Icy rain filled the air of Lesterwood the next morning, drowning away any evidence of a once lively city. While some stayed indoors, most didn’t have the luxury. Either their stock was spoiling, or they worked services outdoors. A dreadful time, but one the residents have come to expect. Except for Clammy. The new home of Lesterwood was anything but different for the once princess.

“It never rains in Salae.” She said that morning over breakfast. “I used to watch the rain through my window, wishing father and mother would let me play in it… Now I don’t want anything to do with the rain.”

“I don’t mind it.” Max said with an evil smirk. One of lesser thought about pros of being a [Water Mage] is that they never actually get wet.

“Oh, shut up.” Clammy muttered, burying her mouth into her eggs.

Bishop, who was still reading over Max’s notes, looked up. “Who is this… Red Mask and why do I keep hearing about attacks in the city.”

“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you last night. I embarrassed an adventurer that was a part of Reep’s guard trainees. He put out an assassination contract and Red Mask accepted. It also turns out that the adventurer has ties to Vast Empire and is currently at large. After a few failed assassination attempts, Yel killed the [Assassin].”

Bishop and Clammy stared at him utterly dumbfounded. “What about the adventurer?” The Drake asked after a moment.

“Last seen fleeing Lesterwood through the Gate system.”

“Oh… Right…” The princess suddenly realized her dismay of cold rain to not be so bad.

Max, Emi, and Celenia stood beside each other in the Adventuring Guild’s training room. The last class of the week for the both of them is the practical portion of Spell Formations and Creation. The training hall closely resembled the mansion’s, a concrete and underground wide room with protection wards and runes. One side had reinforced target dummies while the other had simple accuracy targets. Planks of wood, steel, and stone were set off in a corner along with weights and other training equipment. As they waited for the class to start, Max obsessively moved a water shell around with his arm.

He was at the point where unless he made rapid flicks of movement, he could maintain the sleeve of water. His arm no longer broke through the surface, ending the spell. While the traveling last night was long and tedious, he had plenty of time to practice. Now, if what Sabat said was true, simply maintaining the shell would eventually cause him to learn the spell. He figured this was one of those spells that wouldn’t typically work, but the system interfered and brought it into fruition. After explaining the spell to Bishop, the Drake concluded that the system ties your brain and consciousness into your mana more than it should. It was similar to how non magical classes learned skills, or how Spell Books worked.

“Hey, you’re a [Water Mage] right?” A surly Elf asked Max.

“That is correct.”

“How about drying me off.” He said with an eye roll.

“Oh sure.” Max turned to the rest of the students waiting. With a pulse of mana, Max connected his control over all wet mages. They made cries of surprise and shock, but once they realized that their soggy clothes were becoming comfortable, they calmed down. The glob of water was surprisingly small, just bigger than a basketball. That amount would hardly be enough to practice spells with, so Max bolstered it with water from the air.

With a sudden plop, the water fell near Max and pooled for later use. “Everyone dry?” He asked. Various nods circulated the room, along with looks of hesitation or interest. The Elf, for some reason, didn’t like the outcome of what just happened and huffed away. As others walked in, they mysteriously dried and Max’s pool mysteriously got larger.

“Oh my!” Magi May exclaimed as the dripping water was removed from her person. “Oh. I’m honestly not surprised, after last class I figured you would have more secrets, Mr Max.”

“Secrets?” He asked.

“You obviously have some experience and level in water manipulation, and the Guild Master personally delivered a parcel to you? Not to mention, just a few minutes later he was seen fighting in the streets just beyond the Guild…” May leaned in close. “Secrets indeed.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.” Max said with a large, fake smile.

“Oh, I’m sure. But never mind that. We are here for a class, let us start.”

Magi May moved to the center of the room. “Everyone, attention please. Welcome back to class. For the practical portion of the class, we will essentially be hosting a study hall. You are to work independently or in small groups to create and better your spells. I’ll be wandering around giving advice or talking through problems you encounter.”

Max and Celenia groaned. The class just for a time slot in the training hall. For someone with resources like the mansion’s training room, these few hours would be rather repetitive. But for others who didn’t have such luxuries, this would prove to be invaluable. Quickly the class spit off into several small groups, each moving towards training equipment or showing each other magics. It seemed that similar affinity classes were working together, fire caster were off together, the same with air and different types of stone or ground. A familiar Elf was loudly speaking to a group of [Water Mages], showing off his manipulation level by spinning multiple globs of water around his wrist, but his onlookers were hardly looking at him and instead sneaking peeks at Max.

Ah. He was scouting the competition. Max chucked as did Emi.

“Want to work together, or do you want to join the other [Nature Mages], Celenia?”

“With… You…” She said turning a bit red.

“Alright. On the walk over you were explaining a spell idea? Want to start with that?”

“Sure.” Celenia cleared her throat. “The other day, when we were attacked, I had an idea of a defensive spell. I created a small room made of roots and I liked the idea. A room of protection and safety.”

“A room?” Max asked.

“Exactly. Well, more like a massive domain spell, one that changes the battlefield.”

