Nathan woke up with a stretch. He was surprised to see five of his roommates were still asleep. “This is the first time I’ve seen so many of us at once” Nathan noticed Thu was still not in their bed. He shrugged and stood up to start getting ready.

He double checked the extra supplies he bought for the mission today, and headed to find Frank and his spear. The idea of ‘accidently’ leaving it behind crossed his mind, but if he truly needed it then he would be in dire trouble. Plus, Frank was upgrading it as payment for Nathan saving his life. He couldn’t throw away such a thing.

It was like telling Frank, “Your life is worthless. I don’t need anything from you, due to how effortlessly it was to save you.”

Granted, it was easier to save him than other patients who suffered a snake bite. Anti-Venom is a hard thing to counter. You have to know the type of snake otherwise you could give the wrong kind and the patient loses a limb or worse.

Nathan sighed at the memories from home as he walked toward the hallway with the invisible door. He stood there waiting for Frank. Luckily he didn’t have to wait long.

With bags under his eyes, Frank appeared from seemingly nowhere. In his hands was Nathan’s spear with a few shinier additions.

“It’s done. Almost screwed up twice, but I augmented the Spear so you can use it as a focus for spells.” Frank held it up and Nathan could see three gems along the shaft. It also sported a leathery grip at where he normally held it when he used it as a walking stick.

“Okay, so normal casters, like yourself, use wands or staves to augment their spells. Sometimes the item itself can grant additional power like a special kind of wood. Wands only have room for a gemstone at the hilt. They are lightweight, and can be used for faster spell casting. Meanwhile, Staves can have a large and expensive stone at the top. What I did was cheat and turned your spear into a staff more or less.”

Frank pointed at the three gems. “Emerald for poisons, Diamond for healing spells, and since you have so few spells, I threw in a fire attuned ruby. All your attacks will singe or burn. It’s not very large, but it’s better than nothing. Don’t expect a giant leap in power from it. The main two are the Emerald and Diamond.”

Nathan tried to remember what the Diamonds did. “Diamonds are a neutral gem right? It depends on the affinity imbued into it?”

Frank nodded. “They are a sort of jack gem. You can attune any affinity to it, but it takes longer and it’s not as strong. I looked through my books, and the only gems I figured you could use was maybe an Amber, then if not that then Quartz. However, you cast healing spells way too often, and the Diamond will suck up a little bit of that over time. That way, once it becomes a Life Attuned gem, it will amplify your healing!”

Nathan had a bit of a hard time understanding, but slowly nodded. “So, it’s an investment essentially.”

Frank snapped his fingers. “Bingo. It will take a long time to fill up, I used the second largest one I had. However, I know for a fact that once it’s properly attuned, you will find your healing output increased noticeably.”

“So how much will this cost me?” Nathan asked. “With the discount of course.”

Frank was a bit taken aback. “Cost? Nathan, that there is free. I made your spear into essentially a staff. It was difficult, sure, but you saved my life. If I knew you would accept it, I would give you some more gemstones just to please myself enough to think I paid you back properly.”

Nathan chuckled. “Well, then fine. I’ll take the staff, and you can give me a friend discount in the future if I need any more gems.”

“Kill a few extra spiders for me will you? I would like to get vengeance personally, but I feel confident in sending you in my place.” Frank smiled at Nathan.

“I think I can squash a few of them for you. Again Frank, this is too much I think but I won’t say that it’s a huge help.”

“I imagine you need to get going right? Big day.”

“That I am. If you need me to save your life again, just ask.” Nathan said jokingly. He then headed off to the front area to meet up with his team.

Everyone was there, including Thu. “I hope you didn’t use my money to upgrade your own stuff there Nathan.” Brawn said, eyeing the spear.

“This? No, it’s someone repaying me actually. I went ahead and bought some anti-venom potions from one of the stalls out front last night. Other than that I have my medical supplies. That’s everything on my end.”

Brawn nodded approvingly. “Good job. Everyone else, we are going to meet the miners at an outpost outside the mine. Once there we can trade items and Thu you can do your thing.

Thu nodded and everyone left together. The guards at the Gate simply let the gate open so they could pass, not bothering to question them as they always did to Nathan when he is alone.

“Why do they just open the gate for us like that? When I go through, I have to answer some questions.” Nathan asked.

“Oh, that’s because of me.” Parker said with a sly grin. “My family is well known among the guards. Perks of having your uncle as one of the captains.”

“So he is an archer like you or something? Being a Captain must be a big responsibility.”

“No, my family are all powerful sorcerers. I augment my abilities through ranged warfare. My Uncle uses only spells of his own. He specializes in rapid casting. His spells individually are average. However, when he casts ten in the time it takes an average caster one, it adds up over time.”

Nathan was impressed. “How does he have the mana for all those spells?”

“My family all have high skill point gains. My Uncle Logkor is no exception. He invested in skills that increased his Intelligence as well his mana pool.”

“I might need to do that, I have problems with practicing my spells actually. I run out of mana before I can start a theory.” Nathan was tempted to open his menu, but was worried it would be too showy to do it infront of them all, since they can’t.

