One bummer about using my Dimensional Door is that it always returns me to the exact spot where I activated it. So, appearing back in the academy toilets, Kira and I walked off as he led the way, heading southwest—somewhere I’d never gone before. I’d traveled south once for a field trip, then north to Zephandria and the Felmora Kingdoms. This world was vast, and I still had so much more to explore.
We walked for about an hour, approaching a towering mountain. The air here was different from any forest I had encountered before—richer, filled with the damp scent of soil, the soft rustling of leaves, and the occasional chirping of birds. It was peaceful.
The landscape was dominated by endless stretches of bamboo trees. Then, Kira suddenly stopped and tapped a sequence of specific spots beneath a massive rock at the mountain’s base. Moments later, a hidden tunnel split open.
I gasped in shock. Kira smirked. "This is the power of geomancy, my friend. It’s all the Grandmaster’s doing."
"Incredible. Geomancy is incredible," I muttered, still in awe.
We stepped inside, and the rock sealed behind us.
After walking through the tunnel for a while, a light appeared ahead. Kira smirked. "Welcome to Kumba—a village hidden within the mountains."
When we finally emerged, I gasped. It felt like I had stepped into an entirely different world. The cave was vast than Ihad imagined, with an open space above that allowed sunlight to filter in. Clouds drifted in the distance, casting shadows over the terrain.
But what truly captivated me were the structures built into the cave itself. The houses were breathtaking—designed in a style that almkst looked like ancient Chinese architecture. A river flowed with crystal-clear water, and vibrant green vegetation flourished around it.
Since space was limited, the fields were layered on terraces, one above the other. Long bamboo gardens stood tall, arranged like stacked beds, with some plants growing on the upper levels while others thrived below.
"Kira! It’s Brother Kira!"
Excited voices rang out from the largest house as children rushed toward us, throwing themselves into Kira’s arms. Their joyous reunion was short-lived, though, as they turned their wide, wary eyes to me.
Kira chuckled. "It’s the first time the kids have seen someone from the outside world. Don’t let their stares get to you."
"Nah, I’m fine. I’m cool." I waved at one of the kids, flashing my warmest smile—only for the brat to take off running, wailing as if he’d seen a monster.
Kira sighed. "Let’s go."
We approached the grand house. Its floor was polished bamboo, and the walls on the outside were grayish, blending seamlessly with the rocks around. It was a perfect camouflage, ensuring the village remained hidden from unwelcome eyes.
Kira gestured for me to wait outside before stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. Muffled voices filtered through the walls. A deep, commanding voice—his father, no doubt—yelled at him for a while until a gentler female voice intervened, calming him down. His mother, perhaps?
Minutes later, the door creaked open, and Kira motioned for me to enter.
Inside, the house was cozy, furnished mostly with bamboo furniture. Kira sat cross-legged on the floor atop an animal hide. I took my seat beside him, my throat suddenly dry as I glanced at the man before me—his father.
The guy was a giant. Bald-headed, muscular, shirtless, and wearing what looked like either a gray skirt or some kind of traditional regalia—I wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, it barely distracted from how intimidating he looked.
He studied me for a long moment, and I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t terrifying. I stole only the quickest glance at the beautiful woman beside him, too afraid he’d snap my neck if I stared for too long.
"So, this is the boy, huh?" the man finally said.
"Yes, Father," Kira replied, his tone low and respectful.
The man grunted. "At least he doesn’t have any killing intent within him. But your punishment for bringing an outsider won’t just slide. Go outside and water all the fields."
Kira bowed slightly before stepping out, the children trailing after him. Now, it was just me, his father, and his mother.
"What’s your name, young man?"
"I’m Asher, sir. Asher Reynolds."
"Hmmm... And you want to be a geomancer, is that right?"
"Yes, sir. I intend to build my own secluded area, just like this one."
For the first time, the man smiled. "At your age, you’re already thinking like that? Interesting young fellow indeed."
I returned the smile, albeit nervously.
The man groaned as he stood up. "Follow me outside."
"Yes, sir!" I responded eagerly.
"Drop the ’sir’ thing. Call me Grandmaster instead."
"Okay, si— I mean, Grandmaster, sir."
He chuckled.
"I heard from my son that you can use incredible magic... Yet I don’t sense any mana from you. Do you mind demonstrating?"
"Uh... sure."
I debated using fire magic since it was my best, but I didn’t want to risk setting anything ablaze. Instead, I opted for water magic and conjured a water ball that l launched toward the river, causing a blast as it made contact with water on the river.
"Magnificent! Truly magnificent!" the Grandmaster exclaimed. "Well, you pass the test. I thought I might sense some dark energy if you used magic, but you seem to have a pure soul."
A test? Not surprising. People like me, who cast spells without incantations, are often suspected of using some kind of devilish magic.
And so, my training in Kumba Village began.
Copying his abilities just by watching? Yeah, right. As if it was that easy. The Grandmaster started me with the basics—just shaping a square chair out of rock. It sounded simple, but it was frustratingly difficult. I was used to creating jagged spikes for combat, not delicate, precise structures.
And again, geomancy was different from my usual earth magic. Unlike conjuring things from thin air, it involved manipulating the land and vegetation itself.
If I was struggling just to make a chair, how would I ever construct my dream mansion for Harem City?
Well, nothing was impossible. I’d just have to work harder and train myself to the bone.
Suddenly, as I focused on my training, a woman arrived, carrying a basket of fruit. She wore a cloth wrapped around her round breasts and a matching one around her waist, revealing just a hint of a black skin-tight garment underneath.
I gulped as my gaze followed her curves. Our eyes met.
"Sister Banji is back!" Kira announced, and the children ran toward her.
Wait. Did he just say sister?
I had no idea Kira had such a hot sister!
My Milf Senses were tingling.
"You’re staring at my daughter like that, boy? You got a death wish or something?" The Grandmaster’s gruff voice jolted me back to reality.
I rubbed the back of my neck, flashing a sheepish grin. "Ah, no, old man. What are you talking about? I wasn’t staring!"
His brow twitched. "OLD MAN? How dare you call me that? Make two tables! That’s your punishment! And you’re not leaving here until you make them!"
I groaned. "Yes, sir! I mean, Grandmaster, sir!"
He chuckled before turning to his daughter.
Something told me things in Kumba Village were about to get very interesting.
TBC