Extra's Descent

After exiting the forest, the journey was smooth. A pathway revealed itself. But despite that, there were no wagons around.

They had to go by foot.

The group continued to converse with each other. A smile seemed to etch itself on Carl's features.

Brandon stifled a smile at the thought.

After being quiet for several days, it seemed like the boy had finally found it in him to smile.

The destination was quite far. It took them several days to finally leave the snowy terrain.

Looking at his phone, he checked the date.

[July 24, 2149.]

A total of 51 days had passed since they started this journey. The only reason it took so long was due to the blizzard.

There were occasional rests in between, but it was needed.

Unlike them—who were mages—Carl didn't seem to have awakened yet.

It was quite odd. But there were several people who didn't have the luxury to awaken.

It seemed like Carl was one of them.

It was then.

[Belle Locke: 21]

More notifications.

He had already replied to her back then.

But Belle seemed so ecstatic since he was finally replying after starting this journey.

[Belle Locke: I still can't believe you're with Amelia. :sob emoji:

[Belle Locke: I don't know how you've managed to brainwash her. I swear, if you do anything to her….]

Brandon's expressions scrunched up.

The hell was Belle talking about?

[Belle Locke: Eh, at least someone's looking out for you. I'm so relieved it's Amelia. :saluting emoji:]

"Heh."

Brandon let out a chuckle. It was her best–friend, of course Belle would trust him with Amelia.

[Belle Locke: I hope you don't trouble her too much. She's got a lot on her mind as well. :facepalm emoji:]

There were several more messages from Belle. But they weren't that important.

With such thoughts, he continued scrolling down until the last message,

[Belle Locke: Anyway, take care of her for me, and stay safe always. Also, send me a pic! :grin emoji:]

"I guess I could do that."

"Hm?"

Amelia leaned close.

"My sister wants a picture."

"Ah, alright."

The two halted in their steps and Carl paused as well. His head tilted, perplexed about the entire ordeal.

Firstly, a picture of the two of them.

Holding the phone up, he reversed the camera. On the screen displayed both Brandon and Amelia.

Amelia leaned close and flashed a wide grin, holding two of her fingers up.

A peace sign.

Brandon gave a smile of his own.

Click— Click— Click—

He took several pictures.

Next on the agenda.

"Carl, come here."

"Uh—Ah?"

"Let's take a picture."

"Oh."

"Come on."

Carl approached them and stood at the center.

Since he was quite short, Brandon leaned down a bit and raised the phone even higher.

"Everyone, smile."

Carl's eyes seemed to dart around. But eventually, it landed on the camera and he flashed an awkward smile.

Brandon stifled a chuckle after seeing that.

The boy seemed to have suffered a lot. Brandon had seen the purple bruise marks in his body when the boy would secretly change his shirt.

But sadly, he couldn't heal him.

The system shop's features disappeared. There were no other ways to get a healing potion.

And sadly, he couldn't create a healing skill no matter how much he tried.

But what he did was use his [Ice] affinity to alleviate the bruise marks.

It was the least he could do for the poor boy.

Click— Click—

He took two photos.

"Now do something funny."

"Ah—"

Carl seemed to stammer. But what he did was give a peace sign with a wide grin on his face.

For Amelia, she crossed her pupils and let her tongue out.

And for Brandon….

Click— Click— Click—

Then, he sent all the photos to Belle.

The group continued walking after that.

It was then.

Brrt….

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Immediately checking, Belle was sending a lot of messages in a short amount of time.

"....What now?"

[Belle Locke: LOL!]

[Belle Locke: Amelia's so pretty~ :blush emoji:]

"...."

No comment about him?

Belle seemed to be an Amelia fanatic.

Wasn't she an Evelyn fangirl?

How peculiar.

[Belle Locke: Eh?! Since when did you have a child with Amelia?!]

"...."

His face cracked.

'This sister of mine….'

He had already told her back then that he was on a journey after taking a request from a boy named Carl.

[Belle Locke: Hehe~ Just messing with you. :lol emoji:]

"...."

"What's wrong?"

Amelia leaned close and asked.

"Uh–nothing."

He quickly pulled the phone away.

[Belle Locke: Thanks for the pics! Mom will be happy to see these.]

Brandon let out a warm smile after that message.

[Belle Locke: Stay safe as always. Love ya! :heart emoji:]

Brandon replied back with his own message.

—You too, sis. Take care of Mom until I return.

At that, the conversation ended and Brandon put his phone back in his pocket.

"I'm happy for you."

Amelia suddenly said.

Brandon looked at her. Her lips pulled to a warm smile, and the sun casted a bright glow across her features.

Her bright golden locks of blonde hair fluttered by the breeze, and her bangs brushed up, revealing her clear forehead.

Brandon's eyes widened, and all he could think of was…

'Beautiful.'

Amelia was undoubtedly beautiful.

But he quickly shook his head and dismissed his thoughts.

She was out of his league.

And she probably didn't feel that way about him.

"Thank you."

"I wish I had a family like yours."

Suddenly, Carl chimed in.

Brandon turned his head and looked down at him.

He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to tell him 'You'll meet your family soon once we take you back to the village.'

He didn't want the boy to have his hopes up, only to be utterly crushed when things weren't as they seem.

And so, he stayed silent.

Thankfully, Amelia was there to liven up the mood as she somehow managed to make Carl smile with her words.

After several hours of walking, Carl suddenly spoke.

"I think we're near."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the area looks familiar."

This journey.

It was about to end soon.

Not his journey.

But Carl's journey.

His long journey to find closure.