After eating they took a short rest, so the horses can continue. Joseph read the book he had with him in the main time. Eric and Elisa were talking, while the others stood guard.

'This place is pretty strange, it is still on the prairie, but it looks like it's far from the town and the forest as well.'

He stood up and walked to the guards.

"How long will it take to get to the forest?"

The one with golden hair, who is apparently called Gustave looked at him with bored expression.

"It is only a few more hours, then we enter the forest. You can't see it, because we are inside an illusion, but it's not that far."

'So it's because of this illusion I got lost here. I should learn more about the world when we get back, not just magic. I'm too negligent.'

"I see."

He had a strange thought, which he was wondering about already.

"Are you guys strong?"

Gustav looked annoyed.

"Ofcourse! Do you think Lady Elisa would be with us if we were weak? The troll you have seen won't be a problem for us!"

"That is reassuring!"

He smiled at the guy.

"It's not a big compliment from you."

He was still supprised by the attitude of these guys.

"Why are you so hostile towards me?"

Gustav laughed at him.

"It is pretty simple! Everyone in the town wanted to become the pupil of Master Flinn. Then you come out of nowhere and take the position! Who would not be pissed because of it?"

Joseph rolled his eyes.

"One! I'm not his pupil, but the secretary. He never thought me anything, except for how to do my work. Two! Why would there be only one pupil? He can take as much as he wants."

The guy looked really annoyed by this.

"The ancients only take pupils every hundred years and never teach anyone else, even if they die. I don't know the reason why. Also how did you learn to cast spells when he did not teach you?"

Now it was Joseph who became annoyed.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"As I said the position is still opened. Also..."

He showed the guy the book he was reading.

"...there are countless books in the library you can learn magic from! You just need to learn how to read them. As far as I know you guys live long. You could easily learn everything from there. Also why does noone translate these?"

"How do I know? Also as far as I know only the ancients know that language and they don't want to teach it to people."

'That is strange. Why would they not?'

The other guard, Michael, walked over to them.

"Come on guys stop arguing and get ready! We are going!"

They just turned around and walked back to their position. Michael was left staying there awkwardly. Then he walked back as well.

As he sit down Elisa got on the carriage as well looking happy.

"Seems like something good happened."

Joseph was looking at her with a pleasent smile.

"Nothing much really. I was just teasing Eric."

He laughed at her comment.

'Poor boy. It seems like he won't take the first step.'

"What is your relationship with him?"

She started blushing.

"Wha... What do you mean?"

"I just asked if he is your knight or something."

'Though I already know it.'

Erica looked like she realized that she got angry for something stupid.

"Oh... Yes he is."

She looked outside again.

"He always was. When I was little we played together. He always said that he will protect me as my knight. Always being by my side!"

She seemed melancholyc for a moment.

"But lately he started to behave strange. Like I was someone he doesn't know."

Then she stopped talking.

"But why do I even say that to you?"

She looked angry. Joseph looked at her awkwardly.

"Ahahaha... I'm a really good listener. I usually speak about all kind of stuffs with my friends and those I know. Maybe you also feel that I'm trustworthy? I can just guess that though."

He was smiling at her.

"Hmmm... Maybe."

They were travelling for a while in silence. Joseph started to read the book again meanwhile, but stopped.

"Are you okey Joseph? You look sick!"

He felt dizzy and had nausea.

"Yes. I'm "mostly" fine. I just can't bare to read while travelling. I get sick from reading the moving book."

He took it away.

"I see. Do you want to learn a magic against sea sickness?"

"You know one?"

She looked offended by the question.

"I'm one of the young geniuses! A little spell like that is nothing to me!"

'Ahaha... I got lectured by a kid.'

She proceded to teach him the magic. It took less than an hour for him to get it work. She was baffled.

"Amazing! I have never seen anyone learn a spell this easily!"

Joseph didn't understand why was she amazed by this.

"This spell is easy. I only have to concentrate on it to keep it up."

"That makes it hard! You are in a moving veichle. Concentrating on something like a spell is hard meanwhile!"

"I mean... I was concentrating on the infusion all the time. This is a lot easier."

"Oh... Right."

They both looked out the window. Eric was riding along as always. He looked in and saw them looking out. He waved at Elisa and turned to Joseph then showed an angry face. Joseph felt really awkward. Elisa laughed at the two.

"Seems like he doesn't like you!"

"I mean I'm a nobody riding along with his lady."

He said the lady word highlighted.

'She might get it.'

"That's true. He is worried you'll do something bad to me, after all he has to protect me."

She highlighted the has word, like she would wanted something else to hear.

'No she did not. Geez... Poor Eric.'

The carriage stopped for an other break. Joseph leaned to the door and grabbed the handle, but before he left he turned back.

"He is more worried that I would steal you from him, before he could make his move."

He came out of the carriage and took a look at her before closing the door back. She had a red face and didn't know what to say. He looked at Eric, who was watching him. Joseph gave him a thumbs up and whispered to him.

"You got this kid, just go for it."

Than he walked away from him laughing. Eric was left there dumbfounded. He didn't know what Joseph was talking about.