-Two days had passed since the incident at the Palace.
During these two days Eros was out of the house dealing with the reconstruction of the palace and the news about the attack. The city was now put on high alert and was to report any suspicious activity to the knights.
The incident had also made other world leaders take action and tighten the security of their countries. This had led to more people joining the investigation of the missing people in Ruina.
???: Man, It sure is noisy out there.
Staring out of the window was Shiebe. He viewed the mass amounts of citizens wandering through the streets. The look on their faces made it clear that they were feeling a bit weary of one another.
Knock Knock
Shiebe:--?
A knock came from Shiebe's door. He looked behind him and for a second just stared at it. This behaviour was due to what had just occurred with the servant trying to kill him.
Shiebe: Who is it?
???: It's me. I've come with good news!
A voice of a young energetic boy had come from the outside of his door. Shiebe opened the door to be met with Maz standing outside.
Shiebe: Good news?
Maz: Yup.
Maz had entered the room without permission. This wasn't really an issue to Shiebe though. He closed the door behind him.
Whenever Shiebe would see Maz act like this it made it harder for him to believe that it was the same kid that tried to kill him the first time they had met. He was like a completely different person.
Shiebe: So what's the news you speak of?
Maz: Eros..has invited us to this town's hot springs!!
Maz raised his fist in the air and let out a shout of joy upon declaring his news to Shiebe. Shiebe sat on top of his bed as he watched the overly happy Maz.
Shiebe: Is that it...there's more news right?
Shiebe looked at Maz, slightly disappointed at the news he had brought to him. Although he had never been able to experience a hot spring himself, he had a general idea about what they were from the manga he read in his past life. From the manga's he had read their was a general theme when it came to hot spring and it was —
Maz: You're not seeing the big picture man. Think about all the hot babes there!
Just as he had predicted, Maz was only interested because of the girls that would be present at the hot springs. This had made Shiebe truly understand the character that lived inside of Maz. On first impression he gives off a I don't give a shit persona but when you get to know him he's a pervert.
Shiebe: We're too young for stuff like that though.
Maz: Ha..Ha..Ha
Maz let out a slight laugh.
Maz: Let me correct your statement. YOUR too young for that stuff. I mean you are the youngest here but I can handle it.
Technically Maz, Him and Zaneff were both 8 whilst Shiebe was only 7. However, He had lived up to the age of 15 in his past life but as he explores more and more in this world Shiebe had discovered that it was pointless how old he was mentally.
Shiebe: It doesn't seem like Eros wives or Zaneff take notice of you though?
Maz: Eros wives are well..Eros's wives and Zaneff…well I think we both know why she is interested in me.
Shiebe tilted his head in confusion to the later part of the sentence.
Shiebe: Why?
Maz:--I see..Nevermind forget what I said
Maz smirked at Shiebe's ignorance as he headed towards the doorknob.
Maz: Get ready. We're going in a few hours.
He closes the door behind him and leaves the room leaving the confused Shiebe alone in the room. Having lived the life he did, women were not a top priority in his life right now. He was more interested in things like exploration and power which is why he was unable to understand what Maz was hinting at.
***************
Shiebe: Their sure are a lot of people here
"Yeah, it's usually busy around this time of day"
Shiebe got a bit overwhelmed by the vast amount of people entering the Hot springs. The one who spoke out to him was one of Eros's wives.
The people that had joined them in their expedition were Shiebe, Maz, Zaneff, Eros and his wives.
???: Hey Look it's the Monarch and his wives
???: Woah, getting to see him up close like this is amazing.
???: Everyone, make way the Monarch is coming through.
The nearby citizens who had recognised Eros had commanded everyone else to make room for him to pass. Everyone then realised that he was here and split into two sides providing one straight line for them.
Eros: Thank You.
Eros waved to the cheering fans on the side as they all headed towards the hot springs.
Shiebe: It's crazy how popular he is.
Zaneff: Y-yeah..
Shiebe: Hmm…is something wrong Zaneff?
Zaneff: No..not at all
Maz: Alright, Alright we're here now so let's just enjoy ourselves.
Maz put his arm over both Shiebe and Zaneff pulling the three of them close together.
Maz: You know…we've never really gotten to know each other personally but the fight that we shared told me enough that you're both strong. So let's have some fun!
Shiebe: Yeah!
Zaneff: Y-Yeah..!
Eros dealt with the registration and the main office.
Eros: Alright, Let's split up. Girls you go to the left. Maz and Shiebe were going to the right.
Maz:...
Shiebe: Idiot…you thought it would shared didn't you
Maz dropped his jaw as Eros had uttered his sentence. The grand master plan that he had been planning the past few hours was all for naught.
They followed Eros' lead.
After getting undressed and getting their towels the made it to the hot springs. It wasn't pretty empty apart from a few kids roaming around the sides.
Eros was still in the locker room whilst Shiebe and Maz headed for the water.
???: Hey! Red Hair
A voice from behind was heard just as they were about to enter the water. The two turned their heads to see about 3 kids a bit older than them standing behind them. One was a human whilst the other two beastfolks
Shiebe: Is there an issue?
They all burst out laughing at Shiebe's response. The reason for their laughter and the reason why they would have called Shiebe's name in the first place was purely because of how he had sounded.
Despite speaking the same language, the citizens that lived there carried an accent similar to an arabian. Eros and his wives did not possess this accent though so Shiebe was unaware of it until now. Maz and Zaneff also did not wear an accent.
