Time passed as Raja Kint showed Master A his progress. While preparing himself further for the tournament.

A soft ‘knock’ sounded three times at Raja Kint’s door. He turned his head away from his fist and opened the door. Kyoot Kint beamed a smile.

“It’s finally time Raja. We’re going to the competition!”

“I see you were able to breakthrough in the end.”

Kyoot Kint nodded her head, “I’ve been practicing nonstop. I can’t let my junior brother show me up too much at the competition.”

The two walked toward the academy entrance. There, they found a few other students going to the competition as well. Along with a few seniors including Master A. The students invited the two over and Raja Kint denied the invitation. Kyoot Kint turned to Raja Kint.

“I know you like being a loner. But I hope when you leave here you at least try to open up.” Kyoot Kint held her gaze for a moment before joining the others.

Raja Kint laid on his back. The air still held a chill but the snow had passed by now. Leaving a crisp coldness behind. Raja Kint closed his eyes enjoying the weather.

The beating of wings sounded out. At first the sound wasn’t loud. In a mere moment, wind began brushing against Raja Kint’s face. He opened his eyes to see a yellow bird the size of a house landing near the seniors. On top of the bird are a few more people. Two young kids, the academy’s headmaster, and at the front of the bird was a middle-aged man.

Once the bird landed the seniors started talking to the man while waving everyone else over. Raja Kint stood up, stretching his arms while walking over.

Master A looked at Raja Kint, “This is the Kint Sect’s King. Those two behind him are his children. Both of whom will be participating as well.”

Raja Kint nodded his head.

King Kint turned his eyes toward Raja Kint, “You must be the boy in the papers. Haha, your acts have even reached the ears of my close confidants.” King Kint lightly smiled, “I look forward to your performance.”

Raja Kint cupped his hands, “Raja Kint greets the King. And promise to deliver an amazing performance.”

The King nodded his head. Raja Kint quickly climbed onto the bird’s back. Once everyone was on, the bird took off into the skies. Raja Kint walked toward Master A.

“How long until we reach the empire?”

“It’ll be a three-week journey.”

Raja Kint’s eyes widened, “Three weeks?”

Master A nodded his head, “We have to make two stops. We’ll first group up with others at the Nation of Alexander. Then we’ll group up again at the Julchen Region.”

Raja Kint hummed in response, “How long do you think we’ll be stopped?”

“Not long at Alexander. But we could be at Julchen for a while. They’ll be looking to account for all sects before heading off to the empire.”

Raja Kint raised his left eyebrow, “Account for sects? Why can’t we just go straight to the empire?”

Master A smirked, “It’s because they said so.”

Raja Kint wryly chuckled. Of course that’s the reason most would know. Who would be willing to fight the empire over something so small? The consequences can only be imagined if someone went on their own. Disrespecting the empire, nation and region they’re under. They would be squeezed on all three sides into submission.

Raja Kint sat back down. He made a conscious effort to keep his eyes open. Thinking back to when his father moved through the air so fast that he could barely take it. This time, internally he wanted to be sure he could take a bit of wind.

Soon, the bird began lowering. Raja Kint looked down to see civilization in the distance. He looked back at the sky. Then looked at Kyoot Kint silently cultivating. He internally sighed. One day I’ll break through these skies. Yet, part of me cares for her. Raja Kint softly shook his head. Not only her either, I care for that old chieftain. Such a character surely can’t be common in this world.

Raja Kint dispelled the thoughts as they finally landed. Everyone hopped off the bird. The bird quickly shrank itself down to the size of a human. Attendants quickly directed everyone to their accommodations and took Kint King and the Academy Headmaster elsewhere.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The accommodations were simple. Plenty of open land, simple buildings and lakes make for a beautiful aesthetic. The Kint Sect was directed to a building more toward the outskirts. When everyone entered, rooms were quickly chosen. Raja Kint got a room at the back of the house.

Later in the day, King Kint and Academy Headmaster returned. Seeing them return through his window Raja Kint slumped back into bed. He had been so focused on practicing that he didn’t think much more practice would do much. Plus, he could feel himself inching closer to the eighth stage.

“Come eat,” said a boy behind Raja Kint’s door.

Raja Kint got up to go eat. When he arrived everyone was at a long table. Seeing this he paused for a moment. A memory of his family gathering at their table appeared in his mind.

