The Trip with Jai

Argaoi was a Hunter, he explored the deepest parts of the forest and made his name known, but of course that all changed when the war got worse. 

The economic status of each city is stable, at least for now, and the fact that they have to pay tribute to their Warlord every month didn't help. 

Good thing, however, the cycle of the Centipede culling of the Grey Plateau has come up, and the Warlord demands it. It didn't specify the purpose of the usage of such material but it was good enough. 

Today Argaoi is meant to go into the forest and slay the beast, and have it prepared for their Warlord. He was meant to be known once again. 

But, one day, after the official release of the subjugation of the centipede, the next week somebody already took it down. 

–Vwoosh!

A girl, not even at the age of 16 appeared in the courtyard of the guild, the hunters were shocked as a full giant razor centipede followed after. 

"W-what is all this?!"

"The Razor centipede!"

She declared, with bags behind her bag it was clear she did set out to hunt the Razor centipede. But… but…!

It was impossible! You have to crush its head or jiggle it around hard enough that its brain collapses. Other than that it would be hard to make the Razor Centipede croak. 

Argaoi looked at the little girl with a snotty smile and chest raised in pride, Argaoi had to blink multiple times because he simply cannot believe it. 

He looked at the corpse of the razor centipede, it had burn marks, legs bent in the wrong direction and its flesh in the joints cracked as if a solid object were torn in opposing directions. 

Argaoi was impressed, how strong was this kid?! He, who has toned his body to the way of the sword and ice couldn't achieve this kind of result no matter what!

"Okay, kid. How did you defeat this centipede?"

One of the Guild executives asked. 

"I was climbing the plateau when the centipede attacked me, it was waiting at the edge. That's how I fell and ran. I got chased for hours but I didn't do anything but run, and throw this!" Jai pulled out a pouch filled with Irritants. 

The executive, curious, slowly grabbed the pouch, he was about to open it when Jai stopped him. 

"Careful! Those are poisonous!"

The Executives hand twitched and abided by the young Jakari's warning, he nodded indicating Jai to go on with her story. 

"I kept luring the centipede around the circle, blinding it and when I got lucky threw one in its mouth. I was lucky because it didn't manage to eat all that time."

"You starved and made it run?"

"Yep! A stampede formed though that's why the centipede has bent legs. With the help of a scroll, I burnt the bodies of the monsters who tried to fight the centipede. I also froze the entire field and scattered that Irritant in its joints."

Jai fully explained the story and so on, though what the others didn't know was that it was all pre-planned. Jai would earn her keep and she would go to Leonard. 

But she wouldn't go immediately, she was conspicuous with all her wealth after this and with newfound Fame as well. 

"I see… all the things you said match."

The executive Jakari took a look at the corpse of the centipede, he nodded and even was shocked as he looked around the whole centipede. 

"W-where's the core?!"

He shouted. 

Jai innocently tilted her head and asked. 

"Core?"

"..."

That made them silent, Argaoi was the most impressed. A core represents the life of a dungeon monster, it's like a tree's body, they could exact the age by the number of rings it has. 

Though, unlike a tree, a monster core wouldn't survive being cut down, ALIVE. So the only plausible explanation why a centipede wouldn't have a core is because it kept using its core while it was damaged, completely eating it up. 

Argaoi was impressed, that amount of luck is unprecedented and to help a girl subjugate a razor centipede aside all else!?

The entire guild would be turned upside down at all of this.

***

Three days later Jai came to Leonard's hut. He was busy calibrating his gun and using the core as a catalyst for his magic circle. 

Jai went behind him, of course, Leonard already knew of her presence. 

"So that's where you use that"

"Yeah, if I calibrate this with enough components and a proper catalyst for the circle I could ramp up the firepower without accumulating too much heat."

"Why does it gather heat anyway?"

"You know a hammer right?"

"Uh-huh." Jai nodded. 

"When you hit a nail you feel something hard and you feel it in your hands."

"Yep."

"Same thing with the gun, the hammer has some of the force returning to you. The gun, however, when fired, not all magical energy gets released in the form of the bolt, it goes back as heat."

Leonard tried to come up with the best analogy, Jai isn't a mage, she's a Hunter as they call it. So she wouldn't understand if he explained the intricacies and complex mechanics of a gun. Summarising it was his best choice. 

"So we hunt the Loving Pine next?"

Leonard nodded, the Living Pine is something he needed, magic circles are made with multiple things, the centipede core being the catalyst and the living pine dew as a material to draw on. 

The Core is the fuel source, while the Living pine dew would be the material body, he still needs to draw the circle after all. 

Now, the reason he made the gun is simple, the Living Pine is a tree. His gun BURNS. though, he only plans to use the gun to subdue it. Killing it wouldn't be productive. 

"Alright!"

Leonard slid over a component and cocked the gun back. He felt the heat rise but didn't get progressively hotter, it stayed at the same level of heat after minutes. 

