Amidst the laughter, the groom and the bride soon started walking around, greeting their guests who had attended their wedding. Juan and the others naturally give them two praises and a happy family.
Acting really happy for the two of them. Mylene and Carl thanked them with a smile as they chatted a bit before leaving to greet the other guest. After downing some wine on the cup and having some ice cream in the fray,
Juan, who felt bored after chatting with his former classmates, left the table to find Art and Draw. Soon he called them to the veranda. "Let's go; I think we shouldn't stay any longer."
Art, who was all smiles because he had been talking with many ladies just now, suddenly gave Juan a rolled in the eye and said, "Can't you see I'm talking life with the beauties? What's the hurry?"
However, Draw agreed with Juan, saying, "I think there's no need to further stay now. We had already shown our presence and face as well as given blessings to the groom and bride. We also had our fill, so why stay longer?"
"Come on man, beauties! Don't you love beauties very much? Who knew we might be able to pick one out today? What's the hurry? It's not everyday that we get to see our former classmates, you know." Art seemed to be called by as he turned around and smiled as he signaled, 'I'll be right there."
"Juan?" Draw asked for Juan's opinion, truth be told. Although he enjoyed the wedding party, that's it. Now that he has enjoyed both food and the ceremony, Going home and taking a rest is what he wants to do next in his mind.
Juan thought for a bit before suggesting, "How about we stay for a little while? Then after that, I'm going to commute if you're still not leaving. Don't get me wrong, I still have something to buy in the supermarket on the way."
Art and Draw looked at each other as the former said, "I see no problem with that. Alright, let's do that. What about you, Draw?" The latter nodded, "I'll go along with Juan's suggestions as I suddenly remembered I want to buy haircut tools for my future barber shop."
With the trio coming to terms, they resumed their social lives. A while later, Juan and Draw left the venue with two bottles of wine on their shirts. They looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
"How many bottles did you get?" Juan asked casually as he walked on the streets, where people passed by looking at the things they hid in their shirts. "Just two, how about you?"
"Same." They curled up their lips as they grinned. What they didn't know was that the waiter who was counting the remaining wine was confused about where the missing four that hadn't been deployed to the venue had disappeared to.
Naturally, Juan and Draw took their wine in the kitchen. "Hahaha." Since they were already far away. The two didn't hide the two bottles of wine inside their shirts anymore. Instead, they openly hugged it with one arm.
"I'm sure father and uncle will really like it. It's a luxury good after all, not to mention we got it for free." Draw grinned at the thought of that. "Also, we received it."
Juan naturally understood what he meant: "Right, we received it directly instead of drinking it by glass." They looked at each other knowingly. A few seconds later, they couldn't help but laugh out loud. Attracting the gazes of many passersby on the streets.
They chuckled at the sight without further thought. Juan and Draw walked away from the street and entered the nearest supermarket. "What do you want to buy?" Juan asked.
Draw hesitated for a bit before he answered, "None.". That barber shop is real, but still on planning. As for tools? He already got that at home. Why would he buy for more?
This answer wasn't unexpected, as Juan had long expected it. "Then we're the same; let's go home then." Draw smiled in relief; it looked like Juan was also finding reason to escape that party too. However, just as they were about to leave the supermarket,
A lady in her mid-twenties wearing conservative long sleeves and a simple long flowing skirt with her small peach-colored sling bag stood before them silently, looking at the two of them. "D-Draw."
Juan's eyes lit up as he immediately turned around, patting Draw's shoulder with a look of apology. "Draw, where's the toilet here?" Draw was stunned, then he pointed at the far corner with confusion. Although he only came here twice, he did know some common areas here.
"Why? Uh, I see." It seems Juan had drunk so much that his kidneys were kicking up already. "Alright, I understand. I'll wait here then." Juan laughed as he heard that. He made sure to hide the lady's figure behind him as he talked.
Then, when he got the answer, he immediately smiled as he gave Draw a deep look before leaving. "If I don't come back in ten minutes, you can go back first then." He didn't say more than anything as Juan immediately left in a hurry as he thought he was really going to piss on his pants at any moment.
Draw was stunned for a bit before shaking his head as he turned around, searching for a place to rest as he waited. As for the sentence Juan told him before he left, he would think about it after a while.
However, just as he turned around, What greeted his eyes was the lady he had a history with and didn't want to see at all. "D-Draw, long time no see." At that time, it dawned on him what those deep looks and hidden meanings Juan had left before leaving.
"That bastard...he set me up." Poor Draw got setup by his best friend. "All the best, Draw. If you can, at least take her home." His best friend was laughing happily as he left on the other exit of the supermarket before taking a cab home.
