Chapter 19

ack of all Trades – 19Post navigation

-A New Power and a Lively Night-

Several hours had passed after the first battle with the forest wolves. We had now gone around and destroyed several packs that were spread throughout the forest, and because the sun was now starting to set, we decided to head back for Fhiraldo. As I moved my tired feet onward, Daniela taught me various things about combat. About using swords, how to swing a short sword, how to throw them. How to fight enemies that moved on four legs, what to do when you are surrounded. And also, how to use magic.

“To start, what should I do if I wanted to use magic in an attack?”

“Ahh…indeed. It would be pointless if it did not hit your opponent.”

“Right. So, it has to shoot outward.”

It wasn’t hard for me to use magic to create ice or water and lower the temperature in a room, because I understood how it worked.

I mainly used the moisture in the atmosphere for my magic, but apparently, most magicians here were converting their magical energy into water molecules to create water or ice. But that would eat through your energy a lot faster. In other words, my method was economical.

However, there was no point in creating lots of ice just because it was economical. It’s not an attack until it hits your opponent in the face.

“Create ice with magic and hurl it into the enemy. That would be the basic ice magic attack.”

“What about freezing them solid?”

“Hehe. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re able to do it almost immediately, but…”

“The basics first, right?”

“Exactly.”

She nodded. And so I used my magic just as she said.

“Mmmm…”

I gather the moisture from the air to a space in front of my outstretched finger. The small tip sucks in all of the heat. There is a cracking sound as clear ice begins to form. I apply magical energy and maintain its height. There is a thick tree trunk ahead of me that I target…

“Okay…go!”

All the energy collected in my fingertip bursts as it fires. In a blink, the ice bullet had vanished. Then I heard the sound of wook shattering. Apparently, I had hit it. I’ve never actually fired a gun, but I did play quite a few games. It wasn’t hard to just imagine it.

“Asagi… What was that, just now?”

“Huh?”

Daniela asked quietly as she stared at the tree that had been shot at.

“What do you mean? I shot some magical ice.”

“But, that fast? I couldn’t even see it…”

We both walked to the targeted tree. There was a small crater inside of the trunk where the ice bullet had hit. The bark around the area had been blown off, exposing the light brown wood underneath. Judging by the depth, it hadn’t reached the center of the trunk. Of course, the ice itself had shattered and nothing remained.

“The tree is so… I saw you create the ice. But I had no idea that such a small fragment could have this much force…”

“I guess it’s a matter of what you imagine.”

“For better or worse.”

Was there something different about my magic? I hadn’t seen other magic, so I could not really tell. But Daniela seemed to be surprised…

Well, there was no point in staring at the tree in wonderment. We were finished with the wolf hunting; it was time to head back.

“The goods, it’s my turn to carry them.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I received the jingling leather back from her. The bag was full of forest wolf fangs. The quest we had accepted was for the ‘Elimination of the Forest Wolves.’ And you had to bring back two fangs from each forest wolf as evidence that the deed was done. The quest would end once you brought them to the guild. Apparently, these fangs were great materials in making weapons. The market price, amount and quality would all be calculated and you would receive your reward. The more you had, the more you could exchange for money. So it quite worthwhile. And there was also a general reward for completing quests. This job was more lucrative than you would think.

And so I was quite pleased as I carried the hefty bag and trampled over the path of fallen leaves when it happened. Something had moved in the corner of my vision.

“Mm…?”

“What is it?”

“I don’t…”

Was I mistaken? Was it my imagination?

“Just now, I thought I saw a huge wolf. In that direction.”

“Hmm… I don’t see anything. Or feel a presence. Are you sure you saw it?”

“Maybe…yeah. It was pretty big, it must have just been me.”

Perhaps the setting sun had cast an odd shadow through the leaves and it looked like a wolf. We had hunted so many today, after all. I hadn’t seen anything but wolves. There really weren’t any goblins on this side.

“There’s no point in worrying about it. Let’s head back for town before it gets too dark.”

“Yes, the forest at night is especially dangerous.”

Daniela and I rushed passed the trees and hurried down the road back to Fhiraldo.

□ □ □ □

We rolled back into town just before the sun had completely set.

“Ho, Asagi, Daniela. Had you two come back any later, I would have shut the gates on you.”

“That’s pretty harsh for a joke, Russell.”

“Of course. You’d have to sleep in a tree again.”

“Buwahahaha!!”

Russell was on watch today. We laughed at the good old joke and then made our way back to the guild.

Fhiraldo during the night was always a lively place. Delicious smells wafted from the lines of food stalls. The smells of meat cooking, or sweet fruit wines… But we couldn’t be distracted by these. We would be allowed to eat as much as we wanted at a discount price back at the Spring Wind inn. Saving was important.

I had to pull Daniela by the hand as she occasionally succumbed to the smells, but we eventually reached the guild house. This place too was lively at night. Their jobs finished for the day, the rowdy gathering would clink their mugs of ale and smack the tables. The sounds of feet tapping on the floors, all of it entered my ears.

“Hooo, Asagi!”

Ness seemed to be in a good mood as his voice boomed.

“Hey, Ness!”

“Ah! Let’s drink together!”

“Let me get rid of these first!”

I raise the leather bag in the air and shout as if in competition with the noise of the bar. Ness nods and raises his mug. I’m not making a toast!

I laugh and then head over to the Reward counter with Daniela.

My eyes meet Fiona’s, as she sits on the opposite side of the counter. She looks a little surprised, then glances towards Daniela, and her eyebrows narrow.

“That’s a funny face you got there. Anyway, can you take care of this?”

“Asagi, who is that?”

“Let’s stay formal. We’re adventurer and guild worker, after all.”

“I’m asking you who she is!”

Well, she seemed a little angry. Would she refuse to accept this if I don’t explain…

“Oh, she is…Daniela. We’ve formed a party.”

“As fellow adventurers? She’s not a girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“…Daniela. I and Asagi are in a party together.”

“Ohh… you shocked me for a moment… Ah, Miss Daniela, it’s a pleasure to meet you!”

I’m the one that was shocked.

“Look, just take these, please.”

“Of course!”

Fiona took the leather bag full of forest wolf fangs from off of the counter and left. She seemed in a better mood all of a sudden… What was that about? Could it be that she’d fallen for me?

But it was too stupid to consider.

Ness’ annoyingly loud voice had been calling to me for a while now. My eyes meet with Daniela’s and we chuckle. Having little choice, we decided to join Ness at the bar.