Leif was not doing so well being pinned down by the large Lupinara - his shield the only thing that's keeping him from it's sharp claws. Despite this, he knew he had to protect the person standing behind him. "Don't worry about me! Go run away! Ask for help, I'll stall it!"
A Lupinara!? In this outskirt villages! Leif has never seen one before. He's only heard of them and he knew they were big but this was close to the size of a horse. It was gnawing at his shield. His mind was racing thinking of a way out. He had to push this creature off him and then shield the person behind him
He heard the person's footstep coming closer to him. He warned with little strength he had left, "No don't! Stay back!"
As Leif struggled to get up, the girl with hands on her hips said with an angry voice "Phine! Bad girl! Get off him!"
To Leif's surprise the Lupinara removed her paw and sat down.
Leif was bewildered by the creature's submission. He sat up to see the person who commanded the large-sized Lupinara that was ready to tear him to pieces just moments ago.
She had her back turned to him talking to the big creature that now looked like a fluffy dog being scolded by its owner. Her ears drooped and her eyes were round and sparkling.
"Why did you leave the necklace you were sleeping so soundly just a little while ago." the girl went on tiptoes and started patting the creature's head, it bent down enjoying the sweet strokes.
Looking at her interaction with the big fearsome creature, Leif felt like she had a sweet and elegant demeanor about her despite her ragged clothes.
She flinched, her rosy cheeks and her smile gone after realizing there was an intruder in her home. "Who are you?" she said timidly and hid behind the big fluffy Lupinara.
Then as if sensing her fear the Lupinara switched from being a big fluff to a formidable creature bearing its canines on Leif.
"Everybody don't attack him," she said to the air but Leif could not see who or what she was talking to. She looked at him as if she was looking at something flying around him.
She said to the air again "Ember what are you doing? Don't get too close to him. You'll frighten him."
He backed away instinctively avoiding an invisible threat. He backed into a fluffy wall.
"Woah! You're twice the size of the other one!" he said backing to the other side of the room, after looking up at the creature's face. He instinctively put his shield up and the bigger Lupinara took it from his hold and it's big bite split the shield into small pieces. "One bite? Did you really just break my shield in one bite?! What kind of junk is this?"
"You big oaf! Why you!" He said charging at the Lupinara but the Lupinara just swiftly moved closer to the girl. Leif crashed to a wall and was in a fit of rage over his precious shield
"Hey you stand still!", the younger Lupinara stood to attack and the bigger one just curled its tail protectively around the girl.
"Everybody stop!" the girl suddenly screamed into the air making Leif stop in his tracks. He was sure though that she wasn't talking to him.
Leif tried to compose himself ignoring the girl's odd behaviour realizing he had a job to do, "I am Leif from the Boundless Guild, I'm here to answer this quest." Leif showed the Guild Quest to Elysia.
Understanding dawned on her face, her piercing blue eyes relieved that this stranger was not an intruder. "Hello my name is Elysia, I'm sorry about your shield, we weren't expecting anyone today."
"Everyone just quite down, I'm sure he's saying the truth" she said to the air again, "Phine! No stop chewing on that man's shield."
Leif had a daunting feeling that this girl was crazy. She was talking to herself for crying out loud. But Leif put on his best diplomatic smile as a trained adventurer, he met more oddball clients than this girl.
"It's alright - it's part of the job" he said reluctantly but his heart was disdained.
"I will gladly replace it - if you can just give me a moment." Elysia insisted.
"Well , it's alright but may I confirm if you are the requestor? Or did another family member request this ? I was told the requestor was an old man."
"I'm not the requestor that would be Mr. Jo I believe, but he's out hunting with the twins at the moment." She said all polite. She was quite small compared to the towering Lupinaras around her. She must be a tamer Leif thought looking at the two Lupinaras around her.
"In that case, will you inform him that I've arrived and will come again tomorrow morning," Leif was about to high-tail out of there and camp outside looking at the two large Lupinaras planked on either side of her.
