Knight's Academy?'

I give step by step firmly remembering the back of my friend when he was boarding for his journey.

'Farewell, my friend...'

'... Because we sure will encounter each other again and will fight to my heart's content'

That is my vow as Alejandro Grant.