Stroking Aubrey’s head, I look out the window at the overcast night sky. It was slowly snowing, and through the clouds I could tell it was a full moon outside. I had thought about this for a while now, since Aubrey had been on my lap sleeping for a few hours now, and decided against meeting this Moon Goddess.

I had grown wary of meeting Her and I didn’t trust anything to do with Her. I tolerated using the gauntlets that had been blessed by Her since I needed the strength, but now with the latest attack by the bear, I’d grown terrified of Her and Her Church. At first I’d been willing to accept Her because of Flannery, but I hadn’t heard from her since the moon within my mana realm shattered and disappeared into that light.

Leaning back, I closed my eyes and entered my mana realm. Arriving on top of the lake, I felt a strong, freezing wind blowing, the stars within the lake shone more brightly and there was a strange blue glow coming from somewhere. Frowning, I look around before looking up at the sky and find a large blue gem hanging in the sky…why are things just floating in my mana realm?!

Staring closely at this blue gem, I couldn’t tell what it was doing but it’s releasing a soft, rhythmic energy that spread evenly. I had seen this gem before, but trying to remember where it became blurry…a figure with a blue gem…trying to focus, I couldn’t recall anything else.

Looking at the gem, I instinctively knew it wasn’t harming me, in fact it seems to be helping. Is it the reason my mana realm and veins recovered? Trying to prompt the System, nothing showed for the gem. Is it because I’m in my mana realm that it doesn’t show, or is there another reason? Sighing, I left the gem for the time being as I closed my eyes and let the calmness of this place wash over me.

After ten minutes, I open my eyes, and before exiting my mana realm, I look at the gem again. Figuring I would find out what this gem is at some point, I felt my mind tug me out. Opening my eyes, I see Aubrey stirring slowly before her eyes flutter open and sitting up in my lap, she looks around before looking at me with some confusion.

“D-did I fall asleep?” Hearing her ask as she stared at me with a neutral face, I giggled and shrugged while patting her hair once again. Shaking my hand off, Aubrey got up quickly while blushing slightly, a shy expression on her face.

“S-sorry…I haven’t slept well s-since that night…since seeing you laying there, d-dying.” Looking down, she bit her lip lightly before looking at me, seriousness in her eyes. “I’m sorry…I was useless, I couldn’t do anything.”

Chopping her lightly on the head, I smiled at her. “Don’t be sorry. I heard from Elise that you expended your lifeforce and even lost levels to help me. It should be me who is sorry for putting you in that position. Thank you, Aubrey.”

Seeing her eyes go from serious to confused for a moment then happy and finally land back on serious, she shook her head. “I- no, you…argh, whatever.” Turning her head away while trying to hide a smile, I held back a giggle, knowing if I were to giggle it would only make her more flustered. After a few seconds, she sighed and sat on the bed next to me as she swung her legs.

“So Elise told you everything? That’s good. If it wasn’t for those Gold adventurers arriving late, we wouldn’t have been placed in danger…” Looking annoyed, Aubrey just sighed.

“Those Gold adventurers came in after you had killed the bear. You know what their main concern was, Alisha?” Turning to me, she was red with anger. “The only wanted the fucking materials and core of the bear. They were jumping for joy. If it wasn’t for their healer rushing to your side, you’d have been dead. If it wasn’t for him not caring for money like the rest, we’d have been in a horrible position.”

Slamming her fist on the frame of the bed, she pouted. “Luckily the Guild stepped in afterwards and retrieved everything, and punished all members involved. The core was sold by the Guild on your behalf to regrow your leg. They took the rest of the materials for something, I’m not sure what but the Guild said it would return to you.”

Looking down at my right leg, I asked Aubrey why they hadn’t healed Amelia or Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth refused treatment. Amelia can’t afford it, as simple as that. The cost is huge for regrowth magic and even if you can afford it finding someone willing is difficult. Elizabeth was offered but she refused, for what reason I don’t know, but most likely guilt about what happened to you. We tried reasoning with her but she was unresponsive.”

