"How interesting…" His left eye began to glow and create a blue sphere that contained my key inside. It has thin layers of ether layered on top of each other, with runes that are unknown to me. It also uses molten obsidian crystal… And… this is a marvel. What you did, boy… How much for it?"

When he heard that he couldn't sell it, he got a huge downer. And the excited man became the grumpy man he was before.

"If you don't want to sell it, tell me how to make the ring for you, at least. Talk fast, boy!"

"I can't give you details. Don't worry; I just need it to fit on my fingers."

"If that's what you want, it'll cost you 10 gold coins."

"And why so much?"

"Because you're asking for double the work without information. If you're going to argue anymore, get out of my house!"

"No, it's okay. Here's your payment. Well, I have a little bit more left because I don't know how much I have left to go to the city."

"Don't worry. You can stay here because I'll surely finish tomorrow…."

And a little girl came running down the stairs shouting:

"Grandpa, grandpa, I've already made my first fireball!"

And her mother running after her:
"Maria, it's too late. Go back to bed."

And I was surprised to see that the little girl who came downstairs and called the grumpy grandfather "grandpa" was little Maria. But everything was so tense a while ago? What is this? Do I still have to be here?

Maria, with an innocent smile, greeted me the moment she noticed me. But I, lost, when her mother came downstairs, my heart was already pounding. I think I was feeling fear and stress… and I don't know why. Maybe it was because I was looking at her again…

"Mr. Snuch, it was a pleasure. You can keep the money. I'll find someone else."

"What are you talking about? Hey, kid! Where are you going?"
I opened the door, and the good gentleman got up and continued:
"I don't know what's wrong with you, but it's very bad manners to put a craftsman to work and leave. I offered you to sleep at my house. Are you going to wait upright or what? Stay and tomorrow you'll leave my house with your ring. Got it, kid?"

In the end, I couldn't stand such a bad mood anymore and I got hot. I don't know why, but I felt he was already teasing me… And I stared at him without saying anything, but I just wanted him to come a little closer and burn those eyes he dares to throw at me… And once again, I heard something weird again, just like a laughter between the teeth that delights in evil.

Kira:
"Maria, show Don his room, please."

Maria:
"Anh?"

Kira:
"Now."
She went straight up to her room after she said it, and Maria came and took me by the arm. I left with her because I was already getting irritated staying around this midget. It was the night I wished like never before that it would be daylight in a moment, and I immediately tried to sleep.

After a while, during the night, I almost didn't sleep because I heard a fucking shit hammer… Well, I already think it wants to bother me. But I also heard an argument…

Suddenly, little Maria opened the door and came into my room. I asked her:

"What are you doing here? Everything all right?"

"Grandpa said to me: 'Tomorrow you're leaving.' So I wanted to spend the night with you."

"And your mother agrees?"

"About that…"

"Maria… You should listen to your mother. Don't be a tantrum… You'd better go sleep in your room," I said with a smile.

"I can't…"
After hearing her answer, I thought about it. If I'm going away from this town tomorrow, you'd better spend some time with me.

"Well, now. Come here," I said.
Then I went back to sleep, and he said to me:

"Thank you."

"And why?"

"I think it was too bad to leave without saying anything to you."

"A toothless, tantrum-throwing little girl like you shouldn't think about that. I appreciate that, but it's okay. Try to forget what happened," I said, but I was even more worried about what would happen next.

"Is your mommy okay? Does she hate me?"

"I don't think so… She just said she was afraid of you and to keep me away from you. Don't tell her I told you."

I smiled a little, although confused and disappointed.
"Relax, it's our secret…."
We continued talking and singing songs that my grandmother used to teach me. I had a good time getting him to sleep, and I noticed that he had a bit of a temper like that grumpy old dwarf. But I still can't get it through my head that Kira is afraid of me… Do I think I'm doing something wrong? Why would she be afraid of me?

The next morning…

I got up real early and went to brush my teeth next to her. Of course, wherever I went, the kid lagged behind. Since old man Snuch hadn't finished making the ring yet, we had to kill time. How? Playing around, practicing our gifts. Looks like hers were already developed way before she turned 5. These signs usually show up in first-division knights. But I think this day brought something… special.

Every activity we did, her mom was watching, I guess, like we were two kids messing around. While I was teaching María how to train under heavier conditions—like underwater—her mom barked:
"Alright, that's enough, María. You'll catch a cold. Get out of there, now."
"Okay, Mommy! Coming!"
"Stay right there," I said, defending her. "Her mom's no warrior anyway. What's she gonna do?"
"What did you just say?! I'm her mother! María, hurry up, come here."

"Oh, you're her mother? Big deal. Seems like everyone here's infected with bad fuckin' moods."

I stepped out of the water and started walking toward her.
"Don, what are you—? Hey… HEY! Let me go! Don… Let GO! No, no, NO!"

Next thing, I dragged her. Now the pissed-off mom stormed straight into the water, so I backtracked fast to María. SPLASH! She started screaming her head off, which was kinda impressive, but I was too busy laughing my ass off.

"Why'd you do that, Don?! What's wrong with you?!"
"You'll see… Grumpy. María, stick by me."

