There were many tents set up in rows, as well as several wooden lodges. In one area, slightly off to one side, there was an open fire which some people were gathered around. Here and there, the Magulheim clan members busied themselves with various tasks, establishing the camp.
The buildings, such as the lodges, were crude structures that were erected with magic. They were practical, and provided a place for beds as well as meetings.
There were also some clan members who, working together, were creating a magical barrier that surrounded the camp. The barrier would protect the camp from any magical beasts that sought to penetrate their camp in the dead of night.
After they arrived at camp, Lynn and Illia went separate ways, to the Magulheim camp area and the wizard’s association’s remote branch, respectively.
“I’m going to speak with the association,” Illia said, “I’d better inform them about that chimera that appeared in the blue zone. It’s not a huge deal, but it is an abnormality, so for safety’s sake I should tell them. Can you head over to camp with the clay people, and declare our loot?”
“Sure”.
In the camp there were already many members gathered who had finished their hunt for the day.
Lynn saw that while there were some people who were using clay people to carry their loot, others had their loot in bags which they carried themselves, hung from their staves which they carried over their shoulders. No doubt they were able to carry such heavy loads only thanks to the aid of magic.
He spotted a place that looked like a kind of make-shift reception, and he headed over to inquire about declaring his and Illia’s loot.
“Excuse me, I want to delcar some loot”.
“Okay, just fill out this form here. Please include your name and an inventory of your loot. You can leave your loot with us for safekeeping if you like?”
“Oh, sure”, he said, and the clay person, seemingly understanding, walked over to the designated area to store the loot.
“Make sure to collect it before you leave camp. Also, bear in mind that the Magulheim meeting is at six o’clock. Don’t be late!”
After taking care of business at reception, he found himself bored. With nothing to do, he walked around the campsite aimlessly.
The other members talked joviously with each other about the day’s events, sharing stories with each other. He didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help but overhear their conversations as he walked.
“I heard that there’s quite a few chimera’s in the blue zone today”.
“Yeah, I found one actually”.
“What the hell’s going on? Maybe there was some kind of disaster deeper in the forest? Or maybe it’s some kind of mass migration”.
He walked through the camp, surrounded by Magulheim members, but he didn’t recognize any of them. Teedro and Hazel were nowhere to be seen. He felt somewhat alienated.
Hopefully Illia’s back soon.
Suddenly, out of nowhere someone called out to him.
“Oh wow, if it isn’t Lynn!”
He turned towards the voice, and standing right there was Shila, Agul and Telios.
“Shila!” he said, greeting her.
“Hey Lynn. Did you manage to get any cool loot today?” Agul asked, as enthusiastic as ever.
“Yeah. I also learned a lot today. I was paired with Illia san”.
“Oh, nice. She’s kind right?”
“She really is”.
Just as the conversation was heating up between Lynn, Shila and Agul, Telioso broke in.
“Guys, if we’re going to chat why don’t we go over to the fire over there? It looks like they’re handing food out as well”.
“Good point,” Shila conceded, “Lynn, are you coming?”
“Of course”.
“Then let’s go”.
Lynn told them about how he had gained a glimpse at Illia’s power, and how he had slain the chimera.
“You’re amazing! You brought down a chimera?”
“Come to think of it, there was a report about how the Vesper Sword is capable of killing a chimera”, Elios said.
“We came across a chimera as well. We were so surprised”, Shila said.
Agul shook his head.
“They shouldn’t be roaming around the blue area. What the hell’s going on…”
“Maybe it’s some kind of mass migration”, Shila offered.
They three floated around ideas that Lynn had overheard others talking about just a little while ago, but he pretended it was the first time he was hearing them.
“Illia was puzzled too. She said she was going to the association about it”.
“Really? Then we should go report in later too”, Elios said.
“I’m so frustrated we didn’t catch that chimera though” Shila said, sighing, “We could have sold its parts for a good price. If only you held your position properly, Agul”.
“No, no… Shila, your timing was off!”
“What? The problem originally started with you”.
Hearing them bicker the way friends do, Lynn felt he could finally relax, and he sighed in relief. It was only now that he realized just how nervous today had made him. The day was filled with many firsts for him, and he still felt some of the stress and tension remain.
