Chapter 12

The aftermath

Paul POV

The scene I witness is a bloody-handed Lucy beating Somar's group. She didn't use a lot of force but even that is enough to break the bone of an average child. She never stopped even when I told her. I pull out my sword intending to at least cut her a little to make her regain her senses but a chunk of sharp ice suddenly launches from the ground and stops at my throat.

It stops just a millimeter away. If I move even just one more step it will surely pierce my throat. I saw her walk toward Somar slowly. He is screaming for help but the Ice is keeping me from moving.

"Lucy Stop!" Rudy screams out. His head is bloody. When Lucy heard that she stopped on her track. Then with a little sigh from her mouth, she walked toward Somar again. light of healing magic coming out from her hand and Somar's leg starts to shape back to normal. She proceeds to do this to other Kids too and then walks toward Rudy and Slyphiette. She heals Rudy's wound and then hugs them. She mutters something which I can't hear.

After hugging them she walks toward me and kneels on the ground. "I'm sorry for making a ruckus. I will take responsibility for this," she said. When she looks at me her eyes look cold. It was a cold look that I had never seen before. The look in her eye has no light, And honestly, It kind of scares me. I had never seen this look before. Not my Father, not my Mother, Not that Old hag, or anyone else I know has these eyes.

An Eyes that empty. "I will ground you from going out for 1 month and then after that you are going to help the villagers with all of their farm and then go patrol the area for 2 more months." I can only sigh and tell her this. When she nods and walks away I let out another sigh. It was a sigh of relief.

"Somar!" Somar's Mother comes rushing in after Lucy left. "Are you okay?! Look at what your daughter did to my son!" she just take a few looks at Somar and come rushing toward me and screaming at me. I ignore her and walk toward Rudy and Sylphiette.

"Are you ok?" I ask Rudy. He nods indicating that he is ok. I sigh again. Wow, I really sigh a lot today. "Can you explain to me what happened?"

"That Big bully threw a stone at me. Rudy shields it for me and it hits him in the head then Big sister comes in and does those things," Sylphiette answered instead of Rudy. "I won't say that what she did is acceptable but please don't punish her too harshly because she did those things to Protect us!"

"I understand…But she still needs punishment. The thing she did is going too far." I said that. and when to check on kids who got beat up by Lucy. The wound she did on them is healed up so perfectly that I can say even Zenith can't do something like this. But what is more important is the trauma she causes these kids. All of them have a scared look on their face and even a little touch is making them uncomfortable.

Well, getting hurt is scary after all. When the other parent starts coming, all of them come toward me to get an answer. Sigh…how do I deal with this.

…

AHAHAHAHA! Look! just a bit of Emotion tempering is making her react like this! Is this because of her natural possessiveness from her past life? AHHHH…..Watching her is so MUCH FUN!

A girl is skipping as following Lucy back. Her voice is so cheerful that everything around her seems to brighten up. And behind her is a woman floating. all of her body is being chained up that moving is a dream.

Don't you think so Mother? Look, look! right now that her emotion starts to stabilize, she starts to regret it! Ahahaha! I wonder how much she hates herself right now! not that I won't know though!

The girl chirped.

'Stop it already-.' the woman said but before she finished her sentence the chain tightened up.

BUUUU This is my fun time so you can't say anything. And even if you say anything it's not like you have any power, right? You give it away to use it to seal me in here and pull her from That world after all.

When the girl said this she slowly turned her head toward the woman without moving her body. A cracking sound can be heard from her neck and when her head finally turns around the eyes that are supposed to hold emotion have none in them. An empty eye that no light can be seen.

A doll shouldn't be able to talk, Right? And with a swipe of her hand, a gag appears on the woman's mouth. A doll that loses its purpose should just stay in an arctic room quietly.

Ann slowly walks after Lucy again. Her eyes finally regained light and she chirped happily as she skip forward.

…

I mess up. I MESS UP! I MESS UP! I MESS UP! Fuck! Shit! I lose control of myself! What the fuck happening to me! ARG!

"Lucy? What's wrong?" Zenith was still tending the garden when she saw me just walking back home soaking. Her eyes are full of worry.

"...Sorry, I want to be alone right now," I said as I quickly ran inside the house and into my room. I use earth magic to lock the door as I prop myself down toward my bed.

What's going on. I was sure that I could control my emotions. But ever since the coma, it is getting harder and harder to control it. Even though my restraint on using magic is clear because of that, But my emotion is going haywire. I can't live like this. I need to control it or I will do something I regret for sure.

