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Chapter 11 – Tree Hugger for Hire.

Wilson, the pointlessly poetic.

I love trees.

I love the way the bark splits under the weight of my swing. I love the dusty aroma of sawdust in the air. I enjoy the way broken branches fly through the sky.

Punching trees is art. I am an artist.

The artistic soul of mine is a blessed soul. One that gets to engage in creating this wonderful art, to fulfill the toils of living.

“Excuse me, Wil, is it? Are you perhaps interested?” he interrupts my train of thought. I think my grin might have been showing.

“Y-yes, I was just considering it for a moment.” I say, not fooling anyone.

“Ah, completely understandable, of course. Was there anything....” he lets the question trail off.

Think, Wilson. If I were actually an Esteemed Mage, what would I say.

“B-before I agree to hear more, w-what will be my compensation?” I hope this is safe territory.

“I'm sorry to say that I don't have the curios Mages normally desire. I do have gold coins, however.”

Curios? What curios are those? He's an expert at not divulging information, it would seem. Perhaps he's trying to avoid troublesome requests.

“Would that suffice? We can certainly discuss specific terms, if you would like.” he continues on while I'm thinking. I have no idea what decent terms would be, so I'll pass commenting for now.

“Ah, no, I was just w-wondering. What exactly is involved in your r-request?”

“Excellent, excellent. Well then, you most likely know of fleetingwood, I assume.” he says while pointing at the sconce with a small smirk.

Oh. The dark mystery wood is called fleetingwood.

“I'm proud to say that this fair city is one of the largest producers of fleetingwood in all of the Free States. It doesn't produce very much, but every piece is incredibly valuable, as I'm sure you know.” he says with the tiniest trace of pride leaking through his dry voice before pausing. The pause is presumably to wait for my awe.

Hah! I have none.

“Ahem. As such, it is one of our most profitable exports. Additionally, a large amount of commerce in the city derives from the fleetingwood industry.” he says, mildly disappointed at my lack of amazement.

“I see.” I say, I'm not really following what this industry has to do with me.

“Now, I'm not sure if you're aware, but the fleetingwood trees are just like their namesake.”

Trees. I like trees.

“H-how's that?” I ask.

“The trees flee from any attempt to fell them.”

Trees that flee? I'm liking this more and more. Wake up, O fists of mine. It sounds like you have work to do.

“I see.” I say while trying to downplay my enthusiasm.

“Yes, well, we'd be obliged if you could render us your aid.”

Ok. This is awkward.

I am back to not knowing what he is talking about.

“W-what did you have in mind?” I ask.

“Well, from your earlier demonstration, I'd expect you'd burn them with fire magic. They don't burn well under regular fire, but Mage Fire should be hot enough to bring the trees down.”

“F-fire magic?”

“Yes, that magic earlier was the branch of fire magic, heat magic, was it not?” he asks, looking puzzled for the very first time.

I have to lie. I'll have to risk it. I can run away after I get out of here.

“Ah, y-y-yes.” I mumble.

“I'm truly sorry if this is a difficult subject. I don't mean to pry. I only ask because I'm out of options. We used to have a few warriors with mana resistance that were able to hunt down the trees, but they are no longer around.”

Warriors? I don't have magic, but I'm pretty sure I can kill a few fleeing trees with my body. I probably can't punch them, but I can crush them at the their base with my arms. Thinking about giving trees a death inducing hug makes me joyful.

Wait. Focus.

“Mana resistance?”

“Yes, I was just about to explain that. The trees grow in a mana grotto with an extremely high mana concentration. We have many warriors that could harvest the trees otherwise.”

Interesting. I think I'll take the job. Regardless of success, I'll get to learn more about this world. If it seems too hard when I get there, I'll just run away. I'm confident in my feet.

“I'll take the job.” I say abruptly.

“Good, good. I know it's asking too much, but could you possibly harvest some fleetingwood by the end of the week?”

“I should be able to.” If I can't I'll just run away, after all.

“I'm truly in your debt. Speaking of which, as for payment...” he trails off again, this time his eyes take on a predatory glint. I can see while Sav still calls him a merchant. I have a feeling I'll get the bad end of any deal I make with him when it comes to money.

Not like I need money anyways. Since the manacles are off I don't need to worry about shelter, food or water. Speaking of manacles, I've an idea.

“We can discuss it later, I'm sure you'll offer me a fair price. I only have a couple requests in the mean time.”

My words make the man suddenly ooze caution.

“I see. What might those requests be?”

“I wouldn't mind an advance to cover my living expenses.” I say sheepishly, knowing I don't have any living expenses. I just want money so that I am not as dependent. Rather than what I expected, the man's caution fades.

