Darrion thanked the old lady for the jellyroll and returned to Jai’s side. Both of them waved at the kind lady before continuing their walking.
“That lady is very kind.” Jai said while gesturing the milk bread in his hand.
Darrion nodded at his new friend then munched on his jellyroll. “She abually beefed beer nga hong anvil who wuzgo.”
“Sorry Darrion, I don’t speak the language of the wind.” Jai bit his own bread and chewed.
Darrion swallowed before repeating, “She actually lived near my home until two years ago.”
Jai swallowed and hummed in satisfaction. “This bread is sweet and good. I guess moving here doesn’t have any effect on her baking skills?”
Darrion smiled smugly, “Of course not, Mama Kali’s sweets are always good. Even when her son married and they need someo
“Let me point out to you the routes first. Look at the sheets above your heads, folks!” The MC said.Three big screens suddenly appeared in three directions. One of the screens appeared just a few feet from Jai and Darrion, and it was very clear. It was probably another control of the element Jai didn’t understand, but Jai didn’t care. Jai felt as if he was watching a presentation through a projector, and he was quite impressed with it.The screen was showing a map. A little bit to the right from the left edge of the map was a rectangle and there was a big smudge or something on the right part of the map. Jai guessed that rectangle was Aeronvein Kingdom, the place where he was right now. But he had no idea for the smudge-like picture.
The situation became very tense, and as soon as the whistle was blown, some commotion already took place. The participants were battling one another immediately for the tokens.“Darrion, run!” Jai yelled before running to the direction of the South Gate.Darrion immediately ran too and caught up beside him.“Do we really need to steal the tokens?” Jai asked while running, he subsequently checked behind him.“The MC did say three tokens AND three things, so yes, I think we need to get others’ tokens.” Darrion answered.“Damn,” Jai cursed. He turned his head to the front and something caught in his eyes.
Jai and Darrion went past the South Gate and instantly met a beautiful sea of colorful flowers.Jai widened his eyes and exclaimed loudly his fascination, “Dear God! This is the flower meadow?!”He had never been to a flower field, so he was starstruck. Even in the Before, he could only watch it live in a weather report.Darrion laughed, “I would be happy to hear you say “It’s amazing!” again... But we have a race to win, Jai, so save the excitement till later.”Jai shook his head in disbelief. But the wide smile was still on his face as he and Darrion walked on the wide pathway in the middle of the flower field. ‘Oh this place will be a good background image. I wish I still had my phone with me.’“Hey, the others are looking at their tokens. Let’s check ours.” Darrion said, waking Jai from his thoughts.Jai glanced at the people on the meadows. There were already lots of people her
Bernie climbed on the stairs with his spear in hand. He had just finished his lunch and he was returning to his post at the big windmill. The big windmill was… Well… Big. It stood 60 feet tall with each of its propellers 10 feet long, facing the lake. The inside was quite spacious like a small house, with stairs leading to the top. Bernie was climbing these stairs to get to his post on the top of the windmill.Cool wind blew him quite hard when he reached the top. But it is the usual greeting every soldier stationed at the windmill get. It signified peace.“Bernie! You didn’t bring any food out here?” his partner said.“Your shift is over, Karl. Go down and eat your fill,” Bernie said.Karl whined playfully, “But I still wanna watch over the lady~”Bernie scoffed, “It’s a body of water, Karl. Go eat.”
