The Third Party - Chapter 36

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs. and 8 months old)

“What are we doing today?” said Ken to Allen, curious as to why everyone was at the town-square.

“Father told us to wait here for some instructions, I believe it has something to do with yesterday’s visit.” said Allen, Ken nodded in understanding but when he turned to look at the group his eyes met with Princess Lang’s before she blinked and looked the other way.

Ken’s stomach churned as he’s still trying to digest the events from earlier, he cannot help but suspect the Princess, he took a deep breath to calm his mind and reassure himself not to jump to conclusions without concrete evidence.

Ken smiled and conversed with the group as they always do before being thrust unto any things to do for the day, or missions.

“Hey Glen, remember when we had to subjugate a monster boar near Celine’s tribe?” said Ken, Glen tilted his head and thought about the memory.

“Yeah, what about it?” Glen asked, looking at Ken amusingly.

“Well I’d just like to remind you not to run off on your own for another time, or maybe this time because you could not handle the boar’s tackle.” said Ken, turning Glen’s smirking face to a beat red flushed embarrassed color. The group cackled at their antics causing Glen’s blush to deepen.

“Yeah? Well what about those times when you were covered by their feces?” said Glen, Ken’s face scrunched up in disgust.

“Ew, don’t make me remember that.” Ken shrugged violently from the rush of the memory as if he could still feel and smell the horrid scent of the monster’s waste. “I could still remember how it made such a strong squeal before squirting its contents to my face.”

“*LAUGH* Why did you even position yourself at the back at that time?” said Glen, shoulders still shaking from the burst of laughter.

“I know right? I was so stupid, I don’t know what came over me that time.” said Ken struggling not to laugh at his own actions. “But then I again, I chased everyone being all smelly after we defeated the boar, want me to do it again?” said Ken mischievously.

The group, even the four newcomers shook their head at Ken’s open thoughts, thinking to themselves how this person always voices out almost everything that comes into his mind, and being on the receiving end, Ken would never fail to do what he said, especially the things Ken’s done to them.

Still though, they smiled inwardly for themselves whether it was due to this personality that made them more open, or they are just flat out comfortable with Ken, he never fails to give pointers, insights, and words that are needed for them to hear, in the right time and place, is what they thought.

“Anyway what do you guys think you want to do today? Seeing as we will be going on an adventure.” said Ken looking at each of them expectantly, now this trait is something the four newcomers were surprised about, Ken was stubbornly curious as to what everyone liked to do when missions or something similar to such are tasked to them.

Likewise they didn’t fare any less of the bombardment of questions here and there, they think it was that time when Ken became comfortable to them.

“I think I’ll strive to learn new things.” said Lila, thinking as to what new things she could encounter from this journey.

“I’ll use this time to sharpen my skills with new opponents.” said Saber, with strength and certainty to his voice no doubt he would be taking any chance to fight, the battle last time must have left him wanting more, Ken thought, he giggled inwardly.

“I’ll be using this time to learn more of how you use your magic.” said Allen, Ken titled his head and thought for a moment before nodding.

“I’ll be watching over you.” said Wilbert.

“And why would you do that?” asked Ken.

“Cause I know you’re up to something, or more like you will be up to something.” said Wilbert as he narrowed his eyes at Ken, before smiling mischievously, Ken matched his smiles and the two chuckled.

“I’m on with Wilbert, gotta keep a look out behind my back.” Glen winked and crossed his arms but still smiling, the three high-fived one another, the others just watched sheepishly at this trio, a weird composition of a serious leader, a sturdy warrior, and an unmovable giant, bonded together by mischief.

Oh how the things would play out once they’re on the road, what the rest of the group thought.

“Just like Allen, I’ll be learning from your use of magic too.” said Princess Lang as she to the side of Allen, the two looked and nodded at one another briefly. Oh, what’s this? Ken thought.

“Me too.”

“Me too.” said simultaneously by Flin and Riyah, the two smiled at each other making Ken smile too.

