“Nom...nom.” Celia nommed on three plates of french fries with a variety of dips ranging from cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing, a morbid mixture of both dips in one as the three looked at her both disturbed and impressed that someone small as Celia can eat so much greasy potato sticks without getting sick.

Beside the plates of fries were Alex’s clothes which were semi-folded and still in the process of being sown as there was still a needle and thread on the shirt.

Alex and the two both had the same breakfast together, Eggs and Sausages with the differences being drinks. Sodas for Alex and Sal and juice for Lea.

“This feels very awkward...just watching her eat while none of us are saying anything…” Alex thought to himself as he held back any habit to show any awkwardness like tapping on the table or biting his lip, which Lea was, unfortunately, doing already.

Would it not be ideal to strike a conversation during eating? I cannot consume this much awkwardness as it is getting too stale for my tastes.

“Good point.” Alex cleared his throat. “Ahem… So Celia...you sure like french fries.” Alex said with surprise in his voice how she alternates every dip she takes per fry, despite how the result would end up the same; a gross mixture of different strong flavors.

“they are the source of joy and excitement in my mouth. each crunch and bite gives my tastebuds a hint of salty euphoria. especially how you can slide the fry into a sauce to bring a brand new flavor in your palette.”

“I-I see…” He lightly nudged Sal and Lea who with his foot.

“A-ah—I-i mean—” Lea swallowed nervously. “That’s an interesting way to express your love for fries.” Lea barely touched her food because of Celia’s way of eating. “Hey Alex, after breakfast, we should do a mission together, maybe something simple like exploring an area?”

“S-sounds lame!” Sal choked out as her plate was half-empty, showing she made progress to eat despite the uncomfortable and unnerving presence she feels watching Celia eat. “Why don’t we make our first actual mission a Hunting mission, hmm? It’ll be like last time but without a broken arm or Sharky’s shitty uncle taking the credit.” Sal nudged her shoulder at Alex, forcing a small smile.

“Ohh, yeah! That sounds like a good mission to start.” Alex smirked a bit to show a portion of his jagged teeth.

“i will accompany you three.”

“N-no need!” Alex raised his hands a bit and shook his head. “I think the three of us are good enough, plus you’re still sowing my clothes so we’ll probably be a hindrance to that.”

“i am able to multitask.” She swallowed. “also, new members of the guild are not allowed to take hunting missions unless accompanied by a member of rank c or higher. you three will be stuck doing exploration and community service quests until the three of you are in c-rank.”

“I-i see…” Alex took a deep breath and started eating the rest of his plate, ignoring the feeling of being uncomfortable towards Celia. Despite his knowledge about her through Peina. That won’t stop him from not getting to know a new friend.

“Hgh!—” Alex choked, pounding his chest as he snatched Sal’s soda and took a big swig.

“Hey! You have your own soda!”

“Pfah!—” He sighed out while handing Sal his soda to her. “My bad… I-i choked from eating too fast.”

Sal took his can and started finishing her plate. Lea took notice from the two getting their appetite back, so she steeled herself and finished her breakfast.

Celia slightly tilted her head from seeing them suddenly having vigor and eating fast as if they were scarfing down food to make it on time to class, before untilting to suddenly stuff her mouth with fries until all the plates had emptied out.

“ah…” Celia sighed, patting her belly and extending her arms out to Sal. “i would like to be carried to the mission board by you. Fry Daughter.”

“Hah! I’m Sharky’s fry kid.” Sal genuinely smiled at that nickname as she stood up to carry Celia on her back.

“yes. this is very comfortable. your back is very firm and smooth that it is an alternative choice of sleeping on a bed.”

“You’re gonna make my face turn red with those compliments. But don’t stop! Hahahah!”

“Riri.” Celia placed down a parchment containing a drawing of a large grizzly bear and contents involving location, reward, and Rank level on Ria’s desk. “i would like to accept this quest along with being accompanied by the girls behind me.” She pointed behind with her thumb to the two. Celia was being piggybacked by Sal to be at even height with Ria.

