After dinner, we settled around the table, an open notebook between us, ready to figure out the best way to help. Mahya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her expression sharp with determination. She raised a hand and started ticking off thenditions on her fingers.
“Nothing that will take years to amplish,” she started, voice firm. “I’m not giving them anyres, and I’m definitely not teaching kids like Al.” She shot him a look. “I don’t have the patience.”
Al sniffed, entirely unbothered by the jab. He straightened his posture, folding his hands neatly in front of him. “I will teach Alchemy,” he stated, his tone even, “and, should the need arise, sword fighting. I have no qualms overseeing projects or offering guidance.” His gaze flicked between us, making it clear he had thought about this. “However, I will not engage in nial labor.” He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, as if the re thought of physical exertion required tidying himself. “I have no interest in digging ditches or hauling supplies like ammon worker.”
Mahya snorted. “Shocking.”
I smirked but didn’tmnt. Instead, I turned a page in the notebook. “So, short-term projects, nores, no kids, no back-breaking labor for our resident noble.” I tapped the paper with my pen. “Anything else?”
Mahya crossed her arms. “Yeah. I’m not getting roped into fixing every problem they throw at us. We help with the big stuff—things that actually make a difference. But if they start acting like we’re so magical fix-it crew for every minor invenience, I’m out.”
Al nodded approvingly. “Agreed. We should set clear boundaries from the start.”
I jotted it down, glancing between them. “Alright. Anything else before we start making a plan?”
They both exchanged looks but said nothing. I took that as a no.
I clicked my pen. “Then let’s get to work.”
“As I said,” Al began, his voicemposed. “I will teach Alchemy, and I am even willing to use my own supply of herbs. If others are interested in learning and pursuing the class, I can take up to five apprentices. More than that would be impractical.” He folded his hands neatly on the table. “I am also willing to establish a sword training regin—the very sa one used by the royal guards of my family. It would significantly advance their proficiency.”
Mahya arched a brow and turned to . “Shouldn’t John train them?”
I blinked. “? Why ?”
She gestured vaguely at . “Because you have that new skill from your wizard class—the one that enhances training.”
“Hm.” I tapped the pen against the notebook,nsidering. “Yeah, you have a point, but I’d rather focus on training healers. The skill might enhance training, sure, but I’m no expert. Back on Earth, I took so staff and archery classes, and Lis trained in swords and knives, but that’s about it.” I nodded toward Al. “He actually knows a standardized thod. I think he’s the better choice for this.”
Mahya glanced between us and shrugged. “I can teach them wood artistry and Magitech, but they’ll have to supply theres. Beyond that, I’ve got no clue.”
I tapped my fingers against the notebook, an idea forming. “How about we teach them how to make hot-air balloons? Youuld train them to pilot them.”
She frowned. “We fed all the spare fabric to my balloon.”
Al waved a hand dismissively. “That is not a problem. We can use different fabrics, and I can create a solution to make them airtight.”
Mahya crossed her arms. “And what about the lift?”
I leaned back, nodding toward the storage hall. “We still have all the gas we brought from Earth, plus the burners. Not much use for them now.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken withoutnsent. Report sightings.
She fell silent, her fingers drumming against the table as she stared off in thought. Auple of minutes passed before she let out a long breath. “Fiiine.”
She dragged the word out, making it clear she wasn’t exactly thrilled. But she wasn’t arguing, so I had no intention to poke the bear.
Al turned to . “What about you?”
I leaned back, rolling my shoulders. “Like I said, healing’s my main focus. That’s priority number one. Besides that, we’ve got a shit ton of stuff from Earth—tools, equipnt from DIY stores, all kinds of useful crap. I’m sure so of it will in handy.” I tapped the notebook, thinking. “Oh, and I’ve still got all those building spells I picked up from that idiot in Lumis. Pretty sure those alone will make a trendous difference.”
I glanced between them. “Other than that? I think we should et with the settlent leader and see what they actually need before we start throwing solutions at them.”
Rue pushed himself up from his beanbag and trotted over to the table, his massive form looming over us. “John no ask Rue!” A wave of indignation rolled off him.
