Chapter 11
Last chapter was sort of small so I am making it up with a mega chapter! Enjoy
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Arrival in the big city
I have been traveling on horse for almost 4 weeks now a few things happened on the trip that are worth mentioning.
First I have become really good at riding a horse(horseback riding level 6), I am sort of an expert of sidesaddle riding now. I can easily fire my crossbow from my horse while riding and have several times.
Second I have become really good at cooking(cooking level 5). The rate at which your cooking skill increases depends on how good the ingredients you use are and in my case it is further boosted by the gift. After getting sick of eating lizard meat I spent one day while in Valsey hunting game and fishing. Well my fishing consisted of my just casting lightning strike onto where I sensed fish, its not cheating I swear!
As for hunting I killed a level 55 boar that was special and that guy was also an A rank cooking material. Also I have noticed that my food is now giving me a minor stats buff, this will be worth investigating latter.
On route to Zryrus I traveled through Moben one of the citys I had considered of staying in. The city of Moben was like I imagined super wealthy. So many mansions of merchants or noble, so many high end shops. I picked up some new clothes here, just a nice new skirt leggings and blouse. The lady really wanted to put me into a few dresses but that doesn't really fancy someone traveling. I tried to wear pants but it felt too weird after years of wearing only dresses and skirts. Plus I like to hide my daggers in my garters so having them on my waste wouldn't be as discreet and would feel weird.
I also bought a veil in case I do end up needing it at some point. I restocked on some cooking spices and finally bought a mask from one of the weirdest vendors I have ever met. The one I bought was a mask of one of the local goddesses in this world Grena, she is sort of a shinigami. The mask itself shows two halves of one face, the first half is of a pure lady with white skin, the second half is that of a demon with a horn and red skin. I find this mask fits me well, this goddess is very interesting. I want to find out more about her.
The only other thing that happened, is for some reason a lot of slavers and bandits seemed to end up dead where ever I traveled. A lot of them seemed to have been stabbed in there sleep. Others were ambushed by an apparent assassin during the night. Some even fell victim to traps while chasing an adorable little girl on a white horse. I of course know nothing about all of this..........
I am almost there now another few hours I estimate before I reach Zyrus. The city is huge I can see how big it truly is from here. I can also see a giant lake to the right of it, this is Lake Malia and it supposedly super deep with a rumored underwater city guarded by a colossal water serpent. There is so many good places around here to train, and the city has all the resources I need to get stronger. I plan to live here until I am 9 and then head back to Toulia to study magic at Mahouren. I am likely going to be in big trouble when I get back. I imagine Mandy knew it was me and is hiring investigators to find me.
As I pull up the road I notice something happening in front of me. There is a caravan getting attacked by what appear to be goblins. This is so weird I never would have thought that goblins would live so close to Zyrus. I know they have strongholds to the far south but this is on a major road to the biggest human city on this continent. The caravan is not looking so good, I guess I will help them out. It would be nice having someone owe me a favor as I come to a new city anyways.
There is about 15 goblins attacking and it appears the escort part of 4 are just barely holding them back. Such a big caravan with such little protection? Were they not expecting to get attacked, or have they suffered casualties on the trek? I get my swords ready as I dismount my horse from about 50 meters the fight. A few goblins have noticed me at there flank and our now firing arrows at me. I see a shaman type goblin that I identify as a level 34 to be the biggest threat and I hurl a fireball that I boost with wind magic at her that hits her and several other goblins doing massive damage. That attack made all the ranged goblins switch there attack to me. I defect several arrows and dodge the others as I continue my sprint forward. The shaman goblin is still recovering from the massive fire attack earlier I don't want to giver her a chance to fully recover.
I easily collapse in on there flank as there are no vanguard goblins here in the back. I guess goblins don't use rearguards in their formations. I slice 3 archers on my way to the shaman. The shaman having recovered and now pissed, begins to chant a lightning strike. Thanks to my gift I can understand exactly what is coming because I understand the language that is being used for channeling.
