"..."
"..."
"..."
"You mean a communication Crystal? We only have one that we use for official business but I see no reason to deny its use..."
The Mayor said while keeping the same smile on his face.
"Great!" Aster said with a genuine smile.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"And...?" Asked the Mayor with the same expression.
"Maybe some extra clothes and supplies since I damaged a set I had in the raid..."
"Uhm... sure, absolutely no problem..."
"Thanks!" Said Aster still with the same genuine smile.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"And...?" This time the Commander was the one to ask.
"That's it!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
'That's It!?'
'That's It!?'
Both the commander and Mayor had they eyes almost pop out of theirs sockets when Aster said that. Yet considering that both of them had the same reaction they knew they hadn't misheard.
"Aster we might be a small village but I assure you we can at least reward you for your services." While the Mayor tried to make Aster ask for a bit more the Commander had taken a more direct approach as his expression twisted in anger.
"Listen I appreciate your help more than anyone here. But I don't do charity. Now I'm not sure how much a Light Crystal sells for these days but I sure as hell know that those should have been at least 1000 credits from your pocket to treat the survivors alone. Not to mention the actual help on the raid. Are you aware of how many people would die if you weren't there."
Before he continued he slammed his fist on the table sending pieces of wood flying everywhere.
"Or are you insinuating that my life or the lives of my man aren't worth more to you than some damn vegetables and a call."
After saying so he got up and went for the door.
"I still have my man's funerals to take care of. And some of their families to talk to. I'm leaving."
*slam*
"..."
"..."
After the commander left there was an awkward silence in the room.
The Mayor was the first one to break it.
" I'm sorry for the Commander's beha-"
"Whichever reward you think is fit. I will gladly accept." Or at least he tried before Aster interrupted him and placed his credit card on the now broken table.
'He is right. To an extent. If I worked for it, I need an appropriate reward that is how it should be... maybe I was being too selfless. Not that I have a need for credits however. I just genuinely didn't need anything else...'
After a while of talking to the Mayor. Mostly him tanking Aster and apologizing for the Commander's actions. He gave Aster his card back with an extra 5000 credits on it as well as guiding them to an empty room along with the communication device before leaving Aster alone.
The room itself looked like an old file room, with dusty cabinets on the side and a simple table and chair in a corner.
Aster then sit on the chair and started to activate the Crystal by flowing his Aura on it.
This model was a bit different from the one Aster had used back at Initium since this one didn't require the user to have an identification card to log in. Considering this one was a private or rather communal device used on the city hall instead of a public device that difference was understandable. Instead, he was simply met with the usual screen.
-Fresh Wood-
Authorizations: Calls(1) ; ; Transfers(2)
Type of Payment: Receiver
Which operation do you wish to make?
-(Awaiting Input)-
He selected the option to call and typed away on a small keypad on the device since this one was an older model.
...
...
It took about 10 minutes before the call was answered.
"Hey Aster is that you?"
"Ye It's me."
"Sorry for the wait I was in the middle of something, couldn't really stop during it. Any way how are you?"
"All good, a little roughed up from the trip. Had an encounter with some bandits but It wasn't anything too serious."
"Ye... nothing to serious... suuuuure *sigh* with your luck I'm not surprised anymore. Just tell me honestly are you ok?"
"Ye, ye all good. I'm all in one piece and just a few bandages here and there. I'm in Fresh Wood by the way."
"I know, I read the ID, I assume you didn't just call to say Hi."
"An update on the two favors would be nice."
"Ye, ye of course... right. Regarding the Sword Academy or whatever, there is a kind of like knight elementalist academy of sorts on a decently sized village called... *rustle* *rustle* *type* *type*
Restlesswind. It manly focuses on swordsmanship and the training of wind essence. The owner used to be an esteemed Higher Elementalist"
"Used to?"
"Age gets to everyone I guess. Anyway from what you requested that seems to be best one if you really want to focus on sword play. I didn't speak to the old man but the guy I talked to said as long as it shows determination he will accept just about anyone as his pupil, so you should be good."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it. What about the second favor?"
"...*sigh* "
"That bad?"
"You kill me Aster. The 'real' Wind Temple is just not somewhere you can just walk in. OR ask to walk in mind you. Two people... that's how many have permission to go in at anytime they please. And I'm sorry to tell you this but I do NOT have the connections to ask any of them. If it was here... MAYBE but at the Wind Continent. I'm gonna have to apologize."
" *chuckle* Don't beat yourself over it."
Aster then stopped laughing before speaking again.
"How is she?"
"Same as always."
"..."
"..."
"Ye... right. Thanks again Luka."
"..."
"Do you need anything else?"
"No, I'm fine. I guess I will make my way to Restlesswind. I will try to call when I get there, take care."
"You too Aster. I will look a bit more into the Wind Temple situation but no promises. Have a safe trip."
...
...
...
After the call disconnected Luka pushed back on his chair and started to massage his eyes with his right hand.
"That idiot always tries too hard. He was obviously hurt... *sigh* "
Around him were an amazing assortment of different crystals and machinery and many different screens yet his eyes rested on a single frame.
Before he could notice a soft smile formed on his face.
"Is he actually on to something for once... just what did he find... could he really..."
A few seconds went by before a notification made him look away.
-Payment Received-
Sender ID: Fresh Wood
Amount: 250 Credits
When he looked at the screen he couldn't stop himself from letting out a massive sigh.
He then got up and exited the room.
...
...
...
After Aster transferred the credits he too left the room he was in and after telling the Mayor he was done with the call he exited the town hall.
After thinking a bit to himself he then started to walk...
It didn't take long before he arrived at the guards training grounds. He then politely asked where he could find the commander before a guard pointed him towards a small wooden hut. When he arrived at the door he didn't have time to knock before he heard a familiar voice from the inside.
"Come in..."
Aster opened the door and was meet with the sight of the Commander writing on some papers with a neutral look on his face. When he spoke his voice wasn't cold but felt lifeless or conceded.
"Four people... that's how many died yesterday. Four good man whose families lost someone they loved. Now you could argue that they knew what they were getting himself into when they picked this job... you could argue that they knew the risks. But it doesn't change the fact that they should have not died.
"..."
"So... forgive me for speaking my mind. But I will not take charity from someone who is not strong enough to give it away. I was there with you... I risked my life and so did you. So the least you could do... is let someone thank you.
I would not have reacted that way if you were a strong Elementalist who had helped either on a whim or due to actual goodwill. But you aren't. So forgive me for saying this but if someone as weak as you risks so much for someone like us..."
The commander then gets up from his chair and puts one leg down kneeling in front of Aster.
"I sincerely ask you to let me thank you properly."
Kneeling was in the Wind Continent one of the biggest forms of respect one could show. It goes without saying that for someone like the Commander to do this Aster was taken back.
After a few moments of sock he then smiled softly and spoke to the Commander.
"I accept your thanks. And I also apologize for not accepting your goodwill back there. Now please get up having you do something like this is making me uneasy."
The commander then raised himself up and after a few moments his expression turned back to his smug look.
"Well I'm glad this was taken care of... also not a single word of what happened here leaves this room I have a reputation to maintain."
Both of them just smiled at those words.
The commander then went to one of his drawers and took out something rolled up in a piece of cloth.
"Not sure how handy you are with these bad boys but..."
He then threw the cloth at Aster.
When he opened it he was met with two familiar blades.
"Those are the only thing I thought would make a proper "Thank You" gift. I'm sure he will miss them."
Aster just laughed while giving the Commander a strong handshake and leaving.