Ria picked up the parchment to read it. “Rank-B hunting mission...taking down a Mega Bear.” She looked at Alex and his friends. “Never thought you three would take advantage of Celia’s rank to do something like this…”

“I-it wasn’t intentional. She said that we can’t do hunting missions unless someone who’s higher rank can join us.” Alex said with shame in his voice as he scratched his head.

“Which is true. That rule was added because we don’t want new members to die on us immediately. Considering you’re an Ares you’ll probably survive...not so much with Wizcap over there…” she glanced at Lea, already taking offense yet feeling conflicted.

“I-it’s true that magic is not effective against Megafauna, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to find a way to help my friends in beating it.”

“...Did you learn any support spells?” Ria placed down the mission scroll as she crossed her arms.

“I-i mean...I know Vigor, Soothe, and Durability…”

“Vigor can give your team the energy to keep fighting, and Durability? That spell’s for reinforcing weapons, not to make someone tougher. Are these the only support spells you know”

Lea bit her lip. “I-i…” She stopped her stuttering and looked straight at Ria with a bit of a small scowl. “hey...how do you all know this stuff, anyway? You don’t look like a mage if you can make robots…!”

Ria pulled out something from her coat pocket, a card. “Here. Take this library card to the Academy’s library. Go find yourself a support spell to learn.” She went under the desk to pull out a stamp and approved their mission. “There. You four can take this mission now. Make sure you complete it in a week or else that scroll burns up and returns to the guild for other people to do it in your stead.”

“you are very kind, Riri.” Celia looked at her as a small hint of sweat formed on the side of Ria’s head.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Ria rolled up the scroll and handed it to Celia. “It’s my job to be a secretary, I get paid to make people not die the moment they join the guild. Now go take those three into the library and finish this mission asap.” Ria slid her chair to her computer and pulling out a laptop underneath the desk and hooking it to the computer. “Go on, shoo shoo…” She shooed them away while typing with one hand on the keyboard while the other was shooing them.

“onward, noble steed.” Celia chanted from her position on Sals back, lightly tapping her greaves on Sal’s side. “if these greaves had spurs, i would be using them to make you go forth more quickly.”

“That doesn’t sound assuring for m—Yeow!” Sal yelped when Celia tapped her sides a little too hard. Sal sighed in defeat and picked up the pace. “Okay, okay. You’re lucky that I can’t say no to cute girls.”

Alex and Lea were behind them, following Sal and Celia as they made it to the pathways that lead to the Mages academy. Lea bit her lower lip, pulling out her staff and proceeded to rub the staff with her thumb.

“You okay, Lea?”

“M-Maybe. That receptionist has a point that I don’t know that many support spells…”

“Don’t let what she said get to you. You managed to learn brand new support spells in less than a day. I don’t do magic, but if video games have taught me anything, it's that it takes awhile to learn a new spell.”

“Those were basic spells...this library might contain some spells that’ll take me too long to learn that I don’t think I can learn them on time once we do our mission.” Lea looked down as Sal whistled to the two to cross through the pathway as her and Celia crossed through.

“What’s the holdup?”

“Coming!” Alex said as he quickly grabbed Lea’s hand. “We’ll deal with it when that happens. After all, you caught up to stupid monsters like me and Sal this whole time.” He assured her with a small smile that showed a little bit of his angular teeth.

“Yeah. Maybe I should stop thinking like a human and start thinking like a monster then.” The two crossed through the pathway as the atmosphere changed around them. The group were now inside one of the Sister buildings of the guild.

An Academy for aspiring magicians, spellcasters, alchemists, and wizards to learn the art of magecraft, sorcery, and other forms of thaumaturgy.

The group were inside what appeared to be the main lobby of the Academy, there were people in robes and dresses of varying colors, mostly primary like a pure red or pure green robe. The lobby had a hint of wax and moss; the smell of age.

Lea took a deep breath, her body felt excitement and curiosity run through her as Alex at first, deterred from the smell but attempted to get accustomed to the scent. “Eugh...smells like a cathedral here...Yet I don’t see any candles to give this place that smell.”

