Page 22

Routine Visit

W e’d taken the entire day off from hunting so I could get my new skill at the Cleric Guild.

However, considering I was able to bring the book back with me, I had more time to spare than I thought.

I found everyone at the house, lying around and enjoying the break from our constant trekking through the wilderness.

Mira and Rhia were in the back, clinging to what little midday shade they could find.

Kai was nursing a drink nearby and Kuro, as always, was talking loudly about whatever was on his mind.

As far as I could tell, that guy just liked the sound of his own voice.

“Back already?” Kai asked, looking up from the shaded wall. “Did you master a new skill that fast?”

I shook my head. “No. But?—”

“Of course you didn’t,” Kuro interjected. “Oliver is the slowest one in the group. We all know that.”

I shot him a dirty look. His comments always stung despite their frequency. “Actually, the skill I got is one even the high priestess herself hasn’t mastered yet.” I lifted up the book. “She seemed really impressed that I was going to take it on and she gave me a copy of the skill book to study.”

“Wow Oliver!” Kai smiled. “That’s amazing! She must really think you’ve got the talent for it!”

“Yeah, or that he’ll never learn it,” Kuro muttered .

“You’ll figure it out, Oliver,” Mira said with a small smile. “I believe in you.”

“Me too,” Rhia added. “Ignore the idiot.”

Kuro, clearly offended, opened his mouth to retort but Rhia burned him a nasty look and he shut right up.

“I’m surprised you’re back so fast too,” I said, looking over at Mira. “Did your skill training go well?”

She nodded shyly. “Yeah. Actually, they gave me a book to study from as well. But that’s not uncommon for the Mage Guild. We have several dozen copies of every spell, so guild members borrow them all the time. We just can’t take them out of the city.”

“Man, I wish the Cleric Guild was like that,” I nodded, sinking down the wall next to Kai. “They keep everything under lock and key. Even this book is only an illusion. They wouldn’t let me take the real one.”

“Any idea why?” Kai asked.

“Laws, I guess? Rarity of the books themselves?” I shrugged, flipping open the book in my lap. “I guess there’s a lot of forbidden magic out there that only clerics can learn. So, they keep it all pretty locked up and destroy whatever they don’t like.”

“Illegal magic?”

“Yeah, we have some of that too,” Mira added, her excitement palpable.

She took to magic easily, much more so than I did.

Her enthusiasm was infectious. “Although mostly it’s high-level things that have to do with time manipulation.

Only the highest level mages know about it and any practice of it will result in expulsion and stripping of powers. ”

Kai glanced at me. “What can’t clerics learn?”

“Necromancy,” I muttered, just the feeling of the word on my tongue making me shiver. “And the punishment is death.”

A heavy silence fell over the group at my words. Even Kuro seemed sobered by the gravity of the topic.

“Death?” Mira whispered, her eyes wide. “That seems... extreme.”

I nodded solemnly. “The High Priestess explained that necromancy corrupts the natural order of life and death. It’s not just forbidden - it’s considered an abomination.”

Kai leaned in, his brow furrowed with concern. “But why would anyone write down such dangerous magic? Aren’t they worried about temptation?”

“That’s the thing,” I said, flipping through the pages.

“They require that all skill books with clerical magic are turned into the guild, regardless of the spell. And then the entire collection is kept locked up at all times and necromancy books are destroyed. They have very strict rules on who can learn what. It was only thanks to that gold coin that I was able to even choose a spell like this to begin with.”

“You spent an entire gold on a spell not even the priestess could master?!” Kuro barked in disbelief. “Are you a fucking moron?!”

I felt my face flush with anger, but before I could defend myself, Rhia stepped in.

“Shut it, Kuro,” she growled, her dark eyes flashing dangerously. “Oliver’s got more potential than you’ll ever have.”

Kuro scoffed, but wisely kept his mouth shut. Rhia’s intimidating presence had that effect on people.

“So, what exactly does this new spell do?” Kai asked, gently steering the conversation back on track. His brown eyes were warm with curiosity and encouragement.

I took a deep breath, grateful for the change in subject. “It’s called ‘Twilight Veil’. From what I understand, it’s supposed to be able to create a shield around us that not only protects us, but increases our powers.”

Mira’s eyes widened. “A shield that increases power? I didn’t even know that was possible.”

