Choose your path

" Please sit down for a moment. "

So I sat down waiting for the person who wanted to meet me. I wondered why he or she wanted to see me.

No matter how hard I thought, I didn't know what my future would look like after this meeting. The only thing I know was that, if the result is negative, I will stay with Gyoku and protect her as best I can.

After about ten minutes of waiting, the lady at the entrance got up from her chair.

" Sprite-san, I ask you to follow me. "

I got up and followed her. She led me to the door down the hall and she knocked on the door.

" Umpata-sama, I have your guest! "

A loud voice answered.

" Bring him in. "

The lady opened the door and I entered. Upon entering, Umpata-sama's office was to my left. The room was dark. The only sources of light came from the candles on the walls and the one on the mayor's desk. The person sitting at the desk was scarier than the mood of the room. A huge figure with horns was in front of me.

" Do you prefer it to be lighter? "

" Eum... I do not mind. " I said with a trembling voice.

And the room was lit normally. Finally, Umpata-sama wasn't that scary. A tall, obese, red man in a white shirt, blue jacket, gray pants, and an orange bow tie sat in an undersized chair. He was intimidating because of his size, but not too much.

" It doesn't happen every day to see a demon does it HAHAHAH! Don't worry, I'm part of the small portion that are nice. I managed to escape Quelarel, a southern nation. I'm not here to call you a monster. Two brothers came back to the village shouting that there was a hero in the forest. Of course, no one believed them. Me, when I hear the word hero, I take it seriously because the person who took me out of my nation was a hero. So they explained to me what had happened. I sent them to give you a letter and here you are in my office. I heard about the girl who got called a devil and had to leave Natarune. I promised myself that if one day an individual with magic returned to this village, I would treat him with as much respect as possible. I asked you to come because I have an offer for you. How about going to learn and improve your magic at Pogorim's magic school? "

I had my eyes wide open. It wasn't what I expected when I came here.

" Eum... It's not every day that you get an offer like this. Before saying yes, I have to ask you something. If you refuse, I will decline your offer. "

He put his elbows on his knees.

" I'm listening to you. "

I took a deep breath.

" I have someone with me who also has a talent for magic. I can't leave without this person. I haven't spoken to her yet about your proposal, but before informing her, I must have your confirmation that if I accept, she can come with me. "

He looked at me with a big smile. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke.

" It will be my pleasure to send you both. "

I got up from my chair and walked towards the door.

" I'll be back tomorrow at the same time to give you my answer. "

And I left.

I made the trip home. I mentally prepared myself to break the news to Gyoku. I didn't know how to tell her or how she was going to react.

I walked into the house and no one seemed to be there. Maybe my roommate took care of the animals further away. So I took the cookbook and set about preparing a meal. It was harder than I thought. There were ingredients and tools that I didn't know but I was going to manage. It would be the least we could do to surprise her with what she does for me.

It was hard to find a recipe that had the ingredients I had. I found one anyway. I was going to make skewers. I had meat, herbs and vegetables, should be fine. I did everything to make it as good as possible and after a lot of time, I arrived at a correct taste and presentation.

Gyoku had finally returned. She was surprised that I went to make supper. I was happy since she had a small smile on her face. A real smile.

She went to wash and came back downstairs to sit down to eat.

" Well. It's quite a gift you're giving me. "

" With everything you've done for me, I had to thank you in some way. "

" Thank you Sprite-kun, it's much appreciated. After a big day of work, my desire to cook was not there hahaha. "

We started eating and the meal satisfied her. When we had finished eating, we stayed at the table.

" Tell me, how was your meeting "

" It went better than expected. I met the mayor and he made me an offer that I wanted to discuss with you.

She looked at me with a questioning face.

Umpata-sama offered to send us to the magic school in Pogorim so that we could be better in our respective fields. What do you think? It's a good offer, isn't it? "

She continued to stare at me. A tear ran down her cheek. She got up and went up the stairs. She stopped at the top.

" Follow me. "

I went up. She was heading to her room.

" Are you sure you want me to come into your room? I mean, it's your private place and it... "

I was in her room. There was a map of Dagriadale on one of the walls. On this map, there was a large red circle surrounding the castle school. There was a picture of a woman in a uniform on the cabinet near the bed.

" It is my mother. She went to this school when she was my age. It's been my dream since I was little to go there.

There was a brief moment of silence.

My mother died in combat. Like all the others who are part of their king's army, their only objective is to discover the treasures of Oklonari. One day she left and never came back. "

" And your father? "

" Never met.

Another moment of silence.

You don't know how happy I am with your proposal, Sprite-kun.

