Chapter 10 : Old Memories (2)

In the evening, at the main Buddhist temple, the corridors glowed with a beautiful blend of orange and gold hues. Three individuals walked quietly. An elderly woman, appearing to be the group's leader, spoke with firm authority.

'Everyone knows what to do when we come in, right?' she inquired.

Her statement was directed at the two teenagers, a boy, and a girl, who followed behind her. They seemed to be about sixteen or seventeen years old and were attentively following their leader's instructions.

The man responded, "Speak only to our Equals, avoid engaging with hostile groups, and show respect for the temple. Blah blah blah. I already know what to do, sister Tris." Though the young man may have sounded somewhat disrespectful, he was essentially telling Tris that he was fully aware of what needed to be done.

Before he finished speaking, he added the part he had forgotten as he glared disgustedly at the other girl beside him.

"But what I'm really worried about is that this talentless girl who came with us will ruin everything. Don't you think it's a bit much to bring her along just because she was a bit lucky?"

His remarks were aimed at the beautiful young lady trailing him. He indicated that the individual beside him was unwelcome at the event while also attempting to assert himself by insulting the girl.

Tris cursed as she thought, 'Here we go again, and we're not even inside yet!'

'Are they too young or too stupid?' She pondered.

She halted in the corridor she was traversing and pivoted. He gazed sternly at the young man who had spoken. The expression on his face indicated his disapproval of the young man's behavior.

"Evan, you seem poised to tarnish our clan's reputation before even entering. No one is thrilled about having this girl around, but she serves as a vital link between our clan and the temple."

Tris now looked at the young girl beside her with glazed eyes. "Helen, this applies to you as well. Understand your role and observe from a distance without engaging in the discussion. Your presence here today is solely to enhance ties with the temple child. Remember, jeopardizing this connection risks the clan's relationship with the temple. Hence, bear in mind that your family's standing within the clan hinges on this."

'I still don't understand how you could get along with that arrogant temple bastard anyway,' she pondered.

Helen nodded at what she was being told without any emotion on her face. 

"Understood," she said. 

But Evan, appearing uneasy with the situation, shifted his angry stare towards Helen. Not receiving any response, his anger intensified.

'There's that know-it-all air again!'

Evan inwardly blamed his scolding on the girl next to him. His hatred had risen again. Why had this piece of garbage come anyway? The clan's relations with the temple could always be mended. Tris was making too much of the situation. Of course, it's one thing to think these things, and another to say them. So she could only nod silently.

"Shall we proceed? With the hope that your exemplary behavior persists," she suggested, nudging the door open to reveal the corridor's end they had finally reached.

Inside, it was a sight to behold.

As soon as they entered due to the clan's reputation, all eyes were already on them. Yet, Helen could not stop praising the sight before her.

The temple's interior was a place of grandeur and celebration, with high ceilings bathed in hues of gold and orange. Adorning the walls were intricate motifs of Buddhist art, captivating the eye with their detailed patterns. Soft-colored tiles spread across the floor, creating a vibrant sea of color throughout the vast space. At the heart of the room, a raised platform commanded attention, serving as the focal point for the ceremonies that unfolded. Surrounding this platform, tables draped in vibrant silk cloths formed a colorful procession. People of various backgrounds and statuses filled every corner: from adorned theater performers donning crowns and amulets, to dignitaries holding esteemed positions in empires and kingdoms. Some hailed from noble lineages, while others were renowned for their exceptional talents. Yet, despite their differences, they were united by a common purpose: to honor the emergence of a significant talent, born within the sacred confines of the temple.

'Absolutely stunning' Helen was impressed by the sight before her, but she tried to conceal her emotions. She didn't want to appear like an outsider. 

She was surprised because although her family's position in the clan was high, she was not talented enough to take advantage of his family's position and blessings so she had never ever seen things like this before.

Still, she couldn't help but be excited to be in such a beautiful place with such important people.

'Let's see where our little rascal is now.'

She searched for the mischievous brat named Dharma with her furtive eyes, but she couldn't find him anywhere.

With a sigh of disappointment, they followed Tris to the location that had been reserved for them. Once settled, however, like insects drawn to light, people of all ranks were inexplicably attracted to their table.

Soon, the table was crowded and Helen was subjected to all sorts of questions.

"Young lady, which branch of the clan do you come from?"

