Claire goes shopping

He was being extra careful to press the bell of the house. He didn't know what would ensue once the door was opened and how he would face it.

It had been an entire half-year since both he and James had left for the war. James, who was stronger than most mercenaries in the City, was quickly chosen as one to support the warriors. However, Clay had to practically beg by putting a huge rock on his ego to enter a party for the war.

Their shortage of money was increasing as Claire was growing. He now consumed more and had to enter the Hero Academy or also called Dice.

To afford the fees of the Academy he needed to work twice the time. Even Claire was trying his best. He wasn't as unfortunate as Clay, who couldn't gain the privilege of Mana or aura. He was so grateful when Claire had awakened, right in front of him. The reason was heartwarming as well.

Clay had slipped slightly from the stairs, but it made Claire stand on the edge and soon he was holding his brother in hands formed of mana. This started Clay's extra work and struggles that he intended to do for his brother.

And for the past six months, he had been struggling so hard to survive. For what? Only a mere 100 gold coins. If he had gotten them a year earlier, when Claire hadn't awakened, it would have sent him far away from the ninth cloud.

But all that was true for the previous Clay. The current one? Well, he barely cared about it.

'Fine, I admit that having a brother is good since I was going to make the MC an orphan after his transmigration. But it seems I will have to carry more burden for a little kid now, though he can be of use too. Later, sometime?'

Clay, previously Jit. was a proud loner. And now too, he would have to be with someone half a day if not 24/7. The more he thought about it, the more it annoyed him. However, he couldn't act out of his emotions. No way could he get all edgy and cold with the people Clay had been good with. If he did, it would cause them to pester him even more.

The doorbell had to be pressed twice for someone to reply. The speaker outside sent a voice that he felt oddly familiar.

"Be right there…"

The door opened and a welcoming smile greeted him. Soon the smile was replaced by shock and later confusion and then again to happiness. So many expressions one after the other that it made Clay exhausted just seeing them.

The woman in front of him must be in her late thirties. She had blonde hair with a beautiful face that could be compared to being on par with many international actresses back on earth. However, on this planet, named Echor 0100 had these beautiful women as commoners.

He could imagine what royalty would be then.

Before he knew it, the kid was pushed back, falling yet again on his tushy. This was already the third or so time since he had come to this world.

He looked down at the jet-black hair. He felt warm for some reason. Just like when his mother would cup his cheeks or his father would comfort him while patting his back.

It was the feeling of a family. He knew it better than many since he had never lacked that affection.

But here, in front of him was a kid who had never had the affection of a father, or mother. Clay was only able to provide him with the love of a brother. Since he was always busy with work, he never got a chance to give Claire the love of a family as a whole.

Yet, the kid didn't despise his older brother a bit. Such love, the previous Clay could only be grateful for it.

He ruffled the hair of the kid holding him. It was his first time interacting with some kid. But it felt as if he was used to it. Maybe it was the effect of gaining Clay's memories.

"Big bro, where were you? I missed you so much!?" the tears welling in his eyes somehow told Clay that it would take a long time to comfort this one. He looked helplessly at the woman, named Emily and James's wife, who did nothing but give a cheering smile to him.

After half an hour of comforting, Claire had calmed down. Clay was having good handling of managing the kid. He was around 11 years old and had mana that of an adult. A prodigy that was born in a thousand years to be completely honest.

He was now upstairs, packing his stuff to leave with Clay while the said person was talking to the woman.

"It would be better if you stay a little longer Clay. We don't mind at all." She said with the kindest voice he had heard after his mothers.

"No, I can't. Claire had his joining ceremony in two weeks. And I can't miss out on that. He needs to be prepared, after all…that place is full of hypocrites." he told her.

She nodded in understanding yet gave a sad look.

"I would have left even if that wasn't the case." he decided to let her know since everything would be revealed sooner or later.

She was shocked when he said that but before she could put her worries into words, he spoke again.

"No, it's nothing that you have to be sorry about. Both James and you have been a great help to us. I can't repay you in any way even if I were to try. But now…I have something I need to accomplish.

James will tell you either way, so I can do that first.

I have awakened." his words left her speechless. More like, emotional. She had seen Clay try his best since he was 8. Had they not helped him back then, Claire would have been a single orphan.

Clay was persistent. He never knew what 'backing down' meant. She was heartbroken when the results of his not being able to awaken had come to them.

That day, James forced Clay and Claire to stay at their place. And she was sure she heard Clay sob in the room where Claire was currently packing his bags.

Maybe even the little one knew because the next day he had tried everything to cheer Clay.

And now finally, he had…

Tears suddenly poured out of her eyes. Clay just looked at her and smiled. He knew nothing of how to comfort a woman, no less the age of his mother.

A kid, he could manage. But ladies, he dared not.

"That's…such great news." she wiped her tears.

"Yep, it is. I want to start training so leaving as soon as possible would be better for me," he told her as he got up.

Claire was coming down with his little back hung on his shoulders. He had worn a red shirt, buttons opened and a Black tee on the inside while black shorts were underneath.

He stood beside Clay, holding his hand.

"Then I guess this time, you would be gone for long." Emily knew that training for awakeners was not something of a joke. People would disappear for training to only return after months, if not years.

"Maybe, who knows." he moved forward, intending to shake hands with her, but rather was taken by surprise when she hugged both the kids tightly.

He let her do so until he felt suffocated and had to force away himself and Claire.

They bid their farewells and went to their home before James had even arrived. They went by foot to the Public Transport station, which was for a flying bus. After a few minutes of waiting, they got on their way by bus.

It stopped right in front of their house and Clay was shocked when he saw a man cladded in a uniform driving the bus.

It seemed, the safety of people was more important due to sudden outbreaks of dungeons and monsters attacking.

He opened the lock of the door and entered. It didn't surprise him that the house was almost empty. He left his bags on the floor as it was, latched the sword belt on his west, put on his hoody and grabbed Claire's hand.

"Let's go shopping, eh?" he asked the kid who was surprised and jumping with joy.

They took another bus and entered the heart of the city. The main market of the city, Eriel!

"So, let's have some fun Claire…"