Wira towns is bustling right now, it is because the annual Awaken Ceremony will be taken place in a few days. Just like before, different kind of people start to flocking the town such as people from the government, vendors, mercenaries and recruiters from many organisations. Even the locals can't wait for this ceremony as they can enjoying themselves from this festive-like day and also witness their youngsters first step into the society. At the entrance of the town, long line of humans waiting to get in can be seen from a distance. There are also people riding horse or carriage which is usually the merchant or someone from high status.
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From here is just brief explanation of Identity Crystal a.k.a IC.
200 years ago, Dwarves race on this world had created identification system that requires a crystal. By touching this crystal, it will project some kind of hologram that show informations about a person such as name, birthplace, race, gender, age, Gift type, blood type, marital status, occupation and criminal/award records. Because of the efficiency of the system,it was spread throughout the world after 30 years since it been used. Human was the first one who willing to buy this technology from the Dwarves and of course it was crazily expansive. Other people can't produce or copy this crystal without the Dwarves specialist or technology at that time. This method requires geniuses engineering specialist and complex technology,nowadays other race can produce their own IC. Not only that, they also did it with some modifications and improvements after years studying the mechanic of the crystal.
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They will be ask to touch the Identification Crystal and then undergo a brief inspection on their belonging by the guards before they can acquire access to the town,this is the standard procedure whenever people going in or out.
In the middle of the line, there is 2 people that wearing white robe with hood on. It is common for people walking with their hood on as they might be seeing as person who can't stand sun's ray and wandering priest usually like that. One of them is tall with big build while the other one is short and small build. Both of them only have a single bag with them and they does not talking to each other this whole time. They just quietly waiting in the line for their turn to be inspect by guards at the entrance. When their turn come, guards proceed with the procedure. The Head guard is sitting on a chair with an IC that placed on the table infront of him. 2nd and 3rd guards stand at both side of the line. There is some other guards that are watching the people as well but all of them are currently further away from these three.
Head Guard:"Please touch the IC Sir and also both of your bag. Please give to the other guard for the inspection."As the Head guard pointing to their bags.
Both of them just stand there quietly as if they ignoring the Head guard. The other guards which is 2nd and 3rd guard start to frowning and look at the both of them.
Head guard:" Sir, please touch the IC and hand over your bags to the other guard to be inspect or else you can't get in".
Still with no response, the Head guard look at the 2nd and 3rd guard and nod at them. Both of them start to move closer to these guys, then the tall robe guys take a steps forward to the table and reach his breast pocket to take out some kind of badge and show it to the Head guard. 2nd and 3rd guards thought that he want to attack the Head guard, so both of them already summon their Gifts and ready to attack. Head guard looks at the badge and immediately becoms nervous, he stand up from his chair and raise his hand to signalling the other guards to calm down.
Head guard:"I might sound rude Sir but to ensure that badge is not a fake, can you touch the crystal with it?". He spoke with a nervouse tone.
Tall robe guy :"I understand". He then, touch the crystal with the badge.
As soon as it touch the crystal, some kind of reaction occur between the crystal and badge then hologram project out. Head guard's eye almost pop out seeing the information about it. He immediately salute both of them with a sweats that comes out from his forehead. Seeing the action from the Head guard, both of the guards unsummon their Gifts and also follows him to salute them. They don't know what exactly happening but from their experience with Head guard, these guys might be someone with special identity. Tall robe guy keep the badge back while nodding at the Head guard and ready to leave this inspection. As both of them heading to the town, the tall robe guy stop walking after few steps and without turning to Head Guard, he then start to speak.
Tall robe guy:"I was hoping that no one know we're here so if what happened just now leaks out, you do know what kind of consequences you and your guards will be facing right?"
Head guard:"I'm sorry Sir, have we met before?" Saying that while sweating his ass off and pretending as if they never meet before.
Tall robe guy :"Good" Satisfied with the guard attitude and understanding. He walks away with small robe guy into the town.
