《Journey into My New Life》


 Prologue: Death

    I died.


    The meaning of those two short words cannot be fully comprehended until they are


    experienced.  My death came about as a series of unfortunate circumstances, which stacked up to bring about this less than desirable outcome.  I am, however, proud of the original action in my final minutes even though it set of the chain of events that caused my death.


    It all started with a decision to go for a late night jog.  The crisp cool night air made for excellent jogging weather. As I was passing my first mile marker, a gas station, I notice that an altercation was taking place in the parking lot.  Two men are grabbing and pushing a young woman around.  My first thought was to call the police and let them handle it.  I am not especially chivalrous or anything.  I pull my phone out of my pocket to dial the police but the girl shouts loud enough for me to hear over my headphones.  The combination of the girl¡¯s shout and the adrenaline pumping music changed my mind.  I took out my headphones and walked over towards the group, full of intent to protect the girl. Unfortunately the first mistake I made that night was that very action.  If I had called the cops or had been listening to more relaxing music maybe it would have ended with less disastrous results. Regardless, I made the choice and I¡¯m still glad I am the kind of man who would protect rather than the kind that ignores a bleeding person on the street.


    As I approach the group I start to be able to make out what they are shouting about.


    ¡°¡­ Hey, get your hands of me you jerks.¡±


    The girl smacks the guy¡¯s hands of her and shoves him away.


    ¡°Woman, how dare you!¡±


    One of the guy¡¯s grabs her by the hair and throws her to the ground. Crap, this is getting bad rather quickly.


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing to a girl!?¡± I shouted as I ran over.


    I push the guys away from the girl and help her to her feet.


    ¡°Are you alright miss?¡± I asked


    She wipes the dirt off her skirt and looks at me fearfully.


    ¡°¡­ yea¡­ thanks.¡± She said shakily


    ¡°Hey you, this is none of your business!¡±


    Wow, what a bad guy phrase.  I turn back towards them and look them over. One man is a rather large but it appears more like fat than muscle.  The other is more solidly built and is closer to the ground.  Neither of them seem to be injured and they don¡¯t appear to be particularly dangerous.  I did, however, smell alcohol on their breath. Honestly, I could probably have taken them after all I am rather accomplished Martial Arts practitioner. I was however, taught to be a fair man by my father so I thought I would at least hear them out before fighting with them.


    ¡°Hey, you should get out of here okay go on.¡±  I said over my shoulder.


    ¡°..Okay... are you going to be alright?¡± she asked with a sliver of fear in her voice.


    ¡°Yea just go.¡±


    I nudged her towards the gas station away from the two guys. One of the guys moves to intercept us to stop her from leaving.


    ¡°Hey where are you going, bitch did we say you could leave?¡±


    ¡°Listen man, I don¡¯t want any trouble okay just leave the girl alone and get out of here.¡± I said in my calmest voice.


    ¡°Naw man, screw you that bitch isn¡¯t any of your business so you should get on up out of here if you know what¡¯s good for ya?¡±


    The bigger guy continues toward the girl and I position myself between them.


    ¡°Hey man, you should probably let her go okay. You¡¯re a little drunk okay so just go walk it off alright?¡±  I said trying to reason with them


    The guy shows no sign of stopping and continues towards me. The smaller guy also starts his approach.


    ¡°Negotiations have broken down huh...¡± I sighed.


    ¡°Man, just get out of the way before you get hurt.¡± The smaller man shouted.


    ¡°No man, it¡¯s too late for that lets take this guy down then we¡¯ll deal with her.¡±


    The large guy charges towards me or actually more like lumbers towards me.  Since the girl is still behind me I can¡¯t really throw him or redirect his charge so my options are rather limited.  I quickly move into his charge and step down on his knee.  His knee makes a popping sound and he crashes to the ground.


    ¡°Oww¡­ My leg.¡± He said writhing in agony on the ground


    The man is rolling on the ground holding his knee and I see the blood dripping down from his hand.  The smaller man is looking at his partner with utter shock on his face.


    ¡°What are you waiting for Howard take him down!!?¡± The fat guy shouted angrily


    ¡°Alright, Lenny I¡¯ll get him for you.¡± shouted Howard and with what can only be described by as a war cry he charges towards me.


    This was the second mistake of the night. I stepped into Howard¡¯s charge and clotheslined him. Unfortunately, I missed his neck and instead hit his face. I see his eyes roll up and he drops to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut.


    ¡°HOWARD!!!¡± the girl screamed


    The girl runs out from behind me and pushes me out of the way and grabs Howard''s head. It appears that they all know one another. I sort of thought I was cool protecting a Damsel in distress but the look that this girl is giving me is a look of hatred more than affectionate. It seems like I got involved in a domestic dispute instead of an attack. Lenny starts crawling towards the girl and Howard.


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    ¡°You stupid girl, I told Howard to leave you but he just had to come discipline you this is all your fault.¡±


    ¡°Hey man, just stop okay.  I put a lot of force into the kick and your leg is probably broken.  Let me call an ambulance okay?¡±


    ¡°No man, screw you.  You stay out of this its family business...¡± Lenny said as he continued pulling his body towards the girl and Howard.


    ¡°Lenny, Howard¡¯s not breathing what should I do!¡± she cried out


    ¡°Shut up, Jen, men are talking. Now you back off.¡±


    ¡°Wait, he¡¯s not breathing? Move over let me see him.¡± I said panic seeping into my voice


    This is my third mistake, I approach Howard and turn my back on both Jen and Lenny. I grab Howard¡¯s wrist and check for a pulse only to find none. Just to make sure I also feel his neck for one but still to no avail.


    ¡°Crap, hey you, Jen right?  Call an ambulance and tell them that they have one guy with a broken leg and another with no pulse. I¡¯m going to do CPR okay, so I need you to move.¡±


    I started compressions on Howard with sudden joy that CPR no longer requires mouth to mouth.  A small trickle of blood is rolling down from his nose and his mouth has a large amount of blood coming from either side.


    ¡°You stupid girl, this is all your fault if Howard dies you won¡¯t be far behind.¡± Lenny shouted


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do it¡­ he did¡­ Lenny¡­ It¡¯s not my fault.¡± Jen said weakly


    ¡°Guys shut up and call the ambulance already.¡± I yelled at them both


    ¡°You hear that stupid do as you¡¯re told!!¡±


    ¡°Lenny¡­ Howard¡¯s dead¡­.¡± Jen cried out


    ¡°And whose fault is that! Oh yea yours!¡± Lenny retorted


    ¡°¡­ No¡­ Lenny¡­ It¡¯s his¡­ not mine¡­That¡¯s right it¡¯s all his fault!!¡± Jen shouted angrily


    I feel a sudden sharp pain on my back just below my shoulder blade. And another and another and another. I stop CPR and turn around I see Jen standing there with a bloody knife in her hand. I am rapidly losing strength in my arms and I can feel my blood pouring from the multiple stabs wounds. Jen stretches back for another stab when my hero leapt forth.


    Lenny knocked the crazy woman to the ground, how he stood up I¡¯ll never know but he did it. With my remaining strength I search my pockets for my phone and dial 911. I try to bring the phone to my ear but my hands are so weak that my phone falls from my grasp and lands on the ground.


    ¡°You¡­ Grarggglee¡­ Ugh¡­¡± Lenny spat out


    I look over towards Lenny and see Jen covered in blood. No way, is that all mine it can¡¯t be.  I look at Lenny more closely and I notice that the knife is stuck in his throat.


    ¡°No¡­ not Lenny¡­ Not him too¡­¡± Jen cried


    She pushes Lenny¡¯s body off her legs and starts crawling towards me with death and rage in her eyes.  Her eyes were not that of a sane person and she had a strange smile on her face.


    ¡°You did this¡­ Ha-ha-ha it¡¯s all your fault¡­ All of it is your fault¡­ Howard¡­ Lenny¡­ DIE!¡±


    She pounced towards me with her knife posed to strike.  With the little strength I have I try to move out of the way and barely manage to succeed.  The knife pierces Howard¡¯s chest right where his heart is if he wasn¡¯t dead already he would be now.  I swing weakly at Jen and manage to wrestle the knife from her grasp but not before she manages to slip the knife through my ribs and piece one of my lungs. I am gasping for breath but I start to cough up more blood instead.  It suddenly hits me, I am going to die.  I decided that if I am going to die I¡¯m at least going to get revenge on the person who caused my life to end.  I take the knife and run it across Jen¡¯s windpipe with as much force as I can muster in from my failing body.  The blade easily sliced through her neck, severing the jugular along with it.


    ¡°GOT YOU¡­. Gaugh¡­¡± I barely cough out.


    Hot, sticky blood sprays all over my face as Jen grasps her throat trying in vain to stop the blood from pouring out.  As my remaining strength fades I collapsed onto Howard¡¯s body and my head lands on his chest.  I starred at his face and notice that his nose is busted and seems to be jammed into his head.  That probably killed him instantly, I was just wasting my time trying to save him.


    I mustered up my remaining meniscal strength to turn to look back at Jen. She is still holding her throat but she has fallen on her side and it appears as if no more blood is spurting from her wound.   Her eyes stare at me devoid of any signs of life, the blazing hatred that was in them just a few minutes before is totally extinguished and the dead eyes just stare vacantly.


    ¡°What a stupid¡­ way¡­to die¡­so point¡­less. She wasn''t... even.. cute...¡± I said to no one in particular.


    I started to feel oddly warm.  I had always thought that death was supposed to be rather chilly. This is where I am going to die.  Out here alone in front of a gas station.  Well, I didn¡¯t really do much with my life then huh.  I was just starting out, almost finished college but I guess this is how my story ends.  I can feel my conscious begin to fade as the corners of my vision begin to darken and then nothing.

 Chapter 1: Ascending then Descending

    When my consciousness returns I find myself directly above the massacre below.  Well, actually not myself I can still see my body laying down below.  I guess this would be called a spectral form.  As I survey the death below I notice that an ambulance has finally arrived along with several police cars.  The EMTs check everyone for a pulse but they seem to look sadly at each other and shake their heads.  I guess that means it¡¯s true I really did die, well crap. They could at least try to resituate me but I guess it wouldn¡¯t do any good.


    ¡°Well, crap. That sure does suck eh Lenny?¡± A voice says to my left


    ¡°Yea you said it Howard, I told you that woman was crazy.¡± A voice says to my right


    ¡°You guys can say that again, sorry about killing you Howard is it?¡±


    ¡°Eh let bygones be bygones. Anyway I have been watching for a while sorry about my girl stabbing you kid, you too Lenny.¡±


    ¡°I knew she was crazy Howard, Oh yea, hey kid nice take down. She never knew what hit her ha-ha.¡± Lenny said coarsely


    ¡°Well thanks, speaking of which is she here too?¡±


    ¡°Heck no, something dragged her down real quick as soon as she died. After all she did commit murder twice.¡±


    ¡°So, I guess that means I¡¯m screwed then huh?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha no, I think yours was more of self-defense and an accident than actual murder so you¡¯ll probably be good.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so guys what happens now? Are we ghost now or something?¡±


    ¡°That is a good question! I have no clue! What about you Lenny any ideas?¡±


    ¡°I guess we just wait and maybe we¡¯ll start heading up?¡±


    ¡°Okay, I guess but I think we already are we¡¯re moving, just really slowly.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you''re right we just past the gas station sign so we are moving up good catch kid.¡±


    The massacre below us is getting harder and harder to see. Soon the flashing police lights are far below us and we can no longer hear any sirens. A warm breeze blows past us and the sun begins to peek out from behind the mountains.


    ¡°Well, at least the view is something to behold eh boys.¡±


    ¡°I see your point, it is quite beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Yes it is kid yes it is.¡±


    We all take in the view as the sun starts its climb up past the mountains as it bathes the world in a deep red light.  A few birds swoop by singing their songs while hunting for breakfast over all a very bright and happy mood sets in upon our trio of specters. It¡¯s a surprisingly peaceful and for some reason a strange calm has settled upon us. It must be one of god¡¯s last gifts to the departed. We should all be panicking but we seem to have accepted our predicament rather well.


    ¡°Oh yea, I almost forgot what was going on with you three before I stepped in?¡± I asked rather filled with curiosity.


    ¡°Oh well, I guess it is sort of your business now that it got you killed and all.  Honestly, we had too much to drink and Jen was coming to get us but she saw Howard over there with some bar floozy and she snapped and tried to stab him.  I grabbed her and dragged her outside and threw her down because she almost cut me with it.¡±


    ¡°Then you arrived and well that was that. But thinking back on it that make you a pretty cool kid right Lenny?¡±


    ¡°Yea it actually was a very admirable action. Sorry you had to die for something so stupid, kid.¡±


    ¡°Well, Lenny looked pretty cool when you stood up on that leg and saved me so we are even.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I was mad but damn you sure did a number to my leg.  I have never been dropped so fast and I have been in fights all my life.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I studied a few martial arts and got pretty good at it over the years.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more than good¡­ you dropped Lenny and me like a sack of potatoes kid.¡±


    ¡°Thanks and I am sorry for that. Do you guys believe in heaven? Which religion do you think has it right?¡±


    ¡°Hmm well we can all agree that heaven exists but I don¡¯t really know what it¡¯s going to be like. As for religion I hope Christianity is right because I prayed to God and Jesus a lot.¡±


    ¡°Right there with you Howard but I personally wouldn¡¯t mind the 70 virgins isn¡¯t that right kid?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha that sounds nice but haven¡¯t you heard that joke before?¡± I said with a big smile on my face.


    ¡°What joke is that?¡± Lenny said taking the bait


    ¡°They never said it was 70 women virgins.¡±  I said with a straight face


    ¡°Oh¡­ ha-ha he¡¯s right Lenny ha-ha¡± Howard roared with laughter.


    While we were talking and joking around we had already passed well above the mountains we started to pass through a few clouds. To my surprise the clouds felt more corporal than mist even though they are the same thing.


    ¡°Hey do these clouds feel different to you guys?¡± I ask while touching a passing cloud


    ¡°What do you mean different I¡¯ve never touched a cloud before have you Howard?¡± Lenny asked


    ¡°Lenny, A cloud is the same thing as mist didn¡¯t you know that?¡± Howard sighed


    ¡°Well, I guess then it feels sort of thicker? Right Howard?¡± Lenny asked looking for agreement


    ¡°Yea, more like a pool of water than just mist.¡±


    As we pass through the cloud cover a bright white light suddenly flashes, blinding me. I feel my feet on something solid and slowly my vision returns. I am standing on a golden cloud, an actual cloud. In front of me is a great gate with a short line leading up to it with a few other spectral forms. The gate and all of my surrounding appear to be crafted from golden clouds. I notice that the line is moving forward so I take a step and move up closer to the gates.


    ¡°Howard, Lenny you guy¡¯s there?¡±


    ¡°Yea, we are right behind you.¡±


    ¡°You guys seeing the golden clouds and stuff right? I¡¯m not losing it right?¡±


    ¡°No kid, you¡¯re good, I see them as well.¡±


    As we continue on our way towards the Gate I notice a rather large desk and a rather large person sitting behind it. As we approach even closer I hear a banging sound coming from the direction of the desk.


    ¡°Hey did you guys hear that?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yea it sounds like a courtroom Judge banging his wooden thing on the desk.¡±


    ¡°I hear you Lenny but I think it¡¯s called a gavel right kid?¡±


    ¡°Yea I think so this might be a place of judgment or something. What do you guys think?¡±


    ¡°It could be kid¡­ Hopefully we will all be okay¡­¡± Howard said nervously


    ¡°Well you¡¯re up soon kid so you¡¯ll find out shortly right Howard?¡± Lenny said surprisingly cheerful


    I look up again towards the desk and I see the gavel hit the desk and watch as a spectral figure is dropped through a hole in the clouds.


    ¡°Crap¡­ Lenny we can still screw this up¡­¡± Howard moaned


    ¡°Calm down Howard¡­ Kid you¡¯re up good luck.¡±  Lenny smiled


    Lenny pushes me forward toward the desk.  I stumble and almost fall however I regained my footing and raise my head.  Before me is a tall, tired looking man with long platinum blonde hair and a small wispy beard.  He is wearing a huge bathrobe and it has the initials J.O.H. With a loud cough he clears his throat and looks at me with bright blue eyes.


    ¡°Well hello, young man are you sure you¡¯re in the right line? How old are you?¡± The judge boomed


    ¡°I don¡¯t actually know sir¡­ I¡¯m 21 sir¡­¡± I respond clearly shaken


    ¡°Ha-ha well boy did you die? If so you¡¯re in the right line but why you¡¯re not on the list I don¡¯t know.¡±


    The judge grabs a pair of glasses from within his robe and puts them on. He then picks up a piece of paper and looks closely at it. A small frown comes across his face.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name boy?¡±


    ¡°Um it¡¯s¡­ huh Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Have you forgotten it boy?¡± The judge looks at me curiously


    ¡°No um¡­ it is¡­ my name is¡­¡±


    I start to think and try to remember my name. I try to remember what my friends and family called me but to no avail.  I look up at the giant who is still looking at me with sad eyes.


    ¡°Sorry sir¡­ I can¡¯t seem to remember.¡±


    ¡°Huh, It¡¯s alright boy just tell me how you died.¡±


    I told the judge how I was running and saw the girl in distress but it turned out to go horribly wrong and I killed one man by accident and the girl for revenge. I told him I was sorry for killing Howard but I wasn¡¯t sorry for killing the girl because it was also self-defense as much as it was an act committed by anger. The judge scribbles down what happened and once again looks at me with sad eyes.


    ¡°Boy, you tried to do a good deed but it seems that a lot of bad things happened rather quickly because of it.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, I guess you could say that it all happened because I tried to act all cool.¡± I sputtered out


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­Well, because of you those two behind you will be allowed to pass into heaven. Normally we would have sent them down but because you interfered with their fates, Lenny sacrificed himself to stop that woman and Howard died instead of killing that girl for revenge.¡±


    I am relieved that Howard and Lenny are going to be alright but I am still worried about myself. I changed their fates, which sounds pretty cool though.  They seemed like good people and I was glad that I made it so they would get into heaven.


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    ¡°Well then¡­ What should we do with you¡­ Regardless of reason, you did kill two people and those are heavy sins.  However it seems that a lot was due to a misunderstanding due to someone else¡¯s negligence so I¡¯ll let you off lightly.¡± The judge gives a deep sigh and looks rather apologetic


    ¡°Lightly? How light?¡± I ask carefully


    I really hope it¡¯s like a slap on the wrist instead of a drop through the clouds. Before the judge responds to my question a voice rings out.


    ¡°HEY! DAD! He¡¯s mine remember!! No dropping him or any punishment!!¡± the voice shouted


    I look around for my savior in the crowd but to no avail.


    ¡°Hey, move out of the way!!!¡± the voice shouted from above me.


    I look up to watch as a small black dot rapidly transforms into a blonde girl with black wings flying towards me. Actually the truer statement would be falling towards me. Before I can move out of the way she slams into me. I would love to say I caught her in my arms but to be more accurate I was slammed into the ground and the force of it makes a depression in the golden clouds.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ I told you to move!¡± She puffs out her cheeks and rubs her forehead where she collided with me.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not possible to move that fast! No one could off dodged that!¡± I said angrily


    As I feel the place where that crazy angel landed on me I feel a large bump.  I guess that means that even a spectral body can be injured.  I look back at the girl, who is still looking at me with puffed out cheeks, and notice that she¡¯s rather cute.  Her hair is about shoulder height and is such a platinum blonde that it¡¯s almost white.  Her skin is rather tanned and she has an athletic build.  If I saw her on the street I would think she was a rather attractive but normal girl.  However, that is where the similarities with normal human girls ends.  The wings on her back clearly make her different but the most striking difference is her eyes.  Bright Silver eyes that seem to pierce through you.  A normal black pupil resides in the center with one rather atypical feature, a small white cross is in each eye.  The cross only extends to the edge of the pupil but is very noticeable due to the contrasting black pupil behind it.


    ¡°Hmm, hey what are you staring at? Here, stand up.¡±


    She stretches out her hand and pulls me to my feet.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I said clearly with a trace of anger remaining in my voice


    ¡°Um, Sweetie, papas at work right now can this wait?¡± the judge said all of the previous power drained from his voice.


    The girl turns towards the judge and gives him a scathing look.


    ¡°Dad, you were about to punish him when all he did was protect himself right? Anyway, he is my responsibility as his guardian angel right?¡± The girl asked


    ¡°Well, that may be true but sweetie¡­¡± the judge said almost at a whisper


    ¡°Anyway, hurry up and tell him what he¡¯s going to do while he is here?¡± She sends her father another scathing look


    ¡°Fine, son you are sentenced to the Rebirth Program.¡± The judge sighed.


    The gavel cracks loudly on the table and with that my sentencing is complete. The judge waves me off and the girl grabs my arm and smiles.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± She said brightly


    ¡°Go where? Who are you? And what is the ¡®Rebirth Program¡¯?¡± I asked


    ¡°I almost forgot to introduce myself!  I¡¯m Ella and I¡¯m your guardian angel! Um¡­ you¡¯re coming to my house and then you are joining the Rebirth Program so let¡¯s go!¡± Ella stated quickly


    She grabs my arm and pulls me towards the huge gate in the distance.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Like I said what is ¡®Rebirth Program¡¯?¡± I ask struggling to break free of Ella¡¯s death grip.


    ¡°Son, just give it up she¡¯ll explain later if not my wife or I will. Good luck.¡± The judge grumbled and looks at me with pity


    ¡°What about Lenny and Howard?¡± I asked


    ¡°Ehh, don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll probably see them again anyway their punishment isn¡¯t going to be bad because of you.¡± The judge waved off my concern


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s good...¡± I trailed off


    I look back towards Lenny and Howard who smile and wave at me.  Even though those two guys indirectly caused my death they weren¡¯t bad people.


    ¡°LET¡¯S GO ALREADY!!¡±


    Ella kicks off the ground and soars into the air dragging me along by my arm.  The speed of which we are flying makes me feel as if my arm is being torn from its socket.  I suddenly remember that the last time Ella was in the sky she fell from it and crashed into me.


    ¡°Ella, you know how to land right?¡± I asked over the roar of the wind


    ¡°Hmm¡­ sure was the best at landing in Guardian Angel School¡­ Hold on!¡±


    Ella rolls and goes into a dive towards the gate dragging me right behind her.  It appears as if this crazy angel is going to slam into the gates with me right behind her.


    ¡°Oi, Ella the gate¡­ You see the gate right?¡±


    ¡°Haha of course I see it¡­ Silly¡­ So what gate?¡± Ella asked with a confused look on her face


    ¡°The big gate! The big golden structure over there!!¡±


    I try to point at the gate but the wind pressure forces my hand back to my side.  Ella turns back towards me and give me a questioning look.  I look at the gate that¡¯s rapidly getting closer and closer.


    ¡°Right in front of you! It¡¯s too late!¡±


    I use all of my strength to try and clamber and block some of the damage from the upcoming collision. However, instead of hitting the gate we just pass through it.


    ¡°Where exactly do you think you''re grabbing?¡± Ella said venomously


    I feel a soft yet firm sensation in my hand.  I squeeze my hand gently and Ella blushes deeply and turns her face away from me.  I look down at my hand and I notice that I am grabbing Ella¡¯s breast.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Very nice¡­ Thank you.¡± I said awkwardly


    I squeeze her breast again and look up at Ella.  Ella is glaring at me while blushing deeply.


    ¡°Hey¡­ Can you let go now¡­¡± she said shyly


    ¡°Oh sure.¡±


    I release her breast and look back towards the ground.  I see a gold and silver city stretched out below us.  Angels, both men and women can be clearly seen moving to and from inside a market district. Small stalls and storefronts with people, with and without wings, selling everything from delicious smelling bread to extravagant clothes. I hear shop workers shouting out to the passerby¡¯s.  We quickly fly over this are and head towards several rows of houses made of golden clouds with silver doors and windows.  Small children are playing out in the yard and adults are drying laundry on racks in the sun.  A few people wave at us as we fly past them and a few shout out a few things.


    ¡°Look at that Ella¡¯s finally got a man.¡± A woman said loudly


    ¡°Ha-ha but how long till she scares him off.¡± Another woman said


    Ella turns bright red and turns away from me. We rapidly pass through much of the district and Ella banks towards one house towards the end of the lane.


    ¡°We are almost there! Um¡­ so just hold on okay this might get a little rough.¡±


    ¡°Why? Why would it get rough?¡± I asked nervously


    ¡°Well, you remember when I said I was the best at landing in school?¡± Ella asked


    A bad feeling rises in my chest. A deep dark feeling that can only be known as the feeling that you¡¯re in trouble.


    ¡°Yes, I remember¡­ and?¡±


    ¡°Well I may have left off a word or so¡­ so don¡¯t be mad okay.¡± Ella said quietly


    ¡°May I inquire to that word?¡± I asked nervously


    Ella looks away towards the horizon and sighs.  She then slowly turns back towards me with a dejected look on her face.


    ¡°C¡­¡± Ella mumbled and the wind steals the rest of the word


    ¡°Sorry, could you say that again I couldn¡¯t hear you.¡±


    ¡°Cr¡­h¡± Ella mumbled


    ¡°One more time¡­¡±


    ¡°Ugh fine¡­ ¡®Crash¡¯ I¡¯m the best at crash landing because I never got the hang of landing okay!!¡± Ella shouted with tears appearing in her eyes


    Then and there it hit me, I was going to die again.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t we just walk!!¡± I ask angrily


    ¡°Well, I thought you would like flying and I wanted to look cool. It was cool right?¡±


    While Ella is looking back at me with pleading eyes I realize that there is really nothing I can do except forgive her. I really can¡¯t resist those eyes when they have tears in them. But before I can speak we slam into the ground and I lose consciousness


    #####################################################################


    Author''s Note: Thank you two anonymous people who have already started reading this! Please don''t hesitate to comment or PM if you find any mistakes or if something isn''t quite clear. I hope to have several chapters up by the end of today but I don''t know if I need them to be approved first. Thanks for reading!

 Chapter 2: Heaven?

    As I open my eyes the very first thing I see is a pair of eyes looking right into mine.  These eyes are the same as Ella¡¯s with one major exception these eyes have a cross but with an extra horizontal line below the first one making it appear as if a cross is standing on top of a T.  Around the eyes is what can only be described as a beautifully stunning face.  Long black eyelashes surround the eyes slowly closing and opening.  Luscious lips part and breathe warm air on my face.  All in all a very beautiful face is very close to mine.


    ¡°Good morning dear, how are you feeling?¡± the woman said in a wonderful voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ okay? Last thing I remember is that stupid angel saying she couldn¡¯t land¡­Not that I¡¯m complaining but where am I?¡±


    I look around to try to determine my location. I¡¯m lying on a soft bed with a beautiful woman laying down next to me.  The room has two silver windows and a shut silver door. The walls and floors are all made of those ridiculously solid golden clouds.  I guess they don¡¯t have any other material to use other than clouds.


    ¡°Hmm let¡¯s see¡­ That stupid angel is my daughter ha-ha.  Sorry about my daughter she¡¯s been spoiled by her father since she was little. Oh yea she¡¯s your guardian angel right?¡±


    As I sit there with my mouth hanging open I notice the door open slightly and two silver eyes peer through it. The upper part of Ella¡¯s head pops out from behind the door and she looks at me.


    ¡°Mom¡­ is he okay?¡± Ella asked worriedly


    ¡°Ha-ha let me check.¡±


    Ella¡¯s mom moves her face in real close and pulls me into a tight hug.


    ¡°Mother!! Let him go!¡± Ella said


    She runs over to the bed and tries to pry her mother off me. Her mom just nuzzles deeper and pulls me tighter into her embrace.


    ¡°Oh no¡­ yahha...¡± a very embarrassing moan escaped from my lips


    The reason behind my embarrassing sound was the lick that I received upon my ear from Ella¡¯s mother. She flashes me a quick smile and releases me.


    ¡°Mother!!¡± Ella said while pouting.


    ¡°Ha-ha just teasing him a little¡­ So you''re alright then?¡± she asked


    ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯m pretty good for someone who is already dead.¡± I answered while blushing


    I look my body over quickly rubbing and patting for any injuries, luckily I find none. Even the large bump on my head has disappeared.


    ¡°Oh, that reminds me I forgot to introduce myself! I¡¯m Maron and this is my daughter Ella but you probably have already figured that out. Welcome to our home!¡±


    I sit up and smile at these two beautiful angels before me.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s good to be formally introduced. I am¡­ well I don¡¯t know but I still have my memories.¡±


    ¡°Oh that. well don¡¯t stress about it too much okay it''s part of the program right mom?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ yes it is. So don¡¯t worry anyway that¡¯s for after breakfast.¡± Maron said


    I get out of bed and stand up.  I stretch my arms above my body and yawn.


    ¡°Ah¡­ that¡¯s good I was dying to ask about it. It¡¯s strange having all these memories but not having any memories of my name.¡± I said


    ¡°Yep! Well that¡¯s that so let¡¯s go down to breakfast. Ella, I have to pull the bread out of the oven could you show him to the dining room?¡± Maron asked


    ¡°Sure thing mom. Let¡¯s head downstairs to breakfast my dad¡¯s waiting for us.¡±


    Ella drags me out of the room into a hallway with several doors.  She pulls me past 3 doors and down a staircase.  I am then pushed into a chair with a steaming plate of food on the table in front of me.


    ¡°If it isn¡¯t the boy from yesterday. It¡¯s good to see you. I see you have met my family properly.¡± A booming voice sounded


    The judge from yesterday enters and sits across from me.  Upon closer inspection he appears to be a middle age man with blonde hair that is turning almost grey along the sides of his head.  He flashes me a bright smile and looks towards another door.


    ¡°Maron, the boy¡¯s downstairs you can come bring in the bread now!¡±


    ¡°One sec dear¡­ It¡¯s almost ready¡­Oh, introduce yourself dear it would be rude not to.¡± Maron shouted from behind the door.


    ¡°Oh yes quite right ha-ha almost slipped my mind.  I am known as J.O.H. which means Judge of Heaven.  My other titles are Gatekeeper and Guardian of the Gate however my friends and family call me Gabriel.¡± Gabriel said


    ¡°¡­ Oh, dear you forgot something rather important.¡± Maron shouted


    ¡°Oh, of course¡­ ¡®I love my wife Maron who is wonderful and amazing.¡¯¡± He said in monotone


    A kitchen knife flies through the door and slammed into the wall.


    ¡°Honey, I was just teasing¡­ you could off taken off my nose Maron.¡± Gabriel mumbled


    ¡°What was that Gabe?¡± Maron asked peering through the door.


    ¡°Nothing dear¡­ Oh yes boy I almost forgot until my wife reminded me. I¡¯m also the leader of the Rebirth Program.¡±


    ¡°Oh really? Could you explain exactly what that is for me because I¡¯m still rather in the dark?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oh yes, I can just let¡¯s wait till after breakfast to talk okay?¡±


    Maron opens the door and passes through with a rather large cake. She sets it down on the table in front of me. On top of the white cake written in orange icing are the words ¡®Welcome to Heaven¡¯ underneath that is ¡®Good luck in the Rebirth Program¡¯.


    ¡°Wow, this is nice. Thank you all very much.¡± I said


    ¡°Enough of that ha-ha no need to thank us just cut it up and have a slice.¡± Gabriel said


    ¡°Ha-ha isn¡¯t a little early for cake though?¡± I ask jokingly


    ¡°What are you saying boy? It¡¯s never too early for cake!¡± Gabriel astounded


    ¡°Oh stop, it dear he doesn¡¯t know you''re joking.¡± Maron laughed


    ¡°Ha-ha you''re right dear¡­ let us eat¡±


    After breakfast Maron sets some coffee down in front of us and sits back down next to Gabriel.  They sit there looking at me for a minute quietly sipping their coffee until Maron nudges Gabriel with her elbow almost knocking his cup from his hand.


    ¡°Hot! You could have burned me¡­ Oh right, explaining time¡­Where should I start¡­¡±


    Gabriel takes a long sip of his coffee and sets it down on the table in front of him.


    ¡°As you well know you are dead correct? And you died before really doing anything?¡±


    ¡°Yes to the first but to say I didn¡¯t really achieve anything is sort of harsh. I did stuff¡­ well a few things¡­ I think.¡±


    ¡°Such as?¡± Gabriel asked with a rather annoying smile.


