[Lilith]
The South Gate Entrance looked into view as I walked behind Kale. Today's practice sessions were somewhat frustrating. We went through our normal Fire King style training. Keeping it aggressive and fast was a priority for me, at least that's what kales said. However I managed to make some missteps on some swings and even got put to the ground by Kale, which confused him since He hasn't been able to do that after the first month of our training.
As we got closer to the Gate, I found myself wandering in my thoughts. About what happened Last night and this morning, That weird feeling I felt when he spoke about what was causing him issues, I don't know what got into me. It was like I switched modes or something and that ended up draining me. All I could think about at that moment was to make sure Kota felt better, And then he took me into our room where he said he wanted to protect me. Thinking about it makes me feel things!
"Hey, uh…you good? Stop moving like that!" Kale snapped me out of my thoughts, he gave me a weird look as he noticed me shaking my hips. "You've been out of focus ever since this morning…"
"Ah! Sorry…" I shyly said, I averted my eyes from him. I looked down towards the snowy soils.
"Ok, I get the Lovey dovey stuff you're feeling right now. But keep your head focused when it comes to training, something like that would make you misstep on things. Like earlier." Kale lectured me. "Though, it's fun seeing you look flustered, hah."
"I'm not flustered!" I frantically said. "Ok, maybe slightly! It's just what Kota did…"
"So he gave you a smooch, so what? " Kale turned around and started walking backwards to face me. "You guys are at that age where you develop feelings…I think? I don't know, I don't associate with kids that much."
"He didn't smooch me, I smooched him!"
"Ooh, first move! Being the dominant! Haha!" Kale seemed to be having some fun with this. "Oh, I love your guy's interaction!"
"Gah, stop it with that talk! It's so gross hearing it from you!" I covered my ears to block him out. I could still hear him laughing though.
As we got closer to the Gate, I took a look at the sun to figure out the time. Judging by its position, it was probably the afternoon. Which meant Kota was still in school or almost done with it, That means me and Kale would need to go to the Market and get food. It's something we usually do now since We usually finish with training first before he finishes school.
"Ah, Kale and Lilith!" I looked towards the gate at the Guard that spoke to us. Since yesterday, I remember when the guards were ordered to get that Owl monster thing we fought. Speaking of that thing, what it said to me still ran through my mind. It spoke with my dad, but somehow it seemed like he didn't even Remember what I was like. I'm his own child, how could he not not remember how I acted?
"Oh…you? What's up?" Kale awkwardly said.
"The owl has been recovered! We had it sent King Lucian in his castle for his Mage to conduct an investigation on it!" The guard loudly said.
Kale smiled. "That's great! Congrats you guys, anything else?"
"No sir! Erm, actually…" The guard scratched his metal helmet. "Something from Last night has spooked some of the guards at the North gate…"
Kale raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "Lots of things from that end could spook anyone. It's the side where the demon continent is on, demons probably pass by or outright head towards them. Surely it was something like that."
The guard shook his head. "No-no! It was like…a two ghosts! Something like that…"
"…Ghost? Are we being serious?"
"Yes! From what I heard, It was late at night when they saw them! It was a large man and a woman that suddenly vanished! It spooked everyone because they left a trace!" The guard explained. "We told king Lucian about it, but he said no fret about it."
Kale tilted his head. "A trace, huh? Hm…" Kale nodded his head as he thought of it.
The story also got my interest. Ghost? I remember my mom telling me about spirits, something about how some people manage to keep their souls and roam around. It didn't really spook me, I actually think it's interesting.
"Well, I have nothing much to do. King Lucian hasn't given me any task yet. I'll take a gander at the North gate and see what's up." Kale finally said. "Either it's nothing…actually it would be something since it left something behind…Either it's actually Ghost or something else! Which means I'm either going to be a Ghost hunter or…something else!"
"A-are you sure you are capable of fighting Ghost? We've all heard about your work in the kingdom, but hunting ghosts seems a bit far-fetched for anyone to accept?" The guard said, The other guard across from us also nodded.
Kale folded his Arms. "Have you ever killed a ghost or spirit before?"
"N-no?"
"Quite hard really, you need a mage to cast a purity spell. Or you can use a silver weapon. Holy water works too." Kale explained. "Look, I've killed a couple of spirits before. Back in Ithryll and my hometown. Just trust that I'm capable."
