Book 2 - Chapter 56

I opened my eyes. Where am I exactly? Oh, right. I am resting on the ground underneath a large tree waiting for Daisy to be done with her school. I had a grass in my mouth that I chewed on as I waited for her. Daisy's primary school is actually inside the city. But somehow Rose insisted that Daisy should attend extra lessons on her day off to learn more about flowers and ingredients. And this school is located outside of the city. Is Rose expecting Daisy to learn alchemy later on in her life? Despite being close to my one and only daughter Rose, I still had no idea what is her interest or what she will end up working as when she is older. How strange that I can't seems to figure out what her primary interest is.

The sound of a woman and children can be heard as a door opened. I guess it was dismissal time now. A crowd of parents are hogging the main entrance of the school as they always do. I leaned against this particular tree every single time as I waited for Daisy to be dismissed. Other children are not allowed to leave the school premises without a teacher escorting them except for Daisy. She is a special child favoured by all the teachers in the school for her good behaviour. Hence, she deserves such special treatment. Alright, I am lying. The teachers know full well that I am one of the great powers and they are afraid of me. And besides, who would be willing to kidnap the child of the fourth great powers when he literally murdered the world's greatest assassin in this world single-handedly?

Today was different though. The classroom teacher was escorting Daisy out of the premise. Uh oh, did Daisy do something bad and she wishes to talk to me? I have a bad feeling about this. I walked closer to the main entrance and asked to be excused. Some parents were annoyed that I had asked them to make way but they gave themselves a scare as they saw my face. One by one the parents started giving way to me and stopped talking as I walk up to the main entrance where Daisy and the teacher was waiting.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Aster?" I asked the teacher.

"Yes, I would like to talk to you about Daisy. Can you meet me over there where we can talk peacefully?" she asked as she pointed towards a fenced area away from the main entrance.

I obliged and held Daisy's hand as she was passed over to me. I met with Miss Aster as we talked over the fence.

"Should I be worried?" I asked her.

"Oh, it's nothing too serious. Daisy was not the one that initiated the fight today. As a matter of fact, it was Daisy who was getting bullied by her classmate. She just stood up and fought back against her other classmate who was saying bad things about her. So I am just letting you know, just in case the parents start complain that Daisy had hit their child and started the fight," she told me with a smile.

Daisy was putting up a fight with a bully? That's my girl. No one messes with my child and gets away with it. 

I crouched down to talk with my daughter.

"Daisy? Did you fight with your classmate? What did that person do that caused you to fight back?" I asked her with a soft tone.

"He said that I am almost old enough to be an adventurer but I am still coming to school. I told him I am not going to be an adventurer which is why I am learning more things to determine what I want to be when I am older. But then he started teasing my height and such which made me angry. I just knock his head with my fist but then he started attacking me," explained Daisy as she started pouting and crossed her arms.

I smiled at her and gave her a head pet. Similar to her mother, Daisy loves getting head pets from me.

"Just so you know, I am not scolding you for it. You are very brave for standing up for yourself. I am proud of you, my little girl. Now, who is this boy that was bullying you? I would like to see him for myself," I asked her.

She pointed me to the boy. Daisy had some very minor bruises and scratches on her face and around her hands but the boy had it worse. One of his cheek was swollen as though Daisy had punched him really hard. Perhaps she did.

The parents were complaining to the teachers, asking them on what happened to their boy. The parents turned their head and glared at me but I returned a scary glare of my own with a grin. Their faces changed with fear as they slowly turned their head away while sweats ran down their forehead. If they wish to cause problem to me or my child, they are going to have a tough time. Whether it is power, money or status, I supersede them in all categories.

"Thanks for informing me, Miss Aster. I do hope that Daisy did not caused you any other trouble?" I bowed to her lightly.

"Oh, don't you worry. Daisy is a brilliant child with much potential. She does her studies properly and doesn't disturb her classmates. She is going to be a prominent figure when she is older. Isn't that right, Daisy?" said Miss Aster with a smile on her face which made Daisy smiled back at her.

I bowed to her once more and took my leave, holding Daisy's hand as we headed back home. It was not that far from the city but there is no way I am allowing my child to walk back alone when there are reports of dragons and monsters being sighted attacking villages or towns. So far, there was no dragons that attacked City Of Pines directly which I am thankful for. But there was no way I am risking it just because 'it had not happened before'.

