A year had passed since I had been stranded in Tuqu Village. I had made this place my home. I commanded the Nayala language verbally. I still had some hiccups with its stupid writing system.
I owned my own house now as I could hold transactions by myself. I wanted to pay the family and Inti but they refused as I already paid them more than they could spend in the next decades. The people here don’t have low mana as I first thought, their mana control is just way better. Even after giving Tikka or Inti so much mana, nobody noticed that they had gotten rich suddenly.
The only problem was that I still had to run away from trouble. The men here loved to take multiple wives and I was a target too. I would love to cast [Incinerate] on most but that will send everyone after me.
I worked on my [Azure Aura] in secret but there were limits. I was tough enough to survive the natives being rough and some hits if a fight broke out but I would go down quickly in a serious fight. Misha aren’t made for this. This continent is so Misha unfriendly! What is that imposter doing here? Is this how she means to hide from Witchaven and Mildowa? No Misha will come here to catch her unless she’s insane. Which puts me in the ‘insane’ category. Great… I wish I had known this before coming here.
I herded a group of funny-looking alpacas. I am the alpaca shepherd girl now. I had to find something to do. It would be suspicious if I could afford things to keep myself beautiful while not having a job. It was quite a pain in the ass. This job is temporary though as I had made it clear that I needed to save up enough mana to travel.
It was difficult telling this lie. This is so absurd from a Kaledonian perspective. I was looking at a group of young men trying to show off to the women of the village. I still don’t know how they are so strong. Maybe living here long enough will make me that strong. Or is it genetics?
A fluffy alpaca approached and I hugged it. I had named him Jafliximus, he is my best friend on these long boring days. I’m sure he would have a great sense of humor if he could talk. He always makes the strangest faces. I had gotten fond of alpacas.
The animals on this continent also seem low in mana. Animals on Kaledon can use simple magic.
I looked at Jafliximus. I wonder what magic he could use if he had more mana. I made sure nobody was looking and gave Jafliximus enough mana to cast several [Fireballs]. Jafliximus made another funny face and ran around. What a weirdo but he never failed to make me laugh.
My situation was a bit strange as I needed to find an answer to not lose to my first adversary on this continent. The people here and the wild animals are fierce and fast. Even if I used mana, they might come out relatively unscathed and knock me down. It seems that they have a ridiculous level of mana resistance.
I’ve seen some inhabitants getting buried under rockslides. They got dug out and seemed fine. Some minor bruises.
A rockslide like that would have killed almost anyone who didn’t augment themselves in Kaledon. Maybe the most sturdy people would survive that but not without some injuries. And not just that. There were many more.
Jafliximus here had gotten hit by a wild giant boar running into the village and the only thing that happened was him putting up a strange funny face. He then kicked and spat at the boar.
The fight made a big mess but fights are normal in this village. It sounds stupid but I was dumbfounded too. An alpaca fighting a wild giant boar.
The villagers were just placing bets, not caring that part of their village was getting destroyed. Children just walked past or through the fight as if it were normal. This continent is insane. Jafliximus won by the way. I’m so proud of him! He loves cake too but I’m unsure if cake is good for Jafliximus.
My life has become so silly. The witch and the alpaca… When did I get dragged into this craziness?
Jafliximus’ rival, Virnimibas appeared. Jafliximus can’t stand Virnimibas. Virnimibas always tries to get my attention. Is my charm getting this strong that even alpacas are fighting over me?
“I am honored but it wasn’t meant to be! We’re from completely different species!” Virnimibas spat on Jafliximus’ cake. This is not good. I ran away.
Jafliximus charged at Virnimibas and headbutted him. Virnimibas got sent flying. Quite far… He disappeared from sight.
When did Jafliximus get this strong? Is it the cake or was it… was it the mana I gave him?
“Wow that was cool Jafliximus! Let’s tell Jach’a that Virnimibas got stuck stealing bananas again.” Jach’a was the true owner of Jafliximus, Virnimibas, and the other alpacas whom I yet have to name.
The sun was setting and my job was done for the day. Jafliximus was pulling funny faces again and keeping me entertained.
“Hmm, we seem to be missing one. Where is Apu?” Jach’a is convinced that Virnimibas’ real name is Apu.
“He got stuck stealing bananas again.”
“Ugh, that greedy alpaca. But he’s strong. He will come back tomorrow or the day after. Make sure that you get home safe, Kuska has started to take a real liking to you. He might try something today or tomorrow.”
“Ugh, I’ve already told that oaf that I’m not interested in him!”
