Kaelen and Aron stepped out of the tailor shop, the midday sun hitting them a little too brightly.
"Alright, you heading back to the estate then?" Kaelen asked, adjusting his sword on his waist, preparing to board the carriage.
Aron, a subtle smirk playing on his lips, turned towards Tiberius the tailor. A lavishly embroidered doublet lay draped across the man's workbench, a testament to his skill. "Before I return to the estate, I must pay my respects to the artisan who so masterfully crafted my new attire. Thank you, Tiberius. Your work is impeccable."
"Yes, my father will love to see this. I want to see his reaction."
He made a point of catching Tiberius' eye and offering a small, almost reluctant nod. Then, pointedly, he looked past Haku, completely ignoring him. He muttered something under his breath, so low Kaelen couldn't quite catch it, before turning and striding off down the street.
Kaelen, however, was lost in thought. "I must inform Duke Maris of this... Haku. He needs to know. This boy, this traveler, is far more than he appears. His insights, his understanding… they are not those of a simple wanderer. And that blasted embroidery! It seemed like a trick of the eye, but it felt like that of someone far more important than a simple man! This needs to be verified." Haku thought, 'Oh, this kid isn't so bad, just spoiled and out of touch, it seems.'
He made a mental note to visit the Information Guild as soon as they arrived back at the estate. A discreet inquiry into Haku's origins was paramount. He would need to know everything: where he came from, who his family was, if any, and what his true intentions were.
Aron shifted in his seat, breaking Kaelen's train of thought. "Ser Kaelen," he said, his voice surprisingly subdued. "About the tailor…"
Kaelen raised an eyebrow, surprised by the change in tone. "The tailor, Lord Aron?"
"Yes. The one… the one who made the… uncomfortable attire," Aron mumbled, his cheeks flushing slightly. "He... he did a good job."
Kaelen blinked, momentarily taken aback. This was… unexpected. He had expected further complaints, perhaps even a demand for punishment. Not… this.
"The craftsmanship was indeed… meticulous," Kaelen agreed, choosing his words carefully.
Aron fidgeted with the hilt of his dagger. "He should be… rewarded. For his effort, even if his… design choices were… regrettable."
Kaelen stared at Aron, truly seeing him for the first time. Beneath the spoiled arrogance, the impulsiveness, there was a flicker of… something else. Perhaps a sense of fairness, a grudging appreciation for skill, or maybe even the slightest hint of empathy. He was so used to the haughty behaviour that emanated from Aron that he never bothered to care to see underneath it.
"That is a very… generous sentiment, Aron," Kaelen said, emphasizing the name. "I will ensure that the tailor receives appropriate compensation for his services."
Aron didn't meet his gaze, continuing to stare out the window. "Just… see to it, Ser."
"As you wish," Kaelen replied, turning his attention once more to the passing scenery. He allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile. Perhaps there was more to Aron than met the eye. He had spent many years watching the Duke's heir, and now he was starting to see that maybe that's why the Duke wanted Aron to be watched by him. But the matter of Haku was still pressing. I need to have a talk with the Duke about this. A person with the background and origin of this Haku could either be a great ally or a dangerous enemy.'
As the carriage was no longer in sight
Tiberius let out a sigh
"Master Haku, what is your plan for playing this game? I think I made a crazy friend."
"Crazy? master haku always has a plan."
said Alexander, almost seeming insulted by the implication that his benefactor was crazy.
"Plan?" Haku chuckled, leaning back against Tiberius' worn workbench. "Alex, my friend, I'm simply existing. Reacting. Adapting. Like a drop of water finding its way down a mountain." He paused, a glint in his eyes. "Though, a little strategic placement of that drop can cause an avalanche, can't it?"
Tiberius raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Eloquent, as always, Master Haku. But what does that mean? Are we going to let that pampered brat walk all over us, or are you going to pull some… 'avalanche' on him?"
"Patience, old man," Haku said, flashing a disarming grin. "Aron is a piece in the game, nothing more. As for my 'plan,' it involves ale, good company, and perhaps a tall tale or two. The storm outside seems to agree."
'Damn alcoholickid'
`As if on cue, a thunderclap rattled the windows of the tailor shop. Tiberius sighed. Now it seems you finally ran out of your ale, let me give you some of ours this time: "Ale it is, then. Elara's do you mind drinking with us? Alexander, be useful and fetch us a few mugs."
