Kai had a complicated expression. Never in his wildest dreams did he think of one day being transmigrated from a different world, with an immature goddess under his custody.
Coming to his senses, he realized his hand was still holding Ariella's delicate and soft hand. He let go, giving Ariella an unreadable look.
No matter how beautiful she may be, the Gods abandoned her in mortal care. And if memory serves him right, Ariella's power is sealed by now as consequences of her mistakes.
'Seriously, why give a girl the power of gods if she can't even speak.'
Then again, his life is too low to understand the reasoning of deities. However, Kai thinks the Gods aren't perfect because they made a mistake by choosing him to teach a young goddess about the value of life. In other words, humanity.
Ariella possesses overwhelming authority, yet lacks sympathy for lower lives. Such as Kai, and his fellow humans. Therefore, his mission is to instill understanding on her mind, that their life isn't to be treated as toys, because they have feelings too.
However, in the aspect of humanity. Kai failed in that subject, himself. Growing up devoid of parents guidance, his character was on the shady side. His cynical, unfriendly, unsociable and did plenty of mild bad deeds in order to survive in life.
That's why the Gods had chosen the wrong person for the job. Because as an unheroic person himself, Kai was unsuitable for raising a fine goddess. Heck, she might grow to become a dark God in his care.
That's why he would rather not care for her, if possible.
Then again, the gods words are absolute. Kai can only swallow the responsibility given to him.
If there's any benefit to this, Kai received a parting gift from a deity!
'It would be too shameless of them to pass me their responsibility without compensation. I'm just a student, for goodness sake.'
As for what it is, he didn't know. But considering the mighty origin, Kai had high expectations. It can be an overpowered skill, or a legendary pawn under his commands. Perhaps it's an item that bends logic, an all knowing book or world shattering sword!
There's too many possibilities. Kai can't wait to find out. But before that, he needed to solve an urgent problem. Where is he and the other students and staff of the university?
Well, they're not in the forest his currently in. Kai was sitting on a fallen timber as he pondered about his predicaments, the noon sun was shining above the bright blue sky. Bathing the peaceful forest with radiance. Melodious chirping of birds can be heard, along the leafs rustling in the wind. Not far away, a river flows, murmuring in his ears.
After the lazy Gods passed down their work on Kai, and sealed Ariella's divinity. The two of them were expelled from the boundless dark world, bringing them where they are now. A forest in the middle of nowhere.
His thoughts were interrupted by a rumbling noise, Kai looked down dejectedly.
'I'm hungry...'
Water isn't a problem thanks to the nearby river, but food is a different story. Because to get one in this wilderness, Kai need to hunt feral animals or find fruits to fill their stomach. The problem is, Kai had zero experience hunting and can't identity what plant is edible or poisonous. This isn't Earth, after all. The unfamiliar greeneries surrounding them suggest so.
While his troubled by their circumstances was playing somewhere, finding the forest wonderful and an interesting place instead of a dead zone, where who knows what kind of beasts lives. All the while unaware of suitable source of food. Considering she's a goddess, Ariella probably don't require eating to keep on living. But Kai do, though.
As he sat on the timber, depressed over the uncertainties. Ariella gently tap on his should, taking Kai's attention.
"What?" He said in a haggard tone as he turn to look.
Truth be told, his upset on Ariella for being the source of his everything that happened. However, he can't blame her, for she's merely a child in a goddess body. There's no point scolding her, even the Gods knew this.
In response to his rude attitude, Ariella offers him a freshly picked flower with a beaming smile. Erasing his irritation away in an instant. How could he keep hating such an angel? It's simply impossible.
"Uh, thanks..."
Her smile grew wider upon receiving gratitude.
One things Kai learned, is that, Ariella isn't completely clueless. She understands in a certain extent, although, not fully.
"Go back now, I'm busy doing something here."
A little reluctant, Ariella left to play somewhere. Kai studied the flower for sometime, feeling a bit envy of Ariella's innocence. She's too pure to know their worries, at the same time, too innocent to protect herself and be responsible for her actions. Unlike him, she's free from the worries of living. Maybe that's one thing he needs to teach her?
Thinking of her, Kai felt the urge to check on her not far behind him. The sight of her sitting on grass, surrounded by colorful flowers and tamed animals seeking for her affection was mesmerizing. She seemed loved by the world, as nature bends for her grace. The grasses shifts towards her, the flowers seems to stare at her in awe. And otherworldly animals yearned for her touch, devoid of their usual hostility as they near. The birds flew above her, waiting for their turns to rest on her finger or slender shoulder.
Light showered on her silky, silver hair. Adorning the presence of the goddess.
However, their joyful party is disturbed as the devil approaches, appearing as a young man in a black student uniform.
Sensing him, the animals became hostile. They distance themselves from Kai as he stopped behind their goddess, then said with a pretentious smile.
"What you got there."
Noticing him, Ariella showed Kai the cute bunny-like animal she's petting. It looks like a fat rabbit with big eyes that begged to be petted, adorable short legs and white, floppy furs. But compared to the goddess holding it's plump body with pride for Kai to see, it's cuteness fall short.
However...
'Damn, that's fat... I wonder what it tastes like?'
Forget about cuteness, Kai is starving here. The furry creature suddenly shuddered under Kai's hungry gaze, feeling an apprehensive outcome.
His lips twisted into a menacing and patted Ariella's head.
"That's really cute... Can I have it?"
Ariella nodded in response, happy to give her bunny to Kai. Besides, she has more of them.
The fat rabbit trembled as it was passed on Kai's cold hands. After that, Kai disappeared in the nearby river, and came back with a grilled meat after a while.
'Man, I'm so bad.'
Guilt creeps on his conscience, tormenting him for killing an innocent animal entrusted by an innocent lady. But a weight of this degree felt natural for Kai's heart. Life is a jungle, where the strong tramples the weak. He learned that at a young age, that if you remain weak. You won't survive in a world that discarded the weak. Thus, he would kill an adorable bunny if it meant putting food on their plate. Of course, committing sins far worse than that is beyond him. Even if he does so, Kai won't be able to cope with it quickly and it would be because of a deep reason.
Shrugging his guilt, Kai focused on the bright side of things. At least now, Ariella and he won't starve to death. However, it felt strange to be the devil that sins to feed an angel.
"Come here Ariella, it's time to eat."
Ariella shook her head, not wanting to eat.
'Do she even eat?' He questioned himself. However, she may be a goddess, Ariella still has a mouth for consumption. Thus, Kai persisted.
"Okay then, don't blame me if you starve later. Good luck finding food by yourself."
Once again, Ariella didn't listen as she keep playing with the animals.
He sighed.
'This is going to be problematic.'
How is he supposed to take care of a disobedient lady? Between the two of them, Kai knew the best is resolving whatever problem may arise. So, she needs to listen to him or complications might happen in their journey.
"The hard way it is, young lady. Are you gonna eat or are you gonna eat, choose!"
There's not really an option there.
Ariella gave him a questioning look, pouting.
"Ok, I guess this is where we part... Make sure to take care of yourself out here." Kai then pretends to leave, expecting Ariella to feel lonely and reflects on her attitude.
She needs to learn to obey, and this is the only way he knew to instill that lesson.
Kai walked further and further away, not looking back to scare her more.
However, Ariella didn't follow even after a minute had passed. Suddenly, Kai felt something amiss.
He ran back, and saw Ariella no longer alone where he had left her.
Kai cursed.