“I know but you know how things work here, the strongest gets to decide.” Jach'a herded the alpacas together.
“I know… my body isn’t as strong as you guys here. I’m at a disadvantage. Do you have any tips?”
Jach’a took a pensive stance and looked at Jafliximus.
“Jiliri seems to have taken a liking to you. How about you take him with you? He might be an alpaca but he would be able to help you.”
I put my hands on my hips. “His name is Jafliximus! And I will be delighted!”
Jach’a shook his head. “You and your strange naming sense. Now go before I change my mind!”
“Come Jafliximus! Let’s show them why you’re the strongest and smartest alpaca in Tuqu village!”
I laughed as Jafliximus made another funny face. It looked like a face that said: “Ugh, what trouble have you gotten me in this time you crazy Misha!?”
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“Come on Jafliximus! I believe in you!”
He pulled a face that probably meant: “You better give me cake as payment!”
But maybe he meant something else. I am not proficient in reading alpaca faces.
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I greeted the villages as I headed home with Jafliximus next to me.
Something large approached me. “Hi there Azu, want to go for a stroll? Or do you want to see my harvest? I got some very large peppers this year. They will be a perfect match with your spice.”
“I told you Kuska, I’m not interested, moreover don’t you already have 3 wives? Where would I fit in?”
“Over here!” he gestured to his groin.
“And that’s one of the many reasons why my answer has been, is and always be no! go choke on your peppers!” I tried to ignore him and continued walking.
“How about you choke on my pepper?”
That's it! I've had enough of this guy! “Jafliximus! Get him!” Jafliximus pulled a face suggesting that this is my problem and not his. “Please?”
“You are employing the help of an alpaca? What can an alpaca do…”
Jafliximus had headbutted Kuska who got launched into the house that had recently been fixed as it had been destroyed in the fight between the giant boar and Jafliximus.
“Ugh, I forgot, this alpaca with the funny face is unreasonably strong, what did you feed it?!”
I smiled and pointed at Kuska. “Cake of course! Jafliximus show him the power of cake!”
“I’m not familiar with ‘cake’ what crop is that?” Kuska blocked Jafliximus’ charge with one hand. “How about you go to sleep so I can talk with Azu, eh?”
This meathead threw Jafliximus to the side as if he were a rag.
“Noo! You brute!” Kuska suddenly appeared beside me. I took off my hat and slapped him.
“You are very strong for a foreigner, that’s what made me attracted to you.”
“So not my beautiful hair? My looks, my bewitching smile or my large chest? What is wrong with you!?! Get off me you creep!”
He caught my slapping arm and lifted me up. “That of course too but strength is everything here! All the other men are fools for not claiming you but I…”
Something crashed into him and sent him flying again.
“Stupid alpaca! At least let me finish my…”
Jafliximus opened his mouth and fire started to gather.
“Oh my, I did give you enough mana for several [Fireballs] but I didn’t expect you to be able to actually cast it.” The [Fireball] was unrefined but it had a lot of power.
Jafliximus shot the [fireball] and…. Missed. It was his first time using magic. I would have been more surprised if he did hit. It did startle Kuska, who let go of me. I made sure to create enough distance between me and this creep.
“What was that? So that was ‘cake’ I bet! You won’t catch me this time!” Kuska pulled something out of his pants.
“Eww! Why did you have it there!” I created even more distance.
“How else am I supposed to store it!?”
“I need to teach the weavers here about pockets!”
Kuska was holding something wriggly, thick and long. Ok that description was deliberate but it was a whip. He did whip it out so don’t blame me for that one. The problem is that it’s a magic weapon. I don’t want to end up as his woman but I’m not sure if I can win from him now.
His magic weapon whip… I couldn’t hold in my laugh. Surely, he was compensating for something.
“Why are you laughing?!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. You just whipped it out after saying you wanted me as your wife. Hahaha! I’m sorry! I can’t… Must be the worst way to pick up someone. Or did you want to whip me into shape? hahahaha” I did my best to not make a scene but it was too funny and I fell to the floor laughing.
“Huh? I don’t get it… so do you surrender or do you want to find yourself at the tip of my whip?”
“Which one? Hahahaha!”
“Enough! I won’t tolerate you making fun of me…” He got launched again. Jafliximus had returned. His light-yellow fluffy fur had some red stains. “Stupid alpaca! I will start with you first!”
“Noo! Jafliximus is a guy! I’m sure he doesn’t want to end at the tip of your whip! He needs a sexy alpaca lady!” I wanted to stop laughing but... this was too funny.
