Eagles longed for the sky, lone wolves for the wilderness. Once upon a time, we too, in our youth, longed for the world beyond.
"Father, I want to go outside and see the world!"
The girl who had once only dared to hide behind him now had the courage to venture out on an adventure.
Farewells were the first lesson of growing up, and now Seele was taking that lesson everyone had once gone through.
"You're fifteen already, Seele."
Father Pucci sighed, placing a hand on Seele's head and gently stroking it.
Seele blushed, but unlike when others touched her head, she did not swat Father Pucci's hand away.
"Have you decided where you want to go?"
"Of course. I want to visit Shenzhou. Whenever Sister Hua had time off, she would tell me about Shenzhou's beautiful landscapes and famous figures."
"I want to see it for myself!"
"Do you need me to send someone with you?"
Seele shook her head and said firmly, "Everyone has their own things to do. I don't want to trouble anyone."
"Is that so?"
As he spoke, Father Pucci took out a cross and handed it to Seele.
"Take this, Seele. When you encounter hardship, pray to God."
Seele accepted the cross and stared at it for a long while.
"Father, will God really bless us?"
"Of course."
Father Pucci nodded, then added, "I'm not asking you to believe in God, Seele. Just think of this cross as me being by your side."
"When praying to God doesn't work, come to me for help."
"I'll always answer you."
After hearing that, Seele clasped the cross in both hands and smiled happily.
"Mm!"
"Seele, remember to let me know you're safe regularly while you're over there."
"Mm-hmm."
"When it gets cold, remember to put