A slightly longer chapter than normal hope it doesn't bore you. Also This chapter from Max's pov

Chapter 31

Story Teller

“It must’ve been a dream.” I look up at the tranquil blue sky. Seeing the fluffy clouds lazily floating in the air told me that everything that happen last week, how I ran for my life, and how I nearly died multiple times, never happen. But then I look down at the town where everyone was busy going around fixing up buildings that was damage in the attack.

“Heh, I guess it wasn’t a dream.” I pick myself up from the dirt while still looking at the city that was slowing fixing itself.

It’s been a week since that incident. Thanks to their leader’s death, the orcs completely lost their will to fight. Handing themselves in, they fully confessed to be being responsible for all the mysteries disappearance that surrounded this area, fully closing the case.  Unfortunately even though I was the main one investigating these disappearance, all the credit went to the hero. But that doesn’t really matter to me, I did gain something from it.

As I stare at the town, a smile grew on my face as I remember the small adventure I went on. It was short, but it’s one I’ll never forget. After all how could I forget how Anna and Aaron save my life multiple times from the orcs, or how Anna was challenge to a duel by their leader, and at the last second the hero came to save us, and at the end of it all the man who I thought was truly evil sacrifice himself to save his family. I even got to meet an elf.

My heart starts to beat faster the more I think about all those events.

honestly even though a week has past I still get excited just thinking about it, but thanks to that excitement I gather enough courage to finally become an adventurer.

I reach into my pocket in pull out a card that had a picture of me in the upper left corner of it.

Name: Maximillian

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Race: Human

Occupation: Adventurer

“I finally did it.” I tighten my grip on my card as I kept repeatedly reading the info on it.

That’s step one done. All I need to do now is complete one more step and I’ll officially be an adventurer.

Turning my back towards the town, I headed home.

The last step is to tell my mom I’ve become an adventurer.

As I walk towards my home I found myself defiantly staring at it. I’m pretty sure if anyone see me they would think that I’m a burglar or something.

The moment I reach the gate I felt all the confidence I built up dissipate.

“Maybe, maybe I’ll tell her later.” I shook my head to get rid of that thought.

No, I need to tell her now while I’m still running on adrenaline, because once it wears off I don’t think I will ever have the confidence to leave this town.

“What are you doing?” Hearing a voice behind me I jump around to see Aaron.

“Hey Aaron.” I look all around him to see if I could spot Anna, but strangely she was nowhere to be seen. “Hey where’s Anna?”

“She’s somewhere around here, I guess…” Aaron mumble before walking past me.

I guess they still haven’t made up yet. It’s sad seeming them like this. I remember the first time I met the two, they would always be together to the point the where it feels weird seeing one without the other.

As I watch Aaron walk into the mansion, I turn my attention back to the gate. Even though the gate was now wide open, I felt there was a barrier in front of me preventing from passing through it.

I let out a deep breath. “Well here goes nothing.” I gather my courage and walk through the gate. As I head for the door that led into my home, I kept going over what I would say to my mom. As soon as I reach the door I quickly open it before I could doubt myself.

“Ah your back.” I was immediately greeted by my mom who looked like she was about to go upstairs.

“Hey mom.” I found myself looking away from her as I try to come up with something to say.”

“Hmmm?” Mom tilts her head while looking at me. Leave it to a mom to know somethings up with their child, of course it doesn’t help that I’m looking away from her like I stole something.

“If you looking for your friend he went up upstairs.”

“I’m not looking for him, in fact I was actually looking for you. I want to talk to you.”

“About what?”

Even though I prepare for this moment, I felt my mind go blank the moment she ask me a question.

“Umm… you think we can sit down and talk about this?” I tightly clench my hands thinking how pathetic I was for delaying our conservation.

“…Ok.” Mom throw curious glance before walking past me. I followed behind her while desperately trying to come up with something to say to her, but nothing came to my head. Before I knew it, I found myself sitting at the dining table with her.

