Today, we won’t get any requests. I have no conditions to do so. The parting words of Beowulf, still echo in my head. I can’t know why, but I cannot just let them go. There is something in the back of my head, nagging me. ‘How could you forget?’ it accuses me.

“Helen.”

Those eyes. Those were the eyes of a liar. But deep down, I could glimpse some kindness. Of someone that could not tell the whole truth because it would hurt the listener. Of a father that tells you that everything will be fine, while starving through the winter so the children can eat. A gentle liar.

“Helen!”

And the spear. He basically confirmed that the horn atop the spear is indeed Grendel’s. And that Grendel is alive and happy. Did he say ‘I didn’t kill Grendel, don’t worry’ out loud? Was it said in one of my delusions? I don’t know. The only way to really know is to ask, but I am afraid of the answer. So afraid that I am frozen in place.

“Helen!!!”

What kind of man is he? Where did he walk through? How did he meet the king? Who did he kill to anger the receptionist? What where the crime? Is Beowulf really a murderer? The name sounds so heroic. He spoke the name with pride and a smirk. But detachment too. His eyes flicked when he said his own name. Like it is not his real name.

“Helen!!! Helen!!”

I am shaken. I am livid. Cold. Even inside this wool robes of mine, even using fire magic. My fire magic is gentle. It warms. It purifies. He tapped his shoulder when he told me that. Does his shoulder hurt? Is it cold? I hate that calculating side of Kareena. She wants to separate me from Beowulf. He is the only link I have to Grendel. How did he get that spear? Is it a gift? A trophy? Something he found lying around in the woods?

“Helen! Helen! Talk to me!”

Beowulf killed people. Beowulf is dangerous. He wants to lure us into the woods to do harm to us? Is it so? But what does he get to profit from us? He would lose all the gold he deposited in the Guild for the assignment. He looks like he is wealthy. That is too much silver per request. Is he strong too? Cedric doubts him. Is he worthy of wielding a spear made of so many rare materials?

“Helen! Stop spacing out! Talk to meeeee!”

Back then they said Grendel was dangerous too. But Grendel is kind. Grendel refused to kill those adventurers and soldiers. He sent me home in his way of doing things. He had no way of knowing those horrible people would just throw me in jail and make me a sacrifice in the equinox. I thought I was weak, but haven’t I escaped from that stockades on my own power? With Marcy’s help, of course. And Emory.

“Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen!”

I am shaken. Yes, something is shaking me. Wait, is it Marcy? Yes, Marcy?

“Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen!”

“What is it, Marcy?” I look around. Since when did we leave the Guild? Are we home? What happened? Where is Beowulf?

“Hello, Helen. How are you? Can you hear me now? Or are you going to daydream the whole day?” Marcy is angry. What happened?

“Erm… you see… that boy… I… him… the spear… what he said…”

“Put yourself together girl. Nothing good will come out of thinking in that mood. Your brain has become a slime.”

We keep walking idly in the streets. There is a lot of pelts and furs being sold this time of the year. Also foods that can be preserved through the winter, but the prices are rising bit by bit as it gets colder. Marcy uses her charm to get some free samples. I approach her and talk about the elephant in the room.

“Are we refusing that request?”

“Why would we accept? Honestly, we are making enough money that we could get back south after winter. It could be interesting to help that guy, but he is a murderer. He killed people. Probably Guild personnel.”

“Do you think he was lying when he said he was working for the realm?”

“I don’t know. Probably he was working for the king, because the Guild has means to fact check. He wouldn’t lie that blatantly in front of a Branch Guild Master. But the kingdom and the guild work independently. To order the execution of a Guild Master, the only crime possible would be treason.”

She buys some fruit for a few copper coins, and samples it.

“Marcy, the thing is he… he knows too much. And that spear. That horn is Grendel’s horn. I am sure of it.”

“Do you think he has the power to kill Grendel? The realm sent the Shining Blades to do the deed. Assuming Grendel survived or escaped them, would he fall prey to that kid Beowulf? He is the same age as us!”

“No. I don’t think Grendel would lose to someone with a job of Villager.”

