In Truth and Deceit. (Part 2)

With the sun fully visible, soft snow falling slowly and piling over time. I ready my last gear and supplies in ready for departure. The cold snowy winds blows over the window as I see the snow covered gardens and wonder...

(Hmm, I feel like going out in winter is suppose to be a pretty bad choice but...)

"Shovel, ready. Spear, ready. Rations and salves, stacked. And my new badge, all accounted. all fixed!"

(Along with my new ring, I wonder what does it even do? But I have the urge to wear it all the time now).

"Hum! Hum! You're all ready!"

"Yea! And by the way, I didn't ask this before but... How will I go to the witch's forest?"

"Ah! Well, luckily, I got you a transport!"

Yoo-Ah gives me a thumbs up again and I can't help but be amazed by how much Yoo-Ah can do things.

"You really are amazing. I mean how did you even get to ask for all these things?"

"Hehe! With enough connections, you can get yourself anything! That's what gramps told me anyways. But this time it's not really much, all I did was ask the guild for transportation. You'll be riding alongside that Kim Ye-Hua as you two will be driven together!"

"I-I see..."

*Slam*

Juha comes in the room

"Hmph! Enough chatter! I'll still be following you until the entrance of the forest so hurry it up! Let's go!"

"Oh sure! I'll be back as soon as possible. See you, Yoo-Ah!"

Yoo-Ah salutes me and gesture me off shouting:

"Good luck adventurer! Be safe on your journey! I want to come but I still got work here."

"Okay! Then watch me succeed!"

Waving back I got up and wear the white cloak last. Juha who's waiting for me outside the room, folds her arms asking:

"You got everything right?"

"Yea! Let's go!"

"Hmph! Follow me then."

As I follow her along, I decided to ask,

"Say, where will I be meeting the Colonel when I'm done?"

"Hmm? Pretty confident aren't you?"

"Well, gotta stay positive!"

"Hmph! The usual city hall. I'll lead the way."

"Great! I guess that'll work with helping me with the call as well."

Juha pulls out her baton and place it beneath my chin saying:

"Don't get too cocky, you Gogijalu! Just the tiniest mistake could lead to the worst disasters!"

"Wait... Are you worried about me?"

Juha eyes widened before she pulls and turn away shouting:

"Like hell I am, Dumbass! I'm tasked with it! Get your act together! And I still haven't forgive you for last night."

"Heh, thanks!"

"Hmph!"

Entering the lobby, I see the mage girl waiting alongside Jana. As our eyes met, Jana smiles at me while the mage girls glares back and I remember our agreement...

*************************************

Jana, after hearing my words and expressing her shock. Her face reddened a bit as she hides her face replying:

"Why... Um... This is the first time someone actually confess to me. And from a girl too of all people."

(I suppose is that why she's been staring all this time? Not at San-Min but me? Yeah that would make sense, San-Min's just not cute).

I could hear her talk to herself very softly when the mage girl looks at Jana shouting:

"Jana Ssi! Don't play along! Y-You! What-What-W-What are you after!"

The mage girl points at me and shield her when Jana pats her shoulder saying:

"Ye-Hua Ssi, calm down. I'm sure you yourself understand what it takes to express such feelings is it not? Especially with such... Circumstance... How can you say her courage are just "playing" around."

Jana rubs her cheeks with a smile as the mage girl blushes as well and brush her hand away shouting:

"She's still suspicious!"

Jana the target I'm after seems to stare at me for a while and I look away in shame after what I did when,

"Sova, is it?"

"Y-Yea?"

"Hmm, okay, I'll go out with you."

"H-Huh!?"

"W-Wait! Jana Ssi! Don't joke around!"

I look at her in surprise asking:

"S-So you'll follow me? And maybe... You could..."

"Oh? You already had plans, Sova Ssi? You're quite bold..."

Jana hid her lips as she pulls out a fan from her sleeves and I shake my head replying:

"Wait! No! That's..."

"Hehe, sorry, let me finish my sentence!"

"Huh?"

*Clack*

Jana went pass the mage girl and puts her folded fan under my chin. Raising my face as she seems to look at my neck, she nods saying:

"I'll go out with you. Under one condition!"