"The evening unfolded with unexpected warmth. Elara, though bearing the outward gruffness of her father like a well-worn cloak, revealed a captivating storyteller beneath. She spun tales of desperate bandits and monstrous boars with a vividness that belied her hardened exterior. Haku, emboldened by ale and driven by his fabricated enthusiasm, met her challenge with stories just as grand. He concealed his true history behind elaborate fables of daring pilots and wondrous machines, crafting an image of fantastical power. Alexander, captivated by Haku's crafted persona, watched with awe, convinced that this boss of his truly was a deity in disguise."
The storm raged on, turning the world outside into a swirling canvas of rain and wind. Haku and Alexander ended up staying the night, finding makeshift beds in the back of the shop.
The next morning, the storm had subsided, leaving behind a world washed clean and gleaming in the rising sun. After a hearty breakfast of bread and cheese, Haku and Alexander bid farewell to Tiberius and Elara, promising to return soon.
As they approached the bar that served as their home, Haku stopped dead in his tracks. Standing before the entrance, seemingly unfazed by the puddles and debris, was a young woman. She couldn't have been older than twenty, with skin like porcelain, eyes like jade, and long, flowing hair the color of midnight. She radiated an aura of serene confidence, a stark contrast to the rough-and-tumble atmosphere of the tavern. Beautiful.
"Greetings," she said, her voice melodious and clear. "I am Yue, a disciple of the Yang Sect." She offered a polite bow. "I have been sent to pay my respects and assist Lord Haku."
Haku raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Respects? I'm flattered. To what do I owe this… honor?"
Haku kept his face carefully neutral, a polite inclination of his head the only outward sign of acknowledgement. Inside, however, his thoughts were a churning vortex of controlled panic and barely suppressed… avarice.
'Gods, these people are practically *gleaming* with cultivation energy. High-level cultivators, through and through. And they think *I* can help them? This is insane.'
He forced a small, almost nervous smile. He had to play the part. The mysterious, knowledgeable, unassuming… *human* who somehow knew more than they did. A human, mind you, as useful as a particularly picturesque rock in their eyes. He had to keep them thinking he was *more* than that.
'Pretend you know what you're doing, Haku. Just like always. You're a font of ancient knowledge, remember? You understand the flow of chi. The harmony of the Five Elements. Blah, blah, blah… just don't let them see you sweat.'
"We have heard of your accomplishment helping Elder Lu and heard what your goal is, so my master sent me to help and be the communication line between my sect and you, Lord Haku."
Yue's words echoed in his mind. Accomplishments? What accomplishments? He'd gotten lucky, bluffed his way through a few conversations, and somehow convinced these powerful cultivators that he wasn't completely useless. He needed to remember to watch every step this time.
His gaze drifted to the chest at her feet. Shimmering crystals – spirit stones, no doubt, the fuel of their cultivation – and intricately carved vials. Healing pills, strength enhancers… and other necessities. Probably cultivation pills, specially crafted for high-level individuals. Pills so potent, so refined, that even a whiff of their essence might be enough to send a normal human like him into… well, probably his permanent sleep.
'Those pills… they're practically radiating energy. A single one of those could probably explode a normal person from the inside out. And to think, if I were a cultivator...'
His mind, however, quickly veered toward a more practical, less suicidal train of thought.
'Those crystals… they're worth a fortune in those stories. A *fortune*. Enough to retire comfortably, buy a small house, never have to scrounge for food again. Enough to live like a… like a small version of those cultivators… and get out of this whole mess.'
He quickly quashed the thought. He had to focus. One wrong move, one slip-up, and they'd see right through him. They'd realize he was just a normal man, playing a role he had no right to play. The consequences… well, they wouldn't be pretty.
'Stay calm, Haku. Stay calm. Just… pretend you're not drooling over the potential wealth. Pretend you're benevolent, wise, and not desperately trying to avoid an entirely messy and painful death. Play. The. Part.'
He met Yue's gaze, a faint spark of what he hoped looked like genuine interest flickering in his eyes. "The Yang Sect is most gracious. I will do what I can to assist you. But my reward is something far greater than treasures." He lied, easily. "For I care only for the safety of all people." He lied again.
The thought of those spirit stones and the comfortable life they could provide burned a hole in his mind.
Haku, despite his feigned ignorance of cultivation, recognized the blatant attempt at bribery. "Alexander," he said, without turning around, "be a good lad and take those inside. Put them in the storage room. We'll sort through them later."
