Sitting down cross-legged, again, I explained that my reasoning was so I could find out new ingredients, and possibly befriend the goblin tribe in the hopes of getting access to their tunnels. I left out the part that this was the 1st stage in my plan to slowly develop a drug cartel, you know little details.

"It's not a bad plan, and while your young you are smart, WHY! I think you are smart enough to start school." YES, I almost jumped with joy surprised that- wait... school. No, that would take time from doing runs into lower therisian.

Before I could speak he raised his hand "Pick goblins or Your runs into lower thersian" BASTARD now he was just playing dirty. He'd been trying to convince me to go to the local school for a while, and I had admittedly refused seeing it as a waste of time. Schools wouldn't teach me anything useful, or at least any knowledge they did have wouldn't compare to what I knew from my past life. I almost refused outright, but the tunnels were just too damn good.

My ears deflated as I looked up to father "okay" he looked at me with a smug smirk "glad that's settled. we will set you up for the solstice."

The last couple of weeks had been a blur, while my Syringes had increased my profits by nearly triple, I was still limited by the all-mighty power poverty. At the end of the day, people in this city couldn't afford the syringes themselves. Selling them now was just asking for some merchant to steal the idea and sell it to the major cities for a very high profit.

I needed those tunnels.

It was around a month after I saved the goblin that I finally got a visit from the old bastard. A quick exchange and Harold and I found ourselfs following him through the higher therisian tunnels, a vast array of dirt tunnels dug over hundreds of years leading to all the major goblin tribes of the area. Harold stood behind me, his [Dark Vision] helping him guide me through the dark earthen corridors.

I would have quipped jokes or done something to pass the time during the long boring stretch, but goblins had a strict superstition about talking in the tunnels. I had come to learn that the chieftain's name was ROLAND of all things, which had probably been the most disappointing name I could have heard for the old kook. I mean what clan looks at their baby and says "yes, let's name them an ENGLISH name" which I still had to figure out why most spoke English. As far as I could gather there wasn't even an England or an equivalent to England.

It suggested that there were more chosen than just me. The walking continued on for a while. And Just as I thought I would die from boredom we had reached the village. It was pretty much what I expected. Large huts made from dried leaves, wood, and mud. Children playing around while goblins dressed in tribal clothing milled about.

"Welcome to ZESHCGEEN, our humble home!" Roland said with a smile. "this will be your home for a month, as promised and agreed upon with your father." I had hoped for longer, but the solstice was next month. A month to gain the goblin's trust, and learn as much as I could about healing.

"Harold I will be having you see [Warrior] Terafu, he will have a great many things to teach you. And Kitty I will have you train with me, after all my wife is the best healer in the village, and I can teach you a few things about your [Leader] class."

"We will start your training tomorrow. For now relax, eat, play with the other children. We'll have a feast tonight to welcome you two." Roland said as he guided us to a comfortable shack, clearly made with visitors outside the tribe in mind. As we walked I looked around noting a comfortable-looking fireplace, some bunk beds, and some paintings on the walls. It wasn't fancy but it was homely. Me and Harold set are things down next to the beds. Harold picked the bottom bunk and I picked the top, After all, I couldn't sleep beneath my minions.

After we got situated we went our separate ways, Harold had decided to watch some sparring sessions. While I played with the other children, after all, it would be a good idea to set up bonds with them now so I could recruit them later, goblins would be great for spies or assassins.

I had a surprising amount of fun, at first I worried that the games the children would play would be too easy, or too physical for my weak body. But they turned out to be more fond of a chess-like board game, it used magic to move the pieces, each piece representing a different warrior. It was fun, but still, I had to choose to lose as not to frustrate the kids, not because I was bad at chess. Through the games, I had understood that goblins cared more for strategy and cleverness rather than the respect of strength. It is likely because goblins much like catkin were physically weaker than most other races.

Harold had come to find me before the festivities began a rare smile on his face. Once again I felt that feeling, maybe I was coming down with something? The festivities themself were grander than I expected.

A large table had been set outside, food carried on platters made from the chitin of dead monsters. A ring had been set in full view of the table. Me and Harold were sat in the middle and encouraged to dig in by roland.

2 [Warriors] Aprouched the table kneeling when they got close enough. Roland stood up in a grand display, he had traded his robes for a leather armor and a helmet made from some kind of monster skull. The armor itself was painted in a grand display of colors. A winged creature which I had figured to be the tribes crest adorned the chest piece.

"YALURU rise!" one of the warriors rose, he was bigger than most goblins standing at a good 4 feet while most goblins were 3 feet in size or lower. He wielded two wooden axes, wearing nothing but a loincloth which showed his toned muscles. "YALERU will you honor our guests with a duel, to show them your might, and your prowess?" the goblin did not speak instead it pounded its chest in agreement.

"Then you may proceed to the ring." Roland turned to the other warrior. This one wore a colored tunic and carried a wooden staff. He was older, with a graying beard, and wore a chiton helmet.

"DAIGRASS Rise" Roland repeated the same ritual with Daigrass, after which he moved to the ring.

"Honor us with blood and glory!" he said which the warriors took as a sign to start. Diagrass approached and attempted a jab at the legs of Yaluru who deftly dodged to the side. Attempting to strike the older goblin with his Axe, but the strike at the legs had turned out to be a feint. As Diagrass used the staff to throw a cloud of dirt into Yalurus's face. Daigrass took the opportunity to strike the bigger goblin in the throat with his staff, before tripping him onto the ground, striking the goblin in the face.

"victory to DAIGRASS!!!!" Roland stated, the fight having only lasted a couple of seconds. From their different forms of entertainment had been brought out. From a goblins story of creation, that suspiciously sounded like the Bible but replaced god with a goblin god. Music, and games brought the night to a close. Me and Harold had eaten our fill and enjoyed the festivities.

It did not take us long at all to sleep. Tomorrow we would start our training.