The Black Pits

"A God?" Kesiar stared at Belite in amusement as his brain processed rapidly. "What do you mean by God? Did you get your hands on a magical item, relic or an artifact?" His face beamed with surprise, anticipation and enthusiasm as he asked his question. "What is it?"

Belite's lips curled up slightly. "Guess."

But after a prolonged period of silence, Belite finally sighed while staring at Kesiar's unamusing state. "You've always been like this, haven't you? Never the one to crack jokes or take part in guessing games. No wonder you don't get along that well with your subordinates."

"Just get to the point, Bell."

Under Kesiar's stern gaze, Belite lowered his head and kept it straight, staring at Kesiar's shoulders.

"To be honest," Belite went about in a roundabout manner as he lifted his head again. "I've become rich."

Kesiar scoffed as his brows furrowed slightly.

"I've gotten adopted by a twenty something year old woman who is still single and is a high-class citizen of the Everlasting Alliance, and I have been admitted to an academy for getting basic education." Belite smiled. "Life's been great for the past three weeks."

Kesiar raised an eyebrow. "How did it happen?" He sized Belite up. "The only ones who get adopted in Lower Street District by nobles or high-class citizens are young girls and females, and their Fates after getting adopted aren't well either. They'd most likely be a slave or... Get used for inappropriate works."

"As for us males..."

His gaze slightly changed as he didn't continue the sentence.

"As far as I know you... I doubt you have anything worth that could get you a luxurious life as you've mentioned." He rubbed his chin. "Unless you're playing with me."

"No,no,no. It's not a joke!" Belite retorted "enthusiastically". "I've actually been accepted as an apprentice in an academy, although they make me run around and do some labour here and there." Under Kesiar's puzzled gaze, Belite lied through his teeth as he rolled his eyes. "They obviously won't accept a lowly crook like me for free."

"So, what did you sell?" Kesiar asked, his fingers twitching slightly. "A noble lady's phone number? Or did you return a kind Noble or high-class citizen's wallet?"

"I doubt the latter could make you come across such an opportunity as most of those nobles and high-class citizens are opportunists and I doubt you would return their wallets either. They only occasionally visit Lower Street District to amass votes or support, they are a rare opportunity and a huge gamble, which you don't know whether you'll succeed or not."

"Even though they appear rarely, if we manage to gain their favours then our lives are settled. But if we make a mistake and get on their bad sides..." He left the sentence hanging.

Kesiar's gaze sharpened again as he spoke slowly. "Anyway, you used to run around Lower Street District, scamming tourists and students who came here to write essays and theories on this place. The tourists who came to sight-seeing were scammed into handing money over for you for nothing — You'd ask half a Crystal or a full Crystal as an advanced fee and then run off in the familiar streets while screaming 'Thief' or something with angry tourists in trial."

"Is this how you managed to impress a noble lady or something? Due to your..?" Kesiar's eyes had a strange light in them, making Belite frown slightly. "Or was this from a month ago when a protester from Upper Street District asked for servants and people en-masse to serve as his supporters and voters in his cause?"

Kesiar paused slightly.

"Did any of these make those high-class citizens or nobles suspicious of you?" Kesiar put on a ruminating gaze. "The only scenario where I can see a beautiful—"

"Stop!" Belite raised his hand and pointed his palm towards the front at Kesiar as he tried to put an end to his over-speculation. "Don't jump to conclusions! Which d*mned high-class citizen would offer me luxurious stuff for scamming others? Are you out of your mind?"

Kesiar simply shook his head. "No, if it was Sel, she would've—"

He was cut off and interrupted by an "angry" Belite. "Stop as well. Bad topic to start a conversation on."

Belite waved his hands.

"Stop testing your conversation skills on me, go and talk to a random stranger instead."

Kesiar scratched his head and revealed an awkward smile as he asked, impatient. "Then what happened? Over the past three weeks?" Sizing up Belite, who wore a normal pair of shirt and trousers of unknown brand, he couldn't help but sigh. 'Am I getting tricked into some prank again? Aren't his clothes too ordinary?'

