Chapter: 3. Timani (5K)
What’s going on? If you’re going to hit someone, why throw them away like that?
Xue Fei Ya is definitely not a troublemaker; she just purely enjoys watching the fun.
Seeing everyone gathered around, her petite figure tried to squeeze to the front to see what was happening, and with her clever maneuvers, she managed to get through without anyone noticing.
“Xiya, wait here…! I’m going to see who’s causing trouble… cough, who dares to hit someone in broad daylight!”
“Shaya, you wait…! Hey, you! What are you talking about?”
She couldn’t be stopped, so just let her go.
Miss Shaya quickly got to the front row of the onlookers.
When it comes to watching excitement, she can always find the “best seats.”
But just as she got to the front and hadn’t steadied herself, she heard the crowd start to retreat in small steps, accompanied by slightly fearful murmurs.
“Is that… a magician?”
“He didn’t even touch him, and he just flew away…!”
“Why is someone who can use magic begging for money here?!”
“I said I’m not begging for money! Are you guys sick?! Can you move away?!”
The last speaker was the one encircled by the crowd, standing a distance apart.
Dressed in a brown robe that obscured her face, one could only vaguely see her beautiful figure; judging by the voice, she was likely an adult woman.
Aside from her unpleasant words, her tone was quite pleasant to hear.
Xue Fei Ya narrowed her eyes to observe the brown-robed figure…
This powerful physique could rival Xiya’s…! Why does she feel a bit familiar?
At this moment, Xiya had managed to make her way to the front, grabbed Xue Fei’s hand to prevent her from running off, and saw the current situation.
The robust man suspected to have been thrown by [Wind Magic] was getting up from where he had crashed into a pile of firewood.
He held his arm with a tense expression; not long after, his serious face twisted into a pitiful crying look, pointing at the brown-robed figure and wailing loudly!
“Ah! My arm… it must be broken…!! Someone help me… someone help me contact the Knight Corps! Catch her! Or I want compensation! I’m so unlucky! I just saw a beggar on the roadside and gave her some money, who would have thought she would hit me without saying a word?! No justice!!”
“Huh?! Why are you the first to accuse?! I already said I’m not a beggar! Didn’t you say sitting around here requires a protection fee? I already said I would leave soon, it was you who wouldn’t stop nagging; if you hadn’t tried to hit me, I wouldn’t have had to defend myself!”
“It’s like starting a story! Everyone saw…! I’m the one who got hurt! She’s starting to fabricate stories; hitting someone in broad daylight is a crime; the Kingdom Knight Corps will come to uphold justice for us!”
“Try talking nonsense again?!”
“Look, she’s going to use magic to hit someone again!!”
Xue Fei looked left and right, calmly analyzing the situation, and silently shook her head as she spoke to Xiya beside her.
“From the looks of it, that uncle is trying to swindle; his arm is perfectly fine—look, he just said it was broken, and now he’s raising his arm in demand for ‘justice,’ right?”
“Ah… Sorry, Shaya, that you had to see such a troublesome thing. Even in the capital… you can’t say all people are good; there are plenty like this who cause trouble.”
“It’s normal ~ The Demon Territory isn’t short of such rogues; when you see them, just beat them up!”
This swindling uncle was not the saddest part.
The saddest part was that even though the onlookers could clearly see he wasn’t injured, they still exaggerated the situation, pointing at the brown-robed girl, saying she was using magic to bully people, hitting someone and having a bad attitude; it was truly infuriating.
That’s human nature.
Even if they didn’t know the backstory, or if they did, they still tended to side with someone they perceive as “weak,” similar to themselves.
The uncle couldn’t use magic, and neither could they.
The brown-robed girl could.
So she was the outsider.
Thus, they preferred to criticize the girl in the brown robe who could use magic, disregarding the facts.
The brown-robed girl listened to all of this from beneath her robe, slowly lowering her head, her fists clenched tightly.
Just a moment ago, she was fiercely rebutting, but facing the crowd’s accusations, she started to fall silent.
Seeing this, the uncle was pleased!
He got even more brazen, spreading his palms as if to demand money.
