"Mana Absorption, Containment, and Manifestation are the fundamentals of every adventurer. Without these, you're a stray spark waiting to burn out. Pay attention." Aaron's voice carried across the training hall. Back in the Boundless Guild training hall he was addressing a row of wide-eyed recruits.
In the corner of the room, Rin leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over the recruits. He'd just returned from completing his latest quest and just wanted to get his share of the quest reward. But even though he was covered in dirt from sleeping on the forest floor, Vice Guild Master Lyra still made him sit through day one of recruitment training.
"Mana Absorption is the ability to draw magical energy, or mana, from the surrounding environment, enchanted objects, or other beings. Containment is the skill of storing and stabilizing the absorbed mana within one's body or a magical artifact. Manifestation is utilizing the stored mana into tangible forms such as magic circles or weapons." Aaron summarized.
A recruit's hand flies into the air, "I heard manifestation can be through incantation and physical ability. How do you do that?" he asked eagerly.
"That's a great question, but let's not get ahead of ourselves! You've got to learn to crawl before you can run. Let's start with some meditation exercises first!"
Rin quietly left the training hall after the recruits finished two rounds of meditation exercises.
"Anything?" Lyra asked as soon as Rin reached the Guild Master's Office.
Rin shook his head. "I didn't see anyone in particular."
The Vice Master frowned and she paced across the room. With this news she was not convinced.
Her excitement was as tangible as her vibrant energy. "Rin we have so many recruits! Come look again!"
Rin resign to the Vice Guild Master's antics. She is always so enthusiastic about recruits. "I told you I didn't see anyone with an overflowing mana."
"What good is being able to see mana flow clearly if you do not look thoroughly!" Lyra dragging him to the Training Hall. She commandeered a conspicuous corner, hiding from view of the recruits.
"What about her? She could potentially be a mage! Or maybe the red-haired one? She has a healer's aura about her."
Rin raised an eyebrow. "The blonde one? She might be a D-ranker. The red head's mana is so weak it could barely light a candle."
"You're not lying to me are you?" Lyra confronted.
"Hey I'm calling it as I see it," Rin shrug his shoulders.
Lyra huffed. "I guess there's no helping it! We should just intensify this year's recruitment training maybe!"
"Are you really sponsoring this much new recruits for the adventurer ceremony?" Rin looked at the number of new recruits again.
"They have potential and we have a few more coming in from far away villages. I hope they can come here in time for training. Maybe if we hone them well enough they might develop into mages!" Lyra her eyes furrowed trying to think.
Rin gave her the side-eye "You can't force someone to be a mage."
"Mages are hard to come by, I just want at least one more to join our guild." Lyra said walking out of the training hall. "Our three mages are spread too thin they can barely sit still. They keep moving from one quest to another."
Rin said dryly, "Why are you telling me this shouldn't you be discussing this with the Guild Master?"
"You little rascal!" Lyra grabbed Rin in a swift motion, grinding her fists into his temples with an irate noogie. "Have you no sympathy for our mages? Ever since Leif got his rank, you stopped going on multi-party quests, and now I have to pick up the slack!" she snapped, her tone sharp with frustration.
"Hey you were the one who told me to help him train" Rin retorted in his usual I-could-careless tone.
"I said to help train him not form a party! Now all you guys do is go on F-Level quests - you know how valuable you are as a C-Ranker!" Lyra said frustrated.
"I need the money, and besides you know how valuable Leif would be when he realizes his true potential." Struggling to break free from Lyra's grasp.
Lyra let go of his head and crossed her arms over her chest. She sighed deeply understanding the meaning behind Rin's words.
Rin massaged his head "I saw it, he absorbs mana just like Jin."
"If that kid can just be as level-headed as his dad he'd be S-Rank by the time he reaches 20. He inherited his hot-headedness from his mom..." Lyra trailed off realizing she mentioned something sensitive.
"I know Leif stopped asking this but is there any news of them?" Rin asked.
Lyra shook her head "With fewer resources we keep hitting dead-ends. This quest will turn 10 years old next year. The quest of Leif's Missing Parents - I'm afraid."
"He's the Guild's former Guild Master, Jin wouldn't ever give up if any of you vanished without a trace" Rin said disappointment echoed in his voice.
"Don't you think I know that? A lot of resources was poured into the search even before you got your adventure license kid! He might be your mentor but he was our friend. So don't lecture me about what Jin would or wouldn't do."
