I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.
'Since when did so many people start caring about me...?'
I thought my leave was going to be nothing special. Just Jagon and Angelica saying goodbye to me and nothing else.
So why were there so many people out here right now?
"You were really smart, man! I'm gonna miss your strategies!"
"You were fun to tease. Perhaps you should visit every so often?"
"We were all a bit wary of Jagon and Angelica, but seeing you interact with them so casually made them fit in easier."
"I'll also become an adventurer at your age! Don't think that just because you have a headstart you'll be stronger!"
"I really like the kait, Mister Faun!"
I was overwhelmed by the amount of people and how many things they were saying.
Also, they were kinda making me feel awkward. After all, I didn't want to hold up the merchant I was leaving with.
Is this how it feels to live in a village where everybody knows each other? It's suffocating.
I looked at all the people in front of me.
It was suffocating, I was overwhelmed... but I couldn't stop the smile from appearing on my face.
For the first time in a long while, I was actually unsure of my true feelings.
I saw Anelle standing in the croud. She wanted to come up to me, to talk to me, but didn't want to at the same time.
My smile turned sad for just a moment because of her.
She was just like me, a person who does not do something until forced. As such, for her to learn a lesson, she has no choice but to feel a lot of pain and sadness. But that's just how life is.
Jagon came up to me.
"I feel like I'm gonna miss ya, but at the same time, I'm glad you're leaving. Now I can pour all of my focus to one single thing without being worried."
Angelica chuckled.
"You're surprised by the amount of people, right? Well, whether you like it or not, after being around them for so long, they've come to care for you. That's just how it is with these things."
Her smile almost looked nostalgic.
"Don't stand there dazed. Go."
Jagon hurried me.
I started turning around―
"Wait, one last thing."
Jagon put a hand on my shoulder and brought his face close to mine.
Then, he started whispering.
"Deal with that for me, will ya?"
He pointed downwards.
My eyes widened.
"Now then, off you go!"
He turned me around and pushed me.
I started walking, my mind still reeling from what he said. The croud had all but disappeared from my perception.
'He knows. Of course he freaking knows! He's a powerful magician, for pancakes' sake!'
Now it all makes sense. Why he cared so much for me, why he trained me so much.
Wait... was the time limit actuallly for this?! It was a way for me to leave the village without arousing any suspicion from Frod?!
I sat down in the carriage of the merchant.
"It seems the people here like you quite a bit, huh?"
He said while looking at me. His gaze was kind.
"Yeah, they do."
I answered without much thought. I was still stuck on what Jagon said.
The horses started pulling and the carriage started moving.
Abut was growing further and further away.
[End of Volume 1: Learning how to live in a worryful new world.]