The 1.000 year Great Sage ---> COMPLETED STORY

Rose was looking to the front of an artisan's shop, where the Gateway took them. Before she could ask something, Seya entered and he called for them. Inside the shop, Rose stopped to admire the artisans that were engraving an image of the Queen in a door, and the Baron was watching two CatKind that were doing some pieces for Seya's games with so much detail, that he couldn't stop staring at their work. Seya talked for a while with the Master Artisan and he returned to meet the Baron and Rose, carrying four boxes of 'Heiji's Favourites Games'. Rose tried to ask what that was, but Seya was already pushing her out of the shop. They walked along the streets, greeting or waving to anyone that crossed their path. From time to time, someone got near Seya and talked for a while with him. Like that, a walk that normally took 15 minutes, they did it in one hour.

When they reached the house that was turned into a Tea House, Rose was ecstatic. She knew that building and she remembered how it was. Now, it looked brand new. It was painted in a light yellow and white color on the outside that almost shined under the sunlight. When they entered, Rose screamed of excitement. A counter at one side, a lot of tables with beautiful white towels, a tall cup with flowers in the middle of each table, simple but elegant chairs. In one corner, there were four small tables. That was the children's side. Seya went there and he placed on top of each table, one box of his new games. When Rose saw that, she rushed to get there. She didn't rest until Seya explained what those were. She had a beautiful sparkle in her eyes because she always loved to play games with her father while growing up. Seya dragged her with him, to the back of the Tea House. She wanted to play with the new games! In the back, there was a counter and behind it, a wall that was filled from top to bottom, with shelves. In fact, all around that room, there were lower shelves, filled with empty small boxes. There was also a back door, which meant that if someone just wanted to buy some things in there, it wasn't necessary to cross the other room. The Tea House and the Shop were almost like two separate businesses with different entrances. The fact that there was an interior door connecting them was a bonus. The Baron was smiling the entire time and Rose was running around, completely amazed. She grabbed Seya's arm, with her eyes wet, almost crying of happiness.

- Milord, all this is for Tomas and my dear Mary?

- Yes, it is. What do you think? It looks beautiful, right? Lady Margaret and the people that the Queen sent, did an amazing job.

- Yeah… everything is so beautiful… but, it's also too big! I don't know how they will manage to run this!

- That's why I've already found a maid to help them. Either on serving the customers or at that counter, selling. Oh, I almost forgot one thing! Come with me, I need to see if there's enough space behind the counter in the Tea Room.

When they reached there, Seya looked behind the counter. He pointed to a corner, and he smiled.

- There! Perfect! Let me just grab a thing in my parents' bedroom, without my mother noticing it. Heheheh!

Seya opened a Gateway to his parent's house and he went through it. Walking in silence, he sensed his mother Magic Flow inside her office. He smiled at Rose and the Baron that were looking at him on the other side, still inside the Tea House. Seya went to his parents' bedroom and he returned after a while. He runs through the Gateway because his mother was getting out of her office. He quickly dispersed the Gateway before Anna could see him.

- That was close! Heheheh! Now, let me just put this, in that space behind the counter.

Seya threw a small Dark Dot to the space behind the counter and that small dot, enlarged. When it disappeared, on its place, there was a simple and very beautiful baby playground crib.

- There. That was mine when I was a baby. I always hated it! My mother never let me burn it because she wanted to keep it as a souvenir! I was looking for a good excuse to get rid of that damn thing! She always kept me inside of it, for me to be quiet and play in there but I always preferred to crawl to the outside of the house. When I learned how to walk, I was even worst! My mother had to threaten me about beating me up, for me to stay inside that playground.

Rose was smiling, just by imagining a baby Seya crawling.

- But Milord, I don't understand why you put it in that place. Mary and Tomas don't have babies!

- No, but the LionKind maid has a baby girl with beautiful yellow eyes. I told her that I was going to find a way for her to always be near the baby. I hope that baby girl enjoys more that playground than me!

- Milord, Master Anna won't get mad when she figures out that the baby playground crib is missing from her house?

- Probably. But I'm sure that as soon as she sees that baby inside of it, she will forgive me. At least, I hope so! Well, everything here looks perfect. There's also a kitchen and on the top floor, there is a living room and three rooms. One room for each of them, or, one for them and the other for their future baby. And a room that can be used for guests, visitors or for storage. There's also a cellar in the basement, for storage.

The Baron nodded, confirming everything.

- Exactly. The kitchen already has the Home Appliances, and in the pantry, there's food, ingredients, and spare Crystals for the Appliances.

- Perfect. So, what do you say, let's go get the LionKind maid and the two new owners?

Rose clapped her hands.

- Yes! My dear Mary will be so happy! And Tomas will jump like crazy, for sure!

Seya opened a Gateway to the house of the LionKind family and Rose and her father followed him. He talked for a while with the woman, waited for her to get the baby ready and he opened another Gateway to the Baron's house, crossed it and waited for the others. He then called Mary and Tomas, introduced their new worker and the baby and opened another Gateway to the Tea House. While Mary was still holding the baby girl's hand and smiling at her, Tomas crossed the Gateway and he was stunned. Seya followed him and everyone else. Mary was still distracted by the baby, and she didn't notice where she was. At least, until she heard Tomas shouting.

- No way! This is so beautiful!

Mary looked at Tomas, looked around, opened her mouth, turned pale and the last thing that she heard before fainting was Seya's voice.

- Yes, all this is for you and Mary to take care. Oops, Rose, grab her!

Rose quickly grabbed Mary's arm, before she hit the ground, head first. Seya lifted Mary and carried her like a Princess to a chair. He seated Mary and placed her arms on top of the table and gently rested her head over the arms.

- I think we can leave her for a while. Now, if you look behind that counter, there's a place for the baby in there.

The LionKind woman went to the counter and as soon as she saw the baby playground crib she smiled and she started to cry. Without being able to say one word, she put the baby inside of it. There were some dolls and toys inside of it and the baby girl quickly grabbed one. Then she noticed the toy above the playground and she laughed!

- …knnya… knnya… knnya…

Seya was dumbfounded. That laughter was strangely familiar! Seya looked at the LionKind woman and he asked her.

- I'm sorry for asking this, but does this baby already have a name?

- Yes, Sir. Her name is Aria. Aria Ariansyl.

Seya wobbled and he turned pale. The implications of so many coincidences were rushing to his head at high speed. He started to think, question, and imagine, all at once. He looked at the baby and the baby was looking back at him, smiling! And she nodded her little head! That was too much for him, he felt something snap inside of him and he quickly seated, to avoid fainting. That reaction made Rose rush to his side.

- Milord, are you feeling ok?

- Yeah… more or less. Seeing that cute baby looking so happy in there was too much for me, I think. I never liked being inside of that thing, but she likes it a lot, it seems, judging by her laughs and smiles.

Hearing that, made the LionKind woman wondering.

- Sir, this playground, where did you find it?

- It was mine when I was a baby. But I didn't like being in there. At least your baby seems to like it a lot.

- Yes, indeed. Thank you, Sir, it's an honor using something that belonged to you!

- Don't thank me yet, let's wait and see how my mother reacts! But, I was wondering, why did you choose that particular name for your baby?

- Well, Milord, me and my husband, we were trying to have a baby for years. I was starting to think that there was a problem with one of us. Luckily, last year I got pregnant. I thought it was a gift from the Goddess Aria because we were praying for all those years, to grant us a child. For sure you know that in this world, for a child to be born, both parents must pray to the Goddess, asking for a baby and if she thinks that we are worthy, she grants our wish. The Ariansyl, it's my family name. You see, Milord, I descend from a very long bloodline of the first settlers that the Goddess brought, from another world. One couple, my ancestors, when they arrived here, changed their family name to Ariansyl, to honor the Goddess. I'm the last descendant of that very old bloodline. And now my daughter can continue our bloodline, to honor the Goddess.

Seya remembered reading on a book that information about both parents praying to the Goddess for the woman to get pregnant. When he asked that to his parents how he was born, his mother explained that same thing to him and she even told him that it was written in the Goddess Teachings. It was a perfect made birth control, without the need for contraceptives. It was too perfect, actually.

- …|… I need to ask the Goddess about this…|…Wonderful… I hope that you can have more children, to continue your outstanding family name. And it's a great honor for me, to have in my lands a direct descendant of the first settlers.

Seya got up and he made a deep bow. The LionKind woman placed her hand over her mouth to stop a shout. Having that amazing Marquess, a High Noble, bowing to her, someone that only a few days ago, was a slave, was too much for her. But she stood up straight and she also bowed.

- No, Milord, the honor is all mine. I don't know if I'll ever be able to pay all your kindness, but I'll try.

- Just have more babies if you can, be happy, and pay your taxes. That's payment enough for me. Well, what's next… Oh, Baron, I thought of something. Can we put some screens in the Shop Room, to create a separated area with some expensive chairs and tables? I was thinking that some Nobles would like to be there, drinking some tea, instead of being together with the common folk in this room. Some Nobles have too much pride, but they also have money that we can extort from them, by creating a very special and expensively looking area, with expensive tableware, tea set, and plates. Considering that the room also has an entrance from the street, it would be just perfect.

- Of course, Milord. I need to talk with the people that the Queen sent and explain this idea. I'm sure that they can help. They were eager to turn this room into something like that and I had a lot of trouble, explaining to them what were Milord's thoughts for this room.

- Perfect then. What do you say, time to wake up Mary, right?

Seya used his Healing Magic with some fresh Wind Magic and Mary regained her conscience, slowly. When she was feeling better, she followed Seya and they all went upstairs, to see the living quarters. After that, a visit to the kitchen and to the basement. When entering again the Tea Room, Seya placed a Communicator Device on top of the counter and another one, on the counter of the Tea Shop. He looked around and he smiled.

- I was almost forgetting the Communicators! Like that, anyone can come directly to the Tea Room, or, in case of the Nobles and rich merchants, directly into the Tea Shop. Now, I suggest you guys get ready and prepare tea, biscuits, and cakes. I think that after dinner, you can open doors to receive your first costumers. I'm sure that it will be packed in an instant. And as soon as the news spread tomorrow morning, it will be crazy, in here. If necessary, call Milady Margaret for assistance and guidance, ok?

With that, Mary became pale again, with nervousness. Seya smiled at her and shouted.

- Fainting is not allowed! Put yourself together, DogKind! 'Courage above everything else!'

Hearing the old BeastKind saying, Mary, Tomas, and the LionKind woman, became stiff. And they repeated, at the same time.

- 'Courage above everything else!'

The LionKind woman smiled at Seya.

- Milord is well versed in the BeastKind ways.

- Yes, your husband said the same. I had a very beautiful LionKind maid in my past that made sure to teach me everything that she could remember about the BeastKind. We followed different paths, but her teachings are still fresh in my memory.

- Young Rose, what do you say? I think it's better if we let them work, to prepare for tonight costumers. I want to visit some people.

The Baron was looking to the other side, wondering where they were going.

- Milord, if you don't mind, I'll stay here. I'm going to contact the Queen's people, to get everything ready for tomorrow morning. I think that the news will reach the Nobles staying at the new Inn by the ocean, very quickly. We can meet at my house, for lunch?

- Well, it's almost lunchtime… Ok, we'll be quick. Come, Rose, I need to buy some things!

Seya offered his arm to Rose, and after she held it with a smile, they crossed the Gateway. Walking along the main street of the harbor, Rose was marveled with the busy look that everyone had, the rushing, and the yelling. They quickly reached the shop of the Shipwright where Seya bought his first ships. When they entered, Rose saw a male slave, working a big plank of wood, completely drenched in sweat, but singing. On another side of the shop, there was a slave woman, giving cups of fresh water with a smile, to the other workers. The Master Shipwright approached Seya when he noticed them, and he made a deep bow.

- Milord, glad to see you again! How are my ships doing? I do hope Milord is satisfied with them!

- Yes, I am. They are a great help, in my villages near the sea. In fact, I wanted to order some more. Five more like the ones that I bought, if possible. I want to increase my fishing fleet.

- Of course, Milord, but I don't have so many, unfortunately. I have three ready and if Milord has time, I can find two more on the shop of another Shipwright that I know.

- That will do. Can you have them ready for me and fully equipped, for me to pick them up after lunch?

- Of course, Milord. But for easiness, Milord can go with me to get the other ships? If not, I need to take care of the transport of the ships, to here.

- Yes, I can. I hope those ships from the other Shipwright have the same quality as yours.

- Of course, Milord! That guy is my friend and also, my competitor. We learned with the same Shipwright, many years ago.

- I need to know the cost of your ships and also, of your friend.

- Milord, I don't want to be disrespectful or greedy, but could it be in Magic Crystals, like the ones before? Those are a great help, in here.

- Yes, I understand. If I can make a suggestion, do you want 3 with Wind Magic and 3 with Water Magic? Most people don't know this, but if you use Wind and Water Magic together, you can easily polish wood. And it looks beautiful, like that. For your friend, I think 2 with Fire and 2 with Light. Like before, I'll pay the extra Magic Crystal for the speed of the prepping.

- Milord, that method it's not the one used by the Royal Mages, to make the finest touches on the King's ships?

- Yes, I taught them that, some years ago.

- You did, Milord? Amazing!

While the Shipwright was still surprised, Seya noticed the glances of the couple of slaves.

- By the way, how are those slaves doing?

The Shipwright looked at them, with a smile.

- They are hard workers. And they learn fast. If it weren't for the slave chains, they would just be like my other workers, by now. And they have a sad life story, in fact. I think that becoming slaves and getting the chance to work and learn in here, was the best that could happen to them. Maybe Milord could talk to them, I think they won't mind telling their story.

Seya nodded and the Shipwright went to get them. When the couple of slaves approached Seya and Rose, they looked nervous, but they still did a deep bow. The man was the first to speak.

- Milord, last time that we meet, it was not a good one. We want to truly apologize for what we did. And I'm not saying this because of these slave collars, in fact, we both wanted to thank you for this. If it wasn't for your kindness on sparing our lives and instead, turning us into slaves, we would be dead by now and we would never have the opportunity to learn this job.

The woman smiled at her companion and she added.

- Yes, Milord. He has become a good craftsman and I learned to sell, taking care of the inventory, contact suppliers and deal with customers. I also help here, when I have time.

- The Shipwright told me that your life story was a sad one. Do you mind telling me?

The woman nodded with a small smile.

- Of course, Milord. It's all in the past, it's not as hard to remember as it used to be. We were born in the Empire and both our fathers were drafted into the military. They died in there. My mother was killed by bandits and his mother was kidnapped by a Slave Trader's group. We never heard of her again. We were still young when we found ourselves alone and we wandered from village to village, hiding where we could, robbing food or clothes when we had the chance. We grow up like this and eventually, we became wanted criminals after becoming specialized on assaulting Nobles. We had to escape and we went to the RabbitKind Kingdom. After some years, the BeastKind Kingdom, and recently, the Rohan Kingdom.

- Which means that you are just criminals with a long curriculum?

- Well… yes, but we never had a choice. It was that or to die of starvation at the age of 10. We tried to find some work, our parents always told us to be good children. But eventually, hunger won.

Seya was thinking. He noticed that the couple was looking at each other with gentle eyes and the Shipwright was smiling.

- Master Shipwright, where these two sleep?

- Well, Milord, you see, me and my wife, we don't have children. If we had, by now they could be the age of these two. I don't know why, but they conquered our hearts. They are living in an extra room in my house. Even with their slave chains, we treat them as members of our family. But I pay them a salary, for their work.

