16 Disciple

"Hahahaha!" Kyros laughed maniacally, startling the surrounding crowd.

He could not help but release a cackle of laughter after seeing Kiro's performance. He had been searching for quite a long time now. Kyros almost gave up searching for a suitable successor to inherit his Art of Archery, refined through countless years of dedication. Traveling throughout the human continent, he witnessed many prodigies; however, none of them were as good as Kiro.

Now that he discovered Kiro — the person who never held a bow and arrow before, he could not believe from that declaration, but he did not mind it at all. After seeing his performance, Kyros doesn't care whether Kiro is stating the truth. The most important thing is Kiro has a sufficient foundation for him to successfully grasp his art of archery.

"Young man... No, Kiro, would you be willing to accept my offer, and be my disciple?" Kyros said with eyes full of expectation.

"Hmm?" Kiro, who was still preoccupied with thoughts from the scene he made, awakened from old Kyros' voice.

"What do you mean by that Mr. Kyros?" Kiro asked once more for clarification. He did not understand what he meant by those words.

"—In short, I will teach you everything I've learned from decades of refining my Archery skill, I will be your Master. How's that sound? Being my disciple, you will have more advantages than would have ever dreamed of attaining in your entire lifetime." Kyros' tried to coax Kiro from the advantage of taking him as his teacher.

"What are those advantages?" Kiro probed further.

"For example, if you accept being my disciple, not only will you learn my Art of Archery, you could also use some of my influence. Being an Adventurer for such a long time, I have created a lasting reputation throughout the entire continent."

"Let's not forget about the equipment now — it is essential for us Adventurers to possess a superior grade weapon. With that being said, I could give you the best weapon within your current capabilities."

"What about capital?" This time Kiro shamelessly asked for money. After buying the soap, he only had a few hundreds of silver left.

"Fundings? I could give you some money, but I don't want my disciple to be an indolent person, so you have to take care of that for yourself."

Kiro pondered for a moment. Learning an archery skill from a reputable person is a huge pie falling from heaven for him. He did not want to miss the opportunity, but his rationality is telling him not to trust someone so doubtlessly. Deliberating the pros and cons of Kyros' offer, Kiro finally decided.

"Okay, Mr. Kyros, I will accept your offer, so is there any ceremony for accepting your discipleship?" Kiro said. He did not know if there is some traditional culture for accepting someone as his teacher.

"Nothing much, I'm not that kind of traditional person. However, you need to at least kowtow to me once as a sign of acceptance." Kyros' said. Truthfully he didn't really care about the custom, but he felt it was more realistic if Kiro kowtowed once as proof of affirmation.

Kiro doubtfully glanced at Kyros but seeing how serious his facial expression is, he eventually thought he was stating the truth. Lowering both of his knees on the ground, Kiro's body fell as he gave his kowtow to Kyros.

"Mm, I guess that works too, from now on, you will call me Master."

"Yes, Master!" Kiro said, but deep inside him. Kiro is full of awkwardness, kowtowing to someone he just met. Kiro never did something so embarrassing, but little did he know in the upcoming weeks, he will regret deciding the course of his life half-heartedly.

"Okay meet me up, early in the morning, I will think of a suitable training course for you, but prepare yourself Kiro, don't think lightly of my art of archery." Kyros mused up while saying those words.

***

Inside the training lounge.

Alyva and the others were surrounding Kiro.

"Congratulations Kiro! It is so envious, you will learn the way of Archery from 'that' legendary figure!" Alyva said she felt happy for Kiro but at the same time, Alyva felt jealous for him, conceivably because after learning the fact she could handle the bow considerably well, however, she wasn't chosen.

"Hehe, thank you Alyva, but like Mr. Kyros said you have a potential for being an archer," Kiro replied to her. For some reason, he could feel the bitterness from Alyva's voice.

"Aren't you supposed to call him 'Master' now?" Alyva teased Kiro. She knew Kiro felt embarrassed to address someone as Master.

