"Grandma."
Regius's enthusiastic voice rang out and he opened his arms toward Claire with a bright smile. Just like Dynn, he had green hair and a pair of brownish eyes.
Just like Claire and Dynn a few old elves stepped out from their wooden houses to meet him when they heard his thunderous shouts.
Almost all the elves living in the village knew about Regius because he spent most of his childhood with them. Moreover, he was the only brightness in Claire's life after she lost her only son in an unfortunate incident
However, he left the village when turned 17 years old to enter an Academy and chase after his dreams of becoming someone strong just like Dynn and his deceased father.
Regius lips twitched when Claire stood in front of him and gave him a deadly stare. He waited with open arms for a minute but no one hugged him back. In the end, he chuckled nervously and scratched his head.
'She is angry.'
A few beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he looked at Dynn for help but only shook his head with a grave expression.
"He is done for."
No one knew who said it but in the next second a loud smack landed on Regius's shoulder and he winced faintly.
Regius wanted to protest but seeing Claire's angry face he shut his mouth and looked at her with pitiful eyes.
"I am sorry grandma."
Dynn saw his wife back and silently grinned with satisfaction. Finally, he was not the only one who was getting beaten up.
His thoughts were cut short because after hitting Regius his wife turned around and glared at him with furious eyes.
"What are you laughing for?"
"No, I am not!"
"You are not allowed to step in the house!"
With a cold hump, Claire turned around and started walking. Regius silently followed behind her. He threw a mischievous grin at Dynn who stood outside with a wronged expression.
Kyle saw them approaching and stepped away but Regius's eyes narrowed at his figure.
"Who is this?"
He pointed at Kyle with a frown because it was not every day a young boy appeared in their village. Not to mention such a handsome and weak-looking one.
In the next second, he gasped with surprise because he noticed Kyle's ears weren't pointy. It was not rare to see humans in their Kingdoms but he didn't expect to see one standing in front of his house.
Claire looked at Kyle and a smirk appeared on her face.
"He is my son. You have any problem?"
"What! I was just away for two years and you made a son!"
Another smack landed on his head and he clicked his tongue. Claire sighed and rubbed his head gently.
"You said you would come back once in a while to meet me but you didn't even bother to pick up my calls. That's why I am angry."
Regius grabbed her hand with a smile.
"I am sorry. It's my mistake I won't do it again."
Afterward, they entered the house and Claire introduced him to Kyle. At first, Ragius was skeptical about Kyle's sudden arrival at their village but when he didn't sense anything from Kyle and saw his weak appearance he threw the matter in the back of his head.
Anyway, he would beat Kyle up if the latter tried to do anything funny.
The day turned into night and after dinner Claire finally let Dynn enter the house.
On the other hand, Kyle and Regius both left the couple alone and went to walk in the village for a while.
At night, the stars were twinkling in the sky. The village roads were brightened with many lamps hanging on the trees. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.
Kyle looked around and didn't see anyone. Maybe the old elves liked to sleep early. Regius silently walked beside him but after a few minutes, he wasn't able to take it and blurted out.
"Who are you silver hair? How did you get here? You look younger than me and so weak.. did your parents sell you to some evil thugs but because you wanted freedom you ran away."
Regius frowned when he thought about slavery. It was banned everywhere but a few hidden organizations would do this type of business to please the nobles and earn easy money. Due to these trashy organizations' existence, a few greedy couples would sell their young kids who were deemed unworthy and weak.
Moreover, a few months ago Regius and his classmates were assigned to catch a similar group of people who kidnapped beautiful elves girls and sold them in the other kingdoms. So he was personally able to witness the pain of those girls who were chained like animals.
After witnessing such a devasting scene, he was unable to interact with the others normally. He even stopped talking to his grandparents and it took him a while to expect that the world wasn't as beautiful as he thought. Only when he knew he was alright did he return home.
Kyle eyed Regius from the corner of his eyes and mused inwardly. He could see Regius's expression turned rigid when he talked around 'evil thugs'.
'Maybe he experienced something bad?'
After spending a few hours with Regius, Kyle knew the latter imagination was very wild. He thought for a second and turned around to look at Regius.
"No, my parents didn't sell me. They just kicked me out because I was the weakest among my siblings."
'Wow, how can I lie so effortlessly? If Neon and Ray heard this line they are going to beat me up!'
Regius sighed and tapped his shoulder.
"It's alright. Everyone has to suffer one way or another in their life."
Kyle nodded with a solemn expression.
'I will indeed suffer if my father knew I badmouthed him behind his back. So that's why I will take this secret to my grave.'
Regius smiled and held out his hand.
"Anyway, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Regius Gravis. I am 19 years old. Currently, I am studying in the 'Lune Academy' as a senior student."
Kyle looked at his hand and shook it slightly.
"Kyle Ohan. I am 18 years old."
Regius chuckled at his serious expression and when they returned home, Claire was truly surprised to see them acting friendly toward each other.
Kyle stayed with the old couple for two days and patiently waited for Dynn to get a communication device so he could contact the Academy but Dynn would make some excuses to avoid the topic
Kyle was perplexed because he wanted to leave as soon as possible but then Regius patted his shoulder with a serious expression and told him a hidden secret.
"Claire liked you. She wants to adopt you as her son or grandson. So I don't think they will buy a communication device in this life."
"Anyway, who do you want to contact didn't your family kick you out? It's better if you stay here with Claire. She is a good mother and will take care of you."
Kyle looked at Regius's expression and knew he was serious. He almost wanted to facepalm himself because his lie backfired.
"I want to contact my friends and I want to go back because they would be worried about me."
Regius raised his brow and nodded.
"How about it, I am leaving for the Academy tomorrow you can come with me. I would have given you my communication device but it's not with me right now. I left it in the Academy."
Kyle thought for a while and agreed. It was not a bad idea.
Next day early morning, both of them got ready to leave but Claire stopped them with tears.
She patted Kyle's hand and looked at Regius with angry eyes.
"You want to leave than just go alone why are you taking my son with you? Look at him he looked so pale. The city life is very dangerous for him. It's better he stayed with me. I will ask Dynn to get a communication device."
Regius laughed and removed Claire's hands holding Kyle.
"Grandma, I know you very well. You will never let him go. Also, don't worry about him, I will protect this weak fry."
Kyle shook his head when he heard their conversation. He tapped Regius's shoulder with a serious expression.
Regius turned around and looked at him with a frown.
"What? Don't worry she can't force you to stay here. We will leave together."
"No, it's not that. I just want to say I am not weak I can protect myself."
Kyle said with a serious expression but Regius burst into laughter.
"Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You looked a little buffy but because of your pale skin, you look very weak. Even your hands look so delicate, I believe you never held a weapon in your hands?"
Regius eyed his hands but then mumbled slowly.
"Why can't I sense your rank? Did you not go through the awakening process?"
Kyle wanted to reply when Dynn entered the room.
"Regius, time to leave. You have to travel on foot from here. After you reached the border of the village a merchant cargo would be waiting for you there. They will send you to a nearby Teleportation Array."
Regius nodded and pointed at Claire.
"Grab your wife, Kyle is leaving with me."
Dynn eyes narrowed slightly but he nodded and stopped Claire.
Kyle sighed and with Regius, he left the room.
The moment they stepped outside the room, Claire's angry cry resounded in their ears.
"Dynn! You are done for!"
Kyle looked at Regius and both of them sped up, instantly leaving the house to not get involved in the couple's fight.
