Chapter 23: NordselmDay 20

  After being so zy yesterday, I felt like going for a quick run at dawn. Alina came along and wanted to race. Her start was really fast, but I soon caught up with her. By 40 meters or so, she passed me with retive ease but then completely ran out of energy around 150 m. Interesting to know if this pattern is common for cat-kin vs humans, or, more importantly, if it’s OK to ask such questions here. I chose not to since Alina seemed a bit sour about losing. I may have stepped on her pride. [1]

  Breakfast was ready when we got back. Alina’s irritation gradually faded but I expect she’ll eventually demand a rematch. I went with the guys to Vale for Rutina’s third day of magic training.

  “Good morning Teacher. What will we do today?”

  “We’ll move on to other elements and continue to strengthen your mage core.”

  We went to the byrinth where Rutina learned and practiced the ball and wall forms of the remaining elements. Her spear-work also improved. The weapon didn’t have MP recovery, but it was still good to rest a bit. Deciding to leave the multi-target storm spell till after lunch, we took a break — just bread and water this time.

  “Let’s talk about equipment. It’s important to have a physical weapon and a spear allows you to stay safe but it takes time to switch with a wand. A reasonable compromise is to use a magical staff or rod.”

  “Maybe it’s silly to ask but do I actually need a wand? It didn’t feel any different from casting magic just with my hands.”

  “You’re right, your hands are enough and it’s good to practice that way. The main difference is that a wand or simir device gives your spells more power. The feeling is simir, but the spells do more damage. Besides that, a magical weapon might have skills to make the spells even more powerful or help with recovery. Those special weapons are really expensive though maybe you can find something in your family’s treasury.”

  “OK, I’ll try using a staff.”

  “Your armor is good but there some special gear for mages that could help with recovery or attack power. Also, it’s very good for a Mage to have a Cord of Substitution. You can’t take hits like a member of the vanguard. Some might say that nobles should wear one of these at all times.”

  I finally found the official name by checking what the fancy elves were wearing.

  “That’s a lot to look into but I’ll seek advice from my family.”

  “Yes, that’s perfect. Lastly, the most important factor for survival and success is your party. A strong vanguard to keep you safe. A good healer to protect you and everyone else. Faithful party members that won’t leave you behind. I know all this may be obvious and goes outside of magic education but a Mage cannot work solo.”

  “I have people I can rely on, like Brunhild.”

  “Fantastic. If you’re ready, let’s go back in and try out some multi-target spells. These are very useful at higher levels but can be risky because the magical power consumed depends on the number of monsters present.”

  Rutina tried some storm spells on the second floor. It was a bit surprising to see her nerd-out even worse than I did. Of course she tried to suppress it but the sheer joy leaked through. This was really rewarding as her teacher and fellow nerd.

  As, the end of the day had come. We left the byrinth and met up with Rolf.

  “Teacher, I used more magic today but feel less tired. Am I making good progress?”

  “Yes, you certainly are. In fact, you’re ahead of schedule so I’d like to take you to Nordselm tomorrow.”

  Brunhild noticeably flinched, but seems to have learned to stay quiet. Even if she’s just doing her job, I’ll be happy not to have to deal with her much longer.

  “Oh, do you… yes, of course, I am ready.”

  “Great. Would it be more convenient to meet in Selmer or maybe Bode?”

  “No, no, here is good.”

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  “Hello, we’re home.”

  “Welcome back, dear.”

  Alina sure seems to have have settled in quickly.

  “We’re pnning to take Rutina to Nordselm tomorrow so I’d like to make sure everything’s OK over there. Want to come with us?”

  “Yes, I just finished gardening so I’m ready to go.”

  “Good, put on your armor and a cloak. I’d like to have some rabbit meat tonight anyway.”

  As soon as everyone was ready, I opened a portal to a tree near the vilge. This pce is cold and wet as usual but at least the ice patches have melted. We walked in to the vilge and went directly to Bernhard’s pce. Alina transted some questions about their current status. They still had plenty of fancy flour and were in no special need to trade, which I sort of expected. More important to me, it seems that no strangers, other than us, had visited them recently.

