47 - Spring Forth

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

the flowering fields bloom

as I lie in wait and loom.

filling my days with the thought of you,

enduring since the moment we were split in two.

-R.

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Kairo bolted up from his sleep panting and sweating buckets.

"That dream again."

Upon uttering those words, memories of that dream had already escaped his mind. He could almost remember something, but in the few seconds he was desperately struggling, he was unable to recall any more.

When he winked, he realized his eyes were moist. He touched it with his finger and confirmed that it was not sweat.

"Was I crying?"

He wiped the tears away, sniffling. Wondering if he was sick, he only realized the rapid beating of his heart as it was slowing down.

His body felt cold.

The winter air left his throat gulping for some semblance of relief from the dryness. His dried sweat made him feel sticky and uncomfortable, so he shed his clothes and wore new ones after wiping the sweat from his chest and back.

"I feel like I'm missing something... important," he said to himself, holding his head. "Something... I must remember. I can still feel those intense feelings in my chest. I don't... remember the first thing about my dream, but it felt like such a long dream."

He tucked himself back to bed. He sensed that it was still too early in the morning. Either that or he slept for the whole day until night, which shouldn't happen because someone would've checked up on him.

Aisia would pick on him for being late for their training.

Esmeralda would somehow know that he overslept and wake him up. 

Alex would barge in with enthusiasm and converse with him whenever she could.

Tiraga might drag him to the kitchen to order him around.

Otherwise, the other maids would find a reason to wake him up.

He realized that now, there were new people in his life that he cared about, and those people cared about him. That thought was comforting to him.

He kept that idea to his heart and was finally able to fall asleep with ease.

Weeks passed by, snow started to melt faster and the flowers began to bloom. It was the season of new beginnings.

Spring had arrived.

The fresh air sweeping the continent marked the time for planting crops that would be harvested in the autumn.

Though a certain boy was not having the best time of his life.

With his mind riddled with lost memories and impatience, his hastiness was showing in his words and actions.

As he acclimated to his new lifestyle, days became more still. As his body grew, so did his restlessness. He wondered what he would do if he encountered the red-hooded bandits again. 

What would he do if he succeeded in his revenge? What if he failed? What is his plan after all this?

Doubts turned into reluctant thoughts, which showed in his demeanor.

One day, during their free time, Aisia confronted Kairo about his troubles.

"Why are you fidgety these past few days?" she remarked.

"I... what am I doing? Am I actually getting stronger? Does my training matter? Am I... allowed to keep living this blessed life in the mansion while those people are out there?" he replied.

Even without mentioning who those people were, Aisia knew Kairo was talking about the red-hooded people who wiped his village.

Grisia also noticed that Kairo seemed to be feeling guilty about the monotony of his days. As if it was a betrayal of his vow to avenge his loved ones.

The next morning, Grisia introduced to Kairo and Aisia the idea of enlisting in the adventurer guild over breakfast. He believed that they were already capable enough to start taking on quests. What they lacked more than ever now was experience.

He added that it was good timing since it was now spring. Having them partake in quests in winter would have been too complicated for beginners such as themselves due to the harsh and unpredictable weather.

There weren't many mock quests available for beginners during winter anyway, but it was a different matter in spring.

Spring was the perfect season for obtaining an adventurer's license as it opened up the basic and common quests such as gathering items, hunting, and escort missions.

Amidst the usual ruckus at the dining hall, while they were having breakfast, Grisia briefed them about the structure of quests. Specifically, he told them about the first and most basic quest any beginner must complete. The quest to gather mushrooms.

The two looked at each other. Aisia found it too elementary for their level. Kairo argued that it was reasonable to gauge their competence and integrity in completing such a simple quest.

Grisia told both of them that they had to accomplish five of the beginner quests as it was the rite of initiation to acquire an adventurer's license. If they wished to skip it, they would need a recommendation letter from someone that the guild recognized or somehow show that they were worth being given a license without having to do the five basic quests.

"What about you, pops? Did you do the five quests?" asked Aisia.

"No. I skipped it. I was recommended by another kingdom's general."

"Another kingdom's general? Not this kingdom's?"

"I am not originally from here. But that's another long and irrelevant story."

Grisia reeled the conversation back to quests.

He told them that partaking in the business and lives of the common folk through accepting quests would show them the path they would want to take, but not necessarily the path they needed to take.

He also added that apart from getting more chances to use their chakra techniques to unlock their improved versions, testing their decision-making skills where there are real-life consequences would develop their ki and give it a chance to evolve.

"There are adventurer ranks, but I do not really care to remember the titles. I think I'm somewhere around... the fourth or fifth weakest rank? I don't even remember how many ranks there are anymore. They changed it once Chad rose to the position of head of the guild from what I remember, and it was a pain to confirm afterwards."

