Okay I know it seems like a dumb question, but I've been having second thoughts ever since I got to this crazy city. If you'd ask me if I would enjoy being an adventurer that would participate in constant battles with villains a year ago. I would have said yes without hesitation.
However the past year has shifted my perspective on how dangerous the world can truly be. Especially since I'm not even 10 yet.
Oh yeah I should probably introduce myself, my name is Craiku Tojo, I'm nine years old now and for the past two weeks I've been Ganesha Familia's one and only mage.
Technically I've been an adventurer for a year now but I feel like my journey only truly just began after my conversion.
I left my village for... unhappy reasons, but I'm making a new start and I have finally grown strong enough for my dad to feel comfortable enough to come to Orairo.
Originally we were gonna join a Familia together but since trickster goddess converted him before he knew that she didn't want me there.
She claimed it was an accident but the look on her face really made me mad.
So I ended up joining the Ganesha Familia and they're really good people, they helped me when I got lost my first day here and even made a new friend, two of them. Although I'm currently all alone now.
I do a flip on my hands and kicked a man with a dagger that was threatening a woman and child with a knife.
He tried to stab me but I paried out of the way and I grabbed his wrist and twisted it forcing him to drop his knife and punched him in the face knocking him out.
"You saved us a the woman said shielding the little girl in her arms."
"Craiku, the captain said not to take matters into your own hands" said a muscular figure with a mask covering his face with a sword over his shoulder.
"Chill out Tanaka, I can handle myself, I happened to be well versed in karate and my dad taught me how to handle a guy with a knife so he had nothing on me" he groans in annoyance.
Although I'm not with my friends, I'm currently working with a few people in my Familia, our clan has mostly men in it, particularly muscular men. And they dress up like our God for some reason.
"Look I know you're trying to help us out with the Evils and we really appreciate it, but you're on healing and can only fight for self defense only. The your dad will kill us if something happens to you,"
Oh yeah, I'm basically not allowed to do anything besides heal people, which is important but I actually have what it takes to hold my own. I've fought with the Evilus all around the world with my dad so I don't understand why people are being so obtight, is it wrong for me to want to be a hero in this dark age? Because that's what everyone is making me feel.
Ka-Boom
As everyone recovers an explosion went off just down the street.
"No time to heal the civilians, carry those who can't walk and protect those who can. Any adventurer we've revived should help however they can. To the guild hall. Craiku use your magic to protect us from incoming fireballs" I nodded as we started running.
We ran through the city, sounds of footsteps and splashing puddles filled my ears as people stepped on them, "Run run run this is the way to the guild hall you'll be perfectly safe there" I shouted as a bunch of wounded people were evacuating the area.
"Mommy I'm scared! Are they gonna kill us" said a little girl being held in her mother's arms. She looked like she was struggling to find a good answer.
"Don't worry I'm not gonna let them kill you" I told her, "But what are you gonna do about these scary bad people" she asked me.
We reached the guild hall, "Let's just say that I might drop a spell on them" I said eagerly touching her forehead, "Respond to the contract, holy sea. Follow my order and heal the wounds, give and bestow strength to those who have fallen and give them the strength to rise again- Light Heal!" she was surrounded by a golden light as I completed my spell.
Her wounds faded away and her ripped and bloody clothes aside was as good as new. "Woah I feel all better, thank you magic boy" she said eagerly. Magic Boy?
"Anytime kid" a bunch of people in uniforms ran outside and tended to the people who were taking shelter there. I was about to cast another healing spell. "Ok ma'am you're next-" "HELP! Someone, please help-! Hmm!" The cry for help caught my attention cutting me off, my instincts kicking in, my muscles tensing before I ran in the direction I heard the cry for help before it cut off abruptly.
Instinctively I put the mask over my face. "You're not gonna go back out there are you magic boy" the girl asked with a sad look on her face, "I'm sorry but I have to, someone's gotta help,"
"Craiku no, I'm not letting you go out there"
"But those guys are gonna abduct that kid, we can't just do nothing, if you don't want me to go alone then just come with me"!
He sighed, "I'll catch up with you in a while, but keep your distance and don't make me regret this"
"I won't let you down, I won't try to win a fight just keep that boy safe"
I ran out of the guild hall at full speed, smoke and flames filled the area. I probably wouldn't be able to breathe if it wasn't for the mask that I was wearing. I kept running before entering an alley, one of many that seemed to be in this maze-like place.
Ran past a tavern and I had to go five blocks down before I reached my destination. I stopped abruptly looking at the three men, two of them were holding a child who can't be older than 8 years old and the other bigger and more intimidating man was glaring at the men holding the child.