    ¡°I became an Eagle Scout, that¡¯s a rather high achievement, and I was pretty proficient in martial arts like Aikido and Tae


    Quon Doe. I almost graduated college and I think I had a rather happy life.¡± I explained


    ¡°But boy as you know your life ended prematurely¡­As you said you had a few great accomplishments but you didn¡¯t get to do them all. Did you have any children? Did you find a person that you would be happy to spend your life with? My point is you were destined for great things and had a rather bright future but when you died a lot of those things went undone.¡±


    I think about my family and then about my friends and lastly all of my projects left half finishes in the garage at home. I didn¡¯t get to do a lot but that¡¯s life and I accept it. That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not frustrated or angry about it but I was always rather coolheaded when making the best out of bad situations.


    ¡°That all may be true I didn¡¯t have a family and I didn¡¯t finish college but I had a good life even if it wasn¡¯t long and my achievements are minimal. I am extremely fortunate to have been able to complete them. Of course, I¡¯m sad that it¡¯s over but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that I had a good life.¡± I said thoughtfully


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I see it¡¯s good that you have accepted that your life is over and that you did have a good life. Okay, I¡¯ll tell you about the next stage for your soul.¡±


    Gabriel sighed and takes another sip of coffee.


    ¡°The Rebirth Program was originally created as a way to deal with young children deaths. When a child died they would be held in heaven and after a few years we would give them an option. Either stay in heaven or be reborn on in a parallel world.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second!! Parallel worlds? Are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Quite¡­ well not so much parallel as to haphazardly thrown about. Some are interconnected while others are completely separate from any other line. Some have such things as space civilizations and others still fight using rocks. In other words they are really varied and some are rather strange but back to the main topic¡­Where was I Ella?¡± Gabriel asked


    ¡°You were explaining that the children were given a choice.¡± Ella said


    ¡°Oh, quite right¡­ Most children chose to be reborn and to be given a chance at life. At first we wiped their memories of their time in heaven but that caused a surprising amount of instability in their minds and unfortunately it didn¡¯t quite end with many of them coming back here. They became either political leaders or religious zealots, neither of which was good for those organizations. In your world I believe you have had a few¡­ Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones and a few others. I don¡¯t mean to say that all of this turned out to be a bad thing. Many good leaders also came from this program such as Joan of Arc, Gandhi and a lot more. There were some normal ones as well but you wouldn¡¯t know their names.¡±  Gabriel explained


    ¡°So all bad guys and good guys in my world are part of this program?¡± I ask


    ¡°Heavens no! Not at all in fact most aren¡¯t! only a few¡­ Probably¡­¡± Gabriel trailed off


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Well, regardless your different, right mom?¡± Ella piped up happily


    ¡°Yes dear, he is very different!¡± Maron agreed brightly


    ¡°Why am I¡­ different?¡± I asked


    ¡°Ha-ha because we can¡¯t erase your memories but your still young enough to qualify for the Rebirth program! And if that wasn¡¯t enough you even have a guardian angel who just happens to be my daughter!¡± Gabriel exclaimed


    I looked at them with my mouth wide open, stunned if you will, for a few seconds until it hits me. The angel that slammed into me the one who crashed landed knocking me unconscious was my guardian angel. She has been saying it from the start but I never thought that she really was my angel because all she had caused me lately was injury.


    ¡°But wait¡­ Ella¡¯s really my guardian angel? I thought that¡­¡± I pondered aloud


    ¡°What that I was kidding? I worked really¡­really hard while you were alive. I just happened to fall asleep when you went on your jog¡­ How could I have known that you would do something stupid like get yourself killed¡­?¡± Ella said angrily


    ¡°Now, now it¡¯s no one¡¯s fault these things just happen sometimes.  Now dear if you¡¯ll continue¡­¡± Maron said


    ¡°Hold on, why do I have a guardian angel anyway?¡± I asked


    ¡°That¡¯s easy stupid! Not only are you important but when you were here we played together!¡± Ella pouted


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®When I was here¡¯?¡±


    ¡°You have already gone through the Rebirth program once. We wiped your memories and sent you to¡­ Earth was it?¡±


    Gabriel explained


    ¡°What! Really! How? Wait that means I died before? Or wait I was friends with Ella¡­ ¡°I trailed off


    ¡°Calm down already! We played together and I was worried and so I joined the Guardian angel core so I could watch you¡­ It¡¯s nothing special¡­¡± Ella said bashfully


    I sunk lower into my seat and sighed deeply.  I was already here and I forgot about it.  I don¡¯t remember anything about this place that memory wipe must have been really good.


    ¡°Well, now that that¡¯s all out in the open¡­ Welcome home!¡± Maron said happily


    ¡°Yes, welcome home! It¡¯s been sort of lonely since you left living with these two by myself I am glad to have you back for the short time we have you.¡± Gabriel exclaimed


    ¡°So, I stayed here?¡± I asked


    ¡°Yes, in the room you were sleeping in. Wow, memory wipes are incredible these days.¡± Maron said sadly


    ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t believe you¡­ It¡¯s just this is a lot to take in¡­ So if we could continue you said ¡®for the time I would be here¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes¡­ since you have already been in the program and a few other factors like your age and some other things you will be sent to the permanent division of the Rebirth program.¡±


    ¡°Permanent? What do you mean by that?¡± I asked


    ¡°Well¡­ Hmm¡­ Basically you get reborn over and over again no matter how many times you die¡­ Hmm, but that¡¯s not quite right¡­ your job is to be a watcher and protector of worlds to make sure that nothing too bad happens to them¡­ Dear, I don¡¯t think my explanation is very helpful could you try?¡± Maron asked


    ¡°You maintain your memories and are sent to observe and protect worlds and after a lifetime on the world you are summoned back to heaven and sent to another world. Your job is to lead the worlds and put them on the best future you see. If the world is on a bad path you must correct it before you die.  Think of the rest of the time is just vacation to do with what you please. If you die before setting it on the best path then it you have to be reborn again until you resolve the situation.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ so basically I just fix problems of the world I¡¯m sent too¡­ I don¡¯t happen to have a choice in the matter do I?¡± I asked


    ¡°Well¡­ recently a lot of worlds have gone out of whack so¡­ and you¡¯re the perfect candidate¡­ sorry you actually don¡¯t¡­¡± Ella mumbled


    ¡°Ha-ha don¡¯t worry it will be fun! You can do whatever you want on these worlds¡­ Anything! Just as long as you fix whatever is wrong with them.¡± Gabriel explained excitedly


    ¡°What do you mean anything?¡± I asked cautiously


    ¡°Any¡­thing¡­¡± Gabriel said in a seductive tone


    ¡°Father¡­ What are you telling him!!?¡± Ella exclaimed


    Maron kicks him underneath the table hard enough that the table shook vigorously. A rather pained expression crosses his face but he quickly winks at me and goes about calming his wife and daughter down.


    ¡°Ha-ha now that¡¯s over with there are a few rules that you should be aware of that go with your new post. First and foremost no talking about heaven with anyone other than 3 people in your lifetime. Secondly, killing people may be necessary however you are not allowed to kill any children unless they pose a threat to you or others at that current time. Thirdly, you shall not steal from anyone unless it is necessary to complete your goals. Fourthly, you will be given several gifts upon departure from heaven don¡¯t miss use these gifts unless your handler allows otherwise. Finally, the last rule is extremely important you will shape these worlds as best seen fit to your eyes. That being said, you are not to create anymore broken worlds. Your job is to fix them not make it worse. Do you understand these rules?¡± Gabriel explained


    ¡°Yes, except two things¡­ Who¡¯s my handler and what kind of gifts do I get?¡± I ask


    ¡°Well, of course Ella is your handler however she is going punished for letting her ward, that¡¯s you, die.  Normally, you would meet in your dreams and talk ¡­ Well, that¡¯s for later¡­ As to what gifts you shall receive you get to choose... Oh dear, look at the time you all must be off or you¡¯ll be late!¡± Maron exclaimed


    ¡°Late for what?¡± I asked


    ¡°Everything! Ella don¡¯t bother cleaning up I¡¯ll get it.¡± Maron said quickly


    ¡°Dear, where is my hat?¡± Gabriel asked


    They all stand up abruptly almost knocking over their coffee cups. I reach out and steady the table and the cups. Ella wizzes upstairs and Gabriel disappears looking for his hat.  Maron grabs me and pulls me towards the kitchen.  Once we make it through the door she stops and turns towards me.


    ¡°Oh dear, I am so sorry that this is all happening so fast. I need to tell you a few things really quick.¡± Maron said nervously


    ¡°Of course, in fact please do.¡± I answered


    ¡°Okay, take care of yourself and remember this if not anything else you are always welcome here in this house and whether you remember it or not you are family to us.  You will have new parents in every world you travel to treat them with love because to them you are their child and truthfully you are their child. Lastly my daughter may be a little careless but she is and will always be your friend and family so please treat her as such.¡± Maron said quietly


    ¡°Yes Maron, I understand¡± I said


    ¡°Oh, one more thing angels and non-angels can have offspring so don¡¯t hold back with Ella, I need a grandchild ha-ha!¡± Maron laughed


    Maron pulls me into a tight hug and kisses me on the cheek.


    ¡°Good, remember it this time okay? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll see you again head outside and wait for them.¡± she whispered in my ear


    Maron shows me to the door and then runs upstairs to get Ella. Gabriel reappears with a rather large halo floating above his head and waves me over to him.


    ¡°One last thing from me before we head out. If a world cannot be fixed it¡¯s probably the fault of a god who has gone astray. You¡¯ll probably have to track down and kill the god which will be no easy feat. This is your true task however you must first check with me through Ella okay? If you do this you will have to stay on the world for a while to help restructure it and select a new god from the populace.¡±


    ¡°How do I tell if a world becomes too fractured?¡± I asked


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Well, a good way is to look at the state of the normal populace and compare it to the aristocrats.  If the lower class is being pushed down then that¡¯s a good sign.  Also high amounts of wars and death as well as famines and diseases are good ways to determine if the original infrastructure has been broken and need to be replaced. If you think that the god of the world is encouraging these things then it must be taken down. Most of the criteria is left to you as is final judgment. Now let¡¯s get Ella and head of to the Hub.¡±


    ¡°Hub?¡± I asked


    ¡°That¡¯s where all of the worlds are connected and that¡¯s where you shall be sent from. It¡¯s basically the Headquarters of the Rebirth Program.¡± Gabriel explained


    I hear footstep coming down the stairs Gabriel quickly separates from me and heads outside.  I turn to see Ella coming down the stairs with a rather large handbag hanging from her side.


    ¡°Hey let¡¯s go! We are going to be miss the transport window.¡± Ella said


    Ella grabs me and pulls me out the door. Once we are outside she give me a quick smile.


    ¡°Ready to go?¡± she asked


    ¡°Sure, but can we walk this time¡­¡± I begged


    ¡°Already got him scared huh Ella¡± Gabriel laughed


    ¡°Shut up dad! It will be okay this time I promise! You trust me right?¡± Ella said pleadingly


    With those sad eyes my will is once again destroyed. I can¡¯t say no to those eyes on the verge of tears.  Against my better judgment I decided to trust her.


    ¡°¡­ Fine¡­Just be careful¡­¡±


    By the time the last word was out of mouth we were off to the Hub where my new life was too begin.


    #############################################################


    AN: Wow 6 readers that''s already more than I have had... well ever.... Thank you for reading!!

 Chapter 3: Wait, why are you strapping me into a chair?

    After a short, yet terrifying, ride through the sky we arrive at the Hub.  This time it does not result in a crash but a rather gentle landing.  I guess Ella had learned something from her previous mistakes.  The Hub is a large building that looks rather like Grand Central Station except of course it is made of gold clouds.  The doors are made with a silvery material that looks rather solid and the columns are made out of the same silvery materials as the windows and doors.  As I am about to comment on the extremely varied use of materials in buildings in heaven Ella pipes up.


    ¡°See! I told you I can fly properly!¡± She said proudly


    ¡°Now Ella we never doubted you could fly only¡­ well land.¡± Gabriel said jokingly


    ¡°Sorry, I doubted you Ella.  It¡¯s just you were two for two on the accidental crashes.¡± I said shyly


    ¡°Humph¡­ You are forgiven¡­ Father not so much¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh look at the time we have got to hurry up.¡± Gabriel said loudly


    Ella and I are dragged through the doors and up a few steps and we turn into a room with a sign above it that says ¡®Rebirth Room¡¯ in silver lettering.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Ella asked


    ¡°Ha-ha yes let¡¯s.¡± I said nervously


    As we enter the room I see a single chair in the center of the room with a small table in front of it. Ella and Gabriel move to the walls and suddenly screens pop up from them. After a few seconds of manipulation screens pop up in front of the table.


    ¡°Well, please sit down if you will. This is going to be a lot like a video game but whatever you select cannot be changed so choose your gifts wisely.¡± Gabriel explained


    ¡°Okay, where am I being sent? What can I expect?¡± I asked


    ¡°All we know is the name of the world not what you can expect to find there¡­ Sorry, we can¡¯t be of much help. On the bright side you do get a few gifts however one is a surprise that you will get in world after a few years so be on the


    lookout.¡± Ella said happily


    ¡°Oh, well I guess it can¡¯t be helped.  What is the name of my new world?¡±


    ¡°Alera, I believe but sit down okay we need to hurry up¡­¡± Gabriel said hurriedly


    I plop into the seat and the screens land on the table. On the screens are a ton of options from animal speech to super strength.


    ¡°So these are all of my options? There are so many¡­ Not to sound greedy but how many can I have?¡± I asked


    ¡°Ha-ha that¡¯s a good question¡­ You can only have three because after a few years a fourth will arrive so choose wisely.¡± Gabriel explained


    I start to scroll down and read the huge list of gifts I can get.  A few of them are just silly honestly like the gift of sleeping which allows you to sleep for 20 years and my favorite the gift of flowers which makes you smell like flowers.  A few catch my eye like the gift of music and the gift of agriculture both of which are very useful but unfortunately I don¡¯t really see them being any real use because I can learn those things and I already know a lot about farming.


    I decided on my three gifts.  My first gift was the gift of languages because being able to communicate with people is important and I have no desire to spend time learning languages. It not only allows me to understand and talk in any language but I can read all of them as well. The second gift I chose is the gift of magic.  The gift of magic allows me to use magic but what kinds depends on the world apparently. Finally, I selected the Gift of Body which give me great stamina, strength and speed. It basically seems like a cheat but I¡¯ll take all the power I can get as I am going to a world I know nothing about.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Okay, I have chosen my gifts now what?¡± I asked


    ¡°Let me see¡­ good choices¡­ All that is left is to say goodbye and send you on your way.¡± Gabriel smiled


    ¡°Well, it was nice to be with you guys¡­ this is pretty sudden¡­ So how do I leave for Alera?¡± I asked


    ¡°It may seem sudden but that¡¯s because we have to hit this gap or we don¡¯t know how long it will take to send you.¡±


    ¡°One moment¡­ Ella and I have to leave but it¡¯s right on your chairs armrest¡­ Ella, I will be outside, see you in a minute.¡± Gabriel said mischievously


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Ella started


    ¡°I know, I know I¡¯m leaving¡­ Oh yes, remember what I told you and be careful okay son.¡± Gabriel said sternly


    After Gabriel leaves the room Ella walks over to the chair.  Her face comes close her silver eyes seem to penetrate to the deepest part of my soul.  Her face mirrors her mother''s and is just as beautiful. A light blush crosses her face and she flashes me a bashful smile.


    ¡°Well, Mr. No Name shortly you will have a name again. I look forward to calling you it in a few years. Good luck until then¡­¡± Ella said quietly


    She gently kisses me on the cheek and then rather shyly on the forehead.  She quickly runs from the room leaving me stunned and alone.


    ¡°Well, I guess it is time to go¡­¡± I trailed off


    I started to press the button but I hesitate for a moment.  I close my eyes tightly and press the button.  I hear a whistling sound and a sudden crack that sounds like a whip and I am pushed deeper into my chair.  I open my eyes slightly and all I can see is a very bright light so bright that I am forced to shut my eyes for fear of blindness.  I feel my consciousness begin to fade and then nothing.


    #########################################################################


    AN: Hmm... Sorry about the short chapter it''s just supposed to be a connecting chapter. I intended to put it in the last chapter but that would''ve made it 4500+ words which is way too long. I usually will try to keep it around 3000 or 2500. I ramble a little when I write though. Btw still looking for an editor or proofreader. I can pay in hugs and you can get credit at the beginning or end of each chapter.

 Chapter 4: These people are giant... No, Im just tiny.

    Upon my awaking, a bright light fills my vision and I narrow my eyes in discomfort. Once my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I see a young fair-haired girl gazing at me. A gorgeous girl¡­. No, a gorgeous woman would be closer to the truth. I look beside her and there stood a man with dirty brown hair of similar age, giving me a rather forced smile.  A strong looking man.  His muscles were incredible.


    The woman smiled as she watched me and said something.


    I wonder what she is saying my gift of languages should be working. Maybe it¡¯s because of this ringing in my ears.


    The man replies in a gentle voice and is answered by a third voice from behind me. I tried to turn my head but to no avail. I tried to sit up and ask them where I was but then I remembered.


    That¡¯s right I am in Alera. These people must be my family.


    ¡°Ah, ah---¡°


    I tried to speak but I couldn¡¯t tell if it was a groan or just a heavy breathe being released.  I once again try to move my body but I couldn¡¯t move.  I could feel my arms and legs but I couldn¡¯t lift either up to see them.  The man mumbles something and after a quick discussion he picks me up.  I am beginning to pick up scraps of conversations.


    ¡°Wel¡­ so¡­ Aero¡­¡± the man smiles.


    This was my first day on Alera.


    A month passed by and I finally have come to a realization I have really been reborn. It took me a while to get my head around it but I am a baby. I confirmed it when I was carried past a mirror.  I see my short stubby arms and legs but it is personally torturous to be put in this little body and be unable to do anything for myself.


    The couple I saw when I first opened my eyes seem to be my parents.  They are probably in their early 20s, only slightly older than myself in my last life.  I was pretty jealous of the fact that they had children so young. Also, the person who handed me to my father seems to be my grandmother. She appears to favor my mother¡¯s appearance and still looks very young.  She seems to help out around the house quite a bit.


    My language skills are coming along rather quickly.  It seems my gift for languages only means I was born with a talent for them unfortunately I still have to learn them. My parents seem to have European faces and are rather fair so I will probably have a rather attractive face. Their clothes seem to be made from either cotton or animal hide but they are quite well crafted.


    So far I have seen nothing resembling an electronic device and everything from utensil too furniture are created coarsely from wood. Light was provided by candles and oil lamps not light bulbs.  This is probably not a very technologically advanced world. Of course, I could just have been born into a poor family but I don¡¯t believe that to be a very high possibility.


    Half a year passed by.


    After listening every day to my parent¡¯s conversations I have finally grasped most of the language or at least everyday speech. Unfortunately, I have yet to gain any control over my vocal cords so I can still not respond with any other sounds than a few baby sounds. I am finally able to move unassisted, by that I mean I crawl.  I have never felt so grateful for being able to move.


    ¡°I have never seen a child escape from my eyes so quickly.¡± Mother said


    ¡°I think it¡¯s good he¡¯s so active I was sort of worried that he was weak because he didn¡¯t cry when he was born.¡± Father said


    ¡°Well, he still doesn¡¯t cry so I guess he¡¯s just strong.¡± Grandmother said


    This same discussion always took place whenever they saw me crawling somewhere.  I tried not to cry but what was more embarrassing was that I couldn¡¯t hold in the stuff that comes from below.  I decided I wouldn¡¯t cry as long as they cleaned up the mess just to be fair.  Once I had learned to crawl I explored my home.  By doing so I discovered a lot of things about my living situation. First of all, my new family is fairly well off.  The building is a two story Log cabin house, and there were over 6 rooms.  Also the place I live in is a farming village near a forest. From the second story window I can see the landscape, there is a rather cozy little village in the distance and farming plots stretch almost to the forest.  There are houses dotting the farmland, and I can usually make out one or two families out in the fields.  A small river powers a water wheel that I guess is used to grind up the wheat growing out in the fields


    It is a quiet rural place but I liked it for the tranquility and most importantly the ground and the construction materials used to make all of the houses. I was sick of golden clouds and silver building materials.


    One rainy afternoon I had nothing to do so I clambered up a chair to look out of the window intending to peer outside and watch the rain. When I looked out of the window I was quite surprised.


    Father was out in the yard shooting arrows and throwing knives at targets.  He drew a curved sword from his back and another from his side and started to swing his swords about.  Then he did something incredible he cut a boulder in half.  Due to my sudden surprise I tumble forward and out of the chair.  I threw my hands below me to try and break my fall but they weren¡¯t able to stop my descent and I landed on straight on my head.


    ¡°Kya!¡±


    I heard a scream as I hit the floor. My mother dropped her laundry and rushes over with a terrified look on her face.


    ¡°Aero, are you okay?¡±


    She looks into my eyes and then places her hand upon her chest looking very relieved.


    ¡°¡­ Okay you seem okay but just to be sure¡­¡±


    I had always been taught not to move anyone that may have a head injury but I guess medical science has only come so far in Alera.


    ¡°Oh, let the power of god heal this child¡¯s pain¡­ Heal!¡± My mother said


    I almost burst out laughing but then I watch as my mother¡¯s hand begins to glow and when she touches my head I feel the pain quickly vanish.


    ¡°He-he you are all better now. After all your mother is a renowned magician.¡± Mother said in a prideful manner.


    My mind was instantly plunged into turmoil. Swords plus magic plus healing equals a fantasy world.  I show my mother a huge smile and she looks back at me very happily.


    ¡°What happened? Are you okay?¡±


    My father is peering in the window from outside. His whole body is soaked from rain or sweat I cannot tell but he is tightly gripping both of his swords.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Listen to this, darling, Aero had climbed the chair¡­ and nearly cracked his head on the ground¡±


    ¡°Well it¡¯s no good if he isn¡¯t active dear.¡±


    A father who doesn¡¯t treat it like a big deal and a mother who was slightly concerned for her child. However mother didn¡¯t back off on this occasion.


    ¡°Just a second¡­ This child has yet to see his first year could you please show a bit more concern for your son.¡± Mother pleaded


    ¡°A boy is meant to fall down. It¡¯s how they grow up to be healthy besides with your level of healing magic can¡¯t you just treat him.¡±


    ¡°What happens when I can¡¯t treat the injury¡­? I¡¯m really worried.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. He¡¯s our son after all.¡±


    My father tightly embraces my mother and mother''s face turns bright red.


    ¡°Darling, not in front of him¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a boy he needs to learn sooner or later.¡±


    My father flashes me a quick smile with a wink to go along with it then proceeds to lick my mother¡¯s ear before she swoons and he kisses her on the lips. Shortly after that I was deposited in the next room to sleep and my parents moved to the second floor to start the process of creating a sibling for me. I can hear the moans from the second floor as they get to work.


    Almost three years have passed since my rebirth I feel as if I am wasting time but I guess everyone must grow up. It has been almost three years since I last heard from Ella or anyone in heaven I am starting to believe that I was just dreaming that day. It¡¯s just a passing thought but it sticks around enough to worry me. I have finally learned my name and my family¡¯s names. I am Aero White.  My mother is Kaya White.  My father is Tom White and my grandmother is Elena Night-tree. It took me a while to learn my last name because we didn¡¯t get that many visitors so no one ever used our last name much.  I have been able to talk to my family in complete sentences and have been rapidly expanding my understanding of the language. My arms and legs have strengthened greatly over the last three years and now I can move around quite well on my own two feet.


    I decided to set a few goal to achieve. First, I need to strengthen my mind and collect information about this world.  I have planned to use books to do this however there are not many in the house. Secondly, I need to strengthen my body however this can be done when I had developed a little more. Finally, I want to learn magic. I am supposed to be gifted in it but I still have no idea how to use it. Mother has healed my cuts and scrapes on a regular bases and it seem really cool.


    As I said in this world books seem to be rare, in fact there are only 4 books in this house. Too me, who once owned hundreds of books, it was something difficult to swallow. Mother and father read me the books rather often so I learned to follow along rather quickly. Perhaps my language gift was helping after all but after a short time I had mastered reading.


    After learning to read I found all of these books to be incredibly interesting.


    These were the names of the four books: Alera: The World, Monsters of the world, Magic; from beginner rank to advanced, and The Legend of the Five.


    Putting aside the obvious fairy tale the other three books are rather informative. Alera: The World is about the countries around the world and explains their basic structure along with other information. Monster of the World is about the strange creatures that you find around the world and about any weakness they have. Magic: From Beginner to Advanced is a book that teaches you to use simple magic.


    The Legend of the Five is a story about 5 heroes that traveled around and saved the world from a terrible group of evil kings and one very evil high king. I did learn one thing from it there are 5 races on this world. The Magic or demon race has many special races such as the sea race and giant race, but they are all under the Magic race. They are distinguished from other races because they have long life and most have extremely external features such as the lizard tribe who have lizard heads. The Dwarven race are known for their small bulky stature and their great works with rock and metals.


    The Beast race has many different species but all under one race. They are known for animal ears instead of normal ones and usually they have tails. The Elven race is known for their longevity and their long ears. They are also known as the long ear tribe and they are skilled in both bow making as well as things to do with the forests. The Human race is known for its ability to quickly reproduce and short lifespans in comparison to the other races. They are most skilled in agriculture and they can learn about any skill from any race. This is something that was also written. These races can all interbreed pass on traits to from both lineages to their children. I am quite excited to meet these new races that my world hadn¡¯t had.


    I was told during the many readings that I have some elven blood from my grandmother as she is a full elf. Apparently, my late grandfather was a human so my mother is a half Elf. My father used to be a human noble but he decided to set off to become an adventurer so he should be a pure-blooded human but I can¡¯t be sure.


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    AN: Man am I repping out these chapters or what??  I am trying to make the titles of each chapter funny so that actually takes the longest time haha. It''s only 10 words but it takes longer than it took to write the actual chapter. Maybe, I''m just bad at making up chapter names.


    Still looking for a proof reader/ editor... I found out from my friend that telling people that you''ll pay in hugs is actually creepy so I guess I am officially lowering the wages from hugs to just credit.

 Chapter 5: Magic? Lets experiment! Who cares about safety anyways!

    To me, someone who comes from a world where magic has long since passed, the things recorded in the magic book was of great interest. After reading through it I have arrived at a basic understanding of the layout of magic in this world. Magic can basically be divided into four different categories; Attack magic, Healing magic, Support magic and Summoning magic. These are fairly easy to understand but there was mention of a few other kinds that don¡¯t seem to fit in these four categories. For example teleportation can be considered a form of summoning magic but instead of summoning you are sending so they are not quite the same. According to the guidebook magic is primarily used for war or hunting and not many people had figured out how to use it outside of fighting


    In order to use magic you have something called Mana particles on the other hand as long as you have mana you can use magic. There are two ways of finding mana to use, use the mana contained in your body or use an object containing mana. It must be one of these two ways, I assume that means that you can still use magic if you have no mana as long as you have an object that has mana in it.


    A long time ago, mana was only found in people but due to much research it was discovered that mana was also in objects such as crystals and that it could be placed into objects and used by people who had no mana.  With this magic could be used by everyone but not all magic could be used certain powerful spells could only be used by powerful magicians.


    There are two ways to actually use magic; chanting a spell or using a magic circle. Magic circles were very common until the Great War broke out. They took too long to draw and in order to use them in battle you had to have them drawn in the dirt and then guard the magician while they poured mana into it.  Needless to say this was quickly discovered to be difficult to do in the heat of battle. Then someone discovered chanting instead of drawing they could just speak an incantation and off the magic shot.  Over time chants came down from minutes of chanting to only a few seconds. However the more complicated the magic the longer the chant so they still used magic circles for complex spells.


    The final thing about magic is that your mana amount or how gifted you were was set at birth. The amount was hereditary and would only increase in very small intervals as you aged. Since both my parent seem to use magic quite often and I have the gift of magic I feel rather confident that I will be okay in this regard.


    In any case I decided to try a little of the magic I had read about.  Since I had no place to draw a magic circle I decided to try out chanting. In the book it had said a skilled magician could use magic without chanting. Silent Chanting I think or shortened chants could be used but was it that only skilled magician could do that or anyone could. The amount of mana used and the amount of mana you had don¡¯t change or was it that as you gained skill you could use less mana.


    I decided to stop thinking and just try using magic. I grabbed the magic book and flipped to the first spell I could find. I set the book on the floor and outstretched my right arm and read the words in my head. ¡°Water come forth and be commanded, Water Arrow.¡±


    I feel something moving down my arm. It feels as if all the blood in my arm is heading towards my hand. As if it is was always there a ball of water appears floating a few inches above my hand. I pull my hand back and the water ball plummets to the ground towards the book and a thrust my hand back to try and catch in when the water hovers over the book. I look back down at the ball and will it to rise back to my hand and it does. I move towards the window and away from the book and the water continues to hover above my hand. I touch it with my left hand and the water ball collapses and water soaks the floorboards.


    The book said that it was supposed to shoot out but instead I had almost dropped it and when I tried to touch it, it had simply collapsed on the floor. Maybe I had lost concentration and that had caused it to fall. Once again I concentrate and remember the feeling that I had when the magic activated. The blood rushing to my hand that kind of feeling as I close my eyes I feel that feeling and when I open my eyes a ball of water is floating above my hand. Once again I reach out to touch it and the ball collapses again. Even though I don¡¯t know how much mana I have I doubt I can stand here all day doing this. After a very frustrating hour of dropping water bullets I had finally had figured out how to actually use water bullet. I needed to first focus then form the bullet then fire it out.


    Using this method I hold my arm out and form the ball, once again using the blood like feeling, I then extended that feeling as if I was shooting out blood. The ball then flies forth but in my surprise I lose focus and it drops to the floor a few feet in front of me. At first I feel very happy but suddenly confusion moves in just then I hadn¡¯t chanted or even thought of the chant I just did it. Could it be that magic actually could just be controlled with will and not by actually saying these ridiculous chants in your head or otherwise?


    I decided to test it out I hadn¡¯t learned any fire magic as of yet so I pictured a fire ball and suddenly a fireball popped out from my hand. Not only was chanting no involved but the feeling of blood flowing had disappeared as well. All I felt was the heat from the ball of fire I quickly imagine it gone and it disappears. I then proceed to flip to the middle of the book and look at something called melded magic. It explains that if you combine two or more elements you can create other things like rain and lighting. I really want to try this stuff out but apparently the destructive level of these things is too high for me to do at home.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    I flip towards the back of the book and find a chart on mana capacity. A normal magician that can use advanced ranked magic has about 200 mana particles. This equates to about 10 advanced rank spells that they can use back to back.  A master ranked magician that can use master ranked spells has about 2000 mana particles.  This roughly translates into 10 master ranked spells or 100 advanced spells without a break. A hero ranked magician has about 200,000 mana particles.  This translates into around 10 heroic ranked spells. A god ranked magician is the highest class of magician and they have over a million mana particles. They apparently don¡¯t run out of magic no matter how many spells they can cast even god ranked magic can be repeatedly without stress.


    A simple spell will display a number in front of you that will tell how many mana particles you have. I look at the chant and then think of what my mana capacity is and a number appears floating before me. 10 million¡­ that is the number that has appeared before me. At first I thought I did the spell incorrectly and chant it and check but every time I get that ridiculous number. I knew that I would be gifted in magic but this is ridiculous more powerful than god class is just crazy.


    I continued my training in secret for almost 2 months until a rather unfortunate accident takes place in my practice room. While I was experimenting with projectile magic I was curious how hard I could fire it. I decided to use water so I could contain the damage and I opened the window but I missed. The water bullet slammed into the wall and it shot straight through it creating a large hole and soaking the room in the process. As I sit on the floor in shock my mother comes up stairs and opens the door. I am sure from her eyes all she sees is her son sitting in a puddle of water holding a book with a dumbfounded look upon his face. Her eyes grow wide and she walks across the room and looks at me.


    ¡°Um Aero, Did you perhaps read from that book?¡± she asks glancing at the whole


    I stare at her for a moment and say my first full sentence in this world.


    ¡°Mom, yes I did.¡± I said doing my best to sound dejected


    I don¡¯t know if using magic is normal at this age and I don¡¯t want to get throw out of the house yet. I look rather worriedly at my mother who to my surprise is positively beaming at me.


    ¡°Dear, Mother come look!! Aero has done magic!!¡± She shouts proudly


    I can hear a clattering of footsteps coming up the stairs and turn towards the door as I see my father and grandmother looking through at me.


