"Phew... that's it. Ray, Delk. Would you like to go to dinner?
The muscle tread is over, and Howard calls out. But Delk lowered his head with regret.
"I'm sorry! Today was the day I met my wife and son!
I see. My family is important. I'm sorry, I can't. "
"No, this is my fault. I'll make it up to you again!
That said, Delk left early enough. Originally I was supposed to be on my way right away, but I had more time than I expected, so I was having a streak with Ray and the others.
"Howard, Delk's family...."
"Oh, he's married and has kids. I'm sure he was the same age as Ray."
"Really....."
Staring at Delk's large back as he left. Looking at that, Ray wonders what it's like to be a family...
Family. It's a group of blood-connected people. I know what that means. Of course, we know that blood connections are not essential to becoming a family.
Ray thinks of everyone in the Special Selection Unit Astral as a family. But that's just a story...
Because he doesn't know what a real family means.
And then I think about it. I wondered what it would be like if I had a family. What life would have been like if I had lived as a normal child?
I never think of myself as unhappy. But he also seemed lost enough to make such a dream come true.
"What do we do, Ray? Are you going home with Einsworth for dinner?
"No... I have prepared Master's meal at home. Besides, I haven't had dinner with Howard in a while. Let's go."
"Oops! You're going to say something nice!
He strokes me and my head in a mess, but accepts it. Lydia always leaves it to her, but Howard's strength was just right.
It was my first time alone with Howard, but I kind of wanted to talk to him straight away ─ ─ Ray thought so.
"Today is my luxury. You can eat as much as you want.
"Can you say the same thing in front of your master?
"Ugh, ugh... that's impossible... Actually, a long time ago, I was pretty beaten. I was scared then...."
"Hahaha! That's also true. Master really eats a lot."
"Ah, that's not unusual to eat so much...."
Ray and Howard set out into the city with that conversation going on.
The book went down at night. The street lights are lighting up slightly. Many shops are closed, but restaurants rather start here, so the Kingdom's downtown area is lit up quite a bit.
Date is not one of the world's leading powers. The thriving downtown area is the highest in the world. The roadside people pass by with laughter.
"Ray, what do you want to eat?
"Anything. That's what Howard wants to drink, right? I'll go out with you."
"Oh, that won't help. But, Ray, don't drink.
"I know. I've been advised many times by drunk masters."
"Hahaha! Looks like him. Let's go to the tavern."
That's how they went to the tavern. That's where Howard goes, and he knows the owner.
"Howard! Long time no see!
Oh-san. Guys! "
"Ah? No way... a child?
"No, no, it's a relative's child!
Laughing and deceiving. No way to tell the truth, so excuses are shared within the unit to leave to relatives' children.
"I see. Your seat is free. Sit down as you like."
"Thank you."
Howard was heading for a seat in the back. It's just a blind spot from the outside. Just in case, it was a consideration that I didn't want Ray and I to be seen together very much.
"Ray, can we stay here?
"Yeah."
When I arrived at my seat, the clerk came and left the water behind. Then I looked at the menu table on my desk and thought about what to order.
Ray, what are you doing?
I'll leave it to Howard.
I see. You're not a bad person, are you?
"Yeah, I can eat anything."
"Okay."
Howard decided to order what he liked and what Ray liked. A drink came before that, so I decided to make a toast for now. Howard is of course an alcoholic, and Ray is a soft drink.
Well, let's drink to that.
"Yeah. Cheers."
Kang, when you hit the glass, your throats burst into each other's throats.
"Kaahh! This is the end of my job after all."
"Is it delicious? Master says it's delicious too."
"Well, it's delicious. I'll take Ray again when he's ready to drink."
That's exciting.
Afterwards, the ordered items arrived one after the other. Eating it, they talked about the future.
"Ray, are you okay again?
"You mean the Far East?
"Ah, to be perfectly clear, I appreciate Ray. I can't reach my strength as a magician anymore. But after all, you're still a child. Tell me how strong it is ─ ─"
And he tried to keep saying it, but Ray opened his mouth so that he could wear it.
"It's okay."
It feels like your spine is freezing. I felt no light in Ray's eyes. This overwhelming oppression. I'm surprised at the fact that I'm wearing it at this age... but for the first time, Howard felt the invisible fear of Ray's bottom.
At the same time, I understand.
Lydia and Ray are still standing in a different space from themselves as magicians. Howard has also been a genius since childhood. The Magic Academy also stood out in the army.
He thought he was a genius. Until I met these two.
Lydia-Aynesworth.
Ray.
These two obviously have different qualities. It's not like it's an area where you can keep up with your efforts. It is clearly separated by a large wall of talent.
Once again, Howard feels sad.
I see. I was worried. "
"This is my first time fighting, but I can do it. Besides, the Special Selection Unit Astral is strong. I don't think I'm going to lose."
"Well, that's right! We're the strongest! Ahahah!
"Maybe you're already drunk...?
"No, I'm not drunk. I can't believe I'm drunk..."
She stared at Kyotong and Ray tilting her neck. Ray's presence has greatly changed the people in Special Selection Unit Astral. It also included Howard.
Until now, I've been a genius and I've been in good shape somewhere. After being promoted to this Special Selection Unit, Astral, I ran through the path of glory.
I knew Lydia existed, but I still couldn't stand it. There was such pride.
But it won't reach Lydia, and even Ray can't keep up with his magician skills anymore.
Being overtaken by children like Ray doesn't mean you can be a magician. Sometimes I think like that. It wasn't like I missed Ray.
But Howard still liked Ray. I always speak to him somehow.
Let's train together, let's eat together, let's go shopping together.
That way, Ray laughs a little and follows me. Ray's presence was so great to him. And I could learn to live humbly.
I still think I am. Compared to Ray, I'm still down there. But that's why it hasn't arrived yet.
Howard was overconfident in his power, but he was never a fool. I had the will to save mistakes and feed on them. That's why he was grateful to Ray.
He thanked me for telling me how big the world was.
"Ray, I'm sure you'll get a long vacation after the Far East. Why don't we all go on a trip together?
"Travel?"
"Oh, Ray doesn't know much outside the kingdom, does he? Actually, I like traveling. You know a lot of good places, right?
"That's right. That's good. I'm looking forward to it now."
Smile with a smile. Looking at Ray like that, Howard thinks.
The upcoming Far East battle. I'm sure they'll send us to the front lines. It could be a battlefield like hell, and there's no guarantee that we'll make it home alive.
But that's why he wanted to fight to protect everyone ─ ─ he thought so.