Rin felt a pang of guilt. He knew that Lyra was right a great effort was made, a quest with no leads and no rewards falls to charity of adventurers even if that missing person was the top S-Rank adventurer in Serendale. There's not much he could do himself "If there's nothing else, then I'm heading out."
Lyra noticed the weight in Rin's posture, his shoulders slumped as if he carried the burdens of the entire world.
"The Colemoore Guild sends their thanks for taking care of their mages last time and they've given you an extra share of their reward for the quest." She hoped the news might offer him some comfort, however small.
"I hope you get one from the new recruits - a mage that is." Rin said looking back offering Lyra a bit of comfort too.
Rin made his way to the Guild Hall excited to collect his reward for the quest. He was surprise to see Guild Master Bridge behind the Guild Reception, shuffling through paperwork.
"Why are you manning the reception Guild Master?" Rin raised an eyebrow.
Bridge's head shot up, his expression somewhere between embarrassed and annoyed. "Don't you know, I am the type of Guild Master who cares for all his members! Being at the reception gives me an opportunity to see every member - "
Before Bridge could elaborate, Flora walked by and said "Lyra placed him on probation as Guild Master" in her usually cheery voice.
"Flora!" Bridge exclaimed, clearly mortified.
"Guild Master you shouldn't lie about these things, especially to Rin who was left to deal with the E-Rank Rootling." Flora pointed out.
"I thought you said that was an F-Rank Quest?" Rin glared at him. "I let Leif on his own for the majority of the confrontation."
"Well, you guys survived that quest! And Leif's probably gotten way stronger so all's good!" Bridge laughed it off.
"Here Flora, I'm requesting reimbursement on Leif's Medical expenses due to Guild Master's neglect." Rin handed out a form.
Bridge devastation was written on his face "No wait! Don't do that Lyra will get really angry with me!"
"Alright, I'll file this with the other reimbursement requests?" Flora disappeared to the back room to fill Bridge's request.
"Wait don't just accept it Flora! Wait what do you mean other reimbursement request?" He tries to protest thinking if he had any negligence to worry about.
"I'm also here to claim my share of the reward for the party quest." He handed the quest completion parchment.
"You're heartless" Bridge looked at Rin, his eyes filled with tears of betrayal.
"And Master should focus on his work more," He glanced around.
"You and Leif treat me so badly,"
"Speaking of Leif where is he?" He glance around the guild.
Bridge fumbled with his papers. "Oh, he's on a quest for a farmer friend of mine."
Rin's brow furrowed. "You didn't send him to one of that ' aristocrat in need of a handsome knight' gig, did you?"
Bridge bristled, "Hey! Is that really how incompetent you think I am?"
"Yes," Rin replied flatly.
"It's not! It's just clearing land for a farmer—muscle work, that's all!" Bridge defended himself, though his tone betrayed his nervousness.
"A mere farming quest?" Rin's voice was skeptical.
"Yes, just an old farmer friend of mine in the outskirts of town okay! Is it hard to believe!"
"Yes because the Master doesn't have any friends - " Rin's eyes narrowed. "So where did Leif really go?"
****
"Oi! G-Ranker you easily improved. You managed to cut three this time in half a day!" Old man Jo happily sitting on the newly cut tree.
Leif's face was covered in sweat. Hal and Sal were also suffering, swinging their axe with precision forming blisters on their hand. The midday sun was beating down on them.
"This place is a disaster," Leif muttered, kicking at the root of an enormous, gnarled tree. "Your grandfather must've been crazy to buy this land. What kind of farmer plants crops under impossible trees?"
Hal shrugged, his usual indifference intact. "Grandpa said this place held good memories for him and it had potential."
"Potential for what? A headache?" Leif was beginning to regret taking this quest their progress was quite slow. That old man Jo might even keep me here until winter.
Before Sal could reply, Elysia's voice came calling "Lunch is ready!"
"That's Elysia," Hal said, his face brightening.
"Oh it's the lil Lady! Alright slowpoke race you all there!" He said speed-walking with his cane in hand.
"He knows he's gonna reach her before us because we're too dead tired to run." Leif realized though that despite this tiresome work the only thing that kept him from quitting was the warm roof of the farm cottage and the food that Elysia was cooking.
"Lil Lady you outdid yerself this time!" Old man Jo declared when he reached Elysia.
"Well you did ask me to prepare a big meal today." Elysia had prepared a lunch spread on a woven cloth and she was enjoying the shade of the towering manalara tree.
