Bab 26: A new group
"I need some time," Leo said, not only trying to buy some time to gather information, but also because he has to train with Sophie and look after Thomas for a while," I still have some things to do here, and don't know when I'm available again
"Sure thing. Not that we expected to drag you into our team right away." Lanter agreed.
"How long do you guess are you busy? A week, two or a month?"
Leo thought about it.
'Despite learning to read, I have also training with Ms. Sophie. After I grasp the magic, and got my awakening... I should be able to convince Mr. Sieg to let me go on some adventures. I guess around...'
"How does three weeks sound? I have some important matters to attend to, and can't leave them unfinished."
'And I need to gather some intel about your group' he added in his mind.
"Three weeks..., guess e can't force you. How about that:
We relax for a day or two, explore the village and when we have seen enough, we get a room at an Inn. When you can, train with us. If there is the chance we fight together in the future, it can only be beneficial."
Leo agreed that training together is a good way to explore strengths and weaknesses in the team. Not knowing can change the course of the battle.
"Sure, that we can do."
He and Lanter shook hands, finishing their deal and separated. Before Leo left though, he remembered the others introduction.
'Would make me look bad if I miss that out.'
"I still need to introduce myself: Alias is Caesar, a vanguard with Fire and Earth affinity, using a blunt weapon and shield."
"Oooh, two elements, how rare around here." exclaimed Angelica.
"See you around Caesar." Lanter bad farewell.
Finally ready to take a good rest, Leo went to his room, that night sleeping like a stone.
The next day, he awoke without any major discomfort. Inspecting his bandages, taking them off and took a look at his wounds.
To his surprise, many of them were already closed up, only some light scars remembering where they were. The cut on his leg instead was completely healed, not a sign remaining.
'I have to ask Mr. Laurence what he used on me. Most likely not just some simple bandages.'
He put on some normal clothes, some of the few in his possession, put the leather armor in his backpack, together with most of his valuables.
'Not going anywhere unprepared anymore.'
Grabbing some bread and dry meat, he went down, to the ground floor.
Many people were in the Guild this morning, and Leo wondered just how long he slept.
"What time is it?" he asked a staff member who was balancing a tablet with some drinks.
"The first bell just rang, now excuse me..." With some fast steps, the tablet found its way to the table.
"So I have about one hour. What to do?"
He had already an idea. Going out of the Guild, Leo wandered around the street, searching for the merchant that helped him.
He looked left and right, going down the road and seeing all kinds of goods, not only food or fur, but also weapons, armor and parts of monsters.
A particular piece awoke his interest, as it had a design that looked like a scale, as one would expect it at a dragon.
Curious, he asked the merchant for information.
The trader could deduce from Leo's getup his wealth, and instantly knew that guy couldn't possible afford that item. But as a professional, he answered him nonetheless.
"That piece of scale is just the shown piece, many more laying guarded in my warehouse.
It belonged to a Iguano, a reptile like monster and distant descendant of the ancient Dragons."
His description attracted more potential customers, so he continued.
"His scales are durable, hard but still flexible, ideal for armor or defensive equipment.
As these creatures are especially rare around here, you most likely won't find many more of the same. "
He hold up the scale, showing its shiny surface around.
"It can also be used as a accessory for the lady's." he concluded his presentation.
'A scale from a descendant of a dragon!' Leo wondered inwardly.
How would such a creature look like, and how strong is it?
But knowing he could not afford this, he left, fighting through the small crowd that gathered.
'They were not on the Guild Street. Maybe on the Main Road. There were some Inns, too.'
He walked onwards, his destination the spot with the many Inns.
But by a chance, the persons he searched for found him, right before he past them unnoticed.
"Good day, Mr. Leonardo." He heard the calming voice of Laurence. Leo turned around, seeing him with Holo taking a stroll.
"What are your wounds doing?"
Leo felt instantly comfortable talking to him, as if his voice was a cushion.
"Much better, only have some minor scars left, thank you for your help again."
Holo came over, inspecting him from top to bottom.
'Woah, why so close' Leo was bewildered.
She suddenly grabbed his shirt, pulled it up, exposing his whole upper body.
"Hey!" he said on reflex.
"mmhmm, although we expected that you recover fast, we thought it would need at least a four days."
She shared a look with Laurence. He also raised his eyebrows, wondering about Leo's good recovery.
"About that, I have some questions: What did you use on me that these wounds heal so fast? I can't believe some bandages can accomplish that feat."
"These were not normal ones." Holo explained, winking with her index finger.
"Bandages soaked in a water mixture together with recovery herbs and salves. For your leg a external applied low grade Potion. But still, you healed very fast. Must come from your racial traits."
Hearing the list of things used to treat him, he grew pale. Ignoring the racial trait thing, he asked careful:
"How much was the treatment worth, I want to compensate you for your losses."
'Just when I got broke again. Aaargh, I am so bad with money.'
