Jai breathed slowly and steadily as he leaned on the rock wall. His eyes were closed, but they opened up after a few minutes, a sign that he wasn't asleep.
"I can't sleep with a leg like this," Jai muttered to himself as he looked at his injured leg. He had put his feet forward for it to rest as he had been running. And he could see his dirty parts and slightly torn pants at the end of swollen feet. He had also taken off his shoes after Darrion left to see how big it would get, but he was glad that it was a normal swelling.
Since his end of pants were already torn, he decided to rip them until his knees. He then put the ripped off parts inside his shoes. He would be on his barefoot after this as he was very sure the backup would mean some flying. He knew he had fallen quite deep from the steep cliff.
He looked up once again to observe the pile of rocks covering up the entrance. There was this long and big jagged rock on the left side of the entrance which form was
“Some kind of problem seemed to have occurred among the participants,” Teacher Sora said while sipping his green tea.“Ah yes,” the Minister responded. The man took a potato chip and ate it. “Jai and Torfo are actually not hard to handle, I know. Torfo is a very good boy, according to Captain Flare. While Jai is your typical good natured village boy. I don't know what happened to the former one though...”Teacher Sora put his cup down on the table. “That, is not what I meant, my sweet.”The Minister smiled knowingly from the insult as he munched on another chip. “Then, do tell me what kind of problem besides the already existing one, my lord.”Teacher Sora chuckled and took his small plate of cake. He spooned a small bit and put the spoon in his mouth. He chewed a little bit before his eyebrows rose both in delight and surprise. "My, that's sweet."The Minister laughed. "Yes. The nun who brought the snacks here said that the cake was made for the ki
Jai fluttered his eyes open slowly. He could see something white and light green in his blurry eyesight. He blinked his eyes slowly for a couple of times, trying to get the blurriness out of his eyes."Oh, you're awake now, are you? Good," a familiar voice asked beside him.The voice was soft and a little bit cute. The tone was a bit insulting to his ear, but he detected the concern in the voice.When his surroundings had become clear, he saw a familiar nun with curly twintails, right by beside him. Jai noticed a faint glow on his side and he turned to look, and that's when he felt the cool soothing feeling in his abdomen. He realized she was healing him. And he realized he was bare chest, but when he didn't see any visible scar on him, he relaxed."What have you gotten yourself into, thunder boy?" Asked the nun as she swiped her hands upwards to his chest. The soothing feeling moved slowly along her delic
Jai and Darrion walked to the dining room and was immediately greeted by a very heartwarming atmosphere.“Brother Jaai!!” the kids shouted cheerfully as they ran and hugged the thunder elemer.Jai chuckled and hugged them back, though his hands could not hug all of them at once. “Hello little friends. How are you this evening?”“Lovely.”“Hungry!”“Amazing now that you’re here!”Those were the replies the children gave him, making smiles and chuckles echoed in the dining room from the people adoring the kids.“You always smell good, Brother Jai,” Amy said while hugging his neck, trying her best to lean on him and savor his scent. He was kneeling on the floor and letting the kids swarmed him.“Yes! Brother Jai smells good! Like Brother Darrion!” Ina said, leaning on the s
The previous day want on quite calm because the previous day from it was the storm. People needed a break from the concern and fear when the hurricane struck. So today, the fifth day, went on with a little bit of business. As in, people were starting to get busy doing activities.For the winners of the tournament, today was the day they would be learning about basic healing and potion making. Both were equally waited by most of them, especially Jai and Darrion. The former was actually only for Jai, because he was very curious whether his element could somehow be used to heal or not. While the second one was what the both of them were very much waiting for, because there’s a chance of having the Blue Tip Fern needed for Galum’s parents’ antidote.“Do you think it’ll be there?” Jai asked as he put on his shirt.“I don’t know. All I know about it is the shipment and where they are distributed in the kingdom. But for what they are used for… I don’t really know. The
Despite re-learning the basic of medical treatments, the class was not that boring as everyone had thought. They got to improve their skills in basic treatment. Among them, Oki was the one enjoying the class very much because the Teacher Rissiya was there, along with some nuns that joined their group to help with the lesson. He didn’t even feel the sarcasmic burn Mac gave him after class by purposefully enjoying how jealous the peachy haired young man was. It was an interesting class.After class, they had lunch and were allowed to take short rest because their next teacher was not done with his class.“We have to give the teachers some activities before teaching you or they’ll be bored to death,” Carrola said before sipping on his tea. He had joined the participants in their table after lunch. Since they still had to wait for the teacher to finish the class, they decided to wait at the dining room with the monks and nuns that were having their lunch.They neve
“So… You are my next wave today, yeah?” Teacher Enji asked after Carrola had left. The teacher sat on his seat in front of the class with a plate of food and a glass of water on his desk.There was this unpredictable air around the man as he observed them with his unusual smirk and flat eyes. It was a rather mocking face if Jai had to say.“I want to start this class by saying that I’m hungry,” Teacher Enji said, eyeing the food in front of him with pumps of his eyebrows. And then he looked at the participants, and then there was silence.A few seconds passed and then the teacher said, “Wow. No one ask me why I said that?”The teacher was slightly frowning.The students turned to each other in reflex for a second, but someone immediately raised his hand. “Umm… Why are you hungry?” Ruhan asked.The teacher
The participants, no, students now that they’re in class, were asked to read a book of recipe as Teacher Enji explained about alchemistry. Each and every one of them in the room had their own interest in joining the class. It’s not that they do not have any before, but now they were much more interested.Firstly, Jai and Darrion. They were excited because the Blue-tip Ferns that they were looking for were lying on the ingredients table in the room. Back in the kingdom after the tournament, they promised to help Galum find an antidote for his parent’s sickness. And after some intense information gathering, they found out that the medicine for the sickness needs some Blue-tip Fern. Unfortunately, the ferns were uncommon and not really used for many medicines, thus, the demand for it was low and it didn’t have many crates in the market.However, Darrion found out that the military had a sudden need for it, and that they bought all of them in the market. This piqued Darr
"…mustn’t drink purified water directly,” the teacher said.“Wait a second. Why? Isn’t it clean already? You said it yourself, it’s purified,” Mugen asked.“Yeah my uncle ever said the same thing, but I never asked why,” Ugi added. “Is it still dirty somehow even though it looks clean enough for us to drink?”“That question is almost correct. You see, it’s because of the substance within it. Notice when I said purified water and not pure water. Pure water came from the water source which was already filtered by the mountain. The water underwent a natural filtering process and ended up becoming a river, or a waterfall. But purified water is the dirty water that we purified using purifier. That is not filtered naturally. It’s purified by adding something else. That is not healthy for us because there is an added essence inside it,” the teacher answered and explained slowly.“But how do you know the water you drink is pure or purified? They’re both cryst
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