Another person currently staring at Kiso was Yuni, “Oh no. I knew he was confident, but this…” her big green eyes were raised to her eyebrows as she quietly turned and wanted to slip away.

“Hold on just one second slave!” A voice rang out behind her that caused Yuni’s entire body to shudder as she halted and slowly turned to face the voice.

Chapter Four –

Kiso was currently staring at Yuni, smiling from ear-to-ear as he walked briskly in her direction.

“I believe we had an agreement, surely you do not intend to back down now? I didn’t think you were this type of girl…” Kiso deliberately poked Yuni’s sore spot.

“Of course not! I just…” Yuni was lost for words as she looked into Kiso’s eyes. Although his words were harsh she could see the laughter in his eyes. This boiled up her anger as her outer shell returned and she kowtowed as spoke out, “Slave Yuni greats master Kiso and wishes to express her congratulations!”

Bo happened to be within earshot of the two of them and a murderous light flashed in his eyes.

Her words contained a hint of sarcasm but Kiso could not be bothered by that. He got down to a knee and pulled Yuni’s chin up as he whispered into her ear, “Yuni, I refuse to believe you think I would force you to be my slave. I’ll take your words as payment, you really showed me something amusing today! I’ll be leaving tomorrow to go on an adventure with the intention of visiting some highly touted cultivation locations. Don’t miss me too much!” Kiso backed off and a warm smile replaced his previously devious one.

Yuni was taken aback, not only did she truly believe he had intended to use her as a slave, she had secretly desired it! This time, she spoke before she thought, “Forget that! I’m coming too!”

A dark shadow cast over Yuni’s face as her eyes shifted from Kiso’s to somewhere beyond him.

Kiso, following her eyes, turned around and saw a face he respected very dearly. Commander of the castle guards, Yuni’s father Randall, was standing behind him with an elated expression on his face.

Laughing, Randall said, “It seems I’ll have to trouble you young master, this little daughter of mine seems to have taken a liking to you!”

Yuni blushed and couldn’t help but stare down towards the ground as Kiso thought to himself, “Captain Randall has always treated me extremely well, I truly did not wish to bring Yuni along with me, but if its for her father…”

At this time, Celes and Han had made there way towards Kiso’s small party, smiling expressions painted all over their faces. Han called out, “Kiso, your grandfather wishes to speak with you in private a bit, go see him!” Celes added, “Afterwards, come straight home, we have something to discuss with you!”

Nodding, while thinking to himself how lucky he was to escape this awkward situation, Kiso turned tail and ran towards his grandfather, who by now was once again seated on the platform.

Seeing Kiso running his way, Mord sighed, “I never expected him to be this powerful. If such a talent still isn’t the one spoken of in the prophecy, I fear the prophecy may be false! Still, the clan may be able to ride his talent to regain its former glory at the very least.”

Kiso leapt up to the platform and payed his respects to the elders before taking a seat in front of his grandfather. Mord warmly smiled and started, “Kiso, you truly are the pride of our clan and I know you intend to leave the castle tomorrow, to that, I must warn you.” Mord glanced sideways at the elders before looking back at Kiso.

In Kiso’s mind a voice rang out, it was Mord’s, “Kiso, you must realize that our small innate ability is the tip of the iceberg among the various uses of spiritual pressure. Innate abilities are unique and some are indeed very powerful, like our lightning. However, there are countless universal spiritual pressure techniques anyone can use, given the person has enough talent to comprehend them.”

The voice continued, “Mental communication is one of the simplest techniques, it is what I’m using right now to talk to you inside of your head. Despite it being one of the simplest techniques, in our entire clan, only your father and I have grasped it’s use.”

Kiso’s mind was racing, “Mental communication? Tip of the iceberg?”

Kiso was growing excited, he loved to learn to things, especially ones that would increase his personal power in a world where power was infinitely valuable.

Mord’s voice continued in his mind, “The elders wish for me to tie you down and use you to restore our clan’s mid-grade status, they have even threatened a coup after hearing my intention to let you roam free.” Mord’s face loosened a bit as his brows returned to their original positions, “But what can they truly do? Your grandfather still has many tricks up his sleeve and those old geezers cannot hold a candle to my power! Kiso, do not worry about things here. If you still harbor intention to help your clan after training for five years on your own, come back and see me, at that time I’ll tell you a bit about how clan’s are ranked and the benefits they receive from those ranks.”

The chains in Kiso’s heart seemed to dissolve as he began to think about the vast world and all the various abilities he still has yet to even begin to comprehend.

Kiso bowed once more to his grandfather as they made small talk to appease the overlooking elders, then leapt off the platform and returned home.

– – – – –

Seated in the dining area was Han, Celes, Randall, and Yuni.

Puzzled, Kiso hesitantly walked to his normal seat and plopped down. He cast his gaze in half circle stopping on each of the faces staring at him. Then Han spoke out, “Kiso, Yuni here tells me she wishes to go with you and your mother on the adventure to the cultivation area, what do you think?”

Kiso glanced at Randall, who was smiling warmly, before turning to look at Yuni, who had shifted her gaze towards her lap.

“Father, are you not coming?” Kiso ignored the issue of Yuni for now.