“Guess I’ll just be following my sister.” said Icarus, raising his arms and resting his hands behind his neck.

“Why?” asked Ken.

“I have nothing better to do, so I’ll just tag along with my sister.” said Icarus, Ken nodded. The group delved into conversation with one another waiting for their masters.

A magic circle formed in front of the group the same color as the one Wilbert and Celine conjured, as it created a portal and out the three masters came along the two guardians of the forest in their human form.

Ken noticed that this time their antlers didn’t show meaning they must have been introduced to his Illusion Spell: Disguise, just like what he had introduced to his magical beast friends, he continued to stare at the two guardians and marveled at their beauty and handsomeness.

Coralia is as beautiful and graceful as ever even with or without the antlers as their beast features while in human form, while her brother looked to be a savage with a big scar adorning his face and buffed figure.

Oddly enough Trunk still looks handsome, and if you put the two together you could find the resemblance.

The only thing Ken kept thinking about is their sharp cheek bones and tall figures, the other features he does not recognize. A mixture of Asian and American beauty, he thought.

“Aunt Coralia, Uncle Trunk, it’s so good to see you guys again.” said Celine as she went for a hug on both of them followed by Ken who was silent and just smiled, the guardians smiled at the two and looked at the other human.

“Aren’t you not gonna give us a hug Wilbert.” asked Coralia.

“Nahh, I’m good.” replied Wilbert waving his hand.

“Come here little man.” said Trunk as he wrapped an arm around Wilbert’s neck and used the other to ruffle his hair, Wilbert protested but still laughed along with his uncle.

“Now now Trunk, we still have to send these kids to the pride of Mountain Lions.” said Coralia, Trunk released his hold on Wilbert and walked back to Coralia’s side.

“Yeah, still though, I can’t believe how much they’ve grown now.” said Trunk still beaming.

“And how much they’ve grown on you.” replied Coralia with a smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, but before anything else, the leaders have been communicated by the other tribes of magical beasts to be visited by the students trained under their care, and under careful calculation and talk, we have given permission for the students to travel to each five tribes of the valley” said Trunk. The Princess got confused and decided to ask.

“Lila, why are they talking about giving permission?” Lila turned to her and said.

“Aside from the our three leaders here at the village, Aunt Coralia and Uncle Trunk possess power or ranking -in your terms- similar to master Klein’s, that’s why they have equal responsibility and power over any decisions the village makes,

But they only intervene once anyone ever tries to step out of their territory.” Princess Lang nodded, but another question popped into her head.

“Then what of the time when the four of us arrived here, were they present?” she asked, Lila nodded and said…

“Yes, they were just at the sideline keeping the peace and order of the event.” the Princess nodded again and returned her gaze to the front, the other three nodded inwardly as they heard the conversation between the two.

Although they think that Master Klein holds all the jurisdiction within the village, they were still shocked by the news of this two individuals holding such responsibility too, but nonetheless they didn’t dare to think otherwise of the situation for they too have similar figures in their respective territories.

“The two of us will be escorting all of you while the masters stay here.” the group nodded but others had confused faces, for every mission they tasked to do, their masters would always accompany them. “This task is specifically given to us as your masters have duties to uphold here at the village, as they cannot leave their position alone.” he added, which made everyone nod in understanding.

“Do you have any questions?” asked Coralia, the group shook their head no.

“Okay, we shall depart in short notice, please prepare your valuable things since we will be traveling for three days tops, five if we encounter complications.” the group nodded again then checked their belongings, but one person realized something.

“We’ll be gone for how long exactly?” asked Riyah to no one in particular. “If we were to be gone for that long, then don’t we need more thingw to bring with us?” she looked at everyone, back to her luggage which only had a spare clothing, food for one day and other necessities.

“You’re right Riyah, we should go to our homes and bring more luggage for the trip.” said Flin.

“But won’t extra things be heavy to carry around?” said Lila.

