Chapter 72 – Teacher

Chapter 72

Teacher

Date : Day 5 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Story time had ended. It was time for practicality to come. The emotional reunion was complete. The explanations were finished. Now business needed to be addressed.

Elise took the bundles of herbs from her storage bag. The motion was efficient.  She put them on the table. The mountain of herbs started piling up on top of the table. Bundle after bundle. The harvest was substantial. More than what was requested. The scent of fresh herbs filled the air.

"Okay, pipsqueak. These are the herbs you requested. We managed to gather more than you need."

Oria nodded. And she started to examine and count the herbs. Her fingers moved quickly through the bundles. Checking quality. Verifying quantity. The trained eye of an alchemist assessing her materials.

"Good. All are fresh and properly harvested. I was worried when no one took my quest. Sigh..."

Oria sighed. She had already put the herb quest up for weeks, without anyone to take it. The frustration was evident. The helplessness of waiting. Watching the days pass. Unable to proceed.

Elise scoffed. The sound was sharp. Derisive. But familiar. The language of their friendship.

"That's because you are stupid, pipsqueak!"

Oria flared. Her eyebrows furrowed. Her small frame seemed to puff up with indignation.

"What did you say, tits brain?"

Elise sighed in exasperation. The gesture was dramatic. The patience of explaining something obvious.

"You are a genius at magic and alchemy. But you really can't think about the logistics of adventurers."

She pointed her finger at Oria. Accusatory. Instructive. The ranger teaching the alchemist.

"Firstly. Not many people can gather more than 50 in a single day. Every adventurer who wants to take the quest will be overwhelmed with the numbers!"

Oria fidgeted. Her hands twisted together. The admission of fault was difficult. But the logic was undeniable.

"But what can I do? Baron Akela forces me to keep brewing potions! My channel from the Merchants' Guild can't provide me with enough herbs!"

Elise put her hands on her face. Facepalming. Lost for words. The frustration of dealing with a brilliant mind that lacked practical sense.

Hyoren smiled. He started speaking. His voice was calm. Reasonable. A different perspective.

"Oria, Elise means, you should make multiple quests. Don't put a single 200 herbs gathering quest. Instead, make multiple 50 herb ones. This way more adventurers would accept your quest."

Realization finally dawned on Oria. Her eyes widened slightly. The monocle shifted on her face. The solution was so simple. Yet she had missed it completely.

"What... I thought I just need to pay well... and adventurers will flock to do my quest. This is so complicated..."

Elise shook her head. Her silver hair swayed with the motions. The gesture was weary. Long-suffering.

"Sigh. Adventurers are not that simple, pipsqueak. They need to weigh the pros and cons of each quest. Quests are their lifeline. They won't jump into any high-paying quest without thinking about the requirements and consequences first."

Elise then clapped. The sound was sharp. Final. Drawing attention back to the matter at hand.

"Anyway. Please process our quest, pipsqueak."

Oria nodded. She then took the piles of herbs to her herbs cabinet. Carefully putting and counting them. Her lips moved silently. Numbers adding up. The verification was thorough.

She then went back to the sofa holding familiar magic tools. The ones to process payment and quest. Used on almost every guild and store. The interface was ready.

"Okay, I confirmed the amount. Please give me your guild card. I will process the quest completion and transfer the payment."

Hyoren and Elise then gave their cards. With practiced motions, Oria processed their quest. The magic tools flickered. Information transferred. Quest marked complete. Payment authorized.

She then gave back their cards. Smiled. The expression was satisfied.

"There. Your quest is completed. And as thanks for getting more than I specified, I doubled your rewards. I transferred 600K Kres to your party account."

Elise and Hyoren took their cards. The numbers were surprising. Beyond expectation.

"Pipsqueak... twice the amount for just 40-50 extra herbs is... too much."

Elise tried to argue. The sum was excessive.

Oria shook her head. Her pointed ears twitched. The refusal was firm.

"No. I really need these herbs. Baron Akela paid me almost thrice the market price if I could meet his quota. So I can get my money back later. Don't worry."

Elise finally accepted it. The logic was sound. The compensation fair within context. She knew the reason is not only that. But she couldn’t argue anymore.

"I see. If you say so..."

