She soon arrived at the mayor's two-story stone house, impressively decorated with fancy and luxurious statues. She climbed the stairs to the Mayor's office on the first floor and entered after a soft knock.
The reception room was a mix of order and mess; books and papers were scattered on the floor, and an open bottle of expensive wine sat on the desk among some unknown jewels. This was a testament to Gunthian Decker's unique approach to organization.
This room really reflects the Mayor's personality, she thought.
The mayor, a portly man with an evenly trimmed beard, greeted her with both a smile and a gentle tone.
"Ah, Lynna my dear, always a pleasure to see you!", the mayor said, his voice oozing with what seemed like sincerity. "I have another task for you, my little prodigy. Several cattle have gone missing in the farthest farm, near the east forest, and I trust that you can investigate the matter."
Like Roan said, he definitely sees me as his convenient tool, she thought, noticing his strange hand-rubbing movements. This is creeping me out… I can't believe I was admiring him when I was a child…
Lynna stayed calm and nodded, choosing not to speak. Tired of how the villagers, especially the mayor, treated her, she still felt it was her duty to protect the village regardless of their opinion of her. She chose this job for herself after all.
With a heavy heart, she interrogated the mayor for further details, taking mental notes of the request and all associated information. She then swiftly departed as soon as politeness allowed, unaware of the hateful glare the mayor directed at her as the door swung shut behind her.
The next day, she left her home in the morning, without seeing her parents or Roan. Farm work had them occupied very early, before dawn. Setting off towards the Wilset farm, she donned her usual attire, holding her magic staff in an easy-to-carry manner.
The staff had been rather heavy, but she had grown accustomed to it over the past year. It was made of smooth, polished wood, adorned with intricate carvings of vines that wrapped around a gleaming azure gemstone. This staff was a precious gift from her mentor, the principal of the Academy of Magic. As she walked, she remembered the few monster hunts she had completed successfully, and the skills she had honed in preparation for her task.