Biting my lip, I felt sad that Elizabeth had locked herself in her room and refused treatment. Hanging my head, I felt Aubrey hug me.

“Don’t blame yourself. Remember, you saved all of us, even if you did die that day I wouldn’t forget what you did. We’ll go see Elizabeth soon and snap her out of whatever she’s going through, alright?”

Letting myself stay in her hug for a bit, I nod as she pulls away. I didn’t think Aubrey was this emotional, usually she stuck to herself, it was a strange change for her to be this reassuring. Sitting down on the bed again, Aubrey dug around in her pockets for a moment before pulling out a request token.

“I got an easy request for us to do. I know they want to keep you here for longer, but you’re eager to get out aren’t you?”

Meekly pursing my lips, I nod to her comment. “M-my leg is still weak though.”

“That’s fine. We’re not fighting anything. It’s cooking! They don’t need you to go crazy and make tons of food, just some small portions for a few hours tonight. It’ll be a good way to get you moving again.”

Smiling, I appreciated what Aubrey was trying to do. I didn’t want to be stuck in here, I already felt bored. Standing up somewhat unsteadily, I picked up my bag as Aubrey gave me a small smile. Putting her arm around my shoulders, Aubrey helped me walk out of the room as I got used to the leg. After exiting the room, we left the building to find that we were in a busy street.

Letting go of my shoulder, Aubrey stood right next to me as I slowly walked. We received a few stares, but we were mostly ignored. When I stumbled a few times, Aubrey made sure to prevent me from falling face first again. Walking in the snow was rather difficult, but I slowly got used to walking on my newly grown leg. I knew it would take more practice to fight like I had before, but for now walking had gotten easier.

Soon, we arrived in front of a rather large, loud and warm building. A sign in front of the building read “White Tiger’s Tavern”. Helping me through the doors, a warm breeze hit me as I entered and looking around, the tavern was crowded. People loudly talking, eating and drinking and a joyous atmosphere filled the air. Most had adventurer plates, mostly Bronze and Silver.

A well dressed man welcomed us when we entered, and after Aubrey told him the reason why we were there, he led us into the kitchen and introduced us to the owner. After we talked and sorted out what he wanted me to help cook with, I got the equipment I had received from Grandma.

Next to me, Aubrey looked rather nervous. Looking at me, she seemed to plead as she said “C-can you not yell at me this time?” Not wanting to promise her anything, I simply smiled but that only worsened the look of panic.

***

Laying my head on my arms, I groaned in pain. Moving so much while cooking had pushed my muscles much harder than I’ve ever felt them be pushed. Aubrey and I were sitting at an empty table in the tavern, we had just finished helping and I felt drained. Feeling a hand pat my back, I moved my head to look at Aubrey.

“Good work…you were a little scarier than before but we still completed the request without any problems.”

Turning my head completely and resting it sideways towards Aubrey. “Mm, thanks for helping.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Smiling shyly, Aubrey lowered her head for a moment before quietly asking me “Alisha, d-do you have any friends?”

“Mm, I do. Other than Elizabeth, there are two others.”

“S-sally and Gray?”

Feeling my ears twitch slightly, I look deeply at Aubrey. I don’t recall telling her about those two, the only time she would have learnt about it…

“S-sorry, I overheard y-you and Elizabeth back in the d-dungeon. I woke up but you two w-were talking and I t-thought it would be rude if I intruded…but I couldn’t help to overhear…I’m s-sorry.”

Ah, as I thought. “Mm, it’s ok, don’t apologise. I don’t mind, it’s not some big secret.” Hearing a sound behind me, a cup was placed before me and another in front of Aubrey. Looking at the owner who had brought the cups, he smiled.

“Thank you for your help tonight. Don’t worry about paying for these drinks, they’ll help rejuvenate your energy.”

Thanking him, he left as Aubrey nervously took a look at me before picking up the cup and taking a drink. Sitting up slowly, I also took a drink and found it very sweet.

