บท 15: Chapter 15: Goodbyes and Promises

On a day like any other, Izumi spent his time with his slowly growing family. Although physically, Coconut looked the oldest, she was actually the youngest and therefor was treated as such. Tione and Tiona had quickly solidified their position as Coconut's older sister, which Tiona in particular was exited about. Coconut, at first hesitant, did not refuse and was quite happy at the notion of her first friends becoming her first sisters. On another note Tione and Tiona had officially decided for Coconut to be a future part of the harem and one of Izumi's future wives or as Coconut called it, becoming his 'catpanion'. All of this was of course decided without Izumi having any say in it.

Although, the time since their meeting was short, Tione and Tiona, being level three adventurers, had already noticed Coconuts rapid growth, but they chose not to question it. This was because of two reasons. One they believed Coconut deserved her own privacy as they had kept secrets not even Izumi knows and two they trusted both Izumi and Coconut.

Today however, Izumi was troubled just like he was for the past week. As he stared at the [World Mission] page.

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[World Missions] (New!)

...

[Knight in Shining Armor III]

[Pet Owner I]

[The Student and the Master] (Unlocked)

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A new [World Mission] had appeared, but unlike the previous ones this was a long term Mission, easily reaching an entire year to complete. It was also one that dealt with some of the strongest people currently alive in Danmachi. However as dangerous as the people involved are, the rewards are equally as great.

Izumi however, was slightly reluctent as taking the [World Mission] would mean saying goodbye to the Amazonian pair for an indefinite amount of time.

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[World Mission: [The Student and the Master] has been unlocked.]

Info: to grow and learn, one must search for guidance and understanding. You will become a student of the 'School District' and must find a suitable teacher to learn under. You must also grow in several other catagories.

Note* During this [World Mission] you will be transferred to the 'School District' under the pretense of a new enrollment picked up after the resent departure from Oraria, from the port city Melen. You will begin as an aspiring blacksmith in the Ilmarinen class.

Note* All skills and abilities will not be on the falna. Instead only status parameters will be visable. [Blacksmith]] development ability and [Swordsman] development ability will be granted at lowest grade and slowly developing until they meet system skill rank.

Requirements:

Graduate (0/1)

Find at least one master to learn under (0/1)

Raise [Swordsmanship (E)] to at least (D-) (0/1)

Increase [Ghislaine Dedoldia] to at least 30% (3.5/30)

Learn or create a Congenital magic (0/1)

Time limit: 3 years maximum

Rewards:

[School District Diploma]

[???]

…

Note* Rewards will depend on: [Chosen teacher(s)] and [Amount of tasks completed]

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Izumi looking at the mission, had a thoughtful expression on his face, then stared into the sky and sighed heavily.

Noticing his troubled look, Tione sat beside him and placed a hand on his lap, getting his attention.

''Something on your mind?'' She asked with a gentle tone and smile, wanting to be able to support Izumi like he did for her.

Turning to face Tione, Izumi adapted a soft smile and brought her in for a hug. Enjoying the hug for a small while, Tione and Izumi sat there in silence. Tione at this point, was certain their was something bothering him and chose to let him hug it out.

Tiona and Coconut, who had just walked in, also jumped into the hug. Tiona latching onto his side with a 'hump~' and Coconut reaching her arms around his back and burying her face into his back.

After finally breaking off the hug, Izumi took a deep breath and looked towards Tione and Tiona, with a serious look in his eyes. He had decided to directly talk about it with them. Swallowing some saliva he gathered his courage and spoke.

''Tione, Tiona, I need to talk to you about something.'' He said in a serious tone, which made Tiona and to some extent Tione nervous.

''What is it?'' Tiona asked.

''...I might have to go on a journey soon…and I don't know how long until I'll see you two again…'' Izumi said with a hesitant and slightly pained expression.

''For how long…'' Tione asked, with a worried tone.

''I don't know…but most likely for a few years…'' Izumi admitted.

''...'' Tione hearing this feel silent, while looking down with a thoughtful expression.

''Than we'll just go with you!'' Tiona exclaimed, with a determined expression.

''...It's not that simple, the place I'm going you can't come along.'' Izumi said while closing his eyes and slumping his shoulders.