Oria then smiled. The expression was warm. But tired. The day was long. The work was waiting.

"Okay, is there anything else you want? To be honest, I want to continue chatting with you, cow tits."

She then looked at her alchemy tables. The apparatus waited. The cauldron needed tending. Time was pressing.

"But I really need to go back to brewing potions. Baron Akela is relentless. He wants me to keep producing potions."

Elise nodded. Understanding. The constraints of duty. The demands of work.

"Hmm. I think there is one more thing."

Elise then looked at Hyoren. He gazed back at her, tilted his head. Questioning her. Is there something wrong?

"Please teach Hyoren magic. I can't qualify to teach him as I can't use magic myself. You, as an advanced water magic user, should teach him."

Hyoren widened his eyes. Magic. Elise said she knew someone who could teach him magic. Turns out it was Oria. She did say the person was hard to reason with. The pieces clicked together. The sharp tongue. The abrasive personality. The brilliant alchemist.

Oria scowled. Her eyebrows furrowed. The request was unwelcome. The memory of past burdens.

"Again, cow tits? Six years ago you asked me to teach someone magic. And it was a few months of horror for me."

Elise chuckled. The sound was knowing. Amused.

"Don't worry, pipsqueak. Hyoren is different compared to that brat. He is earnest. And most importantly. Not loud."

Hyoren tilted his head. A loud brat? Someone whom Oria taught magic in the past on behalf of Elise? He was curious. But there was a more important matter for him right now. He shelved all his curiosity.

He then bowed. The gesture was formal. Sincere. The posture of a student requesting instruction.

"Please, Oria. I want to use magic. Please become my teacher."

His plea was sincere. The words carried weight. Determination. Purpose.

Oria was troubled. Her fingers tapped against her arm. The calculation was running through her minds.

"Hyoren, right. How is your magic skill? I need to know what to expect."

Hyoren nodded. The answer was clear.

"I'm at level 1 of Magic Manipulation. I'm still a newbie."

Oria massaged her temples. The headache was forming. The burden of another student. Another commitment.

"This is hard... I'm so busy... and he does not even have the foundations. Compared to that brat."

She sighed. The sound was resigned. Accepting. Despite the complaint.

"Sigh... Oh well... I can't promise when I can teach you seriously as I'm stumped with my work of brewing potions. But..."

Her words trailed off. She stood, and went over to the bookshelf at the back. Her fingers traced the spines. Searching. Selecting. She came back to the sofa carrying one thick book. She then gave the book to him.

Hyoren looked at the book. The title said "Basic Magic Manipulation." The cover was worn. Used. But well-maintained. A reference text. A foundation.

Oria pointed at the book in Hyoren's hands.

"Please read the book first. And raise your Magic Manipulation Skill to level three first. With the help of those books and continuing your magic manipulation training, you should reach level three in a few weeks."

She then crossed her arms. The posture was firm.

"Afterwards, I will teach you how to learn elemental magic. And I hope by then, my work on potions will be done. So I have free time to teach you."

Hyoren clutched the book in his arms. Thankful. The weight was substantial. The promise was greater. Then he put the book in his storage bag.

"Thank you, Oria. I will study hard. And wait for me to reach your requirement."

Elise beside him smiled warmly. The pride was evident. The confidence in her partner.

"Thank you again, pipsqueak. And brace yourself. This guy is relentless. You will be surprised by his progress."

Oria was amused. The monocle glinted. The eyebrow raised.

"Hoo. Is that bias from his lover? Or is he truly that good?"

Elise smiled. Not wanting to elaborate. The mystery remained. The proof would come later.

Oria give up waiting for the answer. She shrugged, then stood. And looked over at her alchemy table. The work called. The potions waited.

"Okay, cow tits. Hyoren. I really need to start working again. Thanks for the herbs you bring, I can meet my quota for this month."

She then faced Hyoren. The shift was sincere. Serious. Beyond the teasing. Beyond the barbs.

"And again. Thank you, Hyoren, for saving my best friend."

She bowed deeply. The gratitude was genuine. The debt of a friend saved.

Hyoren smiled. The acknowledgment was enough. The thanks unnecessary but appreciated.

