NOVEL WEB Chapter 13: Bab 13
Langga led Gara into one of the rooms inside the mayor's office. It looked like a private reception lounge.
There were intricately carved wooden sette, their headrests shaped with twisting vines. The seat and backrest were covered in maroon velvet fabric. A mahogany table stood in the center, its surface gleaming under the light. A matching buffet cabinet lined one wall, decorated with a few antique ornaments.
Gara sank onto the wide velvet-cushioned sette.
Meanwhile, Langga sat in a high-backed wooden chair made for a single person.
"What do you want?" Gara turned to face Langga. But instantly squinted as sunlight hit his eyes.
Langga was seated directly opposite the open window. The westward sun, on its descent, spilled gold across the floor and struck the man's face like a divine spotlight.
Gara's eyes took a moment to adjust. When they did, he found himself staring.
Langga had skin like pale marble, a face carved with striking symmetry, ash-gray brows matching the color of his hair, a tall nose, and a sharp, blade-like jawline.
He was undeniably handsome but there was something sly in that beauty.
Gara couldn't tell whether Langga really looked cunning, or if his own bitter memories from the previous night were coloring his judgment.
Langga cleared his throat, to remind Gara. 'Focus', it said.
Gara wanted to snap at him. 'If you didn't take so long to answer, maybe I wouldn't get distracted.' But it's just in his heart.
Langga didn't answer Gara. He asked in return, "Didn't you awaken your Bloodline before? How is it possible that you awakened it a second time today?"
Gara's eyes narrowed. He had expected an apology. A gesture of responsibility for what had happened between them. Instead, the man came at him with suspicion.
"I wasn't a Liner before today," Gara replied coldly. "I don't know anything."
"Impossible." Langga's voice sharpened. "You carry the same scent as a Liner from Myatra Province."
The wooden table between them suddenly levitated an inch then slammed back down with a big thud.
Gara flinched. His hand flew to his chest. 'Telekinesis. So terrifying.'
Even with his heart racing, Gara kept his expression unreadable. He refused to be cowed.
"You were the one who assisted me to awaken my Bloodline, weren't you? What more do you want from me?"
He stood up. "If that's all you have to say, then I'm leaving."
He turned around. But he hadn't taken more than two steps before Langga's low and soft voice stopped him.
"About last night... I'm sorry."
Gara turned.
Langga had bowed his head. For the first time, he looked remorseful.
"That night wasn't my intention," he said. "I was drugged too. And... I apologize for suspecting you."
"So now you don't think I set you up?" Gara asked boldly.
Langga lifted his gaze. For a fleeting second, Gara caught a flash of red in his irises before they returned to calm, crystalline blue. His eyes were clear, not wet. Not full of guilt or regret.
Gara stiffened.
'I should've known,' he thought. 'Langga's trait is 'Cunning'' He couldn't afford to be fooled by this man.
"I'll teach you a little something," Langga murmured, his voice low and unreadable. "When a Liner assists in awakening someone's Bloodline, their mental link allows them to glimpse into that person's life."
"You saw my life?" Gara instinctively wrapped his arms around himself.
Langga let out a soft chuckle and gave a small nod. "I saw a child who grew up in a quiet village, cut off from the world. No real friends except for that boy waiting outside. And this is your first time stepping foot in a town, isn't it?"
He paused, then added with a crooked smile, "Also, that boy out there he likes you."
Gara already knew. But hearing it from Langga's mouth made his blood boil. But what mattered most now, did Langga know about the pregnancy?
"Did you see my life or are you reading my thoughts?" Gara asked cautiously.
Langga furrowed his brow, as if something had slipped past him. But eventually, he answered, "Just your life."
Gara exhaled quietly. 'Good.'
He still didn't know whether male pregnancy was common in this world, or whether pregnancies outside marriage were considered scandalous. Or whether it was normal for someone to know they were pregnant the very next day.
But for now, he could only hope Langga didn't know.
"To be honest, I still haven't forgiven you," Gara muttered. "But forget it. It doesn't matter anymore. Can I leave now?"
He turned to go.
"Wait."
Langga raised his voice slightly. "Let him in."
The door opened.
Gara saw Madha enter, his wrist being held tightly by a short, broad-shouldered old man. Kala followed behind them.
The man spoke to Madha with excessive gentleness, almost syrupy, his voice filled with praise that made Madha visibly uncomfortable. The moment Madha spotted Gara, he quickly pulled free and went to stand beside him.
The old man didn't seem offended. He simply smiled wide at the two boys, eyes narrowing in a way that made Gara uneasy.
"Professor Altherian, so this is the young man with the Unlimited Water Talent?" the man asked, glancing from Langga to Gara. Langga nodded.
Seeing Gara's discomfort, Kala stepped between them.
"Gara, let me introduce you," she said gently. "This is the Mayor of Falopo Town, Sir Danan Lockwood."
Gara had no choice but to bow slightly, doing his best to appear polite. Then he and Madha retreated quietly to the side.
Mayor Danan smiled again, then took a seat.
Despite his title, it was clear who held the real authority here. Langga sat alone in the high-backed chair at the head of the table. Danan had taken a seat off to the side on a wide wooden sette meant for two or three people.
"Sit," Langga said to the two boys.
Gara and Madha obeyed, taking their place on the wider wooden sette beside Kala.
"As you already know," Langga began, his tone calm but commanding, "I represent Gyakarta Academy. The one and only academy for Liners within the Gyakarta Empire."
He looked directly at Gara as he spoke as he knew Gara lacked even the most basic knowledge about this world.
"You both have extraordinary Talents," he continued. "I'm here to extend an invitation to Gyakarta Academy."
...