So, here I am...traveling with them, they nagged me about what I got from Elder, I told them only about the knowledge about herbs. Being Zumas not much was expected from the start so they believed me. But I know Miss Aby has her suspicion. I was excited, ready to see the world, meet new people, kill some monsters, grow strong BUT...up to now...it was not to be...I am currently reduced to being a porter, carrying their loads with no payment. They said that the protection & food provided by them is my payment. Every time some danger arises, I am pushed in the middle & I have to see the rest of the group having fun. Some adventure...sheesh...but I am trying on my own, out of everybody’s eyes to enhance some of my skills. The mapping skill is very handy, cooking skill as well as the knowledge of herbs has proved quiet useful. But no weapons training up to now. They said that when we move to our next destination then they will teach me. I have to buy some weapons & armour for myself also. I will do it when we reach the port town of the Castor clan.

Aby: “We have reached our destination, boy...now follow me...quietly.” saying this she quickly jumped on a branch of tree just like a flash & became nothing more than a shadow.

I looked around, surveying my surroundings. I was standing in front of a broken down building if I want to call it that...felt kind of spooky. I quickly jumped to where Miss Aby was. As I reached the place, I saw Miss Aby sitting on the branch keeping her back towards the main body of the tree as such no one can see her from anywhere but she can see everywhere. I looked around to find a suitable spot to sit, she pointed up towards another branch. I understood what she meant, quickly jumped and settled myself just like Miss Aby.

Me: “Miss Aby...why are we here?”

Aby (whispering): “There are certain things I will tell you now listen carefully & don’t forget it, boy.”

Me: “OK.”

Aby (whispering): “First, from now on call me just Aby, don’t add Miss...I hate it...I may look like this but in reality I’m just few years older than you. The appearance of my clan people grows fast.”

Me (quiet shocked): “Wow...I never would have guessed...you would be so young yet you look this beautiful” something told me that I shouldn’t have said the last part.

Aby: “Oh really! Wei is also as the same age as me.”

Me: “WOW...”

Aby: “Secondly, lower your voice...boy! Talk with a lower voice. We are at a scouting mission. We will stay here all night & note everything about this place including the activities of monsters. Before you ask, I know for a fact that you can sneak in & out of a place efficiently. That is the reason I brought you with me here so that you could learn something.”

Me (getting to understand a little bit of our objective): “OK... but why do you call me boy all the time?”

Aby: “Oww...did I hurt your feeling...BOY?”

Me: “No, not that, just that our age are not that far away...”

Aby: “The reason is simple...you don’t know anything right now, first learn about all the things you need to survive...only then I would stop calling you...Boy...got it “She giggled.

Me: “I understand...” I have to gain experience quickly or else this woman or rather this girl will drive me mad.

Aby: “And lastly, I know you hid many things from us...that is a good point you have...the only good point mind you. None of us have any ill intention towards you, you need to understand that. In our line of business trust is the biggest commodity. Understood!”

Me: “Yes...A...A...Aby” weird...why did I stutter??Must be the cold catching up to me.

Aby: “Good...you are a fast learner...boy”

Some time passed, many monsters roamed underneath us, noting everything we stay put. I was excited, this was my first scouting mission...I thought to myself “So it feels like this...”

Aby: “Control your excitement boy...or you’ll alert someone!”

Me (little confused): “Sorry...but how could that happen?”

Aby: “Just like we can sense danger or presence through the feeling of our surroundings, some monster also can feel the same thing. For some, their lives depend on this ability. So learn to control yourself, everything about you...from breathing to everything...be at one with nature...if you aren’t you would stand out & the enemy will be alerted...understood?”

Me: “Okay...thanks Aby...”

Aby: “So...What are you?”

Me: “Sorry?”

Aby: “What are you BOY? You are not an average Zuma, so...what are you?”

Me: “I...I don’t know.” I answered with a half truth.

Aby: “Are you any variant rank?”

Me: “I don’t know...Aby...I had never heard about any levels after are normal evolution levels...It’s new to our race...Maybe...no...I don’t know what I am...at this moment but I intend to find out.”

Aby: “And how are you going to do that, BOY?”

Me: “The Council Hall in the Capital...they must have records of our clan...maybe...I can get a clue at least...in the records.”

Aby: “You know, BOY...I have seen different types of men...each one is different yet all are same...but I have got a feeling you might be different...”

Me: “Thank you?”

Aby: “Don’t betray our expectations BOY...If you crumble under heavy expectations...then you can never be a true adventurer...”

Me: “Thank you ...Aby...for trusting me & giving me an option other than a normal path.”

Aby: “BOY...don’t get emotional now...we are scouting...control your emotions, you will alert any enemy out there...”

Me: “Ahh...sorry.”

The night passed without any big event. We went back to the group in the morning; I was told or ordered by Aby to report to the group about everything that we saw out there, without leaving any information. I reported everything without missing anything, thanks to my previous explorations that I don’t forget anything I see. Javel told me that in honor of my first successful scouting mission, I would be allowed to hunt for our dinner & also I have to cook it. Some reward...huh...

The group packed everything after having breakfast & moved towards the rundown building to explore.

I was excited...my first group exploration & if we found any valuables I would get an equal share of it as I am a member of this team & they can’t swindle it from me as it is a law of the Zoit continent. Yes...bring on the adventure....

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