28 - A Limited Quest
28 - A Limited Quest
Valrion¡¯s short legs burned beneath him as he dashed through the crowded market. He hadn¡¯t noticed it before since he was always holding onto his mother, but at just three years old, everything around him was enormous. The towering stalls bursting with trinkets and the busy shoppers bustling about¡ªthey could easily collapse and stomp on him if he wasn¡¯t careful.
It was only now that he thought: what if the quest could be done without his involvement? What if Sergius managed to catch the thief and bring them back in under eight minutes without breaking a sweat? Of course, he would believe it more that he would need to contribute something for the Handbook, his personal guidance, to consider it complete.
With every step, Valrion felt his heart racing wildly in his chest, each beat carrying a mix of thrill, persistence, and a hint of worry. The fact that he was just a kid seemed to work in his favor¡ªpeople who noticed him instinctively cleared a path, the way parting like waves before a ship. They appeared startled, their eyes widening in surprise, but at least they wouldn¡¯t want to hurt a little boy.
¡°Sergius!¡± he yelled, his tiny voice barely rising above the sounds of merchants haggling and children giggling. He squinted ahead, focusing his utmost on Sergius, who would disappear within seconds if he didn¡¯t try to avoid bumping into people, which slowed him down a lot.
Valrion wished Sergius would hear him, but then again, if Sergius turned back, even for a moment, it could cost them the thief¡¯s trail entirely. Torn between wanting to be noticed and not wanting to jeopardize the chase, Valrion went on, committed to keeping up no matter what. He could only run after Sergius, hoping that he wouldn¡¯t be left behind and fail the quest.
[Time left: 07:21]
As he rounded a fabric stand¡ªnot his mother¡¯s friend¡¯s¡ªValrion spotted a flash of red fabric slipping into the pathway, nearly tripping him. Fiercely, he leaped forward, almost tumbling as his small feet slammed against the cobblestones. It was quite a miracle that he managed to regain his balance and push forward.
He then zigzagged through the street, vaulting over a stall laden with oranges, sending the fruit rolling into the path of alarmed shoppers. The sound of squished fruit broke as people gasped in surprise. One vendor, a burly man with a thick mustache, barely saved his crate of vegetables that tumbled after the thief, his face clouded with annoyance and shock.
¡°Hey! Watch it!¡± he shouted at Sergius, even though it was clearly not the man¡¯s fault. His arms flailed in a futile attempt to regain control over his produce.
[Time left: 07:05]
Sergius kept running forward, undeterred by the chaos, and Valrion had no choice but to follow. He couldn¡¯t miss Sergius, Sergius couldn¡¯t lose the thief, and the thief couldn¡¯t escape with his mother¡¯s money.
As the quickened, the atmosphere became a swirling blur of motion. Stalls toppled around them, vendors shouted in confusion, and the crowd parted when needed, creating a narrow path amidst the commotion¡ªall bewildered by a single commotion. Once in a while, Valrion glanced at people¡¯s faces, and Sergius might need a long time to explain to them later.
The thief seemed to be a professional, as Valrion observed a deliberate pattern in their movements. They darted left and right with practiced precision, clearly trying to mislead and confuse their pursuers. It would still work, even if the chasing happened in a narrow market street.
[Time left: 06:48]
Soon, Sergius turned into an alley, and an idea sparked in Valrion¡¯s mind. He decided to take a shortcut through a similar lane closer to him. If the thief tried to double back, Valrion might be able to intercept them. If not, the worst that would happen would be that he would end up a few steps behind Sergius.
The shortcut led Valrion to a quieter stretch of the market, where the crowd had thinned and the stalls dwindled to none. His first guess was wrong¡ªthe thief didn¡¯t retreat but pressed forward¡ªbut it didn¡¯t matter. Valrion¡¯s resolve burned as brightly as his focus. He could still see the thief and Sergius in the distance, their chase far from over.
As Valrion navigated ways around a few children his age playing with sticks and stones, drawing on the ground, he caught a better glimpse of the thief: a boy slightly taller than him. What kind of irony was it that he was a son of a well-to-do family, yet that kid had to steal from his mother?
Valrion realized that his strides grew shorter and slower. He began to feel the fatigue creeping in, especially in his legs. The thief was about to run toward another alley that should have brought him to the outside of the market, but Valrion noticed several wooden crates stacked near them, spilling slightly over the edges.
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An idea sparked in his mind¡ªhe could use his elemental power to block the way. He should have more than enough mana for it. However, the children watching might be smarter than he thought and could snitch on him to the adults. Then again, he or Sergius could just lie and pretend they didn¡¯t know a thing.
He chose not to dwell on whether it was the right thing to do, focusing instead on the urgency of the moment. Drawing on the warmth within him, he concentrated as best as he could. With a quick raise of his hand, he unleashed a burst of fire that struck the crates, sending them tumbling over with a loud crash.
Noise rippled through the area, breaking the silence of the once-quiet area of the market. Barrels and debris toppled chaotically, sealing the path in an impassable tangle. Flames danced upward, creating a fiery barrier that left no room for escape. Cornered by the sudden blockade, the thief froze. Sergius arrived soon after, seizing the thief and bringing the chase to an end.
[Limited Quest completed: Retrieve Mother¡¯s Lost Purse]
[EXP +80]
[Level: 5]
[EXP: 90/145]
[Health: 295/297]
[Mana: 13/31]
That was a lot of EXP gained in such a short time. Valrion would love to spend some time figuring out how to get more of those limited quests, but he had more urgent matters to attend to.
Quickly, he ran toward Sergius. The thief lay curled up on the ground, hiding their face with his shabby coat. Sergius knelt on one knee, his hand firmly pinning the thief¡¯s arm down. The crates burned at a safe distance, posing no immediate danger to any of them.
¡°Ser¡ª¡± Valrion began.
¡°That was careless of you!¡± Sergius snapped, glaring at Valrion. The harsh tone made Valrion jolt in surprise. If he had to list the most unexpected events in his life, Sergius yelling at him would be one of them. The man¡¯s eyes burned with frustration, the rare display of anger throwing Valrion off entirely.
¡°I¡¯m sor¡ª¡±
¡°We told you not to use your fire in public! I thought you were smarter than this! Who told you to follow me even?!¡± Sergius gritted his teeth, glancing at the direction from where they came from.
Valrion followed Sergius¡¯ gaze. The children playing from before were gathering. There were also new spectators¡ªadults¡ªwho started to show up from the inner market. How funny of him to have expected Sergius to praise him instead. Right now, he could only wish that no one would suspect the fire to be coming from either one of them.
¡°So reckless,¡± Sergius muttered, but his words were cut short as their attention shifted to the thief, who had started to sob uncontrollably.
Sergius forced the thief to turn around, shoving him slightly. To their surprise, the thief was a girl with short hair. She looked up at them with wide, frightened eyes, tears streaking her dirt-smudged face. Any trace of mischief was absent from her expression¡ªall that was seen was pure fear.
Letting out a long sigh, Sergius began, ¡°Little girl, why did you do that?¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± she stammered, her voice trembling. Valrion took a moment to process her words, noticing the way her body shook slightly as she spoke.
¡°I asked, why did you do that?¡± Sergius continued.
¡°I was just hungry,¡± she replied. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡ªI just wanted to buy more food.¡±
The sincerity in her tone struck Valrion deeply. He couldn¡¯t ignore the rawness in her confession, and it drove him to question Sergius¡¯ approach, wondering if there was another way to handle this without adding to her fear. There must be one, but he couldn¡¯t think of any.
Sergius frowned. ¡°We already gave you bread, and that wasn¡¯t enough?¡±
The girl fell silent. Her crying became louder.
Sergius sighed once again. ¡°This is why it¡¯s so hard to help people like you. You¡¯re just a kid, but already making choices that lead to this kind of trouble.¡±
Valrion couldn¡¯t fully agree with Sergius¡¯ harsh words. Was the girl truly at fault for her actions? If anyone deserved blame, it should be her family. Where were her parents? Why hadn¡¯t they provided her with enough to eat or protected her from ending up in such a desperate situation?
At the same time, Valrion could understand Sergius¡¯s anger¡ªeven his mother, if he wanted to stretch it further. They had helped, yet these people still demanded more by acting immorally. This was one of those moments when Valrion couldn¡¯t decide whom to defend, but if he really had to choose, then Sergius was more right than wrong.
¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Sergius asked. His tone softened, though a trace of authority was still present.
¡°Amelia,¡± she whispered.
¡°Where¡¯s the pouch you took, Amelia?¡± he demanded.
The girl stayed silent, staring at the ground.
¡°I won¡¯t ask again. Where is it?¡± he repeated, sharper this time.
Still, Amelia didn¡¯t respond. Valrion watched in disbelief. How could she remain stubborn, even now, when the truth was already out?
Sergius rummaged through Amelia¡¯s pockets, clearly left with no other choice. It was difficult for Valrion to see the whole thing, especially as she squeezed her eyes shut and tears streamed down her cheeks. Her expression carried desperation that spoke of years of hardship. At the same time, this had to happen. She had to return what didn¡¯t belong to her.
¡°All right,¡± Sergius said after finding Valrion¡¯s mother¡¯s pouch inside the left pocket of Amelia¡¯s coat. Without hesitation, he shoved the girl away, his movements harsh and unyielding.
¡°Be gentle!¡± Valrion protested, slapping Sergius¡¯ arm, but Sergius didn¡¯t even flinch. It frightened him to see Sergius like this, so different from his usual lighthearted self. He could only hope Sergius wouldn¡¯t stay mad at him for long. Even worse, he might not be able to leave the house again.