(Ah, cake baskets! I suppose it won't go so easy... Roll with it!)

"R-Really!?"

"Jana Ssi! Seriously! Stop it! Why would she even ask you out!?"

"Well, it seems my charms are just that... Irresistible."

"You're far from cute-"

*Smack*

"Ah~!"

"Bitch, I'm adorable!"

The mage girl rubs her cheeks in pain replying:

"Don't kid with me! If you're that confident why don't you audition for a model or idol work?"

Jana covers her mouth and leans back as if she's looking down at her as if she's a lower being. Even with her mouth covered, I can tell she's grinning as she says,

"Oh, silly girl. The world is not yet ready to handle my unfiltered RAW sex-appeal."

(Raw sex-appeal? The hell is that?)

"Oh, you mother-"

*Smack*

"Ah~!"

Jana smacks her with her fan one more time before she looks at me asking:

"I mean, you think I'm cute don't you? Isn't that why you ask me out? You saw the beauty within me did you not?"

I can't help but feel my face burn as I play along and seeing Jana slap her with her fan kinda feel satisfying. Before I could answer back, Jana brushes her long lustrous black hair before she smiles eagerly and pulls me close from dragging my chin with her fan. Bringing her face close as I can feel her breath before she says,

"If you can defeat Ye-Hua during the promotion quest, then I'll gladly be your... "girlfriend"."

*Wink*

*************************************

(I don't know what's she planning but if I can bring her along then it's all game! Just gotta beat her then call Abe! Simple!)

Jana waves at me and I wave back to play along when the mage girl shields her and glare at me as I realize she's wearing more magical items when I met her yesterday.

"Oh? You're quite friendly with your competitors."

Juha asks as she looks at them as well and I shake my head replying:

"Friendly is a bit overstatement. But that's not so bad is it? I mean the promotion quest doesn't tell us to fight each other."

(Well, I never really see the quest paper but... I need to beat her all the same.

Juha nods as we exit replying:

"Technically true, let's hurry up to the station then."

With Juha in the lead I realize the mage girls soon exits alone as she follows behind me from a distance. Hiding from one bush to another, she seems to follow us as we go.

(Right, in the end she have to follow me since we use the same transport).

Walking for a while, I decided to broke the monotony saying:

"Say, Juha."

"Yes? What is it dumbass?"

"Well... Just wondering but since everyone is going to the witch's forest. Can you tell me more about it?"

"Huh!? Did that bitch not tell you anything!?"

"Yoo-Ah? Ah, well, no."

(No that I think about it, she didn't tell me much about it).

Juha sighs before saying:

"Alright, I suppose since I'm watching you, I'll help a little."

"Oh! Thanks!"

"Hmph! Listen close cause I'm only saying this once! The witch's forest is one of the neutral territories bordering most of the kingdom at the lower part of the peninsula, and stretches from one ocean to another. Governed by the Heavens themselves they are a trial place for many young deities and foreign powers to test their mettle. Simply put, I think many more commonly call that place, a Dungeon. But if you ask me, by how independent they are they're more of their own country."

"I see..."

Entering the train station, it seems we're taking a different train as we are heading to the south gate.

*Psssh*

As the gates are closing the mage girl manage to get in by a hair's breathe before the door shuts on her. She breathe a sigh of relief before she notice me and hide behind the thin steel pillars to glare again.

(I wonder if she will continue doing that?)

While Juha and I take a seat, she looks outside and continue explaining:

"Unlike many dungeons, that place is not inhabited by monsters but puppets controlled by the natives of that place."

"Hmm...? Ah wait, Yoo-Ah told me that that place have no monsters but isn't getting attacked by those things still considered the same?"

"Hmph! I think you're deaf. I said that puppets are controlled! Unlike normal monster where you would be killed, eaten, or turn into host for unimaginable things. Those puppets would stop after you have been defeated and will escort out. That place say it's simply a training ground but a good one.

And as for the training area, there are multiple and each is quite big. Encompassing around the size of the city that we're in. So imagine multiple Meondosi's in each part of the forest."

"That's actually pretty incredible. That forest is just ridiculous."