But he shook off these thoughts and waited patiently, deciding to put some trust on his old friend.

But the next moment, Belite laughed in a mischievous manner, making Kesiar's expression turn stern.

"You..."

But before he could continue, Belite coughed lightly as he interrupted him. "Alright, alright. I'll stop now. Listen well, maybe you'll learn a thing or two!"

Kesiar's ears slightly perked up.

"Three weeks ago to the current day of 3rd of March, Year 84 of the Glorious Calendar, things have been nothing less than interesting and... Chaos."

"I touched luxurious things and even alive meat, even getting an opportunity to roast it myself!"

'I basically killed rats by touching them and other mindless poor beings, freezing them to death with my Cold Touch Blessing.'

"But over the past two weeks, I haven't touched a single human being — except myself, ofcourse."

'Obviously I couldn't do so because of this Cold Touch. Though it would've been better if it worked on myself.'

"I was very close to touching a human but the luxurious and high-class citizen named Nanchoko who "adopted" me refused, sternly saying: 'Oh, they are too filthy for you. You shouldn't touch them because you are a very high-class young gentleman.'"

'My Blessing Cold Touch was going to be used on humans to get more information, but was stopped by Nanchoko who said I was just a kid and that I shouldn't kill other people as it would set a bad example on me and would make me think that killing is fine, even though I'm sixteen.'

The latter really did work, as people were already afraid of Belite having a Essential Blazing Fury Heart which was known for the Seeker's bad temperance due to furious events, along with a kill-on-contact Blessing.

Under Kesiar's dumbfounded and puzzled gaze, Belite made exaggerated gestures in the air and had exaggerated emotions on his face as he explained.

"I ate many things that were very cool and hot, and I did enjoy the luxury quite a lot."

'It's indeed true. I did eat a lot of stuff that I dreamt to eat in the slums of Lower Street District.'

"I saw slaves who weren't actually from the Lower Street District and..."

'I saw slaves, slaves of fate...'

"And I learned magic, Kesiar!"

But before he could continue, he was cut off by Kesiar's stern and loud voice.

"Bell, what the heck are you saying?" He stared straight into his eyes, making Belite want to take a few steps back subconsciously. "Are you mad or out of your mind?!"

"None! These are all true, actually." Belite yelled, his voice was full of dissatisfaction. "Why can't you get it? Maybe I'm special! They see something in me that no one does and they're high-class' citizens too."

Under Kesiar's incredulous gaze, Belite continued with a sincere expression. "To be honest, even I don't know why this high-class citizen named Nanchoko decided to adopt me."

"You haven't asked the reason?" Kesiar asked in a puzzle tone.

Belite sighed. "I did, but she always answered in a roundabout manner and avoided the question. What can I, a youngster from Lower Street District do? Force a high-class citizen?" Belite clenched his fists slightly. "If it were those noble ladies, I doubt I would've gotten such gentle care under the constant barrage of my annoying questions."

Kesiar nodded slightly, knowing how annoying Belite could get if he wanted to get things done.

"So, you just accepted your fate?" Kesiar scoffed with complex emotions. "You — Who tried his best to get out of the Lower Street District, resignedly let your fate be controlled by others without even knowing anything and be adopted by a high-class citizen?"

Belite couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of his heart at this question.

"You do know how the gangs in the Lower Street District are getting... I presume the circumstances are even worse now?"

Kesiar nodded. "The circumstances are very worse. The gangs tried their best to fiercely retort and overthrow the nobles and their influence in Lower Street District, but when they found out that they couldn't shake the nobles, they have gone quiet."

