I have eaten many pastries before, but this one is perfect. The pastries I've ordered have the right texture for me. It's crunchy outside and soft inside, with chocolate custard melting in my mouth.
It's not too sweet—not bland either. Every bite gives me satisfaction.
I didn't have to bother paying because Kaeri had paid for all my expenses. He told me it was an order from Rain.
That's a relief. Honestly, I have no clue what kind of payment system this world has. I have seen no cash when accompanying Rain shopping. Also, the store will deliver all goods she bought to her house.
Well, it's free. So I won't complain about that.
After eating these delicacies, I go to meet Kaeri and ask him about Rain. All customers had already left, and this bakery was already empty, but why wasn't Rain finished as well? What's she doing?
I shouldn't have talked about her in the back, but I couldn't help it. My curiosity is filling me out.
"I know little about it, sorry. By the way, you should be careful."
Kaeri talks to me while wiping the table. His action reminds me of Daniel back on earth.
Did they file a missing person when Ava brought me here? Should I worry about it? Strangely, I don't feel that way.
Anyway, why should I be careful? Is there any problem?
"I heard that some scientists from the Ravenus Kingdom will come here. They detect distortion in this area."
"Ravenus Kingdom? Isn't that, like, another country? So why would they come here?"
The Ravenus Kingdom is east of Elion, a country with the most advanced technology in Oloras, or so I heard. And it's the biggest country too.
"Elion and Ravenus are members of Velar Alliance. This alliance shares technologies and knowledge."
"Yeah, I get it, but why do they come from Ravenus? Didn't Elion have their scientists?"
"They can only handle this matter. I don't know the details about those bastards."
Kaeri answers it after he finishes wiping the table. His face hardened like he held a grudge against them.
It's probably best not to ask this further.
But I'm still curious. Are they coming here because of me? The distortion they mean, was it Paraeia's gate?
"By the way, where did you get this information?" I asked him to change the subject.
Kaeri, now arranging all tableware and other stuff, doesn't answer me directly. Instead, he mentions her sister.
"My sister is so strange. Since we were kids, she seemed to know everything about the world. But, she's so brilliant and intelligent, she could easily become an influential person in the future."
Finally, I can get some information about Rain.
Kaeri sighs and continues.
"But she opened a small business like her teahouse. She inherited the tea plantation from our parents. So she lived quietly."
Kaeri stops his work and glares at the ceiling. He seemed to think about something.
Before he could continue, we heard a beeping sound. From the counter, Kaeri peeks at the window to see who has come.
His eyes widen, and he quickly grabs my hand.
"Krisan. We must leave now." Said Kaeri in a hurry.
"Huh? What's happening?"
"The people I mentioned earlier. They've come."
Kaeri told me to hide and go outside using the back door quietly.
The back door is near the kitchen, so we have to pass it first.
The scent that filled the kitchen distracts me as we pass it, making me want to grab one of the bread and eat it while walking.
But that's not fair, of course. I already ate so many freebies today.
We walked through the door, and we arrived in the back alley. The back alley is relatively clean; there is less garbage than I thought. Instead, this alley is filled with boxes.
"Are we clear yet?" I whisper to him.
Kaeri doesn't answer. Then we run again, out of the alley behind the bakery. Luckily, the Ilval docking station is near.
There are several Ilval there, one of them must be ours, but Kaeri randomly chooses one and takes it out.
"Hey Kaeri, did you just steal this Ilval?"
"Nope. This one is mine," he claims. But I'm still in doubt.
We ride the Ilval, and shortly after, they come.
I didn't get to see the identity of my chasers. I expected there to be a group of people, but I now only see one. It's a short-haired woman. Unfortunately, I can't explain her appearance because it is already too far away for me to observe.
We drove this Ilval through many roads, and all of those roads are still part of the marketplace. Unfortunately, because our driving speed was too fast, the wind produced by the Ilval was too strong until everyone we passed by had their hair flutter. Some people even got mad at us because their goods fell off.
I hug Kaeri's waist and close my eyes instinctively. I hope he didn't mind, though.
We turn left, turn right, through the alley, and out of the alley; our destination is unclear. At this rate, we will end up exploring the whole lux city. At least, it confused our pursuer.
After many turns, I can finally open my eyes fully.
We're out of the marketplace, in an area with prominent streets and monumental buildings. The building has contemporary architecture with a hint of futurism; it's so different from the earth.
Then we arrived at a large roundabout with an enormous tree in the middle. The tree trunk diameter is so large; it could fit an entire building inside of it. A vast canopy formed by the tree crown gives off a fresh aura, revitalizes the surroundings.