Due to us constantly having visitors over, the table we dine is understandably long, and of course being the coward I am I ended up choosing the furthest seat from her. I could tell she was questioning why I chose to sit so far from her, but for some reason she chose not to ask.

“So then what do you want to talk to me about?”

“I, um….” I tried to speak up, but every single one of my words got stuck in my mouth. Seeing that no coherent sentence was going to come out my mouth, I decided to simply show her what I planned to do. I pulled out my ID out my pocket and slid it across the table so she could have a better look at it. Her face went pale the moment she laid her eyes on it.

“Max, no….” Mom look up from my card and gave me a sad look. I could tell she was close to breaking out in tears. Seeing her on the verge of crying made me feel guilty.

I shook my head to free myself from the guilt that was building up inside of it. There’s no reason for me to feel guilty. If anything I should be proud that I finally became an adventurer.

I look at my mom again who still looked like she was about to cry.

Right now, more than ever I need show her how confident I am. Maybe showing her how serious I am will increase her confidence in me and maybe make her happy…. Hopefully.

I took a deep breath and look up towards the ceiling to see a chandelier was hanging way above my head. Seeing it dangle around reminded me how I used to be scared that it would fall on me one day.

“Do you remember when I ran away from home?” I didn’t look down from the ceiling, but I could tell that my mom was probably looking at me weirdly.

“Back then… I was so stress out that I came to a stupid conclusion that running away would somehow solve all my problems. It was very stupid of me, but looking back, I’m glad I’m made that stupid decision.”

I stop talking for a bit to see if mom had to anything to say, but she remain quiet. I still didn’t look down from the ceiling, but I guess she was waiting for me finish my story.

“If I didn’t run away that day, I would’ve never been stop by two adventurers who thought I was lost and I would’ve never heard their amazing stories. I love it so much that I found myself constantly revisiting their guild, but you already knew that. Every time I disappear you knew exactly where to find me…. I have no idea where I’m going with this.” I let out a laugh while scratching my head.

“I think what I’m trying to say is that I what to become an adventurer and create my own story mom.”

“How selfish of you.” I look down from the ceiling to see that mom was giving me an angry glare with tears streaming down her face. “You plan on leaving to have fun while I sit here and constantly worry about what might happen to you?”

That’s really unfair of you mom. Seeing her cry like this I felt a pain shoot straight through my heart. I tried to ignore the pain as best as I could. As much as this hurts me, I need to keep pushing until she understand.

“It’s true that what I’m doing is selfish, but aren’t you being selfish too mom? You plan on keeping me trap here and live my life for me. While it’s true I will be safe if I stay, but that doesn’t really matter since I won’t be happy.”

“And you think getting yourself killed is going to make you happy?! You seen what happen with the orcs last week, it’s going to be much worse out there. The moment you take a step outside this town you’re going to die.”

“No I won’t.” I tried my best to sound as confident as possible.

“And you expect me to believe that you saying that is enough to make me feel secure?!”

“Well I’m hoping it will be enough. I know I’m not good in a fight, but the defense technique that you and dad taught me will definitely be enough to get me out any dangerous situation.”

“Max…” Mom said in a small weak voice that almost sounded like a whimper

I turn my head away from her. Seeing her like this was just too painful. I look back to see that she put her head down on the table and was now sobbing.

Since she gave up on arguing with me, I guess that means I won right? I felt more pain pierce through my heart.

It doesn’t feel like it. If I feel this bad for winning, than I can’t imagine how worse mom feel right now.  She always wanted me to become a gentleman that would lead and take care of this small family of ours. I know it must’ve really broke her heart once she found out that I want to become an adventurer. And to be honest, it also broke my heart.

I never wanted to disappoint my family. If I never discover the adventurer guild that day, I probably would’ve kept following the path my parents laid out for me, just to make them happy. But I know now that if I kept following that path I would never be happy. Heh, now that I think about it, is pretty selfish of me to choose my happiness over my parents.

I head over to mom to comfort her. Softly placing my hands on her shoulders, she looks up at me, tears were still pouring down her face.

“Max…. what you are doing is a mistake.”