“I normally don't loan money... but for an esteemed Mage such as yourself I can indeed make allowances.” he says dryly. “As for the second request?”

“I'd like the manacles Sav had me put on for the ride here.”

The City Planner's head jerked and then locked onto Sav.

“Sav... You. Put. Manacles. on a Mage?”

His voice was suddenly full of power yet quiet and crisp. There was no diffident merchant left.

Scary, scary.

Sav who had been quiet after his last run-in with the Planner, started to look frightened.

“He was right feral, he was. I 'ad to put the Sealers on 'im in case he hurt someone.” Sav rebutted in a whisper.

“Sealers!? Unlike your silly superstitions tell you, Mages are NOT mana corrupted humans. They do NOT need to be treated like beasts. I did not ask you to treat our guest this rudely. Leave here at once, and leave the Mana Sealers behind.” the City Planner says in a voice that fills the room.

Sav looks like he is about to argue, but then instead thinks better of it.

He whips around to glare at me before taking the manacles out and throwing them on the floor at my feet.

With one more worried glance at the City Planner, he storms out.

As I reach down to pick up the Mana Sealers, I think for a moment.

I like that Sav was put in his place for making my life overly complicated. But he is the first human I've ever met in this life. I'd really like to ask him why he made me wear these manacles called Mana Sealers though. I'm conflicted.

“I must apologize for his rude behavior, Wil. I'll happy add those Mana Sealers onto your payment as an offering of good faith. On top of that, I'll personally pay for your inn, there is a wonderful one that I think you'll enjoy. It's the best in the city.” he says, settling back into his dry voice. He does it so smoothly that I wonder if his anger was all just an act to make Sav part with the Mana Sealers for free.

He must have been a great merchant.

“Thank you.” I reply.

“The only remaining matter is finding you a guide. You are probably familiar with Anilea here, so I'll have her guide you around the city and have her show you the inn first. She can also take you to the Mana Grotto once you've had a chance to settle in.”

So her name's Anilea. It's a nice name.

This merchant is cunning, using her like this. He must have noticed that I've been glancing at her. He's sending a guard off with me to make sure I don't run off with the money, and making it seem natural because it's someone I'm acquainted with. He was definitely a great merchant.

He doesn't give me a chance to compliment him.

“I've been so honored by your presence, I can see I have taxed your delightful patience with my endless blathering and my subordinates rude behavior, so I'll let you enjoy this fair city without bothering you any more. Anilea will guide you from here. Once again I appreciate your consideration.” he says. The words weren't even out of his mouth before he sits down and starts going through his papers.

He managed to dismiss me by insinuating that I should be tired of him. I could learn a thing or two from this man.

Lady Guard is staring at me.

Stop it, Anilea, we were only acquainted a moment ago. If you stare that hard into my eyes, I'll blush, you know? Hahahaha.

Stop.

Now that this stressful job interview is over with, I'm unwinding too much.

Focus. Focus. Focus.

I am now the proud owner of a pair of Mana Sealers. Should I use them?

...

No, not yet. I don't have the courage to be by myself with a woman without the thrum of the world running through me. Speaking of the thrum, when did I become so lucid? I barely feel giddy at all. My stutter is gone again. Maybe it's because I've had time to stand still?

...

Lady Gu- Anilea is doing the lethargic finger pointing gesture again. I've seen that before, Anilea. Don't you recognize me? I'm the same person you did that to not even a few hours ago. Haven't you heard what I've been through? Can't you cut me some slack?

Her eyes are piercing me.

Ok, I'll go, I'll go.

I just wish it wasn't so quick.

I'm being forced out the door, with most of my questions still held inside me. I don't think this man is the right one to pester with the mundane. If I ask too many questions it sounds like he might have me killed.

Haha. What am I, a spy?

I shouldn't laugh. I can imagine him dryly saying “I'm terribly sorry, you just aren't useful anymore.” before ordering a guard to dispose of me. He'll do it as soon as he finds out how useless I am. He has that sort of aura. Anilea answers to him, so asking her the questions is just as unwise. She is probably too professional to answer them anyways.

What to do, what to do?

Now that I have acquired some capital I guess I can explore the city and perhaps find a nice person to explain to me the finer points of living here. Someone that won't find it strange that I don't know the names of any countries, people or even why there are two moons in the sky.

I'll complete the work this Phillius person has set out for me. I'll make more money. I'll try my best to gain a little influence.

Build up a reputation.

Make myself useful.

Then I'll come back before him. I'll have more questions for someone like him then. Questions for someone with information. Questions that will help me determine my fate.

I hope that he can answer them.

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