The moment Asher opened his eyes, he began thinking, 'Am I back in the real world now?' but before he could even take a guess, Han Zeno's face, cleared up in front of him, just an inch away. He leaned on a small wooden table between them and bended down to check if Han Dae is already conscious or not.
'I-I'm still inside this dream?!' He freaked.
Yup, he is still in Han Dae's body. Lucky you Asher, lucky you!
Han Zeno smiled and sat properly. Between them is a small table with tea and a cup.
Han Dae uttered, "H-Hashi-ni..."
Han Zeno smiled, "How are you doing?"
Han Dae blinked and noticed that he is already dressed in red, hair tied gracefully, wounds treated properly, and is already cleaned up. Han Zeno is also wearing his crimson hanfu and is looking elegant and fresh.
It's as if nothing had happened. Even the deep wound from his back and arms are all gone.
Han Dae finally noticed one last thing – they are in a carriage. He opened the window slightly and peeked. They are passing by a sky colored town full of clean water everywhere. People dressed in hanbok are walking around the town.
"W-Where are we Hashi-ni?" Han Dae wondered after peeping.
Han Zeno took a sip and answered, "We are passing at Blue Town." He faced Han Dae with a smile, "We will study at Ai Forest remember?"
Han Dae gasped in realization, "A-Are we in Saphirus Sen Tribe already?!"
Han Zeno nodded. Han Dae's eyes sparkled, "Waah!" he exclaimed, "I have never been out the boundary of Crimson Han Tribe!"
Han Zeno chuckled, "Excited?"
Han Dae faced him with ecstatic face, "I am!"
Passing through the town, they reached the said forest.
"We're here Young Lord Han!" the driver said.
Han Dae immediately hopped off the carriage first to assist Han Zeno. Thanking Han Dae, they wave goodbye to the driver afterwards.
"It's fine..." Han Zeno said while trying to take his bag from Han Dae as they enter the forest. However, Han Dae is not giving up either.
"It isn't." Han Dae insisted, "Just keep on walking Hashi-ni. It is my job to carry your belongings."
"How about I carry yours too?" Han Zeno smiled.
"Denied." Han Dae glared and Han Zeno laughed it off awkwardly.
"Han Dae, you're cute but sometimes you can be scary..." He uttered.
"Tch, tch!" Han Dae moved his finger, "I'm not cute Hashi-ni, I'm a pretty boy."
Han Dae wandered his eyes while they are walking, "There are creatures here that I haven't seen before..." he uttered while looking at a hare with little wings on its back. Then he noticed that there is a falls, not above them, but below them.
"Ah! Hashi-ni!" he smiled looking so excited. Like a kid on a field trip, he pointed it out.
Han Zeno faced it, "We aren't really elevated, that is underground."
"But we can see it here clearly. Are you sure we aren't elevated?" Han Dae faced him.
Han Zeno, "It is man-made." he nodded with lips curved upwards.
They started walking again until they reached the main door made of blue pearls. Two guards in blue are outside standing still.
Han Zeno and Han Dae lowered their heads, so do they.
"Pardon us, but can this young lord here state his name, his purpose for visiting, and hand over the key?" one of them said.
Han Zeno is about to speak when a rather aggravating voice spoke behind him.
"Lao Tyr, second son of Lord Lao Ba'al from Ebony Lao Tribe. Here to learn as a Majin candidate." a young man said, probably have the same age as Han Zeno. His long black hair is tied in a half bun with golden accessories, his handsome face reflects arrogance and pride. He had such sharp black eyes and his skin is a bit fair.
Han Zeno slowly turned his head to take a glance at him as he smirks. He moved his head to order one of his servants to give the sapphire key to the guard.
Han Zeno smiled at the one who is wearing a black hanfu with dangling gold jewelries, "Long time no see Young Lord Lao Tyr." With head slightly lowered. Han Dae did the same without spouting anything.
Even though he feels offended since they are the first one to arrive.
"Hmph!" Lao Tyr snubbed with a grin, refusing to lower his head.