"Hmph! Well it is said to be the product from the World Invasion. I may not know much about that history, but I heard that it is a time where even the Heavens shook in fear and is about to be destroyed."

"I see..."

(I wonder how much do people know about the world invasion?)

"You sure know a lot, Juha. Have you been there?"

Juha nods and looks at me replying:

"Of course! I train there when I was at the Military Academy."

"Oh! Can you tell me some tips?"

*Chop*

"Ahack!"

"Don't be a fool! Find out everything yourself! I already told you more than enough from what I learn at the academy!"

"O-Okay... Thanks for telling me."

"Hmph!"

Patiently waiting, I can soon see the gate beyond. Since this is also the first time I went to the southern part I realize this part of the city is probably where the ports are. I could see a row of ships lining up at the edge and even the large ships I saw a few days ago.

"Say, Juha, is this where they keep the ships?"

"Huh?"

Juha looks outside as I ask and she shakes her head saying:

"Hmph! Are you stupid? Course not! We need a high altitude for ships to fly so of course the west side's huge cliffs is where we keep the ports."

"Eh!? But what about all those ship?"

"Hmm? Those are just private lands use by the nobles. The Sangeo family and all the other rich figures. The south is where the nobles live since it holds many river scenery plus it's holds the road leading to the capital."

"And they have enough space to park all those ships!?"

"Hmph, if you're surprise by that, then your head will pop seeing my family's private dockyard at my home city."

"I just lost my sense of space."

Juha stands and folds her arms to pumps her large chest out with a huge smug replying:

"Heh! Be amaze more then!"

(I just realize but her chest is bigger than Sis Fei huh? That's actually pretty amazing).

"Hmm!?"

Juha suddenly raise her guard looks around. Wondering what she's worried about I look around only to see the mage girl who seen to look away and trying not to look here. And there's only the three of us... Confused, I ask,

"What's wrong? Is there something here?"

"Oh sorry, I thought I sense the gaze of another depraved beast."

"H-Huh?"

(Wait, is Moriz here then!?)

I start to look outside and at the walls and using my hearing sense to locate if anyone's hiding at the ceiling or below the floor...

(Yeah, there's no one. But seeing how he's capable of hiding his sound this could be dangerous!)

Juha sighs and calms down a bit as she moves her hand away from her weapon saying:

"Weird, It's just girls here. And the feeling is gone too... Hmph! I guess my senses are just sensitive after that incident."

"I-I see."

(Wait, does that mean she just notice I look and think about her chest...? I should watch where I look now then. And I suppose one day, I'll confess the truth to her and hope for the best).

As we exit I could see how this place is also pretty packed like at the bazar. Filled with people wearing more expensive clothing and robes, it seems many trains come and go as well. Exiting the place many seems to gaze at me but looks away after seeing Juha. Even the soldiers try to ignore us too as we approach the gate.

(I suppose it really is convenient with Juha around).

The mage girl comes out barely once again as she stalk us again. Feeling a bit annoyed, I stop Juha saying:

"Um, hold on."

"Huh!? What are you-"

I approach the mage girl asking:

"You know, rather than tailing us all the time and giving yourself a hard time, why not just follow us?"

Surprised by my appearance, she stands up properly and wore her hat properly replying:

"W-What are you talking about!? And who is following you?!"

Seemingly to deny I shake my head saying:

"You know we're going on the same transport right? Just follow along."

"W-What do you mean!? I-I mean, w-who knows, maybe there might be some changes- whoa!"

I grab her hand and walk to the waiting Juha saying:

"Yoo-Ah told me she's actually taking the same transport as us."

"Ah, that would explain her following us around. And the transport would not move without her huh? Very well, follow along."

"H-Hey! Let me go!"

"Shut it you! And watch what you said infront of your Gods!"

"Eek!"

The mage girl quiets down as I soon let her hand go. More docile now, she nods softly replying:

"O-Okay... Sorry... Please, lead the way..."

"Sure! Lead the way, Juha!"

"Sigh..."

As Juha leads, She quietly follows along using her large witch hat to hide her face. That's when she walks close to me softly screaming:

"(I don't know what you're after but you better watch yourself! I won't be defeated so easily!)"

