BXBX NOVEL Chapter 43 - 43 - Arrangement
Granny looked at the figure, before speaking with her ever-present gentle smile plastered on her face.
"And? What is the verdict?"
Number 3 looked at the boy, and in a clear tone that contained no traces of negativity, she said.
"He is immature, brash, and easy to agitate. He needs to be able to stay calm, keep his anger in check. From what I\'ve seen just now, as soon as his rage reaches a point, something snaps in him, and as if like another personality surfaces that he can\'t control. This \'alter-ego\' puts a heavy drain on his energy, so I\'m guessing he can\'t even maintain it for even a minute, probably only for a few seconds.
Aiden\'s face turned downcast on the harsh critique received. She was right, he knew that, but it was still hard to hear it.
"However…" She exhaled and continued in a much gentler tone "he has a heart of gold and is willing to do anything for their loved ones. As I just mentioned, what he did, while it was incredibly stupid, it was still very brave. Seeing that neither of you had any chance left to survive this ordeal, he didn\'t hesitate to jump to the front and carry the weight of this burden himself. Such heart, such determination is seldom nowadays.
"And with that, our time together has come to an end. I don\'t know what will happen now, the best I can do for you guys, is to relay everything I know to the Grandmaster and he will decide the best course of action. Try to stay safe, all of you."
Her goodbyes said, she turned around and was about to leave, when the boy called out to him and grabbed hold of her clothing.
"Wait! Please! Don\'t leave… You have no logical reason to leave your duty. We have known about you since the day you appeared on the branch of that tree just outside our house. I have not said a word, because you had no ill will towards us.
Now, however, I know you are a good person, and much stronger than I am. Why don\'t we work together instead? You can report all you want, but… please stay…"
Supporting Aiden\'s words, Granny also chimed in.
"I agree with Aiden, you should stay. At least stay for dinner and some tea, and let\'s have a good talk. I\'m sure Lily would also want to meet you. She might as well let you taste her favorite desserts as well!"
Listening to them, Number 3, had a slight smile on her face behind the mask. Coughing to calm her beating heart, she nodded towards Granny.
"Fine, I don\'t see a reason to decline the invitation."
That settled, with a small smile on his face, Aiden walked back towards the still sleeping Lily and picked her up in a princess carry. Grouping up with Number 3 and Granny they all made their way out of the now devastated landscape of the previously beautiful glade and started making their way towards home.
With the help of Number 3, they could have used magic to open a gate and arrive back home immediately, but the walk back should be peaceful, and with all that\'s happened today, this small amount of respite would be soothing for their weary soul.
Number 3 and Granny made some small talk along the way, while Aiden was focusing on the notifications of the system. While he didn\'t gain as much from this whole ordeal as he had hoped, it was still rather fruitful.
[Rune Magic discovered! Analyzing information… 25%]
He was, however, thankful that Enya was working with him, and not against him, as when they crossed the dead body of the Worgen, she placed it into his inventory for further analysis, and hopefully, provide the maximum benefits for Aiden.
Another thing that surprised him, was the fact that the system picked up on the type of magic Number 3 used during the fight.
[Wind Magic discovered! Analyzing information… 5%]
\'Enya, I have to say, once again, I\'m so glad I have you. Sneakily picking up the dead body without them noticing it, was brilliant. Is there a way for the system to access it from the inventory and see if there\'s enough life essence left to be able to get that form?\'
As usual, Enya\'s response was almost instantaneous.
[Yes. If you give the order, the system can start working on it. Keep in mind that the creature was a mutated one, so you might need to wait for a while before the system can give you an update.]
\'That is fine, just let me know once you know something.\'
[As you wish Aiden.]
As the system started working on the information the deceased body could provide, he exited from his system and listened to the small-talk Granny and Number 3 had.
Along the way, they all got to know each other a bit better, and finally got the figure\'s name which to their surprise was very strange. She called herself \'Number \', third of the twelve executors under the Grandmaster. She didn\'t say any more about this mysterious Grandmaster or the group she is a part of, nor about their goals. She also mentioned that as an executor she has relatively big freedom in how she completes her missions. Only results matter, the way she achieves them, do not.
The afternoon sun long shone its brightest by the time they arrived back to the hut, the last rays of the sun was slowly receding below the horizon. Lily slowly started regaining her consciousness, and groggily waking up. Realizing she is still being princess-carried, she let out a giggle and snuggled her face on his chest. Her low voice was only heard by Aiden.
"Ehehehe… I love you, brother!"
Smiling, Aiden gave a kiss on her forehead, as he whispered to her.
"Rest well big sis, we have just arrived back home. I will carry you to our room, and you can rest until dinner is ready. We will have a guest, but don\'t bother with that for now, okay?"
As she continued to snuggle, no words could be made out through her muffled mumbling, only the giggles she let out every now and then.
It was way into the evening by the time dinner was ready, it was dark and eerie outside. Sitting around the table, Lily looked at the still cloaked figure and as she couldn\'t really understand her reasoning, she asked confusedly.
"Lady, why are you still having a cloak and that ugly mask? How will you eat if you can\'t use your mouth? You could remove them, you will have a better time then!"
Aiden started laughing hearing her innocent words, and even Granny let out a small chuckle before she cleared her throat.
"Sorry for that, she is still a child. Please, don\'t take offense for her words."
Shaking her head, Number 3 answered.
"No, it\'s quite alright, she is right. I have no reason to hide anymore."
Taking off her mask, and then hood, a dazzlingly beautiful face revealed itself. She had long, silky black hair, that was mysteriously hiding behind the hood previously, and deep-sea blue eyes, that you could get lost for all eternity. Spotless bright skin it felt like an angel was amongst them, a perfect being.
Looking at her, Lily as innocent as she was, gave voice for her admiration.
"Woaah! Lady, you are sooo pretty!"
"Thank you…" smiling, she picked up a piece of meat and placed it on her plate. "I know it\'s not my place to say this, but let\'s eat, shall we?"
Agreeing, they all started picking their favorites and started eating. Soon, the trays got replaced with Lily\'s favorite tarts, and some tea.
Placing down her cup, Granny looked at Number 3 and broke the silence.
"Listen. I know your mission is above everything and all, but you see, we\'re have no desire to cause harm, or do anything against you guys. We didn\'t even know you existed till you showed up!
However, what I would like to suggest is that we work together. You also saw the main issue with Aiden right now, his power. He has too much power and has no idea how to effectively use it, how to exert his strength in a proper manner. He also needs guidance, someone who could teach him the basics of combat, and anything that I sadly cannot provide him with. What do you say?"
Before Number 3 could react, Aiden looked her in the eye, and added.
"What she says is true. I would be grateful if you could teach me. You can even report back to your Grandmaster and continue with your mission meanwhile, we will say nothing that you moved in, and started interacting with me."
Lily also chimed in.
"Yes! You could move in and be more effective in watching us! You could teach brother and do your job!"
Listening to all of their arguments, she couldn\'t help but sigh, and as her angelic face donned a gentle smile she nodded.
"I can\'t argue with you guys… If you keep it a secret, let me continue report back regularly, and let me observe your brewing sessions, I am willing to stay and teach you both. But! You have to keep my presence here a secret, I will not show myself when you go back to the city, nor will I defend any of you there, and we will act like you don\'t know anything about me, understood?"