My Crazy Years

Summoning

The steam rising from the pot on the stove, announced the water was ready. You took it off the stove and poured the boiling liquid into the cups already prepared, watching the red color rising to the surface and spreading a sweet fragrance of cherries and strawberries in the kitchen. You giggled seeing Grimm inhale the scent and rising the thumb of his free hand, up in the air. Grimmchild was sleeping in his arms, wrapped in his father's cape where it was warm and soft. You looked at him, doing your best not to coo. He was just too cute, especially when he rubbed his cheek on the Troupe Master's chest. Where's the cuteness police?! This shouldn't be legal!

Kuro was perched on your shoulder, belly full from another delicious meal and looking around for Hornet or any other child willing to go with him on a flying session outside. Much to his disappointment, and the little ones', they were stuck with another wave of homework from the King and as soon as someone managed to finish it, they had to go and help the others.

Radiance was sitting on your other shoulder, telling you about what happened during the day while you were away, how the children tried to sneak out of their lessons, only to be caught by one of the Five Knights or the teachers themselves. At first, the children were taking lessons mostly in fighting, but now they had also science integrated in their curriculum, a thing that before only happened at the children's request. Now they were all stuck learning about them, though more seriously and on different levels. The Wyrm was aware that they all had different things they were good at and took that into great consideration when planning their lessons. Good for him. Many bugs were hired to be teachers for his little ones. Cornifer was teaching them about Geography, Monomon about Chemistry, Sly about Economy, Lemm's class was History and so on. Even White Lady was participating, sharing her knowledge about plants with her beloved children, though the King was worried that the little ones were actually sleeping and playing, not learning, but since this was his wife's class, he couldn't say anything. He was also teaching different sciences, a job which he seemed to enjoy a lot.

However, since there were so many children, attempts to skip class were not that uncommon, even though the punishment was everyone's worst nightmare. A full hour lecture from none other than Zote. That...was pure torture.

James was sitting at the table, looking over the book you brought, studying the symbols and the thing the woman gave you. He flipped through the pages, tracing the symbols with his hands. After a few minutes, he closed it and let out a heavy sigh.

"From what I can tell, this is a book about how to summon the Birch." he said in the end and took one of the tea cups.

"The Birch? Who's that?" you asked, sitting down and taking the book from him.

"One of the forest spirits. She's described as a protector by some and a demon by others, but I can't recall the details very well. Gertrude should know more about her. I'll give her a call tonight and ask her." he said and took a sip from the tea, only to let the cup down quickly. "Argh! Still hot!"

"Careful with that, uncle." you said and looked at the book's cover once more. "Do you mind if I call Gertrude? I was planning on doing it yesterday anyway but didn't have the time."

"Sure. Go ahead. By the way, what do you want for dinner?"

"I don't know. I'm not in the mood to cook right now."

"Ok. Then let's order something."

"Or, you know, you could cook something, James. It would be healthier." Radiance proposed.

Every bug in the house seemed to agree with her, much to your surprise. Not to be mean but James had a reputation of being the clumsiest guy that ever lived. One that you've seen proven right quite many times.