Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Chapter 4: Tough life

Rain could see a medieval city that effortlessly blends the old with the new. Its fortified walls stand tall, adorned with intricate stone carvings that whisper tales of old eras. The streets beneath were paved with polished cobblestones, leading the way through a maze of buildings constructed with sturdy bricks and adorned with captivating architectural details.

The rooftops showed a harmonious patchwork of red and gray tiles, with plumes of smoke gracefully rising from the chimneys. Amidst the bustling scene, a magnificent cathedral graces the skyline, its soaring spires reaching for the heavens while stained glass windows reveal vibrant colors of storytelling. As Rain looked through the city, a palpable sense of history permeated the air, evoking a profound appreciation for the enduring legacy of those who once walked these streets.

Not many refugees were heading to that city, so Rain assumed that his parents had some relatives there. Their city probably had been destroyed by monsters by now, so they couldn't return and had to start over somewhere else.

"Things are moving way too fast; I thought that in this kind of situation, I was supposed to leave a peaceful life in the country and become overpowered for apparently no reason," Rain thought. "I guess things won't be like that."

After crossing through some streets, the carriage stopped in front of a large house. It was more appropriate to call it a mansion… the entire place was surrounded by some metal bars, and there was a huge garden between the gate and the house.

Rain's father took a deep breath, and then his mother showed a complicated expression. Rain could tell that some drama was incoming when his father patted his head and smiled.

Usually, in that kind of house, some guards would be protecting the entrance, but there was no one there. Some of them showed up alongside a middle-aged man that had a long gray mustache and a middle-aged woman.

The serious middle-aged man had a stern countenance with a strong jawline and furrowed brows. His closely-cropped salt-and-pepper hair gave him a distinguished look, and his steely eyes exuded determination and focus. His posture was upright, reflecting a disciplined nature. He had a solid build, suggesting strength and resilience. His overall appearance conveys a no-nonsense demeanor.

The serious middle-aged man showed himself in a meticulously tailored doublet made from rich, dark fabrics. The design was simple yet refined, reflecting his preference for functionality over extravagance. The colors were clear. He also wore polished leather boots and carried himself with a composed and authoritative presence, showing his status.

His wife had an expressionless face, with a monotone gaze that rarely betrays emotion. Her shoulder-length brown hair was neatly kept, framing her features in a plain yet elegant manner. Her eyes had a distant quality as if constantly lost in thought. She had a slender figure with an air of stoicism in her posture. Her appearance exuded an aura of calm and reserve.

His wife, too, wore noble attire, but her choice of clothing remains understated. She wears a flowing gown in a neutral hue with minimal embellishments. The fabric drapes elegantly around her figure, accentuating her gracefulness. She accessorizes with delicate jewelry, choosing simplicity over opulence. Her hair is swept back in a no-fuss style, adding to her deadpan appearance. Despite the noble clothes, her expression remains unchanged, maintaining her characteristic serious and composed demeanor.

Rain's father went to talk with those two, and after just ten seconds, he was slapped by the middle-aged man. Rain's eyes weren't good enough to see them from afar, but he had a feeling that they were pretty similar… the same hair tone, the same facial shape. That was probably Rain's grandfather and grandmother.

"I guess they are quite the figures… interesting," Rain thought.

"Rain, they are grandpa and grandma," Rain's mother said.

He already knew that, but he had yet to hear the name of his parents. In any case, if Rain felt a bit more familiar with his parents, he probably would greet his grandparents with a burp. It was weird thinking of him like that... he wasn't that close to them, but he couldn't think of many reasons as to why a father should slap their son after they just escaped a war.

In any case, Rain's grandpa told one of the guards to guide his father and family to somewhere else. While Rain wasn't expecting much from such rigid people, he was quite surprised by the fact that they didn't even try to see their grandson… they either had a bunch of them already or didn't consider Rain's mother and his part of the family for some reason.

"This is turning into some kind of weird drama… please, no more," Rain thought.

After not so long, they arrived at a nearby house. It was smaller than the first one, but it was a lot better than most of the others in the city. Rain's mother and father began to unpack their things, and Rain realized that the first granny wasn't around anymore… he wondered if she stayed behind the mansion for one reason or the other.

"Dragons, familiar drama, wars… what a new beginning, huh," Rain thought.

It seemed that even in his second life, Rain was going to experience going from zero to one hundred really fast. Things were escalating really quickly…

From that day onward, Rain didn't experience many drastic changes. In the morning, his father would leave the house and return at night at dinner time. The first granny would come to talk now and then, and it seemed that she was working for Rain's grandparents.

"I guess my new father is also working for his parents since he returns fully armored," Rain thought. "It is annoying since now that things have calmed down, I can't hear a lot of people talking and always get sleepy before dinner and then wake up in the next morning… Sleeping twelve hours a day sure is tough."

Rain was used to the life of a corporate slave and sleeping only six hours a day and without having time for vacation or a day offs; thanks to it, he felt a bit troubled with his new life. Still, soon things began to change for the better.

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