"Right..."

*************************************

*Psssh*

Surprisingly, we're taking another train that seems to be separate from the ones that we usually took. Unlike before this train is much longer and is heading outside the city...

"From the underground!? Woah!"

The mage girl seems to be amaze as we descend the underground station. Surprised by a familiar place, I start to look around what sets this place apart from home. The blue walls reminds me of the city walls while the floor stays the same as above. And that's where I realize the difference, unlike back at home this station has no shops or any of the sorts. Just some chairs to rest, huge pillars, and a small space between the glass walls where we wait for the train... Even this place is pretty desolate compared to the floor above.

(How disappointing... There's not even music to hear).

"Hmm? You look a bit disappointed, Sova?"

"Oh, sorry, I just thought the underground stations here would have some kind of shops and something."

"Are you stupid? There's more than enough shops on the floor above no need to put some down below."

"Ah, now that you said that."

We did past through some sort of huge building called a mall before we descend. That place is a just all shops everywhere you see and even food court on the floor above it.

"Enough, follow me, our transport is almost here- wait..."

Juha looks at some map and charts at the walls before she removes her gloves a bit to look at her watch and look back at the chart and nod saying:

"Yup, almost here."

"Oh?"

"Just take a sit."

"Okay."

I follow her words with the mage girl following close by quietly as she hides her amazement beneath her hat. Finding an empty seat, I rest as the mage girl sits besides me while Juha stands beside us saying:

"We're going to board the train infront of you. So be ready."

"Okay... Juha, don't you want to seat?"

"Hmph! No need."

"Okay..."

As I wait, I realize this is the first time I actually use a public train station with many people. Usually there's almost no one and it's usually a private ride.

(Getting a bit nervous).

I look at the mage girl as she seems to be nervous as well and asks,

"Since we never really greet each other properly. My name's Sova Anmao."

"Hmm!? Just because Juna Ssi gave you her name won't mean-"

"Is this how you mortals from the north reacts with greetings?"

"Eek! I-I mean, I'm Kim Ye-Hua. Please to meet you."

Juha seems to help make her more cooperative and I appreciate that. But...

(What's so different between the northerners and southerners for them to garner such animosity?)

*Psssh*

Before I could ask about that, the train Juha talks about arrives and the glass walls opens like a gate as people wait at the side for the people to exit before going in.

(Rules to follow... Let's just hope the station back home becomes lively like this. That way I can use it as well).

*************************************

*Fsssh*

It was darkness everywhere I see with the occasional light patterns we pass and some huge ad boards. It seems even this far in, we have still have energy.

(Wow...)

With nothing else to see, I look back at the train room. I could see Ye-Hua drawing with the fog windows while Juha closes her eyes to rest sitting across me.

Thinking back, as soon as the gate open in our side, many exits and upon seeing Juha quickly move away and even go back inside as to exit another door until it's clear to enter. And when we enter, the people inside immediately become shocked and scared as I realize not all nobles seem to be fond of the military as it seems. We took a sit at the end of the train room where there's little people and soon becomes none as they saw Juha and moves somewhere else...

(I suppose she must be lonely isolated like that but I wonder why? Is it her bone thingy? What's so different with Jade, Pearl, gold, amethyst and, silver, or the like? But she still have her friends right? Well, I hope I can help along... But I wonder if that will last after I told her that?)

Times passed and I try to break the monotony but,

"You've been staring all this time, Sova. You need something?"

Juha opens her eyes to look at me and I shook my head hastily replying:

"No- wait! Actually, I've just been wondering about the kingdom's whole bone thingy."

"Oh?"

"I mean, everyone's been ignoring me thanks to you but I suppose I'm worried as well and wonder if you're doing okay?"

"Ah!"

Juha looks at me a bit agasp for a moment before she smile and stops. Looking away she folds her arms replying:

"Hmph! Dumbass! I don't need the pity of someone like you! Hmph! I have friends myself, so no need for sympathy... Hmph!"

