A disgusting scent that I haven't known before woke me up. And to no one's surprise there were tears on my face. She would have laughed that a big guy like me cried, yes she would have, she would have.

After wiping my tears away stood up, not to my full height that would uproot my tent, it happened before. I had to move carefully to leave my tent without breaking something. Once out I saw the source of the smell, the mage was smoking her pipe.

Her white hair was a mess and I haven't seen anyone as done as her. She looked me in the eyes and continued Smoking her pipe without breaking eye contact. I just sat down a bit away from her the wind was blowing against her so I should get some fresh air here.

"Bad dream?"

"Bad dream, bad dream?"

"Bad dream."

It was simple and short, we both had nightmares. She took out her ring and just looked at it.

"When should we get going?"

I asked because I'm horrible at planing ahead, I will not take a leader role.

"After breakfast."

"But nothings being prepared."

"Exactly."

I don't really under-ah, she wants me to make breakfast. Well I'm not really good but a hungry person doesn't complain so I guess I can try.

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I didn't give a response to the brute leaving. I just stared at the ring but not really, my eyes looked a hundred steps past everything. Why did I need to remember him? And why was his death so detailed? I don't think I even was close enough to see him. I only heard his scream.

My look focused on the 'ring', I wonder.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Hey, from now on your name is Kotzuk."

"And I will teach you the ways of the arcane. First of one has to open their internal mana ways and then awaken the core. Now I'm gonna forcefully open yours."

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What theeeeaasasasaasesesaAAAAAAAGHHHHH1

It's as if a thousand molten hot arms hollow me out and fill me up with lava over and over and over and over and over again and again. I'm not sure how much time passed but the pain never stopped.

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Breakfast was quite good it had a bland taste and was to salty. We should get going now. I stood up.

"I want all of you to be ready in half an hour, rouge you will lead us to the best place to sell. After that I will take the lead."

The brute and rouge made no sound instead they just went to their tents and started packing up. The ranger looked at me for a bit and then just shrugged, idiots atleast know to do as told. The swordsman and healer however looked at me questioningly.

"You got a problem?"

Then they both turned to get ready. I didn't like it but the only reason I hold the leader role is because I'm the strongest. The healer probably has a great understanding of the human body and mind. I recognise the gauntlets that the swordsman was wearing he's probably a good tactician. But right now our goal is simple: sell.

I looked down on my 'ring'.

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Half an hour later

I'm not really sure if half an hour passed but I'm not the last so that's good. The sorceress holds the leader title with force right now but I can understand it right now, but if she keeps that reasoning then I will confront her.

"Where's the brute?"

Yes, that's a good question. From behind I could hear heavy footsteps, not in slow but I could feel the weight of every step. Truly a brute.

"Alright, so everyone is here. Rogue, what's the best place to sell in most a days worth of travel."

"If we do or don't hijack a caravan?"

"Is it that much better?"

"No, not really."

"Exactly."

She pulled out a map and compass and after a bit of thinking:"Then we go to the city on top of the glistening mountain."

"Knife ears?"

I dealt with elfs before and let's just say their frontrunner's tend to end themselves after being captured, I had to save a lot of them.

"Why is it called the glistening mountain?"

Yes, good question.

"It glistens in the sun, literally."

"How far is it away?"

"If we leave now then we should be there just before nightfall."

"Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way!"

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The pain finally left me and now I feel, different. As though a new part of me woke up. And there's also something I can't describe as tough it should be but isn't a part of me. I tried interacting with it and it went, somehow?

"Ah, you're back. Now it's time you learn mana control. Don't worry if you struggle I'll do it forcefully again."