Novels2Search
Overture of an Odyssey
T10 - Give it time

T10 - Give it time

"Hahahaha. Sorry about that." The Colossus, Engrande apologizes while taking a swig of liquor in a wooden barrel in a place of a mug. There wasn't a mug that fits a five footer giant and the large wooden barrel is the closest thing master could find. The liquor came from the magic [Liquor Spring Well] which is cast by Kirin, the yound Dryad, in Spirit years of course.

It wasn't just me, you know but even master and Kai too were unable to appraise from which Arcane Art the [Liquor Spring Well] derived from. Kirin would only answer, "Secret" every time.

We are all currently gathered at a large field near the red building. It is Engrande's idea of holding a feast. Although it's called a feast, there's no much, only fruits and of course, no meat. Although the seal has made it possible for the imprisoned to go on for a long time without any substances, the hunger was still there, said Engrande. Unlike Lady Senna and Kirin who can supplement themselves with their insane amount of Mana, Engrande couldn't. He's not lacking any nourishment but the hunger is there. After the spar, he had immediately asked if there's anything we could offer for his grumbling stomach. Kirin nodded along with the words, "no problem".

The fruits are different this time too. It was completely different, you know. The plants of these fruits are grew on the spot and instantly by Kirin, another magic of her secret Arcane Art too. Although she's only an A-rank unlike Lady Senna, she has the more Mana than Lady Senna which is over ten thousand but in return, she has incredibly low health. The only one loosing to her is Citra.

"Don't mind it." Master replies to Engrande while also taking a swig of the liquor from the spring. Only Engrande and master is drinking the liquor as it was too strong, Kirin, the invoker herself wasn't a drinker so she didn't bother a sip. Engrande was surprised master could down a pint. According to Kai, it has something to do with master's innate healing ability. It was only a sip for me and already, I felt like I was kicked into oblivion, you know. Therefore, master prevented anyone else from drinking it. Lady Senna was adamant for a swig but her true intention is obvious to master and me. It goes without saying master didn't allow her even a sip.

"Oho~ You're not just good with your fist but even alcohol. For a boy, it is quite extraordinary."

"Hmm." responded master, making bubbles as he sips on the liquor.

Quite contrary to my expectations for a bit, master lost the spar. The Colossus' built betray our expectations. Engrande's moves were brutal but fluid. It lacks precision but the scale of his strength more than makes up for it. In other words, Engrande was better in terms of technique and strength. Master stood no chance. When master was defeated, Engrande wasn't satisfied. Those blazing eyes of Engrande turned towards me then.

And I ended up in the same condition as master, all beat up. I didn't even last half as long as master, you know.

"Tom okay?"

"Looks painful. Really painful."

Both Bartholomew and Cormac are gazing at me with genuine worried eyes. I assured them that I'm fine. Just a few broken bones and bruises, nothing serious. Citra is indifferent to my well-being and happily chewing on an apple-like fruit twice her size.

Speaking of injuries, Bartholomew and Cormac suffered quite a few on themselves too. Their training has been getting more and more intense. Their partner is of course each other. Citra participated too but she's more of a support. Her specialty is shield and boost magic.

When we got back to the city with Engrande, we saw a building collapsing. Apparently, Bartholomew miscalculated his strength. Cormac wasn't injured by it since he dodged it just in time, thank the stars. Master then reprimanded them for being too excessive. While the two look apologetic, Citra looked at master with scornful gaze. She seems to be trying to protect the two from master like a motherly figure. Which is weird considering Citra is the youngest among us but she grew fast. She's already at the size of a normal snake at this point, you know?

"Don't move." said Kirin. She's currently healing master which he didn't ask for. When master told Kirin that it would be okay as he has high rate of recovery, Kirin denied with a shook of her head. She insisted on doing this and Lady Senna hadn't stop sending death glares at Kirin. Master looks really troubled.

As for Nilin.... Her health is back at the peak, thanks to her very distant relative, Kirin but she hasn't talk to me since the incident yesterday. She's not even making eye contacts with me. Even now at this feast, she put some distance between us. Even with this distance, I can clearly see her skin dyed red and trembling. I guess she really is embarrassed from what she said yesterday?

[Go on, Thomas. Talk to her.] persuades Kai.

[But she doesn't want to, you know?]

Master sighs. [Do you think that's really the case?]

[I....]

[Just go and talk to her. If you're a man, take the first step.]

