Chapter 5: Fireplace in Childhood, An Unconventional Rebel...
"Peruvelli, there's some noise over at the cafeteria. What happened?"
Under the warm sunshine, my mother gracefully poured herself some tea.
In this small kingdom, she personally oversaw everything concerning the children, seeking complete trust and absolute control.
However, after dividing the children into three classes, she delegated a small portion of power to a few "sparks"—mainly Peruvieri—to handle minor tasks such as maintaining order.
This is also something that King Cheng needed to learn.
She reached out and touched the girl's face with affection, captivated by her unique X-shaped pupils.
Ruthless and cold-blooded, it contains neither untamed wildness nor weak kindness.
This is what a king should look like.
“Mother.” Peruvieri obediently let her touch her face.
"The noise was because Mainkuhn knocked over Jack's plate while doing a somersault on the table."
"." The pleasant mood vanished instantly.
That's the kind of thing that kid would do.
Kujavina released Peruvée speechlessly and used tea to calm herself down.
"Tell him to be more careful about his surroundings next time he flips through something."
How can I control Mainkun's wildness without hurting my feelings for him or harming my body?
*
Every time Maine did something 'stupid', my mother would 'love' me a little more.
And I took advantage of this 'love' to help Maine do 'stupid things'.
Doesn't this mean I'm doing something stupid too?
That's incredibly unwise.
When Peruvéli returned to the children, she was met with envious and awe-inspiring looks.
"She must be Mother's favorite child. That's wonderful..."
"Yes, no other spark can compare. We must not offend her!"
Although the existence of Mainkuhn has prevented anyone from committing violence against the scum class, the worship and discrimination based on hierarchy can never be restored.
People who used to be afraid of me are now even more afraid of me.
Although she remained calm throughout, Peruvieri was, after all, only a six-year-old child, and she was still a little disappointed.
Never mind, as long as Clementine is still by my side, that's enough.
Speaking of which, Mainkun should be afraid too, after all, he is both the high and mighty Fire Seed and yesterday he arrogantly beat someone in front of everyone.
...That guy is different from me. He'll definitely cry if he's isolated. Go check on him.
As Peipei thought this, she pushed open the door to the communal bedroom, only to find—
A heartwarming scene!
"...Huh?"
Beside the half-demon child, Rongnock, Oriz, Tommy, Jiro, his best friend Clementine, and even Jack, who had just been beaten up yesterday, were all lying or sitting in a circle, laughing and joking, talking about something.
"Ah, Peipei, come quick!"
Compared to her carefree past, Clementine now has many more scars, and that relaxed smile on her face is something she hasn't seen in a long time.
"Look at Xiao Mei's handwriting! It looks like a scribble!"
"I'm a beginner—"
The silver-gray tail drooped dejectedly on the floor, the upper half of the pencil already chewed up and exposed lead.
"My brother didn't have time to teach me much..."
"Don't make excuses—" Oriz laughed and reached out with both hands to pluck the tufts of hair on his earlobes. "You've got all this clever hair for nothing!"
"...Why."
Peipei stared blankly at the scene before her.
"Why what?"
Why has this guy become so popular?
Peruvéli couldn't believe it.
Whether it's scraps, firewood, or embers, everything around this boy with the strange appearance becomes harmonious and peaceful, as if they've entered a peace zone where arguing is forbidden!
"How strange..."
Pepe remained muttering to herself in a daze until Clementine pulled her to sit down.
It's one thing if it's Rongnuok, but why is Jack, who's been beaten up, here?
"Boss!" the sly kid sidled up to him, "You remember that thing about you not liking me and going to beat me up every time you saw me..."
"Okay, I won't hit you if you tutor me well."
The cat, contrary to its usual behavior, buried itself in a pile of books to study instead of rolling around in the grass catching insects.
“But I don’t care if Rongnock hits you.”
Rongnuoke glared at him fiercely: "Tsk!!"
Although he is not as cheerful as before, there is no longer a look of forbearance on his face.
"I'm sorry..."
Jack shrank back and began to teach Maine cautiously.
These two are one thing, but what about the others? Oriz, haven't you always been resentful of Mainkun being favored by your mother?
"Huh? How...how did you know!"
Bubble Orange immediately blushed.