They ran past the last windmill and kept on running. There were also participants running far in front of them and behind them. The lake was still visible but very far in their southeast, and the twinkle in its surface intrigued Jai to come to it and have a sip.He had really underestimated his physique and stamina. He admitted he was quite surprised when the first round was a race. Just a tiny bit surprised. But he tried not to think about it. He was confident he could do it because he usually jogs.However, morning jogs of a regular man and an athlete are already different. His morning jog might be a walk in the park for athletes… The point is, there’s a huge gap. That was why he thought the distance was very, very far. It surprised him by a lot. It was like running from Brooklyn to Manhattan but he had to swim to the Liberty and glide over to New Jersey first. He had never done all of that, but he was plain tired that he couldn’t help but exagger
Zraaasshh! Zraaaashh!! Ssshhh!! Ssshh!!“Hahaha!! Drench you tiny ants! Drench and DROWN!! HAHAHA!!” a man’s crackly voice satisfyingly laughed. It sounded extremely cheerful contrast to the things it had just spoken.“Someone’s eager,” another voice followed, it was heavier and calmer.“It’s not every day I get to drench unknown people without any consequences. Our minister rules!” the crackly and cheerful voice laughed again. And then he yelled “DIIIIIIE!!” with a vengeance.Major Darwen Kirly watched as his subordinate hardly patted the big dark blue tool on their right while looking downward with absolute satisfaction. The Major’s blue orbs then glanced at the runes he had placed on the tool. The runes were glowing light blue and circling the big jar, signing they were still going strong.“These runes will last until the race is over, right?” his subordinate asked.The Major tur
Jai leapt to the two guards standing by the post and immediately asked if they have something that can carry water.Both guards looked at him before the one with the spear said, “I guess we have iron mugs you can use.”Jai’s face lit up, “Yes, please!”“I’ll get it for you,” the spearman said before going to the post to retrieve it. It didn’t take long for the man to come back with an iron mug.Jai thanked them and took the mug with him to the wall to get some water. Once he did, he pulled the mug to his chest and examined his hands. His left hand was holding the log while his right hand was holding the mug. It would be difficult to run without spilling the water. He could always refill if he ran alongside the wall, but he’ll be a goner once he hit the main road. Somehow he thought over Darrion’s suggestion about using his mouth, but h
Jai instantly sat down and leaned back to the fountain on his back. His chest was moving very visibly, in addition to his shoulders shuddering a bit. Darrion sat in front of him and smiled somehow apologetically looking at him. Jai, however, had ignored everything around him and focused solely on his breathing.“You barely made it,” Darrion said.Jai only gave him a grin as he was too tired to respond. He felt something on his lap and he noticed that he was still holding the water container. He frowned, “My water! Damn!”“What’s wrong?” Darrion asked.Jai tapped the water container on his lap, “Why did I bring it with me? They won’t be able to count it.”Darrion gestured for him to calm down, “Hey relax. They noted as soon as you reached the gate, it’s up to us to keep the items or not.”Jai blinked, “Really?”Darrion grinned and nodded, “Yes. So calm down and just
Jai felt something wrapped around his stomach from behind. He immediately looked down to his waist, spotting two smaller sized hands coiling on his waist.‘A kid, obviously. But who is it?’ Jai wondered. This was a baby shower event, so he wasn’t feeling weird if children attend too. The question is, who is this kid?He tried to turn around to look at the hugger, but the kid was hugging him tight. It wouldn’t be hard to push it, but he was reluctant because it’s a kid. He knew there’s nothing he could do but ask.“Oh? Hello? Is there anything you need?” Jai asked with a friendly tone.He could hear giggles, but the kid didn’t answer his question.“Oh are we playing guess?” Jai asked.More giggles.“It’s a boy.” Someone whispered from his left side. A familiar voice yet he could not name.“Hey!” The boy protested.But from that tone alone, Jai could already figure out who it is. So he said. “Hello, Ruta-kun.”The kid let him go and Jai could finally turn around. True, it was Ruta. The
On the day when the baby shower was held, Jai arrived at the place with Baji.The venue is in a mansion in the North Town. Jai hadn’t been in that certain neighbourhood, but he finally understood that the North Town is the place for the riches, and the neighbourhood they were in is probably among the richest. The mansion building is tall, and the garden is so wide. There’s a medium sized pond with two gazebos on the side, and then there’s also a small orchard on the right side of the mansion.Baji leaned in to whisper something. “The party is in the back garden. And keep your mouth shut, please. You’re a famous guy and I don’t want you looking stupid.” Then he leaned back.Jai immediately closed his unconsciously parted lips and recited the plan. He couldn’t, of course, confront an important figure of a clan in a crowded venue. So Baji and Gilbert had made a plan to help him talk alone with Fuuji Fu in the venue. He just have to make sure he could deal with the ‘fans’, though he hoped
It isn’t a doubt that Cynthia was reluctant to share that information with Harris because Jai was there. So Jai proposed to the brunette to re-visit the place later in the day to ask about it.Baji was there when they returned, and Jai immediately told him about the findings he got also to consult about the Fiery Lotus.Baji crossed his arms on his chest and nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s fortunate that a promising lead is finally here. We’re sorry for the late initiative from our part. We should’ve worked harder.”He didn’t think that he would receive an apology from Baji. But it showed that the man is a responsible person. Jai shook his head. “It’s alright. From the start, it was already a scavenger hunt. But do you know anything about either of those?”Baji fixed his seating before he explained. “Well about the Chief of Fuuji, he’s a strict person on males. He’s nice to females, and he’s really into babies. There’s only one male person he had shown his friendly side to in public,
