There were no wolves nor were there any coyotes on the return trip. However, the snow began to fall more frequently, blanketing the forest floor. Frederick had taken care to remember differently-shaped trees and rocks on the way to the mountain, and so had little trouble navigating back. I suppose being a boy scout once upon a time was good for something… Frederick’s father was limping in his gait, so Frederick looked for a suitable spot to rest.

Eventually, Frederick noticed some flat-looking boulders with snow on them. “That fight took a lot out of me, and it seems to be safe here. We should rest for a few minutes to recover some stamina, father.”

Edward nodded. “Good judgment call. However, only one of us can rest at a time. It would be silly to be ambushed by wolves or coyotes because we both let our guards down.”

Obvious to an adult. I suppose I should act as though that wasn’t the case, though. “Can’t I just stay alert while we both sit down?”

Edward shook his head. “No. Also, I’m going to keep watch first, since I am feeling pretty worn out. I feel like I will need more time to recover at my age.”

I fought plenty in my youth, though the fight was beaten out of me a very long time ago… and now to relearn how to fight again feels like I am treading through a bottomless swamp of bubbling tar. Frederick sighed. “I understand. Please keep us safe while I rest my legs for a bit. Thank you, father.”

Edward took back his sword as Frederick held it out to him hilt-first. He stood watch, facing toward Frederick. Likely to cover my blind spots, Frederick thought. However, it wasn’t long before Frederick noticed something was off. Why is it completely silent? Even for predators, that would be abnormal. Frederick stood. “Father, the sword please.”

Edward nodded, handing his sword over while looking around. “You can come out, we know you’re here already.”

There was utter silence. Not even a twig snapping or the sound of snow crunching beneath boots. They must be professionals. Unlikely to be bandits or robbers, it seems. But what about us two makes us worthy of the time of such people? Frederick took a deep breath. It’d be an enormous gamble, but should I reveal a hidden card or two to escape this situation?

“Father, allow me to speak to our… uninvited guests. Alone, please. I’ll meet you back at the house before sunset.”

Edward ground his teeth with a sharp, pointed glare when he turned to face Frederick. “I’m not leaving my son behind to die to save my own hide.”

Frederick wore a blank, neutral expression in response.. “Have more faith in your son. Also, it seems brute force isn’t the way to solve this situation. Please understand, father,” he replied, returning his father’s sword to him.

Edward grunted. “So be it. You’ve always been far smarter than the rest of us, perhaps too much for your own good. Being too sharp can get you into trouble later… be sure to hide your claws well.”

Frederick sighed in relief as his father began heading back. No one stepped out to impede his progress, either, it seemed. After his father was out of sight and certainly out of earshot, Frederick turned toward the northern edge of the forest path. “If you wish to speak with me, now’s a great time. You noticed something about me that seems off, didn’t you?”

A figure draped in a ragged brown cloak and wearing a potato sack with only the eyes cut out exited the treeline. “You… are you human?”

Frederick tilted his head. “What do you mean? Are there other races around here? Like… elves or something?”

The figure opened their eyes. Crimson, glowing eyes. “You speak eloquently… but I am not certain you are ignorant. Regardless, my eyes can see you are merely a human child. How do you know so much? You act far too knowledgeable for a child, even a genius one.”

Ah. In the fight with my father, they probably saw me perform far beyond what a child should be capable of… probably even with my superior physique for my age. “Let me put it this way: I am a genius who is also forced to work hard in secret, due to certain hardships. I have learned much secondhand by observation, and what I couldn’t learn there I have taught myself. The rest is due to my sharp instincts, I suppose.”

The hooded figure turned their back. The figure’s voice was neither feminine nor masculine when they spoke. Are people in this world capable of disguising their voice this well? Perhaps it could be a type of magic… regardless, he seems less than pleased with my response. I’ll have to be more careful. “Instinct… is that your final answer?” the figure questioned.

