Chapter 40: Leis Day

Everyone left the house together and headed to their respective workplaces. I didnt hold onto Alistairs hands and so I plodded. I immediately went out onto the wide road.

Wow.

It was the same road that Id walked through yesterday, but there were more people here now because it was morning. They all looked like they were rushing to their workplaces. Some people looked like they were taking their kids to work, so there were a lot of kids around too.

Oh, my, is that a new kid?

Yep, we picked her up.

Haha. Again? Hang in there.

People spoke to Bart and Alistair like this. Everyone seemed surprised for a second when they saw my eyes and hair, but then they seemed to have understood something after they turned to Alistair. Theyd probably exerted all of their surprise on Alistair when they found out he was a part of the Four Marquis. Im relieved.

*CLANG CLANG* the bells rang from the mountains, and people started speeding up. Apparently, that was the signal to start work in the morning.

Alistair also explained this to me before picking me up and running. But we immediately stopped in front of a big shop. The shop was equipped with double doors and people were already lining up in front.

Sorry.

Alistair and Bart broke off into a side alley and entered the shop through the back door.

I guessed youd be tired. Youre working today right after coming back only yesterday. Oh? The teasing voice was cut off in a questioning way.

Brendel, this is the kid I told you about yesterday. The one we picked up.

I picked her up, so Im taking care of her. Her names Lei, Alistair said as if he was interrupting Barts explanation.

I see. Alistair did?

Yeah.

Alistair gently put me down.

Im Lei, I looked up and greeted. The person named Brendel opened his eyes in surprise for a moment before gently saying, Im Brendel. We have a lot of small things here. Can you be good?

Ai.

Good kid.

Then, he patted my head. He has brown hair and eyes. Maybe in his 50s? His hands are big and rough. Brendel put the hand that hed patted me with on his chin.

But where should I put you?

Dere. I pointed at a corner of the workshop that was connected to the shop.

Oh, theres a lot of woodchips there. Are you sure theres alright?

Thhath vawuabwe.

Apparently, they placed wood chips there to make boxes for magic tools. It looks interesting.

Well, well have to put her somewhere, so I guess theres fine. Lei, thats fine right?

Ai.

Brendel seemed worried, but theres nothing I can do about that. I was itching to go where the woodchips were.

Then, lets start working.

I moved towards the woodchips at the same time those words were spoken. Brendels voice called after me, Aww, shes tottering.

Noth thoththering!

Oops, sorry.

Argh, everyone. But those woodchips are like a treasure trove for an infant.

Wan, thwo.

Theres probably a lot. First, Ill divide the pieces of wood by size and shape. I piled the wood, the bigger ones on top and the smaller ones at the bottom.

Now, dwone!

It was a huge success. Id stacked them up so high. Alright!

Ooh. I heard a lot of voices from the shop. I turned around and put my hands to my hips.

Do worw.

She got angry.

Oh, no.

The workers laughed as they went back to work. I feel like Alistair was looking at me in jealousy. But I got bored after stacking three towers of wood.

Lets take a little walk. The workshop was similar to Barts house; there were several tables and chairs to work on, and there were boxes on the shelves at the back.

I peeked into a box that I could see and saw a small box the same size as the one used to warm water, a light blue glowing slate, a pale red glowing slate, and various others of different sizes lined up neatly in the box. There was also something that looked like furry moss and something that looked like magnet powder. I cant touch them, but I was excited nevertheless.

I looked around for a while, but it still wasnt lunch time. Brendel and another worker were dealing with customers. Some customers brought their magic tool boxes with them and consulted with the workers and some took out valuable magic stones out from bags and exchanged them with other magic stones of the same size.

I was approaching the counter.

There were colourful slates and various sized magic stones placed neatly inside of a box on the counter.

Hey, you. Dont be naughty.

Ai.

I only looked around because I was told that by a worker. But when I got closer to the next counter, it was too high and I couldnt see the top of the counter. I looked around and found a box, so I climbed on top. When I stood up, I could barely see Brendels hands. That box looks like the one Alistair uses when he heats water.

Brendel opened the top half of the box where the magic stone would be placed. Black sand like the magnet powder I saw before filled this compartment, along with a blue slate and a small red slate. He took the blue slate out, then a blue plate of the same size out from under the counter and exchanged them.

He put the top half back together and turned the switch on and off.

The slates were broken. You have a magic stone already, so do you want to replace the slate?

I dont really need hot water since its summer, but Ill get it replaced anyway.

Aite. Its just a small slate, so thatll be 3000 Gil.

Thats expensive.

Thats the way it is. The box will still last for a few years.

Here.

Thanks.

Like that. I see. Do the slates connect the magic stone and heating material and make it work?

Ah, Lei. Its dangerous!

Ah, Alistair found me. I got off the box.

Did you get bored?

Ai.

Its almost lunchtime. Just hang in there for a bit.

Aai.

Fine. Ill go clean the blocks. I sadly returned to the woodchips. Its surprisingly difficult to do nothing.