"What's an earthmate?" Jai looked confused.
At the question, Galum smiled. "It means 'friends of the earth'."
"Is that how you earth elemers call yourselves?" Jai asked.
Galum shook his head. "No, it's not. People of the earthdom have no saying for elemers. We treat each other equally."
Jai hummed. "So people from the earth kingdom are all earthmates?"
Galum nodded.
"Please don't get offended by his questions. He lived in a cave and just come out," Darrion said after sipping empty his drink. He was afraid this new guy would think Jai was insulting.
Galum's eyebrows rose and he looked at Jai, "really?"
Jai had this slightly irritated look on his face, "no, I did not. Darrion!"
Barun chuckled, "Jai had an unfortunate accident and lost his memory."
Galum 'ooh'-ed, and then he smiled, "but you did great in the
“My parents are sick. I want to get the prize to buy medicine for them.”Jai raised his eyebrows, surprised at how bold Galum shared his story.“I'm sorry, child. What are they inflicted with?” Barun asked in concern.Galum frowned. He blinked a few times and pursed his lips. “The lady doctor said they have Apias disease..”Darrion perked up, “Apias disease?”Galum lit up as well, “you know about it?”Darrion’s mouth twisted, “isn’t it the disease from a kind of insect?”Galum nodded, “the lady doctor said the same thing. She also said that only Aeronvein would have the cure for it. So I came here, looking for one.”Jai noticed the big guy looked down again, his eyes frowned in sadness, “I am worried about them... So I have to win this competition.”As Jai listened to Galum, he felt connected to him somehow. Jai’s mother was als
Darisha, Darrion's mom, was just like how Darrion had described. She was very kind and she welcomed Jai and Galum warmly. Well... She actually welcomed them excitedly right when they entered the house."Dari sweetie! Welcome home! Oh! Who are these gentlemen?" She greeted them."Hi, mom! They're my new friends! This is Jai, our handsome unique elemer," smirking, Darrion introduced her to Jai who bowed his head."Nice to meet you, madam," Jai smiled politely at the lady.Darisha 'aww'-ed at him and pinched his cheek softly. "You are so adorable, Jai!"Jai blushed and awkwardly standing there in the middle of the room. This lady reminded him of his friends' mothers in high school. They coo at him like he was a baby.Then Darrion gestured his hand to Galum and introduced the big guy with a bright grin, "and this is Galum, our humble giant. He's an Earthmate!"
Jai fixed the sheets on the bed while Galum swept the floor. They were currently in the 2nd floor, in the guest room where Galum will be staying. Darrion had shown them to the rooms where they will be staying in. Jai's would be closer to Darisha's, on the left side from the stairs. While Galum's will be right next to Darrion's, on the right side."This room is already clean, why should we sweep it?" Galum asked. He swept to the door and looked around the room.Jai tapped the sheet a few times to make it swift and smooth. Then he replied Galum, "Formalities? How can you be so sure it's so clean?"Galum held the broom in front of him and looked at Jai, "The floor may be wood planks, but I can still feel anything in this room's floor. That includes small layers of dust. But I don't feel dusts on the ground."The big guy glanced down and felt the floor with his toes.Jai had this blank expression
Jai and Galum arrived in front of the church. It was built with yellow bricks, and there were debris everywhere nearby. Darisha was right to say it was abandoned, but it wasn’t just the church. The surroundings were also in ruins. Jai couldn't imagine what kind of buildings ever bulit here. But the remainings were quite saddening. This was like the equivalent of a building junkyard. Thankfully, there were no small garbage or wrappers alike.There was only a small house in front of the ally though, owned by one friendly old couple whom they passed on their way here.The big front door of the church was closed. It looked very rusty, and when Galum pushed it a bit, it gave a crank sound. Then Galum retreated, saying that it’s not safe to enter.“The structure is weak in this front gate. The back of it is not very fragile, but the front, hmm...” Galum hummed, looking at the front walls of the church with slight worry.
“Focus, big guy!” Jai did a spinning kick and hit Galum’s side.Galum grunted and was pushed a few steps to the side. He kicked up a small grave to keep him from further losing his balance.The earthmate gulped. Sweat rolled from the side of his face to his chin.Jai turned out to be a very worthy opponent. Galum watched Jai’s first battle in the tournament, with that earth elemer whom he defeated very easily. He believed Jai to be powerful, but he did not think that Jai was actually this powerful. And very fast!“Your enemies won’t wait you to strike them, Galum. Do not let your guard down even to suck in a breath,” Jai said calmly. His posture was flawless. His expression was calm, but Galum could sense the vibe Jai was exhibiting. And the big guy felt intimidated.Galum felt like he was standing in front of a Roobit, an earth monster that’s cute but has deadly fists. They were so fast and very smart in
Ater cleaning up, they had dinner together. Darisha’s cooking was superb! It reminded Jai of his own grandmother. She loves cooking and her cooking was always delicious. Jai missed her.They had a chat together after dinner, and Jai learned more about Darrion’s family. His father was travelling the continent, studying medicine. While Darrell, his brother, was working in the water nation in the south east. The guy only comes home once in a few months.Darisha told them that she always enjoyed the company because there were only Darrion and her in the house.“Sometimes, when Darrion is working, Auntie gets so lonely and decides to visit some friends. But it’s still lonely sometimes...”Darrion smiled at her mother, “I try coming home early everyday, and she always smothers me whenever I came home.”Darisha didn’t even protest. Instead, smugly smiling and replied something alongside a mother has right
Darrion sent a kick to Jai’s side.The black haired guy couldn’t dodge in time, so he blocked it by crouching his body a bit and positioned his left hand to his side.Jai grunted as Darrion’s foot came in contact with his hand.Darrion didn’t stop there. The blonde spun his body and sent another kick.This time Jai dodged, although barely, backwards.Darrion took a second to breathe.“That’s good, Darrion,” Jai said as the blonde sucked in heavy breaths.Darrion huffed, “do you think that’s enough?”Sweats were rolling on the side of his face.Jai nodded, “for now, yes. At least you can combine that with your blower.”“My what?” Darrion frowned.“When you kick, use your wind too. Either to speed up your kick, or to give more impact, so that you can blow your opponents backwards. Just like what you did with that teena
"Lunch, kick, spikes... Wait. Punch, kick, spikes..." Galum mumbled as he tried to alternate between eating his sandwich and practicing. He was trying to combine the moves he learned from Jai and his earth control.Jai watched him with an amused face as he munched on his own sandwich. They were having a short break. Darisha had brought them sandwiches and blue tea. As bizarre as it sounds, and looks, it was really blue in color. The taste was actually mildly sweet. And a bit like blueberry. Jai loved it.Darrion was looking at the sky as he chewed on his cherry tomato. His head was tilting left and right, like a little boy who was thinking of what to play next. But Jai knew he was deep in thought. Probably reviewing about Jai's lecture.When they're done eating, they continued on with the training.Sadly, it didn't rain like Jai had hoped. They came home at dusk."So if I fly over to
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