Just a week passed since this group picked me up… After that one night, they profusely apologized for keeping me out all night. Ever since then, if there's been a time they were gone, or asleep they kept me inside the tent I woke up in.
It's been really boring, I just lay here. James who's been the kindest of them all left me a few books… If I could read this world's language. I've been trying, it's like a mix of English and another language.
You may be wondering, my dear invisible diary. Why can't I just walk around? Turns out when I tripped after running from that goblin, I twisted my left ankle badly. James him again, he's been taking care of my injuries on a daily basis. I hate the fact he's been treating me like a daughter, it's so embarrassing.
Phew, anyways back on topic. My left ankle was hurt so bad, it needs multiple rounds of healing. My body apparently can only take one session per day. Odd, right? My stomach's all healed up, no scar or anything. Even after a few treatments, I may have twisted it to the point I'll be walking a bit awkward for the rest of my new life.
Speaking of walking… I need to try today. Setting aside the book I was attempting to read, I sat up. "C'mon…" I bated my breath. With what strength I had, I pushed myself off the ground.
"Okay… This is a lot better than yesterday…" I couldn't stand properly yesterday. Every day after I got treatment on my feet I was tasked to stand or try to walk. And oh boy… I wanted to scream in pain for the first two days. First step… So far so good, now my left leg… AH! Don't fall, don't fall… I can't put much weight on it…
"I can walk… Finally…" My heart's pounding out of my chest. For a week I couldn't walk! "YES!!" I quickly covered my mouth. I can't believe it! Although a bit awkward, I can walk now! Let's try walking to the tent's entrance.
"Hm? What are they talking about?"
James' voice was the first I heard. "Jin, what do you think we should do with Little Yukina? We're just a few days from town."
"Dunno what to tell you man, we don't know much about her. She could have a family, but judging by her clothes she was enslaved for some time."
Suddenly, Shaun's voice popped up. He is annoying, all looks and no smarts. Classic. Alright… What's he going to say? "Can't we hand her into the guild? Or what about an orphanage?"
Definitely not a good idea… I expected them to let me go once we got somewhere. This isn't the first time I've heard them talk about me… I don't want to go into an orphanage… Never heard any good news about them in fantasy worlds. The guild might be good, but I don't know how it runs in this world.
My thoughts were interrupted by their voices again.
"Why don't we ask her? Although…" James paused for a moment, I bet he's going to glare at James. "An orphanage isn't a good idea, when one of them gets too old they'll be sold as a slave. Did you forget that Shaun?"
"Ah… Right, my bad." I bet he's scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, what do you think?" Honestly, I'd rather be an adventurer… I don't know much about this world. There could be schools, but I'd rather not go through that crap again! I stepped backwards, with a little struggle when I heard dirt crunching nearing me.
"Hm?" James let out once he walked through the tent's flaps. He squinted at me, rubbed his eyes and finally said. "You can walk!"
"Congratulations Yukina!"
Is that really something you should congratulate someone about? Ugh, this guy is a pain. "T-Thanks…" I hate this, I hate having to act like a little girl. Whilst lost in a thought, James crouched to my eye level, he has that glint of someone who's looking at a small child. James, this is starting to really piss me off alright.
"We have something to ask you, wanna go on a walk outside first?"
Can he see these fluffy ears? I can hear whatever they talked about… Nonetheless, I agreed to go. I really just need to stretch my legs, and I don't want to be cramped in here. We walked around the camp, more like I limped around. By 'we' only me and James.
I'm assuming he sees me as a daughter… I can feel my hair stand up just at that thought. And as the silence is overwhelming, he won't ask me anything. I bit the bullet. "W-What did you w-want to ask?"
"Hm? Oh, right." He stopped after I asked. His arm raised just above my head. Is he trying to give me a headpat? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I purposefully stumbled backwards! I may not be a man anymore, but I won't let myself lose more dignity.
"Ah, sorry about that… Habit of mine." James retracted his hand and set it to his side. "Little Miss Yukina, once we get back to town, what would you like to do?"
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Wellll, do you have a family? If you do, we can send you to the adventurers' guild."
"I-I don't know… I don't remember if I do…"
"I see… Sorry if that brought up some bad memories."
There was genuine remorse in his voice. I heard him take another breath, but this time he knelt down to my eye level again. "Would you like to be with the adventurers' guild? They can take care of you."
"C-Can I be an adventurer like a-all of you?" I tried my best with a smile, I guess it didn't work out. His eyebrows twitched in confusion? Or irritation, no clue. He now had a frown on his face.
Next thing I knew he had his hands on my shoulder. Looks like this is tough for him. "We'll see, alright? Right now, you need to focus on getting better."
Then why bother asking?!
"Adventurering is hard work. When we found you, we had to kill a group of goblins about to hurt you. For most quests we have to deal with something like that."
Well, duh? I know what I'm choosing to do. If I need to, I can use magic… I don't know how though, I'll have to ask. Oh man, he looks way too worried for someone not related. It's written all over his face.