Valrion turned his gaze to Amelia. Her cries became louder, her body shaking as she struggled to contain her tears. Sergius inspected the pouch, squeezing it as if confirming its contents, and fixed a cold glare on Amelia.
Was this really Sergius? This reminded him of the moment he discovered Octavia¡¯s second job. There was still so much he didn¡¯t know about the people around him, even those he thought he understood best.
¡°Let¡¯s go back,¡± Valrion suggested.
Honestly, Valrion couldn¡¯t decipher the expression on Sergius¡¯ face. His gaze shifted between him and Amelia, looking as if he could have left them alone here and wouldn¡¯t feel any guilt. Did this mean Sergius was disappointed in both of them? How should Valrion react if Sergius really saw him in the same light as a pitiful thief?
¡°Yeah,¡± Sergius said, rising to his feet and pulling Amelia up with him. He gripped her collar firmly, and together, they began making their way back through the chaotic market, ignoring the curious stares and murmurs of those watching. Valrion followed silently behind, his mind recalling everything that had just happened.
29 - Second Apology of the Day
29 - Second Apology of the Day
As they retraced their steps through the market, Valrion noticed the stares that followed them. The vibrant energy of the square faded the moment they walked by. People paused in their tasks, their whispers barely audible as they watched them move. The remnants of the chase¡ªfallen crates and scattered produce¡ªwere the obvious reason for the treatment.
The fruit seller from earlier turned out to be a beautiful young woman. She was tall, with deep red lips that seemed to underscore the anger simmering in her gaze. Her glare fixed on Sergius as he passed, her posture rigid with resentment. Before her stall, a dozen squashed oranges lay scattered on the ground. Though she said nothing, her sharp glare clearly explained her displeasure.
¡°I¡¯ll pay for the damage. Wait there,¡± Sergius said, motioning to the woman with his free hand before focusing on his task.
Trailing behind Sergius and Amelia, Valrion could tell that the girl had stopped trembling. Her tears had also subsided, though she still sobbed once in a while. Valrion¡¯s legs still burned from the pursuit, but the ache in his chest was far worse. Words crowded his throat, unspoken.
Several thoughts crossed his mind: what would happen to Amelia, would Sergius really tell his mother about him using his elemental power, and what would happen to him afterward? Above all, he was still frightened of Sergius¡¯ silence. He couldn¡¯t tell if it was anger or calculation, and it really bothered him.
He took a few quick steps forward, positioning himself on Sergius¡¯ other side and glancing up to meet his eyes. ¡°Will you really tell my mother what happened?¡±
Sergius kept his gaze forward. ¡°I have to, right?¡±
Valrion couldn¡¯t believe how terrified he became over this. He tried to take several deep breaths¡ªthis was what many humans would do to calm themselves down¡ªbut it didn¡¯t change a thing. If there was something that would soothe him, it would be Sergius deciding to keep that incident a secret, which was unlikely to happen.
As soon as Valrion saw his mother, her face lit with relief at the sight of them. Just as they were about to reach her, a woman rushed toward them from among the street dwellers.
¡°Amelia!¡± the woman shouted. She darted to Amelia and harshly pulled her away from Sergius. Their dark-colored eyes and similar jawlines mirrored one another. Even the slight wave in their hair seemed to match, as though nature had carefully crafted them from the same mold. Despite the dirt on their clothes and the strain on their faces, the resemblance between them left no doubt that they were mother and daughter.
¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Amelia said in a halting whisper, her voice cracking as the woman dragged her forward.
¡°Apologize now!¡± Amelia¡¯s mother barked, pushing her down. She dropped to her knees alongside her daughter, bowing deeply until their foreheads touched the dirt.
¡°No, don¡¯t do this!¡± Valrion¡¯s mother begged, kneeling quickly to stop them. ¡°It¡¯s okay, please get up!¡±
Amelia¡¯s voice quivered as she repeated, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°We¡¯re very sorry!¡± her mother added, sounding so desperate. ¡°We didn¡¯t mean for this to happen! I should have kept a closer eye on her!¡±
Valrion¡¯s mother hesitated for a moment before gripping the woman¡¯s shoulders, gently but firmly attempting to pull her up. The woman¡¯s resistance was resolute, her knees pressing harder into the ground as if forgiveness could only be achieved through this act of humility.
Despite the tension, Valrion noticed the absence of disgust or condescension in his mother¡¯s demeanor. Earlier, he had thought he might have misjudged his mother¡¯s compassion, assuming it extended to just the workers at home. Now, seeing her willingly touch those who might not have bathed in weeks, he couldn¡¯t help but regret ever doubting her. Human behavior, he realized, was as unpredictable as ever.
¡°It¡¯s okay. Really, it¡¯s okay,¡± his mother said. ¡°We all make mistakes.¡±
If the situation weren¡¯t so serious, Valrion might have laughed. This was the second time his mother had received an apology in less than thirty minutes, and her response was identical to the first. Word by word.
After a while, Amelia and her mother rose, with the girl clinging to her mother¡¯s side. They bowed their heads one final time before returning to their group¡ªtheir gazes were cast downward. Her mother gave her a sudden slap on the back, surprising everyone who saw it. Thankfully, it happened only once. The girl had clearly endured enough.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Sergius handed the pouch he had been holding to Valrion¡¯s mother, the jingle of coins sounding lovely to the ears. ¡°What a day.¡±
¡°Truly,¡± Valrion¡¯s mother said.
¡°Do you want to continue around?¡±
¡°I think let¡¯s just head back.¡±
¡°I think so, yeah.¡±
This had been a lackluster day. Valrion didn¡¯t get exactly what he came for, and it was a shame that he couldn¡¯t explore the rest of the market. However, he understood that there was no way his mother and Sergius would listen to his request. Looking on the brighter side, he could at least leave his house and learn that the market situation in Eru hadn¡¯t changed.
He was about to walk away when his gaze landed on the candy seller from before. At the very least, his mother and Sergius wouldn¡¯t mind stopping at a stall just ten steps away. This might be his only chance, knowing his mother might not indulge him after learning about his earlier actions. He had to make the best of the situation while he still could.
¡°Mama,¡± he called. ¡°Can I get some candies?¡±
¡°Candies?¡± His mother¡¯s gaze flicked to him and then to the stall. ¡°Hmm? Have you ever had that? How do you know they¡¯re called candies?¡±
His heart skipped a beat, but he quickly stammered, ¡°People around say they¡¯re candies.¡±
¡°Oh, is that so?¡± she said, a smile shown on her lips as always.
He glanced at Sergius, who looked at him briefly before turning away. Valrion couldn¡¯t tell if Sergius had just added this as another piece of evidence about his origin or if he was simply still upset with him.
Valrion¡¯s mother headed toward the candy seller first, and Valrion ran after her, with Sergius following casually behind. Valrion¡¯s gaze roamed the baskets filled with colorful candies, indecision gripping him for a moment before he settled on a bag of red, yellow, and green sweets that resembled thick worms. The vibrant hues promised a burst of flavor, which he was certain was fruity.
¡°I¡¯ll have those.¡± Valrion pointed toward the colorful candies.
¡°All right. A mix of those?¡± Valrion¡¯s mother asked, to which he responded with a nod.
Then, like with the baker, Valrion¡¯s mother told the seller what Valrion requested and gave him a few coins. This time, however, she also fastened her pouch around her waist, and the bag given to them was considerably smaller.
¡°How much? Ten times the price of one rye bun?¡± Sergius joked, laughing while shaking his head.
Valrion looked around, realizing he hadn¡¯t seen another customer visiting the stall. Sugar, it seemed, was no longer a scarce luxury, but its rarity still lent it a certain charm¡ªa small treasure that not everyone could afford. He hadn¡¯t thought about this before.
¡°All right. Thank you.¡± Valrion¡¯s mother grabbed the bag and handed it to Valrion.
Right away, they resumed their journey to the other side of the market, and Valrion walked between his mother and Sergius. As they got closer to the beautiful fruit seller, Sergius suddenly muttered a ¡°hold on¡± and ran toward her. Without hesitation, he handed over a few coins as reimbursement for the earlier mess from his own pouch. They exchanged a few genial words, as evidenced by how the woman appeared so calm before Sergius left.
¡°All good?¡± Valrion¡¯s mother asked when he rejoined them.
¡°That little thief caused quite a bit of trouble,¡± Sergius explained. Valroin¡¯s mother nodded slowly, seeming to understand without needing the full details.
They continued on, the crowd thinning and the market¡¯s noise fading out of hearing as they saw the spot where they had tied their horses. Valrion glanced at Sergius, who hadn¡¯t said much, even though he had begun the trip by introducing so many sellers to him. Even at home, Sergius wouldn¡¯t have gone five minutes without speaking.
An idea emerged, and Valrion nudged Sergius¡¯ arm. ¡°Do you want some candies?¡±
¡°Sure,¡± Sergius replied. Valrion took out two pieces of candy and handed them to Sergius, but the man returned one, a smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Thank you,¡± he added.
Valrion popped the candy into his mouth, the burst of sourness drawing a small gasp before a grin spread across his face. Sergius followed suit, his reaction just as exaggerated. That made Valrion chuckle, and for a moment, he was reassured. Perhaps Sergius had forgiven him after all.
At the stalls, Valrion¡¯s mother handed a few coins to two men tasked with watching over the horses. As before, Valrion mounted the horse with Sergius while his mother rode alone. They set off, the sun climbing higher into the sky, casting a brighter light over the town.
