Ellin looked a little depressed for not having been more useful in battle but she quickly regained her confidence by treating the wounded. Thirty-two of the injured evacuees had been saved and thirty-one of the combatants had survived. She was still sleeping inside the caravan.

Besides, she saved Namrick from losing his head.

Man, that guy who was fighting against Namrick was really fast on his hands and feet. I wouldn’t have been able to keep up.

I’ve thought long and hard how to fight against swordsmen, in theory, I’d just need to get too close for them to swing. If I can manage that, without getting sliced to half, then I’d just need to break their bones with mana infused strength. Or break their weapons by dual casting extreme cold and heat. I can’t pull that trick very well yet, though.

Anyway, I had been surprised by the coordination shown by those bandits during the battle.

「Allen: They fought like soldiers.」

I mused out loud.

Namrick, who was riding his stallion on my left, glanced at me with a pensive expression on his face.

「Namrick: I think they were… their armor had a familiar design but they had removed the insignia.」

「Allen: You guys should have waited for me…」

I said, biting down the unpleasantness of having been left behind.

「Namrick: Sorry… but the quest was urgent, we had to leave with the organized group.」

He averted his gaze.

「Allen: You split from the main group and let yourselves get surrounded. I would't have done that, not with caravans slowing me down. I'd have fight along the soldiers.」

Even if Noirdant’s army had a slightly different style of combat, my military mage training could still increase the soldiers’ effectiveness. Despite the anti-magic equipment, there was much a magician could provide for aggravating the foe.

And if everything fails you could always bash craniums with a mace. At least until I become a proper magician like Violet.

「Namrick: I know… We were following the painted carriage away from the conflict. We were actually on a group of six carriages and one hundred and fifty combatants…」

Grastel picked up from there.

「Grastel: Yeah, but the caravan horses panicked and we ended up being separated.」

「Namrick: We didn’t expect they would press us so hard… and for what?! Looting scraps from injured people?」

It was indeed weird. The bandits should have seen the caravans only held helpless people and scraps. I could only think of another reason.

「Allen: I think I know why. They were probably looking for the ones inside the painted carriage.」

Grastel lifted an eyebrow while Namrick frowned.

「Grastel: The painted carriage? But we were told it was just a merchant family running away from the conflict.」

I smiled.

「Allen: Or was it? I think it was royals or very important nobles at the least.」

Why else would a bunch of trained soldiers-turned-bandits with obsidian lacquer waste men and effort harassing a caravan full of injured people? They were looking for someone. Maybe they thought the people they sought were hiding among the wounded.

「Allen: Hmmm… just a question. Who made the decision to follow the carriage?」

「Namrick: The commander of Noirdant’s soldiers called the shot. They said to escort them to safety before the attack came. Why?」

The carriage had left before the bandits could gain sight of it. And why not, the decision of having the caravans follow could have been to provide a diversion. Although I wasn’t sure about that last part, maybe it was just my cynicism speaking.

In any case, it was no coincidence that Violet had been sent this way.

Grastel and Namrick had become silent.

『Namrick: Are you thinking…』

Namrick spoke telepathically through the ring.

『Grastel: … We were used to provide a distraction?』

『Allen: We can’t know for sure. Even if it were true they wouldn’t tell us, would they?』

I shrugged.

If I were a royal on the run I would lay down layers upon layers of diversions.

Fuck, this is exactly why I didn’t want anything to do with royalty and politics.

『Namrick: If that’s true…』

Namrick closed his fist on the horse’s bridle. He looked angry.

『Allen: Guys… just promise me you’ll be more careful. Always plan for twice the expected and don’t let others sucker you into perilous situations.』

「Yusdrolir: Why are ya guys staring at each other, making funny faces?」

The dwarf asked us while shooting confused glances from the low height of his sturdy-looking pony mount. I was surprised he didn’t come on foot.

