4 The Cunning Child (1/2)
The contract had many demands. At a closer look the demands weren't extreme, however the woman felt it was humiliating that a five-year-old took advantage of her. She continued to look through the demands which wanted her to take care of his family and sister, but surprisingly she couldn't find a single demand that Arnin wanted for himself.
”Don't you want anything?” This was bugging her somewhat. Why would he not have any demands of his own? What game was he playing?
”Just sign the contract if you want my sister as your disciple. If you can't even accept something as minor as this, then forget about having my sister follow you.” Arnin ignored her question and instead threatened her. The woman solemnly looked at Arnin before biting her small finger and letting bright red blood flow out. The blood began to shine with colorful characters before being absorbed into the contract paper. Once the transformed blood was absorbed, the woman sighed in relief. She lifted her head and sized Arnin once again, but this time there was no mockery. She looked at him as though he was an old man that tricked her into his home; it was a look of disgust and fear.
”Your name is Arnin right? Well, the contract is signed, now can I take your sister in as my disciple? Also, let me meet your parents!” The woman pulled Nekaia towards her before Arnin could give her a nod. She wanted to get to know Nekaia as soon as possible. Also, she wanted to find out more about Nekaia and Arnin through their parents. Arnin was mysterious and probably had the same, if not more, talent then Nekaia.
”Sure we can go meet my parents, however, I want to complete the lesson before I go. Just wait till it ends then we can go.” Arnin waved his hand towards the woman and looked at the old man beside her. The old man kept his silence the whole time, watching everything with a dropped jaw. He came back to his senses when the lesson was mentioned.
”Little Arnin, don't worry about the lesson. Today, the kids only needed to find their orbs, there will be nothing more after this. Hehe!” The old man nervously laughed when he noticed the woman looking at him. He would just end the lesson for now and continue later. His life was more important than any lesson.
”Well, since the lesson has been completed, take me to meet your parents now!” The woman pulled Nekaia and started to walk out the open area in the forest. She wasn't polite to Arnin who had just duped her into signing a contract.
Nekaia didn't mind being pulled by the woman because she felt that the woman was in no way dangerous. Plus, she knew that she had been sold by her brother, who didn't even ask her whether she wanted to become someone's disciple.
She looked at Arnin angrily, who immediately turned his face in a different direction when he noticed her red face. He was embarrassed about what he had done, but it was for her and his family's future. They would live much better lives and Nekaia would be able to become much stronger. He felt it was a great deal.
-----------------------------------------------------
In the Foro household, Ashia and Florian anxiously sat on their bed. All they could think about was the orb identification test five years ago. Arnin and Nekaia had unknown talents, which made them believe that their children had little talent. They were worried that things may go wrong for their children.
*Knock Knock*
A series of knocks resounded in the house, causing the parents to quickly get on their feet and rush towards the door. They thought that Nekaia and Arnin came back early because they weren't able to cultivate, so they only wanted to quickly comfort them. Yet, when they opened the door, they saw a completely different scene. In front of them was Arnin, who continued to have his casual, detached expression. Behind him was a woman with average looks, and an age similar to their own. The woman held onto their princess, who didn't seem to be struggling in any way. Both parents couldn't help but be shocked at what they were seeing.
”Arnin, what is going on?” Florian quickly came back to his senses and questioned his more mature child. He felt that something was off with the way Nekaia was being held.
”Dad, this here is a woman from the city. Her name is… what was your name?” Arnin finally remembered to ask the woman for her name. He was too busy thinking about the benefits that his family would receive, causing him to completely forget about asking the woman her name.
The woman's face became slightly red and dark. Arnin's question humiliated her once again, and this time in front of her disciple's parents. The woman quickly pulled herself together and gave Ashia and Florian a warm smile.
”Hello, my name is Avian, Avian Illume. I have come from the city in hopes to find a disciple. Your daughter here is very talented and I hope to take her in as my disciple. Your son, Arnin, has already forced me to sign a dreadful contract, I reluctantly signed it and have taken your daughter in as my disciple. I hope that you won't mind, I wanted to speak with you first, but your child gave me no other choice.” The woman showed a pitiful face when she spoke about Arnin's deeds, making it seem like she was taken advantage of, which wasn't completely wrong.
Ashia and Florian were gaping at the thought that their child, Nekaia, was now the disciple of a person from the city. However, when Ashia heard the last few lines, her face darkened.