The next morning, very early, Aruta going straight to his part-time boss's house before heading to school.
"What?!! Why are you quitting??" Aruta's boss asked.
"I've got another job, bos. The pay is much higher," Aruta replied.
"Hey, then who's going to deliver the food?" asked the boss, his voice starting to panic.
"Just find someone else," answered Aruta.
"Tch. Listen, Aruta. The working world is harsh. Your fate there could be much worse! I'm not sure you'll last. So instead of that, you'd better stay here," said the boss.
"Yeah, yeah. If you're done yapping, I'll take my leave now. Thank you for everything," Aruta said, walking away.
"Hey Aruta! You can't just leave like that. Aruta, Aruta!!" are the last shouts hear from the boss.
Aruta walk to school with a big smile on his face.
"Oh yeah, new job. I don't have to listen to that nagging boss anymore. Yesterday, Mona also told me about the salary of a Juntoshi Mage. It's quite big. I can even buy a new computer, mwehehe," Aruta thought to himself as he walk.
Not long after, Aruta's phone ringing. He look at it and see that Mono have send him a message.
"Mr. Kuroto is waiting for you after school," the message said.
"Ok," Aruta replied.
***
Upon arriving at school, Aruta notice that the school was more crowded than usual. Several teachers are near the school property that had been damaged during Aruta and Mono's fight the previous day.
Shortly after, Aruta see Mono walking alone with his backpack. Aruta quickly approaching Mono and tap his shoulder.
"Yo Mono. Good morning," Aruta greeted.
"Oh, morning," Mono replied flatly.
"The school seems a bit livelier today," Aruta said.
"Hey, you two!" someone called out. When Aruta and Mono turn around, they see Mona approaching them.
"Good morning, you two," Mona said.
"Morning," Aruta replied enthusiastically, while Mono respond flatly.
"Looks like we accidentally damaged some things last night," Aruta said.
"Yeah, that's how it is. Just pretend you don't know. I don't want to pay for the damages either," Mona said with a mischievous smile.
"Aren't there CCTV cameras?" Mono asked.
"Hey, don't underestimate your big sister," Mona said, pulling out the security room key from her pocket.
"Huff, I should have known," Mono said.
"How are Vins and Uika?" Aruta asked.
"Huh? Oh, the guy who was carried by the girl? They're fine. After you took the 'Arabes Seal' yesterday, they're no longer being chased by the 'Junoi'," Mona answered.
"'Arabes Seal'? 'Junoi'? What are those?" Aruta asked.
"Huh? Hey Mono, haven't you told him yet?" asked Mona.
"Not yet. After all, he'll meet Mr. Kuroto later. He'll explain everything. If there's anything missing, I'll fill him in," Mono replied.
"Huff, you're something else. Alright then," Mona said, holding her forehead with her right hand and placing her left hand on her hip.
Not long after, a teacher call out to Mona, "Hey Mona, come here for a moment!"
"Looks like I'll be a bit busy today. Alright, I'll take my leave now. Bye, you two," Mona said, walking over to the teacher.
"I also want to hurry to class. I'll go ahead, Aruta," Mono said, walking away and leaving Aruta behind.
"H-hey..." Aruta want to call out to Mono, but Mono was already walking too fast and was quite far away. "Well, left alone," he muttered
***.
The day pass, and the school bell ringing. Aruta quickly rushed out of school. However, as he walked out, he didn't see Mono at all.
"Hmm, maybe he's busy," he muttered.
Aruta started following the address Mono had given him, aided by GPS. The address led him to the foot of Mount Berial. At first, Aruta was confused as to why the address brought him to this mountain, but he muster the courage to enter the mountain area.
The deeper Aruta went into the mountain, the weaker his internet connection became, until it was so weak. It's like Aruta don't have internet connection at all.
"Huff, this place is so off the grid," Aruta muttered.
