Alex held on to the armrest for dear life as he got used to the G-force created by the train lift-off. It was akin to riding a roller coaster back on Earth, only the train was flying and it was much faster.

“This is exhilarating,” Alex shouted over the screams of a few people in his coach, who no doubt, were experiencing a flying train for the first time, just like him.

“It sure is an experience,” Komodo kept his eyes steady, watching the beautiful snow-capped mountain-side now rotating in his view. “I reckon we will reach it in a few minutes. Get ready, kid.”

Alex was excited when he spotted a plethora of farmlands just below the snow-capped peaks. There were numerous farms and houses in the mid-hills and he could spot numerous farmers working on their fields or herding different cattle. It was still difficult to recognize the various plants or the cattle from this height but he thought there were a few different species that he couldn’t remotely recognize when he recalled his knowledge of farming and cattles.

It took hardly 10 minutes before the train let out a long whistle, signaling a steady descent into another large platform. A signboard said, “Cerulean Mountain Peak Station.” Alex exited the train in a neat line with his fellow passengers and paused for a moment to take in the enormous expanse of lands and hills that stretched up to the horizon.

Suddenly, he felt the chill enter his bones as a sudden gust of wind greeted the region. Should’ve got a sweater!

“Now what?” Alex squinted his eyes and glanced around to look for a direction to travel. A wide dirt road stretched downwards which was popular among the locals. Most people took that road to get to their farms. Another road led even higher up the mountain toward the peaks.

“See that waterfall and the vegetation to the side?” Komodo pointed to his top right, “I’m pretty sure that fellow said you will find the Cerulean peas by the waterfall and those look like pea pods to me.”

Alex put a hand over his eyes and squinted in that direction to see clearly against the bright reflected light due to the snow. “I cannot see clearly, I need some goggles. But I think you are right.”

“Wait a minute for me…” Komodo leaped off from his shoulders and disappeared into the crowd.

“Where are you going?” Alex followed Komodo with his eyes toward a shop that was selling many different wares. He could spot the shopkeeper selling a few different types of goggles as well.

Ahh, I see. Is he going to steal some goggles? Alex felt a little embarrassed. He realized Komodo was just trying to save some money. He would try to not resort to such shady tactics when he was able to afford any items they required.

Komodo came carrying two goggles, one human-size, and a smaller one - funnily enough - that would fit a lizard. How is that possible? Komodo flicked the bigger goggles to Alex with a smug smile.

“Here, catch this. It should allow you to look better.” Komodo put on the smaller goggles and for a reason, he looked like a WW2-era fighter pilot to Alex.

“How did you get these? And, where did you get the smaller one?” Alex asked incredulously. Komodo simply let out a laugh and said, “I bartered with the shopkeeper. As for how I got the goggles to be my size, they have a magic device that lets you readjust the size of certain products. A specialty item, really.”

So, it was magic? Alex felt a smile spread around his lips. He still couldn’t believe he was now in a world where he could casually talk of magic, real magic.

With the goggles now secured around his eyes, Alex could clearly see why Komodo pointed in that direction. It indeed seemed like there were many Cerulean-colored pea-shaped pods sprouting from the vegetation that adorned the mountain walls beside the Cerulean Waterfalls.

“I saw a few vegetable sellers selling Cerulean peas but the price was too much,” Komodo offered. Alex eyed him suspiciously. “What? I’m not a thief. And besides, it is not possible to steal Cerulean peas in enough quantities for our needs.” Komodo replied in his defense.

Alex and Komodo decided to scale the mountainside beside the waterfall and grab as many cerulean peas as possible. Luckily, Komodo purchased two large bags where the peas could be stuffed and safely carried. It took Alex the better part of an hour to reach their desired location but it was worth it.

The climb was hard up to that point for Alex because the area didn’t have many footholds where he could rest his feet or where he could grab with his arms. To his chagrin, the climb was far easier for Komodo, who reached the peak in ten minutes. And, as if that was not enough, the little fucker was eating some fruits and throwing the seeds at Alex from the top and laughing.

