The day for departure had arrived. Outside the church, Kenji sat on the wooden fence with Asta and Yuno, looking out over the fields toward the giant demon skull looming in the distance. They hadn't gone out for their daily training this morning, wanting to spend as much time as possible with their older brother before he left to become a magic knight.
"So today's the day, huh?" Yuno said, not looking away from the skull.
Kenji nodded, swinging his legs slightly as they dangled from the fence. "Yeah. Hard to believe it's finally here."
Asta, who had been uncharacteristically quiet for the past few minutes, suddenly burst out, "I still can't believe you're really leaving! It doesn't feel real!"
"It's not forever, you know," Kenji said with a gentle smile. "I'll be back to visit, and you two will be following me to the capital soon enough anyway."
"Not soon enough," Asta muttered, kicking at a clump of dirt. "Why can't we just come with you!"
Yuno nodded in agreement, his golden eyes reflecting the same sentiment.
Kenji laughed and ruffled both their hair. "What would you even do in the capital? You can't get a grimoire for two years, and you can't become a magic knight without it."
"But still..." Asta whined, only to be interrupted.
"Asta, Yuno," Kenji said more seriously. "Your time will come. Don't try to rush it. You just gotta keep training until the day comes so you're ready. You guys aren't ready yet."
Yuno turned to look at him seriously. "I'm ready. You're the only one in the village stronger than me."
"Hey, what about me!" Asta yelled indignantly.
"As I said," Yuno repeated calmly, "you're the only one stronger than me in the village."
"You wanna bet?! Come on, let's go, Yuno!" Asta shouted, electricity sparking in the air as they glared at each other.
Kenji laughed again. "Enough. Try not to fight today—at least for the kids' sake. It's gonna be hard on them today. Don't make it harder."
Hearing this, both boys calmed down reluctantly.
"Besides," Kenji continued, "just because you're strong in the village doesn't mean the same will be true when you leave. There are tons of people way stronger than even me out there. So for now, just try to get stronger than me until you get your grimoires and are ready to leave."
Both boys nodded seriously. "I will surpass you then," they said in unison.
"It's up to you two when I'm gone to keep everyone safe," Kenji said, his tone becoming more protective. "I know you guys are strong, but be careful. Don't try to play the hero if you can't handle something. Ask for help or run away—your lives are more important to me."
They both reluctantly nodded, though it was clear they weren't really going to listen.
Seeing this, Kenji sighed. "Take care of Father Orsi too when I'm gone. Try to keep him company. He'll take me leaving pretty hard until I reach out for the first time, so try to be there for each other. And take care of the kids—you two are the oldest now. It's your job while I'm gone."
They nodded more earnestly this time.
Kenji looked over toward the front door of the church, seeing everyone coming out. With a smirk, he added, "Sister Lily too. Make sure to listen to her and be there for her."
"OF COURSE I WILL!" Asta yelled enthusiastically. "I'M GOING TO MARRY HER ONE DAY AFTER ALL!"
Suddenly, a feminine voice called out, "Water Creation Magic: Holy Fist of Love!"
A fist of water struck Asta, sending him flying off the fence and crashing into the ground.
Kenji started laughing while Asta yelled from the dirt, "KENJI! YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE, DIDN'T YOU?!"
Still laughing and holding his stomach, Kenji replied, "You can't prove that!"
After calming down, he saw Father Orsi and the kids approaching for their goodbyes. He and Yuno jumped down from the fence.
"Are you all ready?" Father Orsi began frantically. "Do you have everything with you? Extra clothes? Water? Food? What about your grimoire? Am I forgetting anything? Are you forgetting anything? Maybe this isn't a good idea. Maybe you should just stay. You must—"
"Breathe, Father," Kenji cut in with a smile. "You're gonna run out of air."
Father Orsi stopped and took a deep breath.
"But yes, I have everything I need," Kenji continued. "Also, from my hunting trips, you guys should have enough meat to last the next eight months—enough until my first paycheck from the knights. And Asta and Yuno are strong enough now, so you guys should be safe with them."
Sister Lily interjected, "Don't worry, Kenji. We'll be alright. Thank you for worrying and for everything. We can manage."
Kenji smiled. "Well, that's good. If you need anything else, write a letter to the capital and I'll check for it when I arrive in five months."
He turned to Nash and Recca. "You guys take care now. Make sure to reign Asta in while I'm gone, and don't let Yuno keep trying to act cool—we all know he's just pretending."
Yuno developed a tick mark while Nash and Recca responded, "Don't worry, we will!"
After giving them a hug, Kenji turned to the two youngest children, who were starting to tear up.
"And you guys be good too. Make sure to listen to Sister Lily in class, and don't worry—I'll come visit when I can." He gave them a hug and said softly, "I'll miss you guys."
The children hugged him tighter in response.
After a long embrace, he picked up his belongings and turned to Sister Lily and Father Orsi.
"Thanks for everything these past ten years. I'm gonna miss you guys."
Sister Lily pulled him into a hug. "I'll miss you too. Take care of yourself and send letters."
He nodded, then ended the hug and turned to Father Orsi, who held a straight face for a few seconds before suddenly bursting into tears.
"WAAAHHH! I just can't do it! My boy's all grown up and leaving already!"
Kenji gave him a hug. "Stop being dramatic. You'll be fine. I'll miss ya. Take care of yourself—I'll come back to visit whenever I can."
He stepped back and looked at them all. "I'll see you all later."
Turning his back, he started walking away. With a snap, a branch on the ground transformed into a flying carpet. He hopped on and began to fly off, hearing shouts behind him.
"BYEEE!"
"WE WILL MISS YOU!"
"GOOD LUCK!"
"NEXT TIME I SEE YOU, I WILL BE STRONGER!"
After a couple minutes of flying, he passed over the village and saw the whole town outside waving at him.
"Good luck, Kenji!"
"Thanks for all your help!" "We will miss you!"
"Go show the capital what Hage Village is made of!"
"We believe in you, Kenji!"
In response, Kenji smiled thinking Father Orsi must of told them im leaving today. With a, Snap, he transformed into his all-white appearance and waved goodbye to everyone before slowly disappearing from sight.
Now away from the village, Kenji smiled and said out loud, "Well, this is where my journey begins. Let's see what's waiting out there."
And with that, he sped up toward the horizon.
___
Author note: And with the Hage village arc has ended. Hope you enjoyed the fic so far!