Chapter 19: Departure
Elian couldn't help but smile upon seeing Ignys cheer.
"Well done, it seems you've learned your first technique. Keep practicing it every now and then to get used to it." said Elian while clapping.
"Thanks for teaching me." said Ignys as he took a deep breath.
Ignys was quite happy about learning his first technique.
Despite being a bartender, a few tricks up his sleeve here and there couldn't be bad, although he knew that if any of his patrons in the tavern would get actually mad the chances of him surviving would be less than slim.
After relaxing outside for a while longer, Elian and Ignys decided to return inside.
Although it was the last day Elian was around since he would be departing next morning with Aegion, there really wasn't a lot to do.
Getting drunk again was not an option since sending Elian back on his way for an extremely hard journey with a hangover wouldn't exactly be all too ideal.
Ignys and Elian mostly spent the rest of the day discussing stuff about the Uholon kingdom and about the tribute that Elian would present.
Elian still had his doubts about it since giving a bottle of magical booze to the king of the Uholon kingdom would pretty much only raise more questions than solve, and he had a feeling if he told the king that he got it from a tavern in the outerlands things wouldn't end too well for him.
Elian didn't voice all of these concerns to Ignys, but they sure as hell were in the back of his mind.
The rest of the day passed by quite quickly as Ignys took care of the tavern, cleaning it and refilling the tabs.
When it turned late Elian decided to clock out early, he had a long day ahead and if he was in the outerlands a peaceful night of sleep was a rarity.
Only Aegion and Ignys were left downstairs as Ignys wasn't done with washing the glasses yet.
"Say, Aegion, how long will you be gone for?" said Ignys as he wiped down a glass with a towel.
Aegion was in thought for a second before responding.
"Taking into consideration that I will have to take Aegion a bit more than halfway through the outerlands before I can safely say that he has a 90% chance of making it back to the Heres continent, and the usage of magic ruins, it would probably take me five to seven days to get back."
Ignys couldn't help but frown.
"Why are you only taking him halfway through the outerlands when he doesn't have any form of armor? Shouldn't you take him further?"
Aegion shook his head sideways.
"No, you are forgetting that despite being a researcher, Elian is a capable individual. When I assessed his magical prowess I was quite surprised. Of course, he is nothing compared to the individuals that escorted him, but he would definitely be an above-average adventurer."
"And you're trying to say...? One blow and he's still dead without armor." said Ignys
Aegion sighed.
"What I'm trying to say is that he knows a lot of magical techniques, such as reinforcement."
"And what does that do?"
"Right, I forgot you barely know anything about mana and magic. Reinforcement is a technique that grows with you and is heavily dependent on the magical output of someone. It basically allows you to take attacks that are weaker than your mana output and decrease the bodily harm that they would bring, to simplify it is comparable to magical armor."
"Ah, now I get it." said Ignys as he continued washing glasses.
There was silence for a while until Ignys spoke again.
"Say Aegion, wouldn't it be possible for you to teach me some magic techniques or spells every now and then?"
"Theoretically yes, but you will first need to grow your mana output by expanding your circuits, otherwise I can't really teach you a lot since you would be too weak to execute any of the techniques."
"If I make it my goal to expand my mana circuits when you're gone, will you teach me the techniques once you're back?"
"And how do you plan on doing that exactly?" asked Aegion.
A sly smile could be seen growing on Ignys' face.
"By getting absolutely hammered of-"
Before Ignys could finish his sentence, Aegion cut him off.
"No."
"Oh come on! Why not?!" said Ignys in an annoyed tone.
"Because there is a realistic chance some customers will show up when I'm gone." said Aegion in a calm tone.
Ignys was a bit surprised.
"What do you mean? Last time we had to wait a few weeks before new customers showed up."
Aegion didn't want to give Ignys the details on the battle he had with the elves and instead told a simple lie to Ignys.
"Some sector masters informed me about it, so we can't have you drunk at the tavern, do you understand?"
"I mean, if you're 100% sure yeah. But in what way am I supposed to expand my circuits otherwise?"
Aegion thought for a while before responding.
"For now just ignore it, the other ways to expand your mana circuits tend to be quite convoluted. We'll focus on it once I am back."
"Fine with me, I'm also gonna clock out for the night, make sure to wake me up before you guys depart if I'm not awake by then, alright?"
"Will do."
Ignys headed upstairs to his room before going to bed, concluding the night.
For once, when Ignys woke up he wasn't met with a raging headache.
Figuring that Aegion hadn't woken him up yet Ignys figured that Elian hadn't departed yet, so he decided to go downstairs.
When Ignys arrived downstairs, Elian and Aegion were sitting at a table in the tavern discussing stuff.
"Once we reach this area we will be taking the magic ruins over to the nex-"
Aegion noticed Ignys and greeted him.
"It appears that I do not have to wake you up."
Ignys laughed.
"Yeah, no hangover for me today. I see you guys are preparing your departure?"
Elian responded.
"Yeah, just planning out the general route and the route that I'll have to follow once I'm on my own. We're planning to depart in an hour or two so we are just finalizing the details."
Ignys sighed.
"I ain't generally the guy to say this stuff, but make sure to make your way back safely, alright? I'd hate to hear that my first customer died on his way back."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Genuinely I'm more worried about my parents when I get back than anything else, they will sure as hell be pissed at me!" said Elian as he laughed.
The next two hours in the tavern were spent perfecting the plan meanwhile Ignys prepared some leftovers for himself and Elian.
Before Ignys could realize it, the time of departure was there.
"Are you sure you have all the equipment you need for this expedition, Elian?" asked Aegion.
Elian did a quick double check before responding.
"Sure does look like it, seems that we're ready to go."
Elian turned toward Ignys before extending his hand.
"Thank you for everything you've done, without your kindness I would've surely died. In what way can I repay your kindness?"
Ignys shook Elian's hand as he answered.
"No need to thank me and you really don't have to repay me, but if you really want to do something then spread the rumor about the tavern, people don't have to believe you but just spread it."
Elian nodded.
"Since it is the least I could do, I will. It was fun drinking with you, Ignys. If we ever see each other again, which I doubt, then let's share another drink together."
"We will, have a save journey."
Elian released Ignys from the handshake as Aegion opened the door, walking out the tavern with Elian following close by.
Ignys watched them walk off as he stood in the doorframe.
Once they were a while away Ignys closed the tavern door and took a seat at one of the tables before letting out a sigh.
"Saying goodbye never gets easier, does it?"
Ignys wallowed in melancholy for a short while before getting himself together and getting up.
"I've still got a lot to do around here, and since Aegion mentioned that I could expect some new customers soon I should prepare the tavern for them."
Ignysgot up before grabbing a broom and starting to sweep the tavern.
Tidiness was something Ignysdid value, both for his own and others' comfort.
Meanwhile Ignys was sweeping the tavern a thought suddenly ran through his head.
"Fuck! I forgot to ask Aegion to bring honey on his way back!"
Ignys was planning on making a special kind of beer, but for now, that thought had to wait a while.
"I guess I'll just ask him when he's back." said Ignys as he continued sweeping.
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