Year 2 Chapter 2: Let The Guards Deal With It

The next day, Keith and Carolyn headed out to get their uniforms: Camelia and Eri waved at them as the two headed to the clothing store; it was a simple process where they handed them their ticket, and the clerk returned with their uniforms.

“What do you think?” Carolyn twirled before him, dressed in her new uniform.

Keith stared with an unflinching gaze, “Why do you have to ask? You’re cute, and it’s the same uniform we always wear.” Besides the difference in color for the tie and bow, which was to signify the year, the design stayed the same.

“You know nothing, you bull-head!” Carolyn pouted before puffing her chest out, “I’ve gotten taller.”

“You did?” Keith stared with one eyebrow raised; he didn’t see the difference.

“I did!” That pout slowly turned into a sulk.

“Okay, then. Let me change.” Keith waved it off as he entered the changing room. Exiting, he turned to the tailor, “Do you have longer pants? They’re slightly short.” He could feel a slight breeze above his ankle.

“Please allow me to measure your legs.” The tailor took out a measuring tape and measured his legs, “You have grown taller, Young Lord.”

“You have grown taller?” Carolyn walked up and checked his height.

The tailor explained, “Indeed, the young lord grew about half an inch.”  

“Huh.” There was no ounce of change in Keith’s expression as he nodded. Not a surprise there: he would continue to grow for a few more years. The one to react the most was Carolyn, as a dark expression of defeat appeared, “I feel so short.”

“You will grow taller.” Keith tried to console her, but the snicker at the end only made Carolyn pout, “Why do you keep getting bigger and bigger?! At least try not to grow!” When they were little, Keith was taller than her by at least half a head! There had always been an insurmountable gap between the two when it came to height.

“...” I don’t think that’s possible. Not unless you ask Kreye. For a moment, he heard the god getting hit by two goddesses.

Leaving the store, Carolyn glanced at the time, “We’re early. Do you want to go anywhere?”

“Let’s go buy produce.” Since he’d not gone to the shopping district in Aurelion for a while, it was time to check it out. As he spoke, Keith’s eyes glimmered like a child’s, wondering what they had in store.

“Alright.” A grin appeared on Carolyn’s face; clearly, she expected this answer from him. The two headed to the shopping district to see the stalls and stores bustling with people. The two entered one store,

“Welcome, Princess! It is an honor.”

The princess and the fourth young lord. Carolyn’s appearance was well known throughout the kingdom: everyone could easily spot her from a distance. If she were here, it was easy to decipher who the person with black hair next to her was.

Keith nodded as he stared at a vegetable, “What are these?”

“Young lord, what you see before you is clover kale.” The owner handed one to Keith, “Unlike your usual vegetables, these kales have a rich, earthy flavor with a refreshing aftertaste.”

“I will take the lot.” There was no need for the seller’s persuasion; he was going to buy any vegetable he did not have. He added, “I will also buy a couple of heartfigs.” Across from the vegetables were fruits in the shape of a heart. The owner nodded and bagged the two items for him.

Carolyn asked, “How will you use them?”

“I’m thinking kale pasta or stir-fry kale paired with rush bull meat. For the figs, maybe a pudding or tart?” Both ingredients were versatile enough to create multiple dishes.

“Then I will eat well today.” Carolyn wrapped around his arm.  

“You always eat well.” Keith flicked her forehead. While the two continued on their outing,

“What’s going on over there?” “Is there a fight?” They stopped for a moment, watching a crowd gather nearby. Carolyn glanced at Keith,

“Let’s not deal with it.”

“You will not jump in for once?!” Carolyn blinked. This was a surprise; she thought for sure Keith would jump in and stop it.

“Leave it to the guards. I have more important things to do.” There were guards for a reason.

“Yes. Let’s return to Eri.” As the two were ready to head back,

“Watch out for the magic!” A stray fireball came flying out of the crowd; as the people ran to dodge it, the fireball was flying toward the two! Keith’s eyes narrowed as he swatted the fireball to the ground.

Keith’s eyes twitched; really? Are you guys really using fireballs in public? Were they trying to hurt people?

Carolyn nudged him, “Calm down. The guards will be here any moment.”

“Alright.” With a deep sigh, Keith was going to let it go. And yet,

“Watch out for another one!” A few more stray fireballs came flying.

That’s it! Several earth walls appeared from the ground, blocking them. He pushed the crowd to the side as he witnessed the battle—it was between two boys and a girl.

“Wrench, you are asking for it!” The two boys glared like wolves.

“Hmph! Trash.”

Both sides prepared themselves to fire another round of magic. As they did, a giant blockade of earth burst in front of them, blocking their magic. Seeing their attacks nullified, they turned to the intruder.

“Have you people gone mad? How can you use magic in a crowded area?” If any of those fireballs landed on the passersby, they would burn to death.

“Bud out!” “How dare you get in my way?!”

The anger the individuals had for one another was directed at Keith now. Yet, he was not fazed.

“Gahh!” “Ahh!” “Kya!” A piercing and howling cry escaped their mouths before their bodies dropped to the ground.

“Annoying,” Keith rolled his eyes. With a wave of his hand, he shot all three with thunder spears. Soon, the guards arrived.

“What has happened?”

“You are late.” Carolyn held her head.

“Princess!” The guards froze before dropping to their knees to greet her.

“Handle the situation.”

The guards nodded as they quickly rounded them up. Keith returned to Carolyn, who shook his head, “These people are reckless.”

“Let’s go.” Keith couldn’t care less about these crazy people. When he returned home, Camelia played with Eri in the yard.