With these thoughts in mind, Akali greeted Faen, then complained with a look of intense displeasure: "I wanted to go in and find you guys ages ago, but every time I went in, I'd walk and walk and end up right back where I started... Is there something wrong with this forest? Even a ninja like me actually got lost?"
"That's just how wild magic is," Faen shrugged, indicating it was perfectly normal.
"Primal Essence protects this ancient woodland. This energy, which is intimately tied to the original Vastaya, shelters and connects their spirits with primordial nature. Without their permission, let alone you, even those Masters of Ionia would only end up walking in the entrance, getting lost, standing there dazed, feeling confused, losing face, and then leaving."
Hearing Faen's explanation, Akali indicated she didn't quite understand, but she caught the part where even other Masters would be just as useless if they came here. So she didn't dwell on it—although as an apprentice, Akali's current strength had already surpassed many disciples of the Kinkou Order, she knew very well that she still had a long way to go compared to true Masters.
With these thoughts, Akali bowed respectfully to Faen and said, "Although I don't know why my mom and the others in the Order demanded I take you as my master to learn martial arts, I have witnessed your stance in battle with my own eyes, and I highly agree with your philosophy regarding struggle. Therefore, please instruct me."
"No problem."
Hearing Akali's words, Faen nodded and said, "Shen and Usan are both my friends, and I have long understood your philosophy. To the Ionia of the past, your ideas might seem overly rebellious, but in reality, they represent the future Ionia ought to have. Of course, you don't have to be too nervous. Although Ionia emphasizes lineage and mentorship, I have never advocated for those complicated, tedious rules."
He paused, then added, "Or rather, instead of complicated and tedious rules, I prefer our philosophies and creeds to align, so that during our time together, we don't waste unnecessary time and energy arguing over ideological differences. Of course, just as no two leaves in this world are exactly identical, if differences do arise, I hope we can express our thoughts to each other, rather than outright rejecting the other's choices and will."
Hearing Faen's words, the bowing Akali fell into a brief silence. After a long while, she straightened up and looked at Faen. Her previously sharp, rebellious gaze now held traces of surprise and subtle agreement. After a moment of silence, Akali nodded in deep agreement and said:
"Of course. That is what I hope for as well."
Although her words were brief, sometimes, certain things didn't need too much unnecessary decoration. Or perhaps, for someone like Akali, who was viewed as a heretic within the Kinkou Order, simply being able to say "This is what I hope for too" was already astonishing enough.
Seeing this, Faen stared at Akali for a while, unable to help but shake his head and sigh. Then, under Akali's confused gaze, he said, "You know, my essence in the Spirit Realm is much stronger than ordinary people's—including those so-called Masters. And right now, I can feel many complex emotions churning in your heart. But in the end, all you could say were those two brief sentences. It seems that, despite being the daughter of the Fist of Shadow, your life in the Kinkou Order hasn't been very free."
As he spoke, Faen shrugged without a shred of a master's dignified air, a look of utter helplessness settling on his brow.
In response, Akali fell silent for a moment, a complex expression surfacing on the young girl's face.
Just as Faen said, although Akali was labeled a rebel by many, as the daughter of the Fist of Shadow, she didn't feel much freedom. Because in the traditional atmosphere of the Kinkou Order, Akali simply couldn't find a so-called confidant to pour out her inner depression, or the anxiety and unease of feeling out of place.
In Akali's eyes, Faen might be a powerful figure worthy of learning from. But in her psychological expectations, she was absolutely not prepared to treat Faen as a friend. After all, having grown up in a repressed environment where she wasn't understood, Akali's heart had perhaps long grown accustomed to being a solitary figure. She even viewed herself as an irrational, rogue assassin.
But now...
Meeting Faen's slightly helpless gaze, Akali felt an inexplicable sense of unease. It was like a fledgling leaving its warm nest for the first time to try flapping its wings toward the sky. Perhaps this was something she inherently ought to have, ought to learn, and ought to understand. But in an atmosphere like Ionia's, even Akali herself had given up on it.
Now, feeling this kind of understanding once again... Nostalgic yet timid? Explaining it like that didn't seem quite right. More likely, it was simply out of fear, right?
Fear that she had misunderstood Faen's meaning. Fear that she was imagining things to be too beautiful, and the reality wasn't like that at all. Or, fear that it was true, but she was already incapable of understanding and accepting it...
Just as Akali was pursing her lips, unsure of how to respond, suddenly, with a smack, Faen's broad hand landed squarely on her shoulder.
Faen's sudden action startled Akali, making her jump like a frightened rabbit—or perhaps a little stray cat? Her hair practically stood on end, clearly showing she was quite spooked.
Meeting Akali's gaze, Faen said, "You don't need to rush to understand it, because our next destination is the three islands of Oovi-Kat. This journey might not be exceptionally long, but it will be enough for us to learn what kind of person the other is. Regardless, rather than the traditional master-and-disciple dynamic of Ionia, I'd prefer us to become partners who are both teachers and friends to each other."
"Um... uh..." Hearing Faen's words, Akali opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something. But when the words reached her lips, she didn't know how to express them. She could only close her mouth again as a series of expressions crossed her face. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "I... understand."
"Then there's no problem," Faen nodded, then added, "Let's prepare to depart. Destination: Oovi-Kat."