The three men, sensing my presence, stopped what they were doing to look directly at me. I drew my spear and spun it around before I pointed it at them. "You'd better leave that kid alone" I spoke with a soft but firm voice.
As I got ready to fight The bigger man glared at me and clicked his tongue before looking at his minions.
"If you idiots had caught that kid without making a sound, then this idiot wouldn't have come close" The man stopped looking at his minions, before taking a step in front of me with an intimidating look "I'll give you a chance to get the hell out kid and forget you ever saw this if you don't want to suffer serious consequences"
I clenched my teeth in frustration, it was obvious these guys weren't going to give up no matter what I found out about them, if being in Orairo has taught me anything. It's that bad people with power will abuse the weak thinking they're above the consequences. "Not a chance, I will never ever turn my back on someone who needs me, because unlike you I'm not a coward" I wasn't much older than the kid I'm currently trying to rescue, but I'm more than capable of handling these three men.
Tanaka is still helping the civilians we saved,
and the rest of my fellow members were currently dealing with another crisis across town so I'm currently all alone. 'I don't normally travel alone since I'm new to this place and I'm so young compared to most adventurers but it was an emergency.' he thought,
"I said leave the boy alone, I won't ask you again,". I said in a venomous whisper, my voice coming out hoarse, unnatural, and shaky.
Even I could feel the waves of anger and hate coming out of them. The man's two minions flinched at my voice and the anger I sent out in it, but the big man didn't flinch, instead giving me a wary look before smirking.
"Either you're a brave kid or you're just a stupid idiot who's plagued by his rage. I'll tell you, we occupy guys like you in our forces, if you join us we can give this guy some neglect you say, child, what do you think guy?"
That comment only served to infuriate me "I'd rather die than ever be a creeplike you. You're the kind of person I hate the most"
If the big man caught my slip, then he didn't show it. Instead, he shrugged before tensing his muscles and looking at me with a gleam of sadistic glee. "Too bad then, I guess I can have some fun with you before I kill you." Hearing that my body instinctively tensed up as I prepared for battle, he aimed a punch at me despite me being armed with a spear, I of course dodged it before it could hit me then turned around and hit him in the solar plexus with a back kick. "Gah" he went tumbling back and held his chest for a moment, "Huh that kinda stung, not bad kid, my turn"
Before I can blink. The criminal leader removed the 15-foot distance in a second. Managing to stay in front of my body. Although my body unconsciously tried to dodge the attack, I was too slow.
"Eh" The man hit me below the sternum, my eyes widened with shock, and disbelief I felt. My feet lifted off the ground and I began to feel my body go flying from the impact. Until it stopped abruptly when my back hit a wall of one of the houses. I got back up, "Ugh that really hurt" I let out pathetically "Respond to the contract, holy sea. Follow my order and heal the wounds, give and bestow strength to those who have fallen and give them the strength to rise again- Light Heal!" she was surrounded by a golden light as I completed I touched my chest and replenished my wounds as soon as I could.
"A mage huh, erasing all my hard work just like that, I think I shouldn't kill you but I'm gonna take you instead, as a matter of fact I could take both of you at the same time" he said as I began shaking.
The man paused briefly "Take the child away I'm going to finish this quickly because I overestimated this guy we caused a commotion, probably some of the Familias will check out this place soon, so we have to leave quickly"
'That's it, I don't need to win, I just need to stall long enough for Tanaka and the others arrive and take care of these guys, even though I'm definitely getting yelled at.' ,"I'm gonna enjoy selling you for a good price" ha you think you're the first person to say that. I raised my hand and got ready to reveal my trump card. "Whatcha gonna do, cast spells to save yourself and that kid I'm never gonna give you enough time to complete the Incantations, you should have blasted me from a distance when you had the chance"! He said in a condescending way, "Take this, Fireball"! I chant as a ball of fire forms in my hand and I blast him in his sternum, "Gah"
"Holy shit" "Boss are you okay", smoke came off of his chest. "Bloody hell," I jumped in the air spin around and my heel connected with his head and he recoiled.
While in midair I raised my hand not taking any more chances and aimed a less lethal yet still effective spell, "And take this, water ball"! A ball of water formed in my hand and hit him directly to the face and he had a swollen nose afterwards. "You little brat, I will kill you"!
But before he could draw his sword and seemingly cut my head off I aimed I picked up my spear and blocked it. His strength was greater than mine by a large margin,
"I knew it, you should have been through when I kicked you the first time, you're not only a falna user but a level 2 as well"! I yelled at my own weakness and frustration, "Bingo, and you have to be a rookie adventurer if you're sweating like that, you caught me by surprise with your swift strike magic but I got you dead to rights now" what did he just say!? I tilted my spear in hopes to redirect his sword and it slide off the base, "It's not swift strike magic"!
