Headmaster Titus and his two top cadets, Simon the elf and Luna, finally reached the city of Wingston on a cloudy afternoon.
“I’m Headmaster Titus Yhandrus, father of Nuwa Yhandrus the Goddess Healer,” he told an attendant. “We’d like to speak with Lady Wingston. We’re here to learn about your city’s newest sensation. Unless of course… Raider’s living here. Then the invitation is for him.”
“No… no,” said the maid. “Raider’s not here. I’ll go fetch the lady.”
She bowed to Titus before hurrying off. Little did Titus know, Gwendolyn sent a spirit messenger bird to warn her coveted ally the moment the maid delivered the message.
After reading the letter, I looked up at the others. “She said something about a headmaster of an academy looking for Raider. Anyone familiar with a Titus?”
Nuwa paled, eyes wide. “He’s my father.”
“Well, word getting out about Raider isn’t surprising,” I said. “Maybe he’s hoping that Raider and the Cheat Force are actually the hero’s party. It wouldn’t be the worst assumption.”
Nuwa shook her head. “If Father’s asking for Raider specifically, he received enough details that not only brought him here, but helped him eliminate several possibilities. Father knows Ramon too. An idea like that could never come from him.”
“Well, whatever the case is, I’m not interested in his recruitment,” I said. “Raider will not be making an appearance.”
“It’s for the best,” Maxus said.
“I say we put on some theatrics that may or may not lead to us getting captured,” Ronica said, arms folded, nodding to her own statement twice. She spoke somewhat smugly, as if she couldn’t be wrong, which almost got the glare from me.
I waved off her comment and revealed my merchant license. “Any idea where I can learn how this works?”
“So you really do have a merchants license,” Nuwa said.
Milia gave me a skeptical look. “And where did you get it?”
I considered saying something stupid like, muffin button, but even I knew that’d be pushing it. Don’t get me wrong, references could still be funny when you’re the only one that got them, but it still sucked laughing alone.
“I received it by whatever force controls the rewards,” I said, but didn’t give any specifics. “Don’t ask me why this license. You guys already know how confused I am when it comes to dungeons, chests, magic.”
Milia, who went with me on almost every dungeon trip, still seemed unconvinced. But even she knew I wasn’t lying about receiving the license as a reward. I didn’t know how to lie about that, so she felt the truth. It was the unsaid words that probably made her raise an eyebrow.
“As for what you can do with them, well, find a merchant’s guild, make connections and get access to support,” Maxus said. “You can also become a traveling merchant.”
“That’d be kind of a pain in the ass,” I said. “Then again, it could be fun. I’ll keep it in mind.”
I glanced at Nuwa. “So. Are you going to see your father?”
Nuwa shook her head. “That’d be too risky. As much as I want to see him, I cannot risk the lives of the others.”
Ronica wiped tears from her eyes as she hugged Nuwa. “You’re so caring. A true noble lady, naivety aside.”
“Ow, Ronica, you’re going to pop me like a grape,” Nuwa said as she struggled her way out of the twerp’s embrace.
After thinking for a moment, I looked at everyone. “Welp, while we’re gathered, we should train before making dinner. I volunteer, of course. Milia, I want you to relax and be spoiled.”
That brought the laughter from the dryad. “Does that mean you’ll make some blueberry pie?” She gave me an innocent smile.
I chuckled. “Fine, I’ll make the pie. All for you.”
Fortunately, this wasn’t a risqué tale, because the way she looked at me before breaking into a smile reminded me of a very successful date night.
As I wondered how I’d start training, my mind briefly flashed back to the troll fight. There, I mentally debated how I could’ve carried that out better. And the reward. Why did the system give me a merchant’s license?
Harmony frowned. “Merchant licenses are normally quite difficult to obtain outside of a guild. And especially one that isn’t rotten and corrupt by a greedy high-tier noble. At least, that’s what my father said.”
She accepted Cheetara into her arms, who eventually leapt onto her shoulder. “Do you mind if I examine the validity of it?”
I passed the blue metallic card to her.
