The years went on quickly as Ash turned 6 years old. His weird sleeping habit disappeared as he turned 2 which he was pretty thankful for.
His hair had grown out and was like the colour of Curtis' hair, jet black. Rosaline had coloured her hair black ever since arriving in this city. Ash didn't know why. It seemed like his parent were keeping something from him.They think that its impossible for him to remember his mother's silver hair but he could remember everything since he was born. He wanted to ask about it but decided not to. Why? Because they were his parents and he knows that they would keep anything from him without a good reason.
Ash looked around the small little wood house. It wasn't as empty as when they first arrived. There were now furniture like a table and chairs as well as a straw bed where all three of them slept as well as a mini kitchen.It was small and not so luxurious, but it was cozy and had the warmth of a home.
Their house was in the outskirts of the city, the closer you were to the castle means the richer you are. Ash sighed ' There will always be heirarchy no matter where you go.' He thought.
Ash leaned out the window. Their house was on 2nd storey so looking out the window, you could see everything going on from below. Though it is was very empty except for a few thieves and thugs.
Ash did this everyday, watching the sun come up. It was still dark and Curtis and Rosaline were still asleep. Ash did this because watching the sun come up day by day reminds him that he is still alive.
Ash looked back at his sleeping parents. "You may not hear this but i'm glad to be your child and be given another chance at life. I love you both, Curtis and Rosali-" He paused. " I love you both mom and dad."
He used his hand to cover his eyes. "What cringy stuff am I saying. *sob* I am an over 3000 year old man calling someone mom and dad.... I'm older than both of them combined." He wiped the tears falling from his eyes. " I guess I should give myself some credit, I never knew having parents could make me feel this way." He smiled as he continued to look out the window. The sun finally peeked out from the city houses and a ray of its light hit Ash's eyes. The light seeped through the window and filled the entire small house th light.
Rosaline and Curtis woke up. Rosaline rubbed her eyes while smiling warmly. "Morning"
Ash climbed down from the window and smiled as well. "Morning, mom, dad. I already made some breakfast."
Ash also made breakfast for them everyday since he wakes up super early everyday. It started on his birthday when he turned 4, when they gave him permission to go out by himself. The breakfast he made was pretty simple. Just an egg for each and some freshly baked garlic bread that he made himself and an apple. Okay, maybe its not so basic but it's not so luxurious.
They all sat down. Rosaline and Curtis couldn't help but be amazed every morning because it's always something different everyday and always within their food budget. Sometimes the food Ash prepares costs even less, allowing them to to have to extra money.
Rosaline couldn't help but touch her cheek in shame. " It smells so delicious that I feel ashamed as a mother." Ash chuckledly awkwardly. ' Seems like hundred years of cooking experience was not a waste.'
Curtis looked at the yellow scrambled egg on his wooden plate. "Isn't this an egg? Aren't eggs expensive?"
" HAha don't worry dad, I went outside the city and found these eggs from a beast and found some apples as well so I thought to bring some back."
Rosaline picked up the bread and smelled garlic. Garlic is also considered expensive. Seeing she was about to ask, Ash spoke first, "The garlic I also found in the wild."
Curtis and Rosaline's concerns were tossed away and started to dig in. Delighted looks were on their faces. "Son you have the talent to be a chef." Curtis said.
Rosaline couldn't help but sigh. "I'm not even sure if you're a boy anymore!"
"Ouch mother, that hurts."
"Im serious, you clean the house and is so tidy, clean, thoughtful, and you do you're own laundry!"
"So I shouldn't be tiny, clean and thoughtful?" Ash replied awkwardly. " And do my own laundry?"
"That's not what I mean. When I gave birth to you, I was thinking my days ahead were going to be rough because I would be taking care of 2 guys But it seems like I should only be worried and taking care of one guy." Rosaline turned her head to Curtis who was eating like a pig. 🐷
"WHAT?"
Curtis had bread crumbs all over his mouth and there was a small piece of egg on his hair. 'How would it even get there?' Both Rosaline and Ash thought.
They all laughed.
"I just don't want to trouble you mom. That's all." Ash said.
" So its okay if you trouble me aint that right?" Curtis glared.
" Oh dont mind him Ash, and continue to be the way you are." Rosaline hugged Ash.
"Okay I will" Ash hugged back.
It was a loving scene early in the morning.
After eating Rosaline would go to her work as a semstress and Cutis would go hunting and train me afterwards.
"Time to help out a certain someone." Ash thought.
Ash put on some simple clothes that Rosaline had made for him. Every since he started training at 2 years old, his teacher was Curtis of course, they gave him so much freedom. He could do whatever he wants, go wherever he wants as long as he doesn't get into too much trouble and comes back home by sundown. They gave him too much freedom that it was abnormal. "I guess they trust me." Ash gave his own answer and tossed the question to the back of his head.
He put on the shiny gold dragon necklace and hid it under his clothes. ' Better to hide this since there are thieves.' He grabbed his appple from the plate, washed it and brought it along with him.
He walked on the streets until he reached a shop called "Rowana's potion and medicine shop". It was near the center of the city bustling with people. He entered the luxurious looking store and could see that the place was already filled with people wanting to buy potions.
