When Angor returned to Phantom Island, he saw Papaya, Kudodo, and Lococo ready and waiting for him at the outer beach.
“That was impressive.” Angor smiled at them. He informed them about their plan somewhere around 20 minutes ago, when he just left from Prome’s, and the three Krakoks seemed prepared already.
“We will never disregard your order, Mister Angor,” said Papaya with an attentive expression.
“Come with me.” Angor moved ahead.
He no longer needed Sunders’ “token” to enter the island now. While walking through the forest, Angor took some time to examine the small ones behind him.
Kudodo was wearing a wizard robe made from a tree leaf. He moved by leaping swiftly among the trees, and sometimes, Angor would lose track of him because Kudodo was too fast.
Lococo was slowly floating in the air by using an “umbrella” that seemed to be a brown spotted mushroom. Every time she fell behind, she would kick a tree nearby to gain some speed.
Papaya was the “normal” one among them, who was simply running on legs, but she was quick too—Angor noticed that he could not see her legs at all because they were moving too rapidly.
It had not been long since they were sent to their professors, and they looked so different.
Their temperaments changed greatly as well. Kudodo still looked a bit careless like before, but it was a disguise. When Angor looked more closely, he saw Kudodo’s eyes prudently scanning around.
Lococo looked just like the timid and lovely girl before, but at the same time, she looked more confident now.
As for Papaya...
Angor chose to reveal the secret hidden in their bloodline to Papaya because he believed Papaya was someone who could bear the responsibility of saving her people.
He chose correctly.
While the other two still needed some time to reach the apprentice level, Papaya was almost there.
Papaya never showed any particular emotions until now. Yet Angor could almost feel the power called “determination” all over her small body.
Hopefully, he would witness the birth of another heroine like Nausica.
When they arrived at the mansion, Angor signaled the Krakoks to stop.
“I didn’t bring you here to visit your family. I have something important to tell you three.”
They were standing not too far away from the flower house. Lococo was already eager to go there, while the other two patiently waited for Angor’s words.
“I’m returning home soon, meaning, I’m going back to the Old Earth.”
The Krakoks didn’t understand what that meant to them.
“The ‘common’ Krakoks aren’t fit to remain in the wizarding world. This is why I’m bringing them to the Old Earth as well, to the world of mortals.”
Lococo almost jumped. “But what about my mother, sir?”
“Yeah, why not keep everything as it is? They did pretty well on this island till now,” Kudodo added.
“Just be quiet and listen!” Papaya scolded them.
Angor looked at Kudodo and continued, “This place is lovely, you’re right on that one. But don’t forget that the island belonged to my professor. He allowed me to place your people here for the moment, but this didn’t mean that they could stay here forever. If one day, the other Krakoks are chased away and left wandering without a home, do you think they can survive in the wizarding world? Remember how your ancestors were almost wiped out in history? There is no supernatural individual back at the Old Earth, thus my decision. They will be safe with my family.”
Angor saw Kudodo lowering his head and looked at Lococo next. “I brought you here so that we can talk about how to arrange your family. Once you become apprentices, you will have enough strength to give them a shelter in this world. I need to ask you a question today. Will you protect them on your own, or should I take them all to the Old Earth along with all the Krakoks?”
“I... want my parents with me.” Lococo’s answer was quick.
Kudodo looked rather indecisive. “But... they won’t see me or their friends too often if they stay here. They will feel lonely.”
“You can try spending more time with them, but mark my words, once you fully step onto the path of wizardry, you will always part ways with them in the long run. Mortals and supernaturals... They cannot stay together in this world.” Angor looked down a little as he thought about his brother and Jon.
Those words got Kudodo and Lococo anxious.
“However, strength means everything in this world,” Angor continued. “Having enough strength means that you can instantly travel great distances and visit your family at any time.”
Kudodo’s eyes twinkled. Yeah! My parents are not that old, I have time! If I can get to level-3 in several years like Mister Angor, I can take my parents anywhere!
“I’ll leave my family in your hands then, sir! I’ll talk to them later, that I’ll go and visit them when I have studied enough,” said Kudodo.
Lococo was still faltering. To her, her parents were the only ones who provided true comfort, and she didn’t wish to be left alone in this dangerous realm.
“I-I need to talk to my parents first, can I?” said Lococo.
“As you wish.”
Lastly, Angor looked at Papaya. They all knew that Papaya’s grandmother probably didn’t have enough time to wait for Papaya’s achievement.
“The journey will be too taxing for your grandmother. You can keep her at your side,” said Angor. He knew Papaya would not want to be separated from her only family.
It would be so sad if Papaya stayed behind to study wizardry, only to attend her granny’s funeral in a few years.
Papaya’s lips twitched, but she didn’t say anything.
“Let’s all go see them first, then you can make your final decisions,” said Angor as he walked toward the flower house.
However, he didn’t enter the house. While the three Krakoks enjoyed their brief reunion, he leaned against the Milkberry Tree outside and sent his thoughts wild as he enjoyed the sweet air around him.
The more he thought about the coming journey, the more eager he felt about heading home as fast as possible. He couldn’t help but feel all the sealed memories flashing back into his mind.
He suddenly smelled something else in the wind. It was perfume.
A woman with a slim shape was slowly approaching his position.
“Lady Greya?” Angor said as he shook his head. “No, this is an illusion. Wait... is it a gourmet mirage?”
The “Mirage Greya” stood in front of him and said, “What? You’re not the only one around here who can cast illusions.”
Angor scratched his head. “I thought gourmet mirages are random. So, you can control them?”
“You should read more books. So, you’re leaving?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good timing then. I happen to be in the right mood to cook something today. I’ll make you a farewell dinner. Oh, don’t worry, this doesn’t count as one of the ‘golden offers’ I promised. I’m taking materials from Sunders’ kitchen anyway. Don’t miss it. And bring Toby with you.”
Slowly, Greya’s mirage vanished, after which Angor saw Papaya leaving the flower house by herself.
Angor looked further into the house and saw the Krakoks bidding farewell to Kudodo and Lococo, while Papaya’s grandmother was seeing Papaya off from the balcony of their “apartment”.
“Your decision?” asked Angor.
Papaya looked at the ground for a while. “Mister Angor... may I know how... how much time does my granny have?”
When taking the Krakoks away from their old home, Angor used some simple means of restoration on the old Krakok to help her live longer, but this wouldn’t keep her alive for too long.
“Five or six years, if everything is peaceful. That’s the best I can do.”
Papaya almost broke down upon hearing this. She sobbed and tried her best to contain her sadness. “Five... five years, sir. Please give me five years, and I will learn how to help my grandmother, then go to the Old Earth. I-I know you’re on a similar mission, sir. I can do it too!”
Papaya halted her crying and looked at Angor with great conviction. “Please take my grandmother with the rest of our people, Mister Angor. This is the best.”
Angor waited for Papaya to fully calm herself and gave her a smile of approval.
“Sure.”
Witches tended to have more difficult lives in this cruel world. However, Angor realized that he had already sensed the qualities of an unyielding witch from the tiny creature in front of him.