Drewells976
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Chapter 242 - Beloved by the Spirits
🕑 Added 2024-06-01 01:43:35 +0000 UTCA/N: 2.7k :)
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=105340705&i=19178675
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Kai headed to the southern beach with his family at the brink of dawn. An elderly couple strolled along the waterside, and a man was jogging in the distance. The scenery would be close to perfect if it weren’t for the pieces of broken glass abandoned around a bonfire, likely the result of teenagers or tourists having fun the previous night.
“Damn litterers,” Kai grumbled. Living near a town of thousands, this was the best they would get for a sacred ceremony. The northern beach would already be trodden with fishermen and sightseers.
He let his family walk ahead while he gathered the sharpest fragments. Shimmering shards floated into a sphere under his palm. It was hard to distinguish the smallest slivers buried in the sand, but glass was nothing more than a mixture of molten rock. He got the job done by consuming more Earth mana.
“Neat trick.” Flynn gestured to the floating ball of glass. “Can you do that with dust too? I know some people in Higharbor who would kill to find a magic cleaner.”
It wouldn’t be efficient, but dust wasn’t far from dirt either. Kai grunted and crushed the glass into fine powder. “Probably. I’ve never tried.”
“C’mon, stop brooding. The beach is practically pristine. You should see the weird garbage they find in Higharbor.”
“I’m not brooding.” Kai pursed his lips, he probably was. “I just want this day to be perfect for Kien.”
His own second birthday was amongst one of those perfect memories he cherished. The pride of his parents, laughter with his sisters, learning two new skills and almost drowning.
Mom was pretty upset, but it wasn’t that bad…
The trash was another reminder that times were changing, whether he wanted it to or not. The concept of litter didn’t even exist in Whiteshore.
Flynn poked his ribs. “You were zoning out again,” he justified, leaping back to avoid retaliation. “We’re all here, that’s what matters. Kien doesn’t care about the beach, but he’ll remember his brother’s melodramatic face.”
“I don’t have—” A hand raised to his face to check. “Fine. You’re right.”
“Of course, I am. Now, why don’t you give Kien a little encouragement?” Flynn grinned. “Just drop the look of ‘I’m about to murder someone’.”
“I… okay.” It was a chance to bond with his brother. The toddler was standing alone by the shore while Alana discussed the last details with Moui.
Kai strolled up to him, dragging his feet on the sand so as not to jolt him. “I’m sure you’ll do great.” He offered an encouraging smile.
“Mhmm…” Kien glanced up and then back down at the sand, biting his lip. He raised his thumb to his mouth, only to realize mid-gesture and let his arm hang down.
What do I say now?
Ele robbed him of the opportunity. “It’s okay to be nervous, Kiki. But the ceremony is really nothing to be scared about. We’ll all be here with you, and later we can open your gifts and eat yummy food.” She extended her hand. “Can you be brave for me?”
“Yes.” The toddler bobbed his head and held onto his sister.
“Okay, let’s go prepare. Do you remember what you need to…”
“What did I do wrong?” Kai exhaled a slow breath.
“He just needs more time. He met you yesterday, and I can barely believe that you’re back myself.”
Why is he here again? Kai turned to confront his nemesis.
Sabe’s obnoxiously handsome face looked at him with his perfect teeth. “Ele didn’t tell me all the details, but if you need anything, I want you to know I’m here.” The tanned pearl hunter offered a friendly and unrequired pat. “We’re family now.”
How could I let this happen…
As if a lump had gotten stuck in his throat, Kai fought the urge to not choke. Unfortunately, he had promised his sister last night that he would try to get along. Today wasn’t about him. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“No problem, man.” Sabe lit up like a praised puppy. “I’m happy to help.”
You get one chance. One wrong step and I’m onto you.
Before the crowds of the day could swarm the beach, his mom began the ceremony with Moui at her side. “I ask for the favor of Kahali, the venerable spirit of the sea and protector of our shores. Grant us your favor and accept my son into your waters. May he join his ancestors…”
Alana chanted at the sea while Kien waited beside her.
Having been blessed by Kahali put Kai in an odd position. He had been touched by the first seven waves, a good omen. Though he didn’t know whether the Great Spirit actually cared about the ceremony or if it was a purely human invention. Contrary to the chatty fairy, the spirits had always preferred a hands-off approach.
