The Path of a Black Sheep in a Fantasy World (BL)

Chapter 87

Down by the River by Milky Chance~

"So, what do you think of the deal?" Athena asked before taking another cookie from the plate. It turned out to be the last one too, making Blaze whine quietly, before the turned to burrow his face into Adam's chest, embarrassed by his childish behavior. Ash too, looked crestfallen as he watched the old lady holding the last delicious cookie, even though he remained silent.

Athena laughed out loud at their behaviors, making Adam facepalm.

He hadn't realized that he had raised two gluttons.

"It's fine, it's fine. Here you go, sweet children." The elder said as she broke the cookie in two, handing both kids one half. Blaze hurried to grab the cookie, thanking her quickly before gulping down the treat. Ash, on his part, looked up at Evan, waited for him to nod, and then timidly took the half handed to him, mumbling a shy thank you. He then proceeded to nibble slowly on the treat to make it last longer.

"You sure have two completely different children." Athena noted, her old heart melting from their cuteness. She hadn't been near children since a while ago, way too busy with her duties. Her second daughter, Anna, did have five kids with her two husbands, but the brats weren't cute like the ones before her.

They looked too much like their stern and taciturn dads. Athena couldn't even see what her daughter saw in them.

Shaking her head at the headache they always brought her, she focused back on the family, waiting for Adam's answer to her question.

The warrior exchanged glances with his lover, having a silent conversation with the giant.

"Fine, we accept." Adam finally said after Evan smiled slightly. It was truly a good deal. They could get stronger, which was their main goal, while also getting to know his other family. Blaze and Ash will also get to enjoy being doted on by an elder, from what Adam could see in Athena's gaze as she looked at the children. She seemed fond of them.

"Splendid! Can you tell me what you normally do as adventurers, guessing that you are adventurers of course. What have you hunted so far?" Athena asked to try to gauge their respective strength. They wouldn't have a healer fight a bear and a fighter find herbs. In their tribe, they all had their role that fitted them best.

Adam explained their teamwork, talking about the monster they had hunted and how they had done so when Athena asked for more details. He was also questioned about the training they had each received and he explained as best as he could. At the end, the elder was truly impressed. They had each done much more than what would normally be expected from people with so little training.

They made her proud to call them family.

"Alright, I understand. Here are your quests to pass the rite of passage. You must complete them all alone. Adam, you will need to hunt three wind lizards. Those are humanoid lizards that stand on their back legs, they use their wind attribute to be nimble and fast, perfect for your spear. Evan, you will fight one vine bear. Those huge bears are known for their strength, using vines around them to tie up their opponents and slow them down to match their speed. You will be able to show off your bare-hand fighting skills. Blaze, you will be in charge of hunting five snow foxes. They are weaker, but fight in groups, and their attribute is bad for yours. Ash, you will need to find three rare herbs, I will give you a book about them later. You will also need to heal five minor injuries and one medium. Is everything clear?" Athena took on a serious pose, telling them their quests. She didn't have the same easy-going atmosphere around her, she truly gave off a chief's feeling.

Rites weren't to be taken lightly, they were the core foundation of the Aleksy's tribe.

Adam hoped that everything would go well for each one of them. He believed in their strength, but accidents could happen. Mostly the thought of sending his two children away alone was making him anxious.

"How much time do we have to complete the quest?" Evan broke the heavy silence first, inquiring about the rite's details.

"Not much, we can't keep strangers around too long or the tribe's members will riot. You can rest today, but tomorrow you will need to leave separately to complete your quest. You need to come back in under two days with your prizes. Rick, the scout that brought you here, is waiting outside the tent. He will guide you to your tent so you can rest. Dinner will also be brought to you later. Try not to step outside if possible." Athena explained and even if the deadline worried Adam, he knew it was actually generous of their part.

Normally, they would have been made to leave immediately to complete their quest without resting, and they would only have one day to complete it.

Adam nodded at Athena to express his thanks as their little family got up. The elder waved his thanks away with a gentle smile, before beckoning him just as he was about to pass the entrance. He looked back at his family waiting outside the tent, telling them to wait a bit for him, before hurrying inside.

"Don't worry about the children, we will have scouts secretly follow them around. If they are ever in real danger, they will rescue them." Athena whispered to him, making Adam instantly relax. He thanked her again before leaving the tent.

He truly felt like coming here was the right decision.

Outside, Rick was waiting for him. The first thing Adam saw, or more like heard, was Ash screeching like an angry cat at the scout, hiding behind Evan with only his head poking out. The snake looked at Rick with an angry scowl, not letting the man come closer.

It seemed like the shifter wasn't too happy about having been taken hostage when they first met.

Hey dear readers, Ash was really offended by their first meeting, oups...

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