"Nonsense, I didn't! I only came here because there are pigeons to feed!"
"Coo coo~"
Oriz, feigning reluctance, picked up the pigeon she had snatched from the cat's mouth: "It's not because I'm scared!"
“Yes.” Tommy gave a wry smile. “It’s not because I’m scared.”
Oh, I see.
Peruvelle seemed to understand, but not quite.
Did the child subconsciously seek protection from a stronger peer because they felt uneasy about their mother's behavior?
After all, even if there were other reasons, Mainkuhn's repeated "disobedience" to his mother and his ability to escape unscathed was already a miracle in the eyes of his children.
Jiro, what about you?
"The people outside are just a bunch of boring followers."
The boy, Inazuma, vigorously swung his wooden sword at the air.
"Begging for mercy when told the opponent is strong, and bullying the opponent when they are weak—true strength is to remain unmoved and go all out!"
Rongnock glanced at Maine from the side and gave a small "hmm".
Indeed, no matter how much her mother interfered, Mei treated all three classes of children with the same beastly frankness.
That can be considered a form of equality.
"Cravlie..."
But before Pepe could ask, Clementine smiled and pressed her finger to Pepe's lips.
"Stop asking everyone else! What about you, Peipei? Didn't you come here too?"
The future servant was stunned, and instinctively put on a cold expression: "I came here because you are here."
"Oh, my good friend, my good Peipei."
Clementine smiled and gave her a hug. "Although I like that answer too, our bed isn't in this direction."
"Admit it, my friend, you too have been drawn to his untamed, wild soul..."
"How wonderful it would be if one day we could do what we want without having to go against our conscience."
"......"
Pepe was silent for a moment, then reminded her, "Orphans don't have the right to be so presumptuous."
*
In the following months, numerous swordsmanship competitions were held. Those who consistently lost were demoted to the lowest ranks, while those who consistently won were promoted to the next generation. The competition was extremely fierce, and the turnover of personnel was extremely rapid.
The living environment of 'Remnant' became increasingly harsh under the mother's adjustments. The bed was moved from being by the window to being thrown into the corridor, and later it became a thin blanket.
Conversely, the children of the Fire Seed all had their own rooms, spacious beds, and various privileges.
But Mainkun is not used to it.
"Pepe."
In the dead of night, the cat sneaked into the next room, stood by her best friend's bed, and poked her, saying, "I'm afraid to sleep alone. Can I lie under your bed for a while?"
"Get away from me!!"
Peruvieri was jolted awake and punched his yellowish eyes. The half-demon howled and ran away.
It took the little girl, still shaken, a long time to realize:
The windows and doors were locked. How did he get in, and how did he leave?!
"Did Peruvelli fight with Mainkuhn? Hmm, well done."
The next day, looking at the half-demon's dark eye sockets, the mother misunderstood with great joy.
"Let's compete!"
*
Life is tough for the scraps, but we can still get by.
Although the food wasn't as good as what others ate, it was enough to fill my stomach.
Although it's cold to sleep on the ground, it still has its own place.
Although she wasn't loved by her mother, thanks to Maine's constant help to everyone, she wasn't bullied.
Although I always fail and am covered in wounds, I am still making progress. As long as I work hard and defeat a "firewood" in the next competition, the hard times will be over.
That's how it was supposed to be.
but...
Why can't you stay trash forever?
Even a youthful face can be distorted by fear and hatred.
The sword tip, carrying pure malice, pierced the little girl's wrist.
"Ah... Ahhhhhh!"
"!" The half-demon's pointed ears perked up, and it turned and rushed into the mournful cries.
"Oh dear."
Amidst the screams, the mother yawned listlessly.
"This moment has come far too late."
The dregs fell to the ground, clutching their hands and wailing, while the standing firewood showed no joy on its face.
"Mainkuhn! Go ahead and kill me if you dare! But I didn't hurt her without reason!"
The child of the perpetrator glared fiercely at Maine as she arrived, trembling like a newborn fawn.
He shouted loudly to the children:
"If we just abandon a few brothers and sisters and let them continue to be the dregs, then none of us will have to work hard or live in fear!"
What is this guy saying?
Can't understand.
Mainkuhn froze, his fist about to be raised.
