The start of cheesy moments... what's love anyways? could I eat it?

Just a few days ago, I found out that pooch could use magic. I persuaded him to teach me, but he didn’t want to, it took a few days of persuasion before he gave in…and the reason he didn’t want to teach me, was because he didn’t want me to surpass him in the only thing that he is proud of.

“Anyways, I am bad at teaching, So it’s not my fault if you don’t understand anything.”(Pooch)

“Ok” I nodded at him.

“I won’t go over the basics, I’ll teach you the hardest yet most effective way to use magic. First what element do you want to use?”(Pooch)

“…Fire?”(Shera)

“It looked like you weren’t sure…anyways, if it’s fire. Imagine how a flame looks like, imagine how the enemy would feel when the flame hits the enemy, how far the range, how intense, imagine every single information about the flame that you want to produce.”(Pooch)

I started imagining a red colored flame, because I know flames had red color. I imagined it slowly eating earth, and burning every life on that world. I remembered everything they did to me, and how much pain was shown through my allies’ face while they were undergoing experiments. Instead of a burning death, what I imagined was an extreme, yet unending pain.

“If you have an image in your head, then try moving your magical power in your hands, imagine them transforming into flames, and release them. That’s the only thing I can teach, if you can’t understand then wait for a decent teacher.”(Pooch)

I didn’t know where my magical power was, so I simply imagined releasing flames from my hand…I didn’t know what the name of my magic is so I just shouted magic.

“MAGIC!”(Shera)

Nothing happened.

“That…was expected.”(Pooch)

“Where is my magic power anyways? I can’t move something that I can’t feel.”(Shera)

Good thing we are the only ones here…that was kinda embarrassing.

“I told you, I am bad at teaching.”(Pooch)

“Then show me how you do it, maybe I could understand something.”(Shera)

“Fine” Pooch was still in his cute form.

He jumped and shouted the name of the spell.

“Fire ball”(Pooch)

At his word, a small ball made of flames was created on his paw and was released to the ground.

“Get it?”(Pooch)

I jumped, and pointed my arm to the ground.

“Fire ball”(Shera)

Like before, nothing happened.

“…Ok, let’s go back” I went back to the city with a dejected face.

___

I walked back to the mansion while holding pooch on my hands. Like always, we were attracting attention. When I entered the mansion, I was welcomed by the guards. All workers on the mansion bowed to me, and all of them have a happy expression…it is starting to feel like I am a part of this mansion.

I went back to my room, and practiced reading. Since I really didn’t have anything to do, I spent my free time reading books. The duke gave me access to his library, and I found a lot of interesting books there. I am not fond of history, so I just read novels, and there were even big pictures on them like the one on the orphanage…ok, so they’re picture books, so what? I enjoy reading them.

Nero & Ciela felt like they have to do something, so they asked the duke for temporary jobs at the mansion. Nero became a chef, as expected. Ciela was in charge of taking care of the garden. Pooch was given the most important job, to be my stuffed toy.

I was currently reading a nove…picture book about a vallar that steals from the rich, and gives them to the poor. There are a lot of obvious flaws, but I still enjoyed reading it.

“As always, people on these books are a lot better than the people of earth.”(Shera)

I sensed someone moving towards my room, so I moved towards the door and opened it before he even got to my room.

“What is it?” I looked at the man in front of me, I didn’t see him in the mansion before, but he looks familiar.

“…I came for you”(Man)

The man I met inside the coach.

“Ah, coach man”(Shera)

“…it’s Feric, Feric Morc Osdwin”(Feric)

So he is finally back…with this, we can finally start traveling again.

“So…Feric, why are you here?”(Shera)

By the way I am looking upwards, he is about 22-25 cm taller than me.

“I came here to check on my wife.”(Feric)

“We are only gonna traveling together, and I am not gonna marry you.”(Shera)

“…If you won’t marry me, then why are you still here?”(Feric)

“Ask your father…he made me sign a contract.” I crossed my arms, and made an angry expression.

Feric stayed quiet and went somewhere, he wore an expressionless face on our whole conversation.

“Let’s go pooch, let’s start packing up.”(Shera)

___

I fixed my things, and a few hours later, Ciela came to the room. Seeing me move my things, she asked me if we are gonna start traveling again, I nodded to answer her question. She ran out of the room, and went to Nero’s room to tell him that we are gonna start traveling again.

We finished packing up, it is probably 6pm-7pm right now. We went downstairs with our things, and went to our coach. After leaving our things there, we made pooch guard it, before going back to the mansion.

We were once again, welcomed by the duke, this time, with Feric. We made our way to the dining hall without speaking to each other, and just like before, Nero set on the opposite table.

“Why are you sitting here?”(Shera)

“Why? This seat isn’t taken yet, so I am simply taking it.” Feric took the seat beside me, Ciela was on the right, and Feric was on the left. Nero was glaring at Feric by the way.

“Before we start, I would like to say something.”(Duke)

All of us looked at the duke, who had a serious look on his face. He took out a paper, and ripped it apart.