Though the air had warmed, it still carried the chillness of spring¡ªit was nothing compared to the heat of summer. The streets grew busier, with more people bustling about, their movements creating a steady hum of activity quite different from hours earlier.
¡°Do you think Amelia will be okay?¡± Valrion asked Sergius. The horses¡¯ hooves loudly clattered against the uneven path, but Sergius should still be able to hear him.
¡°She will be,¡± Sergius answered.
The answer was simple, and Valrion wanted to believe it. The image of Amelia¡¯s mournful face appeared in his mind but was quickly replaced by another: himself standing in his room later at night, being scolded by both of his parents and sentenced to never leaving the house for an entire year.
¡°Are you not going to tell my mother?¡± Valrion asked again.
The question hung in the air, unanswered at first. Sergius¡¯ pause felt endless before he finally responded, ¡°Later.¡±
His tone was heavy, implying no room for argument. No matter what Valrion did, he knew Sergius wouldn¡¯t change his mind. Since being reborn into this world, he had realized that much of his life was dictated by others due to his age. It just had been a while since he was so acutely reminded of that fact.
The rest of the journey passed in silence. Valrion¡¯s mind wrestled with many what-ifs, unable to find peace no matter how many deep breaths he took. As they approached the final stretch leading to their home, the landscape opened up, revealing the familiar outlines of the estate. The sight should have brought relief, but instead, it only amplified Valrion¡¯s worry.
30 - Words Left Unsaid
30 - Words Left Unsaid
As they arrived back home, Valrion¡¯s mother and Sergius led their horses to the side yard and stopped once they reached the stalls. Sergius dismounted first before helping Valrion down. Valrion¡¯s mother followed shortly after, gracefully smoothing her dress as soon as her feet touched the ground.
¡°Thank you, Sergius,¡± Valrion¡¯s mother said, offering him a warm smile.
¡°No worries,¡± Sergius replied as he led both horses toward the stalls. His tone was casual, but Valrion caught a fleeting glance from him¡ªa look that carried a hint of frustration and worry from earlier.
Valrion watched Sergius for a moment before turning to follow his mother, who was already making her way toward the house. The earlier events of the day still occasionally replayed in his mind, the tension from the market chase clinging to him like a shadow.
He was tired and eager to head to bed soon, but he immediately ran to the kitchen to seek Octavia and Fina. When they weren¡¯t there, he went to the backyard, where they were wiping and beating the dust out of the common room¡¯s tapestry with cloths. It hung on a wooden frame near the clotheslines, swaying slightly in the cool morning breeze.
Clutching the bag of candies in his hand, he dashed over to them. ¡°Octavia! Fina!
The two women paused their movements, their eyes widening as they caught sight of him. As he reached them, he held out the bag and opened it, revealing the treats inside.
¡°Candies!¡± Octavia shouted, leaning closer to examine the bag.
¡°Take some,¡± he urged.
¡°Are you sure? These must have been costly,¡± she asked, hesitating.
¡°Go take some,¡± he repeated.
She exchanged a glance with Fina, a shared amusement evident in their expressions. She finally reached in, taking just one candy, and Fina followed suit.
¡°Just one?¡± Valrion wondered, raising an eyebrow.
¡°It¡¯s fine. We¡¯re not that fond of sweets,¡± Fina replied, though her words rang hollow. She baked far too many desserts to claim otherwise. Their reluctance likely stemmed from guilt over the candy¡¯s price, as Octavia had pointed out.
¡°All right,¡± Valrion said, letting it go.
¡°How was the market?¡± Octavia asked as she put the candy into her mouth. Her face scrunched up at the sourness, while Fina¡¯s reaction remained composed. It was obvious that everyone had different thresholds for strong flavors.
Valrion¡¯s gaze flickered briefly to the ground. ¡°It was an interesting day.¡±
¡°Did you enjoy it?¡± Fina was the one who responded since Octavia seemed to be unable to do so for trying to chew the candy.
¡°Yes, I want to go there again soon,¡± Valrion said. There was no way he could be completely honest about what happened. Soon, they should know the truth themselves from Sergius or his parents.
¡°I¡¯m dying here,¡± Octavia muttered, causing Valrion and Fina to laugh.
After a while, Valrion realized there was nothing more for him to do in the backyard. The maids continued their work on the tapestry, and he didn¡¯t want to intrude on their duties.
¡°I¡¯ll go get some rest. I¡¯ll help you later,¡± he said to Octavia and Fina. They both nodded in acknowledgment. With a small wave, Valrion turned around and made his way back inside.
He set the bag of candies down on the kitchen table and went to look for his mother. As he approached her study, he noticed the door was wide open, a sliver of light spilling into the dim hallway. Peeking inside, he found the room empty and decided to head upstairs to their bedroom.
There, he saw his mother changing out of her formal attire, slipping into a more comfortable dress for the day. Her hair, grown long over the years until it reached her waist, was let down and slightly tousled. As she glanced up, surprise shone across her face upon meeting his gaze.
¡°I¡¯m sleepy,¡± he admitted, stifling a yawn.
His mother finished changing and smiled at him. ¡°You¡¯ve had a long day, haven¡¯t you?¡±
Nodding, he stood patiently by the cradle. When she was ready, she walked over and tucked him into bed.
¡°Hey, don¡¯t tell your father about what happened at the market, okay?¡± Valrion¡¯s mother asked.
Valrion¡¯s heart skipped a beat. How did Sergius already tell her about him using his fire?
¡°About that thief girl. All right? Your father will worry too much,¡± his mother continued, much to Valrion¡¯s relief¡ªand also his confusion. So, it wasn¡¯t about his fire, right?
¡°Okay, Mama,¡± Valrion replied, his voice small but obedient. His mother leaned down and kissed his forehead before he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
When he awoke, the sun hung high in the sky, piercing his eyes when he opened them. He stood up in the cradle, gripping the edge as he looked down. For a brief, impulsive moment, he considered jumping off, but the idea quickly passed. He knew that would just hurt his legs. Instead, he waited patiently until his mother came to check on him.
¡°Did you wake up, Valrion?¡± His mother appeared about five minutes later.
¡°Yes,¡± he cooed. Nearly two hours had passed since then. His eyes searched her face for any sign of anger or disappointment, but to his relief, there was none¡ªSergius might not have said anything yet.
His mother brought him downstairs, and they went to the kitchen to eat together as usual. In this house, the menus rarely changed: more bread for breakfast, fruits for lunch, and meat for dinner. Today¡¯s lunch was no exception, but Valrion didn¡¯t mind the monotony. Even in Heaven, he had spent centuries drinking from the same river.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
After lunch, Valrion joined Octavia and Fina in tidying up the house. They swept the floors and arranged the sacks in the kitchen. As they moved through the familiar spaces, they shared stories about Fina¡¯s amusing mishaps, like the morning she swapped salt for sugar in her barley porridge and had to throw away the entire batch. Their laughter created a comforting atmosphere that distracted Valrion from his worries.
When he had the chance, he also took a moment to practice at the hearth in the kitchen, focusing his energy until his mana dropped to nearly zero. The steady bursts of fire demanded precision and focus, and each successful attempt brought a small sense of satisfaction, though it did little to distract him from the impending scolding he should receive soon.
As evening approached, Valrion once again joined the maids in the kitchen to prepare dinner. The recipe for rabbit stew was simple, but today¡¯s version would be different¡ªFina had insisted on adding plenty of cabbage to use up the surplus from storage. The table in the middle overflowed with the pale green vegetables, showing Fina¡¯s occasional habit of forgetting about items she had stored away.
¡°Could you and Octavia wash all those cabbages for me?¡± Fina asked, her hands busy caramelizing onions in the pot above the hearth.
¡°Of course,¡± Valrion agreed, following Octavia who carried two wooden basins to the well. One basin was filled with two large cabbage heads, while the other was empty.
At the well, they worked together to peel off each leaf carefully, rinsing them in the cool water and discarding any that were blackened or spoiled. The repetitiveness of their task was soothing, and they exchanged lighthearted remarks about how it was good that everyone in the house would eat basically anything.
Once the cabbages were washed and neatly stacked, they dried them off and each carried a basin back to the kitchen. They placed the basins on the table, and Octavia began shredding the cabbages with the knife she had set aside earlier. Valrion watched quietly from the side, thinking that one day, he should be trusted to handle those sharp objects himself.
In about an hour, the stew finished cooking, its rich aroma spreading through the kitchen. Octavia went to call Valrion¡¯s parents from their bedroom, while Valrion waited in the dining room with Fina, who had served everyone a bowl. Before long, everyone gathered around the table. Valrion¡¯s gaze drifted to Sergius, who strolled in with an air of nonchalance, acting as though nothing unusual had happened earlier. The calmness made Valrion¡¯s heart pound with confusion.
¡°This is cabbage stew with rabbit, not rabbit stew with cabbage,¡± Sergius remarked after taking his first bite. ¡°What¡¯s the secret ingredient, Fina?¡±
¡°Cabbage, lots of it,¡± Fina replied, understanding Sergius¡¯ joke.
¡°Just what I always wanted¡ªmore cabbage,¡± Sergius said with a grin, eliciting laughter from everyone around the table. Everyone, except Valrion¡¯s father, who only managed a quiet chuckle. Would that man ever laugh aloud like the others?
They ate together, sharing stories and enjoying the meal. The atmosphere was relaxed and jovial, but Valrion couldn¡¯t shake the uneasiness crawling into his mind. Why was everyone, especially Sergius, acting as if everything was fine?
