(Sally P.O.V.)

"That won't be necessary." (Krey)

"Eh?" (Everyone)

Did I hear it right? Krey, the mysterious five year old boy, does not want compensation for the valiant act he did? We've finally arrived here in Arles city. The request has been finished and Lean, as our team leader confirmed it with our client Norman in his status card. We wanted to give some money to Krey because of his circumstances and in addition to the fact that he save us but... he refuses it. Why? In just three days, I've gotten used to Krey with us. He is like any other kid out there, smiling, laughing, asking a lot of questions and sometimes playing but his unnatural multi-hued eyes that always seem bright blue give the impression that there's something more to him as I continue to see flashes of intelligence in it.

I've always been perceptive ever since I was young. I got along with the kids of my age, but I always notice something different about them and me but I can't put my finger on it. Also, thanks to my habit of being observant and curious, I've uncovered a lot of secrets back in my hometown. Most of them are just on the level of a joke, like kids stealing some money out of mischief and stuff like that. But a few... are quite serious. So serious that I only understood it when I became fifteen. One of them is that... I was adopted. My adoptive father and mother never said anything to me but I knew it from one of their conversations that I secretly listened to. But I was not troubled.

They adopted me from somewhere, took care of me as I grew up, and helped me in many ways. I did not bring it up to them because to me they are my wonderful parents but, I can't help but wonder what is my origin. This is what I feel in me and in him, Krey. He said that, he was raised by an elderly mage from infancy to childhood. He was taught magic by the mage and sent him out to train. I don't think Krey cares about it but... that was pretty irresponsible of the old mage. He did raise him and all but that does not mean you can just send a child into a world he knows nothing about! What's more on his own! Who does that?! But Krey knows the mistake and he simply ignores it. Its very mature I guess or simply the carefree nature of a child?

But I know there's something more to him. I've noticed it only a couple of times, during the rare times he is silent in the carriage, while the horses are going through a smooth plot of land, he always puts on a brooding and thoughtful expression unfit for a child. If the road is rough most of the time, he talks and chats with me and the others happily but when it gets level enough to make the ride comfortable he always puts on that expression.

And recently last night I saw another glimpse of the other side of Krey, although a bit short...

______________________________________________________________________________

After our delicious larsit feast, provided by Krey of course, we all went to sleep. We took turns in taking watch, Krey not included, and it was finally my turn. Den woke me up, and I went out to sit on the dying campfire while he went to his tent shared with Norman. After an hour or so, I heard a small cry from the tent. It sounded... a bit like Lily's voice. Five minutes or so of staring at our tent, someone came out of it. It was Krey. He has a tranquil look on his face, I don't know why and I can't help but ask about the noise earlier.

"What was that? I heard Lily scream out faintly. What happened?" (Sally)

Hearing my question, he seems troubled for a while and finally answered-

"I think she's having a nightmare. In fact I woke up because of it" (Krey)

Confirming it from Krey, I can't help but sigh deeply. Lily always had a habit of having weird dreams and sometimes they are amusing and fun to hear about but tonight, it only disturbed someone's sleep, and a small child at that! I looked at Krey apologetically and explained my friend's conditions in a lighthearted manner.

"Is that so? She's always having weird dreams. I'm sorry about that." (Sally)

"Its alright. I had enough rest." (Krey)

"Are you sure? You need some sleep. You're still growing after all" (Sally)

"Its fine. I'm wide awake now. Besides my master taught me to sleep lightly." (Krey)

And with that remark he sat down next to me, no longer a brooding expression but still a thoughtful one combined with somewhat melancholic gaze as he stared at the campfire seemingly interested in the burning embers.

This is what I found about Krey. He is eccentric this way, a child at one moment, and an older version of himself at the next. Sometimes I wonder how he can be like that. He is mature in mind yet remains a child at heart. That's what I can get from my insights of him. The way he looks at the fire, reminds me of myself at some point.

Oh yeah. Why am I so interested in him? If you look at it this way, he is our benefactor and savior and if you look at it another way, he made me a memory I will never forget. A memory of fear, astonishment, dread, sadness... and death. Through him I felt hope, in the despair I was in, during the ambush of the bandits where I can do nothing but stand frozen still in fear and anxiety. Through him I felt the dread of death, and the swiftness of murder by his actions towards the bandits. And yet... through him I felt something more than those two, something I can relate with. A feeling of... familiarity and kinship.

