"Why are you still following us?"
"Why? You already know why, I had explained this like what? 4 times?" Joanna replied but she couldn't hide the fear in her low voice.
***
After talking for a while, Joanna explained to the two what happened and why she was with them. It turned out that Joanna was a special student that entered the Ascension Academy through a back door since ghost cultivators are rare and dangerous.
Daemon told her to come here and wait for other students that he would send, only then would she know her mission. Joanna got bored of the long wait so when Flav and Iris did come, she decided to play with them.
Through the small interaction she had with Iris and Flav, Joanna felt like she slightly understood their personalities. Iris wasn't the talkative type, unless necessary or to ask questions that absolutely interested her, she wouldn't interact with them. Flav on the other hand had a kind nature.
He hated Joanna and made that quite clear with his chilling gaze that followed her every move, yet he never laid his hands on her, he didn't try to kill her. Her conclusion was, 'He's scary to his enemies and kind to his friends. I'm not sure what will happen but for now I am safe'
Flav wasn't happy with this result but it was two against one and Daemon's order made it absolute. With great reluctance, he conceded, finally allowing them to continue their journey. Yet, his narrowed cold eyes never left the transparent figure of the redheaded beauty.
Furthermore, the three found a way to use Joanna to their utmost; letting her scout the surrounding area. This allowed them to cross a great chasm in their march, the periodic stop due to beasts excluded, the three had walked 42 kilometer that day.
"Let's stop here for the night," Flav said.
Joanna asked, startled, "What, why?"
"Don't ask!" Flav bellowed, twisting his neck in her direction. "Or do you want to stop for eternity?" he smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"W-we should stop here for the day."
Iris watched Joanna scurry away from Flav while deep in thought, 'He's too kind.'
Iris knew the reason Flav stopped was for her. She had lived most of her life disabled and learned to read people's emotions. Flav's caring nature time and again took everyone he cared about into account. Flav knew that her body was weak and that her personality wouldn't allow her to complain if they kept moving. She was a mage after all.
Mages unlike cultivators had weak bodies. Cultivators could walk for days without fatigue but mages couldn't. Additionally, Iris knew that because Joanna had been a ghost for a long time she didn't think of mortal-like approaches anymore, and didn't blame her.
After saying that they would stop, Flav searched around a little and found a clear wide area open in three directions. It allowed them a broad view of their surroundings which prepared them for incoming beasts, while the last direction had a narrow space that could deter beasts for a few seconds if one above their level came. This was a strategic area that the map marked as a resting spot.
"Hah, we can finally rest a little." Flav stretched his tense muscles and said. "It would have been better if a certain specter wasn't here but ok."
Iris could feel that there was a reason why Flav hated Joanna and it wasn't because he didn't like her. A great reason that made him hate anything ghost-like or with ghost Qi but she didn't pry his secrets as it wasn't her place, not that she wanted to anyway.
"I will be right back," Flav said and dashed into the forest. Joanna shot him a questioning look but didn't dare ask while Iris had a faint idea on where he went.
10 minutes later, Flav came back. In his hand he held a boar which according to the energy waves dissipating from its body indicated it being a rank 1 beast.
"Finding weak beasts here is harder than I thought," Flav said when he came back. "Do you want me to cook it or…-"
"I will do it," Iris cut him off, taking the initiative for the first time in a while.
Flav didn't say anything more and lay the boar down.
A magic circle materialized in front of Iris and a controlled amount of fire came out, yet it didn't shoot but stayed in place, slowly cooking the boar. Not a moment after the magic circle was conjured, a larger one that surrounded the area appeared.
"The second one will stop any leak from the affected area which means we don't need to worry about beasts approaching due to smell," she clarified before the two could ask.
"Damn, why did I not think of this?"
Flav slapped his forehead and turned to Iris, "Thanks." he said with a small smile on his face.
Iris nodded back and concentrated on the cooking. They didn't have any ingredients to spice the meat so when Iris finished cooking, it tasted quite bland and chewy. But neither of the two minded.
Joanna stared at the two fervently, 'So lucky.' she thought while tightening her transparent hands. She also wanted to eat. She missed the taste of food, cold water splashing against her body and refreshing her. Yet with those memories, a flash of sorrow enveloped Joanna's figure. If she had bodily fluids she would have cried by now.
"Restrain your Qi! How many times do I have to say this!?"
Flav's loud cry broke the calm atmosphere. A vein almost popping on his forehead while his cold killing intent spread and concentrated on the almost crying Joanna which immediately prompted her to restrain her energy, drawing it back.
"Good," Flav huffed with cold eyes. "Make sure to keep it that way," he affirmed and sat down, leaning his body on a tree and closing his eyes.
Not long after, Iris also slept, leaving Joanna alone. Ghosts couldn't or need sleep and with it a peaceful night elapsed.
The night passed and the light of dawn emerged.
Iris fluttered her eyes open and arose. She glanced to her right and saw Flav meditating as faint pulses of energy entered his body. Even at this moment, Flav didn't waste time to cultivate, while Joanna sat cross-legged, her hand supporting her chin as she stared at the awaking Iris.
"Are you ready?" Flav opened his eyes a few minutes later and asked Iris.
Iris nodded and got up, she fished the map out from under the rock where she put it and started marching again with Flav and Joanna in tow.