Again, I was back to that solemn dark plane of water, hearing only echoing droplets and the swirling of my hands on the surface with nothing to see even if I opened my eyes. I waited for that beautiful voice, the whisper of a woman who welcomed me here before. Though gradually, the tranquil became brusk, it became sharp. Then intruded the orchestra of birds with the wind, and the wet water lapsed into a toughened earth beneath my supine.

  The dark void renewed into a light in the sky, penetrating through my sealing eyes. It was not the voice, presumably of death, that I heard, but the familiar sound of a busy kitchen… The loud cheering of children, a lively chatter between men, a blender whirring loudly— a busy household.

  I pushed my palms against the floor, raised myself up from the cozy spot. And magically, what felt like a thin blanket morphed around myself. I finally opened my eyes. I was inside a humble wood cabin on an old creaking bed with a complete set of soft pristine pillows and cloth. And no, it was no illusion, without a trace of mana— not even tiny dusts of it. It was practically empty inside beside myself, the morning atmosphere, two lonesome and classic beds, and an— old wrinkly man?

  He was leaning on his cane, sitting on a chair very close beside me.

  I actually had to take a second look to realise he was there.

  I couldn't tell if his eyes were open, such that most of his skin was saggy, and the cloak he wore perfectly blended in with the brown interior... Actually is he even awake? What if I...

  || SLAP!

  . "Oh—" I was pushed back

  The old man's hand was fast, quickly forcing mine away.

  . "What do you think you're doing, boy—!" He awoke suddenly, with a shockingly deep and strong voice!

  . "You’ve no respect!" he said

  My hand turned red, it stung a little bit.

  . "I'm sorry~"

  . "So what are you… BRAINWASHED?! " he exclaimed at me with that annoyed tone, reminds me of a certain someone I know.

  . "No, Monsieur! I'm normal— promise!"

  . "YOU THE SPAWN OF THE DURMIAN?!" he raised his cane out of the blue, of which I quickly avoided by leaning back. Its sharp tip was directly pointed to my face about 9 inches apart. Both my hands were up in the air on instinct too.

  . "Eek—! Look at me— do I look like one—?!"

  A moment of silence as he scanned me judgingly from top to bottom.

  . "You Reckless... RECKLESS CHILDREN don't learn.” he thankfully set his creepy cane down, “Can't even wait for graduation— You lot just love to throw your youth away."

  . "heh... We apologize… But uh— excuse me, have you seen my friend?" I inched back to the warm center of the bed.

  . “HuH?” He grunted.

  . “He’s uhh, a boy my age but bigger. Bigger muscles, small sharp eyes? Is he here…?”

  The old man’s eyes fully opened, much that I could actually see some light grey.

  . "Oh that... that Despicable BRAT...!"

  But he quickly changed. He growled, his face heated up with rage as his frowning mouth and prominent brows were expressed enough to fully suggest— he's pretty pissed off.

  Well atleast I know Bino's here... but what in the world did he do already?!

  I'm worried.

  “Ah—! Nevermind, I’m sorry I asked. I’ll just… look for him.” I lowered my voice.

  I took a quick glance at the other sides of the small cabin, but really it is just the beds, a desk at the corner by the 'window', and a slightly open exit letting harsh sunlight peek inside. From here, I could faintly hear a bustling community just outside. Right now my body feels at home, my mind is empty and exhausted, I am feeling lazy however...

  . “sigh* Do me a favour, and get out of here, Hm? I ask this kindly, of you.” he calmly stated.

  . “Could I… Just have a few minutes, please?” and I replied like so.

  . “What—”

  Slowly, I rested my body back to as it was, pulling the thin blanket to cover my entirety. I do not feel like standing up yet, maybe I will in 5 minutes. So I slowly closed my eyes and drifted off once again.

  CHAPTER VII

  . “OW— OW~!” I covered my head, hunched down. My body was wrapped in cloth bandages all over, some loose.

  . “GET OUT OF HERE!!” angrily shouted the old man as he hit me in all places with his cane. He specifically targeted my legs so much that it was completely red.

  || BANG! The door then banged on me… Even the curtains were slid down.

  My body still hurts—! Oh what misery… I never thought I’d be kicked out once in my life! Such is the tragedy of—

  . “MOVE ASIDE, YOUNG MAN!” someone shouted at me.

  I turned to my right, and something big was gonna run through me—

  . “HOFFU—!“ but I was narrowly able to hop aside.

  It was a moving heavy wagon full of wood. The slim and sweaty man steering it was gasping for air as he pushed with all his might.

  . “Sorry!!” He nodded to me with a guilty smile as he moved away.

  With a little bit of adrenaline now instilled in me, I was able to observe just where in the world I was. People all over, clad in rags and simple clothing, and to each their own work— men transported heavy loads and some, seemingly carpenters, slammed on wood. In the near distance were farmers cultivating their crops. Even children were cleaning and hanging clothes. People strolled by me with big smiles on their faces after they noticed me. Ofcourse, I smiled back at them— it made me oddly comfortable.

  The place was a small village on a flat green grassland hidden within a range of giant mountains. On every side towered a wall as tall a small tree, constructed with darkwood and cobble. Though as many people are present here, there weren’t too many structures inside— all were made of wood, stones, marbles, basically huts and small wooden buildings held intact by ropes and fibres. The village welcomed all kinds of nature inside, as random trees sprouted in random spots and small animals such as pigs and chickens roamed. The ground surface was grass and dirt, with little to no ‘modern’ design of cement or clay. Everything was as simple as it could be, but—! It was clean and pleasant to be in, there weren't any animal feces on the floor, I think Bino would love to be here.

  That scent of freshly baked bread in the distance, and the grilling of meat somewhere else—! The smoke from a grill and fiery charcoal extended high up to the air. My tummy is rumbling!

  I looked back at the silent wooden door, gulping down my slight bits of confusion, before trying to explore the place. Heading to a random direction along the sidewalk of the village’s dirt road, I revolved my head around to all sorts of areas. Actually, I was trying to follow the scent of that grilled meat.

