After the crying session had ended, they ate their lunch together. Galum was no longer feeling restless. Well, just a bit because he still missed his parents. But regarding the bill for the medicine, he no longer need to fear of not being able to pay. Although he insisted that he pay Darisha back because he felt he needed to pay her back for all the hospitality she had given him. The kind housewife wasn't particularly happy with this, but she knew it would be too much for him if she insisted he shouldn't pay. So she told him.
"You can pay me back anytime. I will not urge you. If you have spare money you can use to pay, you can pay. But if you feel like you don't have enough money that month, then don't. Alright?"
Galum frowned. He swallowed his soul and thrn asked. "Is it really okay that way, Auntie? I mean, it's twenty five silvers... That's not exactly a small number..."
Darisha nodded. "Yes. I don't mind, Galum."
Darrion lowered his drink. "And
“Thank you for reminding me about it. I actually had a thought of asking you this, but I forgot about it because of the events happening so far. It’s bad of me to forget your identifications,” Darrion said, shaking his head with a lopsided smile.“Uhh… Why is it so bad?” Jai asked, a bit confused at that part.“Well you survived this far inside the castle walls without identification. If have to say I’m surprised that you were even let in before the competition,” Darrion said, gesturing Jai to follow him. “Tell me, how do you get in and out every time? What have you been showing the guards?”Jai told him his experience as they walked. “Well, um… The first time, Barun used his identification papers, I think, or that guy from the village whom we came here with. Barun said that it was my first time in the kingdom, which was true, and that I was joining the competition. They let me in wi
They entered the courtyard and walked to the medieval apartment look-alike.“Shouldn’t it be plural ‘buildings’ with an ‘s’ instead of just ‘building’? There are two buildings in this crazy wide courtyard,” Jai asked, gesturing this whole area.Darrion looked like he was thinking with a frown. “Yeah, I also thought so. But they insisted these buildings are one, so who am I to judge?”Jai looked away from him and continued their walk to the entrance of the medieval apartment. They weren’t the only one here. There were many other people around them coming in and out of both buildings. Though Jai could see more guards stationed here than any other places he’d been to in the kingdom.There were two at the gate, two on the entrance of both buildings, and some were patrolling the courtyard. Jai didn’t think this was uncommon. Government offices in his world were also heavily gua
Jai put the cleaned dishes in the shelf and cleaned the sink from waste. He had just finished his breakfast and now was alone in the house. It was ten o’clock in the morning. Jai had woken up a bit late today and no one was at home. Not even Usha.He poured himself a cup of water as he sat by the kitchen table. His mind was a bit occupied with his plan on what to do next, that’s why he’s still inside the house. There were so many things he had noted, but he couldn’t decide on which one he should do first.First, there’s his power that he had no idea how he could end up with. He just instantly zapped that hooligan back at the market, having no clue on how he did it. He just did. He admitted that he was really pissed off that time, no dice. They dared lay hands on a girl and even pushed her to the ground. He could still remember Miria’s form falling to the ground and their big bodies looming over her, acting all high and mighty.
Miria entered the house’s kitchen and put the laundry basket on the space beside the door. “I’m putting the basket beside the kitchen door, Auntie!” “Oh yes, honey! Thank you!” A woman voice replied back from somewhere in the house. Then a woman holding a pitch and a wooden cup came. The woman looked a bit sick and old, but she looked like she was doing her best not to faint because of how shaky her hands were. Miria immediately approached her and took the things from her hands. “Oh auntie… You shouldn’t have. Now you’ve left your bed,” Miria said with a bit of disappointment on her face. But since she had an adorable face, it came out as cute, and that’s also what the older woman thought. “Oh I just thought, that you might want some water…” the woman replied a bit apologetically. Miria smiled at her warmly even though she was pouting before. She then poured a cup of water and put the pitch o
After lunch, Barun went fishing again while Jai helped Miria clean the dishes. The old man had offered to go fishing with him, but Jai refused. The younger man wanted to have a talk with Miria.Although it wasn’t his responsibility to cure her, Jai was staying here for who knows how long and he wanted to do something. Buying her medicine the first time was considered as a deposit for Jai to start living there. He had a thought of moving into the kingdom, but somehow, he felt that he should stay here. Besides, his other half seemed to like this place very much.A meow echoed in the room and Jai felt something pawing his lower calf. He looked down and smiled. “Hello, Usha. How’s your lunch?”“Good. I want more,” Usha answered, with a language only the sole kitten would understand.Jai chuckled and went back to clean the dishes, ignoring the kitten because he obviously wouldn’t know what the kitten was talking about.
Consuming medicine all the time isn’t good for your body because medicines are made to treat a certain sickness. One or some of its contents should have a different effect on the body even though it worked well as combination in the medicine, and that effect may not be harmless.For an example, you are having a headache and you area taking a pill to cure it. That pill, maybe an aspirin, might cure your headache half an hour later. But if that was consumed regularly, you will have heart complications before you know it. Because it was not for regular consumption, and most medicines are like this. Medicines are not vitamins after all.He couldn’t believe Miria had to consume that multiple times because the doctor diagnosed her with some kind of… Innate fever. There is no such thing as innate fever.‘I know I’m not from here and there’s a possibility that kind of disease exists, but still, that’s crap,’ Jai thought.
Entering the place, Jai distracted his gaze around the room. Across from the door was a desk with a lamp and stationery which Jai was sure the registration. Also because there was a woman sitting behind the desk and writing something, and two doors on each sides.There were two homey couches leaning against both walls with a pot of plant at both ends, and two coffee tables to complete the waiting room. There was something like a jug, but it had a faucet, and there were stacked wooden cups on the stand beside it. Jai assumed that was a water dispenser for the guests to serve themselves a cup of drink while they wait.The walls were dyed in pastel green with big white stripes and decorated with a picture of an anatomy of human’s digestive parts and funny masks of animals. It seemed like a family friendly place. There’s also an aquarium on the right wall beside the plant which contained several colorful, living fishes that would distract children enough to pas
Barun and Miria left the doctor’s place with Usha. This time, however, Usha wiggled his way out of Miria’s arms. The kitten jumped to the ground and ran down the stairs, before then stopping right at the end of the stairs.“Usha?” Miria called. She was a bit surprised that the kitten suddenly jumped down, because he was behaved since they left home.Usha stretched his body and yawned quietly. He then looked at the two of his human friends and said, “Since he’s gone, I’ll protect you.”Barun chuckled as they descended the stairs too. “Run along, kitty. But don’t go too far, alright?” Barun said, thinking that the kitten wanted some playtime.Usha blinked slowly. “What? No, I’m not here to play. Maybe later, I kind of missed that lady blue bunny,” he said. But of course, no one but himself knew what he was talking about. To others, it would only be ‘meow, meow, and meo
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