35

At night, Robin insisted on sharing the same room to cut costs. I gave him the bed, whilst I rolled out my trusty bedroll. Before I could fall asleep, I found Robin to have sneaked into my bed. I didn't mind it though, I'm probably a father figure to him. which is strange now that I think about it. I'm sixteen in this life, whilst I was approaching my twenties in my previous. Do I add the two ages together? Or do I just accept that I'm young, but with a more developed body, occupied by a mind that's more mature than others around the same age?

"Don't leave me please..." I turn over to face him. "I know, the nice ladies downstairs told me. You're going to leave me at some orphanage aren't you?"

"Yes, you'll be safe there. There you'll have a roof over your head, a bed and two meals a day."

"No." ... "No, I will follow you."

"But." Mm, how do I explain this... "My path is dangerous, I'm an adventurer." For what I have planned, I can't be dragging a kid along.

"I want to become strong. Like you Mr." A yellowish hue glimmers within his eyes. 

"W-What was that? That phenomenon, that's mana! This kid has potential if he was able to awaken his mana so early. Hell, I didn't awaken mine until Kozumi helped me." - Asai's Internal dialogue.

"Fine. Let's come to an agreement. How about this, you go to the orphanage and stay for at least one year. And after that time, after I've accomplished some of my more risky goals. I will come back for you, and personally teach you." Robin pouted at this. "You're too small too even wield a knife. Grow up a little more, just one year. And I promise I'll come back for you if you stay put."

Robin, without offering any counter-suggestions nodded.

"Good, then tomorrow we'll make out journey. I'm sure they'll welcome you with wide opened arms!" 

Uuuh. I'm not sure whether am I a father-figure or more like a brother-figure to this kid. Anyways, both is fine right?

"What will you be doing in that year?"

"Um, I have a friend, or well. Two friends, I'm looking for them and one of them, if we're lucky enough will help you unlock your potential." I clenched my first imbuing it with harmless mana. With zero intent, the mana simply shun and radiated around my fist before returning to my heart. "This is called mana, I believe you're also capable of this. However, we will need her help to unlock it for you just as she did for me."

"Your girlfriend?" PFFT* If I had a drink in hand, I would've most likely spat it out.

"N-Nah, just a good friend who I owe a few favours too." Seemingly satisfied with my reply Robin nods off, into slumber.

Man, why am I paying for the bed if we're both going to sleep on the floor. Turning around, I too begin to sleep.

I wonder how Mary's doing.