Page 20

Second Skill

I t had been nearly two weeks since we’d found the hidden cave full of mana crystals.

Each morning, we went out, killed ourselves a kobold or two and took what we could sell from their bodies.

At first it was difficult, but with each passing day our technique and strategy improved.

Before long we were taking out two simultaneously and we’d expanded our range.

Even I could feel the growth in my body.

My muscles were tighter, my movements were more dexterous, and as my physical form improved, so did my magic.

Then, during the afternoons, we’d visit the cave near Selas.

Just as Kai said, we only took a small handful of crystals back each day to avoid suspicion.

Once we had our loot, Mira would recast her illusion spell, and we’d head back to town to sell what we’d managed to scrounge up that day.

It wasn’t much, but after two weeks we’d managed to save up enough to send both Mira and I back to our respective guilds.

Mira was going to learn her fourth spell, and I was finally going to obtain a second skill.

I could barely contain my excitement.

As we made our way through the bustling streets of Selas, I couldn’t help but notice the spring in Mira’s step.

Her blue hair bobbed with each stride, and her usually timid demeanor seemed to have lifted slightly.

There was a soft smile on her face as she casually hummed to herself.

Having the pressure of survival lifted off her shoulders had really brought out her personality .

“I can’t believe we’re finally doing this,” she whispered excitedly, clutching her wand.

Kai, walking beside us with his bow slung over his shoulder, gave us both an encouraging smile. “You’ve both earned it,” he said softly. “Your hard work is paying off.”

We reached the crossroads where we’d have to part ways - Mira to the Mage’s Guild and me to the Cleric Guild. I felt a twinge of nervousness mixed with my excitement.

“Good luck,” Mira said, her voice barely audible over the noise of the city.

I nodded, watching as she disappeared into the crowd, her blue hair visible for a moment before being swallowed up by the sea of people. Kai placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“You’ve got this,” he said, his brown eyes warm and encouraging. “Remember, without you, we wouldn’t be here. You’re an amazing cleric and the only reason this group works.”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Thanks, Kai. I’ll see you back at the house later?” We’d taken to calling our little barracks building a house just to make it sound better than it actually was. Although, if I was being honest, it was starting to grow on me.

He nodded, and with a final pat on my back.

“One last thing,” he added, gazing at me seriously.

“Your healing magic is a lot better now, so if you wanted to learn something that wasn’t healing this time, you have my approval.

” He smiled, scratching the back of his head.

“Not that you need my approval of course.”

“No, it’s good to have,” I smiled. “You’re the leader after all.” I stood there for a moment, pondering. “I’m not sure what else I would take. I’m not much of a fighter.”

“Well, whatever you decide, it’s up to you.” He gave me a wink. “I trust your judgement.”

With one last wave, he too melted into the bustling streets of Selas, becoming one with the crowd.

I turned towards the imposing structure of the Cleric Guild, its white stone walls gleaming in the afternoon sun.

A warm fluttering feeling filled my stomach.

Knowing Kai trusted me… something about that felt right.

In our short time in Cindersea, he’d become something like a role model to me.

I looked up to him. Hell, we all did. Even Kuro turned to him in times of need.

He was the glue that held us all together and the reason we’d survived. It meant a lot that he trusted me.

As I approached the entrance, my heart pounding in my chest, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’d come.

Just two weeks ago, we were struggling newcomers, barely able to take down a single kobold.

And now we were making decent money, getting new skills, and taking down multiple kobolds at a time.

And today I would help us progress even further.

I just had to choose what skill I was going to take.

I pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the Cleric Guild, the familiar scent of incense and herbs washing over me. The interior was cool and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. A few acolytes milled about, their white robes swishing softly against the stone floor.

As I approached the reception desk, a stern-looking older woman peered at me over her spectacles. “Name and purpose?” she asked, her voice crisp and businesslike.

