The journey back to our village was surprisingly shorter than the one to Clare House Village and far more pleasant. During our return, we encountered a variety of creatures such as rats, frogs, and dragonflies. Thankfully, they posed no threat to us due to their low level of strength and their presence was limited.

Unlike our initial trip, we now had the advantage of daylight, enabling us to observe everything more clearly. About an hour into our journey, we stumbled upon a fascinating Bosphorus-colored plant-like substance. It resembled a floating balloon and seemed like a delightful discovery. Despite its size not being significant, it appeared to be capable of accommodating up to three people on the top.

We were eager to bring these intriguing plants back with us, so we carefully dug out three of them and securely tied them to our carts. However, as we began to move, an unexpected issue arose as the carts started to lighten and lift off the ground. In response, we had to abandon the idea of using the carts and resorted to carrying the plants ourselves. The men took charge of carrying them, while the women monitored and cared for the horses.

Transporting the plants back to the village demanded a great deal of effort and strength, effectively turning it into an impromptu exercise session. Despite the challenge, I found satisfaction in the physical activity it provided us.

"Uncle Rommie!" My nephew's excited voice rang out as he caught sight of me approaching. He rushed toward me with such enthusiasm that I almost let go of the plants I was carrying. He was completely fascinated by the plants, even attempted to climb up on them.

"Welcome back, you guys! I see you've brought back some goodies," Ted said with a smile.

"Sure did!" I replied. "We stopped by Sarah’s family’s village—place is amazing. Got me thinking we need a makeover here."

John, always quick with an opinion, agreed. "Right? This place could use a little life." He gestured around, envisioning improvements.

But Ted had his priorities. "Security first," he interjected. "I’ve been learning brickwork. Once the walls are up, we can focus on the aesthetics."

With a smirk, John shrugged. "If you insist, brick master."

There were other earth magic users among us, each with their own specializations. Some focused on crafting chairs to sit on, a skill that demanded tremendous effort and concentration. With enough practice, they believed they could achieve remarkable results.

Harnessing this strange power made rebuilding much more manageable for us. Although life had been on hold for a few months, we were finally making progress. However, returning to the level we were before the disaster would likely take years, perhaps even beyond my lifetime.

"You guys settle in first, then you can check out the walls," Ted suggested.

"I can't wait; I'm going to check it out right away," Kero said enthusiastically.

John agreed, saying sarcastically, "Me too, it sounds exciting." He wanted the place to look appealing to the eyes but I'm sure he knows security is priority.

Meanwhile, Sarah, Celestia, and I went to visit our respective parents. We were the fortunate ones with surviving family members.

My mother specialized in healing techniques to mend injuries and sickness. Healing was a complex art—cuts, bruises, and burns were relatively easy to treat, taking minutes or hours to heal depending on the severity. However, certain illnesses, like cancer, remained beyond our capabilities. Yet, common ailments like colds and flu could be cured. We couldn't fully comprehend the intricacies of the healing powers, but it was undoubtedly a blessing. When healing was activated, a bright white or green light emanated, possibly signifying divine intervention.

I felt grateful that my mother was at the forefront of this important work. She had always aspired to gather enough resources to help the needy and purchase medicines, but fate seemed to have other plans for her. Life's unpredictability led her to become a healer with herbs and magic. They do say God has a sense of humor

"Hey, son, you're back! How was your trip?" My mother embraced me warmly.

"It was...a mix of fun and scary. We discovered other villages that are also developing and innovating," I replied.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

My mother was curious. "Scary? What happened? And I'm sure there are many other bright minds out there besides you, son."

"Indeed, there are. But, well, there are powerful monsters out there that could pose a threat to our small community. Oh, and I almost forgot...there was this girl," I said, trying to shift the focus.

My mother laughed, knowing my attempt to change the subject. "Well, I'm just glad you're back safe, my dear. And don't worry, you'll give me a grandchild one day...finally." Her teasing about grandchildren reminded me of my age, almost 21 years old, yet still feeling like there was so much to experience and explore in this world

By the way, son, have you noticed how much younger you look lately?" my mom asked. Startled by her observation, I took a moment to study her, and indeed, she seemed to exude a youthful aura as well. Thanking her for pointing it out, I excused myself to find Ted and see if he had undergone any similar changes.