But how? How do I fix this? Therapy? Right, where can I get that kind of treatment? The medicine? I know a few brews that help calm the mind but it is not that effective.

Knock Knock.

"Lucy. We need to talk." Paul's voice is muffled through the door and the Earth wall I create. But I can still hear him. Shit! it Paul! He must be really mad at me! No…Maybe he is disappointed in me.

After all, I can't control my emotion…Even though back on Earth it was relatively easy for me to do. I should have controlled myself better!

Knock Knock…

"Lucy. let's talk for a bit" Will Paul lock me up? Like Dad did when he was upset with me? Or like Mom who leaves me in a dark room? No...Everything but those!

I heard Paul trying to open up the door but he couldn't because of the Earth wall I put on them.

I walk slowly toward the door and the earth I create began to crumble and form into a small ball. I throw it out of the window and open up the door. there I see concerned-looking Paul.

"..." We both just stare at each other not saying anything. I hate this. I hate This silence. Should I speak up first? But what do I say? This is my first time screwing up so much. Not only did I physically injure them but there is a mental damage to consider as well.

"So…Ah…How do I say it?... Lucy, You understand that what you did is going too far, Right?" Paul's voice is the one breaking our Ice cold stare at each other. He starts first. I should reply.

I nod at him. "I have no excuse for what happened. I'm sorry." It's true. I have no excuse to give. it's all my fault. Even though they injure Rudy I shouldn't take things that far.

Clench…

Ah…I just clench my hand too hard. It starts bleeding. Paul didn't notice it as he continue to speak.

"I'm not the one you should say that to. you know what I mean right? Tomorrow we are going out to apologize to them. One by one until they accept your apology." I want to look at his face, But why does my head feel so heavy? I want to look up and face him eye to eye. But…I can't.

"I understand," I reply crudely.

"Good…Haa."

Pap.

A warm hand land on my shoulder. I look at the owner of the hand and Paul just stares at me into my eye. "It ok to make mistakes. The purpose of a mistake is to make you realize it and never do it again. I make a lot of mistakes too. some I still do today but! If it's you then I was sure that you can Fix it. So let's go together and Fix this right?" Paul said. He smiles at me. It was a warm smile I normally see on him.

So…This is how a parent comfort a child? I never feel like this before…

Drip…

A drop of water is falling down. It won't stop falling down for some reason. "So…I-it's ok even If I make a mistake? You won't ignore me? Or leave me alone in a dark room?" My voice is shaking for some reason. I don't understand. I never feel like this in my previous life. My hand slowly reaches toward Paul's hand. It was warm.

"Of course. Whenever you make a mistake We will always be with you. You won't be alone Lucy." Paul said with a smile. "Though, I wonder where do you get those ideas from anyway? Why do you think I will leave you in the darkroom?" Paul said lightly maybe trying to joke around.

"No…it's just my imagination," I said to him. My hand tugged on the hem of his shirt. "Thank you, Paul." With my genuine smile, I hug him. "Thank you. Father…"

"Eh?" Paul speaks out. Probably surprised by me calling him Father. After all, I never call Zenith and Paul Father or Mother "Did you just call me Father?"

"Shut up, You ruining the moment right now," I said to him with a stare and he just scratch his head with With an awkward smile. Ah…If this is how It feels to have a loving parent. Then maybe. I can finally call them my Parent with my honest feeling.

…

The next day I was with Paul walking toward Somar's house. Paul knocks on the door of the house and Somar's mom comes out. When she saw me her face is full of disdain. Gulp… I feel nervous just looking at her. It's the same look I always get at the Bar or at Daycare where they leave me when going into the dungeon.

A look of disdain. Even though I use to it by now it's still hurt to be glared like that huh?

"Why did you bring that Demon child here? Do you know how much she scares me, son?!" Somar's mother said with an ear-piercing voice. To be honest her voice is really unpleasant. She looks toward me. "And you! You little Demon Spawn How dare you Hurt My son?!"

She walks toward me and raises her hand up. She going to slap me, isn't she? And just like I thought she pulls her hand toward my face. Honestly? I could dodge this with no problem but…If this will cool her anger a bit then I will prepare to get hurt. Paul is moving to stop her but it's too late.

PAP!

A loud slap sound rang out. It…Didn't hurt. It seem she realized what happened as she pull her hand out and look between me and Paul. Hu….Breath in Lucy. You know what to do.

I get on my knee and bow down. I can feel my Head touch the ground, I can smell it even.