Juha seems shake her head everytime she "hmph!" But seeing her long twin tails swing around is a bit funny. I nod saying:

"Okay then, with how close you are with Hu-Sae Ssi I guess you're right. Well, if you need any help don't hesitate to ask me to. I'll try my best!"

Juha release her arms to press against the seat before she looks up replying:

"Dumbass! You're just my client! Don't think you're my friend all this time!"

(Well, she didn't deny it back she's arguing with Yoo-Ah but...)

"You said it yourself."

"Shut it! So... You wish to know about the bones yeah?"

"Mhm!"

I nod in agreement when Juha sighs and cross her legs. The train suddenly brightens up as we seems to exit the dark tunnels. It seems we just went pass a huge mountain. Even with winter outside, I could still feel cold air entering inside. Wiping the window to look outside, I'm surprised to see rivers still flowing below despite the cold weather. Looking beside it, I could see fields growing something even in winter while the roads are filled with the winter weds Yoo-Ah told me about.

"Well, let me explain then as we travel across to the neutral checkpoints."

"Okay! Thanks!"

"Hmph! This is just common knowledge! No need for thanks especially foreigners like you!"

"O-Okay?"

"Hmph! Anyways, the bone system. Just like many kingdoms or countries, this is a hierarchy that we use in our kingdom, The Kingdom of Silla. It originated or we started calling people bones after the descendants of the first king. Which is of course the entire noble clans and families in this kingdom who inherited his bloodline abilities which are abilities you are hereditary acquired."

(Oh! Wait, so martial artist inherit abilities from their families? That's a new concept to me!)

"I-I see... But why bones though?"

"Well... Simply put his bloodline abilities involves around... Well, his and his descendants getting better bones. And the colour implies how much closer you are to actually utilizing his abilities."

"W-Wait what!? So... You use your bones for something!?"

"Simply put, yes... There's a hierarchy on which colour is best or describe how much you mastered his abilities. starting from bronze till black. And every king must be a black bone at least. And your reputation is dependent on how much you mastered this abilities, no matter if you come from a prominent family or not."

(That would explain why no one cared from whose family but their bone colour!)

"Oh, but wait... How do you see the colour? Or what's with bone colour?"

"W-Well... Hmph! Don't you laugh!"

"But I haven't even heard the reason!?"

"Dumbass! Hmph! for how you see it... Well, since the original Owlians are the one that gave our king their bloodline ability, it is actually pretty visible even without magic. For your literal bones WILL change colour depending on your colour."

"Woah really!? C-Can I see it!?"

Even Ye-Hua seems to be curious as she is stealing gazes at us. Juha having her face reddened a bit as she looks away shouting:

"No!"

"B-But!"

"Like I said, literal bones! So the bones you see outside are like nails, or teeth!"

"Huh? But last I see when you're eating your teeth are white-"

"That's because I've coated it! And we can't change it's colour at all before we reach black bone! Truly, the only one prideful enough to show their teeth that colorful are the older people! So we instead use something else to indicate our rank. Like the colour of the trims in our uniform!"

"Woah! That's actually some nice magical thing! I mean, since it's qi, even Owlians could get it right? Neat!"

"No it's not! Do you know how ridiculous it is to see the king with black teeth! And sometime seeing him make fun of himself with turning each of his teeth to different colour!?"

"Pfff! I'm sorry...!"

I can't help but crack a smile as I imagine someone smiling with a black teeth and it seems Ye-Hua agree as well as she bend forward to hide her face.

"Rrrgh! Hmph!"

Juha grumbles a bit before I realize...

"Wait, can I see your nails? Don't tell me you coat them as well!"

"Hmph! For nails they're fine! Jade is not a bad colour for it. For nails it's fine I suppose, here!"

Juha opens her glove to let me see as I realize her nails are cut short and not polished like the others I know. Even then, seeing her nails sparkle naturally seems...

"So pretty!"

Juha covers her hand back replying:

"Hmph! That compliment will go nowhere!"

"So, what does the bones do anyways?"

I take a sit beside her since I already went to her. Juha nods saying:

"Well, one apparent effect is simply having your bones hardened of course."

"Woah? Really!? Does that mean-"

"Yes, if you reach my level as in, jade bone. Your bones will be harder than Juminite! Simply put, your punches could break steel."

