In a weakly lit room stood a big round table with about twelve seats.

Behind each seat, there was a door with strange symbols engraved on them.

At the center of the round table floated a ball-shaped green crystal

and around it circled a few hologram-like projections.

Occupying one of the seats was a short girl with a short, messy white hair and black eyes.

A large black horn was growing out of her forehead.

She wore a long white dress with a few black colored decorations.

Looking at the heap of paper in front of her, she had a tiresome look on her face.

After the while, one of the doors have started to slowly open.

From behind the door, a skeleton with a mannequin head walked into the room,

dressed in pure black robe that looked like it was absorbing the little light the room had into it.

On its shoulders, four small broken dolls danced happily.

[Hello there Minerva, it's been awhile. How are you ?]

Skeleton Lady greeted the other party and asked.

[Hello my ass, have you finally decided to show up, GAIA ?!]

Minerva was pissed, she asked while staring at the Skeleton Lady with her black eyes.

[There's no need to be angry, ya know? I just didn't show up on a few gatherings, that's all...]

Skeleton Lady, Gaia, answered calmly.

[A few ? A FEW ?! I didn't see you since forever and when it looked like you were finally going to show up,

only your dolls come out of that door. To make matters worse,

they told me that you have sent a damned red soul into MY world.

What were you even thinking, are you messing with me ?!?!]

Minerva screamed at Gaia.

Gaia just calmly walked to the round table and sit on her seat.

She started to feel a little bit nostalgic as she didn't come here in a very long time.

[Calm down, Nana and Gaga should have informed you about the reason, no ?]

[Haaa, they only said that you have sent one red soul to test the system, that's all...

But do you really think that I would just be like "Oh, ok" and ignore it ?]

Minerva answered.

[That's all there is to it, really. What else do you want to know ?] Gaia asked

[WHY.A.RED.ONE ? No really, why ? You could have picked up any other soul to test it...

And if you really wanted to send me another "Demon lord" candidate,

you could have just sent me a black one and be done with it.]

Minerva answered as she was scratching her messy hair.

[Ha, where's the fun in that ?]

[GAIA, I'm serious here. What makes you think it won't go on a killing spree like the rest of them?]

Minerva asked with a serious face as she stood up from her seat.

[Minerva, we have known each other for a long time now, so you should know me very well by now, right ?]

[I really wish I didn't... So ?] Minerva asked.

[How would you describe me ?] Gaia asked with a smile.

[A self-centered, lazy bitch with a ugly personality,

who won't even lift a finger if it didn't benefit her in any way.

That sums it up, I think... So? Is there a point to this ?]

Minerva answered to Gaia as her mood improved after letting go what was on her chest.

[Wow, that's harsh. Anyway... Me and that red soul have a very similar ego, so I let him go.

So you don't have to worry about him going on a killing spree,

as he probably won't do anything that doesn't benefit him.]

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As Gaia was answering, Minerva facepalmed.

[You got to be shiting me, that's the reason ?] Minerva was astonished.

[What, It would be a waste to just throw him into the Demon realm.

He is perfect for testing the system...]

Gaia answered unconvincingly.

[Fine, that's enough. By the way, are you staying here this time ?] Minerva asked.

[Of course. After all, I wish to watch him grow...]

Gaia answered with a creepy smile,

as she was looking at the projection showing an elf mother teaching her child how to read...

..........

And just like that, another Lun has gone by and it was time for mother and father to depart.

I won't lie, I'm become to like them both and am very sad to see them go, but I won't stand in their way.

This is their choice, and I'm going to respect it.

Currently, we are in front of the mansion saying goodbye to grandpa and grandma,

before we head to the Fronto family inn.

[Take care out there, son. This is the path you chosen, don't stray away from it.]

Grandpa said with a sad smile.

[Protect each others, and take care.]

Grandma said with teary eyes.

[We will, and you too. We'll miss you greatly.]

Father said as he hugged grandpa, then grandma.

[Thank you for taking care of us, It was fun spending time with you all.]

Mother said as she hugged grandma, then grandpa.

[Of course. Have a safe journey...]

[...and may the gods watch over you.]

Said grandpa and grandma.

After saying goodbye to them, we headed to the Fronto resident.

On the street, they said their goodbyes to the people they know.

Even the guards Kai and Cripin were sad to see them go.

Not too long after, we arrived in front of the inn, where Calvin and Miranda were waiting.

[Howard, my old friend, I'm gonna miss the time we spent together...]

Calvid said with a sad face.

[Me too Calvin, me too...]

Father said as he hugged Calvin tightly.

[I'm glad I came to know you all, wish we could spend more time together with you...]

Mother said as she was hugging Miranda.

[We too, it's sad to see you go so soon after coming here. Take care...] Miranda answered.

As they took their bags and were ready to go, father turned towards me and give me one of the bags.

I already have one bag with clothes with me so I was confused.

[Arian, this is the magic bag. In here are a few presents from us, Calvin will show you how to use it...]

Before I could take the magic bag that father was holding, mother suddenly hugged me and started to cry.

[Be a good boy and listen to what Calvin and Miranda are saying.]

She said as she was trying to wipe her tears.

Looking at father, even his eyes are starting to water up.

Not being able to hold up, he let out a tear as he hugged me, giving me the magic bag.

[Get along well with Bernard and Myla, and don't forget to train and study...]

Father managed to say.

[I will] I managed to answer.

[We love you very, very much...]

Mother said as the tears continued to fall.

[I love you too]

I didn't plan to cry, but this moment was too emotional.

Tears started flowing out of my eyes. This is why I always hated goodbyes....

After awhile, they let me go. As they were wiping their tears,

a caravan master has come to tell them that the caravan will soon leave the village.

[We are going now, stay strong.]

Father said to me and then turned towards Calvin.

[Take care of him...]

[We will, you have nothing to worry about.] Calvin answered.

After saying our goodbyes, they went with caravan master.

The trade caravan was traveling from Immitrex city to the southwest of the Kingdom,

only coming to the Veles village to resupply, or so I overheard.

After greeting the other passengers, mother and father boarded the wagon as they waited to depart.

After they were gone, I moved inside the inn to unpack.

Myla and Bernard were already in my room, waiting to help me out and cheer me up if need be.

[Are you alright ?] Bernard asked worryingly.

[I'm fine, just a little tired...] I answered

[Heee, okay. Then let's finish this up as fast as we can, so we can go for a swim in the hot spring.]

Bernard said as he already started putting my clothes into the chest.

[That's sound like a great idea...]

I answered, still rubbing my eyes.

..........Later that evening..........

Calvin was sitting at the table, cleaning his armor and sword. Miranda was sitting across him, drinking coffee.

They were both silent for a while. Unable to handle the silence any longer, Calvin asked.

[So... Did Arian already go to bed ?]

[He did, right after he got out of the hot spring...] Miranda answered.

[I see. It must be hard for him...] Calvin added.

[He's probably too young to realise that this sol may be the last time he saw his parents....]

Miranda said...

[That's probably for the best...] Calvin answered.

As they remembered him crying just this morning, they began to wonder if they can do something for him to cheer up.

He was their friend's son, and they planned to do everything they can to help him out.

But they began to worry as they didn't know how to interact with him,

especially because he was so different from any other child his age.

[Well, looks like it's going to be awkward around here for a while...] Calvin joked a little.

[Haha, I hope it will not. I want Arian to feel just like at home here.] Miranda replied.

As they looked through the kitchen window outside, they wondered how will this change their lives.

But no matter what the future has in store for them, they were happy to have a new member of their family.