Max crossed his arms over his chest after listening to Vino's story about the Garuda Race. Closing his eyes, he nodded a few times then opened his eyes again and finally said. "I understand."
"You really understand?" Vino sounded enthusiastic.
"Why do I suspect he 'understands' in another sense and out of context!" quipped Miranda as she lifted the teacup in a very graceful manner.
Vino nodded in agreement with Miranda's remark. "That's right. What do you understand, Max?"
"I understand why you approached Miranda and were willing to be beaten by her. It was because you wanted offspring from Miranda, right?"
PLAKK!!! Miranda hit Max hard on the back.
"Ouch!" complained Max.
Kenrich and Harris laughed at Max's innocent words.
Vino, on the other hand, just laughed and scratched the back of his head because he heard Max's words.
"What did I do wrong? Did you hit me that hard?" Max complained, rubbing his back.
"Of course. You're talking out of your ass!" exclaimed Miranda.
Harris looked at Kenrich who was sitting to his right. "Another super excited kid for my lord to take care of."
"It's okay. They have their own uniqueness." Said Kenrich, who continued to sit back and enjoy his tea while watching the excitement made by Miranda, Max and Vino.
"Listen, Max. I do like Miranda. What man wouldn't like a beautiful girl like Miranda plus all her advantages as a Knight race! But unfortunately Garuda wasn't meant to be together!"
"Eh... why is that? Did someone not approve?"
"No, no. But a mixed-race marriage cannot have children. In fact, children are what the Garuda Race wants most to maintain its existence even though it continues to be considered a myth by ordinary humans." Vino explained calmly.
"But if you're in love, you'll do anything, right?" Harris asked Kenrich.
Vino, Max and Miranda all looked at Kenrich at the same time.
Kenrich turned to Harris, smiling slightly. "That's right!"
"Now that's enough for the Garuda Race and now it's Miranda's turn to explain about the half-tiger Race." Vino said and picked up his teacup while glancing at Miranda.
Miranda put down her teacup in a graceful manner and looked at Max. "Maybe you've found out for yourself before about the half-tiger race even though you can't change yet, because you're not old enough like Lord Kenrich said when we first met at school."
Max nodded. "Yes, I remember because it was just a few days ago. I did find out about the half-tiger race before meeting you all."
"Half tigers, our race actually also has its own advantages and disadvantages just like Garuda, as a knight race that is few in number. The half-tiger race can pass down its abilities to direct or indirect descendants. It can even increase the number of its descendants. It's just that the half-tiger race has a group of defectors from long ago!"
"A group of defectors?!" muttered Max.
Miranda nodded. "That's right. They are the ones who are seduced by the world and use its power to gain wealth and power! And what troubles us is that the number of defectors is greater, continuing to grow stronger by using their power on ordinary humans! It is for the reason of the growing number of defectors that you are now here! If you are a potential defector early on, before that happens then I will eliminate you as a representative of the Half-Tiger Race!"
"What?" Max was shocked. His face turned tense and began to turn pale as he took in each and every face in the room. "Was I brought here for that purpose?"
"AHAHAHAHA..." Miranda and Vino suddenly laughed together.
"They do like to joke around, so please understand." Harris said, holding back his laughter. So did Kenrich whose face had turned red from holding back laughter at the expression on Max's face.
"If that's true, you have the potential to be a deserter. Lord Kenrich knew it from the start and Miranda would have finished you off even if Lord Kenrich didn't approve." Harris was clearly still holding back his laughter.
Max let out a sigh of relief and his shoulders sagged in genuine fear. "Thank goodness... Grandpa also always reminds me, if I go to his house, not to get carried away by the tempting worldly society!"
"That's right!" said Kenrich.
"So did my grandpa give up his ability because he didn't want to become a deserter?"
Miranda nodded. "It could be. There have been people like that for a long time. That's all I can tell you. I hope you can take care of yourself later once you're old enough and can control your abilities!"
Max nodded firmly and smiled. "Of course." Then he added, "Are the mythical creatures just us? Because from what I've read, there are many mythical creatures!"
"Of course there are! The ones you'll definitely encounter are vampires and werewolves!" said Vino.
Miranda nodded. "We can gather like this because we are allies. Just so you know, there are more enemies than friends out there! Even the half-tiger race has defectors."
"That's right. And you should be careful if you meet any of those mythical creatures or half-tiger defectors! They won't hesitate to finish off a would-be half-tiger like you!" said Miranda.
"Just in case..." said Kenrich as he reached into a shirt pocket near his chest, pulling out something and revealing a ring that he was still holding.
"It doesn't have many functions, but it can protect you by suppressing your aura from being easily sensed by other mythical creatures. So that you are only considered as an ordinary human if you meet accidentally or by chance. Wear it and don't take it off as long as your power hasn't awakened!"
Max received a silver ring with an engraving that looked very antique.
Max put the ring on without hesitation as it fit perfectly on his right pinky finger. "Thank you, Lord Kenrich! Oh, yes. Can I go home?"
"Of course. You will not be detained here. You're free to go wherever you want!" said Kenrich with a friendly smile. "Do you want to go home now?"
"I think I've been here long enough. So I'm going home for fear of making my friends worry that I'll suddenly disappear!"
Kenrich nodded a few times. "That's right. You were taken away by Vino all of a sudden, your friends must be worried! But don't panic. The time in this place is slower than the time where you live!"
"Eh. Slower?" Max was a little confused.
Kenrich smiled broadly. "Yeah... that's it. It's good that no one feels like they're missing you when they come to my place. Hehehehe..."
"Wow... that's good too. Playing here with Miranda is fun too!" Max commented with a big smile.
"I like it here because it's quiet and I can practice to my heart's content using my full power without anyone wondering where I came from!" said Miranda casually.
"I like it here because I can look at Miranda for a long time! Hehehe..." said Vino with a burst of laughter, followed by Max, Kenrich and Harris.
Miranda looked to the side and sighed.