"Woah! Awesome!"

(Don't know how hard that is though! But the latter part sounds awesome... Wait, can't I already punch through steel?)

"Of course, that's just one part. It helps you wield the elements to your desire."

"Elements?"

"Yeah, if you master your qi flow and qi control more than enough, you can control the qi of other things. Like nature itself or in some cases, other humans..."

"That sounds sinister."

"Hmph! The last part is a myth but the former..."

Juha points at the window across us and she soon clasp her fist and open her hand wide, causing the mist on the window to clear by itself.

"W-Wait! Qi can do that!? The hell!"

"Of course, prominently the bones helps all the elements but water seems to be the highest boost. So anything made of water, I can control it, even the mists and rain."

(Why did Sis told me nothing about this! I would've trained my socks off if that means I can bend water like that!)

"S-So cool!"

"Hmph! Regretting not joining my family? Cause too bad, I'm not offering anymore."

"W-Wait..."

(No, hold on... I have no qi anymore anyways but damn nuggets I want to try it!)

"So all qi could do this? Does that mean all martial artist if they train enough could wield elements like this!? And this is not magic!?"

"Of course! Especially the Martial Artists at Heaven. They are true monsters at bending nature to their will and their bloodline ability definitely surpassed ours by hundred if not thousand folds, after all, they are the descendants of the Mythical God of all Life and Death Rucina himself."

"Woah... Is that how you see him? That's actually a pretty cool title as well."

"Of course we did! He alone has power to split continents, split oceans, and if it's all true, he could even create new life itself. Now I can only imagine what his descendants received from him and how much they have improved it."

"That's just ridiculous!"

Juha nods in agreement when she reply saying:

"Well, true as that may be but I doubt not many could utilize his skills. After all, we haven't seen anyone reenact his deeds for centuries now. But, WE are masters ourselves of course! How do you think we created the thousand river city? Plus every martial artist who cultivate enough also have their own bloodline abilities they could pass down."

(Damn schnitzel carps! Wait... Does that mean Sis Yuwei and Sis Fei have thier own hereditary bloodline ability? And since they are the segmentum lord's line does that mean they share Rucina's abolities themselves!? What could it be? What can they do!? Now I'm curious to ask when I meet them again!)

I lay slouched at the seat as my mind seems to give in by the shock of all the things I learned...

"Just... Amazing."

"Hmph! Of course it is!"

"Say, what is the pecking order though? You did say Bronze till black so Bronze being the lowest and black the highest but what about Jade, like yours?"

"As a jade bone I'm already the 4th best behind Amethyst and Gold in order!

"Woah that's amazing! Isn't the Colonel a pearl though?"

"That's right! In fact, I heard he's getting real close to black bone now."

"Amazing!"

"Amazing indeed!"

"But I wonder... Since it's a mastery does that mean you can actually move up the hierarchy by mastering the bones? If so, how long does it takes to master one? And are all nobles born as regular bones or randomly in that hierarchy?"

Juha seems to be happy as I asks and she nods replying:

"Woah, Sova, didn't know you're that interested. But if you wish to know I can tell you more next time."

"Oh? Okay then... Hmm... And just answer this one more thing."

"What?"

"What does the bone colour proves that makes you so important? I mean each bones fulfills some roles of their own? Like what makes the nobility so important for them to be called Gods even?"

Juha nods to my question replying:

"Hmph! This is the first time someone's actually interested with our culture and system. My old ethics, magic, and history teacher would be happy to have you as student as they teaches all you need to know."

"Well, I mean this is the first time anybody told me of a bloodline ability! And the fact that even Owlian could get it too! It's just awesome to know like that means if anybody train hard enough and get a bloodline skill they can pass it all down to their descendants! I'm just so happy to know that everyone's hard work and sacrifice can be rewarded back. If they told me about it, I would've have worked so much more!"

"Hoh? I thought you came from Heaven's noble families? Don't you have a bloodline skill yourself? From your techniques, don't you learn a unique qi cultivation of your own?"

"Ah... Well, I'm not blood related to the one that took care of me."

