“Does training count?” Grey asked after thinking for a while.
Unlike Lunar City, Red City was too small, so there are almost zero places where one could have fun. Of course, there were taverns and inns, but not on the same level as Lunar City. There were also a few places with women just like the Jade Water Paradise Klaus and Reynolds usually goes to in the Capital.
“Since when have training been fun?” Klaus asked while looking at him weirdly.
Even Reynolds had an odd expression.
“Oh, then nothing. No, wait, there are some times I follow my mother to the market to buy things for cooking, it’s pretty fun. Does that count?” Grey looked at the duo.
“Okay, you’re a no fun guy, we get it.” Klaus stopped him from speaking.
How could going to the market with your mother be fun? It’s exhausting!
Klaus didn’t get the chance to go with his mother though, since she died early. He rarely knew her, but his father did a nice job training him, so he doesn’t usually remember the fact that he didn’t have a mother.
Reynolds looked around, but there was nothing interesting around here.
Of the group, Alice and Void were the more composed ones. Alice looked around curiously, while Void looked around enthusiastically. During the journey here, he had to pretend he was still asleep, but as soon as they left the guards who brought them here, he instantly stood up.
‘So this is where he grew up, lame.’ He thought arrogantly.
There weren’t any shiny things even in the streets, how could someone grow up here? The houses didn’t even look classy, they all looked old. Almost like the ones in the trial land.
“Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Grey said to the others before walking to the building on the left side of the one he previously lived in.
This building was occupied by a family of four, an old lady, a middle-aged man and woman, and finally, a little boy. Although, the boy might not be so little anymore since it has been a while Grey last saw him.
Grey knocked on the door of the building, after waiting for a while, he heard footsteps from inside.
The door opened, and he saw a young boy who looked to be around ten years old or so. The boy had a short hair, just like Grey, only, his hair was blonde while Grey’s was black. He still had baby fat which made his face look chubby, he had an enchanting sapphire colored eyes, and a pointed nose.
When Grey came with Chris the last time, they weren’t around.
‘Wow! He’s already so big? It hasn’t even been up to three years I left.’ He exclaimed inside.
The young boy who opened the door for him was called, Athan. When Grey went for his first test, Athan was still only four years old or so, after his result was announced, Athan’s parents, his father to be precise, stopped him from speaking to Grey. But whenever his father was not around, he would sneak off to Grey’s place.
Grey stopped him from coming when his father found out about it. According to his mother, Athan’s father beat him up even though he was still only four years old. But the little boy didn’t stop coming, it was only after he was beaten for a third time did Grey decide to stop him from coming, so his father wouldn’t beat him anymore. He always took him as a younger brother.
“Grey!” Athan exclaimed happily on seeing him.
Grey didn’t change much, although he was taller now, his facial appearance was still the same.
“Athan, how are you doing?” Grey ruffled Athan’s hair while smiling happily.
“Fine.” Athan said while pushing Grey’s hand away from his hair while trying to arrange it back to the way it previously was.
“Come in.” He invited Grey in while holding his hand, trying to drag him in.
“I can’t come in, I came with some friends.” Grey smiled as he saw the Athan’s expression.
After leaving this place, he rarely thought of this boy who seemed to like him to no end. He thought maybe Athan would’ve forgotten about him, but who would’ve thought he still had the same love for him.
“Oh, will you stay for a while?” asked Athan.
“Unfortunately, no. I need to get back to the Academy soon.” Grey said gently.
“Oh.” Athan said with a sad expression.
While looking around, he saw Void who was in Alice’s hand.
“Wow! Such a strange cat.” He pointed at Void.
“He’s my friend, his name’s Void.” said Grey.
“Your friend? Isn’t it just a cat?” Athan asked in confusion.
Humans should have only human friends, while beasts should have beasts friends. When a human has a beast, it was usually as a pet.
“No, he’s my friend. More than that actually… Is your mother at home?” Grey asked.
“No, she went to the forge to see dad.” Athan replied.
Athan’s father was one of the few blacksmiths in Red City, so he was quite popular in the city since he made some of the weapons in the city.
“Okay, is your grandma inside?” Grey asked again.
Athan was still too young when his mother left, so he wouldn’t know if she left any messages for him or not.
“Grandma died last year.” Athan’s expression turned even sadder when Grey asked of his grandmother.
“Oh, sorry about that.” Grey tapped him on his shoulder.
“I’ll be taking my test soon, I want to be like you.” Athan suddenly said.
“Soon? But you’re only ten.” Grey said.
“No, I’m already eleven.” Athan stood straight as he announced his age.
‘Shit! I forgot about his age.’ Grey cursed.
He couldn’t be blamed since he focused more on training after he stopped seeing Athan. There are times he even forgets about his age, much less the age of someone.
“Oh, that’s true. Did my mom leave anything for me when she was leaving?” He asked the question that originally brought him here.