To Gan

One day, the guild master, Mr. Damian, came by the shop to tell me they will go to the Gan continent for trading. People from all the shops are coming to sell and buy goods.

“Have you worked with adamantium Paulus?”

“I went with my father to the Sheol Valley in the Gan continent once. We saw how the woodchoppers cut the tree with the tools they have.”

“You must come with us then! We are going to Peradama. Take two months off from obligations in the shop and join us. I have a job for you. I need a wand of adamantium. It is for a high noble soldier’s Family. We're going to Gan for trading, and I also need to gather materials for the wand. What do you say?”

“How much for the job?”

“I will give you two full months of pay, plus you can take all the weapons you want to sell on our way there. I will pay for your cart.”

“Listen, Damian, I'll go there, bring my weapons, and guide you in Gan and get you the adamantium. However, the adamantium wand is going to take time and more resources than two months of work.”

“Okay, what about three months?”

“Four, and if the customer has some special design, I will do it.”

“Deal!” We shook hands on it.

…

The house used to feel pretty empty once Paulus left home for the Academy. But now that we have Albana and Albus, things look more lively. Mom goes out more to complete adventurer’s work while Albana takes care of us and the house. We could not hide from Albana that I know magic, but she also confessed that she taught a little magic to Albus because of the situations they were in. Thus, Mom is teaching magic to Albus and me. Albus’s magic affinity is high. Mom is also teaching Albus to use knives.

In less than a year, I will be old enough to practice magic, and then I will be going to the Academy. I’m a little nervous, but at the same time, I'm happy to be living this life.

“Dad, let's have a practice match.”

“Okay, I will use an Arming wooden sword. You are not allowed to use magic.”

Dad completed two school years at the academy, so he knows how to use a sword.

“On guard, Ready? Go!”

I know Dad will stay in defense to let me practice attacks and will only counterattack after a while. I can't be hesitant. I quickly advance to attack, flicking him with the sword to make sure I'm in the proper distance, and testing Dad's sword. I lunged to his right shoulder, and he blocked the attack, moving the sword towards the outside of his body. However, in contact with the blade, I continue the attack, moving my blade around his, directly to his chest. Dad makes a step backwards, blocking the attack. We continued to attack, and Dad defended for about five minutes.

“You are getting slower. I guess it’s my time to attack.”

Dad lunges forward and strikes at my left side torso with great strength. I blocked the attack, but he broke my posture, leaving me open. Immediately after, he strikes my right torso with the same strength, but I duck his attack and lunge forward. He retreats and parries. He continued with the attacks for another eight minutes. I was drenched and agitated.

“Okay, that’s enough. You are getting pretty skilled, but you are not trying to hit me with the sword. You are just touching me with the tip. When we practice Cato, you have to go all out trying to hurt me. I’m bigger and stronger, you will not hurt me, I can always defend with magic too. I have low magic affinity, not none. The whole concept of your sword is to pierce the opponent; you need to be merciless. If you continue like this, you will never even get to have a practice match with Mom, let alone beating her.”

“You are right, Dad. I want to take training seriously, but I don’t want to hurt anyone. I want to protect the family.”

“We live in a nice place with soldiers who protect us. We are safe.”

“Albana taught us about the Second Great War, about the fight against the heavenly beings who rebelled against the gods. What if they returned?”

“Cato, that happened more than two thousand years ago. We haven’t heard anything about them for centuries. They might not be alive by now. And, if they are, the kingdom will take care of it and the heroes will rise from all the tribes of the world to fight the calamity.”

Daddy, what if I told you that the gods told me to help the hero? What do I do? ... sigh... I could never say that to Dad. I want to cry. Why can't I live an ordinary life? Go to the Academy, work, get married, have a family, see my parents get old, and have grandchildren. 

“What if I become a hero?”

“Ha ha ha! Princess, I will always be by your side to protect you, and when there is someone stronger than me, your Mom will be there to protect you. And if there is someone stronger than your Mom, your older brother is working hard to become even stronger than your Mom.”

“And when someone appears stronger than Big Brother, I will be there to protect him,” I said, walking away. Can I run away from this calling? If I do, will someone I love get hurt?

…

The next day, Mom and Dad had an announcement to make after dinner.

“Paulus got an excellent opportunity to make good profits and connections on the continent of Gan. He will be leaving in a week, and Cato and Albus will be going with him.”

“What!” I was surprised and excited.” Albus, we are going with Dad to the Gan continent!”

“Where is that?” asked Albus.

“Where is that? Dad.”

“Give me a second.” Dad went upstairs to look for something.

“Albana took everything from the table, and Dad showed us a map.” This is the first time looking at a map of the world.

“This is the kingdom of Eleutheria. To the west, we have the kingdom of Orion that goes through the coast from north to the Gulf of Orion. Crossing the Arok Strait, the continent of Gan is located.”

“Where did you get this?” I asked.

“It’s an old map. I bought it from one of the merchants.”

“Is this the whole world?”

“Yes, Cato, this is the whole world.”

There are rivers, forests, volcanoes, deserts, mountains, islands, multiple seas, and continents. I was astonished, a map of the whole world.