    ¡°Wow¡­ Did he do all of this already?¡± Grandmother said with pure delight in her voice


    ¡°Ha-ha as expected of my son!¡± Father proclaims proudly


    ¡°Aero, What spell did you use?¡± Mother asks


    ¡°Water bullet?¡± I said questionably


    All three of them look at each other in shock. I don¡¯t think that what I did was bad I think that it had finally hit them that not only could I use magic but I could talk.


    ¡°Wait, you just said your first sentence and performed your first spell. How did you know the chant?¡± Mother asks


    All three of them look at me with great pride and anticipation.


    ¡°Well, he must have read it of course but since when did he learn to read?¡± Grandmother asks


    ¡°Well mother he did always pay attention when we read to him maybe that¡¯s how he learned.¡± Mother answers


    ¡°Ha-ha that¡¯s my boy reading, talking and using magic at only two years old.¡± Father said proudly while patting me on the head.


    ¡°Aero do you know what these words mean?¡± Mother asks while holding the book in front of me


    ¡°Yes, Book of magic right mom?¡± I answered rather smugly


    ¡°Yes, yes you''re right simply amazing. You must be a genius!¡± Mom smiles


    ¡°We should send for a teacher shouldn¡¯t we?¡± Grandmother ask excitedly


    ¡°Hold on! I have nothing against Aero learning magic but he should also learn swordplay as well. Remember Kaya we decided if our baby was a boy he would be a swordsman and the girl would be a magician.¡± Father said


    Kaya moves closer to him and smiles.


    ¡°But dearest Aero is really talented¡­ Please he can learn both but he will need a magic instructor too¡­¡± She said flirtatiously


    ¡°But Kaya¡­¡± Father trails off as Kaya runs her hand up his neck and leans in to nibble his ear.


    ¡°Okay, Okay. You win, he can do both.¡± Tom surrendered


    Kaya spins away happily and Tom chases after her. Grandmother looks at me and smiles.


    ¡°Those two are simply perfect aren¡¯t they, Aero. Be sure to find a good woman like your mother. Now then come with me and let¡¯s see about sending out word for a teacher for you.¡± Grandma said


    Grandmother grabs my hand and walks me outside the room but then turns around and exclaimed.


    ¡°Those two forgot to fix the wall. Aero, can you fix it?¡± Grandma ask slyly


    Without thinking I fix the wall and grandmother smiles at me brightly.


    ¡°Ho-ho Genius indeed¡­ Well you¡¯re going to need a rather good teacher aren¡¯t you?¡± Grandmother said cleverly.


    Shit... I was exposed...


    ######################################################


    AN: I''m currently dropping the chapter length to more manageable levels around 2500 words. It''s not because I''m lazy it''s just more manageable to proof read  by myself in smaller sections.


    Thanks for reading the next chapter should be up in about 10 minutes. Fufufu this is easy when you already wrote it on microsoft word. "Copy and paste then space" - ME 3/2/2015 11:45 pm

 Chapter 6: My Magic teacher must be an Old man so where is he?

    A few more months pass by and still no word from Heaven.  I feel as if I have been abandoned in this new world of magic and unfamiliar things.  Last week we received word that our job request for my teacher had been accepted and that they would arrive later this week. I had thought that magic could be used to teleport people quickly but apparently that kind of magic had been forgotten. It has taken a long time to get a response because of the area in which we live.  Apparently we are rather far from any major city and even though Tom is a knight and a former noble he can only offer so much for a tutoring position. The position came with room and board too make up for that but it still took a while.


    Although there has been much trying Tom and Kaya haven¡¯t succeed in making any more siblings so our household still hasn¡¯t expanded. I have started exercising and doing sword drills with Tom.  My strength increases by the day but I am not allowed to spar with Tom yet. Kaya always heals me and has started to take me to the hospice that she runs and teaching me healing magic. Along with this and my lessons on attack magic from grandma I end the day thoroughly exhausted from both magic and sword lessons.


    On one such day of exhausting training I hear a loud knock at the door. I get too my feet and walk to the door. The knocking continues as I reach up to open the door.


    ¡°One moment.¡± I shout towards the door.


    I pull the door open and before me is a shocking scene. I had expected an old man with a long white beard like Merlin or even a dark haired middle aged woman but instead a small girl with an oversized magic hat is standing before me.


    ¡°I am Fi, It is a pleasure to meet you.¡± The small girl said while bowing


    She couldn¡¯t have been more than 10. Wearing a grey magician''s robe and having grass colored hair with a few flower petals poking out from her ponytail.  She had a very petite look about her and she looked as if you touched her she might break. Her pale skin was accompanied by two rather sleepy looking eyes. She gave off a feeling of a person who spends a lot of time inside a library studying and not much outside. In one of her tiny hands she holds a large leather bag and in the other she holds a large staff that has a small clear crystal in the top of it.


    ¡°Aero who¡¯s at the door¡­?¡± Kaya walks and sees Fi


    ¡°Kaya what¡¯s this about someone at the door¡­¡± Elena trails off as she sees Fi


    ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­?¡± Tom also trails off when he sees Fi


    I think that they were shocked at her size they must have also expected an old man but I had gotten over that in fact I was rather happy to learn from a small girl like this. Pretty face and soft-spoken, in a few years she will become a gorgeous woman however for now she is just a cute girl. I smile brightly at her and walk towards her.


    ¡°You must be the home tutor.¡± Kaya said quickly


    ¡°Yes I answered the ad.¡± Fi replies


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty small.¡± I state the obvious


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear that from you¡± She quickly refutes


    She appears to have a complex about it. Even though I was refer to her height she quickly covers her chest. Fi sighed.


    ¡°Where is the student I am supposed to teach I would like to meet him?¡± Fi asked


    She looks around me and peers in the house.


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s him. Go on introduce yourself.¡± Grandma said still dazed


    I give Fi a quick smile and a wink. Fi¡¯s eyes widen and she sighs.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I guess it happens occasionally, children who are slightly faster at growing and stupid parents that think they are gifted¡­ another waste of time.¡± Fi mumbles under her breathe.


    I heard that Fi! Although I couldn¡¯t agree more with her she still shouldn¡¯t have said that out loud.


    ¡°What was that Fi?¡± Kaya asks


    ¡°Oh, nothing. But I don¡¯t think I can help your child doesn¡¯t understand magic yet right?¡± Fi asks


    ¡°Aero is really talented! He shouldn¡¯t have a problem learning it.¡± Kaya said with great pride


    Fi sighed again and looks at me.


    ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll try my best.¡± She said probably realizing that it was useless to say anything else


    With that I had my first teacher. I would train with her in the morning and learn swordsmanship from Tom in the afternoon. It was decided that I would start in the morning of the next day so Fi would have time to settle in. Fi moved into the room next to mine and the next morning I began magic lessons.


    ¡°Today we are going to start learning from the Magic textbook but first let¡¯s see how talented you are Aero.¡± Fi said


    Fi took me outside and into the front yard. Magic was done primarily outdoors she understood that so she probably wouldn¡¯t break any walls like I did.


    ¡°Okay let me demonstrate¡­ Water come forth and be commanded, Water Arrow.¡± Fi chants


    At the same time a basketball sized ball of water shoots and heads towards a tree at a high speed. With a crack a tree branch snaps off as the water ball zooms past. The ball then loses its form and soaks the fence.


    ¡°How was that?¡± She asks clearly very proud


    ¡°I think it was cool but um that tree was grandmother¡¯s tree so I think she might be angry.¡±


    ¡°Ehh¡­ Really¡­ Give me a second.¡± Fi said hurriedly


    Tom once cut a branch off, a single branch and grandmother chased after him with a broom until Kaya fixed it. I had never seen her so angry. Fi quickly runs over and picks up the broken branches. She hold the branches back up to the tree with embarrassment all over her face.


    ¡°Um¡­ Let this part of what once was return to its place, Heal!¡± Fi chants


    The branches return to the tree and Fi steps back with relief all over her face.


    ¡°Wow so Fi can use healing magic too.¡± I said while flashing her a smile


    ¡°Oh that, I have no problems until Advanced ranked.¡± Fi said proudly


    ¡°That¡¯s cool Fi!¡± I said honestly surprised


    According the magic text book it is rather hard to learn healing magic unless you spend a lot of time learning it. I seem to be an exception but that¡¯s because I am from another world and have the magic gift.


    ¡°It¡¯s easy for anyone to reach that level with training of course.¡± Fi replies happily


    Even though I had just called her cool she seemed to already be over the moon. Really this girl is too easy to please.


    ¡°Okay, Aero now try that.¡± Fi said regaining some control over her face


    ¡°Sure thing Fi.¡± I said confidently


    I raised my hand and sent out a water arrow without thinking.  I made a slightly smaller ball and shot it slightly slower at the tree in order to not show up my teacher. If I did it better she might make a fuss and storm off. I am very kind to sweet young girls like Fi. I however forgot miss the tree and I hear a large crack and the tree falls over.  Fi looks at me with a rather complicated face.


    ¡°Did you shorten the chant or something because I didn¡¯t hear it?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t say it. I just thought and sent one was that wrong?¡±


    Come to think of it the book had said that silent chanting was a high level skill and only a few people have ever managed to do it. Or did she think that I was full of myself and using it too early. Maybe I should ask who would want to use those lame chants anyway.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Do usually not use a chant?¡± Fi asked excitedly


    ¡°I don¡¯t use those chants¡­ If a guy says them the sound sort of wimpy right?¡± I asked


    ¡°Voiceless Incantations¡­ I have read about it but to actually¡­ and so young too.¡± Fi mumbles


    Fi¡¯s eyes return to a sleepy look as she regains her composure.


    ¡°Do you feel tired?¡± Fi asked


    ¡°No, I am fine.¡± I looked at Fi worriedly


    ¡°Is that so¡­ Well I have nothing to criticize on the size and power of the water arrow.¡± Fi said in her teacher voice


    ¡°Thank you Fi. So what¡¯s next?¡±


    Fi showed a small smile, a very small one. Then muttered to herself


    ¡°¡­Looks like he is going to be a good student¡­¡±


    I can hear you¡­ I cannot hold back the smile.


    ¡°Ahhh!! My Tree!!¡± a scream rings out from behind me.


    Grandmother has come to check on us and sees her tree on the ground. With a loud crash she drops the drinks that she had brought out for us. Her hands cover her mouth and sorrow crosses her face then she looks at us and the sorrow disappears and turns into rage. Before I can even think to run Grandmother has leapt from the porch and has grabbed us both by the collar. Fi¡¯s hat slumps down until it covers her eyes.


    ¡°Miss Fi!! Please treat our home with more respect as it is yours as well. Control your magic!¡±


    ¡°Eh! But Miss Elena that was done by Aero¡­.¡± Fi begged


    ¡°Even if that¡¯s true you should control your student as well!¡± Elena shouts


    Fi acted as if she received a great shock, she looks at me then lowers her head. I guess she realized that she was trying to push the blame on a child that was barely three and a half.


    ¡°You''re right¡­¡± Fi said rather dejectedly


    ¡°I hope this never happens again!!¡± Elena shouts and drops us both to the ground.


    ¡°Yes, I am very sorry Elena¡­¡± Fi mumbles


    My mother comes out and repairs the tree and escorts Elena back inside.


    ¡°I might be fired tomorrow¡­¡± Fi said sadly


    Fi sits down and draws in the dirt with her staff. She really seems to have taken that rather hard. I patted her on the head and smiled at her. She pushes her hat up so she can see and looks up at me.


    ¡°Aero¡­¡± She said with tears rapidly forming in her eyes.


    I have no idea what to say to her. I really want to cheer her up but I don¡¯t want to seem insensitive that is one thing that I learned in my last life girls need a gentle touch because on wrong word and they can bawl.


    ¡°Fi, you¡¯re not wrong¡­ you are just learning how to get along with everyone.¡±


    ¡°Aero¡­¡± Fi sniffs and stares up at me


    ¡°I like Fi quite a bit so I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll get fired.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Aero¡­¡± Fi said happily


    ¡°Now what¡¯s next Fi?¡± I asked happily


    And with those few words, Fi and I had a good relationship. Afternoons were for training with Tom. Since there was not much I could do it¡¯s still essentially body training. Running, pushups, sit-ups and anything else Tom could think of that would improve my stamina. Even on days when Tom had work and couldn¡¯t train me basic body training wasn¡¯t to be missed. This is the same in every world. As I was used to exercising I picked up these things fast and gradually I got more and more adjusted to my new body. Since I was still a child my sword training only lasted till 2 pm. Afterwards I would always find Fi and practice magic and talk about her life.


    Fi can from the far east of the world a place called the Dead lands. She said that it is the home of the Demon race and the continent is covered with monsters. Some of the monster that she fought were as high as B ranked. According to the book on monster that mean that it was as strong as 5 swordsmen of advanced rank or 3 magician of advanced rank. Her party fought but ran away after losing a member. Fi looked rather sad when she talked about some of her adventure days.


    ¡°Hey Fi¡­ How old are you?¡± I asked abruptly


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m 15¡­:¡± She said quietly


    ¡°Fi, that¡¯s obviously a lie. You don¡¯t look much older than 10¡± I said suspiciously


    ¡°No I¡¯m serious. I¡¯m from the Demon race that¡¯s why I look so young. My race matures slowly so by the time Aero is 15 I will be a beautiful adult woman!!¡± Fi said as if she was trying to make herself believe her words.


    ¡°Oh well Fi was so small I just thought that you were done growing¡­¡± I trailed off when I see tears form in Fi¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I am not done growing¡­ You¡¯ll see!! When you are 15 I¡¯ll show you!¡± Fi said in a huff.


    After a few moments Fi realizes what she just said and looks at me bashfully.


    ¡°Um I meant my height¡­ Nothing else¡­¡± Fi covers her chest and turns away.


    I decided to tease her a little. Fi was a lot of fun to tease but I had to be careful because she cried rather easily and I didn¡¯t like it when she cried.


    ¡°Fi, you¡¯re already beautiful so I don¡¯t think you have to worry about the future.  I will gladly marry you when I ¡®m older.¡±


    Fi blushes deeply then regains her composure.


    ¡°Aero, you should save that kind of talk for a girl that you fall in love with¡­¡± She said quietly


    ¡°But I love Fi¡­ Is it no good? Does Fi not like me?¡± I asked sadly


    ¡°No, I like you very much but I¡¯m not ready to settle down yet so um ask again when you¡¯re older.¡± Fi sputters out


    ¡°Okay¡­ Fi, I¡¯m older now.¡±


    Fi swings at me and I dodge and run away from her as she chases after me. I really do care for Fi and I would love to marry her but I don¡¯t know if I could do that to such a sweet girl. I mean I would die in 32 years so I couldn¡¯t make her happy then sad it would tear at my heart to do that to anyone.


    Several months pass like this and I continue to grow. My fourth year passes by with still no contact from Ella or anyone from heaven. Fi is still teaching me magic but she focuses on things that she can beat me in like drawing magic circles and summoning magic. The reason she beats me in these still is because she has neater handwriting and I have had a problem with summoning magic. I can¡¯t get my head around what I am supposed to summon. I mean I can picture a bird but I can¡¯t seem to actually summon it. Even with chanting if you don¡¯t understand the concept then you can¡¯t do it. Fi seems to enjoy teasing me about this during our lessons


    ################################################


    AN: I upped the length a little hope you enjoyed the service!  Btw for those of you who saw a major mistake please PM me!


    Thanks for reading

 Chapter 7: Training and Test < Hanging out with Fi

    Tom has decided, arbitrarily,  that I am old enough to practice with a wooden sword. In this world it is traditional to learn with two swords. Tom start our practice sessions with a mile of running with both of the wooden swords in our hands. Every once and awhile he will swing at me and I¡¯ll try to block it. After being slammed into the ground a few times I learned to let his sword slide off of mine rather than try to dead stop his swing. After we return home with a few new bruises Fi always seems to wander out and heal me before I do it myself. She¡¯ll then go to the porch and sit with Elena and watches us spar and do other exercises. After a few bouts I¡¯m once again covered in bruises and Fi will run over and heal me.


    After training with Tom he will always walk over to me and say something ridiculous. Today it just happened to be true.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Aero you seem to take after your father quite a bit. This young and you already have a wonderful woman like Fi chasing after you¡­¡± Tom chuckled to himself and winks at Kaya


    ¡°That¡¯s right father. I am chasing after Fi!¡± I exclaimed


    Tom looks at me dumfounded as I walk off trailing after a blushing Fi.


    ¡°Ha-ha he gets his wit from his mother though!¡± Elena laughed loudly


    I run towards Fi and my next lesson with my cute teacher.


    ¡°Aero, today we are going on a short trip.¡± Fi said happily


    ¡°Okay, where are we off too?¡± I asked


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t rained in a while so we are going to sell rain!¡± Fi said proudly


    ¡°Not for free?¡± I asked


    ¡°Of course not! Magicians should be paid for their work! However we don¡¯t charge too much okay just 3 iron pennies for 15 minutes.¡± She said greedily


    Fi pulls open the gate and walks towards the neighboring farms. I have never left my family estate before so I am rather excited to go see the surrounding families. After a few minutes of walking we approach a few people out in the fields to ask them if they need any rain or anything done. Surprisingly Fi is asked to remove rocks from fields and she does so quickly and stacks them on the already made rock walls. Fi also calls upon rain and waters the fields for 15 minutes then plops down clearly exhausted.


    ¡°Thank you Miss Fi. Here is your payment and here is a little something extra.¡± A farmer said and hands Fi a few coins and a small package.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Fi shows her small smile and opens the package.


    Inside of the package is a piece of a bee hive covered in honey. Fi smiles and looks up at me.


    ¡°This makes it all worth it. Aero, this is the best thing ever! Honey!¡±


    Fi shoves the whole piece of honey into her mouth and something close to absolute bliss crosses her face. She beams at me with bee wax still on her teeth and giggles happily. She has a problem with sugar. I get the feeling that if you offered her sugar or anything sweet she would do whatever you told her to do. I must protect her from herself but looking at her adorable face I just want to give her more sugar and sweet things.


    ¡°Oh, sorry Aero I didn¡¯t give you any¡­ wait here.¡± Fi said with mixed emotions


    She holds out her finger that has honey still on it and blushes. This girl is really too cute. I lick the honey off of her finger. I don¡¯t know if there was something special about the honey of this world but it was very sweet but I think the best part was where I was getting it from. I look up at Fi¡¯s face and see a small amount of honey stuck to her cheek. I plop a kiss on her cheek and the honey disappears.


    ¡°Aero¡­ what¡­¡± Fi sputtered out


    ¡°Nothing, there was honey on your cheek so I go it. It was delicious!¡± I said happily


    Fi blushes and stands up.


    ¡°Come on there is work to be done.¡± She said changing the subject


    We walk off to the next farmer who asks for rain and Fi tries but couldn¡¯t manage the last 5 minutes. I quickly add my mana into hers and she makes it till the end. After payment she sits down and once again greedily gobbles down the honey this time I am not offered any but I guess that is fair. We continue this process a few more times before Fi starts to look rather tired. She pushes on however because of those small packages of honey that everyone gives her. After a few more she stumbles and I catch her.


    This girl is actually fast asleep and looks so angelic that I can¡¯t bear to wake her. I lift her onto my back and start the trek home. Fi is rather small and isn¡¯t much bigger than me so I don¡¯t have a problem carrying her home. About 100 feet from home Fi wakes up and realizes what happened.


    ¡°Hey, Aero you can put me down okay. I¡¯m okay now.¡± Fi said quietly


    ¡°Fi, It¡¯s a man¡¯s job to carry his women home.¡± I said half joking and half serious


    ¡°But aren¡¯t I heavy¡­¡± Fi asked


    ¡°No, I am trained remember.  Fi is as light as a feather.¡± I said proudly


    ¡°Okay then, you may carry me to the gate.¡± Fi said at a whisper


    We travel the rest of the way in silence and when we get to the gate I place Fi gently onto the ground. I open the gate and we walk inside. Tom and Kaya smile at me as Fi pulls me aside.


    ¡°Thank you, Aero. I just really like sweet things so I can¡¯t help it¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll carry you anytime Fi.¡± I said proudly


    Fi gently kisses my forehead and quickly walks away towards her room. Tom, Elena and Kaya all quickly hide behind the wall and act like they didn¡¯t see anything. Tom however couldn¡¯t hide his smile very well and during training the next day continued to have a stupid smile plastered to his face.


    Another year passes and I have my first birthday party. In Alera birthdays are celebrated every 5 years and the biggest are when you turn five, ten and at Fifteen you are considered an adult. After training I went inside to take a bath but instead I am lead into the dining room and before me lies a large cake and everyone is gathered around the table. I am handed four gifts and I open them quickly. Elena¡¯s gift is a hooded dark green cloak with lots of small pockets inside. On the back is a small crest with a snow covered tree.


    ¡°Grandmother, what is this crest on the back?¡± I asked


    ¡°Hmm, well that would be your family crest when you get married. It¡¯s a tree covered in white snow because not only are you a White but you are also Night-stalker which is an elven name.¡± Elena explained


    My next gift is from Kaya and it is a book on plants around the world. This is a wonderful gift because not only is it useful but books were really hard to come by and were really expensive.


    ¡°Thank you mother this is wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Well you do read a lot so I thought you might enjoy a new book.¡± Kaya said happily


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Kaya walks over to me and kisses me on the forehead.


    Tom¡¯s gift is two swords. They are masterfully crafted and perfectly balanced. The two sheathes are able to be worn at the side or on the back. The swords of this world are slightly curved and only have small cross guards to protect your hands. Before I can say my thanks Tom starts up in a serious tone.


    ¡°Aero, these are not toys. They are tools for killing and they must be treated as such. A man should only use them to protect the weak or his friends and family.¡± Tom said seriously


    ¡°Yes sir. I understand.¡± I said


    Tom has a proud look plastered on his face. As he starts to continue his lecture Kaya shoots him a look and he swallows the rest of his lecture and sits back down. Fi moves over and hands me a small box. She sits back down and looks at me excitedly while I open the box. Inside is a small amulet with a rather intricate design. It is cool to the touch even though it is made of wood and it gives off a flowery smell like the one that Fi gives off.


    ¡°That is a very special amulet. It is given by my race to people who are special to us. If you are ever near any of the demon race they will be more likely to treat you like a friend rather than an outsider.¡± Fi explained.


    ¡°Thanks Fi, That sounds pretty useful.¡± I said while smiling


    ¡°But some of the other tribes in my race might see it and attack anyway¡­ but it should help more than it hurts¡­ Hopefully.¡± Fi said slowly losing confidence in her words


    ¡°Well thank you¡­ I¡¯m sure that it will all work out.¡± I said brightly


    I place the amulet around my neck and tuck it in my shirt. Fi looks at me rather happily and smiles. As if a response to Fi¡¯s happiness the amulet heats up and warms my chest.


    Over the next couple days I begin to notice a response from the amulet depending on Fi¡¯s emotions. When we go out to help in the fields, Fi always gets paid with coin and honey, it feels warm. When all of the honey is gone the amulet goes back to a cool temperature as Fi regains control of her emotions and her sleepy look slides back over her face.


    ¡°Hey, Fi does this amulet convey your emotions by temperature?¡± I asked


    ¡°Hmm¡­ well the amulet has my mana in it so it¡¯s possible¡­ I don¡¯t really know I was taught to make it when I was about your age.  I was supposed to make it for someone who is important to me but I don¡¯t really know what it does.¡± Fi explained


    ¡°Oh¡­ So I¡¯m special to you then?¡± I said teasingly


    ¡°Well¡­ you¡¯re a very special student¡­ and you act so mature¡­¡± Fi sputtered out


    ¡°Oh well thank you¡­¡± I said rather embarrassed at her honesty


    ¡°Okay well¡­ let¡¯s get back to lessons¡± Fi said awkwardly


    A few more months flew by and still nothing from heaven or from Ella.  I am quickly mastering magic but my growth in swordplay leaves something to be desired.  Tom has started to spar with me every day but I am constantly beat down with very little signs of any kind of improvement.  It is to be expected because Tom is ridiculously strong and I am still learning but it is still frustrating to not even score a single hit.  Fi has mentioned that my graduation is coming up soon but what that means has escaped me.


    ¡°Today we are going to do a final test and if you pass you can call yourself a Master rank magician like me.¡± Fi said rather sadly


    Fi has been losing confidence in her talent as a magician since she has been my teacher.  I can¡¯t really blame her because if a five year old was showing me up I would be pretty frustrated. Fi drags me to the forest for the test because the magic that we are going to do could be dangerous.


    ¡°Okay, Aero, we are going to perform a summoning without a magic circle. This can go badly but we are just going to do a small summon. All I want you to do is summon a bird.¡± Fi explained


    ¡°Just a bird?¡± I asked


    ¡°Well¡­ let me show you¡­ I summon the bird of life, who flies on the warm wind. Come forth and serve your new master.¡± Fi chanted


    A small flash of light turns into a small brown colored bird.  The bird flutters down and lands softly on Fi¡¯s shoulder. The bird looks at me, quickly loses interest and starts to play with Fi¡¯s hair.  Fi gently reaches out and pets the little bird on the head.


    ¡°See easy right? It¡¯s not hard and it¡¯s a short chant but you don¡¯t need it right?¡± Fi said teasingly


    Fi has always been able to beat me in summoning.  I haven¡¯t been able to do any kind of summoning without a magic circle.  Of course she would chose the only kind of magic that I struggle with to test me on.


    ¡°Okay, give me a minute.¡± I said


    ¡°Oh so my genius student needs a minute. Well, I guess I still have a lot to teach you then.¡± Fi said with her eyes shimmering with laughter.


    I move away from my small teacher and think for a moment about why I haven¡¯t been able to summon anything without a magic circle.  I understand the feeling of summoning magic but I haven¡¯t understood the visual aspect behind it.  I relax and focus on an image of a bird but I can¡¯t keep the image of a small bird. I changed my image to one I am more familiar with and land on an Eagle. A bright flash of red light appears in front of me and an eagle flies out and lands on my outstretched arm.


    ¡°What¡­ wow Aero that is amazing I have never seen this kind of bird before what is it?¡± Fi asked amazed


    I looked at the eagle and it looked back at me. I guess that Alera doesn¡¯t have any big birds like my eagle.


    ¡°Oh well¡­ I saw it in a book and it just came to me¡­¡± I lied


    ¡°Hmm¡­ That shouldn¡¯t be possible¡­¡± Fi quietly said


    As if to force me to talk the eagle pecks me on the check. It stares at me with surprising intelligence in its eyes almost saying make up something already.


    ¡°What was that Fi?¡±


    ¡°Oh nothing¡­ Usually you have to be familiar with something before you can summon it if you have just read about it you normally can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Oh I get it¡­ wait, Fi why didn¡¯t you tell me that?¡±


    Fi dances away from my grasp and runs off deeper into the woods.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Fi.¡± I shouted after her


    ###################################################


    AN: Romance is blooming!! Okay, well he''s five so nothing XXX yet. His mental age should be around 26 so he is mature in his thoughts though... well if you think about it isn''t every story about reincarnation technically full of guys who are like 40 mentally chasing 16 year olds anyway?


    Just my thoughts age is just a number but below 18 are not to be touched only admired! Remember the rules of Lolicon "Protect, Look but no touch!!"


    (The Author is in no way a Lolicon and is a fan of the Onee-sans/ older girls.)

 Chapter 8: A farewell should be made while smiling.

    I chase after Fi¡¯s rapidly vanishing figure and after a few minutes I close the gap between us. I see Fi smiling as she looks back towards me and she laughs loudly as I finally catch her. Her long grass green hair falls down and covers her eyes. She giggles as I push her hair away from her eyes. Her normally sleepy blue eyes are now focused and brimming with light.


    ¡°Ha-ha well¡­ Aero you have grown up rather well¡­¡± Fi said happily


    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to you¡­ I learned a lot as your student.¡± I said proudly


    ¡°I suspect that you already knew most of it and you just let me teach you but thanks.  Before I came to teach you I was considered a genius but after coming here I have lost confidence in my talent. I¡¯ll have to work hard so that I can hold my head high as your teacher.¡± Fi said depressed


    I look at this tiny teacher of mine who has taught me many things about my new world. I have not just learned magic from her but also the economics, and the basic etiquette of this world.  Apparently there are still nobles and kings in this world and each have different forms of address and etiquette that is due to them.  Fi taught me all these things to prepare me for the outside world without her there are many things that I wouldn¡¯t have known.


    We sit down and talk about what happens after we return home. Fi decides that she will be leaving and going on a journey to train and make something of herself as an adventurer. I told her that she was welcome to stay but she said she needed to do this for herself. After a few minutes of arguing I finally give in and Fi promises that we will meet again.  After that we just sit and talk in the quiet forest.  Fi tells me of her home and how she decided to go out on her own when she was 6.  I sit next to her and listen quietly as the sunlight slowly vanishes from the forest trees.


    ¡°Fi, it¡¯s getting dark we should head back home.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s be off then.¡± Fi said happily


    The amulet grows warm as we take off out of the forest.  As the last light of the day drops below the horizon we step inside my family home. During dinner Fi announces that I am now a Master ranked magician.  My mother looks very proud and my father and grandmother toast till they are quite drunk. Even Fi gets a little tipsy and sluggishly scoots closer to me.


    ¡°You see here, Aero don¡¯t go chasing after any girls while I¡¯m away. Remember your teacher okay¡­¡± Fi slurred


    ¡°Okay...¡± I said while trying to push Fi away for she reeked of alcohol.


    ¡°Ha-ha Aero already is a hit with the ladies.¡± Elena shouted out loudly


    ¡°But of course he¡¯s my son Ha-ha.¡± Tom bellowed even louder than Elena did.


    ¡°Now, Now you two calm down.¡± Kaya said while setting more food and Alcohol down in front of them.


    Fi stands up on the table and looks at us all, her face has a drunken smile slapped on it with her normally sleepy eyes making it seem as if she was about to fall asleep.


    ¡°I have an announcement! As of tomorrow I will be returning to traveling and I plan to make a name for myself so that Aero can be proud of his teacher!¡± Fi reached down for yet another swig of her drink.


    ¡°Oh Fi, you know you¡¯re welcome to stay.  You don¡¯t have to go running off so soon.¡± Kaya said sadly looking at Fi.


    ¡°Here, here!¡± Elena and Tom shout in agreement.


    ¡°I thank you for your kind words but I have to do this for myself.  This last year or so has been one of the happiest times of my life but I really must be off to train¡­ I mean to go on my journey¡­¡± Fi stated her true feelings but quickly covered those up as she reaches down to take another drink.  Fi then plops down in her seat and scoots over closer to me and flashed a lopsided smile.


    After another hour or so of partying Fi passes out as do both Elena and Tom.  Kaya laughs as she carries Tom upstairs leaving me alone with Elena and Fi.  I place Fi on my back and carry her upstairs to her room.


    ¡°Aero¡­ Stop eating¡­ my food¡­¡± She mumbled as I laid her down in her bed.


    ¡°Jeez what is she dreaming about¡­¡± I said aloud as I pull up the covers and wipe her hair out of her face.


    Fi¡¯s sleeping face is too cute to resist so I lightly kiss her on the forehead and head back down the stairs.  Elena is slumped over the edge of the table with a stupid but happy smile plastered to her face.  I approach to help her up and carry her upstairs but she stirs in her sleep and looks at me.


    ¡°Oh, Aero good morning¡­ actually I guess it¡¯s still evening¡­¡± She mumbled and tried to stand up quickly stumbling and almost falling to the floor. I stepped in and caught hold of her and steadied her so she wouldn¡¯t plunge into the floor.


    ¡°Whoa¡­ Grandmother, be careful I have you so just lean on me.¡± I said while gently grasping her body.


    ¡°Ah¡­ My little Aero is already so strong and reliable.  Well, you have always been that way but I can really see it now.  Aero, you don¡¯t have too grow up so fast take your time for you only get to be a kid once.¡± Elena said proudly but with sadness in her eyes as she wraps her arm around my shoulders.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll try to slow down Grandmother.¡± I laughed as I start walking towards the stairs steading Elena as I go.


    ¡°Oh, who am I kidding you''re already more mature than Tom.  You have so much of your mother in you, she was a mature child as well. Even Fi has been outclassed by her student and is ready to do anything to catch up even leave behind probably the best time in her short life.  Although I understand I sometimes want to run and go get stronger so I can hold my head high as your grandmother.¡± Elena whispered under her breath as I helped her up the stairs.


