As I spot the wagon, I immediately start running toward it as fast as I can. I don't want to waste another second in this place.
As I run and reach about five steps away from the wagon, I jump.
Thump!
"Neigggghhh"
The horse cries as I land on it.
It's a one-horse-drawn wagon.
From where I'm sitting, I remove the bag hanging on my shoulder and throw it into the wagon without looking back.
"Hyaa!"
I fling the rope connected to the mouth of the horse.
But the horse isn't moving, it's just standing there.
What the?
I fling it again, but it's still standing there.
I sigh.
"I should have learned how to ride a horse. How am I going to get out of here now?"
I keep trying but the horse still isn't moving.
I'm gonna on by foot.
I'm about to come down from the horse when I hear–
"So you do need someone to help you after all."
That voice...
"Jennette? What the hell?"
I turn to look inside my wagon, and I see her sitting inside, holding my bag and a robe.
She smiles broadly and nods her head.
"Yes?"
Her voice is hushed, but I can still feel the excitement it contains.
"What... No, that can wait until I'm out of here. Do you know how to ride a horse?"
She smiles and nods once.
"I do, I used to ride it all the time before I became a maid."
Isn't she a commoner? Where would she get a ho–
I shake my head.
"Then, please help me."
"Alright."
She bends her head and makes her way out of the wagon and sits on the horse as I enter the wagon.
"Ah, it's been a while."
She says with a reminiscent tone.
I ignore her and sit down in the wagon.
"Let's start going already."
"Yes. But where to?"
I fall silent for a while, then I say, "Ludia."
She chuckles.
"The city of beginnings huh... Hyaa!"
As soon as she flings the rein of the horse, it starts moving immediately.
Life is unfair.
In the wagon, I shift my gaze to the robe beside my bag.
Nice, it's exactly what I wanted. A hooded robe. Although I'd have loved it if it was black, I'll still take it.
I examine the red robe, and I remember Alexander's face when I asked him why the Flameworths are obsessed with red. With his creepy smile, he told me that red signifies strength.
I chuckle.
That madman.
The trip has been going smoothly so far, but one thing that remains on my mind is–
How the hell did Jennette get here? And why?
I didn't even tell anyone my plans apart from Alex–
Oh, that maniac.
I sigh and rub my forehead, trying to massage the headache and make it melt away.
"Guess I won't be needing the map anytime soon since she knows the place," I mutter under my breath as I tuck the map deep inside my bag.
I wear the hooded red robe and I breathe in and out.
Peace.
"I'm going to take a little nap, Jennette, and when I wake up, you're gonna have to explain yourself."
I tell Jennette sternly and then I rest my head on my bag to sleep.
"Mn." she responds.
I close my eyes.
***
I slowly open my eyes to the blinding light of the sun that seeps in from outside the wagon.
It's morning? Whoa, I really slept.
I feel the wagon moving.
Looks like Jennette is still awake and riding.
"Ah, you finally woke up young master."
Her voice is calm and soothing.
But I don't respond and I sit down on the floor of the wagon in a lotus position to begin my daily mana gathering.
"A diligent mage."
I can hear her chuckling as she glances back to see me meditating and gathering mana.
"You have some explaining to do Jennette."
I tell her sternly, my voice leaves no room for jokes.
She sighs.
"You know, I used to live in Ludia."
Her voice is low and mixed with nostalgia.
"Back then, I was still a young, first-circle air mage. I had big dreams, dreams to one day become an Archmage– an eight circle. But my dreams were shattered by reality. That's how unfair life is, it shatters your hope and makes you realize that the world out there isn't gonna bend to your will. All dreamers have to wake up someday."
I frown.
Why is she suddenly telling me her life story? It's not gonna make me forget what she did.
"You're not ta–"
"I was rebellious."
I sigh. Oh, my stars! Why the hell is she giving a speech?
"I ran away from my family back in the north when they discovered that I had no talent and wanted me to become a scholar. I ran far away to Ludia, my stupid, childish dream of being an Archmage made me do it. But when I came to Ludia, I decided to become a mercenary and keep cultivating my strength to one day become an Archmage. But I just couldn't get pass the damn second circle!"
I can feel the pain in her voice, her voice is strained and shaky, I think she's shedding tears, but I can't see her, I can only see her back as she's riding the horse.
Stories like this make me remember that I'm not the only one with a sob story, neither am I the only one who fate decided to play around with.
"And after I tried all I could, I gave up. I couldn't even keep up with the heavy task of being a mercenary. So I quit and came to the West. I got a job as a shoe cleaner and I was barely making 2 bronze coins a week, just scraping by. That's when I met her– Your mother, Alice. She was the best friend I ever had. She pulled me out of my darkness and my depressed state."
Oh, it's getting to the climax?