"You can stay awhile they'll be back shortly." Elysia tried to convince him to stay.
"I think it would be too late to start with the quest anyway, I'll be camping outside." He said heading for the door.
"Then perhaps I can offer you dinner before you go?" Elysia said a gentle smile on her face.
"I don't want to bother you.", he wanted to decline but his stomach made a loud sound.
"No it's not a bother at all, I was about to have dinner myself." Elysia tried to ignore Leif's embarrassed face and directed him to sit on the simple weathered table at the center of the room.
Her demeanor was calm and collected. She started saying to the air again "Agua, Ember, Fig and Paku" She stopped looking at the air and looked at Leif "Ember? What's the matter? Okay let's get a fire started then"
Leif wanted to correct her that she was not Ember, but he couldn't utter a word because all things started to happen all around him.
First, water floated from outside and placed on the jug on the table. Then there was a fire gliding from one side of the room to the other as if a phoenixfirefly passed by each candle wick. The once dimly lit room was now lit with candle.
"Gale, Agua" she said pointing at the jug then ice started to form above jugs. Then she turned around said"Ember help me heat the soup." She said to the air and fire started where the cauldron was.
Leif had never seen such odd incantations before and at such precise level this girl was surely a mage.
She was holding a bowl of meat, carrots and sliced apples. She then drizzled some oil on it.
Leif's mouth was watering at the delicious food, the heat still emanating.
"Here you go thanks for waiting!" she said.
Leif was about to respond with his thanks but Elysia actually offered the food to the two Lupinaras "Sera" she handed the bowl to the bigger one "Phine" she called the little one.
Leif thought, of course she wouldn't give meat to a stranger.
But he was surprised by the array of food that was placed before him. There was soup, a bowl of vegetables, bread with cheese. The bowl of vegetable was a mix of lettuce, tomato, onion , bellpepers, nuts, and she drizzled it with olive oil, doused with rosemary, and thyme.
The bowl of soup was nice and warm it had some elk meat - the expensive kind - doused with butter and a side of salad.
Elysia poured some water into Leif's cup, he took a gulp and the minute it touched his lips a cold sensation hit him. Coldness somehow relieved some of his fatigue.
"Here have some soup to start and help yourself to bread and cheese, if the saltiness isn't to your liking you can have more salt and pepper." Elysia showed the small tower-looking things on the table. "This one is salt, the black one is pepper" she demonstrated.
What sort of farm was this? Growing pepper he understood but to have salt and offering to a stranger?! No wonder they could afford to offer such high reward for a G-Rank quest.
He cut into the venison meat, tasted like butter. The salad balanced the meaty falvor of the venison he could taste the aromatic thyme and rosemary. He took a bite of his bread and it was soft. The cheese was also delicious it had a rich, nutty flavor with a smooth creamy texture.
"How is the food?" Elysia asked after her guest was silently munching on his meal.
"How's the food?!" Leif said feeling outraged with the silly question. Of course it was delicious but he couldn't say this because he started scarfing down the food. Each scooped felt like a relief to his hunger.
Elysia taken a back by Leif's loud voice "Is it not to your liking? You don't have to force yourself to eat it."
"Not to my liking - ?" Leif said looking bewildered. This girl must enjoy far more luxurious meals than this. To him this was the most delicious meal he's had in a while. Before he could thank her for the meal the door to the small house opened.
"Elysia! We're back!" Hal and Sal chorused. The twins returning from the forest.
"That must be everyone! Welcome back, everyone!" Elysia walked towards the door.
"What's for dinner little lady?" Boomed Old Man Jo. Old Man Jo was Hal and Sal's grandfather. He stood short and stocky, his compact frame packed with raw strength. He looked like a lumberjack rather than a farmer. With arms as thick as tree branches and a weathered face full of gruff charm, he seemed more like a sturdy oak than a man.
He noticed a man sitting at the table, Leif ducked just in time as a huge axe swung over him."Oi! You fella over there! Who 're you?"
"Elysia stand behind me." Hal defended.