    ¡°Ha-ha Grandmother you are strong so don¡¯t worry about being stronger.  I don¡¯t know what I would do if you put on a lot of muscle.  Then who would carry you up the stairs when you pass out from drinking.  I can only carry you because you¡¯re so light and feminine.¡± I said as we reached to top of the stairs.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Oh, Aero is surprisingly smooth I can see why Fi is so fond of you¡­¡± Elena teasingly with a sparkle in her eyes.


    I helped Elena to her bed and she kissed me lightly on the forehead and smiled.


    ¡°Well, off to bed with you if I know Fi she¡¯ll try to sneak out without saying goodbye tomorrow so you¡¯ll need to make sure you wake up to see her off.¡± Elena said as I exited the room


    ¡°I know I¡¯ll properly catch her before she leaves tomorrow.  Goodnight Grandma¡­¡±


    I wake up the next morning before the sunrise and wait downstairs for Fi to try to sneak out.  Sure enough after about 20 minutes of waiting I hear her slowly creep down the stairs.  I waited until I saw her make it to the bottom of the stairs. I then cast a light spell and start laughing as soon as I see Fi.  She has a backpack that is stuffed to its limits on her back, full of what must be all the sweets she has started to hoard for helping out around in the village.  Her magician hat slips down her head and covers her eyes and she tries to adjust it with her only free hand.  The other hand has her staff and she drops it in surprise when she sees my light spell.


    ¡°Oh hey, Good morning Aero¡­ I thought you would still be asleep¡­¡± Fi stammered out while picking up her staff.


    ¡°Nope, I thought you would try to sneak out so I woke up to see you off.¡± I said while trying to keep a straight look on my face.


    ¡°Oh I see¡­ well then you may walk me to the edge of the village then.¡± Fi said while walking quickly towards the door.


    I jump up and follow her outside.  As the sun begin to peek over the hills in the distance we walk away from the village and towards the main road.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to say goodbye to everyone?¡±


    ¡°No, I already said I was leaving last night so they know.¡± Fi mentioned quietly as she pushes her hat up.


    ¡°Admit it, Fi you''re just bad at saying goodbye¡­¡± I said teasingly


    ¡°Fine¡­ I am bad at it¡­ I really like all of you so I don¡¯t mean anything by it¡­¡± Fi mumble as we approach the village border.


    We continue walking in silence until we arrive at where the main road passes our village.  Fi turns and looks at me and smiles.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be off to go adventuring.  I¡¯ll write you during my travels but it might be hard for you to send a reply because I¡¯ll be moving around a lot. Oh¡­ I forgot you can summon now!!¡± Fi shouted and started to dig around in her oversized bag.


    I stand and watch her as she carefully pulls out a small piece of paper and hands it too me.  She looks at me happily and with great anticipation.  I look at the small piece of paper and it¡¯s totally blank, not even a drop of ink.


    ¡°Um¡­ What am I supposed to do with this?¡± I asked while looking at Fi with a confused look on my face.


    ¡°Give it here¡­ This is your last lesson from me so pay attention.¡±  Fi said as she grabbed the piece of paper from my hand.  She puts the paper in between her thumb and her index finger and chants a short summoning.


    ¡°Wind of my past, send unto the future. Summon!¡± Fi chanted as the paper turned blue and changed into a small blue bird.  The bird flew onto Fi¡¯s shoulder and looked at her expectantly.


    ¡°Now you just tell the bird who to go to and it will carry your message and when it arrives it changes back into paper.  Go to Aero!¡± Fi said and the bird flutters over to me and land on my outstretched hand.  Fi puffs out her chest with pride and with a puff of smoke the bird turns back into a blank piece of paper.


    ¡°See! Pretty cool huh? Are you a little impressed with your teacher?¡± Fi said with a bright smile on her face.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s really cool! Thank you for teaching me, Fi. I¡¯ll always treasure what you taught me and I¡¯ll write often.¡± I promised


    ¡°Now, I guess I¡¯m off¡­ Oh yea I almost forgot¡­¡± Fi clapped her hands together and walks up to me. She throws her arms around me and kisses me on the cheek. Laughing loudly, she flashes me a quick sleepy smile as she walks away down the road towards whatever adventure comes next for her.


    As I watch her small figure disappear down the road I gave a quiet thanks to whatever god allowed me to be so fortunate to have such a wonderful teacher.  I turn away back toward the village and start walking back home.  When I return home Tom is waiting for me outside, leaning on a practice sword.


    ¡°So, she left then¡­ You saw her off right?¡± Tom said looking at me


    ¡°Yes¡­ she said it¡¯s not that she doesn¡¯t like all of us she is just bad at goodbyes.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha I figured as much¡­ Well, now that she¡¯s gone your sword training is going to be taken to the next level so prepare yourself!!¡± Tom said while waving me inside the house.


    ¡°Yes, Father I will. Before that though can we eat breakfast I am pretty hungry.¡± I asked as my stomach grumbled out a complaint.


    ¡°Sure thing, I can postpone the deat... easy training till after breakfast.¡± Tom said with a wide smile


    #########################################################


    AN: Ugh I''m taking a fifteen minute break before posting the next chapter. If I had an editor this would be easier but oh well...

 Chapter 9: Family is priceless... So why not make more?

    Tom believes that as a swordsman you should be able to react to any situation at any time with speed and accuracy.  If it¡¯s as simple as blocking a sudden dagger or being able to stop an arrow shot at your head from your blind spot it should be done almost instantaneously, an automatic response to a negative external stimuli if you will.  To me it sort of sounds like a sixth sense but Tom said it¡¯s more like sensing someone¡¯s intentions or willingness to injure or kill.


    In order to train me to be able to detect killing intent and varying degrees of it after breakfast we trained in the Forest. I was told to go grab a few flowers from the center of the forest and that Tom was going to attack me on the way.  My job was to dodge or block the attacks while getting the flowers.  Tom shot arrows with corks on the head and threw wooden knives and by the end of it I had only dodged one and that was only because of the tree branch that I slipped on.


    After doing it a few times I learned that a chill would cross my back before every attack and I could guess the direction of it and dodge about twice out of every five attacks.  I couldn¡¯t tell if it was an arrow or a dagger until I ran Tom¡¯s gauntlet about 26 times when I figured out which was which I found I could locate Tom based on his killing intent. From then on I could deflect or dodge five out of five attacks.  On the 36th run I caught one of the knives and threw it back at the tree I thought Tom was in and he fell out of the tree with a big smile on his face.  It was getting dark so we headed home and on the way back Tom praised me with a gentle pat on the head.  I healed myself after dinner but the muscle pain wouldn¡¯t go away I guess stamina has to recharge on its own.  I drift off to a night of deep sleep.


    ¡°¡­  Hey¡­ Wake up, when others are talking to you!!¡± A voice sounds in my head


    As I open my eyes I see Ella standing looking down at me I also notice that her foot is pressing down on my stomach.


    ¡°Oy¡­ Get your foot off me, Ella.¡± I said angrily.


    ¡°Oh my bad¡­¡± Ella lifts her foot off of me and backs away slightly.


    I stand up and look around to check out my surroundings.  We are in a white room that appears to be quite large.  Ella gestures towards the floor and a table pops up with a few chairs.  As I sit down Ella gestures again and that weird blue tea pops up in front of me.  Ella takes a long sip and sets down her tea and looks at me like she¡¯s waiting for me.  I sigh and pick up the tea and take a small sip and set it back down.


    ¡°So¡­ Let¡¯s start the first dream meeting!¡± Ella said cheerfully.


    ¡°Dream meeting?¡±


    ¡°Yes! As your guardian angel and advisor in the Rebirth Program it¡¯s my job to ask how you are doing and give you advice. So first of all, how are you doing? Have you settled in okay?¡± Ella piped up.


    ¡°Honestly, I thought that I was forgotten and abandoned by you guys. Why has it been so long since you have been in contact?¡± I asked seething with anger


    ¡°Um¡­ Please don¡¯t look at me so angrily¡­ It¡¯s not my fault¡­¡± Ella looks at me with tears forming in her eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s not going to work give me a proper answer!¡± I slammed down my tea and stare angrily at Ella


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so mad¡­ Um basically time in heaven and here on Alera go at a different rates¡­ it¡¯s only been about a month since you left.  The gates don¡¯t line up but once a day here and I was getting punished¡­¡± Ella said quietly.


    ¡°Fine, whatever¡­ I¡¯ve been okay¡­ It¡¯s hard to be raised again and by people who are younger than I was when I died.¡± I explained


    ¡°So you don¡¯t like them?¡±


    ¡°No, how could I not like them.  I have a huge amount of respect and love for my new family. Tom is strong and a good teacher, but he doesn¡¯t really use his head.  Kaya is a great mother, kind and sweet.  Even Elena is a wonderful grandmother, but she can be pretty scary at times but more often than not she is gentle and sweet.¡± I said as a sudden rush of happiness hit me.  I really had come to love my new in this world.


    ¡°Okay, well that¡¯s good. I¡¯m glad you like them.  So any concerns so far?¡±


    ¡°Other than the fact that I was not told anything after my new life started I actually like it here.  The fields and the forests here are beautiful and the people I have met are wonderful.  So not a single concern with this world but I have been sheltered as my body is still young.¡± I answered


    ¡°Well, that is true¡­¡± Ella said as she sets her tea down and stares at the cup


    We sit there in silence for a minute as I wait for her to start up the conversation again.  Ella continues to stare at her tea as if hoping to divine something to that will shatter the silence.  I sigh deeply and reject the silence that I thrust upon her and open my mouth to break the thing I created.


    ¡°Okay, listen I¡¯m not mad anymore.  I apologize if I made you nervous and I understand that events must of happened that were out of your hemisphere of influence.  I was wrong to be angry at you.  Can we start talking again?¡± I said after finishing off my cup of tea.  It instantly refills with more of the blue tea.


    ¡°You¡¯re not angry anymore?¡± Ella asked while wiping her eyes.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± I answered quickly


    ¡°¡­Okay¡­ Then have your gifts been working out well?¡± Ella asked after breathing in to calm herself.


    ¡°I like all of them but the gift of language hasn¡¯t really helped.  I had to learn everything on my own.¡±


    ¡°Well, of course you do! It needs a basic language to understand so it can translate everything into it. It even does writing and translates it into your base language you learn when you arrive. It¡¯s no good if you don¡¯t understand the language it changes other languages too.¡± Ella explained looking at me like that was common sense.


    ¡°Oh¡­ So what about like when I talk, does it come out in the language it¡¯s supposed to or do they just here me talking in my base?¡± I asked curiously


    ¡°It obviously changes to the language that the person you¡¯re speaking too is Fluent in otherwise it would be rather pointless.¡± Ella said while waving her hand once again over the table.


    Instead of more tea a few pastries appear in front of us both.  Ella¡¯s face immediately brightened as she grabbed one and started throwing them in her mouth.  I eat one rather hesitantly and all I taste is sugar.  It was as if I had bitten a sugar cube that was covered in frosting, it was too sweet.  I look at Ella who is scarfing them down at a frightening pace and all I can do is hope that angel¡¯s don¡¯t get diabetes.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°So¡­ Ella, you said that you had some advisory things to talk to me about?¡± I asked as she pops yet another pastry in her mouth.


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s right I almost forgot! As you advisor I have a few things to tell you. Just give me a second I wrote them down so I wouldn¡¯t forget.¡± Ella said as she digs into her pocket and pulls out a piece of paper


    ¡°Ah, this is it¡­ okay, first of all mother and father said hi and send their love.  Now, onto your future in Alera. Good news, your time restriction here has been lifted you are to stay until you die or say you¡¯re ready to leave upon which you will return to heaven.¡± Ella rattled off


    ¡°So, I have longer than 35 years?¡± I asked


    ¡°Yep, unless you die then you will be reborn here on Alera again until you complete your assessment of the state of the world.  From time to time we¡¯ll do this meeting thing and you¡¯ll tell me what¡¯s going on. One last thing¡­ Father told me to tell you that you are allowed another gift but there has been a delay in sending it. He said it should arrive in the next few years so look forward to it.¡±  Ella explained


    ¡°Okay, I will then. So is that it?¡± I said while looking for an exit but to no avail


    ¡°Yep, for now anyways¡­ Hey, what¡¯s your new name?¡± Ella asked while fidgeting in her chair and looking down


    ¡°Oh, that would make it easier to talk with me¡­ My name is Aero White.¡± I said happily


    ¡°I rather like that name.  Nice to finally meet you Aero! Now be off it¡¯s time for you to get up¡­ Wow, they sure do work you hard there huh?¡±  Ella whistled with empathy.


    Ella reaches across the table and gives me a tight hug.  With a blink of my eyes everything fades to black. I blink again and I see the inside of my room with the sun peeking through the window.  I get up and go downstairs for breakfast like any other morning.


    ¡°Good morning, Aero. How did you sleep? I slept great!¡± Tom asked while grabbing Kaya¡¯s butt, who blushes and smacks his hand away.


    ¡°Fine, Father.  Don¡¯t think I slept as well as you did though? When can I expect siblings, mother?¡± I asked jokingly which earned me a tap on the head.


    ¡°Good one son! Shouldn¡¯t be much longer!¡± Tom declares loudly


    ¡°Gosh, both of you quit it!¡± Kaya exclaimed while beating on Tom¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Ha-ha what¡¯s the matter Kaya? Isn¡¯t it fine?¡± Elena piped up


    ¡°Mother, not you too! Fine, if you must know in about 8 months!¡± Kaya shouted


    The room went dead silent it was as if all of the air had rushed out and a vacuum was left in its place. The first to recover was not me but Elena, the shock turning to joy as she leaps out of her chair and hugs Kaya.


    ¡°Good, Great!! It¡¯s about time! I am so happy more grandchildren!¡± Elena shouted happily while literally jumping for joy.


    ¡°Hear that, Aero you are getting a sibling! Do your best to be a good older brother.¡± Tom said seriously.


    Before I can respond Tom jumps up and kisses Kaya deeply and hugs her tightly.  Kaya smiles and blushes while Elena starts laughing happily.  This is my family here on Alera and I must say that they can be quite goofy but I love them.  I run over and embrace them all and we fall down onto the kitchen floor laughing. It has been almost 8 years since I was born so I¡¯m sure that Tom and Kaya must have been worried because they hadn¡¯t had children since me.  It feels as if a weight had been lifted that I hadn¡¯t known off.  Kaya and Elena are crying and laughing while Tom and I are just laughing.  After a few minutes of rolling around on the floor Tom lifts Kaya up walks upstairs.


    ¡°Let¡¯s put another baby in you darling¡­ Aero, go outside and play or train.  Father has to go devour your mother ha-ha.¡± Tom said as he carried Kaya to their room.


    Tom is a wolf when it comes to those things. He¡¯s told me that he was pretty popular before he met Kaya.  I didn¡¯t believe it but both Kaya and Elena backed him up when I asked.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ that man is a wolf¡­¡± Elena mumbled in a seemingly jealous tone.


    Even though Elena is my grandmother she actually is quite young. I haven¡¯t asked but she seems to be in her early thirties.  Also because she is an elf she doesn¡¯t seem to age that much.  Elena probably can still have children so I might have some new uncles or aunts in the future.


    ¡°Grandmother, don¡¯t worry, you are quite beautiful so I also think it would be okay for you to have another child.¡± I said bluntly


    ¡°Ha-ha you think so? That¡¯s true but you already have one uncle so I¡¯m going to hold off.  But you know it¡¯s going to get busy with another child so you need to step up and help us out.¡± Elena said while patting my head gently.


    ¡°I have an uncle? Where is he?¡± I asked curiously


    ¡°Hmm¡­ he works for the king¡­ now that I think of it you have an aunt too¡­¡± Elena pondered


    Did she really forget another child she had? I think Elena is actually an amazing person in many ways but to forget a child is rather worrisome.


    ¡°The aunt isn¡¯t my child she¡¯s married to your uncle. Your uncle used to drop by from time to time but the trip from the capital takes a few weeks and I don¡¯t think he likes leaving his wife behind.¡± Elena explained


    Grandmother just read my thoughts!


    ¡°Oh, when will I meet them?¡± I asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know but you¡¯ll meet them one day.  Now let¡¯s you and me go outside and tell everyone the good news.¡± Elena said as she grabs my hand and takes me outside. As we leave the house I can hear the sounds of Tom trying to put yet another baby inside Kaya


    ###########################################################################


    AN: I changed my mind when I saw I had 3 followers!! I posted this chapter as a thank you but now i seriously am going to take a short break. I''m trying to put up what I have already written by the end of tomorrow or actually after I sleep. I''ll probably post a few more chapters before going to bed.


    Thanks for following and reading!

 Chapter 10: Thief!! No, thats your relative.

    Elena and I return after merrymaking all around the village.  Elena has gotten quite intoxicated and I had to pull her away from the innkeeper before he got eaten by Elena¡¯s lust.  Upon our return I see a few horses tied up outside our home.  I set Elena down outside and leaned her against the wall.


    I drop into a combat crouch and hid my presence.   I pull the out the knife I always carry from my boot and slowly make my way to the house.  I don¡¯t recognize the horses but I can smell blood on the saddles and see an empty scabbard so I assume someone is armed.  I peer through a window I see a man laid out on the table with a large wound on his chest and another man using healing magic but to no effect.  I see Tom is the corner but he is talking to a man and Kaya is boiling water over the stove.  I sheath my knife back in my boot so I don¡¯t embarrass myself and go back and carry Elena inside.


    ¡°¡­Kaya, how are those bandages coming! Hurry up!¡± A man shouted


    ¡°Almost done¡­¡± Kaya responded while putting a piece of torn cloth in the water


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on in here?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oh, Aero, perfect timing heal the guy on the table please.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Okay¡­ Now who are these people?¡± I said after I healed the guy laying on the table.  I watched as his skin knit back together.  It was actually pretty gross but the man stopped moaning as the new skin formed not even leaving a scar.


    ¡°See, I told you my son is amazing.¡± Tom stated proudly while patting my head


    ¡°Thank you Father, but who are these men?¡± I looked around and didn¡¯t recognize any of them.  They weren¡¯t from the village and they all had a smell of blood wafting from them.


    ¡°Well, first off I am John Night-stalker and I¡¯m your uncle.  Nice to finally meet you nephew!¡± John said rather happily for a man that had come in with an injured man.


    John stands over in the corner next to Tom. He is a tall man with long brown hair. You can really tell that he has elf blood flowing through his vein because his ears almost taper to a point and he is built rather wiry.  He is dressed in traveling clothes but with a green cloak with a small crest on his chest. The other men are dressed in identical clothing so it must be a uniform of some kind.


    I walked past them and take Elena to her room and return to the kitchen.  In my time of absence everyone had sat down at the table and were in discussion.


    ¡°Sis, I know it¡¯s a lot to ask but everyday I¡¯m losing more men to these nobleman ambushes.  I would of lost George if Aero hadn¡¯t been here.¡± John pleaded


    ¡°John, even if you say that I don¡¯t know if that long trip would be the best thing.  Kaya and I have a responsibility to this village.¡± Tom said


    ¡°What trip? What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked while sitting next to the man I healed.


    ¡°Oh, Aero, perfect timing.  Thanks for taking care of my man. George would say it himself but he is of the beast race and cannot speak Basic very well.¡±


    I had noticed a tail wagging and hitting my arm.  I looked over at George and notice that he has a tail that¡¯s wagging like a golden retriever¡¯s.  It¡¯s actually quite endearing and I have to resist the urge to pet it.  The urge is too much for me to contain as I fight my hand until it¡¯s too late and I pet his tail.  It feels amazing, like my hand is being tickled by golden wheat fields as the wind blows through them.


    I check to see if I was discovered and when I look up at the owner of the tail I notice that he also has rather peculiar ears.  They seem to protrude not from the side of his head but rather like a dog he has ears on top of his head.  My hand quickly vanishing, leaving an after image as it heads towards those ears.  Once again I am unable to stop it as my hand gentle pets in between his ears.  Although it seems as if George rather enjoys being petted especially due to my magnificent petting technique.  Everyone in the room stares at me dumbfounded as I continue to pet this man who is twice the size of me.


    ¡°Does that feel good?¡± I asked George


    ¡°Yes, it would feel better a little to the right though.¡± George answered


    I rapidly obliged him moving my hand slightly to the right and his tail speeds up until I can feel a breeze flowing from it.  John and Tom are still looking at us with a dumb look plastered on their face¡¯s.  Kaya and the other man in john¡¯s party laugh as I continue to pet George.  I suddenly return to my senses and realize what I¡¯m doing to someone I just met.  I remove my hand and stop petting George, who looks rather sad that I stopped.


    ¡°Sorry, I did it without thinking¡­¡± I apologized


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°No, It was quite enjoyable and plus you saved my life so there is no problem¡­ If you want you can continue¡­¡± He said slightly hopefully


    ¡°I would like that but I¡¯ll refrain for now.¡± I said a little put out.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Aero since when could you speak Beast Language?¡± Tom asked bewildered


    ¡°Beast language?¡± I asked


    ¡°Yes, I only speak Beast language and you¡¯re conversing in it quite well for one so young.¡± George replied still slightly downtrodden from not being petted anymore.


    I had totally forgotten about my gift of language but I couldn¡¯t very well say an Angel named Ella gave me three gifts to help me on my journey of this world.  I decide on a lie and prepare to act upon it.


    ¡°Oh¡­ well Fi taught me¡­¡± I answered


    ¡°Well, she was a good teacher but that¡¯s amazing.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Darling, we should have paid her more and kept her for the next child.¡±  Kaya said proudly


    Yes! They bought it!!


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure we will meet her again. We¡¯ll ask her then but still wait an amazing child we have in Aero.  You haven¡¯t laid


    with some wandering god while I was out guarding the village have you?¡± Tom flirted


    ¡°Hmm, I remember some man that my brother brought home who swept me off my feet and carried me away with sweet words.¡± Kaya flirted right back at Tom


    ¡°Okay, you two lovebirds, can we get back to the discussion and since you''re involved Aero you might as we chime in.¡± John said in an attempt to regain control of the conversation


    Tom kisses Kaya and they fall into a chair towards the end of the table.  John sighs and sits down across from me and his other party member sits next to him.


    ¡°Ignoring the stupid couple to my left in all seriousness we are all that remains of a six man party that set out from Celu.  I am the captain of the royal guard and these are George and Halt, we can to recruit in a few towns but a few weeks into our journey we were set upon by what appeared to be bandits.  Three of my best men fell to their swords by the time we had finished the last of them.  On their corpses we found letters from several noble houses with orders for our deaths or at least to stop recruitment of more royal guards.¡±


    ¡°Why would the nobles want the royal guard dead?¡± I asked


    ¡°The king¡¯s brother, George lost his succession right even though he was older due to war crimes and he resent the king because of it.  He has been trying to usurp the throne since the king married the queen.  The queen used to be an adventurer and the nobles were slammed because the king chose her over their daughters.  The king has recently been ill and George has taken advantage of that to bring most of the noble houses over to his side.  The people and the royal guard members are still loyal but more and more nobles move over every day.¡± John explained


    ¡°George you really want the throne that bad?¡± I said jokingly


    ¡°No, I am not that man.¡± George replied seriously obviously misunderstanding my joking manner.


    ¡°Ha-ha no, the King¡¯s brother is a cruel and heavy man.  He is not a good man and you would do well to remember that, Aero.¡± Tom said with a serious look


    ¡°So you¡¯re here to recruit some people right?¡± I asked John


    ¡°Hmm, the answer to that is complicated¡­  I am here to ask for your help as well as the rest of our family.¡± John said looking at me


    ¡°My help? What could I do?¡± I asked curiously


    ¡°Well, my wife is the royal tutor to the princess and the princess is a very willful girl.  She gets it from her mother but she can be a handful so she doesn¡¯t have any friends.  I would like it if you could not only be her friend but also help her learn things.  I heard that you¡¯re very smart and you¡¯re already able to use at master ranked magic.  You can even speak Beast language so I feel that the princess would have a lot to learn from you.¡± John pleaded


    A friend of the princess sounds great but at the same time it sounds like it might end up being a pain.  I have always disliked politics and if I befriend the princess I¡¯ll probably have to defend her from all sorts of attacks.  In short I¡¯m being asked, a mere 7 year old, to guard a princess.  Sounds great¡­.


    ¡°Absolutely¡­ I refuse.¡± I said proudly


    ###########################################################


    AN: Bet you didn''t see that coming!!! Haha I will shoot down harem flags!!


    (Just kidding I wouldn''t really do that)

 Chapter 11: I guess Im going to the capital?

    ¡°Okay, great! Now all to do is convince your parents to¡­ wait did you just say no?¡± John said bewildered by my response.


    ¡°It sounds like a pain so no thanks¡­ In the end you¡¯re asking a child to go into a guard like position? What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± I stated clearly


    John and Halt¡¯s jaws hang open in shock and look at me. Tom and Kaya roar with laughter as does George. John looks at Tom and Kaya with anger in his eyes but Halt taps his shoulder, his anger disappears.


    ¡°Aero, you may be young but you are quite strong correct?¡± George said


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I think I¡¯m pretty weak actually I haven¡¯t even scored a hit on Father yet and I just learned to sense intent.  I am confident in my magic as long as it not in a battle.  I guess I don¡¯t have any experience in fighting so I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll do in an actual combat situation.¡± I answered after giving it a little thought.


    ¡°I see but being able to sense intention is a high level technique.  Most sword schools don¡¯t teach it until a student has reached Master rank in sword skill.¡± George said with amazement in his voice.


    Could I actually be amazing? If I had thought that in this world I was pretty average in strength and talent.  I mean I hadn¡¯t actually even touched Tom in training and every day I seem to end up with more and more bruises.  Could Tom just be ridiculously strong for a knight and that strength made me feel weak?


    ¡°I¡¯m actually talented at sword play¡­¡± I pondered


    ¡°Of course the princess also practices the sword.  She is very talented and would make a good sparring partner.  In exchange you could teach her that silent magic you do?¡±  John said watching me hopeful that I would change my mind.


    Halt is also starring at me with hope filled eyes.  It not a bad deal for me in all honesty but for them to be this desperate for a guard is very worrying.  John must be very fearful for the princess¡¯s life if they had to come this far out to find her someone who couldn¡¯t be a double agent.  I mean if the nobles are rising against the king then a perfect strategy to kill his only heir would be to let her play with a noble child who is told to kill her.  That poor girl must be lonely because of the power struggle with the nobles. I just don¡¯t feel right being asked to be someone¡¯s guard as I have no experience with it.  Then again it¡¯s every man¡¯s dream to save the damsel in distress and be the hero.  Can I still call myself a man if I refuse to help a girl?


    ¡°I have changed my mind I will guard the princess to the best of my abilities but only on three conditions.  First and foremost I will try to befriend her but not because you asked me too.  If she wants to become friends then I will gladly do so.  If that happens I will be her friend first and a guard second. Secondly, one guard will always be in shouting distance in case of emergencies.  Lastly if I feel like my life or the princesses is in danger I will respond with lethal force before considering possible information they may possess.  I think these points are fair and would happen in any case.¡± I said threading bloodlust on the final condition to make a point.


    John and Halt cringed when I spoke but Tom and Kaya looked at me beaming with pride.  George seemed to notice it but wasn¡¯t bothered by it because he could tell it wasn¡¯t directed at him.  John recovered from not only the shock that a child had laid down conditions but had also had the skill to send out killing intent.


    ¡°Ha-ha I think you''re beaten, John stop acting like such a military man and agree to Aero¡¯s conditions. You can¡¯t force people to become friend anyway so Aero is right.  Now, Aero stop teasing your uncle with that cheap bloodlust and we all know you''re smart but don¡¯t show off too much.¡± Elena said while cuffing me on the head.


    ¡°Mother¡­ fine¡­ Okay nephew, you have a deal.¡± John said


    ¡°But sir¡­¡± Halt said before John gave him a look.


    ¡°Now that, that¡¯s settled I have one more thing to be said. Tom and Kaya are going as well those two couldn¡¯t leave Liz and Kira alone even if you hadn¡¯t come. Even this far from the capital we still get information.  Tom has been talking about when to move the family for weeks.  Of course I am going as well I¡¯m particularly fond of both of those girls.¡± Elena explained


    ¡°Elena, why did you have to go and ruin our fun?¡± Tom exclaimed


    ¡°Mother, brother would have finally asked us on his knees and might have even paid us!¡± Kaya said slightly disappointed.


    ¡°You two¡­ Argh¡± John said as he stood up.


    ¡°Kya! Tom, let¡¯s run away together!¡± Kaya laughed


    ¡°But course!¡± Tom said as he picked up Kaya and ran outside quickly followed by John.


    My parents are children.  I thought my mother was normal but to fall in love with my father I guess that she had to have some quirks.  After a few minutes all three file back inside after running around the house for a while.  While they were outside messing around I had set out the remainder of dinner and a few drinks.  I also cast a quick detox spell to remove the alcohol from Elena so she will be able to join the conversation. George and Halt have started to eat already so they must be used to their captain¡¯s erratic behavior.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you¡­ two next time¡­¡± John said out of breath as he collapses in a chair.


    ¡°Of course you will dear elder brother¡± Kaya said while smiling


    ¡°So you all are coming with us to Celu then?¡± John said after his breath had returned


    ¡°Ha-ha of course anything for Kira and Will!¡± Tom laughed


    ¡°You mean the king and queen? Please refer to them as such sir!¡± Halt said with an astounded look on his face.


    ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t expect that from Tom or the rest of my family.  The king and queen consider us part of their family.¡± John casually waved him off.


    ¡°Why do you still call them that then Captain John?¡± Halt asked


    ¡°Regardless of my personal relationship with them I am the Captain of the Royal Guard and must set an example to the rest of the men. When in private and not working I happily call them by their given names.¡± John said nonchalantly


    ¡°You always were rather good at separating work from personal life. I think it would be okay to be a little less formal with them.¡± Elena sighed


    ¡°Sir, are these people really the best we could bring?¡± Halt whispered to John


    ¡°They may all seem pretty laid back but Tom is Saint Rank in both Forest-style and the rare Sea-style sword fighting. My mother is King Rank in Forest-style and my younger sister is Master ranked in every kind of magic and Master Rank in Forest-style. The most amazing is that child, Aero, has been a Master ranked magician since he was 6.  In the letter¡¯s I was sent he also taught himself to read and according to Tom he is already Advanced Rank in a mixed style that Tom created from Forest-style and Sea-style Techniques.¡± John whispered quietly


    ¡°Sir, certainly you''re joking he is such as small child¡­ No, I can believe it from the intent he spread from just words earlier.¡± Halt responded


    I was praised, well I think I was. My family seems to be constantly becoming more and more amazing.  I am curious as to why our family is allowed to call the King and queen by their names though.


    ¡°Father, why can we call the King and Queen by their first names?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, want to know?¡± Tom said playfully


    ¡°Of course!¡± I said playing along


    ¡°Very well! It¡¯s because your Father is amazing!¡± Tom said overflowing with pride


    Mother and Grandmother immediately hit him at the same time on the head.


    ¡°Tell the truth, what if he believes you?¡± Kaya said sternly


    Like anyone could believe that ridiculous statement. I contain that remark and wait for Tom to recover from the double hit.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Fine¡­ When I was an adventurer I was in a party called Flying Wolves. The party originally consisted of four members, John, Liz, Gill and me. One rainy day we were walking down a road and we found a muddy child laying in the road. The child was covered in so much mud that we almost didn¡¯t catch the large gash across the back. Luckily, Liz saw it and quickly treated the child as we set up camp.


    After cleaning of the child we discovered it was a young girl so I was ushered out of the tent with John. Liz told us of all the broken bones and said it was amazing that the girl was still alive. Liz came out of the tent with Gill after the two had spent several hours treating and healing what they could.  John and I were about to go looking for the person who did it but Liz and Gill convinced us to wait for her to wake up.  After all of the injuries were either healed or dressed we were allowed back inside the tent. The girl appeared to be around 13 or 14, just a few years younger than us at the time.  The girl slept for two days before she awoke, although we had healed all of her injuries she had forgotten everything about herself. She knew not what had happened to her or even her own name.


    After all the swelling had gone down she was discovered to be quite pretty and a very bright person.  We called a meeting and decided to that anyone who would do that to or allow that to be done to their child shouldn¡¯t be responsible for a cat much less a person. We took her with us to the Adventurer¡¯s Guild and signed her up to join our party. Liz decided to give her the name Kira and shared her last name with her thus Kira Moonlight came into being. We traveled for 4 more years together and we all became like Kira¡¯s Big brothers and sisters but none more so than Liz. I taught her some forest-style fighting and Liz taught her not only magic but math and many other things. She learned very fast and quickly became very skilled. Then when we accepted a job from the king and when we reported to the castle that Will had fallen in love with Kira. In order to spend more time with her he began to give us lots of jobs. Eventually Kira fell in love as well and accepted the Will¡¯s offer of marriage.


