Kaiho stretched as he finally exited the classroom, relieved that the torture of their first lecture was over. "Finally! And to think we were supposed to have three lectures today. Thankfully, Merlin decided to have mercy on us. I don't think I could survive another hour of… whatever that was." He turned to Lucky and Nat, who looked equally drained. "So, what did you guys think?"
Lucky blinked, looking around as if he'd just woken up. "What class?"
Nat shook his head. "Went way over my head."
Kaiho laughed. "Hey, do you guys want to be friends?"
Lucky and Nat both looked at him, confused, as if the concept of friendship was completely foreign.
"What?" Lucky said, looking a bit taken aback.
Nat smirked. "Dude, are you serious? I thought Lucky was the clueless one, but it turns out you're a little lost too."
"Hey!" Lucky protested, but a grin was already spreading across his face.
Nat chuckled, crossing his arms. "We're already friends, genius."
The three of them broke out in laughter, their previous exhaustion momentarily forgotten. As their laughter faded, Nat glanced between Kaiho and Lucky. "So, where do you guys live?"
Lucky shrugged casually. "I stay in the dorms. Figured it'd be easier to get to class… though, well, getting lost is still my specialty."
"Same here," Nat said with a shrug.
As the class settled down, the buzz of conversation filled the air. Kaiho found himself chatting with Lucky, who was in high spirits after the earlier commotion.
"Well, I live in Somaiya," Lucky declared, puffing out his chest a bit.
"Wait, you live in the capital?" Kaiho asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Lucky shrugged. "For some reason, it has the same name as my college, so it's easy to remember."
"I heard it's a place where higher-ranking gods live," Kaiho said, leaning in.
"I've heard it has some yummy food," Lucky replied with a grin.
Kaiho raised an eyebrow. "So, what's it like? You must live in a mansion, right?"
"Nah, I live in a 4BHK villa," Lucky said nonchalantly.
"I thought this place was supposed to be where quality exists!" Kaiho exclaimed, half-joking.
"Well, you're right about that, but living there and visiting is a different matter. It's where all the important people live."
"Wow, this guy's smart," Kaiho thought.
"Well, that's about the maximum I know," Nat added, scratching his head.
Just then, a fellow classmate piped up, "Well, your brains are as small as your body!"
"Lesser!" Kaiho shot back with a cheeky grin.
"I'll just tell you everything so you can get on with your conversation and stop giving me a headache," another student chimed in, rolling his eyes.
"Lucky, you're a zombie," he teased.
"Nah, he's a friend!" Kaiho insisted, smirking.
"Not a friend," came the deadpan reply.
"Anyways, Somaiya is where people with political power live. They decide the fate of the Oasis and are also home to the strongest beings. They live there so they can reach the Omni King's castle quickly for meetings and important conferences," the student explained.
"Can't they just fly or use magic?" Kaiho asked, still trying to wrap his head around it.
"Well, you're as dumb as you look," the student replied, shaking his head. "They've placed restrictions on the area to protect the people."
"Protect from what?" Kaiho frowned.
"It's not that they need protection from outer threats, but rather from themselves. The amount of mana they hold is so vast they could kill you. Restrictions were put in place to control them, and not even the Omni King can escape it since it was established by the first of the gods."
"First?" Kaiho echoed, intrigued.
"That's enough talk! My jaw hurts, and could you guys get lost or something? It hurts my ears," the student groaned.
"Lucky," Kaiho said, nudging him. "Don't start anything."
"I'll beat this guy!" Lucky retorted, playfully squaring up.
"Nah, it's getting late. Let's leave," Kaiho said, laughing as he stood up.
After some more lighthearted banter, Kaiho and Lucky bid their goodbyes and parted ways with the others. As they walked out of the classroom, Kaiho couldn't shake off the feeling that this was just the beginning of their adventure in a world where magic and politics intertwined in unexpected ways.
As Kaiho walked to the station and headed home, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance. "Is that… Dove?" he wondered, but the figure vanished into the crowd before he could be sure.
