Before we could take the time to consider what just happened, Phoebe and I were teleported back to the cave we had previously been running to.
"What was that?" Phoebe looked at me questioningly.
"How should I know? Do you feel any different after the moose did… whatever it did?" I had already checked myself and found no changes. But, who's to say the same is true for Phoebe.
"I feel like I can use my magic more easily. It's like if I want to learn nature magic… it would come easily to me. When we get back to the store, I'm gonna take time to fully learn what changes I've received," Phoebe seemed so excited, speaking much more than usual. "What about you?" She further asked.
"Nothing… I don't feel anything like what you described and can't see any changes when checking my stats," I couldn't help being a bit depressed.
"Maybe it's because you took those crystals," Phoebe further said matter of factly.
"Well we still need those mana cores, lets set a campfire in the cave and wait for an animal to take the bait,"
We walked to the cave and made sure it was empty, Freyja stood at my side the entire time while Bagheera checked the surroundings. I ran my fingers through Freyja's hair feeling more and more grateful for this companion.
"i'll go get some wood so we can start this fire," I walked towards the forest, after verifying the cave was empty. Freyja directly chopped a tree down with a slash of her claws… then we noticed the problem.
"DAMN"
Freyja and I walked back to the cave empty handed with a sly look on my face. "So… remember how those trees broke when we touched them? Well I don't think we're gonna be able to make a fire," I apologetically told Phoebe, as I noticed she had formed a ring of rocks for the fire.
"Well, maybe we should head back to the shop. While we didn't get what we wanted, I got a new insight into nature magic. Plus staying here doesn't seem to be helping," Phoebe seemed anxious to leave and try her new magic.
"Okay lets return," And with that we arrived back in the shop.
The men were still working on the shop as we hadn't been gone for 24 hours. So I decided to talk to bell and see if I could help in the greenhouse, while Phoebe nearly ran to the back room to practice her magic.
"Bell… I'm back," I called out as I arrived in the greenhouse.
"Welcome back, Alaric. What can I do to be of service to you," Bell responded politely.
"I was actually wondering if you needed any help in here?" I directly asked.
"Actually everything should be taken care of. I've harvested enough materials for 5 potions of stamina and magic regeneration, along with 3 potions of health regeneration," She looked quite pleased.
"Oh… okay,"
"Oh, I forgot… Did Freyja progress?" Bell asked excitedly.
I couldn't help flinching as I responded with my head down, "No,"
"Did you not get enough mana cores?"
"I didn't get any,"
"Oh… Did you get anything?"
"I got some glowing crystals," I further lowered my head.
"Crystals? Can I see them please?" Bell asked sincerely.
I took them from my inventory showing them to Bell.
"This is great!"
"What? How?" I was becoming curious about the uses of these crystals. I had collected them thinking they might be able to sell for a bit of energy. After all, every bit counts.
"Animals in the wild have to form a mana core in one of two ways. First… they can kill another animal and consume their mana core. This is dangerous and difficult, as having a mana core directly improves an animals strength," She decided to pause, while looking like she was lost for words.
"And the second?!" I couldn't help my nerves growing tense.
"The second, is they can consume the mana cores formed by mother nature itself. These appear in different shapes, often times as crystals. These are more pure and full of energy, decreasing the amount needed, while increasing the strength it brings about," Bell added enthusiastically.
"Wait! So these are those crystals?!" I was so excited, I nearly jumped up and down in joy.
"No," Bell added flatly.
"WHAT?!" My heart felt like it was bleeding. "Why tell me if it's not?"
"I was being sarcastic, Vixey taught me how. Yes these are those crystals," Bell reassured me.
'I need to have a word with Vixey, this was too much for me to handle.' I thought inwardly. "Okay, so which ones do I have here?" I was now curious hoping I had some for Freyja. After all, they had to get a mana core of their affinity.
"The blue ones, are of the ice attribute, the green are for nature and will work well to help Bagheera progress. Finally, the grey are… pure mana. They can be used for any creature," Bell had a huge smile on her face as she said the last part.
I quickly looked towards Freyja, "Are you ready?"
She nodded as I handed her a grey crystal, which she directly ate from my palm. Soon following that I fed her another, followed by one more. After eating three crystals she stopped to lay down on the ground as she fell asleep. I looked at Bell questioningly.
"Forming a Mana Core is exhausting, give her time to sleep. When she wakes it should have formed,"
Now I just need to give the green ones to Bagheera and we should be all set to continue their leveling. Now if only I could improve to, I'm tired of hiding behind Freyja. As I thought this, a loud banging came from the front of the store.
I walked over there, as I yelled through the door. "We're closed!"
They responded in kind, "You've previously offended the master of our house! We've come to collect this debt!" They yelled back.
'Offended? Who have I offended?' I was flabbergasted. I've been too busy running the store to cause trouble. I even stopped stealing. Furthermore, we teleported to some unknown location how could I have offended anyone in this new area?
"You must be mistaken. I'm a simple shop owner," I responded through the door.
"Then you're who I'm looking for! Open the door and hand me 1000 gold coins! Or I'll be forced to take your life!"