Chapter 63 – Useful tools

Third Person’s POV (12 yrs. and 8 months old)

“What are we doing today?” said Ken to Allen, curious as to why everyone was at the town-square.

“Father told us to wait here for some instructions, I believe it has something to do with yesterday’s visit.” said Allen, Ken nodded in understanding but when he turned to look at the group his eyes met with Princess Lang’s before she blinked and looked the other way.

Ken’s stomach churned as he’s still trying to digest the events from earlier, he cannot help but suspect the Princess, he took a deep breath to calm his mind and reassure himself not to jump to conclusions without concrete evidence.

Ken smiled and conversed with the group as they always do before being thrust unto any things to do for the day, or missions.

“Hey Glen, remember when we had to subjugate a monster boar near Celine’s tribe?” said Ken, Glen tilted his head and thought about the memory.

“Yeah, what about it?” Glen asked, looking at Ken amusingly.

“Well I’d just like to remind you not to run off on your own for another time, or maybe this time because you could not handle the boar’s tackle.” said Ken, turning Glen’s smirking face to a beat red flushed embarrassed color. The group cackled at their antics causing Glen’s blush to deepen.

“Yeah? Well what about those times when you were covered by their feces?” said Glen, Ken’s face scrunched up in disgust.

“Ew, don’t make me remember that.” Ken shrugged violently from the rush of the memory as if he could still feel and smell the horrid scent of the monster’s waste. “I could still remember how it made such a strong squeal before squirting its contents to my face.”

“*LAUGH* Why did you even position yourself at the back at that time?” said Glen, shoulders still shaking from the burst of laughter.

“I know right? I was so stupid, I don’t know what came over me that time.” said Ken struggling not to laugh at his own actions. “But then again, I chased everyone being all smelly after we defeated the boar, want me to do it again?” said Ken mischievously.

The group, even the four newcomers shook their head at Ken’s open thoughts, thinking to themselves how this person always voices out almost everything that comes into his mind, and being on the receiving end, Ken would never fail to do what he said, especially the things Ken’s done to them.

Still though, they smiled inwardly for themselves whether it was due to this personality that made them more open, or they are just flat out comfortable with Ken, he never fails to give pointers, insights, and words that are needed for them to hear, in the right time and place, is what they thought.

“Anyway what do you guys think you want to do today? Seeing as we will be going on an adventure.” said Ken looking at each of them expectantly, now this trait is something the four newcomers were surprised about, Ken was stubbornly curious as to what everyone liked to do when missions or something similar to such are tasked to them.

Likewise they didn’t fare any less of the bombardment of questions here and there, they think it was that time when Ken became comfortable to them.

“I think I’ll strive to learn new things.” said Lila, thinking as to what new things she could encounter from this journey.

“I’ll use this time to sharpen my skills with new opponents.” said Saber, with strength and certainty to his voice no doubt he would be taking any chance to fight, the battle last time must have left him wanting more.

“I’ll be using this time to learn more of how you use your magic.” said Allen, Ken tilted his head and thought for a moment before nodding.

“I’ll be watching over you.” said Wilbert.

“And why would you do that?” asked Ken.

“Cause I know you’re up to something, or more like you will be up to something.” said Wilbert as he narrowed his eyes at Ken, before smiling mischievously, Ken matched his smiles and the two chuckled.

“I’m on with Wilbert, gotta keep a look out behind my back.” Glen winked and crossed his arms but still smiling, the three high-fived one another, the others just watched sheepishly at this trio, a weird composition of a serious leader, a sturdy warrior, and an unmovable giant, bonded together by mischief.

Oh how the things would play out once they’re on the road, the thought can’t help but nag at their heads.

“Just like Allen, I’ll be learning from your use of magic too.” said Princess Lang as she walked to the side of Allen, the two looked and nodded at one another briefly. Oh, what’s this? Ken thought.

“Me too.”

“Me too.” said simultaneously by Flin and Riyah, the two smiled at each other. Ken grinned.

“Guess I’ll just be following my sister.” said Icarus, raising his arms and resting his hands behind his neck.

“Why?” asked Ken.

“I have nothing better to do, so I’ll just tag along with my sister.” said Icarus, Ken nodded. The group delved into conversation with one another waiting for their masters.

