Tales of the Supremes 57 NOW I KNOW

Uno lazily stretched out his body.

Just as he was about to went out, someone knocked on his door.

"Who's there?" asked he.

"Your servant is here to deliver your meal," said a masculine voice.

"Come in."

A man in his twenty entered his room with a tray full of food.

"Thank you," said Uno.

"It's my honor to serve you!" the man said beamingly. The moment he was assigned to deliver the food for the Kingdom's student, Uno, he didn't hesitate to accept it.

"By the way, I'm Yan." The man introduced himself. Though he wasn't sure if the youth in front of him will accept his introduction.

"I'm Uno," Uno said with a smile decorating his face.

His action made Yan be flabbergasted. He did not truly anticipate it. 'They're too good.' he commented at his heart.

"Gotta go. Hope you enjoy your breakfast." The man bowed respectfully before he left.

"Such a good person," Uno commented on his heart.

...

Uno slipped on his room and dragged Kalipsi to Tala's room.

The moment they entered, they raised their foot slowly and lightly not to made a sound for they saw Tala leaning on his table with no motion.

"He's asleep again. That's good," Kalipsi murmured under his breath. He could barely see him fall asleep.

The two peeked at the things on the table.

They found out a scroll where a map was drawn.

It was drawn simply, but the two couldn't fathom where it was.

There was a seemingly vast land that was closed by a circle. From then, a line seemingly like route pierced through that circle and traveled straight to three seas and three lands.

"This..." the two couldn't find a word.

Three seas and three lands?

What does it mean?

"Why would Tala draw a circle over this land," Uno asked the man beside him. The land that has the vastest space has a circle for an unknown reason.

"I don't know?"

Not understanding the map, they give up and just idly sit to the bedside waiting for Tala to wake up.

...

At the heart of the north side of the land, a square stood still as it was filled up with students wearing their proud brown robes. This is where the selection will be held.

The center of the square was a platform.

Datu Lakan, with his eight elders, sat on a stage in front of the platform. They have the best view towards the platform.

The students spectating the selection began to made sounds.

"The students of the Butuan Kingdom are already here?"

"Yes, that's what I heard."

"And they're also too young!"

"My uncle said that they arrived the day before yesterday in the Beast Hall. You know, his working there."

"How strong could they be?"

"I bet it is the strength that you could not be compared with."

This was the topics that were going around.

These students haven't participated in the battle during the attack of the hoard of beasts, so no one has seen Kalipsi and Uno exhibiting their strength except for the soldiers.

"Senior Dilaw, have you seen the appearance of these three students?" Hearing the conversation of the surrounding students, Dane couldn't help but be curious.

"No, I did not. The moment Datu Lakan arrange their living quarter, no one have seen them came out." Dilaw was no ordinary student, after all, so his connections we're wider than his so-called subordinate.

The corner of his eyes caught a glimpse of Yan. He closed his distance and said in a low but threatening voice, "I heard you deliver the food of these three students of the kingdom this morning. Can you describe us their appearances?"

Yan's sight immediately blacken. For all the students he was bumped into, why it was Dilaw?

He hates Dilaw for being so rude to his seniors and using his Family's wealth to bully others. Fortunately, he has elder Kantin-aw on his side.

"I don't have time," Yan said as he speeds up his pace and walked away.

"That damn Yan really didn't know where his place is," Gab cursed.

Dilaw was frustrated by Yan's words. He suddenly has the urged to pummel someone. A struck of an idea came into his mind. "Let's settle first the number between these three idiots," said he while his face was decorated by an evil smile.

Understanding his meaning, his five subordinate nodded and followed suit. Their eyes were seemingly searching for someone. And when they were unable to, they found a place to sit in and wait for the selection to begin.

...

"Elder Katin-aw, are the students of the Kingdom already here," asked Elder Lawa. The day the Datu called their presence was the day he needed something important thing to do. That's why he was unable to answer his call.

