Potential
"Between us two, you got something not many have, see it like a sixth sense or a third eye. A great prerequisite to be able to learn the mystic arts. That's why I'll keep an eye onto you. That's why I'd like to groom you here. So do your best, rise up some ranks and get some real life experience, then we two can work together."
Simon let go of Mikael's shoulder, the point of contact weirdly getting lighter and some kind of pressure that Mikael didn't even noticed vanished.
"I can learn magic?" he asked in a small voice. He asked Jenny often what to do to learn it, but she only told him one needed talent and a teacher, if not a school that tutors you. And a bunch of other strokes of luck.
Simon saw the glistening in Mikael's green eyes. Magic was for many only a dream, something everyone wanted to do, creating phenomena and command the elements.
He smiled again, his incisor teeth showing.
"Maybe, but we have to do some test before that. Nothing that hurts... if you do it right. Now go. Until a week's time you're free to do what you want."
Mikael then walked down the stairs, still overwhelmed by the prospect of wielding fire and water like in the stories he heard, or mend wounds and bones like Jenny did.
Sophia and Bjorn already left, Mikael also quickly walked back to the Inn and sunk into his bed.
The next day he for the first time slept into the morning, and when he stood up he felt every muscle in his body. He put on his damaged clothes, belted his belongings and went to the ground floor to get breakfast.
Emily was already up, distributing the orders and greeting guests.
"Hi Mikael. You look like you need something to eat. We got mashed potatoes, cutlet and some vegetables, can I enthuse you for a meal?"
She asked whe carrying two plates to a table, the guests dozing off on and barely keeping themselves awake by doing smalltalk.
"I heard the Guild is searching for copper rank Hunter. Apparently a new evolved creature emerged, causing all sorts of trouble in there."
"I don't know." said the other, slicing his meat. "Evolved monsters are always a uncertain case. Either they are not worth the time or more trouble than described."
"This time is different tho, a small group of Hunters saw it and..." The conversation went on, Mikael wondering how the news of the quest could have already traveled so fast to the ears of others.
He sat down, ordering a meal and taking out his book, practicing his reading and wanting to memorize some of the contents.
'In the fight the composites and powder were invaluable. Maybe I get some clues on how to use some of the plants in certain cases.'
The compendium was quite thick, but handy to carry around. He only skimmed trough it a couple of times, barely absorbing any information that really mattered. He took some time browse through it, eating and ignoring the passing people.
"Guess that's enough for now, reading like that is surprisingly straining." he rubbed his eyes.
He put his book back, feeling the heavy pouch.
'Why do I even carry it on my belt?' he wondered. 'I'm practically invite others to take it. Maybe because father always had it there.
He smirked, but in a blink it hushed away. Then the pouch with few quick motions was placed along his chest, secured and safe.
'Working like this is certainly difficult.'
With proving moves he stood up, paid for his meal and bid goodbye to Emily and also Beron, who seemed to have nightshift as he came out from their personal area in this time.
"Let's do some work tonight, we prosponed it because of your mission, so I hope you still got everything memorized." he warned, taking a cup and brewing some coffee.
Mikael just went out the door, along the road towards the Guild. He wants to use the money for some armor and maybe a secondary weapon before paying part of his debt.
Once again he heard some gamblers from across the street, the cheers and groans of players echoing back from the buildings.
'I could maybe... Nah, rather not.' he thought, resisting the temptation of some fast money he only had a chance to obtain.
'How should I even meet Sophia? Yesterday she never mentioned when or where to gather. My best bet would be the Guild, or maybe in the caterpillar.'
He stood before the entrance, a melody already coming from the inside.
'I could ask Roàn if I can use some scrap metal and forge my own for a fee. Producing my own shouldn't be that hard if it's a simple knife.'
Opening the door, he was greeted with the warm interior, the run down wooden boards and the bar next to the entrance.
The melody increased in intensity, from a light fluid sound to heavy and impactful notes. The listeners were silent, different to their usual behavior of chatting and playing.
Mikael also liked the piano playing, sitting next to a woman that held her sheath clutched as if she was about to storm into battle.
'The sound makes your body want to move.' he noticed, the back of the performer dancing in rhythm to the music.
After some last, heavy and lasting notes, the people began clapping, some even wanting a encore.
But the person turned them down, turning around and looking straight at Mikael who sat fairly close.