“True but we can use the magic tools sent by the dragon kingdom, this time they’ve sent more dimensional magic tools in the form of attachable jewels in a chain for everyone to use,

Since he had just brought one for the princess his last visit.” said Master Klein and approached the group, he took out a magic tool with a semi-orb the color of white attached to a metal with chains.

“The researchers sent this out to let us test it.” He then handed each one of the students before giving one to each guardian. “You can use them for storing your things letting you carry lesser weight, any living thing won’t be placed inside, understand?” he directed the last statement at the students, as they all nodded.

“How do we use it master?” asked Celine.

“Inject mana into it and you will feel a connection.” The group did so as they established a connection with the tool. “Now face it to the object you want to put inside and picture it out storing your things, and vice versa if you want your things to come out of the magic tool, by the way it’s called, a storage magic tool.”

One by one everyone got the hang of controlling their mana and the tool as they took out and stored their stuff, prodigies, I tell you, prodigies, Ken thought.

“Now go and prepare your things.” Klein said, the group dispersed and went to their houses to bring more things for the trip while the three teleported back and forth since their home was far from the village, with a little accumulation of the world’s mana they regained back their mana spent on teleporting.

“Now that everyone’s ready, let’s move out so that we can meet the mountain lions earlier.” said Trunk.

“May your journey be safe students.” said Master Ulysses finally.

“Be sure to come back everyone.” said Master Lana as she waved at them, Klein just gave them a wave and the group was off towards their first destination.

The group resorted to walking at first, just having casual conversation and small talks, since they are far away from the village, Ken decided that this would be a good opportunity to teach them of that traveling spell, the ‘Dashing Board’.

“Aunt Coralia, Uncle Trunk, would you mind if I share to you a spell that will help us travel a lot faster?” Ken asked as he walked to the side of Coralia with Trunk beside her.

“If it’s a spell like that then sure let’s see what kind of spell you’ve devised this time.” said Coralia as they stopped walking making the others stop as well.

“Memory Magic: Practical Application.” Ken conjured two spheres of white the size of his palm, this spell is an enhanced version of the spell ‘Shared Moment’ as it not only showed the memory of certain type of event it also imparted with it the pointers of a specific spell the caster wants to share with anyone.

Ken pointed his finger to the foreheads of Coralia and Trunk, the white spheres entered their minds and showed them the memory and the practicality on how to conjure the earth spell.

“Wow, not only were you able to copy Klein’s memory spell, you’ve also enhanced it to be able to teach us a spell.” said Coralia astonished of the way Ken used his magic.

“Incredible, not only am I able to clearly remember the image, I think I can use the spell too.” Trunk proceeded to conjure a slab of rock and proceeded to ride on it, doing the same effects as the King of Lions and his warriors did when they left.

He stopped the board from moving and encouraged his sister to do the same, and that she did, only they stepped to the side to wait for the others to be taught of the same spell.

“Of course I wouldn’t leave you guys alone now would I? Here, Memory Magic: Practical Application.” Ken conjured ten white spheres and sent it to the minds of his companions. With the group having used to the way ‘used’ them, or so they say, they were not fazed by Ken’s abrupt actions on casting them a spell.

Well they’ve got plenty of time getting practiced on with ‘Shared Moment’, so it wasn’t a big deal. Soon enough everyone was riding their own ‘Dashing Board’ and are zooming past trees as they follow the two guardians.

With the kind of pace they are going, for sure they would arrive earlier, but Ken had other thoughts, he dashed his board forward and pushed downwards to launch himself and the board into the air doing a back flip with the board.

Not to worry they didn’t get sand on their eyes since they are protected with a wind shield to negate the wind from pushing them back, and the bits and pieces that fell off on the board of Ken.

Ken landed back on the ground and laughed at what he had done as he raised his hands unto the air, funny thing about this board though is that it has two magic circles situated below their feet, hiding.

“WOW! You could do that?! Why didn’t you do it yesterday when you were riding alongside the King?” Glen said, almost shouting due to the rush of air.

