Star Rank Hunter
chapter-259

Chapter 259: Meeting Fleka Again

The Sizer Family’s headquarter was located in the ninth imperial star region. The Sizer Family had great influence throughout the entire empire, and although there were families who were even more reputable than the Sizer Family, they were the most influential family in the ninth star region. Ninety percent of all the news and information Cillin and the others picked up after they entered the ninth star region were related to the Sizer Family, and eighty percent of these news and information were all talking about the same thing, the “Winds of Freedom”. “Winds of Freedom” was a grand flying car racing competition organized and sponsored by Sizer Family. It was a pretty famous event not just in the ninth star region, but also the whole empire.

It was rumored that many years ago, when flying cars weren’t as convenient as they were today, the ancestors of the Sizer Family were once trapped after a certain disaster had occurred. When both their food and supplies had run low, they decided to send out a group of people on flying cars to scavenge for resources. The first time they set out, only half of the group returned due to the terrible environment, so they had no choice to send more people into danger the second time around. But that didn’t stop them from going out again, and again, and again… in the end, the Sizer Family managed to survive thanks to these brave people risking their lives again and again to scavenge for resources. It was also why flying cars became an indispensable tool to the Sizer Family.

Although the reliability of the story was suspect, it was undeniable that the Sizer Family was unusually obsessed with flying cars. A Sizer family member who didn’t know how to drive a flying car didn’t deserve to hang out with the family. A Sizer family member who couldn’t drive a flying car for whatever reason would be laughed at and rejected by the entire family.

Today, the Sizer Family’s “Whirlwind” was a famed brand in the entire empire. It was a symbol of identity for the rich, famous or noble, and any race loving noble who didn’t own a “Whirlwind” would be ridiculed by their peers. Even those who didn’t have the ability to buy cars like this would dream of owning a “Whirlwind”.

An ancestor of the Sizer Family once said that their wish was for the brand “Whirlwind” to pop into everyone’s minds every time a flying car was mentioned. Today, his wish had basically been fulfilled.

The grand racing competition “Winds of Freedom” was also a critical factor in the promotion of “Whirlwind”. The point of the grand race was to prove that “Whirlwind” wasn’t a fancy name without substance. It was an philosophy, a goal, and a symbol of technique.

“Winds of Freedom” didn’t have qualifier matches. Most of the racers who participated in this racing competition were in the global rankings, individual or otherwise. Not only would the Sizer Family bear the car modification costs for all racers, they would even supply certain parts for free.

All racer uniforms and racing cars would bear the proud logo of “Whirlwind”. It showed just how influential “Whirlwind” really was.

Both the money and the fame to be won from this competition were enticing. The Sizer Family even offered to buy flying car designs off the owners’ hands if they found one they fancied.

Naturally, Gen Xingming and his buddies weren’t going to miss out on this grand car racing competition. They had watched last term’s “Winds of Freedom” from start to end, and to this day they could still remember clearly the excitement they felt.

The only grand flying car race Cillin had ever witnessed was the one Udoze had participated in. Obviously, the “Winds of Freedom” Gen Xingming mentioned was a lot bigger than that.

“Naimi can’t have gone back home for the race, can he?” Ulaganuo asked.

Kenancy nodded. “It’s possible. It’s his family’s racing event, he has to go back and help, right?”

“But isn’t there still a bit of time before the event starts? Naimi ran home right after the semester exams had ended. That’s way too soon, he’d have to wait a long time if all he planned to do was watch.”

Both Gen Xingming and Bel disagreed with Ulaganuo. They knew Naimi well, and they knew that he wouldn’t be nearly as proactive if being called back to help the family was the only thing in his mind. On the contrary, he would’ve dilly dallied until a few days before the event so he could rush back just in time to watch the opening.

“So, why do you think Naimi had run off so early?”

“I don’t know! We’ll be meeting him soon enough, so let’s just ask him then and get the answer.”