I raised my hand and unleashed a gust of wind blowing him across the field and I rushed towards him and grabbed his free arm while he was trying to find his balance stumbling seconds after I struck him with my blast spell,
"Judo slam" I shifted my hips as I threw him over my shoulder and he was slammed into the ground and he gasps in agony as his back hits the pavement. I turned around and glared at the two henchmen working alongside him. When I looked at them directly they froze. "It's called short chanting a skill that I picked up a long time ago, and it's just what I need to put you in your place"
I can cast small spells without Incantations if I understand the spell that I mastered on a deep level.
Both of them stepped back in fear. "And if you are scared I'm kicking your leaders butt, that means you two are level 1 like me, am I right," they started trembling, they hesitate to draw their weapons,
"What are you two idiots standing there for, get him" glare at them, "Let him go and walk away or you'll regret it" I growled, "Hey you think just because you got some fancy magic it means that you scare us, we're not afraid of you" I raised my hand, "But you should be" I envision two balls of stone forming in my hands and aim at each of them. "Stone cannon ball" I aimed at the left one and he went through the air and hit the wall. While he looked away I sprang into the air and pointed out my foot as I prepared a flying sidekick that hit the second one directly in the face.
He was forced to let go of the child as I grabbed him before his body hit the ground. Their bodies laid the ground at an awkward and extremely painful angle. "Are you okay kid" I asked him, he nods looking scared, "I'm sorry, you got hurt because of me," I shook my head,
"No need to apologize, you got nothing to be sorry for, I wanted to save you from these horrible people, no child should ever have to deal with people like this"
"But aren't you a child" he asked, he wasn't much shorter than me and I chuckled at his observation, "I'm an exception for a few good reasons, but they're not gonna bother us for a while, normally I'd tie them up but getting you to safety is what's important now, come with me and I'll take you to the guildhall and the nice people their could help you"
he nodded as we began to walk away from the area, "You bastard"! Uh oh, I should have known, of course it wouldn't be that easy. The kid clung to me, as I prepared for another round.
I can't be surprised that I didn't defeat him, he is a level 2 and my level 1 status is just starting to get better and despite having my blessing for a year I'm still a level 1 just starting to grow. The criminal leader stood up using all the strength of a level 2 adventurer that he possessed.
"A child actually managed to hurt me this much, ok now I'm pissed, you both are coming with me dead or alive"!
A group of men in elephant masks and Tanaka blocked him with his sword.
"Now Craiku attack him and get the hell outta here" he screamed.
In a panic I raised my hand and blasted him multiple times in the face with water ball, then used a different kind of water spell, "Take this consecutive water arrows" at least ten streams of 20 centimeter lances of water flew through the air and hit him directly into the wall and I aim a stone cannon ball at his knee to hopefully slow him down"
"That should keep him down for a while-" suddenly my mind felt heavy and I was on the verge of collapse, but I slapped myself to keep myself awake. "Ugh keep it together, or this kid will suffer"
I picked him up knowing he probably wouldn't be able to run for that long and carried him as I made a break for it hoping to escape this man and head to the guild hall.
Dang it, I should have grabbed some elixirs before I left, got careless and really messed up, how could I possibly have been so stupid, no no don't think like that, remember what Lord Ganesha said, any situation you come back alive from is a successful one.
I ran through the city avoiding fires and jumping over the debris while I was carrying the kid. Although it probably wouldn't have beaten him, if I'd give it all out with my magic I probably would have bought us some more time, but I'm always afraid of killing someone with my magic.
And my stamina was running low from all the fighting I was doing, and by the time I went to save this poor boy I didn't have a lot" "Are we gonna die"
"Not today, but I hope I didn't scare you back there, I know it was probably scary watching me beat those guys up" "A little bit but I knew you were trying to help me," he said, "But don't mages need to use words to do magic, you barely said anything at all" he said as we passed by the second block, only three more to go before we're home free.
"That's actually a funny story that happened to me when I was 4 years old you see-" I heard footsteps and saw a large man coming towards us at an unbelievable speed, I didn't have time to dodge so I threw the boy out of the line of fire but I was attacked viciously as a result. He kicks me into a fountain on that wall.
"No please don't hurt him please take me instead just don't hurt him" the boy cries, "Don't worry about me kid just keep running away and stay low, I'll handle this guy, I eat jokers like him for breakfast" I said trying to make sure he doesn't worry about me. "But he's going to kill you," the boy chuckled
"Him kill me, I find that very hard to believe" I drew my spear again but he was already attacking me and I barely managed to block before he sent me crashing through multiple walls, he aimed at my neck but I partied out of the way with my wind blast and ran out of the building, "You're not going anywhere brat"!