Alex, of course, couldn’t do anything else other than delivering useless threats of decapitation or burning and spouting insults. To his amazement, he saw a few folks gathering to the side, watching the whole fiasco in good humor. Everybody realized it was just an awakened pet annoying its master. Although, it was not clear to the locals who was the pet and who was the master.

The place where the cerulean peas were growing was simply a ground that extended from the mountainside for a few feet. But it stretched all along the mountainside. So, there was a veritable jungle of different plants growing, including numerous pea plants.

“Do you suppose pea plants grow in mountains or in such cold climates?” Alex asked Komodo.

Stolen novel; please report.

“I don’t know, kid, I am not a farmer. But I suppose any plants can grow when they are fed-” Komodo picked up a small cerulean stone and showed it to Alex, “mana stones.”

Alex let out a gasp. Suddenly, he felt a few questions form in his mind when he noticed the mana stone emitting a cerulean light. So, this glow all over the regions is because of the mana stones? And, plants can make use of this mana to grow into healthy plants?

He picked up a small thumb-size mana stone from the ground near the roots of plants. On second glance, Alex felt the mana stones were deliberately planted by somebody to help the plants grow but he could be wrong. He turned his attention to the small mana stone and tried to absorb the energy within futilely.

“Why can’t I absorb the mana in the stone?” Alex queried. Komodo glanced to the side and replied, “Can you eat when your stomach is full?” Alex understood at one what Komodo was referring to. So, I have to be in a mana-deprived state to be able to absorb mana stones.

“And, besides, these are low-grade mana stones, not exactly suitable for humans”. Komodo offered, still holding the mana stone in his tiny fingers but suddenly it started emitting a heat wave and shrinking until it dissolved into thin air.

“How did you do that?” Ales looked incredulously at Komodo as leaned in closer to inspect his hands. “I don’t feel you were low on mana. So, how did you absorb it?”

“Hah..I know the art of cultivation of course. It’s rare in these parts, mind you but useful to improve mana capacity.” Komodo went forward to pick some peas and stuff them into the bag.

Alex followed behind, determined to fill the bag to the brim with cerulean peas. Still, his mind was occupied with how easily Komodo was able to absorb the mana stone. “If they are so easy to absorb, why don’t the locals take it?” After a little hesitation, Alex added, “Can you teach me the art of cultivation as well?”

Komodo replied without turning, “I doubt the locals can absorb the mana in the stone. And, it would take close to an hour for you to absorb the mana in the stone but it would not improve your mana capacity by much.” Komodo turned around, “This particular quality of mana stones are little better than mana replenishing tools. F-grade stone.”

Hmm..So, there are different grades of mana stones and they are much better than these F-grade mana stones? Alex pondered a little while to grasp the concept. Komodo added further, “This region has a high mana concentration so it naturally forms mana deposits. The best use for low-grade mana stone is for growing healthy plants or for refining higher-grade stones.”

It took them a little over 20 minutes to stuff their bags to the brim with cerulean peas. Alex wiped the sweat off his forehead and released a sigh. Komodo kept munching on small nuts and offered Alex some. These were cerulean colored peanuts. I wonder where he got those. Alex took some and tasted them and felt a buttery taste and chill spread from his mouth. Mmm..so refreshing and cold.

“How many pounds do you think we got?” Alex wondered. Apart from the normal peas, they also included a few pounds of darker, indigo-shade peas which Komodo thought were richer in vitamins, minerals, and mana.

“By my accurate estimate, I believe 12 pounds in each bag.” Alex was pleased with the haul and could practically smell the money when he got back.

***

The trip back to Luxia City was uneventful, except for the few odd stares from certain strangers. They found themselves in front of Mr. Abernathy’s tavern after a few hours. Now, it’s time to cash in the money. Alex entered the tavern and went to the bartender. It was a young man of average height with freckled skin, and long black, disheveled hair.

“I’m looking for Mr. Abernathy regarding the Cerulean pea seeds quest.” Alex sat on a stool and waited for a response.

“Ahh..of course, I will let the master know. Do you want to order something while waiting?” Alex looked at Komodo who just shrugged. Maybe I should eat a little. He put a hand around his stomach and felt his stomach growl.