Ele tightly held Sabe’s hand, leaning against his shoulder. “What if the waves don’t come? The tide is almost low. I don’t want him to be disappointed.”
“The spirits won’t let that happen,” Kai stated with absolute certainty. He wasn’t going to let chance or the whims of a god decide his brother's fate. Adding a little oomph to a wave with Water Magic would be easy.
“Thank you.” His sister smiled, relieved and unaware of his intentions.
Flynn gave him a conspiratorial wink. “I’ve got a good Hunch about this.”
…forevermore amidst your waters.” Alana finished her plea. Kien extended his little hand on the sand, waiting to receive the approval of Kahali to step into the sea and learn to swim.
I should wait for a bit not to be suspicious.
Up to seventy was still considered—
Kai froze when the first wave washed over Kien’s palm and splashed his face. With a gleeful squeal, the toddler scrambled into the sea. Surprised cheers echoed as his family crowded around him.
“Damn, you got really good.” Flynn threw an arm over his shoulder and whispered. “I was looking for it, but I couldn't perceive a thing.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Yeah… Of course not.” Flynn winked again and joined the celebration.
Is my brother really favored by Kahali?
It could be a coincidence, but it was the very first wave. Kai would have understood the second or the fifth, but that wave had come almost unnaturally strong. Had the spirits actually taken an interest?
Kien's joyful laughter interrupted his thoughts. The toddler would have already learned Swimming if he weren’t forbidden by tradition. He was having the time of his life splashing in the sea.
Alana and Moui watched on with proud looks and bright smiles.
Hmm… it probably doesn’t matter. Kai went to join the battle of splatters.
*
“You cheated.” Flynn sulked, drying his hair with a towel back at the house.
“Everyone uses what they’ve got,” Kai replied with a grin. “You have your physical attributes, and I have my spells. It only seems fair.”
After Kien had learned Swimming and gone to shore to take a nap with his parents, the water battle had devolved among the so-called adults. Kai had the lowest Strength without using Body Augmentation, but that hardly mattered when he could control the sea.
Even with Ele joining forces to wrestle him underwater, Kai could just cast a bubble around his head. Their fruitless attempts to drown him were adorable.
Flynn crossed his arms. “You’re no fun.”
“Because I didn’t let you win?”
“You almost drowned me. I don’t think I’ve ever drank so much seawater in my life.”
Kai felt a pinprick of guilt, though he couldn’t remember the last time he had this much fun. “I appreciate your sacrifice, and I’m happy to give you a rematch anytime you want.”
“Next time I will choose the terrain though.”
“Deal.” Kai patted him on the back. Water Magic was far from the only trick in his arsenal. He was curious to see if his friend had kept up the training. “C’mon, I don’t want to make Kien wait.”
They walked into the living room already set for another feast. His mom was still convinced he was undernourished and needed to stuff him like a calamari during the Festival of the Tides.
“Meeeow.” Hobbes sauntered into the room from his morning of mischief at the market. The little diva quickly got the attention he wanted.
“Kitty!” Kien raced towards him with starry eyes to scoop the furball into a hug. “I missed you.”
Hobbes sent a wave of grumpiness through their bond and endured the scratches with a stoic purring.
Such a hero. It’s his birthday, you can survive a few belly rubs.
“Mrow.”
Fine. I owe you a fish. Yes, a very big one.
The glutton became quite enamored with seafood since he had arrived in the archipelago. In the Sanctuary, the sea and its creatures had always been off-limits.
“It’s time to eat, Kiki.” Alana picked the boy and cat up. “Aren’t you hungry? I prepared all your favorite dishes.”
“Can the kitty eat with me, mommy?” Kien pleaded with innocent eyes that, Kai suspected, weren't entirely innocent.
“Mew.” Hobbes matched his puppy eyes, lifting his silver paws. The Familiar bond was a two-way street, and the furball grew more devious by the day.
Faced with such weaponized cuteness, Alana was forced to yield. “I’ll find something for the cat to eat. Now go sit, Kiki.”
“Yes, mom.” Kien scurried to obey and dragged a chair beside him for Hobbes.
