“You know what. Let’s go out of the city.”
“Now?” Mary asked.
“Yeah. Let’s bring the students as well.”
“But the competition will start tomorrow.”
“We can simply teleport back. I think a change of pace will be good for them.”
“Let’s do it,” Stella said.
“Are we going now?” Saphira asked.
“Yep.” Stella raised her hand, and her staff magically appeared with glittering stars particles around it.
Stella smiled and spun her staff, enveloping everyone including the students with tiny, glittering particles.
She swung her staff to the sky. “Teleportation!”
All out of a sudden, the ground disappeared, the wind blew, and they realized that they were falling in the sky.
The students screamed while Aldred and Stella laughed. Sophia held her dress down as the wind blew upward.
“Master! We’re falling from the sky!”
“Relax,” Aldred said.
Their falling speed increased, but when they were about to crash onto a hill, their falling speed decreased, and they gently landed on top of the hill.
The students sighed in relief, and when they saw the view from atop the hill, their eyes widened.
Below them, a sprawling forest lay beautifully before their eyes. Animals, fairies, plants, rivers, and lakes. It was so beautiful. They had never seen something like this before because they stayed in the city their whole lives.
“So beautiful…”
Aldred walked to the edge and took in a deep breath. Saphira then hugged his left arm as she stared into the distance. “This is beautiful.”
Kiara approached him and hugged his right arm.
They stayed like this for a few minutes, until Zafrina called for them.
“Aldred, the mat is ready.”
Aldred turned around, and sat down on the mat along with all of his women. Zafrina smiled and spoon-fed him warm rice drenched in curry.
Mira unpacked a few wooden boxes filled with food and called for the students.
The students cheered when they got more food even though they just finished lunch.
Mary poured tea into a bamboo cup, and then smiled as she handed it to Aldred.
“Thank you.”
“Families don’t thank each other with words.” Mary kissed him on the cheek. “Isn’t that what you taught us?”
Aldred chuckled. “I guess so.”
Krista’s little wings moved ever so slightly as she enjoyed the scenery.
“Krista, do you like what you see?” Aldred asked.
“Un.” Krista turned around and nodded. “Krista likes this place.”
Suddenly, Pongo popped out from her back.
“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while,” Aldred asked.
“Pongo. Pongo.”
“Krista found her when brother Aldred was at school.” She cuddled with Pongo, and Pongo purred like a kitten, enjoying her soft skin rubbing against his body.
Aldred laughed, and threw a big fish at Pongo. The penguin swallowed it all at once.
“You still have a big appetite as usual.”
“Can Krista keep it?” She asked as she hugged the penguin.”
“Oh, you don’t know? That is Pongo. He’s my pet, but he can be yours now.”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
Krista giggled and hugged Pongo even tighter.
The students on the other hand finally realized Krista’s adorable appearance. They were all charmed by her, and invited her to play.
They then ran around, playing on the hill with a penguin and a girl with a pair of angel-like wings.
Aldred chuckled and so did his women. Mareona looked at him with a blush and kissed him on the lips without hesitation.
“What is this? Did you miss my touch?”
“Yeah,” Mareona straightforwardly said.
Aldred smiled and brought her to his embrace as she sat on his lap. He and Mareona hugged each other for a few minutes before his other women took turns with each other.
And even Kiara joined in. Aldred still didn’t understand his relationship with her. She seemed to like him, and he liked her as well, so he had no problem when she approached him.
“Do you like me?” Aldred asked to make sure. Although many people prefer relationships to be made slowly, Aldred already liked her from the start, and not just because of how beautiful she was. She was a kind and caring woman.
“I like you,” Kiara said before kissing him on the lips.
After the kiss, Aldred looked at her. “I will help you regain your memories back.”
Kiara shook her head. “I don’t want to. This is a memory. There is nothing else.”
“Aren’t you curious about who you really are? When I found you, a group of lion-man wanted to kill you. I think the leader of that group was called Parthos Goldenbelt or something.”
Kiara widened her eyes.
“Did you know him?”
“N—No. It just sounds familiar in my ears that is all. How did you know he wanted to kill me?”
“He told me about it. Said it was his brother giving the order. I forgot his brother’s name. Xeres Goldenbelt I think.”
“Xoros. Xoros Goldenbelt.”
“Ah, that’s right. Xoros. Oh, did you recall your memory?”
“J—Just a little bit. But I don’t know who he is or why he wants to kill me.”
“It’s okay. Take it slowly.”
Kiara nodded and Aldred smiled at him as he caressed her head. Looking at his genuine, caring eyes, she felt slightly guilty.
“Aldred, I…”
“Guys! Let’s go fishing by the lake!” Mareona shouted. “It’s nearby.”
“Sure,” Aldred said. “Let’s all go fishing!” He turned to look at Kiara. “Did you want to say something?”
Kiara shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
They all went down the hill and arrived at the lake.
Around the lake were trees with pink flowers. Like a cherry-blossom, and they all bloomed so beautifully. Some of the petals gently landed on the water.
“Did we bring any fishing rods with us?” Mareona asked.
“Who needs a fishing rod?” Aldred stepped forward, and a fire javelin appeared in his hand before a burning chain formed and wrapped around his arm.
He heaved back and threw it at the water. The fire javelin sizzled the water, creating bubbles.
Aldred pulled the chain, and the fire javelin was pulled out of the water with a big colorful fish stuck onto it.
They all clapped and cheered.