“Mom, my entire life I did everything you wanted me to do. So I would be happy if just this once you let me do something I want to do.” I took my hands off her shoulders and wrap them around her hands

“Mom I’m begging you, please let me go.”

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.

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“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.” My heart started to beat faster as I headed outside. I turn to look at the house I was raise in. Thinking how this made be the last time I see it made me realize how huge the decision I made was.

Now is not the time for me to get nervous. Before I leave I should check my equipment.

I look at my arm to see there was a small circular shield attach to it. The pure white with the gold outline going around the shield, match my outfit, which consisted of a white jacket and white pants that both were white and had gold outline on them too. I left my jacket unbuttoned due to how tight the black vest mom made me wear felt. She said that this vest would stop any sharp objects from piercing my organs, but I feel like it’s going to rupture my organs, due to how tight it feels.

Other than the vest, the outfit I’m wearing pretty much feels like the uniform I used to wear, even the shield and sword I have on me is still the same. I guess mom really doesn’t want me to wear commoner gear. Oh well, with the huge disappoint I hit her with yesterday the least I can do is wear the outfit she pick for me.

“Max.” I look behind me to see that mom was watching me. Her eyes were red from crying all night. In the end I couldn’t fully convince my mom to let me go, but since she couldn’t stop me she gave up and started to pick an outfit out for me.

“Don’t you think you’re leaving too early?”

“Maybe, but I feel if I stay here any longer I’m going to lose the nerve to leave.

“….” Mom quietly look at me. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes again.

“Mom it’s going to be okay.” I wrap both of my arms around her.” It’s not like I’m going to be gone permanently. I’ll come back to visit you.”

“You promise?”

“Yea, I promise.” Both of us silently stood in place hugging each other. After a few minutes had pass I tried to break from mom, but she tightly held onto me.

“Mom I have to go.” I said softly.

Reluctantly, letting go of me, mom stares at me with tear stull streaming down her face. After a few seconds of silence, I break my gaze from and walk away.

“S-Stay safe!” Mom shouted.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“I already told you, I’m going to be fine.” With those last words I left home and headed for the town’s exit.

From what I read most people when they leave home they never look back at what they left. But I found myself constantly looking back.

I never did say goodbye to my dad. I would’ve like to talk to him about my decision, but I have no idea when he be back.

This really sucks, this isn’t anything like the stories I heard. When an adventurer leave home, they supposed to feel proud and happy for the upcoming journey, but right now the further I get from home the more doubts and insecurity fills my head.

“Did I… really make the right decision? “

No! I shook my head to rid myself of that thought.

“I…. made the right choice.” I look at the gate that led outside the city, near it was horses that had huge carts attached to them. Standing near the carts was a girl wearing white shirt and black skirt. The moment I saw her black hair, I felt a smile grow on my face.

Even though I let Anna and Aaron stay at my place this whole week. I never really seen them, so I was never able to properly thank them for ever thing they did for me.

“Hey, I found her!” Just as I was about to walk over to Anna a group of men crowd around her. “You’re the one that defeated the orc leader right? I was wondering if you would like to join my party.”

“Ignore him.” Another guy cuts in front the man that was talking to Anna. “Join my group and I’ll pay you more than anyone else here.”

“Yea right, looking at the rusted sword you’re holding, I doubt you can afford her.”

“What did you say?!’ The two men that was talking to Anna started to argued with each other. As the argument went more people join in to bride Anna to join their group.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprise, everyone saw her hold her own against the orc leader. The only real surprise is why she isn’t more popular? I guess it has something to do with the hero stealing all the credit.

I could see the look of discomfort on Anna’s face as more people join in the argument. This must be my time to shine.

After doing a few stretches I ran towards the men that surrounded Anna.

Alright! My first job as an adventurer, save the damsel in distress!

“Fuck off!” Everyone that surrounded Anna stop talking.

“If you guys don’t back off right now, then every single one of you is going to lose a limb.” Anna reaches for a sword that was strap to her waist. The men that surrounded her slowly started to back away.