"Haha… nice!"

Leonard aimed at a rock and shot it, a beam of teal light fired and melted the poor thing, it went from majestic grey rock to black obsidian sludge. 

"Hah! It works!"

Jai was astonished by what she saw, she never knew Leonard's creation would this powerful, she only saw a bright blur of light and then the rock became sludge. 

She looked at Leonard with awe. 

"Not only a good cook but a good craftsman as well…"

"That I am!"

Leonard chuckled, he was enthusiastic about his creation. It would make his life easier for the other subjugation. 

"Anyways, now this time we wouldn't need to worry about money for a while."

The money in the dungeon comprises the minerals and metals found inside it, and the Warlord's one of many tasks is to oversee their production of them. That's why the Warlord is on the monopoly of these mines. 

Anyways, Leonard and Jai earned enough money to buy a political ranking, which of course is a fuck ton of money. This would encase them in danger for a while so Leonard had no choice but to be ingenious in how to store the money. 

Leonard bought multiple books with glyphs. That way, their fortune would go down to the point where it wasn't conspicuous but enough for them to be still called rich. 

"Jai, want to go on a date?"

"Wha–"

"Hahaha! I mean an outing! You see, I found an illusion glyph! I could look like a Jakari!"

Jai gasped in astonishment, she realised what that meant. Leonard could no longer be bound inside this cave where they always meet. 

"Well I could cast it on me, but thankfully the books you bought for me could be used for magical items. I need to practise it for practicality."

Leonard wouldn't just cast a glyph and be done with it, magic all have timers, and the glyph is no different. It would be disastrous if Leonard's glyph would suddenly vanish while they were taking a stroll. 

"R-really!? So I don't have to go alone in the town anymore!"

"Yep!"

Jai is enthusiastic about being able to go with Leonard, she had been doing all of his errands for a year by now. There were places she wanted to go but couldn't because it was a shame to enjoy them alone, no, there's no shame she just wished she could enjoy it with someone else. 

"We're going on a trip! So wait for tomorrow. I could figure out how to put this glyph in a tool!"

Jai nodded in agreement, and Leonard couldn't help but smile. This girl has been alone, that's the sole reason she visits Leonard a lot and even considered him family. Leonard hoped that he knew enough of Jakari culture so he wouldn't make any mistakes when he took a trip with Jai.

Leonard, being excited to take a trip to Jakari town, studied the glyph and made it his own. Glyphs, as said by Zhar'kerut, make primordial magic work, and considering its power, there is a huge reason why it is not introduced to him. Leonard found the reason why. Primordial Magic consumes a tonne of mana, he made a trial glyph, a character that, like a rune, represents what he wanted in the world. 

An illusion, the rock he carved the glyph with shone, it changed its image to a black gem, though it is only made to fool the eye, its shape is still the same and its weight remains. Leonard picked up the stone, he nodded in approvement.

Leonard tossed the rock over, he saw how much mana it consumes. If he directed the mana usage as his own he would be drained, like a strained towel. Nonetheless, he removed the glyph and walked over to his workbench. A choker for his neck, there lies a glyph carved in a small pendant in the middle. 

He carved it specifically to consume a minuscule amount of mana, he designed the glyph with the intent to work with efficiency. Glyphs are languages that speak with mana and magic, like runes, they have efficacy limited to the people who only know about it. The glyph is only to make him look like a Jakari. Nothing less, nothing more.

Leonard felt a presence, it was jolly and charming. His head turned before he knew it, a smile was on his face, and a girl similar to his age was wearing traditional clothing along a 

satchel looped around her.

"Leo!"

Leonard placed down everything he was busy with and greeted Jai.

"Hey, are you ready Jai?"

"Yep!"

Jai took out the contents of the satchel and gave it to Leonard, it was traditional Jakari clothing for men, Leonard smiled and took them. He went inside the hut and started changing. Jai sat on one of the stools lying around. She was excited for today. It would be once in a while for them to do something together. 

Leonard had to be hidden for the sake of his well-being. Others might accept him but it's best to refrain from testing his luck in a society filled with strong people. One wrong impulse and he is gone. Thankfully it only works when the other party knows that the other is a human, instincts would be itched but not that badly, evidenced in the case of Jai.

Leonard walked out of the hut. Jai stared at him, who was wearing traditional Jakari clothing and raised her thumbs in approval.

"It fits"

Leonard shyly spoke as Jai's piercing gaze scanned his body. Jai nodded in approval once again and now started looping around him as she evaluated the clothing that wore.

"It looks good! Now hurry let me see you in Jakari form."

"Form? You mean disguise."

"Hehe, what's the difference!"

Leonard chuckled and went to grab the choker. He wore it around his neck, and with a mental command, his appearance changed. Pure white skin, ice blue hair, fangs and most importantly, the almighty common eye colour of the Jakari, white eyes. Leonard took a look at a polished surface of copper and saw how he looked.

