After that embarrassing event, the class continued as usual.
--------
Aside from some school kids picking a fight with him during lunchtime just because they didn't like him dating Jenn, nothing else happened, even after school ended.
Now, Taufik and Jenn were on their way home. Although some teachers were still at school reviewing today's lessons, Jenn still left with him for some reason.
"I heard some boys picked a fight with you again today"
Jenn said, noticing her boyfriend's bad mood.
"Yeah, those guys never give up. No matter how hard I punch them, they just come back the next day as if nothing happened. It gives me a headache"
"Hehe~ don't think too much about it. Eventually, they'll give up"
"You can say that because you're not the one dealing with them. Heck, they've even turned it into some kind of competition with a regular audience. I tried avoiding them, but they just searched the whole school for me. Honestly, that's even more troublesome. At this point, I have no choice but to face them. Maybe I should just drop out. It's not like I'm afraid of them... It's just too annoying to deal with this every day, you know?"
Jenn fell silent. She had known for a long time that the other students were picking fights with Taufik because of her, but she had assumed the school authorities would eventually put a stop to it. However, after more than two months, they had done nothing. Now, she had nothing to say.
"Ahaha~… Ah, right. You said you were going to search for the Rune Family's location today, right? Have you thought of a way?"
Jenn asked, trying to change the topic.
"No, but I'll figure something out... What? Do you have any ideas?"
Jenn shook her head.
"Nothing specific. Like I told you, they live deep in the forest and have a powerful illusion protecting them. No one can see them, not even the road leading there. I know you're strong, but still… Please be careful, okay?"
"Hm, I know"
At first, Taufik had thought about using his 'Sky Eyes' skill combined with 'All-Seeing Eyes' to dispel the illusion. But now that he had Garuda, he planned to use him as a mount to fly over the forest and search for the Rune Family's location from above. It was a much simpler approach.
For now, though, he needed to go home and change.
He decided to wear the leather armor he had received from the system.
--------
"Damn, this armor makes me look good. The material is comfortable... And it fits perfectly too"
Taufik said while admiring himself in the mirror, he struck a few poses before heading out of the room.
"Jenn, how do I look?"
"…Wow, you look even more handsome. Where did you get that armor?"
"Hehe~, I made it with my magic. Amazing, right?"
"Yeah, that's impressive"
Even though Taufik had shared most of his secrets with Jenn, he still kept the system's existence hidden.
Not because he didn't trust her, but because he didn't want anyone to know about it, not even his mother.
"Haha, thanks. I'm heading out now. Tell Mom I'll be home late, okay?"
"Mm, don't worry, I'll tell her. Be careful out there"
Taufik then kissed Jenn before summoning Garuda.
He had given his Garuda a name: Nāgāntaka. The name, inspired by the Garuda's 'Dragon Eater' skill, came from Sanskrit and also meant 'Dragon Slayer,' making it a perfect fit.
"Nāgāntaka, come out! We have a job to do"
"Kccahhk!" (Garuda chirped)
Nāgāntaka emerged from Taufik's chest and soared into the sky. If not for the concealment magic Taufik had cast, the sight of the legendary Indonesian bird's rebirth would have shocked everyone. However, only Taufik and Jenn could see it.
"WHAT IS THAT?! FIK, SOMETHING JUST CAME OUT OF YOUR CHEST! ARE YOU OKAY?!"
Jenn, startled, rushed to check on Taufik.
Taufik chuckled at her reaction. Then said.
"Relax, Jenn~ That's my familiar, Nāgāntaka... A Garuda"
"…Your familiar?"
"Yes"
Jenn pointed at Nāgāntaka.
"That Garuda? The legendary bird? Our national symbol? The vehicle of Lord Vishnu? That Garuda?"
"…Yes"
Jenn stared at him, mouth agape, struggling to process what she had just seen. She had already been shocked to learn he was a vampire, but now he also had a Garuda as a familiar? Not just any familiar, but the Garuda from Legend? How was she supposed to digest all this information?
"…You never stop surprising me. What's next? Tell me in advance so I can prepare myself"
"Haha, you're overreacting. Alright, I'm off now. Nāgāntaka, come down!"
"Kccahhk!"
--------
As Nāgāntaka descended, Taufik climbed onto his back.
"Fly, Nāgāntaka! Take me high enough so I can see the entire forest!"
"Kccahhk!"
Nāgāntaka soared high into the sky, rising until the curvature of the Earth was visible.
"Whoa, too high! Come down a bit"
Once at a suitable altitude, Taufik activated his 'All-Seeing Eye.'
Suddenly, ripples spread across his vision like stones thrown into a calm lake. The illusion shattered, revealing a massive castle hidden deep in the forest, complete with a paved road leading to it.
"Whoa… How did they hide something this big? 'The Silent Castle' standing alone in the forest, it's straight out of a fantasy story. But…"
The castle was not silent at all. People were running around in a panic.
"I haven't even done anything yet. Why are they freaking out? Did Jaan and his tribe do something?"
Taufik said while observing what happened below him.
"Hm~... So how should I start this?"
--------
Unbeknownst to Taufik, the Dai-Yak Tribe had already launched an attack.
Furious over the Rune Family's past actions, the tribe could no longer hold back. Their leader and a few elders had opposed the attack, but the warriors and other elders had decided it was time for vengeance.
True to their name, 'The Silent Killers,' the Dai-Yak Tribe's attack was swift and deadly. Using their Sumpit (blowguns), they took down Rune Family members silently and efficiently. Their most terrifying technique, the Flying Mandau, made their warriors invisible, leaving only their floating swords visible, creating the illusion of flying weapons.
Despite his power, Argus, the Rune Family Patriarch, was helpless against an invisible enemy. He had a way to retaliate, but he knew it would only enrage the Dai-Yak Tribe further, making things worse.
--------
Inside the castle, in Argus' room, he listened to a report from his subordinate.
"Patriarch, our illusion has been penetrated again."
Hearing this, Argus massaged his forehead. The continuous attacks from the Dai-Yak Tribe had left him sleep-deprived for days.
"...Again? What did they use this time? Is it the Flying Mandau again?"
The subordinate shook his head.
"No, Patriarch, we haven't seen any Flying Mandau today."
"Then what attacked us?"
Upon hearing Argus' question, the subordinate hesitated before answering.
"...Nothing, Patriarch. We didn't see anything, but the alarm was triggered."
"...What?!"
"We saw nothing, Patriarch."
"Then what?!"
"..."
"You fool! If you have nothing to report, don't waste my time. Get back to your post! If this happens again, I will kill you myself!"
Argus' furious voice echoed through the room, worsening his growing headache.
"Y-yes, Patriarch!"
"And bring me the one responsible for all this, that my good-for-nothing son!"
"Yes, Patriarch!"
Not long after the servant left, Rijal entered his father's office, looking pale and terrified.
"I-I'm here, F-Father..."
"Look at what you've done. Look! I needed just a little more time—just a little! Then our family would rise to the top and crush the Ana'karaeng Family. But because of you and your foolish actions, here we are!"
"..."
"What else should I expect from your mother's bloodline? Like her, you're a fool. But at least she had some use to me. You? You're nothing but trouble."
"B-but, Fath-"
Rijal's words were suddenly interrupted by a voice from outside. It sounded casual, yet loud enough to be heard clearly.
"Cek, cek... Can you all hear me? Ahem..."
"Cek, cek..."
....
...
..
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