"I-I know… I want to though…"
"Sigh… Alright, alright. Once you're fully healed we'll teach you some things." James lowered his head in defeat. Seems like the little girl act is working, huh? Or this guy just has a sweet spot- like the other guys here. They've all been treating me nicely… It's weird. "If you're walking and eating better by the time we get to the city, we'll get you signed up, okay?"
"Okay I understand!" The excited act wasn't really an "act". Pretty classic, isekaid and now wanting to be an adventurer… It's pretty exciting due to the freedom, plus who wouldn't want to live a fantasy? Although it was never my favorite genre back then, yes back then. I'm still struggling, but this is my life for now.
Either way, if they don't allow me to become one, I can just run away and sign up myself… A thirteen year old should be able to, right? Though, I don't have an identification card or something myself. He and I walked around for some time, he had a mysterious smile on his face the entire time.
After we did that, I had to sit down. I don't know what happened to this body before, did the muscles in my legs atrophy? James and the other guys did talk about my current condition on the second day.
"Little Miss Yukina's blood seems to have an infection in it."
"Eh? How?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Her blood was pretty congealed, and dark."
This is what I could remember from it, I stopped paying attention after that. I felt fine, other than the pain, it could be just due to the cloth I put in. Anyways, for the past week or so, we've been eating two meals a day. It just consisted of the usual dried meats and fruits. Pretty boring eh? Gotta get used to it if I do become an adventurer.
"Hey Yukina, wanna hear a story?" Jin of all people asked me. His facial expressions never really changed, this time he had a positive "look"
"S-Sure…"
For thirty or so minutes, he went on a long winded story. A group of guys met at a young age, all with aspirations. One man, serious to the point. Him, this is a story about them. Guess he's that type of old guy. Anyways, he went on about how they met up and formed this group.
That's pretty exciting, honestly. They've known each other since they were kids, at the age of fifteen they all signed up to be adventurers. For twenty years, they all went on journeys working together. Even when they all married they never stopped, their wives knew the risks but allowed it.
In most stories, people would have to take a test to sign up to be an adventurer. I even expected that. I'm appalled, turns out it's even here, but not a hunting quest or something else. None of them went into detail about it, but mentioned it was pretty simple.
After listening to a bit more stories about their ventures, I walked myself into the tent they loaned me. Pretty nice of them for lending me this. Must be the "little girl" charm. Nonetheless, it was comfortable. Somehow heated?
I laid down onto the floor, using one of my arms as a pillow. Though there isn't much meat on my arms, I still did it. Back to studying… Yay… It's like going to school!
Now, you may be wondering, why can't I just ask them for help? They're a group of old dogs, they need to enjoy each others' company. Added onto that feeling of being indebted to them. They saved my new life, feeding me, I'll have to make it up to them.
Oh! I've been trying out that new skill or magic I got. Although I have not made much progress, I got something! I can now at least start something. During one attempt, I felt this cold feeling in my chest. It felt as if a freezing flame ignited there. It's mana! At least I hope so.
After "reading" this book, I threw it to the side. Time to actually practice more. I sat up from where I was. With my eyes closed, I pictured that flame in my chest, igniting it. Focus, try to flow into your hands. For many minutes, it stayed there. Even urging it, it didn't move
Keep at it, keep it. I can feel myself getting tired, it's draining it. Finally, I felt something reach slowly to my limbs. Suddenly, something hot entered my hands, light danced against my eyelids. I DID IT! I DID ITTT!
"YES!!" I shouted, my heart pounding against my chest. It may have taken a week, but I can now use my skill! In my hands flames were floating above them.
Do you remember when you were a kid, and you got a sweet toy or found a super exciting thing? Your heart beating against your chest, hands shaking intensely? That's exactly what I'm doing.
SCREW BECOMIN- Okay, not that far, but FUCK YES! HAHAHA! These flames don't go away even if I move them. They really look like normal flames. I felt an invisible string attaching my hand to it. "Oh…" Suddenly, the world around me became blurry, my flames spurted out. "That…"
Mana depletion, something that drains you physically as well mentally… How did I forget… That?I feel like I'm going to throw up! How does something so simple, not dangerous feel like this?! I had to curl into a ball, clenching my stomach.
For hours, I stayed in this position; feeling the need to vomit up what I ate, trembling from this exhaustion. Only when I felt my stomach ease, I sat up. "That was so bad… I'll have to be careful. Urgh! Keep it down!" Is that what mana depletion feels like?! And for that long it exhausts?!
Goodbye adventuring… This horrendous body is not built for it… I wiped away imaginary tears that welled in my eyes. HA, No I'll still become one!
"Hm? What are they talking about?"
My ears perked up when I heard voices outside.
"How'd it go with Yukina, James?" The first one was obviously Jin's. He only calls me by my new name.
"Welll, she wants to become an adventurer."
