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33 – First step I

“What’s in it for you?”, I questioned Ralf instantly. He smiled but was not in hurry for a reply. “There is no me, but Moon Bao Sect for us”, he said slowly. Klytea was goofing off and walking around. I think that was why Ralf didn’t hesitate to talk as who he was instead of how he acted around Klytea.

“Do you think I’m following Klytea because her grandfather is sect leader?”, Ralf put the pressure on last part of his question. It was a blunt question. If a man at Ralf’s age made an argument as outspoken as this one it meant one thing in particular. He was strong. Strong enough to make a stand if anyone else argued otherwise.

“Silverstar family?”, I made a dumb reply to agitate him to speak more. “Martial Arts community respects Silverstar family and any other family. But we of martial arts community are not similar to the likes of Destrian and others to protect or kill according to some family’s order”, Ralf turned steely gaze towards me and suddenly smiled.

“We are more than that... If you agree to be part of Moon Bao Sect, you will understand what I mean!” , he claimed and stopped talking.

“I’m sorry but I can’t dedicate myself to a martial arts sect. I would love to learn ways and methods of Moon Bao Sect for internal cultivation, but I can’t be dedicated to a sect and depart from current position in which I am”, I said and sighed.

“Cohen’s?”, Ralf told.

“I have a father, mother and brother who are in their care”, I answered. “And I have Riley Cohen’s expectations. Moreover I’m a commoner who studies in Monarch Academy. I can’t just cut or severe my ties with them. You know what I mean, don’t you?”, I continued on.

Ralf nodded but his mouth didn’t utter any more words.

To show respect I walked them off and came back to see a young maidservant standing in front of the house.

She had short black hair, brownish skin and black eyes. She was wearing a black and white maid costume.

“Hi, my name is May. From today onwards I’ll be attending as maid and cook in this dorm”, she said and smiled.

“Hey, I’m Kain. How come? Because we were told we will not be...”, May cut in and told me “Headmaster changed her mind today. I’m in your care!”.

There was a big bag with her. According to her there were only maid costumes and panties in it. She asked me if I wanted to check her bag for validity of her claim which I refused.

She seemed to lack few screws in her head but overall my first impression of her could be described in two words. Clumsy and cute.

Age-wise she seemed to be older than Arman, Sofia or me because of her appearance. I didn’t ask for her age although it seemed to me that she is no younger than 16-17.

I opened the door and both of us entered the house. “Excuse me”, she said and went away. I thought there were three bedrooms and a guestroom but it seems I wasn’t aware of the existence of another bedroom.

I was lying on sofa thinking about martial arts and internal cultivation when May appeared on my vision.

“Would you like tea or coffee?”, she asked politely. “Thanks May.. I’m alright”, I responded. “Is it alright if you leave the guestroom for 10 minutes.. I’m going to sweep the floor”, she added. I nodded in agreement and went outside to the back of the house.

I sat on grass and began to meditate. I knew that I was close to breakthrough to 4th rank, but something was wrong. After almost a year of meditating, I was stuck in the same level. Meditation was not just purifying my mana reserves but additionally helping me to indulge in my inner world bringing peace of mind too.

Few hours passed in the blink of an eye and I opened my eyes fully as I stopped meditation. Weather was frowsty and as a result my skin was sticky. I was concerned regarding my improvement as a mage. “What should I do?”, I said out loud.

“Have a shower?!”, I heard May’s voice. She walked away from behind to stand in front of me. “Were you doing some magic related stuff?”, she asked. Normal people were lacking knowledge regarding magic and were ignorant in those matters. “I was... I was doing magic related stuff” I said and laughed.

“What are you laughing at?”, she asked. “I assume you have finished cleaning...”, I said. “Yeah I have. Lord Arman and Lady Sofia had eaten at cafeteria so I came to ask you if you want anything to eat?”, she inquired.

“Lord and Lady?”, I was puzzled because of how she addressed Arman and Sofia. “Of course, they represent Lim and Crux families. How could I address them otherwise?”, she said with an assertive tone.

“Are you going to call me Lord too?”, I asked May. Suddenly, she moved to sit on her knees and answered me with a question “Do you want me to?”. Our eyes were locked at each other. “Up to you, May…By the way, I am good and don’t feel hungry at all”, I answered. She smiled and left.

I went back to house and joined Arman and Sofia who were drinking tea. I sat on the corner of sofa and Arman ordered May to bring me a cup of tea. “Are you going to shahmat club tomorrow?”, Sofia asked. “Yeah… I must as a member”, I replied. May brought a cup of hot tea and gave it to me. “Although I have no idea where Shahmat club is”, I continued.

“Officially registered room for Shahmat club is on building 4 room 15” May joined the conversation. “How do you know?”, I asked her. “It’s part of my duty… I know schedules of all of you by heart”, she said with a pride.

Next day, before going to shahmat club I asked May if she can get me a bottle of spirit rose. She was hesitant but agreed to arrange a bottle by Sunday. Building 4 was the closest to our house out of all buildings within the campus. I got there by 10 o'clock.

Every Saturday as an extra-curricular activity we had to spend 2 hours at club playing shahmat. As a first timer, I didn’t get to play on my first day. Actually, the club rule was that only one game to be played every week and other members should observe and learn only. It was pretty convenient. However, there were only 5 members including me so the rule made sense.

After club I walked to mansion which was arranged for Klytea. Asking people on the way, I found out her place and was told that she has gone to meet Elle. Fortunately, Ralf was there. He invited me into the backyard where we had green tea and I asked him questions that were bugging me up.

“I’m having problems with grasping the idea of internal cultivation”, I was the one first to talk. “I know what you mean. Actually in theory it’s pretty easy. Magicians and warriors(he used finger quotes as he said warriors) are manifesting the mana outside of their bodies. Contrary to them martial arts uses the mana within the body most of the time.”, he explained.

“I’m good with that...But the thing which I don’t understand is how to do that... how to internally manipulate the mana?”, I asked. “Its because of your prejudice... you have been learning as a magician now you want to learn how to cultivate like a martial artist”, he was avoiding to directly answer my question at all costs.

I understood that Ralf was not going to explain me anything. Instead, I changed my tactics. “Can you show me move.. A simple one, as an example”, I inquired Ralf. He seemed hesitant but after few seconds he stood up and walked for few meters.

“What I’m going to show you is the basic move that every single martial arts sect has. It’s called ‘first step’”, he said and raised his leg.

As his foot stepped on ground a voice echoed, and it seemed as if an earthquake occurred. Cracks up to 10 meters long appeared from the place where his foot was standing.

P.S: So I was checking out the Red Eyes page and I was overjoyed with 309 followers... I would like to know which chapter made you decide to follow Red Eyes? There are good and boring chapters but there has to be one of them which made you say that "phuck, i'm going to read it all the way".. which one and why?