The days go by normally. Nothing really interesting happens. Class after class, subject after subject… even though it's only the first week, time passes so slowly that it already feels like a whole month. Still, fortunately, the first weekend finally arrives, and the students can enjoy a break… or at least most of them.
Karlo walks through the city, irritated.
(Karlo): (Damn it! Did they really have to treat me like that? I know it looked like a place for nobles, but they kicked me out before I could even say anything. Screw them too… damn it… How did the money my parents gave me run out in just one week? Back in the village, this would last at least three. I could send a message using a Venlox Falcon and ask for some money, but it would still take a few days… and it wouldn't be right to keep asking for money every week. Looks like I really have to get a job… but I've already been to at least five shops and still nothing. A job, where am I supposed to find one?)
A large red building catches Karlo's attention.
(Karlo): Adventurers Guild? I think I've heard about it…
After thinking for a moment, he enters the building. Inside, he finds a large hall. On the left side, there are several tables where groups of people are drinking, chatting and even discussing mission plans. A few meters in front of the entrance, there is a large counter with some employees behind it, apparently receptionists. To the right of the reception area, there are two staircases, one going up to the second floor and the other down to the basement. On the left side, there is a smaller counter with access to a kitchen behind it. And to the right of the entrance door, there are three notice boards filled with requests. A few people are standing in front of them, choosing which missions to take.
Karlo goes to the recruitment line at the reception and waits for his turn.
A short-haired blue-haired girl, wearing a red hat with white ornaments, a long-sleeved red blouse with white details and a long black skirt, attends him.
(Receptionist): Hello. I assume you would like to register with the guild?
(Karlo): Yes. How does the registration work?
(Receptionist): It's quite simple. You do have an identification card, right?
(Karlo): Yes, I do.
(Receptionist): Perfect. In that case, I only need your card so I can add the guild information, and a small registration fee.
(Karlo): I even have to pay just to register?
(Receptionist): Unfortunately, that's how things work here. However, if you don't have the money right now, I can issue a temporary registration. That way, you can take a mission and use the reward to pay the registration fee. But keep in mind that it only lasts for twenty-four hours. After that, the data will be erased. Also, even if you are skilled enough for higher-rank missions, with a temporary registration you are only allowed to take bronze-rank missions.
(Karlo): Alright then. I'll take the temporary one, do a simple mission and come back.
(Receptionist): I'll update your card. It won't even take a minute.
Karlo hands his card to the receptionist. She turns to a small machine behind her. The machine is about twenty centimeters wide and has two open slots on each side. She inserts the card on the right side and sends her mana into the machine through a small sensor next to the slot. A few seconds later, the card comes out on the other side, already updated.
(Receptionist): Here you go. You just need to pick a mission and hand it to one of my colleagues at the counter.
Karlo takes his card and goes to the mission board.
(Karlo): Just as I thought… most of them are extermination missions. I'm really not in the mood for that. Is there anything else I can do?
One request catches his attention.
(Karlo): Herb gathering, huh? This one's perfect for me.
He goes to one of the receptionists, who marks the mission as "in progress". Right after that, Karlo leaves the guild and heads toward the forest.
After running for about thirty minutes, he reaches the forest.
(Karlo): Alright… now where can I find these herbs? I'm not familiar with this area. This might take longer than I thought… although…
He approaches a tree and knocks twice on the trunk, pauses, then knocks three more times. Almost instantly, three sakis appear from behind the tree.
(Karlo): Potestis mihi dicere ubi has herbas hic inveniam?"Could you tell me where I can find these herbs around here?"
He takes the mission document out of his magic bag. It contains the name and a drawing of each herb he needs, and he shows it to the sakis.
The sakis look at each other, and then one of them stretches out its hand, as if demanding something.
(Saki): Sasa sakaki.
(Karlo): Tsk You can't even ask for a favor these days.
He takes a small pouch out of his bag and hands it to them.
(Karlo): Sufficit?"Is this enough?"
The saki opens the pouch, smells it and nods. A small magic circle appears beside it, and the pouch is placed inside. The circle disappears right after. Then it signals Karlo to follow them.
