= Merchant's Game =
* LILIA POV *
This is boring.
No, I'm not talking about the town, the Kingdom, but it's me. I'm bored. There's nothing I can do to entertain myself except watching those joyful townsfolk having their ongoing joyful festival around the street.
Being alone is boring. It would be nice if my little pupil Wings would come by and guide him what humans sell their food, or maybe, help my Heartless Master Rayleigh enjoying this festival. Maybe the three of us could-
No no no Lilia, you mustn't. Right now, those boys are still busy with important missions and it's up to me to stay low and watch over the people in Vera Kingdom.
It's kinda crazy that being alone can easily exhaust my energy and lose my mood. I feel like I want to sleep on my peaceful lamp or go to the Human Inn and rest for the day.
Before I could think up more, I noticed a lonely girl who kept looking at anyone passing by. She looked lost and wandered around like how I always do stuff alone. Maybe it's a coincidence that I saw a kinship.
Maybe not when I saw a tall man come to the young girl and grab her wrist. It could be her father but that lost my expectations when I saw her terrified gaze, trying to pull away.
"Let me go, my parents don't have weird friends like you." The little girl said, pulling her arm away but the man is too strong for her.
She tried to call for help but the townsfolk were so loud that their celebration festival events couldn't hear her pleas.
The young girl tried to pull away again, desperate to get away but the man kept grabbing her hand, trying to take her by force. Just then, my body suddenly moved and I reached out to the man's arm and slapped it to release her.
The two of them turned their eyes to me while I'm thinking of possible ways to explain this awkward situation.
"Uumm.. Listen fellow townsfolk. I'm sorry to interrupt but I'm gonna need this lady to-"
Before I gave a chance to talk to them, I noticed one merchant booth, where the blindfolded guy dodged those liquid bags like a bullet and the townsfolk seemed to be cheering for this entertainment. This gave me an idea to save this situation as I turned to the little girl and continued,
"Try out those fun games over there. The merchant will be pleased to let any children enjoy their game"
"Huh?" The stranger didn't seem happy about my idea. He immediately pulled the little girl's fragile hand and said. "Sorry lady but we gotta take this girl back to her parents. Safety with no Trouble!"
Before the stranger finished his sentence, I grabbed the little girl's hand and ran away from them.
"Hey Wait! Where are you going?!"
I ignored their questions as we blend into the gathering townsfolk, where they won't find us. The little girl seems to be staring at me with a wondering look.
"Sorry about that, I know you want to be with them but, trust me. You don't have to"
"Well, if I can't go back with my parents, will you really let me play those games and have fun?" The little girl finally asked. It seems she has the courage to talk with a stranger, which I find comfortable.
"Sure! Why not, it'll be great to have some little mortal to spend time with me. Come on." I held her hand and smiled back. The little girl accepted my hand and held it gently and then, I asked her. "What's your name, little Lady?"
*************
The two of us went to check the festivals and see what they have for good things. A little girl named Flicka told me her parents lost her when she got distracted by cool games in front of her while her parents walked around.
There are so many people in the crowds and it's hard to find them but, maybe it's possible for me to look for her parents using my powers. However, the more I spend my time roaming around, the more I feel that someone is watching me. It's like some hidden eyes and a hidden shadow that was keeping my eyes on me as if waiting for me to use my power and get in trouble. Is it because I keep a strange little girl with a hand? Or maybe they know who I am? Or maybe this is what Rayleigh's been talking about? A rotten rat hiding in this joyful kingdom. Now this is not the time to think about the worst prediction when I'm trying to enjoy human celebrations.
My mind was starting to get more questions until I snapped back when I felt someone pulling my cloth and turned their eyes on me. It seems little Flicka wants to try those funny looking snacks near the guild. I was surprised she's more focused on having fun instead of worrying about her parents.
Oh well, might as well enjoy this festival while being watched by strangers. Maybe we also encounter Flicka's parents if we keep exploring this festival while enjoying it. After all, Rayleigh gave me plenty of human's money left to buy something.
On the other side of the food market, a certain merchant booth attracted a lot of townsfolk's attention. Flicka and I looked over and saw a blind folding young man who dodge those soft funny looking round clothes. The masked merchant applauded the round ends and the guy lost the bet, meaning that the Blindfolding guy or what they call a Baiter has avoided all of their attacks and wins the game.
Flicka wants to try this game and Lilia accepts it as she asked the Masked Merchant to take the next round.
~~~~~~
= Baiter's Game vs the Elegant Lady =
* ASHER POV *
The first time I laid my eyes on those two, I knew something was off about this lady wearing an elegant dress. Her charm and appearance is not what I'm curious about, it's the mana I felt from the wind guiding me. The wind around her felt like she had some purity that tried to shake my mask. It's as if I went closer to her, the stronger the wind will blow away my mask. Looks like she is someone not to mess with.
According to the wind's analysis, this certain lady is not a human. I don't know her origins but as far as I can tell with her appearance, she is a curious strong lady who studies human activities and magic.
