"The quest "Finding the Missing Students" requested by the Ancdam Academy of Sorcery and Magic is hereby completed and confirmed. As promised here is the reward.
After arriving at Ancdam a few days after leaving the capital of Drethia, they immediately went to the guild to report the completion of their quest. The guild receptionist took the document that serves as proof of completion.
The reward was handed to them in two separate pouches. Fei and Sofia took their respective pouches. After counting the quest rewards, they were surprised to find that these are more than the amount indicated as a reward.
"Uhmm, excuse me, it looks like there has been a mistake in the reward. This is more than the amount for the reward indicated," Sofia went and told the receptionist.
"Oh, yes. I forgot to mention, but the academy sent a few extras for the reward, like a tip per se, to your excellent service.," she replied.
"Ha, is that so? This is just a 'tip' for her, huh? Sensei really surprised us there,"
"Also, they've sent the materials obtained from the two chimeras. You can get them later at the materials storage area," the receptionist added as she pointed towards the area where monster materials are being turned-over for processing and appraisals.
"Thanks. We'll do just that," she said.
Walking over to the materials storage area, they were greeted by a burly dwarf.
"What I can help you two missy?" he asked as he puffed a cloud of smoke out of his wood pipe. The years of dedication to his craft can be seen in his calloused hands and his thick arms.
"Yeah, I am Fei, and this is Sofia. We were told that the chimera parts from the academy were sent here," she said.
"Oh-ho! So you're the ones on the rumors. Hmmm. I see, I see. Well, follow me into the back. It's on my workshop," the man said as he opened the path leading towards the back, to his workshop. Fei and Sofia followed close behind him.
"Rumors? What rumors? You've heard anything yet, Sofia?" she asked her.
"No. I've heard nothing. Perhaps a rumor between craftsmen? I don't know."
It seemed like a factory of sorts inside. A group of workers can be seen dismantling what looks like an Ozrax. Others were busy sorting materials to be used for creating weapons, armor, and other by-products.
"Curious, aren't we? This is the place where all the monsters subjugated by the adventurers are being dismantled, processed, and released to the market," the dwarf said. "Take a look at that," he pointed towards what looks like a bellow of sorts, and a man forging a sword.
He is holding a big hammer, and pounding it repeatedly to bend the material into shape. Looking carefully, there are several bladesmiths working on the same material. On their side, you could see the mountain of finished products, and double the size of it are the failed ones.
"And this right here, are the materials from the chimeras you've defeated."
The man took out a roll of fur, several fangs, bones, claws, and the beast's magic core. Fei took a few of the items, a lot of which is unfamiliar to her.
"All of this came from the monsters we've defeated?" she asked.
"Yes. And there are still tons of materials that we haven't processed yet. We still have some of its viscera and bodily fluids that can be extracted and processed for use as materials for their medicinal properties," the dwarf said.
Sofia went and take a look at the magic core that was on the table.
"This is a high-quality magic core. This will be perfect as a catalyst for spells," she said.
"Ha! You have a good eye for these things, little miss!" the dwarf commended Sofia for her insight into the magic cores.
"You see, the stronger the monster, the larger its magic capacity. Having a larger magic capacity, you would also need a larger, more efficient core to process all those mana perfectly. Since this mana core belonged to a tri-horned one, it is extremely useful when it comes to conducting the flow of magic. Hmmm, you seem to be a mage. This will be perfect for you," he added.
"Good for you then, Sofia. Now you can have an upgrade on your staff,"
"But, I can't just keep the most valuable item for myself. I think Miss Fei should have it,"
"I have no use for it. Besides, I only use daily magic, unlike you. You should keep it,"
"But-"
"Then I will keep all the other materials. How does that sound?"
Fei offered Sofia a proposal of sorts. She knew how straight-faced Sofia is, so a simple convincing won't be enough to let her keep the magic core. With this, Sofia won't think that she is the only one that gets to keep all the good stuff.
"Okay. I'll take the magic core,"
"Good! Now I'll take all the other materials."
The dwarven master is looking at them during the entirety of their exchange.
"Hmm. Missy Mage sure got lucky on this core, but you are also in luck. Quality armor and weapon can be made out of these lot," he said.
"Really? I am hoping to get an upgrade on this pair of gauntlets I have," she took out her battle-worn gauntlets. "It's still new, but I happened to ... overuse it in the past few days. I was hoping to get it mended and improved," she said.
"Mind if I take a closer look," the dwarf said. Sofia placed the gauntlets on his hands.
"Goodness, gracious! If this isn't the work of the Master herself. Missy, did you by any chance got this from a certain Miss Lamprogue?" the dwarf asked.
"Hmmm? Ah, yes. That's her family name. I asked her for something simple that can be used to protect my hands from monsters, then she crafted this for me," she explained.
"Then I'm afraid that only she can repair it for 'ya. Also, if you bring these materials to her, she can make something that is leagues above what we can do in the guild," the man said. "The same goes for you, miss mage. Master Lamprogue is your best option in having that magic core attached without losing much of its effectivity," he added.
"OK. I'll do just that, mister,"
"Now we only need to figure out how to deliver these materials to your lodging. Do you have a carriage perhaps? Hmm... this will be tough," the dwarf scratched his head, figuring out a way to transport the many materials harvest from the chimera.
"Oh, no worries. I can just take them with me," Fei said to the dwarf.
"Take them? But this is too much even if the two of you join together," he responded.
"No. I'll just put them away as is. "Void"!".
Suddenly, a slit in space opened up above the materials. From above, it went straight down, and everything that it went through disappeared into thin air. Soon after, the once mountain of materials appeared as if nothing has ever been there moments before.
The dwarven smith was dumbfounded. Sofia, as well as the other smiths inside the shop, were totally quiet.
"See. All taken care of. Thanks for the service. Let's go, Sofia,"
"Eh, ah, yes, Miss Fei!"
Sofia was reeled back into reality when Fei called her name. Behind them, the dwarven master and his employees were left dumbstruck. As soon as Fei and Sofia left the premises, the thunderous sound of "Ehhhhh!" was heard across the entire guild building.
"They sure are lively, those smiths," said Fei as they are now walking away from the guild.
"That can't be helped. After all, it is extremely rare to see someone possess a "Dimensional Pocket"," Sofia explained.
"Hmmm, who?"
"You do,"
"Really? But it wasn't a Dimensional Pocket," Fei explained. "It only looked similar, but they are entirely different things."
"You see, Dimensional Pocket lets someone access an area in another dimension to store different stuff, right?"
"Right."
"My "Void" skill doesn't put the items in another dimension. It creates a dimension of its own,"
"... OK," Sofia wasn't sure how to react. Sure, the two concepts are just about the same, but it looked like Fei can't seem to understand the single, crucial thing in his explanation.
"So, basically, you have an entirely exclusive dimension, not just a space, for yourself?" Sofia summarized the things that Fei just told her.
"Yeah. That's basically it. See? I don't have a super rare skill like "Dimensional Pocket","
"Ha ha, yeah. Sure thing, whatever makes you happy,"
Sofia was amazed at how clueless Fei can be. Having your very own personal dimension hasn't been done in the history of the world, or at least on record. Fei was the first person who had accomplished such a feat, and she wasn't even aware of it. With this "Void" skill, she basically owns a universe of her own.
" Ignorance is bliss, or so the saying goes,"
"Hmmm. What was that?" Fei asked, not catching the words that Sofia said.
"Nothing. Just wondering where we are headed next,"
"Oh. Thats right! We're going to see my friend Brit next!"