You're Welcome My Boy

After the speaking the threat hung in the air, heavy with tension was palpable. The three men exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence faltering under Griffin's piercing glare. They quickly backed off.

Raegar smiled at his grandfather's display, but the old man dragged him somewhere quiet as the crowd couldn't keep their eyes off him and were whispering among themselves while stealing glances at them.

As soon as they moved away from the crowd, a shimmering bubble formed around them, silencing all external noise. He glanced around in confusion, only to notice the Vaelthorne Guards encircling them. 

''The other families now know you are a Tetraarch Mage, which will bring a lot of unwanted attention and distract you from your training. So that's why me and your mother have decided that you will go to Bloodfang Forest immediately,'' Griffin revealed with glowing red eyes.

Raegar nodded in understanding just as the old man continued speaking, ''You'll spend a year there and use the Nytherian fortress to restock, rest and sell whatever you collect.''

''Can I bring some books? And what about the academy?'' He questioned when hearing his grandfather's words.

Griffin nodded while chuckling. ''Yes, I have some gifts but they will have to wait until we depart for the forest and I will collect you before the test day,'' he revealed with a big smile.

Following that, Raegar noticed more people pouring into the temple, but the old man did something so they'd appeared outside their carriage and pushed him inside, ''Get in and say goodbye to the ladies. Yuki is upset and needs some pampering from her lover.''

Raegar was ready to cuss him out for making a scene, but the sight of his mother and Yuki sitting nearby caused him to shut his mouth. He bit his tongue, choosing silence instead as Griffin started laughing.

Before he could think, Victoria leapt from her seat and wrapped him in a tight, almost crushing hug. Her voice trembled with worry as she muttered, ''I hope you stay safe out there... and don't let the monsters get you.''

When hearing the concern in her voice, Raegar felt a pang of guilt, but he forced a reassuring smile, patting her back gently. ''Don't worry, Mother. You know I've been training hard for years.''

''Yes, you're talented enough not to be killed by monsters or outlaws,'' she said with a smile before looking at him. ''You've grown up so much. What you did for that girl would have made your father proud.''

Raegar's cheeks flushed a deep red as his eyes flickered toward the cat woman, who had been watching him with an amused gaze. Before he could say anything, she spoke, her tone light but thoughtful.

''She was a pretty girl,'' Yuki said, her tail swishing lazily behind her. ''I admit she seems fragile, sure, but being a Triarch Mage is the complete opposite. She'll most likely grow into a powerhouse.''

'It doesn't seem like she's bothered?' he mused before quickly hugging her, which the maid happily reciprocated with a tight one of her own. 

As the carriage moved out of the city, Raegar noticed the Vaelthorne Guards forming a protective circle around it. Victoria straightened in her seat and spoke with a firm tone. ''Now that you're heading to Bloodfang Forest, you must be cautious of the Devils that may appear. Your grandmother gave you lessons about them, so stay alert and watch yourself.''

''I know, mother,'' he replied with a smile, trying to reassure his mother. ''I'll be cautious and won't put myself in dangerous situations.''

The carriage went silent after Victoria agreed and minutes later he felt Yuki's hand slipped into his with a smile as her blue eyes sparkled with affection, but he noticed the concern within them as well.

Raegar felt embarrassed, but pushed that aside as he turned to the window and watched as the city streets passed by. The two women started chatting about the people they saw in the temple.

The two women laughed, recognizing some familiar faces among the crowd, while he remained lost in his own thoughts, contemplating the forest and the monsters that prowled within.

Hours later, as the carriage rolled down the Kingsway, it came to a halt when a Griffin appeared before them. Raegar smiled when seeing the old man and stepped inside while speaking, ''Hello everyone, sorry I was later. A friend of mine kept me waiting.''

''Did you get everything you told me about father? It must have been hard to get that certain item,'' Victoria asked in a curious tone.

His grandfather nodded with a big smile as he ruffled Raegar's hair suddenly. ''Yes, and some extra as Marius helped me find most of it from the market. But as I was leaving, Dunmara was in chaos as they are looking for him.''

When his mother heard this, her eyebrows rose before asking, ''I bet they will try to bribe him with their daughters or gold. Wait until the marriage offers pour in. That's going to be annoying.''

Raegar shifted uncomfortably at the thought of being forced to marry someone he didn't know. Sensing this, Griffin smirked and reassured him, ''Relax, you little gremlin. No one's going to force you into marriage or arrange anything.''

Victoria chuckled, adding with a playful tone, ''That only happened to Jasper.'' She giggled softly. ''Not that he minds, he and his fiancées are madly in love.''

Following that, Raegar was relieved, and it showed, but Griffin nudged him with a knowing smile as she spoke. ''Wait until you see what I've got for you. I know you'll love them and some things are an adventurer's dream.''

''Thank you, grandfather. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me,'' he replied in a grateful voice, as the older man had done a lot for him.

Griffin beamed before he suddenly pulling Raegar into a bear hug. ''You're welcome, boy,'' he said warmly. ''It's been an amazing time training you over the years. Most of your cousins don't even bother with me or your grandmother, but then there's you.''

''You and grandmother mean a lot to me,'' he answered the old man who was brushing his long blonde hair.

''Good, because Elysia loves you dearly and is always talking about little Raegar this, little Raegar that,'' Griffin said with a chuckle.

Laughter filled the carriage as everyone chatted animatedly, but Raegar turned his attention to the window, watching the landscape pass by. Dozens of farms dotted the rolling grasslands, their cattle grazing lazily under the open sky.

'I can't wait to explore this world,' he thought, his glowing red eyes reflecting his excitement. 'It's so different from Earth, even the animals are bigger.'

Hours slipped by, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the carriage finally came to a stop beside a gently flowing river, its surface shimmering in the fading light. Griffin stepped outside, followed by the others.

Raegar was the last out and let out a sigh as the cool air brushed up against his skin, which put a smile on his face. While standing there, his mother and Yuki suddenly hugged him while the old man smiled broadly from the side.

''Say your goodbyes boy,'' Griffin commented. ''I'm taking you to Bloodfang Forest now, its best we start sooner rather than later.''

''Okay,'' he replied while glancing up. ''Isn't the sun setting?''

His grandfather nodded before informing him with a gleam in his eyes, ''Yes. I'll drop you off in a clearing you'll be safe in only if you hide in the trees.''

Raegar felt a surge of panic rising in his chest, but steeled himself. ''Okay,'' he said, taking a deep breath. ''If you think it's best I go now, then I will.''

He hugged his mother tightly before turning to the beautiful cat woman, who looked upset. Without a word, she pulled him into a warm embrace, her voice soft as she whispered, ''Take care of yourself, young master. Remember, you cannot leave me alone, you must return.''

''I will, Yuki,'' he replied with a confident smile. ''Like I'd ever fall to a monster or a bandit. You know this, you're the one who taught me how to use Enhancement magic, remember?''

The maid beamed, nodding softly. ''Yes, young master. I know you're strong for your age and have spent years training. I just can't help but worry about you.''

Raegar opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, she leaned forward and kissed him quickly, then rushed back to the carriage. Victoria and Griffin watched the scene unfold, and the old man couldn't resist teasing. ''Looks like you're quite the ladies' man, grandson.''

Following that, his grandfather grabbed him by the shoulder and vanished. All Raegar could see was a blur as they traveled across Kaldorra, which made him feel sick until, a while later, the duo came to a stop.

They were next to a rushing river with a stone bridge crossing it. Griffin looked at it before speaking. ''This is the border between our empire and the Nytheria Kingdom. The Bloodfang Forest is a few miles south.''

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