While Greg (Ston) and Noa faced the salamander, the ground began to tremble. Noa knew what was happening...
"Ston, move! I'll attack, you cover my back, understood?"
"Earth that lies in this land, help me fight the enemy, stone spear!"
Quickly, a spear began to emerge, with a sharp, thick blade, spinning at great speed... forward... and in a swift movement, the spear struck the beast's neck...
"Watch out, Ston! It's coming for you!"
The salamander's body was on top of Greg (Ston), ready to crush him if he didn't move, but there was no time left. Greg was about to be crushed...
Swoosh!
In a swift movement, Noa leaped with a great jump, wielding her weapon, and with one powerful cut, she decapitated the beast.
"DIE!"
The beast fell decapitated, saving Greg (Ston), who just stared in astonishment at Noa's sword skills, reminding him of his father, Aron...
"That was close, you did well, kid."
"Wow, Noa, you were so strong!"
Ha-ha-ha, why do you say that, kid? You're no slouch yourself. That magic you used, what level of magic was it?
"Level?"
"Forget it, we'll talk about it later. Now help me take the head to the village."
Noa, along with Greg (Ston), took the salamander's head to see how much they could get for it in the village...
As they approached the village, a bounty hunter saw the salamander's head and walked towards them...
"Hello, warriors, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Abi, the bounty hunter. Tell me, where did you get that giant salamander head?"
She was a slender woman with purple hair, wearing heavy armor and wielding a red sword, which seemed to be made of a powerful and durable mineral. Her eyes were two different colors: her right eye was purple, and her left eye was orange.
"Oh, hello miss, we got it from the salamander itself. My friend decapitated it with one blow. By the way, I'm Ston, and this is my friend Noa," Greg (Ston) introduced them politely.
"Well, nice to meet you, Ston and Noa. You see, I was on a mission to hunt that salamander. How do you think we could handle this?" Abi asked with a friendly gesture.
"Well, how much did they offer you for killing the salamander? We'll take 80% of what they offered you," Noa tried to strike a deal to benefit themselves.
Although Greg (Ston) found that request a bit bold, he seemed to have fallen for Miss Abi at first sight; she was quite beautiful.
"Mmm, I see. Well, how about 60%?"
"Mmmm, I think..."
"YES, that percentage is perfect!" Greg (Ston) said with much confidence.
"Excellent... Ston, right?"
"Yes, miss, I'm Ston Win," Greg (Ston) seemed a bit nervous.
"Wait a moment, Abi."
Greg (Ston) and Noa turned their backs to Abi while whispering to each other...
"Ston, what are you doing? We could get more money, or well, you could get more money. I won't take a penny; you did everything."
"What are you saying, Noa? You cut off its head."
"Yes, but I could do that because it was already dead from your attack. Anyway, it doesn't matter. You decide how much you think you can get."
"Understood?"
With a gesture, Greg (Ston) confirmed Noa's question...
"Miss, I'll accept your 60%."
"Excellent, Ston. Only, I don't have the money here. I'll have to go to the Leynmu kingdom."
"Could you wait for me here? I swear I'll come back."
"Could I accompany you, miss?"
"Oh, well, if you like, I don't mind. I'd be happy to take you to Leynum."
"Ston, what are you doing? And the sword you want is here, right?"
"Noa, I want to keep exploring the world, just like you told me. I still don't know what the world is really like. I also want to study magic."
"You're right; you don't even know what the magic levels are..."
"Miss Abi, do you know how magic works?"
"Yes, of course, what would you like to know?"
"It's not for me, it's for my friend. Ston is a mage, but he doesn't know much about the characteristics, or rather, he knows the practice, but not the theory very well. So, please teach him what you know."
"Of course, Ston, are you eager to learn magic theory? I can't wait to talk to you, little one," Abi said excitedly, seeming like a genuinely good person.
"Kid, is that okay?"
"It's just... I really wanted that sword," Greg (Ston) said in a discouraged voice.
"And what kind of sword is it?" Abi seemed curious.
"It's a mage's sword."
"Oh, I see. Those swords are amazing, you know. I'd love to use one. I've seen they can be imbued with magic to create powerful attacks, but I don't know magic."
"But you know, Ston, in Leynum they also sell those swords, even better ones. What do you think?"
"Really? In that case, let's go."
"Wait, not so fast. We'll leave tomorrow, I need to rest. Leynum is quite far."
"Oh, of course, miss."
"Come meet me at the tavern tomorrow at dawn, that's when we'll leave."
"Understood."
"Very well, see you. Pack your things for tomorrow."
Greg (Ston), excited for his new adventure, began to prepare for the big journey, although...
"Hey, Ston, what do you think about having a match? Honestly, watching you fight was interesting, what do you say?"
"Oh, yes, Noa, I'd like that. Where can we fight without affecting the people here?"