“WELL it wouldn’t be awesome if I showed it to his majesty and not teach you guys now wouldn’t it?!” said Ken, he looked back and he could see the excitement behind Glen’s eyes.

“Let me in on that!” shouted Wilbert as he rushed forward and pushed his board down and into the air doing a twist before landing and continuing on surfing through the land.

“WOHOO!” and so a small contest was born on who makes the more daring and awesome flip on the air as the group started doing their own flips and twists on the air, even the girls indulged themselves since it looked fun.

The two guardians glanced at the commotion at the back and smiled as they watched amused at the kids doing stunts -they do not know that word-, Trunk was mesmerized at how these kids are doing with their boards so he went on and tried one for himself.

Trunk propelled himself and board just like what the group of students did, but this time he used the board as another propeller to launch himself into the air and did two summersaults before landing at the board he pushed down wards then continued to surf beside Coralia.

The group of students stared wide eyed at their guardian as some others had their mouths agape.

“WOHOO!!! Go Uncle Trunk!” shouted Ken as he clapped and whistled in astonishment. The group then followed in giving Trunk a round of applause to which he just smirked and basked in the spotlight.

Ken with a little idea in his head decided to make another stunt and used the concept of the lions were they used the land in so many ways that they are controlling it freely. He first tested if he could make spirals of earth as he swirled his board up and down creating a trail of circulating earth forward.

After confirming that he could, he then swirled his board creating earth spirals forward, he increased his speed in creating and pushing forward the board before launching himself to the air also creating a trail of spiraling earth up to a cap and then landing.

He plunged the board downward diving into the earth, everyone was confused where Ken went, before suddenly in front of the two guardians, Ken burst forth from the ground.

“That. Was. So. Much. FUN!!!!!” he shouted and so the morning went on with them doing occasional flips or accumulating some spare rushing energy to replenish theirs, but it was just Ken actually.

Nearing Lunch had they arrived at the entrance to the pride of the mountain lion, a trail going up to a mountain on the east location.

“Alright we are here everyone, now just follow to the base of the mountain.” said Trunk as he jumped off his board and dispersed it as the others did and started walking a path up to the mountain, they were greeted by two lion guards who came from behind two rocks where the trail starts.

The two lions greeted the guardians with a bow and allowed them passage up.

“Ken, how were you able to cultivate while moving?” asked Princess Lang, genuinely curious as to how Ken was able to accumulate energy in such a hastened state.

“Hmm, how do I explain this, it’s like I’m catching flying bugs in the air while also maintaining control over what I’m riding, it’s hard, but once you’ve got the hang of it you’ll be able to do it.” He said smiling, the Princess stared at him wide eyed.

She could not begin to comprehend how Ken was able to give his attention to two things at once, she even had a problem concentrating on flipping in the air and landing how much more if she did that, but actually this was all achieved through Ken’s talent ‘Adaptation’.

“But it looks impossible!” she exclaimed, Ken shrugged.

“I don’t know, it kind of felt easy to me, oh look, we’re nearing the base of the mountain.” said Ken as he saw other mountain lions resting on rocks and others wrestling with earth magic. Just like in the past, Ken thought.

“No Ken, we’re still at the bottom side, the base is way up there.” said Coralia as she pointed at the middle of the mountain, the mountain is not full of trees but you can still see some, here and there, only very far apart, some are almost hanging at the sides but with excellent root it kept the tree in place.

Turning them into lounging areas, the trees are large to accommodate about two grown lions, some would be at the side but not occupying the space for the trail. Wow, despite this being on a high altitude it sure does house a lot of lions, Ken thought as he looked at the wide space at his right and the narrow slope to his left.

The group stopped at a narrow path that could barely fit two people if they walk side by side. Trunk turned towards the group and said…

“Starting from this path onwards is now a narrow path towards the base so I ask everyone to take caution and be alert on the path.” the group nodded and they resumed their trail.

Ken took a peek at the edge of the trail and he could not help but say.

“Oh mother of all lions with a mane, or manes.” the group glanced at Ken and chuckled.

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