    After the wedding Liz gave up being an adventurer to stay with Kira. Your Uncle John was in love with her so he begged Will for some position so he could provide for Liz and marry her. Will gladly granted it and he became Captain John. The best part is that it took him 3 more years to propose to Liz. Gill and I left the capital behind and split up as we both decided to return home. On the way I stopped by the Elven wood¡¯s and met your mother and that¡¯s that.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t get off that easy and it only took 2 years and 11 months. Your father came to the capital and begged Will for a job out in the country. Will gave him the job of Knight and granted him this estate. Then he begged my sister to marry him and took her home and out of the woods from under my mother¡¯s nose.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I knew about it! Kaya fell in love with Tom when you brought him home with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh really? That long ago?¡± Tom teased


    ¡°Mother! You promised not to tell him!¡± Kaya with puffed out cheeks


    ¡°Oh, come on. He already knew! He came to the village and asked me if he could take you and I said of course as long as I


    could tag along and help with the kids.  He said sure and I followed a week later.¡± Elena laughed


    ¡°Oh my, Tom what a gentleman!¡± Kaya teased


    ¡°Elena, you said that you weren¡¯t going to tell her that!¡± Tom exclaimed


    I start laughing shortly followed by George then the remainder of the table erupted into loud laughter.


    ¡°Ha-ha¡­ hmm¡­ Now back to the serious things¡­ We had planned to depart as soon as possible for the longer we are


    away from Celu the more worried I am for the Royal family.  How soon can you all be ready to leave?¡±


    I thought about my belongings in this world and realized that I only had a few items to bring.  If it was my previous life being asked to pack up all of my things and move would have been a project.  I have two sets of clothes and my cloak along with a few books, my swords and Fi¡¯s amulet. It would take me all of 5 minutes to throw it in a pack and leave.  Of course Elena and Kaya might have more things but as for Tom and I packing would be simple.


    ¡°Kaya, Elena can you both be ready by tomorrow morning?¡± Tom asked


    ¡°Yes, I have already asked someone to watch the house and we can just buy stuff we need in Celu anyway.¡± Kaya said


    ¡°Where are we going to be staying?¡± Elena asked


    ¡°Hmm¡­ You¡¯re all welcome to stay with us of course.  However, we can also purchase a house in the middle district for you if you would prefer.¡±


    ¡°I think it would be good to stay with you and Liz until the baby is born. We can look for a house but we shouldn¡¯t rush to buy one.¡± Kaya said thoughtfully


    ¡°Oh I see¡­ Wait, you said baby?¡±


    ¡°Oh, didn¡¯t they tell you that Kaya¡¯s pregnant?¡± Elena said surprised


    ¡°Since when? I mean¡­ congratulations on your second child, sister.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Elder Brother, I am about a month in and just found out a few days ago.¡±


    ¡°Should you be traveling? No, wait, I shouldn¡¯t even be bringing you to Celu it could become dangerous¡­¡± John panicked


    ¡°Calm down, John. She traveled fine when she was pregnant with Aero. She¡¯ll be fine and if something does go wrong there are more doctors in Celu. Also, it¡¯s not like there would be a sudden eruption of violence upon our arrival it should be fine.¡± Elena explained to calm down John.


    I didn¡¯t think of that but it sounds like I¡¯ll just have to do my best to protect my new sibling.


    ¡°If anything happens I can always escape with the child. I¡¯m pretty strong after all!¡± Kaya said as she jokingly flexed her muscles.  A surprisingly large bulge appeared under from under her sleeves.


    ¡°Well, I guess it will be fine¡­ Now, John what would you like me to do in Celu?¡± Tom said with mixed feelings


    ¡°Tom, I would like it if you could continue training with Aero but also train the princess¡­ All of the other instructors we have used have¡­ retired.¡± John said hesitantly


    ¡°Well, I planned on continuing training regardless but I¡¯ll do the best I can with the princess.¡± Tom agreed


    ¡°Aero, other than guarding the princess you will be taking lessons alongside the princess.¡± John said half expecting me to say no.


    ¡°Sure, sounds like fun.¡± I agreed.


    I always enjoy learning and I still don¡¯t know a lot about the world I currently live in so this is a great chance.  I learn from the royal tutors and they are bound to know of the general state of things.  I can also find out about current technology in this world and see if I could create anything using my old world¡¯s knowledge.  My main goal is to insure my survival in this world but I also would like to contribute to it.


    ¡°Okay, then I guess that¡¯s that.¡± Tom said while clapping his hands suddenly.


    ¡°Yes¡­ We will go get a room at the inn. We will see you tomorrow¡­¡± John said as he tries to stand up to leave but Elena pushes him back in his chair.


    ###################################################################


    AN: Grandma wouldn''t let John escape!!

 Chapter 12: Alcohol? Are you sure this isnt juice?

    ¡°Oh, you thought you were going to get away huh? Nope, you and your men are staying here but not before we celebrate a few things¡­¡± Elena smiled vindictively


    ¡°Um¡­ Like what¡­¡± John asked hesitantly.  Halt and George sensing danger try to rise but I grabbed George¡¯s tail while Tom helped Halt back to his seat.


    ¡°Not only the start of our journey but also for our new family member to be!¡± Elena shouted as she slammed down dusty old bottle and popped the cork out of it.


    A strong fruity smell drifted around the room as she poured it into 6 small shot glasses.  It was a deep red liquid so I imagined that it must be some form of fruit wine. Kaya abstained from drinking but I was slightly curious so I threw it back.  It is not the soft wine of my world but a harsh jar of White lightning that burns the inside of my mouth and my nose. It continues to burn as it traveled down to my belly. After that it becomes a quite pleasant sensation and I receive a very fruity aftertaste that cools my mouth and throat.  I can¡¯t place the fruit but it made my breath smell like strawberries.  I find that the alcohol of Alera was quite to my liking.


    ¡°That was very good.  What¡¯s it made of?¡± I asked as I looked away from my cup.


    ¡°How are you¡­ still okay¡­? You¡¯re just a kid¡­ When I was a kid¡­ this made me pass out¡­ it was so strong.¡± Halt said with quite a slurred speech.


    ¡°Ha-ha that¡¯s my son¡­¡± Tom shouted drunkenly


    ¡°He¡¯s quite amazing¡­ I want Liz to pop out a child already!¡± John said loudly


    ¡°Okay, okay¡­ that was Bitterfruit wine¡­ one cup can knock a dwarf to the ground¡­¡± Elena struggled to say.


    ¡°Mother is that true? I feel pretty good?¡± I asked


    ¡°No, it just means that when you¡¯re an adult you¡¯ll be able to drink even dwarves under the table.  Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡± Kaya asked with a concerned look on her face.


    Even George was looking surprisingly flushed but at least he wasn¡¯t laying his face on the table like the rest of them.  I seemed to have a found out a new skill or maybe the people in this world haven¡¯t developed a tolerance to alcohol yet like the American Indians.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not over until you¡¯re on the table! Drink!!¡± Elena proclaims as she fills yet another glass and slides it in front of everyone including me.


    ¡°Mother! Aero is still a child!¡± Kaya protested


    ¡°It¡¯s fine! I can¡¯t lose to my grandson!!¡± Elena said stubbornly


    ¡°Fine, but I¡¯m going to use Intoxication if he gets sick.¡± Kaya responded


    ¡°Whatever! Now drink!¡± Elena said with a fierce fire in her eyes.


    Everyone tossed the second cup back, myself included. Once again I was engulfed by the smell of fruit but this time the burning was significantly less strong.  I can finally place the fruit, it tasted like apples.  I have always liked apples but for it to make my breath smell like strawberries is just strange.  I heard two thuds as John and Halt fall face first onto the table.  Tom, George and Elena seem to be okay but the other two are out.


    ¡°One more!¡± Elena shouted as she pours yet another round.


    This time Tom was the one who fell to the cup of Bitterfruit.


    "One¡­ more!¡± Elena shouted again.


    No one fell this time but George was swaying in his seat.


    ¡°One¡­ more¡­¡± Elena said as she struggled to pour the next round.


    ¡°Mother, you have held up your pride you can stop¡­¡± Kaya said looking rather worried


    ¡°No¡­ I have my pride as a drinker¡­ I can¡¯t be shown up by a child¡­Drink!¡± Elena said while spilling a little wine on the table.


    George slid from his chair and fell on the ground. I am starting to feel slightly intoxicated but Elena barely can remain in her seat.


    ¡°Ho-ho¡­ so you tink you can¡­ beat yur own grandma¡­ one more.¡± Elena slurred.


    Elena tried to fill the glasses but misses them and pours wine on the table.  Kaya quickly grabs the bottle from her and pours the glasses.  Elena throws back the drink and looks at me with a proud smile. I drink mine and smile back and wait for the next shot.  Elena¡¯s eyes rolled backwards and she fell from her chair still smiling like she had won.  Kaya puts her hands on her hips and looks around at all of the adults on the ground.


    ¡°Well, Aero, it looks like you have my talent for drinking then¡­ Can you help me clean these people up?¡± Kaya sighed as she went to help Tom up.


    ¡°Sure thing, mother.¡± I responded promptly


    I stand up and start carrying people to rooms. I put John and Halt in a room with two beds on the first floor and return to help Kaya with the remaining two.  George is carried to the second floor and placed in a bed. Elena still had that smile plastered on her face even though she had completely passed out.  Mother and I both laugh we carried her upstairs and put her to bed.


    ¡°So mother is also a strong drinker then?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I am fairly strong, I once ate a Bitterfruit and I still could stand and talk.¡± Kaya said proudly as she cleaned up the table.


    ¡°Oh, is that what this drink is made out of?¡± I asked while re corking the bottle.


    ¡°Yes, The Bitterfruit is the base for most alcoholic drinks. It¡¯s pressed and poured into a large barrel of water to dilute it. The Bitterfruit wine you had is just a few of them pressed and poured in with no added water. Did you enjoy it?¡± Kaya asked


    ¡°It was tasty I sort of want to eat one of those fruits now.¡± I said happily


    ¡°Ha-ha when your older¡­ today was special you shouldn¡¯t drink that stuff until your older okay?¡± Kaya said sternly


    ¡°How old?¡± I asked playfully and received a light tap on the head for it.


    ¡°At least 15 otherwise mother will worry!¡± Kaya said


    ¡°Sure mother.¡± I said


    ¡°Good kid¡­ Now off to bed with you! We have to get up tomorrow and drag the rest of them out of bed if we are going anywhere.¡± Kaya sighed


    We both headed upstairs to go to sleep. I shut my door and quickly fell asleep. The next morning I went downstairs and help Kaya with breakfast. Kaya added a lot of extra spices to everyone¡¯s meal except for ours.  After much effort we got everyone to the table and into a chair.  Surprisingly Elena and George didn¡¯t look as bad as John, Halt and Tom did but when they started to eat all five of them got up quickly and ran outside.  It was a hilarious sight to behold as all five of them dived headfirst into the horse watering trough. Kaya and I start laughing for the cause was of course the spice that she had put into the food.  In any case we got chased around by them for a few minutes but the hangovers had disappeared.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    After a more digestible breakfast John, Halt and George said they were going to get supplies from the town and try to recruit.  We were to pack and meet them in an hour.  I start to pack my things and they all fit nicely into my backpack.  I grab my swords and place one on my back and the other hangs from my waist.  I had made a little money from helping with the weather after Fi had left so I put most of it in my money pouch and I hid my single gold piece in my shoe just in case. I decide to move the sword from my back to my waist and threw on my cloak.  It was a warm cloak with lots of pockets that I could hide things in.  I throw on my pack and head down to see if I can help with anything.  Kaya is running around and loading pots and other kitchen things into a small wagon that was always in our barn. Tom hitched the two horses and waved to me.


    ¡°Hey, you can throw your stuff in the wagon but keep your swords on you.¡± Tom shouted towards me.


    ¡°Okay, will do.¡± I said as I throw my pack into the wagon.


    ¡°Good, now go make sure you haven¡¯t left anything then come back here.¡± Tom said while adjusting the horse harness.


    As I walked away I realized that I had forgotten something. I quickly dug around in my pack and found a piece of paper, my quill and some ink and head inside. I sit down at the table and write a quick letter.


    Dear Fi,


    How are you doing? I hope your safe and having a fun time adventuring.  I am about to start on my own adventure. Don¡¯t panic, I¡¯m not going alone but with my whole family.  My uncle has asked us to help him with his job of guarding the Royal Family so we are headed to Celu. If you return to our home you won¡¯t find any of us in it. I don¡¯t know how it will all turn out but I hope it works out we will probably live in Celu for the next few years but I¡¯ll send you a letter if it changes again.


    I hope this letter finds you well.


    Your student,


    Aero


    I fold the paper and place it between my fingers and force magic into the paper. With a puff of smoke a small bird appears hovering over my hand.


    ¡°Go to Fi. You know who that is right?¡± I asked the bird


    The bird chirps and I hear a response.


    ¡°Yes, master.¡± The bird said and then it flew off in the same direction that Fi had left in.


    I stand there, too shocked to move. Ella had said something like all languages but I didn¡¯t think she meant animal language.  I recovered as Elena carries a small pack past me and jumps into the cart.


    ¡°Grandma is that all you¡¯re bringing?¡± I asked curiously while staring at the little bag.


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s right you did have that Dragon bag¡­¡± Tom mumbled as he messed with the harness.


    ¡°Dragon bag?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oh¡­ This is a magic bag. It has the space of a dragon¡¯s stomach inside so I can put as much stuff inside as I want to.¡± Elena said proudly


    ¡°Oh now it makes sense.¡± I said sarcastically


    ¡°I can¡¯t really explain the Magic principles behind it but it works¡­¡± Elena said as she shrugged


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it get heavy though?¡± I asked trying to grasp some form of understanding.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Not really¡­ In fact it doesn¡¯t ever weigh more than it does when it¡¯s empty.¡±


    It¡¯s a magic bag. Don¡¯t think about it too much.  In fact I am never going to try to explain anything that is described by magic scientifically ever.  Maybe Fi can explain it or one of the royal tutors I¡¯ll ask them either by letter or when we arrive in Celu.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s head out and meet up with John and the others.¡± Tom declared as he loaded the last of Kaya¡¯s luggage.


    We depart from our home and head towards town.  John and the others hadn¡¯t had any luck recruiting from the villagers.  However everyone had somehow heard of our leaving and came to see us off. While we all load the supplies onto the wagon Kaya and Elena walk over to a few people to say goodbye.  Kaya hands the key to our front door to a young couple that I hadn¡¯t seen before.  The man smiles brightly and the woman starts crying while hugging Kaya. After all loading is completed we just on our wagon and head away from the village.  As I look back I watch our house and the village began to disappear from view. I am struck by a sudden realization of the fact that I don¡¯t know the name of my home village.


    ¡°Father?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Aero what is it?¡± Tom asked me


    ¡°Well, What is the name of our village?¡± I asked


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s a good question¡­ The name of our town is Felora and it was the place that you were born so take a good last look. It might be awhile before you return.¡± Tom said somberly


    I take my father¡¯s advice and I take one last look at Felora. At its rolling green fields and the mountains in the far distance.  I look at the river snaking its way through the fields and heading towards the forest.  I see the tall trees of the forest part and allow the small river to disappear into its embrace. I then watch as those same fields and trees disappear from my view.  The home that I was raised in becomes a tiny dot and then it too vanishes along with the village.  My heart becomes heavy but I turn around and face forward to greet the next part of my life


    ############################################################


    AN: He''s finally set out! I gave you a taste of how powerful his language gift really was!!


    Thank you for reading. You can consider this the end of the first arc.

 Chapter 13: Who wants to sleep outside?

    As we travel down the same dirt road that my teacher had traveled down just a while ago I realized something that could be very detrimental to our future on the road.  I get motion sickness from riding in the wagon. Every time the wagon hits a bump in the road I feel as if my stomach rises and falls along with it. Unfortunately the road¡¯s general quality is rather poor and it has more bumps than and flat sections.  For me, who came from a world with paved roads that have almost no holes it is quite difficult to get used too.  I tried to use healing magic and even detox magic but nothing seemed to work.


    Tom said it just takes some getting used to but I don¡¯t want to lose my lunch so I step off and walk along behind the wagon.  I can ride a horse without any problem but the wagon really makes me ill.


    ¡°Finally something that Aero has a child-like attitude for¡­ I was starting to lose confidence¡­¡± Halt mumbled


    ¡°Agreed¡­ to be shown up by my nephew is embarrassing¡­ He¡¯s as strong as his mother when it comes to drinking¡­¡± John mumbled


    ¡°Ha-ha it runs in his blood of course he¡¯s a strong drinker!¡± Elena shouted after overhearing John.


    We travel for another few hours talking and laughing and we make camp for the night in a small clearing a few hundred feet from the road.  Normally, camp would be made after just building a fire and you would sleep under the stars or set up a tent to sleep in. I decided to use magic to try something for fun. I punched to the ground and sent magic into the earth and four walls pop up from the ground.  I made the room about the size of a barn so the structure was quite large and made a quick slanted roof and chimney using earth magic. I push magic into the one of the walls and create a door.


    I step back to admire my workmanship but I¡¯m not very pleased with the outcome.  It is a house made of dirt so I probably shouldn¡¯t have gotten my hopes up but at least it will save us time at night.  I look back over my shoulder and notice everyone was staring at me and the barn of dirt I had made I just a few minutes.  Maybe they don¡¯t like it, well honestly I¡¯m not very proud of it but it¡¯s my first try so I am happy that it at least came out to look like a house.


    ¡°Well¡­ It¡¯s only my first try if it¡¯s not good enough I can remake it¡­¡± I said nervously


    ¡°You can make that again?¡± John said bewilderedly


    ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s great¡­¡± George said while staring at me instead of the dirt barn.


    ¡°Aero, how did you do that? What spell did you use?¡± Kaya asked curiously


    ¡°Oh, hmm¡­are there no spells like this?¡± I asked


    ¡°I have never seen such amazing magic before.¡± George said


    ¡°Oh¡­ even if you ask me I just told the magic what I wanted and it took shape. I probably couldn¡¯t make a chant for it.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s one thing but if I used that amount of magic I would be on the ground trying to catch my breath.  How much magic do you have?¡± Halt said with amazement in his voice.


    ¡°Ha-ha as expected my son is great. I turn my back for a few minutes and he builds a house!¡± Tom said beaming with pride.


    ¡°What should this kind of magic be called¡­ as its creator you should name it.¡± Elena said towards me.


    A new type of magic.  I think Dirt House would be a good name for it but all I really did was use an earth wall spell a few times.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ What about Construction magic and this one is called Dirt house?¡± I said after giving it little thought


    ¡°Dirt house¡­ wait, Construction magic you mean you have more of these?¡± Tom said surprised


    ¡°I think I could make it by using other forms of magic as well. I could probably inject magic into a tree and make it into a wooden house but I¡¯m not entirely sure. I also think I could make multiple stories but I don¡¯t know how stable it would be.¡± I explained.


    ¡°Could you make one out of anything else?¡± Kaya asked curiously.


    ¡°I guess I could make an Ice house and a few others but I think a fire house would be out of the question.¡±


    ¡°Why would it be?¡± Halt asked without thinking.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be too hot?¡± I said jokingly


    It took everyone a couple of seconds to realize I wasn¡¯t serious before they started to laugh.  After Tom inspected the structure and gave it his seal of approval we all entered and started a cooking fire.  George left for a while and came back with a pair of rabbits and handed them to Tom who went to clean them.  I went with Tom to learn how to clean animals.


    The rabbits are quite dead but Tom said it¡¯s better to drain them when they are alive as he hangs them from a tree and begins to clean them. With a practiced hand the first rabbit is skinned and cleaned within a few short minutes.  Tom hands me the knife and walks me through the process.  It doesn¡¯t turn out very well but at least I didn¡¯t ruin the meat, the fur is torn and cut in a few places but it''s fine for a first try.  Our rabbits are thrown in the soup, cooked and served.  It was pretty good for something that was done rather quickly.  Tom said that while traveling most people just eat hard bread and salted meat or smoked fish.


    Kaya suggested I learn to cook in order to avoid that and I readily agreed.  After dinner I do some light sparring with Tom and the rest of the men while Kaya and Elena watch.  John is almost as strong as Tom but he¡¯s a little slower but I still can¡¯t touch him.  George is very fast and because of that speed he made a lot of mistakes and I got a lethal touch after a while. Halt is pretty strong as well but he isn¡¯t very fast and his sword strokes don¡¯t have any weight behind them so I easily deflect most of his swings. He does however use magic in his swings in order to extend or shorten the length of his sword which messes with my perception so I lost to him as well.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°How come you guys are so strong? And what was that thing that Halt did with his sword?¡± I asked full of frustration.


    ¡°Ha-ha calm down¡­ We all have been fighting a lot longer than you it¡¯s only natural. As for what Halt was doing what did you see?¡± Tom asked curiously


    ¡°His sword would appear to increase or shorten in length and it made it difficult to predict where to block.¡± I said while healing on of the rapidly forming bruises that happened because of that move.


    ¡°Oh¡­ you saw that did you?¡± Tom said happily


    ¡°Before it¡¯s revealed I guess I¡¯ll explain it. It¡¯s a hidden move of Field-style called Stretching Plains and all it does it change the length of your sword but it can be surprisingly effective and can even throw off a Saint rank swordsman.¡± Halt explained rather proudly


    ¡°The best way of dealing with it is to get really close while the sword is long and when it shortens fight from a distance away.¡± Tom explained


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t explain the fault in my attacks to people!¡± Halt said angrily.


    ¡°It''s fine¡­ it¡¯s not like he wouldn¡¯t figure it out for himself soon anyway.  This way I can actually teach him before he surpasses us and gets cocky.¡± Tom said as he heads back inside the dirt house.


    We all turn in for the night to sleep inside the magic house I had built. The floor is just grass but it¡¯s fairly comfortable it was a good decision not to make a floor out of dirt.  The next morning we set off after breakfast, last night¡¯s dinner, and Tom asked me to return the place we stayed to normal.  I punch the ground and push magic into it and the roof receded into the walls that then went back into the ground.  As we leave camp nothing that would suggest that we had slept there the night before remained. We continue on our journey and once again the wagon unsettles my stomach so I walk next to the wagon again.  The scenery begins to change from the rolling hills into a forest. As we go farther and farther into the forest it gets denser and fewer breaks in the canopy allow for sunlight to reach the road.  I can sense the animals gathering around us but most of it is from just curiosity and not hostility.


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s just humans¡­¡± A bird said as it flew away.


    Instead of pushing through the forest we stop in the afternoon and set up camp.  I am in charge of the shelter while everyone else goes to look for food.  I decided to try and make a tree house this time.  I gently place my hand on the tree and push magic into it.


    Once again it responds to my will and I expand it to about the size of our wagon. I then hollow it out and build two stories inside it.  I make a door in the tree and head up to the second floor. I open up another door up here and have several branches intertwine to make a small observation platform outside of it.  I also make a makeshift railing for safety reasons. I am very happy with the way this house turned out and I head down to the base floor. I start a cooking fire outside and wait for the hunters to return. After about ten minutes Kaya returns with some herbs and roots, and smiles happily at the house.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing, Aero. It¡¯s very beautiful and I think it was a good idea to have the fire outside.¡± Kaya said proudly


    ¡°Of course, so can I help with the cooking?¡± I asked feeling quite hungry.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯m happy to teach you.¡± Kaya said brightly as we set about cooking.


    I was shown the herbs and the roots and told how to tell if something was poisonous or edible.  I was warned that not everything could be cured by healing magic and I should be careful with what I eat. After the pot is simmering the rest of the group returns with a few fish and a large bird.  After cleaning the meat it is dropped in the pot and cooked thoroughly.


    After dinner I was taken to go training.  Tom told me that his goal was to teach me to Forest-style Dark Blade while we were in the forest.  Dark Blade is a secret move and is a Master Rank level technique.  Basically, it¡¯s using shadows to disappear and get behind your opponent and run them through.  Tom demonstrated it on a tree and as I blink I see wood splinter as a sword passes straight through the tree. It sort of looked like an assassination technique but I didn¡¯t want to say that.  I coat myself in shadow with magic and try to do the same move but Tom stops me and said he could see me. I quickly learned not to be seen for I was hit when I was.  By sundown I had gotten the hang of it and I could fade into shadows fairly easily. Tom said I had the basics down and we returned to the camp for the night.


    ######################################


    AN: Okay, I''m really going to bed. I can''t keep up with your reading pace anyways.


    Thank you all for reading up to this point. I''ll upload more later today. Goodnight!!

 Chapter 14: First Battle... Have I been taking this world too lightly?

    The next morning Tom wakes me up to train before departure.


    ¡°Okay, Now that we are alone I have a special move that you should only use when you¡¯re not sparring but in actual battle.¡± Tom said secretively


    ¡°Okay. I understand don¡¯t use it unless I¡¯m fighting for real.¡± I said barely able to contain my excitement.


    ¡°Okay¡­ Fi, taught you about teleportation magic right?¡± Tom said


    ¡°Well, yes but she also said it was a lost magic and it¡¯s difficult to control.¡±  I said slightly confused.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s only for long distances¡­ for short distances it not much of a risk. When I was young I was in a Labyrinth when I came upon a wall. On the wall was the chant for teleportation but soon after I left the Labyrinth I heard a monster had destroyed a few walls.  After a lot of practice I learned how to shorten the chant enough to use it in battle.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s cool so it actually works?¡± I said astounded


    ¡°Yes it works, but I don¡¯t have a lot of magic power so the furthest I am able to teleport accurately is only a few feet but that¡¯s good enough for most battles. I once tried to get from the house to the barn and I ended up in front of the inn in the next town over but you can probably manage it better than I did.¡±


    ¡°So how does it work?¡± I asked filled with curiosity


    ¡°You focus on where you want to be and pour out magic power and say the chant. I¡¯ll demonstrate¡­ Send me there, Teleport Blade.¡± Tom chanted and disappeared


    I sense a presence behind me and before I turn around I am tapped lightly on the shoulder.  Tom is standing behind me, smiling brightly.  I am very impressed, I really want to learn that.


    ¡°Please teach me!¡± I said barely able to contain my joy.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ should I?¡± Tom teased


    ¡°Would you like me to beg?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you so please don¡¯t¡­  Now try it focus on a spot and chant¡­¡± Tom said while facing me.


    ¡°Okay, send me there, Teleport Blade!¡± I chanted


    I feel my breath being sucked from my lungs and my body is pulled strongly. I close my eyes and open them and in the time that single blink took I was behind Tom.


    ¡°See, it works pretty well I think.¡± Tom said proudly


    ¡°It does but what¡¯s with my breath being pulled out from me?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oh, just breathe out before you Teleport and it won¡¯t do that. I forgot to mention that¡­ In any case practice makes perfect.¡± Tom brushed aside the issue.


    After about an hour of practice I was getting used to the teleportation.  I have figured out how to use it without a chant. First, I declare the spot I want to be in then I send myself to the spot. I¡¯ve gotten good enough so I can just think a direction and the magic guesses my meaning. For the last 10 minutes I could also use teleport to dodge attacks.


    ¡°You have gotten very good at this¡­ I was never very good at magic but to surpass my skill in this in under an hour¡­ Well, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re my son. Come on let¡¯s head back to the camp before the others notice our absence.¡± Tom said with a great amount of pride in his voice.


    On the way back to camp I grab a few herbs that I see growing so we have an excuse if anyone questions what we were doing.  I understand why Tom wants to hide these techniques but if Kaya asks me I¡¯ll probably tell her as well as Elena.


    ¡°Aero, you have become quite strong in both magic and sword skills but why do you need to be strong and what is that sword you carry for?¡± Tom asked suddenly


    ¡°It¡¯s obviously to look cool in front of women!¡± I replied instantly


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ I mean, no!¡± Tom agreed but caught his mistake


    ¡°Ha-ha, Dad, I became strong in order to protect the weak and what I want to protect so it cannot be taken away.  I carry this sword so I might protect my life and the lives of those precious to me.¡± I answered honestly


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to look cool in front of women but be sure that you¡¯re also protecting your life. Ha-ha but you really are my son if you are already thinking like that!¡± Tom said while roared with laughter as we entered the camp waking almost everyone up.


    After receiving a stern lecture from Kaya about waking everyone up so early we started to break camp.  I returned the tree to normal as best as I could and used earth magic to cover where our fire was.


    ¡°Mother, why must we leave no trace of us being here?¡± I asked


    ¡°If we leave a clear trail then bad people can follow us and attack us. If we cover up that we were here then there is less of a chance of being attacked.¡± Kaya explained as she grows grass over my earth magic.


    ¡°Okay, that makes sense.¡± I said throwing my pack into the wagon.


    A few weeks of travel past and we neared the end of our journey.  I had mastered Construction magic and was quite proud of the results I had with some of the houses.  I also got a crash course on body guarding from John and George.  Halt taught me a few peculiarities of the court and explained exactly how corrupt the upper levels of nobility had become. Sex slaves are common and hired-help disappear if they see something they shouldn¡¯t.  Due to the noble¡¯s taxes more and more people are forced into slavery because of the high taxes.  All races are enslaved and bought up by these nobles for nefarious purposes.


    The humans become house workers or night time assistants. The beast race becomes warriors or sex slaves along with the rare sea race or sky race.  The Dwarves are craftsman because most nobles don¡¯t find them pleasing to look at and the elves always sex slaves.  Reports of missing children and missing people usually dead end when you arrive at a noble house.


    We are finally about to exit the forest and I feel a slight bloodlust from behind me and see a branch swing towards me.  I barely had time to dodge before the limb slams into the ground sending up a cloud of dust. I draw my sword and cast wind magic to blow away the dust that is affecting my vision. As the air clears I see a large tree moving towards me at a rather fast pace. I was momentarily frozen in place from the surprise that I was being attacked by a tree.


    ¡°Aero, get down!¡± Tom shouted as he ran towards the tree.


    George tackles me to the ground as Tom uses his back to propel himself toward the tree. With a flash of his swords a large branch fall to the ground. Tom lands next to it and kicks off backwards, barely dodging the trees follow up attack. As the tree prepares for its next attack George quickly gets off me. The tree shoots out another branch and sweeps high trying to knock of all of our heads at once.


    Lucky, it misses all of us but John¡¯s horse isn¡¯t as lucky. That single hit ripped the horse in half bilaterally. Blood sprays from the horse and stains the ground around us. I tried to heal it but I remembered Fi¡¯s warning to not try to bring back the dead so I stop the spell before I do something foolish. George grabs me and stares at me for a moment.


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    ¡°Aero, calm down. Relax¡­ breathe.¡± George said calmly.


    ¡°¡­. Okay¡­.¡± I said in a panicked voice.


    It really did help me and the state of panic relaxed into a highly alerted state. I looked over the scene of the battle. We are fighting a tree it may be strange but a tree has a weakness and that¡¯s fire. I am a Master ranked magician I can use fire magic. I located the tree attacking John and Halt.


    ¡°I¡¯m good now¡­¡± I said calmly to George.


    I broke free of his grasp and calmly walked back into the battle.  I created a strong gust of wind to clean all of the dust from the field.  John and Halt dodge another side swing from the tree. Tom has moved to support the rear and has helped move the wagon and the horses away.  Kaya and Elena are casting healing magic on John and Halt while helping move the wagon farther away.  I calmly created a five fireballs and kicked off towards the tree.


    ¡°Halt, John clear out!¡± I shouted as I ran toward the tree.


    John and Halt immediately jump out of the range of the tree¡¯s attacks. The tree notices me running towards it with fire in my hands and attacks me.  I dodge to the left as a large branch slams down where I stood moments before. I shot out the fireballs at the tree and increased the temperature of the flames until they turned blue. The tree tried to dodge but I simply change the direction of the flying fireballs and they slam into it.  The tree turns to ash after contact with my fire and collapses.


    ¡°Whoa¡­ what was that thing?¡± I asked


    ¡°That was a Queen Tree. It¡¯s a B ranked monster that is more powerful that its C ranked partner King Tree.  Good job, Aero not many people pass through their first monster attack without injury.¡± Paul said as he patted me on the back.


