Chapter 83. That evening Gran was curious

That evening Gran was curious at the sight of the five trainees before him. There was something different about them, but he did not know what.

It was not until the training commenced that he realizes what it was. Their ability to expand their meditative energy outwards and control it improved by a whole level. It was not the first time this happened, yet this time it was an even more apparent.

The boys managed to almost make it halfway through the hour without getting a single hit. They were almost as good as Julie when she first attempted meditation a month ago. For the girls, Gran knew there was nothing left for him to teach, their abilities were already good before, but now? Gran could only shake his head when comparing them to his younger self.

Gran smiled at the trainees like a master who is proud of his pupils. He wanted to teach them more but knew that it was time to say goodbye. He walked over to each of them and snapped the stick in his hand into five equally perfect pieces.

“To commemorate the last day of our training, here’s something for you all to remember.” Gran handed the pieces to each of the trainees. “No matter how weak, talentless, you feel that you are. Whether you are born normal or an Exotic, young or old. With hard work, dedication, and consistent training each day, you all have made improvements that shows for itself.”

“These pieces aren’t just part of the stick I used to smack you all every evening. It is a reminder of all the days where you felt like giving up, but persevered. It is a reminder that if you just keep at it for one more day, it is another day of making progress towards your dreams and goals. It is a reminder that it is never too early or late for anything. All you have to do is start.”

“It’s just a broken stick, no?” Boss looked over and asked. “Don’t be fooled by this man here, he’s the Chief. He could’ve given you all anything you wanted and all he handed to you was a stick he didn’t need anymore. How can you be so shameless? I won’t bring this up again if you give me something too.”

Gran and the five trainees didn’t know what to say. In the end Gran walked over to the window and looked outside. He used his power and placed a smooth rock on Boss’ hands. “Here you go.”

“Does this serve as a reminder that even if you’re a small rock, one day you can become a big boulder like the name of this village?” Boss asked.

“No, this is a reminder of something I want to hit you with.” Gran stated bluntly. He then looked over at the five trainees and smiled. “I’ll see you all first thing in the morning for the paper.”

Gran sent the five out on their way and pulled Boss aside. He leaned down and whispered “What happened to them? How did they improve so much since this morning?”

Boss picked his nose and flicked the booger onto the ground. “No idea Chief, must’ve been something they ate or maybe they found a magic rock.”

Gran leered at the boy who was hiding something and sighed. “Gonna miss seeing you all each morning, you going to keep that?” Gran glanced at the rock in Boss’ hands.

Boss tucked the rock in between the sleeves of his robes and replied. “Yep, it’ll serve as a reminder for me to find ways to annoy you.”

“Ahaha.” Gran laughed as he rustled Boss’ hair causing the wig to fall off.

Sigh

“There’s just too much going on in this world, too many weird people like those robed people are cropping up, I’ve even heard rumors that those from Ere will be visiting our countries too. Gah, they always make us anxious whenever they show up.”

Gran continued to look off towards where the kids all left. “I’m just glad that for most of the year our kids are under the protection of institutions surrounded by teachers who can keep them protected.”

Boss turned towards the same direction and casually replied. “What if there comes a day where they can’t protect all the children?”

Gran thought for a bit and calmly replied. “Then that will be the day where nowhere in the world is safe.”

“Let’s hope that there’s still many years of peace to come.” Boss answered.

“Ahaha, when the tension between countries and kingdoms are like this, I just wish it remains tense forever.”

Boss picked the wig off the ground and dusted it off, placing it back on top of his head. “Alright, I think it’s time to head back. Do you know when you’re visiting the Pope?”

Boss asked. He continued to say, “If you didn’t know yet, he’ll be leaving Rouge once his people are back.”

Gran thought about it for a moment and replied, “I’ll wait until he can be moved, rushing it won’t benefit anyone.”

Boss nodded his head and walked off towards the entrance. “Fudge, I’m tired.” He muttered underneath his breath as he waved goodbye to the gatekeepers.

He quickly disappeared after exiting the gate and faceplanted himself on the pillow in his room. The sound of heavy snoring could be heard as he slept throughout the night.

