31 STRANGER: PART V

It taken aback the man when he heard a female voice echo behind him. As he turned to see who it was, he was shocked causing him to drop all the herbs he collected in the basket on the ground. "You- why are you…"

Athena eyes were fixed on the man. She was surprised that the person was not a demon nor a vampire at all. He looked as human as she was… However, the description was somehow close. The young man did have long jet black hair.

"You mana, I just followed it." She explained yet it was not the whole truth to it. One of the biggest reasons was because of the old tale the Elder Chief told her. But, she didn't want to tell him that she was worried that she might offend him.

Instead of explaining things further, she went down to pick up the herbs on the ground.

The man was still dumbfounded by the short yet sensible explanation. As he noticed the girl on her knees picking up the herbs, it snapped him back as he soon started collecting all the herbs. "Why did you come here?"

"My parents always taught me that one my repay the person who save them. So, I'm here to thank you. For saving my life, at the same time, curing me." She replied as she handed the basket of herbs back to the man. "Here."

He looked confused as he accepted the basket and said, "Thank you."

The girl sensed the atmosphere between them was not that bad, she thought of taking matters into the next step. "May I know the name of my savior," She gave the man such angelic and innocent expression.

He looked at her all puzzled by the situation, yet could only sigh and answered, "Lirius,"

"Lirius?"

"Just Lirius."

Athena wondered why he didn't wish to tell her his family name. Since he didn't tell her, it made her wonder what bitterness he held in his own family name. She didn't bother about it for now and instead, responded by introducing herself, "My name is…"

"Athena, I know…" Lirius looked emotionless as he interrupted her which shocked the girl.

"How did you..." Athena turned pale as she panicked when the man called her by her original name and not what she informed the villagers.

The man pointed his finger at the girls face, causing her to be curious if there was some dirt on her face.

"Your eyes."

"..." Athena was speechless, her eyes were indeed a given clue to her identity. But, only those who have seen her father would realize she is a part of the family. Since, only House Adolphus has such eyes.

"Don't worry about it, I won't tell anyone about who you are."

Athena calmed herself, since she couldn't sense any malice energy from the man. She thought of trusting his words.

"Is this your home?"

"No, this house belongs to my master, but he was killed during the war whilst protecting the people in the village." Lurius showed such an upset expression on his face whilst telling Athena the story.

"I'm sorry for asking." Athena softly replied regretting asking such a question.

Lirius noticed how bothered the girl was and changed the topic of their conversation, "How are you feeling?" He asked seeing there were some colors in her cheeks now.

"Thanks to you, I'm much better." She responsible with a great relieved that the young man was not affected by her question, she then added, "Your home is beautiful, especially this garden"

"You are welcome to stay here if you like." Lurius unexpectedly stated not realizing what he just said.

"Really?" Athena's eyes broaden in surprise.

Lirius narrowed his eyes self conscious of what he said, he could look the girl in the eye as he tried to explain himself. "I mean, wouldn't this manor be safe for you to stay. At the same time, you can stay here with your knight since who knows when the next assassin will come."

His words turned icy and filled with hatred when speaking of the assassin. He found the girl pitiful that her life is always on the edge. Like she was holding on to just one single thread and any moment now, someone will come and cut it off… Ending the girl's life for you.

"The village is not a safe place for you to stay, plus, aren't you worried that they might hurt the villagers?"

"You got a point there." Athena's expression darkened as she realized what the man said was right at the spot. Who knows indeed when the next assassin would come, since they weren't able to kill the assassin last time. Surely he has informed the Queen about her existence.

"In that case, if you really don't mind me staying with my knight. Then I'll take your offer to be a member of this household. I give you my thanks in advance for letting us stay."

"It's not a probability. I'm the only one residing in the manor anyways."

Athena was in deep thought and didn't notice she was speaking off the top of her head, "So, there isn't a demon then?" She covered her mouth immediately as she realized she spoke without thinking. "I didn't…"

"Demon, does not exist." Lirius responded with such coldness in his voice as if such a topic should never be mentioned again.

"Yeah, it's just an old fairy tale."

Lirius calmed himself and sighs, "Forget it." He said as he started heading to the manor.

Whilst there were heading back, Athena noticed a dead tree.

"Wait."

The girl headed to the tree as she touched it with her hand. "I wish to repay you for saving my life."

Despite she was unsure if her plan would work, she really wanted to apologize to the man for speaking nonsense and at the same time repay him for saving her life.

The wind around the girl turned warm, she closed her eyes as she focused her energy on the task ahead. Soon, her mana was flowing out of her body… Then, unexpectedly, a white light appeared in her hand. It was a lumineux. When the girl slowly opened her eyes and saw the light, she pressed it on the tree as she transferred all her energy to it.

Soon, the tree was covered in bright light as small leaves started to grow. Since, the girl power was still so weak, she couldn't do anything more but let its leaves grow.

Lirius's eyes couldn't believe what he was seeing. He has come to think that the girl was a Healer or an Alchemist. But, he didn't expect her to be an Elemntalist. It made him confused as he witnessed her once healed someone and restored its broken limb. Her personal guard was one of those whom she restored. So, how is it possible she can use Divine Healer's magic.

Within only a minute of using her magic, Athena started coughing as she had drained all her energy again.

"Ah, I went too much again…"

Before the girl could collapse, Lirirus swiftly moved to her side and caught her.

"I'm-" She couldn't finish what she wished to say since she had lost consciousness already.

Lirius looked at the girl anxiously, after witnessing what the girl just did, made him greatly worried. "So, it's true."

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