"This has caused quite the commotion in the Black Markets and the illegal businesses done underground. Currently, nothing and no one in Lower Street District are trustworthy without the supervision of the gangs — The gangs used to maintain a level of hierarchy and even with their oppressive demeanor, they avoided battles and too much commotions, but now, with many medium and large-sized gangs having gone into hiding, there are many people who want to exploit this change and try to shift the balance in Lower Street District."

"Surprisingly, they are led by the third major gang in Lower Street District, the Bald Harbingers who were previously trying to overthrow Blevoics and Mercoixs."

Belite raised an eyebrow. "Didn't the Bald Harbingers go into hiding after messing with the Three Southern Wings? They did tamper with their material trade a bit and attracted the hostility of three Countries, having no choice but to hide even while living in the area governed by the Everlasting Alliance, Sixteen Star Nobles and the Temples — Welleysworths Union"

"Even their lackeys weren't around!"

"Yes, we all thought they were dead and that the gang was done for," Kesiar nodded slightly. "But suddenly, after the incident three weeks ago and after the disappearance of the two major gangs Blevoics and Mercoixs... As well as yours, they have emerged again and have gained control over half of Lower Street District just in the span of two-three weeks."

Belite furrowed his brows slightly. "This... Half of Lower Street District? Looks like it has been meticulously planned beforehand, doesn't it?"

Kesiar nodded. "It surely is," But before he could continue, the creaking sound of the door resounded, followed by an annoyed voice.

Creek, thud!

"What's wrong with this place? Why would that Levester something guy bring us to this cramped and broken cafe from the Lower Street District?"

As Belite and Kesiar turned their gazes over, they saw teenagers of the same age group as Belite near the entrance, looking at the place with curious, disdainful, indifferent and shallow gazes.

The one with the disdainful gaze, the boy who was half a head taller than Belite and wore a jacket with white t-shirt along with black trousers, looked at Belite in great displeasure.

"You look young... You are Levester... Bostorne?" He asked, waving his hand around his face to fend off the dust while stealing glances at the tall Kesiar.

"Yes, I am." Belite replied with a friendly smile as he said. "You can also call me Belite or whatever you want," He then pointed at the puzzled Kesiar — who immediately schooled his expression and introduced in a loud voice so those outside could hear him. "This is my acquaintance and old friend, Kesiar."

Then, Belite looked at the three figures who had emerged from beyond the entrance as he scrutinized them with great interest.

'So these... Are the transfer students sent by the headquarters of the Everlasting Alliance themselves from Twilight City?'

Kesiar crossed his arms upon seeing them as his expression turned a bit solemn.

Belite couldn't help but chuckle seeing this as Kesiar looked like he was the personal guard of Belite or something.

But he didn't linger with these odd thoughts and redirected his focus at the entrance.

"Hello, Mister Levester. As mentioned before..." A young boy who had a curious gaze as he looked around, looked at Belite hesitantly and paused with an odd expression.

Understanding his concern, Belite smiled. "It's not a problem," Pointing at Kesiar, he continued. "He's a trustworthy acquaintance and an old friend of mine, except for very important matters, others could be discussed in front of him."

'Trustworthy acquaintance?' Kesiar scoffed, his expression cold. 'Since when was I trustworthy?'

But ignoring Kesiar, Belite welcomed the four guests into the cafe with extended arms in show of respect, just like how an owner personally invites a vip.

"Welcome, welcome dear friends of the great and mighty Alliance!" Receiving weird looks from the four people, Belite smiled warmly as he pointed at the crude and dust-filled chairs and sat on them without caring to tidy them. "Make yourselves at home."

Silence.

Silence filled the cafe as Belite nonchalantly ignored Kesiar's complex gaze on him upon hearing the name of the Everlasting Alliance.

Pat, pat.

"Cough, cough! What the hell is this?" The one who had entered first with a disdainful gaze asked with an unpleasant expression. "No one keeps a cafe this unmaintained unless it's done on purpose."

"Correct," Kesiar adjusted his expression and said with a cold expression. "It's unmaintained purposefully."