The group’s spaceplane landed directly in the Sizer Family’s headquarters’ territory. The chief butler of the Sizer’s main residence welcomed them warmly because one, they were all from the royal family and two, they were all familiar faces except Cillin.

The chief butler was very curious to know about Cillin’s identity, but it wasn’t a good place or time to voice his question. The fact that he had arrived with the princes and princesses while looking relatively at ease most likely meant that he had a big background.

The chief butler ordered his men to inform Naimi while he received Gen Xingming and the others. It didn’t take long — Cillin hadn’t even finished his cup of tea yet — for the young man to show up. Naimi had messy hair, and he looked like he had just crawled out of his bed. The servants had given his clothes a quick ironing before he put them on, but the crinkles were still visible. Naimi himself looked very tired for some reason.

Naimi had run out complaining. His expression also made it clear that his schoolmates’ arrival had brought him shock, but no joy. In fact, he looked like he had been constipated for several days straight.

Naimi greeted everyone, and his eyes lingered around Cillin for a moment before he withdrew his gaze. Then, he slumped into his chair like had had no bones left in his body.

Cillin could more or less guess how these people interacted with each other from the casualness behind Naimi’s greeting. Gen Xingming and the others didn’t act bossy in front of Naimi either.

“What’s wrong, Naimi?” Bel asked, “I heard you ran back home the moment semester exams ended. What’s the hurry? There’s still some time before the racing competition begins.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Naimi waved a hand weakly and complained, “Four years ago they forbad me from participating because I was too young and incapable of mastering a racing car. That was why I did everything I could to prepare for the race this year. I’ve participated in several small racing competitions across several planets, and I’m absolutely qualified to participate in this term’s race! But! Those bastards rejected me unconditionally yet again!”

Gen Xingming looked unaffected by Naimi’s outburst through. “It practically impossible for people like us to participate in a competition this scale. If it was me, my father would’ve sent someone to drag me home before I got into the car. You should be thankful they turned a blind eye on the other things. This race? Just forget it.”

“King Fuji will be out of his mind to trust you unskillful lot!” Kenancy mocked all of them without any reservation at all.

Gen Xingming shot her a sideway glance. “Sure, I have no skill, but aren’t you the same? Maybe the one who drives like they’re in a bumper car should shut up.”

“Fuck you! That was an accident!”

“Ai ai, Kenancy, you are a royal princess, aren’t you? Can you not be so foul mouthed all the time?” Naimi said.

“What the fuck does this have to do with you!”

“...”

Meanwhile, Cillin was observing their surroundings as he smiled at the group arguing with each other. He had to admit that the Sizer Family decorated even their homes to look like flying cars. For example, the wall lamps looked like headlights, and the wall paintings all contained flying cars in them. Some abstract paintings were mixed within them, and all of the decorations in the house were related to flying cars one way or another.

“Hey Naimi, is your uncle around? There’s something we need him for.” Gen Xingming stopped arguing with Kenancy before turning to look at Naimi.

“My uncle? Which uncle?” Naimi failed to figure out the person he was referring to immediately. The Sizer Family was huge, and there were plenty of people who qualified as his uncles and aunties. How on earth was he going to pinpoint which one he was talking about?

“You know, that fatty, Fleka.”

Naimi immediately shot Gen Xingming a wary look when he heard this. “What do you want him for? Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but I’ve already reserved a flying car for myself. If you’re planning to make him design something, you’ll have to wait until my order is done first. Also, there is this many people who’re waiting for my uncle to design a flying car for them!”

Ulaganuo stared at the two fingers Naimi stretched out and ventured a guess. “Twenty?”

“It’s two hundred people!”

Naimi said proudly while shaking his legs. His fat uncle was definitely popular, because who wouldn’t want the famous Fleka to design a flying car for them? Fleka was a member of the Sizer Family, a.k.a his family, so his uncle’s glory was his glory too.

