Outskirts of Vashya city
The Iron Wheel and Axle Industry.
The afternoon sun hung low, its light swallowed by thick columns of smoke from towering chimneys. The air trembled with the roar of metal and the hiss of steam. Near the gates, broken carriages and half-built carts lay scattered. Farther in, rows of polished wheels and neat frames gave the illusion of honest work.
From the outside, it seemed like an ordinary carriage factory—a place for wagons and trade carts. But behind that façade, past the smoke and clamor, hid its truth. This was no workshop. It was a vast forge where weapons and artifacts were born from fire and magic.
Each sector had its rhythm. Ore was crushed and refined, molten metal cast into blades, and magic fused into steel until it shone with an unnatural gleam. Farther inside, craftsmen shaped enchanted relics that glowed faintly under the forge light.
Deep within, beyond the smoke and heat, stood the Central Forge Hall—the heart of it all. No common worker dared to enter.
Across the factory floor, hammers fell in rhythm. Shackled workers, frail and hollow-eyed, moved under the gaze of armored guards. Sweat, soot, and fear clung to every breath.
Through the haze, a man walked.
Lean, dressed in a black suit with a crisp white shirt beneath. His expression was calm—almost serene—as if untouched by the chaos around him. A faint chuckle escaped as he covered his mouth with a gloved hand, eyes half-closed in quiet amusement.
Only one man in this place carried such calm.
Koren, the overseer.
As he passed, the air seemed to tighten. The rhythmic clangs of metal grew sharper, steadier—no one wanted to be the one to draw his gaze.
A worker flinched as molten slag splattered onto his chest. The searing pain twisted his face, and a scream tore from his throat as he fell to the floor.
The sound froze the entire line. A guard hurried forward, grabbing the man by the collar and hauling him upright. "Koren-sama, his chest is burnt!"
Koren stopped, turning his head slightly. His calm never wavered.
"Has anything happened to his arms or legs?" he asked, voice smooth and quiet beneath the hiss of steam.
The guard hesitated, then answered quickly, "No, Koren-sama."
A soft chuckle slipped past Koren's lips as he covered his mouth with his glove.
"Then put him back to work. Everything should go as planned, and should be on schedule. If anything were ever to happen to his limbs…" His eyes lingered on the man, still trembling in pain. "…our work would be affected."
The guard nodded sharply and shoved the worker back toward his station. Still shaking, the man lifted his hammer again, the burns across his chest raw and smoking. The rhythm of metal resumed—faster now, desperate to please.
Koren continued down the aisle, spreading his arms slightly as if to embrace the air thick with heat and ash. His head tilted back, eyes closed, a faint, amused chuckle echoing from his lips.
"Wonderful," he murmured. "Everything is up to schedule."
And the forge roared on.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Karna and the others finally reached Hina's home—a grand mansion surrounded by gardens and fountains. Though it wasn't nearly as majestic as the palace where they met Mawang, it still radiated nobility and class.
The butler opened the large double doors and bowed deeply. "Welcome home, Lady Hina—and guests."
As they entered, the servants and workers paused to look at them. Most faces turned toward Karna with faint hostility. Their glares were sharp, but restrained; after all, he was their mistress's guest. Only one maid among them, Rin, smiled warmly, her eyes genuinely kind.
Inside the grand hall, the group sat on plush sofas. The walls were adorned with paintings and portraits—memories of Hina's life and family. One showed her with a middle-aged man and woman—her parents—alongside her brother, Haruto. Another featured just her and Haruto. But one picture stood out: Hina holding a bundle of papers in what looked like an office, with a massive, broad-shouldered man wearing a white cape laughing in the background.
As they admired the hall, the butler returned with drinks on a silver tray.
Karna took a sip, glancing around. "Woah! So many people working under you. You must be pretty rich, huh?"
Hina smiled. "Yeah. We're royals. My father is one of the nobles of this country. Only my brother lives here to continue his studies. I come here from time to time to check on him."
She reached out and ruffled Haruto's hair. He frowned, visibly embarrassed to be treated like a child in front of strangers.
Karna pointed at the family portrait. "And those people in the picture?"
Hina gestured to each one. "That's my father, and that's my mother."
Reiko pointed at the other photo. "And this? Looks like an office. Is that where you work?"
