《I am a Bug》Chapter Seventeen: Ever have more fun playing with kids than adults?
Advertisement
I needed to leave tomorrow. Last night had been full of planning, planning, and more planning. Today everyone was preparing weapons, provisions and other stuff. A lot went into fighting a war, even before and after.
Logistics is freaking complicated, I’m glad they don’t need me for that.
...What? I am a bug, how am I supposed to help?
Either way, I would be headed out in the morning along with everyone else. I had to get a good distance away from the forest before the enemy got close.
I was honestly looking forward to it.
But right now Astera was coming home from school, so I should take care of her before I leave. She wasn’t as clingy anymore but that was no excuse to neglect her.
When she got home she immediately ran to the the kitchen for a snack. Then she headed to the playroom. There was a lot of stuff there, like a ridiculous amount. Generations of toys were here.
Piled up were stuffed animals of all types. Some were worn and frayed, repaired repeatedly till none of the original parts of the plushy still existed. There were new ones as well, still relatively clean and fluffy.
There were books made out of tough materials like vellum and thick parchment on a bookshelf in the corner. They were childrens books, but of a variety of topics. Some were mostly pictures and an alphabet. Others were simple, but full sized, novels of stories.
Enough colored blocks to build a full sized house were scattered about in one corner of the room. Other toys like model horses and carts were lying in the middle of a half completed model of the city.
There were other things as well: small chairs, a chalkboard, a costume closet, props, finger puppets, full sized puppets, and more. The elves didn’t throw away anything they could repair, so the collection had grown steadily over the years.
It wasn’t just the Greenbul’s children that played here. The workers often brought their kids to work so they could have help looking after them. Mero was often seen with one of the maid’s boys and the cook’s daughter. Right now it was just me and Astera here though.
She was pulling the chairs into rows and placing stuffed toys into them. I shrank down and took my seat between a droopy rabbit and an overly fluffy wolf.
She ran behind a room divider and began putting on her ‘teacher’s’ outfit. Aside from the shoes she just slipped everything over her clothes. It looked silly, but most of it was still way too big for her.
It was funny, since the rest of the costumes were kid size. I can only guess that Mellina gave a set of her own clothes to Astera. Astera’s teacher doted on her as much as she did the rest of her students. I could see Mellina feeling flattered enough to give Astera a full outfit so she could play teacher.
Advertisement
...I know I can’t resist the kid’s puppy dog eyes.
*clop clop clop*
The weird sound like a cross between heels and flip flops sounded out. Astera walked out from behind the room barrier. She was decked out in an outfit identical to Mellina’s. Since she was so much smaller than her teacher it looked kind of ridiculous. I would never say that to her face though, this was too adorable.
She wobbled over to the front of the ‘class’ in the heels much too large for her. The sleeves of her button up shirt covered her hands. Her ‘skirt’ was as almost as long as a dress as well. All in all it was always cute to watch. Her high voice called out as she put on an ‘adult’ expression.
“Alright class: settle down!”
One sleeve was rolled up far enough to let her hold a ruler. She waved it around a bit too enthusiastically, but otherwise kept her serious ‘adult’ expression on her face. She took ‘attendance’ and pretended to hear the response of each plushy. Each stuffed toy had a name.
After taking attendance she marched back and forth in front of the classroom. The lecture she was parroting today was on alchemy. Her memory seemed to be amazing, at least according to people who attended both her ‘class’ and the original one that Mellina taught.
“-Mother bee honey can be used as the base ingredient in most types of healing potions. It’s neutral reaction and nourishing qualities boost the metabolism of the person taking it and support the effect of the active ingredients.”
I kinda miss the old days when she stuttered a bit. It was hard to understand but adorable when she tried to use the big words. Her voice still had that prepubescent squeak and she still looked like a tiny, cute animal though.
“The Ceylon Verum tree is the best source for one of the active ingredients in common healing potions. Its inner bark has properties that are perfect for potion making and has been cultivated for countless millennia. Nearly every country has a grove of them in their alchemical gardens or greenhouses.”
Her little button nose is wrinkled as she tries her hardest to remember the difficult words. I can hear squeaking sounds, but they are behind me. A few maids are peeking through the door, making muffled ‘squee’ noises at how adorable the kid is being. I have to agree.