“Huh? I don’t understand anything you’re saying, speak Nayala!”
“Hey! There is nothing wrong with my Nayala!”
“Then why can’t I understand a thing you’ve been saying for the last 10 minutes!”
Our interaction had gathered a crowd but as usual they were watching and betting. Bets ranged from who would win, to the duration of the fight, how many and who’s house would get destroyed. And for how long those houses will stay fixed after they had gotten repaired.
These people had found their own version of freedom and I liked it. Not everything but this sense of calm and chill even though their house might get destroyed. Freed from worry and stress, besides Kuska, he seems like he’s about to pop a vein.
“Hey Azu! I had bet that my house will get destroyed next! Get to it please!” A young man waved at me and pointed at a house.
“Hey! No influencing the outcome!” some other villagers started their own fight. How carefree.
I blocked the tip of his whip with my hat.
Kuska was focused on me but he didn’t see that Jafliximus was charging up another [Fireball]. I’m not sure how he learned it but this one seems very powerful. Some bystanders had noticed it too but kept quiet. Most villagers took betting seriously. Even those who bet on Kuska winning kept quiet. There was also a possibility that they had also bet on the house next to him getting destroyed.
“..so do you accept?”
I shifted my gaze to Kuska. “Oh sorry. You were talking to me? I wasn’t paying attention. But here’s my answer!” I flipped him off. He didn’t know what that meant of course but it did piss him off as the intent was clear. I dove to the side as the [Fireball] went off.
Not exactly accurate but it charred Kuska’s right shoulder.
“Ahh! What is this!” He shifted his angry gaze toward Jafliximus. “It seems I will be eating alpaca for dinner!”
“Noo!”I ran at Kuska and kept slapping him with my hat. It did damage but not enough for him to do anything about it. Suddenly a burst of orange light exploded and I got enveloped in orange light.
“Ohh! Azu has been chosen by the gods!” It was causing a lot of commotion under the spectators but this was just a simple Critical Rush.
Landing critical hits is extremely rare but once that happens the attack that crits creates an orange explosion and the one who landed the crit gets enveloped in orange light. My chance on landing critical hits is greatly increased while this is in effect. Skills that normally have rough activation requirements or low chances of success are also more likely to land or be activated.
The crit had sent Kuska flying.
“No alpaca will be on your plate today, if ever!”
Kuska climbed out of the rubble. His face all bloodied. That hat slap might have broken some bones in his face. “A…are you a goddess?”
“No, I hate goddesses!” I kept slapping Kuska. I was looking for another crit as my normal hits didn’t do much damage to Kuska.
Jafliximus shot another [Fireball].
3 minutes passed but I didn’t get another critical hit. The Critical rush will end after 3 minutes or after 3 critical hits have been landed. Misha can share their critical Rush with other Misha. Other races have certain specifics around theirs. But most races are bound to the basic rules. 3 minutes or 3 critical hits besides the initial hit.
The fight was over. That single crit and Jafliximus’ [Fireballs] had been enough to make Kuska unable to fight. It also seems as if he believes I’m a goddess. I don’t know what the people here think about Critical Rushes. They do have an estimated rate of occurrence of about once every 10 million hits. So, most people would see between 0 and 1 Critical Rushes in their life, for a human at least. But most humans will die without ever getting a Critical Rush or ever seeing one. This has been my first Critical Rush ever. It does feel invigorating though, too bad it was in a relatively unimportant fight like this.
I walked over to Jafliximus and hugged him.
“Thank you. You will get so much cake tomorrow!” Jafliximus made a funny face. It looked a bit smug as if he said something like: “Anything for you Darling.”
This alpaca will get far in life.
I looked at my hat in my hand. And the magic weapon that he had whipped out. In the end he couldn’t do much with it but something struck me.
The magic runes embedded in that magic weapon. I’ve seen those sequences before. I’ve seen them in my hat.
It is known that magic weapons are relatively indestructible. Did someone base them off Misha hats? Can I turn my hat into a more effective weapon? This needs more research!
“It sounds wrong but I will confiscate your whip. I hope your performance won’t drop without it.” I chuckled, covered my hand in a piece of clothing, and picked it up as if the whip was garbage. He did pull it out of his pants after all.
“Let’s go Jafliximus. Those wounds need to be looked at.”
I made sure to scrub and wash the whip thoroughly. I also called the pregnant Tikka over to tend to Jafliximus’ wounds. He was a true hero.
Jafliximus made a full recovery.