Chapter 122: Annoying Meddlers

Chapter 122: Annoying Meddlers

Chapter 122 - Annoying Meddlers

They left?Kai didnt have to fake his confusion with the captain showing up out of the blue.

Zerith's measuring gaze never wavered from him. You didnt know?

They told me they were going to leave, but I Are you sure theyve left? Maybe its just a misunderstanding.

This conversation was inevitable. Kai had thought long and hard about how to approach it. Even with Improvisation, directly lying to the captains face carried heavy risks.

Im certain, a boat passing by saw the place was definitely abandoned. Other sailors have been able to confirm it. What did your master tell you?

He pplanned to leave, but I ddidnt think it would be so soon. Kai stared emptily ahead. Summoning his fears and doubts, he was the lost little kid again. He sent me to Sylspring to spend more time with my family. No one told me anything I thought I had more time

Kai offered some convenient facts and let Zerith draw the conclusions by himself.

The most convincing lies were always mixed with the truth. Who would believe he knew nothing at all? But an unimportant disciple they couldnt bother to warn. Now, that was something they would believe. The Republic never had much consideration for the natives, this would be right up their alley.

Was this why they left without a word? To give him plausible deniability?

Did they tell you when they would be back? The captain's demeanor softened.

Kai shook his head. They didnt

Sorry, kid. They truly left. Perhaps something unexpected came up and they had to leave in a hurry.

Traces of sympathy and pity, exactly what he hoped.

Yeah Kai kept his head down. II better go. Some people are waiting for me.

Zeriths gaze followed him as he hurried toward his lab. With each step, he expected to be stopped. The captain did not.

That went better than I imagined.

He had dodged the bullet, for now. Though it might be optimistic to think this would be the last of it.

I got a level in Improvisation even if I didnt let it take over. Hmm maybe mixing my decisions and identity with the skill prompts is the way to go. Virya always said thatskills are tools.

Jiro was waiting for him in front of the unassuming building. The guard opened the door for him and followed inside. Kai scribbled a quick note on a spare piece of paper and gave it to a confused Jiro.

Tell Reishi Ill be back in two, three days tops. Something I need to handle came up. Ill take an extra shift to make it up to him.

Without waiting for a response, he was off toward his house. Kai made sure to look appropriately somber and panicked in case someone was watching.

Alana was still in their living room, immersed in moon charts to calculate the next tide. The thud of his steps woke her from her musings.

I didnt see you. Why are you back already? Did you forget to take something?

My teachers have left, I need to visit the estate to check whats going on. He had already warned his family about his intentions.

Oh, thats absolutelyterrible. Are you sure they left? His mother winked at him. Kai wanted to facepalm, as subtle as a cawing seagull.

Maybe we should have tried some rehearsing.

Im sure its a mistake. They wouldnt leave me without a goodbye

Alana helped him prepare some quick rations for his journey. His spatial bag was soon filled with six sandwiches, a large piece of cheese, four loaves of hard bread, a jar of mango jam and an undefined number of papayas, coconuts and other tropical fruits.

Mom, I think this is enough.

Do you really have to go? Her worry sounded more sincere this time.

I need to know for sure. Ill be back as soon as possible, I promise.

After a quick hug, he ran toward the western gate. Kai wasnt looking forward to the trek back and forth, but he didn't have much choice. That was the only possible reaction after receiving such shocking and unforeseen news.

It would also keep him away from prying eyes. He doubted the Republic had enough personnel to tail him through the jungle. Hed prefer to avoid having to perform another dramatic breakdown for being abandoned if possible.

Itll be good training if nothing else.

Beyond the fields, the sea of green greeted him. The smell of lush vegetation, flowers and life, the wind swishing among the leaves.

With an almost empty backpack and a couple extra levels in his skills, the run proved surprisingly easy. Empower surged through his body as glided through the path.

Youre right, Ven. I should have listened to you.

Of course, ou should! The farmer waved his rake emphatically. Go tell that to my grandkids too.

Any time, now I gotta go. My mom must be waiting for me. I'll make sure to share a bit of luck with your cabbages next time.

Aye, lad. Remember to listen to your elders!

Yes, sir.

His heartbeat increased as he closed in at the gate. Only the lack of reaction from Hallowed Intuition pushed him forward.

Not like I have another choice.

To his great relief, the bored enforcer on guard ignored him, but Sylsprings number one meddler couldnt help himself. The man waited two steps from his door.

Id really like to get home, its been a long journey. What more do you need? Kai didnt hold back his annoyance given the circumstances.

Captain Zerith glanced at him with a tired expression. Im sorry you had to find out this way, kid. Ill try to make this brief. I only need to get the letter you received from the governor.

Oh, that,

I know, its distasteful to ask it back, and now might not be the best time, Zerith sounded apologetic.

Kai struggled not to smile. Now that was some good news. He was just another mildly talented kid without support, of course they wanted it back.

Ill get it. Wait here, Kai said curtly.

He hadnt taken two steps inside when his mother crushed him in a hug.

Youre finally back. Are you alright? You should have packed more food if you planned to stay four days. Alana checked him from head to toe, frowning at his disheveled state.

Im sorry I took so long, I needed time to think. Just give me a minute to deal with an annoying bug. Kai slipped away, dashing up the stairs.

Reaching his room, he took out the curved letter from his ring. The paper looked crisp and white as the day he received it. Instead of walking downstairs, he crumbled the document and threw it out the window at the captain waiting below. There you go.

Without waiting for a response, he closed the latch again. That was the exact kind of petty action to expect from a spited kid. Though he couldnt deny the satisfaction.

Maybe I am a little angry kid.

Even with hindsight, he couldnt have handled the situation much better, aside from having Elijah and the others help him. He could only lay low and hope for the best.

Right now, he had to deal with the consequences of disappearing for four days. Kai longed for a hot shower, but his mother had other plans. Alana demanded he eat a full meal before letting him go clean up.

He considered going to talk to Reishi, though it might not be the wisest idea.

Hi, Im back. Sorry for disappearing just as we started our business. I swear not to do that again, probably. Please dont chain me to my desk.

He shook his head. The merfolk wouldnt be satisfied with a quick hello. Better to leave that for tomorrow.

As if my life needed more complications.All this trouble just because the Republic cant mind their own damned business. And right as I was about to get my life in Sylspring sorted.

The only good news was that the stress and unexpected complications helped him gain quite a few levels.

There was Improvisation twice, Empower, Hallowed Intuition, and Alchemy the other day.

Kai did the math counting on his fingers before realizing an easier method.

*Ding*

Skill Experience: 1900 XP

I should be pretty close

Name: Kai TylennRace: Human 165,613 > 174,942 / 175,000 XPProfession: None

Body stats

Strength: 15Dexterity: 18Constitution: 20Mind: 22Spirit: 25Perception: 17Favor: 24>26

Skills:

Mana Sense (lv73>74)Mana Manipulation (lv58>60)Empower (lv57>59)Inspect (lv49>51)Blessed Swimmer (lv42>43)Water Magic (lv40>41)Alchemy (lv41>42)Runes (lv37>38)Nature Magic (lv37)Swordsmanship Advanced (lv21)Herbology Advanced (lv29>30)Attuned Meditation (lv11>12)Improvisation (lv1>4)Hallowed Intuition (lv1>2)

The flash of panic for almost reaching the threshold was quickly drowned by the rising excitement.

Mom, I think that shower is going to take a while.The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.