“Sure, some food would be most welcome.” Alex acquiesced. The bartender offered a pint of beer, a bowl of chicken stew with some grilled fish on the side, and pickles. Suddenly, Alex felt extremely happy when he took in the smell of the delicious assortment spread in front of him. However, before he was able to take a single bite, a slice of the grilled fish disappeared from the plate.

Wait..what just happened? Where did my food go? Alex heard a burp from the side and saw Komodo patting his belly, picking on his teeth with a toothpick. “You stole my food!” Alex grumbled, eyeing Komodo wearily. Before Komodo could snatch another piece of fish, he put one slice in his own mouth. The fish melted in his mouth, reminding him of heaven. It was slated perfectly and spiced with something that he never tasted before.

“Hah…you're at fault for not ordering a larger portion or guarding your food,” Komodo said nonchalantly and let out a chuckle. “You should be grateful I left some food for you as well.”

Alex could feel the humor in his tone. He was not really angry with Komodo, just a little surprised. The soup water was a mix of different veggies including carrots, beans, potatoes, and some fibrous roots that he couldn’t identify. Mysteriously, he found they tasted amazing, even more so when compared to the veggies back on Earth. Of course, the main attraction of the meal was the succulent chicken pieces that were so juicy and tender. He almost cried a little after tasting a real meal for the first time in so long.

He took a swig of beer and was caught off guard. The taste was not as refined as he was used to and a whole lot bitter. But it was refreshing nonetheless. All in all, he thoroughly enjoyed the meal and he was confident Komodo enjoyed it just as much if not more.

After some time, a tall, slender man with gray hair and spectacles came to meet him. That must be Mr. Abernathy. Alex stood up and offered his seat to the old man seeing how he was using a stick to travel. Alex guessed he was over 70 at this point.

“No need to pity me, young man.” Mr. Abernathy let out a gruff laughter and gestured to him to remain seated. “Show me your haul.”

Alex let out a grin and held the two bags in front of him. ”15 pounds of cerulean peas and 9 pounds of the indigo variety, if you want.”

The old man threw a sharp glance at Alex and eased into another laughter. “That is quite the loot you have got there. I will pay you 20 coppers for the cerulean peas, as mentioned in the contract, and…” He put on a thoughtful expression resting his chin on his hands and continued, “40 coppers for the indigo ones. Deal?”

Alex was very happy and was about to accept the deal when Komodo stopped him. “Only 40 coppers for indigo peas, that’s plain robbery…” Komodo said out loud. Alex was trying to stop Komodo from saying anything more before he got the deal canceled. “You know just as well the indigo has thrice the mana concentration and they taste much better. 60 coppers should suffice.”

A stern expression took over Mr. Abernathy’s face and he leaned in forward. “I will let this slide, seeing how your pet clearly doesn’t have the senses to respect his master. 45 coppers is as high as I can go.” He folded his arms.

“Hah, I will consider your age, and your reputation and offer you a discount. 55 coppers should be enough.”

Alex didn’t know what was happening and simply kept quotes.

“Sly little thing. Fine, I will let you off this once. I will offer 50 coppers, not a single copper more.”

“Deal,” Komodo said and offered his tiny hands. Mr. Abernathy let out a laugh and forwarded his own hands. “Ho ho, you strike a hard bargain…Okay, we have a deal indeed.” Alex was still unsure what happened. Just a moment ago, both of them looked as if they would tear each other’s faces. But now, they were merrily shaking each other’s hands. Is this called bargaining? Yes, this is how my mom….Alex snubbed that thought before it could sting him even more.

The whole transaction was carried out in a few minutes and Alex was suddenly 750 copper richer. He decided to exchange the money for 7 silvers and 50 coppers since they were easier to carry.

After some brief chat, they decided to stay on the upper floor of the tavern for 10 coppers a day. Suddenly, Alex felt weariness take hold of his body and he decided he required some sleep. In the evening, he would roam around Luxia City and ask about the key dungeon locations so that he could start his new journey in earnest.