“The Planifolia orchid is the second ingredient in the modern healing potions. Pods harvested from the vine have recently replaced other ingredients in the common recipes. You have to be careful though, since the sap causes bad rashes…”
The neat thing about all these ingredients is they could be found in the Honeywood forest. The quality was head and shoulders above other potions of the same type. Honeywood healing potions were known to be nearly as effective as greater healing potions while costing a great deal less. I guess that isn’t a surprise since there are hardly any other places on earth where you can find mother bees. Normal honey just doesn’t compare…
Advertisement
That’s why Macedor and other countries wanted to own the Honeywood forest so bad. As far as they were concerned, this place was a goose that laid diamond studded, platinum eggs.
Eventually Astera finished her lecture and clop clop clopped behind the room divider and stripped off the outfit she had draped over her clothes. I helped her clean up, although calling it that was a stretch.
Eventually we all gathered together to have dinner. I was lucky enough to be treated like a family member. I suppose that had to do with the contract. A beastmaster’s contract was a shortcut to becoming close as family.
It took me awhile to understand how contracts work. It wasn’t really mind control or enslavement. It was empathy and communication. A contract gives both the beastmaster and the beast the ability to interact at a deeper level. It’s like a shortcut to reach the level of communication that family members and close friends have.
When Astera had contracted me she hadn’t been trying to control me, she had tried to understand me. As soon as I woke up we both understood one another like we had known each other all our lives. That is the biggest reason I hadn’t wanted to escape and been so willing to act as her guardian.
In some ways it could be considered a type of mind control, but I didn’t believe that anymore. The thing was, if she had been a selfish brat I wouldn’t have been so willing to deal with her. I had come to that realization eventually. It was because I knew she was a good kid that I agreed to stay.
I do sometimes think that the Empress would have enslaved me if I hadn’t agreed though, she was kind of calculating and coldly pragmatic that way.
Anyway, that little contract had basically made me as close as family member to the Greenbul’s youngest child. Since the whole family was naturally empathetic they accepted me quite quickly. I guess this was the reason they made such good beastmasters: other people just couldn’t form such deep connections with their contracts. The Greenbul's Natural empathy was practically a superpower.
For a bug like me to actually get a family like this was quite lucky. I know who to thank for that, though I feel like the bad luck balances it out somewhat.
Tssk Tsk, So Ungrateful.
If I never hear from her again it’ll be too soon.
The parents did a good job explaining the war to the kids. Good thing too since I was not looking forward to trying to explain that to Astera. ‘Hey kiddo, I’m going to go fight an army by myself!’ Yeah, like that’ll go well.
“Okay! Go beat the bad guys up Manto!”
As it turns out I didn’t need to worry.
The kid thinks of me as some kind of superhero. It’s quite something to live up to, since I am just a bug. Still, I’m faster than a car, bulletproof, strong enough to throw boulders, and can transform. If that isn’t at a superhero level then I don’t know what is.
After Mero and Astera understood the situation we finished up and handed the kids of to the maids. The Greenbuls were pretty close and usually didn’t rely on the maids to take care of the kids. But occasionally business or important matters meant that the parents were too busy.
A war definitely counted as too busy.
The three of us, the parents and I, walked out to a balcony. One the ledge perched Periphas and Phene. Periphas was eating the carcass of a deer, and offering the bones to Phene. Periphas would pin a piece of the carcass, and strip off and eat most of the meat with a few quick movements of his beak. Then he would lift up the meaty bone in his beak and hand it off to Phene.
It would be sorta romantic if it wasn’t so gory. I mean, there was blood everywhere.
Raphina was leaning against the balcony, staring off into the distant sky. Arizel leaned his back against the balcony, his elbow barely touching his wife’s. It was interesting, but the two elves seemed to be intimate as well. Compared to the birds of prey who were being very lovey dovey, the elves who weren’t even looking at each other seemed just as loving.
I nodded to them as I widened my stance and spread my wings. Phene and Periphas paused to nod back and Arizel just gave me a quiet smile. It only took a small push to shoot into the air. I flapped my wings and a deep thrum shook the air as I flew off for the battlefield.
Flying high over the trees with the sun so low gives a view like no other. The differing heights of the trees zooming underneath and the sheer size of the forest made me feel like I was soaring over a green, leafy sea. The lighting of the sun creating long shadow made things look very surreal as well.
Once again I found myself musing over this places beauty. I could see this a thousand times and never get tired of it. Nature’s beauty was just that compelling. It made me understand how painters must feel.
The wind against my exoskeleton was invigorating. For now I simply basked in the sights, sounds, and smells. I wanted to enjoy this as much as possible before I reached my destination.
