In the wilderness, away from the safety of the tall walls of Astalan, Tetsuya, Azura, and Juliana walked on the path leading back to the city with the setting sun hanging low behind them. The gentle breeze gently caressed their face and blowing their hair into the air gently. In addition, the vegetation responded to this gentle breeze as well, with the trees rustling and the grass swaying.

It was the second day of adventuring without Loganel, where the new trio returned to the Ruins of Ekeletas to collect the last Sygil Flower and turned in their quest while also defeating Kobolds along the way. With the Cleaver defeated, there was a struggle for power within the Kobolds, making them to be in a state of a civil war and easy for Tetsuya, Azura, and Juliana to take advantage.

On their way back to the city of Astalan, by the city gates, Tetsuya saw a group of people, maybe five, crowded against someone off the main road leading into the city in a secluded part of the city wall.

I should go check it out, he thought to himself at the thought of someone possibly being picked on.

"Let's go," he said to his companions, who nodded in response. Over the two days that they've been together, they had already developed chemistry, and able to guess what the other person was thinking. This was all due to Tetsuya's emphasis on cooperation and spending time together along with his charismatic qualities, making it easy for people to get along with each other.

As Tetsuya approached, he noticed a girl dressed in a dark, mage robe in the center of the crowd. She appeared terrified, pressing herself against the city wall with tears clinging on to her eyes.

"Can you stop being so useless?" a boy shouted at her, pressing one hand next to her head so to prevent her from escaping. "You almost got us killed!"

"Hey!" Tetsuya interfered.

"What do you want?" the leading boy backed off from the girl and then turned to look at Tetsuya with a spiteful look. "It's none of your business."

"It is now," Tetsuya said, stepping up to the challenge of the group. "What's going on?"

"What's going on?" a girl shook her head as if she could not believe that Tetsuya had really asked the question. "She almost got us killed."

Tetsuya followed the girl's finger and his gaze rested on the mage girl who was against the wall with the mage staff close to her chest. Now, Tetsuya noticed that this girl was an elf with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"So? Is this how you treat your friends that are risking their lives for you?" Tetsuya continued.

"This isn't the first time you know?" the leading boy said. "This is the fifth time she almost got us killed."

"What happened?" Tetsuya asked.

"We were hunting an Eardbar, you know, those big bears that are almost as tall as a one story townhouse. We had the Eardbar all distracted and everything, and all we need was for her to use some spell to light the god damn thing on fire. She stuttered in her enchanting and almost hit us when she did finish her enchanting. This is the fifth time!"

"But that doesn't mean that you could just bully her because of it!"

"You don't tell me what to do!" the leading man walked up to Tetsuya. He was about a head taller than Tetsuya and more bulkier as well.

"Hey," one of his companions suddenly went up to him and spoke into his ear. "That sword...Is he that Hero the Church was talking about? We should leave him alone then, just in case he ever wants to get back at us when he has power."

"..." The leading man wasn't stupid. Even though he may be arrogant, he knows that some fights could and could not be picked. "Let's go," he made his decision after gritting his teeth. "Don't let us see you ever again," he glared at the mage girl as he left with his companions.

With the threat gone, the mage girl sunk down to the girl with fear. She was still shivering a bit from her experience and tears began flowing from her beautiful blue eyes.

"Are you alright?" Juliana asked, kneeling down beside her. "Are you hurt?"

The mage didn't respond.

***

"Thank you guys for saving me," she said, cupping the cup of hot tea in her hands as she sat with them in a restaurant within the city. "My name is Sherriel Yzaldin."

"You're a student at the Academy?" Azura asked her with the same cold voice that she used with strangers.

"Yes, a fifth year," Sherriel responded.

"What are your plans for the future?" Juliana asked, visibly worried for her.

"I...don't know," Sherriel whispered. "I don't know anyone else here."

"You could join our party," Tetsuya said with a smile.

"May I?"

"Yeah," Tetsuya nodded. "I'm sure the other's wont object."

"We do need a mage," Azura nodded as she considered the proposal.

"That's great, Sherriel," Juliana exclaimed.

"But I...You heard them," Sherriel looked away from them, avoiding meeting their eyes with embarrassment. "You know that I'm useless."

"You're not," Azura abruptly said. "I can feel tremendous talent from you," she continued, "you have what it takes. You just need to have more confidence in yourself."

"I do?" Sherriel looked at Azura with surprise.

***

The next morning, after meeting with Sherriel, Azura suggested that they continue their hunting at the Ruins of Ekeletas, which is exactly what they did. It was the first time that they had the aid of a mage and it was also the first time they could assess the capabilities of their new party member.

Tetsuya could see that Azura was correct in the fact that Sherriel has talent. The spells she casted were powerful, and she seems to have an almost endless supply of Mana. In addition, what was inhibiting her was her lack of confidence.

"Come on Sherriel," Tetsuya encouraged her. "Take him down."

he stepped back after stunning a Kobold in place, allowing a Sherriel to conjure a powerful orb of fire that when it made contact with the Kobold, the creature burst into flames. The flames consumed all the fur and flesh of the Kobold, rendering its corpse to be a charred black object in the shape of a Kobold.

