War is A game (Part 2)

 "Let's go inside," Xavier said, his hand resting on Eamon's shoulder.

 The children, their curiosity piqued, followed Xavier and Eamon into the mansion. 

  The air was thick with the scent of citrus and polished wood, a reminder of the luxurious life that Eamon enjoyed. 

 The hallways, lined with oil paintings and exquisite tapestries, whispered tales of a rich history.

 Maids, their movements as precise as clockwork, carried their bags to their rooms.

 "Okay, all of you should rest," Eamon announced, his voice booming, "A big dinner will be prepared soon."

 "Wohoooo! A nice bed!" The children shouted, bouncing on their luxurious beds.

 "Yes, these kids are ready for a war," Rethrus said sarcastically, his gaze sweeping over the children, a touch of weariness in his voice.

 "Ah, so this is the feeling of being rich," Rethrus murmured, sinking deeper into the plush mattress, his body enveloped by the warmth of the soft, downy pillows. 

  "I want this kind of life," he whispered, a longing for a different reality creeping into his heart.

 "Students! Prepare yourselves!" Xavier's voice rang through the mansion. "Dinner will be here soon."

 The children rushed to the bathroom, their laughter echoing through the halls.

 Rethrus, standing before the mirror, looked at his reflection. 

 "Huh, I just realized, I look the same as I did in my past life," he thought, "but I have black hair in this world instead of brown."

 As the grand dining room doors swung open, a hush fell over the children.

  "Everyone, meet my wife, Gwen Valeric."

 A beautiful woman, her grace as captivating as her beauty, descended the grand staircase, her presence filling the room with a delicate perfume of lavender and sandalwood. 

 Beside her, two young women, their faces a mixture of charm and innocence, followed closely behind.

 "And the kids behind her are our children," 

 Eamon announced, his voice booming through the room. "My daughters, Celine and Celise."

 The children stared in awe, their mouths agape, as they gazed at the Countess and her daughters. 

 "Hello, everyone!" Countess Gwen said, her voice as soft as the whisper of the wind. "I hope you enjoyed your stay here."

 "Yes ma'am!" The children responded in unison, their voices filled with admiration.

 "Wow, she's beautiful and kind," Terra whispered, her gaze fixed on Countess Gwen.

 "And her husband?" Terra added, her voice tinged with a note of disdain, as she glanced at Count Eamon, whose plump features and boisterous laugh were a stark contrast to his wife's elegance.

 Rina leaned over and whispered back, "To be fair, he's rich and strong. That's why."

 "This is my family, everyone. And by the way, my two sons are already in the academy for the entrance exam. You know how crowded it will be, so I made them travel early."

 "Huh, in the movies, families like them are bad people and full of hypocrisy, but I guess this one's different," Rethrus thought.

 "Everyone, let's go eat," Eamon said, his voice loud and welcoming.

 Xavier, with a quiet smile, stepped forward and whispered to the children.

 "Manners, everyone, okay?"

 "Yes, sir," the children replied, their voices low and respectful.

 The children, led by Xavier, made their way to the grand table, its surface laden with an array of delicacies: roasted meats, freshly baked bread, rich sauces, colorful fruits, and overflowing bowls of exotic dishes.

 The air was thick with the aroma of rich spices, the clink of silverware against porcelain, and the murmur of conversation.

 "Xavier," Eamon starts a conversation, his voice a gentle rumble, 

 "Your whole life you've served this kingdom. When do you plan to have some time for yourself?"

 The children, their faces aglow with the warmth of the fire, continued their conversations, unaware of the unspoken tension brewing at the head of the table.

 "I'm fine, my friend," Xavier replied, his voice calm and measured. 

 Eamon, his smile fading, a hint of sadness in his eyes, asked, "You're still in love with her, right?"

 Xavier, his gaze fixed on his empty plate, remained silent, his face an unreadable mask.

 "I admire your loyalty, Xavier," Eamon continued, his voice laced with a touch of melancholy. "You're already 40 years old, but your love for her is still the same." His words echoed through the silence, a testament to Xavier's unwavering dedication.

 "To be loved by you, Xavier," Eamon said, his voice barely a whisper.

 Suddenly, Eamon's demeanor shifted, a sharp change that startled the children. "Anyway, children," he said, his voice regaining its usual cheerfulness, "Do you like it here?"

 "Yes sir!" The children responded in unison, their faces reflecting their admiration for the luxurious surroundings.

 "Since you're off to war, like we did in your age," Eamon said, leaning forward, his eyes locking with theirs, "I'm going to tell you something."

 The children, intrigued, fell silent, their eyes fixed on Eamon.

 "I own this county," Eamon announced, his voice filled with pride, "thanks to the king's favor. Of course, I fought for him and for this country." He paused, allowing the children to absorb his words.

 "In my life in the war," Eamon continued, his voice laced with a sense of nostalgia, "I can say that it was a dream come true. I gained something and lost someone. That's the true nature of war. But it's very noble to fight and die for your country. You will protect everyone here in Starglade, and you'll be rewarded by it."

 "Do you want an adventure?" Eamon asked, his voice booming.

