The Third Party - Chapter 97

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs., 9 months)

Sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere before them, the loud group of teenagers by the table turned silent from the people who suddenly arrived.

Clad in fashionable clothing Ken can only ever think human nobles could afford, his face rested upon a neutral smile, one that governs negotiation of any terms the other party may present.

All the while his brain racked in tons of possibilities why these people are here, judging from their animalistic features, reminisce that of a bird, of course he could only deduce that these people are of avian origins.

They didn’t even bother covering up their wings from their back. Three men looking like hierarchs of a family, with distinct bird features embroidered on their slick looking clothing, outlining even their most defined bodies.

Behind them are dozens of soldiers in armor despite the gigantic wings on their back each with their own respective colors, the one at the center was colored red, the left, green, and right, blue. It was like a splash of color in Ken’s eyes.

Annoying to stare at for too long..

Ken quickly noticed that the soldiers hadn’t retracted their wings, aside from these three people at front, they may be masculinly handsome, with their abrupt entrance from earlier, he could only be silent and brood at the side.

His table manners getting ahead of him, of course he’d back it up with the reason that no one must disturb others when having a meal, same goes for people he’d ever call as enemies as well.

Now he just needs for them to be rude for him to make his move, if these ‘visitors’ won’t then he’ll be civil.

But seriously, is it common for magic beasts to be this handsome when they grow older? It’s like he’s looking at a slightly older Icarus just from the person at the center. If their features would match, this person looks a lot more like a relative of the boy.

It must be common to have differing hair color as well, unlike the people here at the valley, who mostly have black or brown-ish hair color, the people outside must have different hair color.

“I’m looking for Mr. Klein the Continental snake.” spoke the red-head at the center. Ahhh, it seems like Ken’s annoyance flared at that, not even a greeting?

“I’m Klein, what do they need?” said Master Klein, standing up from his seat, the other masters looking at their companion for a brief moment before returning their gazes to the avian people.

Ulysses and Mira were the only ones who didn’t change their line of sight since earlier, even with the inquiry of their leader. The red-head gave Klein a bow.

“My name is Erwin sir, Captain of the Red Guard, I was sent by sir Varus of the Doran household to bring a message.” said the red-head, presenting Klein a letter envelope sealed by a red wax, with the embroidery of a majestic bird. The man naturally accepted the letter with courtesy.

‘That’s a little better.’ thought Ken, at least he’s slowly giving respect, the other must have felt the powerful presence of his master, naturally, for in his observation -through mana-, the red-head was slightly comparable to the strength of a dragon soldier from Lang’s kingdom.

And that’s saying much since Ken had gauged out how strong the dragon species are, even the ordinary dragon beast is that strong. In numbers, Ken could roughly calculate that the person holds about 6,000 plus magic power.

But that would be just rude to voice out now, would it? He wonders how his friends are coping with this situation, seeing as their heart beat has slowed down, they must be slowly assessing the situation.

A small smile showed itself on his face for a second.

Klein read the letter, a few seconds later he closed the envelop and turned to the avian person named Erwin.

“Where are these ‘students’ you have brought?” said Klein, the stress on the word students was evident, catching the attention of everyone present, the ones whom have learned the ways Klein speak, can’t help but gulp a little.

That was dread right there on his voice. But visitors thought of otherwise. Genuinely curious of that inquiry but decided to disregard it, as it didn’t matter much to them.

“They’re…” the captain turned around only to come up short, the students he brought were missing. A glare dawned in on his subordinates.

“How-“

“I think I know where they might be.” interjected Ken, before the Captain before him embarrasses himself, he felt an outburst coming, so he took it upon himself to stop it.

Ken approached his Master.

“Master, will you please let me find our guests?” he asked, to which Klein nodded, before turning his attention to the flustered Captain.

They have just arrived moments ago, how were their young ones able to slip under their noses, look at them, there are over dozens of soldiers with them, with three platoons!! Just! Argh! Ken could just easily read the other’s expression.

And with a little peek through magic, he caught a glimpse of what the letter contained, no doubt his master noticed him eavesdropping.

