“Children often tried to hide what they were doing from their parents, but their parents would always find out, one way or another.” - Old folk saying.

“You also heard what the kids were up to, no? I know your ears are likely even sharper than mine,” Cal said to her nephew - it still felt odd to think that she had a nephew older than herself at times - as they walked along the roads of the quaint little village. Vark walked alongside her together with Krystal, with Ilena riding on his shoulders, while Krystal led Ida along by his side. “Guess Leila’s going to join their little gang as well.”

“It’s not a bad career option for her, honestly. That girl reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger,” replied Vark with a smile that displayed his tusks openly. “I was just as active when I was younger, kinda why I left the plains behind and left for so long before I settled down in Levain, honestly. Would’ve probably been more into adventuring myself had I not met Krystal back then.”

“We pretty much settled down because I lost the motivation to do adventuring work after my companion passed on back then,” added Krystal as she ruffled Ida’s fur with one hand, which the Reaper Serval leaned into as she nuzzled Krystal’s leg with her head. “If Leila’s going to be an adventurer, Lumi can likely keep her company throughout her life. Drakes usually live long after all.”

“Besides, with your students and our cousins as part of her group, I wouldn’t have to worry about others fooling that gullible girl out of her belongings, too,” said Vark with a smirk as he passed another skewer of snacks to Ilena. “And I’m more than confident that they’d be able to keep her safe and sound in most cases to boot.”

“Yeah… those kids could go far and make a name for themselves with their skills, I guess,” admitted Cal with a proud smile on her face while she snacked on some local fruits that had been encased in a sugar coating. “It’s probably for the best for them to seek out such a life since in peaceful days like these those skills they learned so hard would have had little use otherwise.”

“I caught wind that one of your students was thinking of continuing her parents’ business? That made me chuckle for a bit,” said Vark as he raised Ilena high in the air, to the little girl’s joyful laughter. “Imagine the face of any robber that went into that bakery!”

“Not like there’s any in Paradise anyway. Aideen keeps a pretty tight ship there,” said Cal as she also laughed at the ridiculous image Vark’s words brought to mind. “But yeah. It’s her call to make. I’m fine with whichever path they choose to take in life, as long as it’s their own wishes that led to it.”

“You don’t feel that it’d be a shame for her not to use her potential to the limit?” asked Krystal with some obvious curiosity in her voice.

“A little bit, I guess, but don’t forget that I might not have become who I am today if not for that civil war as well,” replied Cal with a melancholic smile. “I was pretty content back then just passing my days as a herbalist in a little village. Had it not been for the civil war I’d have probably stayed that way, probably. At least until boredom takes over.”

“That humble herbalist ended up carving her path through the battlefield, though,” said Vark with a smirk.

“I mean, my father did teach me a bit on how to fight, mostly for self-defense,” admitted Cal with a nod. “That said, I would say it was more the decades of war that forged me into who I am today. It was not exactly the most pleasant experience, but it wasn’t one I regretted either.”

“At least things ended up well in the end for you, yeah. That godson of yours is ruling well as Emperor, isn’t he? I imagine he is,” asked Vark as he brought Ilena down from his shoulders and allowed the little girl to walk alongside them, though she almost ran to keep up with their wider paces. “You wouldn’t have let him get married to your student otherwise. I’ve seen how protective you can be of those kids.”

“Yeah… he has done well so far. I hope he wouldn’t let the power get to his head later on,” said Cal with a fond look on her face. “Though I guess Layla and Ying Xiao should be able to rein him in even if it does. Worst case I can always visit and spank him a bit.”

“As usual, Aunt Cal, you’re still the one who can speak so lightly about spanking an Emperor,” said Vark with a hearty guffaw when he heard of Cal’s words. Then he was distracted when he felt a small hand tug on the hem of his pants. Vark looked down to meet his little daughter’s eye with a smile. “What is it, Ilena sweetie?”

“I want to go on adventures with big sister too, papa!” said the little girl with childish enthusiasm and an eager smile on her face. “Can I? Can I? Please?”

“Maybe when you’re older, my dear,” said Krystal as she ruffled her younger daughter’s hair, to the muffled protests of the little girl. “You’re still too small right now. When you’re as big as your big sister is, you can adventure with her if you still want to.”

“If you want to adventure with your big sister, you ought to train with your aunt Cal as well, sweetie,” said Vark in addition. “You wouldn’t want to trouble your big sister, no? Aunt Cal would be happy to train you until you’re ready once you’re a bit older.”

“Okay then… Auntie, will you train me like my sister once I’ve grown up more?” asked the little girl at Cal with large, pleading eyes.

“Sure, little one. I’ll wait for you to grow up then,” said Cal with a smile on her face as she lightly pinched Ilena’s plump cheek with one hand, over the little adorable girl’s protests.