I have been making minute progress over the last two days since I awakened. I had asked Cassandra about images, since Nyla and the book talked about it. It seemed like the image was used to convey intent. Because the clearer your intent and image, on top of a lot of other factors the better your mana would work towards the intended result.

I still hadn’t made any specific progress concerning that yet. I needed to learn how to properly manipulate my energies before I could start with the next step.

The good news was that I learned a neat trick, it was written in the book that Cassandra gave me.

You just had to expel a thin layer of mana from yourself with an image of being clean, or expel dirt and it would naturally push off everything your body didn’t consider a part of you.

It explained why they didn’t have baths, yet were always sparkly clean. You just had to remember not to do it with your clothes on.

While I was idly musing to myself I saw Lyria was heading for the door.

I hadn’t left the house for almost two weeks now. I really wanted to stretch my legs and see the city.

“Hey Lyria, where are you going?”

She turned around while giving me a beautiful smile.

“I’m going to visit the monastery. I haven’t been there for some time, with everything that happened lately.”

Bashfully looking at her I asked.

“Could I come with you? I really want to see the city, and would be nice if you could show me around.”

“I would love to.”

Beaming me a smile she skipped towards the rack grabbing a cloak for me.

A couple of weeks ago she would always be so shy and timid around me. It was good to see her so happy and bubbly with me now.

Walking out on the street I enjoyed the sight around me. Lyria was pointing out the shops, her favorite street food. And ofcourse things I should avoid, like back alleys and rovdie looking crowds and other things i should avoid and who to steer clear of.

I had my cloak pulled over my head and made sure that I was as inconspicuous as possible. I didn’t want to have an incident like at the tavern happening again.

After a few minutes of walking we came outside a grand building, it was an alabaster white cathedral that would put cathedrals back on earth to shame.

While I was thinking it was our destination we went straight past it and towards a brick building a few blocks away.

“Here we are.”

Lyria said while pointing at it.

“This is the monastery dorm, it’s also an orphanage.”

Following her inside I saw her greet a plump looking older woman in priestly garbs.

“Ho ho, why isn’t it little Lyria. We haven’t seen you here for a couple of months.”

“Sorry Mother Eris, we took an extensive mission that took awhile and a lot of things happened.”

“Nonsense, nothing to be sorry about. The kids have missed you though, you should go and greet them.”

Smiling at Lyria she ruffled her hair before turning towards me.

“And who do we have here? Did you make up with your brother little Lyria?”

Shyly smiling she looked down while muttering.

“No this is Alex his ehhhm.”

Not managing to actually admit what we were I stepped up while grabbing her hand.

“I’m Alex, her man. It’s nice meeting you.”

Eris put her hand in front of her mouth while her eyes went wide open for a second.

“Oh my. Ho ho ho, I’m sorry Lyria my mistake. I guess your not so little anymore.”

She laughed while clapping Lyria on her back.

When we stepped into the backyard there was throng of kids playing around. When a girl turned and noticed Lyria she quickly yelled while running towards her.

“LYYRIIIAAA!”

The other children turned and did the same, a cacophony of voices burst out while I could only pick out tidbits here and there.

“Tell us about your adventure.”

“Did you bring candy?”

They were crowding her while she was smiling and ruffling heads telling them about her adventures.

“This seems like a good place, everyone looks happy.”

I mused to Eris.

She smiled gently.

“It wasn’t always like this, but Captain Eris donations made life a lot easier for us. Don’t tell Lyria, she wanted to keep it a secret from her.”

I looked confused at the old caretaker, it seemed weird she would share a secret like that.

“Why tell me then?”

“Ho ho ho. Don’t mind me, just my feeble old mind forgetting itself.”

She looked coyly at me with a slight smile on her lips.

Letting the subject drop I just looked at the spectacle of Lyria playing with the children.

It didn’t take long before they saw me standing next to Eris and some inquisitive girls jogged over.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Alex, what’s your name?”

“I’m Allie, you talk weird.”

It was funny how brazen small children could be, they really didn’t mince words. I still had a distinct accent it seemed, well it was to be expected with how little time I spent here.

The other girls that came up were looking shyly at me while one blurted.

“Wow pretty guy, would you play with us?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, they were so innocent and forward.

Lyria noticed what was happening and came over.

“They aren’t bothering you Alex?”

“No no, it’s fine.”

The children that where with Lyria plus those that had come over instantly started to barrage her again.

“You know this pretty big brother?”

Lyria smiled with a slight blush before saying.

“Yes, his with me”

“Your friend?”

“No I'm her man”

I replied, wanting to see their reaction.

