Since noone is responding, should I even say something?
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Laura and Josk were invited to stay until situation would be solved. And this situation was to be solved quickly.
After teacher Alaric talked with me about what happened and heard that village that saved me was still under threat, he has called together group of his acquaintances and together with them, he went to the forest area. Two days later, message came back that village was safe and they returned after a week, with demonic spirit crystal and four demonic beast spirit crystals. They also made sure that village was safe and raised some additional demon repelling spells to make area safer for a while.
During her stay, Laura was taking care of my broken leg and would be near me during my nightmares. Aunt Sable originally called for healer, but he told her that my leg was alright and it would be better to have it healed naturally, since healing magic of weaker healers had some negative effects and was best used only in necessary situations. So instead, she brought me regenerative potion. Potions did not have such a drawback, but their effects were slower and weaker, so even with help of the potion, it still took me four days before my leg was completely healed.
“Laura, do you wish to study magic in this city?” asked aunt Sable on the fifth morning after breakfast. Three of us were only ones remaining in dining room. Laura dropped wooden cup on the ground, as she was shocked by sudden question.
Aunt Sable smiled mysteriously.
“I have noticed that in the afternoon, you like to borrow magic books from our library and read them without asking anyone. Not that I mind, but if you wished to stay here for some time to learn bit of magic, there is something I could do for you.” she continued and her smile turned into vicious one.
Laura was surprised by sudden offer. She never even thought about the possibility, but now it was right in front of her. She always liked magic and she would certainly become magician was it not for her grandma forcing her to become herbalist. She had two dozens of copper coin, which was equal to one silver coin that she was saving over last few years and when opportunity would arise, she would go to some shop and buy book about magic.
Offer that was presented to her was tempting, but she had to return back to village. Moreover, she knew that in her age of fifteen and with little talent she had, she would probably not be allowed to attend magic school anyways. It was but a wish that could never be fulfilled.
“Lady Sable, I am thankful for your offer, but I cannot accept it. I know it would cost a lot of money and I don’t have talent that would be worth such an investment.” she regretfully rejected. Even though she was still young girl with many dreams, harsh life in village taught her to recognize when it was impossible for dream to come true.
Mia Sable laughed lightly. “Laura, I understand what you’re thinking, but don’t you know it is rude to reject offer before listening to it? After all, I still have not explained what exactly I imagine.”
“I am sorry.” Laura bowed her head slightly. It was certainly rude from her to not let lady Sable finish explaining her offer. After all, she was just a village girl while lady Sable had social status similar to nobility.
“It’s fine. Now if you don’t mind, let me explain my offer. Aiken is in need of servant, who would take care of him while he is at school. Person who would take this position technically has full access to library of magic school, since all you have to do is ask Aiken and he will borrow book there for you. Moreover, except for cleaning the room, you will have lot of free time. Many servants use this possibility to learn more about magic.” she said.
“It is common practice to only let them have books from branch of common, but I am sure Aiken would be willing to get you any book you ask for. He could even help you with studying them. As long as you keep his room clean, you would get opportunity to learn magic freely.” She explained.
I was shocked by her offer and so was Laura. While taking care of seven years old child was not really something she would be happy about, opportunity to learn magic like that was certainly tempting, as unlike attending school as student, this was not mere dream.
Seeing that she was taking the bait, lady Sable decided to drive last nail into the coffin.
“As servant, you would be paid of course. I think two silver coins month would be fine price.”
Laura gulped. Two silver coins every month? What the hell? It took her so many years of saving to get those copper coins that were worth only one silver coin together and now, she would receive twice as much every month. However, she realized that she needs to take in account her expenses as well.
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“Aunt Sable, don’t be such cheapskate.” I said. I still hadn’t good idea about how much money would ordinary person make, and since my pocket money were two silver coins a week, it seemed to me like aunt Sable was making terrible offer to her. Well, I was bit correct, since many servants would get paid better, but for other people, they would be willing to lick your boots to get so much money.
“Alright, I was just teasing you. How about one silver coin every week? That should be good enough.” she smiled.
Laura felt that she was about to go crazy. Even her grandmother would not be able to get that money easily. While her herbal brews and remedies were expensive, and they were selling well, she would be able to get only bit more than one gold piece every year. She would use this money to buy more books about basics of alchemy, since like Laura wished to learn magic; her grandma had a lifelong dream of becoming real alchemist.
With simple math, since year has fifty two weeks, she would be paid over two and half gold coin every year.
“That is still less than my pocket money!” I protested, unaware of what Laura was thinking about. As she heard that, she looked at me with disbelief in her face. Rich families are insane, she thought. How could they give so much money to little kid?
“If you want her to have more, you can always give her part of your pocket money. But I don’t think that will be needed. Miss Laura, will you accept my suggestion now that you heard it?” aunt Sable asked.
“I will.” she answered without moment of hesitation.
I was surprised. I was sure she would reject it anyways.
When teacher Alaric returned, Laura already had letter for her grandmother prepared. When she told Josk about opportunity she was given, he could not believe it. To receive one whole silver coin every week was too good pay not to accept it. Moreover, she was to receive additional three copper coins for food and other expenses as well.
If he also received similar offer he would accept it as well. Instead, aunt sable gave him ten silver coins for bringing me so fast, which made him satisfied enough. Since village was safe, at least for now, he decided to return immediately to help his father. He took letter from Laura waved his hand at us and then he left on his cart pulled by horses.
Laura knew her grandma would be angry with her, but she hoped that she would understand her decision. After all, it was unique possibility to make a fortune that would not repeat itself. And moreover, she could learn some magic as well
There was only one week remaining till school would start again and since my leg was no longer injured, I started seriously meditating for a first time since start of the trip.
I wanted to become much stronger. I was still scared of the monsters often but I was tired of being scared. In order to distract myself, only thing I thought I could do was to focus on training. It was my way of escapism.
Sometimes, I would instruct Laura about magic if she had some question. After aunt Sable told her I was already able to cast tier eight spells and had deep understanding of magic, she started to often question me. Aunt Sable gave her some basic books of magic theory, but there were many technical terms that were not properly explained.
And then, last day before the end of holiday…
“Aiken! I did it. I have reached tier six today.” I heard excited voice of Saffron, as she entered my room. Silent girl who was usually hiding her emotions, excitement of finally making first step into world of powerful magic, she was unable to suppress her happiness.
And that was how our second year started.
In next few weeks, we received information about similar incidents happening in other parts of forest. Worst incidents happened in Eastern and Northern Empires, which led to temporary truce, since both countries were in war with one another until now.
These incidents were something with no equivalents in past, which made all countries to be on guard and all leaders were afraid of it being prelude of some powerful beast coming down from mountains. It was known that some of monsters in mountains would be able to match even Wizard of East, North or even teacher Alaric.
There was big meeting of magicians organized by Western Empire, where only experts of tier seven and higher would be allowed. Western Empire was allowed exception since it had no tier seventeen experts and their tier sixteen and fifteen experts were allowed. Reason of this meeting was simple, preparation of plan for the case of emergency.
Future seemed dark. But leaders of empires thankfully still had enough sense, to forget their grudges when this terrible threat was hanging in the air above them.