She turned back to me. With tears streaming from her eyes and with a big smile, she said to me:

We leave when you want! "

I smile at him too. She jumped into my arms.

" I'm going back to see the mayor tomorrow at the same time. I'll tell him the news. "

" Thank you Sprite-kun, thank you with all my heart. I'm so glad I took you with me! "

I couldn't help but blush.

I dropped her off and we went back to the kitchen to do the dishes.

We spent the rest of the day close to the fireplace. We laughed and talked. The stress we had had quietly disappeared. At 10 p.m., we each went to bed in our rooms.

I took the time to think a little. The Gyoku I knew in the first days was not the same as the one I know now. I can understand her being on guard with the past she has. For some reason, she reminds me of someone. It's weird because I don't know my past. I try but nothing comes to me. Maybe Gyoku knew me and didn't want to tell me. I think too much, I have to go to bed.

I slept well. I dreamed that I was a king and that my life was going well. While I was riding, I reappeared in this empty world. Everything was the same. I was walking on water and there was nothing on the horizon. Some time passed and POOF, I'm in total darkness. The eyes appeared again and the words began. I curled up. I was going crazy again. I was crying, crying, crying. and without realizing it, I said:

" HELP ME IKEDA-SAN! "

And I woke up with a start. I was completely wet with sweat and my bed too. Gyoku was lying next to me.

" It'll be fine Sprite-kun. "

" I had the same dream again, Gyoku. It's happened twice and I can't take it anymore. "

" Tell me about your dream. "

I told her my dream as precisely as possible. She gave me a hug and said:

" Go take a shower, I'll go dry your bed and make you some tea. "

So I did what she told me to do.

After drying my hair, I returned to my room for the tea.

" Tell me Gyoku, does my dream remind you of anything? I mean, after twice this nightmare has happened, I don't think it's a coincidence. "

" Doesn't mean anything to me, sorry. "

I took a breath and continued drinking.

" ARGH! It is not the good moment. I have to get up early tomorrow to go to the town hall! "

" Who is Ikeda-san? "

" I have no idea. His name came out like that. "

By the time I finish my tea it's done in silence. I went to put my drink in the kitchen and went back upstairs.

" You will sleep with me tonight, Sprites-kun. If you're not well, I'll be there. "

I was embarrassed but had no other option. I slept well for the little time I had left.

When I woke up, Gyoku was changing. I jumped. My face turned red.

" AHHHH! GYOKU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? "

She turned around and blushed too. She hid her underwear with her hands.

" SPRITE-KUN? DO NOT LOOK AT ME! "

She slipped and fell directly on me. We looked at each other with our eyes wide open. We were both red as tomatoes. This moment lasted about ten seconds. She got up, took her clothes and left the room quickly. I did not know what to do. I hadn't done it on purpose to wake up at the wrong time. I had to go apologize.

I knocked on the door to see if I could get out without there being an accident.

" Gyoku? Can I go out now? "

" Yes. "

As I opened the door, she was standing in front of me, still flushed. We both leaned over to apologize.

" Sorry Gyoku, I didn't think you were changing. "

" No, I'm the one who should apologize for not paying attention. "

We got up and shook hands to move on.

I headed to my room to get changed. When I came down, I saw Gyoku standing in front of the door with his black cape.

" You come? " She said with a big smile on her face.

" Yes, but are you coming too? You are not afraid tha... "

" It's from the past. Plus, we're going to school in Pogorim! "

I took my cape and we left for the town hall.

We entered the town hall and the same lady with the round glasses was in front.

" Ah, Sprite-san! I'm glad to see you again. And what is your companion's name? "

Gyoku took off her hood.

" Gyoku. "

The lady was extremely shocked.

" Umpata-sama is waiting for you in his office. I'll let you go. "

We walked into the office and Umpata-sama was very happy.

" Sprite-san! Happy to see you. And to whom do I have the honor? "

The mayor's face froze. He understood that my friend was the girl who left the village.

" Gyoku. " She says.

" I'm so sorry for what happened to you when you were young. "

Gyoku's face relaxed.

" Umpata-sama, I came to see you to accept your deal. We will follow the teachings that you offer us. "

His face had become happy again.

" Ah! I am happy to hear that!

He got up from his chair and walked towards us.

It was a pleasure doing business with you, Sprite-san. "

" Likewise, Umpata-sama. "

" Call me Umpata.

He gave me a wink and led us out.

When you are ready, go to the school and tell them that you are sent by Umpata, mayor of Natarune. "

We left the town hall. Umpata and his secretary waved at us.

When we got home, Gyoku was jumping around. She was so excited. We immediately packed our bags, said our last goodbyes at the home and started our journey to the capital of Dagriadale, Pogorim.