"Um... I'm sorry for his rude manners," The boy who had curiosity flashing in his eyes occasionally "made himself home" as he sat down on the dusty chair across Belite without patting the seat and said. "He has a bad past."

"Hey, who has a bad past?" The boy with stylish hair and jacket, retorted while he tried to find something to clean the chair. "Just look at how much dust this so-called cafe has, even middle-class citizens or low-class citizens won't visit this!"

Belite sized up the boy who had sat in front of him and was looking at him with curious eyes.

He wore a black and checkered t-shirt with a unique design within and expensive black trousers as he had a white suit — which was now hung on the backrest of the chair as he spoke with a friendly tone.

"So..." The boy in front of him paused and shot a glance at the other two acquaintances of his who were still scrutinizing the place as he smiled. "I assume that Mister Bostorne here has a reason for inviting us to... Such a peculiar place?"

Belite looked at his friendly and gentlemanly demeanor as he smiled himself.

"Isn't it common courtesy to introduce oneself?" He spoke, twisting the words of the common language and making it appear rich and enriched, fitting that of nobles.

The one seated at the front of him, the friendly boy, first furrowed his brows before he suddenly laughed.

"Haha, true, true." He repeated. "I'm supposed to be the son of a rich noble family after all, I can't just go around asking questions to people I just met."

Belite's eyes furrowed a little as the boy introduced himself.

"Hello, I'm Estize Skien from the Skien Noble Family of the Central Grounds, pleased to meet you."

'Central Grounds... Skien?'

Belite's eyes immediately narrowed. "Skien Family... The one that controls the Police Force of Cvoilics? And the one with one of the largest influences in the Lower Street District?"

"Yes!" Estize responded enthusiastically as he nodded. "That's one of the reasons I'm a Skien."

Estize nonchalantly changed the topic amidst Belite's curious gaze.

He then pointed at the boy wearing a stylish jacket as he introduced. "He is Arlecco Baptiano from the Baptiano Family. Although he is an illegitimate child of the family," He instantly got an unpleasant gaze from Arlecco, even though it seemed more forceful now. "He is still a high-class citizen."

"So I hope he doesn't forget the proper etiquette." He said, directing this sentence towards both. Belite and Arlecco.

Belite instantly smiled upon hearing this. "Are these your real names and backgrounds or...?"

Estize shrugged casually. "You can think however you want, Mister Bostorne. I doubt it would affect the conversation and co-operation we are about to have."

Kesiar furrowed his brows at the side. 'These kids...'

Estize was as casual as ever as he introduced the other two.

"This is Benchike Bleromo, a middle-class citizen of the Everlasting Alliance who was chosen by the Cvoilics Royal Academy itself due to how well-versed he was in his studies." He pointed at a slightly chubby and young boy with a plump belly who was fanning himself with his hands.

Kesiar looked at the chubby boy in front of him.

The chubby boy wore clothes that were obviously large but ordinary. A black shirt and loose trousers.

He sat next to Estize and scrutinized Belite with deep interest as he nodded slightly.

Belite returned the nod as he pointed at a woman who was still looking around the cafe at a moderate pace and had a pale face.

"And that is?"

Estize smiled as he saw Arlecco sit down on the chair next to Benchike and said slowly while turning towards the woman. "That is Beatrice, someone from the Lower Street District as well." He then turned towards Belite and asked. "Maybe you know her? Lower Street District is your home turf after all."

Belite slowly shook his head. "A pebble doesn't know the name of its peers, nor does it care." Belite smiled. "How can I know the name of each and every person in Lower Street District while its population is counted in thousands upon thousands?"

Estize nodded and gestured for Beatrice to sit next to Belite as the chairs on their side were already full.

Then, Belite watched as Beatrice pulled a chair out shallowly and sat next to him with a decent gap in between.

Belite made a gesture to Kesiar, who nodded plainly.

"Alright then, since introductions are over, let's get straight into business," Estize said, taking out a spherical and blue coloured gem from his pocket, which had a peculiar design. "And business is supposed to be confidential."