After dinner, the workers cleared the table, and Valrion went to his room with his parents. His father asked about his day at the market, and Valrion told him it had been fun. As he lay between them in their bed, they spent the night listening to his mother recount the day¡ªfrom their arrival, meeting her friend who sold fabrics, to buying candies. She skipped over the part where he had asked for bread for the misfortune entirely.
Nearing ten, they washed up and went to bed. Even as Valrion settled beneath his blanket in his cradle for a good night¡¯s sleep, his parents didn¡¯t mention his use of elemental power. Either his mother had chosen not to bring it up, or Sergius had said nothing. Valrion leaned toward the latter¡ªotherwise, his mother would have pulled him aside for a private lecture.
The next day unfolded predictably for Valrion. He woke up, got cleaned up, changed into new clothes, and had breakfast with everyone, including Sergius, who remained his usual talkative self. Afterward, they headed to their regular bow practice, where Sergius provided guidance and encouragement whenever needed, his voice firm and his instructions clear.
Was Sergius just bluffing?
The question nagged at Valrion¡¯s mind, troubling him as he fired arrow after arrow. He hesitated to confront Sergius, unsure if he wanted to hear the truth or risk reminding him of his mistake. The memory of Sergius¡¯ rare outburst during the chase haunted Valrion, and he wasn¡¯t sure he was ready to face it again. Perhaps Sergius had only meant to threaten him as a way of teaching a lesson?
By the time practice ended, Valrion¡¯s arms burned from the effort, but his aim had improved. Sergius tapped him on the shoulder, his grin as wide as ever. ¡°Good work today, V. You¡¯re getting better.¡±
¡°Thank you,¡± Valrion replied, leaving his weapon for Sergius to handle and retreating toward the house. He would have usually spent more time talking to Sergius, but he was too confused to try.
The rest of the day blurred into a series of chores and quiet moments. Valrion assisted Fina and Octavia with the housework, which always led to preparations for dinner. Much like the previous day, Fina asked Valrion and Octavia to clean two more heads of vegetables. This time, however, she transformed them into potato pies, served alongside roasted venison.
¡°More cabbages?¡± Sergius deadpanned.
¡°Today will be the last,¡± Fina assured him, and everyone laughed as they had the day before.
Later that night, after both his parents had fallen asleep and the house settled into its usual quiet, Valrion climbed down from his cradle, which was surprisingly easy. He regretted not trying it sooner. Getting back up might have been difficult, but he could think about that later as he headed down the stairs, carefully gripping the banister for balance.
Before long, he found himself standing outside Sergius'' room, just near the kitchen. The soft glow of a lantern spilled through the crack beneath the door, casting a faint light onto the hallway floor. If it were the colder seasons, the room would have been further illuminated by the glow of the fireplace inside.
He hesitated, his hand hovering near the doorframe. Should he just let this go? Would confronting Sergius be the right choice? What if bringing it up only made things worse? The Son of Heaven will always find the answers he needs, he reminded himself. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.
It took Sergius a few seconds to open the door. His eyes widened slightly, though they were heavy with sleep.
¡°How did you get down here?¡± Sergius asked with a gasp.
¡°Hi,¡± Valrion greeted.
¡°What¡ªoh my, you terrify me sometimes. Just come in.¡± Sergius opened the door wider, stepping aside to let Valrion enter. The room carried a faint scent of leather and wood, a comforting combination that reminded Valrion of the stable.
After closing the door, Sergius sat on the edge of his bed, his posture relaxing as his expression shifted from drowsy to mildly curious. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Valrion¡¯s fingers curled into fists at his sides. The words then tumbled out before he could stop himself, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell my parents about what happened?¡±
Sergius raised an eyebrow before chuckling. ¡°Did you come all the way here just to ask me this?¡±
Valrion nodded.
¡°I did tell your mother,¡± Sergius revealed.
Valrion frowned. ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Sergius confirmed. ¡°I told her everything. She listened, and I think she decided not to make a scene. What mattered most was that you were safe.¡±
Valrion felt the weight of Sergius¡¯ words as he considered them. It did sound like his mother to be that kind, but it was still a little hard to believe.
¡°I see,¡± Valrion said, despite not fully comprehending the situation.
Sergius shrugged, his gaze drifting to the lantern on the bedside table. The flame flickered, casting shadows across his face. ¡°I think she trusts that you won¡¯t do it again.¡±
Valrion opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He was unsure of what to say next. There was something else he felt he should bring up, but he couldn¡¯t find it. To make it worse, Sergius stared at him, clearly expecting a follow-up.
¡°O-Okay,¡± Valrion said. ¡°I¡¯ll go, then.¡±
As he turned to leave and almost reached the exit, Sergius¡¯ voice stopped him. ¡°Valrion, wait.¡±
Valrion halted, his hand resting on the doorframe. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder. ¡°Yes?¡±
¡°Sit next to me,¡± Sergius ordered, motioning to the space beside him on the bed. His tone had changed slightly, a hint of something more serious threading through his words. ¡°Let me tell you something very important.¡±
31 - Somebody’s Brother
31 - Somebody¡¯s Brother
Valrion climbed onto the bed and settled beside Sergius in the dimly lit room, the flicker of the lantern casting dancing shadows on the walls. He observed Sergius, noticing the older man¡¯s furrowed brow and the way he seemed to be carefully choosing his next words.
What could be so important that Sergius felt the need to stop him from leaving?
¡°Octavia told me that you asked about evokers, summoners, and all that,¡± Sergius began, breaking the silence. ¡°Do you still remember what they are?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Valrion responded with a gasp. Unlike Sergius¡¯ stern demeanor, Valrion felt a surge of excitement. This had to be an opportunity to learn more about Eru¡ªa topic that seemed to reveal itself to him only through unexpected moments.
Sergius leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. ¡°Good. Do you know what a cousin is?¡±
Valrion furrowed his brow, surprised by the question. He had never heard anyone in the house mention that before, so he shook his head, pretending. ¡°What¡¯s a cousin?¡±
Sergius smiled at Valrion¡¯s response, though a more profound emotion was hidden in his gaze. ¡°A cousin is someone whose parents are your parents¡¯ siblings. If your parents have brothers, they¡¯re your uncles, and if they have sisters, they¡¯re your aunts. Their children are your cousins. It¡¯s like having more brothers or sisters, but they¡¯re from different parents. They¡¯re from your parents¡¯ brothers or sisters.¡±
Valrion nodded. That explanation was atrocious, nothing like Octavia and Fina¡¯s. If it had been any other kid, they likely would have ended up with headaches. More importantly, where was Sergius going with this?
¡°So they¡¯re family too,¡± Valrion said to satisfy Sergius.
¡°Exactly,¡± Sergius replied, offering a warm smile. ¡°They¡¯re family, just connected through a different branch.¡±
Valrion blinked, wondering why Sergius felt the need to mention the ¡°brand,¡± but he still replied, ¡°Okay.¡±
Sergius went on, ¡°Do you know that I¡¯m your father¡¯s cousin? That makes me your uncle. Well, technically, your second uncle, but let¡¯s not get caught up in the specifics.¡±
What?
Valrion¡¯s shoulders jerked upright. What was he hearing?
[Personal Quest updated: A Right-Hand Man]
[EXP +10]
[A Right-Hand Man
? In a surprising twist, it is revealed that Sergius, a pivotal figure in your life, is actually your uncle. Is that the main reason he goes above and beyond for you?]
Quickly, his mind raced as he recalled all the times he had noticed how Sergius and his father looked alike. They shared the same hair color and build, though Sergius had brown eyes and darker skin. Even the way Sergius addressed his parents by their first names¡ªdetails he had dismissed without much thought years ago came rushing back. His heart pounded harder with each passing second, his breath catching as the full weight of the realization struck him.
¡°Wait, what?¡± The words came out louder than he intended, disbelief evident on his face. ¡°You¡¯re my uncle?¡±
Sergius laughed at Valrion¡¯s reaction, the sound lightening up the room. However, it soon faded, replaced by a faraway look in his eyes, as if he were pulled back into a memory too heavy to ignore. It wasn¡¯t because he was tired¡ªit was something far deeper, a sorrow that seemed to weigh on his very being. His shoulders tensed slightly before he exhaled, his eyes fixated on a point beyond the room.
¡°Your father had a younger brother, three years younger than him¡ªtwo years younger than me,¡± he began. ¡°We were inseparable when we were kids.¡±
Valrion straightened his back, intrigued by the story unfolding before him.
Sergius took another deep breath, his gaze drifting away as if he were lost in the golden days of the past. ¡°Well, your uncle turned out to be an evoker¡ªan earth wielder, which was quite rare. He was drafted into the army, and less than a year later, well, we didn¡¯t hear from him anymore.¡±
Valrion¡¯s eyes widened, dread gripping him. ¡°What do you mean? What happened to him?¡±
Sergius hesitated, his features tightening as he seemed struggling to phrase the words. After a few seconds, he finally said, ¡°He died on a mission.¡±
Valrion fell quiet, his breath catching as the weight of those words. The room seemed to close in, and the air grew heavy. His chest tightened, and he found himself kneading the hem of his shirt as though grounding himself against the sudden wave of disbelief. His mind reeled, struggling to accept the reality of what he had just heard.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Once again, he understood why his father had been so strongly against the existence of his elemental power. Everything seemed to click even further: his uncle¡¯s death had to be one of the main reasons his father had joined the Liberators. The more Valrion learned about evokers and the Kingdom, the more he understood the deep-seated resentment and opposition some people harbored.
This time, he didn¡¯t even care that the Handbook didn¡¯t do anything about any of the quests he had received.
