Chapter 42: Reunion?
In the blink of an eye, a whole year had passed...
In the last few months, things had been going well for Vicente's group, but for the moment, they were still focused on Martell Village, where more than 80% of the local suppliers were on his side.
He and his group still had opposition within the village and had not yet begun their operations in the shadows of nearby cities.
But soon, that would change!
...
Upon waking up in the morning, Vicente was soon eating breakfast next to Nina and Eve, something he had been doing almost every day since his agreement with three local merchants more than a year ago.
In the last few months, Nina had grown a lot, while Vice felt more comfortable trusting Eve.
They had been through a lot in the last year, and Nina had grown a little more, so Vice felt he could count on Eve even when he had to travel outside the village.
He had separated from Nina for the first time since the death of her parents two months ago on a business trip and, since then, had been giving Eve more responsibilities within this household.
In a few months, he would turn 14, and it would be time for his awakening. At that time, he would have to be away from home for a few days, and Nina would not be able to go with him, given her classes at the academy.
But now he wasn't worried about putting his sister in danger and was counting on Eve to take care of this little girl every day.
"Nina, hurry up, or you'll be late." He said as he signaled to his sister.
"I know, I'm coming." The little girl of almost 7 said this as she had a piece of toast in her mouth, putting her backpack on her back as she prepared to leave.
By now, she could lip-read, but her brother and Eve usually used signs with her, as it was much easier for her to understand them that way.
So, as Eve smiled to see Nina hurrying away, this young girl left.
Vicente thanked Eve for breakfast and then set off in the direction of his warehouse.
As he left the house, Vicente ran into some of his neighbors and greeted whoever spoke to him, something he always did.
Vicente was an active member of this society.
The whole village had learned to respect Vicente after he took over the businesses of several local merchants and hired more and more local residents.
Currently, he had more than 50 people working in his family's warehouse, where everyone thought that just normal merchant stuff happened.
Those who were part of his armed group were among these 50 individuals and the armed guards who traveled with those three merchants.
Few people knew of their existence, so Vice and his people had had no problems regarding the royal laws in the last few months.
But some people in this village knew that this young man was not simple and had men willing to fight for him.
This was one of the reasons he was respected locally!
As he walked through the village's central square, Vicente suddenly saw an old acquaintance from his academy days and narrowed his eyes.
A tall, blond young man was smiling and talking loudly to a group of people in front of the Academy of Stars building.
Seeing the Magic Gem in the shape of an Orange Pentagon, Vicente promptly remembered Darek, the young leader of the group that bullied Rory.
Not only did Vicente see him, but Darek also looked toward this black-haired fellow as Rory approached his friend.
"It looks like Darek just returned from Millfall, where he awakened his magical powers," Rory commented to Vicente, looking at the one responsible for him living several months in disgrace at the time of the academy.
"The bastard has a fucking unusual Magic Gem."
Vicente felt some of Rory's resentment in his friend's voice and stood silently watching in that fellow's direction.
Years had passed after Vice and Rory's battle against Darek's group. Rory had overcome what had happened as he had soon become stronger than Darek, and this young man had finished his time at the academy. However, seeing him with his Magic Gem, the number two in the Fuller family couldn't help but remember some of the dark times of his life.
Vice didn't comment at all as he watched Darek walk toward him and Rory.
"Well, look at it if it isn't you two, haha," Darek commented aloud as he stood next to his old friends from academy days. "Where is Ian? He's not in the village anymore?" He asked as if he was just another acquaintance of theirs.
Vicente then said. "Ian no longer lives in the village for some time. His family moved to Saltstar City 2 years ago."
Ian had not returned to Martell Village since his departure over three years ago.
Less than a year after he began his studies at the Royal Academy of Saltstar City, his family had left this village with no intention of returning.
Vicente and Rory knew this as Ian's sister was a good friend of Lauren's and had visited Nina a few times then.
When her family left, she said goodbye to them and warned them that Ian was unlikely to return to this place.
Rory and Vicente understood Ian's situation then and did not blame him for not keeping his promise. After all, the trip was very long and had its dangers.
Vicente understood this more than anyone else.
Darek was not aware of this even though he had lived in the village most of those years after Ian's departure.
"Is that so? What a shame. You three were really great friends at the academy..." He said, smiling and looking at Vicente and Rory with an expression of superiority.
"Darek, we were away from the village for a few months... But I hear our old acquaintance Vice is now like a local boss." A young man who looked like a giant pig from how big he was, said, looking at those two and remembering the battle of that time.
"Oh? I heard that before our departure... It seems that Vicente is a great merchant." Darek looked at Rory and commented. "But next to this fellow, ah, that is not a surprise. Are there better salesmen than pimps?"
"Darek, don't be so bold in your words. Things between us are very different than they were back at the academy." Rory said, looking into the green eyes of this old rival. "Don't think that awakening your magical powers puts you in a position to face us.
So let me advise you, stay away so you won't regret it later."
The young men next to Darek did not like this and moved their mana, preparing to attack.
Amidst this, the people in the surrounding area realized what would happen and stepped back a bit, sensing that a show was about to start in the middle of the central square.
"Quick, call someone! These fools are defying Vicente!" Someone shouted, fearing for these young people who had spent a few months outside the village.
At that moment, Vicente raised one of his hands and smiled.
Bang!
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