The Abysmal Territory

[5] Saki: The Golden Pixie

The training of Dalton to his students has been fruitful since his students are now capable of using proper techniques. Two weeks have passed so Dalton decided to do something different.

“Attention, everyone! Since you’re all finished on doing stretches, I’m announcing something,” Dalton shouted.

His students gathered near him to hear what he was about to announce.

“Since I could see everyone’s progress, we will have a mock battle - sparring with one another. Some of you already have experience doing that, but for the rest, this will be your first time,” Dalton announced.

Everyone had a different reaction; some were surprised, some were nervous and some were getting very excited.

“I can’t wait to beat everyone!” Reto said confidently.

Taiya stared at Reto in disgust.

This will be the moment that I could show what I learned from the previous lesson. If I succeed here, then I’m one step closer to becoming like my Dad. Teiko thought to himself.

“I decided to have this match so we could have a ranking in this training. Don’t worry if you rank low, this would just mean that you have a lot of room for improvement. I’ll also focus on teaching you but please don’t intentionally let your rank become low. I hope all of you understand this,” Dalton said.

“Yes, Sir!” the student shouted in unison.

“The set-up for the mock battle is just a round robin. Meaning, you will have the opportunity to test different kinds of techniques during all of the battle. Remember that some of the techniques have advantages over the other so I’ll be looking forward to seeing how you handle using them,” Dalton continued.

“I can hear the sound of the swords in my head. I can’t wait to use all of the techniques that I learnt,” Reto said.

“Pick up your wooden sword here. I make sure that there are a variety of swords. I asked help from the other villagers to make all of these so make sure you use it with a lot of care. Some swords are big, some are short, then we have a long one, a heavy sword and many more. This would also test how you choose the right weapon that would suit you perfectly,” Dalton said.

Dad always uses a medium type of sword that is light in weight, everyone knows that so I think that every medium light-weight sword will be taken. I should grab it first. Teiko thought to himself.

“A medium light-weight sword of course!” Reto said as he ran and grabbed the sword from the weapon rack.

Everyone follows after him aside from Taiya.

As Teiko runs to where the swords were located, he sees that there’s only one left. As he touches the sword, he remembers what Dalton had said, ‘ choose the right weapon that would suit you perfectly.’ 

He stopped getting the sword but instead, he chose the short one. He thought to himself, I’m still a kid so that means that a medium sword for my father is equivalent to a short sword for me.

Taiya also walked towards the weapon station and also grabbed a wooden short sword.

“Don’t think that I copied you, this is just the right weapon for everyone. I didn’t think that others would not think about their size. Even if the sword is light, knowing the range of the sword is also important,” Taiya said to Teiko.

Teiko smiled. Knowing that Taiya thinks the same way made him at ease.

The mock battle started and everyone could fight with four matches each.

“Okay, this is enough for today. We already got four sets of battle, we will do the rest in the upcoming days. For now, this is the ranking.” Dalton said while posting a piece of paper on a board near their training area.

The ranking: 1-4: Taiya, Reto, Ben, Asui 5-12: Riku, Daichi, Emi, Eri, Hina, Ida, Ren 13-16: Izumi, Ryota, Seiji, Teiko.

“Since we only had a quarter of all the battles, there are a lot of ties. Again, don’t worry about your ranking too much. Also, even if your rank is at the top today, it might change tomorrow,” Dalton said.

Reto laughs. He said, “Pffft! I thought you were going to be a hero, Teiko. From all of the bottom rankers, you’re the only one that has previous experience in swordsmanship. Forget about your dream and just help the other kids there by cooking some dishes.”

“Hey, Reto. Stop that, don’t be too arrogant about your rank. And also, don’t make fun of the other kids that want to learn cooking. That thing is not an easy thank,” Dalto said.

“Sensei, I’m just suggesting,” Reto replied.

“Don’t worry, Sensei. I won’t worry about this, it’s only a ranking as you said,” Teiko replied.

“Then that’s good to hear,” Dalton said.

How can this happen? I give my all, I train my hardest. But after all of that, I cannot even win a single match. I was even defeated by the other people that only train during the past two weeks. Teiko thought to himself.

“Brother? Does this really not bother you? Then, let’s go back to our tent and take a rest.

“No, I can still go on,” Teiko replied.

He looked at Dalton and shouted, “Sensei, I want to train today! Please, teach me!”

“Teiko, we can train after we finish the mock battle. Let your body have a rest first. You said you understand what I said, right?” Dalton replied.

Reto laughs at Teiko when he hears what Dalton replied.

Teiko becomes irritated so he runs toward the forest.

“Brother? Where are you going? Come back here,” Taiya shouted.

“Taiya, it’s alright. Nothing bad will happen to him. The sanctuary is safe and the hunters have already explored most of the nearby areas. As long as he won’t go further, he will be safe,” Dalton said.

“If you say so, sensei,” Taiya replied.

“If he will not be back after a few hours then I’ll search for him myself,” Dalton said.

Teiko just ran straight to the forest. He didn’t realize how far he’s been running.

“Oh, I run very far. Maybe I’m being too dramatic about this. Still! I’m too weak! How can I become a hero? How could I become like my father? A hero should easily use a sword,” Teiko said to himself.

"That's not true!" a voice talked to Teiko.

"It is!" Teiko replied.

"No, it's not!" a voice said.

Teiko realized that someone was talking with him. He turned around and was surprised at what he saw.

A little creature appeared in front of him. It was like a human but at a tenth in size. It has a wing that is golden and sparkling.

"Who are you?! I mean, what are you? Don't hurt me," Teiko begged.

"As I expected! You can see me! You can call me Saki! And for your second question, I'm a pixie. My hobbies include making travelers get lost on their way and frightening people! Well, that's what pixie normally does anyway," Saki said then winked at Teiko.

