“Uuugh…”
Waking up ca with an unusual wave of fatigue… Well, unusual, but not surprising.
After all, when I felt I was running out of arcane energy yesterday, I used my Path's ability to convert most of my remaining stamina, telling myself it'd be restored with a good night's sleep.
Turns out, even with 2nd Realm endurance, there was a limit to my recovery. Maybe so of that energy went to my forearms, too, given that they've felt much better.
Before the shower, I had already taken off my splints. While my condition wasn't perfect, I could actually move my arms without feeling the blunt, pulsating pain.
I still had to be careful, though – the strain I could safely put on my forearms was far below the one during my usual training routine.
‘Alright. New day, new .’
Practically forcing yesterday's events into so distant, dusty corner of my mind, I began getting dressed.
‘Gotta get so new gear. Refresh my stock of consumables, too.’
All of those expenses would bring my funds down to a dangerous level. If I could at least ask for the base payout-
‘Ah, right! I actually need to see Alrox today. Damn, maybe it's a good idea to buy a proper calendar.’
While I had a journal to write a few notes in, and I did have my blank papers, neither could compare to a proper, organized journal – sothing I've taken for granted on Earth, where such a concept had long migrated into the digital space.
‘Actually, could I, one day, use those arcane crystals as a journal?..’
I doubted it. Even the arcane machine underneath the Guild - the one belonging to the MIS - only stored images of actual pages, akin to scanned photographs.
From my limited knowledge of the Tides, finding (or rather, buying) a stable storage like that likely wasn't expensive – after all, each identification token served as just that.
However, even if I found a way to organize that storage like a calendar - which I had no idea how to do - the real problem would arise when trying to write down my notes and schedule. Or, rather, being forced to spend significant ti, focus and energy just to imprint them each ti.
Not that I could even do it at all – the most basic spell - or ritual - capable of this required to be able to cast Tier 2 spells, while, as of yesterday night, I couldn’t even get a real cantrip to work.
‘Alright, enough useless thoughts.’
Before visiting the Ministry HQ, I had sowhere else to be.
***
“That’ll be one gold.”
Reluctantly, I took the coin out of my dwindling pouch, giving it to the sa woman that usually ran the counter at the cafeteria.
‘That payout can’t co fast enough.’
The pair of smoke bombs, along with 2 more Fla’s Kisses, set back exactly 50 gold.
Two new forearm shields set back 20 gold. Well, 18.5, given that the surviving one was sold for scrap.
The repairs cost around 12 gold, with the last of the chainmail’s spare links going towards that ordeal.
Right now, I only had 22- no, 21 gold, considering the cost of the al.
‘Bern’s offer is looking more and more tempting now…’
Still, I’d rather consider my options before accepting sothing this risky. I still had hopes for a decent payout from the last job.
Speaking of, why was I still at the Guild at this hour, when the equipnt-related chores barely took half an hour? Well, training, of course.
But, what could I train, with my arms still recovering?
[Charge] Lv4 (14/100)
Even though my legs barely carried at the mont, 2% for less than 6 hours of training - at the last level of this ability, too - was nothing short of amazing.
This wasn’t even just a result of concentrated, excruciating effort, although I did down my half-filled stamina potion to survive up to this point.
Actually, I realized that the direction of mastering this ‘half-Skill’ was probably different than before, especially given the fact that nothing past level 4 seed to have contributed to the main Skill, [Charge Thrust].
However, I did find the right direction, or so it seed, given the progress – precision and control.
Just like reaching the maximum angle for [Charge] - around 140 degrees - seed to be the catalyst for my last breakthrough, it would seem full mastery included being able to control the distance, actually covering less ground.
Actually, I already demonstrated a tiny bit of this ability in my last fight, yet, I still had to use my sword to absorb most of the montum. If I managed to actually master the sub-Skill, I’d be able to fully control the distance, perhaps with so minimal cutoff at 2 or so ters.
‘Wonder if it affects my advancent, too.’
Honestly, based on the fact that those sub-Skills didn’t count towards simply stepping on my Path, I doubted it’d be the case with advancent. Still, it didn’t an they weren’t extrely useful to max, at least in the case of my most-used (and only pure-movent) Skill.
‘At least the food today’s decent.’
There were more spiced-up dishes, which, in a world where spices were less common (and thus, more expensive) than Earth, would definitely count for sothing.
Grabbing a baked fish fillet (its scent suggested it was baked in olive oil and so mint-like herbs, and sprinkled with lemon juice), so beef (spiced up with black pepper), and a mix of baked vegetables, with a side of steamy, creamy mushroom soup, I turned to find an empty table…
‘Oh, look who it is.’
Noticing a familiar face, I strode towards the small table.
“Hey there.”
“Huh? Oh, Sebastian! Greetings.”
“Mind if I sit?”
“No, by all ans!”
