This chapter contains sensitive topics. Reader Discretion is advised.
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Ever since that occasion Nina started sticking to me like glue, to the point where Rafine gave us lessons at the same time. Mother had some worries about the strange outland girl getting so attached to me, but Prisilla and Rafine defended her.
"Come on Slyv, her family exiled her for having different color horns and hair. She's just craving some affection that's all." Prisilla would reassure mother.
"Unexpectedly I agree with Prisilla," the tip of her hat swayed as she nodded her head, "Ninamoritis is young, abandoned, without family, in an unfamiliar place. It will take some time before she's acquainted with the manners of the land. I know from experience."
"If you two say so."
And so, Nina clung onto me every second she could afford. She doesn't say much, just watches me read most of the time, since we weren't allowed outside our encampments anymore, but the conversations we do have go along the lines of:
"Alfy! Alfy!" she would suddenly say while leaning against my shoulder.
"What is it, Nina?" and then I would respond while flipping a page in my book.
"I love you." a sudden, direct attack on my heart strings.
".... Thanks." I would reply and pat her softly on the head.
"Hehe...." she giggles as she softly headbutts me.
Bonk.
Thankfully her horns are dull.
The two of us were often accompanied by Rafine nowadays since Mother was always busy on patrol. We were low on manpower after half the entourage stayed behind with Caspian and Agatha Dale, so she was learning from Swift on how to be an effective scout.
"Rafine, thank you so much for looking after Alfy." Mother said while bowing.
"No need," Rafine held up a hand to stop her, "Mages like me have little work outside of combat or disasters, I'd be more than happy to."
It was unfortunate that my magic schooling had to stop since my mana circuits were believed to be compromised after the recent incident, but she would always tell me stories of her journeys when I asked her.
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"Which one would you like to hear today young Alfy?" she said while writing on some scrolls.
"Tell me another one from your solo adventures." I bounced up and down enthusiastically. Nina bounced with me as well, though I'm not sure if she was excited or just copying me.
"Very well," she would stop and take off her spectacles before conjuring a scene in front of us with earth magic.
"The lands of the Osignin Kingdom, being the closest to the outlands, are extraordinarily harsh. The midday sun would strip the skin off your bones with their heat, and the cold lonely nights threatened to swallow you beneath the shifting tides of the sand they accompany. The caravan I was travelling was decimated by a monster attack after some idiot had illegally smuggled mana dense cargo and attracted the foul beasts. I had escaped, momentarily, but the Dune Prowlers were after my scent."
I held my breath as she continued, the earthen figures changed to depict a young mage running from a pack of six legged monsters.
"My stamina was quickly fading, and I had a choice left to me: flee and hope for rescue or face my pursuers with everything I had."
The figurine of the mage turned around and threw off its big hat, revealing its sharp horns that glowed crimson.
It clutched its staff as it took its stance.
YOU ARE READING
An Average Reincarnation
FantasiA nameless soul, with bits and pieces of knowledge from his previous life but not the memories of who he was, is born in a world he does not recognize. This is the chronicle of his journey. A typical reincarnation novel, but I really tried to craft...