He is always astonished at Jakari's incredible biology, so to see himself as one was amazing, the Glyph did its work properly, giving him the Jakari traits over his body. Pure white skin like milk or chalk, ice blue hair and sparkling white eyes. He admired the way he looked.

"Woah…" exclaimed Jai.

"Do I look handsome by Jakari standards?" Leonard asked with a smirk.

"Yes actually."

Leonard's brows jumped and he felt a bit shy, but his background as an aristocrat gave him better control of his outward face. So he just smiled and gave a question instead.

"Any Jakari that's as handsome as me?"

Jai nodded "I've seen a lot of handsome Jakari when Brother went to the military."

"I see, what makes a Jakari handsome though?"

"Fang colour and jaw sharpness."

"Surprisingly simple."

"Yeah, you already had the sharp jaw, just the fang was missing."

Leonard nodded, he rested his chin above his index, thinking. "Does having a scrunched forehead add attractiveness?"

Jai looked at his forehead judgingly before nodding in approvement. Leonard looked tall, regal and mature, something of an eye candy for people with high tastes. 

"Yeah… you look like a high-ranking Jakari…"

"Why do you sound unsure?" Leonard raised a brow.

Jai shrugged, her expression was unsure. "I don't always see them, the last time I did was 3 years ago at the festival and recruitment."

"Ah…" Leonard nodded in understanding. "But don't you have, like, good memories?"

"What I mean is I don't have enough materials to compare you to. Ah! There's also that guild receptionist but that's all about it…"

Leonard smiled, he shook his head indicating she had done enough. 

"Well not that it matters, let's go and enjoy ourselves!"

"Okay!"

"I'll be relying on you to lead the way, Jai."

***

Leonard and Jai entered the town, and Leonard had to cloak himself for an extra measure of caution. It seemed safe as the people generally didn't look his way. 

"Let's go, Leo!"

Leonard was dragged away by Jai's strength, her hand holding his. He didn't fight back though and let himself get dragged. 

They went from the entrance of the town towards the lively market that was filled with stalls. Jai introduced Leo to different parts of the market, she knew the entire layout of the place like the back of her hand. 

"Jai"

"Yep?" She replied happily.

"What's that?"

Leonard pointed at a stall, it seems that they were selling skewered meat. 

"Oh, that? I'll get some wait here!"

"Hey—"

Jai rushed towards the stall before Leonard could say anything else, he sighed and waited at his previous position. 

"That child."

"Hm?"

The stall owner beside him spoke, one out of warmth. 

"She always went here with her brother back then, when he went to fight for the warlord's army she came here with lonesome in her eyes."

"You knew of her?"

"Of course, She always buys the same groceries. How can I not notice her?"

"I see…" Leonard looked at Jai who was buying way too many skewers. "Let me guess, she seemed different when I went along with her."

"Aye, so it seems. I don't see the lonely eyes that she used to have."

The stall owner nodded, his eyes that used to have concern disappeared, it's as if a heavy feeling has liberated him. Leonard couldn't help but smile. 

Yeah, Jai has someone to worry for her other than her brother. Not so long after, Jai returned with skewers. 

"Leo! These are Junja parasite meat!"

Leonard didn't know that there was something that would make him gag, after all of his experience in the dungeon.

"T-thank you, Jai…"

Leonard did eat the parasite meat, it was delicious, but remembering the parasite that he fought was enough to sour his appetite. 

In the end, he ate only a single skewer since he always gets reminded of the abomination that is the parasite. He gets to see how happy Jai is though. 

***

Lenneza was working on her computer when he got an email notification from Richard. She opened the email just to see an attachment. 

When she opened the attachment, she saw the picture of an invitation to the Annual Duchy Banquet. Lenneza was a bit perplexed by this invitation, so she decided to email Richard instead that she'll go to his office. 

"Father, what is the invitation for?"

"Since Leonard isn't here you have to attend it… sigh… well, as the temporary heir, you have to join this."

Lenneza cringed at that thought, The annual duchy gathering is just a political check in the guise of a banquet. Children would have their political fights and the adults would have their own childish squabble as well. 

Leonard always opted on replying to declining the invitation rather than accepting and going. But now Leonard isn't here. Lenneza would take up to that responsibility. 

The reason Lenneza cannot refuse the invitation is that if she did, her background as an orphan would be used against her, saying she is tarnishing the reputation of the Marchen Family, rumours in high society are always considered true until it's false. 

But even if it's proven false nobody would care enough to change their viewpoint, so it's best not to get involved in any rumour. 

Leonard could decline because he is blood-related, and he cannot be easily shaken as he is the heir of the Duchy. Unlike Lenneza she was just adopted, and since this is the duchy political matters are worse to take for Lenneza. 

"I'm sorry, but—"

"It's fine, Father. I would join."

"You will?"

"Yes," Lenneza answered with a smile. "I will."

But Lenneza already lived once, and this is her second life.