Friends

[a bit sarcastic]

After a month of rest at home and caring for my dear mother and sister.

I've finally established a firm bond with Clarice.

That way if for some reason, I decide to leave, she'll fondly remember her big brother.

Anyway I started going outside again, just strolling around town seeing the happy quiet life…

It's very precious.

I didn't think it would happen but, I ran into Ken and Bella again. 

And it was one heck of a surprise to see what they were up to…

*Colt walking around town, suddenly he hears a voice*

The voice [male, full of confidence] : "hey, Colt is that you??"

*Colt turns around*

Who's calling??

*sees Ken and Bella behind him*

Wait… that orange hair

Colt [surprised] : "Ken !! is that you??!!"

*Ken is now about 12 same as Bella and they both have grown nicely*

*Ken bulked up a bit and he's turning out to be good looking same as Bella, he walks around with a wooden sword on his hip*

Ken [smiling] : "yeah, it's me , we've grown huh?"

*looks at Bella*

Colt : "yeah, but, then.. this must be .."

Ken : "you guessed it, it's our dear friend Bella"

Not bad, these two are turning up nicely

Colt : "I see you two have changed, I'd say your training is paying off Ken, never thought you'd go for a knight"

Ken : "you noticed, huh? But I'm not going to be a knight, I want to be an adventurer"

That's strange, Ken was always easy to find because of his aura, so why??

Ken : "I know being a knight is the easy way.. but, *a bit of malice seeps into his voice* I don't want to be under the nobles' orders, we're just lucky our lord is a good man, but the others…"

Wait, how does he know about that??

I'll ask later 

*looks at Bella*

Colt : "and what have you been up to??"

Bella : "well, I've been training to be a healer so…"

A healer?? How did she pull that??

Colt : "how did you get that??"

Bella : "About 2 years ago a party of adventurers came here on a quest, I got close to the healer of the party, and she wanted to train me, I took her up on it… and turns out I had a talent for it…

She stayed for a month, and then came back every once in a while to check on my progress"

Well her aura is not that small either…

2 years ago and they stayed for a month…

could it be…

Nah.. coincidences like these don't happen

Ken : "now then Colt, tell us what you've been up to, I see you were training as well"

Colt : "true, but believe or not.. I've been traveling as a merchant apprentice"

Bella : "for real! Did you go to the royal capital??"

Colt : "yeah , I've been there…"

Ken : "don't hold out on us … tell what it was like…"

I told them about the royal capital, about the forest of monsters and about how everything is bigger there

Ken [ to Bella, excited] : "we have to go see it someday…"

Bella [excited] : "yeah, we might even work there"

Colt : "waiiiit… work there? Do you plan on becoming an adventurer too?"

Bella : "I'll form a party with Ken and maybe more people will join us"

Wait… is that…

No way… no… it's not gonna happen…

Life isn't that simple…

They're people not puzzle pieces…

It's not a (this fits with this one) thing is it??

Either way, I can't wait to see how this turns out…

Anyway, time to ask "the question"

*Colt takes Ken away a few steps and whispers*

Colt [whispering] : "why do you hate nobles all of a sudden??"

Ken : "come on, you traveled, you've seen how the other domains are managed… these nobles are rotten to the core…"

I'm with you on that one

 Ken[with more hate] : "I heard all about it from adventurers… and when I heard the story about how we were going to starve… it was a real bless he died before that happened.."

uuhhh, ha, ha

Bella[ going after them, pouty because they left her behind] : "what are you two talking about"

Colt [flustered] : "well .. we were-"

Ken [nonchalantly] : "he was asking why I hated nobles"

Colt : "Ken!! Don't tell her that"

Bella [a bit mad] : "why?? I'm not a kid anymore.. we're about to become adults…

We need to grow up and face reality"

At that moment it hit me…

To me, they're kids… but in this world, you're a full grown adult at 15, granted adolescence pride and ego remain, but…

I have to understand…

They're not really kids anymore…

Those aren't the looks of kids

There is a bit of bitterness in their eyes

the same you'll find in any adult

I had it easy because of my powers and knowledge… it's been a picnic for me so far…

But, they… they worked hard… they steeled their resolve… they faced reality, and didn't let it crush them

I was determined to destroy that reality…

just because I can

But they adapted… became infinitely stronger… maybe not physically… but mentally… they're really not kids anymore

[internal smile]

Guess I still have a lot to learn…

Colt [smiles] : "thanks you two… you opened my eyes … I just learned something valuable… you've changed a lot… I'm proud to be your friend"

*shakes hands with both of them*

Ken [surprised] : "what's all this all of a sudden??"

Colt [smiles] : "oh, never mind… I'm just happy is all"

*they both suddenly stare at him*

Colt : "what?"

Ken : "you changed too Colt…"

Bella : "you became more…"

Ken : "sincere"

oh… yeah… it is the first time I've spoken like this with them

Guess I have changed…

Colt : "let's meet again sometime, even if you're busy… I'll find you"

*leaves while waving*

*gets home*

Clarissa : "so, how was your day today?"

Colt : "hey, mom… I met Ken and Bella again today"

Clarissa : "that's good , did you have fun?"

Colt : "I…did"

*looks at Clarissa*

Guess we all have to grow…

better get my affairs in order…

Thank you Ken, Bella…