Departure

[Chirp...Chirp...Chirp Chirp!]

Elijah felt the faint sunlight brush against his face, he could hear all the ruckus the sparrows were making. A small bird started pecking him curiously.

He could feel its sharp beak, but Elijah wasn't really a morning person, so he didn't want to get up anytime soon.

He figured it would just lose interest and fly away, but just as if it had read his mind, the sparrow started annoying him persistently.... As the young sparrow started nipping away at his head, Elijah jolted awake because of this little devil.

Anger boiled up within him, this bastard had interrupted his precious morning sleep, how could he just let him go?

" AH! YOU LITTLE SHIT.... I WILL FRY YOU UP, COME HOW DARE A BASTARD LIKE YOU INTERRUPT MY IMPORTANT SLEEEP"

He seethed with rage, and completely forgot about where Jacob was.

[Chirp... CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP!]

The bird retaliated almost as if it had understood what he said..... a hilarious battle ensued between the two

"Haa???? CHIRP MY ASS COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN YOU CHICKEN SHIT"

Elijah started chucking nearby pebbles at this clown, he had no patience for this bird brain. However, the sparrow soared masterfully as it dodged every single rock.

It glared at Elijah as if to mock him for his aim and began encircling him in the air.

[Chirp ! Chirp Chirp....]

He didn't know why but when he saw the bird circling around him, he felt like was getting insulted as the bird spoke.

Elijah who was still drowsy could not comprehend how this shitty bird had managed to even dodge all the pebbles in the first place. But there was no way he was going to let a literal sparrow mock him for free.

As this intense showdown continued for a few minutes, Elijah who had not yet eaten was completely exhausted.

[Chirp CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP!]

To top it all off, the sparrow had not stopped its galling cries, mocking him at every throw.

"Hnghhh..... You sparrow bastard. I was going to eat you, but I think I will let you go for today"

Elijah had failed to hit the bird even once and had wasted too much time trying. He felt that the only good thing was to walk away as a dignified man with his honor still intact. He felt no need to use his magic on a bird to begin with.

As such he was just about to walk away from the duel with respect.... but just as he declared it, he felt a warm liquid mesh plop on his head.

Elijah turned back to confirm his suspicions..... the bird had shat on him and now with a seemingly arrogant chirp it roosted on a nearby tree branch.

"Ah.... you feathered bitch... I was right... I WILL DEFINITELY FRY YOU UP "

Elijah had just had his honor itself questioned; he wouldn't let this bird get away with disrespecting him in the open. Now this was no longer a duel of two equals. But a challenge questioning his very abilities.

A sudden influx of mana emerged as Elijah, Although he was only a C rank magician, it was more than enough to deal with that little shit.

The bird observed this energy and could instantly tell something was different about this pathetic kid he had just fought. Before it could react, Elijah threw a dagger at blinding speed.....

The dagger slashed through the air as it slightly brushed against the sparrows wing.

[Chirp!!]

The sparrow having barely dodged the blade was on full alert, it seems he had underestimated this loser. But just as it glanced towards the kid !

[Chirp?]

He was not there, it seemed he had vanished into thin air.

"EAT THIS BIRD BRAIN"

The bird was in full awe , he first thought this white-haired monkey could do nothing, but it was somehow in the air...

Elijah slashed forward with his dagger forcing the bird to soar upwards.

As he skillfully shot three more daggers at the bird, he could see the sparrow was naturally confident in dodging them. However, this was not the same...

The young buck glided sideways as to juke the throw, as it shot a mocking glare. But he was shocked, unlike last time, the white monkey was not angry but smirking, as it missed this throw as well. Had this kid finally gone crazy?

As he thought this, instantly, he could feel something behind its back.

[Chirppp!]

One dagger instead of flying away had somehow shot backwards piercing his wing. As he fell to the ground he could hear the kids jeering laughter. The sparrow despaired; he had somehow lost to this stupid brat.

