Chapter 241 – Favored Son of the Isles

Chapter 241 – Favored Son of the Isles

 

Kai strolled through poshtown, a soft breeze ruffling his hair. Beyond the line of pastel buildings, the sky was tinged with shades of orange, red and pink. Even this close to the rainy season, the warmth of the sun lingered in the paved streets beneath his sandals.

Much had changed, but underneath its colorful and magical veneer, the archipelago remained his home, filled with lively merchants and the salty smell of the sea. Now, there were just more shades of people and goods.

“Fresh drinks! Fresh drinks! Last of the day!” A girl advertised exotic drinks from an enchanted cooler. “Directly from the mainland.”

“Someone brought them across the ocean?” Kai couldn’t hide the skepticism in his voice. Even with an expanded cargo hold, the weeks of voyage would be too expensive to justify anything but liquors.

The girl jolted and did a double take on him, putting on a hasty smile. “Yes, sir. Directly from the orchards of Namelia. There is nothing more relaxing after a long day of hard work, you have my word. I can sell it at half the price to prove it.”

“Uh, sure. I’ll take one.” Kai rummaged through his pockets for a handful of coppers. He eyed the coconut and wooden straw with a glint of suspicion.

“People like a piece of home with a little novelty.” The girl promptly justified, mistaking him for a tourist.

Sure…

Kai took a sip. The pale green liquid had a citrusy scent. The exotic taste was something between apple and orange. If he were to guess, the imported trees were grown in the hinterland of Yanlun, probably around Hawkfield.

It’s not bad. Not sure if it’s worth the price of two full meals.

The cost of living had grown significantly while he was away and people hardly glanced at the feats of magical engineering. Even among the natives, one in three islanders wore an enchanted accessory, usually clothes with cleaning or waterproof properties.

“I like it,” Kai nodded at the girl who stood in front of him. “Have a pleasant evening.”

The stares had only gotten marginally better since he wore Flynn’s approved clothes. His hair was in order, and he didn’t have anything in between his teeth. Kai had worked to conceal his presence, thinking his grade might be the problem. But despite his best efforts, people still acted strange.

Whatever, I’ll ask Ele later… Or not…

She and Flynn had fussed over him like he was some sort of lost chick. He shouldn’t have told them about his lowest point in the Sanctuary. No matter how many times he repeated that things had gotten better, they still wouldn’t listen. Eventually, he had escaped to get some air.

It wasn’t all that bad. I can count on a single hand the times I risked getting eaten in the last few months.

Finishing his drink, Kai let his feet lead him across Sylspring. Despite everything that happened, he felt relieved to have shared the story, to have broken down the barrier between him and his sister. Dinner promised to be another awkward affair, but he still had time to kill.

He stopped to observe a Fire breather who had gathered a small crowd in the main square. The woman danced and jumped through the circles of flames she conjured, much to the awe of the audience. Her acrobatics skills were good, her Fire Magic not as much.

Probably early Orange. Well… it seems to be working for her.

A pile of coppers and more than a few silver mesars were already at her feet. Her sculpted features and athletic figure helped, judging by the number of men gawking in the audience.

Good for her.

Kai added another copper and wandered toward the shopping district. From the windows overflowing with colorful vials and jars of exotic ingredients, Sylphie’s Alchemy Shop seemed to be doing well. A teenage boy with a pair of enchanted spectacles entertained a pair of customers.

I’ll stop by another time. There had been enough reunions for one day. He didn’t even know if Telu and the old crone knew about his disappearance. Hopefully, Reishi was doing well too. The merman had expanded his business beyond the archipelago, though he still visited regularly to keep an eye on things. Flynn reassured him he would know when the merchant came back.

Kai roamed through the less flashy districts. After two years alone, he enjoyed being surrounded by people if they didn’t intrude on his personal space. Each passerby appeared so carefree.

The idle chatter of the closing market filled him with a peaceful nostalgia. He grasped at the quiet serenity. A part of him still expected to wake up back on the island. Perhaps in the clutches of some dream monster feeding on him.

Don’t be an idiot. This is not the Matrix. You’ve escaped.

 

~ ~ ~

 

Kai pulled himself off the ivory ground with a groan. A gold and blue mosaic danced on the floor, he stared at the runes till they stopped spinning. He hadn’t felt such a migraine since a Granite Stomper kicked his head.

By habit, he cast water to rinse the blood off his face when a sharp pain blurred his vision. The blob splashed over his torn clothes.

Fuck.

“You didn’t say it would hurt this much.” Kai glared at the ivory fairy, buzzing over two years of efforts with a disinterested look.

“Mhmm… I had forgotten about your peculiar need to state the obvious. The strain is merely temporary.” Zervathi snorted with a strident mix of shrill and thundering. “You just morphed your vocation. Did you expect it to be entirely painless? Or did you want me to waste my divine might on your superficial comforts?”

“I—” Kai shut his mouth. Arguing with the god was an exercise in futility. “Did it work…?”

The fairy waved his dainty hand in dismissal. “Naturally. Despite some unexpected surprises, my being is beyond mistakes. You may check the results by yourself and pledge your eternal gratitude. I’ve outdone myself.”

You didn’t sound nearly as confident earlier.

Kai cast the notifications. The culmination of uncountable blood, sweat and tears, the final missing piece to go back home.

 

*Ding*

Congratulations! Through the eternal wisdom and benevolence of the god of the Hidden Sanctuary, Zervathi, your profession has successfully completed a horizontal evolution.

Stolen story; please report.

Mana Child (lv10) has transitioned to Favored Son of The Isles (lv7).

Warning: Due to the extraordinary circumstances of this divine intervention, some experience and levels have been lost in the process.

 

*Ding*

Congratulations! The god of the Hidden Sanctuary, Zervathi, has fulfilled your third and final request. The bargain is now complete.

 

The world appeared to slow as his heart raced in his chest. Could he truly go home? Kai checked his status for absolute confirmation. It was all there and more.

“Will it safely send me back?”

“I’ve fulfilled your request to the best of my considerable abilities.” The fairy fluttered over his head, forcing him to crane his neck.

Then why are you still here?