Chapter 14: The Aftermath and New Beginnings

It was finally over.

Tonight’s ‘trial’ was merely a formality, a public spectacle designed to warn any adventurers harboring ill intentions: such schemes were not even to be conceived.

As for Pete and his two companions, they would now await their conviction and sentencing from the City Guard.

Afterward, Vice Guild Master Sevia publicly acknowledged and commended Elara’s contributions, promising the duo a monetary bonus, a special commendation, and two high-tier magic scrolls from the guild.

More than half of the guild’s high-tier magic was ‘not for sale,’ obtainable only through special contributions or trades, much like the Treant’s Hide from before.

After careful deliberation, Elara chose the high-tier spatial magic, ‘Void Step,’ while Hilvyn selected the high-tier ice magic, ‘Ice Thorn Cage.’

“Come collect them tomorrow,” Guild Master Sevia stated, before turning and ascending the stairs.

****

Back home, Hilvyn threw herself onto the bed, her legs swinging back and forth playfully.

“Did you enjoy today?” Elara asked.

“I loved it!” Hilvyn turned her head, then sprang from the bed with a sudden bounce.

“Evil gets its just deserts! I finally got to vent my frustrations!”

Hilvyn punched the air a few times, then dashed towards Elara, embracing her tightly.

“Master, you worked so hard…”

She now understood why Elara had slept until noon that morning.

Elara stroked Hilvyn’s back, a hint of triumph in her voice:

“Who told them to bully you, Hilvyn? I, Elara, will protect you! Hahaha!”

“Hahahahaha…” Hilvyn burst into laughter, unable to close her mouth. “Master, you sound so funny when you say things like that.”

“Alright, alright, had enough hugs?” Elara felt a little awkward; a stream of air had been tickling the back of her neck.

“Master, I can never have enough hugs.”

‘So fragrant… I want to smell more…’

Elara tried to wriggle free, but found the arms locking her in place unyielding. She glanced sideways, noticing a long ear tantalizingly close to her mouth, and a mischievous thought sparked within her.

“Hoo-hoo-hoo~” She blew gently at the tip of the ear.

“Eek—!”

Hilvyn recoiled like a startled cat, her fur seemingly bristling.

She covered her ears, breathing heavily.

‘No way… Is she that sensitive?’

Elara’s heart stirred with surprise.

But seeing those ears turn as red as hot coals, she no longer doubted. ‘Noted: the ears are a weakness.’

“Master, you’re too mean!” Hilvyn’s face was flushed. “I’m breaking up with you for one minute!”

“Fine, break up then.”

Hilvyn gasped in alarm, then scooted over, grabbing Elara’s arm and shaking it back and forth.

“No, no, not even for a minute—!”

Elara’s lips curved into a slight smile, her tone softening: “Alright then, we won’t break up.”

“Oh, yay!”

The night breeze drifted into the room, carrying the mixed aroma of various foods.

“Let’s go eat.”

****

That night, Elara had a dream.

She was back on Earth, back to the day she turned adult and left the orphanage. She turned to look at the orphanage that had raised her for eighteen years, then the scene shifted, and she was struck by a truck.

Her vision blurred, and she fell into water, feeling a suffocating lack of air.

She woke with a start.

Hilvyn was sprawled across her chest, sleeping soundly.

‘No wonder I couldn’t breathe. Her sleeping habits get worse every day.’

Elara grumbled softly.

She looked up; the time outside the window was already late. Her gaze dropped back to the ears…

“Hoo—”

The effect was instantly good.

The person who usually loved to lie in bed now sprang up with a ‘whoosh.’

Though her expression was quite miffed.

****

At the Adventurers’ Guild.

Elara was browsing the quest board, while Hilvyn was with Serene, submitting a codename.

Since Hilvyn had matured, she no longer woke up early to snatch the simpler quests.

Elara’s gaze swept over the board, and she already had a suitable choice in mind.

“’Angelica,’ that codename sounds a bit strange.”

“It’s a plant from my sister’s hometown, and I absolutely, absolutely love it.”

“Alright, little Angelica.”

The two chatted idly.

“I’ll take this one.”

Elara approached, submitting the quest application.

Serene took it, glancing over it. “Emmm, an escort mission?”

She couldn’t recall Black Rose ever taking such a quest.

Moreover, it was a very ordinary C-rank quest.

Elara had her own reasons. Having just experienced the mess with the Hyena Squad, she wanted to take Hilvyn out for a change of scenery.

“Consider it a vacation.”