Erwin took a deep breath before facing the Master of this land, and unto the… human? Nevertheless, he must find their missing people, or else they would be in big trouble.

“Take me with you.” He said, taking a step forward before being halted by the other two captains beside him. “Take us with you as well.” said the one with the green colored eyes, hair retaining a brown hue.

“Yeah, two more people is better.” said the other with a sky blue hair. Erwin could only nod, hastily, looking back at the kid. Ken calmly nodded.

“Then I hope you three could catch up, but before so, do order your men to be at ease, appoint someone in charge while you’re at it.” said Ken, walking back to his table, and strapping the scythe behind his back.

The three captains dumbfounded from the initial thought of the kid’s treatment, can’t help but feel a slight admiration, they had almost went out on their own with the kid only to be reminded to take care of their responsibility.

Slight discomfort of the gesture being disrespectful, but thankfully they thought otherwise.

The three did as was told, and regrouped with the kid, whose name they still hadn’t learned. The bustling from before returning, as the avian soldiers were dismissed of their duties for the day, and were instructed to listen to the ‘Ant’ lady.

That was a big blow to their pride, but their first priority must be to recover those children first before they could worry over their lost honor.

Klein immediately conversing with the other masters for the sudden news before them.

“Momentum Magic: Flight.” Ken floated in mid-air and turned to the three. “Let’s go.” a burst of energy propelling him upwards into the air catching the three off-guard from the lack of feedback from the sudden push of energy.

Nevertheless the three followed, with their wings sprouting from their back, a big flap propelled them to the air as well.

Meanwhile, the other group of barely teenagers, could only look at one another confused. “Wait, where are Icarus and Riyah?” asked Celine. Now the rest of the group are even more confused.

“So this is where the two of you have been hiding, too scared to face your friends?” said the male at the center mockingly.

“We are no longer friends.” said Icarus, those eyes burning with intensity. The male laughed loudly, stopping seconds later, that joyous face replaced with an angry one.

“You should have done what you were told!” the male once again sent a fireball on the two siblings, this time a little bit larger.

That triumphant face, falling seconds later as a coat of ice just as big, or even larger than his fireball covered the two, Riyah dropped the spell, revealing the once bruised up Icarus, cleaned and healed back up.

Anger rose in his heart, pointing accusingly at the two people. “Beat them up” six magic circles appeared in the air, all with concentrated fireballs aimed at the two. A slight fear showed itself on the two’s face, insinuating a satisfied smile on the male’s face.

Six beams fired on the two’s direction. Icarus and Riyah closing their eyes, embracing each other for impact.

But the pressure that they were familiar with didn’t come. They opened their eyes and came face to face with a large magic circle, a person with long black raven hair before them. Six beams of flames quickly extinguishing under the pressure of the white magic circle.

The spell ceased, revealing a white transparent barrier. Ken outstretched hand, cancelling the barrier, taking out a rope from his pockets, and gathering up his long hair to a pony tail.

“I’m always fond of fighting and stuff, anything pertaining battles of any kind, I admire with a passion, but this…” Ken held out his hand while the other rested on his hips. “This is just blatant bullying the weak.” He took a few steps forward towards the group of seven male.

“Tell me, what is your agenda for harassing my friends?” he said, the pressure of someone far stronger than them enveloping the area in a menacing embrace, promising any manner of pain or turmoil to befall upon anyone unfortunate enough to get caught on his path.

The seven, even the two siblings and the three captains on the air, felt like they’re witnessing the reveal of a deity, one they were familiar with, one that usually comes in the wake of night.

But that should be impossible, that object in the night sky shouldn’t be here.

“WHO ARE YOU?! You do not have any right in meddling with my business!!!” said the boy at the center once again, his fear from earlier, casted away, but the slight shaking of his hands says otherwise.

“Why of course I have the right to meddle in this business, from the earlier intent of wanting to hurt my friends, it already became my business.” A red magic circle formed atop his palm, close to his face.

