After an intensely quick explanation to Shen, she understood. We had no time, even if we wanted any.
Everyone was already packed, James had all of our bags on the ground. The only one— Shen, despite her already deciding to go before. Her bags were in her room. Not like she had many however.
James did ask if she was still going, which Shen affirmed. And now, we're outside the tavern. The kid at the front waved us off with a smile, but I could smell the slight fear in his body. Poor kid, I hope he stays safe.
Before anyone could react, Shen was already walking out.
What the fuck?
"What are you all looking at?" Shen asked while tilting her head. The building had shade fortunately, but her outfit was something no one expected.
It's a new dress, black in color, it had long sleeves that turned into gloves at her hands. Furthering, it revealed up to her collar bone, but that was it, it covered every bit of her skin that poked outwards.
She looks like some gothic chick from our old world… I couldn't help but think to myself. And it seems like she read my thoughts….
Yet again, if I didn't know she was my old teacher, I would have different thoughts. Again, I don't swing like that at the moment but.. Her dress went near her calves, the rest of her legs were covered by what I assume to be thigh high boots.
"Um, Miss Shen, why are you dressed like that?"
"Why else? If I wore my normal clothes, and I'm traveling with you guys, I'll be labeled as a renegade."
Well that's rude.
"But aren't those clothes… too abnormal for traveling?" James asked with a confused look. I don't blame him to be completely honest…
Who would wear clothes like…and Shen pointed towards Melinda.
"Let's just get going." James muttered. No one could refute that argument.
With a snort, we went on our way. James with Melinda and Allisa took the lead; Shaun's family, then Verd. At last, Jin, Shen and I.
I decided to stay back, not sticking with James and the rest; I can still feel James' frustration.
Melinda tried to convince me, consistently begging for me to. Bringing up Shen's dangers, Jin's inability to stop her… If only she knew.
As we walked towards the north gate, the agitation in the group worsened. There were new guards at this gate; their armor looked shabby and new. Must be new.
"Hold it, we must see your identity before we allow you to leave." One guard commanded us. Due to his fragile voice, I could feel the group want to ignore it.
However, we still complied. One by one, we handed him and the other guards our ids.
It went by rather quickly, they held each id up to our faces sloppily. For all the kids they took a moment longer, even me…
My body has changed but I still have the same old face. But, I wasn't the only one they took longer on; Shen.
Randomly, a silver ID appeared in her hand. She held it in between her index and middle finger and gave it to the guard.
His eyes widened, from what I assume seeing her age.
He apologized, bowed his head and gave her id back.
I guess being old has its perks, huh?
"I can tell what you're thinking." Shen called out to me as she put her id back somewhere. She turned and got to my side before whispering. "You can thank your father for that."
And with that revelation plaguing my mind, we set off. Plus, Shen's words brought more questions than answers.
First one is, is my dad actually in a high position? On earth… or er, my old life he wasn't anything noteworthy if I may be honest. He was a general office worker, mid forties and starting to wrinkle.
If he did… I'd be amazed.
Some talks with Shen about other people who got reincarnated never got special powers. Or, they decided to take a slow life.
I wouldn't be allowed to meet others… due to what Shen initially told me about my situation. Unfortunately, there is a being watching over me, whether it is benevolent or malevolent, Shen won't allow it. It was mostly a safety precaution, Shen did promise she'd show me more whenever she felt it was right.
Only follow the path I have, and don't stray from it. Subconsciously I looked at Shen, and she returned it with a cock of her head.
She knows a lot, even about this predicament. It's amazing… I guess once you live through history, you can explain what was not said.
"Do you have any questions?" She asked me with a quiet one. From her tone I could tell what she meant; she can pretty much read my mind…
"What's my dad like?"
Shen planted a finger to her chin, I can tell she's acting. Jin's near us, watching us in his peripheral vision. Only responding a moment later. "He's a lot different, but he looks how he did in the past."
"A lotLot different?"
"First," Shen brought a finger up then went on. "He's not some nine to five worker; he rules a kingdom. I do contract work for him, hence me still being silver ranked."
Hold on, what?
"Secondly, he's calmer, and is more powerful than I am."
Did my old man actually become someone new…? Well… yes, yes he did. What about my mother?
"If I were you, I wouldn't stress myself out. Your family's fine like I told you."
Right…
"What you should worry about," Shen gestured towards James. "Is him, you went far out of hand to him."
"I already apologized."
"You weren't sincere, apologize with your head down, actually show you're sorry, Kid."
"..."
"Go ahead."
I should do it… properly this time. As much as I'm scared, Shen was right. She was like this too in the past, always telling students to own up to their mistakes properly.
Shen called for everyone to stop. Otherwise, I would not have been able to get to him. They turned towards us, then to me…
Can they not do that… I could feel my cheeks warm up. However, I stepped towards James.
