“So where is this Deleima and what gossips do you have on this place?” Jai asked Darrion as they flew above the flower meadow in the South Gate.
“Southward from our beautiful castle walls. The famous thing from that village is the Derima fruit. It tastes sweet and sour, and it’s a bit addicting to eat it one by one,” Darrion chuckled, seemingly having reminiscence of him eating the fruit. “You know how small bits it is, and what’s the most charming from it was that it doesn’t have any seeds! The tiny fruits are the seeds, and we can eat them like normal fruit flesh! How cool is that?!”
“Mmhm. I don’t know any of that because I’ve never seen, heard, or eaten one. This is the first time I know it,” Jai replied.
“Aww, man… If I don’t know you better, I would’ve made fun of you with the ‘inside a cave’ joke for
Jai walked into the Deleima Forest with his attention only slightly alert. He had not read about this forest when he was looking for information about the jellyfish beast, but he was sure this forest would not be that harmful. Like he said, if it was that dangerous, the village wouldn’t survive.It might not be the best preparation he had done, but he was only focused on how the beast looks like, and all its behavioral data. He trusted Darrion to give him an explanation about the forest, but he was too dependent on the blonde and it turned out not very helpful. He sure will prepare everything in advance, like, learning about the turf too among the main things needed.Madam Serena gave him two days to search for the beast, but that’s only set as deadline because the beast might relocate somewhere after two days. Jai figured if somehow the beast was visiting the place to change its feeding ground, then it would likely stay for at l
Jai’s eyes went wide when he watched the bird crushed inside the jellyfish’s transparent body. He couldn’t believe he just saw a jellyfish crushing a bird with its… Muscles? Transparent muscles?He didn’t read any carnivorous statistics in the jellyfish’s database, that’s why he was surprised when he saw the bird got destroyed in an instant. But then again, it wouldn’t be in the uncommon section for nothing.‘… Damn. Aren’t jellyfish supposed to be blobby weaklings? Who would suspect that a skinny jellyfish is secretly a bodybuilder?’ Jai thought as he hid behind a tree, now taking the jellyfish to be a threat.He recalled what he read from the book, that the jellyfish was not harmful and that it’s an herbivore. Darrion even helped him gather some of the books that might have information on this particular creature, but it seemed that they looked at the wrong creature.‘
Jai rushed through bushes and dodged past trees as he chased after the flying red jellyfish. For some reason, the peculiar creature went faster than before, and Jai almost lost it if it weren’t for his superb reflexes.‘How can it go faster? It just ate!’ Jai shouted in his mind. He also realized that the forest had taller trees as he ran deeper, and this slightly worries him because the lack of sunlight might hinder the hunt.He felt it strange for a creature that had just finished its meal. If anything, it should be going slower because it was still digesting its food. But it’s not going slower at all, and instead, going faster.This would not be a problem for him in normal circumstances. The circumstances being him chasing it in plains or clear ground and not with so many tall trees and its overgrown roots trying to trip him over. It was a bit hard to catch up since this kind of environment isn’t his everyday route. So he was try
“Psst! Hey! Buddy! Come on!” Ahub the hunter whisper-shouted Jai from below, which of course couldn’t be heard by Jai above. But Jai was done tightening the sack and was now tying it to his waist, though it required a bit of time.“Heeyy…” Ahub whined again, hoping Jai would go faster. He knew what that creature was and he would prefer they got out of there as soon as possible.Jai was done tying up when he heard that weird low volume whine from below. So he looked below him to see the guy occasionally looking on the other side of the tree.“Why is he looking distressed?” Jai frowned as he turned to look at the other side of the tree. There was a peculiar yet familiar looking creature on the ground, approaching their direction. The creature had gorilla like appearance with a long-curved horn on its face that looked very thick and could uppercut anyone or anything that dare
Darrion flew down into the office and gave his co-worker, Gen, the receipt for all the letters he had sent today. Gen was a young man with uneven dark hair and windlet’s formal uniform for office purposes. The attire consisted of dark green shirt with folded collar, black belt, knee“Hiya, Darrion. How many did you send today?” Gen asked.Darrion blew some air from his mouth in an attempt to sigh. Then he pulled out all the receipts in his sling bag. “Here, the receipts. I stopped counting after thirty, and there are five letters that has no receiver. Their houses are empty, possibly they left somewhere because I can’t slip it through their mailboxes.”“Well, we’ll do the usual protocol. Sorry you’ll have to keep sending them until the end of the week,” Gen said, smiling solemnly to Darrion.Darrion nodded nonchalantly. He looked around to see the office almost empty, except for a few more people
Deep gurgling that sounded like rumbling thunder could be heard echoing from the swamp. It was weird and also sounded like a clogged water source. Any of those phrases didn’t sit well at all to those who heard it, and even a bit horrible to some people who knew well where that comes from.“Why are they growling loudly like that, Chief?” a young man asked the elderly beside him as the both of them looked north.There was a swamp in northern area of their village. The swamp wasn’t noticeable because it was in the forest, but the area was quite damp and wet. The swamp received its water supply from the river, which low condition of the geography made the water flow more in that forest before flowing according to its course.The two men were at the hill north of their village, investigating the strange sounds coming from the forest. They contemplated whether they should or not go to the forest to chec
Madam Serena moved closer to the counter and looked at the creature lying on it with full attention. The creature was motionless on the counter with the carcass of its prey still inside it. The blood was mostly out, but there were some in its system, so it’s still a bit red. It was actually a bit uncomfortable to the eyes or normal people like the timid maid in the room, but the scene didn’t affect her mistress at all.The mistress was looking curiously and excitedly at the weird looking creature on the counter. Even the chef and his sous chef were looking at their mistress in confusion from how excited she was despite the captor had told her that it had just crushed a bird in seconds.“Um… Mistress, please do not approach too close to it,” the timid maid with short light blue hair said. She said that while reaching her hand out to stop her mistress, but not all the way because she was afraid she would disturb
The rest of the Honey Pearlets would be ripe in just a few days. But Madam Serena told him she would immediately send a message to let him or Darrion know when they’re ready to pick. The lady also confessed to them that she was only doing it because she wanted to see whether Jai really needed the fruit or not. Although Jai was still confused why she was the one coming to him instead of telling him to come to her, he was glad. This way, one of the rare ingredients could be scratched out of the list.Jai went to the kingdom again in the next two days with Barun. It’s finally shipping day again and Letush had to submit their crops. This was also a week after he registered for his identities, so he had to go to the kingdom all the same. He split up with Barun on the way and went to the Ministry’s Office.Since it was still morning, Jai walked there on foot. He thought it would also serve as his workout. It also helped him get to know the kingdom’s s
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