First Encounter
I waited at the training grounds for a while, but no one showed up.
I was just about to head back and check with the liaison officer when...
A... pillow? No, a bird? Either way, a strange creature I've never seen came rolling my way.
Coo!
Mm? It's already time...?
*Yawn* That can't be right...
There should still be about an hour left.
Let me just sleep a little more...
Coo! Coo!
...You're sure? You even checked the time?
Mm... Okay... If you say so, Toto...
Just five more minutes...
Coo! Coo coo!!
Ow! Ow! Don't pull my hair!!
A girl... and a moving pillow...?
Coo!
Hmm, maybe not a pillow... A monster, then?
Cooo! Coo!!
What is it? It doesn't really seem like a bird...
Coo! Cooo!!
*Yawn...* He's a bird.
Though not exactly an ordinary one...
The girl let out a big yawn and wandered toward me, led by the strange creature—no, a bird.
Oh, you must be the Captain I was supposed to meet today.
See, Toto? I told you we wouldn't be late.
*Yawn* Well, we said hello, so how about we go rest for now?
We can do introductions tomorrow... or maybe next week?
Cooo!
Y-you're going to tell on senior brother and sister?
Th-that would be a problem... Daddy will find out too...
No choice then... Manners are important in the Wind Moon Sect.
I'll start with my introduction, Captain.
I'm Serpang, from the Wind Moon Sect on the Eastern Continent, across the sea.
And this is my pet—
Coo!
...partner, Toto.
Nice to meet you, Captain.
But all this talking's made me hungry...
Got any snacks or juice?
I like freshly squeezed orange juice, for the record.
...You do know why you're here, right?
Oh... yeah, yeah.
I'm here to pass some trial called the Journey, right?
But... it's not like I came here because I wanted to.
Then?
It was a nice day, a cool breeze blowing that afternoon.
I had just finished lunch and was napping happily on the wooden porch.
But while I was out, this little one went and signed the Journey invitation.
So I was dragged here against my will.
...
Coo coo.
It's fine.
It's been a hassle, but the snacks here beat anything back home.
And no senior disciples waking me up at dawn for training either.
By the way, Captain.
The invitation said that if I finish the Journey, NOA gives regular support money.
That's not a lie, is it?
Uh... I'll check with the liaison officer.
Okay, thanks.
I'm planning to strike it rich and live off that forever.
Don't worry. Toto here will work hard on the training for me... Oww!
Cooo!!
Okay, okay... I'll do it too...
So since introductions are over... I'm gonna nap now. *Yawn*
Training... starts tomorrow...
...Zzz.
Coo!
...
Serpang fell asleep standing, and Toto flapped his wings beside her.
I found myself glancing up at the sky.
I wonder what it even takes to be chosen for the Journey. Can we really do this...?
All my doubts aside, the sky above couldn't have been clearer.