At the Adventurer's Guild (AMO)
Kiyoshi's eyes lit up as he pointed. "Sakura, look up there—a 30 gold coin quest! Let's grab it!"
Sakura tilted her head, hesitant. "It's quite a journey, don't you think?"
"That's exactly why we should take it," Kiyoshi urged, his voice buzzing with restless energy. "New places, 30 gold coins! D-rank quests max out at 5—this one's a steal. Come on!"
Sakura sighed, giving in. "Alright then, let's go see Kelly."
Kelly, an A.M.O. staffer who briefed adventurers, glanced up from her desk. "Okay, here's the deal: a witch in the old town needs a letter delivered to the Elfior noble family mansion. It's a 20-day trip. First, meet the witch—she runs a shop called Galfigic in the old town."
Kiyoshi nodded eagerly. "Sakura, let's get moving."
At the Witch's Abode
Kiyoshi ran his hand along the shop's weathered frame. "These places feel frozen in time. Everything's so… ancient."
"That's why it's the old town," Sakura replied, her tone dry but curious. "I've heard it's packed with amazing magic and weapon shops—always busy."
Kiyoshi pushed the creaky door open, stepping into a haze of dust. "Hello? Anybody here?" he called, voice echoing.
A short, toothless witch shuffled from the shadows, her lamp casting jagged light across her wrinkled face. She muttered incantations, wand twitching, peering at them with sharp eyes.
"Hey, old lady," Kiyoshi said, unfazed, "we're here for the quest. You need a letter delivered, right?"
"Indeed," she rasped. "You're the ones? Here's a map to Elfior. Deliver this letter to Garion, head of the Leaf family. Tell him it's from Galfi the Witch. Safe travels—and don't let anyone peek inside. It's vital."
Kiyoshi took the map and letter, bowing slightly. "Thank you for the chance, ma'am."
As they stepped out, the witch shut the door, grabbed a broom, and soared off into the sky like a storybook figure.
Kiyoshi blinked, puzzled. "Sakura, why hire adventurers? She could've flown that broom herself—way faster."
Sakura smirked. "You're forgetting the sea on the route. Flying that far would drain her MP—she'd need over 3000 just to cross. Channelling magic that long? She'd faint and splash down halfway."
Kiyoshi's brow furrowed, then sparked with an idea. "Wait, my profile says 'all type.' I should be able to use any magic, right? Let's test it—what's the broom-flying spell?"
He snatched a nearby broom and straddled it, grinning.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "You goofball, don't be reckless. 'All type' might not mean what you think."
"Nah, it's fine," he shot back. "I've got healing magic, and I just snagged a skill from a lizardman warrior the other day."
Skill: Back Sword (B Rank)
Allows the user to summon their sword back to their hand. Effective within 5 meters.
10 MP per use
Sakura shrugged. "Fine, try it. Picture the broom lifting off and say, 'The wind sprite who rules over the sky lent me the art of flying.'"
Kiyoshi gripped the broom, heart racing with wild excitement. "Here goes… The wind sprite who rules over the sky lent me the art of flying!" The broom jolted upward, soaring above the clouds, the sun blazing down. "Oh, my gods, it's working!"
Oh no, he thought, stomach lurching. How do I stop this thing?
He yanked at the broom, picturing it descending, but it sped faster—too fast. Panic clawed at him. "Sakuraaaa! What's the spell to slow down and land?"
"Galo Movi!" she shouted from below.
The broom slowed, but not enough. With a yelp, Kiyoshi leapt off, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for a bone-shattering crash. When he blinked them open, he was cradled in Sakura's arms, her Lightning Speed a blur that had snatched him from disaster.
Skill: Lightning Speed (B Rank)
Grants incredible speed for short distances.
40 MP per minute
Normal humans can barely track her.
Kiyoshi's heart pounded, relief flooding him. I thought I was done for. She's… incredible.
She set him down gently, her voice sharp with worry. "What were you thinking? You were way too close!"
"I'm so sorry," he gasped, gratitude softening his tone. "Thanks. I only tried it 'cause I knew you'd catch me."
Sakura smacked his head playfully, exasperated. "Next time, you're on your own."
"Let's head back to the room and prep for the trip," she added, turning away.
After Making Preparations
As noon chimed, they set off for Noki port, resolve firm in their steps, ready to tackle the 20-day quest ahead.