Once morning arrived Boss woke up, relaxed, and energized as he looked around. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the room remained brightly lit from the bright balls. Both Michael and Arthur were putting their entire effort into writing what they wanted to say to Gran.

Boss walked over and glanced over the shoulders of the two. Both Michael and Arthur were lost in their writing they didn’t even notice his presence hanging over them.

“You two have written quite a lot.” Boss muttered out loud, startling the two from their writing.

Yawn~

“Good morning Boss.” Arthur stretched himself as he greeted. “What time is it?”

“Did you two stay up all night?” Boss did not need an answer as just the look on their faces easily gave it away. “The sun hasn’t risen yet, you two have two hours left.” Boss answered.

“Are you getting breakfast?” Arthur asked.

“Probably.” Boss answered. “If I do, are you two going to join me?”

“I want to finish writing first.” Arthur replied as he returned back to writing.

“I’m with Arthur, we’ll eat after we’re done.” Michael also rejected.

Both Michael and Arthur returned to writing, they wanted to express everything they had to say to Gran and to whoever else that would potentially read it.

Boss left the two alone and looked around the room, the things that carried with them were already neatly packed and ready to go last night. The urn of the Tamarinds stood above the drawers, not once touched or move since their first day here. Boss quietly picked it up and sighed. “It seems like it’ll take awhile for us to find that peaceful place for you two.”

Boss placed the urns back down and calmly exited the room. He walked into the dining hall where he was immediately greeted by one of the chefs. “Avery, what’re you doing standing outside?”

“I tasted the breakfast to serve this morning.” Avery replied, his response made Boss raise an eyebrow, tasting breakfast wasn’t enough for him to just stand outside here as if he was in trouble. Luckily Boss didn’t have to ask exactly why as Avery continued to say. “It tasted good, so I ate all of it.”

Boss laughed heartily as he looked at this chef who did whatever he wanted. “I’m going to use your kitchen again; you can help me out if you promise not to eat what I’ve made until I say so.”

“Yes, Head Chef!” Avery bowed and opened the door prompting an angry yelling coming from inside.

“AVERY! CLOSE THAT DOOR! YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE!” The Head Chef exclaimed.

“It’s me~” Boss answered as he walked in. “I’ll be using your kitchen again today.”

“H-Head Chef!” The Head Chef exclaimed as he quickly rushed up and greeted Boss.

“Stop calling me that.” Boss replied and answered. “Just call me Boss, you’re the Head Chef ya’know?”

“Y-yes! Boss!” The Head Chef instantly led Boss inside.

Boss casually looked around and went to where he prepared his dishes last time. He spoke up. “What ingredients do you have today?”

The Head Chef alongside the other five quickly listed off everything they had inside for the day. Boss nodded his head and had them bring out a few ingredients.

One of the Chef, Harla who was kicked out alongside Avery last time spoke up and asked, “Are you making breakfast eggs?”

“Mm… pretty much.”

“Why do you need these other stuff?” Avery asked.

“I’m making a nostalgic dish I hadn’t had in a long time.” Boss answered.

“What is it?” Avery asked.

“It’s called Omurice.” Boss answered.

“Omu…rice?” The other chefs had never herd of such a name. Was it something another country or kingdom had made? They didn’t know, they wanted to ask but Boss didn’t give them time, he was already preparing the ingredients.

“Just do what I tell you, it’s simple but may take you guys a few tries.” Boss answered. He then turned towards the door. “Why’re you still standing there Avery? Come in and close the door.”

Avery quickly walked in as the door slowly swayed to a shut.

“Ready?” Boss asked.

“Yes! Head Chef!”

“Good. Let’s begin.”

…

Another piece of paper crumpled to a ball and tossed into the trash as Orchid leaned back into her seat. It was a paper from her personal teacher in Naturelle. She was lost in thought as she angrily tapped the desk with her fingertip, picking up pace as if she wanted to burn a hole straight through.

“Gah!” She quickly reached into the trash, unfurling the paper and opened it again, reading the contents inside. “To Orchid, come to Naturelle, I need your help with another experiment, if we can get it to work, we can make everyone stronger, I’ll tell you more when you’re here. – Magrov B.”

