Yaaaaawn. Orien stretched his four limbs in all different directions while groaning. It was a beautiful autumn morning, and he could smell the morning dew.

  Tomorrow was the evaluation for those who failed the first one. He was not sixteen years old yet, but he felt this past month had shaped him beyond his years. It shaped him a fair bit mentally, and a good bit physically.

  During this past month, around the two-week mark, his parents visited him with Haruki.

  Apparently, he hadn't gone back to school, so he had no idea where Orien was. His mother was acquainted with Orien's mother, thus he went about finding Orien's house only to find that he wasn't there either.

  Orien's mother apparently thought this was very humorous and cute, so she let him know that they were planning to visit that day once his father came home early.

  Haruiki tagged along and they got caught up in conversation.

  Orien was pulled into the conversation once their party reached the top of the peak. His training wasn't too different from what Orien was doing, but it was far less efficient without a teacher. Orien almost wanted to help correct his regimen before he left, but Wisp strongly dissuaded him.

  "You have no explanation for why his routine is far from ideal. You'll just seem like you're looking down on him if you try to do that. That's unless you plan on revealing me?" Wisp grumbled.

  "Of course not, Wisp, I just wanted to help him. We've gotten closer after experiencing failure together,” Orien explained.

  Wisp pondered for a moment before speaking, "Hmm… okay. He revealed where he's training during the conversation, so I'll go haunt him I suppose. If he's willing to listen, I'll offer a few pointers and then make my way back. I've got a soft spot for those who work hard. Plus, that kid's lineage…" Wisp trailed off, but Orien knew he wouldn't reveal anything else yet.

  ‘Old fart, always acting mysterious,’ Orien thought before saying aloud, "That's good enough, I should be okay for the few hours that you're gone. Don't take too long!"

  Wisp hummed to himself and floated off into the sky.

  Later that night he returned, stating he had successfully persuaded Haruki, and he had even peeked at some women on his way back through one of the villages. Wisp was much more descriptive than that, but Orien tried not to think about it.

  'I wish I didn’t remember that last part,’ Orien thought, bringing his mind back to the present.

  "Wisp, let's go! I can't wait to reconnect with humanity. Let me show them my martial arts!" Orien was quite excited, and he exhibited a few moves which made Wisp smile although one couldn't tell.

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  "Yes, yes, let us go. You will rest today while we just prep your mind for the evaluation tomorrow. Also, you should probably take a look in the mirror,” Wisp said.

  Orien blinked in surprise, "Why? Do I have a beard now?"

  "Don't be a fool. Just to see if there are any changes. Aside from your hair being a little longer, you've gotten maybe a centimeter or two taller. Also, your physique isn’t too bad for your age. You lack the mass, but you’re definitely stronger than your average fifteen year old,” Wisp responded.

  Orien blushed foolishly, and he quickly started gathering his things to head home.

  The trip back was slow paced, and he felt happy thinking about the past month. He hadn’t forgotten about Wisp’s pranks and Lars's attack, but that was minor in the grand scheme of things.

  He enjoyed the scenery, the warmth from the sun, and the scent of a dewy morning. Who knew when he would visit this place again?

  He continued to stroll home, a very energetic bounce in his footsteps. He eventually reached his destination, greeted his mother, and unpacked his things.

  "Finally home? You little stray," his mom gave him a hug and asked him about his training and progress.

  "You just wait, Mom, I'll show everyone up!" The absolute confidence radiating from Orien made any worries she held disappear into thin air.

  “You seem much more certain of yourself this time. I’m so happy for you, my son. Doing your best is all that matters,” she then tousled his hair, taking a good look at him. “Your hair sure has grown. Would you like me to trim it for you? Once your evaluation goes well, who knows when I'll see my baby boy again,” a smile hung on her face as she said this.

  She was a loving mother through and through, offering acts of service and showering her son with love whenever she spent time with him. She would be the perfect role model mother if she wasn’t an alcoholic or a gambler.

  Orien, temporarily putting aside his excitement for the upcoming evaluation and gave her a warm smile, “Of course, Mom, I would really appreciate that.”

  She retrieved a comb and a pair of scissors while Orien sat down on a stool, and she began to snip at some ends of his hair.

  ‘This cozy and comfortable feeling, I cherish it. In this life, all that I do is for my family. I hope to grow this family as well, I'm positive that my parents would love to turn into grandparents. First, I must remove us from poverty. Tomorrow will be a steppingstone for that goal,’ Orien thought about his future while appreciating this moment.

  Although his father wasn't here to revel in the moment with him, he didn't mind.

  He knew his father was a busy man and appreciated what he did for the household. He would be sure to make his father proud as well.

  In the back of his mind, he knew his brother would be proud of him as well.

  “All done, what do you think? It looks very neat now, I'm sure you’ll go find a girlfriend in no time!” His mother teased him, pulling his cheeks after setting down her comb and scissors.

  “Thank you, Mom. I look more like a boy and less like a shaggy dog now,” He laughed and hugged her once more before going to his room.

  He looked endearingly at his bed and dived into it.

  Plop. He hadn't slept in a bed for a month. The coziness was unprecedented, and he eventually dozed off.

  “Haha, look at this brat. I wish I could remember what a lovely bed felt like,” Wisp let out a little chuckle, "This little brat is gonna put on a performance tomorrow. Hehehe, just like this old man in his heyday. I can't wait to see it, but I've just got to remind him not to overdo it, lest he attract the wrong kind of attention."

  Wisp slowly floated down into Orien, beginning a session of meditation until things got lively again.

  Even someone as aged and wise as Wisp hadn’t realized how much Orien had grown on him this past month.