Amidst my quest, I ran into my sister Janessa, who was delighted to see me after my journey. Though happy to see her too, my curiosity about this peculiar phenomenon propelled me forward. After exchanging warm hugs and confirming my return, I ventured around asking people to estimate my age. The responses varied between 15 and 18, leaving me both amused and intrigued. It seemed I looked younger than my actual age, and the thought brought a smile to my face.

I couldn't help but notice that Sarah and the others also bore a youthful appearance, not a day over 20.

Approaching Kero, John, and Sarah, I posed the question, "How old do you think I look?"

With a playful grin, John replied, "Around 17, give or take."

"Agreed," Kero added.

Sarah chimed in, "Definitely around that age."

I then inquired about Kero's rank in the army, which led to the revelation that he had served as a lieutenant. I found it intriguing that he hadn't assumed a leadership role within our group, given his expertise as a survival specialist. However, I respected the unique skills each of us brought to the table, contributing to the group's overall strength.

"What's my rank got to do with this.? He asked.

"Just another way to know your age." I said.

"You could have just asked me my age." Said Kero

Curiosity still gnawed at me, and I couldn't help it. Sarah then immediately chimed in and said "I'm 21 just like you," then asked, "How old are the rest of you?"

"I'm 21, just like you," John replied.

Kero disclosed, "I'm 25."

Each of us appeared significantly younger than expected. It was an odd phenomenon that warranted further exploration, but John dismissed my speculations, urging me to rest or have a good meal.

Despite our youthful appearances, we had proven ourselves capable, steering the village towards progress and development. Age was just a number, and our collective efforts had elevated us to positions of leadership and responsibility

The plants I brought back had piqued the curiosity of my nephew and his little friends, who were determined to climb to the top. The plant was a strange sight, towering nearly two stories high.

Robert and Landa were there, patient and encouraging, teaching the kids how to ascend the peculiar flora. Their affinity for children was evident, as they joyfully guided the little ones. Watching the kids' happiness filled me with a sense of determination to become stronger and better equipped to protect them.

"Hey Rome, glad to see you're back safe. I already saw John and Kero. They gave me an account of what happened. You're all so lucky." Said Robert with a smile.

"Hey weakling, heard you got your ass handed to you out there." Said Landa with a smile. She then continued, " while you guys were away we protected the area from monsters trying to eat our animals and crops. I think we've gotten even stronger in the few days you all have been gone."

"Yea, yea, yea....thanks for keeping the village safe oh great stronger princess." I replied with a respectful bow.

The constant presence of monsters lurking in the vicinity made me anxious, as I couldn't predict when they might launch an attack on our village again. Though we hadn't experienced a full-blown assault, some close calls reminded us of the lurking danger.

To better safeguard the village, Robert, Ted and the others organized patrols with rotating shifts, ensuring constant vigilance. Our hunting parties ventured beyond our boundaries to gather food while also serving as guardians for the outskirts. In our absence they had done all this and I was extremely grateful.

Now that we had returned, I believed it was time to venture out again, to assess the situation and stay one step ahead of potential threats. They hadn't seen what we have seen a few days ago and something that Mr. Swayden had said just stuck with me. Will someone really try to take our village when they can just come live together with us??

As the day progressed, I informed the others of my plan to embark on a scouting run the following day.

"I'll be going out alone tomorrow." I said.

"Think you're strong enough now and don't need us anymore I see." Said John with his jovial carefree attitude.

"I'll be going out alone sometimes as well." Said Kero.

It seems like we were both thinking alike.

Despite the dangers, we insisted on going alone, yearning for personal training and solitude.

While chatting with my companions, we enjoyed a delightful meal of chicken and fried dumplings made from corn and wheat, a delectable treat prepared by Celestia and her father.

The evening enveloped us with a calming cool breeze, accompanied by the gentle melodies of crickets and other insects, evoking memories of simpler times spent in the countryside with my family. I had cherished those moments, relishing the clean air and freedom of thought.

However, the present circumstances were far from carefree. The village's safety weighed heavily on my mind, and I was determined to bolster my strength and skills to protect the community and its young residents from lurking threats.