(POV Royce)

"Then what are we waiting for? Why didn't you say it earlier? Let's go to your house now...! I will prepare beforehand.” Mr. Emen excitedly got up from his place and entered the house.

Mai and I looked at each other.

"Why him?" I asked flatly.

Mai just raised her palms to the sky while shaking her head and her shoulders rising, making me even more confused.

A few seconds later, the old man was ready with all his equipment. He carried a large number of books, a thin wooden wizard's wand, and three large bags.

"Let's go to your house now," he said at once.

After saying that, he quickly moved the small wooden stick up and down it slowly. Suddenly from behind me and Mai, there was a big roar.

I gasped and panicked. But not with the girl by my side. He looks relaxed and calm.

My forehead furrowed, "How strange, am I the only one here who is worried about that voice?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Woody's vehicle when it comes does like to make sounds like that." Maira replied casually.

The way he answered and what became his answer made me frown even more, “Who are you, Mai? What is your relationship with lord Emen?” I asked then because this curiosity was getting stronger.

Mr. Emen flinched at the question I asked the long-haired girl beside me.

Before Mai had time to open her mouth, the old man in front of us answered loudly.

"He's my student. And why am I here, because I teach the descendants of the witches in this village to be good magicians and not abuse their powers. That is my answer for you, as well as information you can tell Harfi. Therefore, we must hurry so that the lives of your parents can be saved immediately."

"But, sir... I haven't mentioned what caused the threat of Mother and Father's life."

"Oh. Yes, you are right. Then what was the cause?”

"Magic."

“Isn't there a Will that can dispel all magic? Coupled with the power of your and Kimi's swords?"

"No, sir. Both of our swords don't work at all. This magic power is stronger than we thought. That's why Will took the initiative to check Mom and Dad so we can find out who sent the magic ..." I haven't finished explaining yet, Mr. Emen has cut me off.

"My merunggai leaf and stick, can be used for the ritual."

“Those things I need, sir. Until I came all the way here and went through all the obstacles and trials. I did everything to get the leaves as well as a magician's wooden staff.”

"Okay, I understand."

Suddenly he rushed back into his house.

At that moment, I turned to look at the vehicle in question.

My eyes widened when I saw a large horse-drawn carriage. It was a very unusual size, three times the size of the horse-drawn carriage I usually find. Even for the two horses that were pulling him, they looked very full and dashing with black coloring all over their skin.

“What kind of car is this…?” I was astonished. Tapa consciously, my two feet stepped towards the unusual vehicle and stroked one of the calm horse heads.

"That's a horse-drawn carriage," answered Mai innocently.

Instantly my eyes narrowed, and my mind was fixed on the direction this vehicle was coming from.

“Why is the sound that these horses make so loud and big like the roar of a storm? And why is it that when it comes behind us, I can't feel it?”

“Young master, do you like the word why? Too many questions, I don't like it." Cursed Mai while looking away.

“What do you mean, HUH?! You're the one who's weird and annoying! When you first brought me here, you said we had to use strategy. But what proof?! You're just toying with me! Stupid girl! Irritating! Sorry I followed you!” all the things that weighed me down, came out at once to the girl I had just met.

Suddenly an old man who was the same age as my father, scolded me loudly.

"Hey, young man!"

"Master Emen ..." I turned to see him who was busy carrying leaves that I didn't recognize. Instantly I was happy but a few seconds later I was miserable.

"Apologize to this girl right now," he said, then stood behind Mai.

It's true that Mai now looks down sadly, but for some reason I don't feel sorry at all for what I said to her. Because I thought I had told the whole truth.

Then to reply to Mr. Emen's request, I just turned my gaze to the gallant horses on my right without saying a word.

Master Emen was heard sighing, “Royce… forgive him. He is really ignorant of his son. You... have to accept it. And I know, he must have told you that you guys have to strategize in order to get into this house right?”

His guess was right, either he was really great or he had heard what I said to Mai. But I guess, when I took my anger out on the girl, Mr. Emen was not here. He was somewhere else from this house.

That's when I turned to him, my eyebrows still together in the middle.

"Up to you. I just wanted to hurry up and meet my parents.” It hurts to ignore the girl who has managed to steal my heart. However, how else should it be. He's gone too far.

"Then let's hurry to Harfi's house," said Mr. Emen, "Mai, watch over my house while I'm away." He added as he turned to the round-eyed girl.

The girl still looks sore. Even so, he kept trying to put the best smile on his loving teacher.

Then Mr. Emen gently stroked Mai's hair while smiling lovingly.

"Don't do it again, okay...."

A message from a teacher to one of his naughty and ignorant students. The disciple who felt even bowed his head in regret.

"Royce, you come in first." Master Emen said to me who was near the horse carriage.

"Where to?" all of a sudden my thoughts and focus just disappeared.

"Of course into the horse carriage," replied Mr. Emen patiently.

"Oh okay." I replied simply. It seemed I was too tired, so I lost my focus for a moment. In my heart I thought, “There are so many things that my body and soul have gone through. In searching for the materials and tools, I hope you and your mother will be saved."

"Royce ..." cried Mai.

I turned to him from inside the carriage, "what?" I replied coldly.

“Your sword…” he pointed at a sword that was still neatly tucked away in its scabbard. The sword lay on the dark brown wooden floor.

"Ah! My sword! How could I forget!” I grumbled as I jumped off the carriage and walked towards the witch's house ahead.

As for Mr. Emen, he was getting ready with the typical clothes of a magician, namely a black hooded robe and a complete tuxedo that was beautiful.

I looked up when I saw him so dashing as he picked up the sword on the floor.

“Master… what about the materials and tools I was looking for?”

"Already available. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. But you should not use your sword yet. Just keep it in the back storage of the carriage, and make sure you lock it properly so it doesn't slip out of the sheath."

"Yes sir."

Then Mr. Emen and I walked towards the carriage together, followed by the things that had been prepared to be brought to my house. The items flew slowly onto the carriage and lay neatly on their own. The rope that will be used to bind the items also moves by itself without having a human to make it move.

“Witch…” I muttered as I put away the weapon I was carrying at the back of the carriage's storage compartment.

"Okay, shall we go now? Are you all ready?” Mr. Emen looked very excited.

I who sat beside him, could only nod my head confidently.

Then a few seconds later the horse carriage that was being ridden moved, over time the speed of this horse carriage was getting faster and it didn't feel like we had left Mr. Emen's house in the forest.

"Why?"

"I haven't had the chance to say goodbye to Mai yet."

"It's okay, I'll just say it later."

“Yes… thank you, sir.”

"Hm, you young man." Master Emen muttered as he smiled and looked ahead.