Plates of steaming lobster, spicy purple sauce and icy drinks quickly filled the room with a delicious smell and lively chat. Kai was glad to enjoy the food and leave the spotlight to his brother. He wasn’t the only one surprised by the ceremony. Had Kahali blessed Kien? Was he destined to become a great seafarer?
Apparently, this wasn’t the first peculiar event to befall his little brother. His exceptional results could be attributed in part to his grade, but some details still gave Kai pause as Alana recounted the stories.
As a baby, Kien had cried to keep Ele home just before the Wandering Moon reversed the tides and a storm hit the archipelago. Another time, he found a copper keepsake in the market, only for it to belong to a visiting mage who gave him a golden mesar as thanks.
Either he’s extremely lucky, or he’s actually beloved by the spirits…
During the whole conversation, Kien was more interested in feeding Hobbes samples from each plate. The cat perched on a chair, smelling each bite before he accepted or dismissed the offerings with an imperious wave of his paw.
Hmm… They might be a bad influence on each other.
“Kiki, don’t give him food from the table. I’ve already prepared a plate for him.”
Kien stilled with a crab leg dipped in sauce in his hand. “Kitty likes this more.” His aquamarine eyes look up pitifully.
"Meeeow." Hobbes voiced his agreement, throwing a contemptuous glance at the plate on the floor.
“Don't make me repeat myself, Kiki. You know the rules. The food stays on the table.”
“Daddy.” Kien turned his baby charm toward the weaker target.
Moui hurried to hide his smile when Alana looked at him. “It’s his birthday, honey. We can make a little exception.” The hunter caressed her arm.
“Fine. But just for today,” his mom reluctantly relented. “And no more sauces or gravy. The floor is already a mess.”
“Thank you.” Kien happily cheered and fed the crab leg to the spoiled cat.
Maybe I shouldn’t have encouraged them to play together…
Kai resolved to keep an eye on them. After a four-course meal that left his stomach bulging, he helped his sister carry the dishes into the kitchen to escape the coconut and white berries pie. “Sometimes I wonder if Mom isn’t also trying to kill me. I’m about to explode. It wasn’t this bad when I was a child.”
Ele put the plates down in the sink and gave him a puzzled look. “You truly don’t know?”
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Remember that winter when we lost Dad and almost starved to death.”
“Oh…”
How did I never put that together?
“Mom shows love through her food. And it makes her happy to know we're well-fed.” Ele gave him a one-arm hug. “Just hold on, little brother. She’ll slow down once she knows you’re not going to disappear on us.”
They walked back to the party. Lunch was wrapping up, and Kien was excitedly jumping around awaiting his gifts.
“I kept a slice for you, sweetie.” Alana presented Kai with a plate of snow-white pie.
“It looks delicious, I’ll eat it later as a snack.” Kai motioned to his brother. “Kien looks eager to open his presents.”
“Hmm… you’re probably right.” Alana went to make the excited toddler sit down before he vomited the food.
Moui presented his gift first. Kneeling before his son with a proud smile, he took out a finely woven bracelet with four wooden charms. A tree, an anchor, a conch, and an arrowhead. “I got this from my dad when I was your age, like he did with his dad before him. Each one added a symbol to pass to the next generation. And one day, when you’re big, you’ll carve one too for your son or daughter.”
Kien stared at his wrist with an open mouth.
“Make sure to always wear it, so it will bring you good luck as it did for me.”
“Yes, daddy.”
“It’s my turn then.” Alana brought out a silver pendant with two crossed concentric circles, the sacred symbols of the archipelago. “May the spirits always watch over you, my love,” she said, kissing him on the forehead.
Sharing a glance with Ele, Flynn walked forward. “Guess I’ll go next. This is for my favorite two-year-old.”
With a dramatic wave and a twist of his wrist, he produced a wooden knife, big enough to be a sword for a toddler. The wood was enchanted to look like metal while having no edge.
Moui watched with an amused look, quickly hidden when his wife glanced at him.
“Thank you for the thoughtful gift,” Alana stressed the word with her lips pursed.
Kien already watched the toy blade with starry eyes. “Thank you, Finn.”