“Sorry, buddy. You’re right,” I said, holding up a hand in surrender. “How do you want to help?”
Rue puffed up, clearly taking the question seriously. “Rue go with people tollect food from far fields.”
I blinked. “You’re gonna pull a cart?” That was a shock.
Rue’s ears flattened as he shot a look dripping with pure, unfiltered ire. It was official—my dog had spent way too much ti around Mahya. “Rue no horse!” His ntal voice practically bristled with indignation. “Rue protect people going tollect food and protect peoplellecting things from city.”
I barely held back a snort. “Got it. Big, scary guard dog. No carts.”
Rue nodded decisively, the matter clearly settled, then turned and flopped back onto his beanbag with a heavy whump.
I tapped the pen against my notebook, trying to figure out how to bring up my last point.
Mahya caught the movent and arched an eyebrow. “Why are you fidgeting?”
“I have one more thing I want to bring up,” I admitted, shifting in my seat. “And I’m not sure how.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just spit it out. You’re going to tell us anyway.”
I straightened my shoulders and t their gazes head-on. “We shouldnvince Lady Almatai to relocate.”
Both Mahya and Al stared at like I had sprouted a snd head.
“Don’t look at like that,” I protested, holding up a hand. “Just hear out.”
I set the pen down and leaned forward. “I’ve talked to the people I treated and heard so awful stories. Right now, the settlent sits less than five kiloters from two cities that hate them. The guy who lost his arm? His scavenger group was attacked—he was the only survivor. Six people from his group, plus four guards who tried to protect them. The bastards who attacked them called them ‘walking levels,’ told them to run, and then hunted them down like prey.”
I turned to Mahya, waving a hand in her direction. “Rima’s husband? Sa assholes. The man with the amputated leg? He was trying to protect their wall. Over twenty people died that day, and they still burned down the north side of the wall and half their fields. That was less than six months ago. It’s one of the main reasons they’re struggling for food now.”
Mahya and Al exchanged a look but stayed quiet, letting ntinue.
I tapped the table for emphasis. “And their location? Shit. Yeah, sure, they wanted to scavenge the ruined city. But they’re dependent on wells for water, and they have to hike through a snake-infested forest to reach the fields. It’s not sustainable.”
I gestured south. “Less than twenty kiloters from here, there are endless fields, massive herds, a wide river with a thick forest on the other bank, and plenty of buildings theyuld scavenge for materials. And the best part?” I t their eyes again. “If those murdering bastards still want to after them, they’ll have to fight their way through the snakes to do it.”
I leaned back, letting my words settle. “So? Still think I’m crazy?”
“That’s going to be a hard sell,” Mahya said, drumming her fingers against the table.
“Not necessarily,” Aluntered, his tone asured. He shifted in his seat, straightening his posture with a thoughtful nod. “I amnfident that Lady Almatai is already aware of every point John listed.”
He glanced at . “If you fly out and ut for a suitable location, sothing defensible with resources nearby, she can benvinced. Especially if you offer them the building spells.” His fingers tapped the table. “That alone would accelerate rnstruction tenfold.”
“You think she’ll just agree to relocate twenty thousand people? This isn’t a few hundred we’re talking about,” Mahya asked, skepticism clear in her voice.
Al shook his head. “I do not believe they have quite that many residents—perhaps fifteen thousand at most. But that is beside the point.” He t her gaze, his expression unwavering. “Yes, relocating and rebuilding for so many people is a monuntal task. But watching them slaughtered by monsters who see them as nothing more than level fodder? That is far worse. If I were in her place, I would not hesitate.”
We sat in silence for a few more minutes, each lost in our own thoughts. I tapped my fingers against the notebook, then finally asked, “Anything else?”
Mahya shook her head. Al simply said, “No.”
“Alright. Tomorrow, I’ll go talk to Lady Almatai. Want to join ?”
The two slackers shook their heads way too fast. Figures.
At least I had one loyal friend.
“Rue join John!” ca the enthusiastic reply, his tail thumping against the floor like a drum.
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