Orchid was hesitating, she knew what this could mean, an experiment to make people stronger? She knew if she helped her teacher out the first one to benefit from it will be her and her closes friends and families. However, after that it will be in the control of Margov and the Tillowisk Empire, everything else will be for an enemy country.

The only reason why she was hesitating was because of what happened to Gran. Enemies not even a prodigy like him was able to deal with them. From what Cobble told her one was a Tier 3, not even a Tier 4 but they managed to harm Gran, injure Pebble, and crippled a Teacher from Lumiere.

She couldn’t believe it until she saw the injuries on the three men. She wanted to make excuses that they were Exotics and the next time they fight it’ll go better now that they understood the powers. But… each of them only showed one ability and another didn’t even fight the entire time. Will it really go the way she hopes it would? She shook her head.

“Forget it, I’ll go eat first.” Orchid got up and walked downstairs, it was time for breakfast to be served.

…

“FINISHED!” Arthur exclaimed in excitement as he held up the paper in his hands waving it around in joy.

Michael leaned back in his seat and stretched arms outwards. “Aaaah, same here.” Michael quickly got up off his seat and fixed the papers in into a neat pile. “Let’s go get ready for today.”

The two quickly got cleaned up and head out.

They stopped by the girl’s room and knocked.

Knock knock

Shelly calmly opened the door and looked at the two tired faces of the boys standing before her. She raised an eyebrow and let them in.

“How was your writing?” Michael asked.

“We finished last night.” Julie answered as she dried her hair. “How about you guys? It seems like you didn’t sleep at all.”

“We didn’t.” Michael sighed in exasperation. “I didn’t know what to write at all.”

“You finished it now, right?” Julie placed the towel down on the bedside and asked.

“Yeah, it’s done.” Michael answered.

“What about you Arthur, did you do the same as Michael? You look awfully tired too.”

Arthur nodded his head. “I finished it though.”

“Will you two be alright?” Julie asked.

“We’ll just sleep on the ride to Asmar, there should be no problem.” Michael answered.

“Uh huh!” Arthur agreed.

“Did you two already pack up?” Julie asked.

“Yeah, we’re done with that too, everything is done on our side. Are you done too?” Michael asked.

“Mhm~ Look!” Julie walked them over to the bedside hidden from their view. Piles of souvenirs and clothing could be seen neatly piled together, all that was left was to pack it up onto the carriage and depart.

“Let’s go eat while we still have some time left.” Michael stated as he headed towards the door.

“Let’s go!” Julie was right beside him as she held onto his arm and pulled him in the lead.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Arthur repeated as he excitedly hurried out the door.

Shelly calmly closed the door and followed the three from behind. The four of them were casually walking downstairs when a voice made them turn their head.

“Oh? You’re having breakfast too?” Orchid spoke up and asked.

“Yeah!” Arthur answered. “I think Boss is making breakfast for us.”

“Huh?” Orchid asked. “The little boy can make breakfast?”

“I hope so! It’s great!” Arthur’s answer perplexed Orchid. Her chefs even let a kid like Boss operate and cook in the kitchen? “Maybe I should discipline then more…” Orchid thought to herself as she quickly sped up her pace towards the dining hall.

She barged straight into the kitchen where her eyes were bright in amazement as she stared at all six chefs moving around in perfect tandem with each other on Boss’ order.

“Oh? Breakfast will be served soon, just wait outside.” Boss noticed the woman who was wide eyed at the scene and teleported her to a table.

“Ho-how?!” Orchid exclaimed as she found herself standing in front of a table next to the trainees.

She quickly recalled the teleporting walls that she had seen on the first day and during the day of scares. “Was it him?” Orchid thought to herself. She wanted to ask Gran about who was the person that created such a marvelous invisible teleporting walls, however Gran was kept avoiding her anytime he wasn’t around Roselyn. That day Gran shamelessly stated it was Boss’ doing but would anyone in their right mind believe a little boy did all of that? Of course not.

“Sit, auntie Orchid.” Arthur tapped on the table at the surprised woman standing before them. “Is Boss inside?” He asked.

Orchid nodded her head and slowly sat down. “He-he teleported me…?” Orchid muttered.