When he got home, his mother, Mikoto, greeted him warmly. "Welcome home, Kaiho!"
Kaiho entered with a worried expression, his mind still on Dove. Mikoto noticed right away. "What happened to you?" she asked, her tone gentle but concerned.
Kaiho tried to brush it off. "It's nothing."
Mikoto gave him a knowing look. "I'm your mother—I can tell when something's bothering you."
He sighed, hesitating before speaking. "Well… you know Dove?"
"Yeah," Mikoto nodded.
"She ignored me all day. I don't even know why," he admitted, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion.
Mikoto smiled softly. "That doesn't necessarily mean she hates you, you know. Sometimes people just have their own reasons. Don't overthink it. So, did you meet any new friends?"
Kaiho brightened up a little. "Oh yeah, I met two guys—Lucky and Nat."
"Nice! Why don't you invite them over sometime?" Mikoto suggested.
"That's a good idea," Kaiho agreed, and then, a question popped into his head. "By the way, Somaiya Lesser said it's a place where powerful gods and people in power live, so… if Dad is the Omni-King, why don't we live in a castle?"
Mikoto chuckled. "Because we don't need to show off. A castle may be big, but it wouldn't have much purpose for us. The Omni-King's palace is a symbol of unity for all gods, not just a residence."
Kaiho nodded, though his curiosity about this world still bubbled up. "Can you tell me more about… this world?"
Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Kid, are you okay?"
Kaiho blinked, caught off guard. "Why do you ask?"
"What's up with these weird questions?" she teased, looking amused but puzzled.
Kaiho thought to himself, I forgot… she doesn't know I wasn't originally Kaiho. He laughed awkwardly, trying to cover his slip. "Uh, just curious. Guess I'm trying to learn a bit more."
Mikoto shook her head, smiling at him. "You're full of surprises."
Kaiho took in all the details his mother shared about the world around him, his eyes wide with interest.
"So, Oasis is divided into eight parts," Mikoto began, noticing how intently he was listening. "Each city is unique, representing different elements, cultures, and ways of life. Besides the Omni-King's palace, which you already know, here's how it breaks down:
1. Anjaney - City of Spirits and Forests
• A mystical forest city, filled with towering trees and vibrant life. Here, beings like spirit beasts, elves, and faeries live in harmony with nature, guided by a Council of Spirit Beasts.
2. Lanka - City of Trade and Amusement
• A lively metropolis known for its bustling markets, festivals, and inventive culture. Governed by a Merchant's Guild, it's the hub of commerce and creativity.
3. Draconis - City of Flames and Dragons
• Set within volcanic landscapes, Draconis is ruled by a Dragon Council and inhabited by dragons and fire-adapted creatures, thriving on the power of flames.
4. Atlantis - City of Water and Merfolk
• An underwater marvel of coral palaces and aquatic gardens, home to merfolk and ocean creatures, and led by the Council of Ocean Elders.
5. Aegyptus - City of the Endless Desert
• A land of ancient ruins and oasis towns, drawing from Egyptian mythology. It's ruled by the Pharaoh Council, which values tradition and knowledge.
6. Frost - City of Ice and Frost
• A majestic ice city under the auroras, carved from glaciers and inhabited by frost giants and ice elementals. Frost is governed by a Council of Frost Mages.
7. Somaiya - Capital City of Unity and Equality
• A harmonious blend of all environments and species, Somaiya represents unity. It's ruled by a Grand Council, with representatives from each city, dedicated to maintaining balance and cooperation."
As Mikoto finished, she looked at Kaiho. "Each city has its own identity, but they all contribute to the peace and balance of the Oasis. That's why the Omni-King's palace is here—it's a symbol of unity among all these diverse cities."
Kaiho nodded, trying to wrap his head around the complex world he was now part of. "So, the Oasis isn't just a place; it's a world with a lot of stories and strength behind it."
Mikoto smiled. "Exactly, and there's much more for you to learn and explore."