Hina nodded. "Yes, that's my workplace. And the man behind me—he's my boss, Thoma. Chief Intelligence Officer of the World Magic Council."
Karna's eyes sparkled. "Awesome."
Before anyone could say more, Kenta leaned forward. "So where do we start? How are we going to find Kashi?"
Goro folded his arms. "You're not coming with us."
Gyoda blinked. "What? Why?"
Goro's tone turned serious. "Because you're not ready. From here on, we'll be facing D-class and higher-level wizards. You guys can't even beat me—and I was a regular until yesterday."
Reiko frowned. "Come on, senpai. We all know you're stronger than a D-class wizard."
Kenta nodded. "Yeah, I heard you beat a D-class wizard when you were only twelve."
Gyoda, mid-sip of soda, spat it out. "What?! Really?"
Goro rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "No, that's just a rumor."
Hina chuckled. "That's no rumor. He actually did it—I was there. He beat three of them at once."
Gyoda's jaw dropped. "Whaaat?!"
Karna sighed. "Can you stop being surprised over things that are obvious?"
Gyoda glared. "Oi, Karna! Call me an idiot one more time and I'll turn you into ashes!"
Before things could escalate, Reiko smacked both of them on the head. "Cut it out."
Hina crossed her arms. "Alright then… here are the details we have so far—"
Goro quickly interrupted. "Not so fast. I don't want them hearing this."
Reiko looked confused. "What? Why are you keeping this from us?"
Goro sighed. "Because if you know where we're going, you'll come after us. Again."
Gyoda puffed up his cheeks. "Come on, senpai! When did we ever do that?"
Goro smirked. "Only countless times. Remember the time you got lost in the forest?"
Karna shrugged. "But we made it back home, didn't we?"
"That was pure luck," Goro shot back. "There were magical beasts in the forest that could've killed you."
Karna opened his mouth to argue, but Goro raised a hand. "No more arguments. I asked Hina to make some preparations for your training. You'll be staying here until we return."
Kenta with a surprised tone. "Preparations for our training?"
"That's right," Hina replied. "I've made the arrangements. Your training begins tomorrow. I called in a favor—someone will be coming to train you all."
Karna and the others exchanged dull, resigned looks, their silence saying everything.
Goro: "Hina-san. We'll leave at seven. You can brief me on the way"
Hina nodded and turned to the head butler. "Show our guests to their rooms. Everyone, rest up. We'll meet again at seven."
As she climbed the staircase to her room, a few female attendants followed her.
Each of the guests was escorted to a lavish room. The accommodations were unlike anything they'd seen—large windows, beautiful paintings, and beds so soft they seemed to swallow you whole. Even the bathrooms had marble bathtubs.
Karna laid down for a short nap, exhausted from the day's travel.
He woke to a commotion outside his room. Half-asleep, he opened the door and peeked into the hallway—only to find Gyoda clinging to Goro's arm, begging him to take him along.
"Senpai, please! I'll behave this time! I promise!"
"No," Goro replied flatly, dragging him away.
A little later, everyone gathered outside the mansion to see Hina and Goro off.
Hina changed into a fitted T-shirt and pants, a small utility bag strapped around her waist. Light metal plates covered her shoulders and chest, giving her the look of someone gearing up for an operation—simple, functional, and ready for action.
Hina turned to her brother. "Haruto, please take care of them. Don't get mad over small things."
Haruto frowned. "Okay, okay…"
Goro smiled faintly. "Bye, everyone. Don't go looking for trouble."
Karna, Reiko and Kenta replied in unison. "We won't. Take care, you two."
Meanwhile, Gyoda—still being dragged by Reiko—cried out desperately, "Senpai! Please take me with you! Senpaaaiiiii!"
Goro and Hina left.
As the rest walked back toward the mansion's entrance, Kenta stretched his arms.
"Alright, we'll start training tomorrow. You can all relax for today."
Gyoda's shoulders slumped. "Goro-senpai left without me… I'm not training. I'm angry with him."
Reiko sighed. "From now on, we might face D-class or even higher-level wizards. So we have to train like Goro-senpai said."
They stepped inside the mansion. The head butler approached Haruto and bowed.
"Dinner is ready, young master."