"How dare you sit and eat alone with Elysia!" Sal was about to strike Leif but Elysia managed to intervene.
"Stop! Everyone please calm down" All three froze mid-attack. "This is Leif he's from the boundless guild he's here about the quest you posted."
Leif stood to greet his client and handed over the quest parchment. Old man Jo realizing this guy was an adventurer raised his eyebrows "You from the Boundless Guild? "
Leif nodded, "Yes Sir! I am Leif"
"What's yer rank? And Class type?" Old Man Jo looked at him from head to toe.
"G-Rank, Tank sir," Leif said respectfully but with a hint of embarrassment at his own low level.
"A G-Rank, Tank? And you were recommended by that Bozo Bridge?" Old man Jo raised his eyebrows suspiciously.
Leif wasn't sure what the old man meant by recommended but "If you mean Guild Master Bridge approved my the quest then yes sir."
"Why that good for nothing Bridge! All the things I've done for him and this is what he sends me a G-rank" Old man Jo started to complain to himself.
Leif is used to being looked down upon by clients. This job although it's a G-Rank quest pays well he couldn't miss this one - "I am a hard worker, sir! And very strong - if you're looking to help around your farm I can do well."
"It's a lot of grunt work are you sure you're up to it?" the old man challenged.
"Yes sir! You can count on me!" Leif said his face full of determination.
The old man looked at him again, "Are you sure you're a tank?"
"I am! I have a shield and - " he looked for his shield and realized that it was on the floor in pieces. Phine was happily chewing on a piece.
"Phine! No, I told you not to eat his shield. I'm really sorry again! I'll replace your shield." Elysia tried to pull the shield away from Phine but Phine thought it was a game and playfully pulled the shield away from Elysia. Her butt to the air, wagging her tail playfully as she bounced side to side inviting Elysia to play.
Phine eagerly handed the piece of shield to Jo when Jo offered her a meat jerky.
"Oho! Did you attack that shield little one?" The old man's gruff voice sounded more gentle as he addressed Phine.
Phine barked back as if claiming the attack as his own. Elysia countered, "Hey don't go claiming credit for things you didn't do."
"You really don't have to replace that—as adventurers, we're responsible for maintaining our own equipment. It wouldn't be right to let a client pay for damage to our weapons."
"Hah! Now I know for sure Bridge recommended you - that manage your own equipment nonsense - has been pass down by all Boundless Guild Masters. So yer name's what again?" Old man Jo boomed.
"Leif Sir!" He said in attention as if wanting to be accepted by this man.
"Alright! Yer quest starts tomorrow, you ain't leavin' this farm until I say you do. You'll be helping out on the field and you start tomorrow at dawn!" The old man sat on the chair with mischievous smile.
*****
At the crack of dawn old man Jo, Hal, Sal, and Leif woke up from their sleep. Leif in particular had a nice sleep after having a good dinner from last time.
"Is everybody ready?" Old man Jo stood facing the east where the rays of dawn kissed the dark skies.
"Yes!" The twins said with much enthusiasm.
"Lil' lady, you stay here safe and sound and guard the house well! Practice the exercise on the book I gave yer' " He said to Elysia and gave Phine a pet on the head.
"He said he wants to come with you" Elysia explained.
"Well, will that be alright with'cha? Ain't her mama gonna be mad if I take her?" He said eagerly petting her fur.
Elysia looked at Sera walking the perimeter property of the forest, "It will be alright, it'll give her some time to hunt nearby."
"Why you lil pup you already know how to hunt! Alright best be goin' now!" Old man Jo started to head to the forest.
The twins followed their grandfather with much vigor and energy. Leif saw his enthusiasm reflected in the two boys - he was like that too at their age. But that was a few seasons ago now he just wants to get this farming work done and leave.
"They are planning to become adventurers as well, here" Elysia handed him a parcel of food. "They don't come back until dusk usually so you might not be back. I packed everyone something to eat."
