"Aren't you finished yet?" Asher asked Han Dae. He is already done and is about to go to school but Han Dae is still inside his bedroom, deeply troubled about something. He opened the door slightly and peeked. There, in front of the door, is Asher, standing cross-armed with a brow raised.
"So?" he asked.
Han Dae laughed awkwardly, opening the door completely, showing his half naked body. On his right, lay a white long sleeved-polo and on his left lay a white colored outer blazer with lines that are black in color. He is already wearing his white fitted trousers and his white boots with his long black hair all tied up in a red ribbon.
"How'd you... wear this again?" he asked. He is just wearing the uniform based on what he saw last night but he did not really know how to wear it.
Asher sighed, "Can't be helped then. Come here, I'll teach you one time only so watch carefully."
Han Dae took steps forward. Asher grabbed the white long sleeve polo and wore it to Han Dae. He then fixed his collar and buttoned it. He also buttoned the wrist buttons. He then grabbed the blazer and put it on the shirt. Fixing the blazer's collar, he noticed his hair.
Asher smiled flipping some of Han Dae's long hair that has slipped in front back behind him and said, "I like it better that way."
Han Dae's hand immediately held his hair with flustered face. Looking away, he answered, "I don't care either way." Asher put on the silver bracelet on Han Dae's left wrist.
Upon stepping out of the house, Han Dae's eyes widened in both awe and shock. Modern buildings, different scenery and the like. Because of this he stopped walking for a moment to look around but Asher held his hand and pulled him as he walks.
Han Dae is is disturbed by what he is seeing when he heard a loud honk of a floating, not too far from the ground, motor-like vehicle but with a skateboard-like shape from below without wheels. Startled by this, Han Dae jumped facing it asking, "What is that?!"
Asher continue pulling Han Dae saying, "That's called vehicle." without eyeing the person he is talking to.
"Vehicle?" Han Dae asked while still restless.
"Yup." Asher answered, "It doesn't hurt people, relax." he turned around and whispered, "Unless you're dumb enough."
They are now in a bus. Han Dae's eyes are plastered on the window while looking at the present world with sparkling eyes.
Asher, "You know, we did our best in hiding your identity but if you act like that..."
Facing Asher, Han Dae answered in all seriousness, "But I can act like this with you around, right?"
Asher, upon hearing that, is undoubtedly slightly surprised. It is as if Han Dae is saying that it is alright to lower his guard when he is with him and that he already trust him, so he is not afraid to expose his identity.
Asher, "The situation still varies."
With that, Hae Dae once again faced the window.
Location; Head Quarters Main Estate; Fumengji Facility
After a few blinks, Han Dae finally asked, "This is a school?" Asher nodded in response as they enter through the front gates that has a barrier in it, only those who are with a bracelet chip can go in and out. However, it still puzzled Han Dae, "But... this can be a whole city..."
"It is." Asher answered while walking still. Han Dae rushed to him as he continued, "This whole space here is not just school. It is the main estate. Go in deeper and you'll see another entry that's where the HQ is."
Han Dae got even more confused, "Then this can be two neighboring cities." looking around, he noticed only few students are around. "But the people in here are too..."
"What can they do? A lot of Jinjis are having a hard time. Many got expelled, twice those are the ones who didn't make the cut." Asher stated.
Han Dae kept quiet thinking, 'The number of Jinjis in training are indeed few, but what really bothers me is that their spiritual energy is still weak to be considered a Zushi! Back then, I was dying already before they accept me as a Zushi. I wonder when the standards changed?'
"Almost forgot!" Asher said, "Why are you bringing that here?" while pointing at the Gideon on Han Dae's waist.
"I can't let go of it." Han Dae answered before changing the topic, "This place is really huge! Where is everybody?"
Asher, "Probably inside their own classrooms."
Han Dae, "Oh, we're not staying together?"
Asher, "We have different classrooms and we're on different years. Why are you acting like you don't have any experience is studying?"
Han Dae's brow's twitched as if he's getting humiliated, "I have! It's just that this is really different. Back then, different tribes have their own way of training their disciples." while moving his hands, "Only one class for Zushis and another one for Hashis. In a single room, all the qualified Zushis are there to learn. It is very distant to what are you stating."
