Chapter 49: Trust

Chapter 49: Trust

Chapter 49

In the morning Kai discovered the previous day's shenanigans had not gone unnoticed.

*Ding*

New skill added to the Archive! Persuasion (lv1) With the right words and gestures youll sway people to see the best way. Your way.

He had not expected to unlock another social skill. Not because he thought he had not done enough for ithe was pretty sure he got that coveredthe problem was that he already had Acting. The overlap with Persuasion wasnt big, but it was there. Most of his actions would go to level the skill in his status, making it harder to unlock other skills within a similar domain.

It seems Im just that good.

Kai congratulated himself. He had no intention of taking it, but getting some validation for his efforts was nice. Persuasion looked like a very useful skill in some contexts, but it sounded too niche. He was confident his wits could already do the job well enough.

Acting had fewer direct applications, but it offered a much larger field of possibilities. Similar to a Swiss army knife, it might not be the best tool for the job, but it offered something in every situation. He just needed to be creative with how he used it.

Getting off his bed, Kai started with his daily training. After meditating he ran out of the house. Today he would see whether efforts would pay off or were all for nothing.

Well, almost nothing. No matter how it goes, I got a new skill out of this.

A couple of hours later, he was walking to Mouis house together with his sister. Kea wasnt impressed by the squalid neighborhood where the house was located and threw him a skeptical look.

He shrugged his shoulders, maintaining a confident facade. "Uncle Moui likes the quiet. Old town is too busy for his taste.

Knocking on the door, the hunter opened it almost immediately. His gaze lingered on his sister. Before Kai could do anything, Kea turned it into a staring contest that she had no intention of losing. He wanted to shake his head and raise his eyes to the sky but stopped himself. There were already enough people trying to sabotage the situation.

The two squared each other out. It wasnt the first time they had met, but Kai didnt think they ever exchanged more than some greetings and waves.

Okay, Ill see you later. Have fun. Kai made a strategic retreat.

He always had a hard time predicting Kea's behavior. Would she be intimidated by Mouis stern demeanor, intrigued or annoyed? He had done all he could to make this work, now it was out of his hands.

Hopefully, they would reach some kind of understanding. They could both be quite pig-headed sometimes. Most of the time probably was closer to the truth. Maybe they could bond over that.

He would be back in the afternoon to get his sister and solve any problem Moui ran into with his Mana Manipulation training.

Im sure theyll be fine. What could go wrong?

His mind was immediately filled with several improbable scenarios, each one more catastrophic than the last. He took a deep breath and pushed them out of his mind.

They. Will. Be. Fine.

It was time to focus on other things. His seventh-year ceremony was fast approaching. He did not have a lot of time left in Greenside, barely a week. After that maybe two days to prepare for the journey.

Kai was sure when he got back to the estate things would start moving in full swing. In the month after he reached Orange they had focused on getting him acquainted with his new skills and attributes. With that done, he dared not imagine what Elijah and Dora had planned for him, but he would bet everything he owned they were going to be even more demanding.

It surprised him a little, but he was looking forward to that. He missed the challenge. Having his days planned and filled from dawn to dusk. The exhausting routine away from any distraction that kept his mind focused and away from wandering to dangerous places.

On the other hand, he logically knew that, after a few months, he would long for the freedom he had here at home and miss his family. In an ideal world, he would be able to choose something in the middle. Maybe having a short trip home every couple of months. Unfortunately, he didnt live in that world. He could only take what he got offered and be grateful for the opportunity.

Walking back home, he spent the rest of the morning Reading his fathers books and doing some light Alchemy. He had taken a long enough break from his cauldron. He still had a few ingredients lying around from the deal with Reishi or bought from the market. There was no point in keeping them. When he went back Dora would provide anything he needed.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.

Making an inventory of what was left, he did a little planning to make sure he would utilize everything to the last pseudo-mana herb.

Some of the ingredients could be used to brew common concoctions he could sell at the market. More money to leave to his family was never a bad idea. The rest were fair game to try a few theories and do random experiments.

We need to be prepared long beforehand. Thats why no pearl hunter would say no to having a personal tideseer. Mom knew it too. She explained with a smile and roll of her eyes.

As the waters recede, most of the time we have already swam as far as we can safely go, but sometimes my mentor wants more time to explore a hidden cranny or cave. Those times we sail her boat. We can bring more equipment and have an easier way out when the sea comes back. The boat isnt big and easily maneuverable, but we need to row to get anywhere. Guessing the right time is the most important factor. Too soon and we lose time, too late and we risk getting swept away by the receding waters or damaging the boat.

Then the fun begins. Its a mad dash across the exposed sea floor. A sprint and a marathon at the same time

Kai listened to her every word, completely captured by her story. If he failed as a mage he knew what his fall-back plan was. Or maybe it could be the retirement plan.

Who didnt love a treasure hunt? They had to use knowledge and skills to find the right shelled mollusk that contained their livelihood. Diving in hidden grottos while keeping an eye out for hidden dangers.

Eles biggest success had been undoubtedly the green pearl hanging from his wrist. She gave him the full story of how she found it by chance. It showed her mentors character that she let her keep it.

Id like to go with you one day. Kai couldnt help but ask when she was finished.

Ele smiled. Id like that too. After I get a profession Ill show you around the next time you visit.

Kai nodded. Who knew how much time it would take, but he would hold her to that promise.

It was his turn to share. After all her adventures the life at the estate seemed so boring, even more when he talked about Alchemy and mana exercises. Chopping vegetables, he still remembered how Kea had called it. He wished he was a better storyteller.

Ele seemed to find the estate very intriguing and kept asking him questions, but he wasnt sure if she was doing it just to be nice.

I will also have my adventures. Training at the estate is how I get to do that safely.

He kept repeating that to himself. He only wished it didnt sound so far away. Ele reminded him she was six years older, but the thought of waiting for so many years still sucked.

Since she also had Mana Senseaka the best skill everKai gave her a few pieces of advice. Sharing his experience and a few tips and tricks on how to train the skill faster. He was glad she had seen reason, contrary to a certain hunter.

They could have continued talking for hours, but Ele had to go back to help her mentor and he suddenly remembered he had an appointment too.

Looking outside the sun was lower than it should have been. He ran out of the house at full speed. He was late.

A few people yelled after him on the streets as he used the full power of Running to get to Mouis house in record time.

Completely out of breath and covered in sweat he stood before the wooden door. Everything looked in order as it had in the morning. So he could put aside his worst scenarios.

Hesitantly knocking, Kai waited with bated breath. Moui had said he would give his sister two weeks, but with how stubborn they both could be, he knew the result of the first day could already decide if this would work out or not.

Come in. The hunter's deep voice called from the inside.

Kai hardly had the time to open the door that he had to get out of the way as Kea rushed out. His hopes crumbled.

Was it that bad?

Turning towards Moui, the hunter didnt look upset, but it was hard to tell with his stone face.

Dont worry, she will be back tomorrow. He stated, before closing the door in his face.

Hey! What did I do to deserve this? I mean, I did arrange the whole thing, but still

I suppose I dont have to help him with Mana Manipulation then.

Kai turned around head back home. Kea was nowhere in sight, already gone.

Amazing. Im sure it will work out perfectly, they deserve each other.