CHAPTER 51: GOING TOGETHER

Aziz kept walking in silence for a while, without looking back.

In his heart, he realized something obvious—yet still surprising: he didn’t like goodbyes.

Especially when it came to saying goodbye to people he cared about—those who, in some way, had filled the silent voids left behind by his old life.

Feelings he barely knew how to name pulsed in his chest.

After a few minutes of solitary walking, he finally gave in to the urge to check. He turned his face discreetly and looked behind him.

But the carriage was no longer in sight.

Not even by expanding his vision with the help of mana could he catch a glimpse of the vehicle he had just left. The carriage was already gone, vanished beyond the horizon.

"So they’ve already left, huh..." he murmured to himself, his low voice carried by a gentle breeze as a strange, melancholic feeling took over his chest.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, and he brought a hand to his heart, feeling his rhythmic heartbeat echoing in his chest like distant drums.

"Haha... I already miss them," he confessed, recognizing what he felt. It was longing. A sweet and painful feeling he barely knew how to deal with. After all, in his previous life, he never had a family. He never knew what love was—not the true kind, the sincere kind, the one that fills and comforts.

Parting from those women—from his mother, from Isis, from Sofia, from Zia, from Sylvia, from Stella—had not been an easy task. Even if he hadn’t shown it in words or expressions at the moment he stepped out of the carriage, his heart had hesitated.

Hesitated deeply.

That was why he hadn’t dared to look back while he felt their eyes fixed on his back. He was afraid he would give in, turn around, throw away that important decision. He was sure that if he took even a single step in the opposite direction, his family would be there, arms open, waiting for him with smiles and comfort.

And the worst part?

They would never criticize him for it.

They would welcome him. Tell him it was okay. That he didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. That there, with them, was his safe place. Where he would be free from danger. Where he would always have protection, love, and care.

Precisely because of that... he didn’t even dare glance sideways.

"I didn’t think it would be this hard..."

"I guess it’s like they say... the first step is always the hardest," he murmured to himself, letting out a light sigh and resuming his walk.

That was when a familiar voice echoed in his mind, in the same sarcastic tone as always.

[So you’re finally going to stop being a spoiled young master and become a real man. I couldn’t take all that sentimentality anymore.]

Aziz raised an eyebrow, but a small smile tugged at his lips.

’I thought you were dead... or something like that. Why have you been so quiet these past few days?’ he shot back, in the same sarcastic tone, though a bit curious about the recent silence from the entity inside his system.

[No, idiot. As you can hear, I’m not dead. I was just... observing. Silently. That’s all.]

’What a shame...’ he said, with a mock-sad voice, though smiling at the same time.

After all, he wouldn’t be completely alone on his mission. At least he’d have someone to talk to.

[I-idiot! Do you actually want me to die?!]

’Hehe... maybe?,’ Aziz sang, amused by the AI’s almost childish indignation.

[Y-you...! Arrogant bastard...!]

Even while arguing, Aziz kept walking. And the truth was, maybe the system had started the conversation precisely so he wouldn’t feel alone. Maybe, somewhere in that cold programming, there was a trace of concern.

After trading a few more jabs, both fell into a comfortable silence—not one of distance, but of connection. As if, in that moment, just having each other there was enough.

After some more time in silence, the system spoke again, reminding Aziz of something.

[You do know you don’t need to carry everything in a spatial ring, right? It’s safer to store things in the system’s storage.]

’Oh yeah... I’d forgotten about that,’ Aziz replied, recalling the basic functions of the system.

But he couldn’t really be blamed. Up until now, everything he needed had been handed to him by his mother or by Isis. He had never needed to store or prepare anything himself.

With a mental command, he withdrew the carriage from inside the spatial ring.

The magic carriage was a sleek matte black, with silver details delicately engraved. Its design blended Earth’s Victorian style with the sophistication of local magical engineering. It was beautiful. Imposing.

He admired it for a few seconds before pulling a small silver device from the ring. When pressed, the carriage door opened automatically.

Aziz stepped inside.

The interior was as sophisticated and comfortable as Stella’s carriage. Soft rugs, seats with luxurious finishes, and an aura of tranquility and isolation.

After closing the door with another click, he opened the ring and pulled out everything inside it.

Several objects spread out before him.

And among them, something caught his attention: a large, black bag.

Aziz approached and, upon picking it up, heard a strange metallic sound.

When he opened it, a small golden explosion shimmered before his eyes—gold coins, in large quantity.

He smiled, surprised and grateful, though a bit embarrassed.

’My mother really is the best,’ he thought, touched. The idea of bringing money hadn’t even crossed his mind.

[Like I said: spoiled young master. You can’t even argue with me this time, hehe...]

And truly... he had no way to refute it.

But he didn’t feel ashamed. Being spoiled by the people he loved most in the world... there was no shame in that.

He stored everything in the system’s storage, leaving out only one of the swords and the armor tailored for him.

The armor fit his body perfectly, like a second skin. Light, flexible, made of reinforced leather and some kind of magical alloy. It was completely black with silver accents, creating an elegant contrast and harmony with his snow-white hair and silver eyes tinged with bluish edges.

He tested his movement with punches and kicks in the air. Executed sharp spins and fast moves. Nothing restricted him. He nodded in satisfaction.

"My mother never disappoints... as always," he said, calm pride in his voice.

If the system had a head, it probably would’ve shaken it at that moment, resigned to how much of a mama’s boy Aziz was.

After equipping the sword, perfectly proportioned to his stature, he stepped out of the carriage.

After all, he wanted an adventure.

Not a comfortable ride to the mission site.

He asked the system to store the carriage and resumed his walk.

"Let’s see... I need to follow this path here to reach the forest..." he murmured, pulling a small scroll from his pocket with the mission details. Reviewing the route, he memorized each reference point.

That was when his senses picked up footsteps behind him.

When he turned around, he saw two women approaching, eyes fixed on him.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized them. They were two of the adventurers who had been at the guild when he and his family arrived.

Both were beast-women—one seemed to be from the lion race, the other from the wolves. Their movements were light, and their tails swayed gently with each step. The ears atop their heads twitched subtly, picking up sound and presence with precision.

As they drew closer, they stopped in front of him. There was genuine interest in their eyes.

"Hey, newbie. I didn’t expect you to take a D-rank mission right away. Are you confident about that?" asked the lion-woman with a curious expression.

Aziz looked at her for a moment, reading her face.

There was no malice, no mockery.

Just curiosity.

"Yes. Dealing with a small wolf pack won’t be a problem for me," he answered calmly, assured.

She raised an eyebrow, surprised by the firmness of his response.

"Is that so?" she murmured, intrigued.

Before she could say anything else, the other girl stepped forward, a slight blush rising on her face.

"H-hi! My name is Agnes... and w-what’s your name?" she asked, extending her hand shyly.

Aziz found her hesitation adorable.

"Aziz. Nice to meet you, Agnes," he said, gently shaking her hand.

"N-nice to meet you too, Aziz," she replied, smiling softly, still blushing.

’Cute,’ Aziz thought, holding back the urge to pinch her cheeks.

Letting go of her hand, he looked at the other woman and extended his hand.

"Liora. Sorry for the late introduction," she said, shaking his hand firmly.

"You two are heading out on a mission too, right?" Aziz asked after the handshake.

"Yes. Our path is the same. Want to come with us?" Liora offered naturally.

Aziz looked at both of them for a moment, then shrugged and nodded.

"Sure. Let’s go together, then."

With that confirmation, Liora and Agnes smiled.

And so, the three of them began walking side by side, heading toward their respective missions—and perhaps, toward the beginning of a new phase none of them had expected.