Before Belite could even react, Estize recited a single worded chant and clenched his fists, a small and crisp sound emitting from his closed palms.

Crack!

Even though the gem appeared thick on the outside, when Estize unfurled his fists, it was broken and was slowly turning into white-dust particles which resembled sugar.

But Belite, who was vigilant to his surroundings and was observing the obvious, felt the audible noises of the faint barkings of dogs, sounds of kids playing around and various other sounds getting cut off.

He looked to his left and found Kesiar shouting something as his hand was extended — he had thrown something, which was obviously useless as he gesticulated fervently.

Belite sighed without any hint of panic. "Wow, how magical." He said. "But please inform me before doing something so magical in the future."

"Sure," Estize's tone switched a little as he coughed, trying to adjust his voice and shrugged. "Believe it or not, being a noble is just as hard as understanding the principles of outer-medium magic and Inner-medium magic... Or even harder."

Belite smiled slightly as he recalled the afternoon classes of today, but he soon shook his head slightly and got back on the track.

"So... What's the 'business'? I thought we'd just have a meet and greet and we would exchange some basic information before we set another meeting again to talk about the real deal." Belite folded the index finger of his right hand slightly as he curled his thumb, making it visible for Kesiar who was waiting in the distance cautiously. This gesture was visible to the other four as well.

Kesiar calmed down after seeing the gesture and nodded towards the group.

Estize didn't immediately answer his question as he asked. "Looks like you were well prepared as well? With this old friend of yours."

Belite flashed a nonchalant smile. "Oh no, not at all. This cafe costs lesser than the others, and these gestures... They are just a normal thing."

"Normal?" Benchike, the chubby boy, asked in amusement. "Makes me feel like I'm in the middle of some secret spy mission."

"Maybe you just play a lot of games," Arlecco shot in with a snort, which wasn't very noble-like. "Fatty."

Benchike furrowed his brows slightly before laughing and patting Arlecco's shoulder. "Why, don't have enough money for food?" He smiled. "Skin and Bones."

Arlecco, who's upper body was covered by a thick jacket, prepared to retort but was instantly interrupted by Estize.

"Alright, that's enough." Estize said with a sigh. "Really, these guys are more than a handful." He then placed his elbows on the table in front of them. "The guys, ofcourse."

Belite shot a glance at Beatrice who was sitting next to him, discreetly as he nodded at Estize.

"Please continue on the 'business'." He pointed outside the broken window. "It's getting dark, my bedtime is a sharp nine'o clock."

"That's plenty early," Estize said with a smile. "I suppose you wake up early as well?"

"Depends," Belite shrugged and continued on with this absurd out-of-topic conversation. "My messed-up bedtime and hectic schedule during my days in the slums of the Lower Street District is affecting my life. Heck, I even have trouble sleeping on the soft bed and have to sleep on the hard floor."

"Looks like your days in the slums were harder than mentioned in the reports?" Arlecco asked, crossing his arms across his chest. "You didn't even have a bed?"

"That was an unnecessary cost, and I didn't want to waste money on such things." Belite sighed. "Also, my life-time earnings can barely compare to that of a middle-class young man."

Benchike nodded. "So what did you eat?"

"Bread made from leftover wheat, or rye bread which had moles and rat bites in it?" Belite chuckled. "Or black-bean noodles along with pork and chopped vegetables? Why don't you take a guess..."

Benchike made a guess. "The former?"

"Both." Belite said, chuckling to himself. Benchike looked at him in amusement. "The former used to be the first half of my life while the latter the second half."

"Oh? I suppose you've even drank wine or any alcoholic beverages?" Estize asked "curiously".

But Belite merely shook his head with a smile. 'They're probing me?' He thought. 'Afterall, even with the Everlasting Alliance's prowess and influence, it is hard to have a tab and keep records on the Lower Street District which has a population comparable to both the Upper Street District and Central Grounds.'

