The current location was fantastic for a picnic, with roots sticking out of the ground—perfect to use as chairs and tables. The scenery around the area was also beautiful, clean, serene, and bright as the sun was completely out.
Eric had already pulled out quite a few Elven-cooked dishes. Who had cooked them, he had no idea, and probably Lysandra didn't know either. But the good thing was she was cautious and didn't pass any Tier foods, only Mortal ones. A note in the kitchen mentioned that.
Lyria and Livy sat on their chairs, which were just the roots of the tree.
Lyria wore Eric's old white shirt and shorts—the ones he'd worn after waking up on the island—while Livy wore a blue shirt and knee-length pants, close to being jeans.
Even Eric had to admit: those clothes were definitely not meant for these two girls!
Their bust size was no joke.
But with Lyria and Livy's height, they had perfect proportions—not an inch larger to make them seem unnatural for their figures. In fact, they looked extremely sexy and hot in those clothes.
Eric sighed helplessly as his hormones raged once again. He dug his nails into his thighs to avoid losing the battle.
Meanwhile, Lyria and Livy stared, shocked, at the number of delicious-smelling dishes before them. They had no idea how this was possible but decided not to ask—for now.
Right now, they just wanted to eat. They hadn't had anything since yesterday morning and had been running around everywhere. In short, they were starving—and starving people don't ask questions.
Eric spoke while shamelessly eyeing them. "Looking at your thin figures, I wonder if you girls haven't eaten all week. Even though these are vegetarian dishes, they're extremely tasty and nutritious. Go ahead—don't hold back."
Lyria and Livy didn't hesitate. They dug in instantly.
The moment they tasted the food, their eyes widened.
They had never eaten anything so delicious. Though their memories before the orphanage were hazy, they were certain they'd never tasted anything this fulfilling, even in their past homes.
After eating halfway and finally feeling energized, Livy asked, "Brother Eric, what are these foods? What ingredients are these? Also, how did you cook them to make them so delicious?"
Neither of them were cooks, so both Lyria and Livy were baffled.
Eric waved a hand. "Nope, I didn't cook them. No clue about the ingredients either, but they're Mortal Tier and healthy." He was glad he'd brought kitchen pouches—otherwise, he'd have had to hunt and cook, which would've taken forever and tasted awful.
Lyria and Livy nodded and didn't ask anything more about that.
Then Lyria stared at Eric's finger and asked curiously, "...And that ring?"
She had noticed how Eric just pulled out a jug of fresh water from it. Though it was extremely fast, she did notice that items had indeed come out from the ring he was wearing.
Previously, both of them were too tired and excited to see Eric again, so they didn't quite catch from where he had pulled out the towels and clothes.
Eric provided Lyria and Livy a brief introduction to the ring, and both girls opened their eyes wide in wonder.
Lyria and Livy wanted to ask more questions but decided otherwise for now.
After they had fully stuffed themselves, they changed their location to beside the pond and sat back comfortably on the soft grass while enjoying the gentle breeze blowing across the area.
Eric thought and decided to answer Lyria's previous question.
He didn't want to waste energy and time on this topic. It was better to come clean with these things as soon as possible—and also to make both Lyria and Livy relaxed as well.
Eric glanced at both girls and started addressing: "Ly, you asked me before about leaving you girls behind..."
Both Lyria and Livy flinched.
They wanted to avoid this topic as they didn't want to hear anything heart-wrenching the moment they had finally united. They also didn't know how to deal with life if Eric left them again. Their previous reaction wasn't really their fault, as it just spilled out due to their shock upon learning Eric had become a Mana Wielder.
To both of them, Eric and Bella Noll were their home—especially Eric, since Bella Noll was too old and more like a parent-like mentor, someone they deeply respected.
But Eric was almost like their lifeline, and after he left, they realized just how deeply they loved him—much more deeply than they could have imagined.
It was almost as if their hearts had been ripped out the moment he disappeared.
They no longer had a shred of doubt about what Eric meant to both of them, and they no longer wished to lose him ever, no matter what.
Since they also didn't want to harm each other, Lyria and Livy—without even speaking about it—came to terms that Eric belonged to both of them, not just one. Though they had never articulated it to each other, as they never had the chance, they understood each other deeply and could sense the other's feelings and intentions very well. Strangely, they were also extremely relieved about their mutual feelings.
If necessary, both of them were even willing to die for Eric rather than be left behind again. But sadly, they almost had no hope of becoming Mana Wielders normally, while Eric already had.
They knew Eric wanted to travel the world, as he had spoken about it in the past, and they too would love to see the world and its wonders—who wouldn't? But as mortals, it was impossible. Just normal beasts everywhere could end them.
And now, Eric was no longer in the same 'world' as them. It had hurt both of them no less than when he disappeared. It was almost as if the Eric they knew had vanished and was no longer there.
The Eric they had just found was about to once again leave them behind. Even if they wished to smile, they just couldn't bring themselves to.