At the mention of food, Gyoda's eyes lit up, his mood flipping instantly as if the earlier scene had never happened.
Haruto smiled faintly. "Very well! You must all be hungry. Let's go have dinner."
In the dining hall, Rin greeted them with a graceful bow. Karna froze mid-step, eyes wide.
He dropped to his knees dramatically. "Goddess… you are a goddess!"
Rin blinked, utterly confused.
Karna snatched two forks from the table and held them before his eyes. "I no longer need these eyes now that I've witnessed you. I refuse to see anything else after such beauty—"
Reiko smacked him on the head before he could finish and dragged him away by the collar.
"I'm so sorry!" she said quickly to Rin, who stood frozen in polite confusion.
Haruto cleared his throat. "Ahem. Anyway—this is Jacob, our head butler. That's David. And she's Rin."
The servants bowed, and Karna and the others returned the gesture before taking their seats at the long, polished table. The aroma of food filled the hall—so many dishes covered the surface that not an inch of the table was left bare.
Gyoda wasted no time—he dug in like a starving beast.
"Hey, Gyoda, slow down," Reiko scolded. "You'll gain weight if you eat like that."
Gyoda mumbled through a full mouth, "But we're training tomorrow, right? I need energy!"
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were mad at Goro and didn't want to train."
Gyoda blinked innocently. "Why would I be mad at Goro-senpai?"
Karna sighed. "Ignore him. Food lightens his mood. He forgets his own emotions after a bite."
Haruto stared. "You guys can't be serious…... Anyway, earlier Goro mentioned that you met Mawang Kyofu. How was he in person?"
Reiko's eyes brightened. "He was majestic!"
Kenta nodded. "And overwhelmingly strong. We couldn't even stand in his presence."
Haruto leaned forward, his tone turning almost reverent. "Really? He's incredible, isn't he? My sister met him once. She said just standing before him was suffocating—like the air itself grew heavy. She nearly collapsed."
Gyoda grinned. "But Goro-senpai was completely unfazed! Isn't he cool?"
Haruto froze. "Whaat??? Goro was unfazed you say?? When Hina mentioned that Goro is strong, I thought she was just being modest. But I didn't expect him to be this strong"
Gyoda puffed up. "Of course! Why are you so surprised? Goro-senpai can withstand the presence of an A-class wizard without flinching!"
Haruto's expression changed. "A-class? You think Mawang Kyofu is A-class?"
Fumiko tilted her head. "Isn't he?"
Haruto slammed his hand on the table. "No! He's beyond that. Mawang Kyofu is an Epic-class wizard!"
Everyone blinked. "What class?"
"Epic class," Haruto repeated, exasperated. "You've never heard of it?"
They all shook their heads—except Gyoda, who was still busy chewing.
Haruto sighed. "Are you even from this world? These are the basics! Fine—how many classes do you know?"
Reiko replied, "A, B, C, and D, with D being the lowest and A the highest. And Regulars below that."
Haruto nodded. "There are six in total."
Their jaws dropped. "What?!"
Haruto continued."The two beyond A are Epic-class and Legendary-class," Haruto explained. "Epic-class wizards are those whose power surpasses the A-class limit. There's no test for it—it's decided by strength and influence. Most first and second generations of the Ancient Clans are Epic-class, though some outsiders reached that level too. They can change the course of wars. Each one could wipe out a capital. Mawang Kyofu is one of them."
Karna's eyes widened. "I can't believe we met someone that powerful!"
Haruto groaned. "Exactly! You don't even realize who you encountered. Mawang Kyofu is one of the most influential men in the world."
Gyoda's head steamed as he tried to process it, still shoving food into his mouth.
Fumiko's quiet voice broke through. "What are the Ancient Clans?"
Karna, Reiko, and Kenta exchanged small smiles—they were glad she was finally back to normal again and engaging in conversations.
Haruto turned to her. "Wait—you don't know about the Five Ancient Clans?"
They all shook their heads, except Gyoda, who was too busy eating.
Haruto folded his hands. "There are five Ancient Clans that have existed since the dawn of magic. Many of the other clans branched from them, but only the main branches hold the pure bloodlines. Legend says that centuries ago, five elemental spirits found five infants at the Pentagon Lake. No one knows where they came from, but each spirit raised one, as their own—naming them Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Prithvi, and Indra. Two girls, three boys. They became the founders of the Five Ancient Clans."