“Well, good luck. My family keeps our builds and hidden skills secret. Unless you join a Mages Guild, you won’t have much luck discovering them on your own.”

Nathan was a bit annoyed. “And why not share? Wouldn’t it benefit everyone to share what you know? So everyone can improve?”

Kira and Brawn groaned, realizing what was about to go down. Ko’Nu was taking notes in his book. Thu walked silently.

“You two better not start that old debate.” Kira said. “Nathan, power is everything to a family like Parker’s. They are a noble family. If they gave up secrets that keeps them in power, they loose that power.”

“So forcing others who are fighting monsters to be weaker and risk dying is something that everyone does? Am I the only one who thinks his way?” Nathan asked, getting a little angry. He wasn’t angry at Kira or Parker, just at the fact nobody seems to be willing to share information.

“You aren't. However, those who like to keep their secrets are all those who are really strong. Picking a fight with them, especially your party members is never a smart idea. I kinda agree some people should share discovered skills, but it’s not going to happen. It’s an uphill argument, and you have no rope to pull yourself up with.”

Nathan sighed. “Fine, but I plan on sharing anything I discover over time.”

“And you are allowed to do that. I think it’s honorable of you.” Brawn said from the front. “My father thinks similarly to you and Kira. He thinks helping others is important, but giving them all the answers to life's problems causes more problems.”

The tension in the air slowly settled as they all walked in silence. It wasn’t much longer before they arrived at their destination. A group of six people sat in front of a wooden hut. Among them were bags, and mining equipment. Mainly picks and hammers.

“Are you Brawn?” The apparent leader asked. He was a human with red hair.

“Yes, and these are my party members.” He pointed at everyone and introduced them.

“Excellent, so we have two days to get back on schedule. If we miss our quota we start getting pay cuts. You are in charge, how you plan to do this?” He asked Brawn.

“Can you all wait for us to clear out the place before you go in?” Brawn asked.

“Nope, if you were about a week early then yes. The sooner we can mine, the better. We have to get down two levels before we can reach the important stuff. That’s where all the big scary monsters are at. Hence why you all are hired.”

Brawn sighed and looked back to the group. ”Myself and Nathan will take the front. Kira you are on scout duty as always. Parker and Ko’Nu in the rear. Thu, you are in the middle, and are in charge of protecting the miners. I hope you are prepared to do so.”

Everyone nodded, while Thu sat down. Nathan was confused and gave a look to Brawn. “Thu does this before every mission. We think it’s a skill.”

Nathan nodded accepting that answer. He started to pass out anti-poison vials to everyone. “If anyone gets bit, please tell me instantly. It takes less mana the less I have to work to get it out of your blood. I have bandages, and splints just in case anyone takes a nasty fall.”

After passing all the supplies out, Nathan went next to Brawn to talk to him a bit more quietly. “Why am I up front, you know I hate fighting.”

“This is good practice for you. You have that spear, right? Mainly it’s because you can remove poisons. If I or one of the Miners get attacked, that’s your first priority as a Healer. Protecting the Tank and our escort.”

Nathan couldn’t argue with his logic. He planned on staying near the back and out of danger. Yet, if Brawn goes down, he would have to go through his party and the miners to get near him. “I can try it out. If it gets too heated, I might fall back though.”

“All I ask from you Nathan. I’ll be right next to you. Trust those you fight with to help. Just like we all did with the slimes, remember?”

He did remember. The words from El also started to bounce around his head. Her methods were horrible and borderline psychotic, but she had a point. A pointed and dangerous one, but it was still there.

If Nathan didn’t try, he would fall behind. He needed this. Once he established himself some more, he could stop fighting. Right now, he had to suck it up. “It’s only some bugs. Pesky spiders that can kill you in a bite or two.”

Nathan double checked his personal anti-venom potion and his spear. “Frank, let’s hope this works buddy.”

Everyone walked toward a rocky area. The miners pointed out where the entrance was. Kira started to cast a spell along with Ko’Nu. Two balls of light, one of fire the other of a purple energy, folate in the air around them.

Nathan didn’t even think about light, and was glad those two had a solution. “Ko’Nu, how long does your last again? Mine is only a half hour.” Kira asked.

“It’s concentration based. It stays as long as this one feeds it mana. Although, this one is curious. What spell is yours? This one knows not of it.” Ko’Nu asked curiously.

Kira stuck her tongue out at him. “For me to know, you know the deal we have Ko’Nu.”

The Drake-Man chuckled and pulled out a silver coin to hand to Kira. “Oh, this one did not forget. Simply, trying to gain free information.”

“It’s called [Fey Light]. Twilight Skill tree. Tier 1. Requires you to know the [Minor Light] skill though.”

Ko’Nu wrote swiftly, to ensure he got it all down. “Excellent! You do this Drake a service.”

Brawn cleared his throat. “If you two are done, we have a job?”

Both of them smiled sheepishly, and took up their positions. Kira walked into the cave ahead of everyone, and Nathan instantly lost sight of her.