Belite thought, thinking that the Everlasting Alliance still didn't find him trustworthy enough for this spy mission of theirs. Which served to pressure the nobles and the Royal Academy as well.

Especially while the headquarters specially intervened and sent four transfer students, what use does Belite of unknown origin with untrustworthy background have?

'But they should definitely have Seekers specialized in this field to search my origin, right? I doubt there aren't any Seekers with an Essential Heart or Blessing to know someone's past or something in the whole of the Everlasting Alliance.'

'Why the cheap probes through this Estize Skien Instead of utilising those Seekers with unique Blessings or Essential Heart? Maybe they don't care enough about me? That may be it.'

After shaking his head, Belite replied. "I have always been a lawful citizen, even if I lived in the Lower Street District." Belite spread his hands. "As you can see, I can read, write and speak the common language properly."

"Do you even know the national languages of other small countries? What about pkien?"

"I don't," Belite shook his head. "I only learned what was necessary and was beneficial in the future."

"Focusing on the future benefits huh?" Benchike grinned, his sparkling teeth visible. "That's a very smart choice."

"It indeed is," Belite nodded. "Learning common language has made many things possible currently afterall."

"But where did you even study? I doubt there are proper Academies and Schools in the Lower Street District?" Estize asked, puzzled. "Most of them are built for nobles who have lost their lands and authorities and have gone broke."

"And they aren't that well either." Arlecco chimed in. "Believe me, I know that they suck. They don't even have a single book! It's only for show, for the fallen nobles to say something like 'Hoh, look. Even if I have fallen and am no longer a noble, my son will continue my legacy and become a noble by studying in royal blah blah school of Lower Street District!'"

He emphasized the word 'know'.

The young girl who was sitting next to him and was silent all the time, Beatrice, chuckled seeing the impression of nobles done by Arlecco.

Belite raised an eyebrow as he asked.

"Oh? Looks like you have personal experience."

"I indeed do," Arlecco snorted. "They had me go around and visit Academies and Schools in Lower Street District because of a 'disciplinary session' and also due to something called 'I wasn't grateful enough for my luxurious life' or that I wasn't interested enough in studies."

"Ah, so much wasted practical experience." Benchike chuckled. "You're still a hotheaded brat."

"Hey, who are you calling a brat?" Arlecco rolled his sleeves. "We are of the same age!"

Belite ignored the fact that Arlecco had basically admitted that he was a hot-head as he said. "Enough about me and the Lower Street District. Why don't we talk about something interesting..."

Opposite of him, Estize immediately furrowed his brows.

"...For example, politics and who's the major powerhouse in the Eastern Continent currently."

Belite blew a puff of hot air on his palms and rubbed them together even if it was not cold at all as he observed their reactions.

Their reactions were practically the same with no ripples.

Estize chuckled. "Well, Upper Street District is just Upper Street District while Central Grounds is just the Central Grounds." He leaned against his chair. "Haven't you heard that quote? 'That if a revolutionary storm does sweep up, it's at the sewers and the slums?'"

"A stable country is built from ruins after all," Benchike added. "Those who have witnessed and went through various changes in their lives are better than those pampered noble brats."

"It depends on the person," Beatrice added from the side as Belite slightly nodded, expressing his opinion of affirmation. "There were people in the history who were born with golden spoons but died like rotten shells, bringing about revolutionary ideas."

"Situations and scenarios are what make a person." Belite chimed. "Just like what made the Temples, Everlasting Alliance and the noble families who want a royal family amongst themselves, to emerge."

Estize smiled slightly as he nodded. "All of them were established eighty or so years ago after the Last Embers ended and the 'truth' was revealed to us,"

"The 'Three Great Contenders of the Eastern Throne', is what those of the higher status call the Temples, Alliance and the noble families." He smiled. "A lengthy title isn't it?"