[Rank D Kingdom-wide Merchant License. Good luck affording to upgrade this. Aren’t nobles a stinker? See any merchant guild to upgrade and pray local lords haven’t raised prices.]
“A D-ranked start?” The skinny teenager fixed me with a blank stare.
“Perhaps if you tell me the reason why you dyed your hair blue,” I said. “Then perhaps someday, a magician shall offer his secrets.”
Harmony huffed. “I didn’t—”
“Tell him!” Ronica urged her playfully. “The secrets will be worth it.”
Harmony sighed.
“Let’s just start training,” I said. “You too, hero’s party. You were terrified back in the A-ranked dungeon. I think I can help undo that embarrassing showing.”
Nuwa nearly tackled me, but I stepped behind Milia in time. Listen, even the dryad had limits, not a good thing with humanity’s terrible reputation. Sure, hugging like this out of excitement was a thing of this world’s culture, but I certainly didn’t want a reputation like the master magician with an illegal harem. Perception for a shop owner meant everything.
“Don’t make me change my mind,” I said, deciding not to give them the ‘you haven’t proven yourselves yet’ line I saw on TV once. They protected the town while I was away, though the Crimson Sect faction were too much for them.
“Should we start a clan?” Nuwa asked after releasing Milia. “All of us together on one team. The… Destroyers, or something.”
“You’re terrible at naming things,” Milia had the audacity to say. She shrugged when I gave her a knowing look.
“We’re a potion shop family,” I told the overeager nun.
“So? We could be a sect with potion making in it,” Nuwa pushed, but I shook my head, uninterested. I still had a lot to learn about this world and needed to take one step at a time on the road of accomplishments.
“Have you forgotten that he’s getting married?” Ronica cheered. “He doesn’t have time for that.”
“Even if I wasn’t, I’m not into the whole sect thing,” I said. “Wouldn’t that just make us targets?”
“But you’re strong enough to deal with any threat, right?” Nuwa asked, pouting.
“What if I’m gone? Will the brats be able to stand up to Grandmaster Dick von Jiggles and his twenty douche-canoes?” I challenged. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the founding of a sect is more than just declaring it. It’s becoming an organization, a school, a brotherhood, or even in some cases, a cult.” I started toward the open area we used as training. “Go get Kelvin and your idiot leader. This may be a one-time thing. All of you should be present.”
Ronica was about to take off, but I stopped her. “Not you, twerp. I’ve got a question that I hope you don’t mind clarifying for me. Nuwa, do you mind getting the rest of your friends?”
The nun’s excitement actually outshone Ronica’s cheeriness and she was off.
“Maxus, Ronica,” I said, voice serious. “How hard are you willing to defend your freedom?”
Ronica’s eyes hardened and she answered without hesitation, shocking the hell out of me. “To the last breath. I didn’t stay in this party to be some errand girl to a capital who sees us as nothing more than symbolic figures. I…”
She stopped herself, allowing or perhaps forcing her cheerfulness to return. “If I don’t tackle this thing with a smile, if I don’t find any humor out of this, then they’ve succeeded at breaking me.”
Ronica was so taken aback by the question that it almost gave her whiplash. The memories she’d buried returned to her, threatening to turn the woman into a sobbing mess or drive her to insanity. After all, she’d lost everything. She had nothing in this world except the party now. Even if it was ran by someone who surprisingly changed a little or at least worked on himself, thanks to the well-deserved beating. Before, Ronica contemplated a lot of things, as she questioned why she should take orders from a lech, but over time, the party truly became her only family. They each held a key to the lockbox that contained her insanity.
But… more keys were made as she began to care for Nate, Milia, his apprentices, and even the town. She seriously didn’t expect such a thing. A low-mana environment was somewhat of a declaration of retirement or a death sentence for any magician with at least half a brain. However, she grew up in a small town herself, so it didn’t come across as a backwater to her. No matter how much Ramon complained about it at first.
There was a wakeup call somewhere within her soul. A master magician that wasn’t a selfish, cruel twit, that kept themselves separated from society as if they were gods. No, he was a Wanda-shoving potion shop owner. The absurdity of it continued to baffle the woman daily. Somehow, the entire party ended up viewing him as a dear friend and most of the time, it was possible to forget about the kind of power he held. Power that he didn’t appear to understand himself.