“Of course, but keep in mind this weapon is a great responsibility. You must promise me you’ll only use it for good and to slay evil beasts.”
The toddler solemnly nodded.
“Good boy.” Flynn ruffled his hair with a fond expression.
How is he so good at this? This is unfair.
“You can go first,” Ele whispered to Kai. “We’ll go for last.”
“Okay.” He strode forward, quickly extinguishing his brother's smile.
Dammit. What am I doing wrong? Maybe I should give him Hobbes… No, that would be a disaster.
He had the enchanted trinket and sweets he bought in Higharbor, but that couldn’t compete. Presenting his empty palm, he made a shimmering blue crystal appear from his ring. “This was the treasure of a Flood Wyvern. It doubles the Water mana in an area. You can probably use it in an array to improve the effect, but it works quite well by itself.”
Kai smiled at his brother's awed look, only to realize the whole room had gone silent, and was gawking at the mana treasure.
“It also makes a pretty light if you shake it.” He gave a quick demonstration that made the crystal illuminate the room in shades of turquoise and teal. “Here, don’t lose it.”
The toddler stared at the sparky gem with a transfixed look.
I think he likes it.
Kai plopped back into his seat. Finally, he had gotten something right.
“You weren’t joking?” Flynn elbowed him. “Did you really get that from a wyvern?”
“Why would I lie?”
“Ehm… our brother always liked surprises.” Ele chuckled and walked forward holding hands with Sabe. “Our present doesn’t sparkle as much, but we dived into an underwater cave guarded by a cranky crab to get it.” She bent down to place a pendant adorned with a shiny black pearl over Kien’s head.
With a hand on her stomach, his sister continued. “We also have another gift.” She smiled at their mother who slowly covered her mouth. “But you’ll have to wait a few months for that.”
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A/N: This will conclude the major family moments. From the next chapter, we'll jump to what's next.
Have a great weekend!
Comments
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter! Hmm so next Kai meets Reichi again probably? Also Lou and perhaps the rest of his Gang and spends some time in Sylspring before it should be off to the Continent. With Kea going there thats only an added incentive to both give her the news as soon as possible, keep her safe, fullfill his dreams of adventuring, get stronger in general AND there's always the situation with "The Lady of Blood" how will he ever meet his masters again if he won't travel at some point?!
ManguKing
I wanted to smack Flynn so hard on this chapter. You see how much Kai is struggling with kiki. Why the fuck would you accuse Kai of being a liar infront of his little brother ever? Wtf? Does he want kiki to love him more than he would love his own brother?
ThoMiCroN
Sabe was just obviously lovestruck and didn’t know how to get her attention. Kai should have known that it might not be the real him but the low-IQ lovestruck him.
Random Information
chapter 23 - when Kai leaves for his 7th bithday.
Gorane
What ch was that thought by dora,m
Gabriel Medeiros
i think we will get a mini arc with Kai powering his class to orange. He needs about 50k xp so it may take a few months. But he is complaining he needs more stats to power his skill advancement.
Random Information
Maybe Kien is a "Chosen of the Moons". This title was mentioned by Dora in passing when thinking about Kai:- She also considered him to be a Chosen of the Moons, but he only showed half the signs a blessed child would have.
Atlas Dwarf
I could see a mini-arc of relaxation into the mainland arc. Enchanting up his villa house, visiting his father's grave in Greenside, etc. Problem is I don't see Kai wanting anything to do with the Voice unless they are REALLY mucking things up. And they could barely do that on the archipelago before the military became invested. I don't recall Kai ever telling his family that the Voice was behind the Pirate raid, only that Moui should stay away from the hunter's lodge. So an angry Kea could have been recruited by the Voice and eventually joined their extremist faction. Going to the mainland to get stronger and messing up the Republic aren't mutually exclusive.
Random Information
The problem with the mainland being the next arc is that I can't see Kai setting off quite yet for it. He would want a few months (at least) reconnecting with family, lazing around, making potions and so on. We could have a time skip, but then we've just had a 2 year time skip. I don't see Kea joining the Voice of the Ancestors - she probably still remembers the pirate raid that almost killed her sister. It makes sense for her to go to the mainland to get strong, then get her revenge.