"HAHAHAHA... you chicken shit... time to pay you back for what you did"

A devilish gaze shot from Elijah's eyes. Elijah tied the reluctant sparrows wings and legs with some rope to completely trap it. Just as he was about to grill this bastard he saw Jacob slowly trekking back to the house with some meat he had hunted.

Perfect timing, Elijah carried the still alive sparrow he captured to the house as well.

"Oh Elijah you're awake, I went to get some food, so I didn't wanna wake you up"

"Ah its fine, so did you hunt something?"

Jacob showed two skinned rabbits

"Yeah but only some rabbits since we don't need too much food"

Elijah couldn't help but brag

"Heheheh, I also hunted something today"

As he said that, Jacob gave a puzzled look, there wasn't really anything special to hunt near the cabin.

It was then that Elijah with a smug grin showed the sparrow he had tied up; It was a bit injured but still alive and kicking.

The bird seeing the kid showing it off got very annoyed, even though it was trapped, it still seemed to carry some dignity.

[Chirp Chirp!!!]

He was not at all pleased with how this brat treated him, he was sure this guy just got lucky with the last throw because there was no way he would have gotten hit.

As Jacob eyed the bird he was very surprised.

"This is amazing, I can't believe you found it this close to the cabin"

Elijah who was already proud about winning the duel was very happy to see Jacobs amazement.

"Hahha, Yeah I am going to fry this little shit and eat it"

As he said that, Jacob couldn't help but let out a little laugh.

"Um, I don't think you should eat this little guy, he may not look like it, but he's a Karhin falcon. They are very smart, curious and can understand human speech. This bird is very valuable because they grow alongside the owner and they tend to get very big. Though I think this one's still young"

Jacob gently pet the young falcon on the head as he explained its abilities.

Understand human speech? This would explain why the bird seemed to argue after Elijah began insulting it. However he was reluctant to just let it go.

"Hmm.. So what should I do? Should we sell it?"

As he saw the bird gently play with Jacob he could see why it was so angry, after all it was Elijah who had started the fight.

"I think you should keep it as a pet, they say falcons make great partners for magicians and since you captured it, he should definitely listen to you"

Elijah wasn't really opposed to the idea and having the falcon at his beck and call would certainly be amusing. A devilish grin appeared on his face; he could already imagine the bird following his orders.

A slight shudder ran down the falcon's spine, he did not know what nefarious plans the silver monkey had but he was sure this kind guy playing with him would protect him.

A few minutes later...

Jacob had prepared a magnificent rabbit stew to satiate their hunger. Elijah who had usually been scavenging for food outside was very grateful for his cooking. After they had both wolfed down their food, they simply sat down in their chairs to relax.

Jacob who was daydreaming again suddenly asked Elijah a question.

"Hey if you're a magician... then can I see your magic?"

It was a seemingly harmless request. Elijah knew that Jacob was just curious but despite their blossoming friendship. He hesitated. It was not that he couldn't reveal it. But he wished not to.

The pleasant atmosphere was overridden by a strange anxiety as Elijah pondered what to do. In reality, Elijah was a type of magician called a Blade-Master. Magicians that would generally work with a type of blade such as daggers, swords, katanas etc. All their abilities were generally restricted to such forms.

It was a unique innate magic that only some were born with. However, blademasters were heavily looked down upon. It was mainly because of their heavy influence in wars. They were used as bloodthirsty demons to prolong and fight countless battles.

However, recently this discrimination had largely died down. Nevertheless, Elijah did not want to risk his Friendship over something he could not control. But after seeing an innocent Jacob patiently waiting for an answer, he decided it was alright to show him.

Elijah slowly brought his hands closer together, he grabbed an invisible space and pulled out a sword from nowhere. It was flawless technique; he had manifested a sword from empty space. This was his magic.

He expected some disdain to appear in Jacobs eyes, but he was glad to see that instead they were filled with pure curiosity. It seemed he had really become friends with the right guy.

"Wooahhh, how did you do that? Did you just make that sword out of nowhere?"

Jacob had never really seen such magic, where had the sword appeared from? It was completely different from using mana to strengthen your body. Was this real magic?

He had so many questions, and he was not one to abstain from answers.