Seeing me interested in the tree, Kaeri slows down his speed.
"That tree is a historical figure in Lux," said Kaeri suddenly. "I don't know the details but, the Lux city was built around it."
"Thank you for the history lesson," I replied sarcastically. "But are you sure this was the right time to tell me? Someone chased us."
"Don't worry about it."
He increases his speed, so I hug him harder. The drag wind around us carries his body scent, and my nose fills with gentle vanilla. This is kind of relaxing and comfortable. Maybe I'll fall asleep if the situation allows me to.
Kaeri turned in at the turnabout and we went back to the marketplace area. But it's a different region than before. This area is full of restaurants. It's hard to explain what kind of foods were displayed here, because of our speed.
When I looked back, I couldn't see our chaser.
"I think we're clear now."
I should not have jinxed that. She came in front of us with her Ilval. Panicked, we hurried to turn right through the nearby alley.
Unfortunately, it was a dead end.
"Oh, shoot."
We got off from the Ilval and Kaeri immediately stood up to protect me. The sun was so bright and for a moment, I was blinded.
In front of us there is a short-haired woman. Her hair is as black as night, and a tomboyish cut shows her delicate neck. She's an elf, the same kind as Ava. She wears black round glasses that make her blue eyes look more intelligent.
She wears a blue-black-white formal uniform with long sleeves for the top, skinny black pants, and classic black boots.
From her appearance, I can guess that she's a high-ranking person. But why does a high-ranking person such as her chase us in this manner?
"Hello there. You have finally given up on this chase." She talks with a calm but intimidating voice. Her face is expressionless. It's hard to read.
She glances at Kaeri and smiles a little.
"Alkaeri Tirta, we've met again."
Kaeri's face hardened.
"From all the people, why must it be you who chase us? Did you abandon your beloved student?" Kaeri replied with an angry tone. He seemed to hold resentment towards her; I'm curious about the story between those two.
"I suggest you forget about what happened in the past. Now, can I have a moment with the girl beside you?"
She pointed at me. I don't feel any threat from her, so I'm willing to talk about whatever she wants. But Kaeri doesn't move away. Instead, he tells me to back off.
Although there's no space left.
"What if I don't want to?"
After Kaeri said that, she's grinning like she enjoys this situation.
"As expected. You won't cooperate so easily."
She touches her ear, and continues, "I already got permission to use my element. Prepare yourself. This won't hurt you, but it'll render you unconscious."
Kaeri falls silent for a bit. Then he laughed, mocking her words.
"Bwahahahaha!" This is my first time hearing him laugh. "If we got unconscious, do you know how to carry us? You only got one Ilval."
Her serious face collapsed. Now we can see her true character.
"Huh? Well, I would have—wait. You're right! How am I supposed to carry you out?" I saw a light blush when she said that.
The strict, serious woman now turned into an innocent, careless girl.
"Hey! Who do you call careless? Wait, did I just use— anyway, please come with me."
Oops. She can read my mind. I giggle a bit, then walk forward, ignoring Kaeri.
"I will. But first, please let us know your name."
"Of course. How can I forget basic courtesy? My name is Gracie Vana. I'm the headmaster of Ravenna Academy, in the Ravenus Kingdom."
Shockingly, the one who chases us is a headmaster of an academy. What could be the reason for an academy to investigate this matter?
"Our country's Ministry of Psionic Technology and other ministries formed Ravenna Academy. We and MPT handle this type of investigation. I can't explain it to you later if you agree to come."
"I have no complaints. I need information too. In fact, I already agree to come from the very start. Thank you for protecting me, Kaeri."
I want to joke a little to lighten the mood, but Kaeri's reaction is not what I expected.
"You traitor," Kaeri said with a disappointed face.
"Kaeri is a good guy. Trust me, Krisan. You don't have to kick him out like that." Gracie implied. How did she know my name?
Her words show some favorability towards Kaeri. Do they, perhaps, have some memories together?
Okay. I think I'm a bit too rude this time.
"Ah, sorry. I just want to joke a little…."
"Whatever. If you really want to come, I guess I'll follow you," said Kaeri while preparing his Ilval.
But if he joins us, what about Rain? I almost forgot about her. Did she finish her things already?
"Hey Kaeri, about Rain…."
"She can take care of herself."
Wow. A blunt response. I think he's still angry about my "jokes".
After that, Kaeri and I follow Gracie with our Ilval.
Well, there's one thing I'm still confused about. We resolved this problem in such a peaceful way.
But why did Kaeri run away back then?