"C'mon, Elven Idiot, you're acting like a mom sending her kids off somewhere." Kazusa complained. Over the past couple hours since the four left, he couldn't sit still. Moving back and forth, side to side and constantly doing things with his hands.
"I have a name! Can you just use it for once, instead of calling me 'Elven Idiot.'"
"Hah? Elven idiot isn't your name? It suits you though."
"..."
"Ignoring that fact, you need to relax. Those four won't get into any trouble." She assured him, giving him a small thumbs up. Her ears flicked up, and a realization struck her mind. "Wait, did they take a request? The other elf and tower of a man just took that messy haired moron and Fei and left."
'Why does she only know Miss Fei's name?!' Thran internally cried. He concealed his temptation to scream at her, call her a name. An ominous air surrounded him with every temptation. A brief period passed, and he calmed down. Then he simply answered her with, "I don't know."
"Of course you don't know. Wouldn't have expected you to… What…? If you have something to say, say it. Well~ It will have consequences if you do say it." Kazusa mocked him, her intonation and smile caused more than one vein to appear on Thran's forehead. She let out a small chuckle before changing the subject. "Steering from that, you needn't to worry. Worrying about them will cause nothing good to happen."
"And how would you know that? Last time they went out together- Well the only time they did, Sir Lucian got his arm injured."
Kazusa merely leaned forward, tapped her cheek a few times then merely glanced at him. "Experience, nothing else; your face tells me that you're doubtful." She turned her head back to the front and continued, "I've raised four kids, from infancy to adulthood. I believe those four will be fine, that giant and elf will protect those other two. Or they'll teach them important lessons."
They both went silent for a few minutes. In just the first minute Kazusa started tapping the desk with her free hand and kept her other hand under her chin. Eventually, that tapping brought Thran out of his stupor.
Wait, did she say four kids? She looks younger than me! He thought, his shock was written all over his face. She barely looked to be thirty, if not younger. He kept his mouth closed, just by hearing her downtrodden/nostalgic tone in her voice.
"I have a question, Lady Kazusa."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Why are you here at the receptionist table?"
"Oh… That, I lost a bet against your guildmaster."
"A bet?"
"Yes, yes a bet." She said, nodding her head in an exaggerated way.
"What were the stakes?"
"That's confidential; aside from what's obvious here, me being at the receptionist table."
"I see…"
"Oh, there's more coming in. Elven Idiot, stop the small talk, it's time to get back to work."
Thran groaned. He silently cursed that Kazusa lost the bet.
As for those they talked about, a grand and familiar forest stood in their view. Bronya, who took the lead, turned around. Her usual smile was nowhere to be seen, just as she had when she took them. She sucked in a well of breath, and set her hands on her hips.
"You two might be confused why I am bringing you here. For some reason, monsters are appearing in these forests more often." Bronya explained, her voice was loud and clear. "Rothie and I were doing a mission yesterday. When we stumbled on another group of goblins forming a small village. From old Thranie we were told that it was cleared just over a week ago."
'Isn't that the one we cleared out with what are their names?' Lucian thought he gave Fei a side eye. Although, she kept her eyes forward.
Bronya closed her eyes and her lips curled into a smile. With her chest puffed out she carried on. "We kept it a secret from the Guild." She turned her body to look at Roth. "Rothie, don't you agree it's a good time to teach them a few things?"
"Yes."
"Aw~ Can you just say more than just one wor-"
"Just get to the point, or I'll explain what we're doing to them."
"Fine, fine!" She exclaimed whilst waving his words away. "We're taking advantage of these goblins to train ya two a bit."
'Is that it…?'
'W-Why did she tell us that at the adventurer's guild-'
"Oh, c'mon~ You wouldn't have agreed if I told you the actual reason." Bronya shrugged her shoulders and stuck her arms out to the side. Then shook her head. "Oh- Right, how is your forearm? You don't seem to be in that much pain, Little Lucian? If that's the case, it looked worse than it actually was."
"It's healing fine…" Lucian replied, jerking his arm back when Bronya strolled towards them. Unfortunately, she ignored that cue, once in front she requested to see it. Hesitantly, he rolled his sleeve up.
"I guess it wasn't that bad." Bronya muttered, she raised her arm and attempted to poke it. Her attempts were foiled by him abruptly jumping backwards.
"Can you stop trying to poke it?! What is with you?!"
""Mm~ Nothing. Ya, you seem fine enough to put up a fight." Bronya commented, she turned her entire body and looked at Fei. "As for you, Little Fei. You need to work on your hesitation and fear in fights." Her head bobbed when she saw the cloth of Fei's hood ripple.
