Chapter 8: The Fool and his Master

The next two day passed without incident giving me time to try to learn magic and how to cultivate. I choose to learn the basic spell water ball which is one of the least destruction magics. I wanted to learn Ice magic a advance system of the water magic and needed a good foundation. It didn't take me long since I'm both water and wind attributed I would learn both with water being my main focus in train. They Thursday night I was able to form a tiny ball of water a finger length long but it used up all my mana.

The martial training was going far better than the magical training. After doing some research in the library and asking around I've developed a theory that I needed to train my body. It wasn't strange to see and vanguard big and buff but as fast a bullet when in battle. The medication is but one step as a person need to train both body and soul in that order. I started a light workout route that I found in the academy library since most of the students who train in the body arts are far past the basics in my grade level.

But since money was the problem affording medication that can heal both internal and external injuries after harsh training was experiences. It was true in any fact of training so the only thing I could do was more missions and studying. I was being stretched thin with learning how to make medication, magic, and body cultivating but with none support it was my only option at this point.

Waking up early Friday I grab my bag filled which was filled with some basic items for survival like a first aid kit, paralyzing powder that I recently made, rope, water canteen, flint, and even a blanket. For most adventures this wasn't even half the stuff they needed but since I mostly didn't fetch quest or other mundane ones it would suffice for me. I left the house and headed towards the guild hall at the outer edge of the city.

I reached the guild which even in the early morning had people coming and going with request. After turning in my herd quest from earlier, and receiving a reward of five bronze coins, I choose another one this time gathering herbs near the mountains a days journey from here by foot. With everything already prepared I headed out toward the gate. As I reached the gate one of the slaves elf I knew of

named Sazz was there packing a carriage and tending to the horses. A thin built man with golden hair and eye that glistened in the morning sunlight. Looking at him I could see why elves were named on of the most beautifully races on the continent. He spotted me and came over with a smiling face.

"Are you possibly doing the herb extraction request?"(Sazz)

"That's right, you?"(Alex)

"Well you probably would want to stop here. Master went to the collection site previously, everyone fled since the site was overrun with orcs.”

Orc? I haven't fought one yet, and since I can barely hold up against a slime it would be difficult.

The guild didn't mention the situations though the clerks were dick overall. It didn't matter since I couldn't stay and wait either. The request has a time limit after all. I've done plenty of request and gain a solid reputation is harder to do than losing it. Sazz looked at me and after a long while he finally spoke.

“If it's okay with you, why don't you come with us? You can help with the lugged on the journey and since your master is smitten by your sister I'm sure he wouldn't make things to difficult for you.”(Sazz)

Thinking about the Sazz's spoiled brat of a master Fredrick it gave me a headache but I had not choose to be honest. My sister had everybody rapped around her finger and even Fredrick who was from a noble house tried to carry favor by defending me in front of her. He was sloppy thought and most of the times were set up by him was plan to see. If I could see through it my step sister could two but she did humor him from time to time making him become one of those fake friends only when she was around.

Looking at the front of the carriage were two golden horses that looked strong and well taken care of. On horse back traveling would only take close to six hours at a good speed and was less chance of running into a free roaming monster. Sighing deeply I nodded and we headed back to the carriage and loaded it up.

–

Fredrick arrived with three other members in his group and hour after we finished loading the carriage. Well I say arrived but he was dragged by a girl who looked to be no older than ten at most. She wore a white garb and held a staff the standard uniform of a priest. From her clothing designed and pattern color she most likely followed the teaching of Serbian the goddess of light and hope whose charge is the mortal of life. He blue hair was shoulder with lengthen and clear blue eye were at least a shade lighter than my own.

Next to her was the spoiled brat himself coming along half asleep. He wore thick and sturdy armor typically seen for vanguards which for house Forge was commonly known. The house was build by countless knights who fought head first with there enemies and achieve nobility through sheer will power most people say.

In the back was a old man dressed in a black and grey butler uniform which with his snow white hair and aged faced gave off the impression of finely aged wine. The old man had a thin sword by his wast and I for some reason knew he was able to cut me down in a second. As I thought this he turned towards me and nodded with a slight smile of a grandfather. Fredrick followed the old mans gazed to me as the girl hugged a little to closely for a proper priest.

Once he spotted me he started to scowl but Sazz quickly came and begged him to let me come. I suggested that my step-sister would be thankful which got him perked up but the priest next to him gave me the evil eye.

Without much of a hitch he hit the road following along with me and Sazz in the riders seat in silence while the three were in the carriage. We came across some Wild Rabbits, and Bores but they were taken care of by Sazz and his arrows. Fredrick complained about the ride which I agreed with but it beat walking.

–

We reached the base of the mountain and dismounted form the carriage. The old butler set out a blanket and food by the road as the three ate. Since Sazz was a slave he wasn't allowed to sit with the master as a standard rule and ate in the carriage. I joined him eating my rations of dried meat and black barely bread.

“So what are you they doing close to the mountain, gathering herbs like me?”(Alex)

“Master just rose his rank to level E and decided to to a monster hunt. He wanted to go solo but his father made him take the butler.”(Sazz)

“What about the girl?”(Alex)

Once I mention the girl Sazz face became a little stiff. After a long paused he begin to speak reluctantly.

“She is the daughter of one of the head friend who has been smitten by master.”(Sazz)

As he spoke his faced looked hurt and something clicked when he talked.

“She isn't just that to you isn't she. She is your former master, no lover maybe?”

Sazz face turned a deep shade of red then white but he slowly shook his head. His eyes held a deep like hurt and pain.

“She... Eleanor was to be my betrothed until my parents died and I was sold by my uncle to pay it dept. I only found out recently that her heart was not mine to begin with as I was smitten with her.”(Sazz)

“Its not to later right? You just have to work off the contract and pay them back and you'll be free.”

I could hear the emptiness in my own voice as I spoke to him. I knew that most people that become slave never pay off their dept because master can add onto there dept such as living expenses. It was a rabbit hole that was endless as the starry sky. Sazz looked at me with a wary smile as we sat in silence.