¡°When someone dies,¡± Sergius said, gulping before continuing, ¡°they go to a faraway place and don¡¯t come back.¡±
Valrion looked down, staring at his tiny fingers. ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡±
He wasn¡¯t referring to his uncle¡¯s death. Valrion knew very well that death itself wasn¡¯t inherently good or bad for humans. His frustration stemmed from how the Kingdom treated elemental wielders¡ªas tools to be used and discarded.
¡°No, it isn¡¯t,¡± Sergius agreed, his voice softening. ¡°Life can be tough, and loss is part of it, but it¡¯s important to remember those we¡¯ve lost and hold onto the good memories.¡±
It struck Valrion as ironic that Sergius would say such a thing to a god, but he still raised his head and offered a smile. ¡°What was his name?¡±
¡°Marius,¡± Sergius answered. It seemed like their side of the family followed a distinct pattern: Cassius, Sergius, and now Marius.
¡°Did you have many good memories with him?¡± Valrion proceeded.
Sergius smiled faintly. ¡°Oh, many. Savio wasn¡¯t this developed years ago. We used to play in the fields near the market, climb trees, and explore the woods. He always had a sense of adventure, always getting us into trouble. I remember one time we tried to catch a wild rabbit. We ended up chasing it for hours and completely lost track of time.¡±
Valrion¡¯s face brightened at the thought of such experiences. ¡°Did you catch it?¡±
¡°No.¡± Sergius chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°But we returned home late in the evening and got scolded by our parents. That¡¯s what I try to remember¡ªthe laughter and the fun we had. It helps to keep his spirit alive.¡±
¡°I see.¡± Valrion nodded. He didn¡¯t know how many times he had done this in the last fifteen minutes or so.
Sergius heaved a sigh, his expression suddenly turning somber again. ¡°Valrion, listen carefully. This is why we don¡¯t want you using your fire power in public. We¡¯re deeply worried about what could happen if others find out. The consequences could be severe. That said, I know it¡¯s unlikely you¡¯ll be able to keep it hidden forever, especially given how unique and special you are.¡±
Valrion stared at Sergius, his eyes fluttering slowly as he absorbed every word the man¡ªhis second uncle¡ªuttered. He could tell Sergius wasn¡¯t finished, so he waited.
¡°If I could see the future, I would envision you as someone who could lead the Liberators¡ªsomeone with the potential to change the world,¡± Sergius went on. ¡°Your mother, Fina, and Octavia all believe in your strength and your potential. That¡¯s part of the reason we got you that bow. It¡¯s not just about hunting but about preparing you for the path that lies ahead.¡±
¡°Okay,¡± Valrion said.
There was a pause before Sergius continued. ¡°A lot of us have lost people because they turned out to be elemental wielders, fighting for the army and dying on the battlefields. Friends and loved ones were taken from us over nothing. Well, you might not understand this right now, so I¡¯ll tell you again when you¡¯re older.¡±
¡°But I understand,¡± Valrion muttered.
Sergius seemed taken aback by Valrion¡¯s sincerity but soon broke into laughter. ¡°How old is your soul?¡±
Valrion smiled, always acting like he didn¡¯t get the question. ¡°My soul?¡±
Sergius laughed even harder. ¡°Honestly, what a weird child! You seem wise beyond your years. It¡¯s as if your soul has lived many lives.¡±
Valrion shrugged, a grin on his face. ¡°Maybe?¡±
¡°Well, I hope you don¡¯t make the same mistakes again as the one you made at the market.¡± Sergius extended his pinky finger. ¡°Promise?¡±
Valrion glanced at Sergius¡¯ extended pinky, the gesture familiar from observing human traditions. He hesitated briefly before linking his finger with Sergius¡¯. ¡°Promise,¡± he said with a small smile.
¡°Off you go, then. I¡¯m feeling sleepy,¡± Sergius said, stifling an exaggerated yawn. Despite the dramatic delivery, Valrion knew it was late, and they both needed rest.
¡°All right. Thank you,¡± Valrion murmured as he slid off the bed and made his way toward the door. Sergius followed him, but before they both reached their destination, a thought crossed Valrion¡¯s mind, and he turned around. ¡°How does someone become an evoker?¡± he asked.
¡°Hmm?¡± Sergius glanced down. ¡°At thirteen, everyone is required to take a test to determine if they have elemental power. Those who pass go on to study at the academy in the capital city for at least three years, starting at fifteen.¡±
¡°A test?¡± Valrion asked, even though he already knew the answer. It had to be the Aptitude Test, but hearing another confirmation wouldn¡¯t hurt.
¡°Yes, it¡¯s called the Aptitude Test,¡± Sergius clarified. ¡°You have that power, Valrion, but don¡¯t think about becoming an evoker, okay? We¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t take the test.¡±
¡°Oh. All right. Good night,¡± Valrion said, reaching for the door, causing him to tiptoe. Sergius chuckled and opened it for him.
¡°I¡¯ll walk you back, silly,¡± Sergius scoffed. Of course, he had to, and it was even better since Valrion needed someone to help him get back into the cradle. Valrion sometimes forgot that he was too young to be alone.
This was precisely what Sergius did: he accompanied Valrion to the bedroom on the second floor and placed him in the cradle. They didn¡¯t speak a word since the moment they left the guard¡¯s room, even until he made his way out and closed the door behind him.
Staring at the ceiling, Valrion reflected on everything he had learned about the new world. Wasn¡¯t it funny that he hadn¡¯t gotten anything at the market, yet the trip still led him to his conversation with Sergius? It was like that old saying: if one thing didn¡¯t happen, then the rest wouldn¡¯t.
His mind buzzed with possibilities and aspirations, all landing on one thought: if life didn¡¯t throw him any curveballs, he would like to become an evoker, then a summoner, and eventually any position necessary to gain the power to collect all Twelve Eidolons. That way, he could achieve his goals more efficiently.
Moreover, if he truly wanted to dismantle the system, wouldn¡¯t it be more effective to work from within rather than trying to change it from the outside? Instead of joining the Liberators, becoming an active part of the Kingdom seemed like a more strategic path. The Liberators might have tried it before, but as everyone said, he was different. This time, things should work because he was the Son of Heaven.
32 - Here’s to Growing up
32 - Here¡¯s to Growing up
Valrion returned to the market a week later with Octavia, who held a list of groceries for the coming days. As usual, the place buzzed with energy. His eyes lit up as he took in the sights, watching Octavia deftly negotiate with vendors over fresh fish, crisp vegetables, and aromatic spices. Each transaction seemed to bring her satisfaction¡ªshe often giggled while handing over coins, and Valrion happily carried some of her purchases.
He had expected to see Amelia and her group while he was in the market, but he still flinched when he found them in the same spot as before¡ªnear the candy seller. They were clumped together as usual, their faces always weary from the day¡¯s challenges. When their eyes met, Valrion smiled, but both he and Amelia quickly looked away, almost in unison.
Should he offer them some food? The memory of their last encounter left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he was certain it felt the same for her.
¡°Uh, Octavia, should we buy them food?¡± Valrion hesitated but eventually gave in, waiting until Octavia finished selecting a small jar of spices from a nearby stall. He gestured subtly toward Amelia and her friends with his free hand.
Octavia followed his gaze, her lips twitched as she witnessed the scene. She let out a sigh and shook her head. ¡°No, Valrion. Your mother already told me that you would ask for that.¡±
¡°I see,¡± he replied. He felt somewhat disappointed, but he also understood.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we can¡¯t let them get used to this,¡± she continued. ¡°They can¡¯t always rely on us. Your mother told me what happened last time, and that wasn¡¯t good.¡±
Valrion nodded, accepting her perspective. It was a complex situation¡ªhumans often were. The lines between compassion and practicality blurred, leaving him conflicted about the best course of action. The idea that helping could inadvertently foster dependency made sense, so he quietly followed Octavia deeper into the market¡ªan area he hadn¡¯t explored before.
There was nothing particularly new around except that the stalls extended further, with at least twenty more lining the road. Octavia stopped by a weaver¡¯s booth, where she carefully selected two spools of black thread. The clacking of a loom nearby added a quiet backdrop to their brief stop.
¡°Why isn¡¯t the Kingdom helping them?¡± he asked after Octavia finished paying. He already suspected the answer would be similar to before, but he was curious about what she might say.
¡°The Kingdom spends most of its money on war,¡± Octavia replied, her voice carrying a hint of mockery. ¡°Even then, it¡¯s hard to help those who won¡¯t work. Most of them are sick as well.¡±
Valrion¡¯s heart sank at her words. It painted a grim image¡ªa cycle of suffering with no easy escape. He pondered how, someday, someone needed to set aside their ego to truly help those who were struggling, risking everything in the hopes that those people could change for the better. Would he be able to take on that responsibility when he became a high-ranked member of society? Only time would reveal the answer, but mortals truly were amusing.
From that day forward, Octavia made it a point to take Valrion to the market at least four times a month. Plenty of stalls always overflowed with fresh, seasonal fruits: vibrant strawberries heralded spring, juicy peaches signaled the height of summer, and plump grapes marked the transition into autumn. The aromas of baked goods cooling on wooden stands, spreading spices, and the rich, buttery smell of pastries had become familiar.
As they wandered through the bustling crowd, Valrion observed the interactions around him, hoping to overhear something new or intriguing¡ªperhaps even something that Eru, Octavia¡¯s teacher, hadn¡¯t mentioned. Yet, there was nothing of the sort. The surroundings buzzed only with the calls of vendors enticing potential customers, the sounds of bartering and haggling, and the lively chatter of people immersed in their exchanges.
