All I can do at this point was just curse my own incompetence… All I wanted was a slice of cake damn it! What do I do now, she already dropped the cups and is staring at me wordless right now… How much did she see?

Did she see me transform into my human form or did she just see a young boy start eating food off the table? Endless questions seem to fill my head in our moment of silence… Wait, maybe I can talk to her and make her think I’m harmless!

(Melia) “Kyaaaa!!! Guards! There’s an armed intruder in the Estate!”

Wait… Armed? Oh… CRAP!! I still have my sword hanging behind my belt! Quickly grabbing some more food first, I start running towards the nearest window. I have to get out of view so I can change back without them knowing!

As I run across the room I can hear the rattling of armor getting closer, damn it these guys are fast! Right as I reach the window I throw the piece of meat I grabbed into my mouth and dive through the window. Quickly rolling forward for a moment I regain my balance to break into a dash.

Once I kick off and start running to my dismay I see several guards already encroaching on my position. Unfortunately, I was already in range for a spear wielding guard and I see him swing his spear towards my feet, probably to stop me from running. I quickly reach for my sword and jump into the air swinging down on the spear to get some additional momentum. That way I can kick off his head and jump away from the group…

Or so I had planned.

My sword cut clean through the spear causing the guard to lose his balance. My foot then met his face, splendidly knock him unconscious with a roundhouse kick. This unexpected turn of events caused me to also lose my balance and I had to twist my body sharply to land properly causing this whole string of events to happen. Once I landed I turned around and run away again, isn’t this a bit much for a slice of cake!

(Guards) “Halt! That blasted kid’s fast. Surround him!”

Who’d wait for you guys to catch up! Especially after kicking your co-worker ya fool!

While trying to avoid as much fighting as possible I end up going back towards the estate and tried to run around towards the courtyard. There are a few trees there that are higher than the walls so I should be able to make my escape that way. With 5 guards trailing behind me I turn around the corner of the building towards the Guest House to be greeted by two more guards.

(Guards) “He’s here! We got him!”

They both pull out their swords and come to attack me. Their teamwork isn’t bad honestly, the first swung at me and the second swung after I blocked the first strike. Once again these guys are going for my feet so I jump over the second guard’s sword and twist my body and kick the first guard in the abdomen as hard as I could. He ended up flying into the wall…

Uh… whoops… I forgot I’m much stronger than before.

(Guard) “You damned brat!”

The remaining guard follows up his last attack with an upward slice forcing me to toss my sword into my left hand to block his attack, flinging me into the air. With a light thump I land on the terrace of the Guest House. So I just go with the flow and run inside.

Good thing we aren’t entertaining any guests today so I don’t have to worry about running into anyone inside and run through until I reach another window and climb up onto the roof. The roof should be a good place to run away and change back since it should be high enough to be out of sight that is until my foot is grabbed and pulled down. I quickly try to grab a hold of roof but to no avail I end up on the ground from the second floor…

“That was dangerous ya bastard!”

I yell into the window… It was one of the butlers who looks like your typical Sebastian types...He slowly closes the window, paying me no heed. I’ll get you back later! I swear... but for now… RUN!

(Guards) “Did you guys hear that?!”

I’m so getting that butler back for this…

I continue to try to make my way to the courtyard while trying to not let the guards catch up. After getting throw out the window of the Guest House I run towards the main house and head towards the servant’s quarters but get intercepted AGAIN by another guard.

Why didn’t they ALL follow me in there and make my life easier… Do you guys enjoy my suffering!?! Getting a better look at the guard… he looks familiar? I’m greeted with a swift stab aimed for my shoulder. I barely the attack by shifting my weight to my right.

But before I could counter the guard’s shield hits me directly in the face knocking me off my feet. Slightly disoriented I attempt to land on my feet but ended up on all fours… This guy’s one of the guards assigned to watch me before!

(Guard) “State your business boy, why did you infiltrate here and who sent you.”

This guy isn’t half bad honestly, my blood is boiling… it’s been awhile since I’ve had a fun fight!

“Don’t want to. Why don’t you try and make me?”

