When Mikella and Val returned home together, she never expected to find the entire house nearly filled with broken wood and messy clutter. She especially didn’t expect to find not only Zeke doing his best to reign in the children, but that they were distracted by a magic bird that went flying around the house for no reason.
It was quite the sight to see.
So after a lot of scolding from the true leader of the house, Valorie, the children were properly chided for their actions. Ana just seemed used to it by this point, but Mikella felt her heart ache seeing Clara ready to cry from her first time getting told off by someone else other than Mikella.
But in order for her to grow up into a proper adult, she needed to learn that making a mess was a big. no-no, especially in someone’s house that they don’t own. Mikella put herself aside and let Val handle it, as it was proper.
At least she also did some scolding to the one who made everything begin in the first place. Zeke lowered his head in shame as Mikella put out all her frustrations on him, which just so happened to be what she needed.
Of course, she knew that Zeke was doing his best to learn something new in order to enhance their survivability. Learning about runes and arrays were really interesting… but she still didn’t like how he put Clara into that situation in the first place.
After the scolding was done, the men of the household were forced to clean up and the children were punished by sleeping early in their room. It later became only for the adults to stay.
They talked about their progress, how they managed to find some remnants around the town before deciding to go deeper into the forest to hunt for more prey. They also gathered up some loot from the monsters, though in Mikella’s experience, having nothing but hide and fur felt lackadaisical compared to coins, armor and weapons dropped by the knights Then again, the tower was a truly special place.
They put aside the hides and furs to sell for later, letting their merchants buy them and then sell them abroad the next time that they can leave the town. That way, their economy can skyrocket while ensuring a proper living done in the city with the excess materials. As it is right now, the town is going to be in some desperate need to get their economy back in order once the horde is finally fixed up.
They also learned that Cloud was considering talks with the General regarding the state of the horde. Cloud couldn’t accept waiting any longer thanks to the last horde, and decided to make a plan of action for what to do. Val at first was worried whether Cloud was okay with it, but Mikella could tell that Val knew that the plan was gonna happen regardless. After all, that was the reason why she insisted on the soldiers training to further enhance their basics along with their new powered states.
Cloud accepted that he couldn’t let this go by any longer, and the two adults began talking in earnest. Meanwhile, Mikella learned from Zeke that he also leveled up the same number of times as she did.
No matter how much Mikella thought how unfair it was that he gets half her experience, it was the same on his end. Though she knew he also gained some experience after making a proper rune and rune away, it felt so little compared to killing monsters.
They were close–close to level 30, she could feel it. Right now Zeke was only focusing on the runes, so it was up to her to gain some actual experience points. Today’s expedition felt so slow, and she was getting stronger and stronger.
Personally, she wanted to make up for the lack of level ups by going out at night by herself. Unfortunately, it was advised with good reason to avoid going out at night. That’s when the monsters have a special advantage, the nocturnal ones at least. Without something to use as a light source, human beings just aren’t equipped to fight well at night.
She could just also focus on a skill, perhaps on runecrafting like Zeke did. That way, she can learn how to use Mana Perception, a skill that apparently Val mentioned was important for her to get despite her class based as a warrior.
But for her, runes just seemed so… out there for Mikella. She knew deep inside from how Zeke explained the process of how to make one that she would never be able to replicate even the simplest things like he did.
It was beyond her, and she was fine with that. But the fact remained that Zeke had improved his runecrafting to the point of making arrays, which according to him would’ve required months to pull off–at least without exploding right in their faces. While he was getting better with his craft, what can she do?
She can stab people with a pointy stick. Yay.
She leveled up, gained stat points, and raised her skill levels. That was all.
If she had to put things into perspective on building a strong foundation, she kept putting small bricks to get started while Zeke hired a damn construction company to make a base bigger than hers tenfold.
She knew it was unfair to judge Zeke like that. But she can’t hide her disappointment. She needed to get stronger. And she can’t do that doing the things she’s doing now.
So, after saying good night to Zeke as he got tuckered out from tonight’s spectacle–his Endurance not as high as hers to stay up longer–Mikella went over to the hosts’ room and asked for Val’s time.
She needed to get things sorted out, or else her body would wreck her mind apart.
…..
“You want to hunt by yourself?”
Val asked, crossing her arms together as she and Mikky stood at the kitchen together in the middle of the night.
It was the only place where the two could talk without bothering anyone else. Sure, they could’ve just talked anywhere else, but Mikella just seemed so adamant to talk to Val alone.
She wanted to talk to the captain of the soldiers, not the wife and mother of the Mystio household.