“A-Alisha.” Looking over at Aubrey, she was nervously fidgeting with her cup with a shy face before glancing at me. “C-can I…can we be f-friends?”

Finding her question a bit odd, I smiled anyway. “Mm, we’re already friends, you don’t need to ask.”

Looking at me with a bit of surprise, I saw a smile slowly creep up on her face as she nodded. Looking down again, Aubrey remained quiet before speaking again, this time with a slightly serious expression.

“I…I don’t have any friends…except for you of course, and maybe Elise.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “My memory…I remember everything about a person, regardless of how long it has been. All the good times, bad times and…times they’ve mistreated me.”

Taking another drink, I stayed silent. “This cursed memory focuses only on the bad times of a person…I’ve never felt a connection to anyone. But you, you never once treated me badly. In that fight against the bear, you never once demanded for me to use the Blessing of Gaia, even though you’ve experienced its power. Instead, you told me to run…you moved to protect me and those of the orphanage, distracting the bear away.”

Biting her lip and looking down, she rubbed her face. “My magic is…unique. By using my lifeforce, I can take and give the lifeforce of others. It’s also how I gain experience, by absorbing the lifeforce of others, monsters and humans alike. I can’t gain experience by killing things like you and every other adventurer. By using my lifeforce, I can increase the strength of others, and using it with magic I can increase that boon.

I party with all sorts of Bronze grade parties, even some Silver grade. Once they learn of my magic, they get…very greedy. Some treated me like a slave while in the dungeon. If it wasn’t for Elise, I may very well have been killed, being forced to use my lifeforce for some prick who thinks they’re the main character of a children’s book.”

Slamming the drink down angrily, she sighed. “I used to be level 36 you know. I don’t always lose levels when using Blessing of Gaia, but I will always lose levels if I just use my lifeforce to empower someone. A party entrapped me, kept me locked away and forced me to empower them over and over. They fed me monster cores to recover my lifeforce, but it was never enough.

“Eventually that party got stupid. They attempted to fight the 20th floor Guardian. It was a massacre, none of them lived. I managed to escape and swore that I wouldn’t reveal my magic to anyone. I met Elise after that, and after hearing my story, she tried finding me parties that wouldn’t use me like they had. I found some great people and soon, I opened up slightly and used my lifeforce magic.

“Some grew greedy, but Elise pulled me away. She taught me what to look for in people, the signs that I needed to be careful of. Soon, I joined Bloom’s team. God that man is an annoyance…but he taught me something. Taught me to accept my gifts, and that the world is filled with shitty people. I had at some point distanced myself from people and even my magic. Bloom never once asked me to use my magic…I suppose he might be a friend too…”

Drinking the last of her drink, Aubrey put her cup down before moving her knees to the chest and hugging them. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to talk this much. Shortly after I left Bloom’s team, Elise introduced you to me, and here we are. Not once have you looked at me with greed, in fact when I told you the cost of the spell, you looked at me with a bit of sadness…no one has done that before.”

Drinking the last of my drink, I didn’t know what to say. I knew what it was like to be a slave and forced to do things against my will. Her experience must’ve been harder than mine, she was forced to give up her levels and lifeforce. Aubrey must’ve known I wasn’t sure on what to say as she pats me on the shoulder.

“Don’t think you have to feel bad for me or anything. I’ve moved past it, and while I can remember everything in vivid detail, I'd learnt to move on from everything.” Seeing her smile bashfully, I smiled back.

“Right, shall we head off? I’m feeling tired, which means you must be exhausted.” Standing a bit unsteadily with Aubrey, I picked up my bag as I followed behind. My leg was still weak, but I’d gotten used to walking with it already.

“We’ll head to the inn. Elise paid for an entire month for your room. Mainly so Elizabeth had somewhere to stay, but also so you’d have somewhere to go to recover. Alice is with one of the staff there, someone called Jessica I think.”