Aruta continue walking, but he start remembering stories about this mountain. His heart race, and he begin to feel nervous. Aruta keep walking and soon enter the forest area of the mountain. The atmosphere became slightly foggy, and the sunlight begin to diminish.
Not long after, Aruta start hearing the sound of something running behind the bushes. It sound like someone was following him. Aruta stop and looking around.
"Hey, you who's following me. Come out!" Aruta challenged.
After Aruta issue the challenge, that strange sound disappear.
"Probably just an animal," he muttered.
Aruta turn around but suddenly he see Kuroto's face very close to his.
"WAAA!!" Aruta was startle and fall backward.
"Ahahaha, hello," Kuroto greeted.
"You scared me," Aruta said.
"Hey, there's a main road on this mountain. Why didn't you take that? Even cars can pass through there," Kuroto said, putting both hands in his coat pockets.
"Well, how would I know? It's my first time entering this mountain," Aruta said, standing up again. "Is the horror stories about this mountain come from you?"
"Well... not entirely wrong. But it's not entirely my fault either. The Juntoshi Mage here can be mischievous sometimes. Sometimes it's also because of the 'Junoi'," Kuroto answered.
"Huh? What is 'Junoi'?" Aruta asked.
"Oh, right. I'll tell you as we walk," Kuroto said.
"Okay."
Aruta continued walking with Kuroto.
"Junoi can be described as invisible creatures. They can only be seen by those who have stable 'LYNK' energy. Junoi themselves are entirely made of 'LYNK' energy," Kuroto explained.
"What is 'LYNK' energy?" Aruta asked.
"Hmm, in simple terms, it's like magical energy," Kuroto answered.
"Hmm... oh right. Why is the Juntoshi Mage headquarters in the middle of the forest like this?" Aruta asked.
"The headquarters was built in the middle of the forest so that if there are any problems at the Juntoshi Mage headquarters, they won't easily spread to public areas," Kuroto answered. "Ah, we've arrived!" Kuroto said, pointing his finger.
Aruta look in the direction Kuroto was pointing and saw a fairly large mansion.
"Is that the Juntoshi Mage headquarters?" Aruta asked.
"Yes, the Southern Continent Juntoshi Mage Headquarters," Kuroto answered. "Let's go, i'll introduce you to the other members."
Aruta start walking into the mansion area. The mansion looked like a normal mansion without anything out of the ordinary. They reached the front door, and Kuroto begin to open it.
"Alright, it's time for introductions. Hello everyone! We have a new member here!" Kuroto said enthusiastically.
"Hello," greeted several people inside.
Suddenly, a girl run up to Aruta excitedly.
"WAHH!! You're the new kid, right? Hope we can get along well here. I'm Bela. We can have lots of fun here!" Bela said excitedly, jumping around.
"Ahaha. Everyone here is a mage. So you can practice with your seniors anytime," Kuroto said to Aruta.
"Awesome!!" Aruta said with his eyes sparkling.
"Alright, it's time to introduce the others. In a Juntoshi Mage team, there are several ranks: commander, captain, and members. First, the commander is me! Kuroto Kiriyato, the great and the most powerful Juntoshi Mage ever! Bwahahaha! Bwahahahaha!"
The entire room fall silent, and only Kuroto was laughing.
"Ahem, okay, let's continue. Next, there are three captains in this team. First, there's the person sitting over there drinking tea with a sword beside him. His name is Wise Jade. You can call him Mr. Wise," Kuroto said, pointing to Wise.
"Nice to meet you," Wise said, putting down his teacup and crossing his legs.
"Next is the gloomy guy sitting over there reading a book. The one with his left eye covered by his hair. His name is Gren Yamazawa! You can call that gloomy guy Mr. Gren," Kuroto said, pointing to Gren.
"Hey, stop call me like that," Gren said, lowering his book.
"Well well, a new member, huh?" Aruta turned and saw a woman approaching him.