Valrion couldn¡¯t shake the haunting images of those who lingered at the edges of the bustling market¡ªthe ones invisible to the crowd. Amelia and her group remained stuck on his mind, and more than once, he had to fight the urge to take coins from Octavia¡¯s pouch and slip them discreetly toward those people.
Things seemed to have worsened during his subsequent visits, as he often spotted Amelia rummaging through garbage. She would smile each time she found something shiny, rubbing it against her coat as if it were a precious gem. Other times, he saw her pulling out a half-eaten apple and biting into it without any concern that it might be spoiled.
As time slipped by, winter shrouded the land, changing it into a serene, white-covered wonderland. By the time Valrion turned four, snow blanketed the streets, including the market, which remained lively despite the cold. Unlike the rest of the townsfolk, the street dwellers had vanished, leaving no trace behind.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
¡°Where did they go?¡± Valrion asked Octavia, squeezing his gloved hands as his breath puffed out in frosty clouds.
¡°They usually hide away during winter,¡± she replied.
¡°Really? Where?¡± he went on.
¡°Some buildings or something,¡± she explained. Her tone suggested she was offering a vague answer to end the conversation. Moving to a warmer place might have been true, but would they be safe?
As the season changed, spring arrived. Flowers burst forth from the thawing ground, days grew longer, and the warmth of the new year began to spread across Eru once more. Despite the promise of new beginnings, the street dwellers never returned. Their absence lingered like a shadow, and everyone went about their lives, seemingly indifferent to the mystery of their disappearance.
***
Valrion¡¯s father rarely took days off from work, so every weekday, Valrion dedicated his afternoons to practicing archery with Sergius. The bright daylight illuminated the side yard, highlighting the grass beneath their feet as they stood side by side, a bow in Valrion¡¯s hand. Rain was the only thing that had forced them to postpone the training.
¡°Focus, Valrion,¡± Sergius instructed, his voice always calm and steady during these hours, cutting through the rustle of leaves around them. Valrion nodded, inhaling deeply as he fixed his gaze on the target¡ªstill the simple straw bag, its surface marred by the punctures of countless arrows.
¡°Can I add fire?¡± Valrion asked after landing a shot that nearly hit the center.
Sergius raised an eyebrow, amusement crossing his face. ¡°Again with the fire? Seriously, what are you planning to do? Burn the target that I¡¯ve carefully prepared for you?¡±
Valrion paused, realizing how foolish he sounded. The thought had been spontaneous, and yet it was true¡ªa burning target would be useless. Had living among mortals dulled his reasoning? Heat rose to his face as he inwardly berated himself for not thinking it through.
¡°We bought that bow for you to use when it¡¯s necessary,¡± Sergius continued, his tone softening. ¡°Save your fire for when you need it most. In real situations.¡±
¡°Like killing monsters?¡± Valrion seized the opportunity to steer the conversation toward something more exciting¡ªanother thing that he had long desired.
¡°Probably,¡± Sergius replied with a laugh. ¡°But let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. First, master the basics.¡±
Valrion straightened his stance, drawing back the string of his bow. The tension built in his arms, mingling with his focus. Every time he concentrated, the world around him seemed to fade. The calming gust of wind, the chirping of distant birds¡ªall dissolved into silence. His breathing steadied, and his vision sharpened, centering solely on the target.
Then, he released the arrow.
It soared through the air. A heartbeat later, it struck¡ªright in the middle of the target. The sound of impact snapped the world back into focus. The wind picked up again, the birds resumed their song, and Valrion felt the faintest flicker of pride in his chest.
¡°You¡¯ve done this quite often lately. Good job!¡± Sergius remarked, walking over to inspect the shot. I don¡¯t think I could shoot this well when I was your age. We should make the distance longer¡ª¡±
¡°When can I hunt with you?¡± Valrion interjected.
Sergius immediately turned around to look at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. He studied the boy, his serious gaze meeting Valrion¡¯s determined eyes. It should clear this wasn¡¯t an idle question. Valrion had waited for far too long for this. He had been asking for far too many times.
A small smile tugged at Sergius¡¯s lips. ¡°Okay. When you turn five.¡±
Valrion¡¯s face lit up with resolve. ¡°I¡¯m five soon.¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Sergius replied, his smile softening. ¡°Soon.¡±
And soon, Valrion no longer slept in a cradle. Instead, he moved into the bed with his parents¡ªthis time for real, not just because his mother had forgotten to put him back in his own bed after a long day. The space was more than enough for the three of them, though his father would playfully grumble about being kicked during the night, while his mother simply laughed and smoothed Valrion¡¯s hair whenever he woke up.
The cradle remained in its corner, untouched and unmoved, as though it were waiting for something. At first, Valrion wondered if they were hoping for another baby, but as the months passed, it began to act more like an artifact of a time that had gone by.
Another winter came, bringing frostbitten mornings and long, dark nights. Inside, the fireplaces and hearth burned steadily throughout the day, its warmth warding off the never-ending chill. During one of the tranquil evenings, Valrion finally celebrated his fifth birthday.
The house brimmed with laughter, as it often did, but a yearly celebration always brought a unique kind of joy. Everyone gathered in the dining room, their lively voices filling the brightly lit area. The rich aroma of freshly baked spice gingerbread cake mingled with the clinking of tankards. Valrion sat at the center of it all, his face glowing with excitement as he basked in the festive atmosphere.
When the song ended and the cake was almost entirely eaten, Valrion¡¯s gaze wandered across the room. His eyes landed on Sergius, who stood in the kitchen, getting another serving of ale. Taking his chance, Valrion quietly slipped away from the others and approached Sergius, his heart pounding with anticipation.
¡°I¡¯m five now,¡± Valrion declared without waiting for the man to be done with the barrel. ¡°Can we go hunting tomorrow?¡±
Sergius turned to him, a gentle smile forming as he met Valrion¡¯s gaze. The firelight danced across his face as he chuckled softly. ¡°It¡¯s winter. We should wait until spring.¡±
Valrion frowned briefly, but he recognized the validity of the excuse.
¡°You aren¡¯t just playing with me, are you?¡± he asked.
¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t expect you to talk to me like that,¡± Sergius replied, but his tone was carefree, showing no sign of offense. ¡°We¡¯ll go hunting once the snow stops falling. Mark my words.¡±
¡°All right.¡± Valrion¡¯s face beamed with resolution, his earlier frustration fading as he nodded. The loud conversation from the dining room swirled around him and Sergius, but at this moment, all he could think about were the possibilities that lay ahead now that he was older.
33 - Whispers Among the Trees
33 - Whispers Among the Trees
Valrion adjusted the straps of his well-fitted leather boots while sitting on the bottom rung of the staircase. His bow lay propped against the wall nearby, and his new quiver was filled with arrows, glinting in the morning light. His mother stood a few steps away, a warm smile spreading across her face as she held out his coat, the fabric rich and sturdy.
¡°Ready?¡± she asked when she noticed he was finished with his little task, her tone a little more excited than usual.
¡°Ready,¡± he replied as he rose to his feet and walked to her. Once she helped him into the coat, he grabbed his bow and slung the quiver over his shoulder. The familiar weight comforted him as he headed into the side yard with her.
Sergius was already there, standing tall beside Centurion. The animal stamped its hooves lightly on the ground, as if eager to be on the move. A large sack was tied securely to the horse, ready to hold whatever game they would catch during the hunt.
The atmosphere felt reminiscent of their first trip to the market, brimming with the delight of a new adventure. Back then, Sergius had only carried his sword. Now, he had added a bow to his arsenal¡ªa weapon Valrion had never seen before¡ªalongside a longer quiver, both strapped securely across his back. At first glance, it resembled Octavia¡¯s bow, but closer inspection revealed its darker wood and a more pronounced curve on its edges.
¡°Hey, are you really okay with this?¡± Sergius asked Valrion¡¯s mother, and Valrion wished he could kick Sergius¡¯ leg to stop him from speaking. Questions like that would only make his mother second-guess her decision to let them go.
¡°Yeah. I trust you both,¡± Valrion¡¯s mother replied. She must have grown accustomed to her son¡¯s antics since there wasn¡¯t even a flicker of worry in her eyes.
¡°All right,¡± Sergius said, a reassuring smile on his face as he spread a hand toward Valrion, beckoning him closer. Valrion understood the signal and walked over, allowing Sergius to lift him onto Centurion¡¯s back. The horse¡¯s warm, solid body felt secure beneath him, and he instinctively adjusted his quiver to ensure it wouldn¡¯t get in Sergius¡¯s way as he mounted behind him.
¡°Take care. Please return while it¡¯s still daylight,¡± Valrion¡¯s mother reminded. She sounded a little concerned, but there was more love than anything else.
¡°No worries,¡± Sergius replied, settling himself behind Valrion. He glanced at Valrion¡¯s mother and smiled. ¡°We¡¯ll go now, yes?¡±
¡°Take care,¡± she repeated, waving both of her hands at them.
With a gentle nudge of his heels, Sergius urged Centurion forward. The horse stepped into a smooth gait, and the wind began to brush against Valrion¡¯s hair and cheeks. If the town center was to the right of their house, then the forest must have been to the left, as that was the direction they were heading.
As they left the familiar sights behind, the landscape transformed. Houses grew fewer and farther apart, scattered sparsely, until the final traces of civilization vanished entirely. Valrion¡¯s gaze stayed on the horizon, wondering if they had crossed into another world altogether.
The road ahead led them further into the embrace of the forest. The towering trees thickened, forming a natural canopy that muted the fading sounds of the town behind them. Sunlight danced through the leaves, shifting shadows across the ground in intricate patterns.