Asher, "Then how do you study with your number?"
Han Dae, "I already said, different tribes. So it is tribe by tribe. But the famous tribe in cultivating spiritual energy back then is the Saphirus Sen Tribe. So those of higher status tends to study there no matter the tribe they're from. I even got the chance to study there once. They're too strict and nice at the same time, I can't bear it."
Asher, "But here is strict too. Since this is the only school for Jinjis."
"Oh!" Han Dae exclaimed upon remembering something, "Are we going to split up?"
Asher, "Huh?"
Han Dae, "You said we have different classrooms."
Asher, "Just my luck. We're in the same class."
Now, they arrived in their room. Some of their classmates are already whispering here and there. With Asher already sitting on his seat on the back, and Han Dae standing in front of them.
"As for today, we have a transfer student from the South, Zhui Dae." the Rabbi said.
Han Dae lowered his head as a sign of respect. Then, the lessons began.
Shortly afterwards, it is already a subject before lunch. And they are doing practice swings on the field. Holding a wooden sword on the right and the left hand behind them, they continue swinging while counting.
"One! Two! Three! Four!" they shouted as the swung their swords elegantly but with strong force making sounds of slashing wind.
One of the students is in charge of watching them while their rabbi is gone. He keeps on walking around, playing with his own wooden sword, whistling. Acting as if he's their boss or a supervisor. While walking in a good mood, he spotted Han Dae who is barely swinging, with mouth shut.
He is barely even trying.
"Hey you!" he shouted and everyone stopped. He had the nerve to do things like this, why not? He's the favorite. "What do you think you're doing?! You just transferred here and you think that this is all fun and games?!"
Han Dae stared at him, wanting to confront him but he caught a glimpse of Asher staring at him, hoping he would just keep his mouth shut.
"What?" the other continued, "Cat got your tongue?" he circled Han Dae and said, "Tell me, Mr. Zhui Dae, did you perhaps pillow-talked? Or you did something sketchy just so you can enter here?"
Some of the students glared at Han Dae as well. They cannot accept the fact that Han Dae got accepted immediately while they had a hard time being accepted at a school like this one. They did not think Han Dae is qualified at all.
Asher sighed, "Can we just continue practicing swings?" even he is a victim of people like them. But since he can't risk his parents getting called, he did not bother fighting back.
"You're the one to talk!" now the guy is all over Asher, "I'm also watching you earlier, you're not swinging properly too!"
Truth is, he is. However, the time that the guy saw him is when he yawned. Asher's luck is really terrible.
So the guy continued when Asher didn't say a thing, "One word from me and you can spend the week in detention--"
"You're not even swinging your sword yourself." Han Dae stated calmly looking down. Asher faced Han Dae in surprise. Who would've known that Han Dae had the nerve to talk-back to a Rabbi's trusted pet.
"What did you say?" he glared.
This time, Han Dae glared back. A silent and calm glare, "How dare you act like you're someone mightier than me?"
"You!" he shouted pissed, "You did not even know respect and manners! People like you don't deserve to be here!"
Asher face-palmed himself thinking, 'Really... how did I ended up with these bunch of losers?'
"Fine then." Han Dae answered, "Those who oppose me for being here, feel free to strike me until you're satisfied."
"Wha-?!" Asher got shocked. They both know that almost every one of them are opposed to Han Dae.
"However," Han Dae continued, "Don't expect me to be so kind as to not strike back."
Asher crossed his arms and whistled with a grin on his face, ′Alright then! Beat 'em up for me Han Dae!' he started letting out evil chuckles.
One guy noticed him and said, "Is he alright in the head?"
The other answered, "Nah, bro. He lost it."
The girl with them answered with face stiff, "Disgusting..."
"By the way, are they really going to fight?" the guy that noticed Asher asked.
"Think so." the other one answered.
"Disgusting..." the girl said with a stiff face once again.
"You cocky punk!" the Rabbi's favorite student shouted, "Y'all heard him! He thinks he's better than anyone here! Would you really let it slide?!" and with that, everyone who's pissed, with students more than twenty, attacked a single person holding a single wooden sword.