It was as though karma had come to take some payback he had just made for his poor friend. Juan found himself wanting to take a piss, but his current situation couldn't afford to do that. He wanted to cry but had no tears to fall. "I should have taken the toilet back then."
At this time, a young man taking a leisurely piss on the road suddenly found his vision turning black. A big sack covered his head before the sounds of footsteps rang around, as well as strong arms restricting his movements.
With familiar movements, the young man was lifted up before he was thrown inside the familiar-looking van. The green-faced
Juan and the cab's driver looked at each other in the back mirror as they had just witnessed that. "I haven't seen anything." Juan immediately wore an innocent expression.
The driver gulped as he nodded, "Ah, then I must have seen a movie rehearsal. Yeah, that must be it." Without him noticing it, the strength he gripped the manual as he stepped more on the gas. He felt the air suddenly turning more colder than usual as sweat fell down uncontrollably.
"Don't speed up; just go with the normal speed." Juan couldn't help but whisper as he thought if he were to go louder, they would be heard. The cab driver, who was about to hit the gas harder, was jolted awake as he nervously nodded.
Indeed, if they suddenly increased the speed, those kidnappers might become more suspicious and would surely follow them. However, if they were moving at normal speed, Such suspicion will only remain at that level, and there will be no more stalking.
In order to feel more secure. The cab took many turns along the way to avoid the pursuers in case they were followed. A few minutes later, just as the cab's driver calmed down his tense mind and hand, He subconsciously looked in the mirror to check on his passenger.
Who knew he would witness something that would start the unthinkable?
Screeeeeeech—
The car immediately came to a full stop on the side of the road as the driver felt something like disgust creeping up his spine. "Sir! What the hell are you doing?" Juan looked blankly at the driver, speechless. His head was on the lower floor, while his feet were nearing the window.
...
Juan looked at the taxi leaving for the city as he laughed at himself speechlessly. "It's a misunderstanding, bro. What do you take me for? I just want to breathe more." Juan just wants to take the belt off of his long pants to regain some freedom that was constricting him his churning bladder.
"Ah! I can't take it anymore." His expression changed as he immediately jumped towards the small forest of banana trees at the side of the road. Soon, the noise of something flowing hitting the dry leaves of both plants and grasses rang around with the wind.
A while later, Juan came out fully invigorated. Stretching out his limbs on the side of the road, he laughed as he looked at the horizon with closed eyes. "Hahaha, that was something. I can't believe this day, full of surprises." He turned around and immediately walked back home.
As he was already outside the city near home, Juan soon returned to the village to get changed into a casual suit. His father asked where the others were, and he answered, "One is still at the wedding party, while the other caught up with a lady."
Juan stopped as he suddenly took out the two bottles of wine he got for free at the wedding and said, "Right father, here, I got it for free from the wedding." Juan's father was curious, and before he could ask another question, Juan had already left.
"This kid. Any way, I should test the taste of this wine first. Tsk, tsk, tsk..." His father immediately entered the kitchen like an old thief resuming his old job. What he didn't know was that his old warden had already found him doing the crime of drinking the wine without calling her.
"You actually hid such a luxury wine from me, old man! I won't be your wife if I don't teach you a lesson to share everything good with your wife today!" "Ah! Spare me, honey!"
Juan rolled his eyes as he heard the drama from home. He sneered at his father for being a wimpy chicken in front of his mother. You're a man! Where's your dignity? How can you, the pillar of the house, do something as simple as surrender under your wife? How shameful! If others asked me if you were my father, heck, as if I would admit it!
"When I have my wife in the future, see if she can order me around. She dare? See how I teach her the lesson of a lifetime!" Juan sneered; he was already done with pleasing those women all these years without receiving the answer he wanted.
So he made up his mind and will be an ultimate chad. He wonders if he can become one, though. "However, every problem won't be a problem with magic anymore. Is there even a problem that will be called a problem in front of magic?" If there is, then it would be when magic would disappear one day.
And Juan didn't want to see that. He shook his head and threw that thought out of his mind. "Focus, marriage is still too early for me now. I need a foundation first, a foundation that will generate me income instead of a salary." To do that, he would need a money-making business.
And to achieve that, he would need magic. "It's been six days since then. It should be enough for now." Juan entered the small forest after leaving the backyard with a plate that contained breads with different flavors.
Once again, he planned to initiate a ritual for healing magic. And the target of his ritual is the mysterious existence called Diwata, the guardian of the mountains and spirit of the forest. Initially, Juan still wanted to accumulate more magic ritual points to increase the number of times he could use healing magic.
