The Ranch

Predecessors' Legacy (4)

Seeing that the problem is solved, the group pretend nothing ever happened. Victor also had Tih put his sword back, as his combat style doesn't use a weapon.

Predecessors' Legacy looked the same as when they first arrived, the only thing that's changed are the people's opinion on Tih, the monster.

The person that was dispatched left to head back to headquarters and the rest of the group set off, trailing down the mountain.

Theodore ended up carrying his boss without his consent. Tih lay in the adult-sized arms as the made their way out of the mountains. Victor, who regained his composure and cold expression, followed behind Theodore like a duckling.

While the group trek down the path they came, the members that watched the broadcast decided to have an emergency meeting.

"Monster..."

"..demon."

"Whatever he is, do you think he'll mess up our plans?" A member looks towards the others.

"Although I doubt he'll truly become a harmful variable, to be on the safe side, we should place more eyes on his actions."

"Do you think their department will send more people?"

"I'm not sure. I heard there's a lot more talents to keep watch of this generation. Who knows if they have the manpower."

"Even if they do, they might not be willing. You know how frugal that man is."

"Sigh, lets just do our job for today. All we can do is send a convincing report to their department. The rest is their decision."

"Either way, is that child keeps doing stuff like this, that man will have no choice but to dispatch more watchers."

The members stared at the empty restricted area known as Predecessors' Legacy, recalling the scenes they just witnessed. The were all in agreement at the members words.

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Tih was carried all the way down to the base of the mountain without struggling or embarrassment. In actuality, it was Victor, who was following behind Theodore, that had second-hand embarrassment. He stares at the nonchalant face of the carried child and decides to speak up for him," How Ling are you planning to carry him Theo? We'll be outside the forest soon."

Theodore glances back," Until boss commands me so."

The teacher watch the performance with expressions of 'not knowing whether to laugh or cry'. In fact, they're still in a daze from earlier.

Once they reach the base of the mountain, the announcer quickly departs, planning to inform some people of his new discovery, this hidden talent that everyone looked down on. The teachers also decide to split up, letting the children do their own thing. And just like this, with Theodore carrying Tih with puppy-like glee and Victor following behind silently, they walk through the island.

They plan to go to the cafeteria, meaning they get to bypass all the crowded places in the south part of the island. Meeting no more than ten people on their journey, the eventually arrive at the cafeteria.

Calmly entering the cafeteria and making their way to the menu board, more and more eye land on the three. The floor is enveloped in an unnatural stillness and the previous chatter dampens to a congregation of whispers and murmurs.

The soldier look at the three in blanketed confusion. As the newbie tournament is fairly popular, just about everyone is aware of the three's relationship, or previous relationship.

Victor was nominated the uncrowned king of the tournament, while Tih was looked down upon having used the rules to his advantage and creating and underwhelming loophole that will need to be fixed for the next tournament, so as a special someone can't use it to their advantage.

"So why, now, are the three all buddy-buddy."

"Look, he's even being carried like a princess!"

"And why is the uncrowned winner happily following behind like that!?"

These are some of the whispers amongst the soldiers on the first floor, which soon spread to the rest of the floors until everyone in the building knew what was happening.

The three were now a part of the latest rumor, yet they three calmly discussed the floor menu.

"Oh! Third floors serving taquitos!" Theodore looks to Tih for approval.

"Hmm...why not steak on this floor?" Victor also looks at Tih wearing his signature cold face, asking for his opinion in a less enthusiastic way.

Tih, who didn't understand their gazes whatsoever, assumes that they are each going to get their own food like with Kai's group and that they wanted to say where they were going out loud. Following example, he points towards the fifth floor's menu, the place where he usually eats.

"Eh? The fifth floor? Although the food sounds appetizing, newbies like us aren't allowed up there, even if we are the winners of the tournament." Theodore tries to explain, misunderstanding something.

Finished telling each other where there going, Tih blocks out Theodore's words in favor of thinking about the new food he gets to eat. Tapping the muscular arm, his feet touch the floor and he starts walking towards the stairs.

"Wait, where are you going?" Asks a stone-faced Victor with a slight frown on his forehead.

Theodore and Victor glance at each other before following. They reach the top floor and see Tih about to enter the kitchen. They hurry to stop the child," Woah, where do you think you're going? We're not allowed back there. Let's go back down and find something to eat." Theodore suddenly takes on the attitude of a mom caring for her child. He reaches for Tih hand but the boy easily slips away, entering the kitchen.

The twos faces pale," He's doomed."

"I heard a rumor that the head chef threw a knife at someone who was causing a ruckus on this floor...What's the punishment for trespassing into his kitchen?"

As the two minds started conjuring up the worst, a voice from the side spoke up," Are you friends of that kid?" They turn to see a customer sitting in one of the booths.

Theodore glances at Victor before answering,"Umm...yes?"

"Ah, then he just didn't tell you. That kid comes here every day, works a little, and earns a free meal."

"That's...allowed?"

The man shovels some food into his mouth,"Haha, it's allowed if it's the head chef that made it allowed."

In the couple minutes it took to have their conversation, Tih finished cutting the food for the dinner menu. In that time, a kitchen staff came back into the kitchen and informed Instructor Raphael of Tih's guest, because they knew Tih wouldn't.

Instructor Raphael came over once Tih finished," Good work. Now that your more comfortable with the knifes, you're even faster. You've been cutting our preparation time almost completely. Honestly, one meal isn't worth the work you're doing for us, so how bout this. Come anytime, bring your friends, the meals will be completely free. Ah...just, don't bring too many people, I still gotta make a living, ya'hear?"

Tih exited the kitchen, met up with the other two, and sat down at one of the booths. Theodore and Victor admire the never before seen fifth floor in its increased luxury and gentle ambiance compared to the floors beneath it. Instructor Raphael personally brought out the three's meals.