Loser!

ㅤ "They didn't take you to the city again?" Syme laughed. "What a loser! At least I don't have to worry about you getting Rubia: pretty girls don't come to such unlucky people!" 'What do I need her for…' Caius muttered quietly to himself. He was already feeling depressed, and now he was reminded that even Rubia wasn't in Feln, so this time he'd be wandering around completely alone. Though Rubia sometimes irritated him, she was his only friend. Intrusive, irritating, capricious, but still a friend… And now even she wasn't around. Caius returned to an empty house. The fireplace was silent, lacking the familiar crackling of a wood fire. There were no token snacks on the table. Only cold and clean air. 'Even the cabin by the forest would be cozier…' After rummaging through his supplies, Caius prepared himself a simple dish. He was often alone, so he had to get the hang of it. But each time, it tasted better and better. But for some reason, he couldn't swallow. And Caius refused to connect this with loneliness and the fact that in the absence of his father, he was always supported by Rubia, who grumbled about his bad behavior and who had once taught him how to hold utensils properly, as well as how to read and write. She distracted him in the most useful way possible. 'Perhaps I should read?' Rubia once gave Caius books, ordered him to read them all, but never once asked his opinion. He wasn't much of a reader, only occasionally whiled away the time when bored. However, he was surprised to discover that he'd already read every book in his possession. Little by little, bit by bit. And now he was left with nothing to do again. 'If I try to reach the city on my own, there'll be no one to stop me…' a pernicious thought crept into his mind. Looking at his sword, imagining how he would apply the techniques he'd learned in practice, Caius clenched his fist resolutely—he could do it! 'I can't hide in a cold, empty house forever!' Everyone in Feln was busy with their own affairs: children playing, adults working. Caius avoided anyone free, not wanting to run into any unnecessary questions. So he slipped toward the village exit. All that remained was to decide on his next route. 'I could try going through the Black Forest,' Caius thought for a moment, lacking money for a ticket, but then he shuddered and winced, recalling the ghost stories. No, he definitely didn't want to test them. 'Then it's decided. I'll try to sneak onto the ship in Naliss.' Looking around, scanning for any unfriendly creatures, Caius strode toward the small port town. He saw no monsters on the horizon, nor any reason for them to be lurking near the village. Just as he relaxed, he heard a roar behind him. He managed to jump back just in time and counterattack. He didn't notice he was surrounded, however, and received a clawed paw to the shoulder blade. The first wolf, of course, suffered more, but Caius also lost some of his maneuverability. "Damn!" He hadn't expected his first battle to end like this. He had no intention of surrendering, but he knew perfectly well that, wounded, he was unlikely to cope with two more fang-baring beasts. Gritting his teeth, ignoring the pain, Caius assumed a defensive stance, preparing for an attack. If he tried to break through, they would tear him to pieces. So he had to defend himself and, if possible, retreat back to the village. He managed to block one attack, but the second wolf hovered above him, aiming its fangs at his neck. And Caius had no way to block or retreat. Fear gripped his entire body, as if he were already dead. Bang! A fireball blew the wolf aside, scorching the fur of the wolf biting the blade of Caius's sword. Then, the simplest healing magic fell like blessed light on the bleeding wound. "Caius!" Rubia rushed worriedly toward her friend, clutching her staff tightly. "Are you alright? What are you doing here?" "He must be," Father Natwick followed her with a steady stride; his breathing showed that he had recently run to help the boy. "decided to meet us. Is that right?" he asked emphatically, well aware of the consequences of childish pranks sometimes unsupervised. He didn't blame the child. He was only glad that everything had worked out. "Fool! How could you do that? What if you died?! Don't leave the village alone again! Next time, believe in me and wait for me at home!" "Are you talking nonsense again? What does believe have to do with you?" Caius asked sullenly, quickly recovering from the shock he had experienced thanks to Rubia's ringing voice right next to his ear. "Some kind of goddess." "I'm a lady!" "Well, yes, well…" Caius tried to say as quietly as possible, but what could possibly escape the girl’s sensitive hearing? "Oh, really!" At that moment, Caius received a blow to the crown of his head with a staff. "Stupid! Are you trying to finish me off?!" "Enough, children, please," Father Natwick hastened to reassure the pair, sighing with relief: nothing could change these children. Life was bubbling within them, which was a joy. ㅤ