  Although… looking at myself, I really don’t fit in! I still wore the same ragged clothes, and my skin is coiled by cotton and bandages. No wonder I stuck out like a sore thumb. Also, I’m pretty lost, I don’t know what to do…

  So without any option, I jogged back to the cabin.

  || Knock Knock!

  . “Excuse me!” I said.

  . “...” No reply.

  || Knock Knock!

  . “Hello? I want to ask something~!”

  “...”

  || KNOCK KNOCK!

  I made my voice slightly louder. “I’m kinda lost and I don’t know where to go—”

  . “HEY! STOP WITH YOUR LOUD NOISES!” he finally shouted through the door. He didn’t open it though.

  . “Where do I go, Monsieur? The place is lovely and all but I’m pretty lost!”

  . “DON’T ASK ME— ASK KLEY, SHE CAN DEAL WITH YOU TWO TROUBLEMAKERS.”

  . “Oh— thank you…! ...But uh… Where do I find ‘Kley’?”

  “...”

  . “H-Hello—?”

  . “JUST… Go to the Main Hall, she’s there.” His voice mumbled softly through the door, he must be tired.

  . “Alright… Again, thank you Monsieur.” I spoke much weaker, I don't think I should disturb him any more.

  From where I currently am, I wandered quite far to the right— but I don’t think any of the buildings stood out to me as a ‘Main Hall’ type of building… Supposedly it would be a big structure compared to these huts.

  I started pacing toward the other direction.

  It was a short walk, with a little help from the villagers. I asked the approachable people for directions, giving and receiving compliments from the elders I passed by. I felt like a foreign object in a community where everyone was family. I even passed by a group of girls around my age who glared at me like an unknown organism… yikes. There were people who dressed differently, possessing armor like a leather cuirass or a steel helmet and weapons like a sword or a dagger, but they were surprisingly jolly. Those guards escorted me until I reached my destination.

  I thanked them and bowed before they left me. What was before me sure was the biggest building in the village, towering to about 20 feet tall with a full wood structure. Nobody was inside, so as I stepped in, it was as quiet as my academy. It was a spacious single-floor, with a huge circular base and clothed tables lined up in the corners of the interior. The lively economy outside was but distant sounds… Here, the dominant noise was the clicking of a typewriter in the only room on the other side. There was a woman at her desk, busy typing on her papers.

  I approached her carefully.

  Until I was in the room with her, I could hear her softly mumbling words she typed and see her eyes focused under her glasses. She had a wild style for fashion and luxurious spiky auburn hair. Wolf fur on a leather coat, a tied bandage on her head— her looks just screamed of ‘strong’ and ‘cool’.

  I looked around a little, it was a small and compact library inside with dim lighting— with small lamps scattered to provide it. By the entrance were two human-like statues, one of them looked very realistic; it was almost eerie— a warrior with tattoos and battle scars on the exposed skin.

  Back to the desk, it was messy, but there was a bell and a seat on the desk’s opposite, available for me to occupy. Seeing her this focused, that she still hasn't noticed me, I thought ringing the bell would startle her. So I tried to take the woman’s attention the old humble way.

  . “Hello—”

  . “EEK—!”

  || SLIDE— CLANG!! The typewriter brushed off the empty chair and unto the ground.

  The woman flinched hard and inadvertently pushed the typewriter off her desk to me, and her glasses slanted off her face. She startled not only herself, but me as well.

  . “Argh—! Uh— Are you alright??” she turned to me, her face all bubbly and worried.

  . “I'm alright…!”

  . “T-there's a bell, you know!”

  . “Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you Miss Kley, by any chance—?”

  . “Yes” she straightens her glasses, squinting her eyes as a smile slowly forms on her face, “oh— Oh! You’re Bino’s friend…!”

  I nod.

  . “Ahe~ Gachizen, could you pick that up for me?” she stood from her chair, reaching over the desk to point at the sad typewriter on the floor. Of which of course, who am I not to obey? The typewriter wasn’t damaged at all, I just set it back to the top of the desk all clean and sturdy while collecting the scattered papers on the dented floor. Kley slid the guest seat closer to me.

  . “Take a seat, Gachizen. I’ve been expecting you.” Her fingers crossed, and her voice swiftly became strong and persuasive, “I’ve pretty much heard the whole story from Bino— and though your arrival here wasn’t as welcoming as I’d hoped, I welcome you to the village of Folia— scouts in Asofus Atopuscele’s 16th floor.”

  . “Thank you.” I spoke confidently, matching her eye level. “And uh— speaking of Bino, I hope he didn’t say anything rude? Haha…”

  . “Ah, Ha, Ha, ha….! Your friend’s QUITE the character!” her brows twitched subtly.

  Bino, you—!

  . “But are you feeling alright, Gachizen?” she hitches forward, moving her sight to my fully bandaged body, “you’re not in too much pain right now, are you?”

  . “No, ma’am. I don’t feel any pain at all. I should only have a few cuts but… actually I’m not injured, I think.”

  . “I suppose… You’d have to be pretty healthy to startle me like that, Ha—!”

  . “...yeah I’m so sorry about that.”

  . “ANYWAY—! I wanted to ask you something, but before any of those, let me formally introduce myself first,” She takes her glasses off to the side of the desk, revealing a set of prideful brown eyes. She deepened her voice.

  . “Yours truly, ‘Kley Castiel’, the third chieftain of Folia and the people’s most -beautiful- leader—!” she turned her body to a proud and elegant pose.

  . “Woh…!” Her charisma was unmatched.

  . “You don’t have to introduce yourself, Bino pretty much told me all about you. You were asleep for a whole day, you slacker!” her hands were very expressive.

  . “You’re both students, aren’t you? Oh how I miss my youth, but— from what I remember, teens your age shouldn’t even be out here! Aren’t you 17?”

  I couldn’t help but smile everytime she spoke, and so I nodded to her.

  . “That’s interesting, yes. I have but one question for you Gachizen— you don’t have to think too much about it, you can choose not to answer actually… How did you two get here?” She slouched back to her chair, crossing her legs.

