Chapter 12 - Joining In

After the little talk between the two they finally reached the chief's house. They then called out Eichel to check if she was inside.

"Eichel! It's me, Adellene. Your father said you wanted to talk to us?"

They stood there for a few minutes and then they both heard a creak. It was Eichel running down from her room.

"Hey!!! I'm glad you both came here."

"Yeah! You wanted to talk to us?"

"Oh it's just a little talk. I also haven't given both of you proper thanks for saving my life."

"Ahh... It was an obligation given to us. We are happy that you are all well, right Darius?"

. . .

"Yeah."

"Hey Darius, what's with the sudden pause? Were you drifting in space or something? Did the faries of the forest get into your~"

"No. I was just thinking something."

"Oh I also wanted to ask Darius something."

"Hmm?"

After saying that, Adellene then suddenly felt something that made her uneasy. Although it was weird for her, she just let it pass by.

"Darius will you be my guardian?"

. . .

"Wait what?! No no no no. He he ~ you see he's working as~"

"No."

Adellene then looked at Darius with a hidden smirk on her face.

"See? He's really~"

"Awww~ I thought that would work. Well I wonder what could~ Ah how about I become your member of this group?"

"Eichel~ We are currently ~"

"What is your ability?"

Adellene, becoming more and more frustrated at the moment, suddenly lost grip of her calm and went out to burst out.

"WHY ARE YOU BOTH IGNORING ME?!"

. . .

"Well I can cast magic such as novice elemental magic."

"Hays... Well Darius I'll just be there on the log sitting down while both of you talk."

"Don't~"

"What do you mean don't?"

"Don't go."

"Do~don't go??? Wha~"

"Don't go. We still have to listen to her request and then go to the chief to finally get our letter of recommendation."

"Oh..."

"So miss Eichel you're a novice elementalist? What elemental are you good?"

"I can invoke fireball like this!"

~Oh goddess of hearth and fire Hestia, bless thy child to protect thy others. Fireball...~

A small cinder went out of her hand and then it turned into a ball of flame shot to a distant rock. It then dispersed as it hit and left a burnt area. She then turned to Darius and Adellene with a smile.

"What do you think?"

"Weak."

*ughhhh*

"Damn... I really practiced that fireball magic befo~"

~Chase. Feed. Incinerate. Flame~

"Wait Darius you know magi~"

A large surge of flame went out of Darius' hand and his horn then showed for a second. After the magic was cast, the rock that was shot by the fireball became ashes. It was so strong that the grass beside the rock also was burnt into nothing.

"Darius... So you did not use any tool for that campfire?"

"Yes."

"Ummmm. Adellene was my magic really that weak?"

Adellene then turned to Eichel. She was already about to burst out and cry because of how pathetic her magic was. Adellene then went to her and gave her a pat on her back.

"You know, it was not weak at all. You tried your best and that matters most!"

"Really?"

"Yes really! It was a novice cast but it was well casted! You will become a stronger mage soon."

"Thank you Adellene!"

Adellene looked at Darius and gave him a stare. She saw his horn slowly drifting away like a black dust blown out by the wind. It was her first time seeing his magic and she felt fear just by looking at the fire.

"What magic was that?"

"Hellfire."

"Where did you learn that magic?"

"My grandfather used to invoke this magic before but he just opens up his hands and then the fire just shows up."

"That fire~"

"It's a weaker version of his."

"We~weaker?!"

"Yes."

After knowing that, Eichel then slowly sobs as she realizes how weak and little her fireball againts a non-magic user who says his magic is even weaker than other invoked spell.

"It really is weak!" *waahhhhhh*!!!

"Come on Eichel, he trained that for years. Don't worry you'll be able to use it soon."

"Hmm~"

"SHUT UP WILL YOU?! She tried using her magic that she practiced. At least give her some advice."

"Okay. Miss Eichel, stop using~"

"YOU KNOW JUST DON'T TALK!"

Eichel then continued sobbing till Darius went close to her and said something that made her feel at ease.

"You should train more. You might be able to save someone using that magic."

. . . . .

"Okay! I will train more and will be a good candidate as a member of your group."

"That's the spirit Eichel! I'll help you learn. How about you join us without his perm~"

"No."

"You are not saying no. She will be with us now~"

"You were saying she can't join earlier and now you are. You are really confusing."

"Shut up!"

~giggle~

Both of the girls started laughing at the guy infront of them. Darius then gave off a little smile to them. It was a lively night of fest for the Acorn Hamlet and then the time passed by very quickly. The very next day, Darius then went to see the chief and take the note of recommendation for the guild quest.

"Here is the letter to the guild. Again, thank you for your service. Oh and thank you for talking to my daughter, I don't know what happened to my backyard why it's all burnt up but still thank you."

"You're welcome sir."

"Oh where is the girl beside you always?"

"She's still asleep. I let her sleep longer so she can rest. She used a lot of her mana for our quest."

"Oh... where did she sleep?"

"She slept with your daughter."

"Ahh... Just tell me when you are about to leave, oh my daughter said something about joining your group."

"Yes. You could include that in the recommendation if you want. The guild will be attending for that but I am not sure for the assurance of her joining us."

"Oh the guild will, that city owes me something."

"Hmmm."

After changing some things in the letter, Darius then accepted it and went on his way onto the outskirts of the town. He then went to the riverbanks where the fishermen are staying. It was early in the morning so he was seeing steams from chimneys and campfires set up by them.

"Darius!!!"

It was a call of a familiar voice, it was Adellene.

"You're awake."

"Yep! Have you sleep well last night?"

"Yes."

"Ahh that's good to hear. And also Eichel will be with the townsmen later for the farewell and to bid us safe travels."

"Hmm..."

. . .

Both of them suddenly stopped and just looked at the people around them and the riverbank. It was a little noisy but it was peaceful at the same time.

"You know Darius... I used to live in a place like this, before the hunt of the Devil of the Underworld showed up."

"Hmm..."

"All was good and peaceful but angels and other black hooded people started raiding houses. They were looking for someone. I was pulled out of our household since the people who cared for me never came back. I was really young at that time but I remember how everything looked. I wonder why they took me and some girls in my village."

"Maybe you were there to be saved by them."

"Maybe... Well they really did help me live."

"Devil of the Underworld huh?"

"You knew about this devil Darius? I mean, you have horns... and you look like~"

"I don't."

. . . .

Both of them then stood up and walk to the chief's house to get their belongings.

"Hmmmm I wonder if you are the devil hahahaha. Well nevermind that, we should get going."

"Hmm."

After taking their belongings and readying themselves for the travel back to Aurinburg.

"Hey Adellene, I'll catch up as soon as the letter came back to us and I am allowed to go with you two. Make sure to wait for me till then okay?"

"Okay! We will wait for you. Make sure to train always okay?"

"Okay! Also Darius, I will save someone with my magic."

"Hmm."

Adellene and Darius grabbed their bags and continued with their journey. Few people waved their hands, some shouted to bid their farewell, and Eichel cast a fire's blessing spell unto them.