Han Dae started dodging each one of them and striking on their nape knocking them down. There are some who tried striking alone, and some who tried striking in groups. Some also attacked using spiritual energy but Han Dae is dodging and blocking it without using his own. Han Dae is also a qualified gymnast, his flexibility and balance makes it even harder for them to keep up to his speed.
A student charged at him head on, he raised his right arm, circling it downward to the sword that tried to stab him, he put force onto it when he tossed the guy's sword upwards. Startling the guy with his action, he used his elbow to knock him out, hitting his nape.
Now, three people charged at him. He ducked with his right foot stretched out, kicking the pivot leg of one guy. Putting his left hand on the ground he stood upside down and turned to kick the guy in the face knocking him out. Then he quickly stood catching the sword he just tossed with his left.
There are two people left. They both charged at him at their full speed and each strike they are putting all of their strength. The other got hit on the left side of the neck, and the other got his sword broken when Han Dae caught his sword and sliced it using his own. The last one fell sitting and shaking terribly, admitting his defeat.
Then Han Dae faced the guy who led his classmates into attacking him. Turns out he did not attack yet. Now, he is shaking too. But he is still pretending as if he is not fazed at all.
"Come, since you're the one in charge of us, surely your sword technique is better." Han Dae ordered as he felt the chills all over his spine. "That's barely a warm up."
"Y-you..." he answered furiously.
"Did you find it unfair?" Han Dae smirked. "Here." Letting go of the two swords he is holding, he showed his hands, "I won't use a sword."
That made the other one angrier but he's still too scared to fight him.
Han Dae's smile got even more sinister. Hiding two of his hands behind him, "Here." he said, "I won't use my hands."
With that, the guy can't take the humiliation anymore.
"Y-you fucker!" he shouted and charge into an attack infusing his sword with all of his spiritual energy. Once a person got hit by that, it'll instantly damage the body like a real sharp sword.
Han Dae, upon the opponent's strike, jumped with his feet closed as if he's about to hug them. Grinning, he spun and kicked him right on the face. Because his opponent put all of his spiritual energy on the sword, his physical strength is no more than an A-jin's. Therefore, the kick made him flying until he bumped into a wall that got cracked.
Han Dae remained standing with Asher and the three who did not participate. He faced Asher with a smile and a peace sign on his hand saying, "Winner!"
"Cool!" one of the three said.
"Imagine that was me..." the other fantasized.
"Disgusting..." the girl once again uttered.
Asher, putting his right hand on his waist, smirked with a raised brow saying, "You've gotta teach me."
Lunch came and Asher told everyone what had happened.
"You've gotta teach me!" they all said while staring intensely at Han Dae.
"S-sure..." Han Dae answered.
"Argh!" Chandler exclaimed in the verge of tears while messing her hair. "This fucking shit!"
"What's the matter?" Hannah wondered.
"Han-ji!" she begged, "Please help me! I don't wanna fail!"
Trijah can't help but laugh, "We had a quiz after lunch! She got it really bad!"
Chandler glared at him, "You shitty punk! If you're not going to help me, you shut your fucking mouth!"
Trijah, instead of getting pissed like he does, keeps on grinning and said, "Instead of cursing me, why don't you just keep on reviewing?"
Asher grabbed the book Chandler is holding and asked, "The head of the Saphirus Sen Tribe."
"Eek!" Chandler freaked, "T-that's..."
Everyone stared at her. Daniel said, "Chandler that's easy."
Chandler is already knocking her brain cells but she really can't remember who.
Trijah proudly answered in her stead, "Sen Fajra."
Hannah glared at Trijah, "She's the one who's supposed to answer not you." Trijah sticks his tongue out.
"I'm doomed!" Chandler shouted, "I can't fail this subject!"
"Next question." Asher said while flipping the pages, "The tribe that lives in Mt. Rahab."
Chandler still didn't know the answer. Poor girl, she really is hopeless. Written exams is what she is dreading.
"Crimson Han Tribe." Han Dae answered. Everyone got shocked. Han Dae answered the most obvious question for him. Since he is a Han. Nevertheless, Asher continued.
"Achieve greatness."
