Chapter 81: Meeting

Chapter 81 - Meeting

Stirring in his bed, Kai had a moment of confusion looking at the unfamiliar wooden boards of the ceiling. Then he remembered where he was.

Its almost as comfortable as my bed at the estate.

Long shadows stretched on the ground. The first rays of dawn were blocked by the surrounding buildings. The chattering of people walking down the streets filled the morning.

Is this what living in a proper town feels like?

It roused some old memories, but it was also new.

The old farmer was right, Sylspring is much better than Greenside.

Kai couldnt help but wonder what would have happened if his family had been relocated here. Instead of a hindrance, the Veeryd jungle was a source of wealth and jobs. Instead of once or twice a year, ships came and went every week, the bustle of seamen crowding the wharves. Even the ever-present stifling humidity of his hometown was absent.

Of course, the tourists were an annoyance, and the presence of the Republic loomed in every corner. But those werent insurmountable problems. Just different challenges he could adapt and work around them. If he planned to travel to the mainland, this was easy mode.

The estate was going to be his home for the foreseeable future, but it wouldnt be a bad thing to gather more information.

I should ask around how much a house costs. Flynn probably knows.

Kai opened the door of his room. A boy almost fell on him.

Wha. Im awake! Flynn jumped to his feet, looking around confused before realizing what was going on. Hi, there, mister. Isnt this a great day?

Did you sleep in the hallway?

No, I just came here early and took a nap.

Dont you have a house and a bed?

Of course, I do. I just.

Kai listened to his stammered response with a pang of guilt. If the hard floor was preferable to his home, the situation couldnt be good.

Come on, lets go get breakfast. You can tell me what you know about the selection.

Flynn might be annoying and nosy, but he was still a kid.

I mean, I spent the last year at the estate. My standards arent exactly sky-high. Hes more entertaining than the butler.

Kai liked spending time with Dora, but she could be his great great grandma. And Virya was, well Virya. His social life on Earth had been pretty limited; reincarnating on Elydes had not helped much in that regard.

If he looked over the fact Flynn was a pathological thief and liar, well If Kai had to grow up on the streets, he might not have been much different from him. Who knew what he went through and the kind of childhood he had.

Flynn wouldnt be his first, second or third choice but he was starting to grow on him.

Yep, my standards have hit rock bottom.

In a few days, he would be back at the estate anyway.

What? Kai asked, waking his lost gaze from the cup of tea in his hand. It tasted too sweet.

I asked if you were going to participate in the selection.

Probably. What do you get if you pass?

Flynn looked at him weirdly. You probably dont need it either way. From what I heard, they promised money and lessons. But they have been pretty cagey with the exact details.

Kai would bet there were plenty of details that somehow failed to reach the public. The best way to understand what was going on was to participate. He could always refuse later. He felt in his gut that there was something fishy going on.

The streets were packed. Kai let Flynn guide him through a maze of alleys, just making sure he was leading him in the right direction. A squadron of enforcers blocked the entrance to the main square. Beside them, a line of kids accompanied by their families orderly waited their turn to get the right to pass.

The queue was surprisingly fast, they soon stood in front of a desk with an old clerk. Names?

