CHAPTER 9

Hirayon and Hanan spent their day going to stalls and trying a lot of food. They ignored the people around them and enjoyed eating until they became full. Hanan also noted the things and foods that Hirayon immensely liked and bought many of them for their travels.

Although there are portals on every territory to make traveling easier, people who weren't registered in the Oddity System aren't allowed to use any of their facilities, including the portal.

Since Hirayon wasn't registered yet and can't use the portal, they must travel using a hover car to go to Gahala and register him first. It would take them days with the distance and needs to ready necessities.

Zeno prepared for their travel while Hanan and Hirayon were enjoying the stalls. Even though Hanan wanted to return to the Water territory as fast as possible, he decided to make several stops in other territories as it would be a good opportunity for Hirayon. He discovered that Hirayon was an inquisitive and perceptive child. It might be because he spent six years of his life only seeing the forest, but Hanan sees their travel as a chance to let Hirayon catch up with children his age.

After some time, Hirayon showed signs of getting tired. Maybe because he ate a lot and was full, Hirayon could feel his eyelid starting to drop. When Hanan noticed that, he called for Zeno, and after a few seconds, a large hover car stopped in front of the two.

When the car's door glided open, revealing Zeno, Hirayon's eyes widened with surprise. His sleepiness disappeared when he saw the shining black glass in a long cube shape and realized that it was a hover car that he had read about in a book. The Water Clan logo in front was slightly glowing, while on the back, large bold letters of Hanan's name were shining in ocean blue, the color of the Water Clan.

"We have prepared everything inside," Zeno said politely to Hanan before watching Hirayon's surprised reaction. He felt elated that the child looked more lively after leaving the health facility.

"Good. Inform me if there are tourist attractions and destinations on the way. I want to tour Hirayon while on our way to the Gahala," Hanan instructed as he helped Hirayon get inside the car.

"Understood," Zeno said, looking at the two warmly. He was happy that they were getting along. He was also pleased to see another side of his chief that he never knew existed.

After entering, Hirayon was surprised to see how spacious it was compared to how it looked.

The car is thrice larger and longer inside. Behind the wide driving area are a sofa set with a small glass table in the middle and a mini kitchen with cabinets. Behind it, there were three doors outlined by glowing ocean-blue light.

The hover car Hanan had was a personalized version for chiefs. Aside from the Spatial Expansion, making it wider and longer than it actually looked, it could also store Hanan's Aura and use it to travel.

Hover cars are operated through Odilens and are run using Aura Stones. Oddities can also use their Aura, but travel would take a lot. Its distance would depend on the oddities' Aura capacity, which was why only Chiefs or Prime Oddities could efficiently run the car.

When Zeno noticed Hirayon's confusion at the vast space, he took his chance and explained.

"The car is a customed transportation specifically made for chiefs. It has many features like Spatial Expansion making it more spacious inside. Although the expansion wasn't much, this is the most updated model that could be transformed to have a living room, kitchen, and three small rooms."

Although Zeno indicated that the car could hold three small bedrooms, it can fit more if the size is minimized. He only said three based on the size he thinks the chief deserved.

Hirayon looked at Zeno with puzzlement. He didn't get most of his explanation which eventually caused him to frown. He felt he lacked too much knowledge and needed to read more books.

When Hirayon was in his room at the health facility, he didn't mind that he didn't know many things because he felt there was no need to. However, it is different now that he has seen a tiny part of the world. He felt a lot of thirst to learn more and be more accustomed to the things around him.

"What's wrong?" Hanan asked when he noticed his reaction.

Hirayon pursed his lips and spoke in a small voice, "I didn't understand what he said."

He then looked at his brand-new shoes and added, "I didn't read it in the books."

Hanan clenched his jaws as his control over his emotions wavered. He couldn't withstand the fact that Hirayon lacked so much knowledge. Whenever he saw how deprived the child was, he couldn't help but feel distressed. He felt like his emotions were constantly being tested the moment he met his son.

Zeno gulped at the sight of his chief with evident displeasure on his face. Hanan unconsciously released more pressure to the point that Zeno needed to catch his breath.

When Hirayon felt the air becoming heavier, he looked up and saw Zeno nervously looking at Hanan. He then looked at his father and was met by his silver eyes getting darker by the second.

"Are you mad?" Hirayon asked, which made Hanan realize he had lost control. He then withdrew his pressure and gave Hirayon a forced, crooked smile.

"No, I just remembered something unpleasant. How come you didn't know about hover cars when you clearly read a lot of books at the health facility?" Hanan asked, changing the subject.

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"Elira gave me books to read, but when I finished it, she said there were no more books," Hirayon explained. He had asked Elira to bring more before, but she said there was nothing left to read. After all, the health facility rarely needs things to entertain patients because they get them themselves.

"You finished all of them? That was all of the books in the hospital, huh?" Hanan commented and then looked at Zeno.

"Contact Daram's assistant. Tell him their hospital has too few books, and I want to donate some. Maybe around a thousand."

Zeno understood the hidden meaning behind his order and immediately complied. While doing so, he also ordered books for his young master and ensured they would be delivered to their next destination.