Val expected as much. She knew the look in Mikella’s eyes back at the expedition. She just seemed out of it, disappointed.
She could understand immediately. Val went through the same process herself years ago when she first started.
“Yes,” Mikella answered, her tone low but solemn. Despite her demure behavior just now, she stared at Val expecting a good answer. As if knowing that she will have her way, one way or another.
“Mikky, I understand you want to get stronger, but you do realize how dangerous that is, right?” Val asked.
She was wearing her nightgown, a long dress that covered her torso to her ankle. So she felt a little off trying to act like a captain wearing this. Though she knew that worrying about this was ridiculous.
Even Mikella wore a simple one-piece dress, planning to go to bed. Still, she wanted to talk to Val before that, as if she doesn’t, she won't be able to sleep at all.
“Yes,” Mikella answered.
“Then you should know why it’s hard for me to grant you that,” Val answered. She stared down at Mikella hard. She wanted to confirm just how much she wanted this. “If something happened to you, how can I forgive myself for that? How can I face Zeke and Clara? Have you thought about them when you made this decision?”
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“Yes,” Mikky answered immediately. “That’s precisely why I want to do this.”
Mikella lowered her eyes, her mind deep in thought. Val made sure to listen instead of interrupting her, leaving her to form her words.
“I want to get stronger…” Mikella said, her voice low at first, but soon it rose in an octave. “I can’t stay put for so long. I have the stats to fight longer. But I know I can’t grow stronger just fighting safely like today. I need to push myself, Captain.”
She spoke Val’s title, fully knowing that she needed to convince her. She wanted to show her what she truly wanted, even if it meant going into danger.
“I want to challenge myself. I can’t do that while fighting with everyone else. Please, Captain, let me have this. I beg you…”
To Val’s surprise, Mikella went full on and bowed her head to her. They have a custom of nodding and bowing their heads to their superiors, but Val never liked that as it felt too demeaning to the soldiers putting their lives on the line.
But Mikella was proving how much she wanted this, and Val grimaced. As a captain, she can’t let such a worthy soldier go off on her own even if it was to help her get stronger. There was too much danger involved, and Val knew that powerful monsters waited beyond the forests, monsters that had perhaps reached Journeyman rank at level 60.
But then again, she had the same driven look in her brown eyes, the same as Val had. She held that drive that pushed her well beyond the others, reaching the stage nobody thought she could ever reach. She couldn’t have been in that position were it not for the help of others. She cannot say for herself that she reached Journeyman all on her own. That would be a lie to herself, to her pride as a warrior.
So, with great apprehension, Val let out a heavy breath.
“Alright… but you have to follow my conditions. If you don’t, this is off the table.”
Mikella raised her head, showing a pure look of excitement and joy. Val never thought she would ever see another woman showing such excitement for something so dangerous.
Even Myra would be apprehensive about doing something so dangerous, and she always wanted to improve herself.
“What are the conditions?” Mikella asked.
“Obviously, I can’t let you go alone,” Val stated, leaving Mikella to deflate.
“But–”
“I told you, didn’t I? I can’t let you go on your own,” Val interrupted. She will hear no objection to this. She had seen many soldiers go off on their own and die because of a surprise attack. That was too many to go through and she will not let this child go through the same. “You will bring a small group with you, that’s it. And of course, you will be the leader. I will make sure to speak to the others about it. I’m certain they will agree to your demands of wanting to get stronger.”
“But… the experience–”
“Will be shared,” Val answered, once again interrupting her. She would’ve felt bad for Mikella, but she couldn't care less about the XP loss if it meant losing her in the process. “That will surely not be an issue with you, right?”
Mikella looked away, ashamed. She figured that on top of the skill improvement, she can gain a few levels.
Realizing that her experience was shared with Zeke, it would make sense to assume that Mikella will take longer to level up. That is fine in their eyes as it means that Zeke, a support mage, will grow as strong as Mikella, a warrior in training.
Even more so when Zeke was a Runist, and Val knew just how valuable runists can be, especially at high levels.
It is such a good deal to have, yet Val can understand Mikella’s apprehension towards it. Any warrior would be remiss to share XP to someone else after fighting the monster by yourself, no matter how small the XP was.
But Zeke was a good boy in Val’s eyes. According to Cloud, he’s studious, takes his duties seriously, and only aims to help and support others. In other words, he wanted to help Mikella in whatever way he could. She may start off at a slow pace compared to the others in terms of leveling, but she will receive so much support that her being slightly weaker will be offset with the amount of help she will receive.
Lord knows Val wanted the same in the past, only to be met with incompetent or arrogant mages in her life. She swore if she hadn’t met Cloud before then, she would’ve…
She shook her head. She was still talking to Mikella, or rather forcing her to take her deal.
