There was still some oddity to seeing his mechanical arm in the mirror, though by running his fingers along it, he remembered the elf who made it for him and walked by his side in death.
–
As he met with the others, heading down from the living quarters, eating a hearty breakfast of fluffy, golden eggs and sweet toast in the lobby of the bustling foundation, he learned what he already expected: there would be another parting.
Melisande had an announcement to make, more so pointed at Emilio himself as she looked at him with her dazzling, emerald jewels.
"Now that you're back, I'm going to finally commit to what I said before…I'm going to study here in Vasmoria and became a proper mage," Melisande said, looking down at her plate before looking back up, "I'll make sure I earn the right to call myself an adventurer."
"I see, that's great," Emilio nodded with a smile, "I know you'll excel there."
"I-I'll make sure to write to you, so you better write back to me…" Melisande said, averting her gaze with a slight tint to her cheeks.
"Of course," he smiled.
Yuna chewed on a piece of bread before explaining what she would be doing, "For now, I'm going to see what the wildlands of Vasmoria has in store for me. I'll work alone for now, but…should the time come, I'll gladly fight alongside any of you again."
"I'd be happy to," Emilio nodded.
"Yeah, me too," Melisande smiled.
"Heck yeah!" Everett excitedly responded.
What was left now was what the bumpkin shielder had in mind, as they all seemed to be going their separate ways for the foreseeable future as they grew into their own adventurers.
"So, what're you going to do, Everett?" Melisande asked.
Everett bashfully rubbed his chin with a bright smile before looking over at Emilio, "If it's alright, I was actually planning to stay with you, Emilio! I'm heading back to Milligarde anyway, and well…Yullim sounds nice!"
Emilio looked surprised by this, stunned for a moment, "You wanna…stay with me and my family?"
"Is that alright? If not, it's totally fine, man!" Everett patted him on the shoulder.
"It's more than fine–you're more than welcome," Emilio smiled.
The day was spent alongside his friends, chatting and telling the tales of his adventures in the After, along with their aspirations for the future; though he wanted to spend more time together with them, the time came to take his leave at last and return home.
With their plans set, the group that had conquered the world-class trial, through unorthodox means, went their separate ways; goodbyes never felt good, though with the freedom of life returned to him, Emilio took it in stride.
Outside of the Guild Foundation Headquarters, the transports were ready for them, though separate and different means of transportation were available. Separate carriages were waiting for Melisande and Yuna, of which the demi-human woman quietly left, and a large, metal airship was waiting for Emilio and Everett. Since it was a long, eventful journey from Vasmoria to the heart of Milligarde, the Foundation took it upon themselves to provide suitable, comfortable transport for the Dragonheart and his friend.
"Good luck, Melisande!" Emilio waved.
"Yeah, ya show those nerds at the academy what yer made of!" Everett shouted.
Melisande waved back before heading into her assigned carriage, "Goodbye! Make sure to write to me!"
"Stay safe!" Emilio called out again.
"Mhm!" Melisande smiled, though seemed on the verge of tears, "You too!"
It was time to go their separate ways, onto journeys different from one another as the time of growth was pivotal; it was not a permanent goodbye, though it felt as though an eternity would sit between the next time they'd see one another.
'Joel, your sister is going to become a great adventurer–be proud,' he thought.
Boarding the airship, it felt surreal as he sat down within the vast, lavish vehicle of mystical creation, watching through the window as it lifted off of the ground, taking flight and leaving the enormous Foundation as the carriages that his friends left in became more and more distant.
There wasn't anybody else besides himself, Everett, and the pilots operating the Foundation airship riding within it; such a way of traveling felt like he was some sort of "VIP", treated with importance by the Guild Foundation.
He sat there thinking about all he had gone through to now sit there without the plague of fear on his mind, able to relax his muscles and his mind as he held a genuine, gentle smile on his lips, running his fingers on the insignia and gifted necklace around his neck.
"Excited to finally go home?" Everett asked, sitting across from him.
He brought his gaze away from the window, "Yeah, I'm so giddy…My hands won't stop shaking. Is that normal?"
"Just means ya miss yer family a lot–that's a good thing!" Everett smiled.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Emilio smiled as well, nodding.
It was a soothing ride, watching from the window on his velvet seat as the airship soared over the highest peaks of Vasmoria, passing over luscious mountains and vast forests, witnessing the clouds in their gentle stride.
"What're you planning to do after ya visit home, I mean?" Everett asked.
Emilio was resting his elbow against the windowsill and his chin atop his palm with a relaxed smile, gazing at the scenery below before looking over at his friend, "Well, I'm probably going to stay back home for a while…It's been so long since I've seen everybody, and after this journey, well, I think a time of rest is in order. Besides, I'm going to have my Old Man teach me swordplay again."
"Oh? Is yer dad skilled?" Everett sounded intrigued.
"He's a monster with a sword," Emilio chuckled.
"Awesome! I wanna meet 'im," Everett proclaimed.
"You will," Emilio said, "I'm sure you'll both get along great."
The calm ride almost made him fall asleep through its tranquil nature, though he found himself not wanting to pass up the splendid opportunity to see such beautiful sights through the window. It was almost odd to find that the distances he fought so hard to travel, spent so long journeying over, were covered so calmly and swiftly by the airship as it soared through the sky. Yet, it didn't frustrate him or make him regret anything; the journey itself had shaped him into who he currently was.
"Isn't it beautiful?" He remarked, 'Everett–?"
As he looked over, he found the heavily-armored bumpkin already snoring in his seat without any sense of shame. Though that nature of Everett's to randomly fall asleep caused a few headaches during the trial, Emilio couldn't help but smile upon seeing that carefree aspect of his friend.
'I made it, everyone,' he thought.
The journey with the airship lasted into the night, leading to a rumble of his stomach as he found himself ready for a meal. While it was a "VIP"-like experience to be transported via the giant airship specifically, it wasn't as though there was fine dining laid out for him. Though it's not like he was expecting such a thing.
"...Let's see…" He muttered.
There was a cabinet in the seated sector of the airship that contained rations and snacks, though he had to find what was appealing to him. After digging through for a while, he came across a portion of fresh peanuts.
"Ah-hah," he discovered with a smile.
Taking the peanuts back with him to his seat, he snacked on the crunchy food while peering through the window still. During the time of peace and relaxation as he tossed peanuts into his mouth and looked down at the mountains they passed and small, lively towns, he eventually fell asleep, unintentionally.
VRRRRR
"Gah!"
He suddenly jumped awake with the coming of a loud noise, though he quickly figured out what it was as he instinctively gazed through the window, finding the airship landing down on the ground once more.
What it descended upon made his heart skip a bit and his blood run with a warmth he'd longed for as he looked through the window: those luscious mountains and hills of green grass, a town not too big nor too small, and a home near and dear to his heart.
"I'm home," he said almost as if not believing it.
"Mmmgh…"
Waking up and stretching, the shielder let out a groan before yawning, noticing that they had finally landed at the peak of morning.
"...Did we make it?" Everett asked with a yawn.
Emilio had pressed his face close to the pane of the window, taking in the scenery he had long since missed, failing to respond to his friend's question, though Everett recognized that look of excitement.
The pilot of the airship stepped out from the front, having a pipe in his mouth and a golden mustache; the man had scars on his face as if experiencing more than merely piloting the airship.
"We're here, adventurers," the pilot said.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eewebn(o)vel.com