Jim's House

Thapira's POV:

As we were walking, Jim told me about his past. He said he used to be an adventurer until his daughter was born. Around the time she was born, a disaster occurred inside the city. It happened 17 years ago, when one of the Demon King's generals, Thalrok, attacked the city, killing thousands of people.

 "I remember that day vividly," Jim began, his voice heavy with emotion. "Thalrok, the third general of the demon army, led an ambush and attacked the city. His army of demons swarmed the streets, leaving chaos and devastation in their wake. Buildings were reduced to rubble, and the screams of the innocent filled the air." Jim paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"At that time, I was a B-rank adventurer. The guild summoned all adventurers to help protect the city. I fought alongside my fellow adventurers and the kingdom's soldiers to the end. However, Thalrok was too powerful; we were no match for his brutal strength. There were no heroes at the time. Finally, Thalrok got bored and decided to leave the city with his army, leaving thousands of innocent people dead and a city in ruins," he said, his eyes reflecting the pain of those memories. 

"When I returned home, I found my wife, severely injured but alive, clutching our newborn daughter. It was in that moment I realized the extent of my wife's sacrifice and how important my family was," Jim smiled faintly. "That's when I decided to hang up my sword and focus on raising my daughter and taking care of my beloved wife."

As I listened, I felt a mix of fiction and realistic, as these kinds of things only happen in films or movies, but Jim went through that horrifying event. It made me admire and have mad respect for him, knowing that he gave up the adventurer life to become a regular labor worker so he could spend time and take care of his lovely wife and daughter. 

That sacrifice was no joke; no man on Earth would do something like he did. However, what made me more curious was Thalrok, the third general of the demon army. He sounded like a powerful being, able to destroy the city on his own but there were no heroes that time. 

"Thanks for sharing Mr. Jim ! But why would Thalrok leave even though he was dominating?" I asked, looking at him. 

"People say he was just testing his strength." Jim replied.

"Testing his strength ?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. 

"After he left, he told everyone that he would return once a hero was found. He doesn't want to fight with weaklings," Jim exclaimed, looking forward as if spotting something. 

I couldn't believe that Thalrok was so strong that he would wait until a hero was found and then return to fight again. What a madman! But has a hero really been found? 

"Oi! Who is that man?!" Jim shouted out and rushed to where he was looking. 

Jim snapped me back to reality as I saw him dash off without me. I quickly followed him until we reached the front of a house, where two figures stood. One was a girl, probably his daughter, and the other was a young man, tall, handsome, and wearing fancy clothes. 

"Who are you, and what are you doing with my daughter ?" Jim demanded, slowing down his pace. 

"Father !?" The girl exclaimed in surprise.

"I thought you were going to work!" she continued. 

"Mia, who is this young man?" Jim asked his daughter, whose name was Mia.

 "... Ummm... it's.." Mia tried to answer but was interrupted by the young man. "Oh, you must be Mia's father! My name is Cedric, Cedric Emberhart. It is a pleasure to meet you." the young man, whose name was Cedric, greeted Jim with a nod.

 "... Emberhart!?... Lord Emberhart, sorry for my rudeness," Jim stammered, clearly taken aback. 

"No, no. It was my fault that I came without letting you know.. I will take my leave then. See you at school, Mia!" The young man said goodbye to the girl, then faced us. "Hope to see you again, Mia's father," he continued his farewell before leaving the scene in the horse carriage that was parked nearby. 

He seemed pretty rich based on his fancy clothes and the use of transportation; he might be from a noble family, I reckon. 

"Mia, why would a noble man come to our place?!" Jim demanded, looking for an answer.

 "... Father... Please calm down first!" Mia tried to soothe her father as he eagerly awaited her response.

"I'm already calm!!" Jim exclaimed, tightening his fist.

 "Lord Emberhart... came here to... ask me out!" Mia replied shyly. 

"What?! Ask who out?!" Jim blurted out in disbelief.

".... I will be late .. I have to go now ! Talk to you later, Father" Mia excused her father and left. 

"That girl!!" Jim exclaimed incredulously. 

"Oh, sorry Thap. I totally forgot about you! Sorry about that," Jim realized, noticing me standing there and witnessing their entire conversation.

 "... No, it's alright! I'm fine," I replied with a smile. 

"All right, then let's gear you up !" He spoke to me with a smile with a thump up. 

"I can't wait !" I replied and followed his lead into the house.