I put the tray in front of Jero’s, who looked sowhat deflated, even compared to his previous scrawny self, yet his tone was energetic, at least.
“How’re you holding up? After that chamber?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Actually, my sleep schedule is ruined, since I slept for over 18 hours yesterda– wait, how do you know I was in the chamber during the attack?”
His confusion began to shift to suspicion.
“Ah, I wasn’t with the druids, of course!”
I quickly waved my hand, the one holding the fork, almost causing the beef chunk on its tip to fly off.
“I saw you through that window. You were helping to maintain the door barrier, weren’t you?”
“Y-yeah…”
The hesitation hasn’t completely left his voice.
“My partner tapped the glass with his axe near the end. Well, not glass… I don’t really know what it was made of…”
“Elastic glass. It’s an alchemized compound – an alchemized crystal, specifically. The one in the chamber is of extrely high quality, but.. wait, never mind that! It was you who distracted that Druid?”
“Well.. honestly, without Alrox’s contraption, she’d probably keep ignoring us. And without Theodor’s help, both of us would beco plant nutrients.”
For a few monts, Jero sat in silence, while the last traces of suspicion left his face. anwhile, I was stuffing my mouth with nutrients of my own.
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“I.. owe you another thanks, it would seem.”
“Don’t ntion it. Part of the job, anyway.”
I wouldn’t deny that the mildly spicy beef tasted better after his words, though.
“No, really. When that thorn beast withdrew, both of us collapsed, powerless. If it ca back, the door wouldn’t last another 30 seconds.”
I tried to do the calculations. Based on how fast the Elder Druidess arrived, after the explosion, Theodor would probably be late by a dozen seconds or so.
Maybe the invader wouldn’t be able to cause too much damage during that ti, but, at the very least, she’d be able to kill most of the staff inside, maybe even contaminate the sli pool below sohow.
“Well, guess you’re lucky we got there in ti, then. Actually, it was Alrox who insisted I co with him.”
“Then I’ll extend my thanks to him once we et. By the way, are you planning to visit the Ministry, by chance?”
“Yeah, gotta give my full report today. You?”
“Oh, if you’re planning to go after lunch, I might join you. Not for a report, though. Already gave that one. They actually inscribe the dals ahead of the ceremony.”
“Ah, of course, you probably got one, too. Wait, inscribe?..”
“Into your identification token. Those types of dals are stored there, regardless of the physical badge.”
“...That makes sense. Anyway, sure, let’s do it.”
I wouldn’t mind so company, for a change.
After finishing our al, we both exited the Guild.
“We’re going to have to wait for a while, I’m afraid. The carriage schedule was a ss yesterday. Probably won’t be much better today, either.”
“Carriage? Oh, don’t worry about that. My horse is nearby. Well, it’s a 10 minute walk, I guess it’s still better than that carriage.”
“Oh, you got a horse?.. Alright, let's go.”
While he did follow , I heard a bit of hesitation in his voice.
“Never rode a horse?”
Throwing a glance to the side, I saw the young Wizard shaking his head.
“That’s alright. It’s pretty easy, especially on the backseat. I’ll show you when we get there.”
I gave him a reassuring smile.
“I’m sure Storm’s gonna like you, too.”
***
“Alright, we get off here.”
“Thank the gods…”
In the end, Storm ended up behaving quite well. However, during the short ride, which barely brought us half the way to the ministry, I constantly felt Jero’s iron grip, far stronger than one would expect from a young man with his complexion.
‘I guess so people just don’t like horses.’
Regardless, the remaining 3-kiloter distance, from the stable near the Silver Lotus restaurant to the Ministry HQ, which I’d usually cover on foot, was covered via a public carriage ride.
“Visitor access is limited today. Do you have business inside?”
I wasn’t surprised at the strictness of the guards at HQ. If anything, after the recent events, the reception would be crowded without limiting access.
“I-I need to visit the logistics departnt. I was told the dal inscription would take place there.”
“Na?”
“Jarold Brightdale.”
Realizing I’ve misrembered his na made my cheeks feel a bit hot. I was glad I didn’t actually call him by his na today until now.
anwhile, the guard nodded, shifting his gaze to .
“Sebastian. I was with Alrox in a joint patrol that night. He asked to co in today, write the full report.”
“Token?”
I extended my identification token, as the guard verified sothing - probably the fact I had access to MIS missions.
“Right, follow . You, stay here for a mont – I’ll call you soon.”
Giving Jarold - not Jero - a nod, I followed the guard. Of course, I still went through the regular security procedure, leaving only my sword and concoctions behind. Just being associated with the Ministry wasn’t enough to skip the checkup, but at least they let keep my watch this ti.
After consulting the receptionist, he asked one of the guards at the lobby to escort to Alrox’s office, before going back to his post.
“Seb! You.. look a lot better.”
