As I trod along behind Alex and Shara I can hear them talking aloud ahead of me. Most of it is thanks that the other is alive and talking about Alex’s injures but then the conversation turns to talking about me.
“Hey Alex, what did you mean by you made a deal with her to fix up your leg? How much is that going to cost us? Who is she anyway?” Shara asks.
“I don’t know, she didn’t say much about herself other than her parents didn’t let her out a lot. But she says they are dead so now she wanders. She happened to be lost in the forest and stumbled across me tied up, so she cut me loose and helped me back to town. Since she doesn’t know much about anything I agreed that we will help her get on her feet over the next week in exchange for my leg getting fixed up.” Alex replies in a hushed whisper.
“Paladin is a light-based class, right? You’re sure there isn’t some catch to this? I don’t want to end up indebted to the church.”
“She used healing magic before on my leg so I’m positive it’s life based. And she said she isn’t with the church so I don’t think we need to worry about them for now.”
“But what if she’s lying and is a runaway or something? I don’t want to have any trouble with them.”
“Shara you're overreacting, it’s only for a week. And she isn’t a runaway, even if she was, they can’t throw much of a fuss unless we try to keep her from them. We aren’t going to do anything like that.”
Well good to know they won’t stick their necks out if the church comes knocking. Not that I expected otherwise, at least they will be out of the way by the sound of it. I notice something about Shara I missed before, something so blatantly obvious I’m about to facepalm realizing I missed it. She has a tail, right there hanging over her butt. It’s the same color as her hair, attached to where the tailbone would be on the lower back. I know I was focused on surviving the overlord’s interrogation but how the hell did I miss that? Well, she was barreling towards me at full speed so my first look at her was quick. I’m honestly not surprised, but I feel like I should be. I used to watch the occasional anime so people with animal parts is not an entirely foreign concept to me.
Hmm, I just remembered my mana level. What is it at now I wonder?
Mana: 2958/2958
Well, it’s full, might as well work on Alex’s leg some more, I guess. I still need to get out of town and set up my pod somewhere semi secluded. I don’t want to live in town, that sounds like trouble. But there are some things I want that I can only get in town, like new clothes. With that though I look down at my homemade rags and realize my top is slipping, I pull it back up into place. Good thing I caught that when I did, I don’t want to go around accidentally flashing people, especially after the gate incident. Oh god there would be no end to it if I accidentally flashed some of that crowd downstairs, I just know it.
“Hey Alex, my mana is full again. Want me to work on the leg some more?” I ask him.
“Yea, lets see if we can find an empty room. You do not want the people downstairs to see you healing, they will be all over you in an instant.” Alex says.
“Noted” I reply.
“Alex, I don’t like this. It seems too good to be true.” Shara says.
“It’s fine Shara, she’s probably going to need a lot of help so it’s a fair deal.” Alex says.
Alex and Shara start poking their heads in a few rooms before finally finding one that meets whatever they were looking for. They motion me in and we all enter. Inside is just a basic meeting room, a rectangular table in the middle with a dozen chairs around it. Shara pulls out a chair and helps Alex have a seat. I kneel down next to Alex and place my hand on his right calf, what’s left of it anyway. He winces a bit but holds still for the most part. I take a breath and start the healing magic.
I can tell it’s doing something, but not nearly as much as before. I wonder why, what factors affect the process? I had other spells in my list like regeneration, maybe it’s no longer healing a wound, but instead regenerating a lost part. It makes sense if you think about it. The wound from the missing calf was healed by me in the forest, now it’s less an injury but more of a scar. Hmm, I should ask Alex for tips on making spells more efficient, he might be able to help a little seeing he is also a mage.
“Hey Alex, is there any way to improve the efficiency of my spells? This is taking a lot of mana, if I can cut down the cost I can speed up your recovery.” I ask him.
“Yes, first, make sure you use the right spell for the job. I don’t know much about healing spells but as a fire mage if I want to ignite something I use the ignite spell, regular firebolts don’t work for setting things on fire, just doing damage. Likewise ignite won’t do any direct damage to a target, just set a small spot on it on fire if it takes. Second, you want a clear image of what you want to happen. Magic application is a form of applying your will and vision upon the world. The clearer and more detailed the image in your mind, the greater the effect of the spell.” Alex says
“She doesn’t know this already?” Shara asks
“She only got her class yesterday Shara, and besides half the people downstairs don’t know any of that either.” Alex says.