"Just follow me."
Noa led Greg (Ston) to the river he had seen earlier. There was a lot of open space, perfect for fighting...
"Alright, kid, get ready."
"Yes, sir."
"Now."
A great battle began quickly. Noa made consecutive, fast attacks, while Greg launched stones, but Noa could split them in two...
"Come on, Ston, use stronger attacks."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! Show me everything you've got."
Greg (Ston) started to use the same spell he had used that time, but now it was different... remembering what Winston had told him that time...
Remembering... "GREG, STOP THE SPELL."
As Greg remembered this, the fire disk spell, he was able to control it, although it cost him mentally and physically.
"Oh, wow, what incredible mana!" Noa said, amazed at Greg's power, with a smile on his face.
"Kid, can you control it?"
"Y-y-yes, sir," Greg barely managed to speak; it was difficult for him, but he was managing it.
"Very well, here it goes."
The disk shot forward at great speed toward Noa. All Noa saw was a disk imbued with fire, hearing how it spun as it approached, but he remained calm, even with a small smile...
"Mmmm, impressive attack, Ston, but..."
Boom! Noa made a great leap backward, as if in slow motion. He saw Greg's spell pass right by him, while Greg stood there, wide-eyed and completely surprised...
"As I said, impressive attack, but very easy to dodge. You just need agility. Also, you should make faster spells; you gave me plenty of time to close in and attack."
"Impressive, Noa! What incredible agility! I wish I could do those moves."
"Look, kid, train, and when you think you're strong enough, come find me. I'll be waiting here."
Upon hearing this, Greg wanted to confide in Noa, as he had proven to be someone trustworthy, and besides, she was leaving soon, and who knew when they would meet again...
"Hey, Noa, I have to tell you something important."
"What's up?"
"Look, my name isn't Ston Win; that was my master's name, just reversed. His name was Winston."
Ha-ha-ha, well, honestly, I wouldn't say my real name either. That was a good one. So tell me, what's your name?"
"I-I'm Gregory Bleyt, I'm 11 years old, and I'm from the Dragon Village," Greg said enthusiastically.
"So Gregory and the Dragon Village? I heard it was attacked by demons, so that's why you ran away, right?"
"No, I-I destroyed it," Greg knelt down, breaking into tears.
"I did it, and that's why I ran away, because I'm a monster."
"GREG."
Greg looked up at Noa...
"You know, we all have a demon inside us. I don't know why you destroyed your village, but I've known you for just 2 days, and I've seen that you're polite, a good person, so if you did it, I know it wasn't on purpose."
"And of course, I won't tell anyone your name, ha-ha-ha."
"Now, go get ready for your journey tomorrow," Noa said happily with a smile on her face.
"Hey, I recommend you tell Abby your real name. She's a good person, don't lie to her. Understood?"
"Y-y-yes, sir."
Greg and Noa hugged, a beautiful moment for both. As Greg walked away from Noa, a voice called out in the distance...
"Hey, don't forget to study!"
And so, Greg raised his hand with a thumbs-up, signaling that he would study as much as possible, and he headed to prepare...
The next day, Greg was at the place where Abby had asked him to meet, ready for the journey. He seemed to have a backpack with food and some medicines that he had carried since he left his home, along with a blanket...
"Hey, Ston, ready?"
"Hey, Abby, my name isn't Ston. That was an alias. My real name is Gregory, but they call me Greg."
"I understand, well, I'm Abbyris, but they call me Abby, so we're good."
Heh-heh-heh, I guess that's true," Greg no longer felt afraid to say his real name and seemed to enjoy being with Abby, as he quickly warmed up to her.
"Hey, Greg, tell me, don't you have a wand to use your magic?"
"Not for now, but I'd love to have one. My master had a staff, and he told me it could help me get a wand, so I'll buy one eventually."
"Alright, Greg, when we get to the kingdom, I'll buy you one. How does that sound?"
"REALLY, MISS ABBY! I CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO LEYNMU KINGDOM!"
"Hey, Miss Abby, what's in that bag?"
"Oh, it's the salamander's head. Noa told me you did all the work, Greg."
"A-a-a, it's no big deal."
"What do you think about telling me how the fight went? We have plenty of time to share stories."
"Yeah, that would be good. Honestly, I want to know a bit more about you, Miss Abby," Greg said, slightly blushing.
"Well, the journey is 7 days, but my good friend will get us there as soon as possible."
"Your friend?"
Apparently, Abby's friend was a large white and black horse, wearing silver armor...
"Oh, I see. Wow, what a beautiful horse! And that armor is fascinating. Does it have a name?"
"His name is Tersi."
"Well, Greg, hop on. Let's go."
"Yeah."
Greg began his journey with Abby and her horse Tersi. Their mission was to reach Leynum kingdom, sell the salamander's head... and continue practicing and studying magic.