As I entered the candy store, I couldn't help but feel the weight of everyone's stares upon me. Their judgmental glances made it clear that my appearance, with torn and stained clothes, was far from acceptable in their eyes. Brushing off their silent criticisms, I reached for the candy, only to have my hand grabbed by the store owner, an old man with a stern expression.
"Hey, kid, don't try to steal it," he admonished, his grip firm on my wrist.
"I'm not stealing anything," I protested, holding out a silver coin as an offering. "Here, I have money."
The man's expression softened slightly as he accepted the coin, but his words were cold. "Good. Now, go away from my store. You are scaring my customers."
I look at my shirt that Ellis bought for me. In my opinion, it is pretty nice and comfortable.
"Geez, they really don't know anything about fashion. Are they thinking I'm a peasant?" I thought to myself. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I retreated from the store, returning to Elijah who was playing with a stray kitten.
I rushed to him, scolding him gently for wandering off. "Eli! I told you to stay here," I chided, taking his hand firmly in mine as I felt the weight of the stares from passersby.
I held his hand, and he was feeling guilty. Elijah obediently followed me as we moved through the crowded streets. Everyone was staring at us as I pulled away their attention when I shouted his name.
I immediately got us to safety. After that, I looked at him pouting because of earlier. As his stomach growled with hunger, I promised to buy him food, but his eyes lit up at the sight of a candy in a nearby store.
"Brother, can I have that?" he asked eagerly, pointing at the candy. "I'm sorry Eli. Here is your candy." I pat his head while giving him the packed candy.
"Yeah! Shining pearls." Elijah amaze in happiness. He was looking and not eating the candy. He felt it was something precious. "Hmm, what's wrong?" I asked him.
"I want to give you this." Elijah hands out the candy in his hand. "But I don't eat candy." I reject him to let him have it all.
"Grandma gives you something and you are happy. I want to make my brother happy too." He explained. I can't believe my brother cares for me.
"Hahaha. Thank you, Elijah. But I'm already happy. Now, this one's for you. I can buy another if I want. chuckles." I assured him.
"Really? Thank you, brother." He put the candy in his mouth before opening it while grinning at me.
I can't handle his cuteness and pat his head while squeezing his cheeks because looking at him eating the candy in the wrong way.
After that, I open the plastic and teach him how to eat it properly.
Suddenly, my instincts kicked in as I spotted several guards searching the area.
As our eyes meet, I lift my brother and run together with him to find the exit. I run quickly to get away from those guards.
I use the magic I learnt from Arnold to run swiftly with magic.
They were left behind and couldn't chase me while wearing heavy armor. I felt relieved when I saw an exit gate upfront and Elijah shouting something.
"My candy!". He was on the verge of tears.
"What perfect timing!" I put Elijah to get back the candy and risk my life for it. I take the candy and see the guard coming while riding a horse. I think they are after me. I don't know what is wrong, but I feel it is better if I run.
"Damn it" I immediately ran as quickly as possible.
Guard: "Stop kid!" The guard continued chasing after me. Maybe they notice I'm trespassing.
"My cover was blown. But what makes them see it through?" I had a thought momentarily.
"The candy store!" I had a thought that they were chasing me because they received a report. By looking at my appearance with shady clothes, no wonder they would suspect me for trespassing in this city without a pass.
When I looked around, I saw a barrel stack and shot the leg stand with my magic wind to hold them back.
Some of them jump off the barrel and chase me up. I get Elijah and continue running to the gate. As I reach there, the gatekeeper is trying to close the gate by rotating the level.
Without hesitation, I shot the level bar so they could not close it and immediately passed through. The horse barricade did not block my way as I could jump higher using my wind magic.
I jump in the air which makes the wind like a stepping stone for me. Even though it is my first time using it, I try to step up on the wind using my mana. I succeeded to do it in that nick of time.
"Woohoo! We made it! Chuckles." I jumped in excitement. I look at Elijah holding me tight and hide his face. He must be scared.
Gratefully, we got to escape from them. After all this time, I only think to get out of that city as soon as possible. I do not want to cross paths with the Duke.