Chapter 5

On the way to the scholar, I talked with the inn's manager.

"This scholar you're taking me to, what kind of person is she?"

"Not too much I know myself, just that she's rather... eccentric one might say."

"Eccentric enough, that she travels alone and would need a stone weaver for her journey?"

"Quite so. She is Shuriman with a questionable heritage, just like I believe you are. And unlike you, she is wealthy enough to hire an elemental mage like you. You would also fit her criteria."

"Her criteria, I assume was not just a good price for a somewhat skilled bodyguard."

"The other criteria were a guard who wouldn't mind a questionable heritage, and someone who was leaving Shurima."

"And I, with my questionable heritage and plans to travel east, must have seemed like a prime candidate then."

"Indeed, add on top of that that you don't really seem too rude and are a skilled elemental mage."

Listening to his praise I listened with a small smile until he got to a part that slightly confused me.

"Skilled? I just showed you some forms I could make with rock."

"And that's skilled. The skill and fine control of an elemental mage are often used to get a thorough understanding of a mage's abilities."

"Shows how much I know about other mages then. One more thing, the whole not seeming too rude thing, didn't we just meet each other and couldn't I be some sort of bandit?"

"Hahaha, you seem to know how to joke as well... wait you're not joking. Well, how do I explain it? There is a subtle, but definitive difference between actual politeness and lip service, I'd like to think I know the difference. Though even if I'm wrong she is still capable enough to beat you. Also, we have arrived. Let me first tell her about you, after that I'll leave so you can properly introduce yourself without me."

Nodding I left the manager alone letting him talk with the scholar.

Shortly after knocking on the scholar's door, she opened the door and the first thing one could see was a slightly annoyed frown. Seeing that it was the manager the scholar's frown disappeared as quickly as it appeared and they quickly started talking.

Looking at her, she didn't really give me the vibe of someone who fights a lot. She had black, long and slightly messy hair. Seemed to be fairly slender, wore glasses and robes that looked like they were a size or two too big. She really had the vibe of a scholar losing themselves in their studies. It's really difficult to see her beating me in a fistfight, though she might be a powerful mage.

Hmmm in the case she's a powerful mage could I try to see her stats as I did with the weapons from the store I was at before. First, activate Energy Sense, then focus on her and wait for the system to show me whatever it found out.

...

*ding*

[The target has noticed your focused energy detection directed at her and blocked your energy from going near her.]

'System, from that alone would you say she's stronger than me?'

[Highly likely]

Looking at her I saw her just smiling at me and beckoning me to come forward. I wryly smiled back and walked up to her and the manager. Sitting in the back and scanning her and the manager doesn't really seem like an option.

The moment I got a bit closer she immediately introduced herself.

"Manager Sen'Ru just started talking about you, but it seems like he took too long and you want to introduce yourself. By the way, I go by Scholar Nejime and you?"

"I go by Phesto, and I have heard from manager Sen'Ru that you could use a bodyguard or stone weaver, on your travels to the east. But considering how skilled and or strong you are I assume it to be the latter."

Sizing me up, focusing especially on my arms and face she carried a thoughtful expression.

"A stone weaver you say... and you're Shuriman?"

"At least half, I assume."

"Assume you say. I can see why you would travel alone if that's the case. And yes I can use a stone weaver, travelling on foot, carriage or horseback is too stressful after all."

"Great, should we talk about the details then?"

When I and Scholar Nejime started talking about a possible deal manager Sen'Ru started leaving. Seeing him leave stopped him from leaving and told him something about the Shurima's planned attack on Nashramae.

"Sen'Ru, we have not even introduced ourselves and you treated me with respect today. I can not offer you a proper repayment, but I have some information. When the armies of Shurima arrive they will be led not only by Nasus but also by Renekton. I hope you have heard the rumours that Renekton has become more violent than ever before since the ascension, violent enough that a vacation to a different city for a few weeks sounds good."

Hearing me, a thoughtful expression was visible on his face before, before he thanked me and left.

"Now back to the main talk"

Time to see who scholar Nejime is. And whether or not I will travel with her.