"Don't mention it, Teacher Oria. And I will come back later to study under you."

Elise burst out laughing. The sound was sudden—loud and uncontrollable.

"Hahaha. Pipsqueak? Teacher? The title doesn't suit you!"

Oria was embarrassed. Not used to being called a teacher. Her pointed ears twitched uncontrollably. And her face was flushed. The red spread across her cheeks. The monocle seemed to magnify her discomfort.

"Shoo! Shoo! Go away, cow tits! Shut up! And stop bothering me anymore!"

She then faced Hyoren. The mortification was clear. The title was unbearable.

"And you! Just call me Oria. I don't want to be called a teacher! I will die of embarrassment!"

With exaggerated motion, Oria forced them to leave her alone. She couldn't stand her embarrassment anymore. Her hands waved frantically. Her face remained red. The composure was shattered.

Elise, still laughing, walked out from Oria's Potion Shop. The doorbell clinked when she opened the door. The sound marked their exit.

"Okay, pipsqueak. No... 'teacher'. Goodbye!"

Oria is cringed for the last time. But she given up and heaved a weary sigh.

Hyoren bowed to Oria for one last time. Acknowledgment of a new bond. Before her figure was gone behind the door as it closed. The shop returned to its quiet existence. The alchemist returned to her potions.

***

Elise stretched in front of Oria's store. Her arms went upwards. Swinging her body left and right. Joints popped. Bones crackled.

The tension from the emotional reunion released through the motion. Her silver hair swayed with every small movement, catching the dual suns' light. The strands shimmered. Gleaming like polished metal. The autumn breeze was cool against her skin.

Her expression was pure bliss. The exact opposite of when she was going to enter the shop. The reluctance was gone. Replaced by relief. Satisfaction. The weight of the quest completed. The reunion with her friend accomplished. Everything was settled.

Hyoren smiled beside her. Happy because his lover was connecting with her best friend. Quest done. And the prospect of learning magic. The morning had been productive.

Elise then faced Hyoren. The smile still lingered on her lips.

"Okay then, Hyoren. Our business for the morning is already done."

She continued.

"I will head to Jena's now. Are you going to the Adventurer's Guild straight away?"

Hyoren crossed his arms. The question was practical. But something else lingered beneath the surface.

"No... First, I will escort you, Elise."

Elise chuckled. The sound was teasing and knowing. Her emerald eyes glittered with amusement.

"Fufu. Do you think I will get lost, like a child? In a city which I have already lived in for ten years?"

Hyoren quickly waved his hand. The protest was immediate. The last thing he wanted was to offend her.

"No. Of course not! You know this city so well. It's just... I felt it's my obligation to escort my lover properly."

Elise smiled widely. Happily. The word "obligation" was sweet to her ears. But more than that, the gesture itself. The desire to accompany her. To be near her. Even when unnecessary.

"Fufu. I understand. I'm just teasing, Hyoren. Okay then, please escort me."

Hyoren then offered his arm. Elise quickly latched onto it. Her fingers wrapped around the fabric of his sleeve. Then they started walking side by side. Connected.

They walked slowly, over fancy shops, cafes, and luxurious inns. The atmosphere was clearly different compared to the Adventurer's District, despite the similar building style and layout. The streets were cleaner. Wider. The people dressed in finer clothes. The pace was slower. More relaxed. The smell of baked goods drifted from nearby cafes. The sound of soft music from a street performer. The Merchants' District had its own rhythm.

"Elise, may I ask a question?"

Elise on his arm looked up. Tilting her head. The silver hair cascaded over her shoulder. The pointed ears twitched slightly.

“Hmm? What is it, Hyoren?”

Hyoren nodded. The question had been forming since they left the shop.

"It's about raising my Magic Manipulation skill. Oria said I need to raise it to level three first before she is going to teach me elemental magic."

Elise smiled. The teacher in her emerging. The guide. The partner who wanted him to grow.

"I think you can learn about it from the books Oria gave you. You can find more detailed instructions there. But generally, just keep using magic. Use magic manipulation to circulate your Aethell to other parts of your body."

She then put her fingers on Hyoren's chest. The touch was light. A gesture of connection.

"And you already have perfect skills to train almost effortlessly."

Hyoren looked down. Confused. The statement was unexpected. He had only one skill related to magic. And it was passive.

"Huh? What do you mean, Elise?"

Elise smiled. The answer was obvious to her. Clear. Simple.

"Aethell Sense."

Realization dawned on Hyoren. It was the skill which he gained in the middle of fighting Alpha Wolves. It could see Aethell like a new perception was added. It would utilize Magic Manipulation as the base. It was using Aethell to sense. The connection clicked into place.

"I see. That's right... Why didn't I realize it?"

Elise chuckled. The amusement was gentle. Not mocking. Understanding.

"Fufu. Just keep using it in everyday life. Activating it almost constantly. Slowly but surely it will train your Magic Manipulation at the same time."

Her grip on his arm strengthened. The touch became firmer. More urgent. A reminder of caution beneath the instruction.

"But still be mindful of your Aethell reserve, especially when we are doing a quest outside the city. Understand, Hyoren?"

Hyoren nodded. He understood the backlash of depleting his own Aethell Reserve. It would make him faint. And for a few days, his Aethell would regenerate slowly. The experience was unpleasant. The lesson was learned.

"Understood, Elise. It happened once to me, and I won't repeat the same mistake. I will keep training my Aethell while still being mindful."

Elise smiled, before loosening her grip. The tension released. The lesson delivered.

"Good. Good."

Talking about magic made Hyoren remember something. He hesitated for a while, but decided to ask because he was curious. The question lingered. The opportunity was present.

"Elise, there is something which makes me curious. Who is the brat you mentioned at Oria's place?"

Oria mentioned Elise asked her to teach another person magic around six years ago. And Elise called them "brat." The term was deliberately dismissive. Yet something beneath it suggested otherwise.

Elise chuckled. The sound was nostalgic. Fond. Despite the harsh words.

"Fufu. Not really an important person as that brat already left Akela five years ago to study magic in the Magic Academy at Altaria Capital."

Elise looked up at the sky. Reminiscing her memory. The dual suns cast their light across the city. The clouds drifted lazily. The moment stretched peacefully.

"Basically, there's a brat who kept bugging me to teach them magic."

Her eyes rolled. Even remembering the memory was enough to exasperate her. The frustration was genuine.

"I can't even use magic! My magic manipulation skill is only level two."

She shook her head. The memory was absurd. The persistence of the brat. The impossibility of the request.

"But that damn brat. That brat is relentless. Loud. Reckless. And very loud! Every day that brat visited me at my inn. Begged me to teach them magic."

Hyoren tried to imagine her frustration, and chuckled.

"Talk about an obnoxious brat, Elise."

Elise nodded a few times. Agreeing with him. The validation was satisfying. Someone understood her struggle.

"Yes! That's right! You know what that brat's reasoning is?"

Elise took a deep breath. Preparing to quote. The memory was vivid. The words were engraved.

"Teacher Elise! I read in a book that all elves are good at magic! Please teach me magic!"

She then facepalmed. Her hands covered her face. The exasperation was fresh even after years. The stereotype. The assumption. The endless pestering.

"That brat kept doing that every day, until my patience ran out. Then I told that brat to go to Oria instead. Oria is a recluse, unlike me, so that brat didn't really know her."

Hyoren smiled. Amused at Elise's story. The image was clear. The solution was clever. Redirect the problem elsewhere.

"So what happened next?"

Elise grinned. The expression was mischievous. Satisfied. A burden successfully transferred.

"That brat became Oria's problem! Fufufu."

Elise looked at Hyoren. The story continued. The consequences of her actions.

"Well, that brat still visits me from time to time. That brat is so thankful to me. But thanks to that, Oria's hostility towards me has peaked. She lashed out at me for disturbing her own peace."

She chuckled. The memory was bittersweet. The consequences unintended but manageable.

"Our bickering intensifies during those times."

Elise's eyes were now full of fond memories. The harsh words belied the affection beneath. The frustration was surface level. The care was deeper.

Hyoren nodded. The understanding grew. The pattern was familiar.

"I see. So what happened next?"

Elise smiled. Proud expression laced her face.

"That brat is actually a genius. After getting mentored by Oria for a few months, that brat departed to the Academy to do proper learning."

