"How is this... trial by fire of yours going?" there was a hint of derision in Rada's tone, he tried to hide it somehow, but failed.
In fact, Rei immediately sensed Rada's unpleasant tone and said, "Don't take our customs lightly, every year there have been victims!"
"What, victims? For what reason?" asked Rada alarmed, his expression immediately becoming serious.
"In the Wild Hunt, apart from the participants not using external forces, there are no rules, the one who brings the heart of the largest beast before the judges wins. So in addition to fearing the dangers of the beasts, one must also be careful of ambushes from other participants!" explained Rei in a serious tone.
"I don't understand, what's the purpose of having young participants participate in this deadly test?" Rada couldn't help but ask, despite the fact that in his heart he knew the answer.
"The test exists to test the skills of the village youth, but the main reason is to prepare them for the dangers they will find during the course of their lives," the Elder explained.
"Assuming they survive..." replied the young man in a wry tone.
"This is a world where the strongest dictate the rules my boy, those who have no power are not even allowed to breathe, because they are worth less than nothing," said the Elder Master in a solemn tone.
Hearing the man's harsh but wise words, the boys nodded.
(A cruel world, but not so different from mine, the ways change, but the story is always the same) thought Rada.
"So, what's next? As I understand I will have to participate in this test, I guess I have no choice, am I right master?" Rada looked towards the Elder, his expression hinted that he had no desire to participate at all.
"That's right you have no choice, ohohoh!" replied the master.
"Eheheh..."
Rada didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he couldn't refuse given the situation.
Being from another world, he knew very well that he would find a society with different customs and ways of living.
One only had to look around the village to see that technologically they were far behind his world. However, in this world there were things like magic and spirit. Things that in his world were abstract, lacking in veracity.
Despite some hesitation, the desire to know how far he could go with his power made him fearless, but at the same time cautious. After all, this was a world where the strongest laid down the law.
"The victor writes history."
With determination, Rada prefixed this phrase in his mind.
"Well, with that said, let's get back upstairs. Rei and Cody, it's time for you two to go home, come back early tomorrow I have plans for you as well," said the Elder.
The brothers looked at each other's faces with a dubious expression, "Sure Elder" but they agreed without hesitation.
"Rada accompany Rei and Cody, after which come with me."
After leaving directions, Elder headed to another area of the house.
"Big brother see you tomorrow then, we'll come to see you soon so we can have breakfast together" said Cody smiling.
In the meantime he didn't forget to stroke Kiba's little hairy ears.
"Sure, take care on the way back" Rada smiled at the two siblings, somehow after having so much help from these duo, he felt he was very close to them, as if they were his family.
"You too Rei, eyes open, understand?" Rada approached towards the girl
But Rei unconsciously, took a step back, her cheeks were turning color.
Before she could say anything though, she tripped over herself and lost her balance.
"Watch out!"
With a small jerk forward, Rada reached out and grabbed Rei by the side.
"..."
There was a moment of silence, both of their eyes reflected in each other.
Rei remained still, her eyes wide as she continued to stare into Rada's eyes.
"Cough! Cough!"
A few seconds later, the atmosphere was interrupted.
"Um..." Cody gave an embarrassed smirk, but at the same time his expression didn't look like that of a child his age.
"Ah!" Rei quickly came back to her senses.
She quickly turned away from Rada and lowered her gaze hastily.
"Is everything alright? Are you hurt?" asked Rada thoughtfully.
"Y-yeah everything's fine! We have to go now!" Rei grabbed Cody's hands and darted off.
"Easy sis!" poor Cody's voice could be heard from the distance.
"That human is acting strangely towards you," said Kiba.
"Oh, what do you know?" Rada gave a mischievous smirk to the pup in his shoulder.
"Don't underestimate me! My mom told me that females act differently when they feel something, though I didn't quite understand what she meant..." in saying that, Kiba looked a little depressed.
"Ahahaha, your mother must have known a lot" Rada said laughing.
He stroked the puppy's little head and looked with a complicated expression at the silhouettes of the two siblings as they disappeared into the distance.
"Big Sis slow down you're hurting me!" Cody untangled himself from his sister's grip and stopped.
Her breathing was erratic, being still too young her body wasn't strong enough to keep up with her sister.
"Phew, I understand the awkwardness but why run like that?" asked Cody.
"W-what the hell are you talking about! I wasn't embarrassed! I was just in a hurry, that's all!" replied the sister.
From her tone you could sense agitation, her heart was still pounding.
"You like big brother don't you?" asked Cody smiling.
"W-WHAT?! What the hell is wrong with you!!!" protested Rei.
"If you weren't embarrassed, why run off like that?"
"Umpf! I told you I was in a hurry" the two siblings started walking again.
"Big Sis you have no reason to hide it, not from me, okay?" Cody took a breath and spoke in a gentle tone to his sister.
"You're still too young, what do you know about it???" continued to ramble the young woman.
"I know just enough, to know that you're acting weird with big brother."
Cody may have been very young, but he was much smarter than boys his age, he was very mature and sensitive, so much so that it caused him to be unnaturally isolated from his peers.
"It's okay, all right? Right now even I don't know what's wrong with me..." mumbled Rei.
"Okay big sis..." Cody smiled at his sister's adorable expression.
It was the first time he had seen her act like that with a boy.
He realized then that those were the first signs of a flower that was getting ready to bloom.
A flower that was called love.