[Jaque POV]
As soon as it appeared, the light and sound went away. Leaving only a melted monster and lingering pain all over me. Thankfully, most of the blast wasn't directed at me as I was still spewing mana away from me.
"Ha, Ha. HUFF... I would love a nap right now."
With my mouth and throat sore, I sit down and feel a very familiar headache hit me. My mana had finally run dry. Nonetheless, my idea worked! I created a bootlegged version of an actual fire skill. I'm a genius! The few hours I spent thinking in bed were worth it!
But in all seriousness, it was a complete fluke that I managed to pull off. I probably had a better chance of exploding from the inside out, almost like eating Sister Marigold's food. Maybe that's what allowed me to survive.
RMMMBBB!
A large vibration ran up my spine, cutting through my thoughts and headache. As the smoke of the explosion started to clear up, I could make out the silhouette of the giant stone monster moving around to find me.
'I just can't cache a break.'
Getting up, I quickly pick up Arius, who had fainted from the previous blow, and hold my head down as I once again begin a run toward the giant rock. As the dust cleared, I finally arrive behind the safety of the giant rock. Perfectly covering us from both sides, I rest my aching body against the rock and can't help but drift to sleep, not even minding the occasional shake of the ground.
...
[Lorraine POV]
*A few hours ago*
After saying goodbye to Arius, I quickly made my way toward Stella's house. I didn't know where it was exactly but with a bit of asking around I made my way in front of a large gate. Looking through the gaps in the gate, there was a path leading to a house that was a bit bigger than the houses outside.
"Hmmmm, where did I put it?"
Searching through my clothes and bag, I eventually pull out a shiny metal card with a cool symbol on it. Stella had given it to me while Arius was getting beat up the whole day. She said something about an engraving opening the door or something like that. Waving the card around in the air, the expected opening of the gate did not happen.
"What? She said that it would open automatically."
Walking closer to the gate, I push on it to see if it would open. It didn't.
'...'
Well, that's a problem. Looking around the gate, there weren't any visible clues to help me either. Glaring at the card in my hand, I start fiddling around with it as I thought about what to do. Twilling it under the sun, I notice something for a split second.
Turning the card around, I brought the card closer to my face as I saw a bunch of words reflecting against the sun.
[---------------]
How to use:
1. Be within 5 meters of your desired location
2. Channel your mana within the card
3. The door will open
*Fine Print*
How to channel mana for dummies:
Imagine within your body that there's a pond, then imagine yourself as a water pump. As a water pump, you can draw water to your desired location. Hint: The card in your hands
- Product of the Engraver Guild and creator K.S
[---------------]
"Soooooo, I'm a water pump?"
Reading the engraved words, or at least attempting to with pieces of knowledge that I know. I managed to get the general idea.
'Imagine, pond, water pump, card, hands. Alright!'
With this idea in mind, I held the card in both hands and closed my eyes to imagine myself as a water pump. Trying to find the pond but with no success, I start to try and guide something toward my hands. My strength, my energy, my thoughts, at least something should follow my brain.
After a few more seconds of being tense, I let out a deep breath.
'Nothing is happening, I need some help.'
PSSs
"WA!"
Just as I was about to open my eyes, I feel a sudden drain and the card flying out of my hands. Opening my eyes in a hurry, I tried to find where the card had gone. The conclusion after a few seconds of searching is that it is gone. However, the gate in front of me was opened.
Suspiciously looking around to see if there was anyone around, I quickly dash inside.
...
Eventually, after wandering the halls of the house, which surprisingly lacked people, I bumped into a maid. Arriving at Stella's room, I'm greeted by a really old-looking room. Almost like Sister Arielle's room, full of old books lined on many bookshelves. With old chairs and desks, it didn't look like a room that anyone would live in, not to mention a girl my age.
That thought was short-lived when I walked into the room and saw the rest of it. On the far side of the room, there was a great splash of colour contrasting the initial moody room. Vibrant blue furniture with a pale emerald bed that my friend was still sleeping on.
"Hey, Stella! Wake up"
"hhhmmm Lorrrraiine? Why are you here so early?
"It's almost lunchtime!"
"Yeah, early."
...
After dragging Stella out of bed, we started walking down a hallway. On the way, I ask her why there were so few people in the mansion and no one stopped her when she just ran in.
"Oh, that. We're a peaceful town, most of the townspeople are happy with the way my family runs it so there isn't a need for a lot of defence. Plus, you saw how to need a special card to get in so no need for guards out there. Of course, we do have a few other things that are there in case something happens."
"Hmm, ok. By the way, I haven't seen anyone else from your family this whole."
"Yeah, they went to one of the nearby cities to conduct business so I'm in charge right now! Let's go have some fun!"
...
For the next few hours, Stella showed me all around her house. We went to the library to talk and run around. We invaded to kitchen and pantry. We explored way too many old dusty rooms. We even played a giant game of hide and seek with the staff!
Eventually, we arrived at her family training court. It was a simple dirt patch behind the house with many rows of equipment, targets and dummies. Stella walks up to a particular weapon stand with much smaller wooden weapons.
"Do you want to practice some sword fighting?"
"YEAH, that sound's fun!"
"I finally have a friend to practice with. I never get to practice when my family is here.
"Really, that's the same with me! My older sister would always say the same thing."
"'Maybe when you're older."'
'...'
"JINX!"
'...'
"'HAhahahaha!"'
"Ha ha! Alright, let's play with these swords."
Holding a sword for the first time, I excitedly swing it around to get a feel for it. But before we could get comfortable, one of the few guards quickly comes running over toward us. He quickly arrives next to Stella before whispering something into her ear.
The joyful atmosphere quickly switched as Stella's smile warped into a frown and her eyes widened in shock and horror. I already felt something uneasy, just a feeling that I knew something bad has happened. With a few seconds of contemplation, Stella quickly issued a few orders.
"Mobilise the guards and get someone to inform Mr. Doherty so that we can meet at the Adventurer Guild!"
After sending the guard away, Stella grabs a real sword and sheath from one of the stands and starts hurrying back inside. I quickly do the same and run after her.
"Stella! What's going on?"
"I just got the news that the monsters in the S.T.A. are feral and are trying to leave. I got to meet up with everyone to make a plan!"
'Isn't that where Big Brother Jaque and Arius are? Oh nooo.'
The colour drains from my face as my body fills with worry. But this worry won't make me a crumbling mess. I need to do something, I will do something. Beyond the mere feeling of fright, I am filled with hope and the desire to act.
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Dakria's Fun Fact: While all dwarven discoveries now lie in Duargeinhelm, that wasn't the case in the far-flung past. Back when we flourished, we inhabited a mountain range in the far north. Very much remote but still deeply involved with the continent's activities and clans.