"And this is Haruki Murakami. You can call her Ms. Haruki," Kuroto introduced.
"Hi, nice to meet you. Hope you enjoy being in this team," Haruki said.
"And for the members, there's Bela, who just introduced herself to you. As for the other members..."
Kuroto take Aruta to the kitchen, where two men are. One was making coffee, while the other is eating cake.
"That one is Oliver," Kuroto said, pointing to the one making coffee.
"Hello. Nice to meet you," Oliver said.
"And this is Zaka," Kuroto said, pointing to the guy eating cake.
"Hi," said the guy, though it isn't very clear because his mouth is full of cake.
"Hey, swallow your cake first," Oliver said.
"Hehe, hello everyone," Aruta said.
Kuroto take Aruta back to the living room and brought him to a small girl who was sleeping on the sofa.
"And she is Raven," Kuroto said with a lower voice.
"Huh?" The girl opened her eyes after hearing Kuroto's voice. "Oh, Mr. Kuroto. And you..."
"I'm Aruta. Nice to meet you!" said Aruta.
"Oh... yeah," said Raven in a low voice.
"Hehe, did my voice woke you up?" Kuroto asked.
"Yeah. But I don't mind it," Raven replied.
"Your name is Aruta? How cute. Do you like watching movies? Or reading comics?" Bela asked.
"Eh... I read Ultra X comics. I also watch the movies," Aruta answered.
As Aruta walk away with Bela and Mr. Kuroto, Raven stare at Aruta for a moment before closing her eyes again.
"Ultra X?! Wow!! Have you read the latest volume?" Bela asked with sparkling eyes.
"Yeah, yeah! The one where the main character turns evil, right? Honestly, I support him," Aruta answered.
"I'm looking forward to the movie from volume eleven!" said Bela.
"Yeah, me too. It's coming out next month, right?" said Aruta to Bela.
Aruta and Bela talk about Ultra X comics together in a fairly loud voice.
"He's getting along quickly," Haruki said to Kuroto.
"Yeah, that's good," said Kuroto.
Suddenly, a Oliver voice interrupted Aruta and Bela's conversation. "Hey Bela, I told you to put the pudding in the fridge. Zaka ate it," Oliver said, coming out of the kitchen.
"Huh?! Bwaahhh, don't eat it!" Bela said, running to the kitchen.
"Looks like you can get along quickly," Kuroto said, approaching Aruta.
"Ahaha. Oh right, I want to ask. How many Juntoshi Mage teams are there now?" asked Aruta.
"Oh. Only two, the Southern Continent Juntoshi Wizards and the Northern Continent Juntoshi Mage," Kuroto answered.
"Ah, so few. How do you know about the activities of those strange creatures? You knew when I was attacked by one back in elementary school," Aruta asked.
"Oh, that. In the Juntoshi Mage, there are what we call scout mage. The scout mage are tasked with providing information and assisting the Juntoshi Mage on duty. They are equipped with at least the basic LYNK magic techniques," explained Kuroto.
"I see," said Aruta, nodding.
"Alright, I'll teach you some things outside. Get ready," Kuroto said.
"Alright. I'm ready!" Aruta said.
"Hehe, good luck, you two," Haruki said.
***
Aruta and Kuroto run outside with enthusiasm. They jump out while hopping around like children when they get a candy from their parent.
Haruki watch their antics and muttered, "Hehe. Kuroto may be old in age, but his spirit is still like a kid's."
Not long after, Haruki feel someone tugging at her clothes. She turn and see Raven pulling at her clothes.
"What is it, Raven?" Haruki asked gently.
"Ma'am, why did that person become a Juntoshi Mage? Why not just a scout mage? I don't sense any special LYNK energy from him," Raven asked in a weak voice.
"Hehe, I don't know either. But he was chosen directly by Kuroto. Even though Kuroto acts like that, he can see things we can't. All we can do is just believe him," Haruki answered with a smile on her face.