Seeing Rune appear on the hill, many kids around me make complicated expressions. Some are annoyed, while others are nearly strait out disgusted or afraid. Others are confused while I and a few of them just stay vigilant. Just from this reaction it is easy to see how much they must have suffered under the behavior of Rune, even if he was controlled.

Actually, from one of the kids I found out that Rune was already arrogant even before, but a few weeks before my arrival in the Dragon-Mountains it escalated. He looked down on others even before, but he wouldn't harm anyone or speak very badly about them unless he was provoked, but from that one day forth he was like a maniac.

Still, since yesterday his aura seems to have changed a lot. Some kids are confused while others became even more vigilant, seems that yesterdays events were actually way more imprinting on them than expected. But I actually share their sentiment, as I also heighten my perception of the surroundings.

Rune slowly begins to move with Feris following close behind him. He doesn't have his goons with him, and even my senses can't pick up anybody out of place in a large radius. Could it be he came for something else? Well, he isn't much older than the black haired girl, so I wouldn't be surprised that now that he regained control that he wants to play normal games, but really?

Anyway, as Rune makes his way through the crowd he stops standing at an about three meter distance from me. Actually, this distance is awkward. It isn't close enough for private talk, and it's too close for a secure speaking distance, considering the circumstance of the people around.

While still being lost in thought, Rune suddenly goes down on one knee and bows before me. Taken aback by the sudden action of his, I can't even react until Rune's voice resounds.

“Arin, for everything I have done, Sorry! I am truly sorry for what I have done to you and your companions, even if I wasn't in full control!” (Rune)

While bowing with his whole being in front of me, he honestly and sincerely apologized. First I wasn't believing my ears and eyes, but my sense couldn't pick up even the least bit of evil nor malicious intent. Looking around, I am probably not the only one who believes this scene to be unreal, as many of the other kids stare with wide open eyes and mouths.

While calming my surprised heart and thoughts, I begin to form words of my own.

“Fine, I accept your apology, but you still have to apologize to all the kids who you brought harm to, and her...” (Arin)

While saying my sentence, I suddenly turn around and push the black haired girl in front of everyone. She, being pushed into the middle all of a sudden, nearly freezes in shock, causing her to shake violently. She probably still has all the memories from when she was ignored and abused, causing her to feel fear.

Still, the reactions of the other kids didn't help, as they, like it was natural, backed up by a step.

“Uhm...” (Rune)

Being suddenly told to apologize to everyone Rune could only nod, but when I shoved the girl in front of everyone even he was surprised.

“For everyone, can you still feel her aura? No you can't! She has now control over her mana and won't bring damage to anyone in her surroundings, so please get along.” (???)

Before I could say something about her changed situation, suddenly a True adult Fire-Dragon showed up. Somehow I recognize the voice...

“““It's Miss Cynthia!””” (Arin and others)

Hearing this line from different positions at the same time, we all watch as the giant dragon lands and shortly afterwards transforms in a cloud of mist into out home-room teacher Miss Cynthia, wearing clothes suited for hiking. She is even having a backpack on her back, does she even need that when she is a dragon who can fly?

While wondering about useless questions, our teacher once again speaks.

“Arin, I don't know how you did it, but you helped her get control over herself, so thank you for that on the behalf of the teachers. Anyway Kids, you no longer have to fear her, just play with her as well, because she needs it...” (Cynthia)

Laughing at the end of her words, Cynthia suddenly transforms again and flies away. With her departing figure, some kids focus more on the girl in front of me. Even Rune who was still kneeling on the ground looked up, before once more apologizing to her and everyone else.

Luckily everyone was informed that Rune was manipulated one way or another, so they didn't focus all the blame on him. Though many still couldn't fully forgive him for what he had done to them, just like the girl. She did accept his apology, but she then turned her back towards him and hid behind me and cyan. It seems she isn't used to this kind of thing and dislikes standing out.

Seeing that at least his apology was accepted, he only bowed his head once more before leaving the field. He probably still has a lot to think about. Honestly, I was actually holding a hidden stance ready the whole time should he suddenly lash out, but luckily it wasn't needed.

While watching Rune leave with Feris following him close behind, most kids breathe out deeply and make relaxed faces. Appears that all of them were surprised and are happy now that the worst is over. Some actually feel proud that Rune bowed to them, but I can't understand the reason to be proud of this.

After a few minute break, the kids wanted to begin playing again and I wanted to join. But first, I brought some ideas into the group. I brought ideas such as red-light / green-light or cops and robbers. I am actually not sure if those are the right names, but we called them like that back in the orphanage. Though I could never play with them, my envy probably drove myself to remember every singe game there was to play that I couldn't help with. Actually, it hurt more than it helped me, making me sometimes even want to hate myself back then. But today it helps, as I can run faster than ever before.

First I explained them cops and robbers, the only difference is that I renamed it into guards and robbers, as there is, as much as I know, no police in this world. While explaining, many of the dragon-kids got excited as they wanted to become dragon-guards once they grow up, so when preparing the teams there were an unusual amount of young Dragons volunteering to be guards.

