The Third Party - Chapter 91

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs., 8 months)

With a final gesture of Ken’s hand above his head, palm facing upwards with his left arm doing the exact same opposite as the other, the water that he was playing with, gathered atop him,

In one quick motion, the palms facing away from each other flipped, slowly coming towards one another, the water above him burst into drops of water around him. As did the balls of ice and wind rings he conjured.

The explosion of projectiles issued simultaneously, but the surroundings did not shake out of proportion from the explosion, instead, they remained still watching as if the projectiles in the air popped like bubbles, ending the show and returning the same sky as before.

Ken smiled at the performance he had done, proud of himself.

He flew to the shore where everyone was waiting for him, slowly gathering, his smile growing even brighter. Although the abrupt cancellation of the spell caught most everyone off guard, they welcomed the clear sky altogether with not of unwillingness.

One even accepted it gratefully, his thoughts riddled with nothing but worry for his friend and the people with them, preferably their safety, for he knows that when Ken conjures huge projectiles spells, anyone is bound to be injured.

Luckily for them this was one of the times that no one got hurt. Nope, wait, scratch that, Allen remembers that a wind blade narrowly avoided a merman as it had come close to the sea.

Subtle black lines appeared on Allen’s head thinking of that moment. He shook his head lightly to rid himself of such thoughts, he must be weird enough to be thinking this way, then again when it comes to his friend, there’s not knowing what he’ll do to make everyone worry.

And he himself is such a worrywart, imagine how that affects him. Allen joined the others as they approached their little entertainer.

“That was so cool Ken!” said Glen.

“Yeah! I want to create blades as large as those ones.” seconded Icarus, Glen mostly due to how his friend showed them a spectacular sight to behold -in his terms that is-, Icarus was more on the projectile size.

As he was a warrior in training any big spells equals to stronger power, he feels himself getting all fired up again at the spell Ken showed them. Ken gave the two a thumbs up and a smile. Wilbert and him high fived one another smiling widely as well.

“Mm *nod*, can you teach me that water spell?” asked Riyah.

“Me too!” seconded Celine, as both were good at using water spells aside from their core element, knowing one or two spells once more won’t hurt.

Just thinking of those water balls turning into ice cored crystal was beautiful -in the case of Celine-, and powerful -Riyah’s- in their eyes.

“Sure!” replied Ken matching the other two’s enthusiasm, the three of them holding each other’s hands with a little jump to their feet, the two girls smiled brightly at the acceptance of their request.

“Fill us in as well!” said Lila from the back, although a bit aggressive everyone could still make out the playful tone in her voice.

“Yeah, don’t leave us hanging.” said Flin waving his hand with that ethereal smile dazzling anyone who would come to witness it for themselves, but seeing that smile everyday never loses its charm even though they were mostly immune to it by now.

The other three, Allen, Saber, and Princess Lang, silently approached the others forming a circle, different thoughts circulating inside their minds.

‘So much energy.’ thought Saber.

‘As expected of my rival, not only is he powerful, he’s such a good leader as well, I must work harder.’ thought Princess Lang, if Allen were to hear her thoughts right now, he would be confused as to whether she’s against Ken or not.

Then again there’s nothing much for him to worry over when there is nothing much that he needs to think about other than lead and look out for that troublesome person.

Ken waved at the three to hurry up and of course without fail, huddle up with the rest of the group.

“Okay guys, let’s gather our hands together.” said Ken putting his hands at the center of their circle, the others followed suit. “To strength and ingenuity, we will hone our skills to pass different obstacles in our paths!” Ken added,

The initial confusion from before turned into intrigue and then admiration, from the person to the words spoken, the group could feel the slight adrenaline rush.

“To improving ourselves and learning everyday, we will not back down from the challenges presented before us!” Ken continued insinuating different reactions from everyone who heard.

“And to the opportunities ahead, may we grab them with enthusiasm and passion that we may not lose out on giving to ourselves.” the words may have come out as cheesy, it did, but to the ten people in the circle, they know not to dilly dally on such a trivial feeling.

