Back in the present, Mia in the middle of getting consoled by Morgan and Sett, still confused at why they were so convinced a hero could not evolve, despite the living evidence that was her aunt and the description of her own skill. Ami seemed to know why, or at least had a guess ‘So, Ami, why do they think I can’t?’
[First, ask Morgan what race she is.]
“So, don’t worry abo-“
“Race?” Mia interrupted her, halting the barrage of consolidation.
“Huh?” Morgan was taken aback, looking unsure “are you asking about mine?”
Mia nodded in response, pointing to her pointy ears “not human?”
“Ah, first time seeing one.” Morgan stood proudly, poking the tip of one of her ears “I am an elf-“
“Half elf.” Sett butt in.
“Right.” Morgan sighed “Half, father was an elf, mother was human.” She huffed “not too much different than a human, more magic, live a bit longer.”
“she’s 42.” Sett chuckled “And that’s still you- Ow!” Sett recoiled back, Morgan had hit him atop his head.
“Have you no sense to go revealing a women’s age!”
“It’s only to a child!” sett yelled, rubbing his head “That deserved a hit?!”
The two began arguing, ignoring Mia, who took this opportunity to get back with Ami. ‘So, how does that prove anything?’
[If I am right, the information was just lost to time.]
‘Eh? How? Maria is one and she did it 300 years ago.’
[Yes, but 300 years is a long time. Humans live up to around 60 if they are lucky, half elves 150, multiple generations gone in the blink of an eye. If no hero has evolved since then, and Maria stayed put that entire time, let alone tell anyone she is evolved, it can become common knowledge heroes don’t. especially human heroes that don’t live long enough to reach it.]
Mia was confused ‘wait, but Maria is 400…ish… can’t other people live that long who still know?’ she then paused, doing a bit of mental math in her head before clutching her skull ‘…how long will I live?’
[Perhaps, but none around here that are spreading the info. And…depends, best not worry about it. Fox beastmen technically should only live till about 80, but your tribe is filled with weirdos]
Mia squinted ‘what do you know about my tribe?’ she said, anger rising.
[More than you do.]
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‘Well, why don’t you fill me in sometime.’ Mia spat, she knew she most likely got all that from log, not like she could use it herself, but it was annoying with her using it like that. Wasn’t her fault, her family was a mess.
“Ah, fine, whatever, I am sorry.” Sett threw his arms up in the air, defeated “let’s just finish this up, my wife is probably worried sick by now.”
“Fine.” Morgan slacked her shoulders, landing backwards into a chair.
“Good, Mia, just making sure.” Sett sat down at the opposite end, once again bringing up the ship logs “You have strong Ice magic, that much is obvious…” his gaze drifted to the chair Mia was sitting on, the seat cover frozen solid “can you use any other magic? Might be dumb asking but…water?”
“Of course she can use water if her ice is that strong.” Morgan waved him off.
“Mnm, water.” Mia stood up on top of the chair, one thing she had been doing in her travels was putting more effort into training her water magic, and now it was something she could be proud of. All those days of effort and staying up late, and she could finally show it off to someone.
She raised her finger up high, focused her magic, and with a strained voice, a tiny stream of water poured out from the tip of her finger and landed atop the table, where it froze instantly.
“…”
“…”
“Hnnnnng” the stream trickled down and soon stopped after a few seconds. Exhausted, Mia flopped back onto her chair “w-water.” She said, a big smile plastered on her face.
“…”
“…but she…”
“…ice is…”
“…how does that…”
“…why did it freeze…?”
“…?” Mia didn’t get it, she had trained, in her off time, her hardest and had mimicked something the last hero did…minus the freezing part, that was something she could not turn off.
“Mia, dear…” Morgan sat up, poking the frozen puddle on the table, finding it to be more slush, then straight frozen “Did you learn ice magic from a skill orb?”
“Hmn? No.” Mia shook her head “learned.” If she was right, she should have learned her ice magic from that one cat beastkin…La? Water was learned after.
Sett clapped his hands “nope, Lexon can deal with this, any other magic Mia?”
Mia shook her head “Ice and water.”
“Alright.” He stood up, pointing a finger at Morgan who was about to protest, shushing her “I’ll see what I can do, in the meantime we will set you up with an inn next to the port, and hope we can get you out of here tomorrow.”
“Mn, thanks.” Mia hopped off her chair, looking back to see the sorry state of it, it was more of a sculpture than anything… She raised her hand towards it, commanding all the ice to group up and converge into a solid ball of ice that sat atop the unfrozen chair. ‘Easier to clean.’
“…her ice is like that but her water is…” Sett shook his head, “This way, and thank you for your service.” He bowed towards Morgan “…and good luck.”
Morgan nodded, putting her hood back on “too you as well.”
“Bye.” Mia waved back to her, as she was led out into the hall of the garrison.
Mia was led through the stone halls, getting brief glances at the rooms they passed, mainly living spaces for the guards currently stationed at the gate. They passed all through without much issue, everyone engrossed in their work or break.
She was then led out into the city streets, it having been night for quite some time, the sun long gone “late.” Mia commented, surprised they had been in there for that long.
“Yup, which is why I want to get home and at least spend SOME time with my wife and kids.” He shook his head.
“Chief!”
“Ah, right on time!”
Both of them turned towards the familiar voice, seeing Sewell run up to them, his armor gone, he had apparently been waiting on them for awhile.
“Right on time.” Sett hit Mia in the back, pushing her forward “Take our guest to the inn nearest to the docks, the one Gin owns.”
Mia stumbled forward, caught off guard, she stumbling up to meet a confused Sewell.
“Eh? Wait, what? I was just che-“
“If she was alright and were volunteering to take her to the inn? Thanks!” Sett waved them off, escaping to his home, leaving the two there.
“…well then…fine…” Sewell sighed, “this way, I’ll even give you the tour I guess…” Sewell shrugged, looking down at Mia with a smile.