As we start playing, most of the robbers, us, begin charging towards the bushes and trees in order to hide and escape easily. I later actually have to explain the rules a second time due to some conflicts occurring between the guards and robbers. It is something about how to be freed from prison and how that is not possible, as well as when one is confirmed caught and when not.

For the first round then some kids only sit at the side, watching and learning how it works. I myself realize that I actually need to lower my specs in the next round, as my tails are 'three' in the eyes of the other kids, but I am overwhelmingly faster than a usual three-tails. Luckily, I am able to evade trouble due to most kids saying that this is a privilege due to my silver fur and royal bloodline.

So after a short brake and a small drink, most of the other kids joined as well. I ask Cyan and the girl as well, but Cyan says that he thinks it would be unfair when he joined with his build, and the girl doesn't really want to step forward yet, as she still seems to have to swallow what happened before with Rune and his apology. Maybe I was too rash by pulling her in front when Rune came to apologize? But knowing her character she might not even have the courage to step forward when he came, so I don't know if I did good or bad.

While slightly troubled with the situation, a boy from the dragon-race calls me over. Seems that the new teams are formed and they wanted to play again. While nodding towards the two real quick, I turn around and join the game again. This time I am a guard, and the dragons have number superiority in the robber-group, so how should I catch them if they fly?

While being deep in thought I didn't even notice that there are actually already over 25 kids here, making the two teams rather large, but that just increases the fun we have. When the game officially begins, we leave the robbers twenty seconds to run and hide. Afterwards we then spread out to catch them while a few volunteers guard the 'prison'-area.

We made it so that the field is large enough but not oversized, including special areas such as part open field, part forest and part beach. The beach is actually just right next to the large river cruising through this valley, it isn't large but still fairly fun to play at. Most of the earth-dragon kids actually hid there, as they have the camouflage and elemental advantage.

Catching them is hard, even when we forbid everyone to use magic during the game. Also, the Water-Dragons hide in the same area, probably in the water, but that is like cheating, as we can't catch up to them. In point of those 'problems' and other occurrences, after an hour the game got ended automatically, making the robbers the winners.

Afterwards we started a few more rounds. Actually, Cyan joined in when a few kids had to leave suddenly and one group was missing members. So, as the games continued we all lost our sense of time, and only regained it when the parents started showing up, calling their kids for dinner. Watching the sun, it has sunk already halfway behind the mountains, so the girl, Cyan and me made our way back to the mansion.

“Uhm, Arin? Thank you...” (Girl)

Saying those words with a stuttering voice but with certainty, the girl in black suddenly spoke to me with a shy look. I am actually not prepared for this, so I kind of don't know how to react. When I ask her why she thanks me, she only answers that she is glad that everything has ended, also thanks to me.

“Well, you're welcome, I guess?!” (Arin)

Smiling while answering her, she suddenly turns her head with a slight red tinge on her cheek, murmuring something under her breath.

I couldn't catch what she said to herself, but it seems that her mood improved quite a lot. Actually, while most of us were playing, three of the girls left their group and approached her, trying to befriend her. I remember her making an surprised and very shocked expression, probably because she isn't used to being approached all of a sudden. But in the end it seems that she actually gets along with them, she doesn't laugh or chat greatly, but I could see her smile once.

Wait, did I really watch her that often? What is this? Why would I behave that way? Could it be that I see her as something as an older sister I want to help? (A.N: Close, but not correct Arin)

While having my mind filled with useless thoughts, we easily arrive back at the mansion. Dinner was great, but sadly the one supposed to be the most surprised wasn't. I extra talked with Sarek, the chef, to make pizza in order to surprise Uncle Black, making it something special. But somehow Uncle Black got wind of the whole thing, eating all the prototypes Sarek prepared this morning.

I was a bit downcast about that, but seeing Cyan's, the girl's and the personals reaction made up for it. The maids seem to have enjoyed the pizza quite a lot, eating nearly a whole one alone per person. And those Pizzas were huge, I could barely eat a fourth before I had enough.

Actually, due to the large amount, I even invited Luna to eat, which she readily accepted. I could hear Mama complaining somewhere in my mind, but I can't transport food in there. Maybe I can imagine it and she can taste it that way?

Trying it out, the complaining voice suddenly got silent and was exchanged with praises for the pizza. Hearing Mama Lumi praise my idea like that, it actually warmed my heart a bit.

After a fun dinner, everyone relaxed in the living room, while the Human maid served some tea. I actually wanted to ask her how it comes that she can live here as a Human, but before I could ask Uncle Black suddenly pulled me into his arms and started massaging my head. Well, he does that since the time when I constantly had nightmares, so it already became something like a routine. After enjoying this for a few minutes and forgetting about my questions, I begin to feel drowsy, so I move to my room under the supervision of Cyan.

Anyway, the girl in black actually has her own room now. Uncle Black first insisted that she lives in mine, but after being yelled at by me, he caved in. He prepared her the best guest-room we have, one who is actually not loosing out to my own.

With that said, I climb onto my bed and lie down. Cyan is kind enough to pull up the blanket onto me before he bows lightly and leaves the room. I wonder, does he confuse a servant with family or is he just shy...?

Anyway, as my thoughts drift off, darkness descends which gently leads me towards a good nights sleep.