“Ambitious. But a good final product.” He said gently. “It sounds a bit…”

“Much? I know. I’m nowhere near strong enough for what I have envisioned, but I want to start working towards it.”

“Alright, good idea. Here,” A small journal popped into existence, Max thumbed through the pages and began to scribble notes. “Alright, where do you want to start?”

“I’m not sure… Maybe with a domain spell that I can modify later?”

“Okay, okay. What do you want it to do?”

“I want roots to weave around an area and create new terrain.” Celenia said.

“Good. Can you do that already? I’m not sure how Root Manipulation works.” Said Max.

“Well, first of all; I need roots.” She thumped her foot on the concrete ground. “Which there are none of around here.”

“Oh right.” Max scratched the back of his head. “Maybe we try that when we get back home.”

“In that case, how about do the same but with flowers. I carry seeds with me…”

“You carry seeds…?”

“Master Dreamstem says I always should.”

“Oh, right. What about the roots of flowers? Could that work?”

Celenia shook her head. “I don’t know Empower Roots, yet. Without it they would be too thin and weak.”

“Any idea how to cast it?” Max asked.

“Sure, I was taught it, but I haven’t been successful.”

“Alright, how about this? When we are in here you focus on learning Empower Roots, and when we are back at the mansion you focus on root domain spell to be named later.”

“That… Make sense. Sure, but I’m not sure how you can help with this.” The Elf said.

“When I was figuring out my teleportation spells, I would just ask Vel or Icarus question I knew they didn’t know the answer to. They often times gave me completely wrong guesses, but those guesses made me think. And from there ideas sprouted and eventually they lead to the correct outcome.”

“I see.” Celenia sat and removed a small jar of dirt along with a small bag of seeds. “The spell is supposed to work by absorbing mana from the dirt which will bolsters the entire flower. The issue I’ve been having is that I can't seem to find any mana in the dirt.”

Max sat also, allowing Emi a perfect sleeping spot. “Are you sure it’s mana you are supposed to be absorbing?”

“What else can it be?”

“Nutrients.” Seeing her confused face, Max added. “Plants absorb nutrients from the ground. If the same type of crop is planted on the same plot of land for many seasons, then eventually they won’t grow. Does crop rotation sound familiar?”

“Yes, actually. But how does that apply to magic.”

“Maybe the spell just absorbs the nutrients really fast, thus growing the plant equally fast?” Max offered.

“Maybe… I guess that’s a good starting point as any.” Celenia pushed her mana into the soil, casting a generic growth spell. The flower bloomed to life with folded and spiraling blue pedals. With a second pulse of mana, the plant grew slightly before shrinking and shriveling. Eventually turning black and breaking under its own weight. She let out a small cry.

“Well, maybe that’s not the right approach.” Max amended.

Max and Emi sat high in the now cloudless sky eating grilled meat and fish. Using an Immovable Space tile as a picnic table, the pair were taking a break while waiting for the [Space Mage]’s mana to recover. They were traveling to the other two villages Domic had outlined for their protection. Using his full mana pool, the two could travel significantly faster than on mounts, thus allowing them to get back before nightfall.

Immovable Space was quickly becoming Max’s favorite spell. There was something so serene about sunbathing in the open air, except he hadn’t tried since its rather cold out, but the sentiment still applied. It was freaking cool, and that was all that mattered for Max, honestly. How many could say they could have a legitimate picnic above a city or forest. The view was breathtaking, the peacefulness was freeing, and the sense of danger made it thrilling.

“Ready?” Max asked Emi, who nodded and climbed onto his shoulder.

The two blipped out of existence only to appear near the horizon relative to their previous spot. A quick pulse of mana later, and the two found themselves standing on a newly constructed invisible tile. Below was a natural clearing of the forest, one that was home to a small cluster of buildings. Without his minimap, Max would never have been able to find the village. Teleporting around was disorienting, and he had never realized just how trivial streets and roads made navigation. After waiting for his mana to refill again, he jumped nearly straight down, appearing out of thin air already in stride.

He figured that simply appearing in the center of the city would leave a bad taste in the mouths of the villagers, and thus he casually walked down the main road. He honestly couldn’t see the appeal of living outside a city’s walls during winter, especially without the protection of the guard or adventurers. Maybe it was money? Were cities that expensive? Was it the crowdedness? Maybe it’s the lack of privacy. Whatever the reason, these people wanted to be out here, and he would try and help where he could.

Since the early morning rains had ended, it seemed that the entire village was out in force trying to finish up for the day. The buzzed around like drone bees, moving from one task to the next working in harmony. A middle-aged lady was moving multiple sacks of grains off a wagon while a small child did what they could. An elderly man skinned potatoes and carrots, while a fit and limber man chopped firewood. In the distance ranchers fed and cared for animals in pins. Everyone was covered in mud and muck, which was rather common but especially after heavy rains.

“Hello there!” Max called out to the lady unloading the wagon. She didn’t stop what she was doing but glanced up meeting his eyes. “I’m from the Mage Guild, is there a someone I could talk to about official business?”

