120 Gafar Tybius (1/2)
On the way down, Hayden and company had to run down for an entire minute. That's with Hayden going at full speed.
”The Yorixia wants to keep it traditional.” Jin sighed, as if he has suggested this idea in the past. ”Alongside the Yojika. And with the agreement of over half of every family.”
”That's ridiculous.” Hayden wasn't exhausted at all. ”Everything's been modernized here in the first place. What's the use of keeping it traditional? Does it have some sort of sentimental value to the Yorixia?”
”Yes.” A man's voice rang in Hayden's ears. Hayden turned to the direction of the origin and saw a man of tall stature with an orange blonde beard and wavy neck-length hair.
He wore an orange martial arts uniform. On the left side of his chest was a symbol of a cog. Contrary to his ragged appearance, the man said intellectually, ”The Overseeing Cliff's steps have been prevented on being modernized at the Yorixia's request. It is unknown what significance it has exactly. However, it has been established that it was tied to the Yorixia's past.”
The second the man finished his sentence, Jin shouted something in another language. Probably their ancient language. Which was named ”Roshist.”
They talked and talked for the next five minutes. From the tones of their conversation, Hayden concluded that the two were close friends, if not, best friends.
”Hey, you guys, talking in Roshist.” Ysa had an expression that said 'so done.' ”We have a guest and you guys are speaking Roshist?”
”Come on, we haven't seen each other for 30 years.” Jin's expression was that of 'give us a break.' ”It only came out of us.”
”Jeez. I apologize for the two's rudeness in their stead, Ot-Fenrir.�� Ysa bowed towards Hayden apologetically.
Why was Hayden called Fenrir? You ask? That's because that he informed them that that will be his pseudonym. As for the word 'Ot,' it was a Roshist honorific. It was used to call people who are not that familiar. In simpler words, below an acquaintance, but not a complete stranger.
There were apparently tens of honorifics in the Roshist language. It was an interesting language that has all the elements of different country's cultures. There was even the 'Re' and 'Ere' that was the equivalent of 'Po' and 'Opo' in Filipino.
These were all parts of the conversations of Hayden, Ysa, and Jin during the descent. There was the matter of lifetimes, too. Hayden now knows that members of the Overseers go to the outside world to act as informants and lead 'normal' lives.
Like how Jin lived as Keaton Rivera. As such, the later generations have a chance of inheriting Innate Gifts. In addition, there were Innate Gifts out there outside of the Overseers.
Possessing multiple Innate Gifts were rather common, too. That was why having offspring between two families are often encouraged.
With that information, Hayden suspected that his keen sense to any kind of danger was an Innate Gift. After all, his danger sense was already active prior to his awakening. In fact, this sense extended to any type of danger. Tests? Yes. His natural affinity with animals, except most Chordata of the Aves Class, was also something.
…..
”Ah, yes, Ot-Fenrir.” Jin accompanied the man towards Hayden. He introduced the two. ”This is my best friend since childhood, Gafar. He's from the Tybius Family. Gafar, this is Fenrir, an outsider.”
”Oho, you brought an outsider this early?” Gafar laughed loudly. Afterwards, Gafar put his right hand in front of his chest, with the side of his hand facing Hayden. Imagine a karate greeting without the left fist. Gafar slightly bowed towards Hayden. ”Ro-Fenrir.”
Hayden did the same motion. This was the standard greeting of the Overseers for everyone. ”Ro-Gafar.”
Ro- was an honorific for people you just met. It literally translates to 'nice to meet you' in a single syllable. It was efficient, hence, Hayden fancied it.
”Why bring an outsider in Foriast?” Gafar turned to the two. ”Is this with permission? You guys can be banished for this.”
”Ysa here has declared that she sees something special in him.” Jin sighed. ”She even did an Origin Oath stating that there'll be no ally that will hurt him for the next 12 hours.”
”Wow, you still haven't changed.” Gafar shook his head. ”You'd presume that, in the harsh world out there, you'd change a bit.”
”I would never.” Ysa hugged with Gafar. ”I've missed you. When did you come back?”
”I've been back for a while already. Simply resting.” Gafar scratched the back of his head. ”I have come earlier than Jin, actually.”
For the next few seconds, the two switched back to Roshist. Hayden analyzed the contents of their conversation through their tones. He could conclude that the two bantered of their arrivals and narrowly missing each other.
Ysa coughed. The two looked at her and shivered. Ysa didn't tolerate this kind of rudeness. Unless their conversation was a secret.
”We're sorry.” The two immediately put their right arm across their chest with the fist closed. It was the respectful and apologetic pleading of the Roshist language.
It seems that the two were deeply afraid of Ysa. How powerful exactly was she? Hayden would not know. If Hayden had to estimate, she irrefutably has a higher power level than Rhys.