Laurence took out an abacus, sliding different pearls from one side to another while murmuring.
He came out with a shocking number, at least for Leo.
"The total would be around 55 silver and 47 copper, the most expensive one the potion with 30 silver."
He looked at Leo, who grew from a pale to white.
Swallowing dryly, he had to admit:
"I... have that amount not on me, so... can I pay you back in the future?"
'If not, I may have to rob someone.'
Holo smiled ridiculing. She folded her arms, distancing herself from Leo.
"So you have not enough, huh? What do we do then, maybe..."
Flashing a evil smile towards Laurence, she continued:
"Sell him as a slave? His sort is bringing us a good profit."
Leo was too occupied to notice her teasing, stepping back and looking at them fearful.
'I forgot, to pay off debts, one can sell others legally. Is this my faith.'
He slumped together, barely standing. Holo felt bad for joking like that, quickly apologizing.
"You shouldn't joke around with topics like that" scolded Laurence.
"Especially with him. You know how bad that can be, and he is still a child."
"I know! Common Leo." she supported him, as he seemed weak and lifeless.
"That was a bad joke. We won't sell you. Never done that kind of business."
Leo regained some color, looking at Holo.
"You won't? Even if I owe you a fortune?"
"No, of course not. And it wasn't that much money, anyway. Pay us back in the future, okay?"
Laurence helped her out, as Leo was still looking pale.
"You never asked us in the first place to help you. We did it on our own accord. We come here several times a year, so pay us back then. You still are young, of course you a tight on money."
Looking at these kind people, Leo felt their good intentions, and the honesty in their voices.
He brushed himself through the face, took a deep breath and calmed down.
"I will pay you back next time. So please bear with me for that day."
Holo went back to Laurence's side, winking goodbye to him.
Leo shook hands with Laurence, agreeing to his terms.
They walked away, and Leo made his way towards Mr. Sieg's residence.
He arrived punctual, greeted by Silvia and went straight towards the study.
Mr. Sieg then proceeded with the lesson, helping Leo a bit on how to move the energy better and bring it to the outside.
Trying the whole morning, his only success was a small whirl he created, not powerful or impressive, but Mr. Siegfried complimented him, saying that this feat is a real accomplishment.
After that was the matches with Sophie.
As she got to know Leo could handle magic attacks, she changed her battle tactics. Not only does she use her sword and excellent maneuvers, but when having enough time and distance she cast some spells, thus beating Leo nearly every time.
At the end of the trainings session, she complimented him.
"Your reactions got a lot faster, you endure more attacks and put on a lot of pressure.
I can't rely only on my sword anymore."
Leo felt a bit better, knowing he progresses not only in magic, but also with close combat.
"Indeed, without any magic being able to stand up against Ms. Sophie. An impressive feet, Mr. Caesar." added Silvia, who was ready to see Leo off.
"Still, not winning makes me feel like a bad opponent." he admitted. His objective was to challenge Sophie, but it felt like she toyed with him.
"Not at all. Wait for the day you have our awakening. Mine is close, and yours not far either.
Then we can have real matches, showing our abilities.
Leo was very expectant for the day when he reaches adulthood. Many times he heard alredy that many changes happen, bringing his potential out.
Leaving the residence after the fruitful day, he made his way towards Thomas house, anticipating the lesson.
'I hope his coughing got better. Last time he did not sound good at all.'
He got to Thomas's house, knocking and walking in after receiving an answer.
"Hi Leo, expected you."
He looked better than yesterday, sitting at the table and a simple bread with some vegetables and pieces of meat.
"Sit down, you must be hungry, too."
Leo followed obliged, knowing the meat, albeit not immensely overpriced, is still not common.
After eating together, he asked:
"Where is Bron? Yesterday he appeared hurried, and is not here today, either."
Coughing lightly, Thomas explained:
"Recently Bron met a new friend, and together they took some old, dull blades and trained since then. Swords are something that just draws a boy in."
He sighed.
"Bet he's gonna be an adventurer soon. But only after adulthood, else over my cold body."
He looked at Leo, as he was just that, underage and registered.
"Not that I could have forced you, aren't my child in the first place. Also appear to be mature for your age."
He stood up, walking towards a shelf with very few books, some looking old and dusty, but two in a better shape than the rest.
"'Bout your lesson, I borrowed a book from Mrs. Willow. She was so nice."
He placed that thick book down on the table, opening the covers at the windows to let more light in.
"I teached Sam and Bron with self-made planks of wood and charcoal. It worked, but that thing here is better. Open it up."
Leo felt the heavy cover, a simple brown and skillful bonded at the back.
Opening the first site, he saw rows of single letters, each one cleanly drawn and showed in different variations.
"These are all 30 letters of our alphabet, some have two single letters, but form a single together.
For starters, look at the first row, and try to recreate them by following the lines with your finger."
'Finally, my first steps to be literate.' Leo rejoiced.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone