Chapter 98: Baggage (2/2)
Grinning, Brenden continued. ”When Razmarans wear red masks, it means they intend to kill, and you'd best get out of their way. I've seen them in action before, and I would honestly rather fight another round of demons.”
”That bad?”
He frowned, as if recalling something unpleasant. ”I once saw a female Razmaran, about Sera's size, rip a buddy of mine in half with her bare hands as easily as if she was tearing paper. Funny thing was, I'm pretty sure she was the same woman who had been helpless to stop us from robbing her earlier that day, just with one of those red masks on. Only reason I'm still alive, is because she didn't consider me a threat.”
There was a lot for Mike to unpack in that last statement. ”Do you want to talk about it?”
”Nah, its old news. Not worth mentioning.” Slapping Mike on the shoulder, he walked over to the women in an effort to hurry them along.
He made a mental note to have a long chat with the beastman at his first opportunity.
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The group entered the Guild, laden with packages.
”Do we really need all this?” Mike was asking.
Sera answered him in a tired, and slightly annoyed voice. ”Of course we do. We're living in an aristocratic environment. We can't just wander about in the same set of beat up clothes like common adventurers. We'd become the laughingstocks of campus.”
”But why do we need towels? You can just dry yourself with Lifestyle Magic.”
”And make our guests use their own mana? Do you want to look like country rubes in front of the nobility?”
Deciding that it wasn't worth getting into a fight Mike changed the subject. ”Anyway, it looks like this place to drop this stuff while we check in.”
”Alright, I'll watch the stuff while you go do your adventurer thing.” Sera announced while sitting down on a nearby chair.
Mike, Tal, and Brenden shared a look. They had spoken about this earlier but had not brought it up with the Oracle yet.
”Sera, we've been thinking that it might be a good idea for you to develop a little. You know, get a little stronger. That way we can bring you with us when traveling to dangerous places. Otherwise.....”
She gave Mike a hard look before glancing at the other two. ”Do you two agree?”
”Yes. Need to be stronger.” Tal replied simply.
Brenden was a little harsher. ”As it is now, we'll have to take time to protect you. In other words, you'll be holding us back.”
”I see.....” The Oracle became quiet, and Mike felt that it might have been a better idea to discuss it with her more fully before now.
”Fine.” Finally, Sera nodded as if coming to some internal decision, and stood up. ”I'm assuming that you want me join the Adventurer's Guild, since you brought it up here.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable, Mike agreed. ”That was the idea, yes. We felt it would assist in the process by giving you incremental increases in the difficulty of tasks. With a little training from the rest of us, you'll be stronger before you know it.”
She sighed. ”I get it, I do. Lets just get this done.”
Brenden volunteered to watch their possessions while the other three went up to the desk. Tal checked in first, then traded out with the beastman, to let him get a chance. After Mike, Sera got registered, and was given her first request, a simple herb collection job.
Since the capital's guild wasn't all that impressive after spending time in Wyrport, they decided to call it a day and head back. They were mostly done shopping, and Mike still wanted to visit the Spire to see what kinds of books were available.
After another tiring trip the group crashed in the living room of the dorm. Mike of course was still full of energy, but the rest of them seemed a little worn out. Before checking out the library, he wanted to check on Sera's request.
”Seems simple enough. I just need to go to....Barge Island? .....and pick up some Shylock Herbs?” She announced while squinting at the poor hand writing of the requester. ”Judging from the map, that's not too far away. I think a boat could make it there relatively easily.”
”We can check down at the docks tomorrow.” Mike suggested.
Brenden gave him a look. ”You do realize that you have classes starting tomorrow, right?”
”......yeeaahhh. I totally remembered that.” He laughed guiltily.
”Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. Brenden and Tal will be more than enough.” The Oracle spoke quietly. ”Besides, bringing you on a herb gathering quest seems like overkill.”
”That's the truth.” Brenden chimed in. ”We'd probably end up fighting an ancient terror that makes the island its home, if Mike came along.”
”True.” Tal contributed.
”Anyway, I'm going to lie down for awhile. Remind me to hire a carriage the next time we go on a shopping spree like that.” Sera largely put an end to the conversation by leaving the room.
Tal followed after, but took the time to lay a sympathetic hand on Mike's shoulder. ”Pride hurt. Give time.”
Sighing, Mike turned to Brenden. ”Anyway, I'm going to try out the library. Want to come?”
The beastman squinted at him. ”I'd rather get shot again. Nah, I'll do some exploring on my own.”
”Again?...Right, sounds like a plan.”
The pair left the dormitory, but quickly went their separate ways, as Mike walk towards the shard of glass at the center of the campus.