I pulled up her hood because it was getting sunny and I pulled up mine as well. I am still wearing my favourite cloak made from red dragonhide dragon given to me by my teacher. It is the best cloak one can have that offers the best protection one can hope for. And yes, I had get it fixed due to the previous intense fights that I fought in .

I thought of what the boy said to Daisy. What is he talking about? What do you mean Daisy is old enough to be an adventurer? She is just an adorable child. In order to become an adventurer, you must be at least 11 years old before you are qualified. Daisy is just… ten? 

Wait a minute. Daisy is ten, right? Isn't she qualified to be an adventurer by next year? But that can't be right. She looks tiny and she does not have the same height as when I first saved Rose. Even I was taller than her when I was 10 and I am the shortest among my group of friends and family. Not to mention she is not behaving like a 10 year old. Now that I think about it, why was I even telling my backstory to a 10 year old in the first place? I am surprised she is even interested in it.

Is there something wrong with Daisy? From what I can see, she acts like she is half her age along with her height. Oh dear lord, how did I not noticed this before?! Is Daisy having a stunted growth or something? I should rush home and talk with Rose before it is too late!

I wanted to run but that would cause Daisy to be suspicious on what is going on. I need to keep my cool. I cannot believe I had never noticed that Daisy was not acting her age. When I was 10, I was already learning sword fighting and retaliating against my grandfather. May he rest in peace. But Daisy is still sticking close to me like a 5 year old.

"Daisy, you are 10 this year, right?" I asked her.

"Huh? Uh.. yes?" she replied me with a confused look on her face.

"Daddy, why are you sweating so much? I thought your cloak helps to keep you cool?" she asked me.

"Ah, daddy just have a lot of thoughts in his mind. Don't worry about it, alright sweetie?" I told her.

Obviously I cannot tell her that I am freaking out inside my head right now. The first thing when I reach home is to talk with Rose and figure out what we need to do to help Daisy.

Commotions could be heard in front of us. It looked as though someone is fighting against.. demons? What are they doing right outside the city walls? While there are demons still running around in this continent due to the war I instigated previously (my bad), but they are too far and few in between to be right out here in the open. Nevertheless, there are demons inhabiting both Western and Eastern Continents today.

This person fought in a unique way. Dodging with precision when the demon attacked and only attacking when there is an opportunity. But there were a couple of demons that the person was fighting against. I guess I should lend a hand. I made sure Daisy was safe behind me as she tugged on my pants as she always do. I took out my elven dagger and activated Concentration.

That person fought well but a demon managed to sneaked up from behind and attempted to swing its claws at that person. I threw my dagger and it hit the demon perfectly in the eye. The person swung his blade and sliced the demon's neck, causing blood to splatter and spill out from its neck like a fountain. I made sure to block Daisy's vision to prevent her from seeing what happened to that demon.

We were still some distance away from that person as we walked closer to the scene. He was collecting something from each demon that I could not really see. Then, he sat on a rock as though he was waiting for me to approach closer.

"Trima kase, Mister Zen. I appreciate the help," said the person as she tossed my dagger back to me skilfully. 

Oh shoot, it was a lady? I did not even realised it as she was wearing a duster hat and coat that covered her face entirely. Her outfit is what you would describe as Victorian style. Wait a minute, how did she knew who I am?

"Ah, shama shama. Think nothing of it," I said as I caught my dagger. 

Hang on, what the hell did I just say? How did I even know what to reply to this lady? I have never heard of such language before in my entire life!

"These demons are such a nuisance with their numbers. I am amazed that adventurers are capable of fighting so many of them at a time. You all really amaze me," she said while still sitting down on the flat rock.

"Right you are. If you'll excuse me, I would like to be on my way with my daughter," I said as I bowed lightly to her and hurried Daisy to come along.

"I am afraid I cannot let you leave, Mister Zen. You are a difficult man to find and our chances of crossing path again is rather minuscule. I would like to request a duel, if you do not mind," she said as she stood up preventing me and Daisy from passing through.

"Please, you do not have to do this. And yes, I do mind because I have my daughter with me. If you would be so kind as to allow me through, I will be waiting here again tomorrow should you wish to duel with me. I would gladly do so without my daughter next to me," I told her.

"Another day might be the death of me, Mister Zen. I do not know whether I would survive to see another day. Such is the life of a hunter," she unsheathed her blade from her scabbard.