    ¡°Good job kid!¡± John said as he ruffled my hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad about the horse though¡­¡± I said sadly


    ¡°I¡¯m just glad it wasn¡¯t one of us.  Those Queen Trees take two C ranked adventurer parties to destroy and even then you still lose at least 2 people¡± Kaya said relieved


    I was told to burn the horse¡¯s body because burial would give it a chance to come back as a Zombie Horse.  I didn¡¯t particularly want to do it but I listened to Tom and burned it to ashes. That night we didn¡¯t stop until were near a village. John, George and Halt went into town to see if they could recruit anyone and get supplies.  I half-heartedly started to make a dirt house and Elena sat down next to me and watched as I finished building.


    ¡°Every time I watch that it just gets or and more amazing¡­Aero, everyone freezes their first battle its normal.¡± Elena comforted


    ¡°I just couldn¡¯t believe that a tree was moving¡­¡± I grumbled as I sat down


    ¡°Ha-ha it is a bit of a shock isn¡¯t it. When I was young monsters were tamer and didn¡¯t attack unless you attacked them.¡± Elena said wistfully


    I pictured a woodcutter going into the woods after saying goodbye to his wife. He traveled for a while and finds a big tree. He readied his axe to swing and had the misfortune to hit a tree that hit back.


    ¡°That sounds a lot more reasonable¡­ but you¡¯re not old enough to be saying those thing grandma.¡± I said while trying to get image out of my head


    ¡°How old do you think I am, Aero?¡± Elena said with fire in her eyes


    ¡°Grandmother, father told me not to answer questions about a girl¡¯s weight or age when I was 5¡­¡±


    ¡°Tom is right in most cases but I¡¯ll relinquish my right to hit you if you get it wrong.¡± Elena said while smiling.


    I¡¯m still going to be hit.  I should have just told her that women stop aging at 18.  Mother is in her 20¡¯s and Uncle John is around 28. Mathematically speaking she could be anywhere from 45 to 50 but that can¡¯t be possible because grandmother doesn¡¯t look much older than mother.


    ¡°Grandmother, women stop aging at 18.¡± I said as seriously as I could.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ is that so. I¡¯ll tell you then¡­ I am 119 years old.¡± Elena said


    ¡°Ha-ha it''s fine if you don¡¯t want to tell me¡­¡± I said as Elena grabbed my arm.


    ¡°I am 119 years old and will be 120 this year.  I am a full blooded elf and you are a quarter blood but you are my grandson.  Elves and other races can live for denominations of hundreds if not thousands of years if they aren¡¯t killed.¡± Elena said looking in my eyes.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I understand but then why do you look so young?¡± I asked curiously


    ¡°Elves, don¡¯t age physically after they turn 25.¡± Tom said from behind us


    ¡°Oh, of course you would know that you dog¡­ Anyway back to the reason your son froze in combat today¡± Elena said towards Tom.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t happen again. After all you both saw him charge and destroy it in one hit.¡± Kaya said her voice filled with pride.


    ¡°True, now he learned what happen due to hesitation, we only lost a horse thanks to him.  As soon as it appeared I was worried that we might lose Halt or George but to only lose a horse is amazing.¡± Tom said thoughtfully


    ¡°Aero, you sensed the attack before anyone and even destroyed a B class monster by yourself you should be proud.¡± Elena said happily


    ¡°I know¡­ I apologize for freezing. I don¡¯t think it will happen again.¡± I said


    ¡°Hmm¡­ you¡¯re a sweet child but you might freeze if you have to kill a person right?¡± Elena asked me suddenly.


    I looked at my hands and clenched them tightly.  My soul is already stained with the blood of two and I would rather not stain it with more.  I do know that deep down if it comes to it I will kill again to protect myself and those I want to protect.


    ¡°I would rather not but I¡¯m certain I won¡¯t freeze in battle again.  If it comes to it I will be able too.¡± I said coldly


    Elena and Tom looked at me with respect in their but Kaya just looked at me with concern in her own.


    ¡°Come and eat you three!¡± Kaya called


    ¡°It¡¯s good you understand that it¡¯s kill or be killed in battle but try not to worry your mother.¡± Tom said as we walked over to Kaya


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to not worry her.¡± I promised


    ¡°Good boy, now let¡¯s get some of your mother¡¯s cooking.¡± Tom said as we walked towards the food.  He stopped to kiss Kaya and whispered something in her ear that caused her to blush and hit him.


    ########################################


    AN: Hey, I was planning on posting earlier but life got in the way!


    Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting.

 Chapter 15: How to tric... recruit the masses

    During dinner the three recruiters returned with yet another empty catch of troops.  They all sat down wearily and started to eat in silence.


    ¡°So how do you even recruit soldiers for the royal guard?¡± I asked not directing the question at anyone specifically.


    ¡°We just go into town and ask if anyone would give their lives to protect their king.¡± George answered in a bored tone.


    If that is their amazing recruitment pitch it¡¯s no wonder that there hasn¡¯t been a rush to sign up for the royal guard.  I guess I¡¯ll share some of my wisdom on the human psyche to help them get more recruits.  It will also help me out in the long run of when I have to guard the princess so it¡¯s a win-win situation.


    ¡°How do you insure that they aren¡¯t actually planning to kill the king instead of protecting him?¡± I asked curiously.  In response George lifts his shirt to show me a magic seal over his heart and then pulls his shirt down to cover it.


    ¡°It¡¯s a form of the same seal that it put on slaves to prevent them from running. It¡¯s called the Protect seal and it is stamped on each Royal guard.  If anyone with this mark directly or indirectly attacked the Royal family it crushes their heart and kills them.¡± George explained


    ¡°If it¡¯s that great why don¡¯t you stamp all of the nobles with it and then this whole matter of a possible revolt would be settled.¡± I asked


    ¡°It has to be put on willingly¡­ otherwise it doesn¡¯t work.¡± Halt explained


    ¡°As dumb as some of those nobles are they wouldn¡¯t allow that to be placed on them.  If the royal family decrees it then a few might but most would use it to force the issue and we would lose even more support.¡± John sighed as he stared into the fire.


    ¡°About your recruitment¡­ Why don¡¯t you focus more on the benefits of being on the royal guard rather than the fact that you could die?¡± I asked


    ¡°Benefits?¡± John asked


    ¡°Yes, like how much money you¡¯ll make, training and such.¡± I explained


    ¡°Oh¡­ we do get paid 3 silver pieces a month and we stay in the palace.¡± Halt said his eyes opening with shock


    ¡°We eat food from the Royal kitchen and are allowed to sit in on classes for Royals.¡± George said with a smile


    ¡°We receive specialized training from many of the world¡¯s best sword and magic instructors.¡± John said happily


    For a few minutes they told us of some more benefits that they had received die to their positions as Royal guards.  Apparently the king has even set up a pension plan for them.


    ¡°Those are the things that you should be telling people you¡¯re trying to hire. After hearing all of those benefits you shouldn¡¯t be looking for recruits you should be trying to thin out the herd of applicants.¡± I laughed.


    ¡°I see, we¡¯ll still need to mention the danger of the position as well.¡± John said


    ¡°Of course, but save it for last. People won¡¯t mind the risk as much if you explained the benefits properly.  You should also test the skills of those who wish to sign up and make sure they can be useful.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ you are very clever. We¡¯ll try that in the next town we enter.¡± John said with anticipation


    ¡°There are only 3 more towns left but it seems like it might work.¡± Halt said happily


    The next day we arrived in a small village and began to try my new method of recruitment.


    ¡°You live in the palace with the king and get to eat the same food as they do.¡± Halt shouted to the small crowd.


    ¡°2 silver a month but all living expense paid by the royal family. Step up and demonstrate your skill!¡± John shouted to another crowd.


    Even George was talking to a few of the Beast race that lived in town.  It was going well especially since I had asked John to send the people over to the wagon to sign up.  My family is quite good looking so I took advantage of that.  Kaya and Elena sat at the signing table to help the men and Tom helped the women.  I also helped the women but I wasn¡¯t as effective in my position as Tom.  Tom is quite popular with the women of this world and as his son I hope that I gain his looks as I grow older.


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    After a few minutes of this we get our first applicant. A young beast race women just a little older than me. She is pretty attractive with a slender build.  She has dark black hair with a long black tail.  She approaches the table and walks right up to me, passing Tom who looks slightly dejected as she passes.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ so you¡¯re the one then. You can speak Beast language right?¡± She said looking at me with her slit pupils.


    ¡°Yes, I can help you?¡± I asked politely trying to resist the urge to pet her ears that popped up as she started talking.


    ¡°That man over there said as an added benefit you can get petted by a boy with magic hands if you sign up.¡± She said with a smile


    George, how dare you call me a job perk.  No petting for a month, maybe a week because you did compliment me.


    ¡°Ha-ha I can see that you weren¡¯t told.  I¡¯m Rena, I look forward to my added benefits¡­¡± Rena teased.


    She quickly signed the paper and sat down next to me.  She looked at me expectantly and flashed me a smile as she snuggled up to me.  Unable to resist I start to pet in between her ears and a look of elation crosses her face as she relaxed.  I look at Tom, who is already talking with another potential applicant, as he give me a thumbs up. Kaya and Elena also smile and give me a thumbs up.  What is wrong with my family I am almost 9 year¡¯s old what exactly do are you expecting from a 9 year old.


    Luckily, for me, no other beast race applied for a Royal guard position.  Tom had signed up a few women but less than expected, probably because Kaya sent out strong killing intent if a woman got too close. The same was true for Kaya because Tom¡¯s killing intent scared off a lot of the men.  Elena signed up the most men and women for some reason she was popular with both crowds.


    ¡°Now if all the applicants will follow us outside of the village we will now start the interview process.¡± John shouted to the small crowd of recruits.


    Due to my petting Rena had fallen asleep with a very pleased look on her face.  I almost didn¡¯t want to wake her but I nudged her gently wake.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ what is it?¡± Rena yawned


    ¡°Miss Rena, it¡¯s time for the matches to show your strength and abilities.¡± I explained


    ¡°Just Rena is fine after all I¡¯m only a few years older than you.¡± She said as she stretched out exactly like a cat. She then


    stands up and looks at me expectantly.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Rena.¡± She said while staring at me


    ¡°Rena.¡± I said staring right back


    ¡°It¡¯s good you understand¡­ Wish me luck, Aero!¡± Rena said satisfied as she ran to catch up with the crowd of applicants.


    ¡°Good luck, Rena.¡± I shouted after her.  Tom plopped his hand on my head and watches her run off.


    ¡°She¡¯s pretty cute huh?¡± Tom said with a stupid happy look on his face


    ¡°Could I already have a grandchild on the way?¡± Kaya joined in the teasing


    ¡°I¡¯m too young to be a great-grandmother!¡± Elena wailed in a joking manner


    All three of them look at me for a reaction waiting with anticipation in their eyes. I took a deep breath and sighed.


    ¡°Yes, she is very attractive. I didn¡¯t do anything that could result in a child all I did was pet her.¡± I explained


    ¡°Yet¡­¡± All three of them said together.


    In response to this I created three large water balls above their collective heads and dropped them.  Even though they had become soaking wet it didn¡¯t stop them from laughing all the way to the small field where the matches were to take place.  In order to keep up appearances I used magic to dry them out.


    ####################################################


    AN: Sorry for the shorty chapter! I''m going to cut out this Author''s note section unless I have something  I really need to say.

 Chapter 16: Rena vs Aero

    ¡°It¡¯s time for the test to begin. If you will please create the arena, Aero.¡± John shouted to quiet down the applicants.


    I walked into the center of the field and punched the ground.  This was tested in during the trip to see if I could build anything from construction magic. I seemed to be able to create large structures with no problems.  My aggregate amount of magic really seems to be above god class because I never seem to run out. First, I flattened out the ground and raised it a few feet.


    I used about the size of a basketball court to make the arena. It basically looked like I had created a small plateau just a few feet from the ground. I raised my arms and built large bleachers on either side of the arena. I go to step off the arena floor but realized I had forgotten to make stairs going to the arena floor. I walk over to the crowd of people and push my hands down and make stairs descending from the arena floor to the ground.  I walk down the freshly created stairs and raise my hand on last time and make a blank sign.  I return to and stand next to John and look at the arena I had created with slight dissatisfaction.  Although it¡¯s the correct size and structure it is all the same reddish brown color.  I haven¡¯t figured out how to change the color of the structures I build but I guess if I paint them it might turn out surprisingly good.


    ¡°Now for the as for the testing you will each fight one of us.  If we find you strong enough you will be accepted if not you will be asked to leave. You allowed to pick from any of my group to fight including this one.¡± John added as a joke while he slaps me on the back.


    The crowd laughed nervously at his joke. As a few of them line up to sign up for fights with Kaya and Elena but most of them line up in front of the men.  However Rena walks over to me and smiled.


    ¡°I choose you!¡± She said brightly


    ¡°If you think I¡¯m going easy on you because of the fact I find petting you enjoyable you should pick someone else.¡± I said as plainly as I could


    ¡°Hmm¡­ so you like petting my ears huh?¡± Rena said smiling flirtatiously


    ¡°Yes, I do but your life is going to be on the line so if you¡¯re not strong enough I¡¯ll send you and your cute tail packing.¡± I said once again letting my desires shine through.


    ¡°Cute tail? Oh¡­ well I don¡¯t need you to go easy on me.¡± Rena waved off my concerns.


    ¡°Okay, now everyone here is the order of the fights. I have posted them on the board first up is the people who wanted to fight me.¡± John shouted over the dull roar of voices.


    The list had me fighting last so I decided to watch from the stands until it was my turn.  Rena plopped down next to me and looked at me until I started to pet her. She smiled as she laid down right on the bench. I looked towards the arena only to watch john crush every one of his opponents one by one.  I had told them to fight but it seems that the people of John¡¯s group could just be weak. John gets to the last person in his group and they seemed to hold up better against him and became the first person to pass.  Everyone who failed bowed and thanked John for the chance to fight him.


    Next was George¡¯s group that was filled with burly men with huge swords.  They must have assumed that he was slow and they would have a better chance against him since they also were slow. To their dismay George is was amazingly quick and after all of his fights no one was strong enough to pass his test.  I started to get slightly worried as Tom and Elena also beat everyone and passed no one.  Kaya passed two people but failed the rest without even fighting them. Halt fought a few but he only passed one. I guess that not many people has enough strength in this village but at least we have four new guards so far. Rena had fallen asleep again so I have to nudge her awake. She looked up with a thin line of drool on her chin.  She noticed it and quickly wiped it off and smiled embarrassedly.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one fighting me so come on.¡± I said in my most aggressive tone possible


    ¡°Okay. You¡¯re on! Don¡¯t be surprised if you lose though¡­¡± Rena said lightly


    This cat is looking down on me even after seeing what I could do with magic.  She seems to be pretty confident in her abilities though.  We head down to the arena and I hear some catcalls from my cheering section.


    ¡°Don¡¯t win, girls like it when you let them win!¡± Kaya shouted


    ¡°Aero, she¡¯s a girl don¡¯t go too hard on her.¡±  Elena shouted


    ¡°Aero, she¡¯s pretty so be a man and lose so you can win later!¡± Tom shouted


    Those three are going to get soaked again if they keep this up.


    ¡°Aero, fight seriously. She is strong so go all out or you won¡¯t win.¡± George told me as I walked past.


    We enter the arena and move to our sides.  Rena still has a bright smile on her face and I am sure my face looks less bright.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a match so relax. We aren¡¯t fighting to kill or anything. You¡¯re trying to grasp my skill level correct?¡± Rena asked


    ¡°True, but I get the feeling that you¡¯re just teasing me.¡± I said


    ¡°Nope¡­ I just like your petting and as a job perk it¡¯s a pretty good one. I am Rena, 30th heir of the Night-style sword school.¡± She said proudly as she charges towards me.


    She pulls out a small short curved short sword and with her open hand throws a dagger at me. I draw one of my swords and deflect the dagger but Rena has already closed the distance between us. She goes for a low swing aimed at my leg but I turn my blade to send it skidding into the arena floor. I attempt to draw my other short to hit her solar plexus with the hilt but she jumps back and dodges the attempt.


    ¡°Oh¡­ you¡¯re surprising good for a magician.¡± Rena said surprised


    ¡°I train to become as strong as possible. If a magician¡¯s body is weak it should be made strong. Oh and I just won. ¡± I said while flashing a smile.


    ¡°Won? How so I¡¯m still standing?¡± She laughed


    ¡°Look at your feet!¡± I said while using my sword to gesture toward the arena floor.


    Her feet are held down by a shoe of hardened earth. She tries to lift her feet but I didn¡¯t see any movement from her restraints.


    ¡°You charged forward without any strategy of course you lost.  Did you forget who built this arena using only magic?¡± I said


    ¡°True¡­ but you didn¡¯t get my arms!¡± She said as she started striking the earth around her feet.


    Cracks began to form in her restraints as she hammers them mercifully. I honestly think she¡¯s plenty strong to be a guard I felt that after our first exchange but I am actually enjoying fighting her. I let her break the foot restraints and she flashes me a vicious smile.


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    ¡°Here I come!¡± she shouted playfully with a fierce smile


    Rena disappears from my view but I can sense her intent behind me swinging for my head.  I duck and sweep at her legs. But she jumped over my head and landed in behind me again and with a downward stroke she hits me on the head. Not with her sword her hand in like a karate chop. We both spring back and put distance between us but it was clear who won that bout.


    ¡°So I¡¯m approved then right?¡± Rena asked suddenly


    ¡°Yes, your speed is quite something.¡± I said.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I see, then this is over then right?¡± Rena said with a disarming smile.


    I sheath my swords as does Rena. She approaches me and offers her hand and we shake.


    ¡°Good to have you.¡± I said


    ¡°Thanks¡­ um¡­can you let go of my tail it feels good but not right now.¡± Rena blushed


    I had grabbed and started the pet it when it landed in my outstretched hand.  I think I have a problem with the beast race.  Even with George I rubbed his tail and scratched his ears if it didn¡¯t feel good could this be considered rude.


    ¡°Sorry, my hand just moves on its own.¡± I apologized


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay.  But how did you do that magic? I didn¡¯t hear a chant?¡± Rena asked really close to my face.


    ¡°Um¡­ I don¡¯t need to chant to use magic¡­ It just sort of comes to me?¡± I tried to answer


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I see. Just out of curiosity what was the final move of the capture method if your goal is to kill your enemy.¡± she asked stepping back from my face.


    I create a sphere of dirt and have it float above my hand. I create tiny spears of earth and send them though the ball.


    ¡°Something like that appears around them and the spears of earth all get shot at them from all directions.¡± I said


    ¡°Oh¡­ that seems rather effective.¡± She said nervously


    She was probably trying to think of a way to escape it.  Tom and everyone else could break the shackles with just one swing of their sword but the next phase was so fast they said that most people would have died.  I also have considered just crushing the ball but the spears have a greater impact on other enemies so I might have to kill less.  I have learned that strength comes from the legs so you can take quite a lot of power if you immobilize your opponent.


    ¡°I felt like you were holding something back though what was it?¡± Rena asked again.


    ¡°I wonder¡­ Everyone has a few secrets even I could tell you have a few.¡± I responded


    ¡°Oh, I was found out then?¡± She said with a smile


    I was holding back on the teleportation magic but not on much else. This world has a lot of strong people I need to keep training or I¡¯ll die when I come across one.  As we exit the stage and remove all of the people I return the land to how it was before I built the arena.  Rena whistles and a small horse comes up and nuzzled her.  The rest of the chosen people line up to say goodbye to their friends but Rena just stands beside me with her horse watching the rest of the people.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to say goodbye to anyone?¡± I asked her trying to be sensitive.


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m not from around here after all.  My master told me to go out and make my place in this world. I saw the crowd and thought it looked interesting so I listened to that man over there and he said some interesting things so I decided to do it.¡± She explained


    ¡°Oh¡­ so the promise of petting was that good was it?¡± I said sarcastically


    ¡°Hmm¡­ it¡¯s hard to find someone who is good at it or even willing to do it.  Most people are scared of beast people.¡±


    Rena said something ridiculous


    ¡°Really? People don¡¯t know what they are missing¡­¡± I said surprised


    ¡°It¡¯s even harder to find someone who speaks beast language. And you¡¯re actually very fluent in it who taught you?¡± Rena asked


    ¡°Oh¡­ um Fi taught me. She was my teacher when I was younger. She actually traveled this way when she left so you might meet her someday. Please treat her well if you give her sweets she¡¯ll do whatever you ask.¡± I lied while slipping Fi¡¯s secret weakness into the conversation.


    I pictured a man giving her sweets and then saying now I¡¯ll eat you up but there is no way that would happen. Fi¡¯s quite strong in magic and she taught me the ways of this world so she¡¯s pretty stocked in common sense.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I hope to get to meet her one day.¡± Rena said


    ¡°So what about your master?¡± I asked rather curious as to who taught her those sword skills.


    ¡°She¡¯s just an old lady that lives on a mountain in the Beast realm. She¡¯s probably still alive¡­¡± Rena said with a rather light tone.


    ¡°Oh, I see. I hope she¡¯s well then.¡± I said slightly caught off guard by the uncaring attitude of Rena. I decided to not force the issue and go to help load the wagon.


    After loading the wagon the four other recruits introduce themselves. Two are women and two are men. One of the men has a large claymore strung over his back and the other has a single sword strapped to his waist. The women both have thin rapiers hung at their waists.  All of them seem to be swordsman and not a single magician among them.  Rena only has a short sword but she apparently also uses magic but not to my degree. The man with the claymore is named Clay and the other man is named Single. The women are named Lucy and Lara. Both of them are constantly looking at Tom and giggling until Kaya sends out an overwhelming killing intent that makes both of them change their minds about going after Tom.


    We set off with most of us in the wagon. After a while I start to feel ill but I am slowly improving at wagon riding.  I don¡¯t want to deal with the atmosphere in the wagon which has become slightly uncomfortable since Kaya crushed her competition for Tom¡¯s affection. I hop out and started walking next to Rena and her horse.


    ¡°We should make camp before nightfall so we are stopping early today.¡± John shouted from the front.


    The wagon is pulled over next to the road and the new member start to make a tent.


    ¡°Ha-ha that¡¯s not necessary after all we have Aero!¡± He said happily

 Chapter 17: Dark History

    I might have spoiled my family with my Construction magic I don''t know if they can ever go back to tents. Oh well, It¡¯s good practice for me and they get to be very comfortable at night. If I could make this into a chant I¡¯m sure I could sell it for quite a lot of money. I decided to make it quite larger than normal because of our parties increase in size.  I injected the ground with magic and built the ground floor with a place to cook.


    I then built stairs and created the second floor with ten individual rooms. In each room I inject even more magic to make an elevated grass bed in each of them. The tenth room¡¯s bed is quite large because it¡¯s Tom and Kaya¡¯s. I thought I would be good for them to have a little bit of privacy for once. As a joke I make a sign hanging from the front that said Inn and stepped back to look at the monster I had built.


    It was about the size of a half a football field and I probably made it to large but it was quite nice I had even punched out windows for people to look out from. I watch as the smoke rises from the large chimney for I had already started a fire in the hearth in the center of the lower level. I just really can¡¯t stand that it¡¯s a uniform color but it is pretty amazing. Tom and our original group walk in without much hesitation I feel as if they have sort of given up being surprised at me.  The other four are in shock much like Halt was when I made the first house.


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s pretty cool! Ha-ha I just saw the Inn sign! Let¡¯s go inside I want to see how it looks¡± Rena laughed as her eyes shine with curiosity.


    I am pulled inside by Rena leaving the other new recruits outside staring at the house dumbfounded. Rena prances around the fireplace and then pulls me along upstairs and into a room. She looks out the window and turns back smiling with excitement.


    ¡°This is really amazing. Teach me please!¡± Rena pleaded with eager eyes.


    ¡°I would but to be it''s just earth magic. I haven¡¯t made a chant that would do it. So I can¡¯t teach it to anyone but I have named it Construction magic. The only downsides are that it is uniform in color and it takes a lot of magic power.¡± I explained as best as I was able


    ¡°Oh, I see¡­ I¡¯ll assist with the chant but I want to learn it.¡± She said not giving up.


    ¡°Okay, sounds like a plan.¡± I said


    ¡°Hey, you four come inside already! Why are you standing out in the cold?¡± John shouted from downstairs.


    ¡°I guess we should head down and help with dinner.¡± I said to Rena.


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Rena said


    We leave the room and head back downstairs to see if we can help cook. John and Tom are in charge of dinner tonight so we are waved off and sent to go sit down to wait.  John and Tom are surprisingly good cooks but on nights when Halt cooks with George everything is usually not very tasty. Halt and George usually just skewers the meat and roast it until it''s burnt black and then hand everyone a skewer.  Because of this they usually are on hunting detail instead of cooking.


    I have yet to be assigned to cooking detail but I have learned enough from mother to be competent.  The new recruits, with the exception of Rena, are rather distant but after eating they cheer up and come closer to the main group.  After eating Rena curled up next to me and quickly fell asleep.


    ¡°Today, was the best day of recruitment the royal guard has ever had Aero¡¯s idea worked splendidly.¡± John said happily


    ¡°True, but you could have had more people join if you guys used less strength.¡± I said looking at the three that just crushed everyone that joined their group.


    ¡°Men, should be strong. The men that I fought were too slow.¡± George said simply


    ¡°True, your group was different. They just had huge muscles but they had no control or speed. But Grandma and Father just beat them up quickly.  Mother, you didn¡¯t even fight! ¡± I scolded


    ¡°Even if you say that I just could tell from their stance if they were strong.¡± Kaya complained


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if you find us wanting but we are strong¡­¡± Lucy said while looking at the other new members.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I know it sounds like I¡¯m complaining but mother wouldn¡¯t have chosen you if you weren¡¯t strong.  I apologize if I offended any of you four.¡± I said as sincerely as I could


    ¡°It¡¯s fine! After all it thanks to you that we are staying inside such a place.¡± Clay said hurriedly


    ¡°Hey, why didn¡¯t you apologize to me?¡±  Rena asked


    ¡°Obviously, because I tested you myself and anyone who can break my earth magic shackles is very strong.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see.¡± Rena said satisfied and curled back up next to me


    The other four new recruits get quiet and bury their faces in their bowls.  After dinner I carry Rena up to her room and set her on the grass bed.  I exit the room and head to my own only to over hear voices coming from downstairs. I hid my presence and slid closer to the stairs to hear what the adults were discussing.


    ¡°Those kids are going to be monsters when they get older.¡± John said


    ¡°Of course, Aero is pretty close but that Rena is already one.  I don¡¯t know about magic skills but she said she was the successor of the Night-style school at her age.¡± Halt said


    ¡°I have heard of the Night-style but I thought it was just a rumor.¡± Clay mumbled


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just that there can only be two users of the style at one time the master and the successor. In order to succeed the master the successor must wait for the master to pass.  The problem was that a lot of students couldn¡¯t wait and try to kill the master in order to claim the position.¡± George said with John translating for the group.


    ¡°After the last pupil the master taught tried to kill her she swore to not train another and let the style die with her generation.  I guess that girl changed her mind somehow.¡± Elena explained


    ¡°Wait, you know the master of the night school?¡± Single asked


    ¡°But of course when we were young we traveled together.  She was still the successor then but when word of her master''s passing reached us we had to return to her dojo.  She had to do the burial rights and take up the position.  She wasn¡¯t big on the rule that masters have to stay in the dojo so we left until she found her apprentice.¡±


    ¡°That apprentice was the one that tried to kill her?¡± Lucy asked


    ¡°Not exactly, she picked up this sweet kid but ended up marrying him before actually giving him much training. They had the cutest son and it was decided that he was to be the successor.  She trained him hard and as the tradition when he was old enough she sent him away to learn on his own.  Several years later her son returned but he had changed grown power hungry.  I was visiting when he returned and challenged his mother to a death match. When his father begged him to reconsider his own son beheaded him.¡± Elena said with deep sadness in her voice.


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    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s horrible mother.¡± Kaya said


    ¡°I¡¯m lucky to have children like you and John dear.  My friend wasn¡¯t as lucky with her children as I was.  I was asked to officiate the match and watched as the two clashed.  It was probably the scariest match I have ever watched.  At the cost of one of her eyes my friend cut off both of her sons hands but couldn¡¯t bring herself to kill him. She asked me to place a seal on him to prevent him from ever holding a sword even if his hands were regrown.  She then placed her own final seal on him so he couldn¡¯t speak of the Night-style techniques and banished him.  After attending to her husband¡¯s funeral she said she would never again teach to anyone.  She told me to go and let her grieve.  I haven¡¯t heard from her in several years and the dojo was empty when I last visited.¡± Elena said with sorrow dripping from her words.


    ¡°That¡¯s horrible¡­ I wonder what could have changed her mind.¡± Tom pondered aloud


    All I can hear for the next few minutes is the sound of the fire crackling and the burning wood settle deeper into the pit.


    ¡°Before we head off to bed we should brief the new recruits on the situation in the capital.¡± Halt said breaking the sorrowful atmosphere.


    ¡°Should we wait for Rena?¡± Lara asked


    ¡°She is going to have a different position as Aero¡¯s aide.  They seem to get along rather well and as a successor of Night-style she¡¯s not really suited to guarding.  I don¡¯t think the royal seal would actually work on her even if it was put on.¡± John explained


    ¡°So what¡¯s the actual situation then brother?¡± Kaya asks


    ¡°Nine of the twelve noble houses are behind the king¡¯s brother.  The remaining three houses are still in support of the king but the only houses we can actually count on are Halt¡¯s house and the newly established Wolf house.  Horse house might defect to the other side soon as the heir dislikes the princess since the incident during sword training.¡±


    ¡°If I am killed my brother would rise to power in my house and although he likes the king well enough he will defect to the other side in order to preserve our house if things get too bad.¡± Halt said


    ¡°That said Wolf house would die out before they abandon the royal family.  The king is very popular with the common population and due to the queen¡¯s days as an adventurer she is even more popular.  For this very reason the nobility hasn¡¯t been able to move openly against the royals for fear of revolt if the king and queen are killed.  With the King¡¯s health failing and the Queen¡¯s increased duties things are tense in the capital.  The nobles grow more emboldened every day.  Simply put the situation is becoming bad and it will only get worse as time goes on.¡± George said with John translating


    ¡°We are telling this to you because you don¡¯t have long to back out if you have changed your mind.  Once the seal is on you will have to guard until the king allows your release.  It¡¯s dangerous but if we can keep control of the Capital until the King recovers or until something changes we can save the kingdom from the King¡¯s brother.  You have heard the stories about why he lost the right to rule and the stories are not only true but they are actually worse.  That man should never be in power again.¡± John said anger seeping into his voice


    ¡°He really killed all of those people just because they weren¡¯t human?¡± Lucy asked horrified


    ¡°Not only that but he didn¡¯t stop with just that one settlement¡­ He committed genocide against several magic races not leaving a single child behind.  He set the Great forest on fire in order to kill the elves and the beast race.¡± John said with fury and I could feel the killing intent pouring out from upstairs.


    ¡°The old king couldn¡¯t bring himself to kill his firstborn and only cast him from the house.  Dragon house took him in but he quickly took over the house after the rest of the house mysteriously died leaving him to claim the house.  The king rose to power soon after his brother had claimed his own house.¡±  Halt explained


    ¡°Did he kill all of Dragon house?¡± Lucy asked


    ¡°No, he married the youngest daughter of the old house head.  She is just as twisted as he is but their offspring could prove to become worse.¡± John said as his killing intent receded


    ¡°I need no further reason to join the king¡¯s royal guard.  I had relatives in one of the villages that burned.  The king has cut taxes and put a stop too forced military conscription.  I would be honored to serve at his pleasure.¡± Clay said proudly


    As the rest of the new recruits gave their agreement Tom and Elena laughed loudly.


    ¡°You people listened to the story right?  The best case scenario is the King recovers from his illness worst case we all die trying to protect a dying kingdom fighting against at least nine of the noble houses.¡± Tom explained


    ¡°Of course.¡± They all said at once


    ¡°You guys are idiots you know that right?¡± Elena said


    ¡°Yes.¡± All four of the said together


    ¡°Good, idiots are my families¡¯ favorite kind of people right Son.¡± Elena said roaring with laughter


    ¡°But of course mother otherwise I wouldn¡¯t be part of your family.¡± Tom said joining in with the laughter


    ¡°I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  I¡¯ll be counting on you all from now on as will the royal family.¡± John said


    ¡°Yes, Captain John!¡± The four exclaimed


    ¡°Alright, tomorrow we set off for the next village to try and strengthen our forces.¡± John said


    ¡°Get some sleep soldiers.¡± Halt said


    I hear them start to file upstairs and quickly slip into my room for the night.  Unable to fall asleep I try to process what I had overheard.  My family may like idiots but none of us are idiots regardless of what was said.  Going up against nine noble houses they must have some kind of plan of action.  I¡¯ll just follow orders for now but it doesn¡¯t sound like John is very hopeful.  The story of Rena¡¯s style doesn¡¯t have me concerned she doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯ll become excessively power hungry.


