I was slowly moving across the forest, but not on the ground. I was using my copper board and although I wasn't great at it the basis for riding it was there, I figure I would look cooler riding it if I didn't have my arms spread out trying to balance myself.

The flat surface of the board made it easy to stand on, using my mind to do the rest not so much. I decide to work more on this in my free time, I was getting near the village and I don't risk falling if I bump into someone.

I decide to turn it into something less suspicious, a crude sword. I tie it to my back using my flash shirt, tying it across my body so it makes a kind of x formation. The sword is pretty round and not sharp at all, basically a baton in the shape of a sword.

I got rid of the spear I used, buried it into the ground next to the grave I made. I'd like to explore what kind of weapons I like the most, my power making it easy to use any kind.

I've discovered a pretty cool use of my powers as well, thanks to my burying of ore near the surface in large chunks it makes it pretty easy to spot out where I've been. The kind of waypoints they make are pretty convenient when I want to go to a specific place, I probably could've marked the wolf den in case I go back but it's whatever.

Luckily the village is full of metal in recognizable shapes, buildings to be exact.

I should reach it soon, maybe 5 minutes to be exact. This is only my second day on the way back, going in a straight line really cut the time down.

As I reached the edge of the forest I smelled a distinct scent, something that made me go wide eyed. Something that made me run to see the village, a small amount of dread creeping inside me. When I caught sight of the village I stopped in my tracks, the smell now stronger than ever.

The smell of smoke, the sight of a village on fire, the sound of people screaming.

No wait, why is no one screaming? Fuck, are they all dead already? The buildings are still mostly intact so it seems pretty new, did somebody kill everyone and then start the fire?

I rush down over to the village before I get too lost in thought, avoiding the flames and looking for survivors. I find none as I make my way to the middle of the town, hopefully they all just met at the plaza.

I was correct in that regard, what I assume is the whole population is crammed in the middle of the town. There was a person in the middle of the plaza with a space around him, he was sweating and was whispering something. Eventually he collapsed, I became concerned if he was alive or not but something else stole my attention. Originating from the collapsed man was a cricle of frost, something even stranger was that it started spreading outwards. It moved at extraordinary pace and it soon reached and surpassed me, reaching the burning buildings.

The ice climbed the walls of the buildings and covered them completely, more importantly it stopped the flames. I became amazed at this use of ice powers, one look down a street proves that is still going all the way. Eventually it reached the edge of the village, it seemed to stop there. The guy is really lucky, he had some serious talent to work with if this had anything to say about it.

He might even be of protagonist status, saving the village was a classic one. Speaking of him, the village people seemed to be thankful but still kept their distance from him. A girl about the same age did burst from the crowd though, her maroon red hair being eye catching to the trained looker.

She was crying and holding onto the guy, clearly close with the person. They seemed to be teenagers, maybe 15 or 16. A good age for protagonists.

My thoughts all came together at this, my guess was that the girl caused this. I didn't have much to go on but after looking through the crowd I spotted some evidence, new fearful look scattered the populace.

Another guess was that they were either twins or best friends, if the girl had fire powers than that would point to the "opposite powers but best friends" trope. This event is probably the catalyst of them tapping into their plot armor powers, It's a glorious sight to see.

I wipe away the tear that accumulated in my eye, the sight of a real life anime beginning overwhelmed me a bit.

Unfortunately the girls outburst is probably going to delay my payday, maybe I could ask Ethan for a crash?

Nah, It's just one more night anyway. He probably has enough on his plate, most likely this accident will open up a ton of quests for rebuilding. I suppose in that way I'll have to thank the girl for that, even if this was an accident.

The dirty looks the two kids got was all they got, it seemed nobody died and no huge harm was done so they didn't push it. They must also realize it was an accident, I think.

I wade through the crowd, looking for a certain Guild employee. I find him on the side of a house, using his hands to defrost the building. I have to give props to him, taking no time at all to start helping out the town.

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"Hey Ethan"

He turns his head to me, still dethawing the wall.

"Hey Victor, you just get back?"

"Yea, finished the wolf den. I suppose this isn't a regular occurrence?"

I gestured to the frost.

Ethan shakes his head sadly.

"Thankfully not, did you see those two kids in the plaza?"

"Yea, the kid who did this and the girl with red hair?"

"Yep, there names are Aspen and Ember. They appeared on the doorstep of the town orphanage, the only thing alongside them is a piece of paper stating their names. Their powers are unusually strong for their age, this makes it hard for them to keep it under check. We are a rather small town as well so we cannot ask for a town instructor, all we can do is wait until they come of age to attend a school."