So, clear image, good detail, right spell. I guess that the spell is the tool, mana is the fuel, and the image is what you want the tool to create. So maybe I should try regeneration instead of heal, since it’s permanent damage now instead of an temporary injury. Try to have a clear image of what I want. Well I want Alex’s leg restored to normal, to get there we need regrowth of the tissue, which means cell division. As I visualize the image of Alex’s leg being restored and the various steps to get there, cells dividing, tissue reforming, blood vessels running through the muscle, muscle attached to the bone by tendon, the flesh around Alex’s leg starts to grow ever so slowly. I keep the spell going for as long as I can but the growth is at a snail’s pace compared to the healing spell sealing up the wound. By the end of it I’m magically and mentally exhausted, trying to keep all that information funneling through my active thoughts while keeping focus on the spell is draining.
Mana: 0/2958
I get that weakened feeling accompanied by the pit in my stomach indicated that I am indeed out of mana. I let out an exhausted huff and stand up while wiping the sweat from my brow, damn I was really concentrating. Alex’s leg is in much better shape than it was before, about half an inch of new tissue has grown. It’s still going to take another five to six sessions at least before he is good to go. It might take longer depending on if I can keep up the pace or not.
“Alright, that’s it for now. Try to keep the weight off it and no physical activities until we are done healing it. You don’t want to be out longer than you need to because you decided to run around on a bum leg.” I tell him.
“Yea thanks, that’s way more progress than I expected, I might be out hunting again within a week.” Alex says enthusiastically.
“Wow, it’s actually growing back. But it’s a little slow don’t you think?” Shara asks,
“Shara, don’t complain. I’m sure proper healing takes time. I’m thankful that Nina has decided to help at all.”
“It’s because it has become a permanent injury not a temporary wound. My guess is it takes a lot more effort to repair permanent damage that has set in than to mend a temporary wound that hasn’t even started to heal naturally.” I say.
A bit of talking out of my ass there, but I think what I’m saying is true. One spell is called regeneration which implies it’s replacing lost parts, while the other is called heal, which implies it’s repairing temporary injury. I suspect Alex’s leg wound became more of a permanent injury than a temporary one after I healed him up in the forest. Maybe I could have repaired all the damage if I did it in one go? That’s something I will have to test later, hopefully in better circumstances than someone missing a chunk of their leg.
Shara helps Alex back up and we exit the room, heading back to the stairs down to the second floor. I still need to find out how to make some money, I don’t think I need food, the pod will provide all I need there. I still want to get myself some actual clothing among other things. Now that I think about it, good food might be a nice splurge item once I have some extra money. I should ask Alex and Shara to help me register as a hunter later, maybe get them to take me out with them on a few of their excursions. The wolves were easy enough but I haven’t see anything else that the forest contains, plus it would be suspicious if I just started doing stuff alone right out the gate. My thoughts are interrupted by Alex talking to Shara.
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“So what happened to Grant?” Alex asks.
“Grant made it out fine, aside from some cuts and scrapes.” Shara says.
“What, how!?
“After the alpha knocked him over he managed to get it in its eye. The other wolves tore up his armor but didn’t get much in on him otherwise. Once the alpha backed off I picked them off while Grant held them back until there was only five left. Then the alpha turned and bolted and the rest followed suit. The kid didn’t make it, and Durin was pissed off we went out without him then double pissed off we almost died without him.”
“Yea, he has every right to be. I know we needed the money but taking that idiot out as a replacement was just a piss poor idea.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I just wanted us to get out and earn a little extra to help with Durin’s recovery. I didn’t think it would end that badly, it was supposed to be an easy request.”
“Yea well, what’s done is done. We made it out alive so we’ll recover. Is Grant capable of going out and fighting?”
“Yes, he just needs new armor, why? No way are we doing anything as a duo.”
“Nina needs to be registered and taught the ropes, so she can act as your third while me and Durin are recovering.”
“No way, we haven’t worked with her before and she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
“Just take some easy postings, gather some herbs, a wolf head or two. This isn’t a permanent thing, just for a week or two.”
That reminds me, how does the day, month, year system work here. I said a week or two and Alex agreed so obviously the have something like that here. Maybe I should ask before I make a fool of myself? Yea, better just get it out of the way.
