No Thanks

The Chicken and Spice restaurant sits on the main street of the city. That means the most crowded part of the city were everyone wants to set their business, so it was quite high scale. But unlike many other restaurants in the main street, the Chicken and Spice didn't only carter to the wealthy. Infact it fancies itself a place where everyone from middle class to the wealthy and powerful can order and eat food.

However because of that most rich people don't eat here lest they stain their prestige while most middle class, or those poorer, cannot afford a meal here. So only the strange class of people in between frequents the place.

The three friends walked into the restaurant without any problems. Though being Yamato's first time entering such a fancy place, he looked around, dazed by the spotless white tiles on floor, the clean tables and pretty waitresses.

"Welcome to Royal Chicken, Food and Spice," a blond waitress, that looked two or three years older than them, said to them with a meaningful look. "I believe you are looking for Mr Leonard right?"

"...Yeah," Zack said.

"He instructed me to lead the students that come in here to him. He's over there," she pointed at a booth at the other end of the room. "The last one over in that corner, at the booth tagged 415,"

"Thank you, we appreciate it," Zack said. The waitress nodded and wanted to leave but his next words stopped her. "By the way, is it true that the Chicken and Spice doesn't actually serve chicken?"

The waitress froze for a moment looking down at him with hesitation. "We serve chicken, it is not however our main dish,"

"Is that so... Then why did you name it Chicken and spice?"

"That's because in the beginning the restaurant served only chicken, but with the years we changed our menu but the name was never changed,"

"So that's how it is..."

"However you are not from this city are you kid?"

"No, I come from Golden city,"

"That Capital city? You have to tell me all about it! Unfortunately I am busy at the moment, catch you another time," she waved then walked away.

Zack starred at her slender back then turned to Yamato. "You think she likes me?"

"No way," Yamato said. "No way she'd like someone like you, she's like older than us,"

"You want to make a bet?"

"Stop this nonsense!" Shandy said. "We are here to meet that Mr Leonard are we not?"

Mr Leonard, as it turned out, was a thin middle aged man in simple shirt and jeans. He looked terrible with balding brown hair, hawkish slit eyes and a mustache that made him look like a cartoon villain. As soon as Yamato and his friends approached booth 415 he grinned at them, showing yellow teeth. His laugh was even more terrible, "Kukuku.... it's good of you to have come Armor, please have a seat,"

'Why does this look like some shady drug deal...?' Yamato thought suddenly feeling the atmosphere was wrong.

Zack and Shandy hesitated but Yamato calmly took the seat. A moment later he shifted to the side for them to squeeze on the bench too. The three sat facing the guy opposite them before Zack said, "You are not the guy that talked to me yesterday,"

"Kukuku, that guy is our public relations expert. I am the real Mr Leonard, the guy that can negotiate with you,"

"Okay, which guild do you represent?" Yamato was impatient and asked.

"I represent the Axel guild," Mr Leonard replied.

Shandy narrowed her eyes, trying to look thoughtful. Though she already knows everything that's happening... "I have heard of this guild from somewhere... Aren't you part of the Underground Fighters?"

Of course she knows that for a fact but with Yamato here she couldn't be too obvious could she?

"Yes, the Axel guild is indeed an Underground Fight club..." Mr Leonard did not deny it, he shrugged and continued. "But that's not a bad thing; unlike other guilds, that has all kind of rules, we employ even the younger fighters like Armor here, and we pay better too. The only requirement we have is that you have the skills,"

"But it's still an underground fight. It's illegal," Shandy pointed.

"It's not illegal actually," Mr Leonard chuckled. "The only thing illegal about Underground Fights is fighting to the death, but that's what only a few fighters do and I don't expect that from you." He looked at Yamato and Zack. "Besides this is Kreal city were the cops won't dare touch some people... Let me tell you this, even though you two are talented, a real guild wouldn't even look at you,

"They'd say you are too young to join. Soon you will find yourselves in an awkward situation where you cannot sharpen your skill because you have no opponent in the streets. Most fighters that manifest an Astral weapon join the fight club because of similar reasons,"

"You could spar with each other," Shandy said to Yamato, afraid the man would convince him. "Let's just leave,"

Zack was still hesitating but suddenly Yamato rose to his feet much to everyone's surprise. "I am sorry Mr Leonard, but I have to reject your offer," He said decisively.

The man didn't look bothered. "May I ask why?"