“I’m here to see High Priestess Elayra,” I replied, trying to keep the excitement from my voice. “I’ve come to purchase a new skill.” I gave her my name and guild identification number, which she meticulously recorded in a large ledger.

“Very well,” she said, gesturing towards a corridor to her left. “Head down there and take the third door on the right. The High Priestess herself will assist you.”

I nodded my thanks and made my way down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As I approached the third door, I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. I raised my hand to knock, but before I could, a soft voice called out from within.

“Enter, young one.”

I pushed the door open, revealing a circular room bathed in soft, golden light.

High Priestess Elayra stood at its center, her silver hair braided intricately and piled atop her head.

She had the same soft blue robes on, the silver threads catching the sunlight from a nearby window.

Her elegant metal staff was clutched in her left hand, the blue gem glowing faintly as always.

“Welcome,” she said, her voice warm and gentle. “I’ve been expecting you.” She cocked her head to the side slightly, a smile on her face. “But not so soon.”

I bowed my head respectfully. “Thank you for seeing me, High Priestess. I know it’s sudden.”

She smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “I’m happy to have you. When it took you so long to learn your first spell, well, I thought you might be a lost cause.”

I felt myself deflate a bit. But she was right. It did take me longer than most to learn a basic healing spell .

“But I now see that I was wrong to doubt you. It seems the wilds are a better teacher than I was. For that, I apologize.”

“I-It’s okay,” I stuttered, shaking my head. “Really. Don’t worry about it.”

“And now you’re here to learn your second skill.”

“Y-Yeah. That’s my hope, anyway.”

“Well, we have three choices,” she said, gesturing for me to follow her. “Come this way.”

High Priestess Elayra led me to the far side of the chamber to a heavy wooden door with iron banding.

She pushed it open easily, her strength betraying her elderly appearance.

She might have been old, but she was no pushover.

Through the door was a small room with a table, a couple stuffed chairs, and several bookshelves all filled with ancient leather tomes.

A fireplace crackled on the far wall, a black kettle hanging near with a steady stream of steam slowly rising out of its spout.

“This is my personal study,” Elayra said, gesturing to the room. “And where I keep most of the skill books I use to teach my protégés.”

“It’s really nice,” I said, looking around. And it was true. Compared to our house, the place was a palace. “And I don’t think I’ve seen this many books since I came to Cindersea.”

“And you probably won’t anywhere else,” she smiled. “Except maybe at the Mage’s Guild. They have quite a few. The other guilds though, they teach through more practical methods.”

Elayra glided over to one of the bookshelves, her fingers tracing along the spines of several ancient tomes before selecting three. She placed them on the table with a soft thud, gesturing for me to take a seat.

“These are the three skills I believe would suit you best at this stage of your journey. I offer them to all initiates who come to gain a second skill,” she explained, her blue eyes twinkling.

“Each offers a different path to strengthen your abilities as a cleric. And to better align you with the god of the Twilight.”

I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued. The books looked old, their leather covers worn and faded with time. None of them had a title. Only years of reading and memorization told her what they contained.

“The first,” Elayra continued, placing her hand on the leftmost book, “is ‘Purify.’ This skill allows you to cleanse toxins and curses from allies. It’s particularly useful against venomous creatures or dark magic users.”

She moved to the middle book. “The second is ‘Shield of the Faithful.’ This skill creates a protective barrier around yourself or an ally, deflecting physical and magical attacks. It’s a defensive skill that can save lives in dangerous situations.”

Finally, she touched the rightmost book. “And the third is ‘Smite.’ This offensive skill channels divine energy into your weapon, allowing you to deal holy damage to enemies. It’s particularly effective against undead and demonic creatures.”

I sat there, my mind racing as I considered each option.

Purify sounded useful, especially given the venomous creatures we’d encountered completely by accident.

Shield of the Faithful could protect my teammates, which aligned well with my desire to keep everyone safe.

But Smite... the idea of having an offensive capability was tempting.

I didn’t want to be on the front lines, but if things ever went sideways, I might not have a choice.