It felt like it had been ages since he hung out with Elios and co’.
As if sensing his relief, the Pellrat that was still hiding in his clothes crawled out, and stuck its head up out of his collar.
“What the-” Shila shrieked, “Isn’t that a Pellrat? Why do you have a Pellrat under your shirt Lynn?”
“It’s because I saved it from the chimera, like I was saying. So it sort of took a liking to me, I guess…”
“It’s so cute”, she said, and reached out to touch it. The Pellrat however was having none of it, and quickly retreated back under his shirt to hide.
Elios was watching with keen interest.
“That’s amazing though. Aside from the fact that they’re rare, they’re known for being extremely shy, and they’re not thought of as being able to form emotional bonds with people”.
Lynn was happy to be praised by Elios.
“There must be something special about Lynn, after all”, Agul said with a self satisfied look on his face.
“And what, there’s nothing special about me?” Shila said in a sulky tone.
Lynn smiled wryly. He allowed himself to let go of the day’s excitement and tension in the company of his good friends. They chatted around the fire like that, with the fire crackling, and at some point he lost track of the time, forgetting all about the Magulheim meeting entirely.
“I don’t know what to say… I’m so sorry”.
He was standing in front of Hazel, who had a scowl on her face.
“Being a worthy member of Magulheim begins with being punctual”.
“I understand”.
Illia, who was standing at his side, spoke up.
“Hazel san. Please, don’t be too hard on Lynn. Today was his first hunt, it’s not unusual that he lost track of time while relaxing after reaching camp. Please be lenient with him”.
Hazel sighed.
“Illia. The person I’m blaming is you”.
“Oh, is that so?”
Illia wore a look of astonishment on her face.
“‘Oh, is that so?’” She mocked. “You were Lynn’s partner, weren’t you? You have something called responsibility for his blunder,” she said, and let out a short cry of vexation, “just this time I’ll forgive you, taking into account that it was his first time, like you say. But next time there will be penalties”.
Reading no ill will in Illia’s face, Hazel decided to end her lecture there, and then left to return to the lodging house.
“Sorry for causing you trouble, Illia”.
“Not at all, it’s no problem”.
She smiled sweetly. She didn’t seem to mind.
“Teedro, everyone’s here now. We can start assigning beds for everyone”.
“Hazel, what do you make of Lynn?”
“What do you mean?”
“The loot he managed to bring back today”.
He was looking at the account book of loot at the reception area.
“He only encountered a chimera”, she said and pointed to his entry in the book.
“That can’t be helped. It was his first hunt. Anyway, he’s a beginner student as well”.
“Well, he can manifest the Vesper Sword can’t he. And he had Illia with him”.
“Illia… How should I put this… She likes to go at her own pace doesn’t she. She’s content with filling her quota by the deadline, and that’s it”.
Although it was Hazel who mentioned the fact that the pair of them could have done more, it was Teedro who looked disappointed.
She let out a small sigh. Teedro had a bad habit of always expecting the absolute most of people. He could be demanding like that.
“This expedition is about getting him interested in Magical Beasts, and igniting ambition in him. We can’t demand too much of him this early”.
“Hmm. Fine, let’s leave it at that for the time being. I’m still going to push as hard as I can into the forest’s interior, though. This is a matchless opportunity to get field training, and experience with hunting the magical beasts”.
With that, Teedro walked off towards the lodging area of the camp in order to turn in for the night. His mind was restless.
The following day, Magulheim gathered for a morning meeting.
“So then, today we’re going to form pairs again. Take a slip of paper from the box everyone”.
When Lynn stepped up to take his lot, a voice called out, stopping him.
“Lynn. You don’t have to draw a lot”.
He turned towards the voice. It was Teedro.
“Your partner for today has already been decided. It’s me”.
He looked up at Teedro again. Standing near him, Lynn noticed how tall he was.
He even had an air of intimidation about him.
“I’ll be exploring the forest with you, Teedro san?”
“Yeah, that’s the idea. I want you to get the most experience out of this as possible”.
Lynn, I want to see with my own eyes just how much potential you have. Show me whether or not you’re worthy of becoming a fully fledged member of the Magulheim guild.