    As I drifted off to sleep I dreamed of a small girl crying in a ditch holding onto a small doll.  I approach her to try and comfort her but she looked up at me two slit pupil stare at me as two ears covered in mud perk up from her mud covered head.

 Chapter 18: Hunting

    The next morning I wake up to discover a cat has snuck into my bedding.  Although it is pleasantly warm and comfortable the three people peering through the door and whispering quietly did not go unnoticed.


    ¡°Look at that dear our son has become a man.¡± Kaya said quietly


    ¡°I knew this day was coming but what a son.¡± Tom whispered back


    ¡°I¡¯m too young to be a great grandmother.¡± Elena said quietly


    Rena stirs in her sleep and snuggled even closer.  Those three need to be punished but as I try to move her grip just tightens.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you three later¡­¡± I whispered venomously


    The three shut the door and I hear them laughing as they walk down the stairs.  I gently nudge Rena awake.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Good morning¡­¡± She said sleepily


    ¡°Did you sleep well?¡± I asked


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I was cold but then I warmed up so yes I slept well.¡± Rena said looking up at me


    ¡°And do you realize where you are?¡± I asked


    As she looks around and notices that she is in my room.


    ¡°Aero, you¡¯re a wolf¡­¡± She said bashfully


    ¡°You¡¯re the wolf!!¡± I shouted


    I jumped out of the grass bed and put on my cloak and swords and stomped downstairs. The rest of our group was up and had started to warm up some breakfast.  I grabbed a bowl and filled it with the porridge and heated it up in my hand using fire magic. Shortly after that Rena strolled down the steps and pulled Kaya aside. They start to whisper quietly looking at me every so often.


    I quickly finished breakfast and headed outside to train.  After my normal workout body strengthening exercises I focus on magic. Since I have a large amount of aggregate magic I can¡¯t really use it up as normal magicians have a problem with. Recently, I have been trying to make use of my scientific knowledge to test if I can create elemental mixtures out of just magic power.  I have succeed with creating what I believe to be lead but without actual experience with metal I cannot be sure if it actually lead.  Creating single elements seems to be rather easy. Gold and Silver can be created but after testing this I decided to not use this for it could destabilized the value of gold if I go crazy with this.


    The reason I am so interested in magical creation is if I could create saltpeter I wouldn¡¯t have to go through the unpleasant way to make it. Sulfur and charcoal aren¡¯t hard to find but I haven¡¯t found any Saltpeter on my journey.  I could make gunpowder and make guns to change to the power balance between the nobility and us.  I could give them to anyone and make an almost unstoppable army.  The technology couldn¡¯t be leaked because I would be the only one who could make it.


    After a few minutes of pouring magic power into the image of saltpeter crystals I hadn¡¯t created any so I gave up for the day.  Everyone comes outside and starts their own training as I move farther away.  I change my magic practice to attack practice and I didn¡¯t want to accidently injure any of them. I create a few targets out of earth magic a good distance away and practice shooting them with different elements.  Wind attacks seem to lose potency unless at close range.


    Fire has to constantly fed mana during its distance attack otherwise it just dissipates.  After a few minutes of practice I figure out that Earth magic seems to be the best at distant attacks.  My created Lighting attacks seem to be only useful in direct contact with the target.  The attacks totally destroy the close range targets.  I had intended it on being a capture attack like a stun gun but it seems it will be at better use for another purpose.  Rena finished her training and came over and sat down to watch me.


    ¡°Aero, sorry I called you a wolf. Are you still mad?¡± Rena asked


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad.¡± I sighed


    ¡°Did you not like me in your bed?¡± Rena asked mischievously


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind it but if you¡¯re going to sneak in I might really become a wolf when I¡¯m older.¡± I said after some soul searching


    ¡°Ohhh¡­ you¡¯re quite mature for someone who is barely 8.¡±


    ¡°This is coming from the girl who is only a few years older than me.¡± I rebutted


    ¡°True, but your mother has already given her permission so it¡¯s all good!¡± Rena said happily while pouncing on me.


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    After a few seconds of being attacked by Rena my resistance is lacking and almost gone after a gentle nibble on my ear.  Luckily, before I really become a man George comes over to my rescue and gently lifts Rena off me.


    ¡°Sorry, we of the beast race go into heat every so often and¡­ once we pick someone¡­ you will understand in a few years.¡± George fumbled as he walked away


    As soon as George had removed Rena I put shackles on her and then chained her to the ground. I constantly have to reinforce the chains because just by moving her strength is causing cracks to form.  Rena is breathing quite hard and staring at me with her slit pupil dilated to almost cover her whole iris.


    ¡°Rena¡­ Calm down okay deep breaths¡­¡± I said nervously


    ¡°Aero, you look amazing¡­¡± Rena said still breathing hard


    ¡°Thank you but I¡¯m not ready for the kind of relationship you want right now.¡± I said


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry it¡¯s my first time too!¡± She said


    After a few minutes Rena finally calms down enough to be taken out of the chains.  Although she still sticks rather close to me I think the danger has passed for now.  We return to the camp and start breaking it down.  Everyone is already packed but once again I am told to break down the large building I had created in order to not leave a trace.  The new recruits and Rena watch as the Inn sinks back into the earth and grass spreads out over the place it had been.  Rena offers to let me ride with her instead of the cart and I gladly accepted.  After a few hours we reach the next village and began the recruitment process again.  No one of worth stepped up and we decided to leave early.


    That night I once again set up the inn and we all went to bed rather early.  Rena refused to even go in her room and quickly fell asleep in my room with a very satisfied look on her face.  Kaya and Tom teased me about it but I just let it slide.  The next morning was uneventful and after breaking down camp once again we set off for the final town outside of the capital.


    As we approached the town all we saw was smoke rising from the distance.  Tom and John rode ahead to check for survivors and Rena tightened her grip on my waist. After a few minutes Tom and John give the all clear and we proceed towards the burned husk of a town. Several bodies are haphazardly strewn around. The stench of burnt flesh causes me to feel nauseous and I barely hold onto my breakfast.  Halt and Lara are unable to and jump from the wagon to empty their stomachs on the side of the road.


    ¡°What happened here¡­ Father?¡± I asked looking toward Tom.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know but there are not enough bodies here to make up this whole village.¡± Tom said with disgust


    ¡°Bandits don¡¯t do this, and raiders would have killed everyone.  Slavers are the ones responsible probably on the orders


    of some noble.¡± John said disgusted


    ¡°It looks like it was done only a day ago.  The ashes are still warm and the bodies haven¡¯t turned into zombies yet.  We might be able to catch up if we hurry.¡± Elena said calmly


    I look around the village and try to think of what it once was.  It might have been like my home village once.  Then people came, burned, took people and stole life from others.  I feel a hot fire burning in my stomach.  This must be rage and so much of it.  No fate is too bad for those who enslave and kill others.


    In my anger I summoned five dogs and gave a simple command.


    ¡°Find them.¡± I said coldly


    ¡°Yes, master.¡± They barked as they vanished


    ¡°Aero? What are you doing?¡± John said worriedly


    ¡°I¡¯m about to take out the trash.¡± I stated calmly


    The dogs returned with a puff of smoke.


    ¡°Found them master.  15 enemies but 30 people in chains.¡± The smallest dog said


    ¡°Where?¡±


    The summoned dog sent me a mental picture of the location.  They were only a few miles south of the destroyed village.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a minute.¡± I said


    ¡°Where are you going Aero?¡± Kaya shouted and reached out for my hand.


    I closed my eyes and teleported to where the slavers were.

 Chapter 19: Slaughter and Rebuilding

    When I opened my eyes I was only a few yards ahead of the group of slavers and the recently enslaved. The slavers looked like normal people accept they smelled as if they had been drenched in blood.  The slaves looked down at the ground as if they had already accepted their fate. Only two small children are looking up and they notice me but they have dead eyes just as if their youth was sucked away and they were on death¡¯s door.  This enraged me even further which I had not thought possible.  A slaver notices me finally and call for a halt.


    ¡°Oh it looks like we have a straggler from the village.  What you say boy how would you like to become a slave? Pay is nothing for you anyway.¡± The slaver said laughing loudly causing his fat belly to jiggle.


    The other slavers start in laughing as well.  Trying to maintain some level of control over myself.  Even totally enraged I am still hesitating to kill these scum.  I don¡¯t want to stain my hands with blood even after they are already stained.


    ¡°Sounds nice, but I have a counter offer if you let these people go I¡¯ll only kill the fat one.¡± I said struggling to contain my killing intent.


    ¡°Very funny boy, I¡¯ll have to beat that out of you. What are you idiots waiting for get him! ¡± The fat slaver shouted


    I calmly fold my cloak and lay my swords on a raised table I created out of magic.  I then turn back toward them and release the full force of my killing intent.  A black aura seems to pour out of me and expand until a 100 yard radius is filled with my intent.  This causes a few of the slavers to take a step back.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a bluff! That¡¯s just a kid.¡± The fat slaver shouts


    ¡°Come cowards, meet death.¡± I said as I created an electric current in my hands.


    With that all of the slavers ran towards me.  The fat one trailed behind but the others came at me quickly.  The first man swung his sword in a lazy wide swing.  I stepped into his swing and shot my electrified hand towards his chest. To my surprise my hand sunk into his chest and came out of the back.  I was in as much shock as the slaver with my hand in his chest. With my other hand I used wind magic to push his lifeless body off of my hand.  It slid to the ground but not before the blood spray coated the two slavers behind him.


    For a second the battlefield was absolutely still except for the wind blowing through the blood covered grass.


    ¡°Monster¡­¡± One of the slavers said


    ¡°Luck¡­ what are you waiting for? kill him!¡± The fat one shouts


    The next two slavers charge towards me slightly more cautiously. Their sword skills are no better than the first slavers.  I teleport behind them and electrify both hand and push.  The sensation is like pushing your hand into gelatin. Since I don¡¯t have a free hand I change the magic to fire and burn the lifeless corpses into ash. I didn¡¯t even give the next three a chance to stop and retreat. With my hand electrified I swung a chop and split them all bilaterally. The remaining eight turned to run away but they weren¡¯t fast enough.  By running with my arms out stretched I simply passed through them as one would pass through water.


    The fat slaver man fell down and tried to scramble away discarding his sword on the ground. As he crawls away I walk slowly after him. He falls on his back and pulls out a small dagger and points it towards me.  I kick it from his grasp and with a quick slash separate his head from his body.  I turn his head to look at his body as turn it to ash. I burn his head and the rest of the slaver bodies and walk towards the slaves.  After freeing them from their shackles they look at me with more fear than they ever showed towards the slavers.


    ¡°Thank¡­ you sir...¡± One slave said


    The two kids ran over towards me and pulled on the hem of my shirt.


    ¡°Hey mister how did you do that!¡± The older one asked


    ¡°Thanks, mister they hurt our parents so they couldn¡¯t come with us.¡± The younger one said.


    I pat them each on the head and put on my best smile.  The rage I had felt earlier dissipated with just that single touch of these two. Although the adults are still looking at me fear the children of the group come over towards me happily.


    Fi had always told me that most villages have elders and the oldest person is usually the elder.  I survey the group for the oldest person and walk up to them.


    ¡°My name is Aero White.  I¡¯m sorry if the earlier display frightened you but it was my first time.  If you would allow me to


    I will escort you home to your village.¡± I said as politely as I could.


    ¡°Thank you, I would like that very much.¡± The old man replied.


    An idea strikes me as curious but it is the best bet.


    ¡°If everyone will hold hand and join in a circle we can be on our way.¡± I said happily


    ¡°Okay if you say so¡­¡± the old man said


    After I retrieved my cloak and swords I return to check the circle to make sure everyone is touching someone.  In a few checks everyone was touching somebody even the two children.


    ¡°What now?¡± the old man asked


    ¡°This¡­¡± I said as I grabbed the shoulder of the old man and teleported back to the village.


    ¡°¡­And he just disappears into thin air who taught him that?¡± John shouts


    All thirty villagers with me reappear just as John finishes his question.  Kaya, Rena, Elena and Tom run over towards me.  Kaya starts checking me for injuries as does Rena. Elena and Tom just look at me angrily. After Rena and Kaya finish their check they step back and look angrily at me.


    ¡°Of all the stupid things! I thought you were smarter than this!¡± Tom yells and cuffs me on the head hard.


    ¡°Exactly! Do you know how worried we were?¡± Elena said as she cuffed me even harder than Tom had.


    ¡°I¡¯m just so mad I don¡¯t know what to say.¡± Kaya said as she slapped me across the cheek.


    ¡°Stupid, you should have taken me with you! What if you got hurt?¡± Rena said as she slapped me on the other cheek.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I was mad and I lost control.¡± I said rubbing my cheeks.


    ¡°That¡¯s it? Sorry? You could have died!¡± John said as he hit the back of my head.


    ¡°Listen, I¡¯m sorry but can you guys stop hitting me.  I get the point I am really sorry.¡± I said trying to rub all of the spots I was hit in.


    All five of them pull me into a big group hug.  It ended quickly but it was nice.


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    ¡°We are still mad but we are happy you came back okay.¡± Elena said


    The thirty people that I had saved watched this whole return only to become shocked as I was beaten up by my family.


    ¡°Your son saved us. We are all very grateful for his actions.¡± The old man said while bowing along with the rest of the village.


    ¡°Is this everyone from your village?¡± John asked


    ¡°Everyone that wasn¡¯t killed is here now thanks to this boy.¡± The Old man said


    ¡°How did you escape the slavers? Aero, must have broken the chains and moved you back here before they noticed


    right?¡± Halt asked


    ¡°Mister laid down his cloak and swords. Then he stuck his hand threw all of the bad guys chests and the mean fat one¡¯s


    head fell off!¡± The oldest child said excitedly


    ¡°Oh, sure.  Sir, what really happened?¡± Halt said directing his question towards the old man.


    ¡°Well¡­ he burned the bodies afterwards but the rest happened like the child said.¡± The old man replied


    ¡°All 15 of them!¡± One of the men shouts.


    ¡°Oh I see¡­¡± Halt said as he looks at the stains on my fingers


    ¡°Well, regardless I¡¯m glad you¡¯re all safe.¡± John said


    ¡°If we had anything to offer we would gladly celebrate but unfortunately most of it was destroyed rebuilding will take a while but afterward you will always be welcome here.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s just houses Aero can whip them up quickly. In fact it seems like a fitting punishment for disappearing on us.¡± Elena said


    ¡°Really?¡± The old man asked


    ¡°They are going to be the same color¡­ never mind yes I can do it.¡±


    ¡°Please do.¡±


    I look at one of burnt out building to try and figure out what it once looked like based on the remaining ash and wood.  I guessed about a total of six homes, two stores and an inn.  I kneel and pour magic power into the ground.  I start with the six houses then with the two stores.  I push even more power into the ground and create a large three story inn.


    ¡°How¡¯s that?¡± I asked the old man


    The old man and the other villagers are struck speechless for not only was the town rebuilt in the blink of an eye but grass had spread out and covered the ash of the former buildings.


    ¡°Cool, mister they are even taller and better than before!¡±


    The youngest child broke the silence and the rest of the villagers regained their senses.  They fell to the ground and begun crying with joy.


    ¡°How can we repay you? Not only did you save us from a fate of slavery but you also rebuilt our entire village.  Words are not enough to thank you.¡± The old man said with tears streaming down his face.


    ¡°Really? You¡¯re okay with them all being made of earth?¡± I asked


    ¡°Earthen houses won¡¯t burn like the wooden homes we once had.¡± The old man explained


    ¡°Oh, I guess that¡¯s true.¡±


    John came over and hit me on the back.


    ¡°We, of his majesty''s royal guard are always pleased to serve.¡± John said


    ¡°You work for his majesty?  Please tell him that we are grateful for his assistance and are forever his loyal subjects.¡± The old man said bowing once again


    With that the old man and the rest of the villagers file inside of their newly constructed homes.  Our group reconvenes at our wagon on the outskirts of town and Rena eminently scoots right in next to me.  She looks at me expectantly until I start to scratch her ears.


    ¡°So, what really happened?¡± John asked


    ¡°Actually, exactly what they told you.  After my summons told me where the slavers were I went there.  I set aside my equipment because it was going to get messy and electrified the aura around my hands.  It was like cutting through butter with a warm knife.¡±  I said looking down at my hands


    ¡°But how did you just disappear like that?¡± Halt asked


    I looked at Tom, the man who taught me, for help and he just winked at me.


    ¡°Now, now I taught him that but I didn¡¯t expect him to master long distances.  It¡¯s one of the lost techniques called


    Teleport.  I found on a wall in the labyrinth I was exploring with Gill before we went our separate ways.¡± Tom said


    ¡°That¡¯s no secret but you could only use it to move a few feet.¡± Kaya thought aloud


    ¡°Wait, you knew?¡± Tom asked surprise written all over his face.


    ¡°Of course, you are horrible at hiding things dear. You all knew right?¡± Kaya said happily


    After a gruff agreement from everyone Tom sits down in shock and mumbles something to himself.  Kaya goes over to comfort him and after whispering something in his ear a very happy face replaces his shock.


    ¡°So how many were there?¡± Halt asked


    ¡°Fourteen and the leader.  I burnt the bodies afterwards so they won¡¯t become zombies.¡± I explained


    ¡°Fifteen¡­ slavers¡­¡± Halt said as he plopped to a seat


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± George asked


    ¡°Of course, it sounds like you did great.  That¡¯s my nephew!¡± John said slapping me on the back.


    ¡°Yea¡­¡± I said shakily


    I don¡¯t know if I am actually fine but those slavers did deserve to be stopped. If they were given a trial they would have been killed anyway.  I looked at my small hands as they rubbed Rena¡¯s head.  I had already killed before but never had I felt the weight of my hands increase.  With my magic power I could have easily captured them and freed the slaves but in a rage I just slaughtered.  Killing them has brought me down to their level but if some good came of it then it was worth their blood on my hands.  I saved 30 people for the cost of 15 worthless slaves.  I choose to take solace in that simple fact

 Chapter 20: End of a Journey

    John chose not to stay and recruit in the village.  I agree with his decision they need the manpower to protect if another group of slavers come through.  As a final gift I build an earth wall around the village proper.  I leave two openings in the wall wide enough for a wagon to pass through.  John explained to the elder that defense of the village would require gates to be built that could slide and shut the town off.  Since there was a well in the town they could hold out for quite a while.  John promised to send a small detachment of soldiers to police the town and guard it from intruders.


    As we drove away the villagers waved and smiled. The two children climbed to the tops of the wall and waved a makeshift flag with a poorly drawn image of the symbol on my cloak.  After the village had long since disappeared from sight we settle in for the night.  Once again I create our inn.  I have officially named the spell Earthen Inn. George and the others go out to hunt for dinner while my mother and I stay behind to prep the soup.


    ¡°Aero, you killed your first person today.  It¡¯s okay.¡± Kaya said suddenly as she pulled me into her embrace.


    I cried for the first time in this world.  I hadn¡¯t cried during birth or even when my muscles were so sore that I felt as if they could slide off my bones.  I wasn¡¯t crying for the slavers I had killed but the people that I hadn¡¯t be able to save in that village.  Unable to stop the tears from pouring out I cried for quite a while.


    When I had control of myself the rest of the group returned from hunting.  It had taken them quite a long time so I can only assume they were giving me space. I quickly butchered the rabbit and dropped it into the pot.


    ¡°We should talk about today and what¡¯s next.¡± John said in a take charge fashion


    ¡°Agreed, Aero did you see anything that would tell you who the slavers were working for?¡± Halt asked


    ¡°No, all I know is that they were poor swordsman and the leader was a fat man with long hair even though he was bald.¡± I answered


    ¡°Poor swordsman¡­ that¡¯s most slavers but the fat leader is unusual.¡± Halt said as he rubbed his chin.


    ¡°Wait, bald but long hair?¡± George asked suddenly


    ¡°Yes, like the top of his head was hairless but the rest of the hair was long.¡± I replied


    ¡°George, do you know him?¡± John asked


    ¡°No, but it sounds like a man who was hanging around near Dragon Manor.¡± George said quietly


    ¡°Some of the villagers said that they had refused to pay taxes to Dragon house this year.¡± Lara said


    ¡°The elder told me that they had already paid the King¡¯s men and the Dragon¡¯s men came and demanded more.¡± Tom said


    ¡°So obviously it was Dragon house?¡± Rena joined the conversation as she curled up next to me.


    ¡°All we have is hearsay. Since, the slavers are all dead we have no evidence.¡± Halt said angrily


    ¡°I believe I said clearly at the beginning of our venture I would put my life before any information gathering by sparing those who attempt to rob me of it.¡± I said coldly


    ¡°No, it could have put you in more danger if you had to hold back.  You made the right choice based on the circumstances.  Even if you had captured them they would have died before giving any kind of testimony in a trial.¡±  John said with a light pat on my back


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    ¡°Nobles would have them killed before they could testify to the Queen.¡± Clay explained


    ¡°John, you said we had other things to discuss?¡± Elena said in an attempt to change the discussion.


    ¡°Quite right, in a few more days we will arrive in the capital.  Before arrival I would like to explain what your positions are going to be.  Tom is going to be the princess¡¯s sword instructor.¡± John explained


    ¡°Aye¡±


    ¡°Lara, Clay, Lucy, and Single shall be official royal guardsman and serve both the king and queen.¡±


    ¡°Aye¡± The four shouted


    ¡°Aero, shall be the princess¡¯s friend if it pleases the both of them.  He will also be assisting in her magic training.  As for Rena, if you could watch over both Aero and the Princess that would be most welcome.¡±


    ¡°Aye¡± I answered


    ¡°Sure, I was planning on it anyway.¡± Rena said as she snuggled even closer to me.


    ¡°Great, now that¡¯s all settled let¡¯s eat.¡± Elena said


    The next morning, after releasing Rena¡¯s death grip, I headed outside to complete my morning regime.  Tom is outside waiting for me.  Without a word he tosses me a practice sword and drops into a stance. As soon as I catch the sword he strikes, barely giving me any time to defend.


    After a few minutes every part of me is battered and bruised.  The practice sword I was given is splintered after receiving the onslaught of Tom¡¯s attacks.  I use healing magic to stop the bruises from forming.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m actually a just above average swordsman.  There are a lot of people who are much more skilled than me with a sword.  Like that girl, Rena, she could probably take apart our whole group with just sword skill in a matter of minutes.¡± Tom said suddenly


    ¡°Is she really that strong? When I fought her she got caught pretty easily.¡± I said


    ¡°Don¡¯t let that fool you. She was just messing around but if she was serious you would have lost before you reached your sword.¡± Tom said ominously


    ¡°I understand.  Are you really just average?¡± I asked still healing the bruises from our bout.


    ¡°I¡¯m above average but average none the less. The reason I¡¯m telling you this is so you know that there are people that can hurt you. The other day when you left suddenly everyone was beyond worried.¡± Tom explained


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I just lost control.¡±


    ¡°It was like you became another person.  Just remember that you shouldn¡¯t get cocky there are monsters and titans in the world that no one man can defeat.  That is why adventure parties are required to have at least three people. Two can do what one cannot but three can do what two can do and watch their back.  Never leave your group behind and always have two backup plans if you get overpowered.¡±


    ¡°Why two backup plans?¡± I asked curiously


    ¡°One that will save all of the group and one that will save just you.  Come on, after you finish healing we should wake the others and breakdown camp. We should be able to see the capital by tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yes father, but if we can see it by tonight shouldn¡¯t we just push hard and arrive?¡±


    ¡°No, we have to cross the river but the ferry only leaves at midday. You won¡¯t need to build an Inn tonight because we will stay in one that has already been built.¡± Tom said as we walked inside.

 Chapter 21: Outer edge

    After waking and breaking down camp we continue to travel for a few hours. Around midday I can see a large citadel rising upon the horizon. Rena jumps up excitedly and points towards the citadel.


    ¡°Look, there it is! That¡¯s Celu it¡¯s so big!¡± Rena said with a huge smile.


    ¡°That is Celu, capital of the Human realm and your new home.¡± John said proudly


    A short distance away is a small town spread out on either side of a large river.  The river seems to stretch until it disappears from view. I can see why it would be difficult to cross to the river and head to Celu today if there is no ferry.


    We head down towards the village and after a short time we arrive. The town is very lively with merchants shouting from stalls along the road trying to entice would be customers.  I see a large wooden platform moving across the river in the distance packed with passengers.  Guards with light chainmail are checking small slips of paper and looking under wagons.


    ¡°Hold and introduce yourselves.¡± One of the guards shout as we enter the town.


    ¡°I am Captain John Night-tree of his majesty''s royal guard.  I am returning with fresh recruits for the Royal Guard.¡± John proclaimed


    ¡°Alright, sir. We still have to check your things for a wanted felon.¡± The guard said


    ¡°We have no such person but you are free to check.¡±


    ¡°It will only be a minute sir then we¡¯ll get out of your hair.¡±


    After rummaging around in the wagon for a minute he looks satisfied and steps back.


    ¡°Thank you for your cooperation sir.¡±


    ¡°No problem, who are you searching for?¡± John asked


    ¡°Oh, one second¡­¡±


    After a few seconds of digging through this cloak he pulls out a rather crumpled wanted poster with a drawing of a dark cloaked figure with one white feather on the back of the cloak. Under the picture it listed a few crimes but most of them could be simply put into a single word Thief.


    ¡°This person can only be identified by the marking on the cloak.¡± The guard explained


    ¡°This seems to be a lot of searching for a single thief.¡± I said


    ¡°Apparently, they stole from several noble houses but what they stole no one knows.  All the guards were told to be on the lookout but with this picture there isn¡¯t much chance of actually finding them.¡± The guard explained


    ¡°Good luck to you then.¡± Tom said


    ¡°To you as well. It is a dangerous time to be traveling lots of slavers are afoot.¡±


    We pull into a nice looking Inn near the waterfront and John heads in to make the arrangements for the night.  The others either go with John inside or head of to explore the town Rena is the only one that remain with me to help take care of the wagon.  We brush down the horses and put them into the stalls provided by the inn.


    ¡°So, what do you want to do now? Should we head inside or explore?¡± Rena asked


    ¡°Let¡¯s explore around for a bit then head back here after a while.¡± I said after closing the horses in.


    Rena wraps her arm around mine and pulls me toward the street vendors. A few of the stalls we pass seem to be full of just fish.  Surprisingly, none of the stalls were serving any kind of cooked food for the local passerby. Rena pulls me closer to a jewelry stall with a woman managing it.


    ¡°Ah young miss! I see you are with your young mister.  Could I interest you in a small trinket?¡± the merchant asked


    ¡°Hmm¡­ How much for the necklace.¡± Rena asked gesturing at a small necklace with a small green crystal.


    ¡°Oh, you have a good eye. This piece has an enchantment placed inside that can contain an image. When infused with mana the image is shown. It would be great to have an image of your man inside. For you only 5 copper coins.¡±


    Rena looks at me as if she expects me to pay.  I pick up the necklace and inject mana into it and with a green flash an image of me is projected with a strange green hue.  The strange hue must mean that the crystal wasn¡¯t meant to hold an image, a clear one would have been better. That made this item slightly inferior to a clear one.


    Currency in this world is based on coins but is very simple. The coins go like this copper, iron, silver, gold. One copper coin will buy a nice meal and one iron coin will provide room and board for a month. One silver coin can take care of a family for several months and one gold coin can buy a small house. Each coin is worth 100 of the former, so 100 copper coins are equal to a single iron coin and so on.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice but the price is too high for a slightly inferior color.  A lighter color would have worked better. I¡¯ll take it off your hands for 3 copper.¡± I said in a seemingly uninterested voice.


    ¡°Sir, I am offended but what you say is true so I¡¯ll drop my price to 4 copper but no further. What say you?¡± the merchant said


    ¡°Deal, but only because Rena seems to want it.¡± I said reaching into my cloak and fishing out the coins.


    The merchant receives the coins and hands over the necklace to Rena.  Rena hands me the necklace and turns around. I gently move her long black hair out of the way and clasp the necklace around her neck.


    ¡°Thanks, how does it look?¡± Rena asked


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    ¡°It suits you.  Now, let¡¯s head back to the inn and get some food.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to look around some more though¡­¡±


    ¡°More like spend more of my money?¡±


    ¡°Caught me! Don¡¯t worry next time I¡¯ll treat you to something nice.¡± Rena said as she wrapped herself around my arm.


    The inn turned out to be rather nice. A large common room with a few tables scattered around. A few people sitting at the tables are eating and quietly talking amongst themselves.  On the small stage a man sits slowly tuning his instrument in preparation for the entertainment tonight. My mother waves us over to the large table where a few of our group are sitting. Rena sits down right next to me and scoots her chair even closer than it already was. I start rubbing her head out of habit and we wait for the rest of our group.


    After an hour or so everyone had trickled back into the inn.  John orders food and drink from a passing waitress.  The musician steps up on stage and starts playing an upbeat song.


    ¡°To our arrival to Celu!¡± John said lifting his cup


    ¡°To the Royal family!¡± Halt said


    ¡°To the Royal Guard¡± Tom said


    I don¡¯t know much about the music in this world but this song seems to be popular with a lot of people singing along with the musician. The song is about a farmer who went to war, leaving his family behind. He fought in the war for several years and upon his return he discovered his family was no longer there. No longer just a farmer, but a seasoned veteran he searches for his family until after many years they are all reunited. The food arrived as the song finishes and another song starts to play.


    ¡°We should make the city by tomorrow evening.  Clay, Single, Lucy and Lara will follow Halt and George to the Royal guard¡¯s barracks for training.  My family and Rena will head to my home in the middle district.¡± John said


    ¡°Middle district?¡± I said curiously


    ¡°The great city of Celu is separated into three major districts, each separated by a wall. The Lower district is the adventurer and travelers as well as common merchants and common soldiers. The Middle district is primarily filled with knights and merchants that cater to Nobility as well as the random rich adventurer. The Upper district contains the upper nobility and the palace.¡±  Halt explained


    ¡°You¡¯ll understand more tomorrow but for now let us celebrate coming this far. After tonight we won¡¯t have much rest for the foreseeable future.¡± Elena said while raising her glass


    The next morning resulted in much intoxication magic to will the group from their beds. Rena and Kaya did the best they could to assist but it was still a trial.  The worst one was John but Tom and Halt were close behind. Surprisingly, the one who drank the most, Elena was fine and even helped us with the loading. We head down towards the ferry with our wagon and horses.  John negotiates with the ferry to let us go over early and after a few coins change hands we are well on our way to an early crossing.


    The ferry is just a large floating wooden platform with a crude pull line stretched across the river.  It took 30 minutes to cross the river with the 6 men pulling the line.  Apparently, the crank hasn¡¯t let been invented because it was 6 men holding on with a death grip as they pulled us across.  If they had let go for even a second we would have drifted down the river for there was nothing to tie us to the line save their hands.  Everyone other than me was quite comfortable with the situation but I was very nervous. I am the first to step off that death trap and after unloading I walked up to the leader of the ferrymen.


    ¡°Mister, have you ever lost a raft coming over or going back?¡±


    ¡°Usually, once a week but since we added more men we only seem to lose once a month.¡± The ferryman explained


    ¡°Have you ever thought of adding a rail with the rope, threaded like a needle, through it?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, what do you mean?¡±


    I draw the raft but with the added rails and draw the line through it. I also draw an additional rope and a rough pulley.  After a few minutes of explaining to him how he should have two lines stretched across and threaded through the raft rails he seems to understand the basic idea.


    ¡°And this will make for a safer crossing?¡± The ferryman asked


    ¡°It should make the raft more efficient and crossing will be easier.  It shouldn¡¯t be too hard to make the new raft and you¡¯ll be less likely to lose a raft.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. Are you a scholar of the Magic race?¡± The ferryman asked


    ¡°No, I¡¯m just a normal human child.¡±  I explained


    ¡°Normal, huh anyway thanks for the advice, kid.¡±


    He heads back to the raft and tells the men to pull it back to the other side.