Leif felt a rush of embarrassment he didn't want to receive charity from this little girl but her cooking was so delicious last night "Thank you I'll repay you"
"Don't worry about it, there's much food to spare this much is nothing. I heard from Mr. Jo that food and lodging are sometimes offered during quests so think nothing of it."
"Oi! G-Rank don't fall behind!" Mr Jo called out.
Leif started to feel a little irritated with how Mr. Jo is calling him.
Elysia waved them goodbye and stayed behind.
"Elysia!" Paku was the first one to emerge from the necklace "That man! That man had almost the same amount of mana as you! It was faint but I'm sure I saw it when he was fighting with Phine!"
"What do you mean Paku?" Elysia asked.
"I mean, he had the same amount of mana as you but only for a short while!" Paku tries to explain to Agua and Fig looking at his older sibling hoping they could help explain.
"I didn't see it Paku" Agua looked at his younger brother.
Fig held his shoulder, "Maybe you were mistaken"
"No, I'm sure of it! I saw it!" Paku defended himself looking to Elysia wanting her to take his side.
"Not only that but he had similar mana as Master but I'm not sure." Ember looked longingly as the figures disappeared from view.
"Was that why you flew close to him last night?" Elysia looked at Ember who was staring at the figure walking further away.
"Elysia" Ember started, "is it alright if we go look at him again? I mean you know to confirm what Paku saw - not that I want to check if he resembles Master's mana."
"Well, I promised Mr. Jo I'd look after the house. " Elysia paused, her gaze shifting to Ember. The familiar's eyes glistened with a sadness that tugged at Elysia's heart. Ember's longing for her master was palpable, a yearning so deep that even the faintest trace of mana resembling their master's felt like a fleeting hope to find him again. " But I guess since Phine is there, you can go and keep her company."
"Thank you, Elysia!" Ember beamed and she and Paku flew away to catch up to the group.
"Make sure not to get in the way of their work!" Elysia called out.
Agua looked at Elysia guilt written all over her face "Elysia, I'm sorry about Ember she is still quite attached to the master out of all of us."
Elysia was surprised at the apology, "Why are you apologizing Agua?"
"It's just that, as our new master we're supposed to be solely loyal to you," Agua said with her head down.
Elysia had a memory in the past, the word Loyalty resonated with a sense of eeriness.
"Show your loyalty to the company!" A voice in of her older self memories said. "You're supposed to put in the hours and be loyal to the company!" The voice said with frustration. "Don't you know we invested so much in you! You can't just leave like that!" There was a sense of feeling caged after hearing those words.
"Agua, you may be my familiars now but when we find your master, I want to let you all know if you wish to be with him again, you should." Elysia held Agua in her hand.
Gale also sat next to Agua "Even if we're using your mana? You won't feel angry if we go with Master when we find him?"
Fig started to tear up, "Elysia! We are grateful for all you've done for us!"
Elysia smiled at the crying Fig, she often thinks he's much more of a crybaby than Paku who was the youngest "I should be the one thanking you, my memory hasn't returned yet. Even if it does I feel like I have no one to return to. After finding you guys in the hut - I feel less lonely. So until we find your master, shall we stay together?"
The three sprite siblings smiled at Elysia with a renewed determination about their goal. Elysia laid out their plan "We'll leave with Hal and Sal to Arvandale and like Mr. Jo said we can make search quest to the boundless Guild."
Elysia said as she picked up the book Mr. Jo gave her, "And seeing as you'll all be leaving me for your master I should start memorizing more magic circles. Otherwise, I'll be defenseless without you all." Elysia teased.
Fig froze realizing the reality of them finding their master would mean abandoning their benefactor "I'll - I'll never leave you Elysia you're my one true master from now on!"
Agua also realized Elysia's words and panicked "We can't let you be alone Elysia!"
" Silly I can't split you up! What will Gale and Paku do?" Elysia tried to comfort the threee siblings dramatically crying.
Meanwhile, Ember and Paku stealthily followed the group into the forest, their eyes curious and wary. Ember glanced at Paku, her expression serious as she said, "Paku remember! We can't stay too long and we can't go too far! We're only taking a peak, we have to make sure we're still within mana range of Elysia!" Ember reminded him.
