Chapter 63 - Wrong! But Right!

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After putting his hand over his eyes and stretching, the boy, still drowsy from the events of the previous night, gets up from the bed and takes a few steps to sit on a rug on the floor, which is always warm due to the nearby fireplace.

Although he always stays silent at this time of morning, the whole place is in complete chaos because of Kazuki's conversation with Mia and Takayo, who are in the corner of the room.

Even though the student woke up because of the raised voices of the children, he doesn't seem to mind much — despite being always the last to wake up among all of them.

The only thing Rei does at that moment is focus his attention on what's happening while trying to wake up and shake off the post-sleep laziness. From afar, he listens to the conversation and then discovers that Mia and Takayo had gotten into a fight the day before.

Two boys around Takayo's age had offended him, so the boy ended up fighting back, using violence with Mia's help. She wasn't about to let those cheap insults slide and gave the bullies a good beating.

With this situation established, Kazuki gives them both a little lecture. He starts by talking to Takayo, since the boy couldn't control himself and attacked the other kids because of some insults thrown his way.

Then, he blames Mia for taking sides in the fight—according to him, she should've measured everyone's actions and interfered in the conflict, not letting her friend resort to violence and blow up.

However, even though the beast-man didn't agree with the behavior of the two children, he tries to comfort them both in the end, putting a stop to the discussion and showing some empathy.

— Anyway, what they did wasn't right! So, if you get into another fight like that again, just focus on winning. That goes for you too, Mia — Kazuki says, slightly embarrassed by his comment, encouraging them in this type of behavior.

Hearing that comment makes Mia and Takayo lift their faces, surprised by such an affirmation. And it's at that moment that Rei approaches and doesn't miss the opportunity to speak as well.

— Wow, I didn't expect you to say something like that, Kazuki. You're always so protective.

— Rei?!

— You mentioned fighting! That's right up my alley — the student says, moving closer to Mia and Takayo to whisper something in their ears.

A smile then forms on their faces before they run off, following an elf who enters the room, calling them to the children's assistance area, just like the day before.

— What did you say to them? — Kazuki asks, his gaze fixed on Rei's face.

— Me? Well... secret — he replies, with his hands in his pockets and a goofy smile, taking a few steps towards the door.

Not understanding the student's response, Kazuki follows him closely, walking toward the dining area, just like they did the day before.

— I was thinking about finding the seer. Talk to her about what happened earlier... — the student comments, sitting on the back bench of the cafeteria with Kazuki by his side.

— ... You know, I don't really believe in that kind of nonsense. But since I got the book she predicted, the first thing that came to mind was that old woman.

When he finishes telling his plan, the boy notices a disapproving look from Kazuki, as if he's finding that behavior strange. His eyes seem to say: "What will you do if you meet her?"

— Oh, come on. Don't look at me like that. She said she stays near the Nertyrem river or something like that. So, you know, I need to ask if she saw anything else about my future. I'm really curious about it.

— Besides, I feel like she was hiding something. I don't know if I'm overthinking it, or if she was just overwhelmed and tired, but there's something about her that's leaving me uneasy — he says while grabbing some food off the table, placed by an elf distributing it to other tables.

Upon noticing the determination in the student's words, Kazuki sighs quietly and just nods in agreement with the idea.

— Alright, fine. I'll go with you then.

— I'm not letting you go alone again... What happened last night, I don't want anything like that happening to you again — he says firmly, leaning in close and looking into the boy's eyes.

— F-fine then... but I already told you not to worry so much about me. Now I have the protection amulet. Remember?! — he says nervously, unable to focus with the beast-man's intoxicating proximity. He looks away, trying to divert his gaze.

— Even with the amulet... if you... still want me to come with you... it would be nice — Kazuki quietly adds afterward.

— Thanks. — Kazuki replies with a smile, still looking at Rei.

After the conversation that followed and wrapping up the small discussion, Rei and Kazuki leave the cafeteria and walk toward the entrance of the refuge.

Before they could head out and reach the village near the Nertyrem river, they both start asking the elves for information about that small region—after all, they know nothing about it and don't know the way there.

Only the residents of Svishtar knew that area. As soon as the student asks an elf at the gate about the village, he comments that the elves usually go down there at least twice a month to help the villagers.

However, because of the recent events caused by the war, the elves hadn't been going down anymore.