During the attack of the hoard of beasts, he was responsible for the safety of the citizens, so he was unable to meet up the three.

Katin-aw was the same as him. Though he saw the three during their first visit, he couldn't participate in the battle too.

"I could not see their presence," Elder Katin-aw said.

"I already ordered my soldier to lead the trio here. They will be here sooner." Datu Lakan said.

"Elder Lawa, your contribution this time is really big. Expect a reward from me," Datu Lakan commented.

"No need Datu Lakan. It's my duty after all," Elder Lawa smiled awkwardly.

Datu Lakan and the elders chuckled.

'Truly an elder,' they all commented at their heart.

"By the way, where did you bought such many and amazing stones?" asked Datu Lakan.

"Ah! There are three youths who delivered it to the Stone Hall. I didn't probe their existence afraid that they might have a powerful backing."

"Good!" Datu Lakan agreed to his decision. It wasn't nice to probe the other party.

Just as he finished his words, three youths wearing red blood robes walked on the entrance. Leading the three was his most trusted aid, Sipa.

"That's them!" one of the students shouted saying their appearances.

The students who heard him followed his hand that was pointing the direction of the three red-clad youths till all of the students noticed they're indifferent looked and followed suit.

Sipa didn't care about those students. All he care was to send their esteemed guest to where his Datu is.

Fortunately, the trio didn't demand anything to him along the way and he couldn't believe it.

Is that how magnanimous, good and kind the students there?

Walking through the pathway next to the platform, Gab could clearly see the appearance of the three. He shivered to his seat. Dilaw was not far from his situation either and the four others.

"Did we just threaten the students of the Kingdom?" Dilaw's voice was quivering.

"I'm afraid that's true senior," Dane responded. His skin crawled just the thought of his threatening the three youths days ago.

The appearances of the three truly assembled the appearances of the trio they met the day after yesterday. That made them fright in horror.

Their faces were ashen white as if there were no blood circulating their body.

Fortunately, they were stopped by Laz.

The thought stuck to Dilaw's mind, 'Did I was saved by Laz?'

His subordinates also thought the same way.

Sipa continues forward till he finally reached the distance of his Datu.

He clasped his fist and without any words, he back off and gestured the three to move forward.

Datu Lakan waved his hand dismissing Sipa.

"This way!" Elder Kantin-aw pointed the vacant seat arranged for the three.

The three bowed and said, "Thank you!"

Elder Lawa almost staggered to his seat. He cleared his throat and said, "You didn't notify me that you are the students of the Kingdom."

Uno smiled sincerely and responded, "We're sorry if we have caused a misunderstanding to you elder Lawa."

Elder Lawa smiled awkwardly and said, "I...It's not like that."

"You know them?" Noticing the conversation of the two, Datu Lakan asked.

"Yes, your majesty. They're the one who sold the stones." Elder Lawa didn't hesitate to respond.

Datu Lakan and the other elders nodded in understanding.

'As expected to the students of the Kingdom.' He remarked on his heart.

Datu Lakan thought a question for the three, "If there's someone that has good talent and skills but unable to meet the top 20, would you consider them?"

Kalipsi was silent for a moment waiting for Tala to respond, but he heard no sound. He looked at Datu Lakan and with a smile, he said, "Yes, we can consider it."

Datu Lakan and his elders surfaced a wondrous expression.

...

Laz has just arrived at the square, suddenly, the corner of his eyes saw familiar figures sitting next to Datu Lakan.

He instinctively covered his mouth. 'Is that them?'

"Is that really them?"

His question was answered immediately by the Datu who stood up and announced, "My beloved students, next to me are the students of the kingdom, Tala, Kalipsi and Uno. They are tasked to overlook this selection. If you did impress these three young gentlemen, they might have a second thought of your talents. Good luck everyone."

Just as his last word echoed to the square, each student cheered up.

Laz couldn't help to staggered to where he stood. Thinking of it now, he realized how strong truly those students of the kingdom were.

"Now I know!" Laz remarked.

Chapter end