“This paper is the contract between Shera and I. It is no longer valid, and Shera can now freely move without being restricted.”(Duke)

“Huh?”(Shera & Feric)

“Sorry, I simply used this as a means to make you stay on our mansion.” The duke walked near me and knelt.

“F…father?”(Feric)

“P…please stand up.”(Shera)

“No, it is only normal for me to do this. I wasted your time just to stall for my stupid son.”(Duke)

“It’s ok, I did enjoy my stay here.”(Shera)

Really, except for your son, everything that happened in the past days were fun, especially the novels…I mean picture books. You even hired tutors for me.

“Thank you” The duke stood up and went back to his seat.

“I really wanted to make you marry my son, but I don’t want it to be a forced marriage. This is the first time Feric got interested in a girl, and the only thing I can do as a father, is to stall for time until he came back.”(Duke)

“…”(Shera & Feric)

“There is only one thing that I ask of you. Please let my son join you in your travel. It was not a lie that he is a gold(high) adventure, and if you let him join, you will no longer look for a magician. He is the best magician of this city, he was able to get his rank with his magic.”(Duke)

“Ah…”(Shera)

That’s good, if the best magician teaches me, then I will learn faster.

“If it is still not enough, then…” The duke took out another paper, and gave it to me.

“That is a contract that states that all of my 7 cities will be your ally. Even if you reject Feric, even if you became the enemy of the world, all of my force, will back you up. I, Feiran Morc Osdwin, will be the ally of Shera Nillin.”(Feiran)

I read the paper, and everything written on it benefits me…and they don’t get anything in return. It’s like a one sided offer where I am the one who gets everything.

“T…this is too much, what if I used this alliance for something bad?”(Shera)

“Nonsense, Feric won’t fall in love with someone like that, and I can also see that you are a person that can be trusted.”(Feiran)

Nero, Feric & Ciela were silent.

“The only thing I wish in return, is that you let Feric join you, even for a short moment. It is not stated in the contract so you can leave him if you want, but I wish that you at least give him a chance. Your first meeting might not be a good one, but I wish that you will give him a chance to show his true self.”(Feiran)

People like this are hard to handle, they are stating their reasons without hiding anything. I can see no hidden agendas, and I see no reason to decline. Just as he said, I could just leave Feric if he can’t bode well with our party.

“Ok, I accept” I signed the contract, and gave it back to the duke.

“Thank you, and Feric, don’t let this chance slip out of your hands. This is the best I could give you, so do your best, and don’t do something that you would regret.”(Feiran)

“Yes, father.”(Feric)

After that, we started eating. Everyone was quiet, and the meal ended quickly. Everyone went out of the room except the duke and I.

“Thank you”(Feiran)

“It’s nothing, just as you said, I could leave him anytime I want.”(Shera)

“Hahahaha I just hope Feric, makes the right decision. Anyways, you are already at gold rank without magic, I can’t wait to see you learn magic and get stronger.

“Ah…about that, I am already at platinum(high) rank” I showed him my plate.

“P…platinum…high?...and the level…478?” Feiran’s eye widened. There was a monster near them, which was me. The fact that they were casually talking with someone stronger, made him tremble.

“S…sorry, I didn’t know that you were platinum rank. Don’t worry, we didn’t make the contract to make you into our ally. So we won’t force you to do anything.”He knelt to the ground.

“I know, I’ve read the whole contract, and nothing states that I have to help you, yet it states that you will help me. You would do all that, just to help your son, I think it is quite admirable.”(Shera)

Seriously, if there were more people like him, then earth will be a better place. Why wasn’t I born with parents like these? I bet even insects in this world are better than the humans on our world…some superior race we are.

“Just as I said before, I enjoyed staying here. Except for the first day where you made me sign a contract, everything was great. After my travel, I would like to go back here, and take a vacation.” I gently smiled at him while stretching my arm, to help him stand up.

“L…lady Shera.” As he reach my arms, he looked at me with eyes full of respect.

In the future, the Osdwin family will be one of the core members of the Shera religion.

___

I made Ciela go back to the coach, I also told Nero, to go back but he didn’t want to. I forced him, and he started walking…only to stop and hide behind a wall. I know he is in there, but there is no point in telling him. If he is this stubborn, then nothing I do will make him go back.

As I waited, I sat on the ground, and stared at the mansion. At first I hated it, suddenly being called a daughter-in-law, and being forced to take their son. Yet, I don’t seem to have the same feeling about it now, in fact I like it here. Everyone accepts me, and even if the duke and his wife are a bit…pushy, they are good people.

Almost all of the people I have met are great…except for the people at Ballian city, I won’t forget what they did to Nero’s family. I a stared at the mansion, Feric and his parents came out. Feric was holding 2 bags that are as big as me.

“Sorry for the wait”(Feric)

“No, it’s ok…by the way, what’s in the bag? Did you put your guards in there?”(Shera)

“…No, I took most of the books about magic that you might need. There are also old scrolls we could use, aside from that, it’s just my clothes and a stash of gold coins.”(Feric)

It was just a joke, you didn’t have to answer seriously.

