As I continue further explaining the three rules, Alexia literally begins dozing off as time goes on. I flip my finger on her forehead and she woke with an adorable sound. "Aaei!"
I point to the house while she pouts at me. "Go and sleep. We continue this in the morning."
"Nooo. I can continue for some time." Her words does not match her facial expression at all, she had her eyes barely open.
"Is that so? Then stay here, I am going to sleep."
As soon as I turn around, Alexia also stood up and began following me. "It can't be helped if you are sleepy than we can call it a night."
I laugh silently as we enter the house, the girls are sleeping neatly, just below the wooden bed and boys are… sleeping on eachother.
'Well, it is cold afterall.' I quietly dash to bed and l hop on it. My body finally relaxes after a long time and with such cold night coziness reaches new heights.
Before closing my eyes and took a peek at Alexia, checking if she got her spot or not. To nobody's surprise, she was actually busy untangling the boys as she had to sleep beside them but they left no space.
I smiled and shifted Kela bit then made bit space by turning to my side. I did not bother to look if she actually read my intention instead, I closed my eyes and let my body relax.
The chirping noise of birds woke me up, instinctively I stretched my back before getting up. My stomach is growling for some food, but to my surprise the house was completely empty. The old rugs which were used for sleeping are now neatly folded in the corner.
While scratching my stomach, I stepped out to see that no one was in the front yard either. With another growl from my stomach, I made a bitter face. "Ugh, they definitely went for breakfast. Does anyone ever bother to consider me?"
As I unleash the stallion from the fence, it actually turns to me and bumps into my chest. "Did they forgot about you? Don't worry I am here for you, go and eat." I lightly slap the horse's shoulder and it jogs away to the back of the house.
In my mana field, I sense the stallion approaching a small puddle. "Thirsty huh? I am too… Okay let's do this."
The mana particles of the surroundings slowly enter my body via respiration as I deliberately pull them while sitting cross legged on the ground. My back straight and eyes closed, mind fully focused on converting elemental mana into pure energy, an old technique to trick your body into believing that you are completely full.
Few seconds later, I began to cough as the elemental mana overwhelms wind pipe, a sign of amateur. A smile forms on my face. "*Cough* In my prime, this was the main source of my energy as I completely sacrificed physical edibles. Heh. I feel like a virgin smoker." As I was contemplating about my own incompetence, something enters in my mana field.
"Altaris!" "It's Altaris!" "Oh! There he is!"
It appears that the kids have returned, they run up to me and encircle me. It's the girls who seem extra worried about me while the boys watch me from a distance.
"What happened last night?" Lumi asked with much curiosity.
"Y-You are not hurt, right?" Kela asked with a shy face, refusing to make any eye contact.
A jet black coloured girl, pulled Lumi back. "Hey! Don't climb on him! It is improper and rude." Her voice was oddly feminine as if she was faking it, the purple eyes and long combed hair looked very pretty on her.
Yren smacked Lumi's head and made her apologize. This small little girl was actually prettiest of them all.
I vividly remember her introduction. "Greetings. This one's name is Yren. I like taking care of my hair and collecting beautiful flowers."
'Does she live here?' This was my initial after laying my eyes on Yren.
For someone who is dirt poor, she surely knew how to take care of herself and be pretty. Of course, Alexia was pretty as well. Actually every girl in the house was blessed by the fairies but Yren was so good at taking her of herself that there was not a single fault in her appearance, if I saw her in the dungeon city, I would immediately think that she daughter of some low ranking noble. Her mannerism and the way of talking also mirrored that of a higher society, not of an ordinary village girl.
'To be honest, she does raise some alarms in my mind but currently that is not my priority.'
I turn my gaze to Alexia who is walking towards me along with Rushian. "What are you doing out here?" She asks me.
"Just mediating? What about you? Early breakfast?" Rushian slowly walks past me to the boys group while the girls are eagerly standing to chime in.
"Yes, everyone missed dinner last night. I woke up early, feeling hungry. We decided to ask Aunt Meloni for some leftovers last night. She actually invited all of us for breakfast."
"Yes! We ate eggs and milk!" I rub Lumi's hair and it somehow unsettled Yren but she did not say anything.
"The breakfast was good, here." Alexia hands me bunch of boiled eggs packed in hand sized leaves. "We thought of waking you up, but you did not budge after various attempts."
I laugh and put an egg in my mouth. "Sorry and thanks for that."
Alexia returned the smile and called the boys over. "Now tell us your thoughts.."
I raise an eyebrow while eating the hot eggs. "Huh? What are you saying?"
Alexia glares at Rushian for a second before turning to me. "They deserve to know, Altaris."
I swallow the egg before speaking. "Well, I was going to discuss with you. But this is fine."
Rushian actually steps up and shows me a fresh wound on his arm. "The villagers are isolating us, most of them are blatantly trying to harm us. Some people tried to pick a fight with Gerblt, luckily I was there."
I glance at his arm, the wound was non lethal. "Is that so?"
"Altaris, we can't live here." Alexia speaks frankly.
I swallow another steamy egg. "Uhm. I actually thought about that. But we can't certainly afford to move in the town itself and anywhere else would likely result in same."
Suddenly everyone expression turn salty as they jump to conclusion. "No! I am not going to live with Tarma!" "I hate grandma Lenia." Lumi and Rushian where the first one to express their dissatisfaction.
I let out a chuckle as I hear their complains. "Heh. Did I forgot tell you? Lenia is death."
Everyone's eyes opened wide, Alexia had the funniest reaction as she literally celebrated. "The emperor has answered our call. That hag is dead. It finally happened."
The kids were even funny as they cheered loudly. "Woohoo! Now she will know ounce of Grandpa's pain." "Now only if Tarma-" "She deserved it. Tell me did you do it?" Lumi held my hand pulled it aggressively.
"Kinda." I answer while looking at Alexia, hoping for an explanation.
"Grandma, really hated us and Grandpa Ryhard. She would start many arguments and verbally abuse brother Mel and us. Big sister was treated as a servant in that mansion, she endured too much. Everyone hated her. About a year ago, when Tarma came of an age, she pressured grandpa to make him heir of his belongings and the moment it happened. She kicked us out. But now I am happy that she will be punished by the emperor."
I roll my eyes at the last sentence. "Anyhow, I was going to suggest that we settle with Mr. Red."
The kids immediately cheer as they agree with my suggestion. "Uncle Red is cool!" "Really? I want cake!" "I want to play with Maddy!"
Alexia pats Fran's head while speaking. "We actually been to Uncle Red's place, when Madison was still walking and healthy, after we got kicked out. Uncle Red even offered us a place in his bakery. But brother Mel and big sister refused it."
I nod in understanding.
"Are you sure that they let us stay?"
I smile at Kel who asked this question. "Yeah, I can ask for some favours."
Alexia brings her hands together and winks. "Then it's decided! We are going to dungeon city!"