––Four years ago

“H…H..el..p…”

“Hiii~!! Blood!? So much blood!!”

“Who are you? How did you come to this place!?”

“H… Ple…as..e……he..lp…the..m…”

“OI! How come there so much wound on you!?”

“Hei! There other wounded children here!”

“Stop questioning him, old fool! We’ve to treat them first or they’ll die with this wound!!”

“Don’t call me fool!!”

It’s a story before Arc, Misha, Raina and Herlin, living in village.

At the time, they have another home.

That time, they life in satisfactory. Living with their family in happiness, as happy as their current life.

However…

Betrayal and calamity destroy everything.

Their home was devoured by flames.

Ugly and abominate creatures rampaging.

They couldn’t forget the faces of their friend and family as they turned into same abomination.

Under the calamity, the four children almost lost their lives.

Miraculously, they’re safe.

The blue jewel necklace Misha was wearing.

The birthday gift from Arc in her tenth birthday.

Arc and Misha never dreamed even in their wildness dream the gift at that time actually an artifact and would save their life.

That day, a mysterious light burst from the necklace, enveloped them in light. For unknown reason it teleported four of them on field near the village.

The villagers were very surprised by their appearance. Not only they covered by wounds and blood, their appearance near village was the very unexpected and improbable.

–Crestia–

It’s the name of village.

Crestia is a hidden village. Its location thoroughly concealed. There’s none ordinary way can reach the place, unless under the guide of villager. None of uninvited guest could ever set their feet on that land.

Arc and others appearance was unexpected and miraculous.

First in the Crestia history.

The villagers took them in and decided to take care of them when they found their circumstance.

However, the village have a rule not receiving outsider, except some special circumstances. Unless they decided permanently live in the village, they can’t stay there for long.

Fortunately, Arc, Misha, Raina and Herlin included in ‘special circumstance’. After the villager discussed about their treatment, they were allowed to temporally live in village.

Beside the four of them, there also several people with different ‘special circumstance’ temporally staying in village, included Slyph, their elf friend.

Arc and others were allowed to stay until most them reach adulthood.

In this world, by human standard, they considered adult when they reach 14 years old.

Except Herlin, all of them reach their adulthood.

When they arrived, Arc and Misha still 10.

Currently; Herlin, the youngest one, was 13 years old; Arc and Misha were 14 years old; and Raina, the oldest among them, was 15 years old.

Four years passed since then.

The time for their departure was approaching.

*****

***

*

*Clank!*

“Ha!”

“Ugh!”

Arc was pushed back after his sword clashed with his opponent’s.

“So heavy!”

His hands trembling slightly as he parried the attack.

“Hey, it’s rude to call a girl heavy!”

“I never say it’s you, oversensitive old woman!”

“He~ still cheeky even though been beaten like that. Not only call me heavy, you also call me old. Let’s me see if you can win against me this time, you sore loser!!”

“Oh yeah! I’ll beat you this time!”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

*CLANK!!*

It might the biggest clash for today.

After lightly insulting each other, Arc and the girl resuming the battle.

Even being overwhelming disadvantage, Arc still determined to brought down his opponent.

Arc using two swords in each hand, whereas his opponent only using a sword against him. However, his sword couldn’t reach her no matter how many times he swung them, while the girl managed to struck many blows on him.

Luckily, they using training sword. If not, Arc already a minced meat.

The disparity between their skill were apparent as they fighting. The girl lightly parrying his attacks as Arc’s swords slightly grazing her red hair.

“You’re open!”

“Gwah!!”

A kick struck on boy’s abdomen.

The kick was heavy, throwing Arc quite far.

As Arc clutched his stomach in pain, a sword pointed on his neck.

“You’re dead.”

The girl declared.

“Stop!”

The instructor appears between them, announcing the duels result.

“It’s Aiden win. With this, it’s marked her 132nd wins against Arc.”

“Kukuku…Which mean, it’s Arc’s 132nd consecutive loss against me. Quite a sore loser there, Arc.”

Arc scoffed at her grinning face.

“Hey, I only lost more than hundred times against you. Next time, it’ll be my victory.”

“Hahahaha!”

A laugh burst out her mouth as she heard something very amusing.

“You always have said that, but never once you win against me!”

“I definitely will win next time!”

*Fuh!*

Arc throw his body on ground, resting his aching body.

“……I just hope I could win even once before leave…”

Aiden stopped her laughing when she caught his whisper.

“Leave? What are you talking about?”

Arc glanced at her.

Aiden was a girl with fiery red hair and can be called a cool beauty. She currently in fifteenth, a year older than him. Arc always feel her appearance were older than her actual age. Arc once told her that only to get beaten by her.

Since then, Arc occasionally tease her age as small revenge.

Arc and Aidan started their rivalry three years ago.

Neither of them knew why and when it became like this.

Their initial relationship can’t be called good, or rather it’d be called bad.

It’s started with Arc challenge Aidan and lost. Afterwards, Arc’s continuing challenging her despite kept losing and beaten. Along the way, the surrounding decided and turned them as practice partner. Sometimes Misha and others joining in, bringing their fight 4 on 1, always resulting in draw.

Their rivalry starting by making fun on the other, then insulting, to denying and finally acknowledging on each existence.

For Aiden, Arc and his company were closest childhood friend she haves.

“What do you mean you will leave!!??”

That’s why, without knowing best herself, she become one of most distraught once she learns the news of their departure.

Arc was shocked by her reaction.