[I am an Oni though?]

I swear that I heard a chuckle from Kai.

[That's not the point. Just go talk to her. Trust me, okay? No matter what she said, just be stubborn. You should know well on how she feels about you by now.]

[That's.... I might be mistaken, you know?]

[Then, go and ask her then.]

[That's right, Thomas. If you're unsure, just go and ask her. No answers will come if no questions are asked. We'll provide support should you be in need of one.]

[Okay.... I'll try.] I relent and got up from the ground.

Cormac and Citra saw my sudden actions and was about to interrupt but they were stopped by Bartholomew. They struggle but Bartholomew is too strong for them.

[Bartholomew is surprisingly someone who can read the mood.] was what I heard master said through telepathy.

"Ho ho? What's this? Young lo...." Engrande who have begun saying something boorish stopped halfway through his sentences. I can roughly guess that the reason might be Lady Senna's glare which I can also felt.

"Nilin?" I called out to her.

She shrieked. She choked on her fruit and spat it out. She even dropped the fruit she's eating. She turns around but trip on the hem of her own dress. In a disheveled state, she tries to get back up but she steps on the fruit she dropped and tripped again.

"Nilin?"

"No~! Don't come near me!" She screamed while hiding her face with one hand and fends me off with the other. By fending me off, she is just waving her splayed hand randomly around.

This was something I discovered after my link with master is reestablished. She now has the titles, and . Those unsightly titles.... she got them because of me. I can understand why she distance herself from me.

[Nigga, that's not it.] Master told me with an exasperated tone. I don't know what he meant by "nigga" but somehow, I don't want to know.

"Nilin.... Do you hate me?"

"Huh? Hate you...?" In addition to her reddened face, she became flustered with her actions. "No! There's no such thing! I will never hate you."

By now, I have already gotten use to her ethnics. I let out a yielding sigh and took a seat in front of her. With her reddened face, she stares with a stupefied gaze at me. She must be amazed by my lack of reaction and words.

"W...what are y...you doing? W...who said y...you can s...sit here?"

She's speaking in swift while fumbling with her words, like always.

She really is cute, isn't she? Hearing her stumbles really warms my heart. Assuring, is this what it is? She might be clamorous and I hated that. I did... but I didn't hate it much as I think. I have actually grew fond of it. Which was why when I thought that she would die in front of me, I didn't mind if she was loud, I didn't mind if she was rude, I didn't mind if she was vain. I can change that. I can teach her to be better. But her death.... that would be a different story.

Master can surely bring her back somehow but that's a chance that I would never be willing to take. That is because I.... I like her too....

I heard something faint from behind like "mah boi", presumably from master but I ignored it splendidly.

"Nilin, do you truly love me?"

[Woah man, what's with the straight ball?]

I ignored master's weird speech.

"L...lo....l...love?" Stammering, her face gets even redder. "D....don't be mistaken, idiot.... I said those words but I don't r...really mean it.... It's just.... you misunderstanding it. Yes, that's right. Yes, that's how it is. It can't be anything else. You absolutely completely without a doubt misunderstood my words. Definitely, no way else."

She sounded like she's trying to convince herself more than she's trying to convince me. To that, I only smiled wryly.

"W...what are y...you staring a..and smiling at, y...you idiot?"

I sighed and looked back.

Master is gesturing at me to keep going. Lady Senna hasn't taken her eyes off Kirin who is clinging to master even after the healing is done. Engrande has his back turned around while continuing drinking at his own pace. Bartholomew is still holding Cormac and Citra back.

Doesn't look like I'm going to be getting much help from them.

I turn back to Nilin who is at her wit's end. She is trembling so much. Her skin is so red. She is reciting "idiot" continuously under her breath like an incantation to a spell.

[Eventually, one of you gotta make the first move.]

[In a much more primitive version, have at her.]

[That's terrible, Hyx.]

[Yeah, I know. Sorry. Just got a little bit too excited between a black hole and a tsundere.]

Like usual, I can only nod and ignore master's weird speeches. I take on Kai's advice though.

I resolve myself and enveloped the unknowing Nilin with my arms around her. She shrieked and jumped but I held her in place.

"Idiot! W...what are you d...doing!?"

I remain silent and just kept hugging her. I let my mind wander to the time she was in her wisp form, glowing faintly in my hands after being swatted away like a fly, her lights slowly dying out. Remembering that, I tightened my hold on her.