"Greetings Young Lord Lao Tyr." The guards said after examining the key giving him permission to enter. He purposely bumped at Han Zeno's shoulder as he pass by. Han Zeno is quite surprised as he blinked cluelessly without a smile as their shoulders collide.
Han Dae is about to call him when Han Zeno stopped him by tapping his shoulder.
"It is fine. It doesn't hurt." Han Zeno smiled. He faced the guards and answered the question from before, "Han Zeno, son of Lord Han Uriel from Crimson Han Tribe. I, a Majin candidate, and my servant came here to study with the invitation letter we received."
Han Dae gave them the invitation letter and two sapphire keys. After a bit of examination, the guards let them in.
"Greetings Young Lord Han Zeno." They lowered their heads.
After that, Han Dae, together with his young lord, began walking once again, this time, the road is slightly going up.
Han Dae faced him and asked, "Do you know that arrogant young lord Hashi-ni?"
Han Zeno nodded, "Mnn. Remember when I am hunting with other tribes before?" Han Dae nodded in response while facing him, "We used to battle for prey and he has never manage to take mine."
"So that's why he is so annoying!" Han Dae pouted in irritation, "He is just a sore loser."
Han Zeno chuckled, "Don't say that to people..."
Han Dae covered his mouth after gasping, "Oopss..." he shyly uttered.
Han Zeno faced his once again, "Don't approach him okay?"
Han Dae raised a brow, "A-Alright..." then he thought, 'There's no way I'll approach such person anyway...'
There are Jinjis wearing blue everywhere. Han Dae looked left and right and decided to ask, "Why is there no female Sen?"
Han Zeno smiled, "I believe they are separated from Sen males."
Han Dae blinked in frustration, "Eh? Does that mean we won't get to see pretty girls here?"
Han Zeno faced him with a smiled, "Aside from Sen disciples, we can see some."
"Alright!" Han Dae pumped up.
Han Zeno laughed, "Are you planning to flirt?"
"Of course!" Han Dae said proudly. Then he realized his answer, "N-No!" he said very flustered, "I-I mean study! Yes! I'm here to study!" then he whispered, "Study and flirt..."
Asher laughed, "Pfft!"
"Ah!" they heard a voice from the side. "Young Lord Han! Han Dae-chou!" they both faced there and saw Sei Chryseis waving his arm, running towards them.
The moment he reached them, he immediately went for a hug. Han Dae got surprised when Sei Chryseis wrapped his arms around him, huffing.
"Oh my!" Han Dae exclaimed, "What's wrong Young Lord Sei?"
Sei Chryseis faced him in tears, "Finally! Someone I know!" he sniffed and bawled. Han Dae laughed awkwardly and pats him on the head to calm him down.
"There, there!" he uttered.
Han Zeno smiled and grabbed a white handkerchief. He wiped Sei Chryseis' face and nose. "M-many thanks..." Sei Chryseis lowered his head.
"What is going on Young Lord Sei?" Han Zeno asked.
"Well..." he uttered, "I am walking here with Sei-ji earlier when Young Lord Lao Frigg called her. She told me, 'stay put' so I just looked at the fish in the river when there's this one cute fish that I decided to follow. Then all of a sudden she's gone!" he grabbed both of Han Dae's shoulders and freaked,
"I mean, how dare she tell me to 'stay put' when she herself didn't! That's just so mean!" copying his sister's stay put on his face as he complains.
Han Dae and Asher, 'No! You're the one who didn't!'
Han Zeno smiled, "Worry not Young Lord Sei." Both of them faced him, "It's about time, I am sure that Young Miss Sei is already in class, patiently waiting for your arrival."
Sei Chryseis looked relieved, "Really?!"
Han Dae grinned, "...with her sword unsheathed."
Sei Chryseis gulped with his face turning blue as he quivers. The two laughed upon seeing his riduculous reaction.
The three of them began walking as Han Dae questioned, "Right! Who is Young Lord Lao Frigg?"
Han Zeno faced him, "That's right, Han Dae doesn't know. Lord Ba'al of Ebony Lao Tribe have three sons."
