It didn’t take long for my mom and dad to come back from whatever they were doing with those five guys, but thanks to my enhanced senses I smelled blood from them. But I didn’t ask them what they found out or what they did to them, because a five year old should not be asking those questions.

As they reached the house, dad looked around and said “We need to repair the house.”

Mom just nodded at him, then she came near us and said “Are you two alright?”

“We’re okay.” Ralph said.

I didn't say anything but just nodded my head to her question, indicating that I'm alright. Seeing that she smiled and ruffled my hair, then looking at Ralph she said “We will be restarting your magic lesson from now on, so be ready for it.”

Then looking at me she smiled and said “You will join too, as your brother started his training when he was five years old.”

Hearing that I smiled, as that means I can access the mana that is present in this world and also I can know my elemental affinity too.

As I was thinking that dad said, “And Ralph will be training with me in martial arts from now on.” Then looking at me dad said “When you're ten I will train you in the way of martial arts too, so don't worry.”

I just nodded at him, but I couldn't shake off the feeling I’m getting because of the attack by those five people and also the eagerness of mom and dad to teach us magic and martial arts. ‘Something is going on, but I don't know what it is.’

Looking at our parents Ralph asked “What's going on?”

‘Good work bro, now I don't have to waste my time thinking about it.’ As I praised my brother for asking the question silently, I also looked at our parents with a curious face.

Shaking her head, mom said “I'll let you know when you are able to transform. Until then it will be intense training.”

After saying her piece she went to the backyard to do what she had been doing before those guys came here to make a ruckus.

As her shadow was out of our sight, dad spoke with a cheerful smile “You guys don't have to worry about anything okay.”

As both of them went off to do their own things, I looked at Ralph and said “Bro, show me magic.”

Hearing that he smiled and said “I'll show you one magic trick.”

Saying that he extended his hand and with a flick of his finger a small flame was produced on his palm. Looking at it he said “I can only make a flame, because that's the only element I have trained in out of the four.”

With a smile I just nodded at him and hugged him. I said “Thanks bro.”

Hugging me back he slowly patted my head while saying “You're welcome.”

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In the backyard, we could see Robin tending to the plants that are present there and Eric was sitting on the steps, while watching her work.

"Should we move our house?" Eric asked suddenly.

Hearing the question, Robin stopped what she was doing and looked up to the sky and said "Not now. We will move when Rath is able to handle at least one element."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"That's good to hear." Eric said.

Sighing, Robin said "Why are they always after our baby?"

"Well, Rath is a mutant of our species, so it's obvious that they will get a high price for selling him."

As she got the answer to her question, Robin stood up front where she was and walked towards Eric.

Reaching him, Robin turned around and sat down on his lap. As Robin sat down, Eric hugged her from behind.

"You don't have to worry, if anyone tries to do this again, we will just beat them up as we did today."

"I know that, but should we always be running like this?"

"That's all we can do until Rath is able to freely use his transformation and magic."

"So for ten more years we have to keep on running?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Things will happen anyway, so why bother about that, let's live the moment."

With a long exhausted sigh Robin said "Eric, be serious. If you didn't come at the right moment and if that mage was not a coward, he would have taken Rath."

Wryly smiling at that Eric said "Then what should we do? We can't solve this in any way, unless the three human kingdoms abolish slavery all together." Sighing he continued "But that won't happen any time soon. So let's just live our life with our kids, in this forest until our death or when both of them want to be independent."

Robin just nodded at that and closed her eyes while making herself comfortable in her husband's embrace.

Seeing that his wife has chosen to remain silent, Eric slowly started to pat her, while thinking about the future.

After some time, Eric carried Robin into their room and passed by Ralph and Rath who were playing with their toys.

Looking at them Eric said “Moms tired so I’ll be the one to cook.”

Just as they heard that both of them shouted at the same time “We’re not hungry!”

Eric eyed both of his sons and said “I know that my cooking is the worst. I will only reheat the meal we had for lunch.”

“Then we’re hungry.” Both of them said that in unison shamelessly.

Chuckling at their reply Eric said “Alright boys, before eating dinner go and wash up.”

“Yes dad.” Saying that both of them ran outside towards the place where the water is stored for miscellaneous purposes.

As his kids were washing up, Eric placed Robin on their bed and whispered to her “Don’t worry, no one can harm us.”

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At the outskirts of the Silverwood forest, which borders one of the human kingdoms, a man with a vertical scar on his left eye can be seen with his eyes closed.

Around him stood ten people, all having the face of a veteran soldier. They were waiting for the man with a scar to speak first.

Slowly opening his eyes he said "So those five also failed huh?"

"Yes leader."

"Mmm… Any information on the ones who attacked?"

"The assailants are two adult tiger beastkin. Both parents of the target have attacked them."

"I can see that their parental instincts must have kicked in." Then looking at one of the ten people with a bow hung on his back he said "They have been on the run for the past four years, they will run now too. So track them down as we have done before, but at the same time keep the distance. The last two guys who tried to track them have never returned."

"Yes leader, I will keep that in mind."

Saying that the bowman started jogging toward the Silverwood forest.

As he disappeared into the forest, the leader spoke "You guys are dispersed, come back when he returns."

"Yes leader."

The remaining nine people went in different directions, as all his underlings left him the leader picked up a sphere from his inner pocket.

Sending a bit of Mana to it he said "Target acquisition failed."

[Statistics?] Was heard from the sphere.

"Five KIA. Have sent a tracker."

After a bit of silence, the voice from the sphere was heard again [Target has to be in good condition, or you won't get your compensation.]

"Affirmative." Saying that he retrieved his Mana and pocketed the communication sphere.

Then looking at the Silverwood forest he muttered "I'll have him in my hands one day."

After that he also disappeared from that spot.

As the area around that place was free from the presence of humans, an orange bird flew off into the forest from the top of a tree that was near the meeting place of the humans.

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.

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Chapter 2 End