Hearing that they were done, Galeila stood up and gave a suggestion.

“What say we walk around for a bit?”

“Sure!” Rume energetically sprang up.

As they were about to move onward, Galeila looked up into the sky and peered around. She smiled all of a sudden, Rume was puzzled upon seeing this. Therefore, she too looked around, but nothing was there.

“What do we have here?”

“Um, what is?”

Just then, a strong wind suddenly blew upon them. Rume involuntarily covered her eyes to protect them from the dust which comes along with the burst of wind. Before she knew it, a large shadow went past them, so large that it was able to cover all the three of them from the sun.

The shadow only passed by for a second. Surprised, Rume instantly looked up to see what flew above them. Her eyes widened in astonishment, it was already quite a bit of distance away, but Rume could make up what it was.

It was a giant bird, way bigger than any bird she had ever seen in her life. Its flapping wings were wide and long. Its talons were large, but she couldn’t fully see the entire thing clearly, but she imagined that its claws were so sharp, big and fearsome. Its tail flourished several long feathers which spread like a fan.

Its feather was adored with a few colors, but at the current distance as it was, Rume could only make up the color green which covered the majority of its body. Her heart beat fast in excitement upon discovering something new and bizarre once again. Surely a bird like that was not dangerous. Maybe she could get close to it at least.

“Shall we chase it?”

Galeila turned to suggest it to Rume. The little girl nodded with a smile.

“In that case, let’s run.”

The two of them ran, or rather, due to Rume having small legs, it would be more precise to say they jogged towards the bird. Seeing that Galeila didn’t fully run, Rume did so too almost close to a jog — but it would be more accurate to say it was running.

Lein on the other hand hesitated at first.

“But running is such a pain!”

Galeila ignored her complaints. However, Rume turned as she ran and beckoned Lein.

“Come, Miss Lein!”

“Is it really necessary to run?”

She hesitantly jogged trying to catch up to the pair.

“Wait, I can fly! Why the hell do I have to run?”

She smirked upon realizing an easier method. She cast a flight spell on herself and her feet separated from the ground. She caught up to the pair in no time at all, with no sweat at that.

“Eh? That’s cheating Miss Lein!”

“It’s called using anything at your disposal. It’s not cheating at all.”

“Is that so?” Galeila said with furrowed brows and squinting eyes.

“It is so.”

“Maybe I should dispel that flight spell, Lein.”

“Don’t do that! If it suddenly disappears while I’m moving, it will hurt and my it will damage my skin!”

Galeila merely formed a mischievous grin.

“Don’t think I won’t defend myself!”

She held out her hand in self defense. Waiting for the right moment. Rume chuckled at seeing the both of them.

“Well, we are losing it, we might as well fly.”

Galeila cast a flight spell on Rume.

“Woah.”

She was surprised that she suddenly floated into the air. However, immediately began gaining control. It was no different from when she was flying around the floating islands. Galeila also began to fly.

The grass beneath them swayed and rustled as the breeze went by. Her skin felt the cold sensation as the wind went through her. The trio flew side by side along the edge of the land. Shortly after, the creature on which they were chasing after was now within their sight. This time however, it was now standing on land.

Before it was what appeared to be a nest. No, it was definitely a nest, as expected it was as big as the bird. Yet, Rume still couldn’t help but feel amazed. When they were a fair distance from the giant bird creature, Galeila signaled them to land.

Rume gently landed her feet back to the ground with ease. She sighed in relief, she thought she might mess it up at decelerating and the landing. There was one problem though. She still floated back up a bit. The spell was still in effect.

“Um, how can I stop… flying?”

“You haven’t yet started your first lesson. Plus, considering your age. I expect it to be hard for you to dispel it yourself. Galeila, I suggest you cast your Dispel spell.”

“True.”

She cast the spell that Rume heard as Dispel. The next moment, her feet planted firmly on the soil. Now she felt completely normal.

“Is it that hard for me to stop the spell itself?”

Rume asked Lein.

“With no experience with magic, it will be time consuming to try learning it now.”

“.... I understand.”

“Alright then, let’s go. Bear in mind to be careful as we approach, no sudden movements.”

Galeila said as she led the team forward. Rume stuck close behind Galeila, feeling tensed as she got closer to the creature. The giant bird was laying down within its large nest, its feathers were quite endearing to see.

I want to touch it…

Suddenly, the bird cocked its head as though sensing the ones coming from several meters away. As expected, its eyes came straight looking at them. Seeing this, Rume turned stiff and hid behind Galeila.

However, the giant bird merely stared at them. There was a small sense of hostility. Meanwhile, it tilted its head as though curious of the three. It was then that Rume saw Galeila smiling broadly. Her pace was slow as she whistled with a gentle tune. The bird displayed a bit of reaction.

As the three got closer, the creature stood up, its wings slightly spread out.

“Kiiiyaaa!”

Its giant beak opened as it gave off a loud sound.

“O creature of the skies. I am an Overseer of Mother Nature. Thou shall not need to feel threatened, for we come in peace. We hold no animosity nor enmity. Thus, thy mighty creature of the skies may be at ease.”

Galeila's words and manner of speaking were grand and gentle while carrying a sense of superiority. The bird seemed to lower its guard upon hearing her words. It began tilting its head, but now it held no trace of hostility nor aggressiveness. It was like the bird understood Galeila’s words.

“Kiya!”

Now the giant bird sounded less threatening than before. Now that Rume had a closer look. Its feathers had the majority of green with a minority of blue along with a few streaks of yellow. On its tails, upon those several spreaded feathers, each had what resembled golden eyes. Rume couldn’t help but gasp.