He kicks me in the back. And then he stepped on my chest. My body forced me to spit out blood, which filled the mask that covered my face. I could feel the blood that spilled from my mouth, it stained my face. Before I felt my face slammed into the ground.
If I die saving a little kid from a terrible fate then it's not a bad way to go. I said as I made peace with the potential outcome of this situation. "Hehe looks like you aren't selling the boy today"
I said with a smile as he gave me an expression that screams bloody murder. "I was going to let your death be quick and painless you fucking bastard, now I'm going to enjoy hearing you scream" I didn't answer, I just glared at him!
"Go ahead and try, but I'm not going down without a fight" I said as I grabbed my spear and tried to get up. "Ara-ara. What do we have here?"
All at the same time we turned our heads where the voice came from to see a woman on top of the roof of the house that was to our right. She was a rather beautiful woman with Far East features. I have never seen a woman as beautiful as her. The girl had fair skin, her black colored hair was loose and long, and she also wears what looks like a kanzashi in her hair. She is wearing a kimono as the Far East do at festivals and on top of the kimono she was wearing a robe I asked briefly if she wanted to stimulate her robe as a cloak I didn't know what shoes the girl was wearing, but it was the traditional Far Eastern one they wear with the kimonos.
Her soles seemed a little too big for battle on my opinion, so I couldn't help but worry that she was going to trip off the ceiling, fall, and die. "Scumbag picking on a helpless child, I am going to end you for this" she leaped off the top of the building and landed gracefully on the ground in front of where we were standing. "Now, who's the nosy bitch?" the big man spat angrily. "How dare you talk to me like that, but I'll tell you anyway since your time is short," she drew her sword, and it wasn't like the one my dad uses. It was slim and sleek, I think it's what people call a katana.
"Goujono Kaguya, a high level 1 and vice captain of Astrea Familia" The criminal leader began to sweat bullets on his forehead "Dammit! Why did these idiots have to interrupt? This is exactly what I wanted to avoid!"
I didn't know what they meant by Astrea Familia but from the way these bandits were talking about them, it seemed as if they were the police force of this place. I just hoped he wasn't wrong in that assumption. Also, something that caught my attention that said that she was a high level 1.
How much stronger than me could she be? "Let the boy go, I know you kidnapped a little boy and looks like you've tormented him quite a bit" "Tormented him, he's not the boy we are trying to catch, this brat is a demon child"
"Please don't fight him, this guy is dangerous, I threw everything I had and it only seemed slow him down" I pleaded. She seemed to have examined me, "You're an adventurer too? But aren't you a little young to be fighting criminals "
"Yes, yes I am, but I'm pretty good at it, there were two of them before," I said groaning in agony. Hmm?"
The girl the criminal morons called Kaguya spoke again as she narrowed her purple eyes dangerously at us. "You seem to know me, but I don't know you. Then you should introduce yourself. Right?" The girl's smile turned dangerous and dark, not taking no for an answer. My muscles tensed up as I wasn't sure who to be afraid of anymore, "Get behind me kid, you're clearly not in any condition to continue fighting" she ordered as I obey without question. "Uh ok" I stood behind her. "You know I'm not far away from my next level up, actually my first one, are you prepared to be my grant feat for level 2"!?
"Uh uh not today I'm outta here" he tried to run away. "Another one!" The criminal leader who was about to escape also stopped in surprise. When I got a good look at the new figure I couldn't help but be surprised. "A kid!" Woah there are other kids with falna in Orairo, I was sure my mouth was hanging open in disbelief.
The girl with short pink hair glared at me with her pink eyes "How did you just call me, masked boy?" the prum asked, visibly annoyed.
"Uh I called you a kid," I said bluntly. She looked like she wanted to punch me for some reason so I couldn't help but shudder and comment nervously. "I mean…you're short," I said awkwardly as she made a face at how short she was. It wasn't the right thing to say because her expression got angrier.
"Listen to me little boy," the little girl said with the most sarcastic voice possible while gritting her teeth to contain her anger "For your information I'm 13 years old so I'm not a kid, besides it's not my fault that my race is abnormally low and you're one to talk about being short"!
She yelled, she's right, I'm no taller than her as she was meeting me at eye level, "Race? Oh yeah you must be a prum, you look like children even though you're grown ups too right,"?
