The longer the evening went on, the more Iris relaxed. She seemed to be getting used to Kai's company again, and was no longer blushing. Except that there was a distinct change... The girl was no longer sarcastic or pestering Kai.
Iris even took the initiative to serve alcohol to the Elders and Kai himself.
Naturally, Kai couldn't let a moment like this pass without asking why Iris wasn't joining them. But when he saw her start to blush again, Kai simply changed the topic of conversation and continued chatting with the Elders.
In fact, this conversation was beneficial for Iris herself as well. Even if Kai asked rather rudimentary questions in the beginning. In the process, the trio began to dig deeper and deeper. Thus from a simple question they slowly moved into the realm of theory and hypothesis.
For example, creating a flying platform was easy enough for the best Masters of the Array. But making a human float was impossible, as there simply wasn't enough energy. In the process, Kai began to speculate on how to make it possible to create an artificial source of large amounts of energy.
If one were to theoretically make such an artefact, then it would be possible to power the array itself. Without such an item, the right amount of energy stones simply couldn't be dragged. It would turn out to be so large that one would need to take several wagons with them. But then how would one make them fly as well?
Kai also considered the option of absorbing energy directly from the spatial ring. He knew it was impossible, but he wondered if the Artefact Masters had tried to create something like that.
The answer was obvious - of course they had tried! But no one had succeeded yet....
The whole night passed in this way. They chatted, argued and laughed until dawn.
- Well, we must go, Iris. - Elder Dalinar said calmly.
It was just one of those moments when everyone says goodbye several times in a row before leaving. Finally the cycle was broken and the duo of Master and Apprentice left Elder Caius' office.
- Will you stay a little longer? - The old man asked with a smile.
- Thank you Elder Caius, but I'll be going too! Hehehe. - Kai laughed and staggered a little, and walked out.
He was a little drunk, so he decided that he should go home. He would be studying all sorts of information about the arrays for the next fortnight. But that didn't mean Kai was obligated to stay the night at the Array Alliance. Far better to rest at home.
As Kai thought about it, a thought flashed through his mind:
'Why the fuck am I paying rent at all then, if I've barely spent any time there in all my time in the Shadow Sect...' - Kai silently reasoned, moving under the rays of the rising sun.
Although he walked silently, his face was actively gesturing. It was obvious that he was having an uninterrupted mental dialogue with himself. Right now, he was a little drunk, so this behaviour didn't seem strange.
Kai was in no hurry, and only after an hour, finally reached the Shadow Palace. And at that moment, he saw the girl who stood calmly at the entrance.....
- Kai! It's really you! - The girl shouted and with a happy smile rushed towards him.
Since she was also a martial artist, it only took her a moment to be near him.
Seeing this girl, Kai unknowingly opened his arms in front of her, literally catching her on the fly. Thus, she immediately found herself in his arms.....
- Hey, Taemi! What are you doing here so early? Eek... - Hiccuping, Kai asked.
- Hee-hee. Your nickname lives up to your name. - The girl with the purple eyes laughed sweetly.
- You didn't answer my question... Are you watching me? - Kai asked suspiciously.
- Yes, I am! - Mera saw you at the entrance to the Shadow Palace yesterday and I came running here! - Taemi said contentedly.
- Have you been waiting for me for twenty-four hours already? And why are you outside? - Kai said, a little taken aback.
- Well... I'm not a Personal Apprentice, I'm not allowed to freely enter the Shadow Palace. Therefore, I was waiting for you at this place. Hee hee. - Taemi replied with a smile.
- Are you stupid? Do you realise that I might not have come back for a whole week? - Taking the girl by the shoulders and pushing her away from him, Kai asked.
- I'm not an idiot, I would have gone home! In fact, you're very lucky! I wanted to leave already! - Why didn't you meet me right away? You promised you'd go out with me! Do you know it's been more than half a year already?! - The girl shouted angrily.
- Now, now, don't be angry. Hehehe. - smiling Kai said and patted the girl on the head, -I'm very busy you know. I don't have time to go out when I want to. - He added carelessly.
- Then ask the guards to let me in! And I'll come and visit myself! - Pouting, Taemi shouted.
- Why would you do that? - Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.
- I like talking to you... And I like you too! - Blushing, she shouted, 'As a friend! As a friend! Don't think anything unnecessary! - Realising what she had blurted out, Taemi instantly started to justify herself.
It was obvious that the attraction to Kai's persona had only intensified during his absence. Taemi was actually incredibly happy to see him. She had a feeling that if she didn't get the opportunity to see Kai on her own... Then he would disappear somewhere else for a long period of time again.
When she thought about it, it seemed to her that Kai was like some kind of ghost. He would occasionally glimpse into her life, leaving a lasting impression, and then disappear! Taemi was starting to get annoyed with it. She decided she had to take matters into her own hands.
- Don't you think you might be misunderstood? Hehehe. - Laughing, Kai teased the girl.
- Why is that!!! - Immediately asked Taemi.