"Um… James…" I mumbled his name, he wasn't too happy looking. He had a frown that was hidden under his hood. And as he heard me, he looked down which enforced his frown.
"What is it?"
I lowered my head, he's generally kind and warm. But, he's cold… I really messed up…
"I'm… I'm sorry for how I acted…" I lowered my head, my heart was rattling around my ribcage. "Um…"
I could feel everyone's stares aiming at me. …Do they not know?
Suddenly, I felt a stinging sensation on my head. I looked up, James's hands were in a chopping position. Did he hit me…?
"Honey…?" Melinda questioned him, her voice was full of confusion. "Did Yukina do-"
"Don't apologize again." James said to me, I could hear the anger in his voice. It was suffocating— it was being controlled, but it still shone through. "And do not ever do that again, Yukina. I did everything I could do, and it wasn't enough for you."
"..."
"James aren't you being too harsh on her?"
"...I did all I could, is it good enough for you?" His voice sounded less angry, it seemed like Jin's voice broke through that barrier.
"It is…"
"..." I heard him sigh, then a hand was firmly planted on my head. It slightly touched my ears causing an uncomfortable feeling to snake down my spine. "Please forgive me…"
It took a while, but James removed his hand. After that, the frown he had softened; I could feel the weight on my shoulders release.
"Do not ever do that again, okay?" He got to his knees in front of me. Furthering his enunciation, he stared directly into my eye. "You're my daughter, and I would do my best like you were Alissa or Melinda."
It's… agh… My mistakes from the past shone through again..
The stares became slightly awkward, then came the questions from the rest.
The first one to ask was Verd, what were we talking about? If it weren't for Shen reminding me, I would've forgotten that it happened this morning. Anyways, James gave a quick rundown.
I hate how tight knit this group is…If one issue arises the others get to know real fast…
Thanks to James, everything was unveiled. From him doing a procedure on my eye, then me waking up; cursing, yelling at him, to now.
"Wait- wait, " Shaun waved his hands whilst repeating; he pointed at my face, specifically my left eye… "you're blind in that eye?!"
"Y-yeah…"
He brought his hand to his mouth, thinking for a moment.
Oh god…why do I not feel good about this…
"Then… I don't think I should be teaching you how to use a sword." Shaun bluntly told me, he was tapping his chin whilst saying this. I felt my stomach drop.
Seriously?! You couldn't tell earlier…? I'm evidently legally blind in this fucking eye.
It would take one, one look to see it. Earlier, Shen pulled out a mirror out of nowhere and had me look. My left eye, specifically my pupil, had a fog over it. Cataracts in short, it's the cause of the extreme blurriness.
"Huh? Wait, let me check!"
Eh? E-Eh? Was it not that obvious?!
Soon, I had Melinda yanking my face and holding open my left eye. Why is this happening?! Shouldn't we be leaving?!
"Honey, I thought you said her eyesight would be fine?!"
"Miss Gabri, Mister James tried his best."
"He said her eyesight would be fine…"
"And as his senior in being a healer, he did exceptional." As she explained that, she slapped Melinda's hands off my face. "Yukina's eye is as good as it can be after that injury."
"..."
James grumbled, his face immediately soured at Melinda's words.
"I-I thought…"
"Miss Gabri, what your husband did was a miracle."
Can you get off my head?
I was an arm rest for Shen. Specifically my head was an arm rest. Despite my eye, I can see the silhouette of Shen's hand.
"If I were to be blunt; Mister James over there is too skilled in this group."
Everyone tilted their heads at Shen's response. Even I couldn't help but wonder what she meant. Conversely, I had a subtle feeling.
Her praising of him was making sense; my eye was near dead, the iris parts were completely destroyed and removed. It's brought back together, my eye having its previous color.
Contrary to expectations, everyone did agree on it slightly. But that topic didn't last long, there was an explosion from behind us.
The nameless city was in flames, there was an entire army coming from the east. We could see people try running from it; adults, kids and elderly folks.
"..."
"Let's go." James commanded in a low voice. There wasn't anything we could do, only pray for those who ran to make it.
As the pillar of smoke rose from the destruction, we continued our journey. From the maps we had, it will take a few months; we already made a great distance to Ard, it's the last stretch.
Once we make it past the mountain, the one that disconnects the kingdom's borders from everyone, we'll be in the final stretch. It'd be hard during this snow but we'll be fine.
We'll be fine, we have not had a major issue yet. I thought to myself, watching the backs of the people I met in this life. They were stressed, tight and pulled in. Even Alissa, a fourteen year old, was just as stressed.
Shen looked down at me, and smiled softly. A sort of tell for me that things will be fine. It must be due to me knowing who's in there, but it felt comforting and reassuring… And with that, I looked back at my twelve o'clock
Our journey was going to be long, but it was the best outcome.