Sei Chryseis continued, "The eldest is Young Lord Lao Judah, the second one is Young Lord Lao Tyr and the youngest is Young Lord Lao Frigg."
Then his face changed, "I really don't like them at all. Specifically, Young Lord Lao Frigg... although I never got the chance to talk to him since Sei-ji told me not to approach him."
"Isn't he the one with Young Lord Sei's ji?" Han Dae asked.
Sei Chryseis nodded, "Well... because of the rumors about him, I really don't want him getting close to Sei-ji..."
"Rumors?" Han Dae wondered.
Asher asked, "What kind of rumors?"
Han Zeno sighed, "We cannot believe the rumors so easily Young Lord Sei, after all, Young Lord Lao Frigg is also one of us, right?"
By that, he meant, 'he is also a Majin candidate'.
They reached the room on time and there are a total of sixteen students. Nine Majin candidates, five disciples and two servants.
"Ah! There you are!" Sei Cressida hastily ran to her dearest di with a worried look on her face. However, she smacked him the moment she reached him.
"Oww!" Sei Chryseis groaned.
"I told you to stay put didn't I?!" Indeed, she is furious.
"Now, now, Young Miss Sei, that is not lady-like!" a lady in white sleeveless toga robe with bluish diamond accessories and golden patterns. Her long wavy silver white hair shows the contrast of her very fair skin tone that is almost similar to the color of her pure long white robe that is shaping her hourglass body. Her eyes are narrow and a bit slanted with her long white lashes that matches the green shade of her eyes.
Han Dae blushed and immediately looked away thinking, 'Her clothes are too revealing!'
Asher answered with a blush after coughing, "Agreed. Although I cannot say I dislike it..."
Han Zeno lowered his head, "Long time no see, Young Miss Yu Gaia." She lowered her head while sitting still and replied, "It is indeed a long time Young Lord Han Zeno."
Asher wanted to barf, "Ugh! The formality is killing me!"
After a while, their rabbi came as they all sat per tribe. On the very left lies the Lily Yu Tribe, next to them is the Saphirus Sen Tribe, beside them is the Emerald Sei Tribe, on their right is the Crimson Han Tribe and on the very east is the Ebony Lao Tribe.
The rabbi stood and said, "Greetings children." All of them lowered their heads and continued, "You are all gathered here today for one thing, cultivating. May I know everyone?"
Yu Gaia stood and she was followed by her subordinates, "Yu Gaia, daughter of Her Highness Yu Hagar, from Lily Yu Tribe."
"Yu Rui, servant of Young Miss Gaia from Lily Yu Tribe." he is a guy months older than Han Dae. His long white hair is tied with a low ponytail. Wearing a pure white robe, his white lashes and golden eyes makes him look neat. His fair skin is also one thing. Good thing is that his inner robe is black, or else he'd be mistaken as someone who'd attend a burial.
Han Dae faced him in surprise. Hmm, who would've thought that there is a person besides Han Zeno who would bring a servant here?
"Yu Sam, daughter of a well-known physician from Lily Yu Tribe." A noble indeed. Her long straight blonde hair is tied in two buns with braids on each one. She wears a long white sleeveless robe and on her left arm is a long black glove while on the right is a golden arm bracelet. Her face is captivating with her blue eyes, pinkish cheeks and red orange shaded lips.
They all lowered they heads once again, "Pleased to meet you, Rabbi Sen."
They sat and the other tribe stood, the first one to speak is a beautiful lady in blue wearing a long skirt of her long sleeved hanbok. Her black hair is tied with a high ponytail in blue ribbon. Her eyes are black with a hint of blue with the noticeable pinkish lips on her fair skin.
She spoke, "Sen Saiorse, the shi of Lord Sen Fajra from the same tribe, Saphirus Sen." A Majin candidate.
Then stood a bright young man with the same age. His face is almost similar but in a manly way. His long black hair is ornamented with cerulean accessories with a dash of gold as he wears his blue robe.
