Real food

The night calmly ended the cities in the world had been extra quiet as if the storm was brewing. Despite the long time that had passed humanity was able to rebuild about 3 cities so there was currently 4 cities in the world. The rest of the world was just barren land.

"Master, he is not in his room" A maid reported. The Lotus family were about to have breakfast. Due to the strict rules of the academy, it would be a while till the family would see their teenage kids so they were extra cheerful.

"I know where he might be, I'll go get him. You guys can start eating." Seeing his friend looking at him confused Hue said as he got up and left.

Henry had slept on the floor as it was more comfortable that way so he had no problem waking up early. It was still somewhat dark so no one saw him. He was currently training in the dojo.

"Have you slept well?" Uncle Hue got in and asked. He smiled seeing the sweat covered nephew of his.

"Yeah" Henry replied.

"I also had a hard time living here at first don't worry you'll get used to it but you don't have to worry you'll be spending most of your time in the academy" Uncle Hue said as he passed him a towel and a water bottle.

"Why do I have to go there?, can't I just grow strong and travel at the same time, that way I don't have to burden anyone" Henry asked. He wasn't interested in playing family when his goals needed to be achieved.

"Opportunity" Uncle Hue replied making the boy look at him in confusion.

"Tell me, if you leave here now, where will you go? How do you plan to get the resource, the training, the knowledge, the support to get stronger. I know I taught you to trust no one but there are those exceptional few. As for the academy it will help you with opportunities, trust me. You know I won't be around to help you anymore." this was what Uncle Hue believed in, he had already chosen the path that Henry must embark on. He didn't want his nephew to embark this road alone as he knew what it might do to him.

Henry silently thought about his uncle words. He knew that he had to get stronger, the problem was that he didn't have the means nor the details he would need in the future. For some weird reason his uncle had to leave and he knew that he wouldn't see him again. He was currently too weak to do anything and didn't have anyone besides his uncle to rely on.

"I understand" He nodded, slightly saddened at the thought of not seeing his uncle.

"Come, breakfast is getting cold and the others are waiting, plus someone wants to meet you" Uncle Hue wanted Henry's life to be slightly brighter and although it was late, he wanted the boy's family experience to be better than his.

"Who"

"Patience, patience" Uncle Hue with a smile. He stopped the boy from taking a shower telling him there wasn't time. Henry wasn't comfortable with this whole family thing but he suppressed that feeling.

"Sorry I'm late" They entered the dining hall and found the family was chating and laughing, it seemed like they were waiting for him. This made him feel bad and apologies.

"ohh you must be Henry, Nonsense please have a seat and eat" a woman with snow white hair said. Henry hadn't seen her before but it seemed like she was an important figure in the family as everyone treated her with respect.

She got up and made her way towards his seat and personally dished out his plate. It was than Henry noticed that the maids weren't where they usually where. Henry was dazed by her graceful movement.

"Please enjoy and tell me what you think" She said with a warm smile that made Henry's heart feel warm. He suddenly felt comfortable and assured.

"!!!" Henry felt nervous as everyone stared at him, he took a bit and was shocked by the taste of the food. Henry wasn't a food connaisseur or someone who cared much about how his food tasted but this had changed his view on food. He didn't know that his tongue could feel this was, it was like the difference between using his hand and the real thing. (😢BTW idk)

"This is amazing, this is actually amazing." Henry genuinely enjoyed the food, he nodded vigorously. He didn't think that he'd ever enjoy food again. "This is real food, I've been eating lies all my life" Henry said as he looked up to his Uncle but was shocked to see him wolfing down the food.

Hearing this the others burst out laughing, they knew this feeling all to well. They enjoyed watching others react this way and it worked all the time.

"Oh your just saying that, I'm glad you like it sweaty" The woman hugged the boy who was trying to hide his smile.

"No I'm being serious" Feeling her warmth Henry felt emotional but he resisted and pulled back. For some unknown reason he felt like crying but held himself back and responded with a smile.

It was now that he was able to get a good look of the woman. At first glance it was aperant who this woman resembled and who she was, this was korah's mother, Izanami. She was tall and breathtakingly beautiful, unlike korah she had a muture and motherly aura. Although she didn't look a day over thirty Henry could see that something was eating her as she looked ill. She was a mother who like Kento valued family over all other things. Whenever she could, she would dismiss the maids and cook for her family.

"Ohh dear, I'm glade you like it. We haven't been properly introduced, I'm izanami. I'm Akira and korah's mother, I will be your new mother-In-Law" Izanami giggled seeing her daughters reaction.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Henry" Henry slightly bowed his head with respect.

"Right, korah help Henry get some new clothes later" Kento said with a mouth full of food.

Henry was shocked as he looked around the table, the civil family that he saw eat dinner yesterday was replaced by a bunch of savages, savages who were starving to death. What was more shocking was that kento was also in such a state. He took a bite or two and before he knew it, he was aready licking the plate. Henry was flabbergasted and for a sec thought that someone stole some food of his plate.

After breakfast korah took Henry shopping at one of their shops inside the family territory. Every family had at least a few stores which made it easier for them to aquire essentials, they mostly grew their own food though.

"Who is that boy walking with the young miss"

"Could it be that the rumors of her being engaged are true"

"Sshh not so loud, you'll get us punished"

As they walked outside they heard the guards and other family members gossiping. Henry noticed that although she was trying to hide it she was irritated.

"You don't have to follow me anymore, I'll continue on my own" Without waiting for her reply Henry speed up and left her. He didn't want to make her life stressfull so he made a mental note to try and minimize his contact with her.

"Che" korah was furious, not only was she forced to wast her time by taking him shopping, he had the audacity to dismiss her and deny her "Kidness".

Henry didn't wast his time and and just bought only what he needed. Although Henry was an orphan the was one thing he never worried about and that was money. When he turned 10 he got interested in reading lightnovels online. After a while he learnt that he could get paid by writing so he asked his uncle to get it for him and since then he hadn't used his "riches".

With the world often in peril and reality being as harsh as it wanted. What every human wanted was to escape reality for a bit and that was why forms of entertainment like movies still existed.

After shopping he went back to his training and only came out during dinner time afterwards he went to bed and prepare for tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the first day he would be officially seeing the outside world and also the first time he would be going to an education institution so he was somewhat excited.