Their sword instructor, Swordmaster Clerin, try to calm her.

“Calm down, Aiden. It’s the rule. You should know about it.”

“But, why Master Clerin!? Why they have to leave? Who will practice with me if they leave!? Except them, no one will practice with me anymore!”

“Haa…”

Watching to his tearful disciple, Clerin could only sigh.

Although he already foreseen this’d happen, Aiden reaction still exceeded his expectation.

What she said only half of truth. Beside Arc’s group, there also some villagers would occasionally accompany her practice. The villagers just too busy to often accompany her.

There’re other children.

It just none of them want to practice with her for reasons.

Because of that, there only three people close with Aiden beside Arc.

Hearing all her close friend will leave her alone was a very disastrous news for her.

Clerin can only sympathizing.

“Hey, Arc! Please tell it’s not, is it?”

“…”

“Is it!?”

Arc gently looking at her.

Seeing her real pained expression really isn’t something comfortable to look at.

“Master Clerin, do you mind give us some space?”

“…I hope you can resolve this amicably.”

After said that, Clerin leave them alone.

Arc returned his gaze on Aiden. With heavy heart, tell her the truth.

“Aiden, it’s true.”

“!!!”

Aiden staggered back.

“Why? Why you have leave!? Did you hate me by any chance? Do you actually want to leave because you can no longer stand my attitude? I’ll stop if so!”

Arc was speechless at her reaction. It’s occurred again to him how Aiden was actually care of him, even though her usual demeanor said otherwise.

*Sob…*

“So, please… please don’t leave me…”

“Hey, you’re getting misunderstand there!”

Seeing her tears, Arc panicked.

He quite weak with tears of girl.

Arc quickly caught her in his arms and gently patting her head. His action to calm her was so gentle and intimate making their previous attitude just a lie.

*Sigh~*

Arc calming the weak girl in his arm. Contrary with her usual attitude, Aiden quite a weak-willed girl, thoroughly hidden under her strong facade. The weak side of her reveal only those who really close to her.

“Let’s sit under that tree first.”

Arc pulling her under the tree, put her sit beside him.

*Sob…*

“Don’t be sad too soon. It’s not like we’ll gone right now.”

“…But you still will leave, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Uh?”

“The date not decided yet, but we’ll leave in two months at latest.”

“Gh…”

“So, don’t be sad now. Meantime, I’ll definitely kick your ass within these two months!”

“…”

A small punch throw at his face. Arc easily caught it as he already expecting it.

“Shouldn’t try to comfort me, not making me feel more miserable!”

“Why I should that when it’s the truth?”

“You…”

Aiden was so speechless she stopped crying.

What kind comforting is this!?

Seeing her reaction, Arc reveal a relief smile.

They’ve been together for years and he learn many things about her, even things herself isn’t aware of.

Calming Aiden won’t be a difficult task. It’s only a matter of convince her was challenging.

“You know. I didn’t leave because yours irritating and childish attitude. If so, I’d leave years ago… No, it’s because we should leave.”

“Why is… Wait a second, did you just casually insult me?”

Arc ignore her.

“It’s because the village rule. Also, it’s time for us to go home.”

“……Home, huh…”

Hearing the word ‘home’, Aiden staring the sky blankly.

Arc always wondering why she always reacting like that whenever she heard ‘Home’. She never tells the reason.

*Plop*

Aiden rested her head on Arc’s shoulder.

“Hmph, here I thought you were already forgotten that since you and your brides getting really comfortable here.”

“I never forgetting that… wait, who are my brides?”

“Aren’t those three… Never a day you without each other.”

For some reason, there a trace of bitterness when she said that.

“That’s not true. Also, it isn’t like all of us will stay in village forever. We just leave sooner.”

Then he noticed.

“…Hmm, I’ve got impression we have discussed this before. Didn’t we?”

“……I just hope the four of you will leave this village with me…”

Aiden whispered in somber expression.

Seeing her have considerably calmed down, Arc thought off something that’d make Aiden let them off in peace.

“Yeah, sorry can’t make up such modest wish. In exchange, how about making a promise?”

“Promise?”

Arc stretched his pinky finger.

“That’s right. I promise I’ll win against you next time we meet.”

“…………Pffftt! Ahahahaha! That’s funny, Arc!!”

“Huh, why!? Do you think I’ll neglect my training and become weak after I leave the village!”

“No. I just think you’d never win against me.”

“Hey!”

With wide smile on her face, Aiden stretched her pinky finger, linking with his.

“It’s promise, Arc. We’ll meet again.”

“It’s promise. Though, isn’t this a bit early for farewell promise?”

With that, their promise for future reunion was set.

A modest, yet firm bond between them.

None of both know how much impact it’d brought for their future self yet.

“Hey, Arc, Aiden!!”

“Huh?”

“Ah, Misha, Raina, Herlin, you were here!”

Without they realize, there’re three people appear in training field. Arc and Aiden didn’t realize their presence until Misha calling them out.

“Why you were here?”

“I heard Aiden’s scream. What happened?”

As Arc about to answer, Aiden quickly shut him.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“?”

Misha slightly baffled.

Aiden took Arc and Misha’s hands, dragged them with her as she leaves the training field.

“Wait!”

“Huh?”

Raina and Herlin hurriedly following them.

“Hey, just what’s up with you, Aiden. What the hell happened, Arc?”

“That… let’s call it’s nothing.”

“??”

Aiden turned to Misha. Said with biggest smile she’d muster.

“Hey, let make beast our time, okay.”