After Kevin and Ries entered the VIP stands and sat down next to us with a brief talk, we saw the final match of the junior division start with Rixia getting blasted to the other side.
Time started to speed up. Combat orbments weren't allowed in the martial arts arena here, so it truly was an attest to one's skills. Before we knew it, Rixia tried to control the battlefield with her swift movements and projectiles, but Sherryl stood her ground, matching her speed with her own defense.
Surprisingly, Rixia fell face first onto the grass below, unconscious. Sherryl came out on top. Seeing a clear winner, the announcer declared the conclusion of the match. The crowd roared in response. Sherryl became stunned seeing how loud the crowd responded to this victory
Taking advantage of Sherryl's momentary confusion, I stood up and made it clear it was time to leave. I did not want Sherryl to see us until her training is complete, after all.
"So you really aren't going to stay with us?", Zin asked, looking my way.
"Nah. Not until Sherryl has come through with her resolve. You guys don't mind us leaving now, don't you?", I asked the rest.
"We still have a few places to go to after this, so I don't mind, Brother.", Kloe happily responded.
"Likewise, you're showing me around the city, so of course I'll be following you, Naoto.", Princess Alfin said as she clapped her hands.
"Estelle and I are just here for the fun. So we'll go where you go.", Joshua responded with a nod.
"Yeah!", Estelle also responded happily.
"I share the same opinion.", Emma said with a smile.
"I won't dissuade you either, you know how to reach out to me, Naoto.", Aurelia responded with a nod.
"Of course. When it it time to start, I'll notify you.", I said to Aurelia.
"I'll be sure to stick around in Liberl, you can just reach out to the Guild.", Zin also said.
"I'll be sure to remain here for the time being too.", Kilika also said with a nod.
"Take care, you guys. I'll look forward to attending Thors with you, Naoto!", Angelica happily said.
"Likewise, Angie.", I responded Angelica happily.
"It's a darn shame ya guys are leavin' now, but I can understand where ya are comin' from. But before ya guys leave, ya can reach out to the Church and we'll come runnin'.", Kevin said as he watched us stand up.
"I look forward to working with you when it begins, Kevin, Ries.", I happily said.
"Mmm.", Ries simple nodded before reaching into a paper bag she brought along to take out a snack to eat.
"Oh, I almost forgot.", Kevin suddenly said, which drew my eyes. We then saw Kevin reach his arm down only to reach into his robe around his neck. The moment he brought out a violet device of sorts with a phoenix emblem on its back, my eyes turned wide.
"...That is!", I replied, not expecting to see this combat orbment. This combat orbment was the same one passed down to me by Mother, to which I had temporarily given to Elie for safekeeping. To think it would be in Kevin's hands now...
"Haha, looks like ya immediately recognized this beaut. After all, I'm only passin' back to what's rightfully yer's. Along with a message from from the little mademoiselle", Kevin said as he winked one of his eyes.
"That's right. I saw you on that airship along with her.", I said, nodding my head. As I did, Kevin took off the combat orbment, which could be seen in a necklace of sorts around his neck, and placed it in one of my hands.
"She said she has settled into her school in Arteria, so she felt it was time to return it back to ya. And since Ries and me are in here Liberl, might as well take the time to do it.", Kevin explained.
"Thank you, Kevin. We'll be off.", I said, saying our goodbyes. I stored away my combat orbment. We quickly dispersed from the VIP stands.
Yet before we entered into the building, I felt a gaze reach our way. I felt this gaze target my person specifically. It didn't felt hostile, nor did it feel friendly. It was more like a simple, observing gaze if I had to describe it?
It felt coming from the opposite side of the arena. I shifted my eyes for a moment before I spotted a lone figure, who seemed to be a young adult, sporting a blue-indigo suit, with his hands calmly placed behind his back.
The moment my eyes landed on him, he immediately sensed it, and despite the distance, he calmly looked back my way, only to reveal a smile as his eyes curved upward into a crescent moon.
"Cao Lee...", I uttered softly, seeing this man on the opposite side of the arena.
Seeing this person here...Is he already looking to scout Rixia to his side? Rixia shouldn't even be Yin yet, so maybe he's just here for personal interest?
Seeing me halt for a moment, Emma turned back and looked at me.
"Naoto?", Emma asked as she saw me currently me looking elsewhere.
"It's nothing. Let's go.", I said, quickly shaking my gaze away. I quickly left the VIP stands with the others and our figures vanished into the building.
As for the purple haired man, a smile appeared on his face as he saw a few retreating figures going into the arena building from the other end.
"Is something wrong, Master Cao?", an eastern-styled robed man said, who could be seen sitting next to the purple haired man who seemed to be about nineteen years old. In response, the purple haired man chuckled hearing that.
"Haha, oh it's nothing. Just a couple of respectable individuals I have spotted over yonder. It seemed both His Highness and Her Highness of this kingdom were among the crowd today to watch the ongoing spectacle.", The purple haired man with a smile.
"Oh really? I did not notice that myself, but it seems they have left?", the eastern dressed man beside him said, only to match the purple haired man's gaze. Sure enough he spotted empty seats next to Zin, Kilika and Angelica. However at this time, the two spotted Kilika, who turned and looked directly at the two.
Kilika ended up smiling at the violet haired man, before her gaze shifted elsewhere.
"Hahaha, such an interesting crowd.", The violet haired man said, only to open his eyes a bit. As he did, the glasses he was currently wearing shifted slightly downward.
"Hmm...", The violet haired man continued to say as he decided to shift his gaze back down toward the arena to where the victor was already declared the winner. His eyes landed landed on the lilac haired girl, who could be seen kneeling on the grassy floor, panting heavily with a smile over her face.
"Master Cao?", the eastern dressed man asked beside him.
"It is a bit unusual for several Taito practitioners to gather around, but it does make sense since this is a renown tournament known to be held each year here in Liberl. Still, the individual down there showed quite an abnormal amount of strength. I do wonder how she would fare if she were to dive into our Lu family techniques?", The purple haired man wondered to himself as he pushed his glasses up a bit.
"Just say the word and we will send out a notice should you request it, Master Cao.", the eastern dressed man beside him said, only to cup his fist together with one of his hands. Seeing this earned another laugh from the violet haired man.
"Haha, now now. Let's not be too hasty here. It is clear this individual is already acquainted with Liberl's Crown Prince. But then again, if we were to send out an invitation and it be accepted, he would owe us a favor...", The violet haired man uttered.
"But isn't the individual of concern already studying under one Master?", the eastern dressed man beside him asked.
"Well, that is true. But there is no harm in accepting another Master, no?", The violet haired man asked, revealing a grin.
"But alas, now isn't the time to offer such a proposal. At the very least, we could express our interest to His Highness. And besides, we have a more pressing matter to attend to, considering even our home country isn't fairing too well. The Lu family head has requested me to open up a branch in Crossbell, you see. It's about time to find our own prospects there.", The violet haired man said, shifting his gaze back down to the man beside him.
"Yes. We will be sure to stand our ground as Crossbell's Heiyue Branch. Those mafia bastards won't know what will hit them, Master Cao.", the eastern dressed man replied with a respectful tone.
"Excellent.", The violet haired man said, only to look down at the arena one last time to observe the lilac haired girl for a moment. His gaze also shifted toward the indigo haired girl as well.
"That style...could it be?", The violet haired man uttered to himself after seeing the two fight. Sadly, he was quick to shake it off before he stood up, and started to slowly depart from the stands as well, with the eastern dressed man following behind him...
"
[Insert picture of Cao Lee]
Giliath demands your power stones!