Marcy does a spit take with some fruit she was eating.

"Helen, would you hear a crazy theory of mine?" She closes near me and whispers to my ear.

-------------------------------------- <> -------------------------------------

When I wake up I notice the rays of the sun are in an uncommon location, it is no longer early morning though. We probably missed request rush again. My body feels heavy. But it is from tiredness. I had several nightmares during the night. Can’t remember them, but the sensation that I might lose Grendel for good if I don’t do something lingers deeply. I look around, and at the foot of the bed, Emory and the other rats are nesting there.

“Come here, my dear friends.” The rats run to me, and we cuddle together. I refresh myself petting those delicate and cute round ears.

I get off the bed, and dress myself. I commissioned a new robe, one with several pockets on the inside for the rats. Each pocket has a boiled leather lining on the side facing out, to work as armor for the rats. As usual, once I finish donning the robes, they rush to me, crawl up my legs and go each to their own pocket.

Next I check my rucksack, all my sundries and assorted stuff. A dagger in a disguised holster beneath the robes, my staff, ready for adventure! Except there won’t be any today. But things may become hectic, better be ready. We are grounded in town until the meeting late afternoon.

I climb downstairs, my sister-in-law is throwing up. Work hard, sister-in-law! Marcy is helping her. I can’t help but wonder when it will be my turn to be there hugging the bucket.

“Marcy, are we going to the guild?”

“Not now. Today is free day. Go shop, study magic, anything you want. We have to be there before sunset, so don’t get late.”

“Alright! I think I will practice magic today. I’m off to the south gate.”

Marcy stops me as I get to the door. “Are you feeling well? Yesterday...”

"There are still some... worries floating around my head, but I am feeling better."

"You are all geared up. Take care. I have to look after big sis today."

"What you told me yesterday, it is all your fault you know? Marcy is crazy. You set those worries floating!"

"Yes, but after all you told me, it is impossible to not think like that!"

“What is this racket? Oh, silly daughter of mine. Your hair is showing.”

I touch my face, there is a strand of hair sticking out. I haven’t fixed my bandana correctly today. Mom takes over helping sister-in-law and Marcy comes to fix my hair.

“Thanks Marcy! For being there for me.”

Finally, I’m out. Now to my favorite training spot. I cross the south gate, show my Guild card to the guards. Security in this town is stricter than back in Milfield. There are more trade routes linking this town, and the country is more lively. After a few steps out of the gate, I reach one big stone boulder as tall as a two floor house a bit away from the road, that is very charred. The guards at the gatehouse can see here, so there is no problem.

I begin my routine. Burn half my MP with spells aiming at the boulder, then rebuild the boulder with earth magic, and rinse repeat. Hope for a skill up. Cycle through all the elements. Meditate and recover MP faster. Control the breathing. Time goes on, and when I notice time has gone by the shadow of the boulder is already pointing to the other side.

I can feel someone watching me. I turn around, there is a person.

It is him. Beowulf is sitting on a chair-sized stone out of my field of view. Our eyes cross, I can't help but grimace.

“Oh, don’t mind me. I just had nothing to do until the time of our meeting, and by chance I saw miss Helen coming out the south gate, I got curious and came to watch you train. I won’t talk much, because I promised not to try to persuade you before the meeting.”

“I don’t mind. Sometimes there is a crowd watching.” Sometimes merchants end up lining up at the gate for the clearance inspection.

“Miss Helen seems to be quite the celebrity in this place.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” But it makes me feel good. I can’t show weakness here. Or Marcy will have me for dinner.

“I’ll just stay silent here then. Is this much fine?”

"Suit yourself."

I resume my training. Unfortunately I can’t train [Plant Magic] or [Druid Magic] here or people will become suspicious. Unusual magic draws too much attention.

Keep training. Keep improving. Reach that place where I want to be at.

The guy then begins to talk to me out of the blue. Weren't you keeping silent?????

“Focus. Give it your all. You won’t improve much if you don’t put your heart into it like it is a life or death situation.” Some voice slips into my concentration.

"What? Sorry Mr. Villager, but are you a magic instructor?"

