Wind blew in the square of a certain temple. This temple is high in the mountain. Just a few hundred meters from Coris Mausoleum. Many stories laid deep beneath this place, the stories that were long forgotten.
The sun had risen, its light peeked slightly from behind the covering clouds above the sacred place.
Pillars that used to sustain the roof above the wide square were standing every three meters on the square's side, no longer holding up anything for the canopy had long gone. The rubbles all around the place added the sense of abandonement to the ancient building.Between two pillars in the East side, there were two tables. Various type of weapons were laid on it. The irons reflected the light that shone upon them, making them glimmer and inviting to the eye.
"Listen up!" A voice yelled.
Inside the square, the participants were standing in a line. A few feet in front of them stood their instructor, Teacher Radcliffe. His pale blonde hair swayed i
When Jai was focusing on turning on and off his lightsaber look-alike, he didn't notice that someone was glaring at him from the side. The person was annoyed that they didn't get to continue with their lesson because of Jai's incompetence. Precious time wasted just like that. So he held a grudge on Jai.When the mock battle starts, Jai was paired up with Mac. The orange head worked with spear, and his control was decent. Jai could see that he had a good grip on the weapon, but his movement was sloppy. And Jai could easily outed him every timetime without the sword."Hey, thunder boy! Stop dodging and strike your weapon! That's the point of this battle! Peachy! You too, don't run!!""Yes, sir! Sorry, sir!" Jai and Mac replied back immediately.After not being able to understand the lesson, Jai felt that this instructor was being a bit too strict on him. But maybe it was just him."Pea
Carrola knelt beside Jai. "Are you alright, Jai?"Jai swallowed the lump in his throat. He was still trying to overcome the reaction he just experienced. It was almost the same as when he was blasted by Torfo's pinwheel in the tournament. But he couldn't react in time this time, so he was overloaded. Fire and thunder is not a good combination for you body."I'm dizzy," Jai answered."Alright. Lie down," Carrola told him. "I'll heal you for now, but you have to rest right after the second class."Jai nodded his head in response, and Carrola started healing him.The MC put his hand on Jai's head and he could see it glowing. It was light blue in color, just like in most video games he ever played before. It was either that or green. Jai wondered whether that was normal in this world. He had never seen how healing works here.In the tournament, after Ruhan's battle with Torfo, Jai saw the medics healed Ruhan with ointments. Jai didn't saw them using
A/N:We are sorry for the late updates recently. One of us is feeling under the weather, so progress had been quite slow. But she said she’s getting better, and we’re trying our best to give you the updates!--Teacher Anna is a very nice teacher.She explained everything one by one and made sure that everyone had their turn in asking question. The art of refining that she explained was pretty much what Carrola had explained, back then at the square. Although she was using more complicated words rather than Carrola, and it was quite hard to follow her in the first explanations. But after Jai asked her a few times about what she meant, she crafter her words into simpler ones that the others also understood immediately. Jai felt oddly satisfied, although a bit bad for the teacher because he interrupted so many times.“So refining needs a lot of hard work. You have to meditate with greater focus, cultivating a hab
Darrion yawned as he slipped into the room he shared with Jai. He was just done taking a bath, and he felt slightly refreshed. After dinner, he’s going straight to sleep. Today was quite tiring and he spent his mental and physical energy a lot.Then he saw Jai. The guy had already changed and he had his hair styled neat.“My, my, my, why are you dressed neatly?” Darrion asked.That got Jai’s attention and he turned around. “I’m going to Teacher Anna’s room.”“Oh? You sure? Dinner’s not ready yet. It will be better to wait till after dinner,” Darrion suggested as he ruffled his hair with a towel in an attempt to dry it. He knew his friend was going for consultations.Jai shook his head. “Not now. We’re just going to decide on the time after dinner. I don’t expect her to accept before or right after dinner, so I
Dinner went by just like yesterday, except this time, no one pushed Jai and he didn’t spill any soup. Jai also met with Kefara again, but the girl avoided his gaze and did not try to disturb him again. Somehow, he felt that Serio reprimanded her or something. Else, she wouldn’t act like that towards him in just a short time. He just hoped that Serio reprimanded her gently and did not yell at her. She’s not a bad person. She was just being bratty.Jai’s mood had also got better after dinner. Eating does make mood slightly better. Moreover, he got to finish his food without obstruction from anyone. Jai considered it quite a peaceful dinner.Jai felt a nudge on his left side and Oki leaned in. “Entrance. Some cute nuns are staring at you.”Slightly unexpected, but Jai glanced to the entrance. He saw a group of young nuns there who were flocking a certain brunette nun who was looking down at the floor. Her curly twintails and small
He turned and turned the wood in his hands. It was as thick as his forearm and as long as his feet. He was checking the quality of the wood and made sure that he wasn’t dreaming or anything. What he was holding in his hands, was a log of wood. But it’s not an ordinary log of wood, it was a log of Oakwood.He kinda felt bad that he had to use such a durable Oakwood for a simple shelf. Back in his country, it was hard to get wood because they’re living on a mountain of rocks. They were not rich with trees or grass like the Fire or Wind, so any furniture that has wood on it would fetch a slightly higher price than normal iron in the market.They made their wares mostly by chivying rocks and melting irons. But they also imported some trees from Fire and some herbs from Wind to help the kingdom grow. In turn, they exported their irons and mining materials everywhere. Galum knew this much.“Why are you starring at that log of wood, sweetie?” Darisha came up behind
It was dark. It was raining. The path was slippery, and the lack of light didn’t help at all. Jai wondered why the climate changed so suddenly. It was sunny just minutes ago. The rain poured on him, yet he felt dry.The raging thunder above the clouds blared once again, shining his way with a faint light that saved him from an ultimate death. Jai stopped very suddenly and leaned his body back, his attention in high alert. Below him was a very steep cliff. If the thunder did not lit up, he would’ve been on death’s doorstep by now.Thunder blared once again. It was brighter this time, and it didn’t look like it came from among the clouds like the previous ones. The light came from his side, slightly lower, so he turned to look. At the same time, a light shone, lining into a big block of transparent blue cube. Mists were seen flowing from the big cube, as if telling him it was made of ice.The big ice cube flew before it was suspended in mid air. It stopped right
The Falcon Gate is located in the other side of the mausoleum. When the notorius Darrion led Jai to the main hallway and to the entrance of the garden, he told the thunder elemer of where he should go.“There’s a Y crossing in the garden, right? The left path leads to a building, and another is the bridge. When we go to Teacher Sora’s room, we crossed the bridge. But to reach the Falcon Gate, you head left from the bridge,” Darrion said.Jai nodded. “And then?”Darrion blinked, then he shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s as far as I went yesterday.”Jai looked at him with a flat expression. “I thought you’re showing me the way to the end.”“I’m busy chopping potatoes,” Darrion said with a supposedly, innocent smile. But Jai rolled his eyes.He then took the leather pocket that had the knife and poison darts in it. He then turned it over and over in his hands, checking it out with Darrion.“Why do you think the Matron told me to give the nun poi
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