Chapter 9 - 9: Migrating Birds

"Brother, look a rabbit. Can I pet it?"

"Yes go ahead, you don't have to ask me before doing it." 6-year-old Emilia slowly approached the rabbit, before she could grab it, it ran away. Emilia's heart couldn't handle the rejection.

"Brother" her face was red, her eyes were filled with tears ready to flow out any second.

"Don't look at me like that." The look that Emilia was giving was hard to resist. "But, brother the rabbit-".

Grey let out a sigh "Hold on a second, ill bring that rabbit back.". Grey jumped on one of the trees and moved deep inside the woods by jumping from one tree to another.

"Grey, be careful in the woods." It was Ranulf, They were in the forest near their house to pickup some fruits and it was a picnic for them. Even Ms. Lozen joined them on a picnic, including Slyphy and Eira. Eira was just back from her house a few days ago.

"isn't he a little fast for an 8-year-old," Said Ms. Lozen, "Yeah, and he seem to activate our bloodline's power without any usage of mana. I don't know how he does that. After years of experience, I was able to just minimize the usage of mana to activate the venomous aura in my blood. I am happy, he has this kind of power, it makes up for his small mana core." Said Alice.

"It doesn't matter if his mana core is big or small, he doesn't seem to be interested in getting stronger." Said Ranulf, Ranulf had no regret while saying this, it was just a simple fact for him and he was ready to protect his kid as long as he is alive, so he doesn't care what his son does as long as his son is happy.

"Hehe, jokes on you. He trains with me every morning and he actually focuses while sparring with me. But, when I think about it, it's pretty obvious why he only focuses when sparring with me. Because-" Alice got close to Ranulf's face her face had a smug smile.

'Huh, what's with that face, it pisses me off. Seriously what's with that face, What a great smug face, it's like she is queen of this world.' Thought Ranulf. "Because?" asked Ranulf, he knew if he didn't ask because, she will keep bothering him until he asks.

" Becauseeeee, I am his favorite" She folded both of her arms like she was satisfied with herself.

'Seriously, what's with that satisfied posture' thought Ranulf, Ranulf now wanted to get back at her. "Jokes on you, my daughter's favorite is me." Emilia now was their own, daughter. They treat her like their own daughter.

"Yeah right, keep lying to yourself." They continued the fight.

Grey was back from the woods "Emilia, look I caught the rabbit." Grey gently gave the rabbit to Emilia's hands. "If you treat rabbit gently, he won't run.".

Emilia looked at the rabbit In her hand, her eyes were shining like a star "Thank you brother, hehe". Grey let out a small laugh, "Just feed him some carrot we collected from earlier and leave him back into the forest, before we go back home, I'll go check up on Sylphy and Eira."

"Okay brother."

Grey especially ignored both of his parents fighting cause if he got close to them, they will ask him who is his favorite was and he wanted to avoid that situation. So he went away as sneakily as he could.

Grey spotted standing under a tree looking at something on the branch, Grey called out to her "Syl-" but he was interrupted "Sushhhhh", Sylphy kept finger at Grey's lips to shush him.

"Look at that bird, isn't it beautiful" Said Sylphy in a whispering tone. "They are a species that migrates from kingdom to kingdom depending upon the season. There can be many of those here in the forest, this is their migrating spot currently.". they were a beautiful bluebird with white ends.

"You are envious of them aren't you?" asked Grey. Sylphy let out a soft laugh and said "Yeah I can't deny that.". after a brief pause Sylphy continued "They live a life that I dream, these birds have seen so many things that I am missing, kind of makes me envious.".

"If you want to do it, just work towards it. Your situation might not be that simple but don't lose hope. You want to join the hero's party so that you could support your family, right? And if you become a hero's part member you can get to go from place to place. I have heard they get to visit many places. Next hero's summoning ritual is between 7 to 9 years, just work hard towards it and train under Ms. Lozen so you can become the strongest mage." Said Grey.

"Hearing that from you makes me feel good, but I have heard the hero that is summoned are the strongest existence and the way they learn things fast is monstrous, the current hero's in our kingdom are the strongest existence, but with their strength, they might be even arrogant."

"No, that not entirely correct." Said Ms. Lozen she overheard their conversation. Ms. Lozen let out a small chuckle, it was as if she was remembering a past memory "the hero's who have come face to face with Alice and the heroes who have seen true power of Alice have become humble, In the face of true absolute power they have realised that the power they have is nothing. I have seen Alice teach Heros and other humans what absolute fear is like. Your mom was a scary figure and one who enjoyed fighting, she changed after Grey was born."

"Mom was that scary? I didn't know she was like that in past, she always jokes around and has a smile on her face. It's hard to imagine like that." Said Grey while looking at his mom who was still fighting with his dad.

"No, that part of her is still the same, she used to joke around a lot in past too and there was always a smile on her face. Like she was taking nothing seriously. But I have seen her many phases, I will tell you about her stories some other time."

"Oh, its nearly time of sunset." Said Sylphy looking at the sky.

"Oh you are right, I didn't even realize how fast that the time passed so quickly;y." Said Ms. Lozen, "Ranulf, Alice, and Emilia let's go it's nearly time for sunset. Grey pick Eira up.". Eira was asleep under the tree and that to for a while.

"Eira, wake up, let's go." Said Grey, Grey tried to wake her up by shaking her.

"It's already time," Eira sat up and stretched both of her hands "Hwahhhhhh" Eira let out a yawn. "Grey pick me up on your back till our house, I don't want to walk."

"No, I am not going to do that, walk yourself." Said Grey.

"You are going off tomorrow without taking me with you for traveling, so now carry me till the house." Said Eira while sulking her face.

Grey let out a sigh "Fine, Get on my back".

Everyone was walking on the path leading to the entrance of the mansion "The sky is beautiful, isn't it Grey?" Said Eira who was at the back of the Grey. "Yes it is, it is very beautiful.".

This was the end of their little picnic, tomorrow was the day where Grey and Alice were going out to two months journey and it was the time where Grey's life will change forever.