Chapter 138: Concerns

[Day 91]

Yesterday, after the kids finally showed that they were able to conjure a small spell with all their effort, we had decided to practice Group Cultivation with them.

However... it didn't go as well.

"Sigh... It seems that our Group Cultivation might have been a bit too intense," sighed Benladann.

"Indeed, the kids seem to have gotten a bit of fever due to the overload of Mana, more than their bodies could take..." I said.

"Is it because of that? It seems that when we did Group Cultivation, something happened... Was our mana being too strong? Draugann seemed fine, in fact, she looks more energetic," said Benladann.

"That's because I am a Rank 2 like you two. You see, Mana is different!" said Draugann.

"Eh?"

Both of us glanced at her, we didn't get what she meant.

Draugann sighed as she looked at us with her eyes closed, as she always had them...

"You two are really dense! I can see why you two never advance further in that relationship..." she sighed.

Eh?! What is she talking about?!

I am not advancing in the relationship because we are two different species, you stupid old hag!

"E-Eeh? W-What are you talking about..." said Benladann while blushing.

"Draugann go to the point," I sighed.

"Hmm... What a grumpy dragon..." she muttered.

"What did you said?!" I roared.

"N-Nothing! Anyways... Ahem. You see, Mana is different when it comes to Mana Core Ranks," said Draugann.

"Wait, it is?!" asked Benladann in surprise.

"I didn't know that, I certainly think that it is a bit more potent, but that much of a difference?" I asked.

"Indeed, each time you Rank Up, your Mana Core is refined and becomes stronger, and that includes your own body which is the recipient of your mana and your Mana Core, and also your very mana. The essence of Mana is vast and also mysterious, it is the power that helps us survive in this harsh world, and it is also like its pillar. Each time you increase your Mana Core Rank, your Mana is refined into a higher quality of Mana, with lesser impurities and more potency. Each time your stage increases, the level of quality raises once more... And so on," said Draugann.

"If that's the reason behind the kids feeling with a bit of fever, wouldn't it had affected me and the monsters too when we did Group Cultivation before?" wondered Benladann.

"Yeah, I never considered my theory over Mana Quality enhancing as we ranked up due to this, I really thought that it was the same, but we simply get more," I said.

"Oh, that's it? It must be because you and your pets are all fully maturated. It also takes into consideration that the difference must not have been as big if compared with the kids," said Draugann.

"I see... So, in the end, it was our fault! Uagh... Now I feel terrible... Can we do something?" asked Benladann.

"For now we could prepare them some herbs to alleviate the pain," I said.

"Good idea, I will go warm some water then," said Draugann.

We quickly cooperated with the old grandma, and we gave the bedriden kids some warm herbal teas made of ice attribute plants that enhance digestion and also alleviate pain. After that, all of them felt dizzy and began to fall asleep.

"Drake... D-Drake..." muttered Flayr.

"I am here Flayr, it is not much, is it? You must be strong, just resist and it will go away in a bit," I said.

"Okay... I will... trust you, Drake... Papa..." said Flayr.

EH?!

"H-How did you called me?!" I asked.

"Drake papa..." she said.

"P-Papa? Me?!" I asked.

"You don't want me to call you... papa?" she asked.

"I-I... No... It is fine," I sighed, as I caressed her tiny head and her silky red hair.

"I will take care of you, alright? Sleep, for now, dear," I said.

"Okay... Will you watch over me?" she asked.

"O-Of course..." I said.

"Hm... T-Then it is okay..." she said, as she closed her eyes.

"I see, she calls you papa now, huh~?" asked Benladann teasingly.

"E-Eh?! Y-You heard her?" I asked as I walked a bit away from the kids.

"Of course, Drake Papa~ Fufu," chuckled Benladann.

"D-Don't say it like that! It sounds lewd..." I sighed.

"Hm~? Lewd?" she asked, glancing at me smugly.

It seems that as Benladann recovered, she had gotten a bit too conceited!

So I did what was better!

Ignoring her.

"..."

I quickly gave her my back as I watched over the kids while sitting near them.

"Eh? Ah... D-Don't ignore me... S-Sorry!" she cried, quickly swallowing her pride.

But I ignored her!

"Geez... D-Don't get angry, I was just trying to be more playful... I thought that you liked that side..." she sighed.

"Well, I do..." I said.

"T-Then?" she asked.

"Still, there's a limit... I don't have much patience when I am being teased," I said.

I recalled my past, even at high school, I didn't like to be annoyed by people. Every so often I was in my own world, I lacked many social skills as well, so I didn't even have friends...

But that was fine by me, I liked to be alone in that regard. I knew that when I went back home there would be my family to cheer me up.

"I see... Well, I will try to not do it again..." she said.

She's way too complacent...

"Okay, don't get so sad. I guess you can be playful, but not too much... I am just worried about the kids for now," I said.

"Me too, I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit..." she said.

"Hm... I get it. For now, let's have something to eat, shall we?" I asked, with a brighter tone.

"Ah! Sure!" she said, smiling brightly at me as we walked downstairs and we cooked some food, which we ate with Draugann.

Hmm, the wolf cheese was surprisingly good! Even better if melted over a minced meat patty...

Now we just need the bun to make the legendary cheeseburger...