A magic circle formed in front of the group the same color as the one Wilbert and Celine conjured, as it created a portal and out the three masters came along the two guardians of the forest in their human form.

Ken noticed that this time their antlers didn’t show meaning they must have been introduced to his Illusion Spell: Disguise, just like what he had introduced to his magical beast friends, he continued to stare at the two guardians and marveled at their beauty and handsomeness.

Coralia is as beautiful and graceful as ever even with or without the antlers as their beast features while in human form, while her brother looked to be a savage with a big scar adorning his face and buffed figure.

Oddly enough Trunk still looks handsome, and if you put the two together you could find the resemblance.

The only thing Ken kept thinking about is their sharp cheek bones and tall figures, the other features he does not recognize. A mixture of Asian and American beauty, he thought.

“Aunt Coralia, Uncle Trunk, it’s so good to see you guys again.” said Celine as she went for a hug on both of them followed by Ken who was silent and just smiled, the guardians smiled at the two and looked at the other human.

“Aren’t you not gonna give us a hug Wilbert.” asked Coralia.

“Nahh, I’m good.” replied Wilbert waving his hand.

“Come here little man.” said Trunk as he wrapped an arm around Wilbert’s neck and used the other to ruffle his hair, Wilbert protested but still laughed along with his uncle.

“Now now Trunk, we still have to send these kids to the pride of Mountain Lions.” said Coralia, Trunk released his hold on Wilbert and walked back to Coralia’s side.

“Yeah, still though, I can’t believe how much they’ve grown now.” said Trunk still beaming.

“And how much they’ve grown on you.” replied Coralia with a smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, but before anything else, the leaders have been communicated by the other tribes of magical beasts to be visited by the students trained under their care, and under careful calculation and talk, we have given permission for the students to travel to each five tribes of the valley” said Trunk. The Princess got confused and decided to ask.

“Lila, why are they talking about giving permission?” Lila turned to her and said.

“Aside from our three leaders here at the village, Aunt Coralia and Uncle Trunk possess power or ranking -in your terms- similar to master Klein’s, that’s why they have equal responsibility and power over any decisions the village makes,

But they only intervene once anyone ever tries to step out of their territory.” Princess Lang nodded, but another question popped into her head.

“Then what of the time when the four of us arrived here, were they present?” she asked, Lila nodded and said…

“Yes, they were just at the sideline keeping the peace and order of the event.” the Princess nodded again and returned her gaze to the front, the other three nodded inwardly as they heard the conversation between the two.

Although they think that Master Klein holds all the jurisdiction within the village, they were still shocked by the news of these two individuals holding such responsibility too, but nonetheless they didn’t dare to think otherwise of the situation for they too have similar figures in their respective territories.

“The two of us will be escorting all of you while the masters stay here.” the group nodded but others had confused faces, for every mission they tasked to do, their masters would always accompany them. “This task is specifically given to us as your masters have duties to uphold here at the village, as they cannot leave their position alone.” he added, which made everyone nod in understanding.

“Do you have any questions?” asked Coralia, the group shook their head no.

“Okay, we shall depart in short notice, please prepare your valuable things since we will be traveling for three days tops, five if we encounter complications.” the group nodded again then checked their belongings, but one person realized something.

“We’ll be gone for how long exactly?” asked Riyah to no one in particular. “If we were to be gone for that long, then don’t we need more things to bring with us?” she looked at everyone, back to her luggage which only had a spare clothing, food for one day and other necessities.

“You’re right Riyah, we should go to our homes and bring more luggage for the trip.” said Flin.

“But won’t extra things be heavy to carry around?” said Lila.

“True but we can use the magic tools sent by the dragon kingdom, this time they’ve sent more dimensional magic tools in the form of attachable jewels in a chain for everyone to use,

Since he had just brought one for the princess his last visit.” said Master Klein and approached the group, he took out a magic tool with a semi-orb the color of white attached to a metal with chains.

“The researchers sent this out to let us test it.” He then handed each one of the students before giving one to each guardian. “You can use them for storing your things letting you carry lesser weight, any living thing won’t be placed inside, understand?” he directed the last statement at the students, as they all nodded.

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