"Eeek~! W...who do you think you are!? To.... d...do something like t...this?"

"Do you hate me then?"

"Eh~? H...hate?"

"If you hate me, then you can just push me away."

"D...don't say that. Why would I hate you...?"

"Because of me, you got hurt. Because of me, you can never return. Because.... I misunderstood your question then...."

"That's...! T...that's not true~!" She said in a panic. She is flapping her mouth while uttering sounds without any meaning. I can feel her heat being transferred to my skin. She's really burning up.

"If you dislike this, just say so." I whisper into her ear. "Then, I would never get close you again. Promise."

She stops flailing around after hearing my whispers. With a low voice, she said "I already told you, didn't I? I don't hate you."

"Not even this?" I tightened my embrace furthermore.

"Mou~ I already said it, didn't I?" After saying that, she stops moving and went silent. She's not asleep. She is just sitting there quietly as I'm embracing her from the back. I wonder what should I do next?

Have I make a mistake somewhere?

Did I?

Every word I have said, it was all the first thing that came to my mind. I have no prior knowledge of showing affection, which is why I was confused when master said,

[Guy's a natural, ain't he?]

[He is, indeed.]

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

As usual, I ignored them.

I stayed like this with Nilin until the "feast" was over. She fell asleep halfway through but I only noticed it when the feast was over. Encouraged by Kai and master, I kiss her on her forehead and carried her back to the red building.

"I love you too, Nilin." I said in a voice lower than a whisper. I don't know if she heard it but I didn't care for the result. I'm just very happy that me, a former goblin who has done terrible things is love by someone so pure.

From that moment on, Nilin became the essence of my amelioration.

----------------------------------------

"It's Azunmite, no question." said Engrande as he examined the round door. Master calls it "the stupid door". "But the magic inscription and enchantment is hidden real well, hidden under a layer of camouflage. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the maker a genius."

"Yeah, I know that much." Master replied.

Lady Senna is not here and neither is Kirin. It's only Engrande, me, and master. Kirin wanted to follow but Lady Senna would too if Kirin does. Master actually got angry with the two and told the two that they are both staying. Kirin look dejected and retort with a "Mwu..." and Lady Senna is left stunned at master's outburst. I don't think it is anything surprising to see someone letting loose their anger. However, master's vein's turn purple and so did his eyes when he yelled.

I asked him what happened but he brushed it off with a simple "It's nothing". That was obviously not nothing.

Lately, something has been troubling master but none of us dared to ask. It wasn't because we were afraid but we decided to trust him. As master said, "trust goes both ways."

"Dangerous though. A rebound spell is enchanted on it for those who tries to temper with it."

"Yeah, I know. I have first-hand experience."

[Sure you don't mean right-arm experience?]

[Shut up.]

Somehow, it became an argument inside master's mind.

"Passage shall be granted to the altruistic ones."

"What?"

"It's what the inscription is saying. That's not all. "Prove your worth as an exceeded. One who surpasses the boundaries of the regulars." And that's it. That's all there is to it."

"So we need to pass the trials stated in order to leave this place?" I asked.

"That's what it said."

"No." said master. "It said "passage will be granted". Not a way out. It might be messing with us for all we know."

"I have been here longer than you do but your pessimism is not loosing to mine by a huge margin. You need to calm down, y'know."

Master glared. "You're not the one who lost most of his sense of pain."

"Point taken." Engrande said and resumed his examination on the stupid door.

"What does it mean?" I asked.

Engrande shrugged. "I can't be entirely sure but as far as I can tell, the first trial might have already been completed."

"What do you mean?" Master asked with a face full of doubt.

"Altruistic, son. What do you think it means?"

"Selfless?" I answered.

"And how did I proved that I'm selfless? I don't remember doing any charity as of late."

Engrande offered a smile but weakened by what I assumed to be bad memories. "You saved us, didn't you? Me, Kiralhirin, and Senna Tenrun. The ones who locked us away like animals or objects. In those bastards' eyes, there's only themselves. They can't bear the thought of other people having the same power as them. Which is why we were locked away. A person with such a rotten heart, do you think they would let such powers walk free out of their hands?"

"I see what you're getting at." Master didn't seem satisfied with the explanation but he doesn't complain.

[Anything wrong, master?]

[Nothing except for how flawed his logic was but I will say nothing of it. I'm just grateful that I cleared it, I hope.]

