(Part 10)

"He is a world recorder… A single delivery and we ballers of the last are done for!" Ebraham stated hopeless.

Zachariah staring at the ball for a while exhaled.

"What is it?" Orion asked.

Looking up Zachariah called out, "Isa…"

Isa smiling walked over, "Hm?"

Zachariah wordless threw the ball over to him shaking his head. Elias and Aigou surprised looked at each other.

"Zachariah isn't balling?" Nagi whispered puzzled.

Isa twirling the ball in his palm nodded, "Alright…"

Zachariah relieved went over to boundary's straight hit position while the middle schoolers confused over his change stood silent.

"What just happened?" Mikael asked.

"Did he just save us some face?" Luka guessed. 

"So he left it?" Evan sighed beside Rauf.

"He knew he would crush even their last bit of hopes. That's why he passed his turn to Isa." Rauf guessed.

"Hmpf, not that Isa would go easy on them though." Evan snickered.

"As expected, he is still soft. That side of Zachariah still hasn't changed." Rauf remarked eyeing Zachariah seriously.

"Of course, they are this country's talented descendants after all and their juniors to be exact. Igniting fear in their hearts isn't his lesson for them." Evan replied proud.

Isa twirling the ball rushed towards the pitch. Damian and Theo ready once again faced the last overs of the fateful match's first innings." 

(Mountain range of No Return)[Current Location: Hill top] (Third Years) 

"They are not here?!" Kenzo shrieked out of the blue.

Even birds hearing his scream scattered from the trees. The boys including Helios plugged their fingers in their ears sighing in disbelief.

"What in the world do you mean by they are not here?!" Kenzo continued to ask baffled.

Seraph walking ahead patted his shoulder convincing, "They all went behind Alan. Don't worry, they'll come back."

"Come back?! When did they even leave in the first place? Moreover, why didn't I know?" Kenzo inquired pissed.

Helios rolling his eyes murmured, "Because you were walking ahead. Not even daring to look back, you idiot."

"Hun?" Kenzo asked back while Helios evaded his gaze clearing his throat.

Xavier exhaling went to him along with Poseidon. "Now, now, there's no need to make a fuss. Ezekiel asked me while Ryan and Feng took Xavier's permission. Adam too took Seraph's permission as well." Poseidon tried to relieve Kenzo's strain. 

"And what about my idiots?" Kenzo referred to Heber and Azazel.

"Yours?" Gabriel repeated.

"No offense, they were too scared to ask you so Gabriel allowed them instead." Xavier told as Gabriel looked away evading Kenzo's gaze.

Kenzo sighing in disbelief stared at the rough path which was set ahead. "Seriously, it's not that they all went on their own which bugs me. What bugs me instead, is the fact that all they went alone while the grownups are all here. What if they get into trouble?" he asked restless.

Cassiel surprised yet calm sat beside him consoling, "Don't worry, Alan is there. I don't think they are alone at all."

Hearing Alan's name, the expression on Kenzo's face turned into a disgusted one. Seeing it, even Helios and Seraph burst into laughter, "Pft! Haha! Kenzo… what's with this look, haha…?"

"Not that it convinces me any further though. Forget it, let's cross this muddy path. I bet there might be swamps here too. So better be careful." Kenzo warned standing up and dusting his clothes. 

Xavier sensing his anger and calm composure at the same time patted his back. "Buckle up, your highness. No matter how much of a pain you find him. Alan is reliable. Saving us from the panther and from the falling log. Alongside, helping Poseidon from the cold whilst saving Adam from falling down the cliff… those aren't just good deeds meant to please god in my eyes." he summarized, "Accept it Kenzo… he means our best. That's why, I… no all of us. Don't mind entrusting our treasures with him."

Seraph nodding at Gabriel smiled as Helios patted Poseidon's back while Cassiel pushed Kenzo forward.

"Now let's go and wait for them to come back. Moreover, I just wonder what those materials actually are. Let's collect them before little ones comeback, okay? It might save them work." Poseidon suggested.

Kenzo exhaled showing a light grin. 

Seraph pointing the way from the map crossed the swampy area.

"Step on rough rocks. Don't step on wet ones or else you'll slip and hurt yourselves." Cassiel warned.

"Damn, this path is such a pain…" Gabriel complained jumping down from a tree's side.

"I bet if the young ones come from here, they might face a new level of difficulty." Seraph whispered grasping Cassiel's arm pulling him forward.

"Sigh… what can we do now? They were stubborn as well." Helios replied remembering how the middle schoolers urged to follow Alan.

Xavier smiling at Poseidon who stepped on the same rock as him comforted the rest of them with their relieved gleams. Kenzo grasping the sight of the map told, "The moment we cross this it's our victory however, if we were to cross this path back fully loaded with the materials. I bet it would be difficult… moreover, we are already stuck in the night."

Helios realizing the fact suggested, "You are right on that but it's not like we have a choice. Let's find a way once we cross it back again."

The seven of them agreeing crossed the swampy path cautiously. 

Alan coming out of the continuous tunnel search took a deep breath in. Eyeing his sight with Adam and Ezekiel behind. The rest of them rushed over.

"How was it?" Heber questioned curiously. Alan shaking his head passed the phone to Azazel, "No use. This is one has a dead end."

"Ah…" Feng uttered disappointed.

"Then, shall we check the last one?" Azazel questioned.

"Let's do that already. I am tired now." Ezekiel yawned.

"The first one ended up to god knows which side of the hill and the second one turned out to be a dead end. Now, let's squeeze our lucks out and try the third one, who knows what other gift might be waiting for us there." Alan rolled his eyes sarcastic, "However, if it also turns out to be a waste of time. Then, we are surely heading back. And, no comments on that." 

Ryan sighing nodded as Adam too yawned. "Alright, alright. It's your call." Feng responded heading inside the third tunnel beside Azazel.

Alan gazing at Azazel's back who walked ahead focused wondered, "This boy… ever since the beginning he is trying to bet on a solid answer as if he knows there is a way out. Judging his confidence, if by possibility his guess turns out to be correct… then would that mean he has some kind of premonition skill hidden in him too?"

Gazing at the tunnel wall beside him Alan continued to think, "If that's the case… then he better pull this skill out before returning to the base. If not helpful, it might still be a great asset."

A smile escaping his lips he stepped forward, "Come on brats, hurry up. We don't have the whole day on our hands. It's already night." 

Kenzo stepping outside the swamp pulled Gabriel up.

"Huff…! Now that was some work…" Seraph murmured taking a deep breath settling down.

Poseidon too closing his eyes exhaled heavily concurring, "Indeed it was definably some real work."

"Careful Xavier." Helios warned as Xavier stepped out carefully. "It's fine now. Don't worry." he assured.

Kenzo studying the map walked ahead beside Cassiel and Gabriel, "You guys take a breather here. I'll go check it out."

Poseidon shaking his head on the contrary stood up rejecting, "Nope… let's not separate. We are coming with you. The sun has already set and it's dark now. We can't afford to lose each other."

"Poseidon's right. Let's not separate. The young ones are still with Alan and we can't afford more trouble. So the nearer we are to each other the better." Xavier helping him up agreed.

Kenzo nodding called, "Alright, follow me." The night now turning dark stretched over the entire mountain. 

Chirping of crickets heard around, with surroundings murky, the 7 of them after a short walk stood at a point.

"It's here…" Cassiel whispered looking around, "This place should mark our destination."

"But… where are the materials?" Seraph questioned puzzled looking around. Xavier too searching behind the bushes beside Gabriel and Poseidon shook their heads.

"Nope. There's nothing here." Xavier informed.

Helios reading the map confused looked around, "But it definitely points here. We can't be wrong."

A sudden bad omen taking over Kenzo he guessed unamused, "Don't tell me that old hag tricked us and there's nothing here."

Gabriel hearing him stood composed and threatening at the same time. "Believe me, if this turns out to be the case. I'll strangle his throat with my own two hands." he galled annoyed.