He squinted, trying to see if he could remember. Alas, he gave up and said, "They'll introduce it to you when you get your license."

The two children let out a sigh. It's not like they needed to know more about the ranks, but they both thought it was such a Grisia thing to be too indifferent to update his knowledge on such matters. 

"You're only some ranks above the weakest rank, yet you were called in to handle a dragon by the head of the guild?" asked Kairo.

Grisia finished chewing on his food before replying, "I am a special case, since I only take quests that interest me. It is possible to reject a rank promotion. That's what I've been doing."

"But why?" Aisia asked, wondering why anyone would ever purposefully deny the prospect of better rewards.

"I don't feel like it," he replied.

As he took another bite, he saw they weren't convinced with just that for an answer. He sighed.

"As you may have already inferred, the higher the rank, the better the rewards to compensate for the increasing difficulty of the quests. But that also means fewer quests. Quests regarding dragons or demon lords will not be as frequent as looking for missing people or an escort mission. And I don't feel the need to increase my rank as I'm being called for those kinds of missions anyway."

He took a sip of water before continuing.

"But this does not mean that you are barred from taking on quests that are for ranks lower than yours. You can still choose to do so, I simply find ranking up a drag. Because with it comes fame and fortune, and I do not want the fame, nor do I need the fortune. So, as I've said, I do not feel like it."

Aisia and Kairo looked at each other and knew that they were thinking the same thing. Grisia was already famous enough, even picking up the nickname, "The Whimsical Wind", amongst the other humorous nicknames that Aisia listed in the past. He was also wealthy enough to have a large plot of land under his name and a mansion that housed quite a number of servants.

His reason checked out. They supposed it truly was simply left to his preference.

And so, instead of continuing their usual schedule, they were told to go to the city to enlist and prepare their equipment.

Once they were all ready to go, they were both given a handsome pouch of coins by Grisia to buy starting equipment, including weapons. He told them he wouldn't be chaperoning them on their quests, else it would lose its purpose.

"This is the only time I'll be giving you muns. This is your starting money. I leave it to you two to spend it as you see fit. If you run out, you will not be given more. Bear responsibility, may it be stolen or clumsily spent. You will spend your days outside of the mansion, so make sure to rent a room at an inn. You may come here if you wish to eat Tiraga's cooking, I'll allow at least that. Don't forget your morning training."

"HA!" as they shouted their response, they headed to the adventurer's guild as per Grisia's directions.

When they arrived, they didn't get to see the kind giant Chadrhaad, which made sense to the both of them seeing how he complained about being absurdly busy all the time. Though, it would have been nice to see his tough, yet friendly face again.

When they asked to take the five basic quests to acquire an adventurer's license, the lady at the counter was surprised to see two young children. Similar to Kairo's experience in attempting to get a merchant's license, the lady first doubted their request.

Though, it didn't end up exactly like in the merchant's guild as their request was still entertained. The lady said that if they actually were capable individuals, even if they were children, she had no reason to block them from their path.

"More helping hands are always welcome," she said. "That's what Sir Chadrhaad sometimes says. He also made it clear that the youth is the future, and being receptive to their interests in becoming an adventurer should be nurtured."

Though, she warned them that even though they were willing to test aspiring children, some of the five basic quests would be dangerous, dangerous enough that the guild could not guarantee their safety. She also warned them to not overestimate themselves.

Normally, the kids would be accompanied by a relative or any other adult. But since Chadrhaad apparently talked lengthily about a certain unique pair of children from Grisia's care, they were exempt from this safeguard. 

Finally, they were given the quest details. They were each told to gather five chanterelle mushrooms. An example was illustrated in the two almost identical quest parchments handed out to them.

The two of them expected this from Grisia's briefing, though they hid that fact from showing on their faces.

"If you complete this quest, you will be rewarded with three bronze muns each."

Three bronze muns coins could only buy half a bread, but Kairo thought that it was a start. Meanwhile, Aisia reacted as if she just heard something outrageous. With a pinch from Kairo, she whimpered down.

She also told them that the chanterelle mushrooms are known to have a yellow, white, or orange color. The minimum required to complete the quest was five pieces, but as beginners, they were advised to take more in case some of the pieces they would bring would not measure up to the guild's standards. However, she also told them to not take too many to avoid overharvesting them.

This unexpectedly made Kairo flinch.

A familiar reminder.

This was the same kind of talk he had with his father before...

He closed his eyes with a sigh.

He must honor his last conversation with him.

He clutched his fists tightly and said, "I swear, we'll finish this quest."

Amused by his sudden passion, the lady bid them good tidings in their endeavor. However, this aroused Aisia's attention for a moment.

It was stated in the quest parchment they received that the chanterelles could be found in almost any forest in the kingdom. Evergreen trees were marked as a sign that some were growing nearby.

And so, the two set forth in high spirits starting their first official quest.