"Yes okay!" Paku responded as though he was a soldier receiving command. "Look Ember there he is!" Paku pointed to Leif - the person who she saw had the same mana as their master.
"His mana isn't the same as last night" Ember looked at him.
Paku tried to strain his eyes to see and Ember was right, from last night Leif no longer had that same amount of mana.
Mr. Jo stood before the group his arms crossed and his voice steady but full of purpose, "This yer land once stood untamed. A Dungeon entrance stood just beyond the mountain. It was cleared many years ago countless adventurers' blood has been spilled on this land. Now, we give it purpose."
"We give it purpose!" The twins repeated with an intensity that startled Leif.
" Together, we'll turn this yer land into a farm that'll feed this village for generations to come!" Mr. Jo's words full of inspiration.
"For generations to come!" Hal and Sal echoed their grandfather's words.
Mr Jo continued, "The task before us is simple but not easy: clear the trees and prepare the soil. From this barren land, we will make abundance."
"Abundance!" Hal and Sal were fired up.
Leif couldn't help but smile, Hal and Sal had so much determination. Yet a gnawing feeling was holding him back – he too was like that before but after a year as an adventurer, he has not made progress at all. He was still a G-Rank. Leif shook off his concerns thinking that survival is key right now, once he finish this task he'll be able to meet up with Rin and they can take on more quest then he'll be able to rank up.
"Alright," Leif picked up an axe, "Where do you want to start?" he asked old man Jo but he turned around and saw the three were meditating.
"What are you doing?" Leif asked.
"Quite boy! Sit and listen!" Mr. Jo said his eyes closed, even the playful Phine was sitting quietly next to the old man.
Leif didn't like arguing with a client so he did as he was told, he sat down next to them and listened to his surroundings "For how long are we going to sit like this?"
"Shhh! You're distracting me!" Sal shushed him.
"I just feel like we should get started on the - "
"Be quiet! Or else grandfather will hit you!" Hal warned him.
"I don't think sitting here will make the trees uproot itself - " Leif whispered to the twins and then a loud thud landed on his head.
"G-ranker! Has that stupid Bridge not taught you the basics!"
Leif replied holding his head that now had a bump. "He isn't a farmer so he really didn't teach me farming"
Mr. Jo looked at him with a piercing gaze that Leif felt in his soul. With his cane, the old man straighten Leif's position "Back straight, head up, chest out, keep your legs crossed and grounded. Put your hands together and breathe!"
"Typical of that stupid Bridge not to even tell you anything," Jo said resuming to his position.
Leif tried to comply with the client's request but the time dragged along so long that he couldn't take it anymore. His patience was growing thin he might be a G-Ranker but he wasn't about to waste his time.
So he stood up, grabbed an axe, and started with the first tree he saw.
"Oi! What do you think you're doing?" Mr. Jo called out.
"I'm cutting down the tree and clearing out the land as you said," Leif said feigning a cool-level head.
Mr. Jo smirked "You two keep at your meditation! Alright Mr. G Ranker have at it. If you think you can cut more trees than either Hal or Sal by the time the sun sets then I'll double your quest reward and let you go home."
Leif was getting tired of how this man was underestimating him every time he has an opportunity. He was starting to lose it "Alright Sir" he said through grinned teeth and a feign smile.
"But if you cannot," Mr Jo's eyes started to slant hiding a devilish plan, "You'll have to do whatever I ask."
Leif axe in hand swung to strike the first tree "I will be happy to oblige your change of request!" but when the axe and tree connected there was a huge clang and the force revibrated in Leif's entire body.
Old man Jo laughed hysterically "Did I forget to mention these yer trees are Manalara trees? "
Leif looked at the old man who was hiding his devilish grin. "Manlara trees were not ordinary trees. That's right, this forest used to be a dungeon and mana has made these trees thick and strong like a metal! Look at that you didn't even leave a single dent."