  . “Oh! Uh—” I started feeling something off… uncomfortable. I still felt a little dizzy but I thought of answering wholeheartedly.

  . “Actually It was very strange how it happened, I was—”

  . “Excuse me for interrupting,” Kley butted in, “before you continue, try not to lie ok? That includes making up a story or whatever, I just need an accurate report since the capital might get confused by your sudden visit… And it might hurt a little if you say something you truly don’t mean…!” She spoke in that positive and approachable expression, but her eyes looked different to me, like a closed curtain from what was once open.

  . “I also asked Bino— and he said quite a lot too. We need an accurate story from both of you, and if it matches then that may confirm something! Help me out, would you? Aha, Ha, ha…”

  “...”

  Then I realized.

  I was never fond of lying, what reason would I have for that? But after she spoke, I found myself in a conundrum. When people lie, clumps of mana spew out of the person’s mouth like scattered powder. Since I was a kid I always win rock paper scissors by asking what my opponent would play, and they would answer— I only lost when Bino cracked the code.

  Kley spat out her dust of lies— not when she said she asked Bino, but that he told her what happened. Bino is much more of a blabbermouth than I am, but why would he not say anything? He wouldn’t do so unless something was at risk… it must be something with the Capital or the Academy.

  That’s it—! How could I forget, in the academy handbook, a major offence. We technically trespassed into the dungeon, and that risks us— saying the full story here would be the same as admitting to it… Kley is the village chieftain, she has some authority in the Capital…!

  It would’ve been easy to just twist my words now, bearing the itching dust of mana. But it’s not that I don’t want to, but that I can’t. Ever since she asked that question, something else was already going on. A sudden surge of mana started bouncing back and forth between my lips and something below the desk every time I spoke. It’s a Lodiac cast specific to words, presumably it will activate when a person lies.

  She’s got me trapped. I was already about to say it too— I can’t just suddenly go quiet.

  . “So?” she uttered

  . “I’m trying to remember, sorry. My memory isn’t too clear.” I remember most of it, my memory is splendid, but it's technically not a lie— I haven't a clue how we got ‘here’ specifically.

  || “...”

  …Good, I think it worked.

  . “Take your time” Kley had a mischievous smile, as if she’d already got me in the palm of her hand. And out of nowhere, she brings out a paper bag of candies from below the desk, unwrapping and nibbling on a few aromatic bites. “If you want some candy, you can have some~”

  . “No thank you, I don’t really like candy.”

  || AGUN—! A sudden influx of mana shot at me as the desk vibrated.

  . “UGH...!” Suddenly, my mind throbbed with excruciating pain. I held my hand on my head, pushing into it to lessen the feeling. But after just a short while, the mental attack subsided.

  So lying not only vibrates the thing causing this, but it also unleashes a grenade inside your head.

  . “Really…? Here, help yourself.” Kley scattered pieces of fruit candy to the top of the desk.

  . “T-thank you~” I grunted weakly, but acquired myself one of those juicy delights. “I think I… remember now.”

  . “Ooh??!” Kley inched closer “Say, please!”

  I need to make it seem like a complete accident— minimize the penalty…!

  “We were playing around next to a Magma Hound that we— I found.”

  It’s technically not a lie.

  . “A Magma Hound?!” she jumps up after slamming on the table with a face of surprise. “How did you— where was this?”

  “Somewhere in Zhaya, out in the open. I don’t remember where exactly but it was there.”

  That's where I followed IT.

  “We didn’t know how to work it. I didn’t have any mana NOR a mana store in hand but somehow, I got it activated…”

  Bino woke it up, but I pushed him to do it.

  “We couldn’t even react as it flew up to the air and… ‘kidnapped’ us. We weren’t even that close!”

  To be honest I didn’t know how it worked so I was equally shocked as Bino.

  Kley giggled. “Hmhm, I remember my first time. So did you control it?”

  . “I… managed to control its direction at least, but it went at full speed, I tell you!”

  I spoke more confidently.

  . “I could have just landed it back to the ground but I wasn’t confident flying straight down at that speed. The only logical option, you know, was to make it go toward the closest entrance at a 90 degree angle.”

  . “And that’s here.” mumbled Kley

  . “Yeah.”

  “The main entrance was a good idea, but there was this one random tunnel to the side of the dungeon directly in front of us that was best to crash course.”

  Since it was also my destination.

  “I was surprised the impact didn’t injure us but the Hound sure was, it was steaming hot and looked broken. We decided to walk deeper into the tunnel and that eventually got us here.”

  . “...That’s interesting.” She stared at the object below her desk.

  I gulped down on my worry, gurgling the ball piece of candy around my mouth.

  . “Yeah… that’s probably fine, you don’t have to worry about anything, we’ve got you covered… Then that’s that!” She slumped back again. “Next time, maybe be careful, yeah? You’re the future of the capital, we can’t risk losing valuable assets like you to risky stunts such as that.”

  . “Yes… Ma’am…” Surprisingly she took that pretty well… actually what a scary lady.

  . “But really, the main reason why I asked you was because… apparently a ‘Durmian’ chased you here? You didn’t say anything about that.”

  . “Oh… a—” I went silent

  . “...W-what, are you okay?”

  As thoughts flooded in, chills came thundering down my spine… Images of its dreadful eyes and Bino’s bloodied head flashed within.

  . “Hey Gachizen—! You don’t have to answer now, I’ll just ask later, if that’s alright with you…!”

  I didn’t notice my smile swiftly fading from my face, as I mumbled condescendingly while staring her straight in the eyes.

  . “It didn’t die when we stabbed it in the neck.”

  Kley’s eyes gapped into a full circle, her mouth agape. I continued to speak in that monotone manner.

  . “Personally, I’ve never met a Durmian. Bino however, he knows what there is to know about one. But, please tell me— bloody claws, ripped clothes, snake eyes, and horns? Not to say a color of hair as white as snow?”