He stated, "Sen Fajra, the current head of Saphirus Sen Tribe." Also a Majin candidate.
The two are born on the same date. Indeed, they are twins, also known as the 'twin dragon' of the Saphirus Sen Tribe.
"Sen Jizshuei from the same tribe, Saphirus Sen." Said the disciple who wore a blue hanbok that is suitable for fighting. He has the same color of hair as the other two, but he has deep blue eyes that matches his pretty face.
The next tribe stood.
"Sei Cressida, daughter of Lord Sei Sumi from Emerald Sei Tribe." Sei Chryseis noticed how lascivious are the eyes of Lao Frigg as he stares deeply to his sister that made him feel unease. Sei Cressida faced her brother who is still not speaking.
"Sei-di..." she called but he seemed to be distracted so she called once again, this time, a bit louder, "Sei-di!"
"Ah!" Sei Chryseis realized that he is next. He bowed his head lowly that made his hair strands cover the sides of his face as he hastily said, "S-Sei Chryseis, son of Lord Sei Sumi f-from Emerald S-Sei Tribe..."
"Sei Hana from Emerald Sei Tribe." the beautiful disciple from their tribe lowered her head gracefully, hoping that they won't mind Sei Chryseis on the side. Her grassy green eyes are round and whenever her pretty face smiles, a dimple is always appearing on her right rosy cheek. She wears a shorter green kimono, with sleeves long, the skirt length is only three inches above the knee.
As the Emerald Sei Tribe took a seat, Han Zeno is about to stand when the Ebony Lao Tribe stood. All eyes are on them but they seem to not care.
The eldest spoke first. His long black hair had a shade of silver white that is beautifully combed and accessorized. He has fair skin almost close to being pale and a deep golden sharp eyes with thick black lashes and reddish highlights on the lower ones. He is wearing a proud black with gold hanfu like the other two, "Lao Judah, first born son of Lord Lao Ba'al from Ebony Lao Tribe."
"Lao Tyr, second son of Lord Lao Ba'al from Ebony Lao Tribe." the other one said.
"Lao Frigg, the youngest son of Lord Lao Ba'al from Ebony Lao Tribe." the youngest of them had a silver white wavy hair that is tied up. His handsome fair face is with a smirk, his eyes are gold and his white lashes are long, like a lady's.
The three young lords are Majin candidates as well.
"Lao Jaz from Ebony Lao Tribe." a Lao disciple with his black hair tied in a bun lowered his head. He got the looks, but not as pretty as Han Dae's.
"Lao Ming from Ebony Lao Tribe." another Lao disciple who is neat, wearing a black hanfu, his black hair is braided and tied in a bun. He is rather handsome with freckles on his nose to his cheeks, but his face cannot be compared to Han Dae's.
The moment each of them took their seats, is when Han Zeno stood. Followed by Han Dae. He smiled politely and lowered his head saying, "Han Zeno, son of Lord Han Uriel from Crimson Han Tribe."
Han Dae then answered, "Han Dae, servant of Young Lord Han Zeno from Crimson Han Tribe."
"We offer you our thanks, Rabbi Sen." Han Zeno said and they both sat down.
Han Dae grumpily sat while pouting. 'What's with the attitude?!'
Rabbi Sen saw that what had happened looks nothing to Han Zeno, so he let go of the matter and continued as he lower his head, "Sen Cheon." Stating his name, he smiled once again and said, "Shall we begin?"
He lifted his sleeve a bit and pointed on Sei Cressida's desk. On the right corner lay a palm-sized smooth black stone. "We will now be determining how well can each one of you control your spiritual energy."
"Put the stone in front of you." He ordered and each one of them put the stone on the middle of their tables. "Now, without touching it, lift it up."
Han Dae blinked and whispered, "Huh?"
"You are allowed to use your hands provided you aren't holding anything." He continued.
Han Dae got even more confused. They are not allowed to touch it, but they are allowed to use their hands?
Han Dae lifted his hands, palms facing each other, he placed them near his chest above the stone and started focusing. Putting some of his aura on each hands, he gasped in surprise when he successfully made the stone float.