“Uh huh, he can do that.” Arthur stated.

“He knows how to teleport and cook things with his mouth…?” Orchid asked again.

“Yeah…?” Arthur answered with a weird look on his face. “He can do even more than that!”

Orchid became lost in thought as she heard Arthur’s reply.

It wasn’t until the kitchen door opened that she was back to herself as chefs after chefs walked out with the dishes in their hand, they were all the same thing. A yellowish oval shape thing with squiggly lines of sauce on top of it.

“What’s this?” Orchid poked at the breakfast and asked.

“Boss called it omurice.” Harla answered. “Be right back!” She quickly entered the kitchen and brought enough of the plates for everyone who was waiting for breakfast.

Once the last plate was placed Boss casually walked out with a plate of his own and sat down on the table beside them. The moment he sat down all the other chefs sat down in unison.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Eat up.” Boss ordered.

“Yes! Head Chef!” The six chefs exclaimed on Boss’ order. Even the actual Head Chef did the same and started to dig in. The ecstasy on their face couldn’t be controlled as they quickly expressed their joy on how delicious the food in their mouth was.

Orchid raised an eyebrow and looked around her, everyone had the same expression of delight as they ate.

“Was it really that good?” Orchid thought to herself and slowly took a bite.

Her eyes went wide the moment the flavor touched her tongue and down her throat. She couldn’t stop, one scoop, two scoops, she kept going until the plate of hers was licked clean before she remembered where she was.

“What happened…?” Orchid thought as she looked down on the perfectly clean plate. “Did I do that…?”

Her expression caused everyone to laugh. They remembered their first time eating a dish of Boss, it was exactly how Orchid look like. They were lost in the food they didn’t notice their surrounding until after they were done eating.

“That was good! Thank you Boss!” Arthur exclaimed. “Can I get more?”

His question caused Orchid to eagerly look at Boss who was smiling at them. Boss quickly replied, “No, only one per person.”

“Awww…” Arthur sighed dejectedly. “I wished I had another…”

As if his wish was being granted, a silhouette loomed over Arthur and placed a plate of omurice directly before him.

Arthur turned around and looked up at the tall fully covered dark hooded person with a backpack standing behind him.

“Wh-who are you?!” Arthur exclaimed; he was scared of hooded people after what happened a few days ago.

“Mmm…”

The person didn’t seem to hear his question or even paid attention to the gazes of everyone sitting around and walked over to a table.

A dark blue haired man with dark blue eyes was eagerly about to dig into his plate of omurice after seeing everyone else eating.

However, before he could even take the first bite the plate was quickly whisked away from him by the backpacked robed figure and carried over to Arthur and placed down before him.

Arthur looked at the two plates with wide eye and asked. “Fo-for me?”

The person nodded their head and looked back at Boss who was curiously looking at him.

“Bu-but, Boss said only one per person…”

The moment Orchid heard Arthur’s refusal she inched her hand over to steal a plate only to receive a slap on the hand by the hooded fellow.

“H-hey! Do you know who I am!? I’m the boss of this Inn!” Orchid exclaimed.

However, the hooded figure did not care who she was and slowly pulled the plate closer to Arthur away from Orchid.

Arthur was completely embarrassed at this situation as he looked at the two plates of omurice before him and at the enormous figure who was urging him to eat it.

“Uhh…” Arthur was at a loss for words.

Hearing Arthur’s mutter the large figure tilted their head and looked behind them. They spotted another plate at a table nearby and slowly walked over to retrieve it.

“W-wait!” Arthur exclaimed as he finally realized this person will just steal every plate until he ate and stopped him. “Thank you for the omurice, but it is yours and I can’t eat it.” Arthur answered.

The dark blue haired person and blue-eyed person sighed at his companion’s troublemaking and quickly walked over.

“What’re you doing Dylan?” He stated to the dark robed figure.

“Mmm…” Dylan replied.

The dark blue haired figure rolled their eyes and reached down and took a plate in front of Arthur. He looked at the little silver haired boy and stated. “Dylan says he’s not hungry and you can have his. But! I’ll take mine back, thank you very much.”

“Mister!” Arthur exclaimed as the blue haired and robed figure walk away.

