12 The Understanding - Part 2

"Well, my name is Roldi. I am in charge of Kalui. I do not know you two very well, but I already know that you are amazing. I know at most two children who are capable of transforming so fast completely into an animal; and both of them are older than you are. Congratulations young man. In addition, you, young lady, are amazing for not being shocked or frightened by Kalui's power, and you are also extremely polite, your parents must be proud!"

'I was not afraid either...' - thought Whiger.

"Thank you Mr. Roldi, but I am also very powerful!"

"Yes, thank you very much, sir. It is an honor to hear that from a fellow metamorphic!" - Said Whiger putting his hand behind his head.

"I know it's strange, but I am a fortifier!" - He said, smiling.

"Ah, I've heard of people with the wrong eye. I thought it was a lie.... Both of them are weird! hahaha! Like father, like son!"

Kahyu discreetly elbowed his brother in the arm, while whispering:

"Do not say something like that, you rude!"

Roldi noticed the young girl's action and said:

"You can rest assured! I did not find it offensive or anything. But then, children, who are you?"

Kahyu raised his hand, stretching his arm as far as it would go, and excitedly said:

"My name is Kahyu. I am an amazing Stone Elemental! My family says that I am the most powerful in the village!" - Pointing at her brother, she adds in disdain – "My brother is just a normal metamorphic, his name is Whiger and he is very rude!

'I can speak for me...'

"Don't say that, my dear. Your brother is amazing! I do not know how strong you are, but he does not stop being strong, because you are more!"

Kahyu crossed his arms, his cheeks flushed.

"Thank you sir Roldi!" - He stared at his sister – "My sister is sick... she suffers from acute egocentrism..."

She looked at him in fury:

"How dare you? I wi-"

Standing up calmly, Roldi said:

"Relax... I will get us something to eat. When I am done, I will take you both home, all good? I bought fresh pork, already pre-prepared and seasoned on a spit. The seller prepared it free as a courtesy to the new resident! I will always buy from him now!" - Said Roldi smiling.

"I accept!"

"Count on me to eat!"

"Thank you sir Roldi. It has been a long time since we had pork!"

He climbed into his wagon, opened a wooden barrel, and picked up two large skewers of meat. The three children salivated, drooling with anticipation.

After a while, having finished eating, it was time for the two brothers to go home.

"Children, before I go, I have a favor to ask..."

"You may say, sir!" - Kahyu said

Roldi leaned forward, bowing his head with entwined hands.

"I know you are good children and at this age it is difficult to understand certain things, but I ask you to please keep the power of Kalui a secret. You can tell your parents all you want that you two came here, ate and played with him, but do not talk about his power. I ask this from the bottom of my heart!" - Kalui raised his left eyebrow looking at Roldi – "You can't imagine how cruel the world is with what you don't understand. I know it is wrong to ask them to omit this from their parents, and I know that they would not do anything, but they can tell someone else, and then one day everyone will know. It is for the sake of your new friend! Please do not speak of its power!"

Whiger stood up quickly, putting his hand on his chest in reverence.

"You can rest assured sir Roldi, I know how to keep a secret!"

"Rest assured, sir. We will not say anything. But in return," - she sketched a big smile – "Next time I want you to tell us about some adventure!"

'I hope I can count on childlike innocence.'

Roldi stood up and signaled Kalui to do the same.

"I am immensely grateful to you. I will take you two home now; it is late at night. Your parents must be worried sick..."

"They are not! We have been gone for days! Nothing can stop a fearsome tiger."

"Hahaha! Really, young Whiger. However, always be careful! Well, let us go then. Kalui, do you want to stay here or come along?"

"I will certainly go along."

'Maybe I'll have bad luck next time and a stranger will show up...'

…

...

...

[Year 950, day 221, Elfen territory, Forest near the Mercy border village, 12 am.]

…

After dropping off the brothers at home, Kalui and Roldi returned to their home. The trip back was silent with just the two of them; Kalui appeared to be very sleepy.

"Here we are, kid! Before going to sleep, can we talk?"

Yawning, the child answered him:

"Does it have to be now?" - yawning as he stretched, he finished – "I really want to sleep now..."

"I want to say what I could not say before. Can you stay awake for a few more minutes?" - Roldi pleaded earnestly.

"Um... I can hold out a little longer, that's fine."

"To begin with, Kalui, you are amazing! I think your power is beyond wind! Who would have thought it? You were in doubt whether it was an Elemental, and not only is it an Elemental, but one never before seen by me!"

'I have never seen Roldi like this... This time he seems not to be fooling me!'

The child with a twinkle in his eyes opened a big smile as he spoke:

"Really? You have never seen someone make people weightless before? What am I an Elemental then?"

"I have no idea!" - ruffling Kalui's hair, he asked gently - "Help me carry the chairs inside. Tomorrow I'll show you everything I bought, but for now, let's talk."

"Roldi, first of all, Whiger and Kahyu told me that their parents never made them train like you do with me! You said that everybody does it! Why do you make me train so hard?"

Surprised, Roldi answered him laughing:

"Because I want to, kid! First, adults rule children. Second, I train hard! Then you should train too! Would it not be unfair to let a poor man train alone?"

"Ah... Bu-"

"Let's go in!"

Roldi picked up the bed from the wagon and carried it inside with the chair.

"Feel."

Kalui pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the great man.