    ¡°What were you talking about?¡± Rena asked curiously


    ¡°I was explaining how to make the ferry safer. Did you know they lose a ferry load once a week?¡±


    ¡°Wow, that sound pretty dangerous. I hope your idea works.¡±


    ¡°I think it will.¡± I said

 Chapter 22: Capital

    We set off toward the large city in the distance. As the day slowly passes we pass through the farmland surrounding Celu. A few homes are grouped together forming small community¡¯s short distances from the road. A few exceptionally large houses dot the farmland and have direct connections to the main road.


    ¡°Who do those large house belong too?¡± I ask curiously


    ¡°Those are noble holdings, most of the nobility doesn¡¯t actually live in their houses in the capital. A lot prefer to live in the surrounding area but the top 12 noble houses live in the city and are involved in government.¡± John explained


    ¡°So, they have two homes?¡± I said thinking of the rich people in my world


    ¡°No, most nobles have several but the biggest is in their fiefdom. Most have forts or castles of their own. It¡¯s currently considered popular to leave a steward in charge of your castle and move to the upper district.¡± Halt explained


    ¡°That seems pretty ridiculous to have so many homes.¡± Rena said


    ¡°You think so too? It never made sense to me either.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Father, didn¡¯t you used to be a noble?¡± I asked


    ¡°When I was younger I was the first born of the White house.  I couldn¡¯t stand the etiquette lessons and the strictness.  I was fairly skilled in the sword so I left as soon as I turned ten to become an adventurer.  I learned a lot more than I could from any teacher. After going through a few parties I joined John¡¯s and we hit it off.¡± Tom explained


    ¡°That we did and we all actually stayed alive that is the biggest surprise of them all. He would get into bar fights and worse yet when we explored a labyrinth or dungeon he would run off ahead and bring back tons of monsters.¡± John said as just remembering it seemed to age him a little.


    ¡°I remember when you showed up at my house dragging him behind you asking for help. You were both all cut up and bleeding but the girls were both fine.¡± Elena laughed


    ¡°Well, I couldn¡¯t let Liz get hurt because of this idiot.¡± John said


    ¡°Who are you calling an idiot? You got into fights with any guy who even looked at Liz.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Alright, calm down you two.¡± Kaya said stopping Tom from leaving the wagon.


    In another hour of traveling we finally reached the entrance to the front of Celu.  The city is really a three tier city. A huge wall surrounds the entire city, clearly separating the lower district from the rest of the surrounding lands.


    ¡°Welcome to Celu, the pride of the Human kingdom.¡± John said as he gets off his horse and walks towards the gate.


    ¡°Hold, Elf what is your business here?¡± A guard called out


    ¡°I am John Night-tree of his Majesty''s Royal Guard. I am returning with addition guards and with my family.¡± John said


    declaring his intentions


    ¡°Oh, sorry sir. I didn¡¯t recognize you without your cloak. You understand I¡¯ll still need to see your papers?¡±


    ¡°No problem, here are my papers.¡± John said as he handed over a scroll.


    The guard looks at the paper and the color fades from his face.


    ¡°Sir, I apologize for my rudeness.¡± The guard said while placing his hand to his chest and bowing.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Could you open the gate please?¡±


    ¡°Of course sir. Open the gates!¡± He shouted


    As I peer through the gates I see rows, upon rows of buildings each getting taller as they approach the next wall. The road to the next gate is filled with stalls of fresh produce, clothes and cooking skewers of meat. I notice a few humans but the majority of people are either elves or beasts wandering around or manning stalls. Rena¡¯s eyes are sparkling and her mouth salivating at the sight and smell of the cooking meat. She wipes her mouth and looks at me happily as I buy her a few skewers. The meat appears to be some kind of beef but it is very good and it was only one copper coin for 4 large skewers.


    ¡°You two are going to ruin your dinner.¡± Kaya said


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    ¡°I¡¯m sure Liz will have something for us at home.  She always cooks too much so there will probably be leftovers.¡± John said with a hint of pride in his voice


    ¡°Actually, we should probably grab a few more of those skewers. Liz wasn¡¯t very accomplished in the cooking department when we traveled together.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Hey, my wife is a great cook.  She has had a lot of practice over these last couple years.¡± John said attempting to punch Tom.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s improved from charcoal.¡± Tom replied as he dodged


    As the two stooges are going at it we approach the gate to the Middle district.  I notice a large white and red building right next to the wall. There are tons of, humans, elves, and beasts alike drinking and sitting around together.


    ¡°Uncle John, what¡¯s that red building for?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s the Adventurer Guild''s headquarters in the human kingdom. Adventurers go there to pick up jobs and also


    new people go there to sign up to be an adventurer. It¡¯s a great system where everyone is equal and the only factor for respect is your ability to fight.¡± John explained


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough how much people in the capital discriminate against non-humans. It¡¯s not bad out in the country but in the city it¡¯s really bad.¡± Tom said darkly


    ¡°It might be best for you to not let anyone know that you have Elf blood.¡± Kaya said


    ¡°I am proud of my heritage so I¡¯m not going to hide it.¡± I said looking at Elena which earned me a hug


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Grandma will be fine. You¡¯re a good grandson but just because you¡¯re proud of it doesn¡¯t mean you have to go running off telling everyone. ¡± Elena explained


    Even though Elena had said all that she throws up her hood and she disappears into the carriage. The wall is, about seventy feet tall, the same height as the outer wall. A more relaxed set of guards swing the gate open as we approach. A few of them notice the symbol on the back of Halt¡¯s cloak and salute but we pass through the gate rather quickly.  I watch as a few elves and beasts get stopped but humans just pass through without a problem.


    ¡°Why are they only stopping elves and beast race while the humans just walk through?¡± I asked knowing the answer


    ¡°Non-humans must be searched up entrance and exit of the upper and middle district unless accompanied by a human.¡±


    George explained with a flash of anger in his eyes


    ¡°It used to be that everyone was spot checked but over the last few decades it¡¯s changed to only non-humans. The Royal family has tried put a stop to it but the most of the nobles actively encourage it.¡± Halt said angrily


    The middle district of the city is quite different than the Lower district. The roads are paved with cobblestones leading from this side of the wall to the upper district gate. I can see the palace and a few other buildings towering over the innermost wall. The middle district appears to be mainly residential. The main cobbled road has a few higher class clothing shops as well as a bakery, butcher, blacksmith and a book shop.


    ¡°This is where we part ways for now. Recruits, were heading to the barrack in the upper district. See you later and say hi to Liz for me.¡± Halt said


    Halt and George start riding towards the far gate to the Upper district. Clay and the rest of the new recruits quickly grab all of their bags and hop out of the wagon. With a quick wave they take off after their two leaders.


    ¡°I guess we should be off as well.¡± Tom said


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± John said with a slightly nervous look on his face.


    ¡°Why do you look so worried?¡± Elena asked


    ¡°No reason, I just got a chill¡­¡± John said dodging the question.


    ¡°So, which way?¡± I asked changing the conversation


    ¡°It¡¯s just down this road. I¡¯m sure Liz will be surprised to see all of you.¡± John said happily

 Chapter 23: The women in my family are scary

    We turn down a small road and pass the busy storefronts and stalls. Within a few minutes we stop in front of a nice house with a large yard and a small stable. John dismounts and leads his horse into a stall. We unhitch the wagon and put our two horses next to John¡¯s, the wagon is parked next to the stables. Rena whispers to her horse and it goes into a stall without her doing anything. John appears to get paler by the second but still refuses to admit that anything is wrong. A sudden cry comes drifts from the house.


    ¡°John¡­ where have you been?¡±  A woman¡¯s voice said angrily


    ¡°Liz¡­ It was a secret mission¡­ I couldn¡¯t tell you¡­¡± John said turning white as a sheet


    Out of the house steps a very angry woman. She is a tall, fiery red haired, woman with glasses, she can¡¯t be older than 25. She has a rather thin figure but she is quite attractive so I guess John must be doing something right.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see if it¡¯s a secret you don¡¯t have to tell your wife before you leave for a few months.¡± Liz said angrily


    ¡°Now, dear I am sorry but it was for work!¡± John said looking for an escape.


    ¡°Oh, warmth of the fire, burn bright! Fireball¡± Liz chanted


    A large fireball appeared in the air and was flung at John. John tried to run and dove into the horse¡¯s water trough. Soon after the fireball sizzled out as it struck the surface of the water trough. This heated up the water to such a degree that John was forced to jump out of his safe haven. Fast as a lighting strike Liz ran over and pinned him to the ground.


    ¡°Do you know how worried I was? Kira told me you went to get new recruits for your Guard but she didn¡¯t even know where you went.¡± Liz said while pummeling John¡¯s chest with her small fists.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°Jerk, Idiot don¡¯t make me worry so much.¡± Liz said as she started crying


    ¡°I¡¯m home, Liz.¡± John said pulling Liz to his chest


    Rena and I gawked at the two laying on the ground. Tom, Elena and Kaya treated the situation as if it was a normal occurrence and had been waiting patiently for the two to stop fighting. After a few crying kisses Liz released her grip on John and stood up drying her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m still mad at you¡­¡± Liz said stubbornly


    ¡°Hey, Liz what¡¯s it been 8 years huh?¡± Tom said


    ¡°Tom, how have you been?¡± Liz said as she walks over and embraces Tom.


    ¡°Good, you remember Kaya right?¡±


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯re as beautiful as ever sister!¡± Liz said releasing Tom and hugging Kaya.


    ¡°You¡¯re just as beautiful you haven¡¯t aged a day.¡± Kaya said as she receives several quick kisses to her cheeks.


    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s good to see you as well.¡± Liz said bowing slightly.


    ¡°Where¡¯s my hug?¡± Elena teased and was immediately hugged.


    ¡°And who are these two?¡± Liz said looking at Rena and me


    Before I could speak up Tom interjected with a big smile on his face.


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s our son Aero, your nephew!¡± Tom said


    ¡°And this young girl is one of his future wives!¡± Kaya said laughing


    ¡°I¡¯m Aero and this is Rena please ignore those two idiot over there. We don¡¯t have that sort of relationship. It¡¯s nice to finally meet you Aunt Liz. ¡± I said politely


    ¡°Yet¡­¡± The three idiots said together


    Without thinking I dropped three large water ball on them. Liz looks extremely surprised but then starts laughing at the soaked figures of Tom, Kaya and Elena. She comes over to me and smiles.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite something then. It¡¯s nice to meet you finally nephew.¡± Liz said pulling me into a hug and reaching for Rena


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so shy come over here too, Rena.¡±


    Liz smells like fresh bread, it¡¯s a good smell for an aunt. She releases Rena and me and smiles brightly.


    ¡°I bet you two are hungry from your journey. Let¡¯s see what we can find while they unload the wagon.¡± Liz said happily


    I looked at Tom who waved us off. Liz pulls us both inside and takes us directly to the pantry.  Out of a cupboard she pulls out a small box and opens it.  Inside are what appears to be candy and a sweet scent wafts from them.  They are very colorful and shaped like trees or animals. It seems like something that Fi would really like. At the sight of them Rena¡¯s tail perks up and a toothy smile appears.


    ¡°Can¡­ we really have one?¡± Rena said looking at Liz with huge eyes


    ¡°Of course, but just one or it will ruin dinner. Speaking of, I need to get more food from the pantry.  Go on and eat one.¡± Liz urged


    Rena quickly popped one in her mouth with a look of sheer bliss on her face. I reach down and grab on as well and place it in my mouth. As I had expected it was something like the hard candy that my great grandmother always had around. After a few seconds the flavor changes to an apple and then to a few other fruits. I take it out of my mouth and notice that it has changed colors as well as shape. It¡¯s a pretty cool piece of candy.


    The others file in still pretty wet so I quickly dry them with warm air. Kaya goes off to help Liz with dinner and the rest of us sit at a large table. As always Rena plops into the seat next to be, with a look of bliss on her face as she finishes her candy. When she finished a look of regret crossed her face and stayed until I started scratching behind her ears. Kaya and Liz brought out a few plates of meat and a lot of bread and sat down next to their respective husbands.


    ¡°John, so why is everyone in our family here?¡± Liz asked as we started to eat.


    ¡°Honey, the secret mission was to get some strong assistance for the guard as well as a few playmates for the princess. I thought why not keep this in the family, people we can really trust.¡±


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°And we came.¡± Tom said with a mouthful of bread.


    ¡°Tom said that Aero was plenty strong enough to be of use so they all came along. Oh and they are going to be staying with us until we find them a more permanent solution.¡±


    As John explained the situation I could see Liz getting angrier and angrier.


    ¡°Sweet husband, are you telling me that you and the king are using our family for guards?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but Liz at least I didn¡¯t gamble away my paycheck this month.¡± John said while looking for an escape route.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re going to gamble with your nephew¡¯s life?¡± Liz said as she slapped John


    ¡°Now, Calm down Liz. We all decided that we would help out.¡± Tom said trying to calm her down.


    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. I¡¯m pregnant!¡± Kaya said obliviously.


    ¡°Really! Congratulations¡­ You three are so irresponsible! Not only are you dragging two children into this but also one that hasn¡¯t been born. Why didn¡¯t you stop them, Mother?¡±


    ¡°It seemed more interesting but at least this way we will all be together with whatever happens.¡± Elena laughed


    ¡°Fine, do whatever. I¡¯ll clean up after you all as always.¡± Liz said dejectedly


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Miss Liz, Aero and I are really strong!¡± Rena said proudly


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure.¡± Liz said as she ruffles both of our hair.


    ¡°No, seriously, Aero can use chant less magic. Rena over there is the successor to the Night-style.¡± John said nursing his cheek


    ¡°Dear, if you¡¯re going to lie at least say something believable.¡± Liz said in disbelief.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s really true, Aero show her.¡± Tom said proudly


    I sighed as I summoned a small bird. I ordered it to fly around and land on my shoulder. Liz practically fell out of her chair with surprise.


    ¡°See, that is a normal reaction when you use magic without chanting.¡± Rena said trying to stifle her laughter.


    ¡°Anything else, Master?¡± The tiny bird asked


    ¡°That will be all, thank you.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll be off.¡±


    And with a puff of smoke the bird vanishes.


    ¡°Wow, you really can use chant less magic.  The only person that I have ever seen do that was the Master of the magic college but he died when I was younger. But how did you learn it?¡± Liz asked


    ¡°I think that those chants are sort of embarrassing and I just focused on the image of what I want and feed magic into it.¡± I explained.


    ¡°I see, well anyway you don¡¯t have experience fighting with magic yet so are you sure you want to dive into this whole situation?¡±


    ¡°I have experience and I gave my word. I also sort of feel bad for the princess since that anyone who gets near her has their own benefit at heart.¡±


    ¡°It will take her a while to warm up to you two. She¡¯s pretty stubborn and well, uncontrollable.¡± Liz tried to explain


    ¡°It will be fine, I don¡¯t know how she won¡¯t like Aero. After all he is great at petting your fur, so one pet and you¡¯re his forever.¡± Rena said happily


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that will work on her¡­¡± I said


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Well, never mind¡­¡±


    After dinner we all head upstairs and fall into a bed exhausted from our long journey.  Rena quickly snuck into my bed and snuggled up to me.


    ¡°So, tomorrow we meet our princess.  I hope we can get along with her.¡± Rena said in my ear


    ¡°You and me both. I don¡¯t know what she¡¯ll be like but it can¡¯t be too bad. She¡¯ll be sure to like you but as for myself I don¡¯t know.¡± I said turning to face Rena.


    ¡°In my travels I heard about the princess¡­ Apparently, she doesn¡¯t pay attention in lessons and she doesn¡¯t do anything except fight with swords all day.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°No, she¡¯s a bloodthirsty person who attacks random tutors and refuses to learn anything other than sword skills. She¡¯s around nine years old but she still can¡¯t read or write very well. A few tutors even gave up trying to teach her because she beat them so badly.¡± Rena said seriously


    ¡°Really, she sounds really strong headed but she beat her teachers?¡± I said in disbelief


    ¡°That¡¯s not all, she has teeth like this and her muscles are huge so she can¡¯t wear dresses.¡± Rena said laughing


    ¡°So, you actually have no idea what she¡¯s like then?¡± I sighed


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m just going on rumor. Liz is one of her tutors right?¡±


    ¡°I think so, at least that¡¯s what John said.¡±


    ¡°Then she¡¯s probably not that bad and if she is I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll think of a way to become her friend.  I¡¯m rather hard to befriend but you did it really quickly.¡±


    ¡°But all I did was pet you?¡±


    ¡°But it is amazing that anyone would just start doing it.¡± Rena blushed


    ¡°Sorry, will you be alright though, making friends with the princess?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ probably.¡± Rena yawned


    After a few minutes of listening to Rena¡¯s deep breaths I too slowly drift off to sleep.


    ###################################################################


    AN: Hey It''s the end of the second arc!


    I am officially starting the once a week or twice a week chapter update.


    I have a side chapter that I wrote for fun that will be Chapter 23.5 or I''ll just use the title I came up with for it.


    Also I have  a side novel ''The World Changed''   It''s not a full project yet but I''ll be switching between them if I get tired of writing one. I don''t know if the link below will work.


    http://royalroadl.com/fiction/5576</a>


    Also thanks for reading so far! I let out 24 chapters in one day!!!


    (Don''t expect that ever again I''ll die!)

 A Mothers POV

    My name is Kaya White.


    I was born in a small elven village on the Forest Continent. It is a place filled with nature and food abundant. My mother is an elf and my father was a human. I was born the second child in the family. My father disappeared shortly after my mother had given birth to me. I never found the reason for his disappearance.


    I was one of many children in the village and lead a fairly happy lifestyle. When my brother came of age he left and went to go become an adventurer. I started to practice magic and learn about the sword from my mother so one day I could go on an adventure with my brother.


    I never expected that when my brother would return he would bring anyone back. A young boy followed him home along with a few girls. I was immediately fell in love with him and ran to tell my mother that I had met my fated one. My mother laughed and said I was too young to know who I wanted to spend my life with. It didn¡¯t matter because I had decided that I would get that man one way or another. Before he left with my brother I asked him his name and he said Tom White.


    After that I started studying and learning how to do housework. I had never had any interest in these until I was told that it¡¯s a wife¡¯s duty to assist her husband in these manners. I learned how to cook from one of the village elders. A few years past by but I was so busy learning I barely noticed. My mother told me that Tom might have already been wed to another woman and not to get my hopes up for his return but I believed.


    Then one night my wish came true. My knight had returned and stole away my girlish dreams. That night I became a woman, no longer a girl but a true woman. He stayed with me sneaking in and out and whispering sweet words of love throughout the night and during the day. Our nightly escapades had a rather happy consequence as I quickly became with child. He had proposed the night I had gained my womanhood to which I happily agreed. Mother agreed as long as we took her to help raise the baby. Tom went to the king to receive his knighthood and a paycheck to support us and we decided to settle in a small village by the name of Felora.


    After a few months of settling in I had my child. We decided to call him Aero and he would be trained and grow up to be a swordsman like Tom. Aero was a strange child who didn¡¯t cry when he was born so mother was always worried that he was a little weak. I often caught him struggling to move around but he never seemed to go anywhere.


    Aero quickly was able to move around the house. No one was concerned that he was weak anymore but he became incredibly hard to find. He couldn¡¯t seem to ever stay put and when he was set down if you turned your back he would disappear into another room. One day he was staring out a window and fell from his perch scaring the life from me. Luckily, I healed him quickly but head injuries can be strange sometimes. Tom laughed it off but I was secretly still worried.


    I found out why Aero was always moving around after a year or so. He would stand near books and mumble to himself.  I never made out the words but it seemed to have some kind of structure to it. I started reading aloud from the books we had when I had time and he seemed to enjoy it greatly.


    My son quickly learned to speak at only the age of two. Not just yes or no but full length sentences. Recently, he has been holing up in a small room inside with the magic book on his lap but it¡¯s still too early for him to use magic.


    A few months later and I heard a large crash from upstairs. I ran up to look for the cause and a large hole has formed in the wall of the room Aero always had read in. On the ground in front of his is the book of magic and his little hand is stretched out towards the hole in the wall. Not only had he learned to read but he had actually performed magic.  After a few minutes of arguing I convince Tom go request a magic instructor.


    The magic instructor was a small little green haired girl with a bored look on her face. I was shocked because of the unusual color of her hair that marked her as a member of the Magic race. I had never seen a member of the magic race before but I was told that they don¡¯t usually leave the Magic Continent. I wasn¡¯t sure of her skill for one so young but she quickly proved me wrong.  Aero seemed to learn in great leaps and bounds and Fi quickly began to feel like a part of the family.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Fi said her goodbyes after a few years and my son started to grow up. He was diligent in his training and learned quickly. I think Fi had left because she had felt herself being surpassed by a student. Even Tom has started to train more to keep up with his son. Mother secretly leaves the house at night to go train in the forest nearby. I even have started sneaking in a few hours of training in a day. Tom came home with a large bruise on his forehead after Intent training but quickly healed it before Aero caught a look at him.


    It has been several years since I had given birth and I was worried that I wasn¡¯t going to be graced with another. The frequency of Tom and my night sessions had only increased over the years but still no other child.  I had thought that such a child as Aero had sucked up all the good and strength of my womb. I was wrong for a few weeks after I had thought such a thing I once again felt a slight bump on my belly. Mother checked excitedly and confirmed that I was with another child.


    That night was filled with a party but the biggest surprise was that John arrived with an injured man in need of healing. I went to stop the bleeding but I couldn¡¯t heal the slash all the way. From outside a presence extinguished itself so I began to fear that someone was about to attack. John and Tom grasp their swords but the presence quickly reignites and Aero walks through the door carrying mother. He quickly healed the injured man and starts petting the Beast race man.


    John asked us to go with him to the kingdom and help protect the king. Aero was asked to be friends with the princess but he quickly refuses. He said he didn¡¯t want to befriend anyone because he was asked to but after a few minutes and a surprising amount of killing intent from Aero it was agreed that we would all go. I left the house to a newlywed couple that was looking for a house and we set off.


    My child went to create his own brand of magic, something that only the best magicians have done. He called it Construction magic and basically he builds homes out of whatever material is readily available. I asked him how he can use magic without chanting but he said that they were embarrassing to say and he just learned how to just think of things and then magic appears. Poor Fi must have lost her mind when he explained it as if it¡¯s really easy to do.


    Aero made a friend named Rena and the girl is super attached to him. George looks over towards the two with a small amount of jealousy since Aero had stopped petting him and switched to only petting her.  It almost made me laugh but it quickly vanished from his face when he caught me looking.


    Aero cried for the first time in my arms after going off and doing something reckless. He just disappeared using Tom¡¯s stupid teleport magic that he thinks is a secret. He came back after a few minutes with 30 villagers who had been taken by slavers. His cloak was clean but his face had a blood stains on his cheeks, his hands had been washed but under the fingernails I could clearly see blood. I went over and smacked his and hugged him afterwards. I was quite proud that he got angry for people he didn¡¯t know but I wish he hadn¡¯t just disappeared. I told the others to go hunt for a while and after they were gone I embraced my son as he cried.


    We arrived in the Celu today and I finally met my sister, Liz. She married John a few years ago after their party went their separate ways. We couldn¡¯t go to the wedding because of the distance but I was happy to gain a new family member. Mother and Liz looked at my belly today and said that there are two children inside. I can feel them both kicking and in a few weeks they both be born in this world. Where Tom, Aero and I are awaiting our new family members.

 Just an update

    I would like to thank those who have continued to read my story!


    I am going to say something that is probably just going to fan the flames of the people saying that my book is the copy of Mushoku Tensei.


    I will freely admit that Mushoku Tensei is the first Reincarnation Novel I have read. I will also admit that there are several parallels between the two stories.


    You all probably know the similarities!


    Aero dies!


    Aero is a boy!


    Aero is reincarnated!


    Aero is popular with women


    Aero has a mother and a father!


    Aero is taught by a Girl


    Aero is born in a small village!


    Aero fights monsters!


    Aero fights people!


    Aero protects people!


    Aero travels to a large city to protect/ become a playmate a powerful figure!


    Now dear readers please name one interesting story about reincarnation that doesn''t have 3 or more of those similarities above. (rhetorical question)


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    I refuse to take down the "original" tag just because elements in my story coincide with elements of another story.


    Royal Road approved it so it''s staying!


    I''m only on the first 23 chapters!


    It''s like saying that because the top of your baby''s head is rounder than yours that you''re wife slept with another man!


    If you have read this far I thank you greatly. I''m going to do my best to make this a double chapter week and try to pop out two by Friday.


    PS: Sorry about the ranting but it''s harder to get good reviews because people are much more likely to write bad ones than good ones. I just felt like I had to speak out. I won''t do this again but I felt like it needed to be addressed.

 Chapter 24: Thugs are people too

    Chapter 24: Thugs are people too


    " Celu is a great city to live in for those fortunate enough to be able to afford it. In recent years, people of all kinds have flocked to the capital in hopes of seeking their fortunes. Although the upper and middle levels are very safe this isn''t true of some parts of the lower levels. The infamous ''Red hand'' makes its home somewhere in the lower districts. They are thieves,killers, and frauds. In order to join a new recruit must have either killed 10 people, stolen from a noble, or defrauded at least 3 merchants. Members are given a moniker as well as a membership chip."


    - Excerpt from ''Traveling in the Human Lands''


    I awoke the next morning to utter darkness. The reason for which was a long black tail that had somehow wrapped itself around my head. After some minutes of gentle struggle I managed to break free and the light once again entered my eyes.


    Stretched out on my bed like a cat sunbathing was Rena. Somehow she had managed to shift her position almost 180 degrees in her sleep. I threw the covers back on her and went downstairs to start my morning exercise.


    ------


    After finishing my workout I head back inside. I notice a slight burning smell coming from the kitchen. Worried that the house was in danger I ran towards the kitchen only to be met with thick billowing smoke. I used wind magic to clear the room of the smoke and as soon as it was clear I looked towards the cause of the smoke.


    Liz was standing, covered in black ash, in the center of the kitchen. On the stovetop there was the burnt remnants of a few egg shells and a few other unidentifiable products that had been turned into charcoal. The bread, if you could call it such, appeared to look like black rocks. I highly doubt anything remaining near her was salvageable. I look at Liz, who is coughing up smoke, in shock. Dad wasn''t joking about the cooking issue Liz had at all in fact you could say he was very kind about the level of destruction Liz''s cooking could cause.


    " Oh good morning, Aero. I was just about to wake everybody up for breakfast." Liz said while wiping the ash from her face.


    Who are you trying to fool!! If we are that we might not die but our hp would be one!!


    "Um... By breakfast do you mean that?" I asked pointing towards the pile of egg shells and rocks.


    " Haha. Of course what else! Doesn''t it look delicious?" Liz said with a sadistic smile.


    ----------


    Breakfast was, say at the least, very interesting. Choking sounds could be heard from around the table but no one was brave or foolish enough to speak out. Rena looked several times at me with pleading eyes as I attempted to bite off a piece of the rock. She also tried to sneak a few egg shells onto my plate but I quickly blocked and pushed a few of mine back to her. At this she looked back at her plate and focused on her own plate.


    Kaya looked at this scene with mirth in her eyes as she was the only one, due to morning sickness, to escape this disaster. Tom and John quickly scarfed down the whole meal and then drank copious amounts of water to wash it down. Grandmother tried to use the water to soften the rock, bread, but it was a futile effort as it just feel apart in the water. This actually worsened her meal because she had no clean water to rinse the taste from her mouth.


    "Well, I think that was a great breakfast! It was one of my best ones yet." Liz laughed proudly


    For some reason Liz also hadn''t eaten breakfast so she didn''t have to suffer through what she put on the plates.


    "Yes, it was very good." John lied


    Following his cue everyone complemented the breakfast in some way. Unfortunately I was the last one because I was trying to bite though a piece of rock. This left me in a hot spot so I decided to mix in a little truth in my lie.


    "It was different than what I am used to but I can feel stronger for eating it."


    Haha! No negatives in that sentence and I was brave enough to tell the truth!


    Everyone around the table is nodding in agreement! Even Liz looks happy so I guess I''m safe.


    " *cough* I guess it''s time to explain today''s plan. I have to report to the king and while doing so I''ll ask for an additional meeting in private to discuss Aero''s and Rena''s new positions. You''ll probably have an official meeting tommorow with the king." John explained


    "So we are free for today?" I asked curiously.


    " Well, yes. Is there something you would like to do?" John asked


    " I would like to explore the city. Can I mom, dad?"


    "Nnh...  Me as well." Rena said abruptly grabbing my arm.


    " I have no problem with it. Your father and I have something to do anyway. Just be back around dark." Kira said


    "The city isn''t as safe as it seems so be careful especailly around the lower districts. The Red Hand are fairly active as of late." Liz warned


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Okay, we''ll be careful!" I said as I stood up and ran out the door with Rena chasing behind.


    ------ POV Liz-----


    "I swear he sure did leave fast..." I exasperated


    "Rena, followed him rather quickly too..." John said


    "Must be love!!!" Tom, Kira, and Elena said in unison


    "... Anyway, Kira are you sure about letting them run around Aero isn''t even 10 and Rena can''t be much older than that." I asked


    "Haha... You don''t know it dear but that kid is a monster, no offense, and Rena isn''t any less of one. He''s much more mature than most adults and stronger too." John said with a hint of inferiority in his voice.


    This man chased after me for several year before I agreed to marry him. It hasn''t always been great because he works a lot. Also I never know if he''s coming back from one of his ''secret missions'' or not. But I do love him and he never lies... Unless it''s about my cooking... Everyone lies about my cooking. Even Aero hid a veiled truth in his statement earlier. Really ''I feel stronger for eating it?'' Doesn''t that mean that you felt like it was a great challenge to eat it!


    "Haha of course he is! He is my grandson! Speaking of which when are you two going to pop out a few grandkids for me?" Elena, or mother said changing the subject


    John looked at me in a panic which made me laugh.


    "Whenever this lug stays long enough to get me pregnant. He''s always running around chasing people, gambling away his salary, or on an assignment for the king." I said putting all the blame on John.


    Well, it is his fault. He is always doing something and it''s hard to find time to trip him. I have to throw him on the bed in order for us to do it. I have needs as well so let''s take advantage of mother-in-law being here.


    "Unacceptable! Leaving such a beautiful wife home alone! Aren''t you afraid of the wolves coming to steal her while you''re gone? Tell that young king that you have things to do and request time off." Elena said


    Mwahha plan success!!


    ----POV end-----


    The reason for my sudden departure was two fold. One was the fact I really didn''t want to stick around for lunch after that kind of breakfast. But the main reason, or second, was that I wanted to explore this capital. Although compared to my previous world the infrastructure of Alera cannot compare. My parent thought I would be uncomfortable around the many people of the capital I was more uncomfortable with the lack of people in the outer areas.


    In fact the amount of people in the capital wasn''t as many as a small city of earth  much less a capital. So I didn''t have an issue but Rena didn''t have anything to compare it too as she was raised far away from villages much less a city.


    She bounced around happily and I was pulled this way and that way. Down and up alleys, around bends and eventually...


    "Well, we are officially lost." I said firmly


    "Sorry, I got too excited..." Rena said with a ting of regret


    "It''s fine it''s just I don''t even know what district we are in." I said with a sigh.


    As I look around all I see are tall buildings surrounding us. The bustle of the main streets sound all around us making it difficult to determine which direction a street is in. I guess we can call it a warehouse area because the large buildings surrounding us don''t appear to have any people living in them.


    "Let''s ask for directions"


    Directions? I am a man why should I ask for directions! Look at Christopher Columbus he traveled until his men almost died of hunger but never did he ask for directions!


    "Okay."


    Ugh I relented!!! I lost a man point!!


    After a few minutes of searching we find a small group of large men. They had scars crisscrossing there arms and looked very imposing. After thinking about it for a split second I decided they were not the people to ask. But before I could share this thought with Rena she darted towards them!


    "Hey you guys can we get directions back to the Main Street?" She shouted


    I almost smacked my face... This girl is innocent!!! I try and grab her and pull her into a small alley but the men already turned around.


    "Of course young lady it would be our pleasure."


    -----------


    After proving that you cannot judge a book by the cover the men quickly lead us back the the Main Street. Apparently they are warehouse workers and because of their jobs they get lots of cuts and of course since they do heavy lifting they have muscles.


    ---------


    AN: I''m going to try to post the next chapter later on this weekend. So hopefully in the next few days