The shaman is going to get the chant off before I reach, so I stop and use earth magic to raise protection for my self. A dome of dirt erects up from the ground and I quickly roll underneath it as I can hear the lightning come crashing down on the dome harmlessly.
I continue my onslaught still dodging arrows thanks to my ridiculous agility. I attack the shaman with both swords and she blocks with her staff, I can tell the staff isn't going to hold up against two master craft like weapons. So I try to overwhelm her with a whirlwind attack spinning 3 times the first 4 blows are all blocked but the 5th and 6th break the staff and slash into the shaman. The staggered goblin has no chance as I quickly decapitate her as I run past.
The four escorts seem to be doing a lot better now that they only have to worry about vanguards and have claimed a few kills themselves. The archer goblins are next on the agenda, they try to keep distance from me but I am too fast. It only takes one good slash to kill one so I am able to quickly eliminate them one by one much to their horror. The bigger vanguard goblins take a little more time as I dance around all there attacks cutting them where there flesh is exposed. Finally the last goblin is slayed and I meet up with people I just helped.
“Thank you so much we were really in a pickle there! Are you a wood elf by chance?” It was one of the escorts who talked she was gorgeous dark elf. I can understand why she would think I was a wood elf because of my short stature and high agility.
I pull my cloak back and smile, “Just a normal human girl. My name is Lara” I kept my old alias from before since I liked it. Everyone gasps as they see me uncloaked.
“Very funny there is nothing normal about you, you look only about 10 cycles old and you fight like someone that has over 30. You can use a third level magic on top of having such martial prowess” This was said by male-cat person. He noticed everything I did huh, I think I wont mention that I am only 5.
“I was just so surprised to see goblins this close to Zyrus, I saw you guys were undermanned and I simply killed a few of the weaker ones.” I try to downplay what I did.
A wealthy looking merchant lady came up to me and shook my hand.
“Goblin attacks have gotten a lot worse lately. This is the second attack on this trip, the first attack claimed a few lives of our escorts. You have my thanks we would have been in big trouble without you. Surely a reward is in order” she starting thinking of what to give me.
“I really did nothing that requires your gratitude, I am new here in this city perhaps a brief tour and lunch would be adequate. I may look too young to you but I am aspiring to be an adventurer.” I try to explain my situation.
“You have a family? Surely you are not living on you own?” The lady looked extremely concerned.
Dammit now I have to lie. Time to make up a story that will get them not to worry about my situation too much.
“Yes I do have family here in Zyrus, an aunt who will take me in. My father sacrificed himself so I could escape from bandits awhile ago. I have been traveling on my own.” That was my story for them.
I quickly got hugged by noble lady and the dark elf. “You poor thing!” “ I hate bandits they all need to die” “Such a cute girl having to fight on her own, that is tragic” “If your aunt doesnt take you in you can live with me!”
“Its ok it happened awhile ago. Anyways if you want I will travel the last bit with you till we get to Zyrus. I am quite curious about a few things about the city, and could use a good conversation about it.” I offered to accompany them for both security and for dialogue.
“We would be honored I am Sarah by the way and I am moving into a shop here in Zyrus.” Sarah introduced herself.
I got a lot of information on my little talk with Sarah on the state of what was going no in the city. There were several things of note, first the adventurers guild was in desperate need of people there wasn't enough people to subjugate the monsters and it was effecting the economy. I sort of figured a situation like this may be happening after witnessing a goblin attack hours away from the city. Second thing of note there was a lot of corruption within the nobility and top merchants, though this happens in every country apparently the levels of greed and corruption here were at a toxic level. There seemed to be a lot of tension between the upper and lower classes in the city.
The escorts were all apart of the adventurers guild and had left the previous city with 9 escorts. The first goblin attack was really bad they hadn't anticipated that sort of assault and unfortunately 5 people died. Although adventurers dying is not something new it doesn't make it easier to swallow. The dark elf ladies name was Siena, the cat-man was named Fark, the other two were both humans Jack and Katrina I think they are a couple they sort of kept to themselves but they did seem to be quite interested in me.
