Search of Tempest

Chapter 6 ''Challenge?''

I glanced at my friends, who looked puzzled and wary, before turning back to the girl. "You're born in the Familia organization? Which Familia?" I asked cautiously.

"The Sun Familia, of course. I'm Kiera," she said, her tone filled with confidence.

Ethan stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want with Tyson?"

Kiera ignored Ethan, focusing solely on me. Her piercing purple eyes never wavered as she spoke. "I've heard a lot about you, Tyson. As the upcoming executor of the Sun Familia, you have a reputation to uphold. I wanted to see for myself if the rumors were true."

"Rumors?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of rumors?"

She shrugged with a nonchalance that belied the intensity in her eyes. "That you're strong, skilled, and destined for greatness. But I also heard you're late to school," she added.

Okay, this is the twentieth time I'm hearing about my lateness! I exclaimed in my mind, noticing my friends trying to hold back their laughter. These guys! How does she know that? If it's about school rumors, then only one person comes to mind. I shouted, "Oi, Reed!"

Reed quickly raised both his hands in defense. "I swear it wasn't me!" he said, while the others were still holding their laughter. I'll deal with them later.

I kept my gaze on Kiera. She stood with a straight posture, her black hair cascading over her shoulders, framing her angular face. Her expression was calm and composed, yet her presence commanded attention. Her eyes, a striking shade of purple, seemed to see through any façade.

"So, you came here just to see if the rumors are true?" I asked.

"Yeah," she replied simply, her expression unreadable.

Her demeanor remained—stoic, focused, and exuding a quiet confidence. There was no unnecessary chatter, no wasted words. Everything about her seemed precise and deliberate, from the way she spoke to the way she carried herself.

I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, assessing, measuring. "So," I said, trying to keep my tone light, "what now?"

Kiera's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm honestly disappointed that the Sun Familia chose an outsider as an executor. I can't believe they've become so pathetic that they're entrusting their execution team to a pathetic slowpoke outsider," she said, her words sharp and biting.

Ethan bristled at her words, taking a step forward. "What did you just sa—"

I quickly put my hand out, stopping him. He looked at me, his eyes filled with anger, but I shook my head, signaling him to stop. I turned my attention back to Kiera, keeping my voice calm and even. "May I ask how I am a pathetic slowpoke outsider?"

She crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. "Instead of training yourself or doing missions to help our Familia, you're just playing basketball, wasting your time. And as for being an outsider, you weren't born into the Familia, so I can't trust your strength or skills."

"I never saw you in the Familia, though. How do you know that I'm not doing missions for a while?" I asked, trying to gauge her response.

"I have my own ways," she replied, a hint of mystery in her tone.

Her own ways? Well, one thing is confirmed: she's not an outsider. But I still can't trust that she's born into the Sun Familia. Whatever, I'll inquire about her when I go home. For now, I decided to explain. "Well, the reason I'm not doing any missions for now is because I'm under a temporary ban."

"Temporary ban? For what reason?" she asked, a spark of curiosity in her eyes.

I picked up the basketball lying near my feet and started spinning it on my finger. "Because of completing so many missions in a short time, the members became worried about me. I told them it was not a big deal, but Cedric got wind of it and temporarily banned me from doing any missions to take a rest. And as for the executor part, I completed my training tests, so right now I am just waiting."