24. Not For Free

…

~Location Unknown~

The clouds flowed slowly in the night sky. It was lit up by the moon that smiled upon everything beneath it. The moon's light penetrated the cracks of a hidden cave, bathing the face of a young boy.

The boy's breathing was low, and his clothes were tattered. His body had a big wound on his abdomen and minor wounds all over.

His eyes opens and squints under the moonlight's kiss. He bent his head away from it and opened his mouth. Coughing out blood, he weakly clenched his fist.

"Where am I?" the boy questioned himself. "Ouch, it hurts,"

He struggles to his feet using the nearby wall as support.

"Huh? Why are my arms smaller?" he asks himself as he opens and closes his fist. "What's going on?"

He looks around at his surroundings, it seemed he was in a cave. A few feet away, in front of him was a small lake.

He struggles to the lake's side and kneels before it. Looking at his reflection, his eyes widened and his mouth opened wide.

"I'm younger? What's going on? I should be dead, how did I get younger?"

His eyes squinted as he stares at his reflection in the lake. The water was extremely clear, and still enough to make one believe it was a mirror.

"This water… it's… it's… a divine water!" he puts his hand into the water and frowns as the wounds on his palm healed at a speed visible to his eyes. "It's the Immortal liquid… then… I… how is this possible? I returned to when I was sixteen?"

He lifts his head and let out a deep sigh. Right now, a great relief embraced his body, granting him peace.

"I don't know who gave me this chance or how I got it, I thank you for it. I'm going to make use of it,"

Immediately, he dives into the lake. His wounds heals up quickly and his body revitalizes. His pale skin turns fresh and became smoother. And as he steps out of the lake, the only thing out of place was his tattered clothes. He was beautiful, and one could confuse him for a girl.

"I should have a storage bag on me, hmm, where is it?" he pats his body. "There you are,"

From his chest pocket he took out a small pouch and opened it. Turning it upside down, he poured the contents out.

"Let's see. Hmm, there's a few gold, a few pills, um what's this again?" he picks up something small and rectangular. "Oh, I'm still at the foundation realm, this is my school token,"

"I really get to see them again, Mia, Ami, Shin and…"

~Rar!~

A roar interrupted him and he raised his head. A four-legged creature stood a few meters away. It seemed to be struggling to stand as it glared and growled at him.

"A second level beast? Oh right, the reason I ended up here was because of you and your friends ganging up on me,"

~Grrr~

"You aren't my match anymore,"

The boy declares and rushes forward. His fists closes and his lips curls into a smile.

"This time things are going to be different. I'm going to protect everyone dear to me. I, Tanji, vows to be stronger this time,"

He yells as he arrive in front of the creature. And with all his might, he smashed the creature's forehead, causing its sight to go blank instantly.

…

~Party Hall~

"Haha,"

"Alright, stop teasing me. Let's just dance and get this party over with,"

Ming Lu whispers to Enji who held her in his arms. Alongside the many other pairs on the the dance floor, they danced and laughed together. They had succeeded in getting the attention of some of the couples (pairs) around.

"Alright, alright,"

"The party is going better than expected,"

"Yes it is. After all the entertainments were amazing. All credit goes to you for that. Except being displeased by the absence of the star of the show, I'm sure everyone can testify that they enjoyed themselves,"

"I shouldn't have let father take Hiro away,"

"Because of a party, Hiro should have missed a lovely opportunity? I'm glad you didn't stop father,"

"Okay," Ming Lu says while looking around. "By the way where is Elta?"

"Huh? Oh, I saw her stepping out. She probably went to the garden,"

"Okay,"

"She confuses me with the way she behaves. Some times she's stubborn and childish and at other times, she makes me wonder if she's a child or someone older in disguise,"

"Well, she reminds me of someone,"

"Who?"

"The great Enji, hehe,"

"What? No way…"

"She is a full copy of you!" Ming Lu smiles. "Well, I'm glad she is, and I hope she doesn't change and turn out like me in the future,"

"And so what if she turns out like you? She'll turn out very strong, I don't see the big deal in that,"

"You know what I mean,"

"If she becomes like you, she'll live a long life. Softhearted people like me don't live long. If you weren't by my side all these years I would have died from being too kind hearted,"

"I don't think so…"

"Ahem!" Someone clears his throat loudly, interrupting Ming Lu and causing the music to stop. "Can I have everyone's attention please?"

The entire hall turned to the direction of the voice. Standing at the entrance of the hall was the old ancestor.

"It's father, where's Hiro then?" Ming Lu asks.

"I don't know," Enji replies as everyone in the hall took a bow.

"Greetings old ancestor!"

The old ancestor nods and makes his way through the hall as he says.

"I would like to apologize to all our guests, I am the reason the star of the show was absent. So I hope you all take no offense to it, thank you very much,"

"Old ancestor need not apologize," a lady's voice sounded.

"Lady Sil is right, the old ancestor need not do that," a man says.

"We are too little to make old ancestor apologize," an old lady voices.

"Hmm, the Silver Moon, the Jie family, and the Dan family? Luckily you are still here, I thought I came too late and missed you guys," the old ancestor says. "What nonsense are you three saying? When someone is wrong they should apologize, I am no exception,"

The old ancestor stops walking. "Well, I'm glad you all are here to see my grandson. He'll be here in a while,"

"Haha, I can't wait! I'm sure he is of a great talent, after all he caught patriarch Enji's eye,"

"Sorry to disappoint you patriarch Jie, he isn't," Enji says. "His aptitude is just above average, if not average,"

His words dumbfounded everyone who heard, everyone except the old ancestor and members of the Lu family.

"Haha, the looks on your faces are funny," the old ancestor laughs, breaking the awkward atmosphere. "By the way where's Elta? I don't see her anywhere,"

"She stepped out. I'm sure she'll be here after sensing your presence,"

"Oh okay. Well, let the party resume. I hope we didn't miss all the entertainment,"

"Pfft, you did father," Ming Lu laughs.

"What?"

"Sorry father, I'll arrange one specially for you,"

"Oh, no, there's no need. Please everyone, be free to merry, dance and enjoy yourself. Do not let my presence bother you,"

At the old ancestor's words, the music resumes. A few went back to dancing, eating or talking but majority had their attention on him.

"Silmi, how was your seclusion?"

"Thirty years and I made no improvement, sir. If I may be bold to ask for some pointers," Silmi (Lady Sil) replied.

"Hmm, you haven't reached the peak yet," the old ancestor looked at her. "Make peace with your nascent soul,"

Silmi's eyes dilated as his voice sounded in her head. "Control your reaction, I did not say that for free,"

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