After losing my pursuers, I joined the festival and tried to enjoy because it was my first time seeing one. The streets were decorated with beautiful flowers and there were many cherry blossom on the street indicating the arrival of spring. As I was passing by a jewelry shop, a dull yellow colored stone caught my eye. Shopkeeper saw my interest and started using his salesman skill saying that I have a good eye and so on. This shop had beautiful jewelry and stones. But that particular stone had its umh, some kind of magic. So I felt like I had to buy this or I will regret it. Shopkeeper wanted me to buy other stuff rather than that dull stone but I only bought that for 5 copper.
After that I moved on. There was hustle and bustle in the streets. There were many ihryer shops selling swords, mana portions, different kinds of sweets and other goods.
I was taking a stroll on the street and enjoying the scenery which was quite beautiful. The mana lamps were shining giving the streets light view, the night breeze was blowing as it was a coastal area, never I had felt this comfortable in the crowd. I almost forgot how it felt like in the crowd where I do not need to act prim and proper like a princess. Nobody would care about my identity. They would just treat me like an other stranger. It felt fresh.
As I was walking by the street, I saw a shopkeeper rebuking a kid, he was about my height and looked like a 13 or 14 years old. He wore black pants and blue shirt and a black hoddie that hid his face. The kid did not had enough money for the bread but he had a dangerous aura around him. He was not simple so I ignored him but as if he had sensed me, he held my arm and asked me to pay for him. I was baffled. I mean do normal people just ask for money from a stranger, he did not look like a beggar. He held my shoulders and his face was a few inch away, he stared directly into my eyes, he gave me a pleading look, my heart skipped a beat as he was a beauty and felt uncomfortable due to the sudden intimacy. He told me he would pay me back so I broke through his grip and decided that I would pay him as I could not just ignore a beauty right? But I regretted as soon as I heard the price. It was ten gold coins altogether. What the hell did he bought?! It was just bread right?! I eyed him suspiciously but paid in the end. After we paid, the shopkeeper gave us a lots of bread sandwiches and even beverages. The stranger took and whistled. From the back of alley a lot of young kids who looked like beggars came and he gave them all. The kids seemed to recognize him, I thought they would just snatch the food but they behaved well when he give them a stern stare. I couldn't understand what he was trying to achieve. I mean by giving them food for a day would not make their daily hunger disappear. You cannot give food to others daily. So what's the point of giving them false hope. The best way is to make a orphanage or shelters for them so they could be better taken care of. He passed the food bag to me indicating he needs some help so I also gave the kids some food. The eldest among them was just above 11. They were quite young. I was thinking why these kids were like this when a little girl not more than 5 years old came to me and pulled my cloak, she expressed her gratitude. It warmed my heart. The boy looked at me and shaked my hand and introduced himself. His name was Ash and asked for my name. I told him my name was Ryan. And then just as I was about to take my leave he suggested to join him. I did not know what to do but he insisted as he had to find his friend so that he could pay me. Indeed, I had to get my money back, as it was a lot. So I decided to tag along.
He took me to the square, and there we saw people dancing. It was fun to watch as a lot of couple were dancing in the center. I was enjoying the shoe when a beautiful girl asked me for a dance. I was taken aback but Ash gave me a push and I decided to accept the invitation of that blonde girl. She was fifteen and had deep blue eyes. She stared at my face and blushed. Seriously, a girl was blushing because of me. That was new to me. Though I had wore a mask but it just gave me a mysterious look. She asked me if I was a student in the academy, and I told her I'm not. Her name was Lilly. She told me she was a first year student and it was her first time coming to this festival. I told her, it was the same with me. After the dance ended, I looked around to find Ash but he was nowhere to be seen. Lilly saw my expressions and told me that he vanished as soon as the dance started. My heart was pounding, did he just ditch me? That's what I first thought. Lilly hooked her arm with me and told me she could not find her friends so I should accompany her to find them. I admit that she was beautiful but I could see her intentions. Her expectations were written on her face. But it's just that I can't leave a beautiful girl alone among all these people, can I? . So I had no choice but to accompany her.
As we walked she told me about the academy and her adventures as some students had come to Euphoria for a contest. I asked about what kind of contest was. She said that lots of swordmen participate in it. As she was water mage, she was not good with swords. A delicate girl that was my expression of her. Her friends were most probably were there and Ash would also be there so we both went to see that contest. When we reached I told her to sit near the fountain and went to buy a drink as she seemed tired.