“It’s Incense.” Someone answered and Alex turned to the counter to see—

“You again!” Sal exclaimed to see Ria by the counter, resting her legs on the desk. “How did you get here before us?!”

“Riabot. The secretary for the Academy was out today so I’m doing two shifts, both at the guild and here.” Ria knocked her forehead as it clanged from being knocked. “Luckily for you guys I’m not the librarian. The library is riiiiight.” Ria pulled out a scroll that had a ribbon as she removed the ribbon and threw it at them.

Halfway being thrown the scroll poofed into smoke which soon cleared to reveal a floating ball of blue fire that turned into an arrow as it pointed to the left hallway. “There. The arrow will guide you guys to the library.”

The arrow is already going to the hallway as Celia tapped Sal. “follow the arrow, my trusty steed.”

Sal grumbled at seeing Ria again, even if it was a robot. Her annoyance at her went away when Celia tapped him. “On it...let’s go guys.” Sal went ahead as Lea followed her.

“Do you always fill in other shifts when one of the secretaries aren’t around?”

“When I feel like it. Plus I get paid extra for this.”

“You’re a surprisingly kind boss...makes me wonder why the other secretaries are scared of you.”

“Ask them yourself to know why. Now go. You’ll get lost in this Academy. And might get dissected by one of the students.”

Alex paled a bit from that threat. “Isn’t that...illegal?”

“You’d be amazed what can contracts do to make things that seem illegal, legal; if you persuade enough. Sometimes this academy is either full of bright mages or nutjobs...either a mix of both. Now go.” She shooed Alex as the Ria bot suddenly stiffened and remained stagnant in the position of resting her legs on the desk.

With that threat in mind he hurried to the group and followed the arrow that’ll take them to the library.

At the same time, the group was making their way around the final bend that led to the great doors of the Mage Guilds library another person stepped rapidly out from one of the side hallways, appearing almost completely lost in thought.

His appearance was so sudden that they had but a moment to react as he walked straight into Lea. Their heads knocking together as the man fell backwards to the floor with a grunt.

“Ah!—” Lea yelped out as the two collided. Rearing back a bit and putting a hand over her head as she looked down at the man who had bashed into her. “Oh! I’m so sorry about that, are you okay?” She holds a hand out to help the blue-robed magician up from his place on the floor.

The Mage shrugged his shoulders and raised a hand to fix his glasses before accepting Lea’s help up. He was far from imposing, and easy even for her to lift up. The man’s brown eyes shifted curiously over to the group, then they rested on Lea’s hand in his and he seemed to glare at it.

“Ah- um, mind if I take my hand back now?” Lea asked with a slight glance towards her group. Sal involuntarily smiled at the sight of a potential person to tease, already thinking of methods to make his face red. Alex on the other hand didn’t look that bothered other than being concerned with Lea when the mage bumped her.

“Yes. I mind.” Alan said calmly as he continued to stare down at her hand for a moment and she felt a small jolt of magic. “Yours is the same as Illana. Interesting.” Alan shrugged his shoulders and released her hand, looking into Lea’s eyes. “Are you an Acolyte perhaps?”

“Ah—Acolyte? What does that mean?” Lea said as she began to feel slightly more out of place.

Alex instinctually pulled Lea away from him. “Easy there, dude. You’re kinda creeping her out…” Alex looked at the Mage as Sal nodded a bit.

“Yeah, man. Ever heard of personal space?” That’s ironic coming from her.

“Of course I have.” The man replies with a shrug. “The term personal space generally refers to the physical distance between people in a social or work environment. Much like an invisible Mana Shield, it must be maintained at all times in order to have proper balance in the efforts of communication.”

Pausing for a moment Alan took a step back. “I see. So understanding the basic concept is not enough to actualize it without thought.” He brings a hand to his chin and stares up at the ceiling. “That could apply to the Lotus spell. I understand that I need to have multiple cores for a stronger effect but I have yet to study the proper line in which to put those cores and how to make them shift within the creature’s body to allow it to maintain physical form even after one of them has been destroyed. I see, I see...this is valuable insight.” After the tirade to himself, the mage looked at the four as though surprised they were still there.

