The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls as Sora and Mary made their way through the overgrown path. Shafts of light broke through the canopy, but the dense trees gave the area an almost oppressive stillness.
"Lumeleaf should grow in shaded areas with damp soil," Mary said, glancing at the mission slip. "Keep an eye out for blue-veined leaves."
Sora nodded silently, scanning the undergrowth with sharp focus. Her golden eyes darted from one patch of foliage to another, absorbing every detail.
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the darker and quieter it became. The air carried a faint dampness, and Sora's senses prickled with unease. She stopped, her instincts urging caution.
"Ms. Poppins..." she whispered.
Mary halted and followed Sora's gaze just as a low growl rumbled from the shadows. From the thickets ahead, a thornhound crept into view, its bramble-covered fur blending seamlessly with the forest floor. Its yellow eyes locked onto them, predatory and unrelenting.
In a fluid motion, Mary swung her scythe from her back. The crescent blade glinted in the dim light as she took a defensive stance. "Stay close," she said firmly.
Sora obeyed without hesitation but felt a pull deep within her, a connection she couldn't ignore. Closing her eyes briefly, she reached out—not with her hands, but with her mind.
A sharp caw shattered the tense silence. From above, a group of crows descended in a flurry of black feathers, their cries piercing and chaotic. They swarmed the thornhound, diving and slashing with their talons, forcing the creature to retreat into the shadows.
Mary didn't lower her weapon immediately. Her sharp eyes scanned the treeline for any sign of movement before she finally relaxed and rested the scythe against her shoulder. She turned to Sora, who stood silently, her glowing eyes fixed on the raven perched nearby.
"Was that you, Sora dear?" Mary said, her voice low but steady.
Sora nodded her head, her gaze still on the bird. "Yes, Ms. Poppins." she replied softly.
Mary studied her for a moment, then nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Good job. But don't get reckless—never rely on your abilities, and never underestimate the danger."
Sora dipped her head in acknowledgment. "I won't, Ms. Poppins."
The rest of the mission passed uneventfully, though the raven from earlier continued to shadow them. It swooped ahead, perching on low branches and guiding them toward patches of lumeleaf hidden among the undergrowth.
Mary crouched to inspect the herbs Sora had gathered, her expression calm but approving. "You've done well today," she said. "Observation, patience, and decisive action—those are the marks of a skilled adventurer."
Sora's gaze dropped to the ground, but not out of shame—more out of humility. "Thank you, Ms. Poppins."
Mary reached out, resting a hand on Sora's shoulder. "You've got potential, Sora. More than you realize dear. But potential needs discipline. And discipline takes time. Understand?"
"Yes, Ms. Poppins," Sora replied, her voice steady.
As they made their way out of the forest, the raven flew ahead, disappearing into the evening sky. Sora glanced up after it, a quiet determination building in her chest. She wasn't sure where her path would lead, but with Mary's guidance and her growing strength, she felt ready to take the next step.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the town, Sora and Mary stepped into the bustling guildhall. The clamor of adventurers swapping stories and counting their spoils filled the air. Sora approached the counter, her satchel brimming with freshly gathered lumeleaf.
The receptionist greeted them with a nervous smile, her hands fumbling as she tallied their haul. "Excellent work," she said, her tone more confident than before. "This is a fine batch of lumeleaf. Here's your reward." She handed Mary a small pouch of coins.
Mary nodded politely, pocketing the earnings without a word. Sora, however, couldn't hide the faint flicker of pride in her golden eyes.
"Thank you," Sora said softly before following Mary out of the guild.
The pair made their way back to the inn, the streets now lit by lanterns swaying gently in the evening breeze. Inside their modest room, Mary set the coin pouch on the table and gave Sora a small, approving smile.
"You did well today, dear. Rest now—you've earned it," Mary said as she adjusted Sora's blanket.
Sora blinked up at her, feeling the weight of the day settle over her. "Goodnight, Ms. Poppins," she murmured before her eyes fluttered shut.
Mary waited until Sora's breathing evened out, her expression softening as she watched over the girl. But as the night deepened, her gaze drifted to the pouch of coins on the table. It was a modest reward, enough for basic necessities but far from sufficient for the long journey ahead.
Quietly, Mary stood and retrieved her scythe, its blade glinting faintly in the moonlight. She glanced at Sora one last time, tucking the blanket snugly around her, before slipping out of the room and into the cool night.
The guildhall was quieter now, the earlier noise reduced to murmurs from a few lingering adventurers. Mary strode to the mission board, her sharp eyes scanning the array of parchment. Most were routine requests: escorts, herb gathering, or minor beast hunts. None would yield the substantial reward they needed.
Then she saw it.
A single piece of parchment pinned to the edge of the board caught her attention. The bold lettering read:
Urgent! A-Rank Mission
Wyvern on the Loose!
Her eyes narrowed as she read the details. The beast had strayed from its mountain lair, wreaking havoc on nearby villages and now heading dangerously close to the town. The commission offered a generous reward—a sum large enough to ensure their safety and cover their future travels.
Mary pulled the parchment from the board and approached the receptionist, who looked up in surprise.
"You're taking this mission, Ms. Poppins?" the receptionist asked, her voice tinged with both relief and awe.
Mary placed the slip on the counter, her expression calm but resolute. "Yes. It needs to be dealt with before it reaches the town."
The receptionist nodded quickly, fumbling to register the mission. "Thank you, truly. Many have turned it down—it's a daunting task, even for experienced adventurers. But if anyone can handle it, it's you."
Mary said nothing, her grip tightening slightly on her scythe as she turned to leave. The receptionist watched her go, a flicker of hope lighting her expression.