Before she knew it, they were now standing before its nest. Galeila slowly extended her arm towards the neck of the bird. As she touched it, the bird lowered its head, Galeila started to caress it with both of her hands. The bird seemed to like it as it closed its eyes.

I want to touch it too…

She kept her own thoughts. However, Galeila sensed her pleas and offered the little girl a hand.

“There is nothing to worry about now. This little fellow is no one violent anyway.”

Rume nodded and took Galeila’s hand as she guided her closer to the bird. Rume felt a soft sensation with a bit of fluffiness. A wide smile formed on her face.

“Hahahaha!”

She began caressing then rubbing it with both her hands. She felt fulfilled.

“There there.”

She whispered to the bird. Unable to resist the temptation, she rested her head to the bird’s neck. A pleasant sensation spread through her entire system.

“How soft…”

She pressed her head more until one side was buried in its feathers.

“You can talk to the bird, Miss Galeila?”

“Animals are part of nature. Speaking with them is easy.”

“Awesome.”

Lein also approached the bird and patted its head.

“What a friendly creature. What is it called?”

“A Fealias. Actually, they’re an endangered species.”

“Endangered, huh. I wouldn’t say an open field like this is a safe place for his creature to have its nest.”

Lein spread her arms as she referred to the open field with no trees but only plain grasses.

“I mean, there is the forest right there.”

She pointed towards the forest a fair distance away.

“Being in the open like this, quite risky, I would say.”

“Indeed, but the Fealias have reasons why they prefer to be in an open space.”

“Do tell.”

“Firstly, in the forest, there lurks beasts and creatures that would prey upon it and its eggs.”

“... That makes sense.”

“Second, in an open field, they can easily tell if there’s any creature around them. That way they won’t be caught in surprise.”

“That’s actually a good point.”

“Thirdly, due to its sheer size, it wouldn’t be able to defend itself. In an open space, it can easily fly and maneuver around, catching its enemy with its fierce talons. Within a forest, the tall trees will be in the way.”

“I see… But wouldn’t they just be better making a nest on or atop a mountain?”

“Indeed. Some do have nests on mountains. However, this one seems to prefer here… or there must be another reason. Perhaps it was driven out.”

Galeila looked at the far distance in the middle of the vast sea. There stretched up multiple stone pillars. There were terrifyingly high, this large creature could have chosen that place. However, for some reason it didn’t.

“Maybe go ahead and ask it.”

“My animal whisper is only one sided, remember? Animals can’t speak to me.”

“... Of course.”

Galeila took a peek to its nest and raised her eyebrow.

“It appears to have eggs to protect.”

Rume heard something interesting and curiosity followed.

“Can I take a look?”

She asked Galeila to make sure if it would be alright and safe. The last thing she wanted was for the bird to suddenly attack her.

“Of course.”

Rume moved to the side of the nest. However, a problem came. She was too short. The top was beyond her reach. Thus, there was no way she could see it.

Seeing this, Galeila hefted her up.

“Um, thank you.”

Then there, beneath the bird were a pair of eggs. As the bird was big, so naturally were the eggs. It was the first time Rume saw eggs of that size. In fact, they were bigger than her. She might not be able to lift one.

“You see it?”

“Yup. I wonder how long they will hatch.”

“Hmmm. It appears to be recent, about a week. Expect those to hatch in more than a month.”

“That’s a long wait.”

“Indeed it is, but it still depends on the presence of their mother.” 

Rume returned her eyes to the eggs. She thought it was adorable that their mother was taking care of them. However, why was it that she was feeling jealous? She didn’t know.

Then Galeila spoke to her again.

“You’re quite light, Rume. Do you eat a decent amount?”

Rume couldn’t say she was eating a decent amount. For her, she was just eating while she had something to eat. Eating what food was available.

“... Well, I eat what I can have my hands on.”

Galeila slightly tilted her head as she stared at Rume.

“I see. Then, tomorrow, we shall hold a small feast in the glade.”

Rume imagined piles of food laid on a table. Her image of a feast was quite extravagant, with assorted types of food, more than she could hope to eat. If that happens, it will undoubtedly need a lot of effort. There was no way she could trouble Galeila with that.

Rume shook her head after Galeila lowered her down.

“You don’t have to do that, Miss Galeila.”

Rume expected it would be over right there. However, Galeila shook her head in return with stern eyes.

“I insist. There’s nothing that will stop me.”

She gave Rume a massive grin. Her mesmerizing jaden eyes locked onto Rume’s eyes. Galeila seemed determined and her eyes were unwavering. Seeing this, Rume resigned on trying to refuse.

“... If you say so.”

Galeila chuckled while patting Rume’s head. She was so small and adorable, like a baby, so fragile. Galeila sort of wanted to look into what Rume’s situation was like when time gives the opportunity.

“There is no need for concern, little Rume. You don’t have to think about all the effort I need, just leave it to me. Though I’m afraid all I can offer are mostly fruits.”

“Anything is fine.”

“But I assure you, I will give you different kinds so you can get to taste and see different fruits.”

“Thank you!”

What Rume was able to eat was only a few kinds of fruits, and mostly all she could eat was one piece, enough just to get a taste. Berries were the only ones she could eat most of the time. Thus, she was excited to taste a bit more of what this world has to offer.

“Now then, we should not disturb this bird any longer. It loves its peace and quiet, especially when it has babies to protect.”

“Okay.”

Rume felt a bit sad that she needed to leave the bird. She reluctantly retracted her hands from the soft and incredibly fluffy feather.

“See you.”

Rume whispered to the bird with a sweet smile. The bird tweeted as though responding to Rume. Well, it was mostly like a beast’s roar considering its size. Fortunately, it didn’t sound loud as to deafen anyone around.