 "Yes!" The children shouted in unison, their enthusiasm palpable. Even Rethrus, caught up in the moment, joined in the chorus.

 "Do you want to meet new people?"

 "Yes!"

 "To protect this kingdom?"

 "Yes!"

 "To harness your power?"

 "Yes!"

 "And to have a beautiful house and wife like I do?"

 The children, their faces alight with a mix of excitement and ambition, shouted, "Yes!" Jack, Hans and Haldrin, always eager to please, shouted "Yes!" louder than anyone else.

 Rethrus, his mind racing, knew that Eamon's words were a form of manipulation , a subtle attempt to twist their sense of purpose. But this time, something felt different. His thoughts, once clear and resolute, were now muddled with a sense of unease.

 The moon, a silver disc suspended in a velvety black sky, casts an ethereal glow over the sprawling estate. The night air, cool and fragrant, was filled with the scent of pine and dew-kissed grass. The wind, a gentle caress on Rethrus's face.

 Rethrus, unable to find solace in his bed, had slipped out onto the balcony. The banner of the Valeric family, depicting a majestic mountain range.He thought about the events of the past few days, his mind plagued by doubts and insecurities.

 "Why am I wavering right now?" he asked himself, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm almost thirty. I should know what I'm doing."To live a comfortable life like this is one of my dreams, too," he thought. He closed his eyes, imagining the life he could have, a life of opulence and ease.

 "I miss my mom and dad," he thought, his voice a mere sigh.

 "What are you doing here, child?" A voice, familiar yet commanding, broke the silence.

 Rethrus turned to see Count Eamon, his imposing figure standing against the moonlight, his face a mix of curiosity and amusement."Good evening, sir," Rethrus replied, his voice filled with respect.

 "I just can't sleep. I'm sorry if I disturb you."

 "Nah, I just can't sleep either," Eamon replied, his voice a gentle rumble.

 He gestured towards the empty space beside him. "You can stay here with me as you like."

 The two men stood side by side, their gaze fixed on the moonlit horizon, the silence broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves and the murmuring of the wind.

 "You're strong, kid," Eamon said, his voice laced with a hint of admiration.

 "You feel it, sir?"

 "Of course," Eamon replied, a knowing smile on his lips.

 "But I can't feel anything with you right now," Rethrus countered, a note of uncertainty in his voice.

 Eamon laughed, a deep, resonating sound that seemed to shake the very foundation of the mansion. He then, with a casual gesture, loosened a portion of his mana, a sudden surge of power that sent a shiver down Rethrus's spine. Rethrus, taken aback by the sheer force of Eamon's power, felt a wave of fear wash over him. He realized the vast gap that separated them.

 "As expected from an ex-Vice General," Rethrus thought, his heart pounding in his chest.How?" Rethrus asked, his voice trembling slightly. "There's no saying of hiding mana in the mana books I've read."

 Eamon laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Haha, you'll learn in the future, trust me." "What was that?" Rethrus thought, his mind reeling. "Such immense power. I don't think I can take a punch from him. Is that also for Master Xavier, too?"

 "Haha, you look so worried," Eamon said, his voice laced with amusement. "Don't worry, you're stronger than me when I was your age." He paused, his gaze lingering on Rethrus's face. "Somehow, I find myself comfortable speaking with you."

 "Sir Eamon," Rethrus asked, his voice low, "Is it all worth it?"Eamon, his gaze fixed on the moon, said,

 "Do you know, I was like you back then? Maybe not an orphan, but we were so poor. Maybe this country is rich, but there's still poor people like us. Joining the magic military is one of the biggest choices I've ever made. To think that a peasant like me became a Vice General and owns land. I'll thank God for that. So yeah, I didn't regret it. I believe that even if we're not in war, we're in constant battle. We might just take it to a real battlefield, as well." Rethrus, his mind filled with a mix of confusion and intrigue, was left with more questions than answers.

 "I guess that's it," Rethrus thought, his mind wrestling with the implications of Eamon's words. "I might really have to follow." The thought, once a distant possibility, now felt closer, more tangible, a path he was slowly beginning to embrace.

 "Thank you, Count Eamon," Rethrus said, a quiet respect in his voice. "I'm going back to sleep now."

 "Of course," Eamon replied, his voice a gentle rumble. "Sleep, kid. You'll need it for tomorrow."

 As the children gathered in the hallway, Xavier addressed the Valeric family. "Thank you for your hospitality, Count and Countess Valeric." The children bowed their heads in unison, their expressions a mix of gratitude and respect. "Nah, it's fine," Eamon said, his eyes twinkling. "Nice to see the young blood rising up."

 "Goodbye, girls," Celise and Celine said, their voices laced with warmth, as they exchanged farewells with the girls in their group. It turned out that the two sisters had spent the evening getting to know some of the girls, forming a bond of friendship despite their different backgrounds.

 "Take care, kids," Countess Gwen said, her smile as radiant as the morning sun. "Okay?"

 "Yes, ma'am!" the children responded, their voices a chorus of farewells.

 "Okay, kids, let's go!"