Sigh

“What is it?” The dark blue haired person turned around and asked.

“Here!” Arthur cut up half the omurice and handed plate back to Dylan and Jacob.

“You should try it! It’s delicious.” Arthur answered. “This is okay, right?”

Dylan thought for a moment and accepted his plate back with half the omurice and walked back to their table. Everyone paid attention to the two people who were back at their table.

Both of the two men took their first bite at the same time causing the entire atmosphere inside the room to change instantly. Before they knew it both the men were stealing pieces from the other’s plate and shoving it in their mouth.

“Uhh…” Everyone quickly turned their attention back to their table and then at Arthur ignoring the competitive scene between the two grown men fighting for each other’s food.

“Do you know who were those two?” Julie asked.

Arthur shook his head. “I’ve never seen them, but… that blue hair guy looks familiar.

“Strange, they seemed like they know who you were though.” Michael replied.

“You sure you don’t know them?” Orchid asked.

“I don’t know…” Arthur answered as he looked over to the grown men eating and then back at his plate.

He split it in half again and handed it to Orchid. “Here you go auntie, I know you wanted some more.”

Orchid unashamedly took the plate to herself and started to eat.

“Mm~!” Orchid continued to eat without care of the attention on her.

Arthur also finished remainder of the plate and sighed in satisfaction.

“You’re leaving today aren’t ya?” Orchid asked.

The trainees nodded their head. “Yeah…”

“You’re going to Naturelle?”

“Michael and I will be going to the area of the dispersal, but Shelly Arthur and Boss will be going to Naturelle.” Julie answered.

“Is that so…?” Orchid thought to herself. She then looked over to Boss. “Are you going to be making more food like this too?”

Boss raised an eyebrow and replied. “Most likely.”

“Hmm…I’m going with you guys too.” Orchid answered to the disbelief of on everyone’s face. She quickly got up and walked towards the door. “Tell me when you’re leaving, I’ll go pack up.”

All eyes were on the trainees and Boss who were confused at what just happened. “If she leaves, who will be taking care of the Inn?” Rea, one of the chefs spoke up and asked. “Will we not have a job?”

The Head Chef was equally confused. “I…don’t know.”

“I’ll just let Gran know.” Boss answered nonchalantly. “Speaking of Gran, we’ve got to go.”

“You’re leaving already?” Harla asked.

“When I’m back I want to see more creative tasty dishes, alright?” Boss asked

“Yes chef!” They answered in unison.

“Let’s go say goodbye to Gran and them.” Boss got up and walked out of the Inn. The rest of the trainees followed suit.

“Hey, guys…” Arthur spoke up halfway to Gran’s estate. “Where’s Seth?”

“He didn’t sleep in did he?” Michael asked.

“He might have.” Julie answered.

By the time they arrived the loud sound of farm animals could be heard as they made it closer to the backside.

Two rows of animals stood align as they looked up at Barkie and Silver who was sitting on top of the head of the tallest horse there.

“Bark bark!” I’ll be back, so train hard and don’t lose to that creature’s army.

“Mew.”

“Barkie, Silver!” Arthur exclaimed at the two pets.

Barkie and Silver turned around and the horse carrying them raced in front of the Arthur and Shelly as if they were competing.

Both pets equally arrived before their masters at the same time. Barkie looked over at the kitten before it with a smug look on its face.

“Bark bark.” How does it feel to tie?

The kitten paid Barkie no mind and hopped into Shelly’s embrace. It then curled into a ball and started to purr.

Seeing the kitten land on Shelly before it did the same to Arthur Barkie felt as if it had lost somehow.

It dejectedly patted the horse’s head and lowered the horse down before Arthur before hopping onto Arthur’s embrace. Arthur quickly plopped Barkie on his head as the two continued trainees continued to walk towards where Gran was waiting for them

“Seth!” The four exclaimed the moment they saw Seth standing there waiting beside Gran.

“Took you four long enough.” Seth greeted the four and pulled out the paper in his hands. “Took me all night writing this, I couldn’t remain back at the Inn, so I left once I was done.”

“I see…Where is the Chief?” Michael asked.