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Rook on his way to do some errands for Principal Sieg as he is heading to the town while holding a wrapped cloth box. He was asked to deliver some gifts to the elderly at the west side of the town. He enjoys watching the town getting busy for the ceremony,but when watching this festive-like day, a memories suddenly flash on his mind. It was painful and sorrowful one that he can never forget and has to bear it for the rest of his life. Lost in thought, he keeps walking to the corner of the building and suddenly he bumps into someone. Rook manages to hold his ground and also his box while the other party falls down on her buttock along with the ice cream that she was holding. It was a girl wearing white robe around the age of 16 with a long shiny light blue hair that reach her shoulder. Her face is beautiful warm-hearted looking kind and also with smooth white skin, truly not an an average beautiful girl more like noble high class one.
The girl :"Oucch, heyyyy, watch where you're going!" Saying that with frowning on her face. Eventhough she's angry at the moment but the sound of her voice is very warm.
Rook:"Aah, I'm so sorry" He immediately go to the girl and stretch out his arm to lend her helping hand. But he immediately entranced by her beutifull ocean blue eyes, captivating face and also light fragrance can be smell from her.
Seeing that, the girl stretch her hand receiving help from Rook then stand up and lightly patting her buttock area to dust herself off while Rook still hasn't take his eyes off her yet. It's not like Rook haven't encountered any beautiful girl before but this girl is like a from another level than those average beautiful. She also have some kind of captivating warm and attracting aura around her. The girl noticed Rook's stare and realise that her hood was accidentally took off when she was falling down and quickly put it back on. She also realised that her ice cream on the floor and dejected look can be seen from her face. Seeing her look like that, Rook feel guilty as if he just committed a big nasty crime so he start talking to the girl.
Rook:"I'm truly sorry, your ice cream, I will buy you another one".
The girl:"Its ok, you don't have to" saying that while her face still in gloomy state looking at the ice cream.
Rook:*What do you mean ok? Your face clearly state it is not*" I know some local specialty ice cream around the corner, it will be a miss if visitor that come to the this town haven't taste it yet." Rook insisted
Hearing that, the girl's ear start twitching and she quickly turn her head and looks at Rook with gleaming sparkling eyes.
The girl:" Reallyyyy?, local speciality? I want one! "Her tone and face change from gloomy to excited one.
This reaction amazes Rook as the girl can change her mood 360 in a matter of seconds but nonetheless he's glad that she accepted his proposal.
Rook:" But before that, I have to deliver this box first which is also in the same way to the shop. Is it ok with you?"
The girl:"Oh, it's ok, it's ok" Nodding excitedly still with those gleaming sparkly eyes.
Rook:"Great,by the way my name is Rook."
The girl:"My name..is... Lem..yes Lem, nice to meet you Rook." Given her name after pondering for a bit.
Rook:"Ok then Lem, the shop on this way" then he start walking.
After a few minutes walking side by side without speak to one another, Lem start to ask Rook question as she curious what are those box are. He told her this is gifts from Principal Sieg from the orphanage to the elderly that used to support principal when he was starting to build the orphanage. This piqued more curiosity in her as she just found out that he is from the orphanage and want to ask more questions but they already arrived at the house. Rook steps to the door and knock it a few times while Lem wait at the back watching the town busy scenery around her . The one who open the door was elderly woman around 70s with gentle smile. She immediately notice there is someone at back, which is unusual because she never see the girl and she know all the kid's face in the orphanage. Its been a while that she see Rook come with other people expecially girl which is not from the orphanage,beauty at that too.
Rook:"How are you Madam Calley, actually I came with a gifts from Principal Sieg" as he handing the gifts to her.
Madam Calley:"I'm fine, well thank you how very thoughtful of him, would you like to come in and have drinks, bring her over too." Receiving the gifts from Rook and look at Lem at the back.
Rook:" I'm sorry Madam, actually we had plan to go somewhere after this, maybe next time." Rook politely refuse her and slowly step back.
Madam Calley:" Fufu, I understand, you guys remind me of my younger days, next time come with her too, I have so much to ask your girlfriend, well then have fun Rook." Saying that as she close the door.
Rook:"Huh?? Girl..girlfriend???" Rook was dumbstruck hearing that and stare at the door for a few seconds then subconsciously turn to Lem.