”May I ask.” Hayden interjected. ”If an Origin Oath has a heavy punishment, why are you putting your life on the line for a stranger's passage?”
”Ro-Fenrir, the Kilch Family's Soul Peering Eye has never been wrong.” Gafar answered Hayden. ”If any of them, no matter how young or old, says a person is special. They're special. They have a reputation. Of all the Innate Gifts, theirs is the most reliable.”
”Huh, okay.” Hayden slowly bobbed his head in understanding. ”Does that mean that you guys screen who can become a president for the World Government?”
”Uh…” The trio made eye contact uneasily. As if Hayden poured cold water on them. ”That's… Well…”
”Really? You get flustered by this question?” Hayden was put in a state of dismay. ”What if an outsider asks this question again? Anyone would be able to tell that the answer to it is 'yes.'”
”I…” This time, it was Ysa's turn to be flustered. She didn't anticipate for Hayden to ask this type of question at all. ”It's not-”
”Oho, I've never seen little Ysa get this red.” Gafar wrapped his arm around Ysa. ”You're 100-something years old, and you didn't foresee this kind of question?”
”Stop.” Ysa's face sunk. Her expression wasn't exactly terrifying. But Hayden sensed the anger radiating from it. Until this dissipated as tears started to fall from her eyes. ”I merely didn't know how to answer! Okay? That question is too specific!”
She broke down. She actually broke down. Jin and Gafar both pursed their lips. From this, it was obvious that they didn't have knowledge of how to calm her down. Or, worse. There was no way.
Hayden rolled his eyes. Was he supposed to believe these three were best friends? Hayden had no choice but to step in. He did the apologetic pose of Roshist. ”Okay, Ot-Ysa. I apologize for the abrupt question. Is there any chance that this will make up for it? It's a personal-made piece of confection.”
Ysa's teary eyes focused on the item atop Hayden's open hand. It was a deceptively regular bite-sized tart without any kind of topping. Its one detail that separated it from regular tarts was that it was chocolate in color and was lustrous.
She looked at Hayden's eyes beneath the eyeholes sulkily, conveying: 'How is this supposed to cheer me up?'
”Take it.” Hayden tried to express his friendliness by smiling with his eyes. If Ysa didn't know any better, she would've mistaken the masked man as a kidnapper wanting to lure her with candy. ”I assure you that you wouldn't regret it.”
”Fine.” Ysa pouted, her right hand flashing. In a second, the tart was in her mouth. She chewed it. Gradually, her expression softened. Her eyes widened in shock. She unconsciously switched to Roshist, speaking absurdly fast. Probably praises.
On the side, Gafar and Jin narrowed their eyes. What the fuck? For years, they weren't able to calm these pangs and outbursts of Ysa. Hayden comes along, and he was able to control it? 'What's up with this guy…?'
”Sorry.” A few seconds passed prior to Ysa calming down. She cleared her throat. ”What is this candy? Its taste is rich, extremely chocolatey, and sweet. Absolutely sweet. Paradoxically, it isn't overwhelming. It is mellow and easy on the tongue. It's not a sweet that you'll get sick of… What is this?”
”It's a miniature tart I like to call 'Mellow Explosion.'” As usual, Hayden's naming sense was superb. Hayden's disposition changed as he did a lecture. Well, it would've been a lecture if the trio could understand the gastronomical, chemical, and cooking jargons Hayden spouted.
After all, Hayden did incorporate cutting-edge gastronomical machinery and masters-level chemistry for the creation of this tart. In addition, there was his knowledge of ingredients. In 2020, a chef with this kind of extensive knowledge was impressive.
Remember that they were in 2058, which the chefs call 'The Golden Age of Cooking' due to the influx of ingredients that can be used. Hayden literally stored and analyzed tens of thousands, approaching a hundred thousand, of ingredients in his brain. Within six months.
”Oh, sorry, got lost for a moment there.” Hayden shook his head. ”Anyways. Mellow Explosion is an experimental sweet. It isn't finished yet. Once it is… Well, wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. What are your thoughts, Yu-Ysa?”
Yu- is an honorific for miss. It is usually used during formal events on lectures, work, and etc. It is the shortened version of Yuda. The male equivalent is Yueki, with it being shortened as 'Yue- (yu-eh)'.
”It's amazing for a test version!” Ysa gave Hayden a thumbs up. Her next words shocked Hayden. ”Say, Le-Fenrir. Do you have more of this Mellow Explosion?”
Hayden, Jin, and Gafar were all equally dazed. You ask why? Because Hayden was addressed as 'Le-'! Le- was a Roshist honorific that is used for males who you consider a friend. Ye- was used for females, and Te- was the gender neutral honorific for those who doesn't identify as male and female. These were shorts for Leta, Yeta, and Teta.