Chapter 21: Elders intellect

As they stepped out of Kishima's smithy, Reyoma and Ayaka were greeted by the vibrant energy of the bustling merchant district. The streets were alive with activity, merchants hawking their wares and shoppers bustling about in search of bargains, the sound of lively chatter. It was still noon.

As they walked through the streets of the management district, Reyoma's frustration with his mother's evasiveness bubbled to the surface. "Mother, you always leave me with so many doubts, and you won't even care to explain anything," he voiced his exasperation, his tone tinged with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

Ayaka, in her characteristic enigmatic manner, responded with a knowing chuckle. "Snicker It is intentional. Since you are at an age to understand, I am going to impart the most important advice, so listen carefully," she said, her tone shifting to one of seriousness, capturing Reyoma's full attention.

"Always remember what I am going to say. There are three types of questions in our 'kahar'".

"First," Ayaka continued, "are the type of questions that could only be answered by others. To know their answers, these are the types of questions that should be asked, even if it will make you look like a fool."

Reyoma nodded in understanding, absorbing her words as he considered the importance of seeking knowledge from others, regardless of any perceived judgment.

"Second," Ayaka continued, "are the type of questions that could be answered through the passage of time. You might not understand some things now, but you might understand them after a couple of years. The only thing you have to do is be patient."

"And third," Ayaka concluded, her voice carrying a note of gravity, "are the type of questions that could be answered by yourself. The only thing you have to do is strive to know. If you try to gain knowledge in this type of question, the only thing you are doing is stopping yourself from growing. If you get an answer to this type of question, you gain knowledge. But do you know what you could have gained? Wisdom. Wisdom could only be earned, sometimes at a cost."

Reyoma absorbed her words, feeling a sense of clarity wash over him as he tryed realized the profound truth in Ayaka's advice.

"Aahh," Reyoma stumbled, panic evident on his face, Ayaka swiftly turned to him, her concern palpable. Rushing closer, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and inquired, "What happened?"

Reyoma, lowering his head, blinking, and rubbing, still holding his left eye, replied with a mixture of discomfort and frustration, "Something went inside my eye."

"Stop rubbing your eyes. Look here," Ayaka instructed firmly, guiding Reyoma's gaze towards her. Reyoma obeyed, slowing opening his left eye as Ayaka examined it closely. With a deft movement, she located the source of Reyoma's irritation and plucked the fly from his eye before gently blowing away any remaining discomfort.

"What was that?" Reyoma asked, still feeling the lingering effects of the intrusion, his frustration evident.

"Just a fly. *Chuckle* Don't you think it's funny, this happening to you just after what you said in the smithery?" Ayaka chuckled softly, finding humor in the situation despite Reyoma's discomfort.

Reyoma let out a small sigh, a hint of chagrin coloring his expression. "I guess, but I really don't like my big eyes."

Reyoma, still rubbing his left eye to wash away the last bit of discomfort, continued to walk forward, unaware that his mother had turned onto another street.

"Reyoma," came his mother's voice, prompting him to open both eyes fully now that his irritation had subsided. Confusion flickered across his face as he observed his mother's departure down the wrong street.

"Where are you going?" Ayaka asks.

"Home?" Reyoma replies in a confused tone.

"We have another place to visit before going home. Follow me," Ayaka explained, her voice steady as she turned and began walking. Reyoma quickened his pace, hastening to catch up to his mother's stride.

As they walked near the river, "You still have questions to answer, mother," Reyoma's question hung in the air, prompting Ayaka to pause and consider her response.

"Okay, I can answer your questions. You think what we did to Kishima was unnecessary, right?".

"Absolutely. Why bother to threaten an innocent old man just to make him do things for us for free? That doesn't sound right for an Elder who will naturally have enough money. And if he truly is a traitor, why let him live?" Reyoma inquired as they left the merchant district and clan area, walking near the river.

As the conversation unfolded, Ayaka observed Reyoma with a mixture of pride and understanding. His perceptiveness and willingness to engage in their discussion were commendable, yet she sensed a hint of naivety in his perspective—a limitation she hoped he would eventually overcome.

"Sigh... you are a very quickly grasping boy, Reyoma," Ayaka remarked, her tone a blend of fondness and gentle reproach. She recognized his intelligence and insight, acknowledging his ability to discern her intentions to some extent. However, she also sensed his limitations, his inability to grasp the full scope of their circumstances.

"The way you understood my intentions and even joined to support me, the way you added to my intentions, were very admirable," Ayaka continued, her gaze steady as she regarded her son. "But the only thing you were able to see was what was in front of you. You've failed to understand the bigger picture."

She knew who her child was and also knew it was very unlikely for anyone of his age to understand her intentions, so she didn't blame him. But she was really expecting more from him. Reyoma, hearing this, wanted to say something, anything to defend himself, he wanted to make his mother know that he was better, but unable to find any words. He crushed his naivety, also understanding that he was unable to understand the bigger picture. Recalling what his mother said before about questions should be asked even if it makes him look like a fool, he controlled his urges and listened.

Shrugging her thoughts, she continued, "Now it is my time to ask a question," Reyoma nodded in agreement, ready to engage in this exchange of knowledge.

