Lee let Em handle and inspect his spellbook. There was no need to worry about her harming it as the enchantments on it should repair any damage done. Also, it was soulbound to him. She couldn’t use it without his permission.

He thought about this whole encounter as he calmly watched her shift through the mostly blank golden pages.

Em was unique and in more ways than one. Of course, she was an Arachne. That was obvious, but it stood out as being unique nonetheless. Secondly, she was the first spellcaster he had encountered since arriving in the kingdom.

From what he was told in Neldam from Neia and Nitus and from what he read in books at the consortium, the percentage of spellcasters should be around five percent. Granted, he hasn’t met too many people yet, but he would have assumed he would have seen some magic being cast by some villagers. There were well over a hundred of them, so why hadn’t he seen anybody casting magic?

Magic was magic; everybody wanted it. Whether it was to just do showy spells for those around you, defend yourself without a readily available weapon, or ease up on some of the routine chores of the day, everybody wanted it. Belgrate was a fine example. The man wanted magic. Lee could see it in his eyes and would wholly support anybody wanting to check to see if they were magically inclined.

While Lee was indeed a spellcaster, he was abnormal. He knew it; the Dark Elves knew it, but nobody else did. They didn’t know him.

So, when Lee learned that Em could cast magic, the first question that came to his mind was, ‘Who tested you?’

From what Lee knew, you had to have access to the skill Mana Sense, and you had to be tested on your affinities. The thing was, Lee was never tested; he was mana-infused. He didn’t know how the regular affinity testing went, but he vaguely remembered Neia telling him multiple people would channel the elements into or around you. He couldn’t remember exactly what it entailed, but it required a group of spellcasters to do.

Now, which group tested an Arachne? Or if she wasn’t tested, who mana-infused her?

Lee glanced at Em again and grew even more curious. Before he continued questioning, he had something more important to take care of: his first student. “Well, Em, first and foremost. Do you have Light and Earth affinities?”

Em closed and placed the spellbook on the table before them. She turned to face Lee and crossed her arms as she tried to appear stoic. Reverting to her regal tone, she answered. “I do indeed have those affinities. I assume they are the affinities required for the Life element?”

Lee nodded and gestured to his spellbook. “That’s correct. To be able to learn the spells inside my spellbook, you will need to obtain the life element first.” He paused and raised an eyebrow toward her. “Correct me if I am wrong, but this usually takes around a week or two of training once you know what element you’re aiming for?”

Em nodded and slammed her eight legs on the floor, showing her nervousness. “That’s generally correct. I will begin immediately…”

She glanced at the spellbook before slamming her legs again, this time more softly. Then, she dropped her regal tone and spoke normally. Well, as normal as her sharp and metallic voice could be. “You will still be here after a week?”

Lee was conflicted. He did not plan on spending too much time in such a small village; there was nobody to heal, nobody who needed his services, and little to learn. He had told Jeremy and Robert that the plan was ‘A few days.’ and that was the truth.

Looking at Em, he could see that she didn’t expect him to stay that long. Her arms were crossed, she wore a slight frown, and she looked ready to be told there wouldn’t be enough time. She was expecting bad news.

So, Lee told the truth.

“I can stay as long as I want, wherever I want. I will be here when you’ve learned Life. Don’t forget that we are still asking questions and sharing knowledge. I believe it’s my turn for a question now?” He finished with a smile as he watched Em’s face turn to one of surprise.

Her lips parted as she stood still in disbelief, staring at him with dark red eyes. Then suddenly, she turned and speed-scuttled away behind her bookcases, leaving Lee behind, confused.

Well, okay then?

Lee thought that maybe she was trying to find another book to bring over, but after watching her shift back and forth between shelves for well over a minute, he decided otherwise. He attempted to follow after her, but she quickly scuttled away to another shelf when he drew near.

After another few attempts and her continuous avoidance of him, he decided to wait back by the table, confused. He sat on the desk and rested his elbows on his knees and his hands beneath his chin as he watched Em scuttle to and fro with her back facing him.

A few minutes flew by before she slowly scuttled back over to him, no book in hand. He looked her up and down, trying to discern the cause of her actions, but she appeared stoic once more. “Are you okay?”

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Em looked down upon Lee with her piercing red eyes and blank face as she responded. “Why wouldn’t I be? Come, let us check on Vanny. She should have caught up a while ago.”

She then sped off toward the staircase, leaving Lee behind. Lee sat there for a moment alone before sighing and scooting off the table, grabbing his Orb of Light, and following after her.

—-------

Back down on the first floor of the watchtower, he spotted Em and Vanessa talking near the large metal doorway. Upon seeing the two large metal double doors again, Lee deemed them the perfect size for Em to enter and leave through.

Was the Watchtower built for her? Or was she placed here?

From what he could tell, the large metal doors were old. However, he couldn’t determine if they were the original doors. Em might be older than he thought if they were the originals.