''I'm sorry.'' he squeezed out with closed eyes.

''Izumi, your going to become an adventurer right?'' Suddenly Tione asked, which caused both Tiona and Izumi to look at her.

''Yes.'' Izumi answered slightly confused.

''Than you'll go to Oraria, right?'' Tione said, with a hopeful look. Causing Tiona's eyes to widen as she caught on to what Tiona was hinting at.

''Yes.'' Izumi, repeated.

''In that case, lets meet at Oraria!'' Tiona blurted out with an energetic voice and big grin.

''If you want to go, you have to promise us that we'll meet again in Oraria.'' Tione said, backing up her sister, with her arms crossed under her chest.

Widening his eyes for a moment, Izumi took a deep breath and with resolute eyes, he stared into theirs. Izumi spoke.

''I promise that we'll meet again in Oraria.'' Izumi said, relived and thankful for their thoughtfulness and consideration.

''Than when we meet again, as high level adventurers, you'll have to take us out on a date!'' Tiona exclaimed, not allowing Izumi a chance to escape.

''O-Ok, I promise!'' Izumi said, powerless against her straight forwardness, as Izumi hugged both Tione and Tiona.

Breaking off their hug, Tione decided to ask him an important question right away.

''When are you leaving?'' She asked, inwardly not wanting to hear the answer to her question.

''Hm~ maybe in a month or two'' Izumi replied, with a thoughtful expression.

''Then in that case, we'll stay with you until you have to leave!'' Tione said, while thinking about what they'd say to their god, Ullr, to let them off for a month or two.

''I'm fine with that.'' Izumi said with a warm smile.

…

And so, Izumi spent everyday for the next two months spending time with Tione, Tiona, and Coconut. Making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for them and even sometimes waking up to find them having snuck into his bed.

However, slowly time flew by and soon they had to say their goodbyes…

…

[Izumi POV]

Standing in front of the Ullr familia, me and Coco stood in front of a slightly teary eyed Tiona and Tione.

''It's time for me to go…I'll miss you, Tione and Tiona.'' I said with a heavy heart.

''Um! Us too!'' Exclaimed Tiona as Tione nodded.

''Make sure not to add any other Amazoness to your harem, without our permission.'' Said Tione with a serious face.

''But, your 'ok' with me adding none Amazonian girls into my harem?'' I replied with an incredulous tone.

''We already know your charms and decided to let you have one, but some Amazoness in heat might take advantage of you, so their off limits until you introduce us first! But you can't add more than 10 women until we meet in Oraria again!'' Tione said as Tiona nodded profoundly.

''10!?'' I exclaimed bewildered at their words. Causing Tione and Tiona to turn to each other and discussed something quietly. After finishing their discussion, they nodded at each other and Tione once again spoke.

''Fine, no more than 15 women, but still no Amazonians!'' Tione said with a resolute face.

''That's not what I meant!'' I said, but gave up as arguing with Tione and Tiona is harder than conquering the dungeon.

''Coco, were leaving him in your care. Look after him, ok.'' Tiona said to Coco, as she grasped her hand.

''umm! Leave him to me!'' Coco assured with a resolute and enthusiastic tone, having grown close to the Amazonian pair, she treated like sisters.

''In that case, well be waiting for you at Oraria, Izumi!'' Tione squealed out as she teared up even more.

''Yah, we're gonna train crazy hard, so next time you see us well be way stronger!'' Tiona said with a similar expression to Tione.

''I'll be looking forward to it.'' I said with my own smile as I pat them on the head one last time before my departure.

As I began to walk away, I was suddenly grabbed and turned around. By the time I could react, I was suddenly kissed, causing my eyes to widen. Looking into those dark green eyes and straight hair I knew right away it was Tione, deciding to give her at least this, I wrapped my arms around her as we kissed, but didn't go any further. After finishing, Tiona did the same and than with a teasing smile she said.

''They'll be more waiting once you get to Oraria.'' she said, trying to act, seductive.

''That's a promise… but wait until we're a little older.'' I said with a smile, causing Tiona to pout and Tione and Coco to laugh.

Suddenly sensing something off I tilted my head as a spear flew passed me, barely missed my face. Looking at the direction I saw some no-name extra fuming with anger.