I knew it. They are trying to determine if it’s worth allowing me to leave this place alive. In that case… “Perhaps not, though the truth is a double-edged sword. If you peer into the abyss, the abyss can peer into you. I know you’re not here to play word games with me, however… is there something this abnormal child can do for you? Something that only someone like me can accomplish, I suppose?”

The figure spun, tossing a dagger as he did so. It was a blindingly fast throw, and Frederick ducked out of the way, but it still slashed open the top of his left shoulder. “Know your place. You have only been allowed to live because you could prove beneficial to us. If you fail the mission we give you, do not think that you or your family will live. I recommend you keep our conversation confidential as well, lest unfortunate innocent victims become involved.”

Frederick bit his lip so hard it began to bleed to stop himself from screaming. His shoulder was sliced open and his upper body was responding to it by shooting searing pain through his body that seemed to worsen every second. “Poison… is there an antidote for this, should I succeed?”

The figure nodded. “Good, you’re not only even more intelligent than we expected, but also wise enough to know when you’re outclassed,” the figure replied, tossing a glass bottle full of blue liquid into the snow. “A hundred heartbeats would kill an adult… at your age, more like seventy.”

Frederick dived toward the bottle despite the increasing pain and greedily drank the contents of the bottle as the figure turned to leave. “We have an accord. Do what you must to gain your freedom, then meet here again in seven sunrises to receive your mission orders.”

Frederick choked down the foul-tasting liquid but made sure to drink every drop and let none spill. His pain didn’t disappear immediately, but the poison’s spread was stopped and it seemed to exit through his pores. He oozed blood out of his sweat glands, which would normally seem a horrific sign and be incredibly painful as it was a symptom of the ebola virus in his previous world… but in this case the process actually soothed his pain.

Once his pain had subsided, Frederick stood up. My understanding of this world is far too shallow. I almost died at the mere whims of a servant who works for more powerful people… People who wish to use me as a mere puppet dancing to the tune their fingers play… I have to become more intelligent, learn more about the world, and do so with the utmost care and caution… At the same time, I must figure out how to become stronger and more powerful myself, as well. Frederick walked home with these thoughts and many others spinning in his mind. He was in such a daze that he hardly paid attention to watch for predators.

However, it seemed there was no need to, as the eerie silence followed him until he was merely a few hundred yards from his own home. The sound of crickets chirping during the early sunset was almost deafening when the sounds began again. Birds flew to their nests to sleep, and he could hear the sound of bees buzzing throughout the nearby field of flowers. My senses were heightened due to how oppressive the silence was just moments ago… Frederick covered his ears to block some of the noise until he could readjust.

Edward, Christina, and Victoria ran out of the house one after another to greet him. Victoria wrapped him up in a tight hug that was almost painful, but his parents merely stared at him expectantly, although his mother seemed more worried than impatient. So this is what it’s like to have people who care about you… I’d long forgotten how this felt. Frederick couldn’t stop himself, before he knew it, his tears were flowing without permission. “I… I’m home.”

His mother smiled weakly, and his father grinned, although it definitely seemed like he was forcing it. “Welcome home, son,” he replied.

I will have to ensure that my actions, both presently and in the future, don’t endanger this wonderful family that cares about me deeply… I could never forgive myself if I screwed it all up again in this life. Frederick hugged his sister back, patting her on the back. It seems she was crying too. “Idiot… don’t do that… I thought you died…”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

I guess something still needed to be done, however. “We need to talk… inside. All four of us,” Frederick announced with a grim expression.

His father nodded. “Very well. Let us discuss this over supper.”

If I am to learn more about this world, without much context to go on, perhaps I should see if one of the ways of learning from my previous world works here. I should test the scientific method, as I know from my previous world, and find out if it can be useful in this world as well. Frederick released his sister from his hug, although she was reluctant to do so for a few more moments. “Please, Ver. It’s important.”

Veronica shook her head. “I don’t want you to leave again!”

