“Scoot aside.” Kong Jing seated herself between their seats after she willingly allowed herself to be tackled. Arms wide and scooping both of Ebony and Ning Xin's shoulders, she sat comfortably.
“Congratulations on your successful evolution.” Ebony decided to open with that.
“Oh that, I’m already preparing for my next. Seriously, it's so easy to level. Wait, where’s my post-evolution gift.” The gifted craftswoman showed off. Ebony didn’t Appraise her but he trusted that she was likely already level 750.
“You can study this cube if you want.” He offered one of the interesting items in his possession.
“...That is one crazy rock. I’ll take it off your hands for a while. Later, and that bracelet...I can take that piece of crap off if you want. Nevermind, I’ll place a restriction charm on it. Done.” Ebony looked at his cell, unknown grey symbols glew on it for a brief moment. He wasn’t sure what happened but the spirit might not be able to respond to him at the moment.
“What are you doing here Sister? How did you find us?” Xin fought off the ear-pinching from her cousin.
“As much as I want to say I’m a space mage and I found you, I was sent here to pick the two of you up. I’ve been waiting for a long time.” Kong Jing, who had gotten taller suddenly got pissed when people got too close. The passengers were complaining about something but she had cut out the three of them from the space they had been in so hearing them wasn’t possible.
“We were already on our way back, Grandma is so slow.” Xin crossed her arms and huffed.
“You misunderstand, I’m bringing you home. Not Elcra. And yes, your grandma is waiting there for you.”
“So that’s what the detour is for. Two months is long.” Ebony realised what happened in the pilot’s room was a gangster getting what she wanted by force.
“It’ll take a week, the delay is for everyone else. Space is dangerous so I’ll bring you along once we’re closer.”
“Weren’t you waiting out there for a long time?”
“I’m in my element. Its harder to protect you two over long distances. I also only got the confidence to travel alone after I evolved. What is that…woah! How did you get a portable module? And that Myriad Bracelet, who did you rob!?”
“I bought it.”
“Oh…my cute brother, haven’t I been very nice to you. Maybe-maybe you can get me an actual gift.” Kong Jing shifted her upper body towards him and lightly pinched his cheeks.
“Sure. What do you want, I’ll put the order down and you can tell me the address.” Ebony had heard that delivery could get more expensive than any product but if it's within the Sector, it probably wouldn’t exceed the cost of a portable module.
He indeed owed her quite a lot, even his words that he’ll protect her in future simply never came true. At least, it was nothing, a few hours of waiting and doing nothing but letting his converter add to his bank account could repay. The smaller converter was far less efficient to the large facility than they estimated, it was only roughly 20% as efficient and it was already the best anyone Hex could reach in a short period of time to build. It cut his earning capabilities to 🜋127 per second but he wasn’t bothered by it.
“You’re the best! Let me get the catalogue. I’ll improve that for you in exchange.” Kong Jing pulled his wrist and tapped the invisible bracelet as if it wasn’t unseen. With a few flicks of her fingers, she moved onto Xin’s and did the same.
The donut-shaped space within his bracelet expanded beyond what he could immediately check and pull anything out.
‘With a few flicks?’ The items within couldn’t even serve as a reference for him to estimate how much larger the space they had increased.
“With these skills, you can earn money easily can’t you?” Ebony titled his head away from her mask in confusion.
“Yeah…I have something to tell you. I’m a Xeng, I can’t sell subpar equipment and items. And who’s going to buy something at this price point? Spatial equipment gets exponentially more expensive with a small increment in storage size. And I’m too young to sell to other regions with a bigger market like my clanmates, people with greater skills would be all over the place in my current inexperienced state. This place is too barren. Except you of course, you’re probably already one of the biggest clientele in the sector if you can already afford two of these, module included. I bet you, Hex had to get these from a different sector.”
“Do you want to use it to search the catalogue? You can help me search for suitable visitation gifts to anyone I would probably meet on-wherever your home is.” Ebony raised his portable module to her.
“Use mine instead.” Xin offered.
“Okay, but I’ll deal with this first.”The space mage returned their hearing to the rest of the passengers. “We’re making a stop, if you’re not happy I can remove you from the shuttle.”
Her outburst of essence made his stomach churn and he felt a slight sensation of vertigo. What he felt was intensified a few hundred times over for every other passenger. Kong Jing was the same as ever, always using brute force and threats.
Perhaps it was obvious to all that the only way someone else could have entered the enclosed shuttle was using space magic. Because the shuttle also had defences against spatial creatures from entering, it could only mean she was capable of ripping that apart or ignoring it altogether.
One guy wasn’t so smart but Kong Jing didn’t have mercy and they saw the man outside the transparent walls right after he tried to throw her out, physically.
The fast-moving shuttle shot a harpoon at the man quick enough to save him. Though it was questionable where he ended up after touching that harpoon.
As the associates to the space thug, Ebony and Xin were greatly frowned upon for the rest of their trip. But none of them were bothered by it and went on their trip like nobody’s business. No matter their complaints, they were stuck in the same vehicle.