In a quick motion of his hand in a swiping manner, dozens of fireballs appeared in mid-air. “Detonate.” loud bangs resounded the area, blanketing anyone near them in a deafening blast.

Except for the people Ken shielded. A loud cry of a bird rang from nearby, and a majestic bird came down with a bang beside Ken. Ken sheepishly looked at the angry creature looking at him.

“Hehe, I’m sorry matriarch.” Ken hastily casted healing magic circles on where the bird beasts usually perch to heal whatever injury they may have sustained, even with the barrier protecting them.

The majestic bird, bowed to Ken, and off it went to check to her subjects.

“Now, where were we.” Ken turned to the people scattered on the ground, the smirk can’t help but surface, just from that simple spell they’re knocked out? Hmm… he must’ve used more mana on that one spell.

And with mana sense… ooohhh, he should’ve toned the power down. Groans rang free from one of the person in the group. ‘Ahh, at least he survived, but now I’m guilty, I only ever wanted to teach these fools a lesson.’

“Y-You… I’m GOING TO DESTROY YOU!!!” widened eyes, Ken stared at the male before him, that unbridled rage coming out of nowhere, a fluctuation of red passed by on his otherwise red-ish hair. But then again, Ken could only stare in pity at the crawling form of the person.

At least he wasn’t able to deal any substantial amount of damage, or any wounds or blood were visible. Just a boy who look like he got blown up at a science lab.

“I’d like to see you try, but before that, you might want to grow stronger first.” then again, his venomous tongue should, would, and must bring itself known.

The guy passed out in front of Ken, moments after, the three captains arrived behind the group of boys, healing magic ready to deploy.

“I’m very sorry for the commotion, and I thank you for your understanding of letting me teach these kids a lesson.” said Ken as he approached the three, helping out a bit on patching up the knocked out kids into full health, cleaning them all the way as well.

Wouldn’t want to put those clothes to waste. The way the boy used magic, stunning them as well.

“It’s okay.” replied Erwin with a slight bow to the one Ken gave to them, a little bit of a stutter on the return since he isn’t really that used to kids showing some form of respect. “I think… this would be helpful.” He added, returning his gaze on the group.

Especially that boy who assumed as the leader of this group, no matter how much they have tried to teach this kid some manners, no one was able to do as such. It could be through internal reasons, or something else.

How could they be able to stop this long-haired kid from doing what he wants when clearly, the other is even more powerful than them, just look at the sheer power the guy expended and looked like he was undisturbed by anything.

They could only pray for themselves that their stay here would not be a disaster. That’s the least they needed right now. Ken gave a nod once more before walking towards the two siblings, fighting each other.

“Mind explaining why you didn’t initially fight back?” he said, eyes staring straight into Icarus’ black ones.

“I-uh… I-I… I.” his voice lowered to be inaudible, fingers toying with each other, the image reminding Ken to that of a kicked puppy without the puppy eyes. Riyah by her brother’s side could only smile sheepishly at her brother’s reaction.

Seriously, when it comes to their leader slash teacher, this one always turn into an obedient pet willingly, albeit a stubborn one. Ken sighed, loud enough for the two to hear, jolting in surprise, since that sigh didn’t sound good.

Ken sounded annoyed.

“Come along, we’ve got a little visit to do.” gesturing for the two to follow him, walking towards the area were birds of different species gathered. “Captains, please do take care of those seven, you may ask the people in town for your accommodations.”

The three responded with a quick yes, as Ken passed them by. Ken taking out his scythe, spun it in mid-air, and settled it to float, he sat himself on the base of the handle, the floating scythe carrying him towards their destination.

Slowly, so that the other two could catch up to him.

“What could we be doing here?” Riyah asked, beside Ken.

“Just a little bit of a visit, and to ask questions.” the last part he directed his gaze towards the other male, before returning his gaze at front. The other could not help but look the other way guiltily.

Riyah could only gaze sympathetically for her brother, she knows what Ken was going to ask, but it seems like he’s going to get his answers from another source, her lips are sealed, as what was their deal with her brother.

She could only sigh in helplessness for the situation that both of them are in.

——-