  With that, I passed some bread rolls just to be friendly and we went to the byrinth. Stepping inside, I warped us directly to where we left off on the third floor. We fought trees, goats and rabbits till we reached the boss room, with no line, of course.

  “OK, this should be a Rapid Rabbit. As the name suggests, it’s really quick and may suddenly jump at your neck. I’d like to try this one alone with my sword. Of course, we could come back here for you to practice, if you want.”

  “Did you fight these in Vale, Boss?”

  “No, first time… but I’ve read about them.”

  I’m tempted to just tell them that I’d read this stuff back in my old world, but the alternative expnation that I’m suffering from partial amnesia is strong enough to even make me doubt myself. Heck, even ciming to be a psychic would be more pusible. Regardless, my excuse will look especially odd if they figure out that I’m functionally illiterate in what seems to be my native nguage.

  The vicious, killer-rabbit gred menacingly at us, which seems quite reasonable since we’ve invaded its home to kill it. It jumped at me before a clean hit from Durandal at Hero speed reduced it to a puff of smoke. This immersive simution is absolutely awesome! Got a sb of rabbit meat… lying on the ground. Meh, I’ll just wash it off.

  The others looked a bit surprised for moment but shrugged it off. Both of the guys have fast-movement skills, after all. My Overwhelming skill from my Hero job may be a bit faster, but it’s probably weirder to see anything like this done by a Mage.

  “I’d like to loop around and get another chunk of meat for dinner. Of course, I could hold back and let someone else take it.”

  “Nah, maybe next time, right, Theo?” “Sure, next time.”

  I fought the re-spawned rabbit boss and got more meat. Time to get home but decided to drop by Curatar to get some milk and stale bread — this weather has inspired me to make something special.

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  “Go rex everybody, it’s my turn to make dinner.”

  That seemed to be the most shocking thing Alina has heard me say, “Want some help?”

  “Sure. You can chop.”

  “What are we making?”

  “Depends on how it turns out.”

  “How about if I take over?”

  “Trust me, it’ll be fine. Start by cutting the bread into thin strips.”

  I pulled out the sbs of rabbit meat and added some ham to improve the fat level. I started cutting the meat into thin strips while heating up some old bacon grease.

  “Hey, you actually know what you’re doing,” Alina teased.

  “I try to lower expectations so normal looks good. Do you know how to make cheese curds?”

  “Of course. Should I use all of the milk?”

  “Yep. The vinegar and straining cloth are over there.”

  I started frying the bread strips and got a rge ptter for them. Flipping the meat, it was time to start making a simple gravy with some of the bacon grease and flour.

  “The cheese is ready.”

  “Great, please grab the pickled cabbage and call the guys in to wash up. It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

  I spread the curds on the fried bread strips and finished making the gravy. Then, I stacked the fried meat onto a separate ptter and poured the finished gravy over the curd-covered bread strips.

  “?Voilà. Poutine au pain frit.? Which means, um, ‘Cheesy Fried Bread’, since I can’t make normal fries. Anyway, dig in!” [2]

  Alina lets slip, “Oh David, sorry for leaving too soon. I could’ve helped more.”

  “Ha ha, no, it’s supposed to look like this. Try it, it’s good.”

  Marcus jumps in, “Well, I’ll have some walh. Looks tasty.”

  He and Theo shovel some on their ptes, along with meat and cabbage.

  Theo critiques, “Hmm, too greasy to eat alone, but good on the side. Would be good in the Winter.”

  Marcus adds, “Good anytime, as far as I’m concerned. You make some good slop, Boss.”

  “Gd you like it, Marcus, and ‘slop’ is right. Alina, what do you think?”

  “Um?”

  “Alina, I’m not looking for praise. Just be honest. You saw most of it being prepared and I didn’t do anything weird after you left. Well, other than making it look messy.”

  “I’ll stick with the meat, if you don’t mind.”

  “No problem. More for us.”

  Was this my way to get out of cooking? Who knows?