While Zeno was busy typing in the air, Hanan guided Hirayon into the sofa. He then asked Oddi to open his Spatial Inventory connected to his Spatial Bag. The ocean blue hologram showed Hanan hundreds of items they had bought from the stalls. He then clicked the bottle of chocolate drink, and it appeared, floating in the air in front of him in no time. Hanan then grabbed it and quickly used one of his abilities to slightly warm the drink.

Hirayon watched everything with curious eyes. He has seen his father put items in his Spatial Bag, but he didn't know it could be summoned without rummaging through it. But what made him curious was the ability his father had used. The bottle glowed with silver-blue light after his father touched it, but nothing changed in the drink. He only realized what had happened after his father gave the bottle to him.

"Its warm," hirayon murmured.

"Yes, it's one of my abilities. Did you learn about abilities?"

Hirayon nodded, "Mama taught me."

"What do you know about it?" Hanan inquired.

"That oddity has basic and innate elemental abilities. Then I learned about the titles in the book."

"That's right. Once you turn twelve, you will also get your own title. Then you can learn the ability I used. Do you want that?"

"But I already have a title."

Zeno's hand stopped midair, and Hanan's lips parted in surprise. He couldn't help but look at Hirayon with wide eyes.

A thought surfaced in Hanan's mind, but he brushed it off and asked Hirayod first.

"What title? Is it normal?" Hanan tensely asked. He didn't want to assume, but if Hirayon is really talented, then...

Hirayon shook his head, "I can use 3 basic and 4 innate elemental abilities, so that makes me a skilled oddity, right?" He asked innocently, then took a sip into his drink like nothing.

He was calm and nonchalant, but not the other two people in the car.

Hanan had a quivering grin while Zeno's jaw dropped to the ground.

"Yes, of course," Hanan stated with a proud grin, "Can you tell me your element and abilities?"

Hirayon contemplated a bit because his mother told him not to expose it to a stranger, but his father is not a stranger. Besides, he felt oddly comfortable with the man and felt no harm.

"My element is water. My basic abilities are enhanced sight, stamina, and memory. My innate abilities are Water Breathe, Water Pool, Water Orb, and Water Wall."

Zeno looked at Hirayon excitedly. He already thinks the child is a complete genius and the next chief of the Water Clan. He had never heard anyone be a Skilled Oddity at six. Moreover, Hirayon has not yet received adequate education for his age. The thought of the future Hirayon who had received proper education and training was giving Zeno goosebumps. He could already see a bright future for their clan.

Hanan looked at Hirayon with a thrilled expression. He was delighted that Hirayon used the same element as him and that he could help his son. Although he didn't say it, Hanan felt responsible for what happened to Hirayon. He wanted to fill his shortcomings and provide Hirayon with the life he deserved.

"My element is water too. Do you need help? Are you having a difficult time using your last ability?" Hanan asked enthusiastically while Zeno was noting everything in his journal. He wants to record Hirayon's achievements.

Hirayon looked down and remembered the flimsy Water Wall he had created. Unlike its function, that supposed to protect and defend, his Water Wall collapses with slight contact.

"I couldn't make my Water Wall... stay in shape," Hirayon answered quietly, embarrassed of his trivial skill in front of a Prime Oddity.

"Hmm. One of the most challenging Water abilities to use was the defensive type. Because water is normally flowing, it is difficult to hold its shape and use it for defense. What do you usually think when creating a wall?" Hanan asked.

"I need to make it thick so it can't be broken."

"Why do you need it thick?" Hanan wanted to understand Hirayon's thoughts.

"So that the attack won't break the wall."

"But if you do that, you're not making a wall. It's just a partition made out of weak water."

Hirayon quickly understood what Hanan said, "Then how?"

"You need to compress water, Hirayon. You've made Water Orb, right? It has the same principle but for a different purpose. You create an Orb and press water there so that if you threw it and hit the target, it explodes all the compressed water. For the Water Wall, you also compress water but in the form of a wall. You have to hold the shape and prevent it from exploding."

"Wouldn't it explode if it was attacked?"

"No, because water has the ability to follow your will as it is made out of your Aura. It can be aggressive when attacking, and it can also be calm and peaceful when it is entirely still. You don't have to make a thick wall to defend. You only need a compressed Water Wall that contains so much water that it can absorb and stop the attacks. If you want, I can show it to you when we find a training room. I also want to see your Water Wall so that I could help you," Hanan suggested. He wants to show it so Hirayon can comprehend it better.

"You will help me train?" Hirayon asked with a slight gleam of excitement in his eyes. As Marin wasn't a Water element user, she couldn't help Hirayon in training his abilities. Because of that, it took Hirayon longer to be a Skilled Oddity. It even made him feel unmotivated with his progress. If only he knew that he is way more advanced than other children his age, he wouldn't feel too dejected.

Hanan nodded, "Of course."

With Hanan's assistance, Hirayon couldn't help but anticipate how much he could grow. After all, one of his goals is to be strong. He wanted to be like his mother who was capable of defeating monsters on her own and be an oddity who wouldn't run away from any adversity.

Hirayon looked at his father with determined eyes. His gaze had so much passion that Hanan was swept and became eager to see Hirayon's full potential.

"Please help me train."

R E H I L I Y A