Ebony had a cup of tea while the ladies had juice and Kong Jing helped to pick out proper gifts for a first-time visit.
It was an unexpected detour but he was more than happy to go to the highly acclaimed and feared Xengs’ home whose fame spread far further than just a mere sector or region. As a guest, it was only right to prepare a gift. However, it was too bad it would arrive by delivery and he wouldn’t have anything on hand.
“These would make you barely presentable. There just isn’t anything Hex has access to with our reputation that the elders can’t. Me and Xin are the only children of our generation. Other than a handful of people every sixth gen and above Xeng is already Emperor ranked, oh, I’m talking about members of the three great clans, those in Xienor aren’t from part of those clans. Those 1 and 2 generations above us are still considered young and not taken seriously. Oh, it’s not going to be a fun time for you.” Kong Jing rubbed Xin’s head at the end.
“I’m aware.” Xin nodded.
“I’m not, why?” Ebony perked his ears up
“Those 1 generation above, there’s a few of them who are combatants? Yeah, those at home would probably show themselves and bully her.”
“And why is that a certainty?”
“To test her, it's the combatant’s tradition. They have to test if diluting their blood was worth it. I mean, as long as she’s strong enough or stronger than they think it’s not a problem. She’ll even be welcomed.”
“What are you implying?” Xin sharpened her tone and posture.
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“I’m saying they will beat you up, scorn you and leave. Even the nicer ones, but it probably won’t be that bad. They are not like the oldies, those guys are way more uptight and disgusted by weakness. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do. Unlike you, I’m not part of the three great clans and I’m not even a combatant. My status is barely any greater. Don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t beat you up too badly. None of them are from the three great clans.”
“Why do you keep saying I’ll be beaten up?” Xin was getting angry at her cousin’s casual diss.
“...I’m sorry to break it to you but, both of you together can’t even hurt me, and they don’t consider me a combatant. They can have their powers sealed to that of a Grandmaster, be blinded, have their arms tied behind their backs and there wouldn’t be any difference. It hurts me but me bringing you home already confirms the beating you’ll get. I bet Ebony would be put into a spar too. Though first thing’s first, grand auntie and the elders would have to check who’s descendant you are if you really are part Xeng like you assume.”
“They don’t already know?”
“I think they don’t. There are procedures to this. Grand auntie can’t just look you up if you’re really another Xeng. At least we don’t have anyone named Amelia or Matthew. She’s in a sensitive spot for a Ning. You’ve never been divined ever since she first divined you haven’t you?”
Ebony realised that those were the names he used to know, but they weren’t actually their real names. “I remember their names now.”
He didn’t clarify any further fearing that he caused some kind of supernatural effect.
It was also true that his divination resistance remained constant ever since he first got it.
“That should make it easy for them and once they confirm, you will then be treated the same. Xeng. Combatant. There can only be a battle. Brutes don’t know other forms of greetings and introductions. Ah, all of us speak another language but Gia should work.” Kong Jing gave Ning Xin a knock on the head for not having taught him their language, ever.
“A book would help.”
“I suppose I do have a few children’s books in Xenese.”
Ebony learned the language to fluency before they arrived at their stop and Kong Jing tried to rip them out of the shuttle. Leaving him behind.
“Huh, little brother. What the?”
“Wait, I’ll empty myself before you try again.” Ebony force-fed the bracelet and his spirit cell with mana to let the space mage get through his magic body.
‘Looks like my magic body finally exceeded her abilities.’
“No need. I was just surprised. Not too bad little bro!”
Ebony still found himself floating in space outside the shuttle the next moment. He got ahead of himself. Space magic was truly unfair.
“A landmass in a bubble floating in space?” He spoke out his mind. They were too far for him to get a good gauge but the landmass was greater than that of an island. It was like the floating islands he’d read about.
“That is our home. That sun is cast by one of the Yang. The other sun there is cast by his son. That congregation of moons there is the training ground and home to the Yin clan. The Ning Clan shifts the celestial bodies to adjust the view. I mean, probably a chore or hobby for one of them. The land and Worldcore is maintained by the Shi Clan. Both Clan Leaders of the Three Great Clans are home so be on your good behaviour.”
“What about the third?” Ebony remembered the story about the crazy head of the Wen Clan that was the only person of the entire clan. The space mages' words had gotten over his head by how ridiculous they were.
“Always away. Far. I forgot to say our home is only so nearby because they made a stop here to fetch the three of us.”
“How many clans are there?” Ebony asked curiously. They were floating in space without any special equipment, just waiting for Kong Jing to lead them. But she just stood there and explained the scenery.
To be fair, it was one that he could never have dreamed of seeing and it was beautiful.
“Never counted. 20?”
“21.” Xin corrected her cousin. This was a homecoming for her, it wasn't like she had never met relatives other than her Grandmother. she was just a lot younger back then and was on Elcra for most of her childhood.
“That thing is a planet with a Worldcore?” The landmass with its own sun and moons didn’t look anything like a planet with a living Worldcore.
“I heard it was bought from an auction. There is one dungeon but you need to steer clear from it, that is not for us or those a generation above us.”
“What are we waiting for?”
