A New Beginning part 10

Evol Town and Flower Fairies.

I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, painting golden streaks across the floor. Turning to my side, I found Fleur still fast asleep. I was surprised not to see my mother this time—her face was always the first I looked for every morning.

Well, she must be busy helping Aunt Apolline.

Getting down from the bed, I moved toward the window sill. Perhaps being too small, I dragged a chair over and climbed onto it. The first thing I saw was the garden, a vibrant canvas of colors just beyond the glass. Deep purple clematis wound its way up a stone pillar, its blossoms catching the early light. The air was thick with the fragrance of roses, their petals a deep, almost crimson red. My gaze drifted further across the manicured flowerbeds and out to the vast expanse of farmland beyond. The transition was seamless—the cultivated beauty of the garden melting into the rustic charm of the fields. Swaths of emerald-green wheat swayed rhythmically in the breeze, contrasting with the sun-kissed gold of the barley fields. The landscape was a symphony of color and texture, a feast for the eyes. I stood there for a while, taking in as much of the scene as I could.

At one point, Row approached me and eagerly began talking about the new bird friends she had made. While we were deep in conversation, my mother entered the room. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw me standing on the chair by the window.

I greeted her with a bright smile, and she picked me up, pressing a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Any trouble sleeping, Bunny?" she asked kindly.

I shook my head. "No, Mama. I was just thinking about the story in the book." Then, my eyes wandered back to the garden, and I asked, "Why does Fleur's house have so many different flowers? Why can't we have them in our garden?"

A soft chuckle escaped her lips before she explained, "Flower fairies love places surrounded by forests, unicorns, and forest elves. These are the key factors that help in the birth of flower fairies. Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight touch the earth, they travel to places filled with flowers and tend to them. If they find a place they love, they settle there. Evol, being so close to the Elven Forest, has many flower fairies. So, not just Fleur's house, but the whole town is filled with flowers. You can ask Fleur maybe she can take to the place where fairies live. "

After helping me get cleaned and freshen up, my mother took me downstairs. There, I found Fleur eating her breakfast, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk. As soon as she saw me enter, her eyes widened. In an instant, she slowed down and picked at her food delicately, trying to eat like a refined lady. Perhaps she wanted to maintain her image as an elegant older sister.

My mother seated me beside Fleur before heading off to fetch my breakfast. Across the room, my father and Uncle Cadmus were engrossed in a game of wizard chess. Row, Pung, and Sniff soon made their way to the table and settled beside me. Fleur's attention was immediately drawn to them, and noticing this, I decided to ask, "Sister, have you ever seen a flower fairy?"

"Flower fairies? Of course, I've seen them!" she said through a mouthful of food. "They stay in places full of flowers, and Evol has no shortage of such places. Why, do you want to see them?"

"Fleur, cover your mouth when speaking!" Aunt Apolline chided. "You don't want others to see your food." Then, turning to Fleur more gently, she continued, "After breakfast, take Aimé outside to play. You can call your friends if you'd like, but remember—no going too far and definitely stay away from the wide part of the stream."

I watched as Fleur's eyes sparkled with excitement. She nodded enthusiastically, looking like an eager puppy wagging its tail.

After finishing our meal, Fleur announced that we would be heading to the western end of town, where we could find a large number of flower fairies. She held my hand tightly, and off we went, with Pung perched on my head, Sniff nestled in my breast pocket, and Row clinging to my shoulder.

As we walked through the town, a group of children from other wizarding families spotted Fleur. Their eyes lit up as they approached us, bringing their parents along. Then, to my utter bewilderment, it happened.

"Look at the baby behind Fleur! Are his cheeks even real? They're so plump!"

"Forget the cheeks, look at his big, round eyes! They're mesmerizing!"

"He's adorable! He took my breath away!"

From elderly folks to little kids, everyone seemed captivated. While the older ones expressed their amazement, the younger children simply stared at me in awe.

Sniff pointed toward Fleur, and when I turned to look, I noticed the smirk on her lips and the pride gleaming in her eyes. She was clearly enjoying the attention I was receiving, puffing her chest out with satisfaction.

An elderly woman holding the hand of a young boy asked, "Fleur, is he your brother?"

Fleur, still relishing the moment, explained, "No, he's my cousin from the city." She then launched into a detailed recounting of our time together—our evening, my pets, my favorite color—every little detail!

Was this a fan meet? Was I a celebrity? And why was she telling them my favorite color? Wasn't that a bit too much?

Perhaps realizing that too many people had gathered, Fleur finally came to her senses. She quickly excused us and led me in another direction.

Now, we were joined by several other children, all around Fleur's age. I noticed how they all looked up to her as their leader. As if sensing my thoughts, Fleur raised her head slightly, her pride unmistakable.

I couldn't help but smile at her antics.

Then, suddenly, everyone stopped and staring at me. I was confused. Sensing everyone star struck I looked at Fleur. She stepped closer, gazed at me, and said, "Aimé, perhaps it would be better if you smiled a little less."

I gave her a helpless look, my face clearly asking, Am I doing this on purpose?

Fleur chuckled, grabbed my hand, and we continued on our way. As we walked toward our destination, I couldn't help but steal glances at the town, taking in everything around me.

Evol is situated in a vast valley, with its southern border marked by the majestic Pyrenees Mountains. To the east lies a sprawling forest, home to one of the five Elven lands on Earth. To the west, lush green grasslands stretch across the landscape, bordered by rivers and farmlands, while the northern boundary faces France.

