As they returned to the village, Colin walked forward, the old trunk under his arms.
Brighid flew around him, a whirlwind of light and colors, her curiosity and fascination with the human world evident in her curious gaze.
Safira followed a little further behind, her expression a mixture of relief and tiredness.
Next to Colin, Renovich stood firm, his presence as imposing and calm as ever.
As they entered the inn, the receptionist's eyes lit up when she saw Colin and the others. She ran up to them, her enthusiasm almost palpable.
"Mr. Colin! You're back!" she exclaimed, clearly relieved. Her eyes quickly focused on the trunk, the witch's head that Colin had brought as a trophy, and the little fairy that accompanied him. "By the stars, what's all this? A witch's head and… and a fairy?!"
Colin smiled, tired but satisfied.
"It's a long story," he said, putting the trunk down carefully. "But yes, we managed to defeat the witch. And this is Brighid."
He indicated the fairy, who perched on his shoulder, looking suspiciously at the receptionist.
She could see the essence of people's souls. The receptionist wasn't a bad woman, but there was a certain intention she had about Colin.
The little girl frowned, a slight glint of jealousy in her eyes. She crossed her arms and looked at the receptionist with an expression that left little room for doubt about her emotions.
The receptionist, noticing the look on the fairy's face, laughed softly.
"How adorable! You're so cute!" she commented, before turning to the others. "I'll prepare something tasty for you to eat. It must have been quite a journey. I'll make sure you have a meal fit for heroes."
"Thank you," Colin replied, as Renovich and Safira nodded in thanks.
They then made their way to their room, eager for a moment's rest.
"I don't like her," said Brighid, pouting.
Colin just ignored her. He was too tired to care.
Once in the room, Brighid flew around, exploring the space with childlike curiosity, while Colin and the others settled down, relieved to be back in a safe place.
"Now we're left with the demon, right?" said Renovich, standing in the doorway. "It's definitely going to be more difficult than killing a witch. Besides, I need to get back, see how the village and Jamily are doing."
"Aren't you even going to eat?" he asked.
"I'm not hungry, and it's not that late. I'll let the others know about you, I'll see you later."
Closing the door, Renovich left.
With the ring on his finger, Colin looked at the fairy, who was facing mirror-making faces. He couldn't read any information. There was just a giant window with a question mark and nothing written on it.
My level shouldn't be enough to read it.
Then he stared at his palms.
________________________________________________
STATUS
NAME : COLIN SILVA
AGE : 23
________________________________________________
POWER TREES
PRIMARY TREE : HEAVING - LEVEL 00
SECONDARY TREE I : MIGTH- LEVEL - 01
SECONDARY TREE II : CHAOS - BLOCKED
________________________________________________
VITAL ATTRIBUTES
HP (VITALITY): 1100
MP (MANA): 125
________________________________________________
COMBAT ATTRIBUTES
STRENGTH: 25
DEXTERITY: 20
AGILITY: 18
INTELLIGENCE: 16
STAMINA: 21
________________________________________________
It appears that nothing has changed.
"Brighid!" he called. "Stay here and keep an eye on Safira."
"Where are you going?" asked the fairy, worried.
"To do some training."
"Training?" commented Safira. "We just got back, you should rest."
"She's right, they killed a green witch, didn't they?" said Brighid. "She was probably a vacuum user, and from your level, I'd say you were lucky."
Brighid snapped her finger as if she'd had a great idea.
"How about I train you?"
Colin raised one eyebrow.
"Can you do that?"
"Do you think I can only heal, little Colin? I know more than you dream of knowing, so stay right where you are. I know an effective way to help you both, but we'll do it after we've eaten." He sighed.
He sighed. "Yeah…"
"See, even men like you can be rational."
"Men like me?"
The fairy ignored him, heading straight for the window.
"It's quite a view, there are so many essences bubbling up, it's wonderful, don't you agree?"
The door to the room opened softly, and the receptionist entered, deftly balancing a tray filled with fresh bread, a carafe of red wine, and various other delicacies that exuded an inviting aroma.
"Time for lunch!"
Colin, Safira and Brighid prepared for the meal, settling down on the floor of the room with cushions as makeshift seats.