Lem:"Are you done Rook? Let's go get some ice cream hehe" Saying that with a smile after notice he is looking at her. Obviously she doesn't heard the elderly lady said.
Rook:" Ye...Yes,let's go". His face was flushing red.
Rook walks nervously with fast pace and Lem follow him cheerfully. Eventually, Rook start to calm down and after another few minutes they reach the shop and it was busier than usual. Inside the shop, it is pack of people eating together with their family, friends, and etc. Long line of people patiently waiting for their turn at the outside are the proof that this shop so popular. Indeed this shop is famous for its ice cream as it is made with secret recipe by the owner himself. The texture was smooth and coated with chocolate, when it melts inside your mouth it will enhance the taste alongside the flavours itself. Watching this situation, Lem was excited but suddenly start to frown because that mean it will be difficult for them to get in too. Rook knows what she was thinking about so he go around the back of the shop and ask her to follow him. He then knock a few time at the shop backdoor and after a while someone open it. It is a young boy around age 17 wearing shop's logo cap, it is owner's son.
Rook:"How are you Jared, sorry to bother you in this busy time, is ok if you help me and my friend here to buy ice cream? She's a visitor that came for the Ceremony and would like to taste local specialty."
Jared:"I'm fine, well of course I will be delighted to help Rook. You and Vix had done a lot for me back in the past. I'll be back for a second." He look at Lem and stun for awhile because of her beauty and then head back to shop.
After a few minutes Jared brought back 2 big cone of ice cream that coated with chocolate and droplets of strawberry slice and few other fruits can be seen from it. This is the their most highly requested by customer, their specialty which is call 'Tornado Love'. Upon watching that, Lem's eyes gleaming and sparkly again, Jared then handing this cone to both of them. Rook want to pay for it but it was refuse by Jared as he keep saying that he feel indebted towards Rook and Vix. Rook and Jared speaks for a minute while Lem's already savoring the ice cream, then Jared go back inside. Both of them decided that Rook will show Lem around the town and they are currently walking while holding a cone of ice cream. Lem notice something interesting as whenever they go, there always someone who would say hello to Rook expecially younger kids. He will treat them with love and caring manners. This piqued Lem's curiosity and want to know more about him.
After walking for some time , they take a break at the garden park sitting on a bench opposite of the fountain while watching the scenery of the flowers, beautiful fountain and crowded people doing their activities.
Lem:"I was wondering, who is Vix? Whenever someone say hello to you his name will pop out too" At this time she already finish eating ice cream and currently holding a stick with Fried Octopus on it.
Rook:"He is... one of the boys in the orphanage too". For an instant, his expression change.
Lem:"Oh, I see" Noticing his expression like that, she doesn't ask more about it and change another topic.
Lem:" You're a very kind soul Rook, which is rare these days, based on what I see today many people really feel indebted to you, I'm glad I've met someone like you. You fond of kids too, the way you treat them very heart warming, I wish all big brother treats their little sibling like that." She sound as if longing for something and sad too.
Rook:"I'm not.. I'm not kind soul,it just I can't bear witnessing someone in suffering and seeing those kids smile and happy remind me of my deceased little sister." Rook immediately flustered
Lem:"Owh, I see" She was caught surprised as she didn't expect that kind of story from him. And they stay silent for a minute, only the sound of Lem chewing last piece fried octopus can be heard.
Rook:"So, who did you come with?" He look at her curiously.
Lem:"My... uncle" She said after pondering for awhile then remembered something.She look up as the sky is getting dark, she stand up.
Lem:"I gotta go, it's getting dark my uncle might be worried about me". She look at Rook that is still sitting .
Rook:" Oh, will I be able to meet you again at Awaken Ceremony tomorrow?"Saying that as he stand
Lem:"I don't know, anyway its nice knowing you Rook, thank you for today, I never thought that I would had fun like this before, take care of yourself and goodbye". She smile to him with beautiful smile and start to walk away leaving the park with faster pace.
Rook try to say something but he didn't and then he just stand there looking at her figure slowly further and further away.