“Don’t worry, I assure you that you will get what you’re asking for. Though that’s all I’ll ask of you, you should tell this to Zeke as well, just to be sure.”
Mikella tilted her head. “Why? He doesn’t have to know. Rather, I don’t want him to.”
“Why not?” Val tilted her own head at that.
“W-Well…” Mikella darted her eyes away. “It’ll only make him nervous. If he realizes I’m out there fighting strong monsters without him, he’s going to get anxious and would want to join in. I can’t let him do that.”
Val grimaced at that. Mikella had a point on that matter.
Letting out another breath, Val relented. “Alright. I suppose we can avoid telling him for now… but I am serious about being truthful. Having a healthy communication with Zeke will only be a benefit to you.”
Mikella nodded in return. Val copied the notion as she continued.
With that, the two went off to sleep, their minds heavy from the talk. When Val returned to their room, Cloud noticed her coming. He was sitting upright on their bed, holding a book while reading near the dim lamp from his side.
They never cared much for luxuries, having such lavish walls and bedding. They cared for the simple things, such as wooden walls and flooring with a plush rug underneath. The air was at least slightly chill thanks to the arrays put into the room, making it a perfect place to sleep every night no matter the season. That was one particular luxury she didn’t mind as she put herself into the bed along with Cloud, nestling herself into the furs and blankets from the slight chill in the air.
She let out a soft breath, glad to return to bed.
“I’m surprised you gave permission to let her go.” Cloud suddenly asked, and now the comfortable feeling she just had was lost. She glared back at him.
“You know I don’t like it when you eavesdrop like that,” Val stated, but Cloud only looked over to her with a grin. Cloud had many arrays done in the home, mostly for protection. But sometimes Cloud takes that too far with his spying, even if it was meant for protecting them.
Val didn’t mind it, honestly. That’s just how Cloud is, and quite frankly with how crazy this world gets, it was a good way to have a good surrounding of yourself. Still, it was rude to listen in on a girls’ conversation, even if it was her husband.
“Sorry, but you usually don’t get involved so much like this. I just had to peek,” Cloud smirked, but Val only glared back. After a while, she just groaned as she sat up straight to talk.
“Mikky wanted to fight by herself. I couldn’t really pretend not to know her struggle.”
“That’s good,” Cloud nodded. “I can guess that she wanted to keep up with Zeke. He’s doing a fantastic job despite only being in this place in such a short time.”
“True, but comparing the two of them together is impossible,” Val stated. “Compared to the other soldiers, she’s already doing far better than others.”
“I agree,” Cloud nodded. “But I also think it’s a good idea to force her to go in a team.”
“Yeah, but even then, it worries me,” Val said, letting out her thoughts. “It worries me when I think about how young she is, yet she wants to keep getting stronger faster.”
“We were pretty much the same,” Cloud said, though his tone implied that he understood what Val was talking about.
“But we had plenty of resources, plenty of people. They barely knew anyone other than us. It's just… I wonder why they need to push themselves so hard.”
Val could understand Mikella’s decision to get stronger. There were plenty of reasons why a woman needed to get ahead in life to try and not be taken advantage of. Yet her decision to get stronger relied solely on taking care of Clara.
On the other hand, Zeke was intent on getting stronger as well. Compared to other folks in her life, they were just satisfied being strong enough to live comfortably. In their stage, they normally would enjoy being as strong as they were now for a while longer.
Not Mikella and Zeke. They keep wanting to push themselves, wanting to get stronger under the system’s guidance.
Cloud stayed quiet, letting the silence hang in the air. After a moment longer, Cloud closed his book and held Val’s hand tight. She grasped it, looking over at him.
“The only thing we can do is to guide them to a better path,” Cloud said, his voice soft and gentle, just like he always does when Val gets stressed out. “Unlike us, they were forced on this path. They were forced to fight to survive while carrying a child with them. And even now, they have no idea why they’re here. We have no idea why they’re here. That alone is frightening to think about.”
Val nodded, her mouth stayed shut. She couldn't even think about being in their position, only just started in the system at level 1, with a child, while surrounded by enemies in a strange place. What sort of god would push them into that sort of scenario, with no explanation whatsoever? And more importantly, why bring a child along with them?
“For now, let’s help them the best way we can,” Cloud said, prompting a smile from Val. The two shared a small kiss with each other, their words impacting their decisions for the future.
They will help the children get stronger, in the path that they have gone through themselves. But only at the start. Afterwards, those two have to go off on their own.
After all, they have their lives to live, their duties to fulfill.