Sal was speechless, staring at this odd man blankly. “Look that's not what I meant you were making her un-”

He suddenly cut her off. “Ah, you did not walk away. Well, I must thank you for the advancements you’ve made in my research. I am Alan Rainer. I believe you said you were not an Acolyte? Then you will not find any useful information here. Most are blocked off to non-members.”

“O-Oh, is that right…? Well, I only need to find some support spells so I’m sure I’ll find something useful!” Was Lea’s fierce reply as she thought back to her earlier words about acting more like a monster.

“Time out!” Sal geeently lowered Celia as she weakly pushed Alan and the others away from each other. “First off. What the hell was that? You suddenly started monologuing and muttering like you were some sort of narrator of a really, really boring book. I barely understood what ninety percent of what you just said!”

Alex was secretly emitting a bit of steam out of his ears before rubbing both sides of his ears to put out the fire that was caused from him processing foreign information to him.

Celia lay on the ground sprawled out and unmoving. “i am but a lonely cowboy now. my horse has abandoned me in these wilds, alone and injured. i may never see sunlight again.”

“I’m just going to let Sal deal with this guy...looks like Celia wants someone else to carry her now… Good thing I’m not gonna do it with you on my back.”

Carry her, boy.

“But I thought she makes you feel uncomfortable?”

She does. But I want to feel my niece. Do not worry, I shall not absorb her or have a taste of her power, she is afterall… “human” from your perspective.

“...Fine.” Alex kneeled down as he offered Celia his hand. “Uhh… Need a new horse?” Alex said awkwardly as a bead of sweat formed at the side of his head, along with a crooked and nervous smile.

Celia rose her arms to the heavens as her girlish savior arrived. “indeed. i require a proper steed, lift me, for my body is but a weak shell of its former self. abandoned, ravaged by these wastes. assist me and i shall grant you a carrot.” She stares at Alex with an extremely wide green eye, doing grabby hands to be picked up.

“She’s taking the horse thing too far!” Alex screamed in his head as he begrudgingly picked up Celia gently. “Mind the sword.” He warned her as he placed her on his back.

My niece feels rather soft. It is oddly comforting which is an odd juxtaposition with her presence.

“good girl.” Celia says as she fumbles around on her belt, soon pressing an actual carrot to Alex’s mouth. Trying to force it in. “your reward horsey Fryma.”

“Mph!—” Celia shoved the carrot in his mouth no problem, and then he suddenly bites it down and started munching on the carrot.

“P, WHAT THE HELL!?” Alex screamed as he felt a bit sick from eating the raw carrot.

I am curious how this carrot tastes, so I controlled your maw for a moment. The flavor is rather raw, it’s...oddly fruity yet earth-like. What an Interesting flavor… It is indeed a different flavor in those memories I have witnessed about carrots.

“That’s because this is a raw carrot! Animals only eat vegetables raw!” With the except ionof leaf vegetables.

Alan looked at Sal as though he had completely forgotten she even existed. “I see. I did not understand you were slow.” Alan shrugs. “Not my problem.” His focus shifts back to Lea. “Hm. You remind me of someone. I can help you find a good spell, my access is quite high.”

“Bastard!—” Sal stood in front of him, cracking her knuckles. “You calling me an idiot? I should be calling you an Idiot for suddenly talking about magic and being a smartass for answering what the hell personal space is!”

“Sal, calm down.” Lea patted her shoulder as she walked ahead of Sal to look straight at Alan. “You’ll help me find a spellbook in the library?”

Alan glanced at Sal for a moment as though confused, but immediately focused once more on Lea as she came to him. “Of course.” The man replied with his undisturbed expression. “Arcane is not a common magic to be mastered in. Luckily, I understand its basics.” Alan tilted his head slightly. “But, before that, what are your names?”

“My name is Lea. This girl is Sal, and the one carrying that little girl is Alex.” She pointed her thumb at Alex who was forcing himself to eat a carrot.