"I apologize for hurting your son. I will accept whatever Punishment you want of me." I said. My head is touching the ground so I can't look up at her expression. But from how much she stutters her word out. She probably doesn't know what to do right now.

But before she could say anything a Rock was thrown at me. It hit me right in the head. Damn, this kid got a nice aim. It didn't really hurt me as my skin is probably stronger than normal adult. I look up to who is the one throwing the rock at me and Surprise surprise. It's that Somar kid. Wow, I know I'm the one who heals him but God damn He's already up and running?

What's more, he is giving me a smug right now as if he won something. Yeah…I start to regret not Beating- Stop that line of thought Lucy! The fuck you thinking? I quickly snap out of my thought but then it hit me again. A fucking stone hit me again.

This little piece of Shit! I start to move my head a bit just to look at his face. I glare at him dead in the eyes. He starts to nervous as the stone in his hand drops to the ground.

Tud…

A hand land on my shoulder. I look to see Paul looking like he is about to blow out too but still able to keep his cool somehow. He had never been like this before, It is probably because he is a Father now. I take a deep breath and slowly calm myself down.

"I am ready for whatever you want to punish me with. As long as it will satisfy your anger." I took a bow again.

"You going to do Everything right? Then Walk around the Village naked!" Somar speak up before his mother could say anything. He got a smug back on his face. Really? Is he some typical bully that hides behind his mother or something? Oh wait he is!

"Don't be ridiculous! You want a Girl to walk around naked Even though you guys are the ones who start this first?" Paul said with a stern face. "From what I heard you guys love to bully Slyphiette. And don't try to talk your way out of this. I already got the confirmation from other villagers and the person herself."

Paul said. Wow, he actually uses his head to think. I didn't think of that before. Did I become muscle head because I live with him too much? Maybe I need to start spending more time with Zenith and Lilia.

"The only reason I make her come is to make her realize her mistake and to give appropriate punishment. She already realizes her mistake I just want her to get an appropriate punishment from you guys. But what you said is just ridiculous. And I didn't come to ask your opinion." Paul finishes his rant and then looks at the mother. She got a look of shame and disappointment.

Well, If That were my son I would be ashamed too. Her son is a bully and I think she knows it too. What's more, he was a little bastard who know no shame.

"Oi! That's not Fair at all! She is a demon! and what's more, she hurt me! you only let her get away from this because she is your daughter!" Somar retorts. I look at him stunned. Man, What she taught her son? Sure I was the one going too far this time but he was the one who start bullying others first. I mean first it was me then Sylphiette who just move in and then he hurt Rudy while doing so. Ah…I shouldn't think like that. Forgot it all, Forgot it.

And what about me being Demon? Sure I at least know that I got that blood flow in me but Sylphiette? Her father is a half-elf and her mother only got a little Beastman blood. But now that I think about it. I wonder why I feel like I saw Sylphiette before? It's I knew that face somewhere….

Ah, I was getting sidetracked for a bit again and It seems the argument between Paul and Somar is getting heated. "If you really think That I'm being unfair then Should I punish you too? I still didn't forget that you are the one who hurt my son." Somar is getting nervous again and fortunately, he shut up this time. "I thought so, Now then Madam. What do you think is the appropriate punishment for my Daugther." He said looking at Somar's Mother.

I didn't Paul would be this reliable. To be honest, When I came here I thought I was going to crack some Skull for sure…Yup. I start to have more violent thoughts these days. I will blame it on Paul for the harsh training he put me through.

Let's get to the problem at hand. It seems while I was having my little crisis. Paul and Somar's mother come to an agreement. By the way, Where is his father? I never saw him before. And before I can say anything more Paul just grabs my shoulder and take me to the next house. Eh? What about my punishment? don't I need to hear it first?

"Hey, Paul? What did she give me for her punishment?" I ask him.

"Well, you need to come and help her husband farm work for the next year."

"Wait, Isn't that basically the same as your punishment? And she got a husband?! I thought he dies or leaves her because she keep trying to hit on you for some reason."

"Yeah, I mean you know him, don't you? The uncle who been having trouble with his field because of his bad dirt or something?" Hm? The uncle who having trouble with his field? AH! The one I spill the ash over his field?

"Wait! That old man?! I know that he kind of handsome but He is old you know! Like 40-50! And she what? around early 30?"

"What are you surprised about? Isn't it normal? I mean back when I was a noble I know one who was over 70 and still marry and have a kid with a 15-year-old girl you know?"

