19696 The 2st Spring

These past months have been as close to a vacation as I’ve ever gotten. No mandatory lessons, no training to prepare us for the Academy… just a relatively normal life, doing normal things.

But it’s getting extremely boring.

With one Class still basically empty, a bunch of more levels under my belt, and plenty of rest I’m ready to head out, to do some light adventuring. The emphasis on light. I really hope we don’t plan on doing anything crazy. I had my fair share of that already and don’t plan on disappearing or worse, dying before the Academy begins. Again. I’m a little curious about that fabled place by now.

Dressed in the clothes ‘borrowed’ from the Fist, so we don’t ruin our own, we roam the city once more except this time with a clear destination in mind.

“Where now?” Val asks as we’re walking down the streets. Okay, at least a clear destination in my mind.

As always in the morning I found her in the courtyard, training under Bennett’s watchful eyes as usual, perfecting her posture and repeating movements for the nine millionth time.

I don’t know what the old man did but the wildfire burning inside Valka, her drive, has become more focused ever since he took her under his wing. I’m not worried about her though, rather I envy that dedication. I have nothing to push me like that, no grand plans, or desires. I do have a promise to keep, even if I have little care for the survival of the Nephelims or what they might have to go through every day. My words bind me to my friend and my friend only.

“To have some fun and get everything we need before we depart.” I answer belatedly. A half-truth. “Are you gonna miss Bennett?”

“He’s not a bad person, you know?” She starts scolding me. “I don’t know why you are so hostile towards him. His personality might be a bit… difficult,” What a kind way to put it. “but his intentions are what matters.”

Wrong, my dear friend. The outcome is what matters. Trying to kill something isn’t gonna do the job and trying to eat won't make you the money to pay for it. Intentions mean little without the actions to back them up.

We keep arguing about how shitty a person Bennett is for the whole duration of the walk and only stop when Valka’s head shoots up and her nose drinks deep from the air. Her eyes turn starry and her tongue unintentionally licks her lips.

She found out.

“Do you have any money on you?” Her head snaps to me and she leans closer.

I do not. Not a single copper, nothing. However, it was no coincidence we ended up here.

“Sure. Let’s go.” I answer with an equally as excited grin and we pick up the place towards our favorite bakery in the entirety of Granhall.

As we burst through the door I don’t walk towards the display or the counter but instead I clamp onto Valka’s arm and drag her towards a table. A table where Mom and Dad are already seated and where a small mound of sweet gifts from the Gods are waiting.

“Happy birthdays!”

Valka’s hands shoot to her mouth and she barely manages to fight the tears down.

“How did you know?” She asks, looking at me.

I’m sometimes seriously worried about her mental state. How can someone be quite intelligent and this dense…

“Because it's my birthday too.” I chuckle. “It could only be one of three days realistically. Did I guess right?”

Name: Elyssia

Age: 13

“Yesss!” She hugs me and then quickly pulls back before I can react. “But… I forgot. I didn’t get you anything. I-I’m a… I don’t-” Her previously radiant mood sours with every word.

I flick her forehead for a reset and narrow my eyes. “I, personally, didn’t get you anything either, Mom and Dad are covering the bill. We can come up with something for each other later on. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t even sure your people celebrate birthdays.”

“Oh, we do. They are important steps in a warrior’s life toward adulthood. Each year another trial awaits to test your maturity and strength.” She explains proudly.

“Can I get my hug now?” I grumble as she still holds me at arm’s reach by my shoulders.

***

We held back. Compared to how we usually inhale food wherever we go this was different. Each bit was a unique experience of its own worthy of savoring even if our tongues constantly demanded more.

“How do they do it? How is it this good?” I ask, staring at the last piece of tart in my quivering hand. The last one…

“Skills, mostly. They can accomplish almost anything we can comprehend and beyond. Also, Life magic if I had to guess. It brings out the most from the ingredients.” Dad explains, using a napkin instead of licking wherever his tongue can reach.

I’m not that much of an elf to put my pride before my tongue. No shame in enjoying what’s good.

“I don't know how to repay… all of this.” Valka speaks out of nowhere with her head hanging low. “I receive too much and have nothing to give in return… I’m sorry.” She whispers. “If there’s anything-”

“Dear, Eli, you take care of the tab alright?” Mom speaks up plopping a pouch onto the table with a generous metallic clink. Then she points at Val then towards the door and winks.

Again?