Estize gestured for Benchike who was about to interrupt to be quiet as he continued. "Many people from the smaller countries and commoners mostly think that the Everlasting Alliance has the greatest influence over the Eastern Continent since it's supported by two of the World's Leisures..."

"But the Alliance isn't the major Powerhouse of the Eastern Continent." Estize said with a sigh. "It never was."

Belite nodded slightly, gesturing Estize to continue.

"As for the answer to your question, about the major powerhouse of the Eastern Continent..." The corner of Estize's mouth curled up. "Why don't you try guessing? I'm interested in listening to the perspective of someone who was formerly from the Lower Street District."

Belite nodded as he exhaled. "I don't bother myself much into politics, it's always a hassle and honestly speaking, it's almost useless to know about such things for the 'citizens' of the Lower Street District."

"That's why you are unique among the countless people. Because you are well-versed in politics." Estize said with a pleasant smile.

"But because it was so complicated, it made me stick my nose into it. I always had a habit to solve the unsolvable you see," Belite continued, ignoring Estize's remark. "I started from the beginning with the most pure and unbiased perspective and tried unraveling it."

A hint of melancholy rushed into his voice.

"Why do the Three Great Contenders fight each other for various resources instead of listening to each other's wishes? Why must their wishes override the others and be different? Why can't they work for the benefit of the world..."

"And I must say..." All eyes were gathered on Belite.

The atmosphere turned tense until Belite muttered his next sentence.

"I don't understand bullsh*t."

Belite's laughter broke the tense atmosphere, making the other four people exhale loudly.

"Hahaha, what do you think? A random ass kid from the Lower Street District will understand politics, internal conflicts and all that complicated stuff after grinding his head for mere three weeks?" Belite's laughter continued. "I-it's too funny that Administrator Nanchoko and 'that person' with Essential Knowledge Keeper Heart tried their best to get me upto date with the current politics only for it to fail in the end due to the experiments and time limit."

Belite stopped laughing as he grinned, revealing his pearl white teeth.

"I'm sorry, your expectant reactions were too funny." Belite smile slowly disappeared. "But politics is too complicated for me to understand, really. I'd consider the fact that I know a few basic things about it a big feat honestly."

Estize nodded, not minding Belite's rude laughter. "It's completely normal. Even I — who has been trained to deal with various political situations pale in comparison to those cunning nobles and upper-class citizens." He then smiled. "I believe Administrator Nanchoko has barely taught you the basics?"

Belite nodded. "Yes. She was supposed to explain various topics to me but she didn't have enough time, and the Seeker with Essential Knowledge Keeper Heart took over as the 'Knowledge Seeker' was busy. But that person only managed to teach me for an hour, which was more beneficial than anything taught to me by Administrator Nanchoko. He was the one who taught me all the spells as well, not letting me sleep even for a damned minute."

"And just like that, the rest of the two- three weeks went by with the PeaceKeepers running experiments on my Blessings, the only political classes and the proper ones were only for a few hours and due to Administrator Nanchoko being a horrible teacher..." Belite spread his hands in the air, leaving his sentence hanging.

"She'll be sad if she hears this," Beatrice added from the side. "She tries her best to do things."

Belite shrugged and didn't reply.

"So... Who is the major force in the whole Eastern Continent?"

Estize opened his mouth to speak but his mouth instantly froze mid air as his expression changed.

Belite noticed this change as he immediately looked around!

He noticed Kesiar who was rushing towards the exit of the cafe while muttering something, then at the ashen Estize.

Snap!

Estize snapped his fingers with a grave expression as he took out a transparent square-shaped container and pulled at a string attached to its back.

Belite noticed that the transparent container became more and more opaque as time passed by — at the same time, the noises in his chaotic surroundings slowly started to increase and reached his ears.

Swoosh...

The sound of unusual fast winds appeared in Belite's ears as he instantly frowned and looked around.

Boom!

Just at this moment, an explosion resounded outside as the whole cafe shook!