A man like this should be protected from the capital at all costs, Ronica knew. But, she figured, he’d end up being the one protecting the party. The apprentices were so lucky, and they had no idea just how. Master magicians never took apprentices. They were too strong for one, but also too picky, snobby, or probably proud. Ronica never met any other master magician besides Nate.
“To the last breath, huh?” I said, nodding. “Good answer. There was a shocking amount of no-nonsense truth in that.” I turned, deciding that Ronica’s answer was enough. “If you need to talk to us about it, feel free. I’m no therapist, so don’t expect any miracles.”
Maxus chuckled. “Thank you, Nate. For helping us. We’ll always be in your debt. And my answer is the same as Ronica’s. To the last breath, but also in memory of my… friend.”
“Don’t get all sentimental on me now,” I said, grinning. “It’s only a one-time thing, for now. But do show some love to your junior magicians. No… maybe we should break down your current capital-taught way of using magic. Even Ramon has potential, but exploiting him was easy, even for me. That hero’s soul isn’t that great of a boost, but more of a curse. If you really want Milia and I to teach you, you’ll have to be fully upfront and honest with us. You’ll have to tell us how your core abilities or boosts work.”
“I’ve got no problem with that,” Ronica said cheerily. “It’s not like I get anything out of hiding my powers. Except a nasty, nasty rejection.”
When the others arrived, I greeted them, shaking all of their hands, including Ramon’s, though I didn’t smile for him. What? Don’t judge me.
“Training is going to be… challenging today,” I said to the apprentices. “Mandi, Alexander, you’re free to opt out. Milia, you’re joining it.”
She looked surprised. “Gladly.”
Milia and I sparred often, but it was mostly her teaching me how to fight. She first forced me to unlearn my mixed martial arts as they were an embarrassingly rusty, unrefined mess. Yes, she said that. Let me tell you, getting your ass kicked over and over again sucked, and Milia didn’t hold back on me. Yes, I totally chose to tell you that. Once again, don’t judge me. Just thinking about those training days brought forth phantom pain.
“I won’t sit this out,” Mandi said, her eyes filled with the determination I knew they’d have. I felt a little bad for her due to the unfairness of the upcoming training, but she was a rising star of an apprentice. One I hoped would truly impress her family, especially the Red Star.
“I won’t either,” Alexander said, his gaze also lit with a blaze.
Nodding, I addressed the hero’s party. “I asked earlier how hard are you willing to defend your freedom. Ronica and Maxus answered to the last breath.”
“It’s the same for me too,” Ramon said, though his eyes quickly fell to the ground. “There was a dream that I once had, a premonition. It wasn’t until now that I realize it foreshadowed our time here and what would’ve happened if we stayed at the capital.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot you were that stupid kid laughing with the shadow girl walking up beside you,” I said. “Good on you for leaving. The stone I found erased that as an event possibility. Which, I guess was generous of it.”
Ramon looked as if I punched him square in the face.
“Anyway,” I said, not elaborating on the words that seemed to chill the hero’s party. Shit, it was a mystery to me too. I didn’t have the answers. “Your resolve is freedom from the capital, right? You’re the not the Lord Ruler’s pets. Well, it’s time to show me the resolve. Milia, you’re nervous about your family. Not because of what they’ll think of me, but of your actions and the life you’ve chosen to live. Listen, people, I’m not much of a teacher, nor preacher, and I know very little about your land. Where I’m from, most people internally tighten their resolves and even grit their teeth to push forward in life. They don’t give up, even if they fall on their asses multiple times. That’s actually just humanoids in general.” I turned to Chenzu who was approaching us after taking the time to feed the animals. With him were Wolverine and the calf. I scanned it.
[Ally Analysis.]
[Little Moo. Race: Cow. Friendly. A-ranked spirit beast.]
“Chenzu, are you up for some training?” I asked.
He looked at me like one would look at someone saying something idiotic. “I have to decline.” He petted the calf. “I’m still not done with work on the farm, but thanks for the offer.”