Despite her short stature, Brighid showed a surprisingly large appetite, attacking the delicacies with an enthusiasm that drew smiles from the others.
The scene became even more hilarious when the fairy decided to explore the wine glass. Diving into it with curiosity, she emerged moments later visibly drunk, her wings flapping uncoordinated.
With a magical gesture, she dried herself off, little sparks of light dancing around her.
The hostess, setting the tray aside, stared at Colin, watching him eat without stopping, a look of admiration and perhaps something more in her eyes.
She kneeled beside them, her curiosity clearly aroused by the unusual group.
"So, how was the adventure?" she asked, a mixture of anxiety and fascination in her voice.
Colin, his mouth full of bread and cheese, tried to answer comprehensibly, but could only make muffled sounds and gestures with his hands, indicating that the story was long and full of danger.
Brighid, still trying to keep her balance, cast a suspicious glance at the exchange between Colin and the receptionist, clearly not approving of any extra attention he was receiving.
Safira remained quiet, content to savor the feast before her.
Then the door opened once more, and Betidor entered the room.
"I knew you'd make it." He looked at the fairy and gave her a wry smile. "I heard what happened to Noretu and Kylone, a tragedy, but well, you're here, right? And well, the fairy apparently wasn't a fairy tale."
The essence of Betidor's soul was dubious to Brighid, oscillating between unprecedented cruelty and an almost divine kindness.
"How was it, boy? Was the witch powerful?"
"Yes," said Colin. "We barely escaped alive."
"Did your friend leave? I saw him leaving the village on horseback on his way here."
"He's got something to sort out, don't worry."
After nodding, Betidor sat down in the armchair, smoothing his gray hair.
"So, ready to talk about the mission now? Since you managed to kill a witch and free the fairy, you should be more than ready."
"They're not," Brighid replied with a frown. "Demons are far from being witches, they are creatures of the abyss, and depending on the level of the abyss they belong to, these creatures cannot be killed, only banished."
"Quite a bit of knowledge, as you'd expect from a fairy." Betidor rummaged inside his jacket, pulling out his cigarette case. "Since you know so much, fairy, tell me, how long will they need?"
"A week."
He blew smoke into the air.
"And I'll have to pay them for that week, I believe. It doesn't matter, you've got a fairy now, of course you'll be able to beat the demon, right?"
He stood up.
"I have to go now, sort out some problems, but how about we sign a contract, kid? Me and you?"
Colin remained silent.
"Come on, I gave you the fairy; you owe me. The only clause is that you can't leave this village for a week, and after the week the fairy asked for, you'll have another five days to defeat the demon, and otherwise you'll be punished."
Colin's keen eyes focused on the old man.
"Colin," called the fairy. "I don't think…"
"Closed!"
He shook Betidor's hand. Ethereal roots grew from that grip and then disappeared, leaving their skin scarred.
Betidor raised his eyebrows, as if he hadn't expected to see the marks on Colin's right arm. To disguise it, he let out another puff of smoke and walked outside.
"Girl," he spoke to the receptionist. "Take good care of them, anything they want will be on me."
"O-Okay!"
Brighid sighed, smoothing her forehead, staring at Colin like a mother stares at a naughty child.
"You shouldn't go off accepting any contract you're offered. Contracts are dangerous, if you don't fulfill them, they can end your life."
Colin shrugged. "We can manage, and you're a fairy, right? That won't be a problem."
"You talk as if fairies were powerful entities, but not all of them are," he replied.
"Why is that? Aren't you powerful?"
"Of course I am! Now go and rest. I've healed your body, but your soul is still wounded. Tomorrow we start training. We'll learn the basics of magic!"
"I'm not sleepy yet," he looked at the receptionist. "Is there a library here?"
"Library? Well, it's not a library, but Dad has a room with some books he collected when he was a knight." He stood up.
He stood up. "Perfect, please show me."
Clumsily, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Of course…"
Brighid looked at one and then the other.
"Safira and I are going too!"
"I'm going?" asked Safira, still eating.
"Of course you are. Come on, Redhead, show me the way!"