It is now between his hands.
'My hard work paid off!' he exclaimed to himself. He looked at others and saw some of them using the same trick he did, some used only one hand, and all Majin candidates used nothing.
He saw Han Zeno who's not using anything either. His eyes sparkled, 'That's a Majin candidate for 'ya!'
"Good." Their rabbi complimented after observing them. "Now, break them into half without anything falling."
Han Dae once again focused while slowly breaking the stone without a particle dropping. He sighed a breath of relief after managing to do it. Although it isn't straight, he managed to meet the expectation.
Most of the nobles received the same result as him while Majin candidates sliced through it like a perfectly cooked meat or a tofu.
"Alright, put them back together in one piece but change its form into what you are thinking right now." He smiled.
Han Dae blinked in disbelief, 'Are we required to mold it the way we want to?' but when he saw everyone already doing what has been instructed, he started molding without any clue at all.
His eyes slowly widened as he saw the result.
It is Gideon.
"Wh-why?" he wondered.
"Pretty good crafts." Rabbi Sen said once again, "Keep them for now." Han Dae grabbed the mini Gideon flute and turned to see what others made. Some are rings, jewels, flower and such.
Lao Frigg sculpted a body of a naked woman, Lao Tyr made a treasure box and Lao Judah molded a throne. Yu Gaia crafted a male's sandal, Yu Rui crafted a female's hairclip, Sei Cressida made an arrow, Sei Chryseis made a scythe while Sen Fajra and Sen Saiorse both sculpted a hare with a single wing on opposite sides.
Han Dae then turned to see what Han Zeno crafted but he is already closing his pouch.
'Aww... dang it!' Han Dae uttered in disappointment.
"It seems like each and every one of you is truly able to manipulate your aura correctly and properly. Even though some are still struggling a bit, they didn't fail to impress me. As for the young misses and young lords here, the results are as expected."
He started walking, circling them while discussing, "That is a simple trick to know whether a Jinji is mentally prepared, emotionally matured, spiritually stable and physically well. Now, there are two paths we can take in using our spiritual energy or aura."
"First, the light path. This path is also known as the ideal way to use the spiritual energy because it doesn't harm the physical body. It also don't interfere with a Jinji's emotional, mental, and spiritual stability." he said.
"The second one is the dark path. This one is very dangerous, few have tried to cultivate it, but in the end, they died a miserable death. That is why people are calling it the wrong path to cultivate. In the past, the era when the current Majin, Majin Ashera, had taken the title, different tribes have dealt with people who use this kind of path and it brought a lot of terrible things."
"The cursed weapons they used are thrown and burned. However, not all have been collected. The proof is the scythe owned by Hel Psyche that he now calls Goliath."
Han Dae blinked in a surprise, 'His weapon is a cursed one?'
"Young Lord Sen Fajra and other people here had already fought him, I believe." He stated, "The one who confirmed what weapon he is using was Young Miss Sei Cressida."
"That proves that if a Jinji follows the wrong path and has a cursed weapon is indeed dangerous and has to be eliminated immediately before they're mad driven." He said and faced them without a smile,
"They become a hindrance."
Sei Chryseis blinked as his right hand that is holding a brush, writing, flinched. Han Dae yawned while secretly scribbling on his paper.
After the long discussion, Han Dae can finally stretch his arms while sitting on a stone near a river. He sighed, "What a long day! Rabbi Sen didn't even entertain a question, let alone let anyone speak! That was tiring!"
After stretching, he looked at his reflection on the water. He blinked and smiled slightly thinking, 'I wonder how much I have grown up? I'm waiting for Hashi-ni to completely be impressed at me! I still have a long way to go!' he thought, 'Ha! I'm really a pretty boy no matter what!' as he fixed his bangs with a smirk.
He giggled and brushed his hair behind his ear looking up to the bright blue sky. "Hmm... I wonder when will Hashi-ni come? He said he have to talk to his fellow Majin candidates first... whatever! What should we eat for dinner?"
