Chapter 28

Ready for what is to come

Catie’s part (lvl 7 inventorial s)

My parents actually were very thrilled about this news and told me to take care. I replied with

“Thanks mom and dad, love you. I’ll be safe, take care too.” Then I started to pack my things. However, I didn’t bring anything except for some water and some food. So I asked Rasen if I could take some things from the Cataloguers’s supply room. He asked the house leader and the house leader said okay. So I packed some magical tools and some basic spell scrolls so that I can learn some spells. I also refilled my water and food. I was ready to set off. That moment, Rasen said

“Are you ready? Let’s go!” and we started heading for Liria, Lolrena.

Sadly, my speed is relatively slow in progresser’s standards and we only managed to travel a third of the way by the end of the day. Sun is coming down and we start to find a good place for resting. Rasen opens his mouths and warns me about tomorrow.

“Tomorrow, we are going in to the Tundra regions. It will be cold, and there will be howlers. I’ll be carrying you on the way, try not to get panicked when we meet howlers.”

“Mmm… Rasen? There isn't any way to Liria without going through the tundra? I don’t think tundra is safe.”

“There probably is if we look at the map carefully, but we don’t have any time for long routes around. Nothing is dangerous in tundra if you stay calm while I carry you. I vow not to throw you to some howlers or something.” He chuckles like I’m over worried. Wouldn’t anybody be scared if somebody will carry them through the tundras? Well… it’s Rasen so I decide to trust him.

“Alright, fine. Please don’t let me die though. I have never died before, I am so scared.” I whisper to him in a scared voice.

“No worries young friend. I never fail tundra travels.” he assures, which only makes me a little more worried. What if this is his first time to fail his journey across tundras. I know it’s very unlikely, but what if.

“I know tundra can be scary the first time, especially when you are being carried by somebody else. It will be fine though. It’s a great experience.” He reassures me, this time it actually works and I get calmer. It’s not like Rasen is going to let me die or something, probably… I mean why would he heal me and get me to Raven if he is just going to let me die in tundra. Then he adds in a silent voice.

“Tell me when you feel a little chill, I have much higher cold resistance than you so you gotta focus, no sleeping!” Okay… this is very important. His sensitivity for the cold is much different than mine I guess. Better warn him regularly about my coldness before I get frozen to death in the cold chilly middle of tundra. As a young child, I have heard so many terrible accidents in tundra. Failed travels, mostly to prevent children from entering tundra in curiosity. Those, actually, are preventing me from doing what I have to do this time. I gotta overcome my fears today, I guess. I shout to my new friend

“Let’s GO! I am ready!” he looks a little stunned. Then he adds

“Yo… it’s getting late, I told you we are going to the tundras tomorrow… not today.”

“Oh… okay sorry. Sorry about the shouting.”

“You know what Catie, do you want to hear an old story?” then he mumbles mostly to himself “Well… it’s not an old story since it has only been a year I guess. I’m not sure about the timeline actually…”

“Alright I want to hear it, is it related to Raven?” I ask in curiosity.

“Well, sort of. It’s how we split apart.” he answers in a voice that portrays a deep feeling of missing and regret.

“So… about a year ago, after we defeated the Tal empire…