When he told me his story, I can vaguely connect what his feelings were when telling his story to the time I first discovered that I was adopted. Sadness, longing, curiosity, and acceptance. These factors brought me to where I am now. My thoughts towards him shifted from happiness to respect to fear to sadness to longing and to sympathy. All of these made me attracted to him. And I asked him in a low murmur-

"Hey Krey, how are you so strong?" (Sally)

"Hmmm~?" (Krey)

"I mean how are you be able to take these things lightly, being all alone, and... killing so easily. Furthermore, how is that you have reached such a level at your age. I know its not only because you were taught by someone strong."

"You're right. The reason I am like this... is because I matured quickly. I don't know why but it just happened." (Krey)

It seems that this is a sore subject for him. Even I think so. My being nosy in unpleasant in some ways but my attractions towards him compels me to be doing this. I want to know what he thinks about solitude, what he feels in knowing something others do not, what he wants to do with it. I want to know it. So that I may be able to do the same as him. To be strong. To do what I can with my life. To know what is the feeling that I've been missing ever since the day of my discovery. I am merely following a path of uncertainty, looking for a purpose while still enjoying life. While thinking that I am caught of guard by a question of Krey's.

"Anyway, you want to get stronger right." (Krey)

"Eh.. um, uh yes. Yes I do." (Sally)

"Give me your hand." (Krey)

"Um... okay." (Sally)

A bit baffled by this development, I placed my left hand upon his own small hand and he lightly grasped it. I felt refined mana course through my hand up to my chest, and then I feel something warm there. It stung at first, but the prickly feeling instantly came to past, and was replaced by a cozy, relaxing one making me feel lightheaded and I felt my self falling down. I was frightened at first but I was held carefully by someone, I didn't know who it is and I fell asleep.

Soon after, I woke up and I saw Krey's young and fine face and I understand what happened. I was talking to Krey, then she told me to do something and then I fell asleep... right into his small lap! 'Uwaa!! Wha-?! Why?! Why did I do this!? Why did I fall asleep there?! I must have been too heavy for a child such as him! No, no I'm terrible!' I panicked when I realize this. And then I immediately apologized.

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!! Please forgive me for falling asleep on your lap!!!" 

"Its alright. You were not that heavy~"

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

"But still!!-"

"And I quite enjoyed looking at your adorable looking face~"

"Eh... *blush* uuu... why do I feel like I'm not talking to a kid..."

In that exchange I became embarrassed. How pitiful of me. To be caught of guard by a child and his compliments...*sigh* I'm really not use to those things. I mostly cover my face when I go out with my long hair ever since childhood so I've never taken note of my appearance so that's why... this happened. Really now. I can't help but wonder if he's a child or not.

______________________________________________________________________________

"Furthermore, this is where we will be separating." (Krey)

"E-eeeh?! Why so soon...?" (Sally)

"Yeah, Krey... can you stay with us for awhile...?" (Den)

"I'm sorry, but these are instructions from my master. I must resume my training." (Krey)

As I was reminiscing a bit... Krey made a shocking announcement. I was particularly flustered and was unable to think clearly to mend the situation and with Krey's uncharacteristic fast-paced talking, I was not ready to talk back.

"Sally here." (Krey)

"E-eh *fumble* What is this...?" (Sally)

"Some guidelines for magic training. This is everything I learned from my master in a nutshell. Follow it well and you should become a great mage. Oh there are some instructions for mana control as well, so you, Lean, Karl, Den and Lily will benefit from those notes."

"Huh-huh?! Wait i-isn't this priceless!? W-why are you-" (Sally)

"Y-yeah wh-why-" (Everyone else)

"Think of it as a parting gift. Sally, check your elemental affinities once more and follow those guidelines well. If fate deems it, we shall meet again."

"W-wait!-" (Sally)

Towards his unanticipated actions we were unprepared for it. This book... is the one he was writing on while in the carriage despite the rocky vibrations isn't it? And he said book for magic training!? And he summarized it for us?! Wait! What did he mean by checking my affinities again...? And isn't this quite costly to give?! Moreover as a parting gift? Ah... no wait!...He's gone. He was too fast. Wha-what the...?

"Ahahaha... looks like Krey is busy and has other businesses to attend to. Now, why don't you guys go along now. Like he said, you'll probably meet again. (Norman)

Norman affirms so to calm us down. He is surprisingly more composed than any of us. Well for now, I'll follow what's written in this book. I will also listen to Krey's advice. *sigh* I still didn't get to ask him anymore questions. Since the request is finished, naturally we will go back to Loren town after two days. Krey, I hope we meet again someday.

___________________________________________________________________________

(Krey P.O.V.)

