Adion looked at the group of people that had employed them for protection on the journey to Wender. They were all wide-eyed as they could feel Adion’s young age and his low Bronze strength.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a reaction like this. The only people who have had the chance to get a good look at my strength besides my team have been more experienced Outskirters. Although someone like me is a very rare sight, it’s not impossible to achieve, especially in Noble clans.

But I guess it's a big surprise if they’ve spent their life in a small town where most people struggle to reach Bronze by 20.

“Sorry,” Gustad said after a while, “I was shocked by your age and strength, along with Benji’s words. Young master must be from a great family clan.”

“Nope,” Adion shook his head without expression, “I’ve just worked hard. I’m no young master, so you can just call me Adion.”

“Is that so…” Gustad said hesitantly. Adion could tell he didn’t believe him but didn’t care as long as he didn’t call him young master.

“Then you must plan on going to Cyalis Academy, right?” Dellia asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Adion nodded, “But I still have some time before I have to begin my journey there.”

“Ahh, I’m jealous,” Dellia sighed.

“Well, even though Cyalis Academy is seen as the greatest on the continent,” Benji said, “There are still other academies, many without any age requirement. I’m sure there are some focused on alchemy even. I’ve heard there is a great one in Dormia, in the Rellen Kingdom.”

“Mm,” Dellia nodded, “I’m planning on going there in the future, but I want to advance my alchemy as much as possible before going, so as not to waste my time there learning things I can learn by myself.”

“That seems wise,” Benji smiled, “I’m sure you’ll have a bright future.”

“Haha!” Gustad laughed heartily, “I’m glad you guys chose to take on our mission. Be sure to ask Dellia anything you’re curious about alchemy. I’m sure it will do her good to be around young geniuses such as yourselves.”

“We’d be happy to,” Benji responded.

“Well, then. As I understand it, you are ready to leave whenever?” Gustad asked.

“Yes,” Benji nodded, “We’ll just have to get our stuff and we’ll be ready to leave in a few minutes.”

It didn’t take long for Adion and his team to get ready. As Outskirters, they had to travel lightly. Gustad’s family had already brought their two carriages to the inn, so they were ready to leave as soon as Adion stepped outside.

I guess I didn’t get much time to look around. Adion thought to himself as he walked through the streets next to the carriages, heading to the city gate at the north side of the city. I guess I’ll see a lot more places in the future. When I get to Cyalis I’ll probably have seen a lot more of the world than many other students.

If I had stayed in the Remori clan my entire youth, I would have missed out on a lot. I think traveling is the best way to learn new things.

Adion’s team exited the city and started shifting their attention. All focus was now on their surroundings. Adion released some space mana to surround himself with; the sphere surrounding him now reached about 300 feet in all directions. That was as far as he could control his space mana comfortably. It had improved significantly over the years since he first developed it.

Adion also focused on his aura sense so that he could feel any anomalies. It was doubtful if he would feel any strong beasts that were hiding their aura before he could see them or sense them with his space mana, but it was good practice. And beasts weren’t the only threats they could be facing, mages sometimes turned to banditry. It was unusual for strong mages, but it happened.

I can feel something different about the others' aura. Are they focusing on their aura sense as well? Or maybe they are just tense or something? Sometimes, I wonder what the world looks like for someone like Fellion. He could probably notice beasts trying to hide approaching from miles away.

Oh, well. I’ll get there one day.

It was a perfect day for traveling on foot; spring had arrived, and the sun warmed Adion’s face as he walked. Adion even had to remove his winter robe after walking for a while. It was Adion’s favorite part of the year, not so hot that you sweated, but not cold enough that you needed excessive clothing to stay warm.

They traveled all through the day, only stopping once for lunch. It was a quick stop, though, as no one wanted to waste daylight staying still.

As the sun approached the horizon, the two carriages came to a halt. Gustad’s family started setting up a small campsite and getting dinner ready. Adion and his teammates did the same.

“I think we should have watches in teams of two during the night. That means one person gets to sleep all night every five nights. At the pace we’re moving, it might not take that long, though.” Benji said to the group of five, “How do we want to split up?”

“You and Sahra should be together, I guess,” Rufus said, “Adion and I will take the first watch and wake you up when it's your turn. Is that alright, Adion?”

“Sure,” Adion nodded.

“Alright, then,” Benji agreed, “That means you get to sleep through the night tonight, Lomin.”