Sergius kept a steady hand on the reins, guiding Centurion down the winding path. Valrion leaned forward, eyes studying the terrain as a mix of exhilaration and anticipation coursed through him. The air, crisp with the scent of trees and damp ground, invigorated his senses. This was where he had always dreamed of being¡ªfar from the constraints of home, immersed in untamed beauty. Just like how it was in Heaven.
The journey stretched longer than Valrion had anticipated. Time seemed to stretch as they delved further into the wilderness, the forest gradually unveiling its secrets. He marveled at the vibrant wildflowers peeking through the underbrush, their bright hues striking against the muted earthy tones.
Small creatures flitted in and out of view¡ªsquirrels leaping nimbly between branches, rabbits pausing to nibble on tender grass before darting away. He couldn¡¯t believe that this was his first time seeing all of this in the last five years. Handbook should have given him a reward for being patient.
¡°How beautiful,¡± Valrion murmured, watching a patch of upturned violet flowers swaying in the breeze. Their tiny petals stood out among the rest of the leaves.
¡°Glad you¡¯re happy,¡± Sergius said.
Valrion chuckled, his heart swelling with wonder. The forest seemed alive, every sound and movement intertwining into a symphony of calm and vigor. For a moment, he longed to freeze this moment, to lose himself in exploring every corner the enchanting place. He didn¡¯t like the idea that he had to leave in a few hours.
Eventually, they arrived at a clearing where Sergius reined in Centurion, bringing the horse to a halt. He swung himself off the saddle in one smooth motion and tied the reins to a sturdy tree, ensuring Centurion wouldn¡¯t wander. The horse released a sharp breath, and Sergius ran a steady hand along its back to soothe him.
Valrion remained atop Centurion a while longer, his gaze sweeping over the landscape. The interplay of sound enveloped him¡ªleaves shifting with a quiet murmur, birds exchanging melodies between branches, and water gliding over stones with a soothing rhythm. It felt removed from the burdens of the world, a secluded haven existing in perfect stillness.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
¡°Hey, come on.¡± Sergius patted Valrion¡¯s side, snapping him out of his reverie. With a firm but gentle motion, he helped Valrion down. Once Valrion¡¯s boots touched the ground, Sergius untied the sack from Centurion and fastened it around his own waist.
¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Valrion asked. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the fresh air surrounded him, but he was also eager to transition from the serenity of the forest to the thrill of the hunt that lay ahead.
Sergius removed his bow from his back. ¡°Stay close to me, yes? First, we¡¯ll scout the area for tracks. Rabbits often stick to open spaces near thickets. Understanding their patterns and movements is key if we¡¯re to be successful today.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Valrion said with a smile, stepping deeper into the forest right after Sergius. With each stride, his anticipation grew, his heartbeat quickening to match their pace. The forest seemed to hum, as if responding to their presence, drawing them forward into the unknown.
They moved in silence, the only noise being the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the sporadic flutter of birds. Sergius suddenly raised a hand, fingers splayed wide¡ªa clear command to halt. Valrion obeyed, his body tensing.
¡°There,¡± Sergius whispered, pointing ahead. Valrion followed the guard¡¯s gaze and spotted a rabbit darting across their path¡ªa fleeting blur of brown against the green underbrush. It moved with startling speed, almost disappearing into the foliage before pausing where it remained visible.
Sergius moved swiftly but without haste, his motions fluid and deliberate. He nocked an arrow, the bowstring groaning as he drew it back. Valrion held his breath, his eyes locked on the rabbit. The world seemed to shrink, everything else fading into the background except Sergius, the bow, and their target.
The arrow flew with a sharp hiss, cutting through the air, but the rabbit zigzagged at the last moment, vanishing into the dense thicket. A miss.
Sergius lowered his bow and exhaled. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s okay. We¡¯ll find another. You¡¯ll see soon enough¡ªit¡¯s not always about the first shot.¡±
Valrion snickered. Sergius sounded a bit embarrassed, and he found that quite endearing.
They continued forward, weaving through the trees, their steps careful and measured. After some time, Sergius stopped again, gesturing silently toward a small clearing. There, nibbling on clover, was another rabbit. This one remained still, its ears twitching, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
Sergius turned to Valrion, a smile playing on his lips. ¡°Want to try?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Valrion said softly. There was no way he would refuse it.
¡°Don¡¯t use your fire. You¡¯ll burn the entire forest,¡± Sergius warned.
¡°I know.¡± Valrion let out a giggle. He reached for an arrow, his fingers steadier than they had been years ago, and nocked it to the string. Drawing the bow back, he focused intently, shutting out all other objects and sounds, even Sergius¡¯s stare. His grip remained firm as he aimed, seconds stretching out before he finally released.
The arrow streaked through the air, straight and fast, but the rabbit darted to the side at the last second. The shot missed, landing mere inches from where the rabbit had stood. It bolted into the underbrush, vanishing as swiftly as it had appeared.
Valrion heaved a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. He glanced at Sergius, unsure of how the man might react.
¡°That was excellent for your first try. Be proud of yourself,¡± Sergius said, his tone encouraging. ¡°Let¡¯s move on.¡±
Valrion nodded, his earlier disappointment giving way to renewed determination. Each mistake became a lesson, honing his skill with every attempt. This wasn¡¯t just about landing a shot¡ªit was about growing and adapting.
They resumed their search, venturing further into the forest. The air grew cooler, shaded by the thick canopy above. Valrion sharpened his focus, his eyes looking for movements while his ears caught even the faintest rustle. Nevertheless, Sergius was the one leading the way. Valrion trailed behind him closely, another arrow nocked in hand, ready for the next opportunity.
Valrion halted as a flicker of movement near a cluster of ferns caught his attention. Narrowing his eyes, he spotted it¡ªa deep brown rabbit, larger than the ones they had seen earlier. Its fur blended almost seamlessly with the forest floor as it nibbled on fallen leaves.
¡°Sergius,¡± Valrion called, his voice barely audible. ¡°There¡¯s one there. Watch me.¡±
Sergius stopped and turned, his expression curious as his eyes darted around. It was obvious that he hadn¡¯t pinpointed the rabbit¡¯s location, but he nodded, granting Valrion permission to proceed.
This time, Valrion didn¡¯t overthink. He let instinct take over, his focus was solely on the rabbit. The bowstring stretched taut as he drew it back. Releasing the arrow, the string snapped forward, sending it cutting cleanly through the air in a graceful arc.
His heart surged as the arrow struck true. The rabbit fell, and a wave of pride swept through him. At last, he was capable of doing something quite worthwhile with this body. He turned to Sergius, who broke into a wide grin.
¡°Well done,¡± Sergius said, clapping Valrion¡¯s back lightly. ¡°That was a perfect shot.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡± Valrion beamed. This would surely convince Sergius to take him on more hunts.
¡°Let¡¯s retrieve it,¡± Sergius said, walking toward the rabbit as he removed the sack from his belt. Once finished, he held it in one hand, his bow in the other. Valrion realized how cumbersome hunting alone would be: setting down the sack each time to store the game, picking it up, walking around with lopsided weight, and dropping it again before every shot. It was definitely far more effort than he had imagined.
¡°Son of Heaven.¡±
Out of nowhere, Valrion heard a male voice drifting through the air like a distant echo, youthful and resonant. Each syllable was clear, capturing his attention and sending a chill down his spine. He halted abruptly, glancing sharply over his shoulder, but no one was there.
¡°Sergius, did you hear that?¡± Valrion asked, his voice low but urgent.
¡°Heard what?¡± Sergius responded.
Valrion stared at Sergius, noting that the older man had also stopped moving. ¡°A voice. A male voice. Like a young guy.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Sergius looked around nervously before turning back to Valrion with a frown. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°Did you not hear it? It sounded like a young man speaking.¡±
¡°What? No! Don¡¯t scare me like that!¡± Sergius snapped, his unease evident.
Valrion stayed quiet, his gaze drifting back to the wilderness as he searched for the source of the sound. The forest felt different now, imbued with an eeriness he couldn¡¯t ignore. Son of Heaven. He hadn¡¯t misheard. Someone had spoken those words, but who? A messenger from the heavens? A fallen god lurking nearby?
¡°L-Let¡¯s move on?¡± Sergius asked, his voice trembling with fright.
If this had been any other situation, Valrion would have laughed. Who would have thought Sergius was afraid of ghosts? However, if it turned out to be a dark entity, then Valrion would have been the one terrified. He knew his limits, and one of his biggest fears down here had always been falling victim to such malevolence.
¡°Hey, V,¡± Sergius said. ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re fine.¡±
¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine,¡± Valrion replied, though it was obviously a lie.
34 - The Call That Lingers
34 - The Call That Lingers
Valrion and Sergius tread carefully through the deepening woods, their cautious movements weaving through the dense underbrush and protruding roots. Valrion¡¯s breath remained uneven, the enigmatic voice from earlier ringing relentlessly in his mind. Had it been anything other than ¡°Son of Heaven¡± he might have dismissed it as daylight hallucination, but the voice had undeniably called out to him.
Every so often, Valrion cast a glance over his shoulder, searching the shadows among the trees for any sign of motion. He didn¡¯t spot anything unusual¡ªno figures lurking, no disturbances beyond the sway of branches, and the occasional murmur of leaves stirred by the breeze. The tranquil stillness only deepened the strangeness of the words that lingered in his thoughts, making its presence felt even more incongruous.
Ahead, Sergius walked steadily, his eyes shifting over the terrain with careful attention. Breaking the quiet, he began, ¡°What exactly did you hear back there?¡±
Valrion glanced up. Several minutes had passed since the incident, the silence between them thick with unspoken questions and confusion. It was clear Sergius had been wrestling with his fear, hesitant to voice them until now.
