Chapter 20: Adoption I

Point of View: Perucia"Listen up, kids. I don't like slaves, and I don't have money to pay salaries either." The brown-haired young man spoke. He stood in front of the door, blocking any chance for Sete and me to escape. The windows were also closed. Surprisingly, he had removed the ropes from our necks."Perucia will not work." I stated firmly, making it clear that I would never be his slave. Death was better than slavery."Oh, great. Did you hear that, Magnus? The little elf girl speaks in the third person." He said, but not to me. Was he talking to that Magnus? Magnus, the one who sneaks around at night and devours the feet of naughty elves? My mother used to torment me with that folklore, but I wasn't a child anymore.Sete was completely withdrawn in the corner of the room, his head buried between his knees. Every time he faced a critical situation, he would shut down like a turtle. I couldn't help but notice the resemblance between him and the young man now trying to impose his will on us."Perucia is not afraid of Magnus, the foot eater. Perucia is not a child anymore." His eyes widened at my words. I quickly placed myself in front of Sete and shrank back, expecting to be punished. But instead, the young man fell onto the floor and burst into laughter. I was completely confused. Why was he laughing? There was nothing funny about this."Sorry, sorry. Well, Perucia, how old are you?" He was still sitting on the ground, looking at me curiously. I hesitated to answer. At least he didn't seem violent like the men on the ship, I thought."Perucia will turn 41 next month." His face froze completely. He stared at me, blinking. Did I say something wrong?Point of View: Christopher RooseveltWas this brat messing with me? Was she older than me? Could she be a reincarnated soul? I searched my brain for answers, calling out to Magnus, and he didn't take long to respond. His tone was amused.'I don't blame you for the shock. Most humans, not understanding much about elves, assume their lifespan is similar to ours, but that's a mistake. They live for about two hundred years on average and only reach maturity after seventy. Essentially, her mental age is equivalent to that of a twelve-year-old.' Apparently, Magnus had already forgotten about being called the foot eater."Alright. And that boy, his name is Sete, right? What happened to him?" She looked at me suspiciously but didn't hesitate to answer."Perucia met him a few days ago. He was traveling with a woman, but they were attacked. Perucia's father taught her to protect the weak. Perucia is taking care of him." She spoke with a proud tone, but she didn't seem like a hero—just a child."Look, to be honest, I bought you two because I want to offer a deal. But if you don't want to listen, you're free to go." I stood up, opening the door to show them I wouldn't force them to stay. But deep down, I was worried about the financial loss.Her expression remained suspicious, but what could children do on their own? She crossed her arms in front of Sete. "Perucia allows you to speak."I felt like absolute garbage, being looked down on as if I were some kind of servant. What an arrogant girl. 'At least she has personality,' Magnus said in a calm tone in my mind. I took a deep breath, calming some of my frustration before speaking again."I make money, you help me with my work, and in exchange, I provide shelter, food, clothes, education, and everything a child might need. Additionally, I will help you achieve one wish. You can ask for anything, and even if it takes time, I will make it happen." Perucia's face twisted, her brows furrowing. She seemed even angrier now."How is this different from slavery?" Her fists were clenched, and she leaned forward, speaking loudly. She wasn't entirely wrong—this girl had potential as a negotiator."I'll also include an allowance. You'll have the freedom to go wherever you want, as long as a trusted adult is nearby. I don't want you getting kidnapped again. Look, you want something, don't you? To see your family? You mentioned your father and that boy, someone named Stella?" I noticed Sete's eyes light up as he raised his head. He crawled toward me."Mister, can you help find Stella?" He tugged at the hem of my pants, tears streaming down his face. Could I find Stella? Probably not. As for the girl, I could just send her off to some elves."Oh, yes, of course. I can help find this woman. I am the Supreme Mage, after all." The boy immediately backed away, his eyes widening. Silence filled the air, and Perucia's mouth hung open in shock."You're a liar." Perucia stated. I smirked, walked over to the dresser beside the bed, opened a drawer, and pulled out Magnus's cloak, draping it over my shoulders.'Your character is awful, lying to children,' Magnus chastised me mentally. What a hypocrite.'At least I don't dissect them,' I retorted instantly, sharp-tongued."If Perucia helps you, I want to go to the Elven Forest." As expected, even with a child's mind, living for four decades makes anyone smart."Mister, what kind of business do you run?" Sete's question surprised me, but it also excited me. Although I knew how to make paper and gunpowder, I had never actually done it in real life. It was just useless knowledge accumulated from living in the 21st century and receiving a good education."I'm making gunpowder and vellum paper—both use wood." Their faces were filled with confusion, but I didn't mind. It's not like they'd understand a thing I was talking about. "I'll arrange some meals for you, and we'll spend the afternoon working on this. After that, bath and new clothes. That's our plan for today."Perucia sniffed her own armpits. "Perucia doesn't need a bath." I raised an eyebrow. Kids will always be kids, after all.'Actually, elves don't sweat, which is why they don't develop body odor,' Magnus added, sounding like an elf enthusiast.