Hyoren noticed something after all these exchanges. Elise was actually fond of that brat.

She threw insults and complaints without restraint, yet beneath it all, there was unmistakable affection. It was similar to Elise interaction with Oria. Elise kept throwing insult, they bickered, but deep inside, they loved each other.

He found that side of her—oddly endearing.

A harsh exterior, hiding a warm interior. Love, expressed through irritation and sharp words.

Elise is tsundere.

Hyoren let out a quiet chuckle. The term fit Elise almost too well.

Then he shook his head, dismissing the thought. Explaining what a “tsundere” was would be far more trouble than it was worth.

"A genius mage, huh. I'm curious... but well, if they are in the capital. We definitely won't meet."

Elise nodded. The agreement was practical. The distance was vast. The possibility of meeting was slim.

"That's right... It's already been five years. Maybe that brat has already become a scholar or royal court mage in the capital."

A nostalgic atmosphere dawned over them. Elise smiled while looking up at the horizon, trying to remember memories. The past was distant. But not forgotten. The people who shaped her. The experiences that molded her. All part of her story.

Hyoren let her be. Letting Elise remember fond memories of the supposed "brat." The silence was comfortable. Shared. The moment was peaceful.

They then continued walking. The nostalgic atmosphere receded a little by little, replaced by purposeful steps.

 And after a few blocks and Elise stopped near the side road. The change was deliberate. Purposeful.

"Hyoren, you said you plan to go to the bookstore, right?"

Hyoren nodded. The plan was clear. The direction was set.

"Yes, Elise. The library might be good for knowledge, but I want other kinds of books too. Maybe like story books,  which might not be available in the library."

Elise then pointed her fingers at the side road.

"There are a few bookstores in Merchants' District, but I recommend going to one. The bookstore is at the far back of this road. You can't miss it."

Hyoren looked at the sparse side road. The sign said Merchants' 4th Avenue.

It was not a dark alley, but definitely sparser than the main road. He could see some inns, cafes, and stores, which had a more relaxed atmosphere. Trees, flowers, and trimmed bushes decorated the road. The ambiance was peaceful. A respite from the bustling main streets.

He looked at Elise on his arm, and nodded. He was thankful. The guidance was appreciated. The city was still new to him. Every direction helped.

"Okay, Elise, thanks for the direction. I will go there after I finish escorting you to Jena's place."

Elise nodded. Then they started walking again. Still side by side. Still slowly. Enjoying the company. The morning was pleasant. The walk was comfortable. The destination was approaching.

Not long after, when they arrived at the corner of Merchants' District, they arrived at their destination.

A familiar shop they had already visited before—Jena's Shop. Its sign bore a simple wooden board reading 'The Agile Viper.' The window displayed a single exquisitely crafted leather cuirass in deep green. The craftsmanship was evident even from outside. The leather was polished. The stitching was precise. The work of a master artisan.

Elise separated from Hyoren. Almost reluctantly. But at the same time, her steps were also full of anticipation. She wanted to talk a lot with Jena. Girl's talk. Over tea, and maybe pastries. The morning had been productive. But now she needed time with her friend.

She slowly walked over to the porch of Jena's shop and climbed the stairs. Before she touched the door, she turned around. The moment of parting was here. The separation was necessary but tender.

"Okay, Hyoren, thanks for escorting me. Let's meet again later at Wanderer's Rest at dinner?"

Hyoren nodded. The agreement was easy. The plan was set.

"Okay, Elise, enjoy your talk with Jena! Please give her my regards. And have fun!"

Elise nodded. Smiled widely. A small gust of wind rustled her silver hair. She quickly caught them with her hands. The strands were soft. The touch was gentle. Before finally waving her hands, and entering the building. The door opened. The bell clinked. Her figure disappeared inside.

Hyoren waved his hands, watching her disappear inside the store. The moment lingered. The connection remained even as distance grew. Before finally stopping his hands, then turning around.

A wide smile decorated his sharp and angular jaw. His eyes were laden with purpose. His mind was peaceful, knowing Elise was safe and happy. They might be separated for now, but they were closer than ever.

He then started walking. Towards his own destination. Now alone, but not lonely.