For Ken had drilled unto them the word acceptance, acceptance that they may give themselves the chance to adapt to different types of situations, may it be cheesy, normal, or serious ones.

That any type of conversation they find themselves in, they’ll be able to slowly adapt to the mood and look at the big picture at hand, yes personal feelings and agendas that get trampled by others does hurt and are an uncomfortable situation.

But knowing that the end goal of their situation always heads for the better goodness of both parties, then it’s okay to sacrifice even just a bit of that pride for something better.

As is the situation they are in. Now the group is more than happy and willing to listen to Ken’s words of wisdom -don’t know where he got them-, even when in difficult or easy situations.

Their situation may have come off as awkward when technically they didn’t ask for Ken to give them advice then and there, but knowing that it was Ken’s way of worrying over them and looking out for them, warms them inside.

They could feel that the words implied did not carry a trace of urgency or imposingness, like the words were coaxing them into a direction they did not know was there, and it was pleasant.

Ken’s ways of subtle teaching and guiding where pleasant. Something they are grateful for deeply in their hearts, a feeling they subtly notice.

“To authenticity!” shouted Ken raising his hand high up in the air, followed by rest with cheer and enthusiasm. The moment ever looking so cheerful and joy, the young ones basking in the feeling that is warmth and supportiveness.

Until Allen quickly mentioned.

“Wait, why authenticity?” asked Allen, realizing the word did not fit the moment, so did the others as well, if not for Allen pointing it out, they would have been left with confused feelings, unable to put into thoughts, let alone words.

“Let me put it this way, anyone who is not themselves could never find strength, but if someone comes just to be themselves, then there will be no problem.” said Ken, the group wanted to nod as if they understood.

But they quickly whipped their heads towards Ken’s direction, question clear on their faces.

“Huh?! What does that mean?” asked Wilbert, the question begging to be said out loud from their tongues, as Wilbert beat them to it.

“*chuckle*, you’ll understand it soon enough, but for now, let’s wait and see.” said Ken in that playful tone of his, of course the curious beings as they are, they pestered Ken to explain what those words meant.

Ken only helplessly smiled at his friends, raising both arms trying to calm the storm before him, those begging puppy eyes and aggressive banter is such a confusing mix when looking at this group before him.

Not to mention those narrowed eyes from the back, are giving him chills.

“Then how are we supposed to get stronger?!” asked Icarus. Ken sighed, but with a doting smile.

“Haven’t I told you? Everyone’s strength comes from every individual’s willingness and drive, the stronger the force compelling you to grow and become stronger equals to the result that you want.” He explained, to which Icarus nodded meekly.

But in Ken’s eyes, this one looked like a kicked puppy as to everyone before him, Icarus was still one of them who hasn’t understood that piece of advice Ken gave.

Ken was almost tempted to pet the guy, but he held the urge when he knows that Icarus’ temper will flare up if he does so. In a flash, a thought came to him.

“Don’t worry too much about what I say, but never burden yourself over it, understand?” said Ken, patting Icarus’ shoulder. Icarus stared at those doting eyes -although he doesn’t know it’s that way- and felt at ease with his thoughts.

No one is pressuring him, nor do they expect so much of him, so he convinced himself that he ‘will’ do his best, no matter how many times he’s said that to himself.

“Okay.” He said, unconsciously sprouting a handsome smile, one that carried affection. Everyone who witnessed that smile, stunned them in their place, but the little rascals that they are, teasing sprang out in the form of two people.

“WOAH! Icarus, you’re smiling!” said Glen.

“Yeah!” seconded Wilbert, both person a look of wonder on their faces as they gazed at Icarus. The other person’s face instantly fell.

“What? I always smile, here look” Icarus gave them that smile, where he’s looking more of a delinquent than a charming boy, instantly the other two gave the guy a mixture between disgust and unbelieving look.

“Nope.” -Glen-

“Nuh uh.” -Wilbert-

“That’s not a smile.” -Glen-

“*nod, nod*, right.” -Wilbert-

“Why you little-“ Icarus stopped abruptly from wanting to pound the two into a pulp by two hands on his shoulders, Ken’s face downcast before him, slowly tilting to look into his eyes, expression blank out of anything.