There’s no arguing here, it's basic knowledge in our family. Even Val seems to be already accustomed to my mother’s antics as she simply nods and follows her outside, leaving only me and Dad at the table.

“I don’t like it. I don’t like being the only one left out and I don’t like Mom’s little games.” I pout and try dragging some info out of my father who clearly has a soft spot for me.

“Have some faith, Eli. What are you so worried about in the first place?” Dad tries to joke.

“It’s Mom.” I reply.

“It’s not like she could make things worse or damage your friendship.”

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“It’s Mom.”

“Why can’t you just-”

“It’s Mom.” I repeat again.

Dad gives up and just pays everything we owe at the counter before we leave this piece of paradise on Aelion behind us.

“How much did that set us back?” I ask, knowing damn well this place is among the more expensive ones.

“You don’t need to worry about-” He shakes the pouch as if checking its remaining content based on the sound of coins inside.

“Dad, please…” Things can’t keep going like this. “I’m thirteen now, I have money, sort of, not to mention I’ve experienced things both good and bad beyond my age. Could you just please stop treating me like a naive child?” I plead, tired of always fighting for my right to every piece of information. Even if it concerns me in the first place.

“You’re asking the impossible.” He smiles. “You could be a hundred years old and I’d still see you as my cute little princess. You might no longer be that naive but the simple fact that you believe your experiences amount to anything just confirms that same naivety.” He speaks with the wisdom of an old man.

My father is extremely young in elven terms, comparable to an eighteen-year-old human despite approaching seventy. He can be so knowledgeable, stupid, wise, and goofy at the same time. It’s weird how their personality clearly develops slower while the knowledge they acquire far outpaces their maturity…

“Where to now?” I ask as I only planned this far.

“To spend some more. You can be quite a burden on one's savings, you know?” He asks and chuckles at my indignant face. “Just kidding, you’re priceless, sweetie.”

I better be. And I probably brought back enough riches to pay for all my needs. I just don’t exactly know what to do with all those gems. They can’t really be exchanged for food without getting scammed.

“The other two?” I ask, looking for mostly Val because I fear for her.

“At our next stop, probably. You’re not the only one who made plans for today.” He ruffles my hair, probably because he knows I hate it. “Although I must applaud you, those sweets really hit the spot.”

Our next destination turns out to be a place I’ve always hoped to visit when looking over the city’s skyline but I didn’t have any funds to make the trips worth it. Out of the four major buildings in Granhall, that Being the Mage Tower, the Fort, the Palace, and the Emporium I only visited two and hopefully the Palace will never be added to the list.

I gawk at the largely open building that’s like six entire marketplaces stacked on top of each other all the while we’re pushed around by swarms of people going about their days. I can barely hear my own thoughts because of the earbusting volume of bartering and bustling going on.

I don’t like this place. Not the place itself really but the amount of living beings breathing around me. There’s also one more problem we gotta solve…

“And where exactly are they?” I shout into Dad’s ears to make sure he hears it.

He recoils and flicks me on the cheek before leaning closer. “You don’t have to shout, I can hear you clearly.” He says and I can’t hear him clearly.

How did he…

“Is it because of higher Endurance or something?” I try in a normal tone and he looks at me weirdly.

“No? Do you think our longer ears are just for show? We hear better, didn't you notice?” He asks, looking baffled as if I just grew a new arm.

“No Dad, I’m not entirely an elf and have never had any ears other than mine to compare.” I shout again right into his ear, just for his stupid head to start working.

Although on multiple occasions it was my hearing helping me out the most when it came to locating danger. Eh, who knows… But hearing won’t help finding our targets here whatsoever. Not to mention I’m not really the tallest around, meaning an infinite wall of backs is all I see.

“Crouch!” I order with a vein throbbing on my forehead.

“Wha?” He shouts back, maybe losing some of his oh-so-super hearing for being dumb.

I hate repeating myself so I just climb onto his back, up his shoulder, and sit there as any self-respecting young child would. A good shoulder ride spares me the bother of being around people while giving me the high ground. There's only one thing I’m looking for.

White.

Besides old people there were only like four people I met with unnaturally white hair. Mom, Val, some white-furred hare beastman, and another dude with weird red eyes to his equally weird white hair.

Lo and behold it really is that easy. In just seconds I find them and guide my new stallion to the rest of our group.

“Care to explain?” Mom greets us as I climb down from my perch.

