Some says that the King is being unreasonable for speeding the Hunting Event. But actually, he was being the opposite. He was being reasonable because the said event was actually postponed because of his sickness. Of course, since the Hunting Event was never in an exact date, it could be held more than twice a year, so no one else really cares when it was held unless it’s the Hunting Season.In the Hunting Season, well, like its name, is the season for hunting monsters. At this time, the monsters from the last breeding season would’ve already grown into adults, which means they’re more dangerous, which means the kingdom would perish if they let all those monsters roam around freely.But no, this previously postponed Hunting Event is the kind to see the talents of youngsters over the months. It’s held specially for the students to show their progress to their teachers. Or for students to be legally paid for the hunt in the event. Since students are not allowed to work or involve themse
Still on the same day, but three hours laters, a meeting was held in a different place in the Fire Kingdom. In the North Town, to be exact, it was less crowded than other towns.This is where the elite gathers after all. They do not flock themselves together like sheeps thrashing the streets like what was happening all around. No, they do it in their way. They held tea parties and lunch meetings to ‘have a chat’.Due to the surprise announcement in the paper, people’s plans had to change, and they have to give this sudden Hunting Event attention.Among these elites that were having their meetings with each other, there were some others who were invited to join. Others who weren’t ‘elite’. And among them, is the Komatsu family.“Oh don’t be nervous, Sen-chan.” Rio patted Sen’s knee.Sen, who was looking outside the window of the carriage, turned to his mother-in-law. Looking a bit confused, he said. “I’m not nervous. Why do you think I’m nervous?”Rio giggled. “You’re fidgeting.” She p
Torfo finally put down the weights he was pulling. Sweats rolled down his face and necks, and all over his topless body. He leaned on the wall of the barrack for a couple of minutes, evening his breath and relaxing his muscles. Working out always help him clear his mind. He was a lot calmer now than he was an hour ago. Before, his head was spinning with worrisome thoughts, specifically about his best friend.It had only been a few weeks that Jai’s letter, but it felt like months to Torfo. He wanted to know if he managed to find Alex yet. He was very worried. If only his departure is not a threat to the peace between Aeronvein and Pyreblair, he would’ve gone already. But he was very famous after the tournament, and he couldn’t just go like that. Disguise could only go so much to cover him, but also his post in the military.He’s a bright soldier here, and he held a figure to every lower ranks. Even if he is someone favored by his higher ups, they couldn’t let him go willy nilly because
Claude searched on the opposite blocks of where Jai was looking. There were some shops, and a guard post. He had to study many things in the past, including being a temporary windlet, so he knew what he had to say in asking people. Thus, it didn’t take long for him to find some ‘rumours’.“So I actually got through some people that they claimed to have seen a redhead around a week ago. And they think that he’s related to the Komatsu because he was carrying a baby and one of the Komatsu girl was walking with him. None of them knew what relation they have.”Jai leaned on the building behind him as he looked over to the Komatsu’s mansion. Shoru’s head was poking from the bag, her tongue only partially out, making her look absolutely cute. Jai fed her some treats to keep her entertained, and while he was doing that, he replied Claude. “Who are the people did you ask?”“Uhh… A guard, a man manning a stand, a woman who was watering her lawn, some people.” Claude answered beside him. “How ab
Jai and Claude dodged the stars shot at them to opposite sides from each other, which effectively separates them two of them. The two ninjas immediately moved between the two of them, hindering them from working together. The one in front of Jai is the skinny ninja while the one in front of Claude is the bigger ninja, and from their appearance, both of them looked like men.“Careful, Jai. They’re very agile.” Claude warned his friend on the other side.Jai’s knowledge about ninjas are only from the animated movies that he saw. Even in the movies, ninjas are shown to be swift in their movements, and is a master of disguise. While Jai didn’t know if they have definitive outfits or not—because the movie he usually watched shows the ninjas wearing casual outfits, along with blue or black ninja boots that show their toes—but he knew the thing that he should look out for is the hands. Even in movies, their hands could swiftly change weapons in a matter of millisecond. If he misses that weir
Jai obviously wouldn’t back down, and he seems to care about breaking this house down along with whoever is inside it more than himself being recognized.What’s more is that the art of exploding oneself is not a beginner course. It needs to be studied fully and under supervision in order to at least master the process of the action—because no one could come back after exploding themselves. Not even dragons could bring you back if it does happen.Hayate actually doubted that he could actually do what he said he would do. Because in the record, Jai Waetford came from a small and insignificant village in the Wind Kingdom. But the fact that he could obtain the 3rd rank in the recent, medium scale tournament, it is an amazing feat. For someone who has never participated in a tournament before, and for someone who does not study in the academy to control his magic before, Jai is obviously a rare gem.Which is why even though Hayate doubted him, he didn’t want to risk it happening. Because b
The day before, after the meeting with The Association, three Komatsu members that attended the meeting went to make a few arrangements with the other members regarding their share in submitting their ‘chilrdren’ to the guild.It took a while and they’re home in the afternoon.Maid Hana is the one who welcomed them home, and she was surprised to see two other people behind her masters. She immediately stepped aside. “Good afternoon, and welcome to the Komatsu’s household.”“Prepare tea and tell Haato to come to the tatami room, Hana-san.” Rio said to the maid.Hana bowed politely when they entered the house. As Rio brought them to the side garden, Hana immediately closed the door and went to do as Rio had ordered.As she went to the kitchen, she could only think that those people might want to look at Haato like Master Fu did before. It shouldn’t be a big deal then, right?She entered the kitchen and found him immediately. The poor boy was plucking seeds off a strawberry before eating
“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
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