“So Siena how does one become an adventurer?” I had a rough idea of how it worked but wanted her detailed explanation.
“So you go down to the adventurer's guild you touch a weird sphere like thing that determines that you are at least level 10 and age 13 as well as your class. You pay a registration fee and then they make you a ID for the guild” She described it exactly like I figured.
“So hypothetically lets say someone goes to register and the globe cant read that person for some reason. What would happen after that?” I asked.
“Well while that would be quite rare I suppose in that case the guild manager would have to make an exception and manually make the ID. The applicant would have to partake in a practical examination to determine they have sufficient skill.” Siena explained the procedure.
“Wow your are quite knowledgeable Siena” I was amazed she knew it to such detail.
“Well I did read the whole adventurers guild guidebook, that was a very specific question Lara why do you ask?” Siena now had her attention on me.
“Yeah I know for a fact the globe wont work on me. No one has ever been able to read my status apparently information magic doesn't work on me for some reason.” I vaguely explained.
“Really!? Does that mean you have a Gift? The number of people who possess a gift is extremely minute so if you had one that would be incredible.” Siena was extremely excited on the prospect of me having a gift. I wonder how she would react if I told her I had 3 gifts and 2 greater god blessings.
“Well you see Siena I don't really know I am immune even to my own information magic. I was told a gift was the most likely cause of this.” I lied about not knowing my own status. When I was Taiko I had rarely lied but now as Kara it is becoming second nature. I was becoming very good at it too which just reminds me that I am definitely a different person now then I was.
“Well you don't look like your 13, so I doubt they would let you try to register. It is a shame though because adventures are needed and your skills are impressive. When I saw you fight I was sure you were a wood-elf, it was crazy how you strong you are. How exactly did you get this strong?” Siena
added.
“First I am not really that strong yet. My father trained me well, we also had mage travel with us for a while and learned how to cast magic. He said I had a natural aptitude for it.” I paused and then asked the idea I had come up with. “ How realistic would it be if I pretended to be a wood-elf and try and register, if I found a way to fake the ears.”
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“Well thinking objectively, it would be an extremely hard sell. I have never seen a wood-elf with blue eyes or with hair that light of shade of blonde. Also your features are too human like and childish. You could however maybe pass as a half-blood if you had the fake ears and wore some big girl heels to get some extra height you are lacking.” Siena idea of a half-blood could work. Clever girl!
“Ok I will do that” I declared.
“Whoa that was quick! You seem very determined and I know you are competent albeit a few years too young. I have a friend in the city that I can introduce you too that can help you out.” For some reason taking me to her friend really excited her.
Finally after traveling all morning we arrived in Zyrus in the middle of the afternoon. Sarah demanded I stopped by her shop later and left after telling me the address. Then Jack, Katrina, and Fark said goodbye to me and left towards the adventurer's guild to collect there reward.
“Siena are you not going to go with them?” I asked.
“I only knew one person on that mission and he is dead now” she said with a grim expression.
“I am sorry I didn't want to bring up bad memories” I consoled her.
“Its not that big of deal just someone I had been on a few adventures with he was very cute for a human. We weren't together or anything just sort of an acquaintance.” there seemed to be more to the story but I didn't press her for it.
“Anyways I am going to take you to my friend and then after when we turn you into a cute little half-wood elf I am going to help you register. I know the manager personally, I can put a good word in for you.”
Siena grabbed my hand and dragged me along in a very happy mood. It took us 20 minutes to walk to her friends and all along the way she was giving me a tour showing the good places to eat, the various craftsman shops, and any other interesting place we passed by.
Her friends shop was a sort of a saloon but she also sold enchanted items such as jewelry and clothing. Her friend was a beautiful high elf. It seems like all elves are gorgeous.
“Siena! Its been awhile how have you been and who is this adoreable little girl you have with you?” Her friend was very happy to see her, I can tell they have a long history together.