After some time gathering herbs, Karlo picks up the last bundle he needs.
(Karlo): And this is the last one. Now I just have to go back and turn them in.
A bad feeling runs through his body.
(Karlo): It was taking too long for something like this to happen…
Not far from there, there is a small group of five goblins and a trio of adventurers. Two of the goblins are fighting the adventurers, while the other two are helping an injured companion escape.
One of the adventurers disarms a goblin and prepares to strike.
(Adventurer 1): Take this!
But before he can hit it, a stone wall rises from the ground, forcing the adventurers to retreat.
(Adventurer 2): One of them can use magic?
Then smoke bombs are thrown all over the area. In the middle of the smoke, a black portal appears, pulling the goblins inside.
(Adventurer 3): What the hell is going on? Since when do goblins know how to use smoke bombs?
Some time later, the smoke dissipates, but the goblins are gone.
(Adventurer 2): Damn it. Did anyone see where they went?
One of the adventurers spots what looks like a goblin running in the distance.
(Adventurer 1): They're over there!
(Adventurer 2): Let's go after them. We can't let any of them escape!
The adventurers run off, and after a while, the area is completely empty.
(Karlo): Looks like the illusion worked.
Karlo approaches the group of goblins. He notices that one of them is badly injured. He turns to the sakis, who are still nearby.
(Karlo): Volo ut mittas petitionem liberationis cum auxilio medico ad Paxies."I want you to send a rescue request with medical assistance to Paxies."
A strong gust of wind rises, and the sakis disappear. Karlo slowly approaches the goblins.
Even without understanding what is happening, one of the goblins desperately steps forward to protect the others and points its spear at Karlo.
(Karlo): Non vos laedam, sed oportet me vulnus illius videre, alioquin peior fieri potest."I won't hurt you, but I need to see his wound. Otherwise, it could get worse."
The goblin hesitates, but another goblin approaches and signals for him to lower the weapon.
They allow Karlo to approach. He immediately performs first aid, putting on gloves, disinfecting the wound, covering it with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding, and monitoring the injured goblin's condition while waiting for help.
About an hour and a half later, two griffins arrive. From one of them descends a Laticertaps — a kind of lizardman with black scales, a yellow belly, four arms and a neck about twenty centimeters long. From the other one descends Rylia, Karlo's mother.
(Rylia): We came as fast as we could. Jour, help us place him on the stretcher.
(Jour): On it, Captain!
Rylia takes a stretcher out of a large magic bag tied to the griffin and rushes to the injured goblin.
(Rylia): Did you perform proper first aid?
(Karlo): Yes, ma'am.
(Rylia): Good. Let's place him on the stretcher and secure it to Liber's saddle. Good job, son.
(Karlo): Thank you, Mom. I just did what you taught me.
They place the goblin on the stretcher and secure it to the griffin.
(Rylia): Vos ibi! Ascendente statim, vos ducimus ad locum tuum."You there! Get on quickly. We'll take you to a safe place."
(Karlo): Fides illis habere potestis, nihil vobis nocent."You can trust them. They won't hurt you."
The goblins thank Karlo and climb onto the griffins with Jour's help. Soon, they head toward Paxies.
(Karlo): Even knowing this will become something common from now on… I really hope nothing like this happens again.
Karlo returns to Alcarcia to deliver the herbs he collected.
(Receptionist): Here is your card, now with your permanent registration.
She hands the card back to Karlo.
(Karlo): Thank you.
(Receptionist): Thank you for joining the mercenary guild. We look forward to your contributions from now on.
Karlo leaves the guild.
(Karlo): The money I have left will only be enough until tomorrow's lunch… sigh Looks like I'll be coming here pretty often…
Karlo returns to the academy and decides to spend the rest of his free day training in the coliseum. When he arrives, he finds someone else training there.
Melyssa is concentrating while conjuring a large flame in the palm of her hand, but it soon fades.
(Melyssa): At least it lasted a little longer than before.
(Karlo): Hey.
(Melyssa): Hm? Oh, hi. I didn't expect to find someone here at this hour, especially on a weekend. What are you doing here?