Frowning slightly, I wondered how Jessica ended up looking after Alice. Recalling that Alice seemed to have gotten along with Jessica rather quickly, I figured she’d offered to look after Alice. Stumbling slightly by the side of Aubrey, we walked in the snow in silence, both of us slightly too tired to talk.

***

Arriving outside of the Lily Pond Inn, it was rather quiet. It was just after midnight afterall, so it wasn't too surprising that people were either asleep or not wandering around. Entering with Aubrey, I looked around with my unobstructed vision. It was strange having this vision, I couldn’t tell if a room was dark or not. Spotting something strange, I saw a flickering shadow in a corner. Instinctively I knew this wasn’t an ordinary shadow.

Stepping back slightly, I took up my stance and prepared to use Astral Glacial Spikes.

“Alisha?” Sounding confused at my sudden movement, Aubrey stepped behind me. However, before I could do anything more, a figure emerged from the strange flickering shadow, revealing itself to be Lenny, who looked rather confused.

“H-how did you see me?” Looking a bit confused, Lenny kept a hand on a dagger at his waist. Realising he had possibly just been guarding the inn, I relaxed my stance. He also let his hand fall from his dagger as he tilted his head. Before he could speak, I heard a familiar cry.

“Kraa!”

Turning to the sound, I saw Alice flying towards me, and holding out a hand she landed on it, rubbing her head on my hand. Smiling, I felt happy she was okay. Though, I had thought Elise said she was still sleeping, perhaps she had just woken up?

“Ah, I see you’ve finally woken up.” Turning my head, I see the expressionless face of Jessica with a lantern in her hand. Nodding at me, she sent a puzzled look at Lenny, who shook his head before quickly moving back to the corner, disappearing into that strange flickering shadow.

Looking towards Jessica, she bowed slightly. “Your friend has left.” Startled, Jessica explained. “Earlier today, an adventurer named Bloom came with two others and dragged her from the room. It seems he planned to take her out to train, ranting on about how you’d awaken and she, and I quote, “can’t be sittin’ yer arse moppin’.”.

Pursing my lips, I wondered why Bloom decided to take Elizabeth for training. I knew he wouldn’t harm her so I wasn’t worried, I just hoped Elizabeth was fine.

“I’ll bring up dinner to your room, will you be staying?” Aubrey shakes her head.

“No. I need to go home. Alisha, come find me when you want to do a request…or just want to hang out.” Blushing slightly, she waved at me before leaving quickly. Jessica once again bows before leaving the lobby as I head upstairs. Getting to my room, I turned the key and entered to see it had been recently cleaned.

Sitting down at the table and placing Alice down gently, I dug in my bags and handed her a few monster cores. She happily gulped them down while staying close to me as I pet her head carefully. Soon, the door opened and Jessica walked in with a cart of food, unloading it onto the table before leaving.

Eating slowly, I started to think of what to do tomorrow. There was plenty to do, and since I can’t exactly fight at my peak just yet the best thing to do is do some reading. I’d received the booklet with courses for the Academy and one about bonded pets that I bought from Northern Hawk. There is also the golden ticket that Amelia had given me, requests around Vale I could do for things like cooking and learning more magic.

I started to realise how much I could do here, and for the first time I felt rather flustered because of how many things there are. Thinking about what takes priority, I figured starting at the Academy would be the best thing to do, followed by using this golden ticket, then the booklet on bonded pets and finally doing requests. Learning magic was something I should be able to do at the Academy.

Glancing out the window, I saw the sky had cleared at some point, I could make out the full moon from here. Seeing the full moon, I remembered how I could pray to meet this so-called Moon Goddess. Shaking my head, I scoff as I mutter to myself “Why should I meet Her if she wants me dead so much.” After I said those words, for a split second I could’ve sworn the moon had dimmed slightly. Blinking, I looked closely at the moon, but didn’t see anything different.

Rubbing my eyes, I felt tired. Perhaps I had just been seeing things. Getting up, I scope up a satisfied Alice, put her down next to my pillow, lay down and fall asleep right away.