I place my hand on my sword and run towards the guard, I might not have all my gear but this will be a nice handicap for me.

(Guard) “If that’s your answer then come!”

I’m already going, idiot… The guard does the same thing as before…? He stabs at me with his sword again but this time I parry with my sword and kick his shield as he tries to bash it into me again. From the force of my kick he’s pushed back a couple steps… Still standing though.

(Guard) “I am called Fei Fen Gesicht, I would require you to state your name young man.”

Gah, this guy is really annoying me do you really need to talk so much? I liked him better when he didn’t talk!  

”… Can’t you speak like a normal person?”

It’s seriously bugging me… the way this guy talks.

(Fen) “I speak in the same manner as a common person.”

I cut him off with a kick to the head knocking him out. Any more and I think I’d have to stab him to death out of annoyance!

(Guards) “He got the Captain! Don’t be afraid he’s just one child!”

… I let out a sign and turn around… I’m surrounded by another 6 guards… I may have played with that annoying guard a bit too much.

After knocking out all of the guards I finally make it to the Courtyard and head towards the tree… To see the Duke, Duchess and Lila standing below it. I let out another sigh… all I wanted was a slice of cake damn it! The Duke is standing in front of his family while the Duchess is crouched down behind holding Lila.

(Duke) “What is it that you wanted boy? If you are here for my life, take it but leave my wife and daughter. Otherwise if it is within my ability I will assist you, so please stop this attack on my estate!”

Great! Now they think I’m an Assassin!

“Sir, I have no intention of harming you, your family… or anyone in this estate.”

I look the Duke straight in the eyes as I speak and put my hands up.

“If the guards will stop trying capture me I’ll leave quietly; this is just a large misunderstanding.”

The Duke seems to be sizing me up right now and not too convinced when I hear Lila begin to cry.

(Lila) “You didn’t hurt Blackie did you! She’s still not here… She would come running if something happened!”

Hearing this the Duke places his hand on his sword and moves between us. First things first I have to calm down poor Lila.

“Lila, don’t worry I didn’t hurt...uhh... Blackie.”

Ah… crap… I’m not supposed to know Lila’s name if I’m not here for them.

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(Duchess) “Darling… Do you know this boy?”

The Duchess asks Lila as she strokes her head.

(Lila) “No Mommy, I don’t know who he is.”

(Duke) “I knew it! You’re here to hurt my daughter!”

The duke draws his sword and points it at me while I can hear Lila’s cries get more distressed. Well then… Game over.

“Now calm down for a moment, I would NEVER hurt Lila and she knows it!”

I revert just my eyes and stare at Lila. She quickly breaks free from her mother’s embrace and runs towards me, the Duke was still hesitant and was still guarded. Lila was able to run past her father before the Duchess could cry out, desperately trying to catch her daughter who was running towards a suspected assassin.

(Lila) “Blackie!”

This little girl runs towards me and gives me a hug.

“This little girl, you’re too trusting! Please hesitate a bit and be leveled headed like your father, it’ll be easier on our hearts!”

Now for the fun part… explaining myself…

Once everything calmed down for a bit I was asked to explain my situation, currently the Duke and Duchess are sitting across the table from me side by side, Lila is sitting next to me tugging on my shirt while the stupid maid and butler are standing behind the Duke and Duchess.

The Butler definitely has that perfect butler aura about him he stands at a distance to be out of the Dukes sight yet within reach if he needs anything. He seems to be in his mid twenties? His hair black like mine, eyes seemingly full of experience.  

I had to start with the fact that I could understand everything going on from the start. The look on that stupid maid’s face when she heard that was priceless! I didn’t know her face could contort so much and couldn’t help having an explosive laughing fit.

(The Sebastian looking butler) “I apologize for my previous disrespect Sir… Blackie?”

I cut in right after he calls me Blackie.

“Ah, about that… I have an actual name. My name’s Kurogane.”

In front of me everyone seemed to nod in unison without any problems… then I turn to see Lila pouting. Currently puffing up her face like a puffer fish, but much… much cuter. She then points at my face.

(Lila) “Blackie!”