“Gran went inside, he said he’ll be right back.” Seth answered.

As if Gran heard Michael’s question the door to the house opened up as Gran, Roselyn with Lotus, Pebble, Cobble, Boulder, and Dr. Galil all walked out with gifts in their hands.

“They’re for you all.” Gran spoke up and said. “Don’t open it until you’re in Asmar.”

“Th-thank you!” The five trainees bowed and accepted the gifts.

Gran then walked up and accepted the papers in everyone’s hands. “How was it?”

“I didn’t know what to write. Arthur answered. “But I did it.”

“Ahaha, that’s good.” Gran rustled the boy’s hair. “Want to have snacks one last time before you go?”

“Okay!”

Clap! Clap!

Maids and servants walked out with a variety of fruits and sliced cold cuts as they sat around enjoying their morning talking about their plans for the future. Arthur was especially happy that he was able to play with Lotus one last time before they had to go.

Clip clop clip clop

After a few hours the sound of horses could be heard walking towards them. Two large horse carriage arrived shortly after.

“Use our horse carriage for your trip to Asmar, it’s better than any other ones.” Gran stated factually. “There’s enough room in the carriage to carry six people each.”

The trainees all stepped inside the horse carriage with their gifts and looked back at the family who welcomed them. “Thank you!” they shouted as their carriage went back to the Inn.

Boss stood alongside Gran and the rest while watching the horse carriage carry the trainees away back to the Inn. “Oh right, Orchid will be coming with us to Naturelle. Find someone to take over the Inn in her place.”

“What!?” Gran exclaimed in surprise.

“See ya.” Boss disappeared right after, reappearing on the seat within the carriage.

“Moo!” They’re gone!

“Bok!” Finally!

“NEIGH HEI HEI~” Alright! Ahaha yay!

Gran looked over to where the domesticated farm animals were. “Why are you all so loud today?” muttered before heading back inside the house.

The carriage continued to travel towards the inn, once they had arrived, Seth was the first to step out of the carriage.

“I’ll be going with my friends, so I’ll see you guys there.” Seth spoke up and bid the four of them farewell.

The other four hopped out of the carriage one by one and quickly went inside to bring out their luggage.

Orchid teleported beside Boss after everyone had left. “I’ve got my things.”

Boss looked over to Orchid and asked. “How come you’re leaving with us today?”

“There’s some things I need to do in Asmar first before going to Naturelle. I figured it will be best if I joined you guys. Orchid placed her luggage in the back and turned to Boss. “I also think it’ll be more enjoyable with you kids around too.”

Boss smiled at the woman sitting beside him and accepted her answer. Moments later the four returned and noticed Orchid sitting in the carriage.

“Boss and I will use this carriage, you four can use the other one.” Orchid stated calmly.

“Okay!” Arthur smiled at Orchid and hopped inside the other carriage.

The horse carriage slowly trotted further and further away from the Inn. Their next destination Asmar.

…

“Ke ke ke…it’s them isn’t it?” A raspy voice could be heard talking a blue robed individual within the room of an Asmar Inn. “They’re coming here, aren’t they?”

“The Galafray’s kids…It seems like it.” B2 held the paper of with details of every single individual that intervened on the attack by K1 and K2.

“What if they know we killed the Tamarinds?” The raspy voice asked.

“That is not a problem.” B2 replied. He continued to look at the paper and squinted his eyes at two particular individuals. “These two though…troublesome.”

“Jacob and Dylan Galafray? Ke ke ke! I want to kill them.”

B2 sighed and placed the paper on the drawer beside him. “Don’t expose your bloodlust if you see them, I won’t interfere if you do something reckless, Charlemagne”

“COME ON! COME ON! COME ON! LETS KILL THEM!!!”

“Kill them, or the energy dispersal point.” B2 stated calmly.

“BOTH!”

“One.”

“BOTH!”

“One.”

“Dispersal point then, ke ke ke."

“Will you do what I ask of you Charlemagne?” B2 sat down on the bed and asked.

“Why of course, Dr. Bishop. Ke ke ke…or should I say—"

“Go to sleep.”

“Ke…ke…ke…it’s morning”

“Still…just go to sleep.”