Old Man Jo reached out first to the Grilled Moonfish, "This one's grilled to perfection!" , herb-infused aroma mingling with the sweet scent of freshly roasted vegetables—zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes—charred by Ember's fire.
"I got's to say lil lady ever since you came here with the twins the vegetables in my small garden's been improving."
"That's thanks to Fig" Elysia pointed to Fig who was only visible to Hal and Sal.
"Your vegetables are always fresh Fig!" Hal thanked a glowing orb beside him.
"That one's Gale, she says you should have some cold water you all look parched." Elysia as the only person who hear and see them clearly had to clarify.
Sal took a big gulp of Mistfruit Nectar, once it hit his lips he tasted sharp citrusy, but smooth and honeyed "Aaaaah! It's so nice you can produce ice of thin Air Elysia!"
Leif was busy mopping the juices of the fish with the soft airy flatbread to say a thing.
"Would you like another piece Leif?" Elysia inquired offering him another piece of flat bread.
"Thank you!" Leif took it happily.
"You even baked the bread lil lady?" Old man Jo asked.
"No that was Mrs. Pottermore she gave us some bread she baked."
Old man Jo said heartily, "Bless her heart, I'll be sure to bring her some of the meat Sera and Phine catches."
"Then could you please give her some of the salt and pepper I set aside."
"Your one generous lil' lady you are! I'm sure Mrs. Pottermore would be sending me bread until next summer." He took a big bite of the smoked Moonfin.
"Elysia could I have another one please?" Sal said asking for another Moonfin
"Of course have some more!" Elysia gave him another fish "You too Hal and Leif. Agua caught a lot this morning so you guys have more strength for the afternoon." Elysia offered another two sticks to Hal and Leif.
"Thanks, Agua!" Sal said to a glowing orb next to him and looked at Elysia for confirmation.
"That's right Sal! That is Agua. Ember wants to let you know that she grilled the fish with her fire."
"Thanks, Ember!" Hal said munching on another moonfin.
"Your familiars are good at preparing meals!" Leif said looking at Elysia finally reconciling after his 5th day here that she was not a crazy person talking to the air. She had these little familiars invisible to him but visible to Hal, Sal and Elysia.
Even old man Jo who didn't see them recognize them, "Elysia could you ask Agua and Gale if I could have some ice?"
"No one's there Mr. Jo!" Elysia move his hand, repositioning his cup at the right direction to where Agua and Gale was flying.
Elysia said "Agua, Gale?" and as if she was reciting an incantationn, Mr Jo's cup was filled with ice.
"Grandfather please don't pretend like you can see them," Sal said feeling embarrassed.
"It's like the time you convinced us that you can speak to Owlrigs and send us letters and we started bragging to all our friends." Hal recollected
"Remember that time..." and the lunch hour was spent leisurely talking, Hal & Sal exchanging stories about their grandfather. When they were full and content all four of them sang praises to Elysia and the sprite siblings.
Hal looked at the number of grilled fish they ate, "By the way Grandfather why did you ask Elysia to prepare so much for lunch?"
"It's for celebrating of course!" He said raising his glass
"To you fine young boys, I think yer ready to head over to Arvandale. You've learned all you can from me and it's time you go out and take a piece of the world for yerself. Tomorrow you will ride for Arvandale with Leif!"
Leif looked at old man Jo, for his entire stay here not once did this old brute call him by his name. Somehow he felt a sense of recognition. "But what about the field?" Leif asked thinking about his quest completion.
"We haven't finished even half of it. We can't just leave you to tend the farm yourself." Hal contended with his Grandfather's idea.
"You boys don't need to worry about me! I might be old" he stood and with one swing of his axe two Manalara trees fell down. "But I ain't weak!"
All three boys froze with their mouths agape.
Elysia clapped her hands astonished "Wow! Mr. Jo that was so cool!"
Old man Jo laughed hysterically "lil lady you're too polite on this old man! That's nothin' when I was in my prime I could easily clear this acre in only a month!"
"Now then boys, now that our stomachs are filled and we've rested! What do you say we wager the lowest number of trees by sunset walk to the village center to fetch a wagon and horse for tomorrow's journey!" Old Man Jo's eyes filled with firey determination.
Leif, Sal and Hal reflected the same emotion competitively with a resounding "Yes sir!" and all four of them went clearing the field again.