The way she helped the little girl and offered a little support mana and buff to give her luck has amazed me. Normally, people who were born in this world would take a lot of explanation to give power to inexperienced individuals. Heck, even giving power comes with a lot of responsibility and risk such as losing control of their body and becoming a monster. But this lady right here, is very different. Not only she didn't explain to the little girl while offering her lucky power, she also encouraged her to play the game and to make her feel like she controlled it.
As far as I can tell, this elegant customer doesn't seem to show off her power as she's acting like a teacher to the child. I noticed that everyone in this area didn't see how she gave her blessing skills to a non combat innocent child just for a little game. Not even this Christer guy can't see her skills while knowing her presence. Is it because he's still acting like a Baiter and wears his Blindfold on? I don't know, only I can see she's trying to buff and give a lucky blessing to the little girl, which is kind of a bit cheating. But I get her point, she doesn't want to make her lose on her first try and cry about it.
One thing that impresses me is that his Elegant lady somehow got to use her magic well. Unlike the Adventurers I know, she performs hidden spells that only hide when she needs it to, the reason why no one, except me, has noticed she used her blessing skill to someone. How interesting. This world does have potential beings who mastered the art of hiding their powers.
The little girl tried the first round of the game and the Baiter, Christer, is wearing a blindfold cloth and ready to dodge. The first strike was impressive that Crister almost didn't see that coming. I wasn't expecting the first little throw may be slow but its direction is heading to the right shot of Christer's arm. The wind is flowing into the little girl's aura, making me feel unease.
When the little girl begun to throw more water balloons on the Baiter, the charming young woman secretly casts a silent spell to boost more luck unto the little girl. Again, this is cheating and the raging wind got excited but, I don't mind since its not part of the rules.
The wind calls me out, making my mind remember on how strong that Elegant lady will be. When I found out about her luck blessing skills, I called Christer the Baiter and asked him to take the match seriously, especially on dodging those water balloons. Of course I didn't tell him about the contestant having ninety percent luck, it would spoil the fun.
That match took an intense fight to Christer, who keeps dodging any unpredictable movments. He broke his sweat, trying to focus and preparing for the worse. The wind became strong, making me realise that Elegant lady rose her hand and casting her magic to control the wind and offering more support to the little girl's luck. One of the water balloons almost got Christer's hair but he managed to break out and dodged more.
While being blindfold, I'm impressed that Christer can still hold on and avoided those attacks so quickly. Seeing him not smiling makes me understand he's almost at his limit. To make this game exciting, I snapped my fingers, summoning a moving platform in front of the little girl. A moving cartoon log and small fountain as obstacles to the contestant.
That little construction platform supports Christer as they blocked the Water balloon's aim at the Baiter. The little girl was confused and the audience wonders if that challenge is bit too much but, I told them this round has a bonus challenging stage, where they have to put more effort on hitting the Baiter.
The next thing I guess is the Elegant lady, casting more buffs and luck magic to the little girl. Even if the little girl throws those water balloons randomly, it gives Christer more difficult work to avoid them. That blessing luck throw must have took those water balloons shoot at him.
Christer is getting slow on his actions. Or maybe it's just me? Suddenly, I noticed the heat radiation coming from the sun distracted our minds that the Baiter almost lose his concentration. I observed and found out that the Elegant lady seems to be controlling the Sun's hotness. The wind tells me that her spiritual energy concentration can handle both her luck magic and sun radiation spell that affects the whole area.
Seriously, who is this person? That elegant lady's power is no joke. She can fairly handle both concentration at the same time. My observation skills of watching this mysterious mage has intrigued me that I almost lose my focused on my merchant business. It seems there are lot of strong fighters and mages in this fantasy world.
I think we have to call it a day.
Two minutes later, the Baiter Christer dropped his sweat and started to get tired until he heard a splashing sound on his back. He realised he got hit by the Water balloon that the little girl throws. The crowd were surprised and even Old man Zid that I thought he has no emotions, has finally gasped, not expecting the tables got turned different.
"I got it!" The little girl smiled as she jumped cheerfully, leaving the audience speechless.
Although Christer, who took his blindfold off and watched the crowd, has lost against a mere child, he was quite happy about the result. Funny, I thought everyone has pride but I'm sure he's growing maturely.
"Congratulations, our first winner!" I spoke with a clap on my hands as I greet the little girl and her guardian to come forward and they did.
The little girl shines her eyes in excitement as I gave her the prize for shooting the Baiter and won the game. It was a Rainbow Necklace, a well decorated artifact that is useful for fighters and adventurers. Although this artifact may be good for combat, giving to the little girl doesn't seem useful. It's only good for fashion, gift and decoration to her.
But I admit, when I congratulate the little girl along with her colourful prize to the audience, the eyes of the elegant lady never stops observing me. She never wagers and the wind doesn't seem like she has a grudge at me. Did she notice something on my face? Or is it something I told to the little girl?
Good grief, since I cheered her little friend, the elegant lady doesn't seemed pleased of my behaviour. I bet she knows that I'm lying to everyone but, it doesn't matter since the little girl's reputation has already spread.