“Neither did I,” I nodded. “But if I can pull it off, just think of how unstoppable we’ll be! Not only will I be able to heal better, but everyone will be protected and hit harder.”

Kai’s eyes lit up with excitement. “That’s incredible, Oliver! If you can master this spell, it could change everything for our team.”

“ If being the operative word,” Kuro muttered, but his voice lacked its usual bite. Even he couldn’t deny the potential of such a powerful spell.

I flipped through the pages of the illusory book, my mind already racing with the possibilities. “It’ll take some time to learn, but I think I can do it. The High Priestess seemed to think I had the aptitude for it.”

“Of course you do,” Rhia said matter-of-factly. “You’ve got more raw potential than most of the clerics I’ve met. Most of them I’ve seen in town are really full of themselves with very minimal actual power. They know they’re valuable and they flaunt it.”

Mira nodded in agreement. “And you’ve worked harder than any of them. Most just have basic healing and defense skills. But you always put the team first. If anyone can master this spell, it’s you, Oliver.”

Their words of encouragement warmed me, chasing away the lingering doubts Kuro’s comments had planted.

I smiled gratefully at my companions, feeling a surge of affection for this mismatched group that had become like family to me.

Even if they were exaggerating a bit to make me feel better. It was working.

“Thanks, everyone. I’ll do my best not to let you down.”

“You never do,” Kai said softly, his hand resting briefly on my shoulder. “We’re all still alive because of you.”

“So, what’s our plan now?” Mira asked, twirling her wand absently between her fingers. “Should we give Oliver some time to study the new spell, or should we go out and try to hunt today?”

I considered her suggestion for a moment. “I think I should spend some time studying. The sooner I can master this spell, the better equipped we’ll be for our next expedition.”

“Agreed,” Kai nodded. “We could all use a bit of rest and preparation. How long do you think you’ll need, Oliver?”

I glanced down at the illusory book, flipping through a few more pages. The complexity of the spell was daunting, but I felt a surge of determination. “Give me three days. I’ll practice as much as I can during that time. Then we’ll take it on a field test.”

Kuro groaned dramatically. “Three whole days of sitting around? I’ll die of boredom!”

Rhia rolled her eyes. “You could always train, you know. Or is swinging that sword of yours around too much work?”

“Hey! I’ll have you know I’m in peak condition!” Kuro puffed his chest out, flexing his arms. “I’m amazing!”

Kuro’s indignant response was cut short as a commotion erupted from the street outside. We all turned our heads towards the sound of shouting and the clatter of armor.

“What’s going on out there?” Mira asked, her voice tinged with worry.

I quickly closed the illusory spellbook and stood up. “Let’s check it out.”

We made our way to the front of the house, peering out the windows to see a group of Royal Scouting Brigade members approaching the house.

They were led by a man in golden armor with perfectly quaffed hair and an overwide grin.

It took me a moment to place Captain Boromia, the same man that welcomed us to the RSB in the first place.

I hadn’t seen him once since the day we’d first arrived in Cindersea.

“Why hello newcomers!” he called, waving a hand in our direction. His brigade of soldiers, on cue, stopped where they were, weapons at ease. “I’ve come to check up on you!”

All of us looked at one another, confusion plastered on our faces. We’d been in Cindersea for over a month, and nobody had ever bothered to check up on us before. In fact, if we hadn’t managed to start killing monsters, we would’ve starved to death by now.

“I see you’re confused,” he smiled even wider.

“Allow me to explain.” He threw his arms wide, centering all attention on himself.

“As captain of the RSB in Selas, it’s my duty to check on all newcomers to Cindersea to make sure they’re adjusting to life here as easily as possible.

We at the RSB know things can be a little difficult in the beginning, but that’s why we’re here, to lend you aid.

After all, we want all of you to become fully fledged scouts at some point, don’t we? ”

I exchanged wary glances with my companions. Captain Boromia’s sudden appearance and overly cheerful demeanor felt off somehow.

Kai stepped forward, his natural leadership surfacing. “Thank you for your concern, Captain. We’re adjusting well enough. Is there something specific you need from us?”

The captain’s smile never wavered. “Oh, nothing too pressing! Just checking in, making sure you’re all settling in nicely. I hear you’ve been quite successful in your monster hunting endeavors!”

“We’ve managed to survive,” Rhia said flatly, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.