1 Renyu

Prenote-

『』= Dialogue,「」= Thoughts and status

Please enjoy this funny, bittersweet, action-adventure romance.

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A boy with medium length pale blonde bed hair and bright blue eyes woke up to the lights shining through his curtains.

「...My name is Renyu of the Ryusei clan. Today at the age of 18, I will go forth and adventure my way forth to the grand magic school of Magnica. I understand the risk this has to my life and will brave these dangers to come back as a mage, bringing along with me the honor of my perilous journey.」[Renyu]

He gently rubbed his eyes.

「...That's… the first part of my speech down.」[Renyu]

He got up and pulled the curtain away a bit, looking outside.

「Still a bit of time before the ceremony...」[Renyu]

He pumped his fist and sat himself down with a pencil and a notebook.

He flipped to a new page and began to write in an unfamiliar language.

「...Today, with the awakening of my mana, I will control elements and powers that I have never harnessed before. I will call forth a Star Spirit that will accompany me for the rest of my life. They will protect me on my arduous journey and I will protect them.」[Renyu]

He took a tattered book he had labelled "The First Journey", and began flipping through its pages.

「...Mana runs in your blood and is an extension of your soul. To cast a spell, you must imagine the desired outcome and have the will to summon it forth. Take for example, the firebolt spell. You must imagine a fast flaming projectile while keeping this rune in mind overlaid on top of your desired outcome.」[Renyu]

Below the text was a rune that resembled the letter "B".

He read the last part under the rune carefully.

「IMPORTANT: Mana is regained by eating and resting well. If you do so, you might be able to awaken "Signature" skills and spells. Along with this, mana grows by expending and regaining it. Though this would encourage you to spend all of it and rest, you would not progress in your journey safely if done so. At a safe place and with your Star Spirit's protection, I recommend that you expend the rest of the day's mana reserves before sleeping.」[Renyu]

He silently laughed to himself as he read this, completely ready to start the ceremony and excited for it.

Children were raised up on stories of heroic people fighting against beasts and demons, and Renyu was no exception.

He had often snuck out of the clan to go play with the surrounding villagers.

Finally, a knock came at his door.

『Renyu! It's time for your ceremony! Me and your mother have some nice gifts for your journey!』[Renyu's father]

He shouted back.

『Right! Thanks, dad! Tell mom thank you, too!』[Renyu]

『That's my boy! Will do!』[Renyu's father]

He heard his dad's footsteps as he walked away.

「Hehe. I'm so ready for this!」[Renyu]

He took the book and slipped it into a large sling bag he had, along with a few other possessions and things such as a few changes of clothing.

He wore a simple set of clothing and looked back at his room one last time before leaving.

Renyu went forth and closed the door behind him, not looking back anymore.

…..

Before long, Renyu found himself at a grand door with many people waiting there.

Suddenly, one of the people noticed him and began to shout.

『Renyu is here, everybody!』

They all quickly flooded him and started to shout.

A woman with brown hair held onto his shoulder, drawing his attention.

『Renyu! Are you sure you want to leave?!』

『Haha! I gotta chase my dreams, Auntie Nia!』[Renyu]

A man with a small scar under his eyes with long brown flowing hair held together by a small ring on the back smacked him on the back.

『That's our Renyu! Come back to us safely, ya hear?!』

Renyu brought his hand to a salute and nodded.

『Yes, Uncle Aman! I'll come back and earn my hair ring as well!』[Renyu]

They both laughed out loud before Uncle Aman raised up a sword.

『Haha! That's great! Here, take this!』[Uncle Aman]

Renyu looked back and forth between Uncle Aman and the sword with a shocked expression.

『Huh?! Isn't this your old adventuring sword?! Are you sure?!』[Renyu]

Auntie Nia pleaded for him to take it.

『Just take it, Renyu! You need something to protect yourself anyways, right?!』[Auntie Nia]

『Of course I'm sure! At this point, you've held this sword longer than I have, anyway! 』[Uncle Aman]

Renyu's eyes got moist as he bowed his head down in gratitude.

『Thank you for all these years of training and looking after me, Uncle!』[Renyu]

Uncle Aman put his hand on Renyu's head, messing up his hair and laughing.

『It's the least I can do for my nephew! And remember what I said about bowing down to others! Only to your master, your parents, and any girl you've made angry! Hahaha!』[Uncle Aman]

Auntie Nia quickly slapped him, leaving him holding his face and quietly laughing to himself, much to the amusement of the crowd.

A man with dark blue hair and the same hair ring wearing elegant dark clothing and a woman with the same hair and hair ring pushed their way to the front of the crowd.