“Who are you and what have you done to our friend Icarus.” the area turned silent, but slowly annoyance piled on top of Icarus, hand clenched in a fist, slowly but surely trembling along its wake.

“I’ll pound YOU ALL TO A PULP!!!” shouted Icarus, as the three people who messed with him all but started to run everywhere not near him, laughing along as they were chased down by a firey red ball of vengeance.

The situation escalated so suddenly that the group that were left dumbfounded where they were standing could not help but be blank of the situation. That image of handsomeness still stuck in the back of their minds.

Once they registered that the boys are at it again, they could not help but chuckle and giggle along as they watched the four people before them run around the beach, splashing water everywhere by the seaside.

‘Really, that was such a cute reaction.’ thought Riyah, the image of her brother relentlessly appearing in her imagination, it makes her want to dote on her baby brother more, but she should discard that thought right now, or a quarrel will ensue.

While the situation before them was indeed a funny one, the masters just watched as the bond between their students deepened, how admirable it is to see such relations grow day by day, leaving them lost in thought.

“Master.” said Ken appearing beside Klein.

“Yes?” replied Klein, not at all surprised at the sudden appearance of his student, he has long noticed the magic signature of Ken had come closer to him so he was not that bothered.

The same can’t be said about the other two rowdy looking males, as an indication of their surprise was the tenseness of their body and the slight widening of their eyes.

“May I ask, is there a place where it’s all filled with snow?” said Ken, it intrigued Klein, wondering why this student of his thought of such.

“Yes, it would be to the north of this continent, called the Winter lands of the North.” Klein showed him an image of snowy mountain ranges as far as the eyes could see through the use of illusion magic.

Quite a handy trick he learned from Ken.

“Mm *nod*, then what about a place where both ice and death exist, and a powerful Female ice practitioner?” asked Ken, the question visibly changed Klein’s demeanor, but the change only happened in one second, Klein returning to his normal self.

“How did you know this?” asked Klein instead, Ken only stared determinedly.

“I had a vision, and it involved the person I mentioned.” replied Ken, knowing that this student of his could never be persuaded to ignore any situation, topic, or conversation of dangerous origins, or any origins at that, Klein could only comply.

“*sigh* The place and the person you are talking about is located at another continent far from here, from our location, I would say that direction.” said Klein, pointing at Ken’s back, which if one would look at the placement of the sun, it was the west direction.

Ken briefly looked at the direction his master pointed and returned to face his master, gave both a nod and thanks.

“Be warned, that place is a lot more dangerous than here.” said Klein, for any form of explanation he gives to this student before him is useless, whether it be short or long, so opting for shorter warnings are better than losing more saliva over this stubbornness.

“Don’t worry Master, I won’t be so rash as to explore that place.” Klein nodded at his student, truthfully, Klein was not the only one worried over this little guy inquiring about such a topic, Lana and Ulysses were stupefied at hearing this student of theirs talking about that person.

Even Ras and Kilean were not spared of the fear that made their heart beat faster than normal.

Mentioning her was taboo for them, for the whole continent as well, for as someone as powerful as her, even mentioning her name causes a torrent of despair and fear sweeping along the vicinity of the area where it was mentioned.

Luckily for them, this student of theirs does not know of her name, if so, then who knows what will happen.

“Too bad I wanted to see those snowflakes.” said Ken again, casting a distant look at the direction he would be traveling to in the future.

Once the implication of his message settled in on the Master’s head, black lines adorned their faces, lost for words to say, either warning or worry stuck in between their mouth. This student of theirs is thinking of something dangerous! THEY MUST-

“Ken!!! GET OVER HERE!” Icarus swiped both hands behind Ken with the agenda of capturing the said target to subject to unspeakable beating, but as sly as ever, Ken casually jumped and back-flipped in the air, landing relatively far away from Icarus.

“Can’t catch me.” The initial distant look casually replaced with that playful smile and tone, add it up with a sticking out of his tongue caused Icarus’ blood to boil, and returned to chase after his target once more.

The Masters that were left can’t help but think of the duality of their student, should they be worried or intimidated?

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