Karna nodded, awestruck. "That's incredible."
Haruto continued, his voice lowering slightly. "Now, about the Legendary-Class wizards. The five heads of the ancient clans belong to this rank. Their power is unmatched. A few others have reached that level, but they're very very rare."
Haruto's gaze drifted as if recalling an old story. "And then there's one above even them—the beast among the Legendary-Class. The strongest of them all. He once led the Council, many centuries ago. They say he died in the Great War of Hyohen Kingdom."
At that, Kenta, Karna, and Reiko exchanged brief glances.
Haruto's eyes gleamed with admiration. "But if there's one person I truly want to meet someday, it's Varuna Mizuwoka—the head of the Water Clan. She's my role model."
Fumiko blinked. "They all sound terrifyingly strong. How powerful are they, really?"
Haruto replied, "They're said to rival the Elemental Spirits themselves. A hundred Epic-class wizards wouldn't stand a chance against even one of them. Still, they rarely appear and almost never involve themselves in mortal affairs. Consider yourselves extremely lucky to have even met an Epic-class like Mawang Kyofu."
Gyoda leaned back, rubbing his belly. "Ahh, I'm stuffed! Traveling nonstop for two weeks with barely any food or sleep really wore me out."
Haruto laughed. "You're unbelievable. Anyway, you should all rest. Training starts tomorrow. I'm curious about the person my sister arranged to train you."
Karna smiled. "Yeah, we can't wait to meet them."
Haruto turned to Rin. "Draw them a bath in an hour. We have a hot water bath if you want to relax—but don't go in right after eating."
Kenta nodded. "Got it."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Somewhere in a forest between Vashya and Fhog city
The dense forest stretched endlessly beneath the orange glow of dusk. Massive trees reached skyward, their branches wide enough to run across. Goro and Hina darted through them effortlessly, leaping from branch to branch with the agility of trained hunters. Each landing was silent, the leaves rustling faintly under their boots.
Goro glanced sideways at Hina as he leapt to another branch. "Umm… Hina, can I ask why we're running through a forest instead of taking a horse carriage?"
Hina's voice came steady, calm even as she moved. "The place we're going to is dangerous. If we travel by road, word of our arrival will spread before we even get there. And besides—" she landed lightly, turning her head slightly toward him, "—as far as the Council knows, I'm still in Vashya City. They monitor their officers closely. If I use any official transport, they'll find out immediately. Sneaking through the forest is our only option."
Goro sighed, keeping pace beside her. "Understood. By the way, tell me more about Kashi."
Hina's expression hardened. "He was a criminal before the Kyofu clan took him under their protection."
Goro gave a short, humorless laugh. "That doesn't surprise me."
She continued, her tone more serious now. "And to this day he runs many illegal businesses. Weapon manufacturing, funding terrorist organizations, supplying them with weapons, the list goes on."
Goro with a sigh "This guy sounds troublesome."
Hina continues. "And his network runs deep. He has ties with the underworld and more than a few high-ranking criminals. Some even say… he has connections with the Umbra Continent."
Goro was surprised. "What? The Dark Continent?"
Hina nodded. "Yes. That's why he's so dangerous. And so difficult to track."
The two landed on a massive branch overlooking a misty ravine. The wind rustled through the leaves, carrying the faint scent of rain.
Goro crossed his arms. "So, where exactly are we headed?"
"Fhog City," Hina replied.
Goro frowned. "Fhog City? I've heard about that place—it's crawling with gangs. Practically a haven for criminals."
"Exactly," Hina said. "Since Kashi went missing, we've been tracking anyone he might've contacted. One of his informants was last seen there."
"I see," Goro muttered. "Then we don't really have much choice." His voice dropped to a low grumble. "Still… let's hope we don't run into any unnecessary trouble."
Hina smirked slightly. "Let's hope so. But even if we do… I'm counting on you to handle it."
Goro exhaled. "That's what I was afraid you'd say."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Vanara Village – 8 PM
A small group trudged through the village gates, their wrists bound in iron shackles. Whip-wielding guards followed close behind, boots crunching against the dirt road. The prisoners moved slowly—thin, weary, their faces hollow.
