Rodrick stops at a clearing and tries to catch his rapid breath. His heart was beating and his face was sweating. What the hell was that? He wonders before shaking his head. Man, I should not have taken that empathy potion… He thinks with some regret.

Someone approaches and Rodrick looks up. It was the chef lady; she was carrying the cooking pot with her and a basket of bowls. She sees Rodrick and offers a sad smile.

Rodrick suddenly begins to feel more emotions and his eyes widen. Oh no, not good. He thinks anxiously. He began to feel pity, regret, and a reminiscing love of his own children, his own childhood. Rodrick suddenly begins to hear whispers… It’s not easy being a kid… The whole world before you… So young and weak…

As Rodrick listens, tears begin to flood out of his eyes. It-it wasn’t… I was just being dumb… No one takes me seriously and I was just… I was just being dumb… He thinks as the tears pour out.

Rodrick suddenly gets on his knees and bows. “I’m sorry!!” He yells as he looks at the ground.

The chef lady’s eyes widen and she quickly puts down her things to grab Rodrick’s arm to pull him up. “Come on, now, child. Don’t be like that. Come on, get up.” She says as she pulls Rodrick to stand. She pats his shoulder and lets out a sigh. “Child, no one’s perfect, and if they were, it would be the result of fixing all their little mistakes. You’ve not wronged yourself today, child.” She says with a smile.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Rodrick continues to look at the ground and closes his eyes to suppress the tears. He felt that the emotions he was feeling had enough weight to kill him.

…

…

Arias looks at this and lets out a sigh. “Empathy… What a terrible thing… But necessary…” He says before turning and walking away.

…

…

Myriam’s face was red and anger was apparent on her face. Giving your cousins random potions! What an irresponsible child! She thinks, urgently wishing to go down to give her son a beating.

…

…

Rashton quickly scribbles a few words in his notebook. Has given his cousin an unknown potion. Rodrick has become emotional and erratic, acting without logic. Will continue to monitor. He writes before putting away his pen and notebook.

Rashton lets out a sigh. This is going to be a long trip. He thinks with tired eyes.

…

…

Eventually it was time to continue the journey.

Arias was planning to take a nap when Alice climbed onto his carriage. She lets out a breath and takes a seat. “Good, she’s not here. You have to protect me, big brother! That lady is crazy!” She says.

Arias frowns. “Ugh…” Was all he could say.

Suddenly the door had opened once more. Violet sees Arias and immediately frowns. “Ugh…” Was all she said before turning to Alice and smiling. “Dear Alice, so you were here. I was hoping to hear more about the magic you practice. I also happen to dabble a bit in the magical arts. We have so much to learn from each other.” She says as she takes a seat next to Alice.

Arias groans once more and closes his eyes. He began to think of escape but the carriage had already begun to move.

Alice lets out a bitter smile. “Oh, I don’t know too much. You should ask Arias. He knows quite a bit. Sometimes I feel he knows too much…” She says as she gives Arias a suspicious look.

Arias simply looks back blankly. He was in no mood for this conversation.

“Him? What could he know? Isn’t he just a delinquent smoker?” Violet asks with a raised eyebrow. She very much didn’t believe it.

Alice smiles. “He is quite irresponsible. But he usually knows what he’s doing.” She says with a chuckle.

Arias closes his eyes. Someone kill me now. He thinks, trying to ignore the situation.