[Yeah. Pointing it out would only be boorish and jinxing it.]

I understand what jinx meant. It is one of the odd words from master that I have knowledge of.

"What's next after that?" I asked.

"Surpassing the boundaries of the regulars.... Manage a feat that defies the common knowledge of peoples. I guess that's what it want us to do?"

"Would creating a Mondra count?" Master bluntly asked.

"In this place, with limited selection of resources, creating a Mondra would be the most exceptional thing we could do in this place. Mondra is a weapon considered of a tier higher than Divine Weapons. A living weapon that mirror's the wielders strength, what can precedes that?"

"So, we're on the right track. Some way some how." Master paused. After a beat of silence, he turns to Engrande. "Do you know how to forge a Mondra?"

"Guhahaha~! Fortunately, I do. Why else do you think I was locked away for?"

Master stares back.

I gaze back and forth at the two. Neither one of them said anything for a while.

"Am I suppose to guess?" asked master.

The Colossus sighs but a laughter follows. "The young Dryad is sealed away for her ability to summon any plants she knows of at will. A very convenient ability for Alchemist especially. The Nephilim is sealed away from her sheer destructive power. Having her on your side in a war, can literally and instantly turn the tides. As for me, I'm sealed away for my in-depth knowledge of Mondras. I did created the first Mondra after all. Now boy, do you truly understand who and what we are?"

"Sure." was master's answer as he turn and begin to leave. "Well then, let's go back. The sooner I can learn how to make one, the sooner we can get the hell out of here."

"You? The inscription on the door doesn't specify who should prove it."

"It didn't. But I'm doing it. Not you, me." Master said and walked down the hundred flights of steps, leaving me and Engrande astounded by master's attitude. It is unlike master to be particular about things.

"Oni, what's wrong with your friend?" Engrande asked.

I shrugged.

[Master, what's wrong?]

Master said nothing back.

[Kai?]

[It's complicated. It's best if you don't ask for now. Give him some time.]

Even Kai is kind of reserve. I want to retort so many things back but I refrain. [Okay.... I understand.]

Master, just.... what happened....?

----------------------------------------

Days went by. They were peaceful. There weren't any shocking and notable incidents that happened. It was just days after days of learning. Master is only getting more distant with his emotions. Before, he would ridicule a situation or even make a satire out of it but none of these happened these few days.

Master is studying forging and unarmed combat under Engrande. Whenever he's not under the tutelage of the Colossus, he's practicing alchemy under Kirin and learning magic enchantment with Lady Senna. At the end of the day, he always end up completely exhausted.

I thought Lady Senna would be disheartened at night but she's surprisingly relieved. She said master was always hiding in a closet and would only come out in bed. I later found out what it meant from Kai.

As for me, I continue to mine for magic ores for master's transmutation training. Since master has improved, the ores used became less and I didn't need to mine as much as before.

Now, I have some free time which I spent it training with Bartholomew and Cormac. Oh, I don't need to harvest any plants for master's alchemy lessons as Kirin can summon whatever plants she desires. It was rather convenient but each summon took up twenty percent of her Mana.

"Mwu, secret." was what she keep saying when asked about her ability. She even emphasized it by crossing her forefingers in front of her lips.

Putting aside our futile questions for Kirin, I am making a lot of progress with my abilities. Although not as much as master, I did take lessons from Engrande. Although not of a psychic degree, I have learned how to read my opponent's moves through their eye movements, breathing, subtle movements, their slight intents, and many other factors.

How to tell a ruse.

It's not applicable for every situation but in most cases, a ruse can be seen through by how firm they stood and how much tension is in their eyes when executing said move. Although, this could be a ruse in itself too as I learned it the painful way. Since it was a pure physical combat with no magic involved, I suffered a broken jaw. Master did too but he snapped it back into place immediately right after it was dislocated. Even Engrande looked stupefied by master's action.

Another thing that was shocking to not just me but even Kirin, Master has quite a bit of knowledge in alchemy despite not having [Alchemy]. Kai deduced that it must be because of master must have had a past fondness for alchemy prior to his amnesia. He learned quick and procured a lot of potions of various effects.

"Drink this." master said after handing me a small bottle of red liquid. Appraisal told me that the vial is a Health Potion (Greater). This was in the middle of our training with Engrande. As I was about to comply with master's request, he battered the bottle away from my hand. "Too slow and too unreliable. Dangerous too, I might add."