I guess that was to be expected… If your dog suddenly started talking and told you that it wants to be called something else…

(Duchess) “Lila dear, be a good girl… he’s called Kuwogahneigh”

She seems to have difficulty saying my name but it is a foreign name for them, so it will take time. Little Lila continues to pout and I end up pulling on her cheeks.

“Little girl, I’m fine with being called Blackie. However, my name is Kurogane and would be happy if you used that name instead.”

Lila looks like she’s processing what I said for a moment and nods energetically.

(Duke) “So Kurogane, I dislike prying into another’s personal life, however as members of the same family I have several questions. You seemed very skilled while fighting our guards and proficient with a sword. Would you mind explaining?”

The duke currently looks very serious and I guess I’m going to have to make this up as I go. I explain that I have lived in the forest I was found in for a while and had learned the language from an abandoned carriage containing books. Later on I had learned how to transform into a human and learned to fight while I was hunting.

The sword I felt I had no way to explain it other than by telling the truth, omitting any information about Roy and Lena. If the village is hidden, it’s usually hidden for a reason and I’d rather NOT be the reason that ended. While I was talking with the Duke, Lila seemed to become restless and start tugging on my shirt.

She’s just so damn cute! I end up patting her on the head as we talked and the Duke and Duchess seem to be satisfied with my explanation. Once everything was settled I requested to meet with the guards I had fought with and apologized for being so rough and then thanked them for making such efforts to keep my family safe.

The guards were very understanding it seemed, though some of them wanted to have some more sparring rounds later on. The last person I talked to ended up being the captain from before whom I feel the worst about.

(Fen) “I hear you are called Kurogane. I would like to commend your skills with a blade and would request a bout at a later date.”

Ah… I forgot this guy has that annoying way of speaking, what does he think he’s some sort of knight or something?

(Fen) “Your fighting style is very peculiar; I would like to inquire on whom is your master?”

Holding in my rising annoyance I reply

“It’s a self-taught style, honestly I can’t even use a tenth of my techniques as I am right now. Nor do I see the need to at this moment… As for the bout I would be fine with one anytime Lila’s ok with me leaving her side.”

Lila whom has been tagging along with me glares at Fen who takes a step back and smiles.

(Fen) “I shall keep that in mind.”

Phew… All this grief just for some cake… speaking of cake… I think it’s lunch time~! As my mind is filled with food I with Lila following leave towards the courtyard but get stopped by the stupid maid and the Sebastian butler after we exit…What now?

(Melia) “Lila your parents wish to spend some more time with you please follow me.”

She’s avoiding eye contact with me right now… it’s slightly amusing honestly.

(Sebastian?) “Sir Kurogane, if I may have a moment to speak with you.”

It seems like they want to separate us, which honestly isn’t that bad of an idea. I mean it is Lila’s birthday and everything, following me around would be a waste of a celebration.

“Go ahead Lila I’ll head that direction after my chat.”

Lila who was hesitant before agrees and follows the stupid maid away. The butler then looks me straight in the eyes and introduces himself.

“Forgive my impoliteness, I was unable to find a good time to introduce myself. I am the Head butler Sebas, who oversees the servants of this manor.”

He’s shortening his name I know it… his name HAS to be Sebastian there’s no way it isn’t. I mean he’s even the HEAD Butler, not a regular but the HEAD Butler.

“Pleasure’s mine Sebastian.”

(Sebas) “Sebas is my name Sir Kurogane.”

This guy! He’s just a Sebastian and he dare try to hide it!  As I glare daggers at the Head Butler he coughs and continues.

“Sir Kurogane, the young miss is at the age where she will start her tutorage and I would like to humbly ask you to keep her safe. There is also the matter of the Guest House where I had pulled you from the roof… you are hopefully unharmed?”

Ah! I forgot this bastard made me fall from the roof!  Grrr… he did mention that Lila is going to study though… it probably won’t hurt to learn some more about this world. I only really do understand it as the Elves see it… and there’s that fact that I’m not familiar with… Wait all I learned was the Elvish and Human languages and a little bit of magic…

I STILL KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE!