"Kyaaa~" Little Han giggled as he snuggled in Eli's arms.
The days when she sees Little Han grow more livelier and lovable is what makes Eli feel fulfilled in life.
However, as he grows, so do Eli's worry that one day, Little Han would lose his smile should she and Leon fail to settle everything before his existence was discovered.
Thus, Eli could not afford to delay her plans to show up in the society.
With her background as a renowned inventor and a research counselor in the Farauld Magic Institute, she plans to use this as the foundation of her status.
Next, would be the upcoming adoption ceremony in the Farauld and Forgeworn clan. This would reinforce her identity strongly so that Little Han will not be bullied in the future.
On Leon's side, he was going to the far ends of the Empire to give Little Han a safe place. After shooing away the Spectre, he can finally announce his and Eli's existence in the capital.
Although the threat from the Empress, his brothers and the other nobles still lingered, Eli and Leon decided to face this matter head on by improving themselves, even when they were far apart.
Eli couldn't help but sigh upon remembering Leon.
According to her Papi, General Farauld, there's still about two months needed for them to complete the assignment. The acknowledgement ceremony was actually scheduled three months from now, which was coincidentally her and Elise's birthday.
She prayed that Leon and Papi would come back to the capital by that time.
Eli also had developed a habit of staring subconsciously on Leon's bed and spot in the cottage. She was like under a spell, the longer they were far apart.
She thought that this habit was just because she was used to his presence during her first months of being a mom.
But more than six months later, she still wasn't able to keep herself from looking blankly on where he usually sits in the living room, in the kitchen and his bed.
"I really must be missing him.." Eli uttered with a defeated tone.
She started to realize that Leon really took a place in her heart. However, she was still too afraid to admit that it is love.
"Well.. I'll just wait until I see him again. Maybe by that time, I'll be sure!" She thought while getting Little Han to his cradle to sleep.
Then she beckoned Baobao and Wisey to talk to them regarding her eventual work in the Farauld Magic Institute.
"Master!"
"Eli chan!"
"Soon, I'll be reporting to the institute at a minimum of four hours a week. I plan to take Wisey with me first." She explained to her two furry buddies.
"Baobao, would you mind being with Little Han for the meantime?" She asked Baobao's opinion because she wanted to know what's his decision.
"Master, I want to take care of Little Master while you are out." Baobao gently answered, he knew that his master would feel more at ease to have him by Little Han's side.
"Are you sure you don't want to see the world outside?" Eli asked him for the last time.
Unlike Wisey who became her contracted spirit because she was already given by the Great One, Baobao came from this world.
Eli wanted to know that although she was Baobao's master, he was still free to do what he wanted.
"Master, I don't like being with a lot of people… I only like Master and Master's Family…" Baobao shyly replied with his paws fidgeting in front of his fluffy stomach.
"However, if you are in danger, I will appear immediately no matter how many people are around you!" He continued with determination.
"Alright. If that's what you want. I'll let you stay with Little Han." Eli nodded with a smile.
"Weeee… I'll see the academy!!" Wisey on the other hand childishly flew around the living room in excitement.
She was not worried about leaving Baobao alone because the two of them can communicate telepathically.
Wisey and Baobao casted a meaningful look with each other.
In truth, the arrangement today has already been decided by the two while Eli was at the institute. They knew that Eli had to go out from time to time and expose herself to the capital, however, they also had to protect Little Han.
That was why Baobao chose to stay with Little Han, while Wisey will be with Eli as she reports to the academy.
Wisey will be spotting malicious people hovering around Eli in the institute. She will immediately report it to Baobao and they will set out to 'scare' this person.
"Wisey, buddy. Do not get caught with the excitement of seeing a new world, alright? You have to spot bad people who want to harm Master." Baobao gently reminded Wisey telepathically.
"I know, I know, I won't repeat the same mistakes again. I don't want to feel the guilt of bringing danger to Eli ever again…" Wisey replied in a serious tone.
"Alright, let's go prepare dinner!" Oblivious to their conversation, Eli beckoned the two to prepare their dinner.
--
The day of Eli's reporting to the Magical Research Institute came.
She teleported to the Farauld's Estate with a big entourage.
In her arms, was the ever lively Little Han who was happily flinging his chubby limbs up and down as he saw the colorful lights from the teleportation array.
Today, Eli dressed him with a cute baby blue miniature sailor uniform paired with a matching sailor hat.
Baobao and Wisey also tagged along dutifully pushing Little Han's stroller, while Rosea brought a bag, carrying Little Han's baby needs for the day. The Blades on duty also tagged along but they were in stealth mode to ensure Eli's safety outside.
"Finally you're here!" An excited Grandma Myrna welcomed them as soon as they appeared from the teleportation array. With her was Grandpa Ben and Aquila, General Farauld's wife and soon to be Eli's adopted mother.
"Ahhhh~ My great grandchild is so cute! Look at his outfit, isn't it nice?" She squealed in delight as soon as she laid her eyes on Little Han.
"Who's our little sailor???~~" She held out her hand indicating that she wanted to carry Little Han in her arms.
"Awwwuuuu!" Little Han, as if conversing properly with his Great Grandma Myrna, let out a reply, seriously pouting his lips and raising his brows in an adorable manner.
Everyone chuckled in amusement.
"Eli, are you all prepared for today? Just tell me when you are nervous, I'll ask Zeke and Bramwell to assist you there." Grandpa Ben asked Eli with worry.
The school who held the highest count of eccentric students was actually the magical research branch. He was afraid that Eli would be shocked at how eccentric people there could be.
"No worries Grandpa Ben, I'll take it easy for today." Eli replied with assurance.
"Do not hesitate to communicate with us whenever you need something, alright?" Aquila gently patted Eli's shoulder in worry. Although Eli had not interacted that much with her Mami and Papi, she could feel that they cared for her a lot, just like now.
She had a stature that is strong and sharp, as she was once a well known knight in her prime. Thus, Eli couldn't help but be in a daze as she looked towards her Mami with admiration.
'If I train more, will I be as cool as her?' She wondered. The way her Mami Aquila stands, walks and even smiles shouts the word 'Badass' everytime!
"I will, Mami.." Eli replied smilingly.
"Sigh, too bad, your brother was still out training with his maternal grandfather. If he was here I could very well assign him to guard you inside." She added with regret.
"It's alright Mami, besides I am still nervous about what he would feel about me." Upon mentioning her soon to be brother, Eli became shy.
She had met all the members of the Farauld main family except for him who was still having his training. She was afraid that her 'brother' would not welcome her because she just appeared out of nowhere.
"Aiyoo, do not bother about that child! Although he took after me and your Papi's love of battle and sword, he is still a sensible child. He had been wanting a sister all along, so I am sure that he will like you!" Aquila waved her hands nonchalantly and eased Eli's worries.
While conversing, they reached the hall where the carriage was already waiting for Eli to board into.
The hall was very much like the Forgeworns, low key yet elegant. With the simplest and modest furnitures and embellishments, one would have the impression that the Faraulds have sophisticated taste that would perfectly suit a scholarly and knightly family.
"Eli, this will be your uniform and here is your identification badge." Grandpa Ben beckoned the servant to give Eli her white scholarly gown and identification badge.
"My gown is white? Like the deans?" Eli was surprised and she immediately felt pressured.
The black gowns represent the faculty members of the institute, while the white gowns represent the higher echelons, like the deans.
Making her wear the white gown would give an impression that Eli was a rank above all the faculty members who had been with the institute for years or even decades.
"Your position as a counselor was somewhere in between. I do not want the other faculty to treat you the same." Grandpa Ben explained in a righteous manner.
"But I feel troubled.. This may cause a stir in the institute. I do not want to bring you trouble Grandpa." Eli replied with a meek tone.
"Sigh… I knew you would say that.. Well alright. I'll have Bramwell prepare you a black gown. However, you are not to deny the gown the second time alright?" Grandpa Ben compromised with a pout.
"I will Grandpa, thank you for listening to my concern!" Eli smiled sweetly in return.
"Alright off you go!" Grandpa Ben reminded Eli.
"Goodbye Grandpa, Grandma, Mami! I'll leave Little Han to you for today!"
"Do not worry, good luck on your first day!" Grandpa Ben, Grandma Myrna and Aquila said in unison.