“Yer from the Guild, eh?” She said in a mocking tone. “Over there.” She waved her hand to the old man preparing dinner.

Max nodded and walked by. “Smells good!” He said when he was close enough to the boiling pot.

“Indeed, it does.” The old man said. “Sorry to say, but there is only enough for my folks.”

“No need to worry, I’m not here for food. My name is Max, and this is Emi. We’re here on a favor to Guild Master Domic of the Mage Guild. He’s asked us to protect the village in case of monsters.”

The man who was chopping wood set his axe down and wondered over, interested in the subject matter.

“Domic, you say? Hmm I’ve always liked him.” The old man pushed the chopped vegetables into the pot. “We don’t have any money.”

“No money needed. This is a favor to Domic, and I want to help anyways.”

“We can’t house you.”

“No need. Here,” A small box suddenly appeared in Max’s hands. The young man recoiled with surprise while the elder simply watched on. “I have a pair of shaker stones. If the village is ever in danger, you activate yours and mine will shake, alerting me.”

“Alert you?” The young man said. “And then you will just magically appear? Pops he’s obviously trying to scam you or something, by the time he’d get here the village would be destroyed.”

“I assure you that is not the case.” Max attempted.

“And I take it that it will just be you and your bond defending us? Where is your team?”

“Just us. But it’s better than nothing.”

“Are you going to camp nearby? Run over?” The man crossed his arms in disbelief.

“No, we will be in Lesterwood until the stone shakes.”

“Oh come now, how could you poss-“

“Enough!” The old man hissed, causing the man to deflate. “What my son says are valid concerns. Can you explain before he bursts a blood vessel?”

Max nodded. “Look over there.” He pointed to a barn at the far end of the clearing before teleporting. The two men franticly looked around, finding Max waving in the distance. Suddenly he appeared in his original spot. “I can teleport. Here to Lesterwood is no issue for me.”

The two men regarded Max differently now. “What about protecting us. You can get here, but what about combat?”

“That is a bit of an issue, yes. We can hold our own in a fight, but I’m not sure if we’d be able to protect everyone at the same time. But we can hide you.” A dome of water formed and rotated, kicking up mud just like before but on a much smaller scale. “It’s going to be my go-to defense but depending on the situation it may prove useless.”

The young man scoffed. “And how would you deal with that situation?”

“Protect who I can.” Max said with a deeply serious expression. “If something happens, we’re your best bet for survival. Simple as that.”

It was just after midday when Max and Emi arrived at the second village. Using the same strategy as before, they slowly walked up the main road connected to the cluster of buildings. But unlike last time, this village had little signs of life. There was no one actively working or moving around, instead an eerie silence filled the air. Making use of his space affinity, Max could tell that there were people occupying the buildings but besides a pair of eyes peeking out of a window, made any moves to greet him.

Something is wrong here. Max said to Emi.

Scared. Emi replied.

Of what though? I don’t see any monsters. Bandits maybe?

But it was in this moment that the pair turned a corner into the village square. Three dead bodies were being feasted upon by four goblins. They were bigger than normal, greyer, and had small tusks or horns protruding from their mouths and skin, creating an unwelcoming face. The blood dripping down their chins also aided in showing the danger of the situation. Before Max could cast any spells, a door besides him opened. A gruff and bleary looking woman ushered him in. She held her other hand in front her mouth obviously trying to keep him silence.

Inside they were greeted by a group of children huddled together, crying in silence. They were wrapped in a scratchy blanket, and all looked to Max and Emi with fear and hope. The older woman motioned for him to follow. She led him into a candle lit cellar. After closing the trap door, she spoke.

“What in the eight hells are you doing?” She yelled in a whisper. “Are you trying to get everyone killed? Who are you anyways?”

“Max, and this is Emi. Mage Guild representatives. What’s going on?”

“Mage Guild? Not Adventure?” When Max shook his head, the woman cursed. “I told them it was urgent! Why haven’t they sent anyone? I know the gold isn’t very much, but we are going to be wiped out!”

“Look, I’m not here on any quest for the Adventurer Guild, but I am a part of it. I can fight, but first you got to explain the situation.”

The woman scoffed. “You saw them out there. I have no idea what they are. They look like goblins, but even I could handle one. Those things outside are something else. Something vile.”

“They looked like mutated hobgoblins.” Max said calmly.

“Indeed. But stronger and faster. They’ve been coming in once a week for the past month. At first, we were able to defend against them, but each time they increased their numbers. The children upstairs are now orphans…”

“How many are there? I only counted four.”

“Easily double that. There was a fourth one of us they killed. Dragged his body back into the forest.”

“Alright, you keep the kids safe, I’ll be back.” Max said.

“Look, no offense but you haven’t seen these things. A mage and a bond aren’t going to be enough to-“

Max held his hand up. “I can’t just leave after seeing what has happened. Don’t worry, I’m pretty hard to hit.”

And with that, the duo teleported back into the street, leaving the woman gawking at the empty air. It was time to get to work.