"Maine, I am very grateful to you for your help, but I can never be a generous person like you, because I am not a stable spark like you and Peruvieri!"
Amidst the shouts, a sob broke out.
"We're just ordinary kids who lack talent and are easily defeated!"
"What's wrong with wanting to settle down!"
The boy's terrified face was reflected in Mainkuhn's vertical pupils.
The child, a hybrid of demon and human, loosened his fist and began to think slowly—he really wasn't good at this.
This attack seems different from previous instances of bullying that we've stopped.
Where is the problem?
"Oh dear, is this the only lazy way you can come up with with your little brain?"
The mother had seen and heard enough, and finally walked gracefully out from among the children with their varied expressions.
She gently helped the crying girl up, held her small hand, and checked the injury on her wrist.
"Waaaaah—Mother, Mother!"
The little girl held back her tears and forced herself to give a small smile.
The children of the fireplace house have always been so well-behaved.
So, the mother touched the head of the dregs for the first time in a long time.
"His important wrist is injured."
"Mmm."
"It seems like the tendon is torn."
"...Um."
"It's useless now."
"...Uh-huh?"
But she's so cute, I almost don't want to give her to the professor.
"Let me give you a little reward." In a blind spot where the children couldn't see her, Kujavina gently slid her hand down the little girl's head, stroking the back of her head and down to the nape of her neck.
"The pain will subside soon."
The children were completely unaware, except for Mainkuen, whose pointed ears twitched as he heard a soft "click".
Her small body, tense from the pain, suddenly relaxed, and the girl obediently fell into her mother's arms.
......! ! ?
With its tail bristles standing on end, Maine made itself bigger according to its nature.
“Buck, you killed her.”
Kujavina took off her gloves and covered the corpse's face.
"There's a vacancy for the 'Scrap' position, you'll take her place."
"Wh-what?"
Buck hadn't figured out how he had killed someone, and his first reaction was to stammer a question back.
"But...but I won in the end! I won!"
"You won? You shameless bastard."
The executive officer, enraged, laughed and grabbed his hair.
“I clearly saw her knock your sword away first, and then you cut her wrist while she was in a state of joy.”
"In terms of progress, she's far more 'qualified' than you, you pleasure-seeking good-for-nothing! You're the one who should be dead!"
Buck's legs were lifted off the ground, and he screamed in pain, his cries waking Mainkuhn.
Oh, I see. Brother, I've been tricked.
Only Maine realized that the scene of the mother killing her daughter, the crisp sound, lingered in the half-demon's mind.
"Mainkuhn, you were born different, and you will surely face many difficulties in the future."
The dark gray-haired child anxiously pried open the baby's mouth to see his newly grown, sharp milk teeth.
Therefore, at home you should respect your parents and maintain harmony with your siblings; outside you should do good deeds, eliminate evil, and help the weak. Only in this way will people accept you.
Brother, although I haven't done well, I've been trying my best.
But here, the fireplace house does not fit the definition of a home at all; the first half must be removed!
You big bad guy! You big liar! I hate you, I'm so annoyed...
I can't stand it.
Mainkuen slowly revealed his full set of sharp teeth as he looked at his mother's retreating figure.
Amid Buck's noisy screams, the cat crouched down, revealing its claws, and its silver tail swayed gently.
"!...Hey! What are you doing...?"
"Anything that annoys you, whether it's a teacup on the table, a nagging hairdryer, or a nasty person, must disappear immediately!"
The instantaneous burst tore through the air, the grass and leaves fell where the afterimages passed, and the muffled sound of sharp teeth cutting into flesh and the gasp of the executive officer exploded at the same time.
Maine placed her front paws on the adult's shoulder, her canine teeth wedged into the back of her smooth hand.
It was blocked.
The cat blinked, its neck swayed violently from side to side a few times, and a small piece of flesh fell into its mouth.
"Hello, Mother."
To Kujavina's astonishment, the child stuck out his pink tongue covered in barbs and licked away the blood from his lips.
Do you like my "qualifications"?
A note from the author:
----------------------
A beast's skin, a child's heart
Aside from the guidance he received from Leosley in his childhood, he received virtually no guidance from society or normal adults.
Every word and action is a matter of nature; every behavior is an instinct.
......
Xiao Mei Yin—you're so hard to write—
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