I had been relieved to find everyone alive. I’m sure Violet would have saved them anyway. What I’m not sure was why she waited, dropping a few remarks around like it was a lesson. That hadn’t been helpful at all!

I was reminded of the training with Vallachio.

Well, at least I got to incapacitate a couple of bandits even though it was Violet who delivered the coup-de-grace.

Hmm…

Now that I think of it, since I came here I haven’t yet actually killed a single person.

What would I feel when I’d finally end up doing the deed? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find out. Which is why I was certain it was gonna happen sooner or later.

When I don’t want something, that something has a bad habit of happening.

「Yusdrolir: Yes, keep ignoring me ya lanky brats.」

We roused Ellin awake at the last stop before reaching Valarest. The sun had long set.

「Ellin: You should have woken me earlier.」

She complained, ending with a yawn.

「Namrick: It’s okay. You deserved some rest.」

Ellin looked down and made a serious face.

「Ellin: I heard you before…」

She said in a low voice.

「Ellin: … Through the ring.」

「Yusdrolir: Whatcha talkin’ about?.」

Yusdrolir frowned, not having taken part in the previous conversation.

「Ellin: It doesn’t matter… we saved many lives. We did the right thing.」

Namrick nodded.

We returned to the Guild and collected the reward for the collective quest. 5 gold coins each. To be honest I was expecting more given that the danger had been greater than advertised, but it was in line with the usual rewards.

Quest completed (Escort the evacuees) +75 EXP

Yesss.

You leveled up! You’re now level 6.

YESSS!

We walked outside into the quiet scenery of the city at night. The streets were empty this time, usually, there was more activity. Maybe people had been shaken by the news.

Whatever.

「Allen: I gained a level!」

I said with satisfaction. The trio ignored my senseless statement. They had grown too used to me saying random words that had no meaning in their language while offering no explanation, so one day they just stopped asking.

「Yusdrolir: What’s a level?」

Asked the dwarf looking between me and them.

「Allen: In this case, it’s an imaginary number to make myself feel good about my increasing experience.」

「Yusdrolir: Uh? Like those blasted circles… steps… whatever magicians are always raving ’bout to show off their power?」

I made a mental reminder to look that up.

Quest added (Research ways to measure power)

I smiled inwardly.

「Allen: No, it’s more like a game to trick me into being more productive, but… circles, steps? So there is a way to actually track your magical power?」

I wanted to know more.

「Namrick: Life is not a game.」

Namrick cut in with a stern expression, derailing from the interesting topic.

「Allen: Everything is a game if you look from the right perspective.」

「Ellin: But still…」

I continued.

「Allen: Games aren’t always about fun and giggles. Politicians play their schemes, Gods play with our lives, Namrick plays with his sword…」

I grinned as Namrick narrowed his eyes. He was too tired to retaliate.

「Allen: And I…」

I slapped my chest.

「Allen: I play my own game.」

「Grastel: And what game is that?」

Grastel asked skeptically.

「Allen: An incremental game where I’m rewarded for completing arbitrary quests and objectives while tracking my progress.」

「Grastel: That sounds stupid.」

Stupidly awesome. I mentally corrected my friend’s statement.

「Allen: You underestimate the power of instant gratification.」

All people hunger for it and so do I.

「Namrick: Isn’t that simply deluding yourself? You need true motivation to achieve your goals or you’ll just give up along the way.」

「Allen: Well, my dedication to magic is as true as it gets. But I know myself and what engages me.」

I haven’t farmed all those stupid time-sink games for nothing. I just need to reproduce that same healthy feeling of addiction. Then I won’t even need to use emotion magic on myself. Or at least not as much.

「Yusdrolir: I don’t get it. How’s that supposed to work?」

Yusdrolir asked, looking at me with half a frown.

「Allen: Magic. My ring can do many things, like tracking my progress, take notes, do calculations and more.」

The dwarf grunted, unconvinced.

「Yusdrolir: Magic tools can do two or three things well, at best.」

He crossed his arms.

