AN: Hi, your lazy author :D present you chapter 19, enjoy.

PR by Zenla, the royal proofreader

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We spent the next 3 days preparing things for Muriel to live with us: telling Lucas that she would stay with us, cleaning up the last room upstairs, getting furnitures and clothes. During those 3 days, Muriem would sleep on my bed while I was sleeping on the floor. She was little gloomy and depressed when I wasn't around, and it was best not to leave her alone for the time being. And I was the one who said she wouldn't be alone. My parents couldn't do much about it.

I also got quite famous in the village since I came back with a girl in my arms and the people learned that I saved her from bandits. We got quite a few discounts on many products because of that. The day after we got back, before dusk, Arren, Jenna, Kerrina and Namir came to see how we were doing. Erik was on a scouting mission with 3 other hunters, nobody wanted Argot to have the same surprise as Carduc.

Namir, giving a small hug: «Hi, my cute little friend! I heard that you got in a dangerous situation on your way back from Lazaris...» then with a relieved look «It's good to see that you're fine.» Turning toward Muriel, with a gentle demeanor «And hello there young lady... I'm sorry for what happened to your village. But don't worry, you will be fine here. If there is something you want to ask, don't hesitate ok? My name is Namir, let's get along from now on.»

Muriem dropped her head, but silently nodded. That's Namir's gentle and calming aura for you!!

Kerrina: «Welcome back Aenthar!» she said with a slight smile while holding me in her arms «And well done» She then walked to Muriem and gave her a hug «I'm Kerrina, let's be friends.»

Muriem: «Y-yes!!»

We were a bit surprised by Kerrin's hug and Muriem's clear answer. Well done Kerrina, few words and actions but quite effective.

Arren: «Well done indeed! It's good to see that all the beating I gave you bore fruits! Hahahahaha!!» he said, while grinning and pating my shoulder.

I froze and stared at him for a bit. Everyone got an uncomfortable look on their faces, but I ignored it and put my hand on his chest while focusing on my mana sense. I smiled .

Aenthar: «Arren, you are reaching magic maturity, you will be fully mature soon. Congratulations!»

Everyone got wide eyed when they heard this.

Yaereen: «You aren't kidding are you? Wait, you can sense that? I can't feel anything!»

Aenthar: «I'm more sensitive than you mom, and I wouldn't have noticed without touching him first. It's still faint, but I'd say his magic ability will be slightly below average, but enough to use in battle. That is if he learns to use it properly...»

After making fun of Arren and chatting for a bit while avoiding to mention anything else about Carduc, they left. Muriem looked a little better, thank you Namir, Kerrina.

The next day, we got news about Carduc. A third of the buildings got burned down, and only a fifth of it's population remained. Most of the men are dead, many women were raped, and some, along with several children, were abducted. Knights are patroling in the area, and some adventurers and mercenaries are looking for the bastards. That night Muriem was quite depressed so I spent some time trying to cheer her up.

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Muriem slowly got used to life with us, but staying close to me as much as possible. Even though she has her own room now, once or twice per week she sleeps with me, either because she accidentally fell asleep in my room while hanging around at night, or because she simply wanted to. Either way I don't mind and I don't try to correct her, I have no reasons to do so. In my previous life, when I played skyrim I made my own followers using the creation kit. There were several hair styles I liked, and I tried to make some of them on Muriem. It looked really good on her, so every once in a while I take care of her hair style, and Kerrina's too when I have the time.

I reduced the time I spend training my martial arts and learning from Old Johrgard to be with Muriem for now. She didn't talk much, but paid a lot of attention to what I said and was often trying to help me with tasks at home. I taught her how to take care of the jakkas (the blue birds my mother is raising) and started teaching her leather working in the mornings, and reading,writing, and basic calculations in the evening. More often than not, villagers, especially farmers, don't know how to read and write.

When I'm not with her,she is either with Jenna or Namir, helping in their fields. At a time I told her it would be a good idea to learn tailoring from Kerrina, and she started the next day. From what I can tell, they get along well with each other, which is a little funny since both of them don't talk much. She seemed to like Namir quite a bit, she spent more time with her than with Jenna. Remembering what happened in Carduc, I also started to teach her how to use a staff, and what I know about capoera. She was quite eager to learn how to defend herself. Sometimes Muriem, Kerrina and I would train together, I would spar with one of them while the other observed.

While doing all of this, I didn't forget to prepare the presents I wanted to give to the girls for new year. For my mother, Kerrina and Muriem, a necklace. For Jenna, Namir and Nana, a bangle. I got my hands on some cheap,but pretty stones to use. Green, blue and amber for the necklaces to go well with the eyes of their future owners. I used left over iron and silver to make them, and it required a lot of time and precision. At the new year festival I made a few happy women, and plenty of jealous but hopeful ones because I didn't give any rings to anyone.

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On my 10th year in this world I put more efforts in my blacksmithing and martial arts. I saw Kerrina and Muriem less often for practice, and Muriem got more busy with tailoring and leather working. Those 2 really have become good friends. I love practicing with them because Muriem has a nice body and a killer ass, and I often use wrestling moves to defeat her. It's half for me and half for her. I know, I'm devious, and I'll probably wrestle more with Kerrina in the future during training.

I also asked around for a good place to learn magic. Everyone recommanded me Lana Academy. It's the best learning place in Tristam, lying at the outskirt of the capital holding the same name as the kingdom, Tristam, thus called Tristam City to avoid confusion. The capital is 15 days travel away from Argot by foot, but 5 days with a decent mean of transportation. This place is my next goal., and once I'm done there, I will be traveling around the world.

Lana Academy is a place for learning either magic or martial arts, or both. The minimum age requirement for students is 8 for the martial section and 12 for the magic section, because even if magic maturity is at the age of 10 at the minimum, most people reach it at around 12 years old. There is also a society section where people can learn about trade, laws, history and geography. The age requirement for that section is 10.

I have a little less than 2 years to prepare myself, myself and 2 other people to go there. Yes, I intend to leave with both Kerrina and Muriem. I want to start my adventures with people I can trust and I can enjoy time with, and I know it won't be hard to convince them, especially Muriem. The real trouble will be the funds. Since I am an all element user, I won't have a problem with the fee, but it's another story for the 2 girls. Maybe I will be able to get a discount for them, but I can't be sure.

The adventurer guild accept new members at 10 years old at the earliest, so it will be my primary mean of funding. I will take full advantage of my sensing abilities and train them harder at the same time. I also want to reach disciple rank in blacksmithing before leaving the village, so I'll have to stop receiving lessons from Zelfron. Most of my time will be spent learning blacksmithing and doing requests. But the end result will be worth it.

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AN: The futures heroines won't be that easy to get :D !! But that also mean more prep work for lazy me (for both the academy life style and events, and the heroines, currents ones and coming ones) so the release speed will be one chapter per day at best (well, it's already like that since a few days, duh :P!!) and 4 per week at worst at that time. See ya *puts on the badass shades and fly toward the setting sun*!!