"Mm, groan."

I'm woken up by the sun hitting my face.

I lazily get up and look out of the window.

It's noon.

After what happened after last night, i went back to sleep quite late.

Well, its not like i have a job or anything.

My training schedule isn't strict either as i have the whole day to do that.

Have people invented clocks yet? I want one.

After getting dressed i head downstairs to the kitchen for some breakfast, or lunch, whatever.

Fortunately i arrive just in time to smell Anna's cooking.

Anna notices my presence when i take a seat by the table.

"Oh, hello Alex. Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough."

"That's good to hear. Lunch will be ready in just a minute."

After a moment Anna serves me a bowl.

Its soup with potatoes, vegetables and meat.

"Where's Eric?"

"Oh, he stayed up all night so he is sleeping. Why?"

"Just wondering."

I finish my meal and i'm about to leave when Anna stops me.

"Alex, bring this to Stella, she might be awake now."

She hands me a bowl.

"Stella?"

"The girl we saved last night, her name is Stella. I think eating should do her some good, she looked rather frail."

"Right..."

 

I make my way to the spare bedroom.

Stella's eyes raise to look at me when i step inside.

I avoid eye contact but out of the corner of my eye i can see that she is sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard.

She is wearing a shirt and her robes are folded on a nearby chair, patched up by Anna.

For me the mood already feels awkward as i walk to the nightstand next to the bed.

The whole way i can feel she is looking at me with a blank expression.

I put the bowl down and begin to leave when she suddenly speaks up.

"I recognize you."

I stop, my back facing her.

"Yeah, i remember you too."

She smiles slightly.

"Thank you for saving me last night."

I turn to towards her.

"You should thank Eric and Anna. I didn't do much."

"Well, i'm still thankful."

She offers a small bow.

"Oh, i almost forgot to introduce myself."

She does a little cough to clear her throat.

"My name is Stella Sephord, nice to meet you."

"Alex."

"Alex, if its not too much to ask, could you feed me?"

Huh?

"I still feel quite weak and i don't want to make a mess."

I feel like Anna and Eric are going to yell at me if i refuse.

"Fine."

"Thank you."

I move her clothes off the chair and i bring it over to the nightstand.

Stella moves a bit closer on her bed.

I sit down and take the bowl.

The soup has cooled down to a comfortable temperature, i take a spoonful and bring it to her lips.

"Ahn."

She savors the taste for a moment before swallowing.

"Mm, it tastes very good. Your mother is a good cook."

I feed her another spoonful.

While i continue feeding her, i decide to use this chance to look at her features.

Like i saw yesterday when she was on the wagon, her hair is short, light blue together with her eyebrows, and her eyes are shining blue like sapphires.

Judging from her sitting up position and her legs under the blanket, i guess her height is about 155 cm and she looks skinny.

She does look young so i guess she is about 16 to 18 years old.

I finish feeding her and she lets out a satisfied sigh.

"Thank you for the meal."

"Um, sorry to bother you but could i have some water."

I do my best to hide my annoyance at being treated like an errand boy first thing in the morning.

"Sure."

I take the bowl back to the kitchen and return with a glass of water.

"Thank you."

She drinks a few sips and sets the glass on the nightstand.

"So, what's with the big hat and the stick?"

I point to the pointed hat on the bedpost and the staff leaning against the wall.

Taking a closer look at the staff it seems to be broken.

"What do you mean?"

I recall the story i read to Alfreda, which had a character with similar clothes.

"Are you a wizard?"

"Heh, i prefer mage, but yes, i do study magic."

Her chuckle makes me feel like an idiot.

"..."

Awkward silence.

"Do you... want to see a spell?"

Intrigued, i agree.

"Hmm, sure, why not."

She extends her hand and faces her palm upwards.

"Illuminate."

Above her hand forms a small bright sphere, which manages to illuminate the room with white light, despite the sun already shining in from the window.

Although being a simple spell, i'm slightly impressed and it also looks useful.

After a moment the spell ends and she sighs in exhaustion.

"I'm sorry, i'm still a bit tired."

I have some things to do, so i think this is a good time to leave.

"It's fine."

"I can show you more once i have gotten better."

"Sure."

I leave the room and Stella goes back to sleep.

Anna sees me pass the kitchen.

"Alex, did she finish eating?"

"Yeah, she said she liked it."

I reply to her as i open the back yard door.

"That's good to hear then."

Once i arrive at the big tree, i stretch my arms.

"Now then, time for training."

 

Two days later.

"Good morning Alex."

Anna greets me as i enter the kitchen while rubbing my eyes.

"Good morning."

Stella also greets me from the table, which surprises me as this is the first time i see her outside of her bedroom.

"Oh, you're out of bed?"

"Yes, thanks to Anna's healing magic, i feel a little better now. I'm very grateful."

She offers a small bow to Anna.

"Oh, no need to be so formal Stella, just a thank you is enough."

Anna finishes cooking breakfast and serves us.

"Now, let's eat~"

She cooked eggs, bacon and toast.

The sight makes my mouth water.

