"Grandpa, I want to stay here" I declared in front of the old man who was drinking his tea in the patio on our small sand garden after finishing our breakfast.
"I thought you wanted to learn magic child?" the old man asked, seemingly surprised by my declaration.
White has indeed been very interested in magic; after all, his grandfather always tells him stories about his father and how amazing he was. Although I myself am very interested in magic, which my previous world did not have, there are still some loose ends I need to tie in this place for white-- to thank him of the sort.
"Ah- about that, seeing Kayla wield her sword awed me. And since I will be leaving alone along with Sophia, I think some precautions and knowledge will be helpful in our travel." That wasn't a lie. I do need to prepare for the long and rather tiring journey to the northern dominion as we currently are in the southwestern part of the continent.
"Hmm that is true... but wouldn't Sophia's battle prowess be enough for that?" Sophia is indeed a high-end automaton with an indigo-level mana system, thinking that, I formed another... sort of lie in my head.
"-well wouldn't it be better if I also know how to defend myself?" I asked in an innocent manner trying to appeal to the old man's emotions. The old man giggled as he puts down his cup of tea. "Sure child, I guess you can have Sophia teach you then."
"No need for that, I was thinking of training with Kayla's mentor in the village," I responded.
"Ah- oh sure. That is also fine." he says as if surprised by me cutting on his words, "But be sure not to use your magic all right? last time may have been a fluke, but we don't know anything about this Hell Frost of yours."
"Hell frost?" I asked trying to hide my small laughter from the contradictory name the old man had given my magic.
"Well of course! Such magnificent magic deserves a magnificent name!" He says proudly with chest puffed. "Don't like it? Then we could go with what something like Flame zero! or Frost flame o maybe even-"
"No need. Hell frost isn't that bad." I cut in, giving a small smile. But I don't think the old man heard me as he was still busy writing and thinking up names.
"Uhh... then, I'll be going now," I said to the busy old man as I left the house.
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As I walk down the path heading towards the village, I came across the area in which the Bear-like Chimera beast appeared. Thinking back, dormant beasts like the bear chimera usually live in caves deep in the forest and would usually only hunt out once in a few weeks without leaving far from their territory. Though questioning its reason was not in my mind as I was busy trying to survive that time but now that things have settled down, it is odd.
As I continued walking-- pondering, the village of Bluoir came into view. It was a rather small village surrounded by a thin forest. There were a few wooden fences that serve as the village's walls and it was rather neat, which was something I wasn't expecting as its path was nothing but paved sand and dirt. That isn't to say that the village looked pitiful, as its houses looked comfortable and did not look shabby even the least. But the icing on the cake would be the beautiful lake a distance away that shines crystal clear reflecting the warm light of the blue sun.
Approaching the village, I could see a couple of faces-- foreign, but at the same time familiar. They were Kayla's friends that always hang around with her after she finishes her training-- but it wasn't like White could call them 'friends.'
I made my way to Mr. Renard's home, Kayla's father and mentor who used to serve as a knight's Captain under a Viscount from the western dominion. White often sees the man with a stern look, but he was soft on her daughters when it came to it.
Arriving at Mr. Renard's front door, I knocked at the door with three short beats.
I stood at the front door of their house waiting for a response. But instead of a stern-looking adult, a navy-blue-haired child opened the door.
"White?" The child asked.
"Good morning, I'm here to see Mr. Renard. May I come in?" I asked.
"...I see, come in then. Father will be back soon with sis." She stares at me as if analyzing my every corner before speaking up.
This girl was Astesia, Kayla's younger sister. She is a rather gentle person, but I doubt her innocence can be called the same. Well, I wouldn't know as White hasn't gotten close with her and all I could tell from her was from White's impression of her.
But that stare... I can see why White would doubt someone as gentle looking as her.
As she leads me to the living room, I can't help but feel the short glances she peeks at me. Although I, as a prince am used to that kind of attention, I still can't help but wonder why.
So instead, I thought that it was because of my slightly looking effeminate features and snow-white hair-- which only old people have, as far as I know. Closing the case before I got lost in my thoughts.
Taking a seat on the living room's sofa, Astesia stared at me once more. This time not without intent to hide her stares.
"..."
The silence in the room followed by a child's seemingly curious stare made me feel a little eerie. Trying to calm my head, I opened my mouth.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Tea?" she answered my question with one of hers.
"No thank you I'm fine." I calmly said a gentle smile stapled in my face.
"Humph..." she voiced as she turns her head to the other side.
I was a bit surprised, but as I don't know how to react, I just gave out a wry laugh in front of the unusual child.
A creaking sound from an opening door broke the awkwardness of the room as Mr. Renard and Kayla entered the house looking exhausted.
As White hasn't really interacted with many older people, I left this one up to my own experience. I stood up in a proper manner followed by extending my hand for a handshake, "Good afternoon Mr. Renard-"
"Hoh? Are you asking for my daughter's hand?" Mr. Renard cut in.
"What?- No, Sir. I am just here to ask a favor," I quickly regained my composure from his unusual response.
"Ah, I see.." Mr. Renard says while seemingly observing my body, similar to what Astesia had done. However, his stare didn't give out the same awkwardness as Astesia's which didn't bother my composure.
'Besides, why would someone so young ask another child for hand in marriage?!?' I thought to myself as it's not like I could say that in front of this stern-looking man. Although it is quite a surprise that someone like him, who was a former knight, wouldn't take fancy in my manners.
"So? What's the favor?" The man asked, slightly tilting his head while keeping the stern look on his face.
"I'll go snack up" Kayla, who had been eyeing me this whole time with a mischievous smug stapled in her face, says before leaving. But somehow, that smug felt lonely compared to her usual smugness.
That is something I can't spare a thought of right now though, as I'm facing a man who reminds me of a drill sergeant. However, I rearranged my thoughts, trying to figure out how I should act on someone with a stern demeanor without being formal.
As Mr. Renard waited for my response, I hurriedly calmed my panicking thoughts to form the words I wanted to say.
"Can you teach me how to wield a sword?"