Both of us dash towards the garden, and to our surprise, the guard I had encountered earlier stands in our path, blocking our way.

"Help!" I shout, desperation evident in my pretending voice as I run. "I spotted the wizard in a brown swordsman's outfit at the plaza!"

"What!?" The guard's eyes widen, and he immediately rushes away from us.

I can't believe our diversion actually worked! We hurry into the garden, still holding hands as we make our way to one end of it.

"Over there! It's the well!" I point out, my breath coming in heavy gasps.

Panting heavily, we reach the well, a classic-looking structure with a rope hanging from the top.

"Ruby, hide in there. I'll pull the rope."

"B-but..."

"Just do it already!" I urge her with urgency.

Ruby nods hesitantly and begins to climb into the well. As she raises her feet, I inadvertently catch a glimpse of her black, adorable undergarments.

...

Uh.

I quickly avert my gaze, making it seem as though I didn't notice anything, and hold onto the rope tightly. Ruby positions herself in the tied bucket inside the well, clutching the rope with a mix of nervousness and concern, hugging her clothes and staff close.

"I'm lowering you now," I assure her, sensing her apprehension.

Ruby's voice trembles slightly as she responds, "I'll be waiting for you down there... Make it quick, okay…? I don't like dark places..."

"I'll join you soon. Just wait there, okay?" I promise, trying to offer some comfort.

She nods slowly, cautiously lowering the rope into the well.

Moments later, I feel the rope slackening. It must have reached the bottom. I start pulling the rope up, and soon, the bucket becomes visible.

Okay, it's definitely deep... and thankfully, it's a dry well.

Now, the real challenge begins. How do I get inside?

I stare at the well, feeling a lump in my throat. The path ahead is uncertain, and I'll need to figure out a way to join Ruby while evading the pursuing guards.

I recall the experience of climbing a well in my village, using both hands and feet to support myself. It had earned me a scolding from the villagers afterward. With a heavy heart, I let out a sigh and begin descending the well, attempting the same technique.

It takes several minutes for me to make it halfway down, my fatigue becoming increasingly evident. "When will I ever make it to the bottom..."

Then, a sudden scream pierces the air from below. "Kyaah!!"

"That voice... Ruby!?" I exclaim, my heart racing.

Without a second thought, I leap down the well, my descent much deeper than I had anticipated. I land painfully on my back, a wave of excruciating pain radiating throughout my body.

Ruby is there, breathing heavily, her staff raised with one hand as she faces a cave in front of her.

Wait, a cave? Inside a well?

I'm too overwhelmed by the pain to think straight.

"R-Rai!? Are you okay!?" Ruby exclaims in worry as she rushes to my side.

"I need... a moment. It hurts so... damn much!" I manage to respond through the pain.

"Hold on!!" Ruby crouches beside me, raising her left hand and pointing the staff at me.

"[Luka, luka, pergilah yang jauh]," she chants in a unique language I've never heard before, or maybe I have, during the trial.

"[Regeneration!]"

A brilliant emerald green light emanates from the white crystal atop the staff.

I can feel the pain in my back gradually diminishing, and within seconds, it's completely gone!

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"What... is this?" I sit up, utterly amazed by the sudden relief from pain.

Ruby explains, her voice filled with nervousness, "It's a magic spell to heal your wounds..."

"M-magic? So you really are a wizard," I remark, realizing the truth.

She startles, her staff still pointed at me, her eyes moist, and her lower lip pouting cutely.

"W-wait!! I didn't mean it like that!" I quickly backtrack, sensing her fear.

The term 'wizard' seems to have triggered her anxiety.

I've never seen magic before in my nineteen years of life. This is the first time I've witnessed it firsthand...

But wait a minute.

There was one other time.

Alasta.

She used magic too, didn't she?

…

I raise both hands nervously, a gesture of goodwill. "Can you... please lower your staff? I promise I won't harm you."

Ruby hesitates but eventually lowers her staff. "S-sorry..."

"It's okay. I understand you're just being cautious," I reassure her, empathizing with her caution. "I'm surprised to witness actual magic for the first time myself, so..."

