Slowly, I took off my mask, revealing my full face.
I resembled my father, but I'd inherited a lot from my mother, which made me less menacing. This face used to be useful when I was a child, but now it's become a bane in my life.
They looked amazed.
"Your hair," the woman muttered.
"Uh, yes?"
She shook her head.
"I apologize," she said, moving away.
She walked off, basket in hand. As I watched her leave, I couldn't help but notice she had a strange energy around her.
I shook my head and looked back at the stand. I smiled and pointed to an apple pie.
"Let me get this."
Claude's POV
As I walked around the village, I frowned behind my mask.
Why did I have to come too? The only one truly interested was Fergus. The big idiot only thinks about battles and pies.
There's nothing interesting in this place. I still haven't finished making the birthday present for Liora. Her birthday is in a few days, and I need to find a specific material for the last touch.
I've already searched a dozen islands to find the right material, and I couldn't find one that would work.
Looking around again, I scowled. This is a waste of time. I need to hurry up. I activated my unique skill. Hopefully, it would send the item I need my way.
Rune's POV
Standing in front of a bookstore, I put my book away and entered. Hopefully, there's some interesting stuff in this place.
I'd already cleared the royal library. Ever since my father gave me the rune crafting skill, I've been increasing its proficiency. I only mastered it a few days ago. But now what I really need are books on physics and science.
And maybe some magic books, if they can even be found here. Entering the bookstore, I looked around.
This place was quite small. Calculating the number of books, I'd say there are barely a thousand in here.
I activated my magic senses, and to my surprise, there was one book with magic residue. I walked toward the shelf where it was placed and grabbed it.
—Engravement—
Reading the cover, I thought to myself: Is it a new type of magic? I opened the book to the first page, and my eyes widened.
This magic is similar to rune magic, but this one can be used on living creatures. I read everything and paused.
This book was great, but it was only elementary. I turned and walked toward the counter. I placed the book on it.
"5—"
He didn't finish speaking as I dropped a gold chunk onto the counter. His eyes widened as he slowly moved his shaking hand and grabbed the gold.
"Where did you get this book?"
He looked away from the gold and peeked at the cover of the book.
"I got it from a merchant caravan," he said.
A merchant...
"Where did the merchant come from?"
The man smiled. "The merchant is a friend of mine. He comes from the nearest kingdom to the south. But be warned—the prince of that kingdom was cursed to be a beast," he added.
I paused. Cursed, huh? It didn't matter to me. Now that I'd found my next destination, I had no need to stay here any longer.
I grabbed the book, stored it in my storage ring, and left the shop. After leaving, I took out my book of monsters and summoned a flying monster.
—Great Griffin—
A giant griffin as tall as five meters. Though I could summon another one, this one is currently the fastest.
The surrounding people were terrified, but I ignored them.
I jumped on its back, sent a signal into its mind, and showed it the direction. It gave a small screech and then flew into the air.
Flying across the village, I noticed Father was staring at me. But it seemed like he didn't intend to stop me.
"Make sure you return in time for your sister's birthday," Father's voice rang in my head.
I didn't answer.
Clyde's POV
I ran around the village and grinned ear to ear. This place was small but had a lot of things.
As I ran, I suddenly stopped when I noticed a blacksmith shop. I sensed something—something magical. I entered the shop and looked around.
Finding the item I was looking for, I grabbed it. It was a spear, though it looked rusted and worn.
I used inspect on it.
—Ever Evolving Spear—
A powerful spear that evolves with the user. The only weapon of its kind.
My eyes shined as I read the description. Such a find. Honestly, I thought Claude would be the one to find these things with his luck, but I guess I'm really lucky today.
I went to the counter, threw a pouch of gold on it, and left. The clerk was confused, but then she opened the bag and her eyes widened.
Leaving the place, I grinned from ear to ear. Today was getting better and better. I used teleport and headed back to the training grounds.
This skill was getting more and more useful. I can't believe he also gave it to Moon and Crystal. I mean, was there a point in grounding them if they could just leave anytime they wanted?
I shook my head and looked back at the spear. I slowly inserted my energy into the weapon and watched as the rust slowly disintegrated. Then the weapon started to change.
Its colors changed from black to dark blue with gold linings, and not only that—it changed into a trident.
"Can this day get any better?" I laughed.
Erik's POV
I didn't do much and sat down in a small tavern eating. But I was still paying attention to the boys.
