Chapter 4:
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I cautiously extracted the meat from the Minotaur and meticulously preserved it in my Item Box... The flesh of a Minotaur was considered a rare delicacy, reserved only for the most powerful and affluent individuals. It was a highly prized reward, particularly after a grueling and intense battle with the formidable creature.
I carefully stored the meat and gathered all the valuable items from the creature's lair. I placed them precisely into my magical Item Box, while my familiar Magnus stood by, observing the entire process.
During the encounter with the Minotaur and the Skeleton, I discovered that Magnus could meld into the shadows, granting him a remarkable level of stealth and evasion. Once the chaos had settled, I approached Magnus about his abilities, and he graciously demonstrated them to me. Taking mental note of Magnus's unique talents, I resolved to delve into the Magical Book to uncover any references to Familiar magic.
I noticed a faint rumble coming from his stomach. I couldn't help but laugh as my familiar attempted to shield its eyes with its paws out of sheer embarrassment. The thought of food now crossed my mind, and I realized it was time to whip up a delicious lunch using Minotaur meat.
After gathering firewood, I built a fire on the forest floor. I set up a sturdy stand for the pan and rendered some fat of the Minotaur to create a rich oil for frying. With precision, I seasoned a few slices of Minotaur meat placed them on the hot pan, and let them shimmer. I cooked my portion to a perfect medium rare and prepared Magnus's portion rare
"Taste good?" I asked Magnus as he enthusiastically chomped into his meal. I made sure to place a bowl of milk next to his food so he could have it if he got thirsty. The flavor of the meat was divine; it was cooked to perfection and had a tender texture that melted effortlessly in my mouth.
After savoring the delicious flavors of my meal, I carefully extinguished the fire and called Magnus to resume our journey, hoping for the chance to encounter another Minotaur, 'I mean... Extra meat!'
I made a conscious effort to stay keenly attuned to my surroundings, knowing that I needed to be on high alert to avoid being ensnared in another illusion similar to the one the Skeleton had trapped me in.
-A few hours later-
By the small, tranquil pond, Lyrius and Magnus had halted to establish their camp for the day. Presently, Lyrius was flicking rocks into the air, while Magnus, his loyal Direwolf companion, endeavored to intercept them using his powerful Black Lightning ability. This exercise was designed to enhance Magnus's accuracy and ultimately augment his mastery over his extraordinary power.
Lyrius gazed with contentment at the sight of his wolf familiar, who expertly struck down all the rocks he had thrown, only failing to hit a couple. He marveled at Magnus's extraordinary command over his abilities and pondered the possibility of him seeking out some Goblins for a confrontation, allowing Magnus to unleash his combat prowess.
After another exhausting hour of physical exertion, Lyrius decided to give Magnus a well-deserved break. Magnus sprawled on the ground near the crackling campfire, while Lyrius positioned himself in front of the serene pond and conjured fireballs of varying sizes and intensities, sending them dancing across the water's surface.
'I have firm control over the size and power of the fireball... Maybe I should try making a water ball now,' Lyrius thought as he gazed at his palm. Bringing his hands forward, he tried focusing on his magic. Unlike the previous time when he focused on creating a violent surge of flame, this time, he concentrated on shaping his magic into a cool, wet power, channeling the essence of water.
In his determined effort to create a waterfall, he concentrated intensely, but to his initial dismay, only a feeble and insubstantial flame flickered to life in his palm. "Well, nothing worthwhile is ever easy," he reflected, steeling himself for another attempt. The crux of this arduous training lay in the fundamental opposition of water and fire - mastering the transition between the two demanded an unwavering control that eluded him. This exercise served the dual purpose of honing his magical control while acquainting him with a new form of magic.
Night fell swiftly, and as the darkness enveloped the land, Lyrius decided to bring his training for the day to a close. He prepared a hearty and warm dinner for himself and his loyal Wolf companion over the crackling campfire. The aroma of the meal filled the air as they sat by the fire and shared the simple joy of a quiet evening. After they finished their meal, they settled down in their cozy camp, readying themselves for the adventures that awaited them on the morrow.
Lyrius woke to the feeling of Magnus's nudges and licks as he gradually roused from sleep. With a tired groan, he finally swung his legs out of bed and padded through the cozy camp space to the outdoor pond. The crisp morning air greeted him as he splashed cool water on his face, feeling instantly more awake. Afterward, he headed to the campfire to prepare breakfast.
As they continued their journey, Lyrius looked over at Magnus and said, "The Kingdom of Victoria is only a few hours away. At this pace, we should arrive by midnight." Magnus, responded with a soft bark, showing his understanding.
They traveled the full day after that, stopping only to eat lunch and short water breaks. They didn't encounter any monsters along the way which made the whole day boring without any risky fights.
As they ventured through the thick, ancient forest for what felt like an eternity, their destination finally emerged on the horizon. Gazing into the distance, they caught sight of the formidable walls of the Kingdom of Victoria. These towering fortifications, adorned with intricate designs and adorned with flags, encircled the kingdom in a protective embrace, exuding an aura of strength and history.
Lyrius glanced at Magnus, a glint of excitement in his eyes as he spoke, "I've heard that this Kingdom is considered the mightiest among all of Britania. We'll be staying here for several months to take on challenging missions. The difficulty level of the quests here is quite high, even for low-ranked adventurers, so my rank will rise quickly."
Magnus let out a deep, resounding bark in agreement, his tail wagging eagerly as he and Lyrius strode toward the towering walls of the Kingdom. Their eyes scanned the immense stone fortifications, seeking out the gates that would grant them passage into the heart of the Kingdom.
As they approached the gates, they noticed a gathering of people queuing up at a particular spot. Lyrius deduced that this must be the location of the gate, and sure enough, there stood a colossal gate at the head of the line of people.
After what felt like an eternity of filling out forms and waiting, Lyrius was finally granted official permission to enter the Kingdom. Feeling exhausted and sleepy, Lyrius ventured out into the enveloping darkness of the kingdom, searching for an inn to rest.
It didn't take him long to find an inn and he was currently comfortably settled with Magnus in the inn's lobby, awaiting the arrival of their meal. After a brief wait, a sizzling platter bearing succulent, juicy meat was placed before them. Eagerly, Lyrius picked up his utensils and distributed the meal between himself and Magnus and they began to savor every morsel, lost in the enjoyment of their meal.
Moments later, he beckoned the waiter and, just like a few minutes before, a tantalizingly aromatic, sizzling plate of succulent meat was delicately set before him... He distributed the food between him and Magnus and they drove into it the same way they did before.
"Damn, that hit the spot," Lyrius exclaimed with a contented smile, gently rubbing his stomach with a satisfied sigh.
"Let's go and get some sleep, Magnus," Lyrius said to his faithful familiar. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." With that, they both made their way to their cozy room, ready to rest and recharge themselves for the next day.
-The Next Day-
"I'm absolutely positive that we arrived in the Kingdom of Victoria yesterday. Why on earth are we still here in this wretched place?"
Lyrius let out a low, weary groan as he realized his surroundings. He stood in front of the Guild building. The village that vanished and weathered in front of his eyes, is now back in all its former glory.
He silently glanced towards Magnus and gestured for him to hide within his shadow, a reflexive response to the troubling and uncertain situation.
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