**KNOCK, KNOCK**
Bell slowly opened the door. His mother was sitting on the bed, feeding his grandfather.
His grandfather has been bed ridden for almost five years, a tree fell on his legs just few days after he received the news of his son's death. Since they were poor, they couldn't afford a healer to heal his injuries till it became worst, even after they were able to raise the money, the healer said there was nothing he could do.
It's been really hard for them since then, his mother now has to work twice as hard to provide for the family.
"Please, help me feed your grandpa while I bath your sister" his mother said and walked to the door, she turned around and added. "We'll talk after they are all asleep"
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Bell and his mother both sat on the wooden stools, facing each other, his mother had bathed Ryu and cleaned her father's body before coming downstairs to talk to her son.
She cried as Bell explained his plan on going to the capital and becoming an adventurer. Bell knew she wanted to break down in tears when he first mentioned it but she tried to hold it back, at least, not in front of Ryu.
Seeing her like that made his chest heavy. He could tell that the previous owner of his body also wanted to do the same that was why he tried to make more money, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her.
"Please, please stay" his mother cries as she struggles with her tears. "Please... Stay with me"
Bell didn't know what to say, he turned his face away. He just couldn't bear to see her like that.
"I have to, we need the money"
He managed to say but his mother continued crying, this time, she wasn't holding back her tears.
"I don't want you to end up like him. I... I... I'll work twice as hard to make sure we have enough"
"You don't understand. I don't want you to work anymore, I don't want to see you stressing yourself. I know that was what father would have wanted, that why he did that"
His mother stopped for a while and wiped her tears, even though it was still streaming down her eyes.
"But what about your grandfather?, He is bedridden and needs to be taken good care of. Your sister Ryu is blind and also needs attention, if you leave, I won't be able to look after them on my own"
"Then... I'll take Ryu with me" his mother expression changed to a more desperate look. "I'll take care of Ryu so you can focus on grampa"
"But..."
"I'll make sure nothing happens to her, who knows?, I might be able to find a cure to her blindness"
"But what about the money, we don't even have enough to eat then think about what it will cost to get to the capital. It took your father our lives savings to pay for a carriage"
"Well..." Bell carried the pouch that the old man had given him from under the table and kept it on top. "I received my salary a bit early"
His mother fell down on the table and he quickly ran to help her. She was crying, hr knew she was trying to stop him by bringing up excuses but she didn't know that Bell has been preparing for this for a long time, thanks to the money he had saved and the pouch the elderly man has given him, he was sure it was enough.
"But, if you leave... I don't want you to end up like him"
"I won't" Bell replied and hugged his mother then used his shirt to wipe her tears.
"How much is there?"
"I haven't counted it yet" he walked back to his stool and sat down. "You could count it"
His mother looked rather desperate as she quickly counted the gold coins.
"T-Ten thousand hils!. How did you get this much!?"
"I've been saving and the old man gave me a lot" Bell responded. "You can take eight thousand, I'll take the rest"
Mom eyes widened from shock.
"B... But it cost about two thousand hils to get to the capital, and you will need to buy some food and stay at an inn, you won't have enough"
"Don't worry about me. I'll find a way, besides, I can train on the way. That way, I'll be stronger before I become an adventurer"
His mother sighed.
"If you say so" She stood up and hugged him. "You've grown up"
Bell felt a drop of tear on his back but he knew it was tears of joy. She broke from the hug and kissed him on the cheek before making her way to the stairs.
"I'll be going the day after tomorrow"
His mother turned back with a smile on her face.
"I'll wake up early to prepare a meal for you and your sister before you leave"
"..." Bell nodded.
He sat down, watching his mother walked slowly back to her room. After she was out of sight, he began to separate the coins, putting his share in the pouch and leaving hers on the table.
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_THE NEXT DAY_
The elderly man had gone out earlier than normal to cut down the giant tree and Bell had helped him in exchange for a ride to the next town. It wasn't much, but that way, he'll be able to save some money.
"Bell, please take care of yourself and your sister"
"I will, and I'll send you a letter as soon as I get to the capital" Bell assured his mother as he helped Ryu to the carriage. "And don't worry about Ryu, I'll make sure she stay safe"
"Are you sure you want me to keep half, it'll take days for you to get there"
"Don't worry about me, just take care of yourself" Bell replied and jumped on to the carriage.
His mother walked to Ryu and hugged her before patting her head, Ryu eyes brighten but he couldn't tell why.
"Always stay by your brother side and make sure you listen to him, okay?"
Ryu nodded.
"Ma'am, I assured you that there will be safe in my arms" The old man said, trying to calm Bell's mother. She wasn't feeling too sure if she was doing the right thing. "I'll make sure they get to the next town safely, you don't have to worry, and I'm sure Bell can take care of himself"
"Thank you for everything sir, May the goodness Hilda be with you on your journey"
The man nodded and whipped his horses. Bell's stood by the dusty road and watched them move slowly, Ryu finally turned back and waved at her.
"I'll see you soon!"
That was an unexpected thing for a blind girl to say, but that was Ryu trying to considerate. Bell gently patted her head and she blushed shyly before shaking her head furiously for him to stop.
"I see you took my advice kid" the old man said. "Good for you"
"Yeah" Bell whispered and nodded slowly before relaxing on the back. He stretched his hand towards the sky and pretended to catch a bird that was flying by. "I'm going to make sure I and my family live a better life"