Seya nodded with a smile. He threw two dark dots to the two slaves that hit their collars. The darkness spread along the collar on their necks, to the chain that was linked to their ankle. The slave collars and the chains disappeared inside of Seya's Compressed Dimension. The couple was looking at each other and they smiled. The man looked at Seya and he asked.

- Milord, does this mean…

- Yes, let's see if you don't disappoint me. Like this, you can work here and avoid questioning looks from clients. Maybe you are really happy in here or maybe you are just pretending. I don't really care, because if you return to your old ways, I'll hunt you down and I'll make sure that your lives end rather quickly.

The man gulped, he noticed the tone on Seya's voice.

- Yes, Milord, we'll not let you down. For what it's worth, I truly apologize for what we did and we'll live while making sure that you won't regret this opportunity that you gave us.

- Time will tell. Master Shipwright, can we go see the ships? I have people waiting for me to have lunch.

- Of course, Milord. We can go to the back of the shop to see the ones that I have and then, we can go to my friend's shop.

…

While Seya and Rose were visiting the Shipwright Shop, in a certain room of a certain Marquess in the Royal Kingdom of Rohan, were seated the Marquess' wife and the 3rd- year boy that tried to kill Seya, two Viscounts and their wives near two of the girls that tried to attack Ryn at school because of Seya, two Counts and their wives, fathers of two 2nd-year boys that are students of Seya, and one Baron and his wife that are the parents of the girl next to them, the other girl that tried to attack Ryn at school. The Marquess looked to the Counts and to their wives, and he made a weird smile.

- So, it seems that your sons still don't share your opinion about that Seya kid.

One of the Counts answered, looking ashamed.

- No, Milord, my son is a student of Seya Hinamoto and it seems he's learning how to make a Magic Crystal so that any people can use it to cook their food, while on travel. My son adores Seya, he doesn't stop talking about him. I can't trust him for our plan.

The other Count nodded.

- I have the same problem with my son, but mine is trying to make a Crystal so that people can take baths and he keeps on talking about Seya, he admires him. I can't trust my own son on this matter.

The Marquess continued to smile and he pointed to the others.

- At least they raised well their son and daughters so that they don't become so easily influenced by a boy, independently of how much Magic he has!

While the Counts and their wives were looking down, ashamed, the son of the Marquess spoke.

- My father is right on wanting to stop that Seya Hinamoto. I don't know what he did to me, but I don't remember anything from these past three years. My colleagues that supposedly were with me at school have already told me of the humiliating treatment that Seya subjected them, including me. Even if I don't remember, I can't allow anyone to mock me!

The three girls nodded and one of them spoke.

- Yes, even his girlfriend, that commoner Ryn Mycym, treated us like animals! The King scolded us and our parents are under surveillance by the King's men! Seya as too much influence on the Royal Family, they do all that he says!

The Marquess smiled because with so many supporters, his dream of becoming the next King, was in reach.

- Well, our plan is in motion. I have already infiltrated four servants that will work on the party tomorrow and as soon as that special assassin kills Seya, each of them will kill one member of the Royal Family and the Princess' fiancé. It will be done so quickly that the Royal Guards will not have time to react. As soon as they are dead, I'll accuse Seya's parents of the assassination. They can't be left alive or they will not rest until they find the murderers of their son. I know Rolland's reputation and I've seen the fighting power of Anna Hinamoto. Even all Royal Guards wouldn't be able to stop her if she went on a rampage. And Rolland is the strongest Fire and Wind Mage in the Kingdom. He can easily turn to ashes the Capital if he wants to! But rest assured, after tomorrow, everything will be corrected. The Nobles will have their power increased and the people will quickly return to their right place!

While everyone in the room was smiling and clapping, the Marquess was smiling at them and he exchanged an accomplice look with his wife. They both knew that the others couldn't be left alive as soon as he reached the throne, or they could blackmail him.

…