John looks at his status screen and sighs."Finally. I thought it would take months for the CRC (Core Record Chip) to activate."
He looks at his status screen again.
STATUS SCREEN
Name: John Whitlock
Age: 14
Status: Partially Sealed
Affiliation: Whitlock Family
ATTRIBUTES
Strength: B
Endurance: A
Agility: B
Perception: A
Willpower: S
Mana: B (Restricted)
PATHS
Sword Path: Initiate
Sorcery: Locked
Rune Craft: Locked
AFFINITIES
Elemental Affinity: Unknown
Compatibility: High (Restricted)
TRAITS
Sealed Potential
High Gravity Adaptation (Passive)
SYSTEM NOTICE: RECORD UPDATE COMPLETED
John closes the screen, exits the training chamber, and heads to his room. He washes up and quickly gets ready for the festival.
He changes fast—pulling on a black T-shirt with rolled-up sleeves, black pants, and his shoes. Just as he finishes, Agnes enters the room after knocking, a blue yukata folded neatly in her hands.
Agnes is the head maid of the estate. She's been here since before I was born.
She looks at him, then at his outfit, and says,"Master, you wouldn't happen to be going to the Izumite Celebration wearing something like that, would you?"
John looks at her and replies matter-of-factly,"Yeah. I'm not wearing that."
She steps into the room, comes closer, and looks him dead in the eye with a sweet smile. John takes two steps back.
With an awkward smile, he says,"Hey now, you can't do this again."He takes two more steps back and continues,"You can't just force people to wear stuff."
Agnes takes a step forward."Mistress Lara has told me you have to wear this," she says. Then she adds,"Master John, when you're outside, you represent the Whitlock family. So you are wearing this—even if I have to stitch it onto you."
John looks at her, then past her toward the door."Hey, Thalia! You'll get sick if you eat that entire tub of ice cream!"
Agnes turns around—no one is there. When she turns back, John is already gone. The window is wide open.
Outside the estate, John sighs."I think I'm going to pay for that when I get back."
He walks toward the festival. Lanterns float in the sky, and food stalls line the streets. As John enters, he starts looking for his friends.
He spots a black-haired girl with a high ponytail waiting near a stall. She waves at him.
John walks over."You dressed up for the occasion tonight."
She smirks."Unlike some people, I care about culture."
John laughs."Well, it's rare to see you outside your training gear."Then he asks,"Are you the first one to arrive?"
"No," she replies. "Luke and Anna are at the stall in the far corner. They're trying to win some kind of stuffed toy."
John starts walking toward the stall, but Leah stops him."Wait. Michael and Maya haven't come yet. Let's go with them."
John stops."Alright."Then he asks,"So why was this festival planned so suddenly?"
Leah sighs."Anna has something she wants to say to us."Then she adds,"And try to be nice, please."
John replies,"Yeah, yeah. I know."
Leah ignores the comment and takes out her phone, texting someone.
Just then, a voice comes from ahead."So this fucker also came."
It's a boy with messy blond hair and sharp golden eyes, a prominent red scar trailing across his cheek. He's wearing a black suit.
John chuckles."Hey, look. Somebody let the bitch off its leash."
Leah sighs, then pulls Mike into a hug."Hey, Mike. It's been a long time."Then she adds,"Color me surprised—two people I never thought would come actually showed up."
Mike laughs."You look hot as ever, Leah. And out of your training gear—I'm surprised."
Mike turns to John."You look like shit."
John chuckles."Says the guy born with the face of a bitch."
They stare at each other for a moment, then both burst out laughing and clasp hands.
"Been a long time," Mike says.
John smiles."Yeah—"
He's interrupted mid-sentence by a light punch to the gut. It's Maya. She's short, with amber-brown hair, and she's wearing a white floral yukata.
She looks at John and Mike."You both look good tonight, even though what you're wearing isn't culturally appropriate."Then she continues,"I'll let it slide since both of you showing up is a big deal."
She runs over and pulls Leah into a hug. The two of them giggle.
Mike grins."So, no hugs for us?"
Maya laughs and pulls both John and Mike into a hug."It's good to see you both too."
John says,"Now that the gang's back together, let's head over to Luke and Anna."Then he adds,"Knowing Anna, she's probably throwing a fit by now."
They walk deeper into the festival, passing stall after stall.