"That doesn't…fine." The guard gave up, lowering his head for a moment before bringing it back up. "Anyways, that's all I got."
"Alright! Lilith, let's head through the market district and find some food!" Kale cheerfully said.
I clapped my hands in response. "Yes!"
***
The market today was bustling, People were gathered around tents and venues. I found myself wandering around without Kale since I usually do that. Kale usually finds the ingredients while I just stroll around until he finds me. I spotted a tent that had some mirrors they were selling, I haven't really checked on myself in awhile. I never really minded my own looks, really. What good would looks get you in a battle?
I walked to the venue and looked at one of the mirrors that was leaning against one of the tables for the tent. Ever since Tera showed me hair coloring, I've had my silver hair's ends colored Pink. looking at them now, they seemed somewhat fainted. I'll probably keep them a bit longer as my hair grows out. My hair was short again, which I liked. The ushanka I wore had snow lingering in its fur, thewhite coloring of it matched well with my cloak. I've been wearing this hat for some time ever since Tera gave it to me, it's quite comfy. What was also comfy was my clothes. A white coat with black ends, the belt I had for it was black that wrapped around my waist. The yellow buttons of it shimmered with sleekness as I wiped it. I lifted my leg up to look at my boots, the black boots went below my knees. It was a pain at first to get these on, but the protection they gave was astounding. Now it was simply easy to have these one in under a minute, they also matched with the leggings I wore. They too were also black, with pockets on the back to hold my Adventure ID.
"You buying or what, kid?" I looked up to notice a man looking at me with a question. It was probably the owner of this venue. I put my foot down and shook my head, To which he replied. "Alright, then get lost! My store ain't a place to look at yourself!"
"Sorry, sir!" I quickly ran off, staying here in the market as a kid was quite a hassle for the owners. Most kids I saw were just playing around and running. It seemed this market district was bustling with more than just selling and trading.
Running along the tents and venue, I noticed kale at a vegetable tent. He was examining a potato, eyeing it for some reason. As I proceeded to walk to him and see if he was ready to leave. A scream caught my attention.
"Eyyaah! Unhand me! Give me my satchel!" A girl's voice made me turn towards it. A blue haired girl was grabbing at a man's wrist. The man was holding a brown satchel that seemed quite packed with things. "Er, let it go! Or I'll-Augh!" The man gave her a sucker punch to her stomach, which made her gasp and flop to the floor.
"Shut it, bitch! Kids like you make it easy for me!" The man opened the satchel and grabbed a bunch of rubies from it. "Running around with this much just makes you easy for us…"
The girl got on her knees and gasped, that kick took a lot out of her. I could see her welling up in tears as she spoke. "Y-you can't just take my stuff! S-someone help me!"
I gave Kale a look, seeing if he had noticed the event. Kale had his head turned, a Grimace on his face before looking at me. It seemed like he mouthed 'go ahead.' At me when he looked at me, to which I nodded. Being under kale meant I also had to take on some of the duties, so Hearing her cries made me move forward. I brushed past some people who looked at me with confusion as I stood in front of the man.
"The fuck are you looking at, brat? What, a friend of hers? You ain't even noble." The man spat, I kept a blank face as he leaned in on me. "Why don't you piss off, little girl? Ain't no way I'm giving this ba-aaaugh!" I couldn't even hear his last words as I swung my right leg, slamming the side of my feet right into his face. The impact of it caused him to twirl in the air and fly across the Markets floor, passing over the blue haired girl. I kept my leg in the air for a moment before exhaling and lowering it.
"Damn!" I heard Kale say before he gasped, he probably didn't want me to hear that. Although I usually hear him mutter it when we practice.
"Gah-guh…y-you fucking bitch!" The man was a heap on the floor, it seemed as if I took some tooth's out of him as they dribbled out of his bloodied mouth. "Fuck is your problem!"
"Stealing is bad! Especially when you take it from a kid!" I crossed my arms as I said that, looking back at kale. "Guards?"
"Already have someone getting them, you do you…I'm enjoying this." Kale was still holding the potato when he said that, it was like he was petting it. "Sometimes I think you can probably take my job."
"No chance…" I turned back to the man, who was struggling to get back up. He was still holding the satchel in his hands. So I tried acting professionally. "Please, let go of the satchel or I'll use my feet again." I think that sounded professional…I think?
"Augh, piss off you brat! As if I'd listen to you!" The man spat. Though the weariness in his eyes told something else.
