New Journey

"What do you mean?" asked Rania.

"His body isn't equipped with it. Let me explain: every person has mana, and mana circulates through the body like blood. Mana stays alive thanks to these three things: IZOX, UZAX, OZUX.

IZOX – the mind, the form created by a person's passion. UZAX – the heart, the vital impulse created by will. OZUX – the origin, the primordial spark created by logic.

IZOX and UZAX are the ones that give commands, and from OZUX comes power. But he only has OZUX; there's no trace of the other two in your body."

"But then Hiroshi will never be able to use magic?" asked Rania.

"I don't know yet, dear, but I'll do some research and let you know."

"Alright, thank you so much," said Rania.

So the two left from there and returned to the tavern.

"How was your day?" asked old Eldorra.

"Well, good, not bad, but you know what..." said Rania.

"What is it?"

Then she told her everything that had happened.

"He told me too that he can't feel emotions. Don't you think it's strange? It could also be an unknown disease."

"There's no need to think about this," said Hiroshi.

"But anyway, it's a strange thing, eh." Then the old woman remembered something. "AH! Rania, I wanted to tell you that the letter from your parents arrived."

"Eh? What do they want?"

"Get ready, you have to go tomorrow. A carriage will come to take you."

"But why?"

"I don't know, you'll find out tomorrow."

"And by any chance do they want to call me for the wedding?"

"No."

"For the war?"

"No."

"To talk about world bureaucracy?"

"No, no, no! They just want to meet you, it's been three years since they've seen you."

"Ah, okay."

"Good, now go to sleep and get ready for tomorrow."

THE NEXT DAY

"Why are you taking me with you?" asked Hiroshi.

"Do you have a problem?"

"Yes."

"I don't care, come with me."

"The reason?"

"I don't know almost anyone there, so I'm taking you: at least I'll have someone to punch in the face when I'm angry."

"I don't want to. And besides, you've only seen me for a week, I don't think you should trust a person like that."

"Don't worry, it's already too much time to see. And besides, didn't you hear what auntie said? 'IF YOU WANT TO BRING HIROSHI WITH YOU, ASK HER, I HAVE NO PROBLEM: I CAN MANAGE THE TAVERN BY MYSELF ANYWAY.'"

"You didn't ask for my consent."

"Doesn't matter."

"I refuse to come."

"You can't."

"And why?"

"I have to give you money, remember?"

"I'll take it from your aunt."

"No, you have to come. Besides, don't you want to become a successful person?"

"Yes."

"Then come with me."

It was still early morning, the sun had just risen and the two were already ready outside on the road waiting. Rania had three leather suitcases with stuff inside, while Hiroshi only had a bag with food in it.

Rania had dressed modestly in a red dress. Hiroshi had put on his classic clothes that had welcomed him to this world.

Old Eldorra hadn't come because she had to watch over the tavern. The two of them stood on the road waiting for the carriage.

"When does the carriage arrive?" asked Hiroshi.

"Wait and you'll see."

After about fifteen minutes of waiting, a carriage stopped in front of them.

It was made of black wood, accompanied by metal forgings. The designs looked somewhat traditional: various faces of various animals were drawn on it. In front was the same animal, a mix of horse and velociraptor, also dressed in an armored way.

"By any chance are you a hidden princess?" asked Hiroshi.

"No."

The carriage door opened and from there descended a fairly tall and robust figure, with a thick brown beard. On his head he had curved horns, and he was dressed elegantly in a bright green suit. He was a humanoid goat.

And with a heavy voice he said: "Dear Rania, how are you? It's been a long time since we've seen each other."

"Yes, Mr. Hukuro, how are you?"

"I'm well too, dear. So, are you ready to go? We'll talk about the rest while we travel. And I have to tell you: you're dressed beautifully, surely your parents will be happy to see you."

Saying so, that figure took the suitcases and put them in the carriage.

While the creature was busy, Hiroshi took Rania's arm and asked in a low voice: "Why is this guy an animal? He even has a face and stands on two feet, while you look like a human?"

"Stop asking your stupid questions! And I already told you there are many types of races!"

Then the creature called Hukuro turned and said: "Dear, now sit inside."

"Alright. Hiroshi, get in."

"Alright."

Last, Mr. Hukuro got in.

"Dear, who is he? And is he coming with us?" asked Hukuro doubtfully.

"Actually, Rania has to give me the mon..." Before Hiroshi finished his sentence, Rania gave him such a hard pinch on the leg that it stopped Hiroshi's sentence.

"He's my servant, and yes, he's coming with us."

"But..." Hiroshi tried to speak, but Rania looked at him as if to tell him to be quiet, so He decided to keep silent and go with how things were going.

"So, dear Rania, how have you spent all this time? I hope it went well."

"Yes, it went well. I worked together with auntie, and then auntie is too strict: she doesn't let me go practically anywhere, even if it's my day off. Then when I sneak out she scolds me a lot."

"Hahaha, because she cares about you."

"I know that too, but anyway it's too much."

"Hahaha, alright, alright. Now, since you'll be with your parents, do whatever you want."

"Are they well? They called me suddenly."

This time Hukuro answered in a very low voice: "Yes, yes, they're fine. Don't worry."

"When something happens suddenly it's never a positive sign: there's always something wrong," said Hiroshi looking straight into Hukuro's eyes.

A moment of silence appeared.

"Hahaha, Hiroshi has this habit of joking, hahaha," said Rania breaking the embarrassing silence.

"Hehehe," Hukuro also made a fake laugh.

Then the journey continued with chatter. About four hours passed, but not because the carriage was slow: in fact, these animals were very fast and went at about one hundred fifty kilometers per hour.

They passed through different places: plains, villages, dry and wet places, and much more. Finally they managed to arrive.

From the window he began to see the houses. More than houses, they were giant tents.

Outside the tents they had lit fires. Since it was hot in the city, here it was a bit cold, so outside the tents people had lit fires. Some had put meat out to dry, there were children playing, women sitting outside together preparing food. Fresh and cold air, a type of historical nomadic people.

"Here they live in a very old, classic way," said Hiroshi.

"Yes, we prefer it this way, because this keeps us connected to our culture," said Hukuro.

"Good."

Then Hiroshi asked: "So far I've only seen semi-humans and no humans."

Hukuro cleared his throat and said clearly: "In our village there are only us and no other species, only demi-humans."

"Okay."

Then at some point the carriage stopped.

"Guys, now we can get out," said Hukuro.

Quickly the carriage was surrounded by people who were patiently waiting, most likely for Rania.

So she opened the door and got out first, then Hukuro followed her and finally Hiroshi.

As soon as she got out, a huge smile appeared on people's faces seeing her. The smiles that were on their faces before disappeared when looking at Hiroshi behind.

In the middle of that crowd was a tall man with long brown hair that reached his shoulders, braided with an elastic band. Brown eyes, thick beard, robust build. He had worn heavy clothes and had fur on his shoulders.

He, seeing Rania, opened his arms and said loudly: "OHHH RANIA! IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I SAW YOU! COME HERE AND GIVE YOUR FATHER A HUG!"

Rania, who was a bit embarrassed, went there and gave him a hug.

Then her father held her tight under his shoulder and said: "HAHAHA! SO HUKURO, HOW WAS THE TRIP?"

"It was great, Tenen. You waited too long, eh? You wanted to see your daughter as soon as possible."

"Well, you know too, right, that I can't stay calm in these situations."

"Hahaha, I know, of course."

Then Tenen's gaze went to Hiroshi. For a moment he removed the smile he had and asked in a very rigid manner: "Hukuro, who is this boy?"