“Mm. I’ll take the shifts the rest of the nights,” Lomin said.

“Well, we should get some food in us, “Benji addressed everyone, “And make sure to rest as much as you can. We’ll have to walk through the day tomorrow, too. And I won’t have anyone slacking in paying attention to the surroundings.”

“Aye, aye, boss,” Rufus said with a grin.

“Good,” Benji smiled, “Let’s eat,”

The group settled down around their own campfire, a small distance from Gustad’s family. They roasted meat from Silver beasts as usual.

I can’t believe I’m actually starting to miss fruit and vegetables, or at least rice or something. If I can find someone good at cooking, I’ll convince them to join our team.

But Adion didn’t complain out loud. After his time in the Endless Forest, he didn’t take a filled stomach for granted anymore.

After eating, Rufus and Adion were left behind to stay on the lookout for the first part of the night. Adion noticed Benji talking with Gustad and his family in the distance. Everyone was smiling and laughing.

Benji seems to get along quickly with people.

“Benji must have good charms, right?” Adion asked Rufus while still looking toward Benji.

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“Well,” Rufus hesitated, “He does have his own kind of charm, that’s for sure. He’s dependable, and people notice that right away.”

“Hmm.” Adion said, “I guess that’s why he has a girlfriend, right?”

“Huh? Well, sure. Maybe,” Rufus said, “But I don’t think that’s the whole story. Girls like dependable guys, but it takes a lot more than that.”

“Mm. I guess,” Adion said.

“I hope you didn’t get too depressed by what happened with that blonde Silver mage yesterday. There are countless women in this world just as pretty.” Rufus comforted with a smile.

“Huh? Why would I be depressed by something like that?” Adion asked.

“Well,” Rufus hesitated and scratched his beard, “I guess most people would, no?”

“Most people must have lived a pretty good life if stuff like that can get them down,” Adion said.

“Hehe. You’re not wrong about that, I guess,” Rufus said with a small smile.

The two continued talking for a while before Adion noticed a familiar aura approaching.

“Dellia is coming over,” He told Rufus in a low voice.

“Oh, that’s some convenient aura sense you got there,” Rufus chuckled.

“Mind if I join you?” Dellia asked as she approached the two, “I’m not going to be able to sleep for a while.”

“Sure,” Rufus said with a grin, “Come sit down. How was the journey?”

“It was fine, I guess,” Dellia said as she took a seat on a piece of wood previously used by Benji, “It felt a lot safer than our journey to Hermot. Even if we only had to travel for a day, we didn’t have you to guard us like now. There’s not really any Silver mages for hire in Terren.”

“Well, I’m glad we could be of use then,” Rufus said.

“You definitely are,” Dellia said with a polite smile, “By the way, Adion. Is it really true that you can fight Silver beasts?”

“It’s true,” Adion nodded. He didn’t need to hide that. Benji had already said as much, and if they were attacked, it would become obvious that he had a Gift anyway. Even if he wasn’t advertising his strength, he wasn’t planning on hiding like a rat and avoid every situation where some of his strength might be revealed.

“But how?” Dellia asked, “Have you developed your concepts so much? Or are you really from a powerful family and inherited a spark with powerful concepts?”

“Does everyone know about concepts?” Adion muttered and looked to Rufus.

“Haha!” Rufus laughed, “Pretty much everyone knows at least about the existence of concepts. And every mage definitely does.”

“You don’t know about concepts?” Dellia asked Adion, confused.

“I do,” Adion said, “I just didn’t hear about it until recently.”

“Then how is it possible for you to be so powerful?” Dellia asked, now more doubtful than before.

“That’s a secret,” Adion said, “If we are attacked on the way, I’m sure you’ll see for yourself.”

“That’s not fair,” Dellia pouted, “What if I tell you about alchemy? Then will you tell me?”

I guess it’s not that much of a secret. We’re quite far from Billford, and I’m not alone anymore. And I do want to know about alchemy. I might find out a little about the pills and elixirs I have.

Adion could lie, of course, but he didn’t like to do that unless necessary, especially if he made a deal to exchange information and then lied. It would feel like breaking his word. His grandfather had instilled in him that he should never break his word. That would mean he didn’t deserve others' trust, and if he was ever betrayed, it was only what he deserved.

And what’s the reason to have cool powers if I can’t show them off occasionally?

“Alright,” Adion nodded, “You have a deal.”