My name is Flynn, but my little brother forgot to register. I told him a hundred times. Flynn shook his head disapprovingly at him. Its not too late for that, right?

~~~

The ship gently rocked as it got closer to the dock. Leaning on the wooden rail, Val observed the town getting closer. Sylspring looked to have grown again from the last time she visited. There was no denying Lady Cressida's plans brought much-needed money and investment to the archipelago.

No need to worry, Im sure youll do splendidly, miss, Nalia said with a reassuring smile. Her maid had always thought she could do no wrong. Val believed it too once, now she wasnt so sure.

Im not nervous. Just thoughtful. She only needed to do a little speech and a few magic tricks. Sylspring was the biggest town yet, but she had already been through this three times. And it was only the beginning of her tour.

She would have rather stayed in Higharbor to train. Alas, that wasnt a possibility. Be a symbol of what we can be with the help of the Republic, that was how her father put it. Once, she had thought he could do no wrong either.

Her hands traveled to her stomach, caressing her scars in what had become a habit. The healers had done a great job. There were just two thin pale lines left, barely visible even in daylight. Tracing them with her fingers, her skin was perfectly smooth.

And yet, she could always tell they were there. No matter what time of day or night. The presence of those two thin lines was as obvious as when they had been inflicted.

Miss, you need to prepare. The ship is about to drop the anchor.

Val nodded, letting Nalia fix her dress and hair.

This is as necessary as my personal strength.

For how many times she reminded herself, she couldnt help but feel a growing dislike of it all. The empty fanfare and fake smiles. But she knew it was necessary, it was her duty. Her father had worked so hard to make this program happen. It was the chance to grow the future elite of the archipelago.

The reception went as expected. All the most important officials of the town were present, waiting for her as soon as she stepped on land. Some looked bored, as if they couldnt wait to be done with it; many more had fawning expressions.

It wasnt her favor they were seeking, but her fathers. The most powerful councilor in Higharbor, who was rumored to have the ear of the governor. The actual agreement with Lady Cressida wasnt so simple, but they didnt need to know that.

She had just taken a step on the berth when the mayor came to greet her. The expensive blue silks couldnt hide his pot belly. Val took his sweaty pale hand, hoping the handshake wouldnt last long.

The rumors didnt lie. When they told me an islander managed to achieve the second stage of Orange before the age of ten, I thought they were making fun of me. But youre even more stunning in person.

Val suppressed her annoyance at the insulting compliment. I couldnt have done it, if it wasnt for Master Gelias help.

Of course, the teachings of a Fourth Circle mage are invaluable. But its very impressive that Lady Gelia accepted you as her disciple. You are truly a remarkable young lady.

Thank you. Val hid her growing dislike for the man behind a polite smile.

Come on, Bernard. Let the girl breathe. She hasnt stepped on true land yet. A large man in a dark uniform with a silver pin pulled the mayor back. The gesture looked friendly, but she could tell Bernard didnt have a choice unless he chose to fall.

Captain Zerith, I presume. The governor spoke highly of you. Recalling her notes, she remembered they had served together in the army.

The mans smile looked genuine, but Val had spent too long around politicians to trust it blindly. High-level social skills could do much more than that.

Yeah, Ervyn and I go way back. The man laughed. His hands were calloused, but he didnt prolong the shake more than necessary. Come, Im sure youre eager to get started. People have already gathered and are eager to begin.

Wait, I should. Val put up a token resistance as she let the captain drag her away. She gave an apologetic look at the other officers still waiting. This probably breached half a dozen protocols.

Nalia and her bodyguards hurried after her. She told them not to intervene with a glance. She had no idea what kind of game Captain Zerith was playing. His manners were rough and he didnt have the proper demeanor of an officer. But if it saved her from half an hour of tortuous pleasantries, she would play with him.

Most of the social blowback would fall on him, so her father wouldnt get too upset. Or she could just forget to mention it in her letter. They didnt need the support of every clerk in the archipelago.

As they passed the first line of houses, Zerith slowed to a more reasonable pace and winked at her.

Closer to the main square, the streets were crowded. Without a word, a trio of enforcers joined their delegation to help them make way.

I told Bernard it would have been better to host the selection outside the city, but he insisted on using the main square. Obviously, he left the organization to me.

Val nodded. She couldnt really place the man. Despite being quite early, the square was already full of young kids looking around with excited expressions. She wanted to see if there was anyone interesting, but she got whisked away into a nearby building.

Ill send someone to call you when its time for your speech. Well take care of the rest. The captain said, giving her an encouraging smile and disappearing.

What a weird man. What is his play

She would ask her father when she got back. Right now she had to focus. Val paced back and forth in the empty room, rehearsing the speech in her head. This program was a fundamental piece to achieve her fathers dream. She couldnt be anything less than perfect today.

Were ready for you.

Assuming a proper demeanor, Val stepped outside and walked on the stage. Right as she was about to utter the first word, her skin tingled. Her eyes met a kid with short light hair and tanned skin.