The village was silent. Not a soul greeted them. Broken carts lay abandoned by the roadside, their wheels half-sunk in dust. Most houses leaned on weak foundations, walls cracked, roofs sagging. A few windows glowed faintly with candlelight, and timid eyes peeked through gaps in doors. The moment the guards passed, shutters closed, and darkness reclaimed the street.
Once inside the main square, the guards began unlocking shackles one by one. The sharp clang of falling chains echoed through the empty village. Freed, the workers drifted toward their homes with despair, knowing the chains would return with sunrise.
One man stopped before a small, worn-down house and knocked. A woman opened the door. Inside, the place was little more than a box of stone and timber—bare walls, no furniture, only shadows. In one corner lay a child on a bed of hay, breathing weakly. Beside him sat Rana.
"Dad! You're home!" Rana cried, rushing into his father's arms.
The man lifted him up, but a sharp hiss escaped his lips as pain flared in his chest.
"Ah—"
"Dear, what happened?" his wife asked quickly.
"It's nothing," he said with a strained smile. "Just a burn."
She frowned, removing his shirt despite his protest. The sight made her gasp—his chest was blistered and raw.
"This is awful…"
He covered the wound, turning Rana away from it. "Forget me. What about you three? Did you get anything to eat? Did they send the rations?"
"Not yet," she murmured.
"Not yet?!" His voice broke with frustration. "At this rate, the children will starve!"
Before the silence could settle, Rana spoke up, his tone bright with pride.
"Don't worry, Dad! I brought food for everyone!"
He ran to the haystack and pulled out a small wrapped bundle.
His father's face froze. "Where did you get that?"
"I brought it from the city! Some kind people gave it to me," Rana said, smiling.
"What?!" His father's tone turned sharp. "Didn't I tell you not to bring anything from there?"
"Dear," his wife whispered, "what's wrong?"
"If Lord Koren or Lord Khumba find out about this, they'll kill us all!" he said, panic slipping into his voice. "Rana, you shouldn't have done this!"
Rana flinched, his hands trembling. "But, Dad… I only wanted to help. Brother hasn't eaten in two days…"
The man's anger faded as his gaze shifted to the frail boy on the haystack. He knelt, lowering himself to Rana's height, his voice softening.
"Don't do it again, alright?"
Rana nodded quickly. His father pulled him close and held him tightly.
As he stared into the dim light, the man thought to himself, Let's hope they don't find out.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Outskirts of Vashya city
The Iron Wheel and Axle factory. 8 PM
The Central Forge Hall blazed in silence. Dozens of oil lamps hung from rusted chains, their flames swaying gently in the thick, heated air. The hall was vast, empty, yet alive — the molten glow from half-cooled vats painted the walls in restless waves of orange and red.
The furnaces had gone quiet, but the metal still hissed and crackled softly, as if the forge itself refused to sleep. In the corners, magic ores lay scattered, pulsing faintly with blue and violet light, their glow mixing with the warm shimmer of the lamps.
At the far end of the hall stood a raised platform of blackened iron. Upon it sat a throne — not crafted for comfort, but dominance — forged from broken blades, bent beams, and welded steel.
And there sat Khumba.
His frame dwarfed the seat. Bare-chested, muscles tense and defined under the shifting light, he rested one arm lazily on the throne's side. His orange hair, wild and heavy, spilled behind him like fire; his beard and mustache framed a face carved in fierce lines — a lion's face in human form.
A golden band circled his waist, holding a loose dhoti that draped to the floor. Bracelets gleamed on his wrists and upper arms, their reflection dancing across his skin. A nose ring caught the lamplight, glinting with every slow breath he drew.
The silence around him was absolute — only the distant drip of molten metal and the low hum of heat filled the air.
The forges slept.
But Khumba did not.
Beside him stood Koren, posture low and deferential.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the hall. A guard in dark armor ran in, breathless.
"Koren-sama! Koren-sama!"
Koren smiled faintly, covering his mouth with a gloved hand. "Calm down. What's the matter?"
"Sir… a child from one of the villages. He received food from the city—someone bought it for him at a restaurant."
