Elydes Chapter 51: The Ceremony

Chapter 51

Finally, the day had co. The seventh birthday ceremony was the whole reason he stayed in Greenside for so long. Kai couldnt say he cared too much for it, but it was an important milestone. Going from child to a kid looking to find his vocation in life or sothing like that. It didnt really apply to his case.

It seed so long, but it had only been a little more than a year ago when Kea had her ceremony and refused to share any details. Today he would see for himself.

He put on his nicest clothes, Alana had bought him a new shirt just for the occasion. It was nothing that luxurious, plain white like most of his clothes with the symbols that traditionally signified the favor of the spirits and health in a dark green on the sleeves. That was what his mother told him at least. With no official religious position or texts to study, it was quite hard to learn more about the beliefs of the archipelago.

And Im leaving tomorrow or the day after. Ill have to make a note to look into it next ti.

His outfit was nothing extraordinary but he thought he looked good. Colorful dyes were expensive and not common in the archipelago. This was already more than he would have paid for a shirt. If his mom didnt smile every ti she saw him, he would have argued against it.

Checking himself in a palm size mirror, he got ready for the big day. His clothes, if not extravagant, were pristine, his light hair cut short for practical reasons and to avoid attracting attention. Kai nervously played with the green pearl from the bracelet hanging on his left wrist.

He would do his best not to ss up whatever was going to happen. If not for him, for his mothers sake.

Kea had already gone out. A week had not been enough to fix their relationship and she was continuing to avoid him. Her apprenticeship with Moui seed to be working, so he didnt worry too much.

From what the hunter told him, she was putting all her efforts into whatever training Moui gave her, never complaining but asking for more.

Kai sighed.

Shell be fine.

Alana and Ele were waiting for him in the living room. They accompanied him to the town square of old town. It was maybe an hour after dawn, the sky was spotless and the heat of the day had not yet ti to build up. Even the ever-present humidity felt slightly less suffocating in the morning breeze.

Only three other families were already present with their respective seven-year-old children. One male and two females, all from new town judging from their modest clothes.

The other families were cheerfully chatting amongst themselves. To Kais great displeasure, Alana dragged them to join in. In the blink of an eye, the parents started talking about their children, all eager to share their kids' accomplishnts.

Kai awkwardly stood to the side not knowing where to put his hands, switching the weight between his two legs. Thank the spirits, his mother remained vague about him. The last thing he wanted was to be the center of attention. Most likely no one would believe the truth even if Alana told them.

The other children appeared equally uncomfortable with their parents talking about them. Kai shared a knowing look with his fellow seven-year-olds.

He might have seen them before, the town was only so big. Judging from the words they whispered to each other and the looks they threw at him, they certainly knew about him. He must have accrued quite the reputation for being the weirdo who trained with a wooden sword on the beach. Amazing.

To his surprise, they appeared more curious than an about it. The excitent of the day and having their parents within earshot might have sothing to do with it. Maybe he should have tried to make so friends, but he was going to leave in a couple of days anyway. What was the point?

Ti moved slowly as Kai wished he could be literally anywhere else. Even Ele started speaking with a teenage boy who had accompanied his younger sibling here. The boy had a stupid smile plastered on his face as he talked to Ele, giving Kai a race for the most awkward person in the group.

Resigned to his fate, Kai joined his fellow children.

You can truly do that with your status? The boy was asking one of the girls, the tallest of the group. Taller than him.

Everyone knows girls grow up faster.

Of course, you just need to The thin girl looked to be enjoying being the center of attention, letting the other two hang on her lips. She explained simple tips on how to manipulate the Guide as if they were so big secret.

It was all pretty simple status customization, not delving into programming what-if scenarios. Kai reminded himself most of them had recently unlocked their First Seal and were still in the phase of exciting new exploration. Not all parents were equally good at explaining all the new possibilities and not all the kids understood them either.

The girl had a pretty good grasp of the basics. Kai was happy soone else took the burden to lead the conversation so he could stay there a bit less awkwardly and occasionally nod.

Actually the best part is changing the color of the paper... The girl was saying as the other two boys listened with big eyes. She waited for a couple of seconds to enjoy their praying gazes before revealing what she knew.

Her gaze repeatedly moved on him, as if expecting him to say sothing. Kai had no intention of stealing her spotlight. He gave her a nod, hoping it was enough. She seed about to ask him sothing, but the shorter girl pressed her with questions, saving him from talking to another human being.

