19 The Little Girl

It took some time for the robed man to get his thoughts straight. And after yet some more time, he could finally grasp the situation: ``Okay. Lets see if I understand this correctly. The local gang had heard of my sister's new class and knew that I would come to take her to the academy. They thus raided our house when I was away, intending to hold my sister hostage to extort some benefits. However, my referral award.. eh... I mean friend. My friend just spoke some words, and not only did he take out the leader of the gang, but also chased the other members away, as if they had encountered some kind of sound carried pest. And they seem to recognize him?``

The man was feeling depressed. This was a situation where he should have been able to show off in front of both his sister and this new... friend. But who would have known that while he just stood there gaping like an idiot, the gang members were chased away.

But when he gave it some more thought, he realized that he would not have a chance against the thugs. The martial arts that he knew was... none. He might be able to win against a child. One time out of five.

Then what about his magic? Lets just say that the water ball earlier was one of his strongest attacks... and he was using all his effort trying to miss...

And all that did not matter at all, as they had his sister hostage anyway. His only option would be doing what they told him to, which would not end well.

As such he was feeling depressed, but grateful as well. His depressing thoughts was then interrupted when his sister finally stood up after finishing laughing. She hurried to him, looking up with an adorable face, with eyes that was shining with excitement and awe. Then she exclaimed: "Brother! You are so amazing! You know such a big shot!" While making sure that he had no injuries.

Unaware of her worries, the man beamed with confidence and straightened his back, responding: "Hehe! Your big brother here sure knows some important people." To which she absentmindedly responded: "You are so cool!" While continuing to unnoticed checking to be sure that her brother did not encounter any trouble on the way to the house, it might have been a two-pronged attack after all.

His pride was soaring into the skies. Although he had not shown his prowess in the conflict before... Well, not that he had anything to show... His sister was now looking at him in admiration as he seemingly knew some big shot celebrity.

Wanting to show off, he then continued to introduce Foo: "Ah, this fine fellow here is..." But then he realized that he did not know the other party's name. He could only stand there awkwardly, hoping that he would cooperate and help filling the information in. He could vaguely remember that the thugs might have mentioned his name, but he was too dumbfounded right then to remember it.

And indeed, Foo did not disappoint, he gave an accurate introduction, continuing from where the man had left off: "... someone your brother tried to kidnap in order to gain a referral award at the academy."

The siblings stood stunned. Then the little girl started to giggle again, while looking at her brother with an accusing gaze: "I knew you was just making trouble again! To think you almost fooled me into thinking that you knew some big shot!"

As the man felt the accusing glare, he was really embarrassed, but he could not refute what neither of them was saying. Feeling dejected over the loss of trust from his sister, and the sensation of the referral award slipping through his fingers, the man could only go to sit in a corner and sulk.

The little girl then turned with a bright smile towards Foo. With a look of admiration and awe, she exclaimed: "Brother! You are so hilarious! This is the first time I have seen anyone being able to knock someone out with words alone! It was indeed as described: `The one who can make even gods puke blood from just some words.`. I have heard of legendary heroes that defeated enemies to the left and right, but no one is as impressive as you!"

Hearing her words, Foo was unsure if he should be flattered by it or not. And the gaze that she gave him set off the same alarm bells that went off after the goblin incident.

However, she was just so adorable! How can one feel insulted by such a cute face? And so what if she worshiped him? It felt just like gaining a cute little sister.

He could only helplessly chuckle and pat her head, to which she gave an even brighter smile. After some pats, she said: "You must forgive my brother. He can easily get excited when it comes to money. And it is all my fault."

Looking at the sulking man, Foo reassured: "There is no problem. I just happen to want to learn some magic. And if i could follow you to the academy, I would be grateful."

Suddenly the little girl yelps a "Oh dear!" and rush to one of the bags on the floor. The action startled Foo. Joining the girl in the inspection of the trash bags, he realized that it was no trash bags! It was actually people!

After this shocking discovery, he quickly checked a pile of trashed furniture to the side, just to be sure that it was not a human too. Every odd thing in here seemed to actually be a human!