Enjoy!

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At long last, we have ventured forth riding fluffy, to the forest of the dark, on our first mission to find MoonBloom, the herb which only blooms when it’s a full moon. We traversed the plains with the speed of sound. I guess These Fenrir wolves are quite fast. Well, he couldn’t save Lora from an avalanche if not for his insane speed. I barely stayed on the wolf, tightly holding on to his snow white fur. Somehow I felt happy that I could leave on an adventure finally, but I was sad for leaving my home, maybe for good…

I didn’t know where this journey will take me. Who knows, maybe I end up on the end of the world. Although I’m not sure if we have chances to survive all alone in this crazy world. I imagine that we will be in a lot of dangerous situations, but my current skill doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell to help me survive. I hope we find some people and form a group. It will definitely help us get out of messy situations.

Seems like we are about to arrive at the edge of the forest soon. Of course we wouldn’t be able to find that herb if we are to go through the forest on this supersonic wolfie.

“Okay, thanks fluffy for giving us a ride. You can go now.” She told her fluffy as she was giving him a strange looking fruit.

“So now we continue by foot. Looks like it’s time for the Sun to set, and for dark to come. How are we going to see anything in this forest when there isn’t going to be any light? (me)

“We are going to use my magic of course. This wand I have is capable of multiplying magic by 5 times so it’s quite powerful. Also I have a skill to wield really bright white light. No problem for the ultimate mage that is me.” (Lora)

Wow, I didn’t imagine she would brag like that, but at least we have a light source. Also, if it’s ice magic, wouldn’t everyone notice bright light and chilly cold emitting from her wand?

“Don’t worry, they aren’t going to notice us because the cold emitting from this wand is very short ranged. Also forest creatures are nocturnal so they are going to get blinded if they try to look at us.” (Lora)

“Oh, okay…” I didn’t know she could read minds as well…

So we walked, through the darkness, all alone. Red eyes were glowing all around us, scaring me to death, but Lora didn’t seem to be frightened at all. I could see the courage in her movements through the forest, in her light blue eyes that were piercing through the fabric of space and time. You could see that she was experienced enough for and adventure while I… I wasn’t. I hope not to be a hindrance for her. I need to get stronger.

The forest got darker and darker as we approached the dead center. The trees were tall and had a black bark. We had no sense of time. Was it day? Was it night? We didn’t know. The pattern was definitely repeating itself over and over. There weren’t monsters attacking us surprisingly. I guess they would be scared of the bright light that was illuminating the dark forest.

“This is tiring.” We haven’t found any herbs that resemble the MoonBloom yet, and we have been in this forest for probably a day. We didn’t have much time until the day was over. If we don’t find it until midnight, we will have to wait another month, which we didn’t have to spare. “Hey, turn of your light!”

“Why would I do that?” (Lora)

“Just trust me. I think I saw something glowing with a small light there.” (me)

She dismissed her light for a moment, after which we both saw a small light right in front of us. It was MoonBloom no doubts about it. It was a small flower with light emitting blue petals and a cyan trunk. It was fragile looking and mysterious. I’ve never seen such an herb in my life.

Lora came to the flower and then pulled it out of the ground with its roots.

“Hold this for me, would you?” (Lora)

As soon as she gave me the wand it started emitting small light. I was dumbfounded. My hand did feel weaker and weaker as I was holding it longer and longer. I came to a conclusion that it worked based on my life energy. I read that long ago in a book. “So it’s possible to enchant something to work based on your own life energy. I never seen it in action.”

“That’s correct. Usually you would enchant an item to work using the mana around you, but here there is only dark mana. I don’t know how to control dark mana, and if I knew, it would be still dangerous, since dark mana has its own mind.” (Lora)

“Yes, I know. Dark mana can be only wielded by nocturnal races such as dark elves and witches. At least I know that much.” (me)

“I’m surprised. I did hear from grandma that you were knowledgeable, but this is something not a lot of people know about.” (Lora)

“Well I like reading old and dusty books, that are in the school library…” Sometimes I would stay overnight reading all sorts of books that didn’t even have to do with enchanting and magic. “After all, our library has a lot to offer to people who are interested in learning.” That’s what that the library girl told me when I came for the first time.

“Anyways, time to seal this herb so it doesn’t wither away.” She told me that, as she was reaching to her bag that she wore. She pulled out a cylinder container, which is for storing plants and herbs. It’s a magic item, not all that rare but expensive. I imagine it being made with some kind of time magic. It probably freezes time in it.

“Wow, where did you get that? How much did it cost??” (me)

“Actually I didn’t pay for it, since it was a gift from a merchant I helped once. I think he was called Laenfard. He was being chased by monsters, which I noticed and froze them in place. It was really easy, but the poor merchant was defenseless. He was very kind to give me such an item. Anyways, we have to go Skylar. We don’t know how much time passed and we are in the center of the forest. We need to hurry.

“Alright! Luckily I brought some potions that will help us run faster. Drink this. It will boost our speed and stamina, but only for an hour or two.” (me)

“Ughhh, this has a terrible taste. Yuck!” (Lora)

“That’s the price we have to pay…” (me)

“Okay, let’s go that way!” (Lora)

“No! That’s the way we came from!” (me)

“I am pretty sure this was the way we came from” She pointed her finger to the opposite direction.

“This isn’t going to end well, but I will trust you since you have more experience than me.” (me)

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m talking about. I’m always right!” (Lora)

“Okay, show off…” I murmured silently.

We were running like the wind which we didn’t even feel in this thick forest. I must say I did a very good job creating this kind of potion. It’s unfortunate that I only had enough herbs for 2 back home. It was so hard to find them and when I did find them, they were being guarded by some wild boars, which I didn’t want to mess with. I was really eager to get them so I put up a distraction for them. It worked and they fell on a simple distraction as throwing a rock somewhere behind them. I quickly rushed to the plants, but to my surprise one boar remained there not caring for the rock. I readied my dagger, but I continued sprinting to the plants, that were now very close to me.

In the last moment I grabbed 2 of them and then I was head-butted so hard, that I flew up and landed on a branch of a tree. Oh god was it close. Anyhow, I managed to escape and made these potions that are now being used by the two of us.

As we came closer and closer to the edge of this spooky forest, light penetrated, now less thicker web of branches above us. I was happy to see the light again. I turned my head when I saw Lora being kicked by a troll out of nowhere.

“LORA!!!!” I shouted while she was flying midair. Slamming in a tree she fell down unconscious. Now I was left all alone against a 3 meter giant who was very happy to squash me like a bug. “I am dead, aren’t I?”