She glares daggers at me, "Ok kid anything else you wanna add" she asked clenching her fist "Yes, you look like you didn't eat enough fruits and veggies as a kid" I told her "That's it you're dead now" she picked me up with pure ease as if she was about to throw me, "Into the trashcan you go"!
She said as I finally realized my mistake "Eeek, no way this undersuit and suit of armor are new and I don't wanna ruin them"
"Now, Lyra, let's not do anything rash. Even if I agree to hit before asking I have a moral code against hitting children especially ones I don't know ."
Lyra scoffed as she put me down. Kaguya was amused by the exchange I got with the girl now called Lyra. But once she stopped laughing, she turned to face the criminal in question. "These guys were picking on you boy"? She asks.
"I wish that's all they were doing, they tried kidnapping a little boy, but I stepped in before they got away, I defeated two of his henchmen but this guy is tough, I did everything I could to stop him but the most I could do was help the boy get away"
"And you're not the one he was trying to kidnap" Kaguya asked.
"If only I was, at least that little guy wouldn't have been put through such a scary experience," I was splashed with a strange liquid and my wounds began healing, "What was that just now, I feel better already"
"What you've never heard of a potion before, you fought with him but you don't know what a potion is, pfft kids these days doing it all backwards" Lyra said making fun of me causing me to puff my cheeks.
Both of them got ready for battle, "Stay there kid we'll handle this guy for ya, even though you called me a kid I can't let him beat you up" she withdrew her weapons but they looked kinda strange. "Oooh what are those," "Carnivore, basically my way of getting the job done without getting punched in the face. She twirled it around,
"So you said this guy was level 2 right, I think we can handle that, sit tight kid he's a dead man" "Wait you're not going to kill him are you" "He's a dead man walking" she repeated. "No way I'm going with you bitches anywhere" he lunges at them with his sword and Lyra throws her weapon at him and he deflects it sending it off course before Kaguya rushes towards him at an alarming speed and he is only able to block his blade. "Tch he wasn't joking, you are a level 2, I curse my weakness," "Welcome to my life" Lyra said, throwing the second one at him. Causing him to create some distance between them. But Kaguya sidekicked him as soon as he drops his guard and he gasps in agony, "Damn it-"
The Carnivore flying through the air graces his shoulder as it returns to Lyra's hand. "Heh worked like a charm." "I suspect that we'd have a bunch harder time if he wasn't already injured, but it's less work for us" he aimed a punch in her face which she managed to block but I saw her arm trembling a little bit. Lyra throws her Carnivore from behind and hits the back of his leg. He loses his balance, "He was mine first" I couldn't help myself and I shot a stone cannon ball at his hand and he dropped his sword. "Woah this kid has magic, maybe he really did beat him up earlier"
"We'll we're the ones kicking his head in now" she knees him in the stomach, before grabbing him by the back of the skull and smashing him into the ground with enough force to leave a crack.
Yikes she's super strong, it took two of them to win but they won, they're incredible. "Bravo bravo you two are absolutely amazing and beautiful too I never seen such amazing teamwork, Lyra and Kaguya you two are the coolest"! I cheered, "Looks like we got ourselves a fan"
"Which is a first for you, most people would have pissed themselves from seeing how scary you are" Lyra teased "I will do it to you next if you say another word", Now they hate each other, are they really friends? I asked myself. I walked over to the unconscious body, "Uh you didn't really kill him did you" "As much as I'd love to put him six feet under, I merely knocked him unconscious, there's only so much I could have done to him with my mere level 1 strength" Kaguya states.
"Mere, I once saw you choke a Orc to death," Lyra said, "Hahaha that's funny, but no one at level 1 is that strong right"
"Shockingly enough, every word she just said is true," my blood ran cold. I really shouldn't make her mad. "By the way what's with the mask" Lyra asked, "My captain said that I needed to wear it when I went into battle against the Evils, but I only do it for self defense or if there's really no choice, it's kinda bloody now"
"Ok boy, how about you take it off and show me what's underneath and introduce yourself" I held my mask down, "I don't wanna, no one would take me seriously if they saw my face." I said nervously, "You're short, got your butt kicked by that guy and you already look like a mess so what do you have to lose?" "Nothing, I guess" I reluctantly reached behind my head and untied my now bloody mask and pulled it off my face. I kept the mask on my belt hook that I added as an addition.
And before I could speak and introduce myself, the same girl who placed the order spoke again. "Oohh. Aren't you a little cutie pie, why would anyone want to hide such an adorable little face,,What?" I couldn't help but gape as my cheeks flushed red from the embarrassment that the girl's shameless and cheeky comment caused me. And though I appreciated the compliment. I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable, especially since I hated my appearance, especially because I looked way younger than I actually am, 9 is young but I look 6. My face was so hot you could probably fry an egg on it.