Maz: Who the hell are you laughing at bastards. We are students of the Monarch of Life Eros. We can have your bodies swinging on a tree just for laughing at us!
???: Yeah we know. We saw you guys making that grand entrance earlier but it doesn't seem like the Monarch is with you guys. So we can do whatever the hell we want.
The Human was the one that spoke out to Maz.
???: Is there an issue?
Behind the three kids stood an adult man who looked over them.
???: Uh no Sir. We were just l-leaving
The three kids had run behind him and into the locker room when they heard the voice of Eros.
Eros: Sorry that I was late.
Shiebe: No it's fine.
The three of them had finally entered the water. It was just as Shiebe would have expected it to feel like. Immersing yourself in the warm rich water provided him a sense of relaxation.
Shiebe: Thanks for the help out their Maz
Maz: No problem.
The three boys laid back and closed their eyes.
—----In the girls area—-----
"So Zaneff, what do you plan on doing in the future?"
Zaneff: Well.. I want to enter Henokai Academy and become a council member..
"Ooh. Aiming for the big shots I like. We will be cheering you on"
The girls area was the opposite from the boys. It was very busy. Filled with women of all ages and races.
Zaneff and Eros' wives all stuck together discussing what's been going on in their life.
"What about Shiebe? Do you know what he wants to do in the future?"
"Yeah has he ever discussed it with you"
Zaneff had a slight blush on her face upon hearing the question. It was mostly out of embarrassment but there was another feeling that laid deep inside. A feeling of respect and honourability.
Zaneff: Well there was this one time.
**********
–One week before the arrival of Maz.
Shiebe: I see..That's what it feels like.
Inside the library, Shiebe could be seen studying a book. The one to have made this observation was none other than Zaneff who stood at the entrance of the library looking at the back of Shiebe's head.
At first she hesitated but then she had pushed herself to go in the library and talk to Shiebe
Zaneff: H-Hey Shiebe
Shiebe: AH!...Oh it's just you Zaneff
Zaneff who had snuck up behind Shiebe tapped on his shoulder giving Shiebe a scare.
Zaneff: S-Sorry I didn't mean to scare you.
Shiebe: No need to apologise..Did you need something?
Zaneff: I-I just wanted to see what you were reading. If you don't mind.
With each sentence Zaneff got quieter and lowered her head out of embarrassment.
Shiebe: Oh..well it's a bit embarrassing to say this outloud but I'm studying about the different emotions that we face in our lives.
Zaneff had quickly lifted her head, surprised at what he said. She assumed that it would be something about syreums or the geography of the world but something like understanding emotions was not on her mind.
Zaneff: Do you struggle with expressing your emotions Shiebe?
It was the only sentence that she was able to say without stuttering. This was because she was genuinely asking him.
Shiebe looked away from her eyes and stared into the content of the paper he had been writing on.
Shiebe: N-No. A friend that I knew back in my hometown had an issue with expressing his feelings. I just wanted to know about the kinds of feelings that he may have been hiding without me knowing.
It was a lie that Shiebe had come up with. In reality Zaneff was right not only did he have issues expressing his emotions but some he doesn't even know off. To his surprise there was a children's book in the library that went over different emotions. He wrote them onto a piece of paper as a way to study them.
Shiebe:---!
Zaneff pulled the chair next to him and sat down staring at him. The look on her face told him to carry on with his story.
Shiebe: Well…M-My friend had an illness. He was unable to leave the house which made it difficult to learn about the outside world. His parents weren't there for him and the only friend he had was me. I could tell that he had a mix of emotions swelled up inside of him that neither of us could have understood. Then one day..he was gone.
As Shiebe had told Zaneff this story he let out a visible sign of pain on his face as he clenched his fist. It hurted him even more to hear out loud the shitty life that he had lived.
Shiebe: Z-Zaneff
Zaneff: I see.
Zaneff grabbed his left shoulder after seeing the pain that he felt. She held onto showing him that it was okay.
Zaneff: The pain of losing a friend and not being able to do anything for them. I may not have experienced myself but I can understand what's going through your head. But I won't sit here and see you be tormented by the past.
Fixed on her speech Zaneff did not realise that she was standing up while talking. After she did she quickly sat down and lowered her head in embarrassment.
Zaneff: S- Sorry i got a bit carried away
Shiebe let out a giggle at Zaneff's actions.
Shiebe: Zaneff. What's your dream
Zaneff: To get into Henokai Academy and become a member of the council…I want to help others in need.
Shiebe: I see like your father.
Zaneff: ….No.
Shiebe looked at the girls displeased expression
Zaneff: My father only cares for power and not others. He isn't a good member like Eros. I want to be better than him
Shiebe smiled at her remark
Zaneff: What about you Shiebe?
Shiebe: Me? Well If I had to set one goal in life. I guess it would be to be surrounded by people I love and helping others like my friends who lack power.
Zaneff: That's just like you
Shiebe: You think so
Zaneff: Yeah
Shiebe: Oh! Look at the time. We should get going for dinner.
Zaneff: Ah, your right
****************
—-Present—--
"W-What a beautiful story"
"Y-Yeah"
"Wonderful"
"To be young is such a blessing"
"Amazing"
"Dealing with something like that at such a young age. I can't imagine what it feels like"
"Yeah"
"I hope the best for you guys"
"Me too"
"Me Three"
All of Eros' wives had started to tear up listening to the story that Zaneff had told.
Zaneff: I hope that he can achieve it.