It did feel like it was metal. Leif realized he just made an error in judgment, this old man tricked him!
"Well, G-ranker go back to your meditation" The old man started to walk back to Hal and Sal, Phine walking behind him.
"Hey, old man!" Leif's temper finally broke his adventurer's facade, "I'm about just done tired of you calling me by my rank, my name is Leif! And it ain't over until it's over!" he swung the axe and repeatedly hit the same spot. It connected to the tree like earlier it made a loud clanging sound.
Old man Jo had a grin and whispered to himself, "He sure does have the spirit of a tank but too bad he's not built to be one."
"Ember! Look at his mana!" Paku pointed.
With every swing of Leif's axe, his mana fluctuated, it was only visible to Ember and Paku. "I've never seen mana dancing like that !"
Ember looked at Leif and said, "That person doesn't know how to control his mana, it's too unstable he's gonna wear himself out."
"What should we do? Elysia said we can't intervene in their training." Paku asked.
"We should head back I must've been mistaken earlier that man doesn't have an ounce of mana like Master. Master's mana isn't unstable like that" Ember said disappointed.
Still, as they turned to leave, Paku hesitated, glancing back at Leif. There was something about the chaotic swirl of mana, the unrelenting fire in his eyes, that tugged at him. But he followed Ember, leaving the stubborn adventurer to his struggle.
Leif's efforts didn't waver. Sweat poured down his face, his arms burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't stop. Each strike left the axe biting deeper into the tree's unnaturally tough surface. The metal-like bark resisted him at every turn, yet with sheer determination, he pushed forward.
The morning sun was soon high above them when a faint crack echoed through the clearing. A flicker of triumph lit up Leif's eyes as he saw the first small dent give way.
Strike after strike, the damage grew. Every swing was a war of willpower, and every moment was a test of endurance. By the time, the tree began to lean, groaning under its own weight the sun was just about to start its journey down west. Leif's body screamed for rest but he pressed on, refusing to stop.
"Hey, old man!" Leif said his voice full of pride, "While you all been sitting there doing nothing take a good look!" he distanced himself from the tree, ran full speed ahead, and used the momentum to make one final clean cut.
"Timber!" Leif cried out and the tree finally toppled, crashing to the ground in a shower of dust and leaves. "Well old man - you still think I'm a weakling?"
Old man Jo who was watching him the entire time grinned. "Ah! You managed to take one down, you didn't even use an ounce of your mana merely brute force."
"Yeah, what about it? I'm not a mage it doesn't matter if I don't use mana," Leif said catching his breath and realizing he was exhausted.
"You've got spirit! I'll give you that no wonder that useless Bridge sent you here." Old man Jo assessed the fallen tree.
"Well then since I've completed your request if you can just indicate here" Leif gave him the quest parchment.
"What are you on about? You didn't complete yer quest." Jo looked at him with downright confusion.
"Earlier you said.." Leif started to say trying to recall their discussion.
"I said if you can cut more trees than either Hal or Sal by sundown then I'll double your quest reward and let you go home," Jo recalled his words to Leif.
Frustrated Leif's smile twitched "The sun's about to set and it took me an entire day to do that. I doubt those two boys half my size could even take one down if they do it together."
Jo grinned, "Hal! Sal!"
The twins opened their eyes as if they woke from their meditation, from someone with a high affinity to mana, they could see that the twins' eyes did not just glow but glowed with the intensity of built-up mana. But that was invisible to Leif.
"Yes!" they responded to their grandfather.
"The one who cuts the most trees will get to go home early today. The rest of you will camp here tonight with this G-Ranker."
"Hey! I told you my name's Leif!" Leif protested annoyed.
Each of them picked up an axe, Leif looked at the sun and the two boys who were in deep meditation.
Hal and Sal leaped to their feet, their earlier calm replaced by fiery determination. Mana, invisible to Leif radiated faintly from their forms, though Leif, oblivious, scoffed and crossed his arms.
