Last day

Mikael in his predicament went on his way out straight towards Jenny's small apothecary.

'Might as well purchase the most expensive goods first.'

As Mikael entered the shop, Jenny just came out from the hallway, her eyes growing as she noticed who just came in.

"I don't believe my mind, you really became one of the awakened. Not even here a full month, and already building up such impressive feats." she exclaimed, giving Mikael no chance to even greet her before she had already hugged him.

After the brief contact they separated again, and then she vanished again, walking down the corridor, coming back with two glasses and a already opened bottle.

'Didn't expect that.'

He was glad she went away for a moment, giving him time to calm his emotions. In the dim light she couldn't see how red he turned, making the awkward situation for him easier.

"That calls for a little celebration, you drink alcohol?" she asked, already pouring in the red fluid.

"For sure I do, but why so suddenly?"

"Because our kind is already so rare, I don't even now another one personally. In this village you are my first acquaintance who is awakened. Let me do at least that."

She gave him the glass, smiling as she took a sip.

Mikael also drank it, savoring the fruity and soft flavor running down his throat. Soon the warmth he welcomed spread in his stomach, replacing the blush with a new one.

As they sat there, a sudden good meant warning came from Jenny.

"You noticed how fast I could recognize you? Actually, even before you entered I already knew you were coming. Due to my profession and constant contact with people my perceiving of mana and auras is more sensible.

You have a still subtle one, but with hints of power, sometimes emitted when you have sudden emotions or urges." she glanced at him at the last words, also slightly blushing, but Mikael didn't know if it came from embarrassment or the alcohol.

Either way, he felt a bit ashamed, masking it with another gulp.

A high and quick laugh escaped Jenny.

"Don't be ashamed, it is only natural. It's not like I'm different in the right company. I'm a healer, and always have patients with worse reactions. Once an middle aged man under an unknown potions effect jumped on me, only his friends knocking him out back then saved me from that unsightly scenario.

Back on topic," she shook her head, emptying her glass and shifting her position slightly, now sitting cross-legged on her counter. Her red curly hair framed her fair face, the slight tiredness making her expression more serious.

"You need to learn how to retract that aura. Whatever I felt hasn't assimilated with you. I can't really explain it, as I never felt something like that. But what I felt was like a separate mana source inside you. One with power and strength. And if I'd be more proficient in mana manipulation, I even think I could extract whatever is within you."

Her advice shook once again Mikael. Not only could others render him completely useless, but even take out whatever that monster gifted him.

"Not everyone is as nice as me, or the Guild Master. Some have already murdered for less, did crimes horrible enough to be a nightmare."

He nodded, staring at his empty glass, thinking once again about his path.

'Glad Simon and René already did some preparations. If I wouldn't have met them, or Jenny, I neither could use magic nor live long enough to practice it. Considering all my prior misfortune, this is quite fortunate.'

He fiddled with his fingers, and Jen y seemed to wait for a response, as her gaze didn't leave him.

So he vaguely told her about his plans, where he would go out of the village with a trusted person, out to train in a safer environment and gather more experience.

Jenny reacted by leaning her head back, exhaling audible.

"That good to hear. I was worried about that, too. But try to find a way to help without the permission to teach. Also I got my store just set up. I really want to help my little friend, but not at that cost." she reasoned, a sorry from her not spoken, but in the room.

"You don't need to help that much. What you already did is plenty. Being here for me, as a person I can go to for a chat and aid. I really will miss you when going away. Who knows for how long. And not only you. Sophia, Leon, Roàn, Robert and Diana when they come back... With what can possibly happen any time, who knows if I meet you again. I dont even got a rough time for my absence."

Slowly, tears began to form around his eyes, sliding down his face.

The emotions he didn't feel before now came upwards, his voice shivering slightly.

Jenny then stood up, wrapping him in a warm and soothing embrace.

"This is sadly a part of your profession, and a risk we all have to bear. You maybe earlier than others, but think this way. You have persons dear to you. Maybe not family, but friends, companions you shed blood and secrets with. They will think of you, pray for your safety and be a reason for you to return. There is nothing worse than having absolutely no place to look forward to, something like home. Even if we should be gone or not."

Kissing him slightly on his forehead, she softly caressed his back, letting him silently let out his pent up emotion.

After a couple of minutes, Mikael calmed down.

"Sorry for that, didn't want to end our meet up like that."

"It is okay. I felt some sorrow from your aura, so took the liberty to help a bit. As a magician, taking control of you emotions is an important aspect."

With that last piece of advice, Mikael then spoke the reason for his actual visit.

"In all that I forgot to ask: I thought to buy some potions for my travel. I got a bigger budget now, so what can you recommend?"

The next thirty minutes then were spent choosing another four potions, each one of them costing around 2 1/2 gold coins.

Before leaving he asked his last question:" Do you perhaps know if there is a bag that can hold more than actually possible? There have so much stuff I want to buy I don't know where to fit all that."

"No, sadly there is no such miracle item. That would have to function with some kind of space-like magic in combination with alchemy. And as this subject is not yet even remotely explored from my knowledge, this is only a dream."

Dejected, Mikael said goodbye, and with lighter pouch he left Jenny's shop, ready to finally buy with his remaining budget some other things.

On his stroll through the merchant district he bought another backpack, also made from a sturdy leather but nearly double the size.

He also asked a vendor that sold animals some distance away for a baggage carrier. But aside from the ridiculous price for a animal, the merchant also listed a bunch of other essentials he'd need to have, to ensure the health and safety for the animal.

'Then lets hope René got a brighter idea. I buy now the things I need.'

And that were a change of clothes, hygiene items, oil and candles and so forth. By the end his newly bought bag also showed visible bulges, and both on his shoulders together with his weapon and small stature he presented a sorry figure.

"I really hope René has a better plan than me" he said out loud as he let his bags fall onto the ground, in the shelter of his room at the Inn.

Taking the steps provided to be a challenge as his frame was now a bit wider, making bumping into walls much easier.

"Should I practice maybe a bit? After I moved my mana today, I feel like I stand before an breakthrough... rather not" he recollected himself, "should I emit an aura and the wrong person passes by, there is no one who could save me. Better refrain until I meet up with René."

The next day he only went to the guild to collect his other part of their reward. Another whooping 6 Gold, as they gave valuable information and Leon handed in their collected recognizable parts from the monsters.

Then he also got his ID updated, as he forgot to do yesterday.

"Already thought you didn't want to have this done. But here you go. Our youngest stone rank. Set the record here, which isn't that hard, considering we don't have that many children joining. Anyway, congrats."

The employee said, as he handed over the money and card.

The rest of the time he spent talking with his acquaintances. Chatting a bit, telling his vague story and drinking together. Beron was surprisingly protective, asking Mikael to think once again about his project.

Roàn instead treated him to a strong liquor and a nice round around a part of the village he didn't know about.

The others were more casual, saying stuff like "its not the first time", "better get used to it" and "we surely meet again, the world is smaller than one thinks".

Only Sophia was a bit more emotional about his leaving, as they drunk together in the Caterpillar messing with him more than she already did.

At the end of that day, before they departed she said:" Stay safe, and don't do anything stupid. You are a useful and capable partner, albeit a bit stupid."

Feeling his heart becoming a bit lighter before moving made Mikael glad he got to know these people.

On the fourth day after they all came back, and Mikael had all his business done, it was the time to start their journey.

He would meet up with René early at the Guild, under the eye of Simon in case anyone should be watching.

Seeing from afar the small wheeled cart René tugged behind him, loaded with his backpack and some other stuff, his mind rested at ease.

"Are you ready? We will be away for quite some time."

"I am. Let's go."