Atlas Dwarf
It could be both the Voice of the Ancestors and mainland arc. Flynn did offhandedly mention a couple years ago that his mother and the rest of the Pirate instigators were not in good standing with most of the Voice groups anymore. So the Voice extremists could be trying to pull something on the mainland against the Republic. Also Kea could have joined the Voice and eventually the extremists after losing Kai to the Republic. Maybe Flynn's sister is part of the friend group Kea went with?
Saltymen
It's also possible that Kea is lying about being on the mainland and has joined up with the voice.
nicolas
Uhm, my hunch is that next arc will be in the mainland and kai might be puched to go there early because of Kea. But maybe there will be a last archipelago arc before that. Though, the Voice of the Ancestors is not in direct conflict with Kai. They have the same objective, it's just that they are much more extreme and think they can change things even against the overwelhming might of the republic.
Apep
He definitely needs to drop that treasure hunter skill a get impro again.
Michael
From his perspective, his sister did a 180 while he was gone regarding Sabe. Last he knew, the guy was an obnoxious fool, and now he is (suddenly, from his perspective) married to his sister. It'll just take some time for him to get used to that. I don't think it's that gratuitous, it would be a lot stranger if Kai was taking all the surprising changes in stride.
Gabriel Medeiros
its will be more a foreign service/ranger training/mage postdoctorare than prep school drama
Fleisch
Boom! Roasted!
Fleisch
Just imagine, red star 2 pears are now living in the jungle.
Fleisch
Also, maybe it isn’t a matter of Kai being there that made their family special but maybe for some reason Alana’s heritage is lucky and because of this, Kai was born into it.
Random Information
I wonder if Kai still has that water-mana testing device, and what level his brother would have.
Fleisch
Has he actually done anything to intervene on their marriage? I get that he has to get over himself but honestly I don’t actually believe he means what he says when he says he doesn’t like Sabe. I think it is him coming to terms with the fact that his family is growing up and moving on.
Spicyice101
Ewww, those always turn into tournament arcs.
Random Information
I'm thinking the next arc (stating Monday?) may be a Voice of the Ancestors / Flynn's mother arc. If Kai gets any stronger they won't be a problem for him, so it makes sense (story-wise) that they intervene now.
Kyfe
Yeah, it was understandable for him to want to stand up for his sister and protect her when she was single, but now she's married. That's her husband. Unless it comes out that he beats her or cheats on her or something (which is NOT going to happen, lol), he needs to mind his business now, lol.
Gabriel Medeiros
Val most likely is in her academy arc....
ThoMiCroN
His hate of Sabe is so gratuitous, or he’s a siscon.
Ananiash
I thought about it too lol
nicolas
yeah, not sure it is safe to leave something so valuable with a two years old or even his family. Though Moui being yellow should be able to protect it.
Eric M
The fate fulcrum was used in High Harbor, I don't think it could have reached all the way to SylSpring, even if it was the night of his conception. I think it is more in line with what Doug said, Kahali already blessed Kai, and he has blossomed into a great investment, why not bet on the little brother. And I suspect Kien may be talented with water, Kai can't be the best in the family at everything, and I believe Ele had a higher water affinity than Kai before Kai got his blessing, so the affinity is strong within the family (well Alana's side at least).
Muhammad A
Thanks for the chapter!
dangerous mob
He has much better mana control thus I don't think he is projecting any aura. He probably is just very intense. And having no social related skill helps
Doug Wills
Yeah, hahaha.
saltyApple
oohhh thanks for correcting me on Ele being pregnant! Thats exciting. Either way was exciting but I am less shocked now lol.
Sean Krkovich
Ye, pearls are worthless bobbles desired only for their absurdity while pears are valuable resources that can be eaten.
Doug Wills
Pretty sure Kien isn't a special snowflake. He's Kai's brother. And Kahali likes Kai. So he will grant his brother favor as well. Secondarily, Alana isn't pregnant. Ele is.
