Chapter 3. Change

Meryl was in deep thoughts. She could not let the young lord suffer so much. She looked at the innocent fragile child. No! She would break her promise to Jayden. She removed a drop blood essence from her forehead. It glowed reddish and emanated great heat. She had two purposes. She released the blood essence on Alaric's chest and let it erode the seal. Though it could do little, it managed to unseal a two percent of his power. She felt weak but she too had to follow her master. She took him on her back and flew away.

***

A week later.

In a house in Lotus City. A couple of age almost fourty years each could be seen sitting on two chairs outside the house. It was relative old with red tiled roof and the man was talking to his wife.

"The boy is yet to wake up. What do we tell him after he wakes up. His parents whereabouts are unknown," the man fell into deep thoughts.

This was what had been on his mind the whole week. His face seemed to age as every time he fell into deeper thought. Since the boy came he could not even find any sleep. He remembered the letter he found that said his name was Alaric. His wife raised her head revealing her brown eyes. She smiled as she saw the worried look on his face. She felt guilty for not being able to bring him a child. She pushed her blonde hair back from her chest. She could not remember how many times she had asked him to marry another woman but he blatantly refused even as the people pointed their fingers at them. Her name was Joyce and her husband was Kain.

The door screeched as their hearts ran wild their blood heating. Their worst fear was about to be realized. The boy with green eyes stood there rubbing his eyes. He yawned and stretched. He rolled the sleeve on his baggy shirt and long pants rolling them up to his calves. They had changed his clothes but they did not have any fitting clothes so they were forced to buy the cheaper ones but they appeared to be still bigger to him.

He scratched his hair and looked to see the couple's shocked expression. He rushed towards the couple jumping into Joyce's arm who widened her eyes a grin filling her face. She was unsure of what to do but she thought that she should just hug him back. You never know what pain he was in. But the big smile on his face that seemed to reach ear to ear said otherwise. Her heart beat wildly unsure how to speak to the child but she was brought back by words she never dreamt of in her life.

"Mom, whats for breakfast today? I feel like I have not eaten for ages. Mom, why does your heart beat so loud?" Little Alaric said innocently pulling from her embrace. His emerald eyes shone with happiness and she couldn't help the tears falling from her eyes. How could a five year old say that he felt like he had not eaten for ages? Were the heavens playing games on her? No! This was real. From then on she was going to be his mother, no matter what. She pulled him closer hugging him tightly.

Little Alaric could not breath. What was wrong with his mother? Why was she crying? He pulled away and cupped her cheeks with his small hands.

"Mom, do you want this little one to stay hungry all day?" He asked, his eyes glistening. Joyce could not help it. His eyes were so pure that she couldn't find it in herself to refute him. Any doubt she had inside her heart was washed away by his words.

His warm hands still on her cheeks.

" Oh. The wind blew my eyes. I forgot let's get inside and get you a fill," Joyce said standing from her seat. She took his hand and led him inside the house. She set the table and Little Alaric sat holding a spoon waiting for his bowl to be filled. Joyce served fish soup and bread in another bowl.

Kain who came in later was also served but he kept staring at the small boy who ate without care in the world. Not the least worried about their identity. Little Alaric eyes landed on him and his untouched food. He was already halfway but his father was yet to start.

"Dad will you continue staring at me today? I think it's because I have not washed my face, eat first bath later," little Alaric said taking in mouthfuls at a time. Kain could not comprehend what was happening. This... He slowly took the spoon to his mouth taking the first bite. Joyce who had just started eating nudged her husband with her elbow her eyes shining with joy. The pain of many years gone in a blink. He saw her start eating also without care of the world. By the time he brought himself to take the third spoon, little Alaric was now munching the bread. He finished the food and looked at Joyce.

" Mom I want more," Joyce was startled. Even Kain who had a big apetite never ate two bowls. But she obliged and served him the second take. And just like the first time, he downed it all in some minutes. "More," he said. Shocking the couple. Joyce once again obliged and filled his bowl once again. It was then that his speed reduced and he finished at the same time as Joyce. Their shocked expression could not be hidden but seeing Alaric's nonchalant face they could not help but fake a smile though Joyce's was genuine.

"Am going out to play, Iwill be back in the evening," Alaric said and walked outside like this was his usual habit. The two could not beleive that this was a five year old child. His action said otherwise especially when he ate the three bowls. They watched him walk out as they sighed.

" Come back early today little Alaric," Joyce said as Alaric rushed towards the gate. Kain jaw dropped.