There were many tents set up in rows, as well as several wooden lodges. In one area, slightly off to one side, there was an open fire which some people were gathered around. Here and there, the Magulheim clan members busied themselves with various tasks, establishing the camp.
The buildings, such as the lodges, were crude structures that were erected with magic. They were practical, and provided a place for beds as well as meetings.
There were also some clan members who, working together, were creating a magical barrier that surrounded the camp. The barrier would protect the camp from any magical beasts that sought to penetrate their camp in the dead of night.
After they arrived at camp, Lynn and Illia went separate ways, to the Magulheim camp area and the wizard’s association’s remote branch, respectively.
“I’m going to speak with the association,” Illia said, “I’d better inform them about that chimera that appeared in the blue zone. It’s not a huge deal, but it is an abnormality, so for safety’s sake I should tell them. Can you head over to camp with the clay people, and declare our loot?”
“Sure”.
In the camp there were already many members gathered who had finished their hunt for the day.
Lynn saw that while there were some people who were using clay people to carry their loot, others had their loot in bags which they carried themselves, hung from their staves which they carried over their shoulders. No doubt they were able to carry such heavy loads only thanks to the aid of magic.
He spotted a place that looked like a kind of make-shift reception, and he headed over to inquire about declaring his and Illia’s loot.
“Excuse me, I want to delcar some loot”.
“Okay, just fill out this form here. Please include your name and an inventory of your loot. You can leave your loot with us for safekeeping if you like?”
“Oh, sure”, he said, and the clay person, seemingly understanding, walked over to the designated area to store the loot.
“Make sure to collect it before you leave camp. Also, bear in mind that the Magulheim meeting is at six o’clock. Don’t be late!”
After taking care of business at reception, he found himself bored. With nothing to do, he walked around the campsite aimlessly.
The other members talked joviously with each other about the day’s events, sharing stories with each other. He didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help but overhear their conversations as he walked.
“I heard that there’s quite a few chimera’s in the blue zone today”.
“Yeah, I found one actually”.
“What the hell’s going on? Maybe there was some kind of disaster deeper in the forest? Or maybe it’s some kind of mass migration”.
He walked through the camp, surrounded by Magulheim members, but he didn’t recognize any of them. Teedro and Hazel were nowhere to be seen. He felt somewhat alienated.
Hopefully Illia’s back soon.
Suddenly, out of nowhere someone called out to him.
“Oh wow, if it isn’t Lynn!”
He turned towards the voice, and standing right there was Shila, Agul and Telios.
“Shila!” he said, greeting her.
“Hey Lynn. Did you manage to get any cool loot today?” Agul asked, as enthusiastic as ever.
“Yeah. I also learned a lot today. I was paired with Illia san”.
“Oh, nice. She’s kind right?”
“She really is”.
Just as the conversation was heating up between Lynn, Shila and Agul, Telioso broke in.
“Guys, if we’re going to chat why don’t we go over to the fire over there? It looks like they’re handing food out as well”.
“Good point,” Shila conceded, “Lynn, are you coming?”
“Of course”.
“Then let’s go”.
Lynn told them about how he had gained a glimpse at Illia’s power, and how he had slain the chimera.
“You’re amazing! You brought down a chimera?”
“Come to think of it, there was a report about how the Vesper Sword is capable of killing a chimera”, Elios said.
“We came across a chimera as well. We were so surprised”, Shila said.
Agul shook his head.
“They shouldn’t be roaming around the blue area. What the hell’s going on…”
“Maybe it’s some kind of mass migration”, Shila offered.
They three floated around ideas that Lynn had overheard others talking about just a little while ago, but he pretended it was the first time he was hearing them.
“Illia was puzzled too. She said she was going to the association about it”.
“Really? Then we should go report in later too”, Elios said.
“I’m so frustrated we didn’t catch that chimera though” Shila said, sighing, “We could have sold its parts for a good price. If only you held your position properly, Agul”.
“No, no… Shila, your timing was off!”
“What? The problem originally started with you”.
Hearing them bicker the way friends do, Lynn felt he could finally relax, and he sighed in relief. It was only now that he realized just how nervous today had made him. The day was filled with many firsts for him, and he still felt some of the stress and tension remain.