「Allen: I can make them do all things well. Speaking of which, you should bring me a ring to enchant so I can give you one of my cool creations.」

Yusdrolir shook his head.

「Yusdrolir: No thanks, I’m good. My equipment is fine as it is. Besides, yer magic didn’t look like much, to be honest.」

He must be reminiscing about that embarrassing sand elemental episode. It’s true that I still haven’t mastered any powerful spells, but what I lack in power I can make up in utility.

「Allen: Fine then, I guess you’ll remain oblivious to our secret conversations then.」

「Yusdrolir: Secret conv– wait a second…」

He narrowed his eyes, a glint of understanding flickering behind them.

「Yusdrolir: You mean… all those times ye were looking at each other, making funny faces, while I thought yer noggins were leaking brain…」

I grinned.

「Yusdrolir: Burn me! I don’t want to be left out. Ya, damn lanky scoundrels.」

He said grumpily, but I could read the pleading behind the lines. I knew deep down he was afraid of being left behind.

「Allen: It’s decided, then. Bring me a ring to enchant, possibly above normal silver.」

The dwarf nodded.

「Yusdrolir: I will.」

He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

「Yusdrolir: It’s late… See ya all tomorrow!」

I waved goodbye to the dwarf and noticed that Namrick was staring toward the horizon. I wondered what he was thinking about. Probably swords.

Grastel and Ellin were both yawning.

「Allen: I guess it’s time for us to return to the inn.」

The trio nodded in agreement and we walked in silence through the empty streets.

When we reached the front door of the inn I suddenly remembered something I had been wanting to ask in a long time.

「Allen: Oh… by the way. What does skraggin mean?」

The Arstei dictionary had failed me. Perhaps it was a foreign word.

Namrick and Grastel smiled at each other. Ellin spoke, lifting her chin slightly.

「Ellin: Hmm, we might answer if you answer us this… What does fucking mean?」

I froze my expression to the standard corporate face with a faint smile.

「Allen: … Your young minds are not ready to understand such transcendental knowledge.」

I said dramatically and walked inside, ignoring their unconvinced stares.

I had already figured that skraggin was an insult and I prided myself in the ability to discern cussing, despite the language barriers. But I still didn’t know the exact meaning. Likewise, the trio must have figured out that my favorite swearword was, in fact, a swearword.

But they couldn’t be sure, for all they know it’s a conjunctive. I sure use it like one. I will not lose in this battle of wills!

As I opened the door to my room I suddenly remembered I hadn’t explained Ellin how to run the lucid dream inducing app. I stopped and glanced at her as she was passing next to me.

「Allen: Ah Ellin… when you go to bed, remember to keep the ring on and think 【RUN LUCID_DREAMER.EXE】 with Intent. Try it now. You’ll know if you did it right.」

Background process started. Monitoring sleep pattern…

As a cue, the ring gave me the notification.

「Allen: It'll activate an application that helps you lucid dream. Let me know how it works and don’t forget to practice.」

She nodded and smiled then attempted to activate the app.

「Ellin: I see it! Thank you and good night! I'll let you know how it went.」

I nodded back and stepped inside, where I got rid of my armor and hit the bed like a dead weight.

This would be the last adventure for a while. It was almost winter anyway, so I expected the whole adventuring business to quiet down. And, if what I heard was true, the war would slow to a crawl until the ice melted.

That meant I had two months to help develop magic weapons to push back the next assault of the demons and their armies.

I was also curious about that thing about magical power Yusdrolir had mentioned. Circles, steps, whatever they meant. My status system was still stuck in an uncompleted stage because I needed to figure what formulas to use. Perhaps that topic could help me clear my doubts.

I had read many books in the library about increasing mana and mana efficiency, but it had not occured to me to ask the librarians if they had anything about the classifications of magic power. I usually prefer practical things over the theoretical.

So much to do... I sighed.

I closed my eyes and slept.