''How dare you defile Tione!'' he screamed and charged straight at me as he took out a knife from his pocket. Grabbing his hand and sidestepping, I pushed the knife away from me and tripped one of his foot. Using his momentum, I flipped him upside down while he was off balanced and twisted his wrist as he hit the floor on his back, knocking the wind out of him. With his wrist twisted he dropped the knife, as I caught it mid fall and using a knee and most of my body weight, I let my self fall, with my knee into his joint, dislocating his other arm.

Holding a knife to his eye, I pushed my weight onto his chest, focusing it on his chest, breaking some of his bones in the process. As he screamed in pain, I stared at him with cold eyes.

''Agghh!! Y-You son of aaaAAAHHHHH!!!'' He tried to talk, but I put more effort into my knee and shut him up.

Finally getting a good look at him, I recognized the annoying kid, I had met when I first visited the Ullr familia along with Tione and Tiona.

As the boy screamed, members of his familia started to gather, some wanting to jump in, but deciding not to after seeing the twins not react. As the crowd grew larger, Ullr himself came stomping out.

''What happened.'' He said with his deep voice, but the anger in his eyes was evident.

Stepping off the boy, I looked into Ullr's eyes and explained.

''He attacked me.'' I said.

''You bastard! I was protecting Tione and Tiona!'' The boy shouted back.

''Why the hell eould we need your protection!'' Shouted an enraged Tiona.

''B-but, that bastard, defiled you!'' He said trying to defend himself.

''We kissed him.'' Tione said in a flat tone, as she was holding herself from ripping off the boy's head for trying to attack Izumi. Ullr noting this, quickly pieced together the situation and understood the picture.

''Alright, I get what happened. Izumi-kun, I'm sorry for what he did to you.'' Ullr said with his head bowed down. Seeing this I began to feel bad for the god.

''You don't have to be sorry, it wasn't your fault.'' I said.

''Your right, but he is a member of my familia and therefore my responsibility. While he is in my familia his actions are also my responsibilities'' Ullr sighed.

''And YOU, what right do you think you have, to attack someone, just because of your petty emotions!'' Ullr said as his eyes once again filled with rage stared at the boy. Sometimes I would forgot, but Ullr was a god known for hunting, and right now he had the eyes of a predator.

''B-but I-'' The boy tried to talk but he was cut off by Ullr.

''You have dishonored both the hunt and the Ullr familia with your actions. From here on out you are expelled from this familia and forbidden from entering this town.'' Ullr gave his finale decision without waiting for the boy's nonsense, with a deep voice he said ''Leave now or later without an arm, your choice.'' As small motes of light came off the boy indicating the annulment of a gods blessing.

The boy frightened got up and made a run for it, tripping over himself and holding his dislocated arm.

As the boy ran he sprinted to the forest while crying and making an ugly face. He was noticeably slower as his falna was sealed along side the blessing that had left him. Now weather he lived or died was up to chance.

Ullr sighing, once again apologized and left with his familia members, offering some privacy to the small group.

Tiona with a vein atop her forehead seemed to be ready to kill that guy but quickly calmed down as she took deep breaths along side Tione.

Laughing lightly, I kissed their foreheads lightly and pat them on the head each once.

''Let's leave on a happy note, so can you see me off with a smile?'' I said trying to lighten the mood. They too reciprocate my feelings and smiled back.

''I'll see you in Oraria'' I said adopting a soft smile.

''Um~'' They both said nodding back.

''I love you.'' I said quietly, which they seemed to have heard as they returned an 'I love you' back in the form of a kiss on the cheek.

No other words needed to be said as we walked our separate ways, with our hearts warm and our spirits ablaze.

…

Stopping in front of my house, I looked back at the time I spent here. The walls told tales of happiness, as the sofas still warm from the secrets we shared. The house was left mostly intact, all of my valuables gone, but the house preserved in a seemingly good state. I had given it to the twins as a second home.

Talking one last look around the place I turned to Coco and asked her to stay in my smithy, as I transferred to my new location. Coco had known about my system and some of it's abilities, but knew not to talk about it under any circumstances.

Closing my eyes I asked Uriel to transfer me to the school district, as I began a new chapter in my life.