"Goodbye, Mom!" I said, as I left early in the morning. I saw my Mom wave back at me as she saw me off.
I walked into the the direction of 'Aerin's Concerto' and when I finally stood at the door, I was able to hear faint sounds of a harp being played. My interest was piqued as I rang the bell before entering
"Coming in" I announce as I enter
There is no one else at the store at the moment, though I could still hear the music of the harp. I followed the music as I went further inside until I finally saw who I think is the one running the place. It was a beautiful female elf with wavy, golden, blonde hair, and emerald eyes, as I haven't met that much elves aside from our neighbors and my family. I'm not a really good at judging an elf's age based on their appearance. She looked about the same age as mother, or even slightly younger. She wore pretty conservative clothes so I wasn't able to deduce that much about her curves, though the rough outline of her bountiful breasts could still be seen.
"Oh? I didn't expect a child to be enter my store." it seems she too was surprised, if her round eyes were any indication.
Well aren't I stupid? It seems too much fantasy has made me forgot some of the realities of this world. If this was indeed a store, then I would need some money to buy something. Fuck, there goes part one of my 18 year plan.
-Aerin's POV-
Is the kid lost by some chance? But the way the kid looks at my harp tells otherwise, perhaps the kid was drawn to the music. Well, It's not like I expected any customers in the first place. Might as well entertain the cute little guy or girl?
"Oh hello, dear. What's your name?" I asked the cute kid who has been staring at me with sparkling eyes, for quite some time now.
"Uhm, it's Maelriel. But Mom calls me Riel." Hmmmm, I still can't conclude the kid's gender from voice alone. The kid had black hair tied to a ponytail, reaching down to his shoulder blades. He also had pretty fair skin that contrasted with his black hair. Even the kid's name is Maelriel, that's a boy's name right? I think so.
"Well little guy, what were you planning to do here?"
"I wanted to buy...." the kid's voice got smaller and smaller. He didn't correct me when I called him a little guy, well I guess he must be a boy then. He said he wanted to buy? I almost giggled at how cute this Riel kid is. This ain't the fruit store, Musical instruments cost a 'bit' more than that.
"What do you want to buy then?" I asked while raising a brow.
"The thing that you are playing" the kid answered, this time I could no longer stop myself from smiling. The kid doesn't even know the name of the instrument, and said he wanted to buy the one I am playing right now.
"Well do you know how to play?"
"I want to learn... how to play... like you" the kid answered while fiddling with his fingers
"Pfft- hahahahaha" Now I couldn't stop myself from laughing. A kid just heard me playing, entered my store without any money, said he wanted to buy my harp, without knowing how to play it in the first place. Whose kid is this? I know almost every adult in this village, though I'm not that knowledgeable on whose kid is who.
"Well why don't you sit here lil guy? Big sis here has a lot of free time" I moved a bit to the side and patted the newly opened space in the seat, signaling him to sit next to me.
"Uhm... Will you really teach me?" The kid's eyes was practically sparkling as he looked at me,
Hmm, I can get used to this. Having this cute kid adoring me would be nice, he also seems to be really interested in music. Maybe if his interest is big enough I'll have a fellow musician in this isolated village.
"Of course, I would. I'd be happy to nurture the talents of someone who shares the same passion as me." I smiled, before giving him a lecture in musical theory.
-Maelriel POV-
*Growl*
I heard my stomach growling, as it is already 3 hours past lunchtime. It seems I have enjoyed my time in this shop more than I thought I would. But really, what a kind woman. Most store owners I knew from my previous life were pretty grumpy and wouldn't give a kid the time of day. Though I already know most of what she taught me, if not better. But I was a kid, so I had to act like a complete newbie to this.
"Uuhh... Uhm, I have to go, big sis." I looked at her pretending to be embarassed
"Fufu- Of course, if you're still interested you can come back tomorrow, kay? " she said before rubbing my tiny stomach
I made a fake giggle, before bidding my goodbye "I will come back, Thank you very much!"
As I was about to turn around though, she leaned forward and pinched my cheeks. She then shook it a few times while making some funny faces. She really treats me like a kid eh? Well, Atleast I left a good impression.
"Also big sis' name is Aerin, make sure to remember it, hm?" She said as I nodded, before finally walking out.
As I returned home to eat lunch, Mom asked where I've been, to which I replied
"Secret~ " while smiling happily, before eating
As I hugged Mom goodbye again, I descended the trees once again this time to practice my magic. I went quite the distance away from the village. When I confirmed that no one was around, I started.
I know about the elemental magic, Fire, Water, Earth, Wind. But it seems that that's the only thing that my family knows? How about the other ones? I've seen so many cool magic in video games, and they're not just about shooting stuff from your hands.
Well, I'd just practice what I have been taught so far, I've been focusing on water magic. As I have plans that requires some water control. So I put both my arms forward and casted-
"Water Sphere!" I tried to concetrate, as I felt the tingly sensation in my stomach again which meant that mana is moving out of my body.
Then a water sphere formed in front of palms, though it is pretty unstable, it is a water sphere I casted on my own. I couldn't help but feel proud and be amazed that I was indeed using magic now.
I made repeat practice until I saw the sky turning orange, which meant that I should go home now. The practice turned to be pretty meaningful, as I found that visualization is most important when casting. Instead of just taking out a ball of mana from my body and transforming it into water, I thought of it like I was releasing a bunch of water molecules that would then combine together. And the sphere becomes a lot more stable.
As i was about to head back home, I realized I haven't prepared an alibi for staying out for so long. Now I was sweating my back as I slowly climbed up the tall trees that lead to our village.