The town itself is divided into two parts: one occupied by non-magicals and the other by magical beings. The magical section boasts a large market square teeming with elves, humans, and dwarves. Elves visit the town for trade and tourism, while dwarves are busy in their shops, proudly displaying their tools and metalwork. Humans make up the majority of the population, some engaged in buying daily necessities, while others simply wander about, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Due to the presence of elves and dwarves in the town, there is no fear of dark wizards. Fleur explained to me that young children like us often spent the mornings playing in the grasslands with other kids.

Speaking of children, our group included many from elven and dwarven families. As we made our way to the grasslands, we laughed and played, soaking in the scenic beauty of our surroundings.

Upon arriving, I was mesmerized by the breathtaking sight before me. The riverbanks were covered in a carpet of colorful flowers, their hues blending into a vivid tapestry. Delicate flower fairies fluttered from bloom to bloom, some collecting essence, others watering the ground, while a few hovered nearby, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. It was as if these flowers were their cherished children, lovingly nurtured with care.

Without thinking, I took a step forward, eager to get closer. Suddenly, I felt a firm grip on my arm. Looking back, I saw an elven boy pressing a finger to his lips, signaling me to stay quiet.

Seeing my puzzled expression, my sister stepped in and whispered, "Flower fairies don't like others approaching their home. A single fairy may seem small and harmless, but they can be quite fierce when they feel threatened. If they see so many of us getting too close, they might attack. It's best to admire them from a safe distance."

I nodded in understanding. I certainly didn't want to disturb the fairies or put anyone in danger. These children knew far more about them than I did, so it was wise to listen.

We settled down at a safe distance and continued admiring the enchanting scene before us. The gentle hum of the fairies' wings blended harmoniously with the rustling leaves and the soft murmur of the river. Everything felt peaceful and serene.

Then, without warning, a single flower fairy stopped mid-air and pointed directly at us.

As one fairy pointed in our direction, the others nearby followed suit, their curious gazes locking onto us. Within moments, every single flower fairy had stopped what they were doing and joined the others in staring at us. Then, without warning, the entire swarm took flight and rushed toward us.

The younger children in our group froze in place, unable to process their fear. Too young to react properly, they stood still, paralyzed. My sister, though clearly frightened, pulled me into a protective hug, turning her back to the approaching swarm.

Seeing this, the other children sprang into action. Each of them moved swiftly, forming a protective circle around us. Some picked up branches, ready to fight, while others grabbed stones, prepared to defend us. Row joined the children, standing guard in front of me.

At that moment, I felt truly fortunate. The sight of so many people willing to protect me, despite their fear, warmed my heart. Their legs trembled, yet they stood their ground. My sister clung to me tightly, tears in her eyes, yet she refused to let go. It was an overwhelming feeling—being protected, adored, cherished.

I couldn't find the right word for it.

The fairies, instead of attacking, began circling around us, their tiny voices whispering in unison, their delicate forms twinkling like stars. I stared in astonishment, my eyes wide as I listened. Then, all of a sudden, realization struck me—I had forgotten about my unique abilities: Infinite Charm and Natural Magizoologist. I could communicate with magical creatures!

Focusing on their whispers, I managed to decipher their conversation. They were debating whether I was a human or a flower. Due to my Charm, they couldn't help but get drawn to me, they had initially intended to take me to their fields, but upon realizing I was too big, they had gathered together in confusion.

I couldn't help myself—I burst out laughing.

The other children, still tense, turned to me in bewilderment. My sudden laughter had startled them. Separating myself from my sister's embrace, I explained what the fairies were saying.

Now, even the fairies seemed surprised. They hovered in place, stunned that I could understand their language.

Silence fell over the field.

Then, the elven boy from earlier, recovering from his shock, asked, "You can understand the fairy language?"

The fairies, still curious, flew closer, their whispers growing louder as they pointed at me in amazement.

I smiled, reassuring my sister before turning to the others. "Not only can I understand fairy language, but they can also understand me."

As if to confirm my words, the fairies began fluttering around me in excitement. Some of the bolder ones even perched beside Pung on my head.

Sniff, utterly fascinated by their shimmering, transparent wings, tugged at my collar and babbled, "Bbbuub... Bbbbbbub... Buuuu." (Can I touch those wings?)

I gently rubbed Sniff's small head and replied, "No, Sniff. That's a part of their body. They might get angry if you touch them."

"You can talk to a Niffler?! But how?!"

A loud voice suddenly interrupted us, drawing everyone's attention. It belonged to a human girl, her face filled with astonishment.

"Wait—you have a Niffler too?!" she asked, her excitement barely contained.

I smiled and nodded. Sniff, seemingly understanding the situation, waved a tiny paw at her in greeting.

With that, the once-tense atmosphere relaxed. The children, initially afraid, were now more curious than ever, captivated by the fact that I could talk to magical creatures.

Just then, one of the fairies flew closer and asked if I wanted to come with them to their home.

I glanced up at the sun, now high in the sky. If we left now, we wouldn't make it back before lunchtime. Our parents would surely worry. It wasn't enough time to visit the fairy land and return. I relayed my concern to the other children.

One of the boys groaned. "Can we visit the fairy land tomorrow? If I don't get home before lunch, I'll definitely get my ass spanked!" He rubbed his backside dramatically, making all of us burst into laughter.

Turning back to the fairy, I said, "We truly appreciate your invitation, but we need to go home now. Would it be alright if we visited tomorrow?"

The fairies exchanged glances before nodding in agreement, their wings shimmering in the sunlight.

Before leaving, they gifted us small packets of flower seeds, encouraging us to plant them in our gardens.

With final waves and cheerful goodbyes, we turned and began our journey back to town, our hearts full of excitement for the adventure that awaited us tomorrow.

....