(Karlo): Just training a bit. I guess you had the same idea, right?
(Melyssa): Yeah, you're right.
(Karlo): Well, I'll go train over there so I don't get in your way.
(Melyssa): W-Wait!
(Karlo): What is it?
(Melyssa): Sorry if this sounds strange, but… would you like to have a sparring match with me?
(Karlo): Can I ask why?
(Melyssa): W-Well… you seem very experienced with magic. Ever since the entrance exam and during practical classes, you do everything so calmly, so I thought it would be interesting to fight someone who looks more experienced and… She struggles to find the right words, and as the silence stretches, she starts to feel embarrassed.
(Karlo): Relax. No reason needed — I was just curious. I'll accept your duel.
(Melyssa): Thank you. Then the duel will be like this: whoever lands the first hit or makes the opponent admit defeat, wins. Is that okay?
Karlo turns his back and walks away to create some distance.
(Karlo): Fine by me. But are you sure? I'm known for not holding back.
(Melyssa): She smiles. Even better.
(Karlo): Then here I go.
Karlo runs toward Melyssa. She gets ready, but a stone pillar suddenly rises in his path and throws him into the air. Karlo covers his arms and legs with stone and tries to strike with a kick. She dodges and steps back to gain distance, but bumps into another stone pillar.
(Melyssa): Since when…
In that brief moment of distraction, Karlo dashes straight toward her and throws a punch. She dodges again, and his fist strikes the pillar, cracking it.
Karlo keeps attacking, throwing a series of punches and kicks, but Melyssa manages to block them.
(Melyssa): (I can't even find a chance to counter… Is this really how a mage fights?)
She finds a small opening between one punch and one kick and counterattacks with her sword, but Karlo grabs the blade with his stone gauntlet.
Melyssa ignites her sword, forcing Karlo to retreat.
(Melyssa): Sagitta Ignis!"Fire Arrow!"
She conjures several fire arrows that fly toward Karlo, but he dodges them with ease.
(Melyssa): Lamina furoris ferventis!"Blazing Fury Blade!"
Just like during the exam, her sword ignites, and with a swing, a trail of fire rushes toward Karlo. At the same time, a dark mass appears beneath his feet, completely covers his body, forming a cocoon. When Melyssa's fire attack hits it, the part that would strike Karlo is simply swallowed. The mass dissolves shortly after, revealing Karlo without even a scratch.
(Melyssa): Come on… that's not fair at all…
Karlo prepares to cast a spell, Melyssa reacts instantly and plants her sword into the ground.
(Melyssa): Velum Flammae!"Flame Curtain!"
A wall of fire rises in front of her, and she quickly changes position. Dark magic projectiles pierce through the wall, but luckily none of them hit her. Through the gaps left in the flames, she spots Karlo and counterattacks.
(Melyssa): Sagitta Ignis!"Fire Arrow!"
Once again, several fire arrows fly toward Karlo, but this time he covers himself with the dark mass.
(Melyssa): That strange cocoon again… Fine, then let's see if you can defend against this!
She shifts her stance, concentrates and attacks.
(Melyssa): Assultus Phoenicis!"Phoenix Assault!"
Two small wings form on her back. With a sudden burst of speed, she rushes at Karlo and pierces the dark mass with the tip of her blade, releasing a powerful explosion.
A huge cloud of smoke spreads across the arena.
Melyssa collapses to her knees.
(Melyssa): Panting I hope that at least hit him…
She suddenly realizes she might have gone too far.
(Melyssa): Huh? Oh damn… I'm sorry! I got carried away and—
When the smoke clears, Karlo is nowhere to be seen.
(Melyssa): Panicked He escaped… right?
She notices a growing shadow on the ground. She looks up just in time to see Karlo falling toward her, holding a staff made of stone.
(Melyssa): I ADMIT DEFEAT!!
She instinctively closes her eyes, but only feels a light tap on her forehead.
(Karlo): Looks like I won. Smiles.
(Melyssa): Relieved sigh Yeah… you won.
(Karlo): That was an intermediate-level spell, right? I'll be honest, it scared me for a moment.