“Great,” Dellia said excitedly, “Then what do you know about alchemists?”

“They make pills and elixirs,” Adion said.

“What else?” Dellia asked when Adion turned quiet.

“That’s it,” Adion answered.

Rufus laughed out loud, and Dellia also seemed to be holding back a smile.

“Adion has a few gaps in his knowledge,” Rufus explained, “But he’s really knowledgable when it comes to other things.”

“That’s fine,” Dellia said, “No one can be an expert in everything.”

She then turned to Adion and began explaining. “So there’s two types of alchemists, fire and water alchemists. I’m a water alchemist. Which means I have a water core.”

“Can’t anyone else become an alchemist? An earth or wind mage?” Adion asked.

“They can, but it’s a lot more difficult. And I’ve never heard of anyone like that even reaching Green grade.” Dellia said.

“What’s Green grade?” Adion asked.

“You don’t even-” Dellia stopped herself, “Well, every pill and elixir has different grades. The lowest is Blue, then we have Green, Yellow, Orange, and finally Red.”

“There is not anything above Red?” Adion immediately asked.

“Of course there is,” Dellia said, “But it’s not something that has been seen since the Age of Wonder. Keep in mind that Diamond mages would be happy to get their hands on a Yellow pill. Orange and Red pills are the most precious pills there are. Only Soul mages can get those kinds of pills. But every alchemist knows about the grades that come after, Crimson, Black, White, and finally Golden.”

Dellia’s eyes were glistening as she talked about the pills of legend. Adion wondered what grade the pills he had were.

“Do you know of any pills that have been lost to time?” Adion asked.

“I only know about the Elixir of Life,” Dellia said, “That is an elixir that many alchemists make their life mission to try and recreate.”

Adion wasn’t surprised that Dellia had heard of the Elixir of Life, as that was something even Adion had heard about. And he didn’t even know about the grades of alchemy products thanks to his isolated childhood focused solely on training.

“What grade is the Elixir of Life?” Adion asked.

“I have no idea,” Dellia shook her head, “But it should be at least Crimson. I’m only a Green alchemist, so I have a long way to go if I want to reach that level.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Adion cheered her on, “Is the grade of alchemist related to the stage of the mana core?”

“Well, stronger mages are usually the better alchemists, but it really has no relation,” Dellia explained, “Anyone can become a Blue alchemist. You just need the knowledge and time to practice. But to reach Green, you need concepts, either in your fire or water core, that bring forth effects that someone without those concepts wouldn’t stand a chance at doing.”

“What kind of concepts?” Adion asked.

“Well, like nurturing or soothing. I have been trying to grasp around a concept simply called ‘healing’ and ingrain it in my water core.” Dellia said.

“Woah,” Adion was surprised. He hadn’t thought that concepts like those were possible.

Dellia looked pleased with his reaction, “It’s the reason alchemists are respected. Everyone needs the pills we make. And since we focus on concepts to heal and create instead of injure and destroy, it is seen as quite cowardly to fight an alchemist.

“That makes sense,” Adion said, “Still. I bet you make good money as an alchemist, right?”

“Haha,” Dellia softly laughed, “Of course, otherwise not many would bother to learn alchemy.”

“Mm. So you can create Green pills. What would it take to make Yellow pills?” Adion asked.

“I would need to develop my concepts a lot more, and practice making pills and elixirs. There is a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge involved as well. But I could make a Yellow pill even now if I had the ingredients. With extremely precious and rare ingredients, even a Blue alchemist could make a Red pill. But that would not make them a Red alchemist, or even a Green alchemist. There is a standard test with the same ingredients used, and if you can use your concepts to elevate the pill to Green, then you get to call yourself a Green alchemist.”

“Oh? That makes sense,” Adion said, “Maybe I should look into alchemy at Cyalis. It sounds interesting.”

“You should,” Dellia said, “But I’ve heard it’s really hard to have concepts like healing and destruction in your core simultaneously.”

“I can imagine,” Adion said.

I’m not sure how keeping concepts in your core works yet, but I don’t have a fire core. I just understand the concept of making fire hotter. I’m not as good as mages like Benji yet, but I’ll get there. And even if it will always take a lot of Will to influence my fire with concepts to make it hotter, it works.

If I can understand healing as a concept, shouldn’t I be able to do the same?

But that’s for the future. For now, I should focus on understanding concepts better and increasing the level of my core.