Oh? That's interesting, they can only go to super power school at a certain age. Seems a bit rudimentary to me but I suppose they don't expect to much raw power to be born into the people out here, this presumbably the boonies of a kingdom. That makes it rather unfortunate for me, if this becomes a regular occurance then that means I'll have to wait for stores to open up again. That would be very inconvienent, especially if the outbursts become even more dangerous. I take a look around, noticing the other people with fire powers using them lightly to defrost the buildings. I sigh, this would take a while to finish up. I turn back to Ethan and ask him my last question.

"I suppose I won't be able to collect my reward for the mission"

"Afraid not, between the Bank and the Guild being frozen we will be unable to withdraw. I apologize on behalf of the Guild, the town will most likely be defrosted in 2 days. You'll be the first to know when your payment is ready, I'll make sure of it."

"Thank you, I do appreaciate the hospitality."

We exchange goodbyes as well, my destination now set for a certain duo. The girl, Ember, was still crying on the back of the collapsed boy. I walk over to them, standing above the two.

"Hey kid, you gonna cry there all day or should we get your friend some help?"

Yea, that was a pretty cool introduction if I say so myself.

The girl seemed to agree as she stopped sobbing a little bit and turns up to meet my eyes, red puffy amber eyes giving me a cofused look. I outreach a hand towards her, a universal sign for giving help. She gives a blink at my offer, like she never even heard of such a thing. Thankfully she seems to know of the gesture so I don't have to wait all day for her to take it, bringing herself up. I put my hand on the sword on my back, the girl going wide eyed at the action and gets inbetween me and the boy with her arms outstretched. I give a internal sigh at the distrust, didn't I just say I would help?

"It saddens me to see such a lack of faith in todays generation."

I draw my sword, when the girl takes a look at it she realizes how blunt it is and lowers her arms a little bit. I let go of the sword, letting it float in place. Taking one look at the surprised face she makes gives me a oddly good feeling, it might become a habit to do something like that. I shift the sword into a flat sheet, about the size of the kid.

"I thought it would be easier to carry him with this, you agree?"

The girl gives a look between the board and the other kid, eventually turning to me and giving a nod. She's not much of a talker apparently, the whole starting a fire that could've burned down the village might be the cause of that though. I go over and pick up the boy, careful to watch the girl incase she thinks I'm making any moves and attacks. Luckily all I get is a stern stare as I lay the boy on the copper table, letting him float comfortably above the ground. Well, about as comfortable as a unconcious man can appreaciate. I turn to the girl, now just realizing that we couldn't exactly take him to a hospital.

"So, is he just tired or..."

She gave me a nod, indicating that all he would need was rest. After the interaction we just stood around akwardly, until I thought of something to help her be more at ease.

"Are there any places you think he would be comfortable waking up in?"

She gives a look at the boy, then gestures for me to follow her as she walks away.

-Timeskip-

After a couple minutes of walking on a path through the forest we arrived at a rocky outcrop. I layed the boy down on a rock the girl pointed too, she's still not speaking. I do as she says and transform the sheet back into the sword I had before, strapping it across my back once more.

"Are you strong?"

Jesus, she scared me with that. Not one peep out of her and she just decides to squeak when I'm not prepared, kids these days are unpredictable. She does present a good question as well, I'm definitely above the average level but I'm not sure beyond that. Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt to flex a little bit.

"I suppose so, I've yet to come across a enemy I cannot defeat."

Yea, my lone samurai shtick is coming along nicely. I'm adapting to this world pretty smoothly, I'm even considering getting one of those straw hats that I can lower to cover my eyes so I look intimidating. I could also go full Samurai Jack and strap the sword to my waist, pulling it out with my powers and swinging it around with my mind. Why even stop at one sword, I could a barrage of swords attacki-

"I need your help, I need to grow stronger."

My inner musings were once again interrupted, shame on me this time I suppose. I do have to admit that I kind've set up this situation, helping them out and answering her question the way I did. I'd rather not get involved too deeply with the anime plot but nothing bad ever happened to the teacher of the protagonist, right?

Sigh, I have nothing better to do.

"I suppose, I should warn you that I have never taught someone before. Most of my skills are self made, them being rather unique as they are."

Taking those speech electives in high school are finally paying off, even if I only took a semester. I take out my copper sword, turning it into a metal plate with one end being sharp. I give it a couple hand sharpenings before doing what I made it to do, shoving it into a nearby rock. The copper pierces the stone just enough, leaving a bit stuck out. I take a seat my arms crossed and my posture straight, my new teacher mode activated.

"Give me a demonstration of your abilities, showing is better than telling after all."