chapter 27

When he entered the inn, it was around 10 PM. Standing in front of his room, he nervously knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing Ayelet. She quickly hugged him, and shortly after, Pia joined them. Alex was relieved that neither of them had left him, so he tightened his embrace. They closed the door and went to bed. Both girls had clear tear marks on their faces, and they also noticed his healing injuries. They both bowed.

"Master, we are very ashamed. We can't even imagine how much you trusted us, but we... *sob*... we didn't even reply to you. We are very sorry," Pia said.

"It's okay. What matters most is that you two didn't leave me," Alex reassured them.

"But, Master, you got injured because of us. If only one of us had replied," Ayelet added remorsefully.

"It's okay. I know you two were overwhelmed. Now let's forget about it and sleep. We have to leave tomorrow," Alex said gently. They talked for a while before quickly falling asleep.

The next morning, Alex woke up to find both girls still asleep, cuddling him. He kissed each of them on their foreheads and carefully got up, trying not to disturb their sleep. He went for a walk and found that it was around 6 AM; the bakeries were already preparing fresh bread. He entered one of the bakeries and bought a bunch of fresh breads for their journey. They had a type of fruit bread with processed, dried wild berries. He bought some for the girls and asked if they sold the processed berries separately, but they apologized, saying it was difficult to process them so they didn't sell them.

When he returned to the inn, things felt awkward. He was uncomfortable because of the events of the previous night; now they knew all about his past life.

After returning to the inn the previous night, they had asked him many questions, but knowing it pained him to remember the things he couldn't do for his parents, family, and girlfriend, they didn't press further.

"So, everything is ready for our departure," Alex began.

"Yes, Master, we have packed all our stuff," Ayelet confirmed.

"Let's eat some breakfast before leaving," Alex suggested. They ate their breakfast together; the girls particularly enjoyed the fruit bread. Ayelet and Pia ate fruit bread, while Alex had some normal bread with sweet syrup that he had made with ginger and jaggery.

They gathered in the inn's hall and departed. Two days later, they arrived in the village around 2:00 AM. This time, they traveled at night to reach the village early because they needed to leave for the academy. When Alex reached his home, he didn't knock; he entered and went straight to his room, with both girls following him. They had grown accustomed to sleeping snuggled together, but in Alex's room, their beds were separate.

The girls wanted to ask Beth and Luna about their relationship, so they decided to sleep separately for now.

The next morning, Alex sat at the dining table with his parents and sisters for breakfast. Flema sat on his shoulder, and Pipi and Chichi, the birds owned by Sia and Ana, were with his sisters. Ayelet and Pia were preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

His parents were delighted that Alex had achieved 2nd rank. It was decided that there would be a celebration that night.

"So, Alex, which academy are you aiming for?" Steaven asked.

"Dad, I was thinking of trying for Flamingo Academy."

"But, Alex, how much did you receive for your scholarship?" his mom inquired.

"Mom, it hasn't been decided yet. If I perform very well in the exam, then they will decide which type of scholarship they can provide."

"So, that's how it works. When are you planning to leave for the academy?" Sia asked.

"In three days."

"Why so early?" Ana questioned.

"I have to take exams in all three academies in the capital if I don't pass the Flamingo Academy test," Alex explained.

"Alex, how do you plan to reach the capital? How much money do you need for travel?" Luna asked, concerned.

"Mom, you all don't have to worry. I've saved up to 12 silver this year through hunting in the forest, and if I need more, I can always take on missions from the guild."

"But, Alex, what about bandits and such?" Beth chimed in.

"I'll take Flema with me, and I'll travel on roads managed by the Kingdom after Randle Town, where there's less chance of encountering danger," Alex reassured them.

After some time, Alex visited the smithy.

"Aunty, where is Brook?" Alex inquired.

"Alex, Brook left this morning to visit his home."

"Aunty, I heard that antlers of mist deer are very expensive."

"Yes, they are expensive. But why are you asking about them? Don't tell me you've encountered a mist deer?"

Alex then took out one horn of a mist deer. It was blue with hints of purple. Seeing it, she became surprised and took it.

"Alex, do you know its value? It's very rare to find mist deer. This piece alone would fetch 5 silvers."

"Aunt, what can we make from this?"

"We could make many things, but it's not suitable for a weapon. We could use it for better mana control in weapons."

"Aunty, can you use it to modify our weapons?"

"Yes, we can do that. But if you had the full body of that deer, we could extract some tendons for your bow."

Listening to this, Alex took out the deer's four legs, head, and remaining parts cut into many pieces.

"So it was a baby deer. You're lucky to encounter it. Normally, they travel in groups and can reach up to B rank. But why did you chop it up?" she asked.

"I don't have better storage equipment, so I chopped it up for storing," Alex explained.

"I see, that makes sense."

"Aunt, what would be the total cost?"

"Alex, if you don't mind, for some of its meat and a piece of its antler, you don't have to pay for modifying your weapons."

Alex thought for a moment.

"Aunt, I'll sell you the remaining antlers and some meat. How much could I get?"

"Let me see. If we modify 10 weapons, we could give you 4 silvers."

After some time, Uncle arrived with his help, and they extracted some tendons for bows.

Alex asked them to modify 3 blades, 2 bows, 1 spear, and 4 knives. He inquired if they could finish in 3 days, and they informed him that it would cost an extra 2 silver.

After spending three days with his family, Alex left home with the girls, taking a mortal horse to pull their cart.