She’s getting a bit too clingy in her affections. I treated her too well… now it’s time to put some distance between us, or else she could be in danger later. Frederick pushed her away with a bit of struggle. “Ver. This is more important than just me. If I don’t do this… bad things could happen to all of us. But if I do what I need to… We’ll be okay. Okay?”

Veronica started crying, bawling her eyes out as she ran inside. “Fine! Leave, then! I hate you!”

Frederick grimaced at those words. Why do I feel pained by this? It’s just the temper tantrum of a child after all… yet, hearing it from her still hurts. Frederick took a few deep breaths to calm himself. “I guess it will be us three instead.”

As they went inside, Frederick could hear Veronica’s muffled cries from her room. I think it might help a bit if I speak loud enough for her to overhear, but not so loud that I am obviously trying to make her hear me. “Father, mother… I need your permission to visit the nearest Cathedral, and I need to get there and back in less than six days.”

Edward looked pointedly at Christina, who sighed. “If that is what you want, then you can take the horse. Should get you to the city of Volmorata in two days. You’ll have to pass through the Village of Hiraneuz north of here before that, but they’re nice people and should let you stay the night somewhere. However, don’t let your guard down, even for a moment - the children have a tradition to steal from guests who don’t pay attention.”

So, I should pass through without rest. “Thanks for the warning. How far is the distance between here and the village, and then between the village and Volmorata?”

Edward thought for a moment before speaking up. “I believe it is about half a day to the village, and about a day and a half to the city. If you leave at sunrise tomorrow you’ll probably arrive by sunrise two days later.”

Frederick thought about this logically. I assume that’s under normal travel conditions, speed, and weather. I should probably push the horse a bit harder on the way there so that I ensure I make it within a day instead of two. No stops, unfortunately. Frederick thought of how to be most efficient and draw the least attention. I may have to circumvent the village. Going around will cost me several minutes at most, and is worth avoiding prying eyes and other possible distractions. Then Frederick realized a huge problem. I never learned how to ride a horse. Mounting and dismounting is probably possible, but how will I be able to get a horse to listen to me? “How mild-natured is our horse?”

Christina spoke this time. “What do you mean? Horses are our boon companions, always able to carry out a rider’s will. What does their nature matter if you’re not planning to ride into danger? You’re not going to do something dangerous, are you, Frederick Foreweather Gallantis?”

It seems the tradition of using a child’s full name when they’re in trouble is the same as it was in my previous world. “No… I was curious since I didn’t know if it would listen to me if it was more temperamental.”

His parents and sister all seemed confused by this logic. “I suppose even geniuses don't know everything,” his father remarked. “You'll be fine as long as you can get on and off of the horse.”

I suppose that settles it. “How much food should I take with me? Or rather, how long will I have to stay at the city?” Frederick inquired.

His mother put a finger to her lips, thinking. “You're a growing lad, but not a heavy eater either. Regardless, your father and I will ensure you have about a week's worth of meals, just in case. The only things that will last long enough are bread and jerky, and by then the bread will be questionable at best…”

Veronica entered the room, no longer crying. “I know I can't go with you, but please take this with you, Fred,” she stated, offering her brother a long object wrapped in a blanket. He unwrapped it to see a new wooden sword. It was longer, thicker, and heavier than his old one. “It's a replacement. You can borrow it while you're out there.”

She definitely thought ahead a bit. She probably wanted to give this as a gift later, so that we could train together, but I messed that plan up it seems. “I'll treasure it, Ver. It's definitely sturdier than the last one.”

These words brought a smile to his sister's face, and she waved her finger. “If you break it, father will be angry as well, since he helped make it,” Veronica retorted.

Frederick glanced at his father, who merely shook his head. “I only showed her how to carve a stick. She made that one by herself. Still, if you make your sister cry more than necessary I will be angry, as she said.”

With such a kind and loving family, how does one go down the wrong path in life? Yet, I once had people who cared without guile in my old life, too… so I suppose something happened along the way. Where did I go wrong? As Frederick pondered this, he came to a grim realization.