Juha looks at me with a smile and sigh replying'

"Well, fine! Just this one last chance! Do you want to train at our family? We can help you cultivate enough to gain your own bloodline skill, and with your talent it won't be that much of a problem!"

"H-Huh? W-Why all of a sudden?"

"Don't you wish to make you own bloodline ability? Seeing your spirit and energy, well... Just answer me before I change my mind! Hmph!"

"Oh... Juha... That's..."

"What!? Don't give me the same weak excuse as last time! I'm giving you a huge chance here!"

(Well... Maybe it's time I start letting her know the truths).

I took in a deep breathe and let it out as I see my own breathe turn to mist before saying:

"Juha, the reason I refuse is not because I don't want to... I'm very grateful, I really do but... I can't train qi anymore... The best I could do is use techniques that involves no qi."

Juha eyes widened as something seems to sink in at her. She slowly looks away and lean back to sit properly replying:

"Sova... I'm... And you're still so young too... Sorry to hear that."

"Why? And what do you mean by that?"

"Hmph! Idiot! Never mind! Just... Do your best at the promotion quest. You better succeed."

"Yea! Thanks!"

I lean back as I realize the endless possibilities I could do with qi and regret how I lost it so easily not knowing its full potential. It seems there are more to learn. I look at Juha who seems to be in a gloom mood as she's frowning while she rest, wondering if I should continue asking I ask,

"Say mind if I ask, about the New Governor of the city..."

"Y-Yeah? Oh... Right, you must be worried about his policies huh after the previous one's rule. Ask away, what do wish to know of Lord Hwan-So? You are living under his rule."

"Oh! It's just that I wonder, he seems to be so strong but he is still a jade bone while the Colonel is a pearl bone? Does that mean training your bloodline skills is separate from your qi cultivation? Making the Colonel Stronger?"

Juha sighs before she smile replying:

"Sigh, a very passionate student I see. But also a fool!"

"H-Huh?"

"It seems after losing your qi you are truly blind! Remember what I told you how being a black bone finally allows you to change the colour of your bones? Well, Lord Hwan-So is is actually black bone and one of the greatest heroes this kingdom could have! In fact, the Colonel even train under him when he first awaken his qi and still views him as his master!"

"Woah! Well, he does look super old... And strong."

"Old, huh? Well, you are correct but in here age doesn't prove your worth! Your merit does, but the Governor seems to has it in spades thanks to his age!"

"Oh?"

"You have no need to worry even as an Owlian. I think the nobilities realize how much the old Governor hurts the people and their wallets- I mean the economy, so they decided to change someone more appropriate.

I may not know his younger years but from the reports and testimonies, Lord Hwan-So treats his subjects equally and justly. And he cares them dearly so much so he disobeyed orders during the Coalition War just to save a few more lives and got demoted in his bone rank for it."

"Woah, he sounds like... A noble person."

"He is! I look up to him too and wish to strive the same. I was inspired to join the military because of him too and hopefully achieve the same."

"Oh! That's neat!"

(But the one I met when I enter seems to be a bit... Cold?)

"But wait, you can get demoted in your bone rank?"

"Well, yes, just like how you can raise the ranks you can fall as well. Either from deviation or demerit. That's why we use our uniforms to tell our rank instead of our bodies. And using your powers to hurt your subjects is an example but it seems the nobles keeps changing the rules as they please since they made it in themselves in the first place."

"What!? That's just..."

"Unfair? I know, but worry not. Not many are like that. Many still realize they need their own people and consistent orders to have a stable kingdom after all, so they influence the rule so that it benefits all. As for you Sova, you need not worry. Someone as hardworking and determined as you are free from their grasp, you have my word for it."

"O-Oh? Thanks?"

"You better be!"

As we talk, it seems something pulls my eyes away to look outside. From beyond the snowy plains, I could see a huge forests at the end of the view and some buildings from here.

"Woah, is that the witch's forest!?"

"Hmm?"

Juha looks outside as well and nod replying:

"Yeah, we're getting close. And you can see the checkpoint city from here too."

(Soon...)

I took a deep in and out and check my belongings again...

(Fuuuh! Let's see how I'll fare. Hopefully it will be smooth sailings?)