- A young girl who keeps coming to a young guy's house... Don't you think we'll be suspected of having strange liaisons? - Kai asked slyly.
In fact, he didn't really care about anything he had just voiced. Kai just really enjoyed teasing Taemi and her confused face. Every time he could pull something like that off, he did. And what could be more embarrassing than hints of a sexual nature to a girl like her?
Hearing Kai's words, Taemi instantly blushed. But there was something strange reading in her eyes... At this moment, it didn't seem like she was feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Rather, she was in a strange confusion mixed with stupefaction. Now, her eyes began to glisten slightly.
She seemed to be having a complex monologue in her head. Either she was trying to figure out what she was feeling and thinking right now..... Or maybe she understood everything perfectly well, but didn't know how to present the information properly.
Earlier, when she'd blurted out that she liked Kai she'd felt slightly encouraged and relieved. Like she'd been wanting to tell him for a long time. Except, she immediately started making excuses....
'I'm an idiot! Why did I start telling him I liked him as a friend! I wish he knew my true thoughts...' - Taemi thought in confusion.
- Taemi, why aren't you saying anything? You won't be embarrassed by such a fact? - Interjecting, Kai teased again.
He purposely tried to pull the girl out of her musings and back to the embarrassing question.
At that moment, she raised her gaze to Kai..... Her face flushed intensely, and a bit of moisture even gathered on her eyes. It seemed like she was gathering all the will in her fist to say what she wanted to say.
- If it's going to be you, I don't care!' the girl shouted in utter embarrassment, closing her eyes.
- What... - Hinging his jaw, Kai gave out in shock.....
He didn't expect such a reaction from this beautiful and energetic girl! He was just teasing her and provoking her to embarrassment... But he couldn't have expected this!
It had to be said that although Kai wasn't interested in love affairs..... It didn't mean that he didn't like pretty girls. And even more so, he was no stranger to natural instincts.
- But don't make up too much! Even though I said what I said... Anyway, I'm not ready for that yet! - Taemi shouted with all her resolve in her fist, 'I don't care what you say! I don't care what you think of me either! I like you, and have for far too long for that fact to change in the future! So make me a fucking pass so I can come and visit you! - With tears welling up in her eyes, she said.
Hearing all this, Kai instantly fell into a stupor! This was the first time something like this had ever happened in his life! He didn't know how to react to something like this... Although he had a connection with Solina, and he was quite free with other girls... But that's not the same as giving out a response to a declaration of love!
'Shit! What the fuck is going on right now?! How am I supposed to react to this!!!' - Screamed Kai in his mind.
This situation had taken him by surprise! He thought that even in deadly situations, he didn't feel this helpless!
'Fuck... What was it my old man told me!' - Frantically remembering, Kai tried to dig up at least something to help defuse this situation!
At this moment, only Master Mo's rambling rants could help! Although all of his stories seemed like proud fabrications, Kai had no doubt that his old man was telling the truth. It was not in Old Man Mo's nature to lie!
'My boy... Women come and go... Just be confident in yourself and follow your goal. If you offend a girl with this behaviour, that's fine, it's perfectly normal. Much worse, if in the desire to maintain a good relationship, you will drive into illusions and the girl, and yourself! It's much harder to get out of such a thing! Don't try to be nice to everyone. In such matters, only voice your true thoughts!' - Suddenly, Master Mo's words rang out in Kai's mind.
'That's right! I need to do as I see fit and tell the truth!' - Roughly understanding how to proceed, Kai realised.
All of this had happened in Kai's mind in literally milliseconds! In reality, Taemi had just finished her line. Kai was in a stupor for only a moment!
Immediately after, his facial expression returned to normal and he calmly took a deep and slow breath...
- Okay Taemi, but don't scream! I'll make you that pass. Hehehe. - Laughing, Kai gave out a carefree laugh.
Hearing that, Taemi instantly relaxed and a wave of excitement rose in her heart. But then, she became a little wary... In fact, Kai didn't reply anything to her confession!
But at this moment, Kai didn't remain silent, but opened his mouth again.....
- About your confession... - Kai began quite frankly, 'You're an incredibly beautiful girl and I like you too. But to be frank, I don't know anything about love affairs. I'm constantly focused on my path as a martial arts master... And that will most likely never change. - With a kind smile, Kai gave out.
It's not clear why, but hearing all this, Taemi literally glowed with happiness! Seeing this, Kai couldn't understand what this girl was thinking about right now....
- Hee hee! Thank you for answering me Kai! - Laughing, Taemi shouted out and threw herself into his arms again!
But it only lasted for a second! Then she nonchalantly took his hand and said:
- Come show me where you live so I know where to come. - Smiling, Taemi gave out, -And about your words... I already know what you're like and didn't expect anything else. But I'm glad you like me too! And most importantly, you didn't brush me off after I said that! That's good enough for me! Let's go! Hehehe. - Laughing, the girl said and dragged Kai by the hand. At this moment, she exuded an aura of warmth and femininity.