Chapter 45: South

They left early the next morning.

Starlight would begin properly later that day, but Theodere wanted the group on the road before the festival traffic became worse.

Three other trainees were going with Joe.

Their families gathered near the southern edge of Green Hollow while Theodere checked packs and spoke briefly with the adults accompanying part of the route.

Joe's family walked with him from the house.

Mike carried part of Joe's pack despite Joe saying he could manage it.

Lily checked the ties twice.

Pam reminded him not to trust anyone who became friendly too quickly and then immediately told him to find Simon's village group because familiar people were important.

Joseph gave him a short embrace.

"Think before spending."

"I will."

"Money too."

Joe smiled.

"I know."

Mary had said almost nothing that morning.

Joe thought that was worse than complaining.

When Theodere finally called for the group to move, Mary grabbed Joe around the waist.

"No."

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Joe looked down.

Her small feet dragged against the earth when he tried to move.

"Mary."

"No."

Lily reached for her.

Mary held tighter.

Joe crouched instead.

"I'll write."

"I don't care."

"That's a lie."

She frowned through wet eyes.

Joe wiped one cheek with his thumb.

"I'll come back."

"When?"

"I don't know."

"That's bad."

"It is."

Mary tightened her arms again.

Joe let her.

Eventually Lily pulled her gently away.

Mary immediately grabbed Joe's sleeve instead.

Theodere waited.

He was patient enough not to comment.

Joe finally freed the cloth from her fingers. "I'll bring the gift."

"Two."

Joe laughed. "One."

"Two."

"Fine."

Mary sniffed.

Apparently even grief had not weakened her negotiating instincts.

Joe stood.

Lily hugged him next. Longer than he expected.

"You watch Simon too."

"I will."

"And yourself."

"Yes."

She pulled back.

"You always say yes too easily."

Joe smiled.

"Then I'll try."

That satisfied her slightly more.

Mike gripped his shoulder.

"No need to prove anything immediately."

"I know."

Pam added, "And don't marry some town girl and forget us."

Lily stared at her.

"What?"

"These things happen."

Joe decided that was his signal to leave.

He joined Theodere and the other three trainees.

At the bend in the road, Joe looked back.

The whole family remained there. Mary was waving now. Joe raised one hand. Then the road curved.

Green Hollow disappeared behind the trees.

----------------

Joe faced forward.

The pack on his back contained clothing, medicine, saved notes and the copied beginning of Muscle Tempering.

His family believed he had reached Late Skin Tempering.

Theodere believed Middle.

Most of Green Hollow knew even less.

The truth was different.

Joe called the panel briefly as he walked.

[Skills]

Medicine — Lv.3 92/100

Static Foundation — Lv.4 49/100

Dynamic Foundation — Lv.4 8/100

Skin Tempering II — Lv.2 44/100

Breath Concealment — Lv.2 19/100

He dismissed it.

Behind him was the village where he had spent his entire second childhood.

Ahead waited Blackwood.

Simon. The guard. Martial artists. More medicine. More knowledge.

And, for the first time in years, there were enough strangers that Joe might finally have room to decide for himself exactly how much of his strength the world was allowed to see.

Green Hollow had given him his foundation.

Now he was leaving to find out how large the world above it really was.