“So uhh, this person whom you mentioned before with Tsubasa is a very important person. And you want to ask him about Alex?” Darrion asked when they were in the carriage, heading back.Jai narrowed his eyes. “Why aren’t you being straightforward?”“I’m a bit tired from today. There are so many deliveries like yesterday. But ahh… I’m more tired in trying to understand what they say.” Darrion said with nervous smile.Jai forgot that his friend is not adept in Shouha language, it must be hard to work without understanding what anyone is saying.“Sorry.” Jai apologized.Darrion nodded. “It’s fine. Let’s just stick to no name for now, if possible. I… Can’t really erect a barrier right now.”“Sure.” Jai nodded. “The… Family, you know, told me about him. Saying that he is the first person we can ask about Alex. But he has a very high standing, as you’ve listened to me and the father talked about him, so it won’t be easy to talk to him.”“I see. So that’s why you go to them. They can be consi
"Sorry if it's too much of me to ask." Jai said."Oh no, no. It's fine. But my mother is not at home though, is that alright?" Yuta asked as he turned to Jai and Darrion behind him."It's alright. It's very sudden after all." Jai said."Alright then. Would tea be alright?" Yuta asked."Yes. It's fine. Thank you." Jai answered.Fu Fuuji is the head chief of one of the notorious Ten Guardian Clans, the Fuuji clan. After leaving the Komatsu’s residence, he was thinking about how to get in touch with this person. And the Akamine clan is the first thing that came into Jai’s mind.While they don’t really owe him a favor, this family is the closest connection that he has to the Fuuji clan, because they’re also one of the Ten Guardian Clans.Also, he knew that it’s not guaranteed that he would get an audience with Fu Fuuji through the Akamine. There’s a possibility that they are enemies with each other. But he would at least try to ask. So here they were, in the Akamine clan’s residence.Yuta
Returning to the present.“Little Sparks. Fiery Lotus. What the hell are those?” Jai asked as they left the compound.“Quiet down. You’re gonna get us killed for that.” Claude remindedJai turned around and talked in slight whisper. “If it’s associated with the Queen, that means it’s very private. In the North Town, in a community place like thing. It doesn’t ring any bells from the previous search. Do you know anything about it?”He saw an empty horse mount coming in their direction and waved it.The mount stopped in front of them and they immediately climbed in the carriage. “Southeast Windlet Post Office.” He told the horse mount driver.Weaving the air barrier thicker, Claude replied. “I don’t. I’m a hunter, not a mercenary. How do you suppose I know these things?”Jai smiled shortly with a shrug. “Maybe? Ah… But this is a major progress in the case. At least we know he’s not dead, and it will take more effort to rescue him now.” Jai smiled.Claude stared at Jai suspiciously. “Why
They were led to a corridor which have several doors across from each other. Alex immediately knew they are resting rooms, because he could see a bed from one of the opened doors.One of the committees, the previous guy who shot the Cloud Viewing Rune in the ceremony, pulled his hood down, showing his blonde hair. Then he turned around while the other committees went past him, leaving him to deal with the new freshmen batch.“Good morning. My name is Liam. I am one of the guild members and I am one of the supervisors of the freshmen. Well, not really supervisor, but I’m the one they put in charge to look after you when the super seniors are out. Like right now. Oh and umm, I’m not alone. I have my friends with me to look after you. So please don’t do anything rash, because we outpower you by a lot. And we prefer not to hit you, because you’re a potential junior. Please be nice to each other, okay?”Alex didn’t really pay attention. He stopped listening when he uttered the fourth sente
That morning on the day when Jai went to the Komatsu’s house, Alex had already settled in ‘the place’.He wasn’t familiar with the kingdom, as such, he didn’t know where he was taken to.And since he was late, he was grouped with those who were also late. Many eyes stared at him when he entered the room—it was an average room with beds—reserved only for those who arrived late.Apparently, those who arrived first had attended the ceremony and the first phase—and those who were late had to attend on their own. But they would be gathered together after that, and he would be able to meet his roommate. That was what Master Fu said yesterday when he dropped him off. But the old man wasn’t lying.He went through a sleepless night—because there were many others here that he didn’t know and he wasn’t keen on getting surprise attacked in the middle of his sleep. But the night went by uneventfully, fortunately.He and the others were given a tray of scone and tea to start the day. He didn’t eat
“Don’t. Test. Me.”Jai’s eyes glowed brighter for a second as he emphasized the last words.The civilians, of course flinched at his threat. All of them knew him as a humble and righteous young man. Always smiling and looked very kind. They never knew this side of him. That’s why they were very surprised. The Kizuato group wasn’t included though, they were there exactly to prevent Jai doing what he planned to do.Akane, who had have enough of her parents’ plan, stood up.“Akane-chan!” Rio tried to stop her, but she went anyway and spoke.But instead of retaliating at the guest in their house like the rest of her family, she was looking at her mother instead. “Just tell him, mother!”Rio frowned deep at her. “What are you saying, Akane?”Akane gritted her teeth. “Just tell him!! If you tell him, no one will be hurt!”Rio shut her mouth and swallowed, but she didn’t say anything.Akane looked at her mother with bewildered expression. “If you don’t, then I will.” She turned to Jai. But