Lying about the fact this little girl is not the first winner. The stranger who fought me in my games may be the first one but I don't want to tell that in public.
Even if they're the first winner, I had to pretend to announce that since the previous winner was a mysterious guy who won the match during our lunch break. It'll have more questions if the audience ever found out about this.
After our brief encounter with the so-called first little winner, I continued my work and encourage the other contestants to participate for another prize. I played a little gamble when I called that elegant lady with a smile.
"Young ladies, thank you for taking your time for our games. I hope you come by and play again, especially for someone who casts a magic spell to win more match. I'm sure the efforts of the workers will be pleased to see your performance in the public again. It's going to be wonderful to see your true colours soon."
After hearing my sarcastic response with a smirk, the elegant lady smiled back, hiding her dark intense look. I can tell her blowing wind has shown her emotion that she wasn't pleased to my answer. So, I waved them goodbye and continued my duties.
Although I was not happy about little girl's win that took a reputation hit to my business, seeing that Elegant lady or maybe, the secret mage's skill was impressive in the end. I haven't asked her name but I want to meet her and asked for some secret magic advice.
~~~~~~
This fantasy world used to have a Deity who create the nine orders of their continent named "The Fruit Spirits"
Nine siblings with different beliefs of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self control. The spirits who are born by people's good emotional beliefs.
Each of them have different magical powers and unique abilities based on the Arcanas they studied. Spirits who dwell on dreams and reality can also communicate with people who have good beliefs. The time when the Flame deity used to rule the land of the Desert summoned the Fruit Spirits to give them support and kept them in order.
Most of them are powerful spirits who can stand against spiritual beings and demonic beings who lurk behind the shadows. Spirits also have limits. Some of them have power restrictions to keep the balance and others prefer to stick to their beliefs and never break the rules.
One of the Fruit Spirits, the Self Control, has the power to control berserk and cursed people to give them support and encouragement to offer another chance to live. Out of all the nine spirits, the Self Control spirit is the weakest in terms of combat and self defensive strength. The blessed figure who controls this spirit is Lilia, the lady who currently provides supportive, luck and buff magic.
She is a fruit spirit and a middle sibling who can help any users who are cursed, weak, berserk and affected by mysterious diseases. A backup supportive spirit who can never stand a chance against her siblings. Unlike her, the other Fruit Spirits can fight with their strong holy powers and magical abilities to end more monsters. Sometimes, they used their combat experience and arcana abilities even with the body of the spirit to chant more spells and improve their powers.
Lilia believes that only them will finish the final blow while she only serves as a shadow backup for them. It's not like she was jealous of their power, in fact, she respects them and inspires to support them with all she got.
Since then, the generation of the Fruit spirits protecting the continent have made the world a better place. However, it doesn't last for long when one moon night, a disastrous fall down and everything started to crumble. The night where the world has changed everything.
Lilia can't understand what's happening but the last time she remembers is her siblings getting separated and promising each other to meet up someday. She doesn't know how long that promise was made but,the time it goes down after the Deities were never seen again.
But the Self control spirit doesn't give up. She wants to fulfill her promise by being a travelling person like a Pilgrim does. Even spirits have limits to travel in a human world, so she borrows the body of a former elegant princess, who befriended and made a promise a long time ago. Another history to remember for getting to know a kind-hearted human and offering to use their body in return of becoming a Pilgrim. Lilia doesn't want to but seeing the stubbornness and good will of the princess made her respect even more.
And thus, the Pilgrim Spirit wanders around the world, hoping to find the answers she seeks. On her journey, she met and supported Rayleigh after saving a small village in the West. Thanks to her supportive magic, Rayleigh gives her advice to study more magic and useful spells like a Mage. Lilia reflects on her sibling's time that they have such cool abilities based on their beliefs and she wonders if she could be one of them.
Lilia considers it and in return, she wants Rayleigh to be a Travelling guide and help her find her goal. He accepts and the two form a weird relationship of travelling wanderers in a world full of Adventures and Nadventurers. Lilia was so keen on helping Rayleigh a lot and she accidentally created a forge contract to be the Supportive Assistance of his team and became the "Axis."
Rayleigh doesn't mind that as long as she doesn't ruin his plan. In fact, he too, knows her history way long before the next generation was born. After all, he was there when the disaster struck and saw the world almost destroyed at the same time as her siblings got separated. But even still, he keeps moving forward the same way as Lilia. He too, gives her freedom and grants her wish by travelling along with him.
Going with her companions is part of her goal, hoping to find her lost siblings and reunite them again. The one who can give luck, buff and supportive effects on people who are born in this world. The mage who has plenty of mana and magical abilities to support Rayleigh. Even if she's the weakest fruit spirit from her siblings, Rayleigh believes she has the potential to overcome them in the future.
As a pilgrim, she too, want to see how the world will change once someone like Rayleigh will defy the new rulers and their laws. The Self Control Spirit who uses the body of an elegant human girl, marches forward to explore the good and bad sides of a human life.
The SpellCaster Mage, Lilia.