Chapter 31

Nash was home alone. The others have their own errands to do.

She lay down on the couch and breathed in and out after cleaning the entire inn after discovering spider webs hanging from every corner of the ceiling.

[Knock knock]

She slowly opened the door, surprised to see the kids she played with before.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, as she opened the door for them.

"Where have you been?" Bret asked. He has this mad expression on his face that made Nash chuckle.

The other kids are waiting for Nash's response.

"We were on a mission. We go to a very far place to escort someone important."

"I see..." Bret whispered.

The air around them became deafeningly quiet. Nash merely stared at them, curious, while the kids fiddled with their hands.

The kids began to look around their inn, when they noticed various weapons hanging on the wall.

"Sister, is it hard to become a knight?" Mackie broke off the silent air that surrounds them.

"It depends on how hard you work. Why do you want to be one?"

"Yes!" All the kids answered.

"Even you Trish?" Trish shyly nodded, "Then you must work on your social skills. You must be brave and have the ability to stand proudly and confidently."

"Could you teach us how to fight?" Puru asked. Nash pinched his chubby cheeks before answering.

"Of course, but you will feel a lot of pain in your body as you move your muscles. I'm sure you have the stamina because you're all running all day, but in order to become a knight, you must undergo strenuous exercise to prepare your body."

"We can do that. We used to be in pain since we fell all the time while running. We've become accustomed to it!" Shiela said, her adorable face filled with determination.

"This is a different kind of pain. You might have a hard time moving after doing a strenuous activity."

"We can do it, sister!" Puru said while his hands were balled.

"Then... before you guys learn to fight and wield a sword, let's get your bodies in shape. Wake up at 5 a.m. tomorrow because we'll be going to the river to train. We'll meet outside Puru's house at 6 a.m. Is that clear, brats?"

"Yes, sister!"

"Good, now leave and play, this will be the last day you could play with a light body," Nash opened the door and escorted them out.

The kids bid their farewell and left the inn, leaving Nash once again alone.

She sat down with her legs crossed, as well as her arms and closed her eyes.

"Now then, shall we talk, Raum?"

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Regarding my training with your power. How could I train when the temple would undoubtedly feel demon power?"

"There is one place you could train without the temple noticing the demon power's presence."

"Where?"

"Here, in the demon realm."

"What!? How am I going to get there?"

"By opening the door to the demon realm."

"And how is that? Won't the temple notice the presence?"

"No. They will only notice when you use the power; activating your demon power and opening the realm are two whole different things."

'Sounds the same to me,' Nash thought.

"So what should I do in order to open the realm?"

"Do you know how to draw magic circles?"

"I guess... but what magic circle do I need to draw?"

"There is a book buried at the bottom and farthest portion of the last shelf of your father's library."

"Shit... my father won't allow me to do this if he finds out."

"He'll immediately know that you went to the demon realm. My other half is with him."

"Then I should plan a visit to father," with that being said, she remembered an upcoming event, "Wait! The coming of age ceremony!"

"Then that is a perfect time to say that there would be a war coming very soon."

"Very soon?!"

"You heard me. Tell your father that. He doesn't like using me and just locks me inside him so I don't have the chance to tell him that, though I guess he already knows it."

"I should visit him... tomorrow... no! I have plans tomorrow! Then I'll leave again Friday night. I could just write a letter and make the squad commander approve it to give me an excuse for the training."

"Tell him everything I said."

"I know."

...

The other members returned. They had dinner and discussed things.

"Leader, may I visit my family?"

"When?"

"Training days. I've already written a letter; all you have to do is approve it for me to be able to take a leave."

"Give it to me later,"

Nash nodded.

"Are your family alright?" Aidan asked.

"Hm? Yes! They're just anxious about their gorgeous and adorable little princess being away." Aidan scowled at her.

"Gross," Kane remarked.

Nash merely rolled her eyes and didn't say anything.

"By the way, I won't be able to prepare breakfast tomorrow since I'll be going to the river with the brats first thing in the morning."

"Why? Where are you going?" Idris asked.

Nash pressed her lips thin and looked at him solemnly, 'I just said we're going to the river.'

"We are going to exercise. You can come if you want."

"No thanks," Idris replied.

"Then, if you want to just wake up early, we will leave before 6."

...

Nash woke up at exactly 5 in the morning. The sky is still dark as night when she prepares the things she and the brats need. She also prepared a little meal for the brats.

She felt a presence behind her while she was placing the snacks in the bag. She turned to see Jaxael, who had just awoken.

"You're coming with me?" She asked.

"Yjhan told me to," he replied, eyes still closed.

Nash smiled then walked towards the guy. "You don't have to."

"He said you can't protect five naughty children all at once, so he asked me to come if ever something happened," He continued to bicker, "You asked yesterday if we want to come and now you're telling me not to?"

"I can't let you join us with you looking like someone who hasn't slept for 10 days. You must be tired, now rest. I'll let you come tomorrow, I promise. We'll be back in the afternoon, so rest," She continued to push him upstairs as Jaxael fought back.

Nash continued to force him to sleep until Jaxael gave up.

"See, you're tired after all," she said after Jaxael fell asleep.

She left his room and fetched the snacks she prepared and left. She saw the kids in front of Puru's house with Puru's mother, Prie, who was also waiting for Nash's arrival.

"You're late!" Bret said in a loud voice. The other kid shushed him, which made him cover his mouth and whispered, "Sorry".

"I thought you wouldn't come," Nash said as soon as she arrived.

"Nash... I trust that you will protect them, okay?" Prie said, holding Nash's hand with worry in her eyes.

Nash grasped Prie's hand and assured her, "I promise I'll bring back these brats all safe and sound. But do expect body aches from them due to the exercise we'll do"

Prie nodded and chuckled, "I'm sure there won't be a next time after they experience such strenuous activity."

The brats and Nash bid their farewell to Prie.

"Now, shall we go?"

"Yes, sister!" They silently shouted.

Prie looked at their retreating figure with a smile on her face that hides her worries, 'She really does look like a big sister.'