This morning, I woke up earlier than Akame! Now I'm off to the village in search of someone to aid us with our mission. We probably should have made a plan before all this but oh well too late now. Come to think of it, who am I even looking for? Hmm, well to keep Akame happy it should be someone around our age.. and someone that's good at magic! But.. does that person even exist? Well, I guess we're gonna find out.

I walk up to the village gate as per usual, but this time is different. Paul is not there. It's not his day off.. maybe he's sick? I hope he's alright.

"Hey, Jeff! Is Paul sick or something?"

"Hey, Soukou! No, he's not, apparently, he told me he had some urgent business to take care of whatever that is."

"Huh, well alright thanks, Jeff!"

"No problem kiddo."

Huh, this mystery is getting more and more mysterious.

"Oh, and before you go could you ask Jared to come to the gate?"

"Sure!"

I had no idea where he was, but I'd tell him if I saw him. I believe Jared was the tavern guard.

Well, I suppose I should ask around for a bit.

"Hey, miss?" I say tugging on some lady's shirt.

"Hm?" She says in confusion; while turning around.

"Oh, aren't you Gozans boy?"

"Oh um... I guess?"

"Well, what can I do for you?" She says with a beaming smile.

"I was wondering if you know anyone around my age that's also good at magic?"

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"Someone your age, good at magic? Hmm, is there anyone like that around here? He'd be a genius that's for sure. Sorry dear it seems I can't help much maybe go ask at the tavern? They might know."

"Okay! Thanks anyway."

"You're very much welcome dear."

Hmm, it seems asking random village folk won't get me very far, I should follow that lady's advice and go to the tavern.

And so I was off the tavern, the information hub as some call it.

There was one crucial thing I forgot.. we were only able to enter last time because of Paul, but this time Paul won't be my knight in shining armor.

I walk up to the tavern entrance hoping I'll get lucky.

It felt like I just won the lottery. It seems I've lucked out this time, there he was, Jared.

BINGO. Were the words that popped into my head

"Hello, Jared!"

"Oh, hey kiddo. Did you need something?"

"Not me, Jeff wants you to come to the gate"

"Oh, I see. Thanks for telling me Soukou."

"Of course!'

I waited for Jared to go out of sight and then sneaked into the tavern.

"Jack!" I say as I wave to the bartender.

"Oh, hey there Soukou."

"Hey, so I was wondering if you knew anyone who is the same age as me, and is good at magic?"

"Hmm, let me think... I don't think so; if someone like that did exist I'm sure I would of heard about it but no I haven't. You're not out of luck just yet though. Go ask Dorthy the old witch in the shack. If anyone knows it's her."

"Ah, alright thanks anyways jack!"

Well, that was a big waste of time. But yeah he did have a good point, I should have just gone to Dorthy to begin with, she's the magic expert around here after all.

After a bit of walking, I arrive at the ran-down witch shack. The home of the witch; Dorthy.

Knock, knock.

I knock on the broken shack door.

"Come in!" She says in her raspy voice.

I walk into this desolate place, avoid the water dripping from the doorway, and make my way to the back where she rests.

"Hey, Dorthy!"

"Well, hello there Soukou!"

There she is, laying in bed with a sickly look on her face. Her short grey hair doesn't hide her nauseating features.

"Are you okay miss?"

"Ah, yes I'm fine just a little cold."

"Well, that's good! Get well soon miss."

"Haha, I will." She then proceeds to sneeze four times in a row.

I thought it was impossible to sneeze four times in a row.. even miss Dorthy has a scared look on her face.

"Ah excuse me. So what brings you by Soukou?

"Oh! Well, I thought since you're the magic expert around here, I'd ask you a magic-related question.

"Hm? What's up?"

"Well, do you know someone around our age; and good at magic?"

"Hah! It's funny you ask that, well as a matter of fact-"

"Mom, I'm home!" A boy shouts, walking into the shack.

TO BE CONTINUED