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“I can’t take these.” Drew said.

“Why not? You have the mana to maintain them.” She said. “And you are always making strange things.”

Drew huffed and tried to fix a few of his feathers that were sticky with blood.

MP: 45%

“I’m going to chaperone these kids. They are going to hunt horned rabbits.” Drew said.

“The scales need to be fed mana again or they will degrade.” Maggie said.

“Well I spent all my gold already so I can’t afford them.” Drew said.

While they argued the kids packed up their practice weapons.

“Well do you want them or not? You could enchant a few things for us as payment.” Maggie said.

Damn. She’s right I could use them for my next armor.

“Seems fair. He will take them now and we can negotiate later on how many and which enchantments.” Damien said stepping in.

He’s always got to butt in!

“I haven’t got room to carry them. You can take them back to the tent Damien.” Drew asked.

He wants them then he can feed them mana and take them back to camp.

“I’m going to tag along to make sure the kids and Marcus don’t get overwhelmed by beasts out here.” Drew said.

Damien scowled at Drew. He accepted the scales from Maggie.

“Alright then. Great doing business with you. I’ll work on a list of enchantments we will want.” Maggie said oblivious to the subtle conflict going on between Drew and Damien.

“I’m not sure if we should be going after anymore rabbits.” Marcus said. “What if we come across a giant horned rabbit? Or another king of the forest?”

“Please sir!” Kiritus asked. “We would be safe with you to protect us!”

The elf's face softened and he resigned himself to help.

“Well okay. Just one encounter. Then we head back.” He said and marched over to the rest of their group.

Damien left with the mercenaries without another word, taking the scales into his traveling sack. He fed one some mana while he walked.

Drew flew ahead to scout out for any rabbits.

He restored two charges to his earth wand while he flew.

MP: 15%

No sign of any beasts.

He circled back and watched the group of children.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

They’re traveling in formation, prepared to be attacked at any moment. This world is so harsh, they should be pretending to be adventurers, not actually out grinding exp.

He swooped low and landed on Marcus’s shoulder.

The elf screamed causing the children to cry out. Kiritus dropped her sword and Calvin ran headfirst into Victor.

“Sorry everyone! Just me.” Drew said.

Drew settled in on Marcus’s shoulder, the elf's leather armor made for a great place to grip while Drew focused on refilling his mana reserves.

The group formed back up and kept patrolling the edge of the forest. Dyler and Calvin swept their wooden swords through each group of tall grass to see if any beasts turned up.

“We can take it easy for the moment, there aren’t any beasts nearby.” Drew said quiet enough the kids couldn’t overhear.

Marcus sighed in relief.

“Did you find out what’s eating Damien?” Drew asked.

Marcus walked along behind the group. He fiddled with the hilt of his thin sword.

“It’s nothing. You know he served in the war. So did many children. Noble houses and families in the capital start their training even younger that the folks out here in the frontiers. And it is honorable to enlist.” Marcus said.

That's awful! Child soldiers! Was Damien one too?

Marcus looked away towards the kids. They were creeping along cautiously.

“No wonder he hates seeing kids risking their lives to collect herbs and fiber.” Drew said.

Dyler exclaimed as two rabbits charged out of the tall grass.

Drew and Marcus charged forward.

Calvin stepped up beside Dyler to cover his right side and the two beasts backed off for a moment to consider the situation.

“Ha! Perfect! We have them out numbered!” Dylar shouted.

Victor charged in blindly. He took one swing and missed the closest beast. The other closed in on the boy but Dyler knocked the beats paw aside with his sword.

The beasts backed up again to avoid being surrounded.

“So far so good.” Drew said.

“No! You can’t keep tempting fate like this.” Marcus said.

The two rabbits started barking and three more rabbits hopped out of the tall grass barely 5 meters away.

“Marcus can you hold off those three until the kids can take out these two?” Drew asked flying forwards.

The elf paled but drew his sword and stepped between the three horned rabbits and the children.

“I’ll do my best.” He stammered. “Don’t take too long!”

“Kodna! Kiritus! Get in formation. Get your weapons up!” Dylar shouted.

The kids formed a crescent line that curved forwards and around the two beasts.

Drew used a charge from his wand to fire a Stone Bolt through tne of the rabbit’s hind paws.

With it hobbled like this it should be far less dangerous.

Dyler took the opportunity to lunge forwards with his sword and strike the injured rabbit. Victor followed up and got in a solid hit of his own before the other rabbit swiped his arm with its claws.

Kodna swung her dagger and then her sword in a flurry of attacks but it was uncoordinated and the rabbit moved back avoiding the attack.

Drew fired his last stone bolt and it hit the second rabbit in the leg. Too high up to break anything but his Bane effect did trigger.

Time to switch to my knife.

Marcus was holding his own against the three rabbits. He successfully parried blow after blow turning the rabbits aside with well timed strikes.

“If you children could hurry? I’m a little out numbered here!” He cried.

Kiritus jumped forwards and swung down with her wooden sword. Her attack struck the hobbled beast on the head and knocked it to the ground.

Dyler kicked the other Rabbit interrupting it from taking a swipe at Calvin. Calvin was able to jab his dagger into the rabbit’s neck while it recovered. He struck a critical spot and the beast choked and fell to the ground.

Marcus pierced one rabbit through its heart. It died instantly. He quickly flinched back as the other two rabbits missed their attacks against him.

These beasts can really take a beating.

Kodna jumped on top of the downed rabbit and stabbed it repeatedly with her wooden dagger.

Combat Results: Horned Rabbit level 5 exp 98 exp

Kiritus and Dylar downed the other rabbit with their next strikes.

Combat Results: Horned Rabbit level 4 exp 78 exp

“Alright! Marcus needs our help!” Calvin said charging over to where the elf was cowering.

He's holding his own actually. Although he looks and sounds like a total coward.

Marcus parried another lunge, deflecting the rabbit to the side. It rolled to a stop and the children charged it.

The beasts are exhausted. They are not a risk to the kids at all. That's so effective. I need to restock my stamina drain talismans.

Drew and the children charged the two Rabbits and the fight was over in half a minute.

Combat Results: Horned Rabbit level 6 exp 148 exp

Combat Results: Horned Rabbit level 5 exp 128 exp

“Hooray!” Kiritus shouted.

“SHHHHHH!” Marcus whispered loudly.

She covered her mouth and the children all looked around for more beasts but none attacked.

“That’s enough excitement for today. everyone get a knife and loot these beasts so we can head back to town.” Marcus said.

Drew flew up and hovered on the wind to keep watch. The children were slowly harvesting the valuable parts from the fallen beasts.

It’s like they are at war. Child soldiers being trained, thrown in the deep-end head first.

Marcus stood and kept watch for any beasts and five minutes later the children were heading back to town happy.

Happy and alive. All in a days work.