Elijah and Jacob discussed magic until it was almost evening. Time had passed effortlessly, and they had not even realized it.

A few hours later....

Jacob was had gone out to get some dinner for the both of them and Elijah was still in the house playing with the pet falcon.

"Heyy Hey don't nip my fingers, don't I give you enough food already?"

Elijah was very busy training the falcon, he had painstakingly formed a good relationship with it by feeding it some grapes he had found. The bird seemed eager to interact more but as he ran out of food, it became puckish.

Elijah did not mind dealing with the naughty falcon as he played with it some more, the bird certainly seemed cute as it struggled to follow his fingers.

"Hmm let's see a name for you now..."

He never really paid attention to it, but the bird had snow white feathers with a black beak and sharp talons. Certainly deserving of a falcon. He wasn't really keen on a complex name, so he thought sticking with something simple was best

"Let's name you..... snow?"

At this the falcon could flashed a disappointed glare. He didn't really think the boy had put effort into giving him a glorious name..

"Huh? You don't like it?.... Hmm I don't know what else you want I think its fine"

As he said this, the door was opened. Jacob had come back with some firewood and some extra rabbits to cook up. When he saw Elijah playing with the bird he was quite happy. He personally liked the little guy a lot.

"So did you think of a name for it yet?"

"Un.. Snow, but I don't think he likes it"

[Chirp... Chirp]

Snow? Jacob thought it was a perfect name.

"Hmm, Snow huh... I think it suits him well. He has snow-white feathers and wings that could be faster than a blizzard."

With Jacobs marvelous compliment, the bird was more accepting of its name. He really approved of this guy better than his owner...Tsk if only he had met him first.

As Jacob and Elijah, enjoyed the last meal of the day they both climbed to the roof to enjoy some sleep.

Snow snuggled right beside Jacob as it slept peacefully. Jacob found him cute as he continued petting the bird.

However, this calm atmosphere didn't last long. Both boys had realized the fork in their life was near.

"Hey Jacob.... Today's my last day in the village. Tomorrow, I am going to set out towards Reneva.... I want you to come with me. I think you will make an excellent magician"

With this sudden offer, Jacob was flustered. He had always dreamed of travelling away. But when given the choice. He was scared.

He didn't know why but this decision was not something he could make easily.

" Elijah... I-I don't know If I can.... I definitely want to adventure but I don't know...."

Elijah had foreseen this anxious response. Jacob was clueless about the outside world. But he could not bear to see someone like him waste away in these mountains. He was certain Jacob would accomplish something great .

"I know. I know you're scared and anxious. But I will ask you either way. You told me you wanted to adventure, and now I am giving you this opportunity. Don't tell me you're going to decline just because you're afraid?"

He did not want Jacob to decline. But he couldn't force this issue either. If Jacob set out half-heartedly, it would definitely be problematic.

"Jacob. Tomorrow I will wait at the gate... If you don't come... then it was nice meeting you, but I don't think we could stay friends..."

Elijah had given him an ultimatum....

Jacob who appreciated their friendship was struck silent. He did not want to lose his new friend nor his home. He glanced towards the sky, still clueless to his future. He wondered what his fate held for him.

Elijah had already slept but Jacob was still lost in thought. Pondering his future. What were his ambitions? Why did he want to travel?....

Such questions plagued his night, and slowly dawn overtook the silent starry sky.

Outside the village gate, a white-haired boy with a peculiar bird on his shoulder could be seen waiting for someone. As time passed on the two waited regardless.

"So in the end... it was nice meeting you Jacob...."

Elijah started walking away with a solemn expression..

[Chirp! Chirp!]

Hmm... Snow?

Could it be?...

Elijah turned with a gleeful smile on his face, he saw Jacob with a big backpack running towards the gate...

"You bastard you really made me wait"

"Ye.... I guess I did... Let's go"

Elijah saw Jacob had a determined expression.. It seems he really was serious about this. He wouldn't have it any other way, if Jacob had showed up with any hesitation he would have left him here.

"Yeah... Let's go"