Even now, I've endangered them by not hiding my knowledge well enough. I should have played around as an ignorant child would have for longer… now the necks of my new family members are at risk… Frederick steeled himself with whatever willpower he could.

I have to protect this family. Even though I was the one who pushed my old family away, and that led them to tragic ends. I cannot erase my sins, but I don't want to add to them, either. I won't let anyone harm them on my account, no matter what.

Frederick’s tears fell without him even noticing. “Thank you… Thank you…”

Veronica hugged him again, more tightly this time. “You’re my one and only little brother. Make it home safe or I won’t forgive you.”

I cannot realistically promise that, with what insignificant skills and abilities I have. However… “I won’t fail. I’ll make it back alive and well no matter what,” Frederick promised. “Ask father to teach you the sword a bit while I’m gone. He’s not half bad,” Frederick remarked a bit snugly.

Edward grinned deviously. “Don’t forget, I’m still far out of your league, son. Don’t worry, I’ll keep everyone safe while you’re gone. Don’t overwork yourself and just do what you must. You’re not nearly as strong as I am yet, kid.”

He’s almost certainly right about that. It’s fair to say I’ve lived much longer than my own father, and yet he’s my superior in many ways related to life, both in knowledge and skills. This is what a person who has lived life fully looks like. “I’ll go pack some things of my own,” Frederick declared, standing up after Veronica released her death grip on him. I can’t take it easy any longer. Nor can I always take the easy way out of a situation. Frederick smiled at his sister, who smiled warmly back. I’ll never forget the warmth of these people, no matter how far I travel. Even though it still feels strange to think of them as my blood-related family, they are undeniably the most precious people to me in my life.

After Frederick and his family gathered what he needed for the trip, his father met him outside by gate with the horse saddled and ready. However, he had a gift of his own to give. A dagger? Frederick inspected the small sheathed weapon his father was holding out. “It’s yours. It’s merely a hunting dagger, good for preparing game to cook or transport, but it should also serve as a good self-defense tool in a pinch. It’s sturdy.”

He is more careful than I gave him credit for. I suppose he hasn’t survived to adulthood in this nearly-lawless world without having a care for dangers. I feel like I need to re-evaluate how much I should be respecting his knowledge and skills. Frederick accepted the dagger with a bow of respect and gratitude. “Thank you very much, father. I’ll be cautious with it. A wise beast hides their claws, right?”

Edward nodded. “Right you are, my son. However, A smart man knows how to pick his battles, as well. Remember that.”

I feel as though I’ve been judging my father unfairly, now. Not only is he skilled and cautious, he is aware of how others’ actions could provoke one another, and advised me as though I was an adult that could understand such concepts. Though I’m sure he has no idea why I’m as insightful as I am at my ‘young’ age, he’s still sharp enough to realize I have an adult’s intellect, rather than that of a mere child lacking any real experience. He may not know why, and think I’m a genius or something, but he is observant enough to see my current abilities even if I try to hide them.

“Thank you for your guidance. Where are mother and sister?” Frederick asked.

“Hm… I am not the one to say. Veronica and your mother are preparing for her coming of age test tomorrow. Perhaps in the near future we may need to send her to the cathedral as well, although I’m sure we can just give you the good news when you return.”

I may have helped her with some basic sword forms, though since I have no idea what kind of test awaits her, I don’t know if she’ll pass or not. “Ver will pass. I have faith in my older sister,” Frederick replied sharply.

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “You seem overconfident in her. Your test was more difficult than it should have normally been, for sure… but these tests aren’t a joke. Your sister… isn’t a genius like you are.”

Perhaps he’s right about that. “Whether she’s a genius or talented doesn’t matter to me. I want to believe in her. She’s my precious older sister.”

Edward sighed in resignation. “Okay then. I won’t stop you. Just be careful when choosing who to believe in.”

Frederick nodded, then mounted his horse. It understands the will of its riders, right? “Take care, father.”

With that, the horse instantly responded to Frederick’s will and began moving, and his father was soon out of sight.