Koren's smile vanished. His body stiffened, eyes widening as fury overtook him.
"What did you say? What did you say? A child from the village was given food?" His voice rose, trembling with rage. "How could this happen?! How could this happen?! Our plan was to make them depend on the rations we provide!"
He stepped forward, shouting now, each word breaking sharper than the last.
"This wasn't the plan! This didn't go as expected—this didn't go as planned!"
His scream echoed through the metal hall, voice twisting into madness.
"Find out who it is! Find out who it is! Bring them to me! Bring them to me!"
"Calm down, Koren."
Khumba's deep, crisp voice cut through the air like a blade.
At once, Koren froze. The fury drained from him, leaving only trembling silence. He turned and bowed deeply.
"I—I'm sorry, Khumba-sama… it didn't go as planned. It didn't go as planned…"
Khumba's tone was cold, steady. "Find the child. Make an example of him and have a word with the restaurant managers. That will be enough."
Koren straightened, still shaking. "As you command."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Hina's Mansion – 9 PM
The night was quiet, and the faint scent of steam and soap drifted through the air. Behind the mansion, two bathing pools steamed under the moonlight—one for the men, one for the women—divided by a high stone wall.
In the men's pool, Gyoda, Kenta, and Haruto were already soaking. The warm water rippled around them, reflecting the glow of nearby lanterns.
Gyoda's body was a map of scars—deep lines slashing across his chest, abdomen, and back. Some looked like whip marks, others like blade wounds. They were old but harsh.
Haruto's eyes widened. He froze for a moment, the sight catching him off guard. Some of those injuries had been fatal once. He wanted to ask—but didn't. It wasn't his place to touch old pain, he thought, and stayed silent.
Gyoda, oblivious, grinned and took a deep breath before diving under the water. He began timing himself, surfacing with a gasp.
"Not enough!" he muttered, then dove again.
A moment later, Karna came running, tossing his towel onto a rock and leaping into the pool headfirst. His dive collided squarely with Gyoda's skull beneath the surface.
Gyoda burst out of the water coughing and yelling. "Karna, you bastard! Are you trying to kill me?"
Karna, rubbing his own head, snapped back, "Huh?! That was an accident! What were you doing under the water—trying to drown yourself?"
They glared at each other, foreheads pressed together like rams.
From the other side of the wall, Reiko's voice rang out.
"You idiots! Keep it down or I'll come over there and thrash you both!"
Gyoda and Karna froze instantly.
"Okay!" they shouted in unison.
Haruto couldn't help but smile—until his gaze fell on Karna's back, where a large burn scar stretched across the skin. His smile faded. He said nothing, but his eyes lingered.
Kenta's calm voice broke the silence. "So, Haruto. Your parents must be pretty busy, huh?"
Haruto blinked, pulled back from his thoughts. "Yeah. My dad rarely comes home. My mom passed when I was three. My sister… she raised me. Even with her council work, she always finds time for me. I'm lucky."
Behind them, Karna and Gyoda resumed their scuffle—this time quietly, wary of Reiko's wrath.
Kenta smiled faintly. "She sounds dependable. And strong."
Haruto nodded. "She is. What about you guys? Goro seems like he looks after you."
Gyoda and Karna began splashing water at each other again.
Kenta chuckled. "Well, Goro's like a brother. But our old man took care of him first—and later, us. He treated us like his own."
Haruto leaned back against the stone edge. "He must've had nerves of steel to handle you three. And to take care of Twilight too… sounds like a kind man."
"Of course he is!" Kenta said proudly. "He used to be a wizard, but he retired to take care of us. Now he's a farmer in Kano Village."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Kano Village? That's way down southwest, isn't it? Mostly non-magical folks."
"Yeah," Kenta replied, a small smile forming. "But they're kind people."
Just then, Gyoda and Karna's argument erupted again—louder this time.
Reiko's voice thundered from the other side of the wall.
"I swear to god—if I hear one more word, I'm smashing your heads into the ground!"
"Done bathing!" Gyoda shouted instantly, scrambling out.
"Me too!" Karna followed right behind him.
From the women's pool, Fumiko laughed softly. "They're as lively as ever, huh?"
Reiko exhaled, half amused, half exasperated. "Yeah."
"Must've been fun growing up with them."