“I think my granduncle will come get us. Don’t worry, he’s a weird guy but not terrible. Us crafters can’t be bothered about combat power or bloodline.”
“Be that as it may, it's rude to call your elders’ weird, dear niece.” A brown-haired man with a pure black mask with rippling white circles coming from the centre walked up to them, each step crossing massive distances and expanding within their view.
“Ahha, but you are a weirdo granduncle.” For the first time, Ebony saw the craftswoman baulk back a little and acted like a kid who got caught stealing candy.
“...I’ll be confiscating your spatial conduit until I see you’ve learnt your lesson and how to respect your elders.”
“WHAT NO! You can’t do that!” In a moment of panic, the space mage touched her mask but a weird looking stick with Kong Jing’s aura was already in her uncle’s hands.
“Already did. But it's good that you no longer toss space magic training aside. Now, Ning Xing’s granddaughter and a lost half, welcome to Xiaoya. Or Sky’s Edge, whichever you prefer. I am Kong Tian from the Kong Clan. A fifth Generation Xeng like Ning Xing.” The man played Kong Jing with space magic. It was incomprehensible to people who can’t see or sense what was going on but it was obvious that the younger woman was fuming mad.
Ebony was glad he could learn the language in days so he was able to understand what the man was saying.
“Which generation are you from?” Ebony transmitted through their mana link to Xin's mask.
“You children are part of the seventh, the smallest generation so far but the generation is still ongoing. There used to be two more, one from the Huo and another from the Zhang Clan but they passed away young.” With a clap, the man made Kong Jing poof out of view. Ebony truly doubted any harm befell their sister in generation and he didn’t even bat an eye about his ‘secret’ conversation being eavesdropped on.
As a culprit of eavesdropping, he understood how unavoidable it was when a person’s perception was too keen.
“May I ask how?” Since the man was sharing, Ebony thought it was part of a normal conversational flow to ask.
“The Huo child’s elemental skills were too strong, his body exploded into nether flames during his evolution to King. I guess he shouldn’t have meddled with the death element. The Zhang Clan shot a star to kill an opponent, probably dead with his Saint opponent. He was not too bad for a King. The Zhang might grow some courage and get Ning Xing to divine whether he's really dead or not soon. Or not, they are one of the weakest clans.” The greater user of space magic shrugged his shoulders.
All Ebony could think was how intense the smell of blood was around the man. It was oddly old but fresh. It messed his nose and mana's perception slightly because of the conflicting information he was receiving. His mana was ‘smelling’ blood, but his nose didn’t.
“Where is my grandmother?” Xin was surprisingly calm in her full, non-combative mode. Ebony actually expected her to be in the opposite state. Meeting fang with fang fits the personality that he knew of her.
“Probably getting scolded by her grandfather right about now. Don’t worry, he dotes on her quite a lot. They might be having snacks together and faked a loud scolding for all we know.”
“You can’t tell?”
“Ah, you thought since I’m a space mage I know everything going on? I suppose that’s a good assumption to have. But no, I’m not that good and that doesn’t work on Xiaoya. Anyone past the fourth generation, no matter the clan, is crazy to us. Few have closed the generational gap excluding descendants of the three great clans. They are capable of freaky stuff. By that I mean incomprehensible. Hang on…” After landing onto the streets of a village not unlike Xienor in decor, the masked man turned to grab Ebony by the shoulders and twisted him left and right with an indiscernible look on his slowly rippling mask. Then putting his hands on his chin and checking Xin out from head to toe.
“This won’t do, let’s get you some clothes first. I don’t know about you but Ning Xing’s granddaughter, you should have some of our clothing, no?”
“...I’ve long grown out of them.” Xin looked to the side at Kong Jing blinking in and out of existence beside them.
The only Xeng clothing Xin had were the battledress for her Master days that she hardly ever wore, and her training garb when she was a smaller, younger child. Otherwise, her usual garb would not stand out from other residents of the Elcra.
Ebony saw the gates when they descended, this was the Kong Clan compound or village. And it was a treat to every one of his senses. His mana perception went on as far as it could go, but he only sensed the street he was on. As far as the 2 Kongs he knew could go, this was the home of space mages.
‘The street is pulsing and changing in size constantly…is someone playing with space magic right now?’ Yet his eyes saw a stable stretch of buildings, albeit a distance apart from each other nothing was moving or changing like his mana perception was telling him.
“Ah Jing, go get your Auntie Hua to make presentable clothes for them…you too, wearing work clothes outside your workshop is not becoming of a lady.”
‘I think I understand why she preferred to stay in Elcra away from family.’ Ebony saw Kong Jing’s rebellious head slamming but didn’t hear any of screams. The Xengs didn’t like to be suppressed and here? She would be the only youngest generation child for entire clans worth of older generations to look closely at, judge, praise or criticise. Both the good and bad.
But no matter what, there would be people vastly better than her surrounding her. Telling her what’s best for her. It didn’t matter if they were right, they might very well be the reason she ignored space magic and had her Sub-Class be the Discarded Aptitude of Spatial Brilliance.
Perhaps coming home was Kong Jing maturing.