And so Allen had left.

We had escorted him through the city gates where he joined the other recruits. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking since he kept his stone-face all the way.

We were walking back to the inn, I had to prepare myself to attend the magic lessons.

"Ahhh... who's going to cook for us now?" Grastel sighed.

"Well, there's pizza!" Namrick grinned while slapping Grastel's shoulder.

"Oww!" he stumbled forward. "Are you trying to break my shoulder?! You dumb musclehead!" Grastel flaunted his arms harmlessly at Namrick.

"We can't eat only pizza, though!" I said with a note of dejection in my voice.

Allen was a little weird, but he was a great cook!

My thoughts filled with memories of ravioli. No ravioli for a whole month! I didn't know if I could endure it, I felt my mouth turning into a pout.

Now I can't help but notice how bland is the food we usually eat, even the superior delicacies I tasted at home or during those noble parties, struggle to match the taste of Allen's cuisine.

I wonder why that is.

Next time, I'll have to ask him to teach me the recipe. I resolved myself.

"So... are you going to try again, Nam?" Grastel asked Namrick, who smiled in return.

"Of course! I'm sure he will recognize my dedication," he said with confidence.

"Really, how many times have you failed now? Can't you find someone else less demanding?" Grastel asked.

"No, it has to be him," he said stubbornly.

When Namrick gets stubborn about something there's no way to move him.

"Fine, whatever." Grastel shook his head admitting defeat.

We weren't far from the inn. I glanced at Namrick.

"But didn't he say he wasn't taking in new disciples?" I asked him. Namrick was still at it on his quest to get accepted by the former Royal Sword. A man renowned for his strength, lethality... and incredible stubbornness.

I can see why Namrick would get fixated on him. They were just on the same wavelength.

"What he says doesn't matter. I can feel he's just waiting for the right person. I just need to push my efforts!" he slapped his chest taking a deep breath.

Well, as long as he's happy. "Well then, I'll pray for your success!" I said with an encouraging smile. Namrick grinned in response.

"Oi! You shouldn't fuel his delusions!" Grastel interjected with a scowl.

He received another heavy shoulder slap.

"Ack!" he distanced himself massaging his brutalized shoulder.

I burst out laughing.

Then we walked in silence for some time enjoying the morning breeze.

The inn finally came into view, we stopped just in front of it.

"Do you think Allen is going to make it through the training?" Grastel wondered out loud. "I mean, he's gotten a little better since we first met him, but..."

"I'm sure he'll pull through," Namrick scratched his chin. "Remember how he jumped at that verkling without hesitation?"

"Yes... but I also remember how badly he was shaking after the battle. I knew he had no combat experience," He smirked.

"Sometimes I get the impression he's treating it all like a game," Namrick mused.

"But that's not entirely fair, is it?" I spoke in Allen's defense. "Sure, we had to cover for him the first two times, but..." I remembered how sour our luck turned during the fight with the trolls. "When it really mattered he pulled through. I think anyone else would have run away in that situation."

I shivered remembering the pain.

I had been hurt... very badly. I couldn't breathe or feel my legs. I had completely fallen into despair. I thought that was it.

Namrick and Grastel looked away unsmiling. It was still a fresh wound.

"To think he would take down the second troll all by himself..." Namrick was still in disbelief, even though I had told him dozens of times.

"He didn't even hesitate. I saw it just before passing out. He... jumped on the club, grabbed its throat and began swinging his mace. I thought I was hallucinating."

The next thing I knew he was slapping my face, shouting at me with an empty vial in his hand. Pointing at the unconscious bleeding figures of Namrick and Grastel. I hurt all over, but I crawled to help them. Just in time.

"If he hadn't been there..." My eyes turned a little wet. Allen had earned my trust that day.

Grastel slapped his thigh. "Come on! We already had this conversation! This is why we're training hard." A trace of irritation was showing in his face.

Namrick nodded. "Right!"

"Anyway, Allen screams too much during fights when he's angry. And I have no idea what he says, it's just foreign words." Grastel raised his arms and shrugged.

"He is... enthusiastic, isn't he?" Namrick smiled.

But I didn't feel like smiling.

"You haven't seen him when he's really angry," I recalled it vividly.

I had performed first aid on my two wounded friends, but I needed help. So I turned around and walked towards Allen. He was there... swinging his mace rhythmically. He was covered in blood, sickly wet sounds accompanying each swing. It felt like a bad dream. I could feel my heart pounding harder on my chest.

I was almost afraid. No, for some reason I couldn't feel fear. Hesitant was the better word. I touched his shoulder and he slowly turned his head to stare at me. "His face was completely expressionless, his eyes were like gazing into an abyss."

The memory still makes me shiver.

"It must have been battle shock. You never know how you're going to react when brushing with death."

"You must be right," I said. Namrick had already had some experience traveling with other adventurers before we crossed paths.

"Or you know... he kept stone-facing so much that it became a second nature," Grastel smirked. He was trying to brighten up the atmosphere.

"But let's not forget... despite how great his achievements are, there's one thing he will never improve." He smirked. "Storytelling. He can't tell a tale for skraggs." He shook his head.

Namrick grinned and looked at me. "Well, Grastel is right. Allen just can't tell stories. He glosses over all the details."

"And he conveniently forgets all the embarrassing parts," I admitted with a smile creeping into the corner of my lips.

"So I met a dude, he looked strong. Yeah? What did he look like? What was his name?! And..." Grastel motioned his hands as if he was revealing something feigning surprise.

"Behold my silver box of wonders!!!" Grastel exclaimed making an imitation of Allen's voice.

I started giggling without stop.

I'm glad I met such good companions. My father had always advised me not to trust others too much, but I feel like I don't need to guard myself against Namrick and Grastel. We saved each other so many times, I know I can trust them. Allen too.

Someone who would walk into the fire to save a little girl can't be a bad man.

I'll need to check on Lena as I promised.

I took my pouch with the papers. Okay, time to attend the classes.

I hadn't been idling all this time.

I needed magic to better assist my friends, just healing and shielding wasn't enough.

I had set my eyes on Confusion magic and Presence Detection. I also took Temperature Manipulation since it was not demanding and fit easily into the schedule.

Seeing Allen always working hard every day to practice magic had spurred me into renewing my efforts.

I will do it! I took a deep breath and walked out of the inn.

Namrick was just outside staring at the sky. He glanced at me.

"This time I'll make it. You'll see." He smiled.

I grinned. "Do your best!" I raised a fist.

"I will!" Namrick nodded and walked the other way while waving his hand.

Grastel had already left to get his own training. Everyone was doing their best.

I set off to the Academy in high spirits.