Reiko smiled faintly. "Fun and exhausting. When we were kids, Goro-senpai and our old man would go hunting, leaving us with a nanny. Those three used to sneak off into the forest to hunt on their own. They were only six."
Fumiko blinked. "Six?!"
"Yeah," Reiko said with a weary smile. "I always had to go out looking for them—into the forest, in the middle of the night sometimes—and drag them back before Goro-senpai got home. The nanny complained so much that we'd all get punished—me included. They thought I went with them."
Fumiko laughed softly. "Sounds exhausting."
"It was," Reiko said, smiling at the memory. "But… they're dependable. No matter what, we've always had each other's backs."
On the other side of the wall, Kenta's expression turned sharp.
"Haruto, can I ask you something?"
Haruto looked at him. "Of course."
"What do you know about Khumba?"
"Khumba?" Haruto frowned. "How did you come across that name?"
"Just from some city folks," Kenta replied casually.
Haruto nodded. "He's the lord of the nearby villages. Also a merchant—he deals in crops and produce, trading them here in the city. And he is also a D-class wizard. He is among the top 10 strongest D-class wizards. He even has connections with some members of the council."
"I also heard there are a few factories around this area," Kenta said.
"Yes," Haruto replied. "A big one, actually—a horse carriage and cart manufacturer. It's owned by Khumba."
"A horse carriage and cart factory, huh…" Kenta muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly as a hint of suspicion crossed his face.
Haruto tilted his head. "Why are you asking all this?"
Kenta gave a faint scoff and smiled. "It's nothing," he said, brushing it off.
Yet behind that easy smile, a quiet thought lingered—there was a reason for those questions, one he chose not to voice.
After a while inside the mansion, laughter and chaos echoed down the hall.
In one of the rooms, Gyoda and Karna were locked in a fierce pillow fight.
"I want this room!" Gyoda shouted, swinging a pillow.
"No way! It's mine!" Karna yelled back, hurling one in return.
Feathers flew everywhere as the two rolled, dodged, and flung pillows like warriors on a battlefield.
Hearing the commotion, Kenta stormed in.
"Oi! Cut it out, you idiots! This isn't even our place!"
"Shut up, you blue hedgehog!" Gyoda shot back, pointing at Kenta's spiky blue hair.
"Yeah, get lost, hedgehog-san. It's none of your business," Karna added, grinning.
A vein twitched on Kenta's forehead. "Alright then, do whatever you want. I'm leaving."
He turned to walk out—just as a stray pillow smacked the back of his head.
Kenta froze.
"That's it," he said through clenched teeth. "I'm kicking both your butts."
Without hesitation, he dove into the fray. The room erupted into total chaos. Pillows burst open, feathers filled the air, and the floor was a soft white sea.
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Rin led Reiko to her room.
"This will be your room," she said kindly before heading off.
Reiko opened the door—just in time for a stray pillow to hit her square in the face.
The sound of the impact froze everyone inside.
For a long moment, no one breathed.
The pillow stayed glued to Reiko's face, feathers quivering from the force of the hit.
Gyoda's hand was still raised mid-swing. Karna's jaw hung open. Kenta just stared, eyes wide, unsure if he should run or pray.
Silence stretched. The only sound was the faint flutter of feathers drifting through the air.
Then, ever so slowly, Gyoda's eyes shifted toward the door. He began inching sideways, moving with exaggerated care, trying to squeeze past Reiko like a guilty child sneaking out of trouble.
He'd almost made it to the edge when a hand shot out from under the pillow and grabbed the back of his shirt.
He froze instantly, shivering.
The pillow slid from her face. Her expression was calm—too calm. The kind of calm that spelled disaster.
Feathers drifted around her like falling snow as she took in the wrecked room—pillows torn apart, sheets tangled, and her belongings scattered across the floor.
"What," she said, her voice low and measured, "are you three doing in my room?"
Karna and Kenta instantly latched onto each other, trembling.
The door shut quietly behind her.
From outside, a muffled scream followed, making a few passing maids stop and stare in confusion.