“Of course not! This is a sensitive time for your grandfather and I must be here to support him. Not to mention, anything I can teach you, your mother can likely teach you better. After you arrive at the cultivation area, your mother will leave you and Yuni alone. There are many elders of the clan whom prefer to stay around the cultivation areas that would be willing to lend you their aid should you have a problem.”

Han reached into his pocket and took out an ancient scroll and a dull silver ring.

“This scroll is the cultivation method to a technique called Mental Communication, it will take you some time to learn, but I trust that you can imagine its benefits. As for this ring, this is called a Dimensional Space Ring, or a DS ring for short. Within it is a space for storing non-living objects, such as scrolls, gold, and weapons.” Han laid the scroll and ring on the table and scooted them towards Kiso.

“Within the ring, is enough gold to last you at least five years of an extravagant lifestyle here in the Thunderblack valley. Your mother and I wish for you to return after cultivating for a maximum of five years, upon which we will hold your adulthood ceremony.” Han seemed to remember something and glanced towards Celes, who was currently staring at him, a look of concern in her eyes.

“Kiso, there is only one thing that I must implore you to remember. Although you may be one of the most powerful here in Thunderblack valley, that status ends here. The moment you step out of the valley, I want you to consider yourself nothing more then an average child.” Han concluded.

Kiso agreed, “Father certainly is more knowledgeable then I in regards to the world, I will heed your advice.”

Kiso put this DS ring on and urged his spiritual power into it, binding it to himself. He then stored the Mental Communication Scroll into it before retiring to his room to prepare his clothes for the adventure.

A moment after returning to his room, there was a knock on his door.

“Come in.” Kiso raised his voice so it could be heard on the other side.

Yuni’s delicate little figure appeared from the now open door as she shuffled her feet into the room.

“Big brother Kiso, are you truly okay with me accompanying you? I blurted out those words before and my father just happened to overhear it. Even though I truly do wish to come along, I wouldn’t want to come against your will…” Yuni’s eyes were a shade redder then usual.

Kiso sighed and comforted her saying, “Yuni, although originally I did not wish for anyone to come along, upon deeper thought, I believe it to be for the best. I am human too and being alone without any friends or family with me would be very lonely. Little sister Yuni accompanying me is not a hindrance but a blessing, I will be in your care for these next few years.” Kiso finished and gave a heartwarming smile to Yuni, who’s face instantly brightened.

“Aha, you do say some good things once in a while, since we are leaving tomorrow, I have to go gather my things, I’ll meet you here first thing in the morning!” Yuni spun around and ran off down the hall.

Kiso gathered his clothes from his wardrobe into his DS ring and let himself fall onto his bed. “Today was rather exhausting, I’d much rather have cultivated all day then deal with so many people.” Kiso was a reclusive soul, whom only interacted with others when he had to.

As Kiso was pondering what sort of techniques there might be out in the world, he drifted into a deep sleep.

– – – – –

Kiso awoke to a soft hand shaking his shoulder.

Celes was currently standing next to Kiso’s bed wearing a set of traveling leathers. “Kiso, since when do you sleep this long? It’s already light out, were you planning to keep us waiting all day?” Standing behind Celes was Yuni wearing similar leather clothes and a large pack on her back.

Slowly getting up from bed, Kiso yawned and stretched as he came to his senses, “That’s right! Today is the day!” He thought to himself before apologizing to the girls.

The three of them said the farewells to Han before making their way towards the front gates of the castle. On the way, a group of tall ancient looking men stood in their way.

“Elders.” Kiso instantly recognized the faces of those men. “Grandfather is here too.”

Mord walked slightly forward before smiling and winking at Kiso, “The elders and I have come to wish Kiso a safe and successful journey to Hanzi Academy!” Kiso rolled his eyes, Mord had tricked the elders.

“Thank you Grandfather, Elders, I will certainly do everything in my power to become stronger and not shame the clan.” Kiso played along.

One of oldest elders stepped forward as well, his name was Yorvit and his influence could be said to be almost as great as Mord’s. “Kiso, although I have my misgivings about what your grandfather has informed us, I simply have no way to rebuke it. Hanzi Academy, although outside the borders of our Thunderblack valley, is well renowned to cultivate some of the brightest students in the entire human realm. I trust that you will work hard and return much stronger then any of us can imagine!” Yorvit finished his encouragement and returned to the group of old men.

“Thank your elder.” Kiso replied, simple as usual.

“Father-in-law, clan elders, we are already behind schedule, if we do not leave soon, we will not make it for the academy opening ceremony.” Celes, quick thinking as well, made a solid excuse as she could sense things could drag on if she didn’t.

“Right! How could we forget? Go on then you three, thank you for humoring us old men. Have a safe and successful journey!” Mord sent them off as he secretly stuffed something into Kiso’s shirt as he pat him on the back.

Walking through the front gates, Kiso observed the outside of the castle. A long dirt road lay before them, winding through a vast grassland with tall mountains on either side far off into the distance.

“Let’s go.” Celes took the first step as Kiso and Yuni followed close behind, staring wide-eyed at each other, excitement painted all over both of their faces.

To be continued!