Chapter 6.1 - Dropout Swordsman and Swordsmanship Academy [4] – part 1 (1/2)

6. Dropout Swordsman and Swordsmanship Academy [4] – part 1

A few days have passed since I heard about the admission recommendation.

Today and tomorrow the academy is closed, so I decided to go visit my mother who lives in Goza village.

Morning preparation and breakfast have already been completed.

All I have to do is leave with my luggage.

「OK – well then, I’m off.」

When I said so from the entrance of the dormitory, Paula-san turned towards me from the cafeteria.

「Did you forget anything? Have you taken the souvenirs?」

「Yes, perfectly.」

The rice crackers and mochi purchased at the street stall yesterday are carefully wrapped in a cloth borrowed from Paula-san.

「I see. Take care on your way!」

「Yes!」

I bowed and left the dormitory.

By the way, at the entrance of the dormitory, the trophy of the Sword Festival was gracefully displayed… and I felt slightly embarrassed.

After leaving the dormitory, I went down south of the long beast road to Goza village.

After trotting for 3 hours, Goza village finally came into sight.

Houses with thatched roofs were evenly spaced, with vast pastures and fields around them. It was a very small village with a total population of perhaps less than 100 people.

「It’s been a while since I’ve been back here…」

Even after deducting the billion years spent in that different world, it is the first time in three years I’m returning to this village.

While I was immersed in nostalgia,

「Ehh! Aren’t yer Allen!?」

I heard a hoarse southern accent of an old man from the back.

As I turned around, it was the bamboo geezer, who used to play with me with bamboo stilts.

「Bamboo geezer! Long time no see!」

「Heeey there, yer grew so big in the small time time y’were gone-!」

Goza village, located in the southern part of the continent, has a very strong southern accent.

「Ahahaha, that is because I’m still in my growing period.」

After that, I reminisced about the past together with him.

「Oh-ops! Rather than talking with me, quickly go to Rodore-san! She hav’ been feelin’ down er’ since yer left.」

「Understood. I’ll see you later, bamboo geezer.」

「Yeeah, come show yer face at me place later!」

「Of course!」

Then I parted with the bamboo geezer and walked for a while on the path with the smell of livestock – and finally found my home.

「Uwaah… it’s been so long.」

The house hasn’t changed at all since I left 3 years ago. It’s exactly the same.

I opened the old worn out door that was not locked, sideways.

「Mother, I’m home.」

As I called out, I heard a running noise from the back of the house.

And,

「A-Allen!?」

My mother, with a pot lid in one hand, appeared with glistening eyes.

She must have been in the middle of preparing dinner.

「Un, I’m home, mother.」

「Aah… ye’ve grown so big!」

Saying that, mother opened her hands wide and hugged me tightly.

「It’s ben’ so long! Are yer doing fine!?」

「Un, as you can see, I’m doing fine.」

「Glad to hear that! Look at me, talkin’ while standin’, sit down first.」

「Un.」

Then I sat at the dining table stool and talked about various stories with my mother who was preparing dinner.

And when my mom put a lid on the pan and became a little freed up, I decided to bring up the main subject.

「……Mother, can I discuss something important with you?」

「What appened’? …suddenly bein’ so serious.」

「Un, about that-」

Then I talked to my mother about the most troublesome subject, my career choice.

I am currently in my third year and am worried about my future career.

There are three choices: holy knight, magic swordsman, and advancing to Thousand Blade Academy.

The pros and cons of choosing each of them.

After completing the rough explanation of the current situation, she shrugged her shoulders disappointedly.