--
The boy flinched at his father's sudden strict tone. It was rare for him to hear Ryoku speaking this seriously, so he took it seriously as well.
"The easiest way for you to work here is to form contracts with the dwellers of the water. They're the strongest one in their domains and is invincible if it's a fight against the livings on land." Ryoku tore his hand away from the boy and brought it into the stream.
"Sei, look over here," Ryoku called for his son, gesturing towards the clear stream in front of them. "Can you feel the coldness of the water? Or is it warm, Sei?" he questioned softly.
Seiya looked down and dipped his bare foot instead after seeing that his arms weren't long enough. The boy yelped in surprise, extracting his one foot from the cold river stream. "Eek! It's cold!"
"Hahaha, are you all right?"
"Ngh..."