Kazi told them what clan he was from since he was sure that they had already gotten some information from Valera who would have easily given it to them without much thought. Also, he had seen the small square metal plate on Russi that had a kind of phoenix engravement, showing that he was a sutori of Atar.
After applying some light medicine to the bruises, Gear helped Kazi cover them with light bandage.
Kazi noticed that the attackers had been taken care of and their bodies pilled together. Of course, this was the case, after all, Gear and Russi were there with him and not dead.
"Are they all dead?" Kazi asked after standing up and his mother standing behind him with hands on his shoulder.
"Not all of them. We also let one escape..." Gear stopped there as Russi had given him some kind of signal with a look, not to say anymore. After all, they were before a civilian and rookie sutori who was still studying in the academy, this information, they got from Valera.
'This is a good opportunity!' Kazi cooked up a little plan immediately to make the most of the situation.
"You guys were amazing! Mr. Gear, I couldn't even follow your movements, I could only catch a glimpse from time to time! So this is how a real fight is? The academy sure lies to us!" Kazi put on a fake smile and excitement. Anything to reach the goal was his thought.
"Hahaha, I'm great aren't I?" Gear seemed pleased with Kazi's words and a little proud of himself.
"Wait, you could keep up?"
"Yeah, though I couldn't keep up with Mr. Gear, I followed your fight thoroughly and learned a lot."
Both men seemed surprised, like they had seen their ex girlfriends rise from the grave to hunt them. Though, they tamed their expressions professionally and quickly. Even then, Kazi had noticed.
"To be able to follow a fight of such capacity at such a young age..." Russi seemed to be thinking of something as he said this. His eyes didn't even look focused on Kazi. Gear on the other hand, was speechless.
'Hit the nail when it's hot.' Kazi thought.
"When that guy attacked, I tried to dodge, but I didn't think he would be that fast. If only I knew some kind of technique to help me escape or defend myself..."
'Actually, he was able to react to that attack at that time!' Both men thought similar things. The one who had attacked Kazi was a Second class sutori after all, so logically speaking, Kazi should have not been able to even sense his approach. These particular bunch were good at hiding themselves. 'What incredible sensory ability.'
"Wait, Mr. Gear, Mr. Russi, surely you guys know one or two escape techniques and defensive techniques, can you teach me some? Please?" Kazi put on a pitiful and irresistible face, the best he could. It had been long since he used this particular trick, but he left the rest to childish charm.
"Ah, this..." Russi seemed a little unsure, but he soon made his decision. Though, before he could make up his mind, his companion seemed to be faster than him.
"Hahahaha... Little Kazi, you are indeed lucky, because I brought with me a book that contains just the right escape technique."
"Really?" Kazi's eyes shined with excitement and surprise. No they didn't, this was also fake.
"Yeah, this is the shadow faint technique, it's a D-rank technique that can be used for many purposes including escaping, here." A book with brown cover appeared in Gear's hand as he handed the book to Kazi who quickly took it.
"Here, take this also. I don't usually carry them with me, but you are indeed lucky today." Russi reached for one of the bags he had on his donkey and gave to Kazi a similar book like the one Gear had given him.
"This is a D-rank defensive technique that creates a layer of thick energy around your body to absorb damage. Forgive me, I do not have something better."
"No, THANK YOU SIRS!" Kazi gave a great bow to both men and his forehead almost reached his toes, his flexibility was good.
They both waved it off as nothing grand and continued towards the bodies for a moment while Valera drew her son closer.
After some time, two Atar sutori squads from the town arrived. They had received word from Gear and Russi and rushed over immediately, though the whole thing was taken care off before they showed up. They could only help in carrying back the bodies. Russi left with them while Gear continued the travel with Valera and Kazi in order to protect them just in case.
Gear looked to be in his thirties, while Russi was a little bit older.
"So, those are not your real names?"
"Of course, why would we be using our real names while out on such a mission? After all, we had to lure them with Russi's overly attractive load."
"So, what are your real names then?"
"I am Lon Ger and Russi is Shemma Russi." Gear answered with a smile on his face.
'Very creative indeed, well hidden.'
The rest of the journey was uneventful and the next day they got back home, sound.
. . . One week after . . .
'Though I hated the idea of going on this short vacation of a few days, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.'
Kazi was seated in their backward with his eyes closed and the books he received from the men he encountered a week ago beside him. He had finished reading the books and started practicing the techniques. Both techniques didn't seem that difficult to learn initially, but it was a little difficult to get a full grasp on them.
'That aside, I can't believe I forgot about that entirely. What if I never hit my head like that and remembered?' Kazi felt tricked, but there was nothing he could do about it.