Han Dae, "Ebony Lao Tribe."
Asher, "Dumping ground for failures."
Han Dae, "Abyss."
Asher, "A golden bow."
Han Dae, "Arcum."
Asher, "Endless Valley's depth."
Han Dae, "Twelve thousand two hundred and eleven feet above sea level."
Asher, "Servant household."
Han Dae, "Fushi."
Asher, "Master household."
Han Dae, "Nagafushi."
Everyone is amazed by how he can answer each question correctly. Asher then tried a different way of asking.
"What is the response of the other Tribes upon seeing the severed head of Lao Frigg?"
Han Dae immediately faced him with a 'huh?' look on his face.
"Oh! That's easier!" Chandler answer, "A war between tribes broke!"
"I..." Han Dae answered, "I do not know." they all faced him in surprise. They all thought that he must know it since that incident happened in his time.
Daniel asked respectfully, "Han-chou, may I ask why?"
"I ..." Han Dae answered looking down, "... got sealed before that I guess..."
Trijah, "Then, why are you sealed?"
"I don't really know." Han Dae answered. When silence is enveloping them, Han Dae spoke once again, "Can I borrow that book?" looking at Asher. Asher gave it to him and he read the part where he did not know what happened.
"What are you looking at?" Hannah asked. "I can help you find it."
Han Dae, "I wanna know what happened to Hashi--" he stopped for a moment and said, "... To Han Zeno."
Everyone got surprised. Han Zeno's one of the most popular in the history, even Chandler knew what happened to him. But no one told Han Dae a thing until he himself found what he's looking for.
Han Dae read it silently in his mind, 'at that time, Han Zeno was captured by Lao Tyr...' he gulped and flipped the pages trying to find what happened next.
'Refusing to speak, they tortured him...'
Han Dae's eyes watered as he flipped the pages once again.
'What finally sparked the war is Lao Frigg's and Han Zeno's death.'
"Hashi-ni..." Han Dae whispered. Hands trembling, he swallowed and calmed himself in a sigh. Still bothered, he returned the book to the owner and shook his head losing his appetite.
Asher faced him quite confused, his only knowledge is that Han Dae used to be the servant of the Young Lord, Master Han Zeno. Other information are unknown to them, those aren't even recorded in ancient textbooks that they had.
Opening his mouth and is about to speak, all of them were interrupted when their di, a Zushi apprentice still, approached them and said, "There you are."
Crossed arms, his beautiful face is full of arrogance and elegance. Han Dae can see that in his time, these facial features and rather, unpleasant attitude, is born with a golden spoon in his mouth, a youthful lord, and an annoying one too.
The breeze caress his pitch black hair. If he could only fix his face, he might be a bit likable.
Asher's previous concerned face turned sour. Not wanting to look at the person's face. Knowing that he had no choice, he sighed and faced him indifferently.
"What do you want, Na-di?" he asked.
Han Dae wondered, when does the atmosphere changed. Even the other aren't talking. Seeing that, he decided to zip his mouth shut as well.
"Who's Na-di? You're no ni of mine!" he insisted.
Getting a bit irritated, Asher decided to sigh once more before restating what he said but in a different manner, "What brought you here Nathan-chou?"
That's the time when Nathan felt satisfaction and threw him an invitation letter. He caught it and wondered, 'An invitation letter? For what?'
Nathan guessed what Asher is thinking so he answered already thinking, 'Better tell him already before he opens his big mouth. I hate hearing that voice of his!'
Nathan, "It's for my birthday next week. Everyone is expected to come."
Emphasizing on the word 'expected', Asher knew that his opinion doesn't matter. He is ordered to come. But he is a bit surprised that his dearest di is inviting him to come to his fourteenth birthday.
Asher can't help but to let out a slight soft smile. He faced Nathan and asked, "Are you sure you want me there?"
"Hmph!" Nathan snorted with an insulting smile while crossing his arms once more, "Who wants you other than father? If he hadn't insisted why would I invite you? For what? For you to ruin my day?" he faced sideward.
Nathan's words are really sharp, and he is very rude too. One would think that to be able to hang out his him is impossible, and if by chance, someone does, they might be the rare type of people who has long patience to tolerate him other than his parents.