"That was...a bit over," he chuckled at the sight of Sherriel's powers.

"Sorry," Sherriel immediately apologized.

"He was complimenting you," Azura said in a cold voice as she walked by her.

"...Sorry for not noticing," Sherriel apologized once again.

Juliana smiled as she walked up to the elf girl and explained the situation to her. "You don't have to keep apologizing."

"Let's continue on," Azura said to the others as they ventured deeper into the Ruins of Ekeletas.

***

"That was a productive day of work," Tetsuya said as he stretched his body in order to relieve his muscles of the lactic acid that had accumulated.

They were now walking in the safe streets of Astalan. Having sold their day's drop items, they were contemplating on what to do next.

"You feel better today, Sherriel?" Tetsuya asked the girl.

"Yes," the girl blushed as she was suddenly asked the question.

"That's good," Tetsuya smiled in response.

"What should we do next?" Juliana asked. "The sun should still be up for a bit."

"I'm fine with anything," Azura said in her usual cold voice.

"How bout we head over to my place for dinner?" Juliana asked.

"Sure," Tetsuya smiled excitedly. "Juliana's cooking is some of the best that I've ever had," he explained to Sherriel.

"Really?" Sherriel looked over at Juliana with respect.

"Hmm...since we made a decent amount today, how about we go buy some better ingredients?" Juliana suggested. "It can be Sherriel's welcome party."

"Sounds good," Tetsuya nodded. "Then let's all help out then."

As they approached the market, the passed by numerous stores, some of which sold clothing and accessories. They walked over and looked at the clothing that the shop owner had put on display by the window in order to attract attention to their store.

"Wanna go look?" Tetsuya asked the girls, who after some discussion, shyly said yes.

They entered different stores and checked out the products on sale. Tetsuya merely watched as Juliana and Sherriel dragged Azura around and having her try out different outfits. He was amused by this sight, glad that he was able to indulge in this time of peace.

As they left the store, they continued their walk to the farmer's market. As they walked, Tetsuya noticed Azura's eyes lingering on a necklace

"Wait," he said to them and by himself, walked over to the vendor that was selling that necklace.

"Come on over young man," the vendor said, "buy it for your girlfriend over their."

"She's not my girlfriend yet," Tetsuya blushed.

"Yet," the vendor laughed. "Now what would you like?"

"How much for this necklace?" Tetsuya asked, pointing at the beautiful silver necklace decorated with a small blue gem in the shape of a tear stone.

"That's one of my best works," the vendor said. "Protects against all elemental attacks to a certain degree. I'd say probably about Three Silvers."

"Alright, here," Tetsuya handed the vendor three silver coins from his coin pouch.

"Thank you for your business and do come again," the vendor smiled as he watched Tetsuya walk off.

"Here," Tetsuya said, presenting the necklace to Azura. "For you."

"I cannot accept this gift," she shook her head.

"It protects against elemental damage, and because you're fighting on the front, I want you to wear it," Tetsuya said, blushing a little. "It also looks quite good on you so..."

Azura appeared to be in a dilemma on whether or not she should accept the gift. "Thank you," she said, accepting the necklace from Tetsuya, who watched her every move as she put the necklace around her neck.

"Looks good on you," Tetsuya complimented her.

"Thanks," Azura said, blushing a little.

"We're still here you know," Juliana spoke to remind them of hers and Sherriel's presence.

"Sorry," Tetsuya laughed. "Let's go."

They spent the rest of their afternoon in peace and happiness, walking around the market in search of the best produce and meat for their meal that night. Walking side by side in harmony, they negotiated with the vendors, and finally bought the ingredients that they needed in the busy market. There were numerous ordinary civilians out and about, from mothers buying ingredients for the nights dinner and children running around, playing with their friends. All in all, they felt at peace in this tranquil world. All their worries were no longer worries to them, at least during that moment.

***

"So this is the special dorms," Sherriel exclaimed as she followed Juliana into her dorm suite.

"Laurina," Juliana called out to inform Loganel's sister of her return. "Is she not here?"

"Maybe we should go check?" Azura asked Juliana, who agreed that they should go to Loganel's room to see if anything had happened.

"You two can sit wherever you want," Juliana said to her two guests before she walked with Azura to Loganel's room.

With her heart pulsing, Juliana placed her hands on the door handle. She took a deep breath, and began turning the door handle and pushing the door open.

Within the room, the windows were open, allowing the breeze outside to blow the curtains up, making them dance in the wind. On the bed, near the window, the boy that was originally unconscious was sitting up and looking at the dusk sky outside, enjoying the breeze as it gently caressed his face and moved his hair.

"Loganel..." Juliana whispered to herself in surprise.

The boy slowly turned his head to look over at the two of them, hair moved by the wind as he turned his head. There, the boy's face appeared weak and gaunt from numerous days of not eating. However, he still half smiled as he looked at them.

Author's Note:

Now what's gonna happen next? What would Loganel feel after realizing what had happened while he was unconscious? Find out next time when I update!!!

PS: the more you vote and comment, the more motivated I am to write and update. Just saying.