"Hehe," Nelli giggled at the sight of the explosion and looked proud of herself. "Good Job, Nelli," said Ben, giving a thumbs up.

"Oi!, What's going on here!? What did you do!?" Robert sprung open the door, shouting at them.

Neli and Ben made their way back to Robert, Nate following behind. The kids with their heads down said in unison, "Sorry~." However, they showed no sign of sorry as Nate can see they are still smiling.

"We were just practicing our powers," said Nelli innocently.

Nate was impressed at the act of the kids but he could see that Robert was not buying it.

"I told you already. No, using Atwon or Magic without supervision from me. Ben, you are the oldest. Is this how you want to set an example? By recklessly using powers that could harm or even kill you and your sister?" scolded Robert at the kids.

Nate, looking at the kids saw that they were no longer smiling. 'Robert is right. The kids are strong however their bodies are fragile. At least they seem to realize their mistake.'

He then glanced at Nate and said, "You even dragged Nate into this. You are grounded for 2 weeks." Robert shook his head.

"Come, dinner's ready." he leads the kids back inside with a strict face. As Nate entered the dining room, his sense was filled with the delicious aroma of the soup. As an Origin, he can stay without feeling hungry for a long time. But, he still decided to join them at the table.

As they sat down, Kun started to fill each bowl with soup. "You guys will be practicing tomorrow, right? So, I made meat and vegetable soup," Kun said with a smile.

Underneath Kun's smile, Nate could see that she was tired.

"Thanks, Kun, this looks amazing!" Robert, also noticing the tiredness, gave Kun a kiss on the cheek.

He then drank the soup in one swoop, slamming the bowl back down on the table. "Taste amazing too!" he said. "They ask me how I am so strong! Wait till they get a taste of this." he joked, trying to lift Kun's mood.

"Thank you, dear. But we can't let everyone know your secret now, can we," replied Kun with a chuckle as she refilled Robert's bowl.

Nelli and Ben also started drinking the soup fast. Kun's soup eased the tension between them and Robert.

Nate gazed down at the steaming soup before him, and slowly lifted a spoonful to his lips. The warm broth flowed down his throat, sending a wave of comfort through him. For the first time since his redemption, he felt a sense of relaxation wash over him.

"When was the last time I was able to enjoy a peaceful meal?" he wondered, his thoughts drifting back to times with those he loved. But the fleeting moment of tranquility was quickly shattered by a nagging question that entered his mind.

"My kingdom... is it lost forever? And what of my people?" The emptiness he felt was palpable, as he was consumed by thoughts of failure and loss. But then, determination filled him, and he knew what he must do. "No... my kingdom may be gone, but I will not abandon my people. I must find them, I cannot fail again."

"So Nate," Kun called out, waking Nate from his thoughts. "Have you thought of where you want to go or do?"

"Yes." Nate answered, "I have a place in mind but, I do not know where it is."

"I see..." replied Kun, "Oh! I have an idea. There's a library in the town where I used to learn my medicines. It might have some books there about maps and locations."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Nate's eyes lit up for a moment. 'A library in a middle of a town?' he thought. 'Times really are different huh... makes me wonder if I am even in the same world.'

"However," Kun began, her voice tinged with concern, "gaining access to the library can be a bit challenging if you're not an adventurer or a guild member."

"I see," Nate responded, his thoughts racing. 'Seems like things aren't as straightforward as I hoped. The guild seems to wield significant influence here. I need to learn more about the guild and its role in these changes.' A frown etched its way onto Nate's face, his frustration beginning to show.

Robert, attuned to Nate's emotions, offered reassurance. "Don't worry, Nate. I have connections within the town. I'll reach out to some of my acquaintances, and I'm sure we can find a way to help you."

Nate nodded, a mix of determination and curiosity in his eyes. He then finished his soup, "Kun, that was a nice meal." he expressed with a hint of warmness, pushing his chair back slightly. "I'll head to my room now... I could use some rest."

Kun's smile radiated with understanding. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Nate. Have a good night." Acknowledging her words with a curt nod, he stood up and made his way upstairs to his room. As he stepped inside, he observed the simplicity of the space. A bed and a solitary drawer were the room's only occupants, hinting at its infrequent use. His mind wandered, pondering about the room's history and its former inhabitants. Could it have always been intended for guests, or did someone else once call this space home? The room's cleanliness caught his attention, despite its underutilized state. He deduced that Kun must have tidied up and arranged the bed for his comfort. However, as his gaze swept through the room, he caught a hint of dust on the ceiling, a detail Beyoung Kun reached during her preparations. A faint smirk tugged at his lips, a subtle acknowledgment of the inherent imperfections. In his own guarded way, he allowed the dust to remain, a reminder of the boundaries he kept.

As Nate settled onto the bed, his eyes wandered to the dimly lit room. The shadows danced along the walls, mirroring the conflicting emotions within him. Gratitude, a sentiment he struggled to express, lingered faintly in his thoughts. It was a sensation foreign to him towards humans. Maybe a feeling that he once felt, however how long ago or for what kind of reasons he did not remember.

As sleep gradually enveloped him, his dreams began to stir. Unwanted memories resurfaced, fragments of a past where camaraderie and laughter were his companions and people. Yet, amidst the grandeur, a scene of darkness and turmoil emerged. He stood frozen as he could not move no matter how hard he tried, his power rendered impotent against an overwhelming force. His friends, his people, the beings who had rallied under his banner, who had placed their trust in him, were now subjected to a fate he couldn't avert. The weight of leadership bore down on him, the weight of promises unfulfilled. It was a reminder that even amidst power and authority, vulnerability could creep in.

And so, as the dream delved deeper, pulling him into a realm of memories he yearned to forget.