"Meh. Finn is much cuter than this guy," the petite Lyra commented with a sly smile. "I guess we have you to thank for helping that little one. As much as I hate to admit it, without your intervention they probably would have been kidnapped before we could help him."
She changed her sly smile to one of thanks, before smiling slyly again. "Ah. It was nothing, I just acted before thinking" I said as I put a hand on the back of my neck somewhat embarrassed, I wasn't used to compliments "Besides, I'm sure anyone would have done what I did" I said to play down her thanks, even though you see several people running in the opposite direction from where the child called for help. Kaguya shook her head as her smile changed to a sad one.
"In these times, my cutie pie. Most people turn a blind eye out of fear, so you are an outlier."
Lyra clicked her tongue "It's not that you can blame people, normal civilians can't stand up to people blessed with Falna. They would only end up getting hurt or killed." "Although I don't like a child putting themselves in harms way, I would have yelled at you for that stunt" she said with an angry look that scared me, "But you're the only reason why they didn't get away, so I'll overlook it, but don't make a habit out of it. It's very easy to die in this city, especially now"
"We need to inform the Ganesha Familia about this, but can you take us to where you knocked out the two others that you mentioned" Kaguya picked up the unconscious man carrying him like a sack of potatoes, and now I'm hungry. "The Ganesha Familia, I can help with that, but I haven't formally introduced myself, I am Craiku Tojo of Genesha Familia's police force, it's a pleasure to meet you lovely ladies".
I bow to them. Both of them were silent for a moment, "You're kidding me" Lyra said "I am not I really am a member of the Ganesha Familia and have been for two weeks now" "Prove it" I point to my belt buckle and she looked at it and she nods, "Eh well I've seen crazier things happen, but I'm shocked that Shakti would recruit such a young boy" she said.
"I suspect that goofball Lord Ganesha made the decision, it's ultimately their decision on who joins and who doesn't"
"Wait a minute you girls know my god" "Of course, we our goddess is friends with him, but I personally find him extremely annoying"
"Ugh I get it he's Ganesha but does he have to say it all day every godda-" "Hey the kid's still here" Kaguya said covering her mouth.
We found the kid hiding in an alley and he found his mother and fortunately his mom was still alive.
She was hurt but thankfully I was able to heal her in time. She coughed up a bit of blood but I think she's going to pull through.
He hugged her immediately, "Mommy you're okay, I'm sorry mommy I'm so so sorry it was all my fault you got hurt if I listened to you and-" she shushes him, "You have nothing to apologize for my love, knowing that you're ok is all that I care about, mommy is sorry that she scared you, but I'm still here thanks to these lovely girls"
"Lovely girls and awesome boy, he was the one who found me first, you should have seen him beat up those bad guys, the main one seriously kicked his butt but he fought anyway he even healed you, he's incredible"!
He said with a bright smile. My face was beet red, "Wait he was telling the truth" "Yup he beat those guys all by himself," he pointed at the unconscious Evil's henchmen.
"Eek what'd you do to them, they look half dead, or probably actually dead" they went to examine them.
"Nope concussed but alive" the boy's mother put her hands on my face, "I can't thank you enough for saving my little boy, I feel terrible for a child having to risk his life to protect my own child, I should be protecting my children as their mother, but I'm truly grateful, if I was your mom I'd be very proud of you" suddenly when she said that I ended up crying slightly but I tried to hide it.
"Are you okay oh no did I say something wrong did I upset you" I wiped my face,
"No no I'm okay, I just haven't heard those words in such a long time," I explained. "Well I'll never forget what you did for my son today" I knew it was wrong of me, but I was envious of the kid. My mother stopped hugging me a long time ago.
"Well I got lots of work to do so see you later get home safely and remember, I never back down" I said giving the kid a thumbs up. Kaguya was about to carry another man but I insisted on carrying the man myself. "I can do it my-self" I struggled for a while but I eventually got him over my shoulder.
"Uh, are you sure you can carry him, the potion didn't fully heal you and your body probably isn't accustomed to this" Kaguya asked out of concern "It can adjust, I'm the one who knocked them out so I should carry at least one of them." I said grunting as we walked away. "Are you think you can carry him the whole way their"
"You think I can't, watch me, I'm super duper strong, just like my dad, he could carry five of them if he wanted to" "Your dad sounds like a strong man"
"Lyra, Kaguya" A new female voice was present in the place. Even if I only heard a girl's voice. The girl who spoke was accompanied by another girl. They both stopped near Lyra and Kaguya without even noticing me or maybe they did but chose to ignore me to talk to them. I felt frustrated that in my eyes those new girls seemed out of nowhere.