His young sister happily eating. His brother chowing down with a seemingly endless appetite. His mother neatly eating her food. His father somehow keeping a dignified temperament even while eating. His maids who he was on good terms with smiling and gesturing him toward his seat.

“Hurry up or I’ll eat all the food.”

Raja Kint snapped out of his memories. The young boy with a piece of chicken in his hands and grease covering his lips. Looked at Raja Kint happily.

Raja Kint could feel that his eyes had begun watering. He squeezed his eyelids while rubbing his face in his sleeve. Afterward, he sat down and ate the food with the others.

Martial Master said, “We’ll be departing here in a few days. So if you want you can go out and look around.”

The Academy Headmaster laughed, “You brats go experience the world a bit. Just be careful of who you offend. This place holds earth devourers. Meaning someone you walk by on the street could be closely related to such a being.”

The kids quickly nodded their heads with gleams in their eyes.

Martial Master added, “If you get into a fight and become incapable of participating in the competition. Don’t expect us to have you healed in time. Nobody here is a specialist in healing.”

Everyone finished their meal and headed to their rooms for the night. Raja Kint decided he would relax before exploring tomorrow. Nobody knew that he was wealthy.

Raja Kint woke up and quickly put on his new clothes. These were all black clothes with ‘kint sect’ written on the left chest in white. Raja Kint left the building heading into the capitol city of Alexander Nation. Alexander City.

He walked along the streets asking around for shops with pills for healing. He finally found the most well-known shop in the city. He walked inside curious what it would look like.

“Hello, sir. Anything you have in mind?” Asked a young girl about 20 years old.

Raja Kint replied, “I’m looking to buy multiple of everything that can heal the injuries of an outer ki realm.”

The girl blankly stared as her eyes widened, “Um, for such a large purchase I’ll grab my manager,” she pointed, “Go to that counter and we’ll meet there.” She quickly hurried off.

Raja Kint walked to the counter. When he arrived he noticed that he wasn’t much taller than the counter. He frowned for a moment and leaned against the counter.

His eyes wandered through the shop. He could see signboards hanging from the ceilings. Denoting what level healing items were in which sections.

“Young man, your items are being gathered right now. The total purchase will come to 461 low ki stones. I added multiples of each if you’re fine with that,” said a middle-aged man.

Raja Kint nodded his head as he took out a mid-grade ki stone from his pouch. It wasn’t that he lacked low ki stones. He only kept a few hundred in his pouch while the majority were in his ring. Plus, he didn’t feel like taking out so many ki stones. The man took the stone with a slight surprise on his face. He looked at the young girl next to him.

“Gather the low ki stones for this customer.”

The girl nodded as she hurried off. The man looked at Raja Kint again, “You must be preparing for the competition coming up. It’s quite smart to buy healing items now.” The man tucked the mid-grade stone away, “May I know your name?” inquired the man.

“Raja Kint.”

The two waited in silence until the girl returned. She handed Raja Kint a chest with the ki stones. Raja Kint simply tucked it into his pouch. The man sent the girl to tend to other customers. Not long after, a young man appeared and whispered into the manager’s ear.

“Come with me,” said the Manager.

Raja Kint followed the man into a back room. Inside was a table with luxurious cloth covering it. On the cloth were all the items Raja Kint wanted.

“This young man will quickly explain to you the items and their uses. Then he’ll leave you to do as you wish. As far as I know, your items were shipped.”

Raja Kint thanked the man. The young man started explaining everything to Raja Kint. Once the explanation ended, the young man stepped outside while Raja Kint began stuffing everything into his pouch and ring. Looking inside his ring and pouch he noticed things were becoming crowded. He asked the young man waiting outside the room for the manager.

The manager quickly arrived in the room. He acted as if everything disappearing was of no concern.

“Do you know where I can buy storage rings or pouches?”

The man furrowed his brows, “Finding something like that here is quite difficult. Something like that is usually sold somewhere in the empire’s market. Although, you all should be going to the Julchen Region arriving at Julchen City. There may be someone there with what you need. A bit of a weird fellow but what he has isn’t ordinary.”

“Oh, please do tell me where he is.” Raja Kint walked to the table and dumped 100 low-grade ki stones out.

The manager smiled, “You’re quite shrewd. Do keep in mind that you’re to tell no one about this place.”

Raja Kint nodded his head.