Jai crossed the street and arrived at the Ministry. He figured that since this was an official business, she would be at her office to do some paperwork first, or at least, inform her colleagues that she’s leaving to get the report. However, looking at the building first hand made him feel that he might have forgotten something. He double checked everything starting from his wallet a.k.a pouch, his ID token, and his scarf. He didn’t bring anything else with him since he didn’t think he needed anything more. He couldn’t remember anything else he had forgotten, but since everything’s in its place, he didn’t think much of it and walked to the Ministry’s Office.
When he entered the building, he was not surprised that there were quite some people already lining up. He looked at the clock and was glad that he only took one hour and a half again today. He ordered a mount from the gate to get here since he didn’t want to be sweaty. Asid
Fortunately for Jai, it was only around ten minutes trip. So the humiliation was over quickly. He didn’t really realize the route was the same as the one used in the tournament until halfway to the designated place. Now that he had the chance to look at it, the path was actually made for passing and it split into a fork halfway to the Lake.There was another path leading south, and there two rock walls that Jai assumed was as tall as an adult’s waist. There was a sign at the intersection that read ‘Water Border’. He was sure he didn’t saw that sign before, but he might not remember it correctly since he was too focused on the race rather than his surroundings.“Where that leads to?” Jai asked pointing to the other path after they passed.“The border of the Water Kingdom. It’s a long way from here, and might take at least a day and a half to get there on foot. Th
They ran together to the source of the sound and saw a scene. There were some people near the lakeside ahead, far from the houses and near the wall made of round rocks that was meant as the border around the lake. Around twenty meters away from the border were people and bushes like creature with tentacles. Some people were being lifted into mid-air by the tentacles and they were waving their hands around when they saw the newly coming group while the others came over to report the situation.“Help! The mandrakes came back!” shouted one of the people in mid-air.“Yes, we can see that, Arlo,” the woman said calmly. She was trying to be calm so that her subordinates would not panic, as they were right now. “Calm down. Just stay still, they won’t throw you away if you behave.”“But, Mrs. Rustess, their hold tightens up today! Ack! Any tighter I’m sure my bone will crack!” the other one said, and then sudde
“How do you know there’s a trouble in here?” Jai asked as he watered one mandrake with a watering can. The mandrake was tip-toeing happily on the ground, its tentacles resting on its sides as it tried to soak as much water as it could. Jai smiled and watered its tentacles too, much to its pleasure.Mac was holding out his hand as a water rained down on three mandrakes at the same time. There was no cloud whatsoever above them, but Mac was using his power to make it rain in that single spot. “Your thunder is a big giveaway, pal. I saw it flaring in the distance, so I ran here immediately.”They were watering the mandrakes a bit far away from the lake right now. Some of the farmers that suffered no injury had joined them in watering the plant monsters. Two guards stood close by to watch over them, in case any further trouble came up. But it seemed that the problem was resolved already, if the dancing mandrakes on
When they reached the kingdom, they stopped at the southwest district to let Mac off.“See you later, Jai. And see you next time, Ms. Oakshen,” Mac waved his hands at the both of them.Jai chuckled. “I don’t know if I’ll see you later but, I hope to see you soon.”Mac smiled with his head tilting a bit. There’s amusement in his eyes that Jai didn’t fail notice. “I think we will meet soon enough, Jai. Until then, be a good citizen and try not to cause any trouble,” the peach haired young man said before leaving with a wave.Greta giggled at Jai’s dumbfound reaction before they departed for the Ministry Office.-Meanwhile, elsewhere, a man with white hair and a fair complexion was sitting down with a middle age looking man wearing regal clothing in a gazebo. Surrounding them was a medium sized pond filled with fishes of various colours and sizes, swimming around without a care
Jai and James left the study and went downstairs to meet with Darrion. The blonde young man was standing in the lobby of the house, talking with Anna the maid. Upon seeing them approaching, the blonde gave a wave. “Hey.”“Hey… You’re here to see me?” Jai asked, feeling slightly confused.“Yeah. We’ve been summoned,” Darrion said.“By whom?” Jai raised one of his brows.“The Minister. It’s about the last day they’re giving us as part of the prize. Didn’t I tell you it’s postponed until further notice? Now they’re notifying us about it,” Darrion said.“Oh, it’s about time isn’t it? What a perfect timing,” James said, but he looked in wonder. “Right after you’ve done the survey for me. Though I didn’t imagine it would be this fast.&rd
“Is it really paid by the kingdom?” Ugi asked timidly, making the others chuckle.The Minister smiled. He’s always amused by how village people are often reluctant with what’s offered to them. But he liked that part of them to be mildly cautious in any given situation. “It’s part of your prize, Ugi, so of course, it will be paid by the kingdom,” he said, making the boy smiled shyly. “Well. As I said, this meeting will be brief, and the following details will be sent by letters.”“That’s it?” Mugen tilted his head in confusion. “If the rest of it is going to be put in letters, why made us come here?”The Minister pouted. “Oh can’t I meet my winners by myself? I kind of miss you guys especially after what we went through.”“You were only passing by our classes and smiling like nobody’s business,” Mac said flatly.“He’s &
Doctor Prime knew the person in front of him would hesitate, because that was what he felt before coming here. It wasn’t easy to admit your mistake in front of the people that deserve your apology. He knew he was guilty, and he had admitted that for years. But confessing to the people that deserve it? It was much harder.It’s going to be humiliating, the doctor knew. But he had already come to terms with the fact that this was also caused by his incompetency both as a doctor and a human. James might or might not forgive him, and he was fine with both options. He knew he was wrong. He had accepted his mistake. There’s nothing more to it.“I was wrong. I’m sorry. I will take the blame. However, James, I am a doctor. I have people coming up to me for help with their lives. I will always do my best for them as that is my responsibility. You may not forgive me. I will accept that. But there is this life that I want to save that requires your he
Jai returned to the Oakshen household and was immediately welcomed by Anna the maid. She took him to the study right away and to his surprise, someone else was also there.“Doctor Prime?” Jai called in bewilderment.The doctor turned around and smiled as soon as he saw him. “Oh, Jai. Welcome. We were about to wrap up here.”“This is my house, doctor. I should be the one welcoming him,” James said with a slight disapproval look while the doctor chuckled. Then he smiled a small smile to Jai and said, “Welcome Jai. Please, come in and take a seat.”The adjusting needed a little bit of time, but James had gotten a bit calmer after some time talking with the doctor. As he requested, the doctor told him what he would do for this patient of his that suffered the same illness as his daughter. He recognized some things due to him ever read the doctor&rsquo