'Holy Mother, Sophia is a musician?'
She came down from the stage, her dark red hair dancing as she approached him, her eyes not so annoyed and tired like before they met.
"There you are, took you long enough. I almost died of boredom. After washing and eating I didn't had anything to do."
"But you seem to have used your time quite impressively. Where did you learn to play so well?" he asked, his body still itching to move.
"Does it matter? I just played a bit impromptu, our fight as inspiration. Full of flaws and the flow wasn't great, but it had a certain impact."
Some people still whistled, and another musician approached the piano, also wanting to give it a shot.
"Anyway, now that you are here, what about taking a look at Leon? That poor dunce should also be awake. And I won't cover his medical expanses, so he better be still there and don't leave us sitting on the bill."
'That's what worries you?'
"Sounds good, I also want to ask him if we three go back with the team. And also have something to ask Jenny."
'Maybe now she will say anything about magic. But that I'd rather do in privat'
Shortly after, they were greeted by the curly haired healer, her just selling a bottle of a ointment.
"Oh, hi Mikael, want to visit your friend? He is in the back, using a bed I hastily build with some straw and wood, so he is a bit grumpy right now. Just go, you can't miss him."
They proceeded to the space where Leon was, and then they saw him layi G on the ground, his upper body bare and wrapped like a mummy.
He looked at them entering, and a smile hushed over his face.
"Hi guys, see it went quite well for you. Guess I'm the only one that got beaten up." he sat up slowly, trying not to change his expression.
Sophia simply used her foot and pecked his abdomen, and Leon reacted by sizzling out air, clenching his teeth and laying back down.
"Guess we can count you out for now."
She observed, ready to check stronger next time.
"Out for what? Do you already got a mission again? And what did the Guild Master say?"
Mikael recounted their conversation with Simon, without his personal information. Leon listened attentively, only interrupted when Jenny came in to change bandages.
"I see, so we get ranked up. About time, I reside in the beginner rank for far to long because of one stupid mistake." Upon a questioning look from his companions he waved his statement away.
"Nothing serious, but I'd rather not talk about that now. So when is this mission scheduled?"
"In a week, and we only act as informants and guides. For Mikael it is also some sort of test, our rank is already determined."
Leon sighed, touching his healing injuries and staring at the ceiling.
"I should be up by that time. Jenny healed me up till my body would do on its own. And Mikael, she said without your potion I would have most likely bled out on our escape. Apparently it tensed up my muscles so it hindered my wounds from worsening. You saved my life. You both did."
Under pain, he dragged his feet under his belly, performing a bow.
"I owe you a life debt. If you ever need my assistance or service, just ask."
"Please, lay down." Mikael said, overwhelmed by his gesture. He looked help seeking at Sophia, and she responded by picking her foot at Leon, again.
"We get it, you are grateful and stuff, but right now you're useless, so get up, pay your bill and get us something to eat or so in the future. Okay with that?"
"Fully, don't know what else you could give us. After all without you we also would've barely any chance of escaping that monster."
"Okay then." Leon laid back down.
"Then let me pay in the future. I might take some time off till we head out, so use the time."
After some more chitchat they left Leon alone again.
"He seemed to be less energetic than usual."
"What do you expect? Beaten up like that, wounded and recovering and now not even able to properly prepare his mission.
For a guy like him it sucks for sure."
She waved goodbye to Jenny as they passed, and now standing in the open.
"We two have to make our preparations tho, with or without him. My weapons were badly affected, and we need medical stuff. Your equipment needs some upgrading, too. Or do you expect someone always has all the stuff you forgot."
"Then what do I still need? You know I'm new to this job." he defended himself.
'I thought my stuff was quite good. At least for my budget.'
"You got the coin, right? Spend some of it for medical things, bandages, maybe pills. I didn't had these back then, but Bjorn had quite different claims and expectations. I learned, too. Maybe some gloves, not that your hand can always take a hit, even from a weak Goblin. A bit of chain mail never hurt anyone, and for some silver it can protect at least your vitals."
She the smiled again when she had something nasty in her mind.
"Some ammunition for my sling is in, too?"
Mikael looked at her, questioning.
She pointed at her ears, and at her sword.
"I can hear quite well, and sacrificed something myself. So for a blacksmith to make some metal pellets should be an easy job, no?"