Malin had never imagined that these Rat-girls were master tailors. In his memory, it was the matronly women who were the true mark of mastery, not these Rat-girls shorter than him. Nonetheless, Malin obediently cooperated with the little ones as they took his measurements.
Oh, he had grown another two centimeters, which made Malin very happy—he was about to reach one meter fifty. Given the biological age of this body was around fourteen years, he should be able to reach one meter seventy or even taller before adulthood.
That’s great, though the journey was a bit winding, when it came to height, he believed everyone in the world was a thorough believer in results.
After taking down the measurements, Malin dressed and left the small room, letting the Rat-girls return to their work.
Back in the living room, Malin started to pet Maya, the Cat Girl. While enjoying Malin’s caresses, she chatted about her studies at the Church, casually mentioning the upcoming competition day schedule. Malin readily agreed to attend, promising to watch her matches.
Speaking of Maya, The Great Forest Land really did produce the most dazzling wild flower in free-range upbringing. Two Divine Masters took turns teaching and herding sheep, resulting in Maya ending up at the Goddess of Harvest Church for the competition—because, heaven knows where those Divine Masters had run off to.
Sometimes Malin felt like asking them—"Is it really okay to raise her ?"
Frankly, Malin indeed raised this question with the two Divine Masters and received unanimous responses—Shamans are children of nature; education is merely about guiding Maya to become a Shaman. Her achievements and future must come from nature itself. "To each his own under the frosty sky; our family’s Shaman is the freest of all."
To put it simply for humans, it meant to let things take their course.
I really buy into your Great Forest Land sham.
But considering how happy Maya was recently, and that even her often-absent father had not been brought up for a long time, Malin bit his tongue.
Anyway, as long as Maya was happy, that was what mattered. Even if she could only cast a few lightning arrows, it was better than having her idle away at home. At least... when Malin truly couldn’t make it in time, Maya could save herself instead of just waiting to die.
This was extremely important because Malin had seen too many tragedies.
"By the way, Brother, there’s a training battle the day after tomorrow. It’s between teams from our Church. Will you come to watch?" Maya asked, turning her head and looking up at Malin as she offered her tail for him to pet.
"No problem, Maya, we’ll also come," Faye chimed in before Malin could answer, sitting beside Malin tallying accounts, with Clovis nodding vigorously, her rabbit ears shaking.
"I can’t come. My Church mentor said if I keep running off with you all, I’d be expelled," Lillim stated with an awkward smile.
Malin nodded in agreement, "No worries, I’ll come to your training match," then looking down at Maya, "No problem, I’ll attend both yours and your sister Jessica’s training matches."
"Oh, you’ll watch my match too?" Jessica asked, looking up from her spot near the fireplace.
"I won’t play favorites, and the day after tomorrow, I should be able to squeeze in some time for those actor gentlemen," Malin replied with a smile.
"Fine, but let me be clear, if you end up killing yourself with stupidity, I won’t be mourning over such a death," Jessica said bluntly, looking a bit displeased, and then turned back to her mat.
The girls expressed their agreement, but Maya didn’t speak. She just rested her head on Malin’s foot, which filled him with immense comfort—only Maya truly understood her big brother.
"This account can’t be done!" Faye tossed aside her pen, and along with Clovis and Lillim, dragged Maya over to the fireplace. The girls giggled and sat around, filling Maya’s head with the idea that only by uniting can they keep Malin, the Great Demon King, in check.
Malin cocked his head and feigned death.
What else could he do, argue with the girls?
Forget it, Lillim alone could bulldoze him.
Meanwhile, in Mark City, at the Prairie Elf’s Tatak big dining hall.
Donald Shep pushed open the big door to the dining hall. His encounter from the previous night, where a Legendary battle Mage and a Hunter had blocked his way, completely killed his interest in making a quick buck at the Sydney Union.
What, that Hunter was half-legendary? That’s ancient history. Have you ever seen a half-legendary Hunter chase a Fallen Shadow Assassin down two streets with Blink, maintaining a Dimensional Anchor and one-way locational coordinates all the while?
If not for being cornered in the alley, forced to choose between his life and his money, would Donald have had to flee to Mark City overnight?
Without the neutrality of this city, he wouldn’t dare sleep soundly, considering it was the combination of Lady Anna and Miss Lena. It’s said that the most terrifying duo from the planes shared the same mentor—Donald would bet the mentor was insane, casually gifting such a beautiful elf maiden away to Mowish’s simpleton.