Haah?! 70 and 15?! That 55 years apart! and she just turn an adult for god sake! What is wrong with these nobles? wait I mean back on earth there is a case like that right? maybe the medieval era. Ahhh I don't know anymore!

"Let's just go to the next house…" I said weakly. and slowly walk behind Paul.

For the rest of that afternoon, we go to the house of those bully kids and got all of their punishment. They really only want me to work in the field for them. I mean, I'm ok with it but I broke their kid's leg and spirit you know? One of them even pee when he saw me. But it seems they are not unreasonable and know that their kid is in the wrong and only reprimand me because I go too far with my beating.

Anyway, The punishment is doing the farm work until the next harvest year. It's not that hard of a punishment. I mean for me it only will be a light workout. I think I could finish all of them in just around 6 hours. 2 hours each for each farm. well, I still need to do the other work as Paul's punishment too but I will manage.

With this, I got to train my stamina with the punishment and hey maybe working on a farm will help me calm my emotion. I mean there is a reason people advise taking a farmer occupation on Earth right? anyway… I didn't get to talk with Rudy since yesterday. Has he been avoiding me? Maybe it is better to give him some space. Maybe he hates me now. I let him see those bloody scenes after all.

…

Rudeus POV

Blood. There is blood everywhere. At first, it was my blood that I saw then next is Somar's blood. after that is all the bully. then rain falls down. Even though there is no rain cloud before. Lucy is the one doing the beating. She beat them mercilessly that I thought of one thing. The bully in my past life. They only throw their tantrum at weak people, like me.

They beat the weak without mercy. some drove them to the point of being a shut-in. Some were bullied to the point of suicide. I knew that Lucy is different. She didn't do this because she want to. She just lose her cool. Yet, why can't I look her in the eyes? I knew she was doing this to protect me and Sylphy. But why I can't look into her eye?

No…I know why. I…was scared. Scare of her. She reminds me of my worse moment in life. That's why I was scared. That is why I avoid her today. I was in my room before she go out with Paul. They are going to apologize for the trouble Paul said. So when They are in the house I hide in my room not wanting to meet her.

So when she went out I finally left my room and walk around the house. I walk with no destination. When I know It I was already in the garden and Zenith is watering them like usual. Seeing me walk toward her she stop what she doing and hold her hand out.

"What wrong Rudy? You look distressed. Come here. Let Mama soothe you." At her word, she takes me in for a hug. "You know, I talk with Paul about what happened yesterday. You must be scared, right? Of those kids." Zenith said. Well, I mean yes I was scared but not of them. But of Lucy.

"But it ok to be scared you know? Do you know the first time I met Monster I was scared to the point of almost passing out Ahaha…Fear is the most common feeling. It is a part of our everyday life. It's normal for you to fear. But what is more important is overcoming them not engulf by them."

She grabs my shoulder and looks into my eye. face to face. "Rudy, you are our son. A son that too genius that I thought, are you really my son? But of course, you are! Otherwise, where do you think you got that genius brain from?" Zenith said with a warm smile. "That's why, Rudy. I know you will overcome whatever you feel. So go outside and play. Look there someone waiting for you all this time." She point at the gate and there I saw Sylphy outside waiting for me. He waits there shyly at the gate.

I look back at Zeniht again and she just smile at me. "I understand…Thank you, Mother." I said and give her a hug before walking out. That right! why did I feel scared of her? She is my big sister. She just lost control a bit but most importantly. She does it to protect us. That right. Let go and thank her for protecting us. And maybe scold her a little for going overboard. Yup, I don't need to be scared of her.

As I walk away toward the gate the sun seems to brighten. Well well, maybe today is my good day.

HEY! Jestly here! Sorry, it took so long for this chapter! Even though I intend for it to be 1 chap per week but my college plus computer broke down plus my brain goes brrrr without idea to write! But I AM BACK! Anyway! Thank you for FAV/Follow me and for being with me since my first Chapter. You guys are the reason for me to continue writing and continue to write I will! Anyway, I come to let you guys know that now I finish establishing her character's feelings and everything I will start to speed up the story. The real story for her begins at turning point one. Anyway! I love you guys and thank you for being here with me all these months! [Yes I know I use ANYWAY a lot it kind of habit.] I will see you in the next chapter! Please continue to support me and give me comments if you will! I read all of them. ALL RIGHT! Jestly OUT!

Edit 10/8/23 thank for pointing out that it a double chapter! I edit this when Im on my campus because for somw reason my FFA don't aleart me.