Honestly, my heart was racing all along, as it was my first date but with a girl. I did not want to give her false hopes so I better find her friends so she can go back. Thinking like that I brought her a drink but she was surrounded by a group of men. There were four of them and it looked like that they were harassing her. I hurriedly went back to her when I heard her saying: "I don't need your company I already have a boyfriend. Oh, here he is". Saying that she looked at me. Those men looked at me as if I was their competitor and scoffed saying that she need a man not a kid. I felt offended by their comment. But before I could say anything Lilly told them I was a sword master. I regretted telling her that. They laughed at me and one of them probably the leader who had brown hair and eyes looked at me up and down as if scrutinizing me. He laughed and others joined him. Then he challenged me if I could win against one on one fight. Lilly looked at me with expecting eyes. I could not back down now as they were not good enough for her.
By that time, a lot of people had gathered and after accepting his challenge I came to know his name was Grayson and he was the champion of sword contest till now as nobody had defeated him. I could only think that they were right saying that you cannot judge a book by its cover. They took us to the arena near the fountain. Among the crowd, I saw Ash, smilimg mischievously, I could not understand the meaning that time. I really need to get my money back and go back. I was fooling around a lot.
Grayson was a sword master. Oh, at least he had something to be proud of. I had to carefully fight and better not to expose my abilities. So I decided to take a few hits first. I had to admit that man had talent. He was twenty three and I was twelve only. The difference was clear. A lot of people came to watch and wanted to enjoy someone's misery. They just wanted to know how he beats his opponents.
Honestly, it did hurt when he used his mana. He used his sword to strike back to back, he had an enormous storage of mana and that's a rare talent. I was wondering that if he did not had that personality then he would have been better as an ally. There were sounds of clashing of two swords in the air. He did not even realize that the match was just to test his strength. He did even imagine that I was hiding my true strength. So I just gave the audience what they wanted. But now it was time to change the flow as the half an hour time was coming to an end. As if he had seen his victory as only a few minutes left, with an over conference he whispered in my ears that:"After I beat you, I would take the girl for me". He gave me a provoking look. He was truly a bastard. I dropped my weak demeanor and gave him the fight. He thought he could finish me in his strike but not only I overpowered him but also lashed onto him. He was taken a back with my change. He was not the only one but also the audience as they could feel the air around me being changed. After beating him till my heart's content, I overpowered him in the last few moments and as he thought he would finish me with his last blow, I countered his attack and he took a few steps back and at that time I stroke him with my sword and his sword broke. And due to the impact he flew out of the arena, coughing blood. Tch, I tried to held back as much as I could but maybe he was too weak. Then I realized I had unintentionally released my bloodlust. The crowd shrank back and some people were looking at me in horror. Even Lilly seemed surprised and maybe a bit frightened. Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was Ash.
"Hold down bro, are you going to kill him?" l brushed away his hand and thought all of this was his fault. Suppressing my emotions I tried to suppress my mana. Lilly came to me with sparkling eyes and hugged me. It was dangerous, I could feel that she had already fallen for me. And suddenly she gave me a kiss on my cheeks and surprising not only me but also the people around us. Flabbergasted, I pushed her gently and decided to save her heart before its too late. It was cruel. And the timing could not be more worse than this but I had to dod it. So, I told her I have someone else in my heart, I can't correspond to her feelings and I'm sorry to hurt her. She slapped me on face and with teary eyes but they had fire in them, contrasting her calm demeanor. She told me she would not give up on me. After saying that she went to her friends who have me a pathetic look.
I was rooted to the ground as it was first time being slapped in two lives. Ash was laughing at my confused face. Hearing him laugh, my face hardened. I grabbed him by his collar, it was he who introduced us and the events then lead her on. Ash eyes twitched as I had probably seen through his plan. He pulled out of my grip and told me he just wanted to asses my abilities and after our interaction he honestly wanted to be my friend.
"I had to admit, you're quite good with your sword. But believe me I did not expect Lilly to fall for someone this easily . And who told you to be so awesome. I swear I did not know you were her type". He said trying his best not to smile and added teasingly, "maybe you can give her a chance, and if you ask me she is a good girl and a genius of our school, if you ask me".
"Then why don't you cahse her?"I countered. "Sorry, but I like someone else".
"It's the same with me", he gave me a distrustful look surley not satisfied with my answer.
"Are you sure, because it dose not look like to me".
I glared back at him, seems like he got my point so he did not pry any further and said we can just forget about this, and how about you become my friend he said offering his hand. This time I told him, "Sorry but l have a personal matter to take care of, so I won't be accepting the offer. But thank you any way". Knowing that he could not convince me he didn't push me further and at last gave me ten gold coins. After taking the money, I went back to my room and tried to sleep as it had been a very long day. I decided to take a horse to Avalon and would continue my journey tomorrow.