Anna a damsel in distress? I let out laugh thinking about the huge mistake I made. As I watch the group that around her disappear, I notice that Anna was staring in my direction.

I found myself walking towards her the moment our gaze met.

“Um… hi.” I said nervously.

“Hey.”

….Crap, I thought I would know how to talk to her since we been through a life and death situation together. But now that I think about it this is the first time we ever been alone, every other time I talk to her Aaron was nearby. Now that I think about it where is he?

“Hey where’s Aaron?”

“He’s around here somewhere… I guess.” Anna looked away from me. Even though it’s extremely hard to read her, mostly because it’s hard to look at her. I could tell she was bother by something. I guess they still haven’t patch things up. That sucks I was hoping I could give Aaron my gratitude before I left, but I guess I’ll just ask Anna to do it for me.

“Hey Anna I...” Just as I was about finish my sentence Anna turn her gaze back to me, which cause to instinctively look away from her. I have no idea why I have such a hard time looking at her. It’s not like I hate her, if anything I would be happy to stare at her although that would come off as creepy. It just whenever I feel her eyes fall on me I get this weird feeling that basically telling me not look at her or get away from her. I don’t know, but I think it’s the kind of feeling a harmless animal would get when they feel a predator is gazing at them.  A weird analogy, but that’s the feeling get around her whenever I look her in the eyes.

“What is it?”

“I would…like to… um” As Anna continue to stare at me, I begin to feel more nervous, before I knew it I found myself nervously scratching my hair.

“You’re really pissing me off.” Anna grabs me by my jacket and pulls me closer to her forcing me to look directly at her. “When you’re talking to someone you should looked them in the eyes.”

In a panic, I looked around to see people were looking at us weirdly. “Anna, people are watching.”

“I don’t care, so what do you want to say to me?”

“I…I” I tried to desperately to find something to look at to calm me down, but Anna pulls me even closer to her to the point our face nearly touch each other. As I look her in the eyes I could feel the uncomfortable gazes of everyone around us.

“Well, I’m waiting.” Unbothered by people watching us, Anna continue to hold me close while impatiently waiting for my response.

“I…I would like to thank you and Aaron for helping me become and adventurer!” I shouted out loud as if my life depended on it.

“See, now was that hard?” The moment Anna let go of me I quickly back away so I could get a respectable distance from her.

“Yes, that was soul crushingly difficult.” I place my hand on my heart to calm it down. Anna starts to laugh at me as she watches me try to calm down.

“Are you a virgin or something?”

“What?!” Just as I was finally able to calm down, Anna’s out-of-nowhere question made me panic again. I look to see she had small mocking smile on her face.

“Heh.” Regaining my composure, I stood up and look at her with a proud smile on my face. If she’s trying to look down on me than she’s in for a surprise.

“I’ll have you know that I dated quite few girls.”

“Really?” Anna said calmly, unfazed by my response. “But that doesn’t answer my question.”

“….” There was no I could answer her question. Of course I’m still a virgin. All the girls I dated were people my parents pick for me, so of course I did nothing with them. I look back at Anna who was still smirking at me knowing that my silence answer her question.

Damn it, I told her that so I could brag, but all I did was dig a bigger grave for myself.

“Well what about you? Did you ever….”

“Nope.” Anna quickly answer my question before I could ask it.

“….” I confusingly looked at Anna who was still smiling. Why is she so happy that she’s single, matter fact why is she looking down on me even though we’re both in the same situation?

A loud mechanical noise broke me out of my thoughts. I look at the gates to see it was slowly opening.

Right, I’m supposed to be leaving. The conservation I was having with Anna completely made me forget about all the doubts that was clouding my thoughts. But seeing the gate opening up brought all of them back.

It would be nice if I could spend a little more time with Anna and Aaron, but I would probably just get in their way. Plus I can’t stay here anymore.

“Well I guess this…” I look back at the spot that Anna was standing at to see that she was gone. I look around to find out that she was heading towards one of the carts.

“Hey wait! Where are you going?” I quickly rush to her side.

“Well there’s only one city that’s close to this one.”

