Time moves fast, doesn't it? One week just flies by like a single day.
Hah, no time for melancholic thoughts. What's important is that I'm happy.
…Or at least, I think I am.
The past week had been weird, but in a good way. I'd finally settled into this whole "new life" thing, and just as I was getting comfortable—boom. We were moving again.
Ylza. That was our next destination.
_____𖤍_____
"Ryn!" Mom's voice carried from upstairs, breaking through my thoughts.
"Coming!" I yelled back, already sprinting up the stairs two at a time.
Her room was a mess. Clothes, books, and trinkets were scattered all over the floor, and in the middle of it all, Mom was stuffing things into a large leather bag like she was preparing for a month-long expedition.
She barely even looked up when she handed me something long, heavy, and wrapped in cloth.
"Take this to Dad," she said casually, as if she wasn't handing me a sword.
I blinked down at it. "A… sword?"
"Yes."
That was it. No explanation. No why am I, a child, being handed a literal weapon. Just a simple yes.
To be fair, this wasn't Earth, and in this world, carrying a sword was as normal as carrying a wallet. People walked around with blades strapped to their hips like it was a fashion statement. Swords in the streets, swords in the house—probably even swords in bed if they were really paranoid.
I just wasn't used to it.
Not that I was scared or anything. Definitely not. I'm literally an ex-military.
With the sheathed sword balanced in my arms, I made my way downstairs. Andrea was at the table, packing up our things with the kind of focus that made it look like a life-or-death mission.
"Hello, Andrea!" I called out, throwing in extra enthusiasm for good measure.
She barely glanced up. "Hi, Ryn."
That was it. No warmth, no excitement. Just a casual wave before she went right back to sorting supplies.
…Cool.
Deciding not to force conversation, I turned my attention to Dad, who was busy wrapping up plates and utensils. I walked up behind him and gave his shoulder a little tap.
He turned around, eyes flickering down to the sword in my hands.
"Oh, Ryn," he greeted, then paused. His gaze lingered on the weapon, and for a second, his entire expression shifted—like he'd just seen a ghost.
"This is…" He reached out, unwrapping part of the cloth and gripping the hilt. His fingers tightened around it, and something unreadable flickered across his face.
"This is the sword I used back when I was in the Royal Knights."
Wait.
What?
I blinked. "You were in the Royal Knights?"
"Yeah, I forgot to tell you." He scratched the back of his head, looking slightly sheepish, like he'd accidentally forgotten to mention that he used to be in an elite military order.
That sounded like a pretty important detail, but sure, Dad. No big deal.
"So that explains why you're so good with swords," I said, nodding sagely.
It was a lie.
I'd never actually seen Dad use a sword before, and even if I had, I wouldn't know enough to judge if he was good at it. But I figured every man wanted to hear that kind of praise, so why not throw him a bone?
His face lit up with pride. Ah, there it is. He wasn't saying it, but I could practically hear the words in his head: Now you realize how strong I am.
I mean, he probably was strong. But still.
_____𖤍_____
*Knock, knock, knock*
Someone knocked on the door, I didnt know who it was—but I was sure thats someone just knocked on the door just right now.
"Ryn, could you see who it is real quick?" Dad called out to me, peeking out in the hallway behind me.
"Yeah Dad." I replied, as I made my way to the door. Who could it be at this moment?
*Creak...*
I opened the door, only to the man who would take us to Ylza, you could call him an uber or anything.
He was tall, about six foot in height in estimation. His hair was bright yellow, and his eyes were brown. He had a decent physique, unatural for a carriage driver. He was wearing a yellowish-brown shirt, and was wearing brown shorts.
"Oh hello!" He looked down on me, pausing for a second before adding, "Are your parents here?"
"Uh," I hesitated for a moment, or you could say i didnt know how to respond. The only people I had ever spoke to were Mom, Dad, and Andrea. Well... I had already expected this.
...He just stood there, keeping a smile on his face, waiting for my response, despite the awkward situation.
"They upstairs." I tried sounding like a little child, ruining my grammar a bit, just to give an immature feeling.
He crouched down, to match my height, and placed his palm on my head, "'Kay, tell them Ill be waiting outside."
Im not a child.
Hah, nevermind that, I may be a twenty-year-old man, but in their eyes, im just a normal child.
I nodded without saying anything, and the man went out of the house, closing the door.
Seems that he was a nicer man than I thought.
I walked towards the second floor to inform Mom, talking little, careful steps. (I didnt want that incident to happen again. Ouch.)
*Creak.*
"Mom..." I peeked out of the door, my voice almost mute.
Mom's perspective:
...Hm? Who opened the door...
...
Ryn?
HE'S SO CUTE! PEEKING OUT OF THE DOOR LIKE THAAAAATTTT!!!
*Smack!*
I smacked my face with both hands, trying to calm myself, from my son's cuteness.
I have to calm down..
"Ryn?"
Back to Rynan's perspective:
"Mom, da carriage guy told me dat he outside" Hah, I did well with my child act didnt I?
"I have hypnotized my Mom by my cuteness!" I mumbled to myself, making sure Mom wouldn't hear it.
"Alright, let's go Ryn, we've finished packing our things," Mom said, as she stood up, picking up the leather bag on the floor.
'Time to move!' I had thought.