Shrugging, I turned back to the others. Harmony was looking at me as if she expected me to go Oprah Winfrey on everyone. You get a horse, you get a horse!
“It’s time to test those resolves,” I said. “If the Lord Ruler were to demand you return to the capital, perhaps even attack you himself, would you stand up to him? Of course you wouldn’t. He’s far stronger than you. Strength in numbers doesn’t appear to be a thing here since the guy can apparently take out armies. So what would you do? Go silently? Or make some noise? Will yelling your case get you executed? That’s something you should start thinking about. It’s pretty obvious the Lord Ruler isn’t looking for you. He probably doesn’t give a damn whether you’re in the capital or not. You were symbols for the people, pawns. When he’s ready for you to return home, you’ll probably start seeing the flyers.”
“That’s assuming Princess Ling isn’t out looking for them herself,” Milia said.
“Her appearance should be obvious, right? A bunch of guards protecting a girl who drugged the hero into madness, causing him to burn down the kingdom. The question to that is, how in the hell did the Lord Ruler allow this to happen? Oh wait, he was poisoned himself by his daughter.”
“Princess Ling isn’t just some girl,” Milia said.
“I know, I know. The murder isn’t going away,” I said. “Have you met her in person?”
“Perhaps, perhaps I’ve seen her, but you won’t know the full story until my family arrives,” Milia said. “They should have some spirit wine with them. There will be a lot to talk about.”
“Milia’s right,” Ronica said. “It’s obvious now, but for a while we knew Princess Ling was… unsettling to be around. She appears to be sweet and kind, but you’d be an idiot not to see through that mask.” She turned to Ramon. “That night we hosted your birthday was obviously not our idea. I hope you had enough sense to figure it out.”
“I did,” Ramon said. “Afterward. But that’s beside the point. We’re in hiding for a reason—”
“Anyway, let’s test your resolve,” I interrupted, not wanting to dive into the subject further. “Stay where you are.” I walked a good distance from them. “All of you. Reach me.” I held out a hand. “Arm yourselves and come at me.”
I unleashed my killing intent at the max, causing all of them to drop to a knee. They strained to no avail against the gravity of my furious aura.
“Push through,” I said. “Break past everything that’s holding you back.”
Unfortunately, Mandi and Alexander were collapsed on the ground, barely kept conscious due to charms. Without any magic, the walk to resolve may be impossible for them.
Five minutes passed without any success. “If you’re expecting to be able to tell the Lord Ruler to fuck off, you’ll have to learn to resist this cheap tactic. There is a trick to it, but you’ll have to figure it out on your own. You could always brute force it.”
Still no success after another five minutes. “Fine, if you won’t move, it’s time to start firing.”
Their eyes widened.
“N… Nate,” Kelvin gasped. “Have you lost it?”
“Less talking, more concentrating,” I said, then blasted him backward with an energy ball that had less than ten percent of my strength in it.
“Kelvin,” Nuwa said.
“No healing,” I said, aiming a hand at her. “Do you think the Lord Ruler will wait for you to check on your friend?”
I blasted her. The force of the attack pushed her to his side.
They were magicians, so measly attacks like this wouldn’t be enough to do any damage.
I turned my gaze to Lucas. He flinched. His lost expression became surprise as I blasted him.
“No special treatment,” I said. “Get up, reach me, or things will only get worse. Training while unleashing a killing intent can be… tricky. You may want to hurry. I’ll let you surrender, but if you do, there will be no more training from me unless you pay five hundred thousand spirit coins.”
Milia’s aura burst from around her as she attempted to rise. I aimed a hand at her.
“Not enough.”
“Wanda’s rippling patootie,” Milia said as she joined Kelvin and Nuwa for the backward trip. It was a dick move, I knew, but she wouldn’t have appreciated the difficulty of this training being lowered for her.
Ramon was halfway up. “Wait, don’t!”
I blasted him with two nerfed dragon magic bursts, sending him back even further than the others.
I looked at Mandi and Alexander, but before the terror could manifest with them, I shook my head.
“You won’t get blasted, of course. But keep pushing. Feel for the aura holding you down. Try to sever your connection with willpower alone.”