“Zyra it has been too long. Adventuring has been difficult its dangerous and people die all the time but it pays very well, it is a profession that is in dire need, and it is exhilarating at times. As matter fact we were almost overrun by goblins when a lone human came in an helped us out wiping out half of there forces single handedly.” Siena said.
“A lone human? Was he hot, would did he look like, was he a hero?” Zyra's eyes lit up with interest to find out about Siena's savior.
“Her name is Lara and this is her” Siena introduced me.
“Hello lady Zyra I am Lara it is a pleasure to meet you.” I ended with a proper curtsy.
“You are joking right? This child is far too young to be able to wipe out goblins.” Zyra couldn't understand.
After explaining everything in details about how the globe wouldn't work on me and letting her sense my mana she finally accepted the fact of our story. We then explained our plan to disguise me as a half-wood elf since I obviously was well beyond what a beginning adventure was and there was no reason I should have to wait. I offered her several gold to do this but she wouldn't accept it, saying she enjoyed doing these kinds of things as well as it was a thank you for saving Siena.
The ears were simple Zyra had an enchanted headband with illusion magic that gave humans elf ears. Apparently this design was a big hit. I thought that I was done with elf ears but I was sure wrong! The two of them said I needed proper elven attire had me try on every type of elven outfit you could imagine. I really started to doubt their motives when they started having me wear various elven ceremonial dresses that included one wedding dress. Finally they had chosen a nice one piece elven tunic, it was green and had a stylish cut that screamed elf. Finished off with heeled boots and white leggings and a decent amount of makeup to make me seem older/more elf like. Zyra also took the liberty of braiding my hair in the elf style. When I looked in the mirror I had to admit Zyra skill was the real deal.
Staring back at me was an adorable half-elf loli. The makeup had done its job and I had a mature look to me.
“You make an adorable elf, that look suits you incredibly well. You should stay that way from now on!” Siena said looking at me.
“Well I might as well do that since that is going to be my cover with the guild, do half-elfs get discriminated?” I asked.
“If you lived in the elven continent Shima you would definitely be looked down upon, fortunately everyone here in Zyrus is very open minded.” Zyra stated.
This is perfect, in case people are looking for me they wont be expecting me to look like an elf. Also people wont question me traveling by myself or give me worrying looks when I try to buy something or rent a room. Then an extremely worrisome question pops up in my mind.
“Is there such a thing as an elf fetish here?” I asked because I already fit into the lolicon fetish.
“Oh yeah, there is a large amount of humans who fancy elves here. I am sure you will have all kinds of boys all over you” Siena confirmed my fears with a big smile.
The new heel boots took a little to get used to, but I had a lot of experience in heels from my princess days so it didn't take me too long to get use to the added height with my quick learner perk. Within 15 minutes I was strutting around in them like a pro.
We said goodbye to Zyra, she was very happy to learn I would be back since I was going pretend to be half-elf for awhile here as I did adventures and would need to buy more things. Siena and I departed to the adventurer's guild.
The guild building was massive, there was a big training ground out front, inside was a bar/restaurant and on the other-side of the hall was the reception desk. There was stairs leading up to some rooms and offices.
“Hey Angie I came to get my reward for escorting lady Sarah, I also brought my friend here Lara, who wanted to register with the guild. She is a half wood elf whom is seriously skilled” Siena said.
After handing Siena something to sign, Angie handed her several gold coins and a few silver ones. Then she turned her attention to me giving me a serious look before saying. “Follow me little Lara” she had me follow her to a back room just behind the counter.
“Ok place your hand on here” She pointed to a big globe. After putting my hand on the globe it glowed a very brite white as it registered my mana. Then it faded, Angie looked dumbfounded.
“Is something wrong? Do you want me to do it again?” I asked Angie.
“This is so strange, your mana definitely registered into the device, as matter fact I have never seen it shine so bright even when a mage was touching it. You must have some serious mana girl. Anyways all the fields came back as question marks, I am going to have to go get the manager. This is a unique situation.”