“Ooooooh. Woooow”

There was a storm of gasp while most of them stared at me and Lyria with their mouths wide open.

“What?”

“How?”

“Tiny Lyri got such a pretty boyfriend?”

I could see she got a slight smile before she pouted at all the kids that were throwing shade at her.

“Hey, I’m bigger than all of you.”

Lyria refuted.

“Nuuu uuh. Your old and small, when I grow up I'm gonna be big and strong like empress Valeria!”

A boisterous little girl humphed while putting her hands on her hips and puffing her chest out.

Smiling at their antics I stepped behind Lyria and hugged her.

“I like your size, you look so cute that I want to snuggle you all day.”

Lyria got a blush on her face while shyly smiling and looking down.

The kids went on their second spree.

“Kyyyyaaa”

“I’m small too.”

Going through cute cries and some of them blushing while other where blatantly pointing at us with shock in their eyes.

“His so brazen.”

“I’m jealous….”

That last voice came from another caretaker, this one was slightly masculine and looked slightly older than us.

“Hey Lyria, I see that you're back.”

Lyria smiled brightly at the new arrival.

“Hey Lisandra. Is everything okay at the clinic? Do you need any help?”

Lisandra smiled back at Lyria while shaking her head.

“No we are doing fine without you, It’s been peaceful lately. Old lady Nira misses you though, you should visit her sometime.”

They went and talked about old times while I was swamped with the kids.

It was nice relaxing and getting my mind of training. I still got tired in the end by the boundless energy all children have.

The cocky girl that claimed to grow up into a powerhouse even offered me a spot in her future harem.

After a couple of hours we went back home, Lyria took a different route back so she could show me more of the city.

We even picked up some snacks on the way from street vendors.

On the way back I asked something that was on my mind.

“I only saw small girls there. Why?”

Lyria looked sad while answering.

“Boys will always get snatched up if they become orphans, and a lot of girls back there where dumped by their families cause they were to small. They are deemed too weak too work and help the household. So poor people will dump them and even sometimes sell the boys they get.”

This world really was different from back home. But the fact that they could be so happy after everything they experienced showed how good that place was.

I took Lyrias hand in mine and we walked silently the reminder of the journey home.

***

Nyla was moping while sitting in the dining room. It has been almost two weeks since Alex awakened, but that wasn’t what was bothering her.

Inara saw that her friend was brooding about something and sat down next to her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing...”

She said sadly.

“Come on, you can tell me. You know ill help you out.”

After hesitating a little bit she started talking.

“Well I haven’t made any progress with Alex at all… I can’t be assertive as you, and even Lyria became really close with him. But I just don’t know what to do, what to say...”

Inara got a pondering look on her face.

“But don’t you train almost everyday with him In the backyard, plus you had all those language lessons with him.”

Nyla sighed exasperated.

“That’s the problem, if I got a subject to talk about than I know what to say. But outside the lessons or helping him train I’m drawing blanks… I just don’t know how to act around him or what to talk about. I just default into silence and ultimately nothing happens...”

Inara looked thoughtful on her companion.

“Well. I know I say this a lot but, you should have more confidence in yourself and just act like you usually would with us. It’s the best advice I can give you. You shouldn’t be scared of Alex, he really doesn't act like a guy anyway. Sometimes it feels like he is more like one of the girls...”

Nyla looked pleadingly at Inara.

“But don’t you have something concrete, maybe a trick or something I could talk about or do?”

Inara sighed while looking at her.

“How about I talk to Alex for you?”

Nyla looked horrified at her.

“NO! What if he thinks I'm weak or scared if I can’t even speak for myself...”

“Then show him your not scared. Ask him what he thinks of you next time you train together, or just tell him you want to sleep with him like I did. It worked for me.”

Nylas face went tomato red, it even felt like steam was rising from her ears.

“That’s too forward, I can’t do something brazen like that. I just wanted maybe another kiss and act cozy with him like you and Lyria does sometimes...”

Inara looked amused at her.

“Didn’t you ask for tips in bed earlier?”

Nyla hesitated a little before answering.

“Well yes, but that was for the future. I still want to do this properly and take it a step at the time.”

“If you'd like I could give you the whole run down, what he likes and everything.”

Inara was wiggling her eyebrow while having her mischievous smile on her face.

“Waaaaah, too much. I just want it simple and romantic and not make a fool out of myself.”

She pouted.

“Hahahaha, who knew you were so innocent. Your really missing out.”

Inara laughed while clapping her on the back.

“If it’s like that then just act like yourself, and maybe try giving him a hug. You’ll be surprised how friendly he is.”

Winking at Nyla, Inara gave her last advise before standing up and leaving the room.