“Tsk, take a look at yourself! Why are you looking so smug when you’re not even the one who designed those flying cars!” Gen Xingming picked up a nut and threw it right at Naimi. Naimi caught the nut and crunched it loudly between his teeth, smug face never wavering.

“Seriously though, my uncle is completely booked. The “Winds of Freedom” is about to start, and my father specifically told me to turn down people like you. That being said, there’s no way I can stop you guys, so if you really wish to design a flying car of your own you can visit him yourself. I’m not going to help you on this one.”

Naimi had no intentions to offend the royal family or take a beating from his father, so he put himself in the clear immediately.

“Naimi, how busy is your uncle right now? Is he so busy he can’t even afford to come over and meet us?” Bel asked.

“You guys are princes and princesses, aren’t you? Of course he’ll come.” Naimi answered with a straight face.

“Never mind then. If we really did summon him like this, we’ll never get the ideal flying cars of our dreams.” Ulaganuo knew Fleka a bit better than the others.

“What do you think, Cillin?” Gen Xingming turned around to ask Cillin.

Chapter 259: Meeting Fleka Again [Part 2]

Naimi took a look at his friends before reexamining Cillin once more, finding it difficult to understand why the princes and princess were treating Cillin so well. It wasn’t easy to impress the gang, and Cillin was obviously not member of royalty. He couldn’t remember the last time his three friends had acted so courteously towards a non-royal.

Cillin pondered for a moment before answering Gen Xingming, “If he isn’t free to come over, then we’ll visit him directly.”

“Sure, it’s not like we have anything else to do anyway. It’ll be nice to check out the pre-race preparations of “The Winds of Freedom”!” Bel strongly agreed with Cillin. The young man was rubbing his hands with glittering eyes planning god knows what.

No one had an objection to offer, so a clap later they went straight to Fleka’s place.

Fleka happened to be at home today. For the past couple of days, he had run himself ragged outside doing inspection work for “The Winds of Freedom” and so on, so he planned to enjoy a nice rest in his own home after everything was temporarily settled.

He ordered his guards to turn down all visitors no matter who they were, because he had had just about enough of noble youngsters pretending to know the industry for appearance’s sake when they were actually completely idiots who knew nothing at all. Thankfully, he was now in his family’s territory, and he had all the excuses and power in the world to keep those nuisances outside. Even the family had sent over a team to ensure that he gets his peace and quiet. It didn’t matter what family they belonged to, who they were related to or how much they were willing to pay to get in: no one was to get in no matter what. Trying to bribe your way in? Feel free to check if the Sizer Family cares about your chump change!

A lot of people were standing in front of the Fleka manor’s front gates while looking left and right. Most of these people were here to feel out Fleka’s status and report to their masters the moment they spotted him. The security detail standing guard outside the Sizer Family manor wanted very much to shoot these sneaky-looking bastards in the head, but of course that wasn’t a viable option. Very gloomy and annoyed, they watched the unwelcomed personnel closely as if they would kill all trespassers without mercy.

The day wasn’t going to improve for them, however. When an all-too-familiar vehicle flew over and stopped right in front of the gates, the guards’ feelings immediately took a turn for the worse. This little ancestor had caused them quite a lot of trouble as of late. They didn’t open the gates, but everyone’s backs started sweating as they got ready for the upcoming verbal battle against Naimi.

Unexpectedly, Naimi’s car window opened to reveal a couple of new faces. When the guards standing in front of the gates got a good look of the passengers Naimi had brought with him, their misery immediately turned up a notch.

How… how do you stop a motherfucking party like this!?

If Naimi was alone, they could keep him at bay. But the people sitting in his car were royal members from all three royal families! God knows what kind of malicious rumors would spread if they stopped them here!

Naimi knew that he was putting the guards between a rock and a hard place, so he shot a glance at their miserable expressions and said, “If anything happens, you can put the blame on me.”

That’s exactly what we want to hear!

