508 Chapter 508: Reques (1/2)
For a couple of weeks, my school days passed peacefully. Nothing much happened, and I continued to train and teach Adrian and Melina, though I was pretty sure they had already learned everything that they needed to know.
At some point, there was no longer any point to teaching, and the only way for them to improve was to go out there and gain actual combat experience. That was the whole point of learning to fight, after all. Staying all sheltered and hiding in a dojo wasn't going to help much. There were things that you could only learn in a real life-and-death battle.
That, and practice. Lots and lots of practice. Fighting, like anything else, was a craft. The only way to hone it was to practice non-stop. The more you practiced, the better you get.
”Good job, you two.”
I patted Adrian and Melina's heads after we completed a training session. Melina pouted.
”Geez, Sensei! Stop treating us like kids!”
”Yeah! We're already in middle school, Brother Richie!”
Even though I knew that, I just couldn't help it. They were both younger than I was, and shorter too. I felt like a big brother of sort.
”Yeah, well…sorry. Anyway, that's it for today. You two should go wash up, then do your homework. Don't forget about school!”
”Yes, Sensei…”
”Ugh…”
I watched the both of them go, and was about to follow them into the house when my smartphone rang. I frowned and stared at the screen, noting that the caller was Kufa.
”Great…” I sighed heavily. I had been expecting him to call earlier, but a couple of weeks had passed without anything happening. I had almost forgotten about all this, and the Chiropteran had seemed like a bad dream. Resigning myself, I swiped at the screen and answered the call. ”Richard here. What's up, Kufa?”
”I'm very sorry, Richard, but I need your help. Are you available right now?”
”For what?” I asked carefully, taking precautions not to promise him anything.
”I'll be honest…this is an unofficial mission, so we might get into trouble for this. I hope you don't mind.”
”Of course I mind! I'm not doing anything that will break the rules!” I scowled. A hero was someone who upheld the law and brought justice to criminals. Why the hell would I break the very rules that I was supposed to safeguard?
”Even if there are people's lives at risk?”
”Look, dude,” I snapped impatiently. ”Don't get all cryptic on me. If you want something, tell me directly. I don't have time to waste on your stupid games.”
”Sorry.” To his credit, Kufa sounded contrite. ”I didn't mean to…but yeah, Saya's life is in danger at the moment, and we're the only two people available who can help her. I need your help. Both Saya and I need your help.”
”Elaborate.”
I was already heading for the gates, a scowl on my face. Of course, I stopped short of exiting the house. Kufa still hadn't told me where to go yet. I heard a sigh from the opposite end, though I couldn't tell if it was from relief or weariness.
”A few hours ago, David identified a possible Chiropteran. Saya went after it, to exterminate it. She tracked it all the way to a warehouse at the eastern district…but it turned out to be a trap.” He swallowed audibly. ”The warehouse is a nest of those things. Right now, Saya is outnumbered, and if this goes on, she'll be killed. Not only that, if these things escape, they will terrorize the human population of Flandor. There will be more victims.”
”That can't be good. Where's this warehouse?”
”I'll send you to address through a text message. Use Google Maps – it should provide you a route.”
”Got it.” I was already summoning Cygnus. The white swan appeared beside me, flapping his wings once and cawing. ”I'll meet you there.”
”Thanks.” This time I could hear the relief evident in his voice. ”I really appreciate it. And…sorry.”
”Don't need to apologize. I'll see you then.” I then hung up and jumped atop Cygnus's back.
Thanks to flying there instead of walking, I reached the warehouse in less than fifteen minutes. While riding atop Cygnus, I used the Google Map app on my smartphone and mentally directed by Constellation spirit along the route depicted on the screen. From above, I could see the warehouse that Kufa talked about, and I had my swan descend upon its position.
Kufa was already waiting for me somewhere below, and I hopped off Cygnus's back to land beside him.
”What's the situation?” I asked. He grimaced.
”Bad.”
”Don't me a vague description! Elaborate! I want details!” I was already drawing my swords and moving toward the main doors of the warehouse. ”What's the enemy disposition? Is Saya the only one who is engaging them in combat? Or has she already been killed in action? Are the Chiropterans contained? What other forces do we have here? Have they already established a perimeter? I don't want any of these beasts to escape!”
”Uh, what? Huh?” Kufa looked puzzled, and then he held up his hands frantically. ”Slow down, one question at a time!”