Her weapon looked.. weird. The hilt was curved as though it is disguised as a cane while the blade is serrated like a saw. Almost like a.. sawblade? This weapon is designed to cause a lot of pain and be as messy as possible, delivering wounds that is difficult to heal. Who are these hunters? How had I not heard of them before?

"You wish to fight me because of the title of the great powers? I do not think that is a good idea seeing as you already had difficulty in fighting those demons earlier," I warned her.

"Ah, as you can see, Mister Zen, it does not matter even if we know that we will lose. Because to a hunter, all they must do, is hunt," said the lady as she rushed towards me with her sawblade.

I held my dagger ready while keeping Daisy behind me. I need to minimise my movements as to ensure that Daisy is safe behind me. I reactivated Concentration to make sure I do not do anything foolish with this person. One wrong mistake and it could cause Daisy's life.

The hunter swung her blade which is blocked with my dagger. Her weapon almost pulled my dagger away due to the serrated blade as she pulled her weapon back. What a way to use such a weapon. This lady is certainly skilled. 

She continued her attack, alternating between a forward and reverse grip but I blocked or parried all of them. She raised her left fist which I thought she wanted to punch me but it stopped short before even reaching me. Is this one of her fighting technique? Using feint to fool your opponent? But my nose smelled something that made me react instinctively.

Bang!

Pellets flew above my head as I ducked earlier due to the the smell of gunpowder. She has a gun hidden under her sleeves? How did she fired it? Since when were guns so advanced? I was sure we were still using muskets or flintlocks in general. How dare she shoot her gun at me with Daisy behind me. I'm sure my cloak would had protected her from those pellets but still. This shall not stand!

"Not bad, Mister Zen. The rumours about you having quick reaction speed appeared to be true," said the lady.

"While I appreciate the compliment, you shot your gun when my child was behind me. I am going to be serious now," I removed my cloak and wrapped Daisy around it, making sure she is fully protected.

Then I walked closer to the lady and activated Fear on her with Concentration active. I can see that she is starting to quail in fear as she started shivering. With one quick motion, she turned her wrist and slit a wound just below her shoulder. Is she using pain to overcome her fear? Now that is commendable.

But there is no reason for me to just sit back and let her recover herself. I rushed and met her head-on. I took a swipe and she dodged it aside. She is nimble and her reflexes are quick, I'll give her that. But when it comes to speed, I won't lose. I pushed the attack and took another swipe at her which she blocked it with her blade. Just as planned, I released my dagger and crouched low. Then I performed an upward palm strike on her abdomen which sent her flying backwards. I grabbed my dagger before it touched the ground and leaped after her.

She performed a quick backflip from the ground and got back on her feet but I reached her before she got ready. I took a swiped and sliced through her thick coat. Blood was dripping from her wound and she quickly leaped backwards. The wound was not exactly fatal but she will certainly need stitches. She took out a syringe containing green fluid and stabbed it on her neck.

Something unbelievable happened. Her wounds were mending itself right before my very eyes. There.. is a way to cure wounds instantly now? Even my healing gel just stops the bleeding and assist in the curing process. It can never heal wounds instantly.

"You really are as powerful as the legend says, Mister Zen. I doubt I can defeat you in my current state. I will be taking my leave if you don't mind," she took out two vials of liquid and smash it onto the ground.

"Jompa legi, Mister Zen. Be seeing you soon" said the lady as smokes began to spread all around her.

What a dramatic way of exiting herself. She could had just asked for my permission and I would had let her leave without using her smoke bombs. But sadly, I did not had the chance to ask her about the fluid that she used to heal herself. I am certainly interested in it. A method to heal wounds instantly is what I had been trying to create with my alchemy for the past 15 years but sadly, I had not made such breakthrough. Perhaps I can ask the guildmasters about it.

Daisy ran towards me while wearing my cloak, dragging the back portion against the ground. While it was painful for me to watch my cloak getting disintegrated by the friction (an exaggeration), the way she ran up to me all happy and smiling melts my heart entirely. I lifted her up and pulled the hood away. Her eyes were practically gleaming with excitement. 

"Daddy! You were so cool! You sure beat up that lady good!" she shouted at me as she pulled on my sleeve.

"Haha.. don't tell your mother, alright? Let's get you something before we head home seeing as you were such a brave girl," I said as I carried her into the city.

I guess I would have to talk with my wife first about Daisy and this mysterious hunter. I wonder if she knows about it.