Next day, I woke up around 8 am and after having breakfast. I went out to buy a horse. When I reached a saddle, I saw Ash there. He was not wearing a cloak so I could see his face. He was only 14 but his face was attractive enough and his black eyes gave a mysterious look as they were as deep as abyss. If someone gets caught in them it's impossible to get out. His hair were darker than a night and were shinning in the sunlight. Suddenly he looked at my side as if I had been caught staring at him, I looked away instantly. I was thankful for my mask, as I knew I how hot my face was at that time.
He happily greeted me and almost couldn't believe at this coincidence. It was the same with me but knowing that it's the only place that sells good horses so it must ne a coincidence. He was smiling when he talked and my heart raced as I saw his mischievous smile. I awkwardly broke through his handshake. Beauty is truly a sin, I could understand that statement well. I turned to the horses. One of them caught my sight. It was a black horse, a good breed I would say. I paid five gold coins and took the horse with me. I took the reins in my hand and started moving when Ash started walking with me. I looked at him and asked what dose he wnat from me. He told me I gave him a familiar feeling and he wanted to befriend with a talented person such as me. I asked how long he will be following me as I had to leave. He asked where I was going, I told him, Avalon. He did ask further and moved away. I was about to take a step when I heard Lily's voice. She was running and I could see she was crying. Ash turned to her and told her to take a deep breath and then tell us what happened.
"Ash, the kids in the... Back of alley... Are gone... Even Fred is missing. He went to the kids.. this morning.. But when he did not come for hours i so I went to look for him but there was nobody. And the house had been turned upside down. Something bad must have happened".
Ash face turned cold. Even the atmosphere around him turned dangerous. He told Lily to show him the way. I gave the inn keeper order to take care of my horse and followed them. Ash did not expect me to tag along. He asked if I had time for this. Well, I could not just ignore the disappearance of kids just like that. And I told him I'm not that heartless. Kids were innocent and as the princess I could joy just turn away from those who need help.
We arrived at the alley, there was a run down building. Ash entered and we followed. But there was not a soul in sight. I went to the upper floor where blood spots were. Ash and Lilly followed and we saw the traces of resistance. There was even a piece of magic scroll near. I suspected that they took the kids by using the scroll. They both looked at me as if wanting to ask how did I know. I just asked, "do you guys trust me"?
They both nodded and then I asked them, "can I trust you?" Again they noded. I took the scroll and cast the spell on it and held their hands. I teleported us to the place where the scroll was used. I could sense the mana and trace it. They both looked at me, clearly they did not expect this from me. I only gave them a smile. When Ash turned serious. "This place looks like the hideout of the tiger gang". I asked him who were they. He told me that this gang kidnaps young kids and some are sold to aristocracy and others are trained to become assainan".
I did not think this was still going on as slavery is banned all over. As if he had read my mind reminded me Euphoria is not under the rule of any kingdom. "Then why don't the people here do something about this?" Lilly asked. Ash said in a flat tone, "without nobles support, they would not have survived for this long as nobles are the one who buys them". I again felt like I the frog of the well who didn't know about the ocean. Maybe the reason why elder wanted me to come alone was to broaden my view. In my past life, I was a sheltered person and that world is way too different from this one. And again in this life I had not seen the world.
These organizations treated kids as life stocks and used females as sex slaves. The more I listened to their explanations, the more angry I felt. But I tried to calm down myself. Because we need to save the kids. Suddenly an idea came to me and I shared with them. I decided to become the bait to lure the tiger.
Ash and Lilly both did not agree with me as it was just me being reckless. But I told them I'm quite strong and I'm the best option as they had already seen them but since from the start I was wearing a mask and they would not know me.
But Lilly cut me off by saying that they would definitely go for a girl not a boy and she is a better choice. I smiled and with a little hesitation I took off my mask and said:"It's even better as I'm a girl".
I had to be the one as Lilly would not be their opponent. And this was a great way of testing my abilities. Because of my mask and height, they could not guess my gender and because of my dressing I looked like a young lad. Both Ash and Lilly were baffled. I took Lilly hand in mine and said:"I'm sorry Lilly, I did not mean to deceive you guys but I had my reasons to dress like this".
Lilly was blushing hard as she remembered the last night's event where she confessed her feelings. It was so cute to see her embarrass.
"Lilly thank you for your confession, it was first time I had been confessed to but I did enjoy our time".
She brushed off my hands and glared at me. Ash was looking at me with odd eyes. I could not point out and thought he was just surprised to know the truth. Then we devised a plan. It was decided that I would distract them and they would take me in, and Ash and Lilly would follow me in order to reach their hideout. It was just being reckless but we couldn't just go and inform the knights. As we could not trust others especially nobles in this condition. There was something that was telling me to go inside as if were calling me. And if anything went south then I will just teleport everyone out by using the scrolls.