" Today?" He asked his eye showing disbelief. His wife stood up and planted a kiss on his forehead. She then continued to clear the table under Kains still astonished gaze.

" Our son will be fine, just let him be," Joyce said the happy smile on her face never fading.

" Our...son..." Kain felt his world collapsing. Since when did he get a son. He had not yet agreed but it was already confirmed. But one thing that could not mistake was the light that shone in his heart when he heard Joyce call him their son. He still watched the small guy's back as he left. Still he was dazed.

***

Alaric found his way and went to the stadium. The academy competitions which always took place every five years were taking place starting that morning. It was still early and he went forward and stood at the empty stadium. The floor was made of hard stones enforced with arrays to to prevent damage. Little Alaric then started counting the seats and by the times he was finishing people had started flocking in. Everyone who saw the small boy in the middle couldn't help but shake their heads. He was too young to even think of taking part in any battle. They were shocked by the words that came from his mouth the next moment.

"One day I will stand on top of this very city and be the best. Just you wait and see. Mark my words," at first it was the shocked expression on their faces which were replaced by disdainful laughters. Just an overambitious small kid who did not know just how difficult it was to enter the cultivation realm. Such a small boy who was yet to awaken any element and they could tell from his shabby dressing he had no backing. What element could he awaken when the time came. None! Maybe sixth grade?

At the moment, youngsters were making their entry and they all saw the small boy swearing at the heavens. One well known genius walked towards the small boy and brushed his hair but Alaric shove the hand off.

"Just tell me what to do so that I can be stronger. I want some muscles," Alaric said energetically.

The group of geniuses who came with the boy who was about fifteen years could not help but laugh out loudly. Was this even possible. When they were at that age they did not even have any thoughts of getting to the stadium. Just what a misfit. After calming their nerves the teen took Alaric with his hand on his chest lifting him as the people around burst out in another fit of laughter. Alaric looked at the genius his eyes calm shocking even the teen but this made them laugh even louder.

"Wanna get stronger like me and have some muscles, keep dreaming. But here is a tip a hundred press ups a day and twenty laps from one end of the city to the other and you will get what you want. What do you think of that. Pretty fun, right?" The teen asked as those behind him laughed.

"Thank you big brother," Alaric said as he slipped from the clutches of the teen landing on the ground. He then ran outside the stadium and went back home. In his mind couldn't help but say, " I just can't stand and watch inferior people fighting."

" After I get strong, I will crush you all"..

Alaric did not stay at the stadium and went home immediately. He found his father readying himself to go out fishing. He was surprised to see Alaric found his way back home. They thought that he would be lost.

"I just came right on time dad, lets go fishing together. " Kain wanted to refuse but joyce stepped in and made sure they left together.

Alaric carried a wooden bucket that was definitely an oversize but he dragged it alongside his father who was carrying a fishing rod. They left the city and headed to the forest. Kain had offered to carry th bucket but Alaric blatantly rejected. Kain could only sigh as the junior tried to match up his pace. He saw that it was slow and he bent to pick by his armpits and placed Alaric on his broad right shoulder. Alaric sat calmly looking from side to side. Balancing himself like he did not need to be supported. He then spoke breaking the silence.

"Dad, do you know that I want to be strong and crush all geniuse of this city?" Alaric soft voice spoke. Kain could not help but wonder how such a young child who had not yet awakened any element could dream of destroying the geniuses of the city.

"And how are you going to do that?" Kain asked after finding his voice.

"There is only one way to become stronger than everyone. A hundred pressups everyday and twenty laps from one end of the city to the other." Alaric said instantly.

Kain almost stumbled. If he had tea or water in his mouth he would have definitely spit it out. Who the hell told him such misleading words. Considering how determined and sure his words were, there was no mistaking that he would definitely do it.

"What do you plan to do?" He asked but he just knew the answer. This kid he had known for not more than a day but he definitely felt that he was very straightforward. Alaric was silent for a while.

"I took his words to heart and am starting tomorrow. I must get strong as soon as possible," Alaric replied after contemplating. Kain's thoughts drifted away.

This was no child talking. This was an adult in a childs form. But how could he refute. That would only lead to him being proven wrong. They walked silently to the lake in the middle of the forest and they sat at the edge laying the bait. Suddenly Alaric saw a fish and jumped inside the water. Kain felt his heart in his mouth. His legs shaking and his jaw dropped.

"What now!" He sobbed