Vanessa saw his approach and gave a hopeful smile. “Sorry, I was talking with my father and… Placating your friend…”

Lee facepalmed. He completely forgot about the incident he had with Jeremy before he entered. He looked from Vanessa to Em. “I’ll go calm things down outside. Em, it was nice to meet you. I’ll come back over soon to talk some more soon. I’m sure you have questions; I know I do.”

He gave a nod to Vanessa as he made his way to the door, overhearing Em’s confused whisper before he left. “See you soon…?”

Once outside, he spotted Jeremy, Meriah, Belgrate, Kooco, and, surprisingly, Kendri grouped by the iron gate. Jeremy was pacing back and forth, very nervous, as Meriah held Kooco on her lap as she sat on a rock. Belgrate stood at attention, and Kendri looked focused.

Most of them had their weapons out and worn.

Jeremy wore a sheathed longsword across his back and had a steel shield emblazoned with a white-tipped mountain attached to his arm. Meriah had two sheathed shortswords or long daggers, he couldn’t really tell, on each hip. Kendri had a long, basic-looking spear which he held upright.

Belgrate seemed to be the only one unarmed.

Lee approached and spoke before Jeremy noticed him. The others in the group had, but they were silent. “I assume you’re all here waiting for me?”

Jeremy whipped around and, with his nervous and near-terrified expression, inspected Lee up and down.

Lee was unimpressed and continued. “Tell me, Jeremy. Do you know who is in that watchtower?”

Jeremy paused in his scanning and looked Lee in the eyes, and at that moment, Lee knew the answer to his question.

Before Jeremy could respond, Lee turned away and spoke to Meriah and Kooco. “Meriah, Kooco. Did either of you know who lived in this watchtower?”

Meriah just looked down towards her feet as she sat on a stone with Kooco on her lap. Kooco just answered up front while staring at Lee with her large, innocent-looking eyes. “Kooco does not know! Who lives in the tower, Friend Lee Barnes?”

Lee just stared unimpressed at Kooco, really channeling his inner Em. After a few seconds, Kooco shifted, ruffled her yellow feathers in Meriah's lap, and looked down sadly at the ground. She had lied.

He looked to Belgrate and Kendri, both of whom nodded without him having to speak. They knew as well.

After looking between them for a moment, Lee just came out and asked. “Is there a reason I was not told about your country’s…” He paused, thinking of the correct words. “... defensive practices?”

They all looked awkwardly at one another before Jeremy spoke unsurely and probing. “...We were unsure how you would feel about their presence.”

Instead of answering the unasked question, Lee threw it back at him. “How do you feel about it, Jeremy?”

Jeremy just looked at him, almost as if he was trying to see what answer was correct. In response, Lee spoke again. “Go ahead, answer. No need for little political games.”

As he started to open his mouth to respond, Kooco solemnly chirped up. “I think they are good. They protect those near them… I’m sorry for lying, Friend Lee Barnes. Friends do not lie…”

Lee could see that Kooco was trying to apologize sincerely, but he wasn’t completely satisfied. “You think they are good what, Kooco?”

She looked at Lee, shuffled, and spoke again. “They are good people.”

Lee nodded and spoke to her once again, leaving everyone else out of the conversation from the language barrier. “You know Kooco, when I first met you, I thought that maybe you and Em—the woman who lives in the tower—were the same. I’d never met someone like you before. Would you have liked me to treat you like people treat her? I’m not a hundred percent sure about how she is treated, but I do not think you would have liked it if I did.”

Kooco gazed at the others around, then looked back at Lee with sorrowful eyes. “I do not think I would have liked that. No, Friend Lee Barnes.”

Lee slumped his shoulders and blew out a deep breath through his nose as he looked at the setting sun off in the distance. “That’s what I was afraid of hearing.”

Still looking off at the yellowish-orange sunset, he spoke aloud. “When you report to your superiors, let them know that I think that these people should be treated better.”

Answered with silence, Lee looked over his shoulder to find the group just awkwardly looking at one another. He looked back to the sunset and spoke again. “Let’s not pretend I’m an idiot. I know you’ll be reporting to someone. I don’t know who, and frankly, I don’t really care. But, tell me this. Are these people here against their will?” He finished by gesturing towards the watchtower.

Kendri was the first to speak, which was surprising. He rested his spear on his shoulder as he walked forward to watch the setting sun next to Lee. “They are not. Though, taking these positions is highly advised due to their appearance. Adventurers tend to skip talking and go straight to killing in most circumstances.”

Lee nodded. That was understandable. If he were an adventurer who killed monsters as a job, he would probably jump straight into attacking Em if he didn’t know any better. He would have to remember that if he meets another Arachne, they most likely won't be a person. They would be a monster.

“Well, we’ll be staying here for at least a week—maybe two. She’s going to learn my healing magic. Where did you guys end up making camp?”

The group all looked at one another, then cringed. Lee sighed and drooped his shoulders once more.

“You did find a place to camp right…?” He muttered.