“We hear better.” I reply shortly, not explaining a single thing. “So what are we here for?” I ask. “Weapons? Or to get us some armor?”

My excitement has been steadily climbing upwards ever since we got here. The different displays do a wonderful job of making me want to throw my money away. Thankfully I don’t have any at hand right now otherwise I’m not sure I could contain myself any longer.

“Do either of you use weapons?” Mom asks with a flat look and hands on her hips.

“No?” I’m not sure if the things I shape out of my mana count.

“Right, and both of you are expected to grow quite some more in the following years, so armor would be a waste of money. Quality armor, that is. The basic leather stuff is just to scam the newbies, torn to shreds like paper when fighting anything stronger than a housecat. Not to mention anything properly enchanted is rarely made in your size anyways.” She adds. “What else could you need?”

A lot. Knife, backpack, cloak, a buttload of Hadron crystal, waterskin, proper boots, maybe a cloak and… Why is she even asking us that? Two people here have experience doing adventuring stuff and the two under interrogation don’t.

“You tell me.” I answer and Mom grins widely.

“A wise answer.”

I still remember counting every copper while scraping together the twenty gold to free Valka from the collar. Many times I had to walk past shops displaying let’s say an earring that caught my eyes with a heavy heart. I knew what I had to do but that didn’t mean giving up on things I would’ve liked any easier.

I could name plenty of items that I would need no problem, however, there’s another aspect to consider. Besides price. Everything has to fit comfortably into a bag I can carry on my own, be that clothes, tools and… I don’t know food. Food is always important.

“The most important supply is two spare sets of your favorite underwear!” Mom declares without restricting her voice or any embarrassment whatsoever.

***

It went just as I expected and my propositions to buy plates, firewood, or pillows were all met with lengthy explanations with a hint of mockery. The usual. They did go into detail as to why any of those would be nothing more than a scam for beginners, aka me, after giggling to their heart's content.

I often wonder what crimes I’ve committed to deserve parents with this… unusual language of love. But then again the apple didn’t fall far from the tree and I do enjoy pocking fun at each other from time to time. It works like a spice to the basic love and care and all the good stuff… Except when I’m on the receiving end for too long.

“What does this blue dishwater do?” I ask, shaking a small vial of light liquid.

My parents were already satisfied with our haul from the previous shop but decided to take a peek at the stock of some famous Alchemist. It never hurts to look, as long as you don’t open your wallet.

“An arcane potion… I think.” Dad leans closer and inspects the product. “It restores mana.”

Heh? Why would I need a potion to do that? Hadron crystals work fine and fast.

“It is capable of much more than that I assure you.” A well-dressed gnome approaches us, with his nose held quite high despite his size. “It assists the body in regenerating mana, while also sparing the mana vessel.”

“Why not just use a crystal instead? Is it faster?” I inquire, still not sold on his stuff.

“Due to your tender age, I doubt you have ever suffered the consequences of mana poisoning before.” He locks his fingers. And if I did? “Although the potion works slower, its effects persist for hours and greatly decrease the burden on one’s body to avoid any harm.”

I can see the advantage of that. Mana poisoning does suck. Big time.

After his sudden appearance, the shop owner introduces me to many different marvels of alchemy. Potions that boost stamina and other bodily functions, nigh universal cures, although I highly doubt that, and other less useful but still sought-after liquids.

Since all of them are special and difficult to procure we leave with our coin purse no less heavier as the prices leave us pale. We never intended to buy anything in the first place and our plans don’t require anything too special. The gnome doesn’t seem too pleased that we’ve wasted his time, although it’s difficult to tell when dealing with his race. They always look grumpy.

“How did you like it?” I lean onto Val, slowly trudging after my parents.

“Way too many humans.” She answers, no surprise there. “Also, way too many weird and interesting things. I liked the place, its charm almost offsets the-”

“Yeah, yeah I know too many humans, even some elves, I know.” I shut her up. “Let’s look at the bright side of things, you managed to keep the frown off your face and enjoyed yourself right?”

“...right.” She nods reluctantly.

“Are we done?” I ask, exhausted after hours of shopping.

“There’s one more stop on the ground floor before we leave.” Mom answers.

As we descend the last flight of stairs and walk to a corner of the massive building a sign comes into sight. The people busying themselves in this part are a little off from the norm one would expect in a building distinctly made for merchants. Not customers either but rather…

Enterprise of Adventuring Activity

Adventurers are… merchants?