Departure

The dawn was near again. This time, Glin had to wake up very early and prepare a lot of things. The start of his long journey through the wilderness, seeking for a hundred treasures, was scheduled today.

Rising from the bed, he began to tidy himself up. He wore all his new adventurer garments: He basically wrapped himself with all black light-weight garments and only the skin of his head, palm and fingers, were revealed.

Aside from his little leather bag, Glin also prepared a bigger one meant to be carried on his back. He filled it with extra clothing, a few guide books, herbs and potions, a little food, and the necessary tools. Every preparation was done, all he had to do was leave the Valarian residence.

After taking his two swords from above the rosewood table, he left a piece of note:

"Dad, I'm going. Sorry I didn't tell you. But I promise, I will come back to make you proud. I'm grateful for your kindness, for raising me, and you will always be my father. And don't get sick. Thank you, goodbye… --Glin"

Before, he never told Theian when exactly he was going to leave. The old guy was still in deep sleep. Glin only wanted to leave as quiet as possible.

When Glin reached the fancy gate of the Valarian House, the guards were early. He looked at them but never said anything, they did so too. The iron gate was opened by them, he just walked passed it. The guards weren't strict for those who wants to come out of the family residence but not for those who wants to enter the house.

Glin walked past many streets. The sun hasn't risen up yet, it was very quiet though some people were already awake. He's was walking a little bit slow, glancing around. After this, it would be very long until he returns, he thought.

"Hurry up, hurry up…"

"Hey, why are you so excited?"

"The sunrise is very beautiful to see from a far outside the city."

When Glin was almost at the eastern city gate, he noticed a five people, all men, nearby. Just like him, they also carried a number of stuffs in their large bags, so he inferred that they are also adventurers who are just about to leave the city. At the same time, they also saw him going in their direction.

"Who forgot something?" a man asked his teammates.

"I forgot to bring my money!" a young man on his twenties yelled jokingly.

"Blinking idiot, go back and get it! You might find a big market in the forest!" Everyone laughed. They were obviously not serious.

Meanwhile, Glin followed behind, maintaining a distance, finally leaving the big Stonewill city. Occasionally, the members of the five-man team would glance behind and see Glin, but they weren't really affected when the latter followed them. But they wondered why a young guy would travel similar destination as them when only alone; The wilderness is a very scary place, no need to mention.

Glin only kept his pace.

When the sun showed up in the horizon, it brought warmth in everyone's face. They all stopped for a while and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, except for him.

"Hey! You, are you also going to the Great Woods?" Suddenly, a man who looked friendly asked Glin when he caught up with the five-man group.

"Yeah," nodded Glin and smiled back.

"Really? You're quite young, are you going there alone?" the friendly man asked again.

"Yup!"

"That, I admire your courage," the man laughed. He glanced at Glin from top to bottom.

"Hey, you're not a mage?!" The youngest man from the team who stood beside the friendly-looking guy suddenly exclaimed when he sensed no magical presence from Glin. A boy without magic is going to explore the Great Woods alone? The five-man team was astounded.

"Yeah," Glin laughed and scratched his head. While doing that, he purposely revealed his two swords held together by his other hand.

"You shouldn't go there. You have no idea how deadly is the Great Woods. That place is a nightmare! Even mages die on that place let alone you who has no magic," the youngest man continued, worried.

"He's right," the others agreed.

Glin was trying to explain but the guy just interrupted him.

"Say no more. Besides, you're still too young. You don't really know the true nature of the Great Woods. Just go back to the city."

"You've been there before?" Glin just asked, feeling helplessly against the young man's dissuasion.

"That," the young man suddenly didn't know what to say. "Well, I've never been there yet. It's my first time. But I'm not like you, I have magic to protect myself. Besides, all my teammates are experienced.

"I've lived there before," smiled Glin.

Everyone's eyebrows were raised immediately. They couldn't believe what Glin just said. They thought they heard him wrong, but the youth kept his smile in front of them.

"No way, you can't fool anybody. Even with the help of magic, there's no assurance for survival in the Great Woods. Those demon beasts, they're just too much and frightening!" The young man didn't believe Glin. How could he believe that a boy, at least four years younger than him, survived in a very dangerous place without magic abilities?

But Glin only laughed. He made a glimpse at the sun, then continued walking.

"You aren't serious right?" They asked, still not believing.

But Glin didn't answer the question directly. He inwardly laughed at their puzzled expressions.

"It was only for eight months actually."

Silence. Glin continued walking, leaving the group of people behind.

"Ah, forget it… The young guy has two swords. They are probably not just for a show." The friendly-looking guy finally said when the others were wordless. He then looked at Glin's back. "Hey, why don't you travel with us? Better not alone in the forest!"

Hearing the man, Glin quickly turned around and pondered.

"Sure," he smiled.

"Good!" The friendly looking guy laughed and caught up with Glin. "I'm Gayne Lark, you are?"

"Glin Hiyerman," He used his true name.

Gayne also introduced his four colleagues to Glin. The youngest one who keep advising Glin was called Timothy Fritt. The three others were Ron Fritt, Larvel Erneth, and Xanus Mourden. In the team, the oldest one was Xanus who was 28 and a big guy, while the others except Timothy are around 25 years old. All of them were mages which really made Glin envious again.

"Glin, which place in the Great Woods are you going to?" Gayne remembered to ask.

"I plan to go all the way to Black Mist Basin. After that, I don't know where to go next."

"Oh, it seems like we'll parting ways with you halfway through our goals," said Gayne.

"Which place are you going to?" Glin asked curiously.

"We're going north of Eshtris mountain range."

"That's too far!" Glin suddenly remembered the name. Eshtris mountain range was almost 1000 kilometers from Stonewill city, more than twice as far as Black Mist Basin.

Stonewill city, Valarian residence…

When Theian woke up, he quickly discovered that Glin was not in his chamber. Shortly, he also saw the piece of note left above table. He felt sad after reading it. "Your old man will be waiting for your return…"

In the end, he could only heave a long sigh. It was a man's decision, the person he raised left his house to pursue what the heart wanted. It was impossible for him to keep the person under his protection; the more he does, the more one will feel weak. Glin wanted to find a place for himself, give himself a worth, and he couldn't stop him: He'd feel even worse.

This day, Glin left the Valarians behind. Theian never know when the youth will return again.