Discussion at sunset.

We managed to get out in time, and as we emerged from the dense forest, without the large trees covering the sky, I could see the reddish sky. With our surroundings now visible, we continued on our journey back to the village and soon found ourselves at a T-shaped intersection. The southern path led to the village exit, while the eastern route was the entrance we had just come from, shrouded by the forest. The western road, on the other hand, led to the town.

And right in the middle are four people blocking the way...

''Look, Fabe. The pair of losers is coming this way.'' Cal said with his typical mocking expression.

The first to say something is Cal. A skinny and pale boy that, as usual, tries to annoy us. His words are always laced with sarcasm and annoyance, and today was no different. And the reason behind his guts, you ask!? The person behind him. A tall and muscular guy named Fabe. Fabe was a towering figure with bulging muscles and a stern expression. He was the kind of person who commanded respect without even saying a word.

''Stop, Cal! I told you to leave them alone.''

The person trying to intervene for us is Emma. She is Oliver's neighbor, and since Emma and Oliver's parents are close, they are too.

''Chee... Why do you care about the fatty and the creep, Emma? Darx's weird red eyes give me chills.'' Cal says while having a sarcastic smile.

''Really!? I think that Darx's red eyes are pretty.''

Mia, the twin sister of Emma, is the only one who praises my eyes.

Even though Mia and Emma are twins, they don't look alike. Emma and Mia are the same height, with orange hair, brown eyes, and freckles. Those are their similarities. The differences are that Emma has waist-length hair, while Mia has shorter hair that barely reaches her shoulders. Another thing that sets them apart is that, at first glance, Mia's breasts seem bigger than Emma's. But without a doubt, the thing that differs the most is their personalities. Emma is a quiet and modest girl who always seems very kind and timid, unlike Mai, who is quite loud and has a bad temper. She doesn't keep quiet about what she thinks and is not afraid of getting into trouble.

As for my eyes, they are quite unusual. The red color is not something you see every day, and it seems to catch people's attention. Unfortunately, not everyone has positive things to say about it. Cal, for instance, takes advantage of my distinctive feature to try to get under my skin.

''Hi, Emma! What brings you here?'' Oliver, smiling, asked.

''Hi, Oliver! We are waiting for Jax to discuss some issues with our training.'' Emma replied.

Fabe, Cal, Emma, and Mia train under the supervision of an ex-adventurer named Jax. Jax gave himself the task of helping young people in the village who want to be adventurers. He helps them train to be ready when it is time for them to go to take the ritual. Since the date to receive the awakening is close, they must be feeling nervous. Amelia and Oliver are, too, for the same reason.

''I warned you not to speak to Emma, piggy,'' Fabe yells while looking menacingly at Oliver.

''I-I.. was...'' Oliver stutter.

''Are you going to wet your pants, piggy!?'' Cal said that while laughing.

At the same time, Fabe walks toward Oliver, trying to intimidate him, and in the same way, I do, too, stopping in the middle of him and Oliver.

''Are you trying to start something, Darx?'' Fabe threateningly asked.

''Move. You are blocking the path.'' I say while trying to look as intimidating as possible too.

The fact that my eyes only reach his chin doesn't help much. But I'm not afraid of him. I've even fought him a few times, and my win-loss ratio is pretty even.

''Stop this already. Why do we have to be fighting all the time?'' Emma screams with an angry face trying to separate us.

Amelia also joins the discussion and speaks for the first time since we arrived, ''Stop this nonsense and let us pass!''

Watching Amelia speak, Cal quickly tries to start a conversation with her, ''I don't understand.... What are you doing with them, Amelia? You are just wasting your time! If you come with me, Ahh... Eh.., I mean us, you can improve a lot more. I can help you!"

''Shut up! It's none of your business,'' Amelia responds with a heartless expression.

It is impossible not to notice that Cal has feelings for Amelia, and since she is always with me, I am not surprised by Cal's hatred for me.

''That's because we are friends and work better together.'' Oliver tries to answer Cal's question.

''Are you implying that you two are better than Fabe and me!?'' Cal yells at Oliver.

"Ahh! N-No, I didn't mean that, s-sorry..." Oliver apologized shyly.

Even though Oliver could easily beat Cal in a fight, Oliver doesn't like confrontations and is shy in situations like this one.

''What are all of you doing blocking the path?''

A sharp voice behind me made us all turn our eyes in his direction, and we saw three people walking toward us—Jax, Alice, and my mom Ilene.

''I hope you completed today's training. Instead of wasting time here, arguing.'' Jax, with his raspy voice, said.

''Yes, we were waiting for you!'' Emma responded with a smiling face.

''Who would think that Jax would have students one day!?'' The blonde woman beside Jax named Alice said.

Alice, just like Jax and my mother, is a former adventurer who helps keep the village safe.

''It is unnecessary to be so direct, Alice, and is not your husband and daughter waiting for you!? You should go home soon.'' Jax replied.

"You're not funny, Jax!" Alice answered him.

''What happened to the goblins?'' Fabe asks Jax.

''We took care,'' Jax replied as he crossed his arms.

''We want to help you next time,'' Mia said while approaching Jax.

''Maybe if you prove you are ready, Mia.''

''Yess!!'' Mia responds enthusiastically.

Both Emma and Mia and the two assholes of Fabe and Cal seem to have respect for Jax. And I understand why. Jax actually makes a living by carpentry and helping the village chief with various chores. However, he uses his free time to help young people and keep the village safe without receiving any compensation. Alice is in a similar situation. She is a housewife and has her husband and daughter, but whenever there are problems, she, my mother, and Jax being the only three adventurers in the village, take care of solving the issues. I think that reflects how much they love the town and the people who live in it.

Many things have gotten in the way since we left the forest, and now it's night. And as if my mother was able to read my mind, she put an end to all the commotion.

''Why don't you leave this talk for later?'' My mother spoke for the first time.

''You're right! Thanks for your help today, Ilene.'' Jax responds.

''Don't worry, I live here too.'' She said with a slight smile on her face.

''Let's go home, Darx.''