I suddenly recall the reason why I ended up falling down the well.

"Wait, why were you screaming earlier?"

"I..." Ruby points towards the cave. "I saw something moving inside. It's so dark... It startled me..."

I sigh, offering her some comfort as I reach out and place my hand firmly on her head. "There's nothing to worry about. We might have to stay here for a while. How about we explore this cave while we wait for things to calm down up there?"

Ruby clutches her staff tightly and nods. "Okay, but first..."

I inquire, "What is it?"

She hesitates before explaining, "I need to change again. This outfit is too big for me..."

Ugh. "Fine, I'll go inside the cave and look the other way."

"Ah, wait...!" She pinches my sleeve. "Don't... go too far, okay?"

"Whatever." I comply and take a few steps into the cave, settling down and purposefully averting my gaze.

My imagination begins to run wild, and I scold myself mentally. Seriously, get out of my mind! I need to regain control!

After a short while, the rustling sounds behind me gradually subside.

...

"I'm done~" Ruby announces cheerfully.

I turn to look behind me and find Ruby back in her gambeson. For some reason, she looks even cuter than before.

"Okay, let's go."

But then she asks, "Wait, what about these outfits?" She glances at the discarded armor she's holding.

"Just leave them. They're cheap, so you don't have to worry about it."

"Ah, okay..." She sets the leather armor aside on the ground and grabs my arm.

I'm taken aback. "What now?" I feel a hint of embarrassment as I sense her holding onto my arm.

She lowers her head. "Just... don't go too far from me..."

I let out a sigh and nod, feeling a sense of responsibility and protectiveness. Together, we enter the cave, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

As we walk deeper into the cave, we come across a door at the end of a corridor. So far, we've only encountered a few mice.

But then, I can hear voices on the other side of the door, hoarse and not quite human. Ruby and I exchange nods, and I push open the door.

The bar or pub in ruins appears frozen in time, a melancholic relic of its former glory. Its wooden beams and stone walls bear the scars of time and neglect, with vines and ivy creeping through cracks, reclaiming the space as nature's own. Broken stools and shattered glass litter the floor, remnants of the chaotic past. Dusty cobwebs drape from the ceiling, and the once-vibrant murals on the walls are faded and peeling. Apparently, eight kobolds are sighted greedily devouring blocks of cheese on the broken tables.

Kobolds are short, humanoid reptilian creatures with reddish-grey skin and scales on their backs. Their heads resemble crocodile heads, complete with sharp feline-like pupils, long jaws, and snake-like tongues. Their tails are longer than their digitigrade feet and pointed at the tip. They usually wield javelins and shields as weapons. When unarmed, they enjoy throwing things.

As the kobolds notice us, they make a cacophony of noise.

"Intrudaaah!!!"

"Hoomaanzzz!!!"

And yes, they can speak the language of common, though their tongues make it difficult for them to articulate their speech.

"Uh... hi?" I raise my right hand in a friendly gesture, but they interpret it as a sign of hostility!

Two kobolds begin pounding the ground and grab nearby chairs, their hostile intentions clear.

"This isn't good...!!" I mutter, a sense of urgency filling the air.

I draw my Bastard Sword as Ruby releases my arm and holds her staff with both hands, preparing for the battle ahead.

The confrontation begins as the kobolds make their move by hurling a round, wooden chair towards us. Swiftly, I duck behind the incoming projectile while Ruby darts to the right side of the scene. Just as the chairs miss us, I swing my sword at the attacking kobold.

Both kobolds leap in different directions, narrowly evading my strike. Meanwhile, Ruby closes her eyes and positions her hand behind her staff.

"[Terbentuklah bola api ini dan bakarlah musuhku!!]" she chants in a determined tone.

"[Fireball!!]" she exclaims, releasing a charged fireball towards the kobold jumping to the right. It strikes the creature directly in the chest, engulfing it in flames.

Skipping the astonishment of the magic, I sidestep to the left and swiftly dispatch the other kobold, slicing its torso open.

Grinning, I raise my sword. "Alright, who's next!?"

#

End of Chapter 27!