Ava is sitting next to Anna to be fed, leaving the spot next Stella the only one available, so i reluctantly sit next to her.

I push the fact that i'm sitting next to Stella aside and focus on my meal, which i practically devour.

Stella on the other hand eats one small bite at a time, and quite surprised by they way i eat.

Anna chuckles at the difference while eating her own meal.

Nonetheless, breakfast goes by calmly and we are all satisfied.

"Thank you for the meal."

Stella offers a faint smile to Anna.

"You're very welcome Stella, glad you liked it~"

Anna takes our plates to the sink and begins washing them.

"Whew, well then, i'm going outside."

Now energized by a hearty breakfast, it's time for training.

"I'm coming too. I think some fresh air would help with my recovery."

Stella tidies up her robes and follows me to the backyard.

 

Stella watches as i walk to the big tree and decides to scan the rest of the backyard.

She sees the well, the shed, Anna's small garden, the short stone fence surrounding the property and the vast wheat fields beyond it.

Next to the back yard door is a bench and she takes a seat.

The scent of cut grass and fresh air fills her nostrils and she breaths in deeply, slowly letting it out.

Ava opens the door and also comes to the back yard, a cat plushie in her arms.

She sees Stella sitting on the bench and approaches her.

"Nya!"

Stella notices her and feels slightly awkward.

"Oh, hello."

Ava gets closer, studying her features and sees her blue hair and eyes.

"Pretty!"

Her compliment takes Stella by surprise.

"Oh, haha, thank you."

Stella reaches out and pats her head.

Ava holds her arms out, wanting to be picked up.

Stella reluctantly picks her up and sets her down next to her.

"I don't really know how interact with children but you must be part of the beastfolk race like Anna."

"Mew?"

Ava looks at her curiously, not really understanding what she is saying.

Stella leans on the backrest and looks up at the sky, which is clear with a few clouds.

She closes her eyes, focusing on the nature around her, an occasional gentle breeze ruffling her hair.

As she relaxes, hints of drowsiness begin to pull her into sleep.

Suddenly, a memory flashes before her eyes.

She is running, panting heavily, her robes and hands covered in blood.

Stella twitches in her sleep as more memories resurface.

"Get back here!"

A deep, aggressive voice calls after her.

She twitches more, her breathing becoming heavier.

A scene of two bodies, laying face down on the grass, bloodied and mauled.

"Mmh!"

Her expression becomes pained and anguished.

She runs towards the horse that pulled their wagon, but she trips.

She tries to crawl but she is grabbed and turned on her back.

"Quit struggling!"

A large scarred man is on top of her, keeping her still.

"No, let go of me!"

She manages to get her hand free and blasts the man's face with fire, sending him staggering back in agony.

"AAH! YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

She gets on top of the horse and begins riding away.

Despite his injuries, the man picks up a bow and arrow from one of the corpses.

His face still smoking, he aims and fires the arrow, hitting her in the leg.

Ava notices Stella's distress and touches her hand.

She wakes up, panting heavily and her face sweaty.

"Haa, haa!"

Stella sees Ava's concerned face and pats her head.

"It's okay, it was just a nightmare, i'm fine now. Thank you."

She looks at her hands, which are trembling.

She closes her eyes and breaths in and out in a steady rhythm, managing  to calm down and her hands stop trembling.

"It would be best not to tell them about what happened in the forest. This family has done so much for me so i don't want to worry them any further."

 

Stella decides it would do her some good to occupy herself with something to ease her mind.

She gets up and looks around the backyard.

The sound of heavy strikes catches her attention and she notices me in the middle of my training.

I wipe my forehead and drink some water from a bucket before i clean my hands in it.

I dump the water on the ground and turn the bucket over and sit on it.

While resting, i hear footsteps approaching.

"Hello, Alex."

Stella makes her presence known and i look up at her.

"What do you want?"

"I'm just wandering around."

She looks at the large worn spot on tree.

"What were you doing?"

"Training."

"For what if i may ask?"

"To get stronger."

"I see. Do you aim to become an adventurer?"

Adventurer? I remember that term from the story.

"Care to explain?"

"If you seek to become stronger, i suggest becoming an adventurer and joining the adventurers guild."

"Hmm, are you an adventurer?"

"Occasionally yes. Do you want to know more?"

"Hmm, sure."

Stella takes a seat on the grass.

"There really isn't an age requirement to join a guild but i suggest joining once you're older."

She clears her throat.

"The guild is a hub for adventurers to accept quests, missions or bounties to earn money and fame. When you join a guild you receive a slate."

She reaches into her pocket, pulls out a necklace and hands it to me.

It resembles a dog tag and it's made of iron.

On it reads: Stella Sephord, D-Rank, Journeyman.

I hand it back to her and she puts it in her pocket.

"People can send a request to a guild, and the guild will turn it into a quest in the form of a paper page. These quests are then posted on the guild quest board. The quest will state the mission objective, location, dangers, rewards and/or additional information."

"The guild also employs its own scouts, who roam the lands to gather information and bring them back to the guild, which then turns them into quests."