“So, shall we go?”(Shera)

“Is this really ok? We can start the journey tomorrow, we haven’t even registered my name in the party”(Feric)

“We can do that on the next town, and if you want to travel, you have to be ready at all times”(Shera)

“That’s right, if you are a man, then stop speaking, and start walking.”(Feiran)

At the dukes words, we started walking to the coach.

“Good luck, you two, and always stay safe”(Wife)

I felt a warm sensation on my heart…is this what having a family is like? Somewhere in my heart, I wanted to stay with the duke for a little bit longer.

“I am sorry, for my rudeness when we first met.”(Feric)

“Don’t worry about it, I already forgot what happened. If you have the strength to apologize, then use that strength to help us on our journey.”(Shera)

“You really are different.”(Feric)

“Huh?”(Shera)

“No, it’s nothing”(Feric)

We continued to move back to the coach, Nero followed from behind. He was still hiding, Feric didn’t notice it, but I could clearly feel his presence. When we got back to the coach, Ciela had just finished feeding the horses. Nero came after us, and said that he just went for a walk. Pooch was doing his job, and guarding the coach. I ran to him, and dragged him into my arms.

“So, it seems you are letting him join, you could have left him.”(Pooch)

“So you knew.”(Shera)

“Of course, Ciela told me.”(Pooch)

“Not gonna say anything to your our new companion?”(Shera)

Pooch reverted to his true form and moved his head closer to Feric.

“Shera’s lap is mine, I am the only one allowed to sleep there. Understand?”(Pooch)

Feric trembled while looking at the Hellion Baran. The other 2 were quite used to it, so they didn’t really react.

“Don’t scare him.”(Shera)

“Pooch is just protecting his rightful place”(Ciela)

“…I am not a part of this” Nero shrugged his shoulders and went to the driver’s seat.

“A…a monster”(Feric)

“I am Hellion Baran, one of the 8 animal gods. Don’t lump me in with those brainless beasts.”(Pooch)

“Pooch, what was your name again?”(Shera)

“…I am Pooch…one of the 8 animal gods”(Pooch)

Feric fainted, I had to carry him, and his huge ass bag to the coach.

___

Since it was night time, I was the one driving. Pooch was currently sleeping on my lap, only Nero and I were awake. He was sitting next to me on the driver’s seat.

“You should sleep.”(Shera)

“…I'm still not sleepy.” He looks happy, so having me drive make you that happy. Staring to get lazy on me huh?

“Suit yourself, you’re gonna be tired when morning comes.”(Shera)

“Just a bit more, I want to monopolize you before that so called ice prince, wakes up.”(Nero)

“What am I? an item?”(Shera)

“Hahaha it was a joke. Anyways, I LOVE your hair.”(Nero)

Well, he does help me a lot in fixing my hair, so that’s the reason why.

“Thanks?”(Shera)

“I also LOVE your eyes”(Nero)

…Ok, that comment is a bit creepy. Although I am sure that he is just being honest.

“What are you up to now?”(Shera)

“If I tell you that I love you, what would you say?” Nero looked at me seriously.

“Eh?” I stopped the horses.

L…love? T…that’s something you say to the one you want to marry right? S….so…

“Just a simple question”(Nero)

I looked at his eyes, and I think I should also be serious about my answer. But it’s not like we were that close, I like him, I can also say I enjoy my times with him, but it’s not really at the level of love.

“I…I am sorry, I like you, but I think it is a bit early for this.” I looked directly into his eyes. For a second he looked sad, but then changed to an expression that looked like he was holding his laughter. Maybe I just imagined his first expression…

“Got you, hahahaha, you thought I was serious right? how was my acting?”(Nero)

Somehow, I feel like a burden on my heart, that I didn’t know was there, got lifted. I don’t know why though.

“I knew it, things like love aren’t something you should take lightly…and here I was answering seriously…”(Shera)

I was a bit angry for being made into a fool.

“Hahaha I just wanted to see how you would react, I mean every reaction you make is cute”(Nero)

I ignored him, and started moving the coach.

“Anyways, I’ll sleep now. I suddenly lost all strength in my body. If anything happens just shout, ok?”(Nero)

“I’m fine, I could protect myself.”(Shera)

___

When morning came, the first one to wake up was Nero. He took over, and I sat beside him, since there was nothing to do inside.

“So, where do we go now?”(Shera)

“There are 2 cities we could go to, and they are both the property of Duke Osdwin. I think we should go to Kanaria City, they will hold a tournament 4 months from now. It would take 3 months to go there, so we could still join.”(Nero)

“Tournament?”(Shera)

“That is the place where the strongest of the continent gather, and the prize for getting 1st place is 20 reis coins. I don’t know if we could win, it is said that there will be reis ranked adventurers there. But we could use the tournament to test our strengths, and maybe get small prizes. I advice that we go there, the tournament only happens once every 10 years”(Nero)

“You have quite the information…”(Shera)

“The duke gave me a lot of information while we were staying at his mansion. Probably because I’m the main driver.”(Nero)

I think it should be fun, I could get a good look at the strength of the adventurers, especially the ones at reis rank. I haven’t seen anyone stronger than pooch, but maybe there would be some on the tournament.

“Ok, let’s go, and win 20 reis coins!”(Shera)