I wonder if the mage will be there? She was there last time. Cerina is the strongest person I know, if she says that another is stronger than her I want to see it in action. But I wonder what makes her magic so strong? Then again I don’t know how the magic system even works here.

“Hey Frey, why can’t you use strong magic like that mage we encountered before.”

“Possibly… with enough practice. Anyone can learn magic. But it takes a lot of patience and discipline.”

“So what kinda magic did she use?”

With a sudden shock Frey looked at me. “What magic indeed? Thinking back on it I thought it was fire, or explosion. But our carriage didn’t have any scorch marks on it.”

That is true. I clearly saw the carriage ablaze, but it wasn’t burnt at all.

“But Frey she burned that scum who shot me!” Just remembering the bastard who shot me irritates me. I make a clearly annoyed face.

“Maybe she didn’t actually kill him, but saved him.”

I carefully looked at Frey. Is he joking? We clearly saw that scum of a life turn to ash.

“Think about it Melody, she is known as the rogue mage. A thief in a sense. Would a thief hold magic that would bring attention to herself?”

That’s right? Explosions are loud and fire wouldn’t be helpful in a stealth operation.

“Hey you know what I realized?” Cerina rudely interrupted my thought process.

“I’m going to be doing all the fighting, aren’t I?!” Cerina through up her hands in a big realization.

It is true that Cerina is the only one with combat experience. I would help but, that’s kinda unfair. And Frey is just…. I look at Frey.

“Hey you better not be thinking I’m useless.” As if reading my mind Frey lifted his head above mine.

“I’m the strategist of the group I’d say.”

“Sooooo useless.” I roll my eyes up and drop my tongue down at him.

“I am! I didn’t see you do anything when the bandits attacked last time!” Frey crossed his arms.

That’s true, back then I wanted to unleash all of their requiems, but seeing Cerina’s beautiful sword play, I kind of forgot. I guess I can be a little unfair today. Not unfair enough to take lives though.

“Hey I think I see the cargo. I’m off!” Cerina jumped off in a large arc, and performed a full flip before running off. Was that necessary!

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“I’m going to pull the carriage over here to give us some cover.” Frey turned off the road, and parked behind some shrubbery.

“Hey where are you going!” Frey saw me walking towards the cargo.

“I want to participate this time, at least a little.” I gestured a small amount with my fingers. I do love watching Cerina swing her sword, but one of them shot me!

As I approached the scene, Cerina was already engaged with 3 men. The cargo delivery looked like a huge rectangle with wheels, and a glass frame was protruding out of the head of it. No horses? Considering this cargo delivery belongs to a technological city, it’s safe to say they have engines, at least that’s what I’m implying.

A small grin comes across my face. Really getting to see two worlds meet is amazing. And if this hero is what I think it is I can’t wait to meet him. But first let’s take care of business. I notice what appears to be the cargo’s guards on the ground bleeding out. It would look pretty bad if I were to let them die. Guess it’s your lucky day.

Cerina glances in my direction, and immediately knew my intention and made wide swings to push the bandits away from the wounded. She really does have good battle sense huh?

♪ I sing to heal these people who would have failed at their job, if it wasn’t for me♪

White notes surrounded their bodies, and as if god touched them; their wounds started to close. They were still unconscious though, but breathing. Good. A good deed goes along way is what Ergo always says. Maybe they will add some sweets in Forpinch for us.

A mental image of Frey suddenly visualizes. “Forinch!” I sigh a little, before getting up from the gaurds.

Now to deal with the bandits.

“Whaa!” Something abruptly grabbed me from behind. A scared hand covered my mouth as I was whisked away into the forest. My eyes screamed towards Cerina who was covering no one anymore. Didn’t you hear my Whaa! Some battle sense!

“Stay calm I don’t plan to hurt you. Please be obedient” The voice called from behind me. Heh! Who are you! Speaking like you own me!

I wiggle my arm and my body in an attempt to shake free. With a sudden push I stumble forward. My assailant then grabs my arm so that I am facing towards her and delivers a punch to my gut.

Why am I captured every time! No I refuse to let this underdeveloped body lose consciousness. With shear will power I push up from below, ramming my head to the assailant’s chin.

“I will not be captured!” My breath clawing onto consciousness. I starred at the flare red hair blowing slightly to the right of the woman with blaring red stripes on her black jacket. Its the rogue mage. Her magic is so powerful Cerina, and Frey were spooked by it. I’m sure she could have destroyed this body by now, but she’s keeping me alive?

“What is so interesting about that cargo!” I blurted out in curiosity.

“heh, not asking who I am and getting right to business. You’re quite a character.” She stared deep into my eyes. Her eyes were a nice amethyst purple.

Frankly I didn’t care about who she was, but what she was after. I just want to know what kind of tech they have!

“Well then… business it is. There is medicine in that cargo. Advanced medicine that my people need. But after seeing a strong healer who can close fatal wounds, we might not need that anymore. As the leader of the Ravint clan we would like you to become our local healer.” She bowed her head. I thought you were the deadwood gang?

Also being so polite now, after forcibly trying to take me! Who does she think she’s fooling!

“Of course I could just continue taking you.” A small ring of fire closes off any escape I would potentially go for. Looking at the fire a little more… Shouldn’t it spread? This is deadwood. Looking at the grass underneath the fire… Wait it isn’t burning. Is this related to what Frey was mentioning earlier about how our carriage didn’t catch ablaze?

“So are you going to resist?” Her hand reaches forward and grabs my arm. Her eyes show a lot of strength, but also small speckles of sadness. Her face isn’t the face of a mean person trying to kidnap me but of a person begging with me.

Do I go with her?