“Hey guys, don’t judge me for this but uh, how many days are in a week?” I ask.
Alex and Shara stop, then turn their heads and stare at me in disbelief.
“Where you born yesterday or something? Alex where the hell did you find this girl?” Shara asks.
“Shara that’s rude, and she found me in the forest. Nina it’s eight days to a week, about three weeks to a month, fifteen months to a year.” Alex says.
Well now I just feel embarrassed. Doing some quick math, leads me to 360 days in a year, but Alex said about three weeks to a month which means their might be some extra days laying around.
“So how many days in a year total?” I ask
“Three hundred and sixty-five. It’s currently the thirteenth day of Nadar, the sixth month.” Alex says.
“Thanks.”
Well that’s a surprise, didn’t expect the year to be the same length here. But the three weeks, fifteen months thing is going to throw me for a loop that’s for sure. Why do I get the feeling I’ll be the most suspicious person in town by the time I learn all the basics? And I still need to get registered as a hunter, I should ask about that next. Alex and Shara resume walking and we reach the top of the third-floor stairs.
“So, I still need to get registered right? What does that entail exactly?” I ask
“That’s easy enough we will do it on the way out. You simply walk up to the turn in counter on the second floor and ask to register. It should only take five minutes.” Shara says.
Well that’s good, maybe I can start working tomorrow, or even tonight. But it might be weird if I start doing things in the middle of the night and showing no fatigue at all. I have to play my cards right or risk drawing suspicion.
We continue down the steps and halfway down the hall. At the halfway point is a junction larger than the rest of the side hallways, like two main hallways intersecting. We turn left and after a short trip down a hallway with no doors but a large double one at the end we enter a moderately sized room. On both sides of the room are boards covered with papers. Each paper has crude depictions of monsters, plants, or places drawn on them along with what looks to be a number of some sort and a couple other words I don’t know how to read. Each of the boards has a woman in front of it hurriedly nailing new papers on the board. Directly across from us was a counter with no wall behind it, just an open area that seemed to wrap back around parallel to the hallway and was filled with desks. A few women behind the counter seemed to be sorting papers and preparing everything for whatever it was they were doing.
“This is the posting room, you can pick up a variety of request here ranging from kill a shit ton of wolves to help an old man with his shopping, yes, I’ve seen both kinds before, but it’s usually wolves. Some requests are open, can be completed by anyone as many times as you want that day. Those are usually things like culling wolves or goblins, as long as you bring proof of kill in you get paid. The other type of request is a select request, sometimes they pay better, sometimes they don’t. For a select request you pull the post of the board and take it to the ladies at the counter, they write down who is accepting it and then you go do it. Careful accepting select requests, if you fail to turn in too many in a short time frame you get penalized for it. You can register at the counter, they will help you so you don’t need to know how to read and write.”
With the end of that lengthy explanation Shara gestured to the counter and gave me the get to it look. So much for helping me out, good thing it doesn’t sound super complicated. I walked up to the counter while Alex and Shara waited by the door. I choose a slightly older looking lady in the middle and walk up to the counter.
Milly (Human, Level 37 Archivist)
“If you’re looking to grab a request hun make it quick, we are about to stop taking them for the day” Milly says.
“Actually, I’m here to register. So where do I start with that?” I ask.
“Do you know how to read and write?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Wait here, I need to go grab a paper and tag.”
Milly then placed the papers she was working on down and walked into the back and around the corner. A minute later she came out with a piece of paper, a little wood block, and what looks like a primitive version of a pencil. I’m surprised they have that level of technology, the paper I could maybe see but a pencil is a bit more complicated. Well maybe not complicated, it’s graphite stuck in a fancy stick but I’m sure a quill and ink is easier overall.
“Alrighty, any next of kin we should know to inform in the event of your failure to return?” Milly asks.
“No” I reply.
“Let’s see, eye color green, hair color green, class novice paladin. Any distinguishing marks, traits, or features about you we can use to help identify the body in the event you get mauled, chewed, disfigured, melted, charred, or splattered beyond recognition?”
“Um, no not really.”
“Alright, here is your token, it indicates your level and rank. You start off at stone one. Each level has three ranks, after the third rank you move to the next level. Levels are stone, leather, copper, iron, and four more you won’t see in your lifetime or around here. Don’t try to add notches to your tag, we have ways of verifying fake from real and trust me you do not want to be caught with a faked tag. No, I can’t tell you how the ranking up is determined, no we don’t care if you have previous experience, everyone starts at stone one. Have fun and try not to die within the first week.”