"Because I heard that joining the Underground affects one's chance of going pro,"

Mr Leonard might say all those flowery words but Yamato isn't a fool, he didn't need Shandy to point some things out for him. A shady place like an Underground Fight Club could never replace joining a real guild. One is swimming in the boundless ocean with unlimited opportunities while the other is rolling in muddy water with a hungry beast lurking beneath you.

Yamato wouldn't ruin his life out of impatience. Besides didn't he have his Master? Why would he need an opponent when he can't even defeat her yet?

A trace of irritation passed through the man's eyes. He said, "That's if they can prove it. You are from Kreal city, what do you fear?"

"I don't fear anything sir," Yamato smiled. "I just hate to gamble,"

Outside as they walked back the way they came Shandy kept looking at Yamato's face as if pondering something. "Hey Shandy, what are thinking about that you have been staring at me?" Finally Yamato couldn't take it anymore and asked.

Shandy blinked. "Nothing, I was just wondering why you were not tempted by Mr Leonard's offer,"

Yamato shrugged with a grin. "Didn't I say it? I want go pro after all,"

"But still.. Look at Zack, he looks like he lost someone... But you are not bothered much. Do you have somewhere you go to have your fix?"

Yamato was immediately irritated. "Hey stop talking like I am a drug addict or something!"

"You not like a drug addict, you are worse," Shandy said. "Tell me what's going on,"

"I have just become more matured and responsible... After all I know what I want, and it is not wasting my life fighting in an underground cell, thank you very much!"

"Bullshit! Tell me where you go after school everyday, because I know you are not going home. You always head away from downtown,"

Seeing her keep pushing it Yamato felt a little guilty for lying but then he remembered the matter that she never told him she's actually Risla's granddaughter. His face went red in anger. "Would you stop being nosy you already? I am not doing anything wrong. Besides, you are one to demand secrets from me when you have been lying to me the whole time!"

Shandy glared at him but had nothing to refute his words. Thinking of it she immediately regretted her impulsiveness and wanted to apologize, but before she could open her mouth Yamato already pushed her out of his way and walked away.

'Stupid Shandy, stupid stupid Shandy...' She kept cursing herself.

Shandy stood there stunned. Just now there were joking around how did it get this heated?

Just an hour into the training Katrina knew there's something bothering this disciple of hers. Lost in thought, he failed to block the stick again, smacking him on the head. "Ouch!" He said rubbing his head.

Katrina sighed. "What's with you? Am I wasting my time here or do you think I enjoy hitting you?"

"I am sorry Master," Yamato said straining to keep his shaking legs from falling.

He'd graduated from the river training ya few days ago because he could now catch most of the stones thrown at him. The next training was also to train his footwork, reflexes and strength at the same time.

This set of training was even more harder than the river training that it could even be called hellish.

A set of poles just thick enough to support half his feet were nailed to the ground at intervals. Yamato is expected to balance atop them. With this Katrina could administer different kind of 'tortures' on him.

From asking him to run across the poles as fast as he can, to asking him to catch the stones she threw at point just slightly out of his reach, needing to actually stretch to catch the stones.

As he balances on the poles Katrina would ambush him in other to train his reflexes and instinct. But that's not all he also has to carry a basket... Not a basket with her daughter in it but a basket with three large stones as big as his head.

This basket is his punishment however. Whenever he failed to comprehend something or looks distracted, his punishment was to wear the basket on his back and balance on the poles. No matter how hard the training is wearing that basket was hundred times more painful.

So after a two weeks knowing his Master Yamato was afraid of her punishments. Tell him to just leave? Where would he get free training? Besides what is training if it is not painful?

Plus Yamato never considered quitting because in spite of all the pain he could feel himself getting stronger.

"Get down," his Master said with a frown.

Yamato's face went dark but he didn't complain or beg. He jumped off the poles feeling his legs ache, then walked unsteadily towards the basket of stones.

"What are you doing?" Katrina asked in amusement.

"Eh?" Yamato looked at her.

His Master shook her head. "I am not punishing you, we are done for today,"

Yamato looked up at the sun that was still high in the sky. "But we just started," he said, though he couldn't hide the glee in his voice.

Katrina rolled her eyes. "It is okay to take breaks sometimes you know. Besides I have been pushing you too hard for the past days, I wanted to give you the day off tomorrow but perhaps a two day break will do. Let's return,"

Even though the training was over for the day, it didn't mean Yamato didn't have to carry something on his back. He walked over to where Tila was sitting then gestured to the empty basket beside her.

The girl glared at him before crawling into the basket. Yamato ignored her resentful look and put on the basket on his back.

Like that he returned to the old house with Katrina, his Master, and Tila; her silent daughter that was perched in the basket on his back.