"Then I guess I would rather not. It's a pain looking for a present for a brat like you." Asher snapped. He is trying to be respectful, unfortunately, he doesn't have the word 'patience' when it comes to Nathan.
Nathan immediately faced him, pissed too, "You! Didn't you hear what I just said?!"
"I heard you clearly! Sorry to trouble you! It is a great pleasure for this humble person to accept the invitation right from Nathan-chou's hands." Asher said sarcastically while moving his hands. "Satisfied already?"
Nathan, shaking in anger, glared daggers at him, not finding the words to say, he turned his head away letting only a 'hmph' sound before completely turning around, leaving.
"Hmph!" Chandler exclaimed furiously, "Just a little bit more and I'll cut of that dick's tongue!"
Hannah's calm and collected face is also now showing a hint of irritation, "Really, give them and inch and they'll run a mile!"
Trijah cracked his fingers saying, "How dare he treat my ni-dou like that?! So fucking annoying!"
Daniel faced Asher saying, "Next time, we won't keep quiet anymore. I know we agreed not to interfere with your family's business but they're going too far A-di..."
Asher blinked upon witnessing such scene. Later on, he can't help his laughter. Holding his belly, he laughed like no tomorrow, "Y-you guys... pfft!"
In the middle of his laughter, he stopped and sighed. Wiping the tears that hasn't fallen yet, he said, "There's no need to bother! I'm used to it. In fact, I'm not taking their abuse without taking something in return. Heck, I'd be scared to death if they suddenly decided to take good care of me!"
Han Dae faced Asher. He doesn't seem to be lying, there's no hint of pain in his eyes. Indeed, being mistreated since he is young, he only shed his tears once. Then, he swore to himself not to weep because of them anymore. Now that he moved on, instead of getting depressed, he smiled and pulled pranks on them until he ended up living on his own.
Hey, at least his father still cares about him and gives him money every month! Plus he's not paying for his electricity bills and water bills!
First day of class is over. Asher is now sitting cross legged on the sofa watching on the television while eating some homemade popcorn. He shouted slightly turning his head to the side with eyes still pasted on the movie he is watching while his hand is feeding himself.
Asher, "Aren't you done bathing?" while munching.
Han Dae answered, "Almost!"
Asher faced the television and recalled a memory.
Location: Morrison Residence; Year 2508; Approximately twelve years before
"W-where..." Asher asked while looking at a blonde woman who is about to hop in a helicopter. Stretching his hand, holding his mother's long aqua silk skirt. He looks scared of what will happen.
"Asher," she patted his head and continued with a smile, "Mommy will come back. She will come back to get you."
Asher shook his head and tighten his grip, "I want... momma..." the woman smiled gently, like a lily. She is about to give him a warm hug when another woman called.
"Asher you little-!" she sounds furious. "Come here this instant!"
Instead of a hug, she pushed Asher away. Asher accidentally lets go of her skirt. She smiled bitterly and said, "Your Momma Athena is calling you. You should go there now."
Weeping, he hugged the woman and cried, "No! I want Momma Emma! Take me with you!"
"I can't... darling..." she said while calming him down, "Momma Emma is going far... somewhere very far. She can't take her baby with her."
"But--! But Asher is ready! He wants to accompany momma to make sure she's safe! Asher's a big boy now! He can take care of momma over there!"
"Asher!" Athena shrieked.
Emma knelt in front of her son, wiped his tears and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Holding back her tears, she swallowed and gave him one last hug, "Go now... or else she will punish you. Make this mommy proud, okay?"
With that, she pushed Asher away, tears streaming down her face, she hastily hopped in the helicopter and shut its door. Asher rushed to her side but the helicopter is already floating high up in the air.
"Momma!" he shouted and ran towards the direction, "Momma! Don't leave me!" not noticing the rock below, he tripped and cried. Not because of the wound on his knees, but because of something else.
After giving him a beating, he is grounded inside room. Sitting silently on the ground, leaning on the door, hugging his knees, he heard his other mother, Athena, talking to a butler.
"Is it true?!" she sounds shocked. "Emma did?!"
