NOT A GIRL! [4.3]

I patted her delicate blonde hair, "There, there. You don't need to be afraid, little girl. I won't let them hurt you."

The little girl turned her fiery eyes towards me and smacked off my hand, "You idiot!! I am a boy! AND! I am definitely older than you!!!"

"Eh?" I looked at the "boy" up and down with a frown as he growled at me with his feminine appearance.

How is he a boy?! He has the longest eyelashes and the most luxurious hair I have ever seen. Ugh… Now I understand why that character had to *pat pat* down there in order to figure out genders.

I cleared my throat, "Ah. Sorry… Little boy… I should have asked first."

"Ask?! YOU AREN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ASK!"

I couldn't believe that this child was just almost beaten to death as I heard the sound of his booming voice.

I flinched back with a frown, "Okay, okay. You don't have to yell."

The child still glared back at me as he mumbled to himself, "You clearly don't know what a boy is since your brain is the size of a pebble."

My face twitched in irritation. I flicked him on the forehead, "Listen here-"

"Ah!" The boy let out a pained yelp as he held the place I flicked. I could see blood slowly drip from his forehead. My face paled at the sight.

Is he bleeding?! But I didn't even flick him that hard!! How can he be bleeding from that?!

I panicked and sat forward. I raised his hair to reveal his forehead. I gently took his hands away to see the wound. As I stared at it, I had no idea that he was blushing in surprise at my touch. I spoke in a low voice, "It doesn't look that bad. Head wounds always bleed more."

He was silent as he continued to watch me. His mouth twitched, unable to think of anything to say. I reached down and ripped the hem of my dress until I got off a good chunk of cloth. I raised it to his wound and gently dabbed it. He let out a small hiss from the pain.

I felt the corners of my lips tilt up in a gentle smile. I tried to reassure him, "It might sting, but we have to stop the blood. Please bear with it."

The boy looked down and noticed my ripped dress. He blushed more and forced himself to look away.

I nodded, "There. It stopped bleeding…. Eh? Why is your nose bleeding now?"

The boy looked away wiping at his nose, "Shameless. You are too shameless."

"Eh?"

Why is he calling me shameless? Whatever. I clicked my tongue and held his nose with the cloth.

He snatched up the cloth that I was holding over his nose. He spoke curtly, "I can do it myself."

This boy should consider himself lucky that he is receiving treatment from me. I've never done this to anyone else before.

I waved him off, "Suit yourself."

I looked around the room now that I could finally focus my attention on it. A Lot of children were huddled up and shivering from either the cold or from fear. They all looked miserable and underfed. Some were crying and some looked like they had given up.

I frowned at their sorry state, "Just what exactly is happening here?"

The boy spoke in a resentful tone, "We were taken by mana traffickers."

"Eh? Mana traffickers? What is that?"

He clicked his tongue, "You must have had a really good life if you don't know what they are. Even the younger children know."

I felt my face twitch. I didn't know because I am not from here!!

I unconsciously reached forward to pinch his cheeks, "Rude boy."

"Ow ow ow!" He slapped away my hand, "Stop touching me!"

I rolled my eyes as he scooted away while still glaring at me. Seeing his angry expression as he huffed and attempted to look indignant made the corner of my lips twitch in amusement.

Such a strange little boy. Even though he was almost beaten to death a few moments ago, you could have never guessed it by the way he is acting. To be able to ignore your pain like that… Well, I think he is going to have a very bright future.

My heart softened at this, "Could you please explain everything to me?"

He snuck glances at my face with a slight blush. He scooted a bit closer and cleared his voice. He leaned forward to whisper so the other children wouldn't hear and panic more than they already were. "The Mana traffickers illegally steal children with large amounts of mana. They hook the children up to devices that will suck out their mana. Then, they bottle it up and sell it to the highest bidder."

I whispered back, "But what use is mana in a bottle?"

Wouldn't that just be air?

He gave me an incredulous look, "Where have you been living? Under a rock?"

My face twitched, "Just answer the question."

He continued, "Mana can be used for anything. It can be turned into potions, used for crafting magical items, it can even boost a person's strength. Those who don't produce enough of it will naturally seek it out. It can be addicting for some."

I nodded in understanding, "So basically, we were kidnapped and being sold like cattle?"

His face grew dark, "Not everyone was kidnapped."

I looked at him with genuine curiosity, "What do you mean?"

His lip trembled slightly before he bit down on it to stop it. His eyes flashed with resentment, "Some of us were sold by our own family members."

"Sold?"

He gave a dark nod. I glanced at the other children and they had looks of sorrow and betrayal. I may hate children, but even I am moved by their tragic fate.

I spoke, "How long have you been here?"

His face grew dark, "I would guess I've been here at least a month. Some have been here longer, some have been here for a shorter time."

"Wait…" My face paled, "How long have I been unconscious?"

He shrugged, "You came here like that." He turned to some of the newer children, "Do you know?"

One stuttered out in fear, "A-A few d-days."

My expression grew grim. Oh. That's not good. Why was I worried about him having a concussion?! If I was unconscious for that long, I'm the one in trouble!!

He noticed my expression and tried to reassure me, however, he came off a bit pretentious, "Don't worry. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about."

I met his eyes with a frown, "What are you trying to say? That I don't have to worry because I don't have a brain?"

"..."

"..."

He turned his gaze away, "I didn't mean it like that."

I narrowed my eyes, "Hm.."

He scratched his cheek while shifting uncomfortably under my intense stare. I let out a huff of air and closed my eyes to think. Let's see… If I was unconscious for a few days, then… Wait. What happened to Vicky?

My eyes snapped open and I quickly scanned every child in the room for the familiar girl. However, she was nowhere to be found.

I panicked and leaned forward to the boy. I spoke quickly, "Have you seen a girl who is around my age, scrawny, nerdy, has brown hair and glasses?"

The boy leaned away from me with a flushed expression, "Uh… No."

I looked at the other children, "Have any of you? Her name was Vicky."

The children flinched at my question and all shook their heads fiercely. No one had seen her.

The boy looked at me with a bit of concern, "Who is she? Your friend?"

"Hah!" I let out a self-deprecated laugh, "No. Not a friend."

The boy blinked in confusion, "Eh? Then who?"

I let out a hum, "Just an acquaintance that was stolen under the same pretense as I was."

"Ah." He nodded in understanding, "There are other places like this one where they store the children they kidnapped. It's possible that she was brought to another location instead."

That's not good. I may not be friends with the brat, but I can't abandon her to this kind of fate. I'm not a heartless person, but what can I possibly do? I've never fought before and I am even in the body of an 8-year old girl. Should I go to the authorities?

No way.

Absolutely no way.

Not only do I have zero faith they would actually help, I also don't think my presence would be welcomed there considering the last time I went I was a criminal.

Then…

Is the only option to go find her myself?

Ugh. That's so much work…

But I really can't let her or any other child suffer this kind of fate. No one deserves this.

I let out a sigh, "I need to figure out where she was brought to."

"Why are you worrying about someone else when you're trapped here with us?" He crossed his arms and tsked, "You should be more worried by the thing around your neck."