She smiles.
(Melyssa): Yeah. It's basically my trump card. But be honest, from the start, I never really stood a chance, did I?
(Karlo): No, you didn't. But if it makes you feel any better, in my entire life I've only lost to three people in a fight — my mother, Grandpa Golber, and Silvia.
(Melyssa): I'm not sure how that's supposed to make me feel better, but… wait. Silvia? Our teacher?
(Professor 1): That explosion came from the coliseum!
(Professor 2): What's going on over there?
(Melyssa): Looks like someone's coming.
(Karlo): They probably came to check the explosion…
They look around and realize that the left side of the arena is partially destroyed. Their clothes are dirty and torn, and there's clearly no way to avoid punishment. In desperation, Karlo throws two smoke bombs at the arena entrance.
(Professor 2): Cough, cough! What was that?!
(Professor 1): Who's there? This area belongs to Selenti Academy!
(Melyssa): How did you—
(Karlo): Smoke bombs. I always carry a few. Hurry, we need to get out of here. I'm not in the mood for another lecture.
(Melyssa): W-Wait… I-I can't move.
(Karlo): …
(Karlo): Are you serious?
Karlo crouches and grabs Melyssa by the legs.
(Melyssa): H-Hey! What are you doing?!
(Karlo): I'm guessing you don't want to stay here, so I'm helping. Now hold on tight to my shoulders.
Karlo runs toward the wall. A stone pillar rises and lifts them to the stands, then another one lifts them to the roof.
(Melyssa): Panicked You're not going to do what I think you are, right?
(Karlo): If you're thinking the same thing I am… then yes.
Without hesitation, Karlo jumps. Melyssa closes her eyes. During the fall, small stone blocks appear and vanish beneath Karlo's feet like a staircase, until they land far enough from the coliseum to avoid suspicion.
(Karlo): Whew… that was close. Are you okay back there? Can you walk?
(Melyssa): I think so… but I might avoid high places for a while…
Karlo sets Melyssa down.
(Karlo): Sorry about that. But in that situation, it was probably the best option.
(Melyssa): It's fine. It was my fault for overdoing it and running out of mana.
(Karlo): Does that spell consume that much?
(Melyssa): More or less. Even people of our age should be able to use it once or twice without any problem… but for someone like me, who suffers from mana deficiency… it's a miracle I was even accepted into this academy with so little mana.
(Melyssa): I try not to worry about it too much. She holds her sword. After all, I can make up for it in other ways. That's why I always carry this magic sword. It fills in what I lack.
She sheaths the sword.
Karlo remains silent.
(Melyssa): What is it?
(Karlo): Maybe I can help you with your problem.
Karlo opens his magic bag and takes out two small glowing stones.
(Melyssa): Mana stones?
(Karlo): Yeah. Have you ever tried absorbing a mana stone when your mana capacity is already at its limit?
(Melyssa): Well… I've actually never absorbed a mana stone before.
(Karlo): When you absorb one, you kind of force your mana reservoir to expand. It's like putting more air into a balloon that already looks full. Of course, you can't absorb too much, or you might cause an overdose.Here, take them. Two stones this size per day should be enough. Leave them in an open place for a while so they can recharge, and then use them every day. Do it in the morning after you wake up. The results won't be immediate, but in two or three months, you'll notice that you have much more mana than you normally would.
He hands the stones to Melyssa.
(Melyssa): Thank you… but are you sure? I heard these are rare. Many merchants would pay a lot for even one stone this size.
(Karlo): It's fine. I still have a few more. I used them when I was younger, but as my mana pool grew, I stopped needing them. I only remembered I had them when you talked about your condition.
(Melyssa): How can someone forget something as rare as mana stones?
(Karlo): That's the problem with magic bags. Since you can't see what's inside, you only remember something is there when you think about it. But they're useful — you can carry half the world without worrying about space.
(Melyssa): She laughs. You're right. In the end, it's worth it.
They say goodbye and go their separate ways. While walking, Karlo suddenly gets an idea and looks at his magic bag.
(Karlo): (Merchants would pay a good price, huh?)