Vel stirred awake, the morning light filtering through the canvas of the tent. Landre lay beside him, her face peaceful but marked with exhaustion. She clutched her book loosely against her chest, as if even in slumber she refused to part with it.
Vel slipped out quietly, careful not to disturb her. Outside, voices drifted between tents as survivors started their morning routines. Mari crouched near a small fire, stirring something in a pot while Von inspected his sword under the shade of a tree.
"Morning," Vel mumbled, stepping closer to Mari.
"Morning, Vel," Mari replied without looking up. "Landre still asleep?"
He nodded.
"Let her rest," she said gently. "She worked herself too hard yesterday."
Vel sat on a flat rock near the fire, breathing in the scent of porridge. Von joined them shortly after, setting his sword aside.
"Looks like everything's holding up," he said, mostly to himself.
Mari passed Vel a bowl before handing one to Von. "Eat before it gets cold."
They ate in relative silence until Mari laughed softly. "You should've seen Landre yesterday. She nearly toppled over trying to carry all those herbs back."
Von smirked faintly. "That sounds like her." He took another bite before adding, "The search party's coming back today. Should arrive by noon."
Vel nodded, the news already weighing on him since yesterday.
"Which means I'll have some free time this afternoon," Von continued. "We can start your sword lessons with Celia then."
Vel blinked up at him, momentarily caught off guard. "Really?"
Von nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "She seems eager to learn, and you could use some proper guidance."
Mari glanced up, eyebrows raised in mild surprise. "Sword lessons? With Celia?" Her lips twitched as though suppressing a laugh. "What brought this on?"
Von shrugged. "The girl's got spirit, and Vel's been asking about it long enough. Figured it's time I did something about it."
Mari shook her head with a bemused smile. "You're going to turn them both into warriors now? What next? Landre learning archery?"
Von chuckled faintly but didn't answer, his attention already shifting toward the horizon.
"Finish eating first," Mari said with mock sternness, pointing her spoon at him before standing to tend to the pot again.
"Yes, Mom," Vel muttered, grinning despite himself as he returned to his meal.
---
After breakfast, Vel watched as Mari headed toward the fields with her tools and basket. He waited until she disappeared from view before starting toward the orphanage.
As he rounded a corner, a familiar voice caught his attention. Kein stood stiffly outside his home while his mother loomed over him, hands on her hips.
"This isn't how I raised you!" Her tone wavered. "Do you think he'd be proud of this?"
YOU ARE READING
GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation
FantasyWhen renowned game developer Giri meets his untimely end, he awakens as twelve-year-old Vel in the magical realm of Aeonalus-his own creation. Five hundred years have passed since he crafted the world, and Vel finds himself in the village of Oakhave...
