Sam's going to be jealous… I can't believe that I would not only be a witness but also be apart of a ring trope!
Not only that but she's Tavish's daughter… I wondered what he's reaction will be when he sees the ring on her finger…
"What are the chances that would happen?" Asked my otaku self in disbelief.
"You've even glossed over the ring many times and had only just realised it was in the storage ring this morning." My logical self stated also in disbelief.
"But isn't that the ring finger? Come on logical me! What could this mean? Maybe it's different in this world? Maybe it's just a normal finger and she just placed it there because it the most comfortable finger for a ring?" My otaku self blabbered with a serious of questions in speculation.
"Calm down. Just take it as it is for now and ask her later. And I'm sure once Tavish sees the ring, he would have a lot of questions himself." My logical self stated reasonably.
{Eh… sorry to intrude but I would like to thank you for saving us back there.}
I shook my head to bring me out of my thoughts and noticed two people standing in front of me. I hadn't realised I had stopped walking or how deep I was in my thoughts. I looked around me and saw that the circle of flames was gone.
I looked down to my arm and saw a pair of arms wrapped around mine. The arms belonged to a girl I had saved not a moment ago, she looked up at me with a smile. Her name's Valah and she's the beloved daughter of Tavish, the leader of one of my companies, Baihu. Tavish asked me to accept her into Baihu at our first meeting and I accepted the proposal but haven't 'confirm' her into Baihu yet.
I noticed the glimmering ring on her finger, the power ring I got from Roha's welcoming gift. And in that instant it brought me back to my thoughts but then I realised I got off track again and before it got even more awkward, I addressed the two in front of me.
"Not a problem!" I raised a hand and scratched the back of my head. "I'm just glad I made it in time."
"You must be one of the summoned, the king had summoned not long ago." Stated an old man with sharp eyes and a goatee.
"Oh uh yes I am. My name is Ryan Huang. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you both for saving one of my people."
I felt a bit of pressure on my arm and I looked to my side, Valah was looking forward but I could see a small smile etched on the corner of her lips.
"Oh?" The beautiful blue haired with white eyes woman smirked. "I can see that."
She pointed to the ring on Valah's finger.
"Youngsters these days, only met a few moments ago and already getting hitched." The old man chuckled as he shook his head.
"I uh… it's not what you think…" I stammered but he kept on chuckling.
{'Hehe, he told them that I'm his people, I'm so happy!'}
I furrowed my brows. Isn't that Valah's voice?
{Those are her thoughts at this moment. This girl must really admire you. I've never seen a girl with such passion for a man like her before. You must be very special to her.}
What has Tavish been saying about me?
I scratched the back of my head and looked down.
"Okay, okay I won't tease you anymore. Say I don't think we have introduced ourselves. I'm Lance Holmes."
He brought his hand out and I took it in a handshake before I turned my attention to the young lady next to him.
"I'm Valerie Winters."
She bowed her head and I did too in return.
"Big boss," Valah called me from my side. She then let go of my arm and hobbled a few steps back. "I'm Valah O'Connor."
She took a half step back and then swung her arm from her right side over to where the pommel is and did a little curtsy bow.
That bow somewhat looked similar to the bow done by Mo Shanshan from Ever night…
"My father talked a lot about you and that's when my admiration for you started but it grew immensely yesterday when I saw you and the new recruit's duel. Clearly you went way over your head and your sword work was sluggish-"
…
"-But you held and never gave up. When I thought I was going to die in that fire, you came and saved me. I don't think what I feel for you now is admiration anymore… Big boss, from the bottom of my heart, I pledge my deepest loyalty to you and Baihu."
Why does it sound like she's joining a cult?…
[Valah O'Connor would like to join Baihu. [Accept] or [Decline]]
"Accept."
[Valah O'Connor has joined Baihu. (Baihu 8/10)]
"If it's okay with you, I'll like to join too." Mr Holmes looked at me with seriousness in his sharp eyes. "Baihu correct? I presume Mr O'Connor is the Captain of the group but your the leader correct?"
"Yes and yes."
"Lance what are you… won't the magic association hunt us down?" Miss Winters asked nervously.
"I'm sure they would but why do I care? Time and time again, they have destroyed my values and beliefs. I have already denounced my involvement with them. Mr Huang here seems to be my kind of leader. And beside, I believe you should join too as it would also be beneficial for you too, Valerie."