With axes in hand, the twins moved strategically, Sal struck first, his blade gleaming with faint energy as it bit through the bark with surgical precision. Hal's swings were smaller but more precise as if the axe's blade went through the trunk. Each swing was deliberate and forceful, his raw strength amplified by mana.
The rhythm of their strikes intensified, their smirks reflecting the heated competition. Sal's brute strength sent splinters flying, while Hal's nimble blows were quick and precise, one after the other trees started falling.
Leif's jaw dropped slightly as he watched, disbelief creeping across his face. "Are these kids even human?"
Sweat beaded on the twin's brows, but neither twin faltered. The sound of axes striking filled the clearing, a rhythmic clanging metal on metal of skill.
"Not bad for boys half your size, huh?" Old man Jo teased, giving Leif a cheeky look.
Old man Jo's back was to Leif, looking at Hal and Sal. "Mana," Jo started, "is the essence that separates adventurers from ordinary folk. Whether it's channeling it through your weapon, fortifying your armor, or casting a spell, mana isn't just for mages. Every adventurer needs to master it. Without control, even the strongest axe or the sharpest blade will fail you."
Leif looked at the broad shoulders of this stout man and understood. This man was no ordinary farmer.
By the time the sun dipped toward the horizon, Hal stood triumphant beside five felled trees, his chest heaving but his grin wide. Sal wasn't far behind, finishing his fourth tree with one final, resounding blow.
Hal, grinning but slightly winded, added, "Guess you'll be camping here tonight with the G-Ranker."
"You've gotten better at your mana control! I can't believe I'm camping out with the G-Ranker" Sal lying on the ground exhausted.
Leif clenched his fists, his annoyance bubbling over. "For the last time, my name's Leif!"
"A wager's a wager! Let's go Hal we'll go home early today! You guys stack up the fallen trees before you go home. If you have to camp here all night!" Old man Jo said a bit of teasing lingered in his voice.
"Well see you tomorrow brother!" Hal waved goodbye a bit of competitiveness slipping through.
They started walking back to the house as they did Leif and Sal heard their voices grow distant.
"Hello, smart girlie!" Old man Jo's voice changed upon seeing Phine "You disappeared halfway did you go out hunting?"
"You sure know your way around now huh Phine?" Hal patted her head, her three tails swinging proudly.
"Is that a Flamecrest Grouse?" Jo inspected "You clever girl how on earth did you catch that?"
"That's nothing don't you remember the first day we got here she was carrying a Two-horned Razorhog?"
"That's right this little one ran past..."
Leif strained his ears, catching only fragments of the story. Sal stayed on the ground listening to their voices fade, back down, and looked at Leif "Hey are you a G-Rank adventurer?"
Leif, expecting mockery, straightened defensively. "Yeah! What about it?"
Sal sat up, brushing dirt from his hands. "Really? With that much brute strength, I'd have thought you'd be ranked higher," he said earnestly, his tone carrying genuine admiration. "If you just improve your mana control you'll probably cut through those trees like butter."
Leif felt a little embarrassed that he was quick to judge this kid. Thinking back Aaron's training had a lot of emphasis on Mana control but he just never practiced it in actual combat. He knew that as a tank he just needed to focus on his strength building.
"How's life as an adventurer? My brother and I are heading to Arvandale to join a guild! I bet you go to dungeon quest and bring home a fortune!" Sal's eager voice cut through Leif's thoughts.
Leif sighed heavily, unsure how to respond. He didn't want to crush the young boy's enthusiasm but felt the reality of his struggle. Life as adventurer was not as glamorous as the kid imagined it to be so he simply responded, "We should start clearing the trees,"
"Didn't you learn anything from what Grandpa said? Mana control ~ "
Leif was about to resign but couldn't help but notice that his whole body was too fatigued to pick up an axe. "Can you show me?" Leif started, feeling too shy to ask a younger person for help. "Mana control I mean - you do it differently from what I was taught."
"Then let's start with basic mana absorption, containment, and manifestation," Sal started to draw on the ground to visually explain the concept better.