Set up in the middle of the open street was a few tables and benches and at those tables were men in various styles of robes with one common theme; they were all coloured green and blue . Lines of teenagers, several in tattered attire, waited to be seen by the men . The clearly poorer youths were hustled to the back each time a pompous, over indulged and overbearing individual came along with their bodyguards and servants .
"I see a few of the commoner offspring are attempting to join the school again," one man with silken attire mused as he aired his painted face with a paper fan .
"Well the school does unfortunately encourage the poor dears," a woman with several ornate combs in her pinned hair mused .
"I guess at least they can make themselves useful fetching water," the boy with them muttered, before waltzing forward, to bully the commoners to retreat further in line .
Neither Jin Li nor Leon said anything about the arrogant behaviour of the wealthy; it was nothing that neither of them had not experienced . . . albeit on different sides of the playing field . There was also no guarantee that the school would admit the wealthy children into it anymore than the poor ones . Unless a back door was opened with a huge bribe . Of course if that was the case, the person walking through it, would not be waiting here .
Advertisement
Leon glanced over the men interviewing the candidates and noticed a familiar face . He was also startled to notice that he too had been seen .
The golden skinned youth approached him with a wide grin . Leon noticed that his height compared to Jin Li, but in terms of physical appearance, Leon would say that Pike was an unmovable mountain and Jin Li a tall, flexible pine tree . "Little Leo!" Pike called out, causing Jin Li's eyesbrows to rise . Leon placed his finger to his lips, hoping Jin Li would understand this term . Jin Li rolled his eyes heavenward, but glared a second message through his eyes; you will explain later .
"Senior P-Pike," Leon bowed slightly .
"I was planning on requesting for you soon," Pike admitted, sheepishly . "My Master favoured your pills for their consistency, despite the number being fairly great and hoped to gain more . "
"J-j-just b-blood p-pills?" Leon asked .
"I will check with my Master what he seeks," Pike said, after a moment's thought . "I didn't expect you to be in town . "
"J-just p-purchasing n-n-ne . . stuff," Leon replied, with a slight shrug . "G-got curious . "
"Ah yes, this years . . . applicants," Pike did not look too impressed with any of them, whether rich, poor or somewhere in the middle . "Well there might be some talent lurking . I probably should not judge from just appearances . "
"H-how o-o-old," Leon's throat was suddenly feeling dry and he struggled to finish the sentence .
"How old should the applicants be?" Pike finished for him and he nodded that this was what he meant . "Well, we usually take new students between 15 to 20 years of age; some study in sects or under private tutors before coming to us hence the range in age . Why do you ask?"
Leon had glanced up at Jin Li, but hearing the upper range felt disheartened . Although he had never enquiries, surely Jin Li was older than this . Jin Li tutted and leaned down to say with all seriousness . "I am seventeen years old . "
Leon blinked a few times . "W-what?" Surely there was no way Jin Li was his junior in age, he must have heard him incorrectly!
I said . . . " Jin Li began to repeat his words .
"Who's this?" Pike asked Leon .
"M-m-my friend, J-Jin Li," Leon told him .
"Oh, he is looking to apply to the institute?" Pike asked .
"No," Jin Li said firmly, but Leon managed to squeak out a slightly louder affirmative, causing Jin Li to glare at him once more . "I don't need to . "
"It's a g-g-good i-idea," Leon pressed him . "B-b-better f-facilities . " Jin Li narrowed his eyes, but did not continue to deny or confirm his application .
Pike looked slightly confused regarding the interaction between the two, but thought it better not to question it . "Why don't I take you to speak with one of the Teacher's now," he suggested . "It doesn't hurt to apply . You won't necessarily be assigned to any school within the institute anyway . "
Jin Li suddenly felt as if this boy was mocking him . Not get into what school? They would all beg for him to attend to their schools . "Fine," he agreed .
Chapter end
Report
|
Donate
Oh o, this user has not set a donation button.
|