“Compensation! Hitting someone in the capital means you have to pay; don’t think just because you can use magic, you’re something special! You think you can bully us common people who can’t do anything? Let me tell you, if you don’t pay, when the Knight Corps arrives, they’ll take you away, and then it won’t just be about paying!”
“Yeah, yeah, young lady, you sound young; if you made a mistake, just pay up, and next time be more restrained.”
“I agree; if you can use magic, earn some money with it; what’s the point of sitting here begging with that robe while so young?”
“……”
The brown-robed girl’s tightly clenched fist slowly relaxed.
If one listened closely, they could almost hear a cold laugh coming from beneath her robe.
It seemed to mock herself.
Even more so, it seemed to mock others.
After the laughter faded, a chilling voice came forth.
“I already said… I’m not begging for money.”
“Why can’t you human scum… just listen to what others have to say?”
“It was you who treated me this way first… so don’t blame me for what happens next.”
The brown-robed girl turned her open palm in mid-air.
Clearly, she hadn’t done anything yet, but within a few meters’ radius, everyone sensed something was off.
“Hey… is the temperature rising a bit?”
“It… it must be an illusion.”
“In this autumn, why does it feel like summer?”
Some even began to fan themselves, feeling as if they were suddenly surrounded by a large furnace; the temperature was indeed rising.
There was no furnace here, only a hidden danger.
Xiya and Xue Fei understood clearly; this brown-robed girl’s gesture was preparing to unleash a high-level fire magic called [Thunder Flame].
It was feared that in just a few more seconds, whether it was that swindling uncle or the surrounding onlookers, they would all be turned to ashes under this nearly ninth-stage magic attack.
Miss Shaya reminds you not to be too impulsive; knowing when to stop is wise?
Suddenly, amidst the noise, a crisp sound of clapping rang out.
This sound interrupted the crowd’s discussions and also interrupted the countdown for the brown-robed girl’s casting of [Thunder Flame].
Xue Fei silently retracted the [Nullify] she had gathered at her fingertips; she was prepared with a contingency if [Thunder Flame] hadn’t stopped~
You can strike them down, I have no objections.
The problem is, I’m currently holding a big fish that’s just right; I don’t want to roast it any longer, you know?
Naturally, everyone’s attention turned to this cute girl with black hair.
The initial reaction from everyone…
—Whose child is running around recklessly?!
Unbeknownst to them, Miss Shaya cleared her throat, stepped beside the astonished brown-robed girl, and raised her hands to calm the crowd.
She exuded an aura of “authority,” as if she were delivering a speech as a leader.
Of course, the aspect of authority was something Xue Fei believed; she had always thought of herself as very authoritative.
“Ahem, everyone, please give me some face; this is just a misunderstanding—she’s just sitting here and isn’t bothering anyone. That uncle is not even that hurt, so stop the theatrics. Let’s think about it—when the Knight Corps arrives, if you say she hit you, we’ll turn that around and say you’re provoking trouble, and it won’t be easy for you to remedy that, right?”
“Where did this little girl come from?! Who gave you the right to speak…! Uh?!”
He stopped speaking.
This was due to two reasons.
First, a golden-haired girl emerged behind the black-haired girl, her eyes as sharp as blades, and the man’s instinct for survival told him that any more disrespect towards the black-haired girl and his head would likely be rolling away from his body.
Ordinary people in the area rarely knew the Hero, but the pressure from the Hero’s strength did not require familiarity.
The second reason was that the black-haired girl suddenly produced a shining golden insignia.
—An honor medal representing the nobility of a count.
“U-uh… nobility? A child this young… cough, cough! Forget it! Forget it! Everyone disperse, disperse!”
“Let’s go… let’s not block the path of the noble lady. What’s this about? Just passing by to buy some groceries ended up here, ahahaha… strange, strange.”
In the Aulus Kingdom, commoners can be ignorant, and they can stir up trouble.
But when they face nobility, they have no thoughts of making a fuss.
Because the decisive nature of nobility and their power doesn’t change based on whether it’s one person or a group; if they cause a disturbance, the outcome is the same.
Which is being taken away, locked up, and possibly subjected to cruel torture and accountability.
The methods common people use to handle matters simply do not apply when dealing with nobility.
They were just bystanders watching the show, and no one genuinely wanted to get involved in this dispute, so the wisest course of action now was obviously to protect themselves, began retreating.
The crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving the alley empty, with only Xiya, Xue Fei, the brown-robed girl, and… uhm, that stunned swindling uncle remaining.
Xiya kindly reminded him.
“Not leaving yet?”
“I’m leaving… leaving… I’m going! But, noble lady, my medical expenses…?!”
And still asking for medical expenses.
Your whole body is healthy except for your brain; what kind of medical fee do you want?
“No, were you injured? Did you hit your head, causing you not to think straight? Or are you just stuttering? Hurry up and run, you’re just waiting to be roasted to carbon, right? I’ll count to three—three, two, one, go!”
Xue Fei deliberately counted very fast, and the uncle was startled by the quickening pace, hurriedly crawling away, fearing that if he stayed here any longer, he might really be burnt to ashes! Even though he knew it was impossible.
However, it wasn’t impossible.
Xue Fei could only say… they were really close to becoming carbon just now?
And so, the place fell completely silent.
Xiya linked her arm with Xue Fei’s and pulled her slightly away from the brown-robed girl.
After all, the power the brown-robed girl had subtly displayed just now, while it might not pose much of a threat to her, was not to be taken lightly.
Moreover… Xiya had already recognized who she was.
“Please take off your hood, Miss Timani of the Fire Dragon Clan; could you explain what just happened and why you are still staying in the Aulus Kingdom?”
“Oh, so it really is her.”
Xue Fei Ya remarked how she felt familiar.
This distinctive physique was seen that day at the Gladiatorial Arena.
It is indeed you! The annoying fire dragon who bullied the little fire cat and roasted one of my fish!
Having been recognized, the brown-robed girl no longer concealed her identity.
She slowly removed her hood.
What followed was a pair of sharp, beautifully crafted dragon horns—symbols of the Fire Dragon Clan—adorned her head, gleaming like polished gemstones.
At the same time, her long red tail, which had been concealed by magic, appeared behind her.
Is it that the appearance of high-level races is also blessed?
This girl named Timani, with a mature aura, had an exceptionally beautiful face; her fiery red eyes and flame-like red hair complemented each other, emanating a heat simply by standing before one.
But unfortunately… despite her mature exterior and attractive figure, she was paired with such a foul temper.
She narrowed her eyes at the little girl before her, who was much shorter than herself, while Xiya shielded Xue Fei behind her, and Timani clicked her tongue disdainfully, expressing her deep-seated grievance.
“Tsk, how come it’s you again…”
“Huh? What do you mean ‘again’?”
Perhaps Timani didn’t want to explain much.
After all, the Fire Dragon Clan was known for their pride, looking down on help from others and considering it shameful.
But this little girl had indeed helped her twice; it wouldn’t be in line with the Fire Dragon Clan’s etiquette to say nothing at all.
However, Xue Fei was infuriated that this fire lizard didn’t even look anyone in the eye when speaking, which was truly aggravating!
“It was you last time too, the incident at the Gladiatorial Arena; when my magic went out of control, you used [Nullify] to make my magic disappear, so it didn’t cause a ruckus. And now you’re helping again—just a coincidence? Or you’re also a member of the Aulus Kingdom Knight Corps here to arrest me? I’ll tell you, if it’s the latter, you won’t catch me; I have legs and wings, so I can run.”
You speak as if I don’t have legs and wings, so I can’t run.
Oh, and by the way, I didn’t use [Nullify] to absorb your magic back at the Gladiatorial Arena; it was an improved version of [Storage], which cost me a whole fish!
Xue Fei Ya shook her head to clarify that she was not a part of the Knight Corps.
Then, she gave a big thumbs up to show she was willing to help!
“No need to thank me! I’m always one to help when I see injustice!”
“Do you need help with your meddling?”
“Hey, hasn’t anyone ever said they’d like to snap your horns off and roast them for a meal?”
“What?! You even know the criticism my clan has for me?! And holding a roasted fish… you clearly aren’t a serious person; tell me! What exactly are you?!”
“……”
Great, this fire lizard is probably just a pitiful person whose brain isn’t really developed properly.
And how is holding a big fish not being a serious person! By your logic, the whole Fire Cat Clan would not be a proper clan either!