I let out a sigh, this was starting to annoy me. How does kale even do this? I took a deep breath and exhaled before moving towards him. The blue haired girl was still on her knees, looking at me with wide eyes. "Alright…"
As the man wobbled to his feet, I jumped up and swung a left kick. Then a cracking noise came from his side as I toppled him to the ground again. From what Kale usually says when it comes to my raw power, it far exceeds a normal person due to my fathers blood that's inside me. I wasn't even using my full force and somehow managed to crash this man's ribs.
"A-aauugh! M-my fucking ribs! Ah-just take the fucking satchel! Just don't fucking kick me again!" The man quickly threw the satchel away from me as he went to nurse his side, his face dripping of blood. I almost went in for another kick until he said that. Lucky him.
I gave Kale a thumbs up in hopes he saw what I did. Which he did, but he seemed somewhat conflicted at my methods. He smiled and gave me a thumbs up back.
"Waaah! THANK YWO!" As I heard that noise, someone's arms grabbed onto my legs. It was the blue haired girl, who was sniffling and teary eyed. "BLESH THe GODS! A Diamond in the rough! Unlike these insufferable people who watched!" The blue haired girl glared at the surrounding people who watched on.
This was uncomfy. Why's she holding onto my legs? Actually, thinking about it now. This is the first interaction I've had with another person in awhile. Besides Kota and his friends….how do I interact with people?
"Erm…let go?" I said as I tried shaking her off me.
"Oh! Forgive me! Excuse my Un-noble actions!" The blue haired girl quickly let go of me and stood up, brushing her school uniform. "It's just that this whole day has been a ruckus for me! First I hear about this stupid strong mage in my school. Second, He humiliates me with his magic. And Third, I almost got robbed!"
"Err…what?"
"Awful day! But you've been the only good out of it!…Erm..besides that boy holding my hand…Gah, forget it! Cmon, Amelia!" The blue haired girl started to pat her face. "Get a grip!"
I just stood in awkwardness as the girl tried to continue to refocus herself. That was when Kale finally walked up to us, holding a basket of groceries.
"Alright, if I were to rate you on you taking over my duties. It'd be an eight out of ten, honest." Kale nodded as he said that before looking at the girl. "Social interactions?…I'll give that a three out of ten. Least you didn't kick her."
I flustered at his words, specifically how he rated me. I'm not that bad with my words! At least, I think…Kota says I'm good. "I-I'm not that bad! I just don't talk when there's new people! Especially if it's one that grabs my leg!"
The blue haired girl heard that and cleared her throat, grabbing both me and Kale's attention. "Apologies. As I said, it was an un-noble thing for me to do. Allow me to introduce myself properly!" The Girl grabbed her satchel from the ground and triumphantly posed, her chest pumped out and her hands on her waist. "My name is Amelia Mallory! Part of the Mallory family of Ozoth!"
Kale tilted his head. "Ozoth? That's a distance for a young girl like you."
"Yes! I was raised to be a mage, studying at my home before I enrolled here to be the best mage! More specifically, the best Wind mage!"
"You can't do anything else?"
"Er…"Amelia lowered her head, her arms flopping. "Y-yes…"
Kale looked down at me and gave me a quizzical look, unsure of this mage. I gave him the same look, who else would be the best mage other than Kota?
"B-but!" Amelia looked up, with a finger up. "I'll fight my way to the top and be a king ranked Wind mage!"
"I see…" kale scratched his chin as he said that before leaning to the left "I…see…Lilith."
I looked at him for a moment to see what he wanted before realizing he was now pointing. As my gaze trailed his finger, I noticed there was a puddle of blood on the ground behind Amelia. That was where the man was, which meant…
"Halt! As the guards of Prusha, I order you to stand down and stop running!" I heard a man yell. The sound of armor clanking and footsteps came from down the road.
Kale gave me a poke on my shoulder, holding the basket in his other. "Should've watched the man on the ground."
"Well you didn't either!"
"Ooh, I didn't watch him. I was watching the whole time, I just thought you would've noticed. Well, since it was you that decided to take up my duties today. You gotta find him for the guards."
"W-what?!"
"Yep! Now go! I'll handle the situation here, plus it'll help you focus."
"I…Grr…Fine!" And with that, I somehow took up a chase for this man. I walked passed Amelia and followed the blood trail the man left behind. It couldn't be that hard to follow a trail, right?