*****
"You didn't have to come along and get the wagon with me," Leif said a little later after losing to Old Man Jo, Hal and Sal. He was holding a basket of goods the old man and Elysia prepared for Mrs. Pottermore.
"It's alright - I was meaning to go to Mrs. Pottermore anyway so it's good timing," Elysia said trying to keep up with Leif's pacing. "I also haven't been to the village square."
"It's nothing special it's the same as every other village square." Leif shrugged.
Elysia couldn't explain her excitement. In her distant memory she remembers skyscrapers, glowing lights, and wagons without horses. But the village in front of her had cobbled streets thatched cottages and all sorts of creatures pulling a wagon. The market is the heart of the village, where the sounds of merchants' calls and clanging hammers echo beneath the watchful gaze of the distant stone keep.
"It's quite a vibrant market," Elysia observed, as the scent of fresh bread mingled with the earthy aroma of hay and leather. Wooden stalls lined the cobbled streets, their awnings fluttering in the breeze, offering everything from ripe fruits to hand-forged tools.
At the far end of the square, a large, open barn stood beside a weathered stable, the rhythmic sound of hooves echoing from within as the blacksmith tended to his forge. There was a nearby Village Inn which Mrs. Pottermore owned. It was a stout stone building with ivy climbing its walls. Wooden doors were thrown wide
"Look they're even selling clothes over there!" Elysia was astonished. Leif realized that this girl might've come from a more remote village. She was looking at plain clothes with such admiration.
The stall was offering modest clothing perfect for travelers. The worn wooden frames supported coarse but clean tunics, sturdy cloaks, and practical boots, all neatly arranged with care. The fabrics were durable but unadorned, earthy in tones of browns, grays, and deep greens, reflecting practicality over style.
"Hello young man! You look like a fine adventurer you looking for something yourself?"
Leif looked at Elysia wide-eyed and felt the coins in his pocket, the Old Man Jo did give him a few extra to buy Elysia something new. He realized that the old man was not without conscience at least. After all that cooking she did for them a new pair of boots and some clothes for her was a suitable gesture of thanks. "Do you have something you want?"
"I think the twins could use some new boots before we get to Arvandale, there's are a little worn out. I also owe you a Shield but it looks like this place doesn't sell any" Elysia looked around the stall.
"Well I don't have a shield, but if you're going to Arvandale, I've just got a thing for a long journey?" The Merchant could smell a sale and immediately switched his attention to Elysia. "This here is a new sturdy boot, well-oiled leather, with thick soles that offered reliable traction on rough terrain. Each boot cost 30 silver coins but if you get two I'll give it to you for 50 coins"
Leif felt a pang in his heart he was not sure whether it was admiration for Elysia's instinctive care for the twins and himself or frustration that she did not think of herself first.
"How about something for yourself? You're not planning on traveling to Arvandale in that right?" Her clothing was impractical, worn out, and too short for her.
"If you're looking for something for her, can I interest you in this traveling cloak, it's great for chilly summer nights" the merchant showed a thick green cloak made of wool and linen. "There's also this breathable linen blouse and flowy skirt and pairing with this fitted corset is trendy among the ladies in Arvandale."
"It's so well structured!" Elysia inspected the simple adornments of the leather corset and its pockets.
"Some adventurers enchant the pockets for storage! It's quite practical for adventuring!"
"How about this belt bags? Does this have storage as well?" Elysia inspected the inside of the bag.
"This one is good for storage but it's not enchanted for storage. If you're looking for something that can have storage I have this one."
"How nice. We can fit a lot of things in here, I'm sure they'd like it. How about a cloak that can fit him" Elysia pointed to Leif.
"I have just the thing! This one here fits the young adventurer. This one here is enchanted wool it's very durable and even horksnarkle's slash can't penetrate this cloak." the Merchant happily added to Elysia's pile.
"Hang on! How much is everything?" Leif inquired thinking if the 50 silver coins the old man gave him for Elysia's clothing was enough.
The merchant did the calculation in his head "This here is about 230 silver coins, but I'll give you a discount I'll give it to you for 200 silver coins."
"That's a fair price, first time I ever met a merchant giving a fair price" Leif nodded his head, assessing the products and quality.
"I'm glad you think so customer, shall I wrap this up for you?" The merchant said neatly folding the items.
"No wait that's not it!" Leif stopped him and looked at Elysia. "Listen you should be practical and get something that you need. I know you want the get the twins something but you should get something for yourself first."