『...I won't be outdone that easily, brother.』

『Uncle Xing! Aunt Suyan!』[Renyu]

『You're not supposed to one up me right now, Xing!』[Uncle Aman]

Aunt Suyan and Uncle Xing both gave him a hug.

『You've done well with your studies all this time, Renyu.』[Uncle Xing]

『...We'll miss you.』[Aunt Suyan]

Uncle Xing handed Renyu a book that seemed brand new.

『...A collection of basic spells and how to cast them, an original. If you make it back alright, I'll give you the intermediate version.』[Uncle Xing]

Renyu's tears were beginning to overflow from his eyes.

『Al..All of you! I'll miss you all!』[Renyu]

Uncle Aman and Aunt Nia also joined in on the hug.

Everyone in the crowd was either cheering, crying, or both, as many others pushed their way to the front to give Renyu something.

Those that didn't have anything joined in on the massive group hug.

『That's our Renyu! Come back safely, you hear?!』

『Here! I made your favorite cherry dumplings!』

『Let Grandpa give you some spending money, Renyu!』[Grandpa]

『Ah! I have to give you some of this medicine, just in case you get hurt!』

They continued to flood him, overwhelming him with gifts.

『You said you liked cooking from my adventurer days right?! I'll give you the recipes and some more of them!』

『Ahck! This.. might be too much, everyone!』[Renyu]

An elderly woman held up a finely woven bag.

『Here, Ren-boy. Granny knew this was going to happen, so she made you a second bag!』[Granny]

They all proceeded to flood the bag with items.

He even saw a girl slip in a bit of her clothing.

『Woah! Wait! This is definitely a lot, everyone?! Wait, Yuu, did you just slip in some of your clothing?!』[Renyu]

『How else are you going to remember me?!』[Yuu]

Another girl suddenly shouted in surprise.

『Wait! What the heck?! Should I go get some of mine too?!』

『Please don't!』[Renyu]

The crowd continued adding onto the hug without listening to Renyu's pleas at all.

Once everyone had their word and moment with Renyu, they all stood off to the side and watched him get ready for his adventure.

He had two bags, filled to the brim with items.

His mother and his father appeared, along with his three younger siblings.

His father was a man with brown hair tied with the hair ring, as his brother and brother in law had.

『...Renyu. It's time for you to go on your Journey, just as your 3 elder siblings before you have.』[Renyu's father]

『Yes, father!』[Renyu]

His mother was a woman with the hair ring and white hair, which greatly differed from her brother- Uncle Xing's dark blue hair.

『...Damn Aman, stealing my idea...』[Renyu's mother]

『Huh?! Mom?!』[Renyu]

She suddenly realized that she was talking out loud.

『Oops. Nothing, honey! Here, take this sword from my adventuring days! Give it to the girl that will bear my grandchildren!』[Renyu's mother]

She forced an elegant longsword onto him.

『I don't think I'm read-!』[Renyu]

Maintaining a happy smile on her face, she coldly said a line that sent shivers down his spine.

『I don't think I care. Go and bring back a girl, or don't come back at all.』[Renyu's mother]

『...Yes, mom.』[Renyu]

The grand door loudly opened, leading to a dark room.

『Son. I want you to have this ring that will help you on your journey.』[Renyu's father]

It was a simple ring with runes engraved on the inside of it.

He looked around at the crowd, who was filled with smiles.

『It's filled with messages from all of us.』[Renyu's father]

『Is this… an inventory ring?!』[Renyu]

『Yes. I put some seals on there that won't unlock until you reach a certain level of mana, since I know that you like to look at everything all at once.』[Renyu's father]

Renyu awkwardly laughed off his father making fun at his expense.

『...Thank you, dad.』[Renyu]

『Brother! We'll be coming after you soon! Don't take too long on your journey!』

Renyu pat the head of his younger brother, William.

His younger sisters both hugged him.

The small one barely reached the bottom of his shirt.

『...Do you really have to go, Renyu?』

『Yes, Cynthia.』[Renyu]

She had tears in her eyes as she put her face into the bottom of his shirt.

The other one was up to his chest.

『Stay safe, brother.』

『...I will. Don't give mom and dad too much trouble, Ruu.』[Renyu]

『...Okay.』[Ruu]

They eventually let go, letting Renyu start the walk into the room.

Once he went inside, the door began to swing shut.

『We'll miss you, Renyu!』

『Come back safe!』

『...Stay well.』[Ruu]

『I better hear your name when I go on my Journey, Renyu!』[William]

『We're looking forward to hearing about your exploits, Renyu!』[Uncle Aman]

『Be strong.』[Uncle Xing]

Inexplicably, his mother and father spoke at the same time.

『...Do what makes you happy, my son.』[Renyu's parents]

The door finally shut, leaving him staring back at them with tears in his eyes in a dark room.