The guards quickly opened the gates and let Naimi in after they heard his promise. Curious about the flying car passengers’ identity, the people loitering outside the walls tried to look into the car. Unfortunately for them, the window had already been rolled back up.

Fleka had just fallen asleep when his beloved nephew opened the door and shouted.

“Uncle! Uncle! Your smart and cute and handsome and infinitely charming nephew is here to see you, my beloved Uncle Fleka!”

Fleka felt like dumping his “smart and cute and handsome and infinitely charming nephew” into the toilet.

“You trying to wake a soul or something!” Fleka covered his ears and rolled on his bed once. Unfortunately for him, Naimi was way too familiar with this place, and his servants hadn’t tried to stop his nephew from barging in. His dream of having a nice rest died there and then.

Wearing pyjamas, Fleka dazedly made his way to his bedroom door and opened it. He was immediately greeted by a couple of faces. Fleka blinked once, blinked twice, and then he shouted and jumped on his feet, causing the fat on his cheeks to ripple outward.

“It’s you!”

“Hello. We meet again,” Cillin said.

Fleka shoved Naimi, standing closest to the door out of the way and walked straight towards Cillin, ignoring the four princes and princesses standing beside the young man completely. He then gave Cillin a slap on the shoulder and squeezed his elbow once, grinning, “Heh, I guess I’m not dreaming after all!”

Meanwhile, Naimi was having trouble controlling his facial muscles. I thought I’m your beloved nephew, uncle! How can you ignore your smart and cute and handsome and infinitely charming nephew like this!

His uncle’s reaction made Naimi feel even more curious about Cillin, however. Although his uncle treated most people well, he wasn’t the type to show his true feelings on his face. He could see that his uncle was truly overjoyed to meet Cillin though, so much so that he pushed even his beloved nephew away!

“Uncle, do you… know each other?” Naimi shot a glance at Fleka and Cillin before turning to look at his friends.

“Of course! We’re old buds already! Hehe, it’s not easy for us to meet like this, Cillin! You and I have a lot to talk with each other. Speaking of which, there are a bunch of stuff that I need help with, and I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am to see you here! You’ve shown up just at the perfect time!” Fleka grabbed Cillin and started running towards his workshop.

Right now Naimi was gripped by a sense of horror for two reasons: One, he didn’t have time to digest Fleka’s words. Two, Fleka was running towards his workshop while still dressed in his pyjamas. Normally, Fleka would put on his work clothes before he entered his workshop because it was dirty and it had some high radiation producing equipment, but the man had obviously forgotten these safety measures.

“Uncle, wait! You’re still in your pyjamas!” Naimi ran forward to stop his uncle before it was too late.

In the end, Fleka didn’t put on his work clothes or enter his workshop. He wasn’t alone, and his guests today came from the royal family. He had neither the reason nor the excuse to leave them behind.

After settling Gen Xingming and everyone else, Fleka inquired about their reason to visit.

“I see…” Fleka paused for a second to gather his thoughts, “I can custom make a flying car according to your preferences, sure, but I don’t have the time to do that right now. You should know how busy I am from Naimi already, right?”

Everyone nodded to show their understanding.

“Your flying cars will have to wait until after “The Winds of Freedom” is over. In fact, it’ll have to sit a while until I’m done with certain tasks. When a grand race is over, we are required to perform a statistical analysis of the car models based on their performances in the race. Then, we’ll absorb all the car designs that are deemed valuable or with potential and use the data to upgrade or modify the existing car models…”

Gen Xingming, Bel and the others couldn’t say anything even though they were all impatient to get their flying cars. After all, Fleka was willing to give them his word. Had they been anyone else, Fleka would merely smile at them and delay their request until god knows when. They would just have to endure the delay and wait patiently.

“Speaking of which, Cillin, you don’t need my help to design a flying car, right? Considering your abilities, you should be able to design a fantastic car yourself… Say, do you want to cooperate with me?”