ANOTHER RACE?
Kaleigh sighed in defeat. "I got it. If that's the case then I'll go ahead now"
Stalane was surprised and confused at the same time after what Kaleigh said.
"Where are you gonna go?" she can't help but to be curious.
"I have an unsettled business when I coincidentally met you here. I thought to help you for a while, but it seems you won't be needing it." he answered as he stood up and was ready to leave.
Stalane didn't stopped Kaleigh but she murmured wherein Syton, who was behind her, heard it.
"Hey, Kaleigh! Stalane was wondering if you're mad" Syton shouted to get Kaleigh's attention.
Stalane glared at Syton but he just smiled in reply, obviously having fun watching her reaction.
Kaleigh turned around. "No, I'm not. We'll meet again, later. Also, don't forget about the book" he reminded her before he completely disappeared from their eyes.
Stalane thought that Kaleigh might've used his teleportation skill or something.
"Now what?" Syton asked Stalane.
Stalane glanced at him for a second before she sat down on the ground to eat some more food.
"We'll rest for the night, but we're traveling early tomorrow"
Syton sat beside her. "Then, do you want another race tomorrow? I think it'll be fun!"
"Do you think those two could keep up on our pace?"
Syton looked at Blaze and Kerin who was silently listening to their conversation. He remembered that ever since Kerin and Blaze joined them on their journey, they were a little bit slower than before since they were beings considerate for the two.
"Then, let's start when we got out of the Astro's Labyrinth! I think it'll be safe to travel alone after that" he suggested.
Stalane didn't respond to his childish suggestion, but Syton took that as a "yes". Stalane just can't imagine how Syton could take everything so easily, when they're already slowly losing some time.
Blaze and Kerin, on the other hand, felt that they were becoming a burden for the two of them. Both Blaze and Kerin were guilty for forcing Stalane and Syton to train them and let them join their journey. Even so, both of them knew that they didn't have any other choice left.
"So, here's the plan. We're supposed to be out of this place after two days. When we are out of the Astro's Labyrinth, we will go in our separate ways" Syton informed them.
Stalane was fine with that plan, but Blaze and Kerin was stunned.
Syton noticed the uneasiness with Blaze and Kerin, while Stalane just pretended she didn't see their reaction. She just silently enjoyed eating her own food.
"I'm sorry if we can't help both of you any longer. You know how we are close to our sidequest's deadline. I'm pretty sure, both of you are aware that there's a consequence if the quest is not fulfilled within the deadline, right? So we need to finish this as fast as we can" Syton explained.
Kerin was about to protest but Blaze immediately spoke. "We understand. We are grateful for your help for the past few days. We learned a lot from the both of you. I just hope that we'll be able to meet again someday after your quest"
Syton felt some pity for the both of them. Even though he doesn't know why the two of them are desperate, he was sure there is a bigger reason why.
Stalane felt that Syton will give another ridiculous suggestion after the face that he gave. She doesn't know why, but after a couple of weeks she spent with Syton, she just got to know what face he makes whenever he's giving a stupid proposal.
"Then, try to meet up with us to the Iteria town where Bell lives. If you didn't caught up with us by then, try to look for us in the dungeon. If by then, you still haven't caught up with us..."
Kerin got hopeful for what Syton's word but got nervous after some few words. "then...?" he asked.
Syton shrugged. "I don't know"
Stalane sighed in relief. While, Blaze and Kerin was left confused.
"The Brave Challenger Games will be just around the corner after we finish the sidequest. I don't think we'll have some leisure time to train you, when we are busy to train ourselves." Syton explained.
"Then...?" Kerin asked, hopeful that Syton have another plan.
Syton gave a smile then looked at Stalane.
Stalane glared at Syton, as she knew that it must have something to do with her.
"Ask Stalane to contact Kaleigh by then. Then tell her to let him train the both of you instead" Syton said.
Stalane coughed when a piece of meat got stuck on her throat. She drank some water, before she shook her hand.
"Unfortunately, that plan of yours won't work. Even if you beg me, I won't contact that guy. He's too suspicious. Besides, even if I agreed to ask for his favor, have you forgotten that he already told us that he doesn't just teach anyone" Stalane rejected Syton's idea.
"But, he taught you before right? Blaze and Kerin is not just 'anyone', they're are our friends" Syton defended.
Stalane rolled her eyes. "Even so, ask him yourself."
Syton ignored Stalane and proceeded to tell his idea. "Anyway, I'm sure Stalane and Kaleigh will agree later. For now, just focus on catching up on us. If you did, you'll have a higher chance of getting Kaleigh train you. Just think of this as another part of your training."
"How are you so sure that I'll agree?" Stalane asked.
"I just knew" he grinned.
"Why does it have to be Kaleigh?" Blaze asked.
Stalane was also curious so she attentively waited to listen for Syton's explanation.
Syton shrugged. "I just thought that it'll be somehow funny to bother a busy guy like him. Besides, he seems to be quite interested in Stalane."
Stalane just then remembered all the things that Kaleigh previously mentioned. Kaleigh is indeed interested in both of her and Syton. Even if it have something to do with them, it just seems like she can't bring herself to ask Kaleigh directly.
Stalane doesn't know why, but she just thought that it was perhaps she want him to be the one who'll initiate in confessing.