Shrewd adventurers planning to visit a certain town would often take escort missions along the way. They’d earn money, and most likely, food would be provided.

“Alright, the quest requires you to escort Mr. Cole of the Golden Road Trading Post. The journey is from Wind Whisper City to Shepherd Wind City. Are you departing now?”

“Yes.”

Shepherd Wind City was the closest city to Wind Whisper City, known for its core specialties of Bell Cattle and their products.

Serene then produced a bronze token. “This is the trading post’s credential. The guild will notify the trading post to send someone to the East City Gate. You two just need to meet them at the gate with this token.”

Elara accepted the token. “Understood.”

“And these.” Serene retrieved two scrolls from beneath the counter.

These were the magic scrolls the guild had promised yesterday: ‘Void Step’ and ‘Ice Thorn Cage.’

Elara and Hilvyn each accepted theirs, then prepared to leave.

“Goodbye, Serene.” Hilvyn waved goodbye to Serene.

“Goodbye, little Angelica, and Miss Black Rose too.”

Leaving the guild, the two rented a horse, then waited at the East City Gate, taking the opportunity to examine their newly acquired magic.

‘Void Step’ allowed one to temporarily phase into an alternate dimension, evading attacks. However, its drawbacks included only being able to enter and exit from the same spot, and it consumed a significant amount of magic power.

This magic’s true utility lay in its role as a catalyst for spatial fusion magic.

When combined with ‘Shadow Arrow,’ the difficulty of casting the fusion magic would drastically decrease.

Elara fired a ‘Shadow Arrow’ towards the sky. Its trajectory intermittently vanished like a dotted line “﹍”, yet its speed towards the target significantly increased.

Excellent.

Elara inwardly checked her affinity.

Dark Affinity: 55%

Spatial Affinity: 45%

Affinity represented not only the learning threshold for high-tier magic, magic power efficiency, and proficiency in casting fusion magic, but also magic resistance against various magical attacks.

It also meant that individuals with higher affinity would receive greater damage reduction from magical attacks.

Meanwhile, Hilvyn was also diligently practicing.

‘Ice Thorn Cage,’ as its name suggested, formed an ice sphere whose internal ice thorns could be deployed or retracted at will, allowing for offense, containment, or defense.

As Hilvyn familiarized herself with the magic, she caught sight of a burly City Guard.

“Master, why do the City Guards all seem so strong?”

Elara glanced over, explaining, “They use the ‘Magic Forging Method,’ integrating magic into their flesh to enhance their physical bodies.”

“But it also reduces their total magic power and shortens their lifespan. That level,” Elara gestured towards the City Guard with her eyes, “is something only those with little magical talent would do.”

Only those without magical talent would train to that extent, as total magic power for them was merely a life bar.

Why waste time exercising when one could directly enhance their body with lifespan, achieving better results than physical training?

Magic Forging allowed for free selection of the enhancement process, meaning ‘flexible allocation’ of lifespan reduction.

However, it was important to note that the efficiency of physical enhancement would go from slow to fast, then back to slow. If one continuously used Magic Forging, the effects would progressively diminish.

Only the middle phase was optimal. Elara had used it herself; in fact, all vanguards would do so, as how else could they engage in close combat without physical prowess?

“You could also try a little Magic Forging, just a little, of course.”

Physical fitness was equally important; even for escaping, one needed to be fast.

Just then, a carriage slowly drove out of the city gate and stopped by the roadside.

“Is this from the Golden Road Trading Post?”

Elara stepped forward to inquire.

The man driving the horse at the front assessed Elara and Hilvyn. “Are you two Black Rose and Angelica?”

Elara produced her token, displaying her identity.

A young man on the carriage leaned out, greeting them with a smile, “Good day, ladies. I am Cole.”

Elara’s first impression of him was ‘shrewd.’

After introducing himself, Cole pointed to the coachman. “This is Horton, my butler, who always attends to me personally.”

“Shall we depart?”

The journey began nearing noon. At a normal pace, including a night’s rest, they should reach their destination by tomorrow morning.

Elara swung onto the horse’s back. Hilvyn, unable to ride, sat behind her.

“You’re holding too tight,” Elara whispered a reminder.

Hilvyn wasn’t just holding on; Elara felt her hands were being rather restless, wandering over her stomach.

“I’m afraid of falling off, you see…”

Elara sighed helplessly, gently nudging the horse’s flank. “Giddy up!”

She looked up at the sky.

This afternoon’s sun would likely be scorching.