"No. I can't cast a spell even if my life depends on it. But I know a lot about skill leveling. Skills usually go up in life or death situations." He jumps out of the stone, and approaches a little. "Can I get closer?"

Skill scholar? Wisdom beyond his years? A total load of bullshit? "You are very talented, aren't you, Mr. Beowulf? The king's left hand man, ork king slayer, monster spear wielder, skill scholar, who are you?"

"You would not believe if I told you. So please figure out yourself. I'm a liar, that much you can be sure of."

I let out my wish in a meek voice. "I want to believe you..." bad! bad! It will jeopardize the meeting later today! "Backoff a little, please."

"Ok? I mean you no harm, miss Helen." He takes a few steps back. "But I really want you to grow stronger. Would you do a little experiment with me?"

"I guess. It won't hurt to try something new." I clench my staff. This kid has an amazing ability to make me anxious.

"Good. First, spend all your MP until you only have enough to cast your biggest spell." I begin to cast my training cycle on the boulder. "Stop a bit after the point you have to wait a little to have MP to cast your strongest one."

MP exaustion settles in. I was already having difficulty to mantain a steady breathing, it only aggravates it.

" what now?"

"Picture your worst enemy. Or the worst thing that ever happened to you. Aim at the boulder. The boulder is not rock, it is everything you despise and hate and want to see gone from the world."

Worst? Where should I even begin? But fine. He might have a point. Magic depends on one's imagination. The stronger your image, the stronger the magic. Most people can't use magic because they lack the ability to craft images in their heads.

He continues: "Focus and let loose your full power on what you hate!"

I gather all my power into the next spell. “[Nova Blast]!”

The boulder explodes. The impact of the flames made the fragments burst forward. Pieces of stone that were left in place are glowing red. I’m winded. My MP went 'into the negatives' I had hurt myself to convert HP to MP.

Beowulf goes to the boulder while I recover my breath.

“Whoa! Nova Blast is THIS powerful?” He shouts then continues in a very low voice. “It means that brat held back when he saw he was going to hit his teammate… It really sounded like he bit his tongue during the chant. It wouldn’t save his life one way or another, but they lost because of that...”

He is mumbling something dangerous. I can’t make what he is saying.

“If only I had appraisal… Well, can’t be helped. Maybe I’ll try to get it later. But I have to save my points for now.” He keeps talking stuff I can’t understand.

Skill All Elemental Magic level 5 acquired.

Technique {Elemental Admixture} learned. Skill Overboost (D) level 1 acquired.

“Whoa!!!” I am startled by the sudden message windows.

“Are you fine, miss Helen? You seem winded.”

“It is just that several skills leveled up all at once.”

His eyes are playful and delighted. “Told you.” And he looks to the city. “We have company.”

Some guards arrive. “What is this ruckus? There was an explosion!”

“Oh, officers, it was nothing. The mage was practicing her spells, and I coached her a little, so on my suggestion she used a stronger spell, the result was as you can see, the stone broke. But there is no harm done. Please inspect as you desire.” Beowulf intercepts.

“We need to do some questioning. Come with us.”

“Soldier, are you sure you want to bother our most distinguished selves with questioning about a broken stone?” Suddenly he talks like nobility. “If it is the matter of destroying the realm property, it can be paid for. But are you sure you want the burden of bothering the lady and me with such trivial matters? Just state the fine, I’ll cover it here. But bother the lady again, and I will take action.” He flashes some silver at the guard.

The guards take the coins, apologize and leave.

“Well, miss Helen, I think it is about time we leave to our meeting. It won’t sound well if we depart together, so you can go ahead. I will arrive a couple minutes after you.”

“Are you nobility?” I’m scared. Most nobles are rotten. If he is a noble the chance he will use us as toys is huge.

“No. I am just a villager with lots of skills.” He makes a funny face, his eyes swirling.

There are tons of things I want to ask, but again that knot in my throat curbs my speech. I am afraid.

“Please be on your way, miss Helen. I will go to the guild too, but I don’t want to look like I am with you or staking you."

With no options, I make my way to the guild.