"Hoho... I was going to ask my 'Master' to give more pointers to Alyva, but I guess a certain someone does not want to." Kiro teases her back as an act of revenge.

"... Really? I did not know Kiro is such a kind-hearted person, I'm in the wrong, come on, please? I want to hear more advice from your Master."

"Haa~ does it bother you that much? Okay, I will, plus it is more fun to have a person accompanying me in the Archery's ground."

"Are you telling the truth?" Alyva's eyes lit up. She genuinely wanted to learn from Old Kyros, but she wasn't accepted. However, for her, the knowledge of that reputable person is much more valuable than anything else.

"Yes, I am serious. I know Alyva wanted to learn more from Master right, so why not?" Kiro said he could not say no after seeing her reaction, but it is also the truth that he wanted someone to accompany him.

Because of Old Kyros' abrupt visit, their training for today is called off.

Now everyone is lazing around in the training lounge.

"Thank you, Kiro! I will never forget about this favor!" Alyva said with full of appreciation. She is extremely happy, even if it is just receiving some pointers.

This time Kiro felt his back turned cold, finding the source of the discomfort. Kiro saw Aldin with his eyes full of envy. He could only bitterly laugh from his reaction.

"Hehehe... Come on now, since we have a day off why don't the four of us stroll around the town... Ahem, yep that is right I remembered a certain someone said he will treat us all a lunch." Kiro cracks a joke to hide his discomfort while glancing at Aldin.

Hearing Kiro's voice, Aldin was startled for a moment, then he quickly recovered as he recalled the promise he made.

"That is right! How about Alyva? It is rare for me to treat you guys you know." Aldin could not help to directly ask her. He was still feeling bitter because the one who gives what Alyva wanted is Kiro.

"Hmm? What is wrong with you, Aldin, it is rare for you to act this way, aren't you supposed to save up money to buy a decent sword?" She said before continuing. "Well, it is a free meal so why not?"

"Right? Plus, this is my way to thank Kiro for saving my life, remember I was paralyzed It was all thanks to Kiro who bravely confronted the horde of ground worms." After he said those words. Aldin couldn't help to mock himself. He is treating his savior unjustly because of his jealousy.

'What were you thinking, get hold of yourself Aldin.' He said to himself.

While Alina is observing Aldin and Alyva in confusion, Kiro tries to mend the strange atmosphere.

"Okay! It's been decided, Aldin will treat us a free lunch!"

After that, Kiro and his group grab lunch in a simple tavern.

***

Ye Olde Tavern

Kiro ordered three huge serving of meat, while he added two bowls of kitchen broth and a 10 oz of fruit juice.

Staring at Kiro, the group could not help to be astonished. Not because of the price of the food, but because Kiro alone will devour those meals that are lining up on his table.

"Kiro are you sure you could finish all that food?" Aldin said while glancing at the three huge slices of meat.

"Mm, yup, I can finish all of this." He said as he looked at them with bewilderment, after coming from this world, the nutrients that his body needed were increasing, but he subconsciously Kiro doesn't realize how big his appetite, nowadays.

"Well, if you say so. Alyva, Alina, go and order whatever you like."

"Okay," Alyva said, while Alina responded with a slight nod.

"Well, it is a bit late, but let's have a toast for Kiro being accepted as a disciple of Mr. Kyros!" Alyva said while raising her cup.

"Okay, for Kiro's success!" Aldin said.

"For Mr. Kiro's success." Alina was being shy, she was trying to avoid Kiro after the event from his room.

Hearing Alina called him Mr. once more, Kiro felt bitter deep inside, but swallowing his bitterness, he said.

"No, you guys are wrong, it is for our success!" With that, he raises his cup and drinks the 10 oz of fruit juice with one gulp.

""Yeah!"" The group said in unison.

After eating lunch, Kiro did not forget to buy a pair of new clothing. A used cloth cost 50 copper coins for a pair, while the brand new one cost 100 copper coins per piece. Kiro bought two sets of new clothing. He could not bear the itchy feeling of wearing the used clothing.

It was already nighttime when he returned to the training lounge.