¡°Just someone calling my name,¡± Valrion admitted after a pause.
¡°Maybe it was me?¡± Sergius guessed.
¡°Did you call me?¡±
¡°I did not.¡±
Valrion heaved a sigh. He appreciated Sergius for wanting to lighten the mood, but he proceeded, ¡°So, it was more like a title.¡±
¡°A title?¡± Sergius asked. ¡°What kind of title?¡±
Valrion fell silent, grappling with how to convey the truth.
¡°Like Cassius Martelli¡¯s son?¡± Sergius continued, his tone holding a playful edge.
Valrion chuckled, the tension easing ever so slightly. ¡°Not exactly that.¡±
To Valrion¡¯s relief, Sergius halted before the conversation could go further. He raised a hand, signaling for Valrion to stop. ¡°Another rabbit,¡± he announced quietly.
Valrion straightened, clearing his wandering thoughts. He tightened his grip on the bow, its familiar weight offering reassurance. The rabbit Sergius had pointed out dashed through the ferns in a quick blur of white, heading northwest. Valrion nocked the arrow he had been holding since the previous kill, drew the string, and released it. The arrow flew straight, striking its target with precision. The rabbit dropped instantly, and Valrion heaved a long sigh, lowering his bow afterward.
¡°Nice shot,¡± Sergius said as he approached the animal. He crouched, inspected the arrow briefly, and then removed it before placing the rabbit into the sack. ¡°This one¡¯s a good size. One more, and we¡¯ll call it a day.¡±
Valrion smiled. Though the voice still nagged at him, he had to admit that the hunt was progressing far better than he had expected, almost as if the forest itself had chosen to favor him. He forced himself to push the thought aside as Sergius handed back his arrow, and together, they went further into the woods.
Moments later, Sergius stopped abruptly and pointed toward a spot where a rabbit stood alone, its ears twitching at the slightest noise. Valrion acknowledged the signal with a slight nod, his movements measured as he readied his shot. The arrow flew true, hitting its mark cleanly, and the rabbit collapsed to the ground.
¡°Good job,¡± Sergius remarked as he stepped forward to retrieve the final rabbit. Removing Valrion¡¯s arrow, he placed the animal in the sack and stood up. ¡°You¡¯re improving,¡± he added with a sidelong glance at Valrion.
Valrion lowered his bow, a smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°But I did all the work.¡±
Sergius chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m the one carrying this sack. Unless you also plan to gut the rabbits later, I would say that I have it harder.¡±
Valrion couldn¡¯t help but grin, the lighthearted banter dispelling the worry that had hung in the air moments before. At least, that was how it felt for him.
¡°I would usually take a moment to scout around¡ªmaybe find some wild mushrooms,¡± Sergius said. ¡°But something feels off today. Is it okay if we head back now?¡±
Valrion opened his mouth, intending to suggest they stay a little longer in hopes of hearing the mysterious call again, but Sergius had already started toward the forest¡¯s entrance. With a resigned sigh, Valrion followed after him.
As they walked, the muted rustle of leaves gave way to a reflective quiet. Sergius strode with purpose while Valrion trailed slightly behind, his thoughts circling back to the unresolved mystery. The silence must have caused him to worry again, but he couldn¡¯t find the proper words to say without terrifying Sergius. It would be hilarious if this ended up being the reason Sergius didn¡¯t want to bring him to the forest again.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
When they reached Centurion, Sergius secured the sack of the three rabbits to the horse¡¯s side. ¡°You did really well for your first day,¡± he praised right after.
Valrion managed a faint smile though his attention strayed once more to the wilderness behind them. Sergius tapped Valrion¡¯s shoulder, urging him to focus. He then assisted Valrion onto Centurion before mounting the horse himself. With everything secured, they set off along the well-trodden trail.
Their return was peaceful¡ªCenturion¡¯s movements mingled with the occasional crackle of twigs and dried leaves underfoot. The sunlight streamed between the branches, illuminating the uneven ground and casting patterns on the path as they retraced their steps back to the town.
By the time they reached their house, the sun had climbed higher, bathing the yard in bright morning light. Centurion came to a halt, making clouds of dust with his hooves before Sergius dismounted first. He turned and extended a hand to Valrion, who took it and climbed down carefully.
Once his feet landed on the ground, Valrion glanced beyond the hedges encircling his house, looking toward the west as if the forest he had just left was still within reach. The voice should have faded with the distance, but instead, it remained here. He wanted to let it go, but he couldn¡¯t. Of course, he couldn¡¯t.
Following Sergius, who had just finished securing Centurion, Valrion stepped into the house. The door creaked as Sergius adjusted the sack of rabbits on his shoulder. Valrion¡¯s mother, midway up the stairs to the second floor, stopped when she saw them and descended.
¡°How was your day?¡± she asked warmly, running down the stairs.
¡°We caught three. Valrion got them all. He¡¯ll be a great hunter, not a blacksmith,¡± Sergius said, smirking as he walked past them.
¡°Is that so?¡± Valrion¡¯s mother said, smiling first at Sergius, then at Valrion. ¡°Good job. Do you want to become a hunter when you grow up?¡±
¡°Thank you. Maybe,¡± Valrion muttered, sitting down on the ground to remove his boots. Without saying anything further, he made his way upstairs to his room. Once inside, he removed his coat, placing it at the foot of the mattress. He then dropped onto the bed and closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the day throughout his body. Rest was what he needed most.
¡°Are you okay?¡±
Valrion opened his eyes to see his mother standing in the doorway, her silhouette outlined by the soft natural light. As she walked closer to him, a strange tightness gripped his chest¡ªan urge to hug her and hide under her embrace, though he held himself back. She sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight, and her warm smile sent comfort through him.
This was expected. Naturally, she would be concerned when her son abruptly ran upstairs without saying much to her. Then, a long-standing question arose in his mind: would it harm him to share his secrets now?
¡°I heard something,¡± he said, the words spilling out before he could stop himself. ¡°Someone called me in that forest.¡±
¡°Called you how? Like your name?¡± she asked, her brow furrowing with concern. Considering Sergius had reacted in a similar way, Valrion realized he should phrase his revelation better next time.
¡°No. Something else,¡± Valrion corrected. The voice was so clear that recalling it was effortless.
¡°What is it?¡± she pressed gently, her eyes searching his for answers.
¡°Well¡ªI don¡¯t know,¡± he groaned, frustration creeping in. Should he say it? Should he reveal the truth about his identity?
¡°You can¡¯t tell me the specifics? Why not?¡± Her voice was tender, but Valrion could sense the urgency beneath it.
¡°Just¡ªI don¡¯t even know where to start,¡± he said, rolling over to face away from her.
¡°Are you scared?¡± she pressed.
Yeah. Always. Ever since I came down here. The thought came unbidden. He clawed at the bed sheet near his stomach¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even realized he was doing it. He opened the Handbook, hoping for some unseen exclamation mark or another clue, but there was nothing.
These mortal feelings were unbearable sometimes. He had never felt anything like it as a god.
¡°Yeah,¡± he eventually confessed. A heaviness squeezed his stomach, yet at the same time, his chest felt oddly lighter. How strange was that?
¡°Why?¡± his mother continued.
Because I am weak now, and I would do anything to be stronger, were the words in his mind, but he didn¡¯t feel like uttering them. He didn¡¯t want to admit something like this.
¡°I¡¯m too young,¡± he said instead, his voice a quiet mumble.
His mother laughed. ¡°What are you talking about? You¡¯re five, so of course you¡¯re young. Don¡¯t be silly, Valrion. What are you even worrying about? Moreover, you¡¯re not alone. You have us.¡±
Valrion went still, letting her words sink in before responding, ¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not sure exactly what¡¯s happening because you won¡¯t be entirely honest with me, but go back to the forest soon with Sergius. Try to figure out what that voice means,¡± his mother encouraged.
¡°Mama, don¡¯t you think I¡¯m weird?¡± he asked, uncertainty crawling back into his mind. It felt like a question he should have asked years ago, but only now could he bring himself to do it.
¡°Weird?¡±
He rolled back to meet her gaze. ¡°I discovered my elemental power when I was a baby. Strange things have always found me. Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m weird? Aren¡¯t you scared of me? Sergius was terrified when I told him about that voice.¡±
¡°You are not weird,¡± his mother answered, rising from the bed. She straightened her back, her presence radiating strength. ¡°Just special. Like an old soul.¡±
¡°Octavia thinks I¡¯m reincarnated,¡± he stated, half-joking but wishing for a laugh.
His mother chuckled, a melodic sound that filled the space. ¡°I don¡¯t care. Whoever you are, I¡¯ll always be by your side, my son. Go rest now. You¡¯ll be all right, I promise.¡±
¡°Thank you, Mama,¡± he said.
She bent down to stroke his head before leaving the room, and Valrion closed his eyes once more. The worry remained, stuck in the corners of his mind, but gratitude took root within him, no matter how small it was in comparison. How beautiful was it that no matter where he was or who he had become, the soothing words of a caring mother always found a way to calm him?
Whether it was a malicious fallen god or something else entirely, Valrion knew he had to place more trust in his family. He couldn¡¯t face the road ahead alone, and the thought of leaning on them gave him a newfound courage. Perhaps he should have known it long ago, but in some strange way, he owed this realization to that mysterious voice.
He exhaled deeply, easing back against the pillow. With the reassuring belief, his mind drifted to the forest until sleep quickly overtook him.