Nona gave it some serious thought. The village had never done anything for him and now it was in trouble and ironically he could try to protect them or improve himself. "Making a decision from here is fruitless. I could decide to help them just to realize that they do not need it by the time I get there."
"This is true so I guess I better teach you how to scry." Merl casually responded before waving a hand and making a bowl of water appear in his hand. "Now conjure the image like you did yesterday and say the words illam appii claudii."
The sense of foreboding did not appear this time as Nona conjured up the image. Taking the bowl into his hands he looked into the water while saying the words. A shimmer appeared on the surface of the water while the water itself became cloudy. It took several seconds before it cleared up.
When it finally did clear up the dingy grey of the bricks and mortar that made up the homes of the village proper came into view. Seeing how zoomed in it was Nona was disheartened wishing for a broader view. No sooner than he thought this when the image in the bowl pulled back. He could see the dull blue of the grass that started at the edge of the village.
The sight dumbfounded Nona as he witnessed block like contraptions with long cylenders coming out the top. They moved on revolving treads making the type of terrain it crossed inconsequential. As he watched the top of one opened and a red being with fire for hair came into view.
"I am Heat from the kingdom of Inferenus. All I request is rations for me and my men and we will leave your village in peace." The voice came clearly through the scrying bowl which surprised Merle, but was ignored by Nona.
"What are these weird contraptions?" Nona asked with curiosity dripping from his voice.
"They are called Travelling Armored Nero Knights, or tanks for short. The inside has a magic circle fueled by five magicians. The energy is channeled through that tube and the discharge is quite destructive."
"How do they move?"
"Those same five mages channel earth mana moving the treads which allows it to move on all terrains. I will be honest they are powerful but I am surprised you do not know any of this." Skelly's condescension was barely held in check.
"News of the outside world has little value here. Nor do we possess the funds to interact with othe villages so why would I know of these things?" came Nona's tart reply.
"Easy gentlemen there is still a decision to be made. Are you a hero or a monster?" Merle interjected.
"You make that sound like such a simple answer, but the truth is either decision could have dire consequences. So in this particular situation it might be best for me to do nothing." Nona put a lot of thought into his reply.
"Are you sure you just became an adult? You're reasoning is more mature than expected." Skelly voiced with surprise.
"I have spent much of my time reading scrolls of heros and adventurers and have learned that most of them create their own nemesis by not thinking things through. My life is not an adventure for ones amusement so I will not act without thought."
"Well than we can expect some amazing things from you in the days ahead. In the meantime it might be best to carry on your lessons on the road." Merle responded.
"Oh where are we going?" Excitement to leave the village behind tinged Nona's voice.
"We will head to the capital so that you can join the academy of magic." Came the matter of fact reply from Merle.
Nona couldn't hide is disappointment as he replied, "Is magic all I am to learn?"
"No, but it will give you a good foundation for the things to come now pack up."
"Fine." Nona left the clearing having completely forgotten about breakfast. For the first time since the fire he unleashed he paid attention to the damage the cave had suffered. There was remnants of ash from the scrolls and the charred remains of the furs he had stockpiled still layer in a heap. The only thing that had remained untouched was his bed in the back of the cave.
Originally there was pelts hung up in front of it to block the wind, but that no longer existed either. It was with much disappointment Nona observed this scene realizing he had nothing to take with him. With a sad smile he turned back around to the duo.
"I am all packed up and ready to travel."
"Very well than we will proceed to the north first. There we should encounter the wild grasslands where you should be able to acquire a soul mount."
"A soul mount?" curiosity started suppressing Nona's sadness.
"Ugh you will find out when we get there. You may think like an adult but you know less than a child." With that Merle waved his hand and all of the cookware vanished.
As they left an explosion could be heard in the distance. Turning to look Nona saw fire coming from the direction of the village and could not help but to wonder at the question he had been asked. Was he a hero or a monster? With that thought he followed after Merle and the skeleton now fully clad in heavy armor.
"Now the first thing you need to understand about magic besides the consequences is the essence..." Merle started rattling off a lecture while they walked.