Chapter 2

Now… How can I walk away from the clan compound without raising the alarm from my parents and the other clan members?

"Young master Kazuma. Your presence is required in the Ceremony Hall."

I snap from my thoughts when I hear a servant from behind the door. I quickly get off the bed and open the door.

"Lead the way."

"Of course, young master. Please follow me."

I nod and start to follow her to the Ceremony Hall. Why am I called to that place? I think for a few seconds before my eyes widen in realization. Right. In three months, I will reach the age of seventeen, which means it is time for the blessing ceremony where the elder checks if I have the blessing from the Gods we worship.

Nakiri has the blessing of the Earth that lets us manipulate the Earth underneath us. The most powerful Nakiri in history can move a mountain, break them up into chunks and rain the target with a thousand heavy rocks.

Among our clans, one will be chosen by the Yellow Dragon and carry the greatest blessing from the Gods. The current carrier is called Ouryuu Nakiri, and he is hailed as the strongest Nakiri, not because of his Earthbending but rather his physical ability. His punch can crack a mountain.

"We are here, young master."

I snap from my thoughts and look at the massive building in the middle of a forest. This building is the Ceremony Building, where the ritual will take place. As I open the door, I see seven Elders wearing their official Onmyouji outfits and my parents waiting for me.

"Welcome, Kazuma. Today will be the day we test whether you have a blessing from the gods. Get inside the magic circle, child."

I give the elder a respectful nod and get inside the magic circle. I get inside the magic circle and hear the seven elders start to pray something. After a few seconds, I can see the magic circle shine in golden light and see the satisfaction in my parent's eyes.

"Congratulations, Kazuma. You are among the blessed children. However, as the second son, you have two choices, just like other second and third children."

One of the Elders says that with a hint of pride in his voice. I wonder why.

"We are offering you a choice of learning among the best of the best, or you can experience the world first before you start your study. If you decide to choose the first one, you will start your study tomorrow morning. You will have the best teacher to expand your blessing and make you a formidable fighter. If you choose the second option, you will be supported by the family and given a monthly allowance you can use. We also allow you to visit the family library and learn independently for three years. In those three years, you will not receive any help from any of us, and by the end of it, one of us will take an exam. If you fail, you will need to be reeducated and try to catch up with your generation. If you fail, you will be exiled. Choose."

This is my chance. This is my chance to go to Toba and join the Tarakan Guild. I look the Elder right in the eyes and say.

"I will take the second choice, Elder."

I say that respectfully. I started to sweat when I did not hear anything. I look up and see my mother sigh tiredly while my father rubs the back of his head sheepishly. What? What happened?

One of the Elders sighs and says.

"Very well. You can go out and explore the world tomorrow, and we will create an account for you that holds your allowance. Now, you can go back with your parents."

I quickly ran to my parents and hugged them. They are the parents I never had in my past life, and I'm glad to be their son. My father put his hand on my head while my mother hugged me back. The three of us return to our home, where they take me to my father's office.

My mother decides it is time to talk when I sit on the couch.

"What are you thinking?! Why did you decide to take the second option?!"

I look her right in the eyes and say.

"I want to explore the world, mother. I want to see the world and experience it myself. I hear how father explores the world before he takes his exam, and I want to do the same."

This is my alibi for my choice. My father also makes the same choices as mine and is successful in the clan. He is not the most powerful, but he can fight the strongest and give them a run for their money with his blessing.

I can see my mother sighing at my answer and saying.

"Sigh… You are just like your father. Why can't you take the first option like your older brother? He is such a good boy that he listens to his mother instead of his father."

My big brother is an asshole. I cannot call him an outright asshole because he has done nothing to me just yet. Arrogant. Yes… let's call him arrogant. He thinks that because my father is a high-ranking member of the Nakiri Clan, he can do anything, and it gets worse when there is a rumor of my father becoming a candidate for the Lord of the Clan.

He is not an asshole to me, but he likes to rub the fact that he will be the head of this branch of the clan when he is growing up, replacing our father.

"Stop it, dear. Kazuma is Kazuma, and Kirito is Kirito. You cannot compare the two of them like that. They are both unique."

Father to the rescue! Thanks, Dad.

"Haaa… You are right. I'm just worried, you know? What if he encounters a big bad guy? I don't want him to get hurt!"

"And he will not get hurt. We train him personally, remember? He will be fine."

Yeah. As a son of a big clan like Nakiri, I trained in the art of Onmyoudou and Martial Arts from a young age. However, as a rule, I cannot learn the family art just yet. I need someone to teach me or have permission to read it inside the library. I now have the second option, and I will use it later.

"I know, dear, but I'm still worried!"

"And you have the right to be worried. You are his mother, after all."

And there goes my parents. Haaa… Sometimes they do this lovey-dovey thing that lets them stray inside their own world for a few minutes. I wait for them to return from their world and see their embarrassed expression.

"Ahem! Sorry about that."

My father is the first one to get out and try to hide his embarrassment.

"Anyway, we will not force you to stay and let you explore the world. However, always remember that we will always be here for you, okay?"

"Of course, father."

"Good. Alongside the allowance the clan will give you, I will also add some from my private account. Also, do you want any weapon?"

"No, father. I don't think I need a weapon at the moment."

"Hmmm… Very well. However, if you need something you can always ask, okay?"

"Of course, father."

"Good. Now, is there any place you want to visit on your first journey? I recommend Shikoku Island. That place has dense forest filled with wildlife where you can train your body and your blessing. They are not too strong but not weak either, a perfect place for training."

Shikoku Island, huh? That is the other side of the place I need to go. Mie prefecture is to the east of Kyoto, while Shikoku Island is to the west.

"Is there another place you have in mind, father? I want to see which place I can visit, and I need a list."

"Hmmm… The other beginner-friendly location would be Southern Kyushu, especially on Yakushima Island. That place has a great hunting ground, but be careful of the poisonous plant in that place. The last one is Northern Hokkaido. That place is a harsh place, a perfect place to train your body. Yuki-Onna stayed in that place and some of the fearsome winter beasts. Please be careful in that place as the winter beast is a tough bunch."

And none of them are in Mie prefecture. Oh well.

"Hmmm, I think I will visit Shikoku Island first and then visit Yakushima Island. I will leave Hokkaido last."

My father nods in agreement and says.

"That is for the best. When will you start your journey?"

"Tomorrow will be good, father."

"Very well. Tomorrow you will start your journey so today will be the day of celebration! We shall celebrate of you reaching your adulthood and ask the gods to bless your journey."