She tried lunging for María. Probably wanted to jump my neck and choke me out, but nah—not happening. I made sure she couldn't move by slamming her with hardened earth, then launched her 10 meters above the water. She screamed bloody murder while I chilled.
"Last night, you talked about your mommy's fears. Remind me…?"
"What? Heights?"
"Why are you doing this?!" she shrieked, furious. "I didn't do anything!"
"Should we send her higher?" I asked María.
"Higher? Like… with your second elemental skill?"
"Yeah. But keep it secret, 'kay?"
"Don, you bastard! Put me down NOW!"
"Do it! Send mommy up to the sky!" María cheered.
"What?! NO! Put me down… DON'T!" she screamed. "For Kora's mother's sake! Why are you doing this, Don?!"
"Give me a smile, and this ends."

"ALL THIS FOR A FUCKING SMILE?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, YOU STUPID ASSHOLE?!"

Seeing reason was off the table, I went with the classic "force what you want" approach. I yanked her up so high from the surface she looked like she was about to shit herself from fear. Then I dropped her back underwater at near-breakneck speed—but not enough to kill her. Don't wanna give her a heart attack…

"Now this is hilarious!" I said as María and I doubled over laughing. Looked like torture, sure… but beauty's in the eye of the beholder, right?

I knew she'd murder me once I let her down, but whatever. If me and María were having fun, it's all good. After minutes of this, she finally cracked:
"Stop this shit already! Fine, I'll do it—just put me down!"
"Nope. Smile first."
"What?! NO! Put. Me. DOWN. I'm scared of heights!"
"Alright, fine…" I shrugged. "But honestly, it's a miracle you're still scared of heights with all that rage."

I lowered her and stared her down.
"Well? My smile?"

She looked rabid. Even though I could feel her wanting to murder me—get close, and she'd probably bite my eyelashes off—she took a shaky breath and forced a gorgeous smile. Gotta admit… didn't expect her to look even hotter when she smiles. So I said it straight up—'cause I meant it.

"You've got a beautiful smile, Kira. And… I really love it."

She froze, silent for a few seconds. But then—
"Not convincing!" she snapped, looking away.

So I made her suffer again. Her screams returned, and I cracked up. We kept this up a few more minutes, but I couldn't hold out. My aeteris was drained, and I was dizzy from overusing it. Time to drop her. I planned to run, but she still pummeled me. Punches, kicks to the face, the gut… She beat me till my face swelled up like a potato from my master's farm.

Eventually, she got tired of whaling on me and just sat by the lake, while María poured water on my face to cool the bruises. She hit me so hard my self-healing kicked in. Guess it only works when I'm near death. Damn, this woman's got rage.

I pulled myself together slowly. Once I was okay, I walked over and sat in front of her. She scooted back like I'd start shit again. Still pissed, so I tried apologizing.
"What do you want now?"
"I'm sorry… Went too far."
"Yeah. Sure," she said coldly, ignoring me.

Silence settled. I stared; she didn't. Looked lost in her problems, and it bugged me—someone I like being hurt, and I can't help…
"Kira."
"WHAT?!"
"Don't be like this. What's wrong? Feels like something changed. Let me help—I'll do anything."

She glanced at me.
"What if you can't help? I don't need your pity. It's stupid—I'm too old for this…"

She trailed off, staring at the water, barely whispering:
"Habits just… become normal."

I didn't know what to say.
"I get that you care, but don't waste your time. You're no hero, Don."

I thought for a second.
"I know. But… didn't know you had this much fire. With that temper, no doubt you're stronger than anyone I've met."
"Stronger than your precious master?"
"Not gonna lie. That old man's a psycho. No brain, just giant arms for hitting and threatening—like your grumpy grandpa."

I thought I'd messed up, but she burst out laughing. Confused me—no clue why—but it was weird. When I looked closer, her smile… her eyes glowed. So I lay back on the grass, stared at the calm sky, and thought… I could die happy now.

She said, "You're a lot like him, somehow."
"He's cold, combative, and angry. I'm not. I hate seeing suffering… Like feeling guilty for a crime you didn't commit. Just seeing someone's pain eats at you. It's awful. So if I can't be a hero… I'll protect the people I care about with everything I've got. And you? I'd love to protect you. No one touches you again. Sensible goal, right? Protecting what's yours… like your smile."
"So… should I call you 'my protector'?"
"Huh. Sounds good. Maybe…"

Silence crept back in, that same wall between Don and his unreachable crush.

Without me noticing, she was staring. I asked:
"You scared of me?"
"Why ask that?"
"I wanna know how you really feel. You can read everyone else, but no one knows your thoughts. You always hide when I get close. Or lie to keep secrets. Feels like you're punishing yourself for no reason."

"Didn't expect that," she chuckled. "So you've been watching me, boy? Fine. If you think I'm scared… I'll tell you what I'm thinking, Don."

She leaned in close. So close I could only stare into her eyes. But she just… froze. Dumbass me, my gaze drifted. I know it was rude, but damn—those lips could kill a man. She knows I'm into her, teasing me, driving me crazy to taste 'em… but I'm scared.

She glanced at María playing far off, then back at me.
"I'm thinking… I might—" She caught me looking past her. "What are you staring at?!"
"Your grandpa… is watching us," I said, calm as hell, while internally screaming.