In the tiny room, barely bigger than my old inn's lodgings, the short-haired man was sitting behind his desk, which occupied most space between the two walls, with barely enough room for sobody his size to pass to the chair.
“You look quite healthy, yourself.”
“Well, I only had a small fracture. Two, actually, but who’s counting.. Honestly, with the blow you took, I’d expect you to keep those splints on for a few weeks, at least.”
“Yeah, well..”
I shrugged, throwing a glance at the two standing shelves, one of them filled to the brim with files, and the other one slowly getting there.
“Oh, you’re helping fill this one up today. Sit down.”
With an unconcealed sigh, I followed Alrox’s request.
“Don’t worry, it’s not that bad. After a while, you get so used to it. You can even fill sothing like that night’s report in less than 15 minutes.”
“Well, I’m not used to it.”
“All the better. Why’d you think Ministry jobs pay so well? The paperwork is included.”
I let out a light chuckle.
“Wait. So, since the job only formally included the patrol, I can skip everything that happened after, right?”
Alrox let out a short laugh.
“With that reward, I should probably make you write this report twice.”
I raised my eyebrow.
“How would you know what my reward will be?”
To that, the man in the worn leather-padded chair gave a knowing smile.
“I know what my bonus’s gonna be like, co next month. Even after using up that Oleron's Blaze, and with my barrier requiring a ‘deep recharge’, it reached four figures.”
He gave a aningful look, as my eyebrow rose even higher.
“Considering you didn’t use any Ministry-provided consumables, and that you were well- I an, technically within your right to decline that request… I’d expect a similar reward, at the very least.”
“Just how much does an Oleron’s Blaze cost?..”
“For regular citizens? A few years in a cell – that’s the cheapest price. For us, I don’t really know. But no less than a standard barrier, I’d wager.”
That sounded like… a lot.
“Anyway, if we’re gonna keep yapping, this report won’t even get filed by the ceremony.”
I nodded, moving the three-page form to my side of the desk.
This might have been a chore, but thoughts of the upcoming payout definitely made my hand move faster.
***
“Took your sweet ti, did you?”
The massive man, his bulging muscles covered by a gray robe, torn at its edges, threw a short glance at the dwarf, deciding to answer after a mont of silence.
“I had a tail.”
“Wait, you actually have– had a tail, too? What happened to it?”
The Claw Druid did not respond, silently walking over to his seat.
“By the way, what’s with that half-dead woman you brought to your.. den?”
“Trophy.”
Redbeard gave the massive Druid a look of disbelief.
“Don’t tell … you’re not going to actually eat her, are you?”
The dwarf’s remark made even the stoic Druid exhale in exasperation.
“Her kind might pay well for her release. If not, there are many who will.”
“Her kind.. is she actually one of those Druids?!”
Radclaw sat in silence, as Redbeard’s expression shifted towards genuine shock.
“How are you even going to contact them? No, even if you could, how would you get her out of the city, the state that it’s in?”
“All storms pass. This, too, shall pass in ti.”
“All storms pass. That’s a profound saying, if I do say so myself.”
The newcor, clad in a white cloak with red trimmings, his face hidden behind an iron mask - barring his cold, red eyes - ca in through the doorway, heading towards his side of the table.
“Soone like you would surely know about things ‘passing’... having passed on the target of your self-proclaid hunt.”
Once again, just like last eting, and many of the etings before it, the pair of yellow eyes locked in with the red ones. However, Redclaw’s tone was surprisingly dismissive.
“I have entered the thunder lion’s den, and ca out carrying a prize.”
“Yet the one you co for still roams the city streets.”
“A hunter chases prey. A fool cannot distinguish between prey and poisonous bait.”
“What the hell are you two talking about?!”
The dwarf, who didn’t mind getting ignored by the two, was nonetheless irritated by the strange conversation.
“That kid from before. The one who killed Zod. He was in the water purification facility the night of the attack. Redclaw followed him – and ca out empty handed.”
The Claw Druid let out a dismissive scoff, while the dwarf’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“You say that brat is entangled with the Ministry?”
“He rely joined them on a single patrol.”
“Still, doesn’t that seem suspicious to you? One of our guys targets him, then, next thing you know, he’s suddenly going on joint patrols with MIS grunts.”
The masked man shrugged his shoulders.
“I have it on good authority his cooperation with the Ministry did not go beyond that one patrol. It would appear he has enough sense to limit his dependence on them. Or, rather, arrogance or greed – enough to think he can survive without their help.”
“Sounds like you have a plan.”
For the first ti since the eting’s start, Ruby’s voice was heard in the underground hall.
“Indeed, I do.”
The masked man’s nod was barely perceivable behind the mask.
“You intend to go after him? Even if it’s a trap?!”
“It’s not a trap. And, in fact, I do not need to go after him.”
As the dwarf threw him a confused look, Ember added one last remark, before moving off to more important matters.
“He will co to .”
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