"But I - " Elysia said trying to explain she had some money.
But Leif thought she was being too conscious not wanting to spend the Old Man's money and not getting something for the twins who were the old man's grandsons, "Those boys will be fine with their boots, so get something for yourself unless you have 200 silver coins for all of this,"
"I mean does it have to be 200 silver coins, do you accept gold coins too?" Elysia took out her gold coin pouch "I mean it would be faster to count the coins if its gold right?" Elysia handed the man 10 gold coins from the pouch that looked like it was bursting with coins at the seams.
"Are you kidding me?!" Leif said frustrated.
"Dear customer do you not know how to count per chance?" The Merchant said disbelief with he amount of gold coins in his hand.
"I'm sorry is it not enough?" Elysia rummage her coin purse again trying to get more gold coins "Dear customer one gold coin is equal to 100 silver coins, one silver coin is equal to 100 copper coins. You gave me ten gold coins this is five times higher than the actual price"
"I see! Then I owe you 2 gold coins and 30 silver coins" Elysia retrieved 8 gold coins she handed to the man an added 30 silver coins on his hand.
Leif just stared at her and realized, it's not that she doesn't know how to count but she does not know the exchange rate at all.
"Thank you for your patronage, I'll wrap this up for you!" The merchant was about to wrap up the purchase.
"No need," Elysia hovered her hand over the items and it disappeared." The merchant and Leif stared at her
"what kind of spell was that?!" Leif thought to himself.
"I have a storage ring" Elysia smiled after she successfully stored all the items she bought.
Leif has heard of storage bags but storage rings was completely new to him.
"Just who is this person?!" Leif thought to himself. Whispers among the merchant started spinning;
"Did you hear that someone was paying in gold coins"
"What? where?! "
"Hey I think they're looking for a shield! Quick bring one of our finest out in display"
"Storage ring?! Was that a storage ring on her? She must be very wealthy!"
"I heard that man with her is an adventurer!"
"Hello dear customer please take a look at this"
"She must be a noble in disguise."
Leif could feel the merchants starting to crowd so he rushed her out of the market square.
"Master Merchant Ofster! You don't have to tend market stall yourself please let us do the heavy lifting." someone addressed the merchant who was selling to Elysia and Leif.
"Nonsense, if I let all of you have the fun I wouldn't know such interesting things." He looked at the retreating figures of Elysia and Leif.
After running away from the market square Leif was out of breath he looked at Elysia and said. "What the heck was that ?!"
"What do you mean?" Elysia is confused at how worked up Leif was.
"You have so many gold coins and yet you didn't even think of spending it for clothing?" Leif said feeling betrayed.
"It's my first time coming here so I've only had this chance to buy things."
"Where did you get that much gold? You're not a noble in disguise are you?" Leif said looking at Elysia from head to toe. Thinking back Elysia does have a porcelain skin and beautifully long hair. Every aspect of her screams noble lady except her clothing and how she knows her way around the kitchen.
Elysia shook her head in response of Leif's question, "I'm not," she was closing her eyes as if she was trying to recall her past but it was too hazy "or at least I think I'm not"
What sort of answer was that?! Leif thought, "Regardless don't just pull that kind of money out you hear? You might attract the wrong kind of people!" She's as vulnerable as a twig - if somebody attacked her she can't cook her way out of their grasp can she?
"Alright, I understand I won't," Elysia nodded trying to grasp Leif concern not even imagining Leif's reaction if he knew that bag actually had storage enchantments.
"That's the only Inn in this village" Leif pointed. "If you had a storage ring why am I carrying this basket?" Leif asked.
Elysia tilted her head " I don't know, you wanted to carry it."
"I'll go get a wagon and carriage, you can wait inside for me." Leif just sighed.
"I'll just deliver this to Mrs. Pottermore' ." Elysia took the basket of goods from Leif.
*****
But Leif held her hand firmly and whispered cautiously "Remember don't let anyone see your bag full of coins!" before letting her hand go and walking to the carriage and wagon merchant.
As Elysia pushed open the heavy wooden door of the inn, the warmth and the savory smells of roasting meats and fresh bread greeted her, mingling with the hum of conversation from the tables. People ate heartily, laughing and sharing tales, while Mrs. Pottermore hurried between the tables, her apron stained with flour as she delivered steaming platters of food to eager patrons.