Majority of the people here are adventurers. Just like in most MMOs, Rowana's potion shop sells stuff like health potions, mana potions etc Oh and I forgot to mention that this world has magic but I guess you could already figure that out. As soon as Ash entered, the lady behind the counter immediately ran to him. "Ash you're here!" and gave him a hug. "I'm so glad you're here Ash, my brain is about to explode and I can't take it anymore."
This devilish lady is named Rowana. The owner of this shop. She had wild curly orange hair that match her brown eyes as well as sexy curves that all men in the shop eyed, especially the one bouncing in the front. Ash can bet that 90% of the men in this shop are her suitors. Though don't be fooled by her matured look, she is still 15. Shocking right? Wonder what she ate for her to look like this.
Ash smiled. " Don't worry anymore Big Sister Rowana, I'll help you, after all, I am your assistant." Ash walked to the back room and changed his clothes into something more fitting for the luxurious shop. Crash! He heard glass break and calmly rushed over. Rowana had dropped an empty potion glass. Ash grabbed a broom. "I'll clean it up." Ash said. "Hehe Thank you. I'm so clumsy" Rowana could finally wipe the sweat off her forehead and take a breather.
Rowana Jufina, the youngest Alchamist ever to be seen in the human kingdom, holding the title of Alchemist genius is currently residing in the city Saolim, the capital of the kingdom Reus while merchants call it, "Business Capital City". She was invited by the royal palace to be a royal Alchemist but to everyone's surprise, she had declined. Saying, "I learned alchemy to save and help people. If I am tied down to the royal family and can't help the common people, then I may have learned Alchemy in vain." The king wasn't enraged but instead pleased and allowed her to set up her own shop that is protected by the Royal Family.
And somehow, Ash became her assistant or in other words, like disciple. Ash and Rowana met outside the city. Rowana was collasped on the ground, starving and Ash helped her out by giving her some food, not knowing who she was. In order to repay him, Rowana made Ash her assistant and at the same time, would teach him some alchemy.
Rowana didn't expect much from Ash at first because she just wanted to repay him but she soon found at he was very good at calculating things and could learn and memorize things easily. That's when she knew she shouldn't let such talent go to waste.
So that's how it happened.
Rowana smiled reminiscing how Ash and her met. Her thoughts were broken when Ash handed Rowana an apple. "Here, I brought an apple for you knowing you don't eat breakfast."
Rowana felt sweet inside. "Thank you Ash."
Ash shrugged. " No problem"
Rowana went into the backroom and started to slowly enjoy the apple.
'Okay time to do my job sort of' Ash thought. Ash went through the day helping out customers with what they wanted to buy. Seeing Ash, a 6 year old, customers would often belittle him but seeing how he did quick calculations and would explain each potion and medicine from memory coupled with the fact that he was Rowana's assistant, they would be nothing but in amazement. However, whenever they try to ask for Ash's name or anything about him, Ash would just smile and smoothly aver the question.
His reason for doing this was because of it was in the rules his parents set which were:
1. Never tell anyone anything about yourself.
2. If someone tries to harm you, run and don't fight back.
3. Never talk to a noble or royals.
4. No questions, just obey
These were the only rules his parent's gave him so he would do his best to follow it. Afterall, they gave him so much freedom.
After helping Rowana with the usual morning stampede, Ash learned some Alchemy from Rowana in the back room. Ash didn't have to work everyday and could leave the store anytime he wanted as he was not supposed to have a job at his age yet. He was just helping Rowana since she seemed to be clumsy in everything other than alchemy.
A nice fragrant smell drifted into his nose. He checked his pockets and seeing as he had some Mer. ( Mer is the currency fo this world)
"I've never visited mom's workplace before." Ash mumbled as he started walking towards the smell, leading to the bakery. " It's around lunchtime so I should surprise mom and bring her some food." He walked happily and parised himself. " Good Idea me"
..........
Meanwhile in Rosaline's work place.
Rosaline was sitting down and quietly stitching a garmet. There were 5 other people in the room with her, also focusing on their tasks but chatting away with each other at the same time.
Fey Roan, a co-worker of Rosaline smiled as she energetically walked over to her. "Rosaline! You've been working non-stop since morning! Surely your hands are tired?"
Rosaline continued stitching. " I feel alright. In any case, I can still continue." Rosaline smiled. Fey could never figure our this mysterious co-worker of hers. Yes, she was smiling, but Fey was getting the feeling that she shouldn't get to close to this woman. It has been about 6 years or so since she started working as a seamstress and became Fey's co-worker but Fey never knew where she lived.
Fey is the friendly energetic type and would always want to be friendly and close to people around her but with Rosaline, she could never get close. She had tried asking about stuff like where Rosaline lived but Rosaline would always be able to dodge the question.
Even after trying to follow Rosaline countless times she would always suddenly disappear from sight.
"Hey why don't we get some food." Fey said. "It's lunch time, need to keep your energy up and eat."
Before Rosaline could reply there was a knock on the door. Where there were working wasn't a shop and all they would usually do is make clothes and supply them to the main store, so it was pretty unusual for someone to knock.
Curious, Fey went to open the door. She was surprised as she couldn't see anyone. " Uh excuse me, down here." A small voice sounded.
Fey was surprised to look down and see a little boy around the age of 6 or so years. Not knowing what to respond Fey ask, " Do you need some help?" Fey looked around. " I don't see your mom or dad anywhere? Are you lost?"
Ash smiled.
"No, i'm here to see my mother."