Other nobles are out there as well, talking to each other. Han Dae did not mind but then he heard them snickering.
"I wonder how did he get here?" it was one from the Lao nobles.
"Right, he is a mere servant of a young lord, why should we have to study with him? It's like we're on his level." His fellow Lao friend answered.
"Sshh!" one of the noble female said. "He might hear you!"
"Isn't it true though?" another one from Sen answered.
Han Dae sighed. He is used to being bullied in Nagafushi so he didn't care at all. Infact, for him, the insults from his own tribe is harsher than what he is hearing now. However, he flinched in anger after hearing one of them continued,
"Maybe the rumors are true?" a Lao disciple said, "That his young lord had sunken way too low..."
"That sucks... some also say that he doesn't take this class seriously at all!"
"Facts. If he does, why would he bring a servant instead of a disciple?"
"He had the audacity to act like that!"
Han Dae walked up to them with menacing look on his face, "What did you say?" he asked.
Yu Rui, who is keeping quiet to the side for a long while wants to stop him.
"Are you offended lowly servant?" Lao Ming teased.
"You and your young lord, maybe that rumors are indeed correct!" Sei Hana subbed and they all laughed.
Han Dae snapped and slapped her in the face.
"You!" Lao Jaz shouted angrily while holding Sei Hana who is still in shock as she holds her cheek.
"Take that back!" Han Dae shouted furiously.
"What?! Do you hear yourself?!" Sen Jizshuei shouted.
"Yeah! And I said take that back!" Han Dae ordered furiously but they started brawling.
Five on one, what chance does Han Dae have? Yu Rui tried to stop them but he received a punch from Lao Ming as he shouted, "Don't touch me you dirty rascal!"
Yu Rui distanced himself and ran back to their room when he saw his young miss chatting with other Majin candidates.
"Young Miss Yu!" he shouted and they all faced him. Yu Gaia hurried to his side and touched his swollen cheek.
"Rui-dou! What happened?!" she asked.
Everyone is in uproar. All of their disciples are with each other.
"A brawl broke... everyone is ganging up on Han-chou." He stated and they hurried to the said place without a second thought with different expressions on their faces. Some are worried, others are disappointed, and there are some who doesn't give a damn but decided to tag along either way.
The moment they reached the place, everyone is still fighting and shouting. They didn't even notice that their young lords and young misses are watching them already!
Han Zeno looks shocked and is about to shout upon seeing Han Dae's beaten up self. He is being pinned down by two people as one kicks him.
"You cowards!" Han Dae shouted, "Jerks!"
"Know your place!" one of them shouted.
Before Han Zeno could even shout, Sen Saiorse already did, "Is this how you guys behave?!"
Everyone noticed that all the Majin candidates are there and they hastily knelt.
"What is going on here?!" she continued.
"I-It was that Han servant who started it!" Lao Ming answered.
"Huh?!" Han Dae faced him, "I didn't!"
"This is your first day here! If you can't show respect and satisfaction in this place then you are free to leave!" Sei Cressida continued. "Stop being a disgrace to your own tribes!"
Yu Gaia crossed her arms, "Seriously, I'm disappointed in you all."
Everyone put their heads on the ground and said, "We are terribly sorry Young Lord Han, Young Lord Sei, Lord Sen, Young Lord Lao, Young Miss Yu, and Young Miss Sei!"
Everyone bowed except for Han Dae who is too ashamed to face Han Zeno.
"Let's not make this issue bigger." Sen Fajra uttered after a sigh of disappointment. He lowered his head in front of other Majin candidates, "I am very sorry for my disciple's incompetence. I will talk to him right away."
The rest lowered their heads as well and apologized. Well, at least the Lao siblings did, however, they did not apologize, let alone feel sorry for what had occurred. They started leaving one by one taking their disciples with them.
Han Zeno is still facing Han Dae who isn't moving an inch while sitting on the ground.
He sighed in disappointment and relief at the same time asking, "What should I do with you?" and just like that...
Han Dae felt petrified.