Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Skill Book
Aidan and the others ate their meals while they chatted with each other. He also opened up about his world, of course, he didn't forget to add a little bit of lie to the narrative. He wasn't sure why he needed to lie at Maninsov the first time he told this story. But since the lie already started it would be awkward to change the narrative now.
"No eels sky?" Kalukaga asked. It was probably Aidan's first time seeing him so shocked.
The information was indeed shocking. All this time, the sky had been blocked by the eels for all they knew. Now, someone told them that instead of eels, the world was shone by a floating ball of gas in the sky. It would be hard to believe that.
At least for the native here.
"Wow, you're not from this continent, Aidan?" Sofiel asked before she sip her orange juice.
"You can say that." Aidan grabbed a fork and ate. The food was ordered by Gomon so he didn't know what this was. It looked like meat but the color was blue. The taste was good, so he didn't have any complaints.
"Gomon, what is this?"
"It's Icy Genies," Gomon said, putting the same blue meat inside his mouth with a fork.
"Genies?" Aidan asked. He had been curious about these genies before. "What are they anyway. Can they make your wish come true?"
"No," Gomon said, chewing. "But they can make you fall asleep and dreams about the thing you want the most."
"The thing I want the most? That's very interesting."
"They can also freeze you to death," Maninsov added. He picked up some kind of vegetable with his fork. There was no meat in his plate.
Was he a vegetarian?
"Oh, wow," Aidan said. "And people hunt them for their meat?" This was probably the most exotics meat he had eaten. A literal genie.
"There's another much more dangerous creature that people hunt," Maninsov said.
Aidan nodded. He didn't doubt that at all. With the power people had here, hunting strong creatures might be a fun activity for them. "I just recalled. I need to fight that bobodactly again."
"You mean Recpeodatyl?" Gomon said.
"Yes, that one. I always forgot its name."
"Why do you need to fight it?" Gomon asked.
Aidan explained the punishment that teacher Stras gave him. He also told them about his failure in defeating the bird and had to hurry up to become stronger before the bird become an adult.
The fight against the cultist was actually a great opportunity for him to level up, but because he could only kill a few of them, Aidan didn't get that much experience to level up.
Maninsov stood up. "Then let's train you up. We'll hunt a beast or two in the backyard."
Gomon and the others groaned.
Even Aidan winced at the thought of returning to the school's backyard. What if another cultists group captured them? Clearly, the school wasn't good at detecting intruders.
"Come on," Maninsov said. "The Ramthall family has cleared them out, in fact, they probably already scoured the entire kingdom."
"I help," Kalukaga said.
"Aidan is my good friend," Gomon said. "I will help him as much as I can."
Siraye looked away. "I am not going."
Sofiel wrapped her arms around Siraye's, chest pressing tight.
Aidan shook his head and looked away.
What's wrong with me?
"Come on, Siraye," Sofiel said. "It will be fun if we all go together."
She sighed. "Alright. But don't blame me if I run first."
Aidan smiled. When they fought against the shaman, Siraye didn't leave them even when she said that she would. She had stayed and fought.
"That decides it then," Maninsov said. "Let's leave after we finish eating."
Aidan and the others continued to chat as they ate. They continued to talk about their experience in the pit. Aidan also asked them how did they turn into demons the other day.
They told him that they saw demons too. But, in their case, Aidan was the demon. So the cultists must have used some kind of illusion spell on them.
It was scary to think about.
Illusion spell was scary because Aidan wouldn't know if the one he fought was his enemy or not. What if he met someone like that on his travel?
He should get stronger. That was the only solution.
After they finished their meal, Aidan and the others walked to the Mission Hall.
The humanoid snake receptionist flicked her finger out. "Nice to see you alive. How can I help?"
Adan raised an eyebrow at her first sentence. Did people die often here?
"We would like to take these missions." Maninsov handed her a parchment that he had taken off the board.
"And who would be in your team?" She asked.
Maninsov then told her their names.
"Sorry, but two of your friends haven't finished their mission yet. You have two options. Either cancel the mission and pay the fine or finish the mission."
"How much is the fine?" Gomon asked.
"30 gold and 45 silver," the receptionist replied.
Gomon stepped back. "I'm not rich enough to pay for that. Sorry, Aidan."
Maninsov turned back. "I guess we'll just have to finish the mission. What is the mission?"
"I am not sure if I remember it correctly, but I think we need to kill something called goccego. Some kind of crocodile monster," Aidan said.
"Kroccego?" Gomon said.
"Ah, yes, that one."
"Can I see the paper?" Maninsov asked.
"Lost," Kalukaga replied. He probably lost it while they were being kidnapped.
"That's fine," Maninsov said. "Let's go then. Is all of you prepared?"
"Wait," Aidan said. "I need to get a weapon. I am tired of fighting only with my fist."
"Really?" Maninsov asked. "You are so good with your fists. You sure you want to use a sword?"
"I am sure. I want some armor with that too. A light armor is fine."
Maninsov nodded. "You know what. Maybe we should train you first before finishing the mission. You just got into this school right?"
Aidan nodded. "Yes."
"Then let's train you first. I and the others will spare with you in the training field. You can also get some books about sword techniques in the library."
Aidan's eyes lit up. "I like the sound of that."
-- Gift
received