My instincts of which I was proud were fooled again. If they hadn't spoken I probably wouldn't have noticed them until they were on my side or it was too late for me to do anything to defend myself. "Uhm. I told you they'd be fine, Lion. Kaguya and Lyra have done another job worthy of justice" The other girl made a dramatic gesture towards Kaguya and Lyra who were carrying the criminal scumbags. "I guess, even so, the magical energy that could be felt from afar. What was it that caused such a feeling?" The girl, now introduced as Lion, commented on her concern. Kaguya blinked. "Now that you mention it, the magical energy grew stronger just as I arrived." Then she turned to look at me "Do you know anything about it?"
The two new girls who were there turned to me, looking at my face, the reactions of both of them made me feel uncomfortable. The red-haired girl was one of the most beautiful people he had ever seen.
Her green eyes full of life and optimism met my unnatural purple eyes full of loneliness and pessimism. Despite her aura of positivity, her eyes looked at me in a way I couldn't describe before her positivity returned in the blink of an eye. If it wasn't for the fact that I had to live with a psychopath and had to learn to pick up on his cues so he wouldn't kill me because of his bad temper, I probably wouldn't have noticed.
The girl who looked younger, she was an elf with blonde hair, scared me a little, but mostly made me uncomfortable. She was looking at me as if I was a monster. But I have to admit she's attractive as well. But I looked at the red headed girl and her face was lighting up with enthusiasm. "So cute, he's absolutely adorable, and he's strong too carrying a man over his shoulder by himse-" she realized how absurd it was. "Eh a small child carrying a grown man, you must be super strong, you have to be a falna user like us, what are you exactly? Oh. And who are you, honorable little boy? I suppose you must be a new one in Orario? An adventurer? New blacksmith?" Then the red-haired girl snapped her fingers as if she concluded "A new vendor!"
"Alise, maybe you should give him some space" Lyra commented giving me a smirk "You're making him nervous and shy, plus he's an adventurer... I think ""I am an adventurer, at least I'm trying to be anyways ""Ummm! I see!" The red-haired girl, now named Alise "
Don't worry little one the embarrassment will be a thing of the past. Because the great maiden is pure and beautiful. Alise Lovell, the captain of the Astrea Familia is here to help." She pointed at me with a dramatic smile, "Due to my great sense of justice, I can't help but help a needy person in his great moment of need. Then adorable boy. That embarrassment you have will be gone in a few days for my fabulous me" Seeing that girl radiating positivity made my eyes cloudy as I remembered a positive girl who always tried to help others as long as she could.
She's just like Lord Ganesha, noisy and annoying. , I'm amazed that she's not in our Familia, those two would be best friends. "Alise. You overdid it again with your introduction, that's why you always end up scaring them" Despite Lion's scolding words, she had a smile on her elf face.
"Bah, nonsense, nobody can be scared of someone as holy as me" Alise smiled at Lion. "Uh nice to meet you Alise, now that I think about it I think my captain has mentioned your name once or twice but everytime I asked about you she said, you'd need to see her yourself to know what I mean"
"Wise words, my presence can't be described by mere words, it is an experience, but do I know your captain because I've never seen you before little one" she told me "Shakti Varma captain of Ganesha Familia wears blue is serious about pretty much everything has no sense of humor" "Yup definitely her, but that means-" "I'm Craiku Tojo of Ganesha Familia's police force, and it's nice to officially meet you Alise, looks like we'll be partners from now on" I extended my hand before I lost his balance stumbling seconds before I caught myself, "Right put him in jail first then handshakes" Kaguya clears her throat "Going back on topic Alise." Kaguya spoke, catching the attention of the girls "These guys who unconsciously tried to kidnap the little one who is now with his mother"!
She said pointing at the child who was hugging his mom. "It was only thanks to this little guy that we were able to save him at all," Kaguya commented with a sad smile but resigned to acceptance. Lyra crossed her arms with a frown. "Besides, we wouldn't have known about the altercation if it hadn't been for that magical energy. We were two districts away from the streets of the Daedalus," she pointed out. Lion's eyes narrowed in fury, her mask wrinkled indicating that she was frowning "These disgusting beings. Not only are they causing a lot of commotion in the city and hurting innocent people, but now they tried to kidnap a child" Alise sighed in disappointment, her dazzling and dramatic happy smile was gone and now she only had a sad smile "It can't be helped. We were lucky this time. We should be more careful with the children. We don't know what Evilus is up to with them ""I do" I said speaking up.