Xiya Let looked unfavorably upon Timani, after all, the last time at the Gladiatorial Arena, she nearly lost control of her magic and caused a disaster.
As the Kingdom’s Hero, Xiya had matters that needed clarification.
“…Miss Timani, please calm down. Now you need to explain the situation just now. To be honest, I guess I am somewhat of a member of the Kingdom’s Knight Corps… Your appearance here as a high-level race is somewhat unusual. By the way, if you keep saying you want to run, you won’t be able to.”
“Ridiculous, do you think you’re so strong? If I wanted to leave, not even the Kingdom Knight Corps could stop me; not to mention…”
“My name is Xiya Let, the Kingdom’s Hero.”
“……”
Great, I didn’t check my fortune before heading out today and ran into a ghost.
Timani scratched her fluffy red hair, feeling troubled.
Due to the chance of not explaining could lead to trouble, Timani slightly recapped the situation that had just occurred.
She readjusted her brown robe and sat against the wall.
With her arms wrapped around her knees, she stayed motionless.
Miss Shaya’s eyes brightened!
“Wow! Xiya, look, this guy sitting there really looks like a beggar! Do you have any silver coins to give her?!”
“I already said I’m not begging!!”
Suddenly pulling off the brown robe hood revealed her hair and face, which showed that Timani indeed didn’t look like a beggar.
Furrowing her brows with a fierce expression, she impatiently pointed in the direction where the crowd had dispersed and began to explain.
“I was just sitting here resting, how was I to know what was going on? That man suddenly came over with a club, saying this place was under his control and that I had to pay protection fees to beg here. The problem is, I’m not begging! I told him I was just sitting here for a bit before leaving; he was bothering me when I wasn’t in a good mood. Who knew he’d actually swing that club and try to smash me? You humans really have no good character! He hits me, and I can’t fight back? My self-defense is not illegal, right? This noble Hero?”
“Self-defense is naturally justified; moreover, you did hold back your strength. This path is indeed somewhat far from the castle center, and there are quite a few thugs.”
“Tsk, as long as you know that, can we go now?”
“Yes, also about your stay in the Aulus Kingdom; I know you came here to participate in the Gladiatorial Arena competition, but now that the competition has ended, why are you still not returning to Northern Region Flame Land? Did you submit an application to the Kingdom?”
It was clear.
Timani was quite impatient now.
She put her hood back on, shutting herself off from the sunlight once more.
She slowly stepped forward, her lonely figure passing by the two and moving towards the end of the alley.
“I’m just a homeless person… you don’t need to ask so much. My application to come to the Aulus Kingdom can be checked; I can stay here for seven days, and after seven days, I’ll go to another country. Anyway, I’ve had enough of your human ways… truly detestable.”
Saying this, she had already reached the end of the alley.
—And turned back to throw a silver coin.
Xue Fei reached out to catch the coin while hearing the girl’s ethereal voice resonate.
“Little girl, your space magic seems quite proficient; it looks like your strength is not weak. But you remember this! The Fire Dragon Clan does not accept anyone’s charity! Even if I have no money, even if I starve to death, I will absolutely not accept a single penny from you!”
“Uh… no, I meant, looking at you being poor… probably no money to buy fish, so I’m giving you a bit of money to buy a big fish to compensate for the one you burnt… Ah, she’s gone, this fire lizard is truly annoying; she doesn’t listen to what people say.”
Xue Fei Ya’s words weren’t finished, but Timani had already disappeared from the end of the alley.
Miss Shaya stored the silver coin away and blinked her big eyes, asking Xiya beside her.
“Aren’t we going to chase her? What if she’s lying?”
“If she’s lying, Xue Fei, can’t you see that… your piercing eyes have been activated all along?”
“Oh wow! You actually found me out, hehe, who knows if she is some kind of dangerous character, but she didn’t lie; she came here through formal procedures and will leave for another country in seven days. Just don’t know why, despite being a high-level race… how did she end up nearly starving on the streets? Perhaps she really is somewhat mentally challenged?”
“I think so too.”
“We actually reached a consensus.”
“I guess it’s because she had a bad attitude towards you, Xue Fei, when you had helped her twice. Ah well, let’s go now; the negotiation meeting is about to start; we need to pick up the pace.”
“Alright!”