"Rothie, do you wanna lead the way?"
"Sure."
"Tsk, as boring as always."
"Mm, then you lead the way."
"But you just-"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever."
"Would it kill you to lighten up sometimes?!"
Before they ran in, she turned her head back at them. "You haven't seen me fight, or seen my other skills; let me show you a bit…" She lowered her arm, grasped the double-sided axe at her hip. Glowing scribbles were carved into the head. Neither Fei nor Lucian could comprehend what they meant.
Bronya raised her weapon high above her head, her elbows met the top of her forehead. Her eyes zoned in on an unsuspecting tree.
"Can we just head there now?" Roth complained but fell on deaf ears.
With immense speed, Bronya's axe twirled through the air. With a thunk, it lodged itself into the base of its target. Along with it, deep cracks fractured outwards.
Trying to keep a straight face, she turned around once again. Loud claps reverberated through the air.
Or so she hoped, both of her audience just stared at her in slight awe. Only a child would be amazed at her axe throwing skills, or grown adults who loved throwing weapons around.
"Don't be amazed by that." Roth snorted. "That axe is enchanted with unfathomable runes. Hell, it could have an enchant that allows her to throw it at anything and meet her target."
"R-ROTH!" Bronya yelled. Her face slightly turned red, alongside crocodile tears appearing in her eyes. "T-That's not true! I've p-practiced so many times! Please don't believe his lies!"
"Well, sure as hell that weapon has weird enchants. I think it can turn into a personal torch. Wait, do you even know what's all on there?" Roth mumbled while his hand met his chin.
"I-It has none of that! Errr… I think- Fine! I have no clue what's all on there!!"
"Don't get your pants in a knot, let's get going."
"I'm wearing shorts not pants, excuse you!"
"It's a saying, shut up and let's go."
"Jerk…"
"Call me all the names you want, you won't get anywhere."
Vibrations in the air quieted, aside from the small chirps of the birds and bugs living in the forest. Similar to their first time, Lucian and Fei stayed on high alert. Fei kept close to his back. As per her usual, Lucian felt a slight tugging to the back of his coat.
"Fei, it'll be fine… Heh, I won't go anywhere, and I promise I won't get hurt again, okay?"
"P-Please… Just, just be careful…" Fei mumbled, her voice was overshadowed by the snaps of the twigs being stepped on. 'I have to be more useful… I can't always have him do everything…' Her hands tightened around the holds on his jacket.
"I'll try my best, okay?"
"Mm…"
Before long, a familiar clearing cut the forest in two. Countless hideous green creatures hobbled around small huts, just a handful held shoddy weapons. Blades that were turning orange, and crumbling. Handles that were obviously thrown together, connecting to some hilts that can barely be qualified to be them.
Bronya struck Roth's armored arm one time, resulting in tilting his head. She pointed towards their right, and nodded her head.
"Good luck you two." Bronya merely wished them and proceeded to disappear into the field of trees.
As if they planned everything out, Roth slowly walked into the clearing. One, two, three. His third step, all the goblins slowly noticed his presence. On cue, he raised his shield to his stomach.
An intense hazy mist outlined his entire body. Satisfied, he hooked his shield onto his back.
"Is that another skill?" Lucian muttered, his eyebrows raised with his eyes widening. Every individual goblin rushed towards Roth.
Teeth gnashing, and their hands ready to tear him into tiny Roths. Their weapons cracked on collision with his armor, not even leaving a scratch.
He looked towards Lucian, beckoned to leave the clearing.
"Fei, please let my shirt go." Lucian said to her, her grip seemed unusually strong. He actually felt some resistance, and her gaze seemed fixated on Roth and his situation.
"Hey. Fei are you listening?" He waved his hand in front of her face. A few seconds passed, and her fixation broke. "Are you okay?"
She shook her head for a moment, then responded to him with a bit of hesitation. "Y-Yes… I'm, I'm just… N-Nervous…"
"It'll be okay, please believe in me."
"Mm… O-Okay…"
He gave her a confident smile then turned to the clearing.
"Hey messy hair! Get your ass over here or I'll send one of these goblins to your ass!"
"I'm coming! I'm coming! Geez…"
When he got into position, Roth held one of his hands up. His pointer and middle finger were out, along with his thumb. From an outsider's perspective it was comical. Roth stood in a sea of green creatures, barely able to reach his hips and unceasingly clawing at his armor.
