What do you do first thing dawn, I tend to stretch get ready for the day, but today I got the privilege of answering one million questions of which I had the answer to none.
These people were relentless, I could not even process one question before they threw the next. HOW AM I A CASTER! I can't even wield a speck of mana, how sad. These people were lucky enough to be born with the unique ability to manipulate the mana in the environment and manifest it on a certain element, I on the other hand was born with the unique ability to be average.
My wound healed up nicely thanks to Aiko, she gave me another heal session before we left, we just had one more day of walking left before we arrived at rumor town, we would probably arrive by nightfall so all day today was more walking, and more questions. World I know you screwed me multiply times now but please don't give us another random encounter I just want a super boring rest of the journey, I guess it won't be boring with all these questions that these people seemingly have an infinite amount off. You'd think they'd back off after the 20th I don't know but they are quite persistent I'll give them that.
(We walked for the entire day.... peacefully. Thank you, world.)
We finally reached an in, which business seemed to be booming for them thanks to all the adventurers deployed in search for the holy relic, and those free lancers searching in hopes to make all their dreams a reality, what fools it hasn't been found for an eternity and yet they lay all their hopes on this final gambit....
"Alright everyone I know you are all exhausted so let's keep this short. Tomorrow we will split off into groups and explore Uwasa to see if we can uncover the root of the rumor and more importantly see if this rumor is true."
I guess it was called Uwasa town, I've been calling it rumor town this whole time, I am no good with names.
"Me and Kodoku will take one side of town while Okuma and Urana take the other, does that sound good to you guys."
Look at hot shot himself Ketsu trying to make a move on Aiko, wait that's Okuma's gag, what's happening to me. If he's trying to steal Aiko's heart, I better warn him it's the worst mistake of his life, imagine hell came to this world and took the shape of Aiko, maybe that's a bit too harsh, or not harsh enough? I'm sure he will be fine it's captain Ketsu after all.
"Fine"
Said hot shot himself, you may be wondering who I am talking about, well obviously only one person is the hot shot.
"Im fine with the plan"
"Same here"
Impossible Aiko agreed with me, what is she planning, I won't lower my guard against you woman.
"Alright everyone get some rest we will explore Uwasa and the rumor lingering in this town tomorrow."
"Got it, night everyone."
"...."
I said good night Okuma didn't say a word, maybe I should go back to that old gag.
"Senshi come here let me heal your wound one last time so it can be completely healed by tomorrow."
I was right, hell did take the form of Aiko, she was being awfully kind to me, sometimes wrong I can feel it, what is she planning???!
"Alright Aiko just make sure you don't screw it up."
"Don't worry I am not as stupid as you."
Damn her, but the wound was nearly completely healed, she really was an amazing caster.
"Thank you"
"Oh no maybe he did more damage to you that meets the eye, the Senshi I know never shows gratitude."
"Oh, shut up, serves me right for showing you my gratitude."
She laughed, I smiled, I really appreciate it Aiko. Thank you.
We headed towards her room to get this over with.
She finished focusing mana on my wound, it seemed like she was focusing more than other times, maybe because the mana kept dispersing, or maybe because I am just that important of a friend. I always knew I was a great friend.
The other 2 were probably asleep already so I was planning on doing the same. I wish Aiko a good night she returned the formality, I headed toward my room and finally our two-day journey to rumor town was over, my bad Uwasa town. Now all we had to do was disprove this stupid rumor, and head to our next lead... this is going to be a long journey.
It was a simple start we woke up went to grab a bite to eat, then we split up into our respective groups in search for some information. If it can even be classified as information, it's probably going to be another dead but oh well.
I was walking along with Okuma in dead silence. What's a good conversation starter come on brain think, at that moment I could feel my brain start working at speeds that would put a computer to shame, wait those don't exist here!
"Nice weather we're having"
"....."
My brain has failed me.
"Urana how did you deflect the blow yesterday, if you say you are not a caster and you left your sword behind to jump infront of Kodoku, then how?"
Good job brain it was a rough start but we got him to speak, even though I've answered these questions a million times it is much better than the silence.
"I've already told you I have absolutely no idea what you guys are talking about I have no memory of what happened I just remember waking up, but what about you can you do something else aside from focusing your mana and incinerating something."
"How do you know how my technique works?"
I love that he answers my question with a question, this is an informative conversation.
"It's a basic technique everyone's heard of fire casters signature move."
"Obviously I have other techniques I have 41% affinity."
Subtle flex.
"But you clearly don't know much of this signature move of us fire casters, it can only be used on creatures like the Chitkin that don't have a high affinity to magic and can't disperse it. This signature technique doesn't work on actual capable enemies."
I completely lost to the bug in a fight of speed and strength, I am starting to feel like I was the worst pick to explore the world with these people.
"Well what are your other techniques, can you create a sea of flames or something like that?"
"Technically speaking I could but it would put an immense strain on me, and would require immense focus."
"Tell me one of your techniques come onnnn."
"I can increase the heat of my flames by an immense margin, it comes at a cost however."
He was speaking kind of morbidly, maybe I should change subjects. It is time my brain I have trained you my whole life for this day come up with a topic.
"Anyways, why did you decide to become a knight?"
Good job brain, proud of you.
"I just followed my father footsteps like my father followed his."
Wow talk about serious his family has been knights for generations that's kind of cool, I bet they have renown.
"I was recruited to be a knight they said I had incredibly potential to be an amazing caster, but look how I ended up, still at 0% affinity, I bet they regret picking me."
"You clearly have some worth, they haven't tossed you aside and they even picked you for this mission, there has to be more to you than meets the eye."
Thanks Okuma but what you see is what you get.
"I am slightly above average with my sword but that's pretty much it, I am kind of useless."
"I doubt that's all."
TOO KIND!
"Do you enjoy being a knight or did you only do it to follow your family's path."
"I don't hate it, it's what I have to do it is my destiny."
Wow "it is my destiny" that sounded awesome, maybe I should come up with my own reason like that.
"Is that why you always seem so serious, being a knight means that much to you?"
"Being a knight is a step closer to reaching my dreams."
"What is your dream? To serve the royal family?"
"My family has served the royal family for generations now, so yes I too wish to eventually reach that position"
Oh my god his family did have renown, and I know him, maybe I can get him to do me a favor, I bet he will a life saver one day.
"That's amazing, I honestly don't know what I want to do moving forward, I probably won't try to climb the ranks, like you."
"Climbing ranks isn't everything there is to life, there are much more important things to life."
"I guess you do have a point there."
"Urana I know you have more potential that you think, next time we are in battle try and cast."
"I am pretty sure it will be a waste of time, but I will keep the advice in mind. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"How about we go into this little tavern and ask about the rumors im sure the shop keep has heard a lot from the people that go drink."
"I agree, let's."
Munasashi Okuma I've gotten to know you a lot better with our brief conversation and I can safely say you are a good person; I am glad to have you as a teammate.