Behind the bar, her son, Payter Pottermore, wiped his hands on a cloth and gave her a welcoming nod, gesturing toward an empty seat right at the bar.
"You lost little girl?" Payter asked looking at her from head to toe.
"Hello, I've come to see Mrs. Pottermore but it seems she's busy" Elysia turned to
"Is there anything you need from my ma?" Payter asked with apprehension
"You're Mrs. Pottermore's son? Hello, my name is Elysia! I've come to give this to Mrs. Pottermore." Elysia placed the basket on the counter.
"Elysia? You must be that little girl that popped out of nowhere with those two twin devils?" Payter expression became soft as he saw Elysia's basket brimming with goods.
"Twin devils?" Elysia wondered who Payter was referring to.
"Guess you're talking about the twins, the grandson of that crazy old man Jo." A guest of the Inn explained after hearing Elysia's conversation with Payter.
"Why would you call Mr. Jo crazy" Elysia was taken aback, from her perspective Mr. Jo was a nice person in her eyes. He barely knew Elysia but opened his home and gave her a warm place to stay. When they first got here Phine and Mr. Jo bonded. He even gave her practical advice on how to temper Phine's behavior.
In their earlier days at Mr. Jo's house he treated her like she was his own granddaughter. He taught the fundamentals of Mana and allowed her to read the fundamentals of Magic circle which allowed her to understand Master's book better.
"You know, because his crazy about cutting all those manalara trees and making it a farm." Lank shrugged his shoulder, his voice slurring.
"I guess, you've been gone from Gray ridge for awhile Lank" Payter took Lank's drink from his hand and sliding in water. "That mission doesn't seem so impossible now. The twins got the nickname twin devils after they chopped down their first Manalara tree."
The man laughs hysterically, "Payter you kill me! Your jokes are too funny."
"But I'm not joking though" Payter looked at him with an exasperated expression.
"They cut down one? That's impossible that's a Manalara tree and you tell me they managed to cut one down?" The man looked at Payter who looked at Elysia looking for confirmation of its validity.
"Not just one but they practically cleared out about 30 trees since we got here" Elysia supplied, thinking the large field that the boys
"30 Manlara trees? you say?" the patron asked.
People started to whisper around them, "What Manlara trees? did you hear?"
"That old man cut down that many Manlara trees?" another whispered.
"It can't be just him, so those twins really are devil twins?"
"To have that much strength to bring one tree down would take months and even if it's just the three of them - they brought 30 down?"
"No, I heard they even hired an adventurer to help clear out the fields."
The patron who was starting to slur his words headed to the table that was forming a conspiratorial exchange about Old Man Jo's hire adventurer. Elysia saw him bring his fist up, "How strong can he be! I bet I can swing my fist at him and I can knock 'em down!"
After the whispers died down a bit Payter serve Elysia a pint of cold brew on a mug "You don't say 30 trees? Soon that Old Man Jo's farm is going to help this village a lot! Would you give in a good word for me and tell him I'd like to help clear out the rest of the trees?"
Elysia looked at the brewed drink unsure thinking if she was old enough to drink alcohol but before she could take a sip. Mrs. Pottermore stepped out "What do you think you're doing serving that young lady ale? " pinching his son by the ear.
"Aw! Aw! Ma that hurts! It's not ale, it's just Moonfruit brew. I would never serve a girl alone at the inn alcohol!"
"Elysia!" Mrs. Pottermore looked at her and finally recognized her "It's you! Well, you are old enough to drink alcohol but why are you here alone?"
"Mrs. Pottermore! I came here to see you, this basket is for you" Elysia handed the basket.
"My! Such fresh vegetables! Is this a bag of salt?" Mrs. Pottermore's eyes widened "We can't accept this many did that Jo fella finally gone senile?"
"No, the salt is from me Mrs. Pottermore it's for all the bread that you gave to us. The twins and I will be going to Arvandale and I won't be coming back for a long while."
"Did they finally manage to clear the field?" Mrs. Pottermore looked a little concerned.
"Not everything entirely, but they managed to cut down 30 trees." Elysia feels proud of the accomplishment.
"Ma what do you say I go help out cut down the trees? I'm sure old man Jo will let us keep a few. It'll be really good to sell them to passing travelers"
"Do you have a death wish boy? You can't even absorb mana you think you can survive after hitting a Manlara tree with an axe?"
"Is it that dangerous?" Elysia looked at them.
"Child!" Mrs. Pottermore was shocked at Elysia's lack of common sense. "Those are Manalara trees!"