Stephen Pearson
Apparently the area has become more prosperous (most folks have enchanted possessions, from a chapter or 2 back), so the soft embargo may already be failing or obsolete.
saltyApple
Also not sure how i feel about Kien being a special snowflake. Its like lightning striking twice. Its hard to imagine him being another Kai tho considering Kai learned Mana Sense at 2 and had the past-life memories cheat going for him. Im thinking Kien's favor mightve been boosted as a result of that night he was conceived being special (also didn't Kai use the fate fulcrum that night????) since that would explain how often he gets lucky. Its also a problem if Kien grows up taking his good luck for granted. Compared to his other siblings hes had a privileged life so idk its just kinda a bad feel if he grows up not appreciating the work that went into making it that way.
El_Branco
It makes sense... At the time kai was 12 and with plans to go to mainland, Ele would move out eventually and Kea would figure something out. Sinse Moui didn't had children and thanks to their grades they had no problem in expand their family. Ele and sabe have good jobs and they don't have the ambition to pursue either magic nor adventure so it makes sense she ends up settling down and start a family by herself. She was always mature and good with children.
mmarkgraf212
Nice to see Sabe upgraded to a pear hunter. Definitly a more prestigious position.
saltyApple
edit: Misread at first and thought Alana was pregnant again lolol
El_Branco
Maybe he also ends up protejecting some kind of aura... Like how Moui did
TrampolineMan
...and thus we are introduced to Valela again as Kai must once more secure enhancing elixirs for the newest baby in the family.
David Bordelon
Yeah. I'm guessing youre right. I was thinking that he might look different or other worldly due to eating very high level meat and plants the last two years. That has to do something odd id think.
Kyfe
We got a hint at his problem, too. He's apparently glaring at everyone like he's going to murder them, and he wants to know why they're staring at him with funny looks, lol.
wanderer117
Given the for shadowing I don't think there is anything to worry about. The mana across the archipelago is only going up over their lifetime. And he/she will always have aunt Kea to sympathize with.
Kyfe
Plot Twist, it was actually Kien's Favor/Blessing working backwards in time that snatched Kai out of the ether into their world in order to pave the way for him. He's the protagonist of this world. It's already worked in his favor (no pun intended) multiple ways: Being born at all (without Kai, Alana and Moui would have never met), Connection to Flynn, Grade Potions, Wyvern Jewel. I'm sure the list will go on, lol.
Kyfe
Kai's reunion with Valela is just going to be him showing up randomly and asking for more Grade Potions as if nothing happened, haha. When she gives him a weird look, he's going to be like, "What?"
Immutably Empty
Kai will probably start training Kien's skills since it's all Kai knows.
Gryxx
Thanks for the chapter! You accidentally wrote 'car' instead of 'cat' near the middle of the chapter, patreon doesn't have a good edit suggestion system though :(
Connor Hinrichs
Kai is so awkward with social stuff now, I love it. But I also feel bad for him, I hope he will be able to bond with Kien during the next few months he spends on the Archipelago
Manu
Pear Hunter is just right!
Faa Diallo
Dang boy they really pumping them babies. A lot of these stories don't have big families and I appreciate that this one does/will.
Cameron C
This was a solid chapter that hit a lot of beats. I think the emotional strengths in the chapter shined through, and I like how our cat familiar is evolving into a fun addition. I hope we see him kick ass in a flashback too. Some feline fury!
Ottstop
Idk, I think hunting pears is pretty fricking funny
Brandon Steele
Ele Is pregnant?
Andrew
Thank you!
Timothy Pressey
Tftc! Tanned pear hunter -> tanned pearl hunter 😆
Steph
Ah man, what a gut punch to fuck up when you try so hard! 😭
James Faulkner
Sabe is gonna die 😂 Tftc!
Jon
Tftc
Derze
I mean to write Ele. But got the names mixed. Already edited.
Austin
Alana isn't having another baby?
Derze
Geez, Another one? Then again, she is actually not wrong in doing so. Kai’s family is surprisingly normal sized. I just hope the young little dude doesn’t grow thinking every of his uncles/aunts need/are exceptional so he must be too. Unwanted sort of pressure
A B
Tyfc! Edit suggestion: treasure of Flood Wyvern -> treasure of a Flood Wyvern
Matthew D
Gonna be a big family
Aceluke
Oh no, another baby! Aaaaa
Dominic French
Lol, a two year olds birthday and Kai gifts him the equivalent of a Lamborghini
Louis Cypher
Damn, Kai’s about to become an uncle. 😂
