2-1: Goodbye home

Eight years have passed since I recovered my memories. Every single day after that was a day where I refined my talent and learned more about this world. Luckily, my efforts weren’t in vain.

“Dance! My puppets!”

Several wooden puppets of different shapes and sizes danced in the street, followed by me. The audience watched our dance. During my early days, only six or seven people stopped to watch my performances. Now, almost everyone who wasn't working waited for my next move.

The time made me change my outfit a lot. A few years ago I finally hit the growth spurt, so I was finally able to stop using that uncomfortable costume.

My options were varied, but inspired by some films and books of my time, I adopted a Victorian style dominated by red and black. Covering my face became almost a habit, so I wore a white mask to cover half of it and a red top hat so no one could see my hair. The only other notable thing about my costume were two white gloves cut so they wouldn't block my mana strings.

“It’s time, the final act!”

The mana flowed through each thread until it reached every single puppet, making them glow with different colors. Prepared for the final move, I extended my hand like I was holding something, and my puppets shot the mana I put on them directly to that invisible object. When everything was ready, I threw the final result into the air creating a giant flower made with mana. In the end, I bowed with all my puppets while the flowers slowly disintegrated, becoming a lot of petals that slowly disappeared. Of course, the public became euphoric after my final act.

“Thanks, my dear public.”

A lot of people threw coins at me, and I caught them with the help of my puppets. Some people do it because they like my show, but others do that just because they wanna know if they can hit me.

“As some people know, this was my final show. But don’t be sad, in three years, I’ll be back. And this town, will not be the only one able to watch my performances.”

Totally satisfied, I entered a nearby carriage, and it started moving.

“...Damn, that was a hard one…”

Now able to relax, I removed my mask, exposing my face and hat, revealing white hair.

“Thank god I managed to convince Cloe to let me use this carriage, a lame exit would ruin everything…”

“Do you need water?”

The driver looked at me concerned, so I tried to act like everything was okay.

“It's not necessary…I was nervous, that’s all…”

“You’ve been doing this for the last eight years and you feel nervous now?”

“I won’t be able to do this for the next three years. I needed to leave a good impression so no one could forget me.”

“Right, the mistress was really sad about that too.”

“Talking about her, is this carriage going to her house?”

“Yes.”

“I see…”

“Please open the door before jumping, this time it isn't locked.”

“Got it.”

The place where I was going to jump was a bit far away, so I tried to relax a bit by playing with a pair of gloves I had in my pocket in case the others got damaged.

“I still can’t believe I got all that money.”

“The mistress was also impressed, even when she ended up paying the 40% of the matriculation.”

“I technically won that money, so she didn’t pay anything.”

“That reminds me, I have a message from the mistress.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s play again once you settle into the academy, I’m ready to win again”. Something like that.”

“She can’t let me rest for a single day.”

“By the way.”

“Yes?”

“You’re totally sure about the matriculation? I heard a lot of things about you. You could easily live only with your performances thanks to all the money you got. There's another reason for this?”

He had reasons to ask that, and I knew he was someone professional, so it was safe to answer his question.

“Well. At first I only wanted to join for the free books, but now, I wanna do it so my shows don't become boring.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I don't meet new people or try new things, I'll run out of ideas, which could make my performances repetitive and boring. I want to be there to finally learn more about this world beyond my small town."

“You could just travel.”

“That was an idea, but I think I prefer doing that after graduating, an extra preparation would help a lot.”

“Indeed.”

“Also, Cloe would kill me if I suddenly decided to not matriculate.”

“Haha, she totally would.”

We talked until I was able to see the way I normally use when I go back home.

“Please tell Cloe we’ll see each other in the academy.”

“I will.”

I opened the door and without fearing anything, jumped out from the carriage landing really bad, but that pain wasn’t a big deal.

“Well, time to finish packing.”

The academy had dorms for students, so I wouldn't be home for a while. I was clear about what I would bring with me, but I ended up putting it off until now.

“I wonder how they feel about this.”

I never told my parents about my performances, so they didn't know how I sometimes came home with a lot of money. They were even surprised when I told them I had paid my tuition at a magic academy.

“Nothing to do now.”

It didn’t take too long to reach my home, but it felt like a long way (probably for the jump I did from the carriage). I just entered and went directly to my room without saying anything.

“This will be a little sad.”

My room, previously empty, was full of everything I considered mine. The walls were full of papers describing my performances in Japanese so no one could read them, the closet could barely be closed because it was full of clothes I did for myself and some of my props, and my table had three boxes with little notes with the words “Don’t touch!!” written in them.

“It’s time to work.”

I had three suitcases for this. I packed as many clothes as I could into the first one. Even though most of those clothes are made from my old ones, I still cherish them for being the first ones I wore for my performances. I'm even bringing my old, uncomfortable suit, but the stilts will be on the outside so I can close the suitcase.

In the second one I put various stuff like the papers that covered my walls, tiny instruments for tiny puppets, measuring objects, and in general, everything I used for making my performances.

The last suitcase was for the boxes. Those boxes contained some fragile objects that would be really inconvenient if they ended up mixed with my other things. Those objects were partially the reason why my hair lost the color, so having them in separate suitcases was just basic precaution.

“...I should ask Cloe for a ride…”

One of the things I was unable to do with my magic was increase my strength…I could reduce it, but I have no reasons for doing that. I guess this is gonna be a long way.

“Oops, I almost forgot it.”

I quickly took off my jacket and put it in my suitcase. If I walked around in that, I wouldn't be hiding anything. Now I was just a guy in black clothes.

“Goodbye home.”

My slow steps approached me slowly to the exit. I thought it would be a normal and boring exit, but my parents were there.

“...”

“...”

That was a little uncomfortable, I thought they wouldn’t be at home, so I thought I shouldn’t say goodbye. But I guess I must do it now.

“...I’m going.”

“...We know.”

“...Goodbye.”

“...Take care.”

They never cared for me, but that somehow felt sad. I guess you end up getting attached to someone when you live fifteen years with them.

“...Both can use my room.”

I accelerated a little after saying that. Partially because I wanted to reach my new home, but also because I know they will be really noisy when they find out how much money I left for them.

“Goodbye scarecrow!”

The scarecrow who used to be my comedy partner was now guarding the house, so at least something of mine will stay here, waiting for the day I return as a great showman.

That way, things started to move.