Upon hearing his mother's name, he listened attentively.
"Yes Athena-jia." the butler answered. "We went there, only to find nothing."
"Ha!" Athena smirked, "That's her karma for seducing my husband and bearing a child first! If you ask me, helicopter crash isn't enough!"
Asher covered his mouth and tears flooded his sight. Trembling, he tightened the cover on his mouth using two of his hands. Afraid of making a sound. His mother's voice resonating in his ears.
'Make this mommy proud, okay?'
Asher let out a huge sigh after remembering such memory. He already finished bathing, wearing a shirt and a pajama, he went to his room. He caught Han Dae rolling on his now messy bed. The pillows are on the ground, the blanket is also messy.
Everything in his room is all over the place again.
Han Dae immediately noticed him and sat down blushing because of embarrassment.
Asher pretended as if he is mad, however, deep inside, he truly wants to laugh while pinching Han Dae's cheeks.
"Last time I checked, I'm the one who fixed this bedroom." Asher said with authority. "The hell is this?"
"I'm..." Han Dae uttered, "I'm..." at first, he is planning to explain why he is rolling on the bed. That's simple, he enjoys lying on a very soft and comfy bed. You wouldn't see this kind of bed from a thousand years ago!
But he figured out that it'd be much more embarrassing for him to say that, so in the end, he only uttered,
"...catching a mouse!"
Asher raised a brow while both of his arms are still crossed. He doesn't like dirt, therefore, he cleans his house a lot. Never did he spot a single mouse. He then remembered how people from Han Dae's period is too strict and value respect a lot.
A grin can be seen from his face and in his head, he is chuckling devilishly already. Han Dae faced him and he hastily fixed his face, glaring once again.
"You dare look me in the eyes?" Asher said. He read this sentence a lot in ancient books. Nobles say this to their servants or slaves in order to display their power to them.
"This servant here wouldn't dare!" Han Dae answered subconsciously and suddenly on his hands and feet.
Asher's eyes widened and said, "Whoa, I didn't think it would work!"
That's when Han Dae snapped back in reality. His face turned redder and he got mad yet embarrassed still, "You!"
Asher changed the topic immediately to avoid being scolded, "Why'r you wearing that?" while pointing at his robe from the cave. Han Dae's inner robe is pure white and he isn't wearing his outer crimson robe.
Han Dae answered, "It is more comfortable."
Asher approached him to fix it. Han Dae rolled a lot earlier so the robe is messy, and the tie on the waist is a bit loosen as well.
"Jeez!" Asher said with a teasing smirk while tying it properly, "Don't you know how to dress up properly?"
"O-Of course I do!" Han Dae exclaimed.
"There," Asher said letting go of him, "Much better."
Han Dae, "Thank you."
Asher grinned, taking a seat beside him, he said, "Don't thank me, you've gotta pay."
Han Dae blinked in a wonder so Asher continued, "Play the Gideon for me. They say that Han Zeno's servant's playing makes every skilled musician hide in embarrassment."
"I..." Han Dae uttered while holding tightly his Gideon. He never take it away from him.
"... won't play this flute anymore."
Asher really wants to hear him play, but when he remembered Han Dae's expression when he found out what had happened to his young lord, he lost his voice to plead.
"Alright." Asher said while picking up the pillows, "Pay it back to me some other time."
After fixing the bed, he decided to leave when Han Dae held his shirt.
"W-where...?" Han Dae asked shyly. He wants to know where Asher would sleep. Of course, Asher is the only one who's living in his house, it has only one room, and he can't sleep with Han Dae, since he consider himself heterosexual, and can't bear to sleep with him.
Last night, he slept on the sofa in the living area, so he plans to sleep there again.
But upon hearing him, he is reminded of himself and his mother.
He caressed Han Dae's head and said, "If you want anything, I'm at the living room." then he left.
It was already late at night when he finally managed to fall asleep. Han Dae went out of his room carrying a blanket. He saw Asher's sleeping face. He covered his body with a blanket and caressed his head.
The moment he did that, a bright red seal lit up on Asher's forehead. Han Dae smiled and said,
"This time, I'm the one who will protect you, Hashi-ni."