"I know they're big and sound like metal when you hit them but I don't think he'll die after hitting it with an Axe." Elysia looked at Payter who seemed to have a good build and he was older than Leif and the twins.
"See mom! What do you say? Why don't I give it a try?" Payter asked enthusiastically.
"Payter you stupid son! are you gonna sneak off at night again and try to cut one down?"
"I only did that because that old man Jo won't let me do it! Every time I go there to help out with a bunch of the village men, he just makes us sit in the forest and meditate! We don't even pick up an axe!"
"It's a good thing Jo's keeping an eye on you," Mrs. Pottermore said, putting her hands on her hips giving an all-knowing look. "Let me tell you something—don't even think about cutting so much as a twig from a Manalara tree without Jo there. You know what makes those trees so dangerous? They've been soaking up mana for years, maybe centuries. One swing of an axe, and that tree will send a wave of mana right back at you. For normal folk, that kind of exposure? It'll knock you flat—or worse." She eyed Payter with a ferocious motherly stare.
"Only someone attuned to mana can handle the blowback from one of those things. Cutting 30 trees is a feat in itself" Mrs. Pottemore looked at Elysia, her eyes full of warning.
"I—I understand," Elysia stammered, feeling a bit unnerved under Mrs. Pottermore's sharp gaze. It reminded her how Sera would glare at Phine whenever she foolishly went after prey far larger than herself.
"Since you're leaving tomorrow let me pack some bread and meat for your journey." Mrs. Pottemore's kind motherly demeanor returned as she bustled her way back to the kitchen.
"You don't have to actually - " Elysia was about to say how they had a lot of meat packed because Phine and Sera had been hunting around the forest.
"It's alright take it, she won't have it any other way." Payter said looking at his mom, "That old man Jo's been supplying our Inn with meat so don't worry about it. The sooner he clears that field, the sooner we'll be able to have farmland."
"They've cut down the trees so I'm sure it won't take long " Elysia assured.
"You're kidding right?" Payter raised his eyebrows "You sure are as naive as you look, just because they cut down the trees doesn't mean vegetables and crops start growing. They have to remove stumps, burn the undergrowth, plow the land, remove stones, fertilize it, before they can even begin to plant, when they start planting it'll take months before a single thing sprouts." Payter enumerated the process feeling frustrated.
"I mean - I know that " Elysia said leaning away from Payter.
"See so it will take a long time!" His eyes filled with impatience then he realized Elysia's discomfort "I'm sorry I didn't mean to take it up on you, having a farmland close by will be a big help to this village. We won't have to deal with pesky merchants charging us so high on vegetables. I just feel frustrated I can't do anything. " Payter sighed.
"If you're so frustrated that you can't do anything, then do something about it!" Leif said cutting into the conversation.
"Leif! You're back, did you manage to get a horse and wagon?"
"Yes it's outside, we should head back now" Leif said his hands folded around his chest looking at the guy who was raising his voice to Elysia.
"Oh who's this young handsome fella?" Mrs. Pottermore came back with Elysia's basket filled with bread and pieces of smoked meat.
"This is Leif, the adventurer who's been helping Mr. Jo. Leif, this is Mrs. Pottermore—she's the one who made the bread," Elysia said, gesturing between them.
"Hello, I'm Leif from the Boundless Guild! Thank you for the bread—it was the most delicious I've ever had," Leif said with a genuine smile.
"My, aren't you a sweet talker!" Mrs. Pottermore chuckled, handing him a small parcel. "Here, take this for the road. I heard the twins and Elysia will be leaving for Arvandale soon. Will you be going with them?"
Leif scratched the back of his head. "The old man—er, I mean—Mr. Jo asked me to escort them there."
"You're coming with us?" Elysia asked, her tone curious.
"Well, yeah. You think the twerps—I mean the twins—can handle transporting all that Manlara lumber on their own?" Leif replied with a smirk.
"The adventurer who helped them cut down thirty trees?" Payter's voice cut through the room, drawing everyone's attention. Suddenly, the whole inn was listening.
"Yeah, I guess," Leif admitted, shrugging. "Though the old man—uh, Mr. Jo—did most of the work."
Payter leaned forward eagerly. "What's the secret? Do you use some special weapon to cut it down? There's gotta be a trick, right?"
Leif shook his head. "Nope. Just a regular axe."