"Well, potion aren't meant to be ingested in the heat of a fight." Engrande said.

"I doubt that our enemy would be so kind to let us regain back the advantage we lost. Don't you think so?" master retorted.

"I see your point but what are you saying we should do?"

Master raised an eyebrow and took out a vial of red liquid, it holds the same content as the former vial. Master gestures me to have at him.

I don't know what master's planning but I trust him. I drive a palm at master but he parried it and countered with a jab. During this movements, he popped the cap on the vial and drove the needle into his thigh. I can see the liquid in the vial flowed through the needle and into master's thigh. The bruises he acquired vanishes in an instant.

"Ho? That's a wonderful idea you have there, son."

Master took one last glance at the empty vial before tossing it aside. "It has its flaw but it beats tilting your head to the back and gulped it down your throat in which your opponent could likely take advantage of your eyes off of them and shove the vial down your throat at that opportunity." Master who noticed my concerned stare smiled wryly. "Just saying. Anything can happened if you take your eyes off your opponent."

"That's a very vivid imagination you have there, boy."

"Is it now?" Master asked and raised his arms. "Come on, let's keep going."

"You may have a dislocated brain but I don't dislike your spirit." Engrande replied and entered his stance. "What about you?"

"That would be enough for me for today." I told them, looking up at the ceiling filled with dazzling vines which have begun dimming.

At the request of Engrande, master, and Lady Senna, Kirin has formed a magic link of the vines with the surface plants. The vines would received energy from the sunlight from the surface instead of the Mana lurking underground. This way, when night falls on the outside, the vines would loose its light in response. It gave us a sense of time with such method. An astute idea.

----------------------------------------

The lights weren't completely out but it is as dimmed as it could be. Night has fallen and for quite a while now. It must be midnight by now, I assume?

But I can't sleep. Something's been on my mind. Clearly it has something to do with master. These past few days have been a peaceful but it didn't seem that way for master. He was starting to smile less and less. It didn't end with just that. When faced with failures, he screamed and yelled. He even got violent with the equipment involved. Before, he would only brush off his mistake with a simple curse, laugh, or joke. Something definitely happened but master has yet to confide with me or Lady Senna.

I'm getting really worried.

The worrying have made my throat feel parch. Maybe a walk down to the river would do me some good to ease my mind and to quench my thirst. I thought so in my mind and got up after shoving Nilin aside. We have been quite close as of late but we haven't done anything like master and Lady Senna. Nilin sleeps in her Wisp form but she always sleeps close to me or on top of me. Since she weighs nothing when she's a Wisp, I don't particularly mind.

Wah~ It's cold. I have never noticed it but the vines weren't just giving out light but also radiated warmth like the sun. Now with all the lights in rest, I can only bear the chill with a simple piece of cloth over the tunic I'm wearing as I venture outside the building.

The river isn't far away from where we trained and feast. Without the radiance, everything and everywhere is quieter than usual. The gushing sounds from the river is clearer than before. It was always quite pleasant when we're having our meal with such sounds in the background. Making my way up a hill with trees of red and green apple, I then make my way down, to the river where we drink from.

There, I find a person that I hope to see but not expecting. It is master, of course. Sitting by the river bank, he's staring blankly ahead.

"What are you doing here?" Master asked without turning around.

I thought I have been caught. I have masked my scent. I have even learned how to temporarily sever the link with master for a short period of time. So, he can't sense my presence with that. I even tried to be as silent as possible when approaching but master still caught me, is what I thought but he wasn't speaking to me. When I strained my eyes further in the dark, I can see Lady Senna is beside master.

I decide to hide behind a tree, showing only half my face from behind of the tree.

"I guess my reasons would be the same as yours?" Lady Senna replied, tracing her finger on master's cheek. She's breathing heavily for some reason.

Master offers her a wry smile. "Your true nature is showing." A wry smile was all we have ever gotten from master since. Any wider or brighter was near impossible recently, we assumed.

"Only friends and family are with us. No strangers. I don't see any problem."

"No strangers.... huh...."

"What is it that can't you tell us? And why can't you tell us?"

Dryly, master laughed. "It's not going to make any difference even if I told you."

"Eh~? But you promised me."

"I did?"

"Yes."

Master looks really shocked but he is trying his best not to let it show. It can fool anyone but not me or Lady Senna.

"You don't remember?"