It felt like it had been ages since he hung out with Elios and co’.
As if sensing his relief, the Pellrat that was still hiding in his clothes crawled out, and stuck its head up out of his collar.
“What the-” Shila shrieked, “Isn’t that a Pellrat? Why do you have a Pellrat under your shirt Lynn?”
“It’s because I saved it from the chimera, like I was saying. So it sort of took a liking to me, I guess…”
“It’s so cute”, she said, and reached out to touch it. The Pellrat however was having none of it, and quickly retreated back under his shirt to hide.
Elios was watching with keen interest.
“That’s amazing though. Aside from the fact that they’re rare, they’re known for being extremely shy, and they’re not thought of as being able to form emotional bonds with people”.
Lynn was happy to be praised by Elios.
“There must be something special about Lynn, after all”, Agul said with a self satisfied look on his face.
“And what, there’s nothing special about me?” Shila said in a sulky tone.
Lynn smiled wryly. He allowed himself to let go of the day’s excitement and tension in the company of his good friends. They chatted around the fire like that, with the fire crackling, and at some point he lost track of the time, forgetting all about the Magulheim meeting entirely.
“I don’t know what to say… I’m so sorry”.
He was standing in front of Hazel, who had a scowl on her face.
“Being a worthy member of Magulheim begins with being punctual”.
“I understand”.
Illia, who was standing at his side, spoke up.
“Hazel san. Please, don’t be too hard on Lynn. Today was his first hunt, it’s not unusual that he lost track of time while relaxing after reaching camp. Please be lenient with him”.
Hazel sighed.
“Illia. The person I’m blaming is you”.
“Oh, is that so?”
Illia wore a look of astonishment on her face.
“‘Oh, is that so?’” She mocked. “You were Lynn’s partner, weren’t you? You have something called responsibility for his blunder,” she said, and let out a short cry of vexation, “just this time I’ll forgive you, taking into account that it was his first time, like you say. But next time there will be penalties”.
Reading no ill will in Illia’s face, Hazel decided to end her lecture there, and then left to return to the lodging house.
“Sorry for causing you trouble, Illia”.
“Not at all, it’s no problem”.
She smiled sweetly. She didn’t seem to mind.
“Teedro, everyone’s here now. We can start assigning beds for everyone”.
“Hazel, what do you make of Lynn?”
“What do you mean?”
“The loot he managed to bring back today”.
He was looking at the account book of loot at the reception area.
“He only encountered a chimera”, she said and pointed to his entry in the book.
“That can’t be helped. It was his first hunt. Anyway, he’s a beginner student as well”.
“Well, he can manifest the Vesper Sword can’t he. And he had Illia with him”.
“Illia… How should I put this… She likes to go at her own pace doesn’t she. She’s content with filling her quota by the deadline, and that’s it”.
Although it was Hazel who mentioned the fact that the pair of them could have done more, it was Teedro who looked disappointed.
She let out a small sigh. Teedro had a bad habit of always expecting the absolute most of people. He could be demanding like that.
“This expedition is about getting him interested in Magical Beasts, and igniting ambition in him. We can’t demand too much of him this early”.
“Hmm. Fine, let’s leave it at that for the time being. I’m still going to push as hard as I can into the forest’s interior, though. This is a matchless opportunity to get field training, and experience with hunting the magical beasts”.
With that, Teedro walked off towards the lodging area of the camp in order to turn in for the night. His mind was restless.
The following day, Magulheim gathered for a morning meeting.
“So then, today we’re going to form pairs again. Take a slip of paper from the box everyone”.
When Lynn stepped up to take his lot, a voice called out, stopping him.
“Lynn. You don’t have to draw a lot”.
He turned towards the voice. It was Teedro.
“Your partner for today has already been decided. It’s me”.
He looked up at Teedro again. Standing near him, Lynn noticed how tall he was.
He even had an air of intimidation about him.
“I’ll be exploring the forest with you, Teedro san?”
“Yeah, that’s the idea. I want you to get the most experience out of this as possible”.
Lynn, I want to see with my own eyes just how much potential you have. Show me whether or not you’re worthy of becoming a fully fledged member of the Magulheim guild.