  . “White…? Did you two do anything else with it?” Kley gasped

  . “Nothing really… but if you must know, it was enough for me to realize it was the real deal, especially after I locked eyes with it… twice.”

  Her hair quickly stood, and her voice made her anxiousness show, “Wait— you mean to tell me you looked at it in the—”

  I nod.

  . “Well that can’t be right—” Kley once again turned to the idle Lodiac Object under her desk before letting out a long sigh “...I’m… happy that you two made it here…”

  . “But…” I suddenly spoke out loud, “It didn’t seem to chase us, if my memory serves me correct.”

  . “What.”

  . “It's more of… We ambushed it, ran as fast as we could, and hid somewhere.”

  . “Gachizen, I…” Kley scratched her head.

  . “Honestly I'm confused, very.” She started tapping on the table. “Your story is absurd— very unbelievable, per say. I can’t just, BELIEVE, you met a Durmian because— nobody’s done what you said you have, not one in the entire history of mankind. Not a single Durmian survivor. I’m starting to think I’m talking to a ghost!”

  . “That… can’t be right. It was young, like a child, so it could have just—”

  . “Looks or Age, doesn’t matter for said rare creatures, creatures that spawn in the eyes of weak and lonesome victims— that’s you. Bino said he slashed it in the neck, that— I very much believe. But everything else onward starts to become… how do you term it— ‘fallacious’. If it really were a Durmian it would’ve ignored everything, even its own neck and… well you wouldn’t be here, or at least you’d be missing a couple limbs. Trust me, I know that.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  . “...but then you’re saying…”

  Kley itched on her shoulder, “I believe what you encountered was something else completely, worst case even a human.”

  . “It was not, it’s a Durmian, I’m telling you!” I subconsciously raised my voice. “It didn’t even incant any mana and it—”

  . “I’m not saying you’re wrong, Gachizen. White hair is a hard detail to miss. An albino would definitely not pass the Capital unrecorded if they were to be, it’s an extremely unique and treasured genetic trait. If both of you said the truth, then something’s amiss.”

  . “Well my head didn’t hurt!” I said confidently.

  . “Pff— Hmhm—!” she chuffled, “You’re quick to notice that!” Kley, as fast a shift of mood could have been, switched to her playful demeanor in an instant.

  . “Yes, I know you tried to say the truth to the best of your abilities. That’s why this is one of, if not the strangest case I’ve investigated~” She took a smooth candy bar and chewed on it. “For now, we’ll conclude this with: ‘The both of you saw illusions or something similar to a Durmian.’ Capiche?”

  I am a little bitter having still been doubted, but at least I’ve said what I’ve said.

  . “I understand.”

  . “But we’ll think about this a different time! Just know that you’re VERY protected here, and NO Durmian’s gonna get past those walls— *swallow* rest assured, young one.” Kley gestured the OK hand.

  . “I take your word for it, Miss Kley.”

  . “Mhm~!” her face bubbled up once again. I also started cheering up. A negative mood early in the morning is bad for your health anyhow.

  . “When can we get back home?” I asked

  . “Oh! Uhh, huh… Let’s talk about that later, okay? I need to see something through first.” she replied with unease. “Don't worry though, your mother knows you're here~”

  . “Oh—! Thank you, Madame.”

  . “It’s a big coincidence, Gachizen, I happen to know your father.” Kley, all of a sudden, swayed her hand right up. “But for now…!”

  And out of nowhere—

  . “BOREALIS! ” She shouted toward someone behind me.

  || STEP—! STEP—! Loud footsteps shook the hollow wooden floor.

  No it’s not— it can’t be…! It’s that—

  I slowly turned my head behind and there he was, “REALISTIC STATUUEEEE!!”

  . “...What did you say?!” he had a very relaxing and bass voice like an old veteran… He stood tall, really tall! I was just a quarter of his size sitting down.

  . “Second-man,” said Kley, “Monsieur Gachizen here is under your care, understood?”

  . “Aye.” The bald hercules glanced at me with a herculean smirk on his tattooed face, even Bino looks like a small child compared to him.

  . “Gachizen” Kley turned to me.

  . “Hm?”

  She reached her arm to my shoulder and patted on it, “Let’s talk more later, m’kay? After dinner, Borealis will escort you back here.”

  . “Ofcourse, I understand.”

  . “Mm.” She gestures a slight nod to Borealis, who too tapped me… pretty hard with his mighty strong finger. I stood from the chair, patting the dust off of it, and gathering all the scattered candy back to the paper bag.

  As I walked out alongside the colossal living statue, Kley called my attention a final time.

  . “Oh and don’t forget to bring your friend with you please, what I’ll say is important!”

  I faced her and performed a deep and respectful bow before leaving. Borealis seemed to be the quiet man, I never even noticed his presence the entire time he was there! But… You can’t judge the man by first appearance, because the moment we were outside—

  . “WOOOHOOO~! I’m OUT’ TER THERE!!” he roared, and the particles in the air vibrated to his will. His voice was actually very husky, oh so unique!

  . “And AS FOR YOU— You’re to obey what I say from now on, alright?!”

  . “Ehh…”

  . “You said you weren’t injured— so I’ll start putting you to work.” He twitches to a random direction.

  . “Follow me, shrimp. I’ll show you around.” He spoke very deeply and cool on that one.

  For a 6—7 foot bruiser with an intimidating form, he was actually very well-respected in the community. He spoke nicely of the children and the old alike, even lending to the near carpenters.

  The Villagers greeted him one by one, others patted him on the back followed up with witful jokes— and Borealis responded like a bundle of joy, or like a cool uncle.

  He led me on a specific path west of the village. He strode with full confidence and strength in every step, flexing his muscles and ‘manly fat’ at every opportunity, but somehow I feel at ease with him. He pointed out almost every facility in the village, unexpectedly it had an entire bustling economy— a blacksmith, fishing area, stables, even a flower shop that I really wanna go to later.

  It was a proper tour of this splendid village.

  Until, we reached a gap on the village walls and exited through it. It was then I started to feel a bit of worry, as fewer and fewer people were near enough to provide me a sense of security, and more and more trees and mountain peaks surrounded us. Surely this man knows what he’s doing… right?

  We walked for about 5 silent minutes following this straight trail of sand, until the abundant amount of trees set to a new scene.

  There was a vast grassland with small hills and little trees in the distance. But what more than the natural landscape, was the dominant plowing fields extending a few thousand meters into the distance. THIS was the main farming place…! Many many people hunched back, with a straw hat and rolled up sleeves, chanting in unison as they struck and reaped on the ground like a work song. Most of them could only be seen by their heads because of the standing wheat, celery, and a massive variety of produce!

  My heart rapidly beat in excitement.

  As I looked all around, to the nearest groups of farmers, I spotted a very familiar build of a person also wearing very characteristic and ‘protective’ gear— he was the only one who wore gloves, a mask bandana, socks, and for some reason some heavy clothing under the hot rays of sun. There is only one person insane enough to commit to this.

  . “Bino—! Is that you?!”

  The farmer’s body twitched, laden with the burden of having to look down all morning. Slowly, I could hear the cracking of his bones as he marched, and with his hand to his back to support himself up, my very vigorous friend faced me with what should be his high spirits and—

  . “Yo~~”

  Bino groaned like a tired old man! As he pulled his mask off his face— a walking corpse!! I was speechless, Borealis smirked beside me with his hands on his waist.

  . “Come up here! I’m taking you both somewhere.” Borealis yelled.

  Bino approached us silently after bowing to the other farmers, struggling to walk consistently on the mud because of his over-the-top clothing, grunting and exclaiming with every step.

  . “Hey— I tried to tell him to take those off but the spud’s too stubborn.” defended Borealis.

  . “And I don’t want— || *cough || dirt on my SKIN—!” argued Bino.

  . “Oh, Bino! You’re leaving already?!” shouted one of the near men tilling the fields.

  . “YEAH— I’m getting called!”

  . “Oh—! Couldn’t handle the heat huh?! Ha, Ha.” shouted another farmer.

  . “I WAS PERFECTLY FINE.” roared Bino. Everyone close had positive spirits, already seemingly close with Bino.

  . “Bino, there’s a reason why farmers don’t wear a jacket or whatever extra thing.” I said with a stoic face.

  . “Mosquito Bites are lethal, worms disgust me, the ground is made up of probably 80 percent bacteria. I’m NOT taking ANY CHANCES!” Bino gestures a big X with his hands.

  I helped him up a slope on the ground. As his straw hat fell off, I noticed his head was completely healed, with not a single trace of a wound or scar, only a new hairstyle I suppose.

  I told him, “Take those off, I’m telling you you’re gonna collapse from hypothermia before a mosquito even—”

  . “HYPERthermia.” Bino interrupted before finally setting his clothing aside, now holding it by the waist.

  . “Sigh* Oh WHAT NOW?!”

  . “HEH, HERGH.” Chuckled Borealis, “I’ve a welcome gift, after we talk.”

  . “Oh…?”

  Borealis started heading further down the sand path; we followed close behind, but since then the stoic berserker didn’t say a single word. We tried to ask him questions as to where we were going or about his gift, but he didn’t respond.

  Why would he even say he wants to—

  Anyway, this left Bino and I time to converse amongst ourselves.

  . “Bino, Bino,” I inched close to him and whispered in his ear “Did they ask you anything—”

  . “Not now…!” Bino grunted angrily in an equally low volume, “...actually, what did you tell them?”

  . “I needed to say how we got here, but I think we’re fine.”

  . “Tsk.”

  . “It’s fine…! As long as the story was that we got here by accident, right?”

  . “What are you— you could have said whatever, I don’t care.”

  . “Huh? Doesn't it risk us in violation of the academy’s code? The Capital’s gonna kill us…!”

  . “...Oh… I see where you’re coming from, but no. It’s the other way around.”

  . “Bino, I’m not following.”

  . “Just don’t say anything, like at all, boy. I have a feeling that chieftain will ask for us later, and I want you quiet then.”

  . “She will do that. We need to come back there after dinner I think.”

  . “Then I have enough time to give you context, LATER. You might have caused us a big hassle.”

  . “Why not now? Hey—”

  Bino stepped further from me, ignoring me as I tried calling his attention. He even turned his head away in the opposite direction.

  . “Bino, you— ergh…” I crossed my arms and started to ponder. There’s something I’m clearly missing, something else at risk…? I haven't read much into law, I’m just gonna have to trust Bino in whatever he’s thinking.

  . “What happened to your head, though? It’s completely healed.” I spoke out loud.

  . “You quite LITERALLY just answered your own question.”

  He's being a little ruder today.

  . “How did we even get here in the first place…?” I asked. Immediately, Bino revolved his head around with a mischievous smirk.

  . “Believe it or not Gatey Boy, but after you got knocked for some stupid random reason I had to carry you all the way, THEN we fell into a fast river.”

  . “What???”

  . “OOH That's not even the worst part, your heavy ARSE almost slipped us off a massive waterfall— LUCKY US! We got rescued before that happened.”

  Borealis stopped.

  Ahead of him was a woman fast approaching, dressed similarly to the guards back there, a scout perhaps. She went in front of Borealis and exchanged a few words with him. Their soft words mumbled, but incoherent to us who were a few meters behind. Bino whispered to my ear,

  “There! That's the dude who saved us. Her name’s Jekaal.”

  . “She looks nice…” I said

  . “Trust me, she’s as temperamental as… Basically the whole village, apparently—”

  . “Mind your manners, Bino, and your words. You don’t call girls ‘dudes’.”

  The two adults nodded at each other, and in the blink of an eye, Jekaal blended into the shade of the nearby trees. She didn’t even make a single sound or a trace of movement on the sand. Bino was visibly taken aback.

  . “What in the—”

  . “SO—!” Borealis spoke suddenly. “Are you shrimps READY?!” and he flicked his body backwards facing us, taking a few steps away.

