Martial Arts Worlds
Chapter 451 - 451: Calling Card

A yellowish wheel of fire shone in the gray sky of Irio, with cold-looking clouds scattering in all directions.

Snow, mostly melted, could be seen on the ground in patches, and small streams of water trickled down the sloping hills.

It was a common sight at this time of the year in Irio's cityside, and the residents had grown accustomed to the unending cycle of thaw and freeze.

"…Whew."

Walking up a small hill, Kiernan breathed out cold air that condensed in front of his face.

It was strange to go from Dusk Town's warmth back to Irio's cityside chill that seemed to seep into bones.

He didn't mind it, though, as he liked the cold, but he couldn't wait to warm up with a hot cup of coffee once he got home.

When he reached the top of the hill, he came across some folks that were tidying their yards, shoveling the snow off their driveways.

As Kiernan walked by, it was obvious that they recognized him as their eyes rounded up, and they gave quick greetings.

"Hello."

Kiernan returned the greetings but didn't stay behind to talk much with them as he finally arrived at the yard of his home.

With a creak, the door opened, and as he entered the house, it didn't take long for footsteps to sound from the stairs.

"You're back, at last!"

Julian spread his arms wide, and one would think he was going for a hug, but instead he patted him on the shoulders.

SMACK!

It was a hard, ungentle pat on the shoulders.

"So you went and got engaged, huh? I am so jealous! A long-distance relationship… I never thought of that. Maybe I should've done that with Raquel… shit!"

Julian gritted his teeth at his foolishness, but he still doubted that it would've worked well.

"Trust me, long-distance relationships suck. Leaving Dusk Town included a lot of tears and heartache."

Kiernan said with a wry smile, dropped his bag, and looked around the house but couldn't find his father anywhere.

"Where is father?"

"He is off at the grocery shop. We didn't think you would be back this early. Your plane should've landed an hour later, no?"

Julian asked.

"I skipped landing at Kroger International Airport as there was a storm or something, so the plane went straight here."

"Ah, is that so? Well, go unpack while I put coffee on to brew!"

Kiernan said, picked up his bag, and ran upstairs to unpack in his room, but when he stepped through the doorway, a flying furball smashed into his face.

"Oof!"

He almost collapsed on the ground, but then he felt a wet tongue licking his nose, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Fen, wagging his tail with excitement.

"I missed you too."

Kiernan laughed and pulled Fen off his face, but he kept chirping in excitement as Kiernan rubbed his belly and scratched behind his ears.

After he lowered him down to the ground, he immediately climbed up his body till he was sitting on his shoulders, where he curled up contentedly and nuzzled Kiernan's cheek.

"You sure are clingy."

Kiernan sat on his bed, his back against the wall, and put Fen in his lap, where he continued to purr happily and press his face against Kiernan's hand.

"By the way, Kiernan!"

At that moment, Julian appeared in his doorway and looked over, but he couldn't see the furball in Kiernan's lap.

To him, it just looked like he was sitting in all of his lonesome.

"Yes?"

Kiernan looked over with a raised eyebrow.

"Some guy came here to talk with you. I listened from upstairs while he talked to your father, and by the sound of it, that guy was from the Rakuya League."

Julian said.

"Rakuya League? Isn't that New Rakuya's main professional fighting league?"

Kiernan asked.

"Apparently so. I guess you're being recruited or some shit. A worthless attempt, I would say. There is no way that someone of your talent would ever stay in New Rakuya and slow down your martial arts career."

Julian said, and then heard the sound of his coffee finishing brewing, and rushed straight back to the kitchen.

"Hmm…"

Kiernan caressed Fen's beautiful, soft dark blue fur and thought about what Julian just told him.

'Rakuya League, huh? Well, Julian is correct. If I stayed in New Rakuya any longer than necessary, my growth would halt if I stayed in this easy environment.

'I don't want that.'

…

Bang!

Slamming the car door shut, Karma carried a grocery bag in one hand and door keys in another.

After opening the front door, he entered and kicked his shoes to the corner, but when he walked over to the kitchen, his eyes widened in shock.

Julian and another young man were sitting at a table, enjoying warm coffee.

"Kiernan? You're back."

Karma said in surprise, put the grocery bag on the kitchen counter, and hugged his son tightly.

"I thought your plane would land later. I thought about coming to pick you up."

"Yeah… the plane was early."

Kiernan sat back down and then sipped on the coffee.

While Julian went to put the groceries away, Karma sat across from him at the table and had to ask.

"So… engaged, huh?"

"Yep."

Kiernan laughed and turned to look at his father.

"Mother encouraged me to do so. I guess I inherited her reckless behavior, haha."

"Sigh… you two sure are something."

Karma rubbed his forehead, but he smiled warmly and also took a cup of coffee.

"When you left for Nightingale a year ago, you returned with Julian in your tow, and now you've returned as an engaged man.

"I am getting scared to let you leave anywhere anymore because next time you might come back with a baby!"

Karma said.

"Hah, he might! By the way, can I be your best man in the wedding? Surely I am, right? You don't have any other friends!"

Julian said with a grin.

"A little bit too early for any wedding, don't you think so? By the way, father, I heard something about some Rakuya League guy visiting here?"

Kiernan asked.

"Yes. Well, in the end, it is your choice whether you want to join the Rakuya League, but that person left his calling card."

Karma rummaged through his wallet, took out a calling card, and handed it over to his son.

"I told him that the decision lies on your shoulders, at the end of the day."

"Hmm…"

Kiernan looked at the calling card, paused, and then nodded.