I am eating dinner in the bar/dining hall while facing a beautiful and busty female elf with blonde hair, green eyes, a green tunic that looks a lot like a uniform for an all-girls school fused with glossy dark brown leather armor. Right now, she is smiling at me and humming a tune, for an unknown reason and its freaking me out. Such is the situation I am in right now. How did this happen you might ask?

Well after confirming my current goal, I began to meditate once again before lunchtime. Four hours of meditation will allow me to accumulate some needed refined mana for a breakthrough. The only problem is the that I need something else other than mana. Its what you could say a stroke of luck. While concentrating on the condensed and compressed refined mana inside the core, one must also keep compressing the refined mana and analyze it until you gain enlightenment in the elemental refined mana you have been accumulating in the core. After that you will breakthrough. Pretty vague, but that's what it is to be able to advance to the next level. Think enlightenment as a path or branch you want to follow. That is what it means to gain enlightenment when you analyze the different elemental refined mana in the core. For most people, that is the case. Now in my situation, knowledge from "All-Magic Awakening" allows me to choose a variety of "truths" from different kinds of elemental enlightenment. I just have too choose a specific truth I wish to follow and continue enduring the pressure of condensing the mana. The downside is... I have to wait for my breakthrough. It could take a short time or a very long time to be able to breakthrough. This is quite the problem. And that problem is what I'm facing now. *sigh* Whatever, I'll just accumulate mana for now.

And so I meditated for four hours in my bed. Its lunchtime. I got out of my room and saw that there are some people in the hallways of the second floor. They look like human travelers though. Not adventurers, with their thick clothing and thick boots. It would hinder movements if they fight in that. Ah. Whatever.

I follow them down to the first floor and into the dining hall. The dining hall is quite big as it couples as a bar. I think it takes up most of the first floor. There are some dwarves and beastmen in one table. An elf and dwarf in another. So far there aren't really any racial discrimination here. But that's simply 'racial'. Social status must also be noted.

I moved to a corner of the dining hall, finding a relatively out-of-sight table and sat down while waiting for lunch. A few minutes later, bunny girls, a whole variety of them came out with serving trays in their hands. *whistle* *applause in head* Quite the pleasant service. One particular bunny girl, giving out an elder sister feel came to my table and gave me my food. Lunch consists of rye bread, not the dark one, yes!! Spicy beef stew... I think? And a lettuce salad along with water. I ate the food in front of me so quickly, I probably broke a record as the bunny onee-san is still there holding the tray while looking at me with surprise in her face. But then she immediately giggled.

"My~my~You are quite a quick eater, little boy~ Are you alone?" (Bunny Onee-san)

"Uh yes. Is there anything you need from me?" (Krey)

"Oh and polite too~ No, but you can ask any questions from this big sister here. I haven't seen you around this place before so you must be new right~?" (Bunny Onee-san)

Hoh~. A good assumption. They are really trained professionals huh? But... why is it so cheap here if they give off such service?

"Um okay. Why is the streets here not crowded and silent? I've seen other parts of Arles City and this is the most quietest and serene of them all here~. Why is that~?" (Krey)

"Hmm... it is because of Lady Kiralne. She is an SS-class adventurer and currently lives and owns this street here therefore it is aptly named Kiralne Street. She asked for a plot of land as a reward from the request she completed from the lord who governs this city and the other territories surrounding it. As they are good friends, the lord gifted this entire street to her. Lady Kilrane is very peculiar. She likes quiet and peaceful places the most and hates the opposite of it, so this is how the entire neighborhood transformed over time. As a side note, Lady Kilrane is a peculiar elf. She does whatever she wants and rarely appears in public. She is quite famous in the Kingdom of Tolkium and other nearby countries but she chooses to live here. Furthermore...."

And so on so forth. Bunny onee-san was rambling on about the elf known as Lady Kilrane. As expected, strength really counts in this world huh? After the one-sided conversation with her, I returned back to my room and meditated again. This time I was able to breakthrough from the initial stage into middle stage magus. But what came after... is a severe migraine. I meditated for ten hours and then had a five-hour headache. Luckily, I was barely able to make it in time for dinner in the inn. But this time... I'm not alone.

"Hey little boy~. I'm Kilrane, an elf. Nice to meet you! What's your name?" (Kilrane)

I seem to have met a big-shot character earlier on. Okay let us see whether this is a blessing or a curse.

__________________________________________________________________________

Author Note: Here we see the inner workings of Sally's mind and the meeting with a powerful... friend or foe? Who knows. Anyway sorry for the update being late in the night. I had classes and I'm very tired... or more like lazy so please bear with me. Well, I hope you enjoyed it.