"Hm? Why don't we allow her? There's plenty of legends in the adventurers' guild about a little girl becoming strong." Verd's voice rang out. Does this guy live in a f- Yes, yes he does.But his own fantasy. I shook my head helplessly at his words. "I'm in agreement she should join."
"Yeah same, even if it isn't with us, we can set her up!"
"You two, that's just a fantasy, you know? Stories that parents that support their kids come up with." James responded with a helpless tone in his voice. "Her circumstances aren't good, right now she can barely walk. She seems incredibly weak too."
He's not wrong… But, I still want to do it.
"I'm with James on this, you guys. You remember how she was in when we picked her up."
C'mon you too?! I've only been with y'all for a week! I'm not your daughter, why are you trying to decide my future?! I AM NOT ACCEPTING I'M A GIRL! Why did I think that?! UGH!
Something shocking entered my fluffy ears, again.
"We don't know much about her though. We can carry her at times when she's exhausted. She might be able to use magic."
… Was he acting stupid? That's a good point…
"Haah…. Alright. Shaun, we'll deal with that later, I can use [Identify] on her with permission. If I see anything, we'll take her in. Jin, agreed?"
"Sure."
What if you find nothing…?I don't know how that works in this world.
"That's not really reliable though. You've tried it on me, but haven't found all my skills."
"We'll figure something out. There's other alternatives."
"Alright, alright… "
What alternatives…? Ah… Whatever. Either way I'll be doing what I want to do. For the rest of the day, it was mundane like the rest. But, I slept well that night, mainly due to how I think Mana Depletion affected my body.
Then the next day, then the next were the same as usual. For the first day, my walking had gotten better. My feet hurt less, but I can't keep up. These old guys slowed down their pacing. Damn longer legs…I miss my old body now..
Now that I can walk somewhat properly and don't need to rely on them I can see the road clearly. It was just a huge plains, rarely there were trees. Compared to my previous life however, they were twice the size! Pretty interesting, right?
Only interesting things were what the guys were telling me. Turns out the city (whatever) allows all races. Rather a shocker to me. Thought demi-humans or animal people were ostrichized.
By the third day, we could make out the town now. It had high walls, with a large gate. The walls circled around it, protecting it and thwarting off enemies. Whilst I was excitedly stuck inside my mind, I felt something plop on my head and shoulders.
Jin had placed some sort of jacket on me, one that covered the top of my head. As expected, Wolfkin or animalkin, such an odd name for demi-humans! They were frowned upon, I think. His facial expression told me it all, but he explained some things.
"We'll have to cover those furry ears of yours… It's true that animalkin are accepted, people still look down upon them."
"I-I understand." I responded, pretending to feel- Not really pretending, that's pretty scary! Either way, I nodded my head to his explanation. Though I doubt they'd start throwing tomatoes at any animalkin they see. Hmm, that seems like something I'd like to see nonetheless.
With the final stretch, Shaun carried me on his back. By now, my legs were already shot… Ahem… I gotta stay calm. Shaun doesn't seem to mind… But sure as hell it's making me feel super embarrassed. My assumption to their smiles was the massive blush on my face.
"Yo! Welcome back you four!" One of the guards greeted us, he was a handsome man around the same age as I was back then. He held a spear in one hand, the other hand free. And in head to toe, he was in plated armor. "Longer trip eh? Wait. Did you pick up a stray on the way there?"
"Haha, thanks. It was a longer trip, but worth the pay." James, who by now was obviously the leader of the group, walked up and extended his arm to the young man. "And, yes. Shaun, can you let Little Miss Yukina down?"
"Yup." Before I could react, Shaun let me down onto the ground.
He had me walk up to the young man and introduce myself… Pretty awkward since he immediately started treating me like a kid. The other guard ignored us, probably not paying attention.
As soon as we finished introducing ourselves and then finished talking we were allowed in. I guess they made a name for themselves… That guard didn't bother checking if I had an identification card. Yes, my dear old diary, identification cards are a thing in this world. I hope to god the pictures in them don't look as horrible as back home.
Finally, with a goal in all of our minds– mainly mine, we walked through the city. It was a standard medieval type of town, European type buildings. People were dressed in garbs, some flashier and extravagant than others. My attention was elsewhere, at times they had to drag me around. There's a lot of beautiful women, okay!?
Surprisingly, no one had batted an eye at us! Guess it's common in this world for four grown near middle aged men to be around a little g-girl…Or it could be a slavery thing, I am dressed in pretty shabby clothes.
In such a short time, we stood in front of an impressively large building. It had clear, shiny windows, and inside there were a crap ton of people. Their races ranged quite a bit… There's elves too, expected. Horned people… Probably demons or some kind of animal-kin.
Oh, dear writer, why are you going with them to the adventurers' guild you may ask? They need to submit their quest. They'll also be checking something, seeing if I could become like them.It'd be pretty cool if they agreed to let me become an adventurer, right?!