His thumb, curled. His pointer finger followed; Lucian's eyes widened as it clicked.
Roth bent down, and snatched a poor goblin from its head. At last, he put his middle finger down. With a snap of his arm, he sent the goblin barreling towards Lucian.
A plume of dirt shot out into the air as it crashed to the ground. Deafening screeches of anguish bellowed from its mouth as it writhed around the ground. Its right arm flopped around without restrictions.
"What the f-" Lucian mouthed.
All his hair stood straight up. A moment passed, its screams were unending. Lucian fumbled with his belt, he felt a cold feeling all over. He managed to grab the handle of his dagger.
Just how strong is Roth…? How was he just able to do this by throwing it? He tightened his jaw. And knelt down, the goblin fearfully backed up the best it could.
Yellow eyes, filled with the flames of life; embers were left as the fire burned out. The hideous sound of it wailing quickly was replaced with the sound of gargling.
Slowly, Lucian pulled his arm back and watched as the lifeless corpse flopped onto its back. Although he has killed a few monsters before, his hands trembled. Was it sickness? He watched as his hands trembled. 'That didn't… Feel right'
"There's another one coming! Don't focus on the corpse of a monster!"
Thud
Squeels entered his ears, he twisted his body in the direction. A second goblin wriggled around on the ground. Their eyes locked for a moment, and it suddenly scrambled to its feet.
Lucian sucked his teeth. Unwilling to give it just a moment, he dashed forward. Within just a few inches, his knee rose. Shockwaves rippled across the goblin's skin, following the momentum its chin shot up.
A punch sent its entire body to the ground. He pierced its chest before it could move again. Once his dagger separated from its chest, blood poured from its wound.
Without a break, the cycle of Roth throwing goblins and Lucian fighting them went on for what felt like a long time. Glistening beads of sweat dropped from his chin, he tensed his muscles when Roth bent down for an eighth time.
"Hey, Rothie why don't ya let Little Fei practice a bit? It isn't all about him!" Bronya's voice echoed through the clearing. Both men turned their heads to gaze. She had her arms raised, both of her hands pointed at Fei.
"Fine, take a break messy hair."
"Hey, Little Fei. How many spells do you have in your repertoire?" Bronya inquired. Her head tilted when she got no response. "Little Fei? Is anyone there? Little Feiiiiii!" She exaggerated her movements to catch Fei's attention.
Fei's back slammed against the tree behind her. She shrunk her body as much as possible.
"Woah, calm down. You alright there Little Fei?"
After a few seconds, Fei nodded her head slowly.
"Hmmmm… Alright. Did you hear my question?"
'W-Why can't I focus-' Fei shook her head both in response and to clear her head. She closed her eyes and lowered her head. 'I-Wh-What's going on with me-'
"Can I know what spells you have in your spell repertoire? That way-"
"Hurry your asses up! We don' got all day!"
"Quiet you big oaf!"
She let out a loud huff and lowered her shoulders. Then she cleared her throat before continuing. "Ahem, I understand you don't like to talk; just raise your fingers to answer so I can know the amount."
Fei sluggishly raised her hand, with two fingers being held up.
That's an unimpressive amount… Didn't old Rothie say an average mage had around 4-5 spells? With her finger on her chin and head at a degree she recalled Roth's wise words. She believed what he stated, but she felt something in her gut that Fei wasn't saying the full truth.
"I-I-I'm… S-Sorry, it's a p-pathetic amount." Fei clutched her staff.
"While that's true… It's more than I can amount to, other than my skills… Rothie! I can tell you want to shout again, we'll be focused in a second!"
"Hurry it up, or I swear I'll throw a couple goblins at you!"
"Come on!"
"Lucian, don't rest. We're going to force you to learn how to evade enemies. For Fei's training… Seeing how she can only muster the courage to use magic when you're in danger…" Bronya pushed down a chuckle and eyed Fei for a second. "You'll be a decoy for this exercise."
"Eh-?"
"Rothie! Throw one at him in just a few seconds!"
"Got it."
Just like the previous seven, the goblin rolled on the floor in agony. Its cries died down when it spotted Lucian. However a glistening chunk of metal broke its focus for a moment.
'W- Oh sh-...' Lucian cursed. It instantly darted towards him.
'S-S-Shouldn't we stop it?'
Fei gulped as she witnessed a slightly comedic scene. Lucian sprinted around in a circle many times. On his tail, the goblin raised the chunk of metal high in his arms preparing to stab him whenever he stopped.