However, the world is dangerous. Humans can never be safe, even in a big society where laws can't penetrate the thick wall called money and status. Just like what happened back then, the young man got kidnapped while just pissing on the street.
Who knew if he would be the next one? As for calling the police? Bah! If he wants to die, he can try. The reason for this scenario was:
1.) You called the police to report the kidnapping you saw firsthand.
2.) You were told to stay there and wait for the police to arrive while staying hidden.
3.) You would be called to the police station to be questioned after wether they were late or not and just wanted to do some work for the public to see.
4.) Someone saw you come in and out of the police station and heard that you were a witness to a kidnapping.
5.) Then the next day, you died for getting involved.
6.) You left a fake suicide note.
Juan shook his head, feeling the security for the safety of everyone in society was in name only. Where's the discipline you were thought harshly of during training at the headquarters? What did you learn? Arrogance? That must have been the result of all the bullying inside.
Instead of discipline, more like what they learn inside the training camp is acting tough and having the overconfidence that what they do is always right because they represent the law. Instead of feeling safe, Juan has grown to distrust the security authorities around the world.
No one is to be trusted. Not a friend, a wife, or one's parents. Trust only in oneself or one's beliefs. Don't fight others because their beliefs are different. Justice won't give you happiness. Instead, it would just lead to more trouble.
As the word crime connects many people, not just one suspect, Even the victim can turn into a criminal for revenge. Juan was fully aware that he had no power in both politics and reality. So he will ensure absolute security for himself first.
Placing the plate of offerings on top of the flowery small hill Juan immediately cupped his hand in front as he chanted his request, "Oh Diwata, the spirit and guardians of mountains and forests. Please grant my wish to have the magic of healing any kinds of sickness, illness, diseases, and wounds."
Juan's eyes were full of anticipation; it's been many days after all. He had been suppressing himself all this time just to accumulate so many ritual magic points.
And now he can finally use it to create five healing spells for himself to use. Juan bowed and left after glancing around and searching for the plate he left back then. "It's gone?" He didn't mind; it might have been someone who took it and used it as a plate for their dog or cat.
Juan waited for a while as he walked. When he comes out of the forest and steps on the familiar backyard. The familiar text box once again appeared. This was the first to appear.
[Ritual Magic: 5]
[Created Ritual Magic: None]
Before it suddenly changed into this.
[Ritual Successful. Created Healing Magic x5]
Juan looked further below it and saw the current status of his magic.
[Ritual Magic: 0]
[Created Ritual Magic: Healing Magic x5]
I got it! Juan grinned, feeling the joy coursing through his blood. Another day of happiness has once again arrived before him. Now he can use healing magic on his father and on himself. Juan was in no hurry to find his father.
He first entered the house and saw his parents drinking wine in the kitchen, chatting peacefully in happiness. Grinning, he entered his room and closed the door. Seeing that the window has already been closed and locked. He can't wait anymore!
Healing Magic!
He cast the magic of healing on himself immediately, according to the information he had received five days ago. Just like how he did it to his mother. A yellow healing word appeared in midair, glowing with sparkling light.
A few seconds later, it burst into countless symbols and texts he couldn't understand as it transformed into a pattern. A unique magic circle that can only be found in anime or internet pictures. Like some piece of puzzle or algorithm assembling itself to create a function and effects.
The next moment, the pretty yellow magic circle immediately floated above his head, raining down a dazzling yellow hue on his whole body. Juan couldn't help but moan in pleasure as he closed his eyes, feeling his bones and muscles comfortable and super duper relaxed as he thought something amazing was massaging him.
Although he was confused as to why he was feeling this much and reacting strongly when his mother didn't even react like this, Juan didn't think more deeply of it, as he knew that wasn't the main point. The important thing here was the effect of magic instead!
He opened his eyes, catching the sight of the magic circle dissipating. "I have finally felt what a miracle can be. Only by feeling this quick effectiveness from magic can I believe it was really magic. The miracle called magic!" Juan laughed happily.
The only regret he has right now is that he can only use healing magic for now. He still need to accumulate if he wants to use more different kinds of magic. It took some time, but he finally calmed down.
Since it's been many days already, he's already started taking more control of his emotions. As for inside, it would still need some time and experience. Juan took deep breaths before opening the door. His eyes show his determination and motivation. "Next would be what other magic I should create next."
...
In the forest, the plate of offerings Juan had left on the mound had already disappeared. At the same time, the wind blows as though it were expressing the mood of the mysterious existence in the forest.