Chapter 99, Predestined Encounters

"If we take the family's private boat, we can orbably get there in two days." Will stated and I nodded. "But first, we have to travel across the southern mainland."

"My dad prepared a ride for us." Ethan stated. "Is everyone good to go?"

"Yeah." I answered as we finsihed checking our gear to leave. "Let's store them in my Storage so we won't look too eye catching."

"Alrighty." Mitan answered.

We go outside the hotel and as the others load the bus I decide to walk around a bit. Then, in the alleyway, I hear voices talking. I listen in after hearing the Vermillion Bird.

"So, is it really a feather of the legendary bird?" A voice asked.

"Yeah. I heard it's being sold by a certain person on the eastern islands." Another answered. "But he only sells a handful each day he disappears after that."

"What's the guy like?" The earlier asked.

"He has bright orange hair with purple eyes, you won't miss him." The later answered. "He's about seventeen or nineteen at best."

"Okay then." He answered.

'Growth, go and look at what they're holding.' I summoned him and he links his vision with mine and I see that they're holding a bright red feather. 'Growth, come back.'

Without a doubt, that's a fetaher of the vermillion bird. There's residual essence of its power on the feather.

I run back when I hear them coming and the bus has been loaded so I climbed in and sit by the window. The bus is a selfdriving bus so we all sit down. The seats can be rotated, there's a rising table and a

bathroom as well. It can also be reconfigured to act as a bedroom and kitchen. It's the same style as a double decker bus so we can easily fit inside and it's so wide that we can all fit on the first level.

"So, let's begin on sharing what we've gathered." Van stated. "Firstly, we got information that the eastern islands isn't as modernized as the mainland."

"We couldn't get anything about the Vermillion Bird's whereabouts." Lucas said.

"Same. We came to a dead end." Will stated. "But, it seems that the it is likely on the islands on the far eastern point."

"The question is where." Reinhardt said.

"My hint was that it might be near Coral Island. For now, let's search around for a man with orange hair and purple eyes who sells red feathers." I told them. "According to what I heard, there's a man in the eastern islands that sells featehrs of the Vermillion Bird."

"Are they that important?" Leon asked. "The Vermillion Bird's feathers."

"They are. The Vermillion Bird's feathers have residue of its power. Meaning, it has a concentration of Vi that has the properties of fire." I answered. "If you gather a bunch they'll simultaneously combust. If you drop them in water, it'll boil. It is a power source in a sense. But it also has healing properties."

"In the end, it'll depend on who has them and why they have." Van said. "A single feather is worth millions, it is highly valued and sought after."

"The reason is because once you use one it'll disappear after that. The lone feather can't sustain itself." I stated. "So, it's highly sought after, to the point where people have tried to capture the Vermillion Bird."

"But doing so would be bad for the South." Van stated.

"Why?" Angie asked.

"Because the power of the Vermillion Bird is what makes the South so beautiful and scenic." I stated. "And it's also what makes the south such a temoerate place."

"Then what is the guy who sells the feathers then?" Adonis asked.

"Likely, the Magician of Relentless Heat." I answered.

"Relentless Heat?" Theo asked.

"Ahh! So peotic!" Lia smiled.

"Magician of Relentless Heat, sounds kinda scary." Alexis said. "Is that the Magician for the Vermillion Bird?"

"Yeah." I answered. "The Magician of Relentless Heat is very skilled in fire and temperature magic. Though they lack an affinity for water magic as a price to pay."

"So, you think the one selling the feathers is the Magician of Relentless Heat?" Will asked.

"Yeah." I answered.

"Then, let's hurry, to the eastern islands." Andrew said as we hit the road.

----

"Wait! Please, it wasn't me!" Thean pleaded. "I didn't have anything to do with it!!"

"Hmm..." I stared at him for a moment. "Well, we'll see if your lying. Truth!"

In front of me, a white slug the suze of a hand appeared. I drop the slug unto him, now then.

"Did you steal the money or not?" I asked him.

"I didn't!!" He answered but the slug turned red.

"I guess we can add lies to your crimes then." I said as I tapped the slug. "Well, let's leave that aside."

"W-what are yo-?" Before he could finish, he is swallowed by the slug.

"That's another criminal into the Prison City." I said. "Let's see... theft, the setence is five years in prison."

I petted the little slug that then disappeared. I should probably get going now. I need to find the Fluer soon. I'll be in big trouble if I don't.

I walk down the streets, blending in with the crowd and then accidentally bumping into a man with orange hair.

"Oh, I'm sorry, are you okay?" I asked him.

"I'm fine." He answered but he had dropped his bag and the content spilled out.

"Here, let me help." I told him as he picked up the contents of the bag. Feathers.

"You don't have to." He answered as he picked up the feathers.

"It's fine. I need to help out since I bumped into you." I answered. "Here you go."

"Thank you." He said as he tighted the buckle of the bag. "Well then, see you."

"See you." I answered as he disappeared into the crowd.

That man, was it just me or was he a bit... inhuman? I must've been imagining things. But what a strange man indeed. Well, each encounter has been predestined and has a meaning. As for this encounter, I'll think about it later, I'd better get back to my job and find the Fleur soon.