Payter had a bewildered look in his face "No way, then than means you're really strong! What's you class type and rank?"
"I'm a Tank," everyone at the Inn seem to lean in and listen to his Rank. "G-Rank"
And a collective outburst of demeaning whispers floated in the air, each whisper was demeaning as the next one and it got on Leif's nerve.
"A G-Rank ?! That's got to be a joke right?"
"He's A G-Rank it makes sense only a G-Ranker would answer to a farming quest like this."
"No wonder that old man can hire an adventurer, he actually hired a G-Rank they're so cheap to hire it's like getting another farm hand"
"He should have just hired someone from the local village it'll be cheaper."
"A G-Rank can cut down that Manlara tree I'm pretty sure I can do it too."
"Hey, we should sneak into Old Man Jo's property tonight and cut one down!"
"Yeah if a weak G-Rank adventurer manages to cut a few we could too."
The whispers didn't die down and Elysia could sense Leif's anger bubbling up to the surface, "We should get going then." Elysia suggested.
"Let's go" Leif said his head down and Elysia could not see his eyes.
"Thank you for the basket Mrs. Pottemore," Elysia said lifting the heavy basket. Leif took it from her without a word.
Before they could reach for the door the patron from earlier stopped them, "Oi! you there! I heard adventurers like to issue challenges to showcase their skills! I challenge you to a duel!", his voice slurred and he reeked of alcohol.
Leif turned, his eyes still cast down "I'm sorry sir but I'm in a middle of a quest right now so I cannot accept your challenge." Elysia could hear the suppressed anger in his voice.
"What! Then I quest you to fight me!" He said without making sense, as he threw pieces of silver coins at Leif's feet.
"You'll have to file an official request at the adventurer's guild to make, as an adventurer. I cannot take your quest without the knowledge of my guild sir." He said feigning a respectful tone.
"You little twerp!" He was holding his fist up and swayed left and right trying to keep his balance "You think my money ain't good enough? You're just a G-Ranker! Oh I get it! You must be scared." He said looking down at Leif who was a head shorter than him.
"Please excuse us." Leif was staring at him now his eyes filled with fury and irritation. He held Elysia's hand and was about to drag her out of the Inn.
"Why you little don't ignore me!" the drunk man threw a punch but Leif blocked it with one hand and the entire Inn heard the crack of his knuckles as it made contact with Leif.
"Like I said sir, I'm in the middle of a quest so I have to politely decline your request!" Leif said with a hint of rage, masked with polite words. "Please excuse us!" He swung the man like he's been swinging the axe and threw him out the door. The man went straight the door.
"Master!" Ember emerged from the necklace, "I sensed Master's energy!"
"I sensed it too!" Fig also came out with Agua. "Can it be him?"
Gale and Paku also came out after listening to the commotion.
"LET'S GO!" Leif dragged Elysia out of the Inn and into the street. Elysia tried to keep up with Leif's pace but he was walking out with so much anger that Elysia was getting dragged around like a rag doll.
Ember was circling Leif trying to see if what she sensed was correct, "Wait! It was here! It was on him!"
"Leif!" Elysia tried to call to him but Leif's eyes were still angry.
"It's gone!" Fig said following Ember.
"But it was his mana right?" Ember asked Fig.
"It had to be, it looked so similar!" Fig looked at her in shock.
"Leif wait!" Elysia said trying to make him stop.
"What is it now?!" Leif couldn't hold his anger.
Elysia looked at Leif trying to look at him if he resembled the man in the portrait painting. He didn't, he looked different but if Fig and Ember thought it was there master could it be that the guy was their Master's disciple?
Leif on the other hand had a different perception, he thought that Elysia was calling out to him and was going to mock him too about his rank. Instead he saw Elysia was staring at him her eyes sparkling - Leif for a moment was tantalized with Elysia's blue azure eyes. Her lips we're moving but now sounds we're coming out. Long eye-lashes framed the beautiful cat-like shaped eyes of hers.
"I mean could you let go of my hand first?" Elysia looked at her hand being firmly held by Leif.
"I wasn't trying to - that is I wanted us to, I didn't hold your hand with ulterior motives okay!" He said blushing.
"I know," Elysia said still maintaining her eye contact. She was sure this guy wasn't the same person on the portrait. "I think you're a strong adventurer" Elysia said trying to comfort him. "Are we walking back? I thought you had a wagon?"
"Of course I have a wagon! It's this way!" Leif walked off. His face crimson.