"Oh?" Miss winters side eyed Mr Holmes and a smile crept on her face. "Okay. Yes, then I too would like to join this group of yours. How many members are in this group?"
"This group? Seven so far but with you three joining then it would be ten."
"This group sounds quite small…" Miss Winters eyes furrowed.
"Seven you say… besides Mr O'Connor, there are five members in the king's guards. Who's the seventh member?" Mr Holmes asked he's eyes bored into mine.
"Lavira Hakko Robin."
"Mr Hakko's sister? The head Librarian? I see… good. Very good. I knew that girl has potential, it just that no one else had seen it."
[Lance Holmes would like to join Baihu. [Accept] or [Decline]]
Accept.
[Lance Holmes has joined Baihu. (Baihu 9/10)]
[Valerie Winters would like to join Baihu. [Accept] or [Decline]]
Accept.
[Valerie Winters has joined Baihu. (Baihu 10/10)]
[Baihu has enough members to upgrade. Would you like to upgrade? [Accept] or [Decline]]
Accept.
[Baihu has now been upgraded to Lvl 2.]
[Baihu]
Level: 2
Members: 10/20
[Boss] Tavish Lvl 54
Lance Lvl 75
Gunther Lvl 38
Harlo Lvl 35
Jemina Lvl 33
Valerie Lvl 32
Bron Lvl 30
Jask Lvl 28
Lavira Lvl 18
Valah Lvl 12
"Now that we're all in the same group now. We should get a move on and save our boss." Valah had already hobbled back to my arm and wrapped her arms around mine to continue using me as her crutch.
[Warning! Warning! Tavish O'Connor has entered critical condition.]
"What is this? Dad! We must go to him!" Valah screamed from my side. She pulled my arm and pleaded with her eyes.
"Even if we run, we won't make it." I said apprehensively.
Valah started to panic.
"Don't worry. We have return keys."
Miss Winters reached into her sleeve and pulled out a couple of gems and place one into our hands.
"Return keys?" I asked as I examined the gem in my hand.
"Yes. Just crush the gem and it will send you back to the magic association building."
"Okay…" I held out my hand and crushed the gem.
Suddenly I couldn't feel my body. I closed my eyes for only a second and when I opened them again, the next thing I knew, I was in a large room. I looked around for only a second when someone pulled me away. I looked to see who it was and saw it was Lance. He tugged me out of the room not even a minute of being in there.
Valerie and Valah followed right behind.
Lance and Valerie led us through a corridor until we ended up in front of a blown out wall. I suspected it used to be a door there.
"Oh my." Said Valerie as she stared at the rubble.
"Dad is in there! Hurry!" Valah said as she rushed passed us.
I followed her in and when I ran inside, I immediately spotted Tavish. I recognised this room as it was the same room Faron used to interrogate me. Tavish was lying on the ground at the back wall. There were a pool of blood surrounding him. I immediately used the helping hand spell. Multiple times until the warning notification decided to change into 'he's recovering.'
Valah was already there as she held her father in her arms. I took a moment to look around. No one was here beside us.
{"Master…"}
"Curlin?"
{"We're sorry…"}
"You did your best."
{"Where's my family?"}
"Your uncles got injured. Your wife is taking care of them right now. Go and see them."
{"Thank you master."}
Two shadows rushed forward and merged with mine.
I walked over to the pair at the back of the room.
Tavish looked better already as he was sitting upright, his back pressed against the broken wall.
I placed a hand on Tavish's shoulder and gave him another helping hand.
"Want us to take you to the hospital wing?" I asked as Valah and I helped Tavish on to his feet.
"Nah. Right now all I need is a drink."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Help me get to the Haven."
"The Haven?" I asked.
"It's the makeshift bar at the training camp. We call it the haven because it's the only place in the whole camp that everyone can come and enjoy themselves after a gruelling day of training."
"Okay let's go. I could also use a drink too."
We slowly made our way out of the building without seeing anyone from the magic association. That's strange…
Even though it was strange, it wasn't something I thought about right now.
I thought about the last time I drank… hmm…
It really has been a while since I drank anything alcoholic… just for the hell of it.
As we walked, Valah warned her father not to go over board. Seeing these two, I really admire the bond they have. A single father who became a hero in his little girl's eyes and a daughter who would follow in his foot steps.