"They wanna hold them for ransom and sell the talented ones to slavery. Or both, they're very likely to do both" I said with a serious look on my face, "And how do you know this" "I was basically told that when I was about to get captured by some jerk named Jura or something, but I beat him up and I tossed him and his friends in prison two weeks ago, and by me I mean the other members of my Familia did, I wasn't even a member till after I found my dad" he said.
"Wait, you're the one who caught Jura"!? "Sure am, but I'm amazed no one caught him already, he's pretty easy to beat, I'm surprised nobody got a chance to catch him before I showed up" I said, Alise looked at me nervously, she looked like me when I snuck cookies from the cookie jar before dinner. "So you're name is Craiku huh, that's a pretty cute name" "No it's not, it's cool and mysterious not cute cool and mysterious" "Don't be silly it's adorable, just makes me wanna cuddle with you, let me hug you" "Not a chance". He said, backing away nervously.
"Oh pretty please, hugs make everything better" I wouldn't admit it out loud, but Alise's enthusiasm and positivity were kind of nice and refreshing. A nice change of pace in the depressing life I have, and that's saying something since Orairo, despite being way more dangerous, is a better place to live than my mom's house.
"Aaahhh" Lyra gave a dramatic sigh, "I think you should give it up. Alise isn't going to stop so you better get used to it." I sighed, I thought Adree was too much for me to deal with but Alise is so much worse. , "Uh I think I know all of your names but I would like a formal introduction if you don't mind," " My name the Lyra, A member of the Astrea Familia and a level 1 adventurer. I will also be Finn's future wife."
"Idiot. Finn hasn't accepted your proposal yet. Poor man" Kaguya shook her head looking amused. "Meh" Lyra waved her hand dismissively "He'll accept it's a matter of time" Finn Demene, he's my father's captain, only met him once. Kaguya looked at her blankly but didn't comment, instead turning to me with a mischievous smile. "Gojouo Kaguya, vice-captain of the Astrea Familia and a high level 1 adventurer. I hope we can see each other very often. My little cutie pie" Kaguya cheekily licked her lips causing me to blush for some reason. Leon, who until now has been quiet, mostly since she was handcuffing the captured criminals and making sure they don't wake up. She looked me straight in the eyes and nodded and I could see her mask wrinkled into a smile "Ryuu Lion, a member of the Astrea Familia and a low level 1 adventurer. It's good to see a fellow justice" she took the criminal out of my hands and laid him down. "Low level 1," I asked
"Yup just like you she's a total newbie found her two weeks ago in the streets. She was just like a badass stray cat, and you know what she-"" Alise please don't embarrass me like that" she screamed, cutting her off. "I just wanted to make him laugh, he seems so depressed,"
"Hey do I look depressed to you" I asked.
"Well it's nice to know that that cat man was put in his place, this city is kinda depressing, so any good news is a rare gem to me." she said, "Wait you know that jerk" "He tried to kidnap me and sell me to slavery in the pleasure quarter" "What's a pleasure quarter and I thought they only did that to kids" "I'm 11" she said. "Oh," "And you thought I was a kid but you assumed she was grown up because she was tall," Lyra said, strangling me from behind. I broke free in an instant, "Eh don't break free so easily you brat" "Well I guess I should be going to the Ganesha Familia to show them this bad guy I caught, I will either become an executive member, or perhaps I will be very grounded"
"Are you not supposed to be fighting the Evils by yourself" "We'll it's not that I'm not supposed to, let's just say my captain and her little sister are very protective of me because I'm small" "You're not that small, but since we're going to the same location we might as well go together"
We started walking together and Kaguya approached me, "Uh boy, Craiku was it, what do you have against your appearance anyway, I see nothing wrong with it" she asked.
"Because no one will take me seriously with a face like this, I was always treated like a afterthought or someone's plaything where I come from and I hated it someone I've always known said my face will make sure no one ever takes me seriously" I complained.
"Well that's not true, we for sure took you seriously today, believe me I get the frustration. But I'm taken seriously all the time with a face like this. Whoever told you that is a huge liar. Anyone that can leave a burn on a level 2 and is capable of fighting criminals like you had my respect. Besides you can use that cute face of yours to get what you want" she said with a mischievous grin.
"Woah that is the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, thank you Lyra, and I'm sorry for calling you a kid earlier, there's not to many prums where I'm from so I couldn't tell."
She slapped me on the back, "We're square. Mind if I ask you about your magic, what kind of magic is it" she asked.
"Well I can't say too much but I can tell you that my magic is-"
"Craiku Tojo, what did we discuss earlier" said a strong and commanding voice.
"Oh no, I'm definitely in trouble now"