“Two powerful magic users, one weak magic user, and one essence user.” Alan said as he looked between the three, reading their mana flows individually in mere moments. “Your potential is quite incredible, Lea.” Alan finishes blankly, before turning and facing the library’s great doors. “Follow.”

“onward my noble steed, we have arrived at the fabled lands.” Celia declares as she shoved the last bit of carrot down Alex’s gullet.

Alex felt like crying, actually, he was already crying as he was forced to munch on a raw carrot. “M-Mphfh…” He muffled his words as he chewed the last bit of carrot.

“This is embarrassing...this feels degrading...and I feel like vomiting…”

Do not be such a child, boy. This carrot is rather decent. And unfortunately for you. This sort of suffering amuses me. While I am bound to aid you and protect you. You are not exempted from suffering.

“Like aunt and fucking niece…” Alex thickly swallowed the last remaining bit of carrot. He shuddered in disgust as he galloped to follow Alan. “Huhuh-hh…”

Alan walked with a purpose as they entered the grand halls that appeared as though they were crafted from gold and marble. The shelves stacked to darkened ceilings with arcane knowledge. There was so much here that even ten lifetimes would seem like too few to finish them.

“Woa…” Sal and Lea collectively gasped in awe from such a massive place. Sal was more stupefied and overwhelmed from so many contents that she will most definitely not use. Lea, meanwhile, was both in awe and excited by the amount of knowledge she could obtain here.

“It’s huge...definitely bigger than the local library back in Huis…” Lea commented as it was like witnessing a compact city than a library.

Despite its beauty, the area seemed somewhat like a maze. The arcane tomes holding a semblance of power that shifted the dimensions around them making the area seem distorted and confusing. Yet Alan walked with the same steady uncaring posture he had wielded since the moment he bumped into their group.

“Hm.” The mage glanced around thoughtfully. “We must have gotten some new tomes.” Glancing back at the disoriented group behind him, Alan spoke, “What kind of support spell were you looking for?”

“Well...anything that can allow me to amplify my teammates’ power. Our mission involves hunting Megafauna...and you know how Megafauna are beings resistant to magic…” Lea wished she could help fight megafauna just like the time she killed a troll.

Alan looked at her somewhat confused. “You have difficulty engaging in combat against Megafauna?” The man asked as he tapped his chin. “But they are so easy to deal with when you use the proper spells. Perhaps one to control a portion of the world's water flow and cause a tsunami capable of destroying even the greatest city.” Alan said as though this was a common sense thing to do in order to win.

“I don’t think I want to do a natural disaster just to kill a giant animal…”

“No one in their right mind would do that, unless you want to kill everyone with you, dumbass.”

Alan shrugged his shoulders. “All you have to do is fully suppress the magic with your own arcana afterwards so that you have a controlled natural disaster.”

“That doesn’t change my opinion about going that all out! I-I just want to learn a support spell and help my team kill it without doing that much collateral damage.”

“Collateral?” Alan tilts his head in confusion once more before shrugging it off. “Alright. I understand. Follow me.” And that was when he began to trail off, not bother to look back and see if the group was following behind.

To prevent getting lost, Lea instinctively grabbed Sal’s and Alex’s arm as she followed Alan. “He’s gonna leave us behind at this point.” Lea told them as she caught up behind him.

The magic in the room seemed to warp the very concept of time around the majorly non-magical members of the party, but it was bearable. Alan took many twists and turns, from time to time showing off his hand which seemed to make the pressure in the area grow thinner.

“Ah, here we are.” Alan spoke at last, as they reached a hall who's shelves were a sickly greenish color. As though mixed with moss and swamp water. “This is where you can find the best support abilities, Lea.”

“Why are the shelves so…” Lea tried to find the proper word as she looked at the shelves.

“Old and muggy…?” Sal described as it was different from the other shelves that looked pretty compared to this entire hall.

“Yeah, that.”

For the first time since they met him, Alan cracked a small smile. “This wing dates back to the day humans first set foot on this world.” Alan responded as he gestured to the great hall before them. “Welcome to the Arcanus wing. The oldest collection of ancient tomes in the entire Capital.”