  I had just noticed where we were… A wide flat area of sand with an outline of thick trees outlining it. The surface had scattered footprints and marks suggesting that this… this is a training ground.

  Borealis, about 20 meters away now, knocked on the dual bronze holsters of his unsheathed blades. The sound of the bronze design reverberated throughout the air, ringing on our ears.

  . “AS YOU CAN SEE, I WON’T USE MY WEAPONS YET!!!” he yelled before pointing his finger up at Bino. “YOU, BIG KID, I HOPE YOU LIKE GETTING DIRTY—!”

  Bino struck a nerve, clenching his fists, “Why you—”

  . “EXCUSE ME—!” I yelled

  . “What, Flimsy One?!”

  . “You’re not suggesting we fight, right?! We’re not really—”

  . “EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN, NOW HANDS UP!”

  . “Wa-wa-WAIT!!”

  “THREE–!” Borealis started counting down.

  . “Monsieur— we don’t wanna—”

  “TWO…!”

  . “HNNnnngg….”

  . “He’s crazy Gaten, we’ve got no choice…!” Bino started hopping in place, with his gloved hands raised up to his chest. I took a few steps back, ready to run at any second. Aren’t we forgetting something here— the Durmian could be anywhere….!

  “ONE—”

  || HIT—! A direct hit by Bino!

  The bare skinned warrior charged straight at me with his fist ready to pump out, but was body tackled by Bino from the side. The sound of the impact was akin to the bumping of flesh on steel. He got knocked back a few studs away though.

  . “Hey—!” Borealis anchored his feet deep into the sand, drawing two lines on the floor. “You’re not too shabby eh—?!”

  Bino and I tapped hands as I started sprinting around the field.

  My head layed low going through the entire field’s outline; Bino stayed in place, posed with a defensive back foot stance. When Borealis took a step to any direction, Bino matched his pace.

  . “That’s good, Shrimp. Keep your Mana up and runnin’.” stated Borealis. “You know you’re both technically Criminals, right? We still haven’t written your names in our record so… Until then, you’re trespassers!”

  . “YEAH right, and you like to BULLY Lost and Injured people for fun.” menacingly replied Bino.

  . “Hey, HEY! You’re not Injured at all! Your friend said so— right, Gachizen?!”

  . “No— we’re definitely still a little wounded!” I exclaimed from a little far back behind Bino.

  . “WHATEVER—! LET’S HAVE SOME MORE FUN, SHALLN’T WE?!”

  Borealis thundered forward with an extremely unnerving smile. Bino bended forward in response, as mana became present in his body at copious amounts. And like bulls clashing their horns—

  || THUD—! The first punch from Borealis was blocked.

  But a flurry of punches came after. Surprisingly enough though, Bino endured it head on, deflecting most with the swaying of his hand. I had a good view from here, the mana on Bino’s body was negating any force on all of Borealis’s physical attacks as if bouncing it off like a trampoline.

  Aside from that however, just as Borealis attacked with a positive comment on every defended blow, Bino followed up with his combo of insults.

  “Great block— Nice— you’re pretty tough…!” said Borealis, and meanwhile, Bino—

  “Weak—”

  “Dumb—!”

  “NOT GOOD ENOUGH.”

  “BALDIE WITH A COMPLEX—”

  A crooked smile and an exposed vein formed on Borealis’ face. And suddenly, it was then I observed mana activity in Borealis’s body beginning to manifest and form in clumps as hard as rocks and boulders— continuously, with every attack, Bino began to recoil. No longer did his mana bounce the fist far enough to fully bounce off all damage.

  . “You’re spreading your mana— too far apart.” uttered Borealis as he kept punching Bino like a still punching bag, “Try focusing them— on one side of your body…!”

  . “NNGGGHH— STOP HITTING ME THEN.”

  Compared to Borealis, there was a clear difference on the control of their mana. Bino’s was all over the place, whilst Borealis had it in groups on either fist. As I focused my sights on his mana alone, all of a sudden, I finally saw the pattern. Almost all of Borealis’s mana shifted to his left leg, glowing like a signal of an incoming strong attack.

  . “BINO, DODGE DOWN—!”

  || Swoosh— Borealis swept said leg up with tremendous force.

  Bino scurried fast enough, dodging a hair’s length away from the hit. Particles in the wind and waves of sound moved apart at its trail, and its tremendous power showed as loud the kick itself.

  In that slowed down moment, Borealis had switched his target, his sights toward me.

  Bino launched his punch, though Borealis easily maneuvered aside. But instead of doing his counterattack like he could’ve…

  He jumped over Bino and rolled over to the side. He sprinted much faster than before— towards me—!

  Bino tried to grab him but in a small window of vulnerability, Borealis swept his arm toward the stomach and launched him crashing into the nearest tree. I took a few steps back but he was already just a few arms length apart, prepping a right hook.

  I didn’t have any mana to defend myself, but I noticed he didn’t use his as much as earlier.

  || SWEEP—! I dodged

  || WHOOSH—! evaded him again.

  Though I was still yet to face a direct hit, his wave of attacks was getting faster and faster, until at one point I was forced to start blocking some minor hits.

  Then, he started doing it.

  He halted his pursuit, then his pattern of movement immediately changed like a spider dancing with its prey. His feet alternated and pushed forward, and his punches threw a bombardment of feints, he forced my body to act on instinct. However, as I focused solely on my sight, I detected the gathering of mana on the fist he was actually about to use—

  And I succeeded. Borealis was clearly surprised, much that he couldn’t hide that daring grin on his chilling face.

  His fighting style intensified, with each movement more flicky then it was just a moment ago. Much so that in just a few more turns my feet collided with each other and caused me to trip.

  In that moment, his right fist overflowed with mana and headed straight for my head. There was no more dodging in this state—

  But I had something in my pockets.

  || shuff— particles of dirt and sand scattered up into the air, a tactical smokescreen.

  Borealis lost his aim, and as he covered his face— Bino was already behind him.

  . “REEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!”

  Bino jumped to his back and latched unto him on a chokehold. And before he could use his hand to get Bino off, I threw my entire body at him and forced him down on the ground, locking his arms from behind with my entire body.

  We had Borealis, a very big warrior, in a tight lock, where even with strength, his herculean body could only shake and expand.

  . “Give up now— Heh, ehe—!” chuckled Bino

  But the man was silent, still struggling to shake us off. Surprisingly enough, I wasn’t seeing any mana inside his body, this would’ve been the best usage of it, but he still relied only on his pure strength.

  It was a hassle to keep up with this position however, our bodies were already beginning to hurt. Borealis still hasn’t conceded, instead he continued to force his way out. The mana on Bino’s body wasn’t holding up either, and I could almost not even feel my legs.

  Just a little bit more and he might give up…! My heart beat rapidly, and my hands began to shake tremendously. Somehow, my instincts shouted for me to look in a random direction, and as I turned my head to the side of a dark oak tree, I saw it.

  I heard the jumbled ringing of bells, the sifting of drifting sand, and the bellowing of deer. My sight vignetted with the gradient of black and yellow, and all mana pointed to that one image. As that hunter appeared to me again, passing through the cover of the trees.

  Just one moment of distraction, and my sweaty leg slipped over the other. Borealis had no moment of hesitation before he sprung himself up from the ground, balancing himself up on his feet. Almost immediately, he reached for Bino.

  Bino quickly refrained from his hold, and jumped from the warrior’s back.

  I tumbled in an attempt to clear my head but Borealis already latched his hand onto my shirt, and with little effort I was thrown to the same tree Bino was earlier. Though I quickly recovered on my knees.

  . “Oh COME ON.” grunted Bino

  . “FINE WORK—! AH, AHAHA!!” Borealis grinned widely with a bit of sweat. “Gachizen! You have no mana, I can tell. But you have potential— a skill that of a hardened tactician—!”

  He then points at Bino, standing in front of him with dirtied clothes. “While you— Big Shrimp. You’re a natural fighter… I expect a lot from you…”

  . “And I don’t expect your hair to grow back the way you’re acting like a yilly ol’ BABY.”

  . “...” Ouch.

  . “Though, your manners need heavy work.”

  . “OH— HA, HA. ME?! You’re the one out here suddenly FIGHTING with a bunch of TEENAGERS a lot younger than—”

  . “ARE WE DONE FIGHTING?!” I intervened in the background. “We’re clearly spent! We can’t do this anymore…!”

  . “...Perhaps…” Borealis straightened his posture, finally relaxing his hands. “You know I would be a bad teacher if I didn’t yell— SURPRISE ATTACK!!”

  || DASH—!! Straight toward Bino. His foot glowed with Mana.

  . “BINO, RIGHT FOOT—!” I yelled, and Bino could immediately react.

  “Right hand.”

  “Left hand—!”

  “RIGHT LE—”

  || SHUFF—! A dustfield of sand

  . “AGH—”

  Borealis slid his feet on the ground to my direction, scattering a tornado of sand dust, of which entered my throat.

  . “Cough* Cough* ”

  ...!

  || BANG!! Bino crashed right beside me.

  As we looked back at Borealis, breath weary and frantic, we braced for what was definitely the final impact. Both the attacker’s palms glowed extremely bright with Mana, so much brighter than everything else beforehand, and he glided through the wind at us with the glare of a jumping spider.

  . “Chill— CHILL OUT!!!”

  || DONG! DONG! The loud reverberations of church bells from the village’s direction.

  The steaming fists halted just right in front of our faces, as Borealis finally stopped all signs of attacking.

  . “HA, Ha, HA!” the warrior guffawed, bringing his iron hands to an open rest, “I’ve seen enough. Go relax now.”

  “...”

  . “You got skills, you got the brain—! But not at all what I’d expect from a DURMIAN survivor…”

  . “We’re— telling the truth, monsieur Borealis— we really are.” I replied

  Bino swerved his thumb to me, as if reiterating what I said.

  . “Well you shrimps better have—” snuffed Borealis. “We’re putting in major resources and time under the assumption that you are being hunted— Durmians don’t stop until they reach prey. Though it may be illogical to act under that extremely, unlikely, doubtful, CHANCE… But the chieftain isn’t fond of taking risks.”

  A swift, relaxing cold breeze sifted through, and the sweat on our bodies almost immediately mixed into the air. Borealis looked around for a little bit, before suddenly walking out the training grounds. He waved his hand up, back turned on us. “Go eat your breakfast, and don’t forget to come back later—!”

  Leaving me and Bino still on the ground leaning on this thick old tree. I quickly peeked around it…

  …It’s not there anymore. I’m starting to think it’s all a hallucination.

  . “Man… I HATE THAT BALD— Tsk… Let’s go, Gaten.”

  . “Wait a little, can we? The wind’s pretty nice.”

  . “Huh...”

  . “...”

  . “So… Bino, what’s our situation? I think you can tell me now.”

  . “You still didn’t think about it?!”

  I turned my head sideways, paired with a completely oblivious smirk.

  . “Ergh— well, first of all what you said earlier about us being in violation of… WHATEVER code, we’re actually getting reimbursed for getting past Capital security instead.”

  . “Oh, that’s nice for us then, no?”

  . “NO. I’m telling you— you won’t want that to happen. For bypassing security, and to get that juicy reward, you’ll just help them figure out the flaw in their system. Simple enough? NAUGH—! We’re gonna have to explain how we got in here, and with a story as unbelievable as ours— a hidden entrance to the dungeon? A magma hounds of all things?! What do you think they will do?”

  . “Uh…”

  . “That’s right, they won’t WANT what they’re hearing, and they’ll keep PESTERING us until they hear what they WANNA hear. That means more interviews, more stress, and ESPECIALLY unwanted attention camping out on our doorstep 24/7.” He closed his eyes and slouched on the tree. “All you had to do was tell them that the DURMIAN brought us here— that’s IT.”

  . “Isn’t that the most unbelievable part of our story…?”

  . “It’s easier to explain, and we’ve got no choice, the village has to prepare for it. Besides, whatever reward they may give, we SIMPLY do not care about such currencies— it’s just money.”

  . “That's— true…”

  . “Does that answer your STUPID question?”

  . “...You’ve really gotta learn some basic manners.”

  . “Ohohoh Shuhut Uhuppuh—” Bino sprung up from the ground and gave me a hand up. “Of all people, do NOT copy that Macho-wannabe PLEASE—!”

  . “...Alright… shrimp.”

  || SMACK—! “Ouch!” Straight at the back of my head!

  This day already felt long enough I could almost not believe that the sun wasn’t even close to its peak. I’ve only been awake for like an hour and I was already spent, and so was Bino— our walking speed was pathetic! But… walking slowly for a moment, feeling our bodies unwind after an intense sparring session— we became inspired.

  Before we knew it, we brimmed with motivation and our energy rushed back at us like a sudden burst of fireworks— excited to see what else this strange village had in store for us— specifically the food! And in the near distance, through the open gate of the village walls, we were met by the torrents of strong spices. Laughter, chattering, and cheering— the welcoming hands and faces of the people invited us in for breakfast.

  ****

  ****

  In the Main Hall

  Light from the fireplace, a sharp spotlight. The peaking sun shone through the small gaps on the topwall. Kley and Borealis were on opposite sides with a chess board in between— a suggestive tension was high even before the first move was made.

  . “So what do you think?” Kley spoke in an inside, and very optimistic voice.

  Borealis became softly spoken, more so than the tender woman.

  . “Doubts… the shrimp’s story is as hard to believe as Shairliock’s treasure.”

  . “Really? Even with the Truth Pheamphre? You saw how it went with Gachizen.”

  Borealis slouched on the table, “Ain't the thing a relic? Did it even work? That kid doesn’t have any mana, perhaps that’s why.”

  . “It doesn’t work like that!” Kley reached for the drawer within her desk, bringing out a Lodiac artifact shaped like an onion bulb, which glowed waving patterns at the sense of her touch, “You rub it in with a bit of mana and it’s as if it were brand new! Mana or not, it is supposed to work.”

  She smiled mischievously, “Test it yourself, lie to me~”

  And Borealis was having none of it, “Nuh uh— I’m too old for a headache.”

  . “Come on!” Kley pressed forward with the Pheamphre in her hand, pressing it closer and closer to Borealis’s face.

  . “No.” and Borealis slowly slid backwards.

  . “Pretty please?”

  . “No…!”

  . “A beautiful woman’s asking you to do it, and you wont know if it works for sure if you don’t try it yourse—”

  . “It works, it works.” The herculean warrior was quick to give up.

  . “Ugh, since when were you the mature one…” Kley limps back to her seat with a pouting face, placing the Phemphre back to its original place“. ...Anyway, I’m sure you wanted to ask me something?”

  . “Yes.” Borealis points to himself, “So why me?”

  . “Huh?” Kley blinked rapidly

  . “I have to watch over a pair of weird shrimps? You know I don’t do well with strangers, especially the cocky ones.”

  . “Hehe, you can finally relate?? Ahaha” Kley clenches her palms together, on her face was a reassuring grin, “If it were just lost kids then Rissche would’ve handled it, Jekaal or maybe Norman for anything a little more troublesome. For a Durmian, however… I wouldn’t pick you if you weren’t the ‘strongest’ fighter we have! And if it ever comes to the worst, you’re the only one who can save those children.”

  . “No— I don't like the others out there scouting without me.” said Borealis

  . “I had Jekaal take your place, you trust her at least, right?”

  . “I’m being wasted here, Kley. We have the Palladium of Vision, not even a Durmian will find the village.” Borealis debated.

  As Kley rebutted, “The Palladium can’t stop anything as long as it has a targeted intent.”

  . “Why not?”

  . “It just won't. I know how that works just as I do with the Pheamphre, do you want me to explain again?”

  . “...Ignore I asked.”

  . “Then,” Kley takes out her paper bag of candy, “I request you to prepare them and watch them at ALL TIMES until the Capital arrives.”

  . “Hold on…!” Borealis raised his voice, “But the Capital won't arrive for another week—! What do I even—”

  . “All your work; I passed onto someone else. Please Lis, help us out on this one, I’ll make sure to put a good word in for you to Professor Kou.” Kley remained gentle, as Borealis was gradually getting impatient.

  . “He wouldn’t care much about that! Besides, I’m not as effective as you think. I don't have a winning chance against a Durmian, let alone be able to scratch it!” Borealis grunted, his face evident with annoyance.

  . “...You won’t be alone, Lis. Have trust in yourself as much as we do in you… I am there for you.”

  Borealis stuttered, with not a response able to form from his mouth.

  . “Besides, we’re not sure if it’s true anyway,” She added. “their descriptions of it are very weird, no? What sorta Durmian wouldn’t go for a killblow… What do you think?”

  Borealis sighed, then scratched on his bald head. “...The shrimps are honest, somehow. Their language of the fist showed that.”

  . “Language of the— you sparred with them?!” Kley quickly rose from her seat. “The kids probably went through the worst time of their lives, they’re covered in loose bandages for goodness sake!”

  . “Well how ELSE was I supposed to understand them and their shrimp-brain ‘story’— you know I can’t read minds like you do!” Borealis’s hands turned active in expression and the inside voice quickly turned around.

  Kley was puffing up, “As I said, after a hundred times— basic conversation. BASIC conversation.”

  . “I basically converse with my fist. You, with your words— why can’t you just accept that, Castiel?”

  . “Oh so we’re going down THAT route, huh?! ‘Castiel’—?! ” Kley went full childish mode before finally gripping on one of her pieces on the untouched chessboard, “Pawn e4!”

  . “FINALLY. A first move! I’ve been WAITING.” Borealis hovers over the d pawn.

  . “...Actually, Lis… Would you prefer I let Jekaal—”

  . “Oh shut up and focus on the game. I’ll be better than you and the Professor in no time.”

  . “Say that after you beat me once~”