"Why did we go to Kishima's smithy in the first place?" Ayaka posed the question, her tone calm yet probing.

Reyoma considered the question carefully before responding, "To buy weapons and armor because I am soon going to enter my first trial."

"Correct. And what is the most important preparation to enter any trial?" Ayaka pressed further.

Reyoma's brows furrowed in thought as he pondered the question. "Is it to know how to fight or to survive?" he ventured, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Incorrect," Ayaka gently corrected him. "The most important preparation to make before entering any trial is to ensure your soul stone is protected. If your soul stone is unprotected, aren't you just asking for trouble yourself? It's always better to be safe than sorry. Now, answer me, why did I do so?"

Reyoma's mind raced as he sought to unravel the complexities of his mother's intentions. "Hmm... so it is like this. What we did is complete our task of buying armor and weapons for me while also preventing the news of my invitation from leaking before such a thought even crosses Kishima's mind," he concluded, a sense of understanding dawning in his eyes.

Ayaka smiled, her expression one of approval. "Exactly. Even though we didn't explicitly tell him about your invitation, simply asking him to keep our conversation and its details a secret would have been naive. Even worse, attempting to buy his silence through money. Always keep in mind, Reyoma, that relationships built on material gains can never be trustworthy. There will always be a chance of betrayal. What we did was make him believe he was in the wrong and that we were his saviors, protecting him. At the same time, we subtly threatened him that if he ever revealed what happened, we could expose his dealings with the Imperials. So even if he wanted to, he would never speak about what transpired, as his life literally depended on it," Ayaka elaborated, enlightening Reyoma with her profound insight.

"Truly worthy of my mother's intellect," Reyoma exclaims proudly.

"It is just a simple trick I have learned through experience," Ayaka says with a smile.

Shifting her tone to a serious demeanor, Ayaka's words carried weight as she posed her question. "Now tell me, is a man who committed mistakes without knowing worthy of being punished, or is a person who committed mistakes knowingly?"

Reyoma didn't hesitate in his response. "The person who commits mistakes knowingly," he answered confidently, as if it were a natural conclusion.

"Incorrect. Both should be punished," Ayaka countered firmly. "When the Imperial scum was interrogated, he claimed that Kishima didn't know who he was. Although Kishima was in the dark, who wouldn't be suspicious of a person bringing them a fortune without caring about the origin of the soul chunks he was receiving? Wasn't it his own foolishness? If we hadn't stopped him, wouldn't he still be strengthening our enemies? So we punished him by making him work for us for free and also gave him a chance to live, teaching him a lesson not to trust anyone easily. In a sense, we did him good. Now, do you understand, Reyoma?" Ayaka explained, her words resonating with clarity and purpose.

Reyoma nodded, a sense of understanding washing over him as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. He now comprehended the depth of their actions and the lessons they imparted.

 Reyoma found himself in a state of awe towards his mother. Although he had encountered knowledgeable things in Haruka-sama's books, engaging in such twisted and complex situations and emerging victorious was an entirely new experience for Reyoma. It stirred within him a different feeling, one of admiration and respect for his mother's intellect and strategic prowess.

'So many objectives were met with such brief conversation,' Reyoma thought, he was filled with a mixture of astonishment and reverence. It was remarkable how Ayaka effortlessly navigated through intricate scenarios, unraveling layers of complexity with each word spoken.

Lost in the depths of conversation and contemplation, Reyoma hardly noticed as they arrived at a familiar mountain. The towering peaks loomed overhead, casting their shadow upon the landscape below. Reyoma's curiosity had been piqued by the wealth of knowledge his mother had imparted upon him throughout the day, and he found himself deeply engrossed in processing all that had transpired.

As they stood before the mountain, Reyoma's gaze wandered over its rugged slopes, each crevice and contour holding memories of past adventures. He was a curious soul by nature, always eager to explore and uncover new experiences. Today had been no exception, with his mother guiding him through a labyrinth of intrigue and revelation.

Ayaka observed her son, noting the thoughtful expression that adorned his features. She could see the wheels turning in his mind as he processed the events of the day. It was a rare moment of connection between them, forged through shared experiences and newfound understanding.

The mountain stood as a silent witness to their bond, its ancient presence a reminder of the enduring strength within their family. As they stood in the quiet embrace of nature, neither Ayaka nor Reyoma felt the need to break the silence. Words were unnecessary between them, their bond forged through shared experiences and unspoken understanding. Ayaka's upbringing had instilled in Reyoma a sense of self-sufficiency and introspection, qualities that set him apart from the chatter of the world around him.

After all, having a meaningful little talk was better than normal gossiping about things that didn't have any use to them. In the tranquility of the mountain's presence, they found solace in each other's company. Ayaka observed her stepson with pride, recognizing the strength and resilience that had been nurtured within him. Reyoma, in turn, found comfort in the familiarity of his mother's presence, knowing that she was a guiding force in his life.

Their shared silence spoke volumes, a testament to the depth of their connection. In a world filled with noise and distraction, they found peace in the quiet moments they shared together. It was a bond built on mutual respect and understanding, one that would weather any storm that came their way.

As most people seek the attention of others, Ayaka has raised Reyoma in a way that being alone didn't bother him, and as she already saw, being with people didn't distract him.