“Uh thanks. Lady, how many times have you done this?”
“Too many, now get going. I have paperwork that needs to be filled.”
And with that she shoves the token into my hand and shoos me away. Well, that was interesting. She clearly is one of those people who has been doing their job too long and seen some shit. The system used to rank is interesting, sub ranks and levels. Eight total, I wonder what the other four she didn’t list off are. She also said they can verify the tags, I wonder how that works. Probably something to do with magic, maybe when they are making the tag or adding notches.
I walk back over to Alex and Shara, then hold up my new tag for their approval.
“Good, don’t lose that. They keep a record here but it’s a pain in the ass and expensive to replace, trust me I’ve lost mine before.” Alex says.
“They sometimes ask to see it when you turn in open requests or accept select requests.” Shara adds.
“Cool, so what’s the plan now?” I ask.
“Now, we head downstairs and enjoy ourselves.” Alex says.
Well, as much as I’d like to party I need to get out of town and set up my own camp. And a bunch of drunk hooligans who specialize in hunting monsters trying to sexually harass me all night will end poorly in more ways than one. So, should see if Alex and/or Shara want to meet up somewhere tomorrow for therapy and an excursion.
“Actually, I need to head out and set up my camp. Do you guys want to meet up somewhere tomorrow so I can work on Alex’s leg and maybe we can do a request?” I ask.
“Huh, what do you mean? Come party downstairs, the beer is crap but it gets the job done.” Alex says.
“Alex honey, I think she is concerned because there is beer involved.” Shara says while gesturing to my hobo rags.
“Oh, yea I guess drunk dudes and her outfit won’t go together well. Speaking of, Shara don’t you have some old clothes she can use?” Alex asks.
“Yea, I should have some old stuff she can try. It won’t work long term but it should keep her more covered than those until we find her new clothes.” Shara says with a huff.
“Thanks, I’ll happily take anything that isn’t this.” I say while gesturing to my hobo rags.
“Yea, meet us on the bottom floor tomorrow at dawn. You can give Alex’s leg a go then we can do a simple request to get you into it. We will try to sit near the door so that you don’t have to walk through the hungover crowd.” Shara says.
“Thanks, I’ll see you guys tomorrow then.” I say.
“No, thank you Nina. I might actually be able to walk again soon.” Alex says.
“Thanks Nina, see you tomorrow.” Shara says.
With that I give them a wave and head downstairs. Unfortunately, the party on the first floor seems to be in full swing, which means drunkards everywhere. And one of them decided to stumble his way to the bottom of the staircase and block me once he saw me descending.
Brent (Human, Level 31 Warrior)
Oh boy, here we go. How the hell am I going to get rid of this dink?
“Hey babe wheeres ya goin? The parties just geetin started. Whys don’t you come have a seeeat and I’ll show yous a good time eh?” Brent says with slurred speech.
Then he starts reaching for me, except it isn’t an arm grab or around the shoulder. No, this jackass is strait up trying to grab my boob. I’m pissed off by this despite the fact I loved coping a feel in my last life, with permission of course. But this dickhead isn’t asking for permission, and I suddenly don’t care that he’s twenty levels above me. I’ll make his drunken stumbling the end of him.
“I’d rather let the wolves maul me than spend the night with you, but thanks for the offer.” I say in an annoyed voice.
Right as Brent stumbles in to make his grab I step into his guard and past him. He’s so drunk he can’t even react when I casually walk under his arm, spin around, and kick him in the back of his knee. The result is a drunken man spectacularly crashing to the floor, the drink he had in his off hand flying into the air, landing and splattering spectacularly all over him. The watching crowd breaking into raucous laughter.
“What in the, what just happened?!” Brent shouts in confusion behind me.
I just turn back around and continue my way out the door. Once on the street I can still hear them laughing for a good twenty seconds of walking. I head back the way we came in and get to the gate just in time to see it slowly closing in the distance. I sprint for it and get outside with only a few seconds to spare. The guards don’t seem to care. I look over the forest and see the sun setting off to my right. Gates close at dusk and probably open at dawn, good to know. With that I head off down the road, on my way to find the perfect hiding spot for my pod on my back to unpack.