'My spells are too slow… With this staff… Focus… I need to focus.' She closed her eyes, gripping the staff's base with both hands. She pointed it in the direction of the chase. Her lips soundlessly chanted the spell.
'Keep mov-'
A thud echoed throughout as Lucian's face kissed the forest's floor. He let out a loud groan, as he instantly pushed himself up.
"YAAAAAAAA!" A demonic scream boomed behind him.
Fortunately for him, a small ball of light appeared in front of him.Once the goblin lunged to gut him, it met with the ball.
A deafening boom followed up. With an unfathomable force the goblin propelled backwards. Crackles were audible as its back struck a tree. A branch pierced its throat, allowing it to struggle before its arms fell to its side.
Fei opened her eyes and looked at the finish. Her skin paled, and she stumbled backwards.
'W-What happened- D-Did I cause that…? I was-' She covered her mouth with her free hand. 'I- I didn't-'
"Next time keep your eyes peeled, you almost caused him to get hurt." Bronya told her. "Get a grip." She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I-"
"First, calm yourself. You'll need to keep a clear mind in a fight. Panicking and being afraid will harm you."
"I.."
"Second of all. If you're going to get sick because of that; you won't qualify as an adventurer."
"S-S-Sorry…"
Bronya cocked her head and thought, 'why is she apologizing to me?' She shrugged knowing she won't get an answer.
"Do you feel like you can keep going?"
Her training set off again, this time she kept her eyes wide. Nimbly, the second goblin "danced" around the formations. The speed of every chain became a flatline. A few minutes passed, chains of varying size littered the ground.
"Can't you do what you did last week? Y'know, make that giant chain pop out of the ground?"
"I-I don't, don't know, know what y-you mean…"
"You don't? Huh, weird."
"S-Sorry…"
"No problem." Bronya waved her hand, then she disappeared from Fei's side.
A second later, the chase ended with Bronya decapitating the goblin. She gave Roth a thumbs up. In just mere moments, the goblin swarm around him ceased to be.
"That takes care of that." Bronya then hummed a bit. "Takes me back to our first few requests. Although back then it was harder."
"And less of them."
"Yeah!"
They turned to look at Lucian and Fei. The former sat on the ground heaving to catch his breath. Fei sat next to him, cradling her knees. She scratched her hands for a moment before stopping.
"Take a moment you-"
"Give them a break. They don't need to see what you're thinking of." Roth interrupted her in a hushed tone.
"It would be better for them to see it now than at a later date."
"No, it would be better at a later DATE. Do you see long ear over there? Do you think she would be fine seeing it? Look at the kid, he can barely breathe due to how much you made him run."
"So what? They'd exp-"
"Do I have to remind you of what happened last time you found a body? You couldn't keep food down for a few days. Do not try to insist on going. Give. Them. A. Break."
"...You're a jerk at times you know that right?"
"We're done talking here."
"Fine."
Bronya huffed and stormed over to Lucian and Fei. After a loud explanation, she forced them to leave the forest.
'Damn brat.' Roth thought to himself. He grumbled to himself for a few minutes. 'They should be over there, I am hoping Bronya did not **** me over.'
Roth explored just left of the clearing. He heard sobs coming from nearby after traveling for a minute or two..
"Please… Please come back…" A man's voice rang out, his voice sounded so weak. Roth had to focus his hearing to listen. "Someone… Please-"
"That elf really left you here?"
The source of the voice was a disheveled man. His hair sprang outwards, eyes sunken in due to the deep bags that surrounded them. His clothes were all ripped, showing small yet defined muscles. His cheeks were wet thanks to the tears racing down his face. Near him, a rotting corpse laid on the floor. It was evidently the body of a man. Deep bite marks and scratches lined his arms. His clothes matched that of the disheveled man's clothes.
"A-A-Are you friends- W-With that woman-"
"Just a party member. Able to walk?"
"I don-"
"Nevermind."
The man shrunk backwards as Roth neared him. He raised his arms to defend himself; Roth shook his head silently. What is he thinking? Is he that idiotic? He thought as he knelt in front of the corpse.
'May you rest in peace…' He wished, bringing his hands together during so.
"What- What are you doing-?"
Roth did not respond, he took his sword in hand and began to plow the ground. The man quietly watched him in bewilderment.
Before he could even utter a word, a hole big enough for a body to fit in snugly appeared in front of him. Then, Roth carefully took the corpse in his arms and laid it to rest.
"W-Why-"
"Let's hope… That the mana in this place isn't heavy enough to bring him back."