She is about to tell me more but i interrupt her.

"I assume this is just basic information on how the guild works but i'm more interested in how becoming an adventurer will make me stronger."

"Right, of course. Quests often involve the killing of monsters and beasts, so if you want to become stronger, you should join the guild. And the more dangerous the quest, the stronger the monster."

"Hmm, so if i start at the bottom, i can work my way up the ranks and take on quests to kill stronger monsters?"

"Exactly."

Her neutral expression shows a hint of a smile.

"And i assume there are risks when taking high ranking quests?"

"Yes, deaths among adventurers aren't uncommon, especially in the higher ranks but if you stay in the lower ranks where the risks aren't that high, adventuring can be a viable career."

Interesting.

"What is the lowest rank?"

"The lowest rank is initiate and their slate is made out of wood."

So, starting from initiate i would fight the weakest monsters, and as i rank up, the monsters i fight will become stronger as well.

I think i get it now.

"Hmm, i guess i'll become an adventurer then."

"Glad i could help."

We sit in silence and she looks me over.

She notices my hands which still drip some blood even though i cleaned them.

"Give me your hands."

"Huh, why?"

"You're hurt, let me see them."

"Nah, it's fine."

"Please, i insist. Your family has been good to me, it's the least i can do."

Despite my resistance she takes my hands and holds them.

"Your hands have been through a lot."

I notice that her hands are small and delicate, and also feel very soft.

"First Aid."

A green glow surrounds my hands and my cuts close up.

I can feel the bones and muscles in my hand also heal.

She lets go of my hands and i inspect them.

The callouses are still there and my hands actually feel stronger.

Looks like it was a simple healing spell and fortunately it didn't reset any progress i have made.

The glow around my hands was green instead of gold like Anna's and she said 'First Aid' instead of 'Heal'.

"Useful."

"Thank you."

"Can you explain one thing though, why did your magic look different from Anna's?"

"What do you mean?"

"Anna's healing magic is golden but yours was green."

"Oh, that. Well, the golden color of Anna's magic means that her healing spell belongs to the branch of holy magic."

"There's a difference?"

"Yes, i haven't studied holy magic much but a prayer is required to channel it."

"Hmm, is that so."

Stella places her hand against the ground.

"Bloom."

The ground underneath Stella glows green and more grass and flowers begin to grow around her.

"I promised to show you more magic, remember?"

I scratch my head.

"yeah, i just didn't expect to see something like this. Looks like you can do a lot with magic."

"Yes, that's why i love magic, the things you can do with it are practically limitless."

Suddenly she gets an idea and puts her hands together.

"Oh i know, how about i give you a lesson in magic once i'm a little better?"

"A lesson?"

"Yes, the subject of the lesson could be an introduction to magic. Although i don't have my books with me, i have memorized a lot of stuff, and i could help you find out if you have talent for it."

"Hmm, i guess learning a simple healing spell or two could be useful."

"It's settled then, i'll prepare some study material while i heal and i'll come to you."

"Sounds good."

 

At evening, Stella went to bed early.

I go find Anna in the living room, knitting.

She notices me and looks at me with a warm smile.

"What is it Alex?"

"Anna, what can you tell me about holy magic?"

"Hmm, are you sure you want to learn from me? Maybe you can ask Stella, since she is a mage?"

"She's asleep and she said that holy magic is different from regular magic, which she has little knowledge of."

"well, in that case i guess i can teach you what little i do know."

She pats the spot next to her on the couch and i sit next to her.

"As you already know, i have little talent with healing magic. My healing magic requires the channeling of holy magic, which i have a small affinity to."

"Right."

"And, to channel that holy magic, a prayer is required."

"To what?"

"In the church i worked at, they prayed to Asteia, the goddess of fertility, beauty and healing."

She puts her hand in her dress pocket and pulls out a necklace, and hands it to me.

On its string is a small wooden figure resembling a woman.

Its wearing a dress, its body is curvy and voluptuous, standing with its hands in prayer, long hair and a veil covers its face.

"When i want to use my healing magic, i pray to her to channel it. The idol acts as a conduit to make my healing magic stronger."

"Wait, you're making it sound like gods are real?"

"Of course they are real. There are many gods with powerful abilities who have manifested in our world throughout history."

Huh, well that's new.

In this world gods are actually real.

"When me and Eric decided to have you, i wore this necklace and prayed to Asteia with all my heart."

"Huh?"

She blushes, closes her eyes, places her hands on her cheeks and feels a wave of nostalgia.

"That night your father was so intense i almost fainted~"

I DON'T NEED TO KNOW THAT!

I roll my eyes and give the necklace back.

"I'm going to my room."

"Oh! Well, good night then Alex!"

 

In my room i do my usual workout before going to bed.

Once i start my journey, i do imagine myself relying on my physical strength the most.

If i'm able to use any magic at all, i'll just stick to learning a few healing spells.

For some reason i do find myself looking forward to Stella's lesson.

It make take a few more days until she is fully healed.