23 Towards the capital (3)

The next morning.

Kai and Alfred headed towards the marketplace to restock for their journey.

After restocking Alfred headed towards the army camp, which is located at the east side of the city, so he can get some information.

Kai did not know what to do, so he decided to head to the city lord's mansion to meet Lily. Yesterday, the city lord gave him a token which allowed him unrestricted passage in his mansion.

When he reached the mansion, he was stopped by the guards.When he showed them his token, they allowed him inside. A butler came and took Kai a garden.

He saw gardeners watering and tending to the plants. He saw Lily sitting on a chair with her legs folded and a large book propped up on it. Her forehead was scrunched up in concentration.

Looking at her Kai held back the urge to laugh.

Feeling someone looking at her, Lily's concentration was broken. Angry she looked up with a glare which could kill, which changed into a look of pure excitement.

"Kai, when did you come back ?"asked Lily with surprise

"A few minutes ago." Kai said with a smile.

"Just what are you reading, for you to be so focused, is it a love story. Imagining your prince charming already huh ?" kai said with a joking tone.

Hearing Kai's words, Lily's face became red like a tomato.

"The book is about magus points in our body. It is a brief study on the magus in our body. I completed my body channel strengthening stage and have entered the gate point opening stage. But still I have no clue about any of my magus points. if it continues like this I will not be able to stay for long in Royal magic academy." Lily said as her eyebrows scrunched up in worry.

"Is the royal academy so great that you want to be in it so badly ?"

"Though it is not the best academy in the continent, but it is the best in the kingdom. My talents with magic is not high. My mage root is only mid-grade mage root and low-grade magic channels. It was because of my fathers connection that I got a slot in there. But if my progress is not up to point, I won't be able to continue in there past 15." Lily said as her eyes started sparkling due to the water in it.

"It's a good thing that you have not opened any magus points, just forget about it for now" Kai said.

"What do you mean, big brother how can I forget this ?" Lily said two lines of water ran down her face.

"My master says, a good foundation is needed for building a strong and long-lasting construction, currently your foundation is weak, so don't even think about attaching higher stage" 

"What are you talking about brother. I am still creating my foundation ?"

"Don't worry about that, I have ways to improve your foundation. Like all good things it takes time."

The more Kai spoke the more confused Lily got.

Placing his hand above her shoulders

"Relax I'm here to help you."

He placed his forefinger on Lily's forehead and a rune materialised there. After a while it disappeared.

"I have placed a magic seal on you.You won't be able to circulate magic power for sometime but don't worry about it. Later, it will bring out your full potential. which will make you a genius, so endure for a while."

Lily did not know why Kai sealed her magic power, but she trusted him. She wiped her tears and said, "I believe you big brother."

"Go on you still haven't finished packing. We leave tomorrow."

Saying this Kai went back to his room. He went to Alfred's room to check wether he had returned. 

Seeing there no one was there he went on to call Daoma.

"Ah.... finally remember me, Kai"

"Master, you know me."

"I know, I know, so what is this time, it's not like you wanna play poker with me." said Daoma jokingly.

"It's about the beast tide"

"The cause behind the beasts tide mostly is due to release of magic power from the core of forbidden forest. Some of the  magic power is released outside, because the magic power becomes too strong inside the barrier so some of it is released, time to time most likely this phenomenon occur 150 to 200 years, this has gone on for millions of years. This is how the barren land turned into what it is now."

"So this why there are so many rank 4 and 5 beasts appearing. "

"You got it correct. You can say, those beasts bask in the magic power which leads to a large number of breakthroughs.

"Is there no way to stop them from rampaging?" asks Kai.

"In this matter, Jai and others can help. They are already the strongest in the core. The beasts outside are nothing more than flies in their eyes. Not to mention they are currently in the process of evolution, which will make them stronger to which stage is unknown. So you don't have to worry about that, when they come out, you can just make them take care of this matter." Daoma said to Kai with confidence.

"About the second matter, master," said Kai with hesitation

"Let me guess it's about that new sister of yours, Lily was it" said Daoma with a smile

Yesterday, When was Kai sworning to be the brother of Lily. Daoma was also hearing it. First he was confused. why Kai is suddenly want to make Lily her little sister. But he didn't stop it, he does not know why? but he felt that if he interrupted it. He will be harming Kai in some way. A mysterious force was stopping him from taking action.