"Ah? Oh, I do. It's just...." Master trailed off stuttering.

Lady Senna sighs. She grabbed both of master's hands. She pushed him down, pinning his hands on the ground. Since my link with master is severed temporarily, I can't appraise what magic she used.

"Angie.... what are you doing?"

"Why won't you tell us?"

Master remained silent.

"Are we that untrustworthy in the end? Do you not trust us?"

"Angie, it's not like that."

"What was that you always said? Ah, that's right. The hell it isn't."

Back to a corner, master looked away. Come on, just tell us already. Stop making it more complicated than necessary, I said in my mind.

"What would you do if everything you know about me, it's just one huge lie?"

Lady Senna's glance freezes and so did master. They both stared at each other for awhile until Lady Senna broke the stalemate. "If it was me before, I would be furious. I would be distraught. I would be so disappointed but now, I would take a few steps back," she released master and retreated a few steps back. "and listen to the full story before passing any judgement."

"Should't you be a little bit more distrusting? Not a response I'm expecting from some one with a history of being betrayed."

"To anyone else, to a stranger, absolutely, I would never trust them but.... it is you I'm trusting right now, my eccentric savior and my beloved."

"B...beloved...." Master stuttered. Now, this is rare. Master rarely stumbles on his words.

"From the day I met you till this very moment, if everything you have done until now is nothing but genuine, even if you're a demon of the Void, a complete monster, no matter how disfigured and distorted, it won't matter to me."

"A...Angie.... I...."

Lady Senna put a finger on master's lips. I felt like I shouldn't be peaking but for some reasons, I can't make myself move away from this place. "Ah.... I want to know what's going on."

"Nn. Me too."

I almost shouted but Kirin quickly put her hand on my mouth. She gestures me to keep silent and I nod. Together, we continue to watch over the two.

"Everyone has shunned me for what I am, a Nephilim. A symbol of corruption and impurity. An infidelity. A heretic. If it weren't for my naturally gifted talent for destruction, I would already be burned alive. You didn't do all those when you met me. You were scared and afraid of me but you decide to listen to my story first. You decided to get to know me first."

Lady Senna then rolls up her sleeves, revealing her smooth skin of her forearms. "These places use to be filled with scars and bruises. When I was enlisted into the battle force, they erased it with magic. Not because as a gesture of goodwill but to hide their ugliness they forced upon me. You didn't do any of this. You don't see me as a equal. You see me as just another victim of this place, like you."

"Heh. Didn't know you're cycle was that religious. Do they seriously whip peoples and burn the accused alive? "

"It's not about religion. Demons are considered animal-like beings. Angels are revered as a being closest to divinity. How do you think they would respond if a being from each of these sides became infatuated with each other?"

"Ah... I see."

Lady Senna crawls closer to master. "We have bonded in bed so many times but I don't think we have even said those words to each other, yet." Shrewdly, Lady Senna's hand has been crawling from master's leg up to his neck. "Hyx, I love you. I am glad that you were the one who became my knight in shining armor."

I think we all expected the same response from master but he didn't met our expectations. Instead, not just me but even Lady Senna and Kirin were shocked, at master's display. He broke down, crying. Dark purplish veins surfacing on his skin. At that moment, Kirin and I made ourselves known. We approached them but Lady Senna gestured us not to come any closer.

Instead of backing away from the disfiguring master, Lady Senna embraced him.

"You lifted the chains off of me. Now, let me do the same, okay?" Even from this distance, the whisper was plain to our ears.

My shadow rippled and out came Cormac with Bartholomew and Citra. They only showed their heads. Cormac seemed to want to say something but Bartholomew cupped his mouth. Citra herself was at least prudent to keep quiet, surprisingly.

In the silent of the night, things stayed like this until the dark purplish veins faded. Tears have even soaked and dried on master's skin.

"Peaking isn't good, you know?" Master said as he turn to us. Um.... whoops?

"Secrets too." retort Kirin.

"Touche." said master with a smile but not a wry one.

"I believe you have something to tell us?" Lady Senna spoke.

"Yeah. For now, let's head back. Engrande would need to hear this too."

"Guhehehe~" Lady Senna laughed like so and throws herself at master. "That's my Hyx."

[See, give it time. Time heals everything.]

I nod to Kai's words but in my heart, I'm starting to doubt Kai's wisdom are purely accidental and chances.

[I heard that.]

Heh, oops?