Coming to the edge of the forest, the two found on the farm, Bell's grandfather, Deus, chopping firewood.
"We're back!"
Looking up, Deus saw them walking towards him.
"Oh? You're back already? What? Changed your mind?" He asked, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel around his neck.
"Nah. We jumped straight into training, we forgot to bring lunch or snacks. The kid got hungry so we had to cut it short for today."
Kaelis indicated towards Bell with his thumb drawing a sheepish smile from him.
"Ah, I see. So are you guys gonna head back after getting things to eat or…"
Kaelis shook his head. "Not today. We'll continue his training tomorrow… and we'll bring lunch so we'll be at it til sun down."
Deus raised an eyebrow. Sun down?
He then glanced towards Bell, who flashed a grin.
Turning back to Kaelis, he couldn't help but sigh. "Don't break my boy, please."
"Don't worry about it." Kaelis chuckled. "He'll only feel like he's breaking."
"Not very reassuring, but it's enough." Deus nodded before continuing.
"Well since you guys are free now, how about helping lil ole me around the farm? I could use an extra hand."
"Sure. What do you need help with?" Kaelis had no problem.
"I'll help too!" Not wanting to be left out, Bell volunteered as well.
"No. You've done enough, go take a rest inside or watch." Deus shot him down firmly.
Bell's head drooped, giving Kaelis the impression that Bell is a rabbit whose ears dropped.
"Go take the seat, kid."
"…ok…" He turned and wobbled off.
"So what do you want me to help with?"
Thinking for a minute, Deus started listing off all the things needed to be done.
"We need to feed the animals, check if they have enough water, check for loose fence boards and tending to the field and cleaning tools. Should be done by this evening."
"…Do you normally do these by yourself?" Kaelis couldn't help but ask.
"Hahaha! Everyday for the past 10 years!" He laughed boisterously.
"You're gonna pull your back out at some point you know. Why not hire someone to help or something?"
"I'm quite strong. I used to deal with people stronger than you kid."
"Sure sure." Kaelis shrugged. "By the way, you got any sheep on the farm?"
"Yea. A few of them are in the pasture right now. Don't have to worry about them."
Deus pointed out further, where a dozen sheep could be seen. "Why you ask? Love sheep or something?"
Kaelis eyes shone a bit at the sight of numerous sheep. "Yea I like mutton. But that is not the reason why I asked."
"Hmm?"
Kaelis spread his arms out in a t-pose. "Take a good look at me."
Deus looked at him from head to toe, not noticing what Kaelis was getting at.
Seeing that Deus was taking too long to catch on, Kaelis couldn't wait any longer. He burst out:
"My clothes! Look at my clothes! Don't you see the difference between yours and mine? Mine is cool and elegant while yours is way too common! I can't wear that! And I definitely can't keep wearing this one forever." He rambled on without stopping.
"And that's where the sheep comes in. They got wool that I need." He finished as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"…"
Deus was undoubtedly speechless by this young man's shamelessness.
He did find the attire unusual—well-made even and yesterday he suspected Kaelis might be of royal lineage.
But his lack of knowledge on the current state of the world would be impossible for such a person.
Being called out for his plain clothing didn't bother him in the slightest.
He and his companions did wear more extravagant outfits back where they came from—just nothing like the strange, refined style Kaelis was wearing now.
"…So…You want wool…to make clothes." Deus now understood.
His gaze then alternated between Kaelis outfit and his.
Even if he doesn't feel bad about his clothes, it shouldn't hurt to have some cool ones, right.
"Yea you can use their wool. But you're the one who's gonna trim them you hear." He said.
"Thanks. I got no problem with that." Kaelis nodded.
For someone like him—someone who reincarnated from a modern society and tossed into a world far less technologically advanced—clothing was always a problem.
In these worlds, clothes were either comfortable or good-looking, but almost never both.
So, over his long existence, he taught himself how to gather materials and make what he wanted.
Wool from sheep, basic sewing, crafting his own outfits—he learned it all.
"But…" Deus continued turning his face the other way. "Let me get two of those outfits. You ain't gonna deny an old man luxury, right?"
"You're shameless.."
"Hmph! Could say the same to you." Deus retorted as they broke out into laughter.
After explaining all that, Kaelis asked, "So then, what do you want me to help with on the farm?"
Deus thought for a moment.
"Hmm… I guess you could make sure the cows, goats, and chickens have enough water. Yeah, toss some feed to the chickens too—the feed's in the farmhouse, and you can get water from the well. Oh, and check whether any of the animals have wandered too far from the pen. I'll handle the rest."
Kaelis nodded like it was no big deal. "Alright, I got it."
He went to the farmhouse first, found the feed bag in the corner, and hauled it outside.
The chickens immediately swarmed him like he owed them money.
"Relax, relax," he muttered, tossing the feed out in wide handfuls.
The chickens dove in, clucking and flapping like it was the best thing they'd ever seen.
Next, he headed to the well.
After a few pulls, a couple buckets of water, and the troughs were filled.
He didn't break a sweat, but he did take a second to enjoy the breeze while the cows stared at him like he'd interrupted a very serious meeting.
Then he made a round by the pens.
Most of the animals were right where they were supposed to be—except for one goat that had wandered off and was pretending to be innocent.
Kaelis pointed at it. "You. Back."
The goat bleated in protest but followed him anyway.
By the time he wrapped everything up, he realized he'd done a bit extra—fixed a loose hinge, cleaned a corner of the barn, refilled a forgotten bucket.
Nothing complicated. Just things he noticed while walking around. That's what a long boring life gets you.
He brushed off his hands, satisfied. Honestly, it wasn't so bad.
A distance away, Deus paused mid-swing with his axe, watching him.
Kaelis had been told to do a few chores… and somehow ended up doing half the farm.
"This isn't your first time working on a farm is it?" He asked still chopping wood.
"No, not really." Kaelis shook his head. "My mother used to own a farm."
"Hmm. And what happened to her?"
"Dead now." Kaelis said calmly
Deus paused mid swing and side eyed him. "Sorry to hear that."
Kaelis chuckled softly. "Don't worry too much. It happened many years ago. I'm just reminiscing."
The two continued to have a conversation about many minor topics ranging from Mundane tasks to everyday life.
Unknowingly the hours went by quickly when you enjoyed your time and the sun quickly began setting.
"It looks like we got carried away in our talk. I really enjoyed your company. Nice to have young people to talk to once in a while." Deus laughed heartily.
They had just finished packing up their equipment and were heading back towards the house.
"What about the other villagers? You don't talk to them much?" Kaelis wondered.
Deus shook his head. "Not much. We live quite a ways apart so we have little opportunity to talk unless we are going to another town."
"Must've been lonely for you then."
"Nah. I got Bell to keep me company so I haven't gone crazy with boredom."
Once inside the house, they found Bell sleeping on the settee Kaelis 'slept' in.
"Looks like he was tired from waiting too long."
Deus chuckled, picking him up in his arms.
"I'll tuck him in. You can use the books on the shelf as you wish."
He was about to walk off when he paused and turned once more. "Oh and one more thing…"
"Make yourself at home."
Flashing a smile Kaelis merely responded. "I will."
Chapter 32 end.
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A little bonding between old mean isn't gonna do any harm.