Together With You -Rayllum-

Chapter 17

Rayla sat on her bed, looking down at Ethari who was bandaging her foot.

"You shouldn't overwork yourself like that Rayla. Especially when you have an injury. You should take it easy." Ethari strictly advised.

Rayla rolled her eyes, knowing she wouldn't follow anyway.

Ethari saw her annoyed expression.

"I'm serious. It will take more time for your wounds to heal if you keep on moving like that. You need to stay here in this house until you're all better."

"Well then what am I supposed to do? Throw rocks in the fountain?" She sarcastically asked.

"Rayla." Ethari called out sternly, an angry look on his face.

Rayla looked up, unintentionally glaring at the older man who returned her hateful gaze.

"Fine." She said through gritted teeth." Feeling satisfied, Ethari left the room, leaving Stella there with her.
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Callum did a roundhouse kick on the abused tree in front of him. While waiting for the right time to meet with Rayla, he decided to train.

He needed to improve his combat anyway.

Drawing a rune, he activated his lightning.

"Fulminis!" The bright blue light struck the tree, creating a deep narrow cut on the trunk.

Callum panted, sweat covering his body.

"What do you think Bait? Have I gotten better?" He asked the glowtoad with a victorious and mischievous grin.

Bait croaked approvingly with a... smile?

"Try working on your kicks and punches." A voice advised. Callum whipped his head and was about to attack until he saw the familiar person standing before him.

"E-Ethari..." He whispered in disbelief. "It's nice to see you again, Callum." The man smiled.
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Ethari and Callum sat face to face.

"So tell me. What is your motive for coming here?" Ethari asked the mage.

Callum hesitated to answer. If he tells Ethari, then he could say no and keep Rayla away forever.

But then again, he could say yes.

With the latter in mind, he replied, simply with no hesitation.

"I came to take Rayla back." He narrowed his gaze. Ethari didn't say anything and instead, smiled.

"Very well. But I won't let you take her with her injuries. Come back in about a week or so."

"Y-you're not mad?" Callum raised a brow. Ethari chuckled. "No. I'm not."

"During Rayla's first few day in my home, I could see how uncomfortable she felt."

"She is always going out even if I tell her not to." He paused and looked at Callum. Seeing the perplexed look on his face, he explained.

"She dosen't belong here. She belongs out in the wild. She needs to be somewhere where she can put her skills and abilities to the test."

"She may have grown up here, but Silvergrove is no longer the place for a person like Rayla to live."

"But she used to live here. How can she not belong here anymore?" Asked Callum, suddenly intrigued.

"Over the years, Rayla had been more adventurous. She knows how things are in the world outside. She has been travelling without anyone to stop her."

"Silvergrove is not suited for her anymore. It is a small enclosed village in the middle of the forest. She cannot be seen here. She needs to be in a place where she can show off her improvement. Where she can live with no one judging her species or her appearance."

Callum looked down.

"I will only allow you to take her back to your kingdom if I'm sure that she will be safe there. So tell me about Katolis."

"Katolis is a heavily guarded kingdom. Guards are at every corner watching. There are hundreds of defense systems and an the castle she will live in is big enough and safe enough."

Ethari shook his head with a light chuckle.

"What I mean is, I will only allow you to take her if I know that she is accepted there."

"Yes, of course she is. She even made friends with my aunt, the crown guard, the king, a baker, and two prisoners."

"I assure you, our kingdom is used to the magical creatures that go there. They won't criticize Rayla for being an elf."

Ethari smiled.

"Then I leave her in your hands."
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