"Hello, I come from the Eastern kingdom, may I have your name?"

"Ma'am! I have a business plan that would be a great benefit to your clan if you are interested!"

"What the hell!" Helen thought inwardly as she tried to keep a straight face.

She turned her head to the side and saw Evan, and even though she didn't get on well with him, she admired the way he skillfully weeded out the useful questions and answered them, and the way he dodged the others.

"I'm afraid I'm not in a position to answer them," Helen said, bowing her head to the guests in front of her.

The guests must have noticed the difference in position between Evan and Helen because they didn't even bother to change their questions and started to ask Evan again.

'Haha, at least I got my revenge' Helen couldn't help giggling as her plan to send the guests to Evan worked.

At that moment, two men, one old and one young, came up the small stairs in the center of the celebration area.

'Oh, that wasn't Master Zen' Helen recognized the older man. After all, before coming here she had been given a list by Triss of who to watch out for and who to avoid talking to.

Well, even so, there was a bigger reason why she recognized Master Zen.

'I finally know where he's hiding now.'

The young boy who followed Master zen and escorted him to the center where he was to speak was Dharma."

Welcome, esteemed guests,"Master Zen's voice was clearly audible from the farthest corners of the vast hall, dozens of meters long.

As master zen spoke, everyone's attention turned towards him

After a cursory glance at the crowd, Master Zen resumed his speech.

"I don't like long explanations, so I'll make this quick, and I realize that you don't like long explanations either. We are gathered here today not for any ordinary celebration, but for a much deeper and more meaningful reason. We are gathered here to celebrate that Dharma, one of the most gifted of the seven divinely blessed children of this era, has become a vassal with the Buddha's blessing."

Master Zen then stepped aside to allow the whole hall to see Dharma. After a short time, he took Dharma's back again and continued.

"This young aspirant has potential beyond that of ordinary people. His soul carries the depth and wisdom of thousands of years. Perhaps his presence is part of the destiny that will shape the future of the Temple. And let us not forget that the fact that he is one of the youngest vassals in history emphasizes once again what a special and valuable asset he is."

Then he said the last words of his speech, which electrified the crowd that was listening to him.

"Whatever happens, let it be by the will of the gods and for the benefit of all mankind."

He came down the stairs from where he was giving his speech. As soon as he descended, the old Buddhist and the young genius Dharma were suddenly surrounded. There were those in the crowd eager to enjoy the future splendor of the temple, but also those who had come to see if the young genius was as strong as rumored.

Despite the crowd, Helen remained focused on the Dharma, never losing her attention.

As Helen watched him closely, she noticed an important detail.

'His hands shaking...' she thought. It was a habit she had noticed before Dharma would clasp her hands tightly when she was uncomfortable. Although she often teased him about it, deep down she cared for him, and seeing him in such a state filled her with a sense of sadness.

Just then Dharma must have caught Helen's gaze because he looked directly at her. At that moment his own clenched hands relaxed and he began to respond to his surroundings with a newfound confidence.

'That brat... there's nothing he won't do to look strong.' she thought to himself.

But she couldn't say it bothered him.

Dharma was strong, and talented, the opposite of himself, but they also had a strong bond.

In fact, there was a time when Dharma wasn't so strong, and Helen had gotten to know him then, and that's how their relationship developed.

Dharma had always been an outsider and unpopular when his gift were not so pronounced.

She had seen it at other events she had been to before, though none of them had come close to the quality of this one.

It was the first time Helen had been with someone who was not as popular as she was.

"After all, how was I supposed to know that this mischievous bastard was actually so talented?" she thought as a smile settled on her face.

There was no point in her being at the celebration in the temple if she wasn't allowed to talk to anyone anyway.As for Dharma...she could see that scamp later.She didn't want to look like someone who was living off his back.

She walked through the corridors they had passed through at the beginning and stopped in a garden with a large tree.

"What a beautiful tree."

In front of Helen stood a huge tree, tens of meters high, its branches pointing to the sky, showing no sign of weakening, as if to say that it would never die, that it would never give up.

Helen envied her.

"I wish I could be like you, Mr. Tree." She looked at the tree with longing eyes.

"Haha, how foolish of me. Now I'm jealous of a tree?" Helen used her arm to wipe away her melancholic tears before they fell when she heard a voice behind her.

It was footsteps coming from the corridors.