Sensing rune leave and Clyde disappearing next I sighed. I could have stopped them but right now there was something more important.
Fergus is already strong enough but his intelligence is quite low—no, more like he acts like an idiot.
That boy is extremely smart, probably one of the smartest child I have. But he acts like an idiot.
Every one of my children can tell. But he favors straight up violence then making plans. I need to get that habit to leave or when he obtains his divine skill, he might get something bad.
On the other hand Clyde seems to be getting restless. I've already sensed that he's used his ability but it seems like it still isn't enough to get the item he's looking for.
I sighed and stood up. I put down a few coins and left the tavern. Now it was time to see if the monster had gotten the item.
The monster appeared next to me and gave me the key. I smiled.
"Perfect," I smiled. I stored it and headed to where I sensed Claude.
Finding him I frowned. This kid—his getting out of hand. I watched as he was constantly using his ability.
Around him I saw all sorts of treasures. Every now and then a bird would drop a beautiful gem or a magic item.
Unlike other magic. His that can manipulate fate exerts more mana. He was overusing his skill and straining his mana pool. I sighed and stood in front of him.
"Stop it," I ordered.
He grimaced and glared at me. My mouth twitched as I felt my anger rising. I raised my hand and smacked him so hard he'd got knocked out.
As his body fell to the ground I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time today. Elsa is gonna be mad.
I store all the items and picked him up and returned back to the royal castle. I put him in his bed and took out a gem and put it on a table near his bed.
That was probably the gem he was looking for. A few years ago I gave him a crafting skill and he made a bunch of stuff.
But the more he made the more obsessed he became. He wouldn't even use materials that others would find perfect.
In fact, I gave every one of my children a skill—ones that would either complement them or distract.
I gave Fergus an agricultural skill to make him learn patience. It's been working well, but it still isn't quite enough.
I gave Clyde the mermaid skill because of his affinity with water.
I gave Rune rune crafting and accelerated thinking because of his obsession with books, magic, and knowledge.
Fergus's POV
The next day, I walked around again. I'd already seen everything yesterday. There was nothing left to do.
I sensed around for the others and frowned. They left me...
I sighed and planned to teleport back to the castle Igneel was in when I suddenly smelled something delicious.
"Is that—apple pie?" I muttered.
I turned toward the direction and headed to the place. Once I got close enough, I heard singing.
I peeked over a fence and looked inside. To my surprise, it was the girl from yesterday. She was singing and baking.
I gulped and entered the place where she was cooking. I stood right behind her and watched her cook everything in rhythm.
Wow, her voice was beautiful and calming. Of course, it wasn't as good as Melody's, but it was great.
She then grabbed mittens and picked up the pie. Turning around and seeing me, she screamed and fell back.
My eyes widened as I grabbed her and the pie. She looked straight at me.
"I-it's you," she stuttered.
I nodded.
I helped her back on her feet and put the pie on the counter.
"So is there something you need?"
I raised an eyebrow. I thought she would have freaked out or been a little scared.
"Are you not scared?"
"Why would I be? You said you weren't a kidnapper," she asked, confused.
My eyes widened.
"Haha, you're quite innocent, aren't you," I laughed.
I then smiled to myself and moved closer to her and whispered into her ear.
"What if I'm worse than a kidnapper?" I whispered into her ear.
She looked confused.
"Like a murderer? But you haven't killed me yet," she said.
I laughed again. This girl is a lot more innocent than I thought.
"You're funny."
"I am?" she asked, confused.
I smiled.
"So are you a maid?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"No, I'm just doing my chores. My mother and sisters will wake up soon. You should leave," she added.
My smile faded. A daughter of this household. But this place looks nice. Why would she be wearing such dirty clothes?
I looked her over. Now that I looked closer, I could see that her beauty was something else.
But she looks a little skinny. I shook my head. Looking into her eyes, I spoke up.
"Before I go, can I take a pie?" I said with a straight face.
She looked surprised but then a little hesitant.
"I'm sorry, this is for my family. But if you stay for a little longer, I could make another one for you," she said with a smile.
"Really? Then thank you." I smiled.
She nodded and picked up the pie.
"Wait here. I'll be back," she said.
I nodded and watched as she left. She is—too nice. From what I can see so far, she's probably being mistreated.
Normal people would be terrified when a man over seven feet tall entered their home and asked for pie of all things.