That was a close one.

Ti quickly passed as more families arrived at the gathering. A chubby seven-year-old with a bowl haircut joined their group. He was more knowledgeable about the Guide and started fighting the tall girl to be the focus of attention.

Ironically, the last people to arrive were all from old town. Confident gait and colorful clothes. With an unsaid agreent, the square got divided into two halves depending on the part of Greenside they lived in.

Kai couldn't care less about the small-town drama if he tried. Sweeping his gaze over them, he felt the face of one child was familiar. It took him a mont to rember. He was one of the kids who confronted him when he was learning to judge peoples race grades. Not the boss, but one of those who ran away almost imdiately. From the way the boy paled and avoided his gaze, he was pretty confident he was the sa person. Soon all the kids from old town were throwing him weird glances.

I. Dont. Care.

As the last family arrived, an old man stepped forward, putting an end to this impromptu gathering. He clapped his hands once and got the crowd's attention. Kai took a mont to recall the na. The mayor's office was renewed every five years, so he should still be elder Soluli.

Im glad to see all these promising young sons and daughters about to take their first step toward adulthood. Our town is truly blessed

The elder was pretty good with words. Kai could have almost considered listening to his speech, if he had not chosen to stand in the center of the old town crowd, forcing all the new town families to scuttle closer to hear.

So glad Ill be out of here soon.

The speech didnt last long. But still enough for Kai to wonder why there was a need for one anyway. They all knew why they were here. Couldnt they just get on with it?

As if on cue, his mom and sister bid him goodbye leaving him and the other seven-year-olds in the care of the elder.

Gather up, children. Elder Soluli called. He had a surprisingly powerful voice for his age.

With a little scuffle, the group ford up, sohow the old town kids were all in the front. Another man had stepped up beside the mayor. Kai recognized his face, even if he didnt know his na. He was one of the hunters Moui greeted once.

The man stayed a step behind the mayor as elder Soluli began another speech.

Not again, please be short.

As youve reached your seventh year and opened the First Seal of the Guide. We need to thank the spirits that made this all possible. As youve asked for the blessing of Kahali, the great spirit of the sea. Its now ti to thank Yatei, the great spirit that guards all the islands of our archipelago.

Kahali is a powerful spirit and grants us the blessing of our plentiful waters, but Yatei is the one who gives us the land we call ho. Soluli made an emphatic pause moving his gaze through his young audience.

Greenside always had a special relationship with the great spirit of the land. Our ancestors chose to settle in this place exactly for that reason. The mayor smiled fondly as the children of old town puffed their chests proudly. So close to the Veeryd jungle, the presence of Yatei is especially strong. Now follow and be mindful not to offend the spirits.

Elder Soluli directed the small group. The hunter watched them sternly from the side to make them behave. That gaze seed to be the staple of every hunter, even if it was a pale imitation of uncle Mouis.

Curious, Kai inspected both adults. As he suspected the hunter had only reached Orange with a type 2 profession. The true surprise was the elder. Despite his hunched back he possessed an Orange race and type 3 profession. The only other islander at that level he knew of was Moui. The elder, who had been quietly talking with the hunter, suddenly turned around in his direction.

Shit. Did he realize I was peeking?

Kai imdiately deactivated Inspect and Mana Sense, cold sweat ran on his back. He stepped closer to the thin girl from earlier who was still arguing with the bowl-cut boy. He used Sneak to not stand out and Acting to look like he was part of the conversation.

The urge to see if the elder was looking at him was strong, but he suppressed it. There was no sign of guilt more obvious than that.

A minute later Kai turned to look, Soluli was back to talking with the hunter. He wasnt so naive to think it was all a coincidence. The movent had been too quick and abrupt. The old man must have felt sothing. Hopefully, he had been unable to understand the reason.

I didnt even know that was possible.

The children got in line and they started walking. Kai fell back towards the end of the group. From the mayors speech and the presence of the hunter, he guessed they were heading sowhere to the jungle.

Youre Kai, right? So How far are you from your next enhancent?

Kai turned to look at the person talking to him. It was the chubby child with the funny haircut, looking up at him with curious eyes. The rest of the group was a few paces ahead as if they werent totally eavesdropping the conversation.

Its rude to ask, Kai responded.