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  Day 21

  After a perfectly normal breakfast, I brought the guys to Vale for Rutina’s next lesson. The others were already there but didn’t bother to question where we came from — they probably assume that we live in town.

  With the customary greetings out of the way, Brunhild reluctantly hands over a small bag of coins as Rutina announces, “You have done exactly as promised and helped me accomplish my goal. This money is to fulfill the obligation of our contract but you also have my heart-filled gratitude. If there is ever a way I can help you in the future, you have but to ask.”

  “Thank you so much, Lady Rutina. It’s been a pleasure. But, you do wish to continue today, correct?”

  “Oh yes, most definitely. I’m most anxious to see Nordselm’s Labyrinth for myself and would very much appreciate your guidance.”

  “Good because it’s worth visiting.”

  While they prepared to go, I turned away and subtly dumped the presumably-thirty gold coins into my Item Box, which I now used for little else than cash and valuables.

  We accepted Rolf’s party invitation and entered his portal to a tree near Nordselm’s Labyrinth. This time, Rolf would come with us — he seemed to feel that it was safer inside than outside but framed it like it was just for the weather. Actually, it was a bit of a thermal shock to come here from Vale so we quickly scurried inside to the artificially-maintained climat of the byrinth. OK, maybe the climat is magically- or even biologically-maintained since byrinths are said to be alive, but the VR-look makes it feel more like sci-fi tech.

  Oh, yeah, teaching. “The goats of the first floor will rush and attempt to head-butt. What’s odd is that they’ll run away when badly injured. Actually, it’s strange that more monsters don’t do this… Anyway, you can pursue them or just let them go. I’m not really sure if they’ll come back ter to gang up with other monsters so it’s best not to let all of them run off.”

  I also showed how creating a firewall behind them would discourage the goats from running away. After a bit of goat herding, I had Theo take us near the boss room.

  “The goat boss, called Pan, is humanoid-shaped and kind of creepy-looking. The worst part is that it casts a strong, magical attack that can hit the entire party. The safest option is to use a weapon with Chant Interruption or use a full party with Chant Dey weapons.”

  “Um, do the members of your vanguard have such weapons?”

  “No, they do not.”

  “Then, I don’t mean to question you, Teacher, isn’t this too dangerous?”

  “Yes, you should question me because it is too dangerous. Having a clear chain-of-command is important, but blind obedience is foolish. Outside of an emergency, a leader should allow questions and be prepared to expin unusual orders.”

  “So, this was just a test?”

  “Yes and you did very well. I’m proud of you.”

  Brunhild looked like she could barely contain herself. I was tempted to pat Rutina’s head just to tease her further.

  “So, Student, instead of that suicide mission, let’s take a short break. Would you like to meet the local vilgers?”

  “Yes, Teacher, I would. Though, I’m curious, why do you know them? Can you speak ?Sp■r■■??”

  “No, not more than a few words. Still, I feel it’s good to know the people most directly affected by the condition of the byrinth.”

  Donning my virtual mantle of holier-than-thou, we left the byrinth and walked the short path to the vilge. A couple kids greeted me with the usual ‘Dawit’ but the adults seemed wary of the strangers in fancy armor. After I nodded in approval, a brave child approached Rutina and that damned idiot of a Knight stepped in between.

  Even if a Knight out-ranks me, I couldn’t hold back my irritation, “Back off, Brunhild! This innocent child was just being friendly.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do, commoner. I will not allow some filthy beggar to touch Her Lady.”

  “No, you are a stranger to this vilge. Behave yourself or leave.”

  Rutina seemed a bit shocked by our little exchange, but she told Brunhild to back down. The child didn’t come back and the other vilgers kept a cautious distance. This little meet-and-greet was ruined by that damn, elitist Knight. Well, it’s interesting to see that I’m not the only one Brunhild hates.

  I tried to apologize to the vilgers with hand signals and a sad look — should have had Alina teach me some more phrases. We walked back to the byrinth in silence.

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  [1] If her muscles are a bit cat-like, this speed pattern is pusible (for a former maid).[2] Yes, it’s reasonably accurate and no, I won’t turn this into a cooking manga.