Alexander, still awestruck by Yue's presence, snapped to attention. "Yes, Master Haku!" He practically leaped forward, grabbing the chest with surprising strength and disappearing into the bar.
'That kid is he weak to all women?'
Yue's smile faltered for a fraction of a second. She had expected a display of gratitude, perhaps even a touch of avarice. Haku's casual dismissal of what was, by all accounts, a fortune, threw her off balance.
"You are… most gracious," she said, recovering quickly. "If I may be so bold, I am also the personal disciple of the Sect Leader, and the youngest individual to reach the Nascent Soul Realm in over a thousand years of the Sect's history. All at the age of seventeen." She paused, clearly expecting some kind of reaction.
Haku simply nodded, his expression carefully neutral. "Impressive. Nascent Soul Realm, you say?" He scratched his chin, feigning ignorance. "What exactly does that entail? Can you, like, shoot fire from your hands? Or maybe fly?"
'He's testing me, it seems.'
"Yes, all of what you said is possible, Lord Haku, in the realm I'm at. To be honest, you could do all that at the core formation realm already, and given artifacts, one could do so much sooner."
He listened intently, eyes wide with fascination as she launched into a detailed explanation of the different cultivation realms. He absorbed every term – Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Severing, Void Refining, Body Integration, and finally, Mahayana. With each realm, she described the powers and abilities unlocked, the challenges faced, and the overall increase in lifespan and spiritual understanding. Haku peppered her explanations with the occasional naive question, always playing the part of the curious novice, gently nudging her to reveal more and more about the intricate layers of the cultivation world. He nodded thoughtfully at the divisions between the realms, internalizing the information, filing it away for later use.
When she finally trailed off, seemingly having exhausted her knowledge, Haku leaned back, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. He steepled his fingers, gazing at her with an air of knowing that belied his earlier feigned ignorance.
"I see," he said slowly, his voice laced with a hint of condescension. "So that's the limit of your understanding, hmmm? Not bad. For someone who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm, that seems… reasonable." He paused, allowing his words to hang in the air. "It's fascinating to hear your perspective on the… limitations that exist within those realms. But there is far more beyond what you know. much, much more…." He sighed dramatically, as if burdened by secrets far surpassing anything she could comprehend. "I suppose it's not something you would be able to grasp, not without experiencing it yourself."
'Damnn, video game characters aren't this broken. What's wrong with her? She's so… otherworldly. A process of continuous improvement and refinement? That's a cultivator, alright, through and through. But… how do mages stack up against cultivators? I've only ever dealt with the former. Having someone like her at my side… it would be invaluable. A silent powerhouse, a guardian angel… or perhaps a weapon, if need be. '
A sudden realisation hit Haku.
But the Duke will have me investigated, I'm pretty sure of that. I wanted to make it seem like my family history was fabricated, but here's this problem that just solved itself. He'll poke and prod, trying to unravel my secrets, only to find *her*! A cultivator strong enough to shatter mountains! They'll question everything they thought they knew about me. My past, my abilities… it will all be shrouded in doubt once they see her. YES! This is… perfect!
But… I need to make sure she understands that we need to act like human mortals here, given her status and the duke's power. I'm assuming he will still be able to find out who she is. We can't just waltz, flinging spells and calling down lightning, so this is for the best.'
Haku takes a deep breath, meeting Yue's gaze.
"Yue," he says, his voice carefully measured, "This… this world is different from what you are used to. Here, we must live amongst the mortals. People are not aware of the existence of beings such as ourselves. My true presence, my abilities... It's something I wish to keep hidden, for now. To protect myself, and perhaps, to protect them."
Haku watches Yue closely as he speaks.
'He wishes to keep his presence hidden? That explains everything. I could not perceive even a sliver of his aura, a mere whisper of his power. It was as if I were standing before an empty vessel, yet I knew… I *felt*… the immense power that lay dormant within him. To think that he is so powerfully hidden, that someone with my sensitivity cannot sense him at all... He truly is a god amongst men, not simply disguised but completely concealed. '
Haku subtly exhaled, relieved. He was walking on thin ice, he knew. He needed to tread carefully, to learn the rules of this strange world, without revealing his utter ignorance. He was a pilot, a strategist, and a reader of terrible cultivation novels. He could fake it till he made it. Or, at least, until he figured out what the hell he was doing.