After bringing me back to lobby I waited with Siena as we waited for Angie to get the manager. After a few minutes Angie came back with a tall and trim man whom looked to be in his 40s.
“Randy! How is it going? I brought you quite the find here. This girl is the real deal!” Siena winked at him and by the way his cheeks had turned red I have a feeling that they may have hooked up in the past or had some type of relationship. Siena is quite the free spirit I am willing to be she had a few romantic rendezvous.
“It has been very busy. We have too many monsters and too few adventures. You must be Lara? You look awfully young Lara even for a half-wood elf. How old are you?”
“Thirteen I just had my birthday a few days ago.” I didn't dare try and claim I was older then that.
Randy like Angie did gave me a very serious inspection. “ Wood-elves are sort of rare even in these parts, I am having a hard time gauging whether what you say is possible, you look far too young but elves and half elves age differently so there is a chance what you say is true I suppose.”
Now time to make use of my high charisma, “Question it all you want it is true, why not test my skills? Surely that would prove my maturation if you are indeterminate with my appearance.”
Unable to refute my logic he agreed and lead me to the training grounds. There was a facility on the grounds that he led me into. It was a big empty building with all sorts of devices planted throughout the massive room.
“This is a very special training facility designed by a Sage level mage that makes use of illusion and earth magic to simulate combat. Once I activate the simulation it can accurately gauge your fighting potential in a battle with a time limit. It gives you allies to work with whom are green colored and your enemies are red colored. Taking fatal damage will simply end the simulation and potentially make you fail if you don't manage a high enough score. We mainly use this to gauge if someone is ready for a promotion of rank. Let me know when you are ready.” Randy gave a very through explanation.
“ I have two questions. First what I do here is it strictly confidential I don't mind Siena being here but you wont tell other people if I do really good?” I asked seriously seeing if I can go all out. I felt like a kid in the arcade.
“Absolutely confidential! Good or bad my lips are sealed. Not only as a guild policy but also a gentleman.” Randy reassured me. I then looked at Siena whom I trusted and she let me know this was not a farce. “What is your second question?” Randy asked
“What is the record? I am going to beat it.” I said confidently.
“The record of 55 kills is owned by a SS rank adventure and current beast-king Samba the fierce. Good luck with that hahahahaha.” He seems really amused that I want to beat his score.
I let Randy know I am ready. I decide to go with daggers over swords as I have them at level 8 and swords would slow me down slightly.
As soon as the simulation started I noticed that there was only about 20 enemies, I guess they stagger the numbers in waves as you clear. I opened with a massive fire ball which I aimed for collateral damage. Getting several kills I went in to clean up not waiting for my allied illusions to engage. I am actually very surprised at how accurate the simulation is. I am almost nailed by a few magic and arrow attacks on my way in. Once up close I easily dodge their weapon swings and punches countering every attack with extreme lethality.
I find that it is easy to score kidney strikes, as well as strikes at major arteries such as the femoral, subclavian, and descending aorta in the chest. I don't waste time going for neck and head attacks as I am too short and would have to do too much work and waste too much time to reach those places. Heart and verterbra attacks are useful too but they aren't always available. As the wave is wiped out a bunch new enemies are summoned in.
The second wave I didnt have to waste time getting close to since I was already here. I make use of wind magic to knock over sever enemies and slash there throats as I go by. I find that openings for several kicks and judo attacks here and there as I dispatch this second wave.
I wipe out the second wave and a third wave spawns but the number of enemies is vastly increased. Having a decent amount of mana left I decided to do a three stage elemental magic attack I have only practiced a few times but never with this particular finisher. I use earth magic and water magic to create a pool around the illusions and then I cast a 3rd level thunderstorm attack over the pool. This attack drains almost all my mana but is well worth it as I have easily eliminated close to 15 enemies I run up and kill a few stragglers with my daggers before finally the time limit is reached.
“Did I beat the score? I know I was close atleast.” I am excited to see if I did it.
Dumbfounded all Randy could do was nod and reply “58......wh- wh-.who are you??”
“I am Lara” I say with a big smile.