Promise

In the evening, a gentle tap echoed through the door of a quaint cottage in the village. A delightful woman, in her thirties, with vibrant red hair neatly braided, answered the door and was surprised to see a young woman with striking green hair standing before her. To her astonishment, the young woman was accompanied by two familiar faces.

"Hi, Mom."

"Ah, welcome my dear, you too Hope, and...?"

The young woman touched her face, causing it to briefly light up. When she removed her hand, her face looked different.

"... You... you are..."

"Just and friend of your son, sorry for the intrusion." Elizabeth grinned and shut the door after them.

In the cozy living room, Dora's mother brought them tea as Elizabeth shared the situation. Afterward, she pondered quietly for a while.

"... I see, I was surprised to see that you were an acquaintance of my son, but it makes sense. Dora, you wish to join the academy?"

"I'm not sure... I want to be sure you're both safe, so I would rather stay here honestly."

"I heard that, what I ask is, without thinking of me and Wendy, do you personally want to join the academy? With your potential, it would be a great opportunity, you can't stay here forever."

He felt anxious about the situation. At this stage in life, many individuals already have a clear goal for the future and strive to reach it through education, personal hobbies, or, in the case of diplomats, specialized training. However, even in ideal circumstances, the less fortunate were marginalized.

"The royal academy is normally only accessible to noble students, for people of our caliber to have access to it they would have to outclass the others thanks to their talent greatly. I was a commoner and look where I am now. I'm very sure that you can even do better. You'll become famous in no time and you'll get enough money to give your family everything you ever wished for."

"We're going to be rich?"

Wendy inquired with excitement, while Dora considered it a cheap shot to persuade him. Hope then joined them.

"It's not just about the money, can't you feel it? The excitement of facing so many other fighters like us, everyone is training, everyone is progressing, everyone is hoping to be the best, you don't want to challenge them, and get all the glory in the world."

"Dude... Stop projecting yourself into me."

Dora's mother watched him closely as they continued to test his patience. After a moment of contemplation, she called out to him with a gentle smile.

"Dora, could you come for a moment? I want to talk with you in private."He was afraid of the type of sentences. He trailed behind her as they exited the house. She gazed at the stars briefly, in a silence that felt never-ending, before shifting her attention towards me."Tell me, for how many years have you taken care of me and your sister?"

"... I don't know, I'm just doing what I have to do as a son, there shouldn't be a problem with the time."

"You're right. It's normal to help each other in a family, we shouldn't need permission or another motivation, we are a family and that's all, and that's why we only want the best for each other."

"Mom... I know what you mean, I haven't said that I'll give up on Elizabeth's proposal, I just need you and Wendy to be safe."

"We've been safe for a long time, and why do you think there is a guard post near the village?"

He was eager to share his knowledge about the rifts with her, but the burden of keeping it a secret held him back. His mother's calmness made sense, as she had shared his perspective just a short while ago. He nervously bit his lip, unable to respond.

"You know, when we saw you use magic for the first time, your father and I were amazed, for us it was a miracle to have a real emissary in the family... Later, when you were revealed to be an Avatar, I was overjoyed. I knew that not only you were special among people, but even as an emissary, you were elite."

"... You were okay with that? Even after..."

"The death of your father?... Yes, of course, you think I would suddenly hate you because of that?"

"No, of course, I mean... I didn't think you would be okay with me fighting in more dangerous places."

"If you get serious, you'll be the real danger." She chuckled.

It was a big shock when his father died a few years ago close to a rift, and his mother secluded herself for months following the incident. When he joined Leon and they formed a renowned team, his mother inquired about it but showed no reaction upon discovering the truth.

Consequently, he always presumed that she would oppose his involvement in rift battles. This revelation completely transformed his perspective and ignited an intense determination within him to exceed his mother's expectations and repay her in abundance.

"Then... I think I'll join the academy, I'm really motivated now, I just need one last thing."

"Is it me coming to the capital?"

He felt demoralized by her calm tone and her understanding of his concerns, knowing exactly where things were headed.

"Dora, I think you already know why I'm still here, don't you?"

"But Mom, you said yourself that he died, like everyone else, there's no point in staying here, especially if you want me to give my all!"

"So after everything I've done to raise you, you still can't live on your own? You need me? So I'm a failure as a mother?"

"That's not what I'm saying!"

Dora took a few steps back before pausing to look down at the ground, breathing heavily. His mother came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Why are you so stubborn? It's a mother's happiness to see her children succeed, that's all I need to be happy, to be sure that your father will be proud in heaven. Everyone has their own story. You have a huge potential and a great future, so your story will be beautiful, that's my wish, mine begins and ends in this village, I have always lived, all my experiences, my memories, my life, and the people who are dear to me are here, alive or among the stars, tell me what will I have to do in the capital?"

Dora remained silent, the outcome was predetermined, and he never stood a chance.

"You know, one of the reasons I can't leave is that I have a debt here."

"A debt? What debt?!"

"Not that kind of debt. My parents both died a few years before I met your father when I was still studying at El Ciero. When I found out about that, I used all my savings to come back here, that going to be hard to believe but I never believed in their death."

Dora observed her closely, in the village, she was notorious for avoiding anything associated with death. She never visited the cemetery and skipped funeral anniversaries, and he had an inkling about the reason behind it. Therefore, hearing it directly from her was truly astonishing.

"It sounds silly, but I figured if I didn't see their grave that meant they weren't dead, that's ridiculous, isn't it?"

Dora averted his gaze as the woman, known for her strength and dominance in the village, appeared vulnerable while holding her shoulder in embarrassment.

"So you see, I owe them a first visit, it's cruel for such caring parents to see their own daughter avoid them so much, but I need a lot of courage to do that, so I'd like to make a deal with you."

She extended her pinky finger towards him, and without thinking, Dora extended his own. At first, he appeared disappointed, but when he caught a glimpse of her expression, he was left speechless.

Her eyes were not filled with sadness or emotion, but rather with an overwhelming sense of pride. It was a pride that stemmed from being the mother of a truly extraordinary son.

"If you graduate to the academy, and become a fine man, I'll go to see my parents, do we have a deal?"

In the darkness, his eyes gleamed and a jolt of energy surged through him, his gaze brimming with vitality.

"Deal."

He had agreed to join the academy a few days ago. Elizabeth, Hope, and Wendy were thrilled when they found out. Hope kept asking him to practice fighting in their usual field every day, but Dora didn't want to babysit."Come on bro, it's the last day, just one last fight while we're nobody, like the start of a great movie!"

"Talk to my foot, man."

"Kss... You're so lazy, I thought your mom motivated you!"

"I'm not lazy, I'm in power-saving mode. Go fight Leon instead, he should be back from the rift."

"Aaah but you're my damn rival... You're just scared of Hero Time."

Hope was feeling frustrated. It had been several days since Shining Sword had cleared the Rift, and word had spread to the nearby town. As a result, they received invitations from various Guilds to join as an E-rank team. This meant that they would have to leave the village soon. Meanwhile, Hope and Dora were awaiting an examiner from the academy.

"It's so boring, if they want to recruit Avatars, what's the point of testing our skills? We're E-rank, there's nothing to show for that." Dora groaned.

"Oh, I can show Hero Time, and the test is necessary, the academy is the main source of the kingdom's defense forces, they can't just enlist random people, especially since I'm Elizabeth's brother."

"So I'm suffering because of you? You filthy brat."

"Wow! You are suffering because you gave yourself a bad name, I don't have to pass this test, at least me, I'll do only the one that determines my rank."

"Yeah, yeah, so you're taking advantage of your sister's reputation to move up the ranks, you little rascal."

"I swear, I will kill you one day!"

"You shouldn't worship her like that... you know how she tried to convince me?"

"You little brat!"

Elizabeth exclaimed in the distance. She came with two people, a young man with pale blond hair and stylishly curly hair, and a guy who seemed familiar and had a joker-like appearance. He gave Dora an unpleasant smile.

"So there you go, silly, I see you're taking care of 'my son', right? As his 'mother', I should thank you, don't you think?"

Albert stood directly in front of them, clearly informed by Hope about their discussion. Dora glanced at him briefly before shifting his attention to his companion.

"... I hope you hear that shit, man."

"Leave me out of this"

"Now, I'm in front of you, so why don't you leave Mr. Hope alone and face me instead?"

"You should face a mirror first, your lips are abnormally blue, ma'am."

"Oh, I'll kill you!"

As he lunged at Dora, Elizabeth stepped in the way, unable to contain her laughter, while the young man beside her let out an annoyed sigh.

"Calm down, Albert, you have promised your complete impartiality here."

"But I am, I'm going to punish that brat impartially!"

Dora agreed with a look of disgust on his face.

"If it can comfort you, you're doing it by staying right in front of me."

Albert wrestled in Elizabeth's firm embrace. Eventually, he settled and Elizabeth initiated the introductions.

"You know Albert as our butler and Hope's personal trainer, but he's first and foremost an academy examiner, he's the one who deemed your skills good enough to get into the academy, Hope, and now it's also he who will judge you and integrate you, Dora."

"Humph! Will integrate is yet to be seen, I'm not as nice and shallow as Miss Elizabeth, so be prepared for the toughest test you've ever seen, E-ranker."

"I see... Do I get a bonus if I dress like an ugly girl?"

"You'll only get my fist in your ass, you imbecile!"

"... So you're not denying the ugly lady part?"

Albert shook Elizabeth's shoulders.

"Ooh Miss, let's change the rules, let me fight him instead, I'm begging you!"

Elizabeth let out a sigh, covering her face with one hand.

"Albert it would be easier if you just stayed quiet."

"Yeah Albert, you're just a butt-ler, know your place and shut up!" Dora yawned.

Albert, his hands joined together as if he was praying, turned to the young man who was with them.

"Sir Barron, I promise on my name to give you the best treatment at the academy if you get rid of this fucker in the test, you'll get everything! Just make him suffer, please!"

The young man gestured for Albert to step back and glanced apathetically at Dora.

"Who do you think you are to ask me anything? You think a butler like you can go around and order me?"

Albert was speechless and stumbling over his words, causing Dora to laugh quietly, much to Barron's disapproval.

"And why are you laughing, you idiot? Do you think you're something? Understand that if I'm wasting my time here it's only to make sure that any rubbish doesn't soil the academy. I can't believe that they're even envisaging taking peasants among the elite."

He smoothed his hair and moved away from them. Dora wasn't particularly shocked by this. Firstly, he saw himself as a simple person, so he didn't take offense. Secondly, from the way he looked at his opponent earlier, he could tell that this young boy was a loudmouth. Hope, getting angry called out to him

"Oi, who are you calling a peasant? You better watch your mouth when you're at people's places, buddy."

"I'm not dealing with 2 donkeys at the same time, consider yourself lucky to be the brother of the captain of the royal guards, without that you would never have had your place."

"What?! Dare to repeat that!"

"What? Are you also deaf?"

Hope stepped forward but Elizabeth held him back, looking bored.

"Alright, I'm glad the introductions are done, now if you don't mind, I'd like to move on to what we're all here for."

Barron shrugged and Hope, fuming, walked away staring at him, Elizabeth sighed and announced the test.

"Here is the theme of the trial: Dora and Barron will face off in a friendly fight, and depending on the skills you show, Albert will enroll you in the academy, consider it a privilege, all you have to do to get in is show your skills, like the other day, now for the rules you both can use anything as long as you don't try to assassinate your opponent, you are professionals so surely you know which of your skills can be deadly, was I clear, Barron?"

"You should have chosen someone weaker, I'm not responsible for the weakness of a peasant."

"... Alright, so if you're both ready, face and salute."

They approached one another, standing in the middle of the field that would soon transform into a chaotic battleground. Now, they stood eye to eye, yet neither exchanged any greetings, which greatly disappointed Elizabeth.

"Why am I even bothering... Begin!"

Their faces transformed and a powerful gust of wind blew through the entire field.