The chubby guy didnt appear deterred by his curt answer. Co on. I can tell you mine first. I reached Red and Im more than halfway through the next enhancent. He gave a glance at the rest of the group, who were still faking to have a conversation and leaned closer to him to whisper. "They are the sa too.

With a glance at the mayor far ahead, Kai activated his skills for a mont, being careful not to keep the elder out of his range. Children were many tis easier than adults, in a second he was able to confirm the bowl-cut kid at least wasnt a liar.

Red . He answered, hoping it would satisfy their curiosity and get rid of them.

No way! He must be lying. The know-all girl exclaid aloud, giving up all pretense of not eavesdropping.

Kai shrugged, he wasnt interested in arguing his position. It was indeed a lie, even if not in the sense the tall girl thought.

With his lack of reaction or defense, the group lost interest and went back to talking amongst themselves, for real this ti. The chubby guy, unfortunately, stayed behind, looking at him with a glimr in his eyes.

Youre telling the truth, right? He asked.

Yes?

What does he want now?

I knew it! The bowl-haircut child congratulated himself.

Kai narrowed his eyes. You seem to know a lot about

The kid grinned. Im Telu. He said, offering to shake his hand.

Kai looked at him weirdly, making the confident smile falter. Isnt this how people present themselves in the Republic? Telu muttered confused.

I lived all my life in the archipelago, Kai said flatly.

Yeah, I know. I just never mind. Telu tried to get back his confidence. You are quite famous in town.

Really?

Telu nodded vigorously. Yes. People often see you wander around and train on the beach. There are also other rumors He hesitated, lowering his voice. That you started a fight and beat up a bunch of kids.

Kai stopped in his tracks. Who said that!? He didnt care about his reputation, but that soone had the gall to accuse him of the exact opposite of what happened grated on his nerves.

Telus eyes widened. I obviously dont believe them. Its the kids of old town that repeat that. I knew they were lying.

Suddenly the glances he received made more sense. Kai was about to ask for the nas of exactly who started the rumor. But then what? Find them and beat them up? That would not work.

Just two days and Im out of here.

Kai hurried to catch up to the group before the hunter or the mayor saw them fall behind.

Telu kept walking beside him. I also know sothing else, Telu said with a conspiratorial air. Are you truly an alchemist?

Kai stared at the kid. Where did you hear that? It wasnt exactly a secret, but even most adults at the market thought he sold potions made by soone else.

I have my sources, Telu said with a half smile he probably thought looked mysterious. Waiting for a prompt from him to continue.

Kai rolled his eyes internally. And do pray tell, who is your source then?

Telu looked at him weirdly for his strange choice of words but finally answered. Its my grandma, I think you know her.

His grandma? And I know her

Dont tell its old Selly? Kai said with disbelief.

Telu smiled cheekily. Yes, she told to ask you if you had more potions to sell. She said she would offer you the best prices.

Kai couldnt believe the thick skin of that woman. She had tried to shortchange him at every turn, taking advantage of the fact most people would not buy from him, while she had a large clientele even with her reputation.

I dont think Ill sell any potions for a while, Kai said with so satisfaction. Im leaving town after the ceremony.

Telus head hung low. Thats too bad. Wait, you're leaving town!?

Damn, my mouth.

Why dont you answer a question of mine first, Kai responded with a question of his own. If old Selly is your grandmother, why do you live in new town?

One of the reasons why the old witch had so many contacts was because she lived here from the beginning.

Oh that. We lived in a village on the road to Sylspring before the governor took our houses and moved us here. Telu said, looking sad for exactly three seconds. Anyway, where are you going to go?

Kai sighed. He had answered his question, so he could indulge the small guys curiosity a little.

For the rest of the walk toward the jungle, the bowl-cut kid pestered him with questions. Kai remained vague on the exact details being careful to not let slip anything else.

It was a relief when they finally stopped. Kai noticed they stood in front of a tiny path going deeper into the Veeryd jungle. They were on the westernmost side, close to the coast, the exact opposite of where the path to the estate started.

From this point on we will continue without our shoes to be closer to Yatei. Elder Soluli announced. This is a sacred place. No more talking allowed unless you want to disrespect the spirits.

Kai wasnt thrilled at the idea of walking into the jungle barefooted, but at least there was so good news.

Thank the spirits. A bit of sacred silence.