Lyria and Livy's eyes reddened, ready to burst into tears.
Seeing them, Eric flinched.
'What's with their continuously reddening eyes? Are those some sort of treasure?'
"Ahem. Calm down, girls. Why are you acting like this?" he asked with a sigh.
He rarely saw either Lyria or Livy this sad in the past—they were always happy and energetic around him. So, watching them sad and tearful made him feel terrible as well.
"W-we're just mortals. You'll leave us behind again, won't you?" Livy wiped her tears.
Eric waved his hand dismissively. "You girls are acting like you can't become Mana Wielders. With me around, sooner or later, both of you will become one too."
Eric had long decided to help them—even if he hadn't encountered Lysandra and Elara. Both Lyria and Livy were his childhood friends. Whether they would provide him something or nothing was of no importance. He had never sold his heart to the 'what will I get?' mindset.
There was nothing to get in life other than one's own life experience, and he wasn't dumb enough to discard it for messy profit-and-loss thoughts—especially for his close ones. Those were useful in business and marketplaces, not in one's personal life.
"Really?"
Both Lyria and Livy's eyes brightened. They stood up in disbelief, excitement, and anticipation.
They didn't have a single doubt if Eric himself had said so.
"Yes, of course. Don't worry about that. But I want to ask—what will you girls do after becoming one?"
"Of course, we'll follow you wherever you go!" Lyria answered without hesitation.
She was prepared to walk with Eric till she no longer existed. She wasn't an insincere girl who would change her words when spoken. What she said would stand all the way to her grave.
"All the way to hell!" Livy nodded in complete seriousness, agreeing with Lyria's words.
She might be clumsy, but she was brought up in the fiery training pit under Bella Noll, which had shaped her spirit and made her into a sharp-minded fighter. She wasn't joking around either—she planned to travel with Eric even if he later decided to do nothing. She wished to live and die together with him.
Eric felt both girls were being too emotional at the moment, so he ignored their statements and warned, "Ly, Liv, I want you to know—I'm not a 'good guy' who'll blindly do 'good deeds.' You never know when I might butcher innocent people or wipe out entire villages or cities. Even so, do you girls want to follow me? Understand that both of you will have to do all that with me."
Of course, Eric wasn't planning to unleash such mayhem for no reason, and he also didn't get angry easily. But sometimes, he might not explain himself and do things a 'good' person would at least hesitate to do.
So far in his life, he'd been fairly chill and fun, and planned to stay that way. But after leaving Ringwood Town to adventure, his actions might change depending on his intentions. He didn't want Lyria or Livy to blindly believe he was a 'good' guy just because he had been so far—only to feel betrayed later if he did something they couldn't stomach.
Lyria and Livy nodded without hesitation, as if they were fine with whichever way Eric decided to act—they would follow him through anything.
Eric gave them a doubtful look.
'Do they even understand what I'm saying?'
Lyria took a deep breath and uttered with full conviction, "I trust you. Forever."
"I trust you with my life!" Livy declared.
Eric was speechless.
He didn't know what else to say if they had so much faith—no, they were indiscriminately supportive of him.
Lyria and Livy might be just fourteen, but they were mature in mentality, and their words were precious. They understood that well. But even then, Eric needed them to be clear about their intentions. He didn't want them tormented later by their blind choices now.
He sighed. "Don't you girls want a peaceful—or at least safe—life? A life respected by others in the world? Following me might bring infamy, and you might lose your lives. So… why?"
"Because I love you." Both Lyria and Livy cried out at the same time. Even the birds resting on the tree got scared and flew away.
After declaring it loudly, both girls blushed deeply and gazed downward, avoiding Eric's stunned look.
Even Eric felt his face heating up.
"Oh my, my sisters are so direct," Riya muttered, feeling her own cheeks flush. She murmured audibly, "Should I also forcefully push Eric down and have my way with him?"
Eric ignored Riya's shameless barbaric words. But he was speechless at Lyria and Livy's blunt confessions.
He had guessed that was the case, but… 'Don't they have any doubts? There are probably more fantastic, handsome guys out there than this idiot of a handsome guy in front of you.'
"Oh… and what do you like about me?" Eric asked curiously.
He was mature enough not to lose his senses over two overgrown muscular girls' confessions. 'Hm… Maybe I'm not actually that mature when it comes to handling tall, macho girls.'
"E-everything!" they answered in a mosquito-like whisper, still blushing and avoiding his gaze.
Eric covered his face with his palm.
'They hit the home run, haven't they?'
But still, why were their answers identical—and so short? Though short answers spoke louder than long ones.
Eric thought deeply about how to respond.
In the end, he realized there was nothing else to say.
It was Lyria and Livy's choice how they felt, and he couldn't change that.
So Eric calmly sat back, enjoying the morning breeze.
His thoughts then drifted to where those naughty, oversized alligators had gone off to.
He wanted to play with their hatchlings…