I’ve been rushing to the east for what appears to be a day now. Did my white-haired friend lead me astray? No, he didn’t seem like the kind to lie. I’ll believe in his word for just a little more.

I’m soon rewarded for my patience with the sight of a house secluded in the forest. I’m almost certain that this is the place. I do notice that there didn’t seem to be anyone inhabiting the property. The door’s unlocked, so I enter and examine the interior for any leads to their whereabouts.

“And who might you be?”

A voice strikes me from behind. He points his blade at my back while letting out a huge burst of mana. I raise my arms in response.

“I must admire your skill, Mr. Apprentice.”

“Answer the question.”

He’s not one for idle chatter, it seems.

“I was simply here to visit a friend. A friend who, it seems, is not home.”

There’s a noticeable pause after my reprise. He seems to be pondering something.

“Tell me about this friend of yours.”

“I conjecture you know more about him than me, good sir.”

“Just answer and I’ll let you go. We know it wasn’t you.”

I, of course, know that they know. But I can’t tell him that.

“So, I take it he’s dead? I was here for him and only him. I know nothing more.”

“Alright, fine. I won’t press you for more.”

I hear him sheathe his blade.

“If I might ask, how did he die?”

Another pause ensues.

“Very well. He was murdered by his housekeeper and a woman who came in about a week ago. We’re still searching for them.”

“Housekeeper, you say? What did they look like?”

“The woman has pale skin and short black hair. The young man’s most defining feature is his white hair.”

It’s been three days, and I still can’t focus my mana for long enough.

“We’re done with that. Just take it easy already.”

“Just a bit more!”

Cruel sighs and gives off a look of pity.

“Suit yourself.”

I’ve always had a habit of never giving up. It’s probably how I survived most of my childhood prior to meeting the doctor. I was imprisoned and tortured for so many petty reasons back then. I never once tried to escape. I took everything they threw at me.

“Alright, that’s it. You’ve had enough for today.”

I’m disappointed in myself. In the end, I could only get to four seconds where the average person would’ve gotten to seven.

“We’re moving on tomorrow.”

“Is that really okay? Am I gonna be fine?”

“Probably.”

She says it with so much uncertainty that I can’t even fake nonchalance.

I can’t really sleep at all after having my morale sunk so low. I just can’t help but think of my future in magic. I don’t seem to have any talent for it, and I’m even behind the average ones. It’s depressing to think about, but it won’t really get out of my head.

“Wake up.”

I nearly jump at the sound of Cruel’s voice. It’s not even time for her to reset yet.

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“We’re being watched.”

This is earlier than we’d anticipated. We’re not ready. All we have are a bunch of magic stones that can cast thick fog according to an appraiser in town. We’ll be able to escape, but we’ll still be chased after by them.

I hear some rustling in the nearby bushes which gives them away. I ready one of the stones, but a familiar silhouette comes out. I can’t mistake that spiky hair for anyone else.

“Ah, good heavens you’re still here.”

He seems relieved at his confirmation.

“Weren’t you on your way to Jur?”

“That’s not important. We have to get both of you out of the Water Territory now.”

His relief turns to distress as he says that.

“What?”

I feel like that’s my catchphrase now. Everyone just makes it so hard for me to follow their lines of thinking.

“I’m sorry, and you are?”

Cruel pitches in. I realize that she wasn’t here when we met.

“Where are my manners? You may call me Dryn.”

He takes a bow like before.

“I met this young man a couple of days back and asked him for directions. Would the lady bless me with her most wonderful name?”

“Cruel.”

Dryn’s visibly confused.

“I’m sorry if I offended you with my cruelty, fair lady.”

“No, my name’s Cruel.”

The man has a moment of clarity, and then what I interpret as disappointment.

“Who would dare give a refined lady such as yourself that name? Tell me. I’ll see to it that they’re properly dealt with. You deserve better.”

I just give Cruel my best “Don’t tell him” look. The last thing we all want is for this guy to go on some ostentatious rant about names.

“Weren’t you in a rush earlier? Was that all for dramatics or did you plan to have a long talk about my name?”

“Forgive me. Yes, we must get you out of here as soon as possible. This land’s overseer, the Lady Marga, has already sent one of her apprentices to capture you.”

“Alright, let’s talk about this. How can we even be sure that you’re telling the truth?”

Cruel seems to doubt Dryn who gives off a serious look.

“A very good point, but what I can say about this is very limited. Basically, I was sent to kill the person you’d just murdered.”

The man doesn’t even flinch while saying that. The same couldn’t be said for me.

“I’m merely offering my aid as a show of gratitude for you. I would have been chased instead had you not acted in the way that you did.”

Cruel examines him a little more.

“You’re very pompous, but you seem to be telling the truth. However, we still can’t leave this region. Not until I get what I need.”

“I have men who can get it for you. Please, just leave this place.”

“You don’t seem to understand. What I’m looking for is the Fatechanger.”

Dryn’s eyes widen. He seems alarmed by what she said.

“Are you implying that you have knowledge of acquiring this artifact? Nay, that you even know its whereabouts?”

Cruel goes back to her smug composure.

“Curious, are we?”

Dryn soon starts grinning as well.

“I’m beginning to see that your name was no mistake. I will push you no further. I will, however, have to bid you farewell.”

“But you still owe me.”

I try to chime in on their conversation.

“Let me repay you by marking a safe path that you can take on your map. The overseer’s sight is not without its shortcomings.”

“No need. Why do you think we’re staying near Vand?”

Dryn can’t hide the fury in his eyes.

“Very well. I yield. What is it that you desire?”

“Help us out with our pursuers.”

Dryn then turns to me after hearing what Cruel says.

“Is that what you want, my friend?”

“Y-yeah. Whatever she said.”

He looks at me in a way that makes it seem like he’s disappointed.

“Do not let others dictate what you want, dear Soren.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He looks back to Cruel.

“Not to be disrespectful, but we can’t possibly defeat the apprentice with our current party. He’s just too powerful. The best I can offer is a distraction.”

“Fine. Keep him distracted for as long as possible. Do whatever it takes to get him to chase you over us. You have no intention of staying here for long anyway, do you?”

“Fair enough, Miss Cruel. I sincerely hope we never meet again. At least not under these kinds of circumstances.”

After that intense back and forth, Cruel tells me that we can rest for tomorrow. I think it’s because having Dryn around just extended our stay here. Then, the reset happens as dawn breaks.

“What in god’s name…”

I forget that Dryn’s here and he doesn’t know about the curse. I try my best to tell both him and Cruel about it.

“So this is what you wish the Fatechanger for.”

“Yeah. It’s not for anything dangerous if you were thinking that.”

“I figured that already, my friend. I trust that you would never intentionally do anything to cause harm unto others.”

He pats me on the back as he says that.

“Thanks, I guess?”