Even though the answer was obvious, I find myself trying to come with a bunch of other answers, thinking that there’s no way we’re heading to the same place.

“Um, are you heading to Athens?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Really you’re heading there, that’s where I’m going too!” I happily shouted.

“Really that’s a huge coincidence.” Anna’s voice remain calm, I guess she wasn’t as excited as I was that we were traveling together.

“Hey is Aaron coming too?”

“….I don’t know.” Anna said before she jump into one of the carts.

I took a look around to see if I could spot him, but he was nowhere in sight.  I guess just traveling with Anna won’t be bad, but still... it just won't feel right without Aaron here.

I took one last look at my surrounding before I jump into the cart. I was hoping that Aaron would be in here waiting for us, but he wasn't here either

“Last call, last call!”  Man with short white hair wearing a black cloak, jump on the cart in front of us. “If you want to go to Athens than get your butt on one these carts now!”

I guess the hero is going to Athens with us. Well that does make me safe, seeing that he took an army of orcs by himself.

Everyone sat in silence waiting for the last people to get on board. Every time someone else got on the cart I was hoping it would be Aaron, but was always disappointed to find out it was a stranger.

“Is that everyone?” The hero looked around the area making sure he wasn’t missing anyone that might want to get on.

“All right ladies and gents! We’re now heading to Athens! Please keep your hands inside the ride throughout this entire trip, and also if you see a monster running towards you please don’t stand there and pet it, it will eat you.”

I guess Aaron really isn’t coming. I worryingly looked at Anna. Just a few minutes ago she was laughing at how pathetic I was, now, well I can’t tell if she’s sad, but it definitely look like something is bothering her.

“Wait!” Just as the horse was about to leave the gate I heard someone shouting. I look behind me to see an elf with red hair was running towards us while holding Aaron’s hand.

“Hey stop this cart! We got more people wanting to get in. The man that controlling the horse quickly stop. Letting both Aaron and Claire in.

“Barley made it.” Claire wipe her face as if there was sweat on it.

“What are you doing here?!” Anna shockingly stares at the two.

“What do you mean? He’s your brother isn’t supposed to be by your side, although it did take a while for me to convince him to come.”

“….” I spot Aaron looking at Anna, as soon she look at him, he quickly turn his head, as if he never was looking at her.

I guess I shouldn’t expect them to work their difference out so fast, but as long they together I’m know things will eventually sort itself out.

“I’m not talking about him, I talking about you! What are you doing here?!”

“Me?” Claire points to herself.”

“Yes you.”

“Well I think you should know why I’m here.”

“No, no.” Anna shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you jump on this ride just so you could ask me that stupid question again.”

“Alright I won’t tell you, although that is the main reason why jump on here.”

“You got to be fucking kidding me.” Anna covers her face with her hands.

“Heheh.” For some reason I started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Anna asked.

“I don’t know.” I continue to laugh until I felt tears fall trickle down my face.

To be honest I was scared to travel by myself, just thinking of being in an unknown city by myself nearly made me lose my confidence. But as long as I’m with these guys I know everything is going to be fine.

“You alright Max?” Aaron looked me with a concern look.

“Yea I’m fine.” I looked back the town that I grew up in. It was getting further from me by the second.

Mom, you don’t have to worry about me, I found an awesome party to travel with. But be ready for me when I come back, because I going to have loads of amazing stories to tell you.

A/N: Well the first half of this arc is officially done. As I said before I didn’t expect the orc story to be that long. Looking back at it I kind of felt it became a side arc even though it did introduce a lot of characters, but as it went on I felt that I was getting further from my characters in story. Kind of like a Naruto filler.

Hopefully this chapter officially put me back on track. There was more I have to say about this, but I won’t, because than my author note will turn into a chapter.

Anyway seeing that this is the halfway point, I would like to thank everyone for reading my story. To be honest, I never thought I would make it this far, but you guys with the comments review and even criticism kept me going.

Thank you guys and I promise i'll give it everything I got to make the second half of this arc an interesting one.