Takoda

Something about my surroundings seemed different when I got home, and when I looked at the ground, I saw that several paws were leading out so I dashed to the backyard, I saw that none of our horses were there.

Mom was sitting on the chair with a pile of gold on the table as I hurried back inside.

Feeling irate and inquisitive, I approached her in the hopes that she hadn't done what I was considering.

"Mother, why is there a pile of gold on the table and where are all our horses?"

Mother sighed,

"Takoda,"

"Why is Mr Hinto on our farmland and why did he send me away?" I added before she even said a word.

"Takoda, please sit." Mom said in a soothing tone.

"Answer me, mother, why is Mr Hinto claiming our land?"

"I sold it."

I simply inquired in the hopes that there would be a better explanation for all this, even though I knew she sold it.

"You what?" I asked, on the verge of tears.

"This is for your good, Takoda. You'll be a hero in Solary Town and be worshipped by everyone if I send you to Misting School with the money."

Unable to control myself, I shook my head as tears blurred my vision, "That farm was the only thing that made me feel closer to father."

"Takoda your father died long ago, you should have moved on by now."

Since this was the very least I expected to hear from her, I asked inquisitively, "What?"

"Rather than feeling close to him, you should be seeking vengeance, you should be thinking of a way to slay those beasts so they won't cause any more pain to anyone, just as they did to you." I began to cry bitterly hearing this because I was so disappointed in my mother.

Mother stood up and walked to me, she gently tried to hold my cheeks but I moved back a little,

"Don't touch me," I said. "How could you?"

Mother continued, "Takoda, you'll remember what I did someday and you'll have every reason to thank me." she said as she watched me cry. "You'll resume at Misting School in two days."

I was devastated to learn that my mother had sold the one item that brought me joy, and I was trying to figure out how to come to terms with the reality that I would be attending a new school.

My eyes ached from crying so much that I skipped lunch and dinner. Because she was certain that I would refuse food, Mother didn't bother to offer any to me.

When my mother entered the room the next day, I was in my room staring out the window. Even though I was staring out the window, I could tell she had entered. She walked over and took a seat on the bed.

"How long do you intend on giving me a cold shoulder?"

"As long as father's farm is with Mr Hinto."

Mother sighed,

"I'm pretty sure you will heal," she said as I remained quiet. "While you were crying yesterday, I went to misting school and I was able to pay the bills, I ended up getting your uniform."

As soon as she said this, I quickly turned to face my mother. Despite seeing how distraught I was, she didn't appear to care.

"What an old man sees sitting, a child won't perceive standing, according to our forebears. You may think this is a poor idea, but I can assure you that you will thank me when you graduate from Misting School and you will be unbeatable." Mother left the uniform on my bed and left the room after saying this.

I went to the bed and sat down as soon as she left. I picked up the uniform and looked at it. The school uniform was as sturdy as a knight's costume, with a silver collar, green iron front armour, and a logo drawn on the chest level. On the cuff of the uniform, there was another shiny button, but I assumed it was just a button. Although the outfit was much different from the white-haired guy's uniform, it was nonetheless quite distinctive.

While I was looking at the uniform, I heard noises coming from outside so I walked to my window and looked outside when I looked, I saw the village was being attacked by the beast, this time there were two of them. The beasts were going to houses and destroying them, the people were running and some were getting killed, while I watched this happen I began to feel sorry for them. It took a while before some misting soldiers came and slayed the beast then the people celebrated them.

"This is why you must go to misting school." I didn't even look at Mom when she said something from behind. "Being their hero, you would be hailed by the populace. Only those who attend Misting School are capable of killing these monsters, not the warriors of Solary Town. You must be wise since this life is so pitiful. People will respect you after you graduate from this school, and if they do, you will be able to obtain anything you choose, including your father's land."

For some reason, hearing this made my heart skip a beat.

Mother responded, "I love you, Takoda. Please, make me proud."