The next day, Jai and Darrion continued their journey. They didn’t forget to pick up Jai’s visitation permit at the lobby before going to the other section of the lobby where the other gate was located. This was also the lobby, but this part was
“Safe trip, boys,” a middle-aged guard behind the desk smiled at them. “Do not forget to stay alert. I know this is the first time for you crossing the border.”
“How do you know?” Darrion asked. “Do we look like it?” he looked at his own outfit.
The man smiled. “Your clothes aren’t the giveaway. It’s your eyes. You have those dreamy eyes of a child. Filled with wonder and stars.”
Jai and Darrion looked at each other in the eyes. The guard chuckled. “Yes. A newbie to the travelling world. Do be careful out there, alright? The Central Region is still infested with monsters.”
The two smiled and waved at the man. &ld
Their walk was fortunately, uneventful. But they were glad there were no monsters coming their way. They did come across several Moostets on the way though. But maybe because they were in groups, the Moostets weren’t confident they could take them down, so they shared a glance before walking away. The boys didn’t pursue them.At their leisure but careful walk, they arrived at Rettaza before noon. The town was quite lively when they arrived. There were people walking out and into the town like normal settlement would. The walls were built with dark bricks along with the buildings, and the roads were paved and clean, except for some dried leaves that did not need to be cleaned as the wind swept them away easily.Rita immediately got excited and ran among the crowds of people, shouting, “Jelly rolls!”The three men laughed when they saw her reaction. “She won’t wait for us. Let us go to the bakery,” Alfred said.Jai
Darkness… That’s all he could see. He wondered if that’s was just because he forgot to open his eyes or because it was just too dark to see in the place he was in right now. He got tired of waiting for a chance to escape that he unconsciously fell asleep.The sound of wind could be heard outside, blowing and gusting. There’s also another sound, it sounded like a growl and a hum, something that’s obviously not human.“Grrawwk!!” the sound echoed.He didn’t know what kind of creature that is, but the fact that he was somewhere unknown and in mid-air sent unknown sensation and feelings all over his body. He was tired, hungry, and smelled so bad. Or it was maybe the place he was currently held in.This… Small and dark place that smelled like nothing he had ever smelled before. It was a mix of potato, something sour and rotten, and dirt. It messed with his nose that he couldn’t figure out whether th
After their discussion, Jai and Darrion split up to save more time. Jai immediately went to several shops, asking about the forest and the possible antidotes, while Darrion visited the local windlet office. Their windlet service had expanded and conjoined with mail services in all of the continent, this included small towns like Rettaza. His colleagues would obviously know a thing or two.His colleagues were a bit confused and concerned when he asked them about the forest and the dragon in detail. Sadly, what they knew about the dragon or the forest was what he had learned from his father’s book years before. But they suggested he ask the elderly in town about it. They also asked him to be careful which he happily responded with a “Of course! Thanks so much brothers!” which didn’t really lessen their concern.After getting the recent news and the small book containing a list of the monsters in Central Region, Darrion thanked his colleagues and l
They went to the direction according to the map Darrion had memorized in the windlet office. It led them further east past a small ravine until the road split up into two branches. A wooden pole stood between the two roads with two different directions. The left road led to the Affedor Path while the other one was hardly noticeable. The sign of the right road already looked decayed and its letters had faded a bit, but it was still readable to the boys’ eyes.“Grun…rind? What’s that letter in the middle?” Jai pointed to the crooked letter in the middle of the name.“Letter ‘E’. It’s Grunerind,” Darrion answered. “Oh yeah, I just remembered it was called like that,” the blonde said, opening the small handbook he got from his colleagues in Rettaza.“Grunerind? What does it mean?” Jai asked as he observed the right road.Darrion pointed to the handbook. “Green bark. The
When they reached the very entrance of the forest, they were immediately greeted by a row of giant budding plants on each side of the road. Each row had three to four of those white budding flowers, and what's more, they were facing the road and spewing yellow fumes every now and then."I think I understand why I feel the air is heavier here..." Darrion said, looking nervously at the plants."And why nobody crosses this road again," Jai said.Luckily, they stopped right just before the entrance when they see the first giant bud, saving them from inhaling any gas yet. He observed the plants for a few moments before Darrion spoke. "I can create air barrier around us, but then I won't be able to sense our surroundings for any sneaky monsters."Jai observed the forest once again before nodding. "It would be appreciated. The gas isn't thick enough to obscure our vision. It's better to avoid a slow death rather than a surprise attack."Darrion looked at
"I have a weird question," Darrion suddenly talked."What?" Jai asked immediately without lowering down his guard."If I fart, do you think the monsters here would be able to tell the difference?" Darrion asked.Jai stopped walking and looked at him without saying anything.Noticing his friend stopped, the windlet stopped too and turned his attention to him. Seeing his friend looking at him with no expression, he then grinned and looked away sheepishly, realizing that was a stupid question.Jai turned again to the front and continued walking. "No. I don't think they would."Darrion looked slightly surprised that his friend decided to respond. "Right? I mean, there's so many smells in here.""Mmhm," Jai responded and continued walking. Darrion followed him again and their talk ended there. But he couldn't stop feeling giddy from the small funny moment that happened now.Jai had taken care of the other Barbwa bug with his thunder
As they followed the path, the gas gradually faded until it was only faintly seen. There were still some flowers that they saw in the area, but the number greatly decreased from the entrance road they had come in before.The right side of the road ascended and it made it seem like they were walking in the side of a dug hill. Eventually, they arrived at some sort of Y crossing with the right road being more into the hill. Slightly to the right was a road that was quite crowded with some tiny budding plants growing on the trees. These flowers were in normal size like any other flowers they knew, but they looked very similar to the giant ones in the entrance. Although they did not spew gas like the ones in the entrance, there were some weirdly lilac-colored mushrooms with various sizes on the right road that seemed to glow slightly.“Uhh… I take it we’re not going there?” Darrion asked. It was more like a statemen
When they walked down the mushroom filled road, Jai felt like this was a bad idea. They’re in a clutch of time and they shouldn’t be meddling around in here more than they have to. He also didn’t know just how far the distance from this forest to the Fire Border, and it would not be great if the night time came and they’re still stuck here. Or worse, lost.But at the same time, Darrion seemed quite reluctant to go on because of the voice. His friend was usually able to ignore some things, but for some reason, this one he could not. Jai was worried that his friend would be in a trance somehow, and suddenly flew away from him.A ridiculous fear as it is, this situation was already weird to him to not think of that. But he’ll be there with his friend.Every step of the way.The road widened a bit and ascended, signifying they’re walking up a hill. Jai noticed this because he had seen the hill before at the abandoned post c
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