"So you're the reason that I don't know where I am right now. How can I go home?" Teiko said.

"Relax for a bit, mister. First of all, I'm not the reason you don't know where you are. You just run and run without even looking at where you are going," Saki said.

"Did I?" Teiko asked.

"Of course. But don't worry, I'm in a good mood today since you're the only person who could actually see me physically, I'll help you go back home," Saki said.

"Really? Then I'm like a special person?" Teiko asked.

"We could say that you are. I wandered in different areas of the world for hundreds of years and no other beings could see me, even other pixies like me," Saki said.

"This means I'm really the only one who can see you, huh?" Teiko replied.

"Yes! I already told you that before! Why do you ask about it too much?!" Saki asked.

"Okay, just relax. You promise that you'll not hurt me but instead help me, right?" Teiko said.

"Yup! I promise!" Saki replied.

"So? What do you mean I'm wrong about what I'm saying?" Teiko asked.

"I'm saying that anyone could be a hero, I'll explain everything along the way. Let's head back to your house. Your friends and family won't see me anyway," Saki said.

"That's suspicious, are you just tricking me so you could make me lost in the forest?" Teiko said.

"Ugh, you're so annoying! I already told you I'll not do that!" Saki replied.

"I'm just kidding, let's go back now. Do you know the way?" Teiko asked.

"Of course! Just follow me and we will be there even before you know it," Saki said.

Teiko prepared and they started travelling back to where Teiko was before.

"Anyway, are you not going to introduce yourself?" Saki asked

"Oh, sorry about that! I'm Teiko, Teiko Akitsko, son of the strongest Hero - Toya Akitsko," Teiko introduced.

"Nice meeting you! From now on, we will be the best of friends," Saki proclaimed.

"Ugh, it seems too forceful, but since I'm the only one who could see you, then I'll just accept it," Teiko replied.

"Why are you looking so annoyed?! I'm cute so there's no loss for you," Saki said.

"Fine, fine. Anyway, even if I'm not paying attention when I ran earlier, there's no way that I wouldn't see this big tree," Teiko said.

"Hehe, I might have lost in thought that we missed a turn?" Saki said.

"You, little one! I'll never let a pixie lead the way for the next time," Teiko said.

"I'm sorry, let's just find the way back. This forest is not big anyway. Let's just talk about the things you want to know when we are already at your home, let's focus first on finding the way back," Saki said.

After many trials and errors, they could already see some part of the new village being built. They could hear a conversation between Dalton and Taiya.

"He's not that stupid to lost his way anyway or maybe-," Taiya said.

"Oh, he's here already. Not even a minute had passed," Dalton interrupted Taiya's sentence.

What is Dalton-sensei saying? Why are they still in the training area? I've been wandering around this big forest for two hours already because of this pixie! Teiko thought to himself.

"Brother! You came back so fast! What did you do?" Taiya asked.

"Ohh, I see what happened. Look at his clothes, it's full of dirt and scratches. Maybe since he's too clumsy he fell down and realized he couldn't last for a minute in the forest," Reto ridiculed Teiko.

What are they saying? Does this mean that for them, I'm just wandering in the forest in less than a minute? Teiko thought to himself.

"Of course! That's really what's happening here". Saki said to Teiko.

"What?!" Teiko exclaimed.

"What do you mean 'what'? You're surprised that I know what happened? If you're out there for even ten minutes I'm sure you'll wander for two hours before finding this area," Reto replied.

I said what's on my mind. I was surprised that Saki read what's on my mind. Teiko thought to himself.

"It's more like I can hear your thoughts and not just read your mind," Saki said.

"I see. So you have so many things that you can do aside from going in the wrong directions," Teiko said to Saki using his thoughts.

"Don't belittle me, okay?" Saki said.

"So the thing that really happened is that you created an illusion that made me wander for two hours? You're so evil, Saki," Teiko said.

"Nope! Us getting lost really happened, the reason as to why they're saying it's just been less than a minute is because I stopped the time the moment I felt your presence inside the forest," Saki said.

"So you have the power to read minds and to also stop the time? Are you a God?" Teiko said.

"Close to it, but for now, talk with them. It seems that they couldn't see me. Even your little sister," Saki said.

"Hey, stupid brother! Are you listening? Are you ready to go back to our tent now?" Taiya said.

"Oh, sorry. Let's do that after I ask Dalton-sensei a question," Teiko said.

"And what is that, Teiko?" Dalton asked.

With a determined look, Teiko asked, "What is a hero?"

Reto laughs. He said, "I expected a real question since you're so serious, but what's with that stupid question?"

"Teiko, that's a good question. Just rest first, I'll answer that after finishing all the mock battles," Dalton said.

"But-" Teiko said but was interrupted by Taiya.

"Just listen, brother. You need to rest for today," Taiya said.

"And make sure you will also listen, Reto," Dalton said.

Reto became serious as Dalton said his name. He replied, "I will, sensei."

They went back to their respective tents. Taiya was silent and was not talking with Teiko so Teiko got a chance to speak with Saki.

"So? Can you read everyone's thoughts? Is that how overpowered you are?" Teiko asked Saki.

"Engk! Incorrect! I'm only able to hear your thoughts since it's very open. Even an amateur pixie could hear your thoughts without effort. Unlike you, I couldn't read Taiya's thoughts most of the time," Saki said.

"That's too hard to understand. Anyway, the thing you said back there about being a hero, what was it?" Teiko asked.

"Hmm.. Let's see what your teacher will say first before I'll say what's on my mind," Saki replied.

"Ugh, that's a long time. But fine, I want to hear what Dalton-sensei will say first. For now, I need to rest as what they are saying to me. Goodnight, Saki. Don't make anything stupid," Teiko said.

"Good night," Saki replied.