In another part of the mansion, Fumiko stood by her window. She tied a small letter to a pigeon's leg and opened the shutter.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Fhog City - 9 PM
A narrow street stretched between dimly lit buildings. The air was heavy with smoke and damp stone. Under a flickering lamp stood two men—Bokto, lean and sharp-eyed, and Nikharva, tall and muscular, his presence casting a shadow across the street.
A cloaked messenger approached quietly.
"Kashi-sama has a message for you, Bokto-sama."
He handed over a sealed letter and left without another word.
Bokto opened it, his lips curving into a faint smirk.
"…Interesting."
Nikharva stepped closer. "What's the matter?"
Bokto tucked the letter away. "Looks like someone's on my tail."
Nikharva frowned. "What? How could they find you—the Strategic Machinator Bokto?"
"Only my men know I'm in this city," Bokto said calmly. "That means there's a snitch among us."
"A snitch, huh? Then we'll find out who it is," Nikharva said, cracking his knuckles.
Bokto's smirk deepened. "I already have an idea."
Nikharva chuckled. "Crafty as ever. So, who's after you this time?"
"Hina Mizuwoka."
Nikharva blinked. "No way. Isn't she the assistant of that beast Thoma from the council?"
"Yeah," Bokto replied, his tone casual. "Seems she's moving without her usual force this time—just one sidekick."
"I wonder who passed the order," Nikharva said.
"It must be a secret mission," Bokto replied. "If Hina herself is making a move, it's something the council doesn't want seen."
Nikharva grinned. "Don't you have connections inside the council? You could find out."
Bokto chuckled. "Of course. There are always a few corrupt scums to rely on. What would we without them!"
"Hina Mizuwoka, huh… I've always wanted to fight her." Nikharva grinned.
"Oh?" Bokto tilted his head slightly. "And who do you think would win?"
"I would," Nikharva said confidently. "I'll enjoy killing her."
Bokto smirked, his tone even. "Do as you please. But don't drag me into it. It's unwise to get on her master's bad side. Those higher ups in the council are absolute beasts."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Vanara Village – 12 PM
The village looked silent from the outside, but behind one of the crumbling houses, a small crowd had gathered in secret. Men and women huddled close together, their faces gaunt and weary.
At the center stood a man, his voice trembling with anger.
"We've been enslaved by Khumba for years!" he shouted. "They treat us like vermin—barely feed us, work us till we collapse, and chain us like animals!"
A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd.
Another man rose, his voice sharp and desperate. "He won't even let us leave the village! We can't go to other towns, can't work anywhere else. The moment we're no use to them, they kill us like dogs! How long are we going to live like this?"
The first man nodded fiercely. "Many of us get injured while working, and they don't even care! Just this morning, molten metal spilled onto one of our men's chest—and Koren said, 'it's fine as long as his arms still work.'"
He looked around, his gaze burning. "Is this how you want to live? Is this how you want your children to live?"
A hesitant voice came from the crowd. "But if we fight back, they'll kill us. We can't win against them. They're too strong."
"But there are so many of us," another man countered. "If we all rise together, they can't stop us."
The doubtful man shook his head. "Numbers don't matter. You've seen what they can do. One of their guards could crush ten of us. We'd all be dead before the sun sets."
An older villager spoke up, voice rough and bitter. "Dead or alive, what difference does it make? They've already taken everything. We have no money, no freedom, no food."
That struck a silence.
Then another voice broke it softly. "We still have our families. They promised not to harm them if we keep working. If we rebel… they'll go after our wives, our children."
The first man clenched his fists. "And what happens when they start taking them next? When your sons are sent to the forge and your daughters are taken away? You'll still say nothing?"
A few men lowered their heads, shame flickering across their faces.
An elderly man stepped forward, his tone heavy and tired. "We all feel the same, son. But we can't act now. Not yet. One wrong move, and they'll wipe us out. We need to wait… wait for the right time."
The anger in the group slowly gave way to silence. Heads dropped. The fire in their eyes dimmed, replaced by the dull weight of fear.
One by one, they began to leave, slipping quietly through narrow alleys back to their homes. The sound of footsteps faded, leaving only the whisper of wind through the broken walls.
The man who had spoken first stayed behind for a moment, staring at the ground.
"Wait for the right time…" he muttered under his breath. "But what if it never comes?"
Then he, too, turned away, disappearing into the shadows of Vanara Village.