Chapter 2:New neighbours

Vera Talor was a great mage who became an adventurer but after losing her husband during a beast hunt, she left the city due to her griefful past and moved to Aden with her nine years old son, Darvin, in the hope of getting a fresh start.

******

On the day she got to Aden she was forced to sleep in a shabby inn due to no better options. The next day after registering with the adventurers guild she went out in search of a proper place to call home most of the city's good houses were taken except a street that was almost devoid of residence. Whenever she would ask the reason about that she would always get a cold shoulder but after her persistent request, she was able to get a house which was coincidentally close to the Randell residence. For the remaining part of the day she settled into her house. In the evening the Randell couple had come back from their respective duties. Once they were done Vera and Darvin went to meet their new neighbours before she got into their front yard she was assaulted by a cold aura which she blocked through with a bit of strain, just then Silvia walked out to see her intruders.

"Who are you?" Silvia asked before Vera could explain herself.

"We are your new neighbours and we just wanted to say hello and get to know our new neighbours.

This made Silvia regret her awful treatment towards them.

"I am sorry for the awful start, do you mind coming in for some tea," Silvia said ashamed of how much she had overreacted

Despite their awful first encounter, Vera was eager to meet her new neighbours.

" Definitely," She said as she and her son walked the house

********

As they were enjoying tea Lark explained to Vera of their special situation which filled her with disgust at the nature of the city's people. Vera also shared her story with the couple who provided her with comfort meanwhile Aldin and Darvin were together in a different room.

********

"My name is Aldin, what about you?" Aldin asked with joy of meeting somebody his age.

"My name is Darvin nice to meet you."

"Would you like to play I have some toys here," Aldin said but Darvin just simply Shrugged and kept quiet. Aldin noticed the sadness in Darvin's eyes and sat down next to Jim and stared deep into his eyes before starting to tear up. Darvin used this chance to let out the grief he had held inside after his father's death.

After crying their eyes red the two sat there staring at each other before Darvin broke the silence.

"Why did you start crying?"

"Because you looked very sad and it made me sad"

This response shocked Darvin. He felt happy that at the very least he had found someone that understood him. Out of joy, he hugged Alden who welcomed it. This was the beginning of their friendship. After getting to know each other the two families sat down for a meal. Vera and Darvin left after the meal to head back to their next home.

*******

The next morning Vera brought Darvin to stay with Aldin during the day, despite her worries about the safety of her child Lark assured her that the security of their home was sufficient to protect them.

********

After their parents left the two children went to play out at the back using wooden swords Lark had carved for the two who played to their heart's content and when they got bored decided to get back into the house.

"Why can't we go play outside the compound?"

"Because my parents said it's dangerous for me to be seen outside."

"Why don't we go and see the outside for some time, it won't take long."

"But they'll get mad if I do."

" It'll be quick they won't even know that we went, please."

"But what if something bad happens."

"It will be fine, nothing bad could happen."

"Okay, but we have to come back very fast."

*********

After applying to the adventurers guild Vera was taken for a field test to assign her a rank. Not too far away from the city, they were able to find a pack of wolf-type beasts that were fire attributed.

"The main purpose of these sessions is to see how well you can deal beast groups on your own to be able to understand what rank you're at." Said the guild representative, Alfred beside her.

Vera used a fly spell to lift both her and the guild representative above the ground to avoid alerting the pack. After getting close enough she made wind blades and launched them at the beasts the weak ones died in that instant but the alpha of the pack had yet to fall, she conjured an ice arrow and fired it at the wolf ending its life instantly.

"She had great mastery over her two elements and a good aim, with her skill she has a bright future. " Alfred thought to himself.

"How was that for a start?" Vera asked.

"Let's move on farther into the forest and test your abilities more."

The duo went deeper into the forest in search of more beasts to take down, they first came across a pack of earth attributed bore, Vera took her time with them due to their explosive power and tough hide, she used frost touch to slow them down and an ice blade to pierce their skulls from their eyes. Although gruesome the guild representative enjoyed it.

Next was a group of deers which were slaughtered in one go.

"I think we should head back now," Alfred said feeling content with what he had witnessed.

'This is the best talent I have seen in a long time since Daniel. In a short time, she'll surely climb to the top.' Alfred thought to himself.

'I wonder what rank I'll get.' Vera thought to herself as they walked back.