I had an army to fight, people to kill. Maybe I would eat their horses? I don’t know, I’ll just work that out when the time comes.
Even now, as zen and peaceful as I felt ...I was looking forward to it.
Advertisement
- In Serial37 Chapters
Shonen Hero System
It's hard to be the main character, you know? There's a reason why people always dream of being a wise old teacher or a villain.'Ring-ring! Just look at the time, hero. It's time for a training ark!Remember, you can buy a boost! By using it, you will double the experience you receive for every life-threatening training session. Oh, you will triple the experience, were the session to include an alligator! He-he-he...''What, again? How about we'll rather have a beach episode? Kind of need to earn some score with fanservice to buy a plot armor, you know.'Oh, so you want a harem? Easily done! Next genre - Yaoi-harem!''I take my words back... I take them back!'...____Not yaoi, by the way.
8 201 - In Serial60 Chapters
Black Wind, White Lotus
In this world, there are haves and have nots. The former are pureblooded humans, some of whom are capable of manipulating qi, the mysterious energy that flows through every living creature, to miraculous results that defy the laws of nature and physics. Wen Feili was one such cultivator. However, she allied with the have nots- the anthropomorphic hybrids incapable of channeling qi-and dabbled in forbidden demonic arts, seeking to change the very composition of reality. This did not end well for her, and she was consumed by her own flames. A decade later, far in the northwestern mountains, her daughter Wen Fengli is working as a lowly servant of the minor Shuangshan sect. In between sweeping the floor and avoiding bullies, she secretly trains with a wooden sword, hoping to become a warrior cultivator at some point in the future. However, since she's part-human, part-wolf, it's just a pipe dream. ....or so she bitterly thought. However, one day a mysterious amulet that belonged to her mother falls into her hands. A deranged old master, a terrible conspiracy, a mysterious past? None of that matters to tomboyish wolfgirl, who only seeks to become stronger. She embarks on a journey of adventure and self-discovery, towards the mysterious southern lands where pure demi-humans are said to live...as spectre of war once again envelops the world of man. This is a Chinese-themed fantasy story set in a fictional world. You can classify it as xianxia, if you wish, but it's a rather low fantasy variant; the heavenly realm is silent, no one reached immortality in generations, and magical artifacts of old are locked away and feared. Magical beasts and spirits have been driven to the corners of civilisation, and "ordinary" abilities such as flying or controlling swords through telekinesis are considered spectacular feats. The main plot of this book revolves around a kemonomimi girl who seeks power, no matter the cost. This story also features multiple character pov, and will not always follow the perspective of the mc- there are two major plotlines, one connected to conspiracy and war ongoing in the political background of the presented world, and the other focusing on the main character's physical and metaphorical journey. The cover image was drawn by minyaxj, per my request, on a commercial license.
8 97 - In Serial6 Chapters
The Returner’s One Millionth Life
Every time the mc dies he returns to his childhood bedroom at the age of three until his one millionth life were the world suddenly ends. \System Notification The author of the following novel is new and has no idea what he wants to do with his story so please be patient with him and his novel. He is open to critiques but please do not be a jerk about it or he wont read your comment. Thank you for your consideration/
8 94 - In Serial25 Chapters
Seducing the Ladies Around Me
Jia Chin's soul traveled to the World of Sword and Magic and occupied the body of a dying young man. He unknowingly entered a world filled of monsters, demons and adventurers. The danger to his life was everywhere. He awakened the 'FtH' system, and signed in every day to get rewards. He thought he would soon become an invincible being relying on system while enjoying his easy life, but fate wouldn't allow it, as one after another problems started to appear disturbing his perverted life. --------------------------------------------------- Alternate Version Link -> HERE!
8 289 - In Serial121 Chapters
Fishbowl
[NOTE: I'm in the process of getting this story fully updated on RR, but since I'm about two years behind, it may take a while. If you would like to read the up-to-date story, you can do so here.] Internet friends Naomi, Chelsea, Angelina, and Lachlan would do almost anything for their favorite band The Goldfish Technique, but they get more than they bargained for when the band’s bassist Dominic sends his strange friend Falcon to Naomi’s door. The four friends must work to solve the mystery behind Falcon and uncover something much greater in the process.
8 637 - In Serial10 Chapters
Spider mans friends at the compound
Spidermans class goes on a feild trip to the avenger compound. Flash doesnt beleive the peter has an internship and the avengers embaress him while he is trying to hide his true identity
8 203