"Master I…."

"I know you want to ask whether you should help her increase her rank of mage root and magic channels by using my technique."

"Yes, master. I don't want her to fall behind others."

Looking at Kai, Daoma did remain silent

"You just met her yesterday, are you sure you can trust her ? The secret to increasing her rank of mage roots and magic channels can even make magic Emperors go crazy, not to mention if it is found by some magic-user in the capital. Even if unintentionally she tells someone it will cause a huge uproar. Are you ready to face that ?"

"I trust her, she can keep a secret master. I can see her character clearly. She won't tell anyone."

"What do you mean by characters are you talking about your beast friends. Beasts and humans are different, they have a bottom line but a human can do anything for his or her profit." Daoma said.

"Master, I have natural ability of looking at people real nature. You can trust me on that, nobody has been able to lie to me about the true nature of their character"

Hearing that Daoma was still no satisfied and had a look of displease.

"Fine, but for keeping this a secret, I will have her sign magic contact to not say anything about it in any condition, what about this." said Kai to Daoma

Looking at Kai, he still said nothing"Kai is still naive and not seen true ugliness of human, but still he is progressing, I don't want him to serve under anyone but to become a ruler himself, that's why I did not stop Kai to go on this journey,a ruler must have good eye for people, Kai has that but he trust them too easily, they may be good person but circumstances can make them do ugly things, these things I cannot teach Kai, he has to understand them himself."

"Ok, I will accept it for this time, you can do it but must first make a contract."

"Thanks master."

"She has already made a magic circuit in her body, so I will leave it to completely to you to help her in this process, I will not help you, it is a test for your magic control, if something goes wrong she will become a cripple, but I will not help, do you understand Kai."

"Ok, master."

"I look forward to it, but don't neglect your training."Saying that Daoma return to the ring. Kai heard sound of footsteps coming from outside as the door open and Alfred entered.

"Who were you talking to Kai ?"

"No one."

Alfred did not chase the topic further.

"All preparation is done, we can leave tomorrow early morning for Almon."

"Sure." Kai said.

Kai spent rest of the day exploring the city.

Early next morning, Kai and Alfred were standing before the city lord's mansion, waiting for Lily.

Soon Ronald and Lily came out of the mansion.

"Sir Alfred, please take care of my daughter."

"Don't worry she will safely reach the capital."

Lily hugged her father goodbye and went and climbed on her horse.l

As she sat on a horse. Lily looked at Kai standing there without a horse

"Don't worry about him. He might reach there before us if we are not fast enough."

So Alfred and Lily left riding on the horse as Kai and Ronald saw them off as they disappear from their sight.

As Roland gives a puzzling look as he looked at Kai who stood by his side"Kai are you not going to go with them ?"

"Is it okay if Lily doesn't return to the royal academy ?"

Hearing kai, Roland was surprised, "What do you mean she won't return to Royal magic academy ?"asked Roland anxiously.

"That place doesn't suit her. And it's pretty obvious they don't want her." Kai said.

Hearing that Roland looked at Kai and thought about Alfred status and his family.

"Do mister Alfred knows about it?"

Kai shooked his head,"I was planning to tell him later. After we reach capital, I would go and talk with the principal about Lily drop out issue but for that I need your permission."

He took some time to made up his mind and looked at Kai who had a sincere expression on his face.

Surrounded by political rivals and reaching his current hight from his humble ordinary citizen background.

He has seen many up and down as well as ability to judge people.

Roland smiled,"I agree, only thing I ever wanted for Lily was that she lives a happy life. Magic user or not. Looks like with you she may actually be able to do that. It's the first time in so many years that I've seen her get along with someone. But I want you to promise me that you will not force her and let her make her own decisions." Ronald said.

"I give my words."replied Kai

For once Kai could not see the city lord of Filon, but a loving father who wanted the best for his daughter.

"Guess, I don't have much of a choice. Take care of her, Kai after all you are her big brother."said Roland while patting Kai on the shoulder and headed inside the mansion.

Kai looked once again at the back of a loving father before he turned around to follow Alfred and Lily.