Chapter 34 - Apprentice Jarod (1/2)

”Are you sure?” he asked disappointedly.

”Yes”. I didn't know what more to say.

With a heavy sigh, he slowly moved to his bed where he stared blankly down on it. His body looked so tired as he faced away from me, voice seeming to have aged overnight.

”Please leave”

I left, swiping the book from his desk silently as I did so.

My guard was waiting outside the room, and when he saw me he also saw the book in my hand, his eyes brightening as he took a great interest in it.

Peter lv.25 Fire Combat Mage

He obviously intended to take it, so rather than his forcing the issue and raising the likelihood of not getting the book back I made the first move.

Handing the book to him as I closed the door behind me, I offered a small explanation. ”Arod said I can borrow this for a few days”.

After scanning through the book the guard handed it back, expression looking mildly disappointed with the contents. Not what he was looking for?

I really do need to find a way to dump the books in my inventory, have them found in a way that doesn't connect me to the crime. Perhaps frame someone else in the process.. Arod makes a obvious choice, but thats just.. Evil?

Kicking him while he's down. Though its not quite like his life is going that great anyways..

Its not that important anyways, do they have spells to track the last person to handle a object?

Evidently any spells they may have used at the library didn't connect me to the crime, and aside from Arod's accusation in the courtyard not a single person had mentioned the matter to me. Instead they chose to leave me out of the loop, not outright inform me of what happened.

I don't mind too much though, I doubt any of the other team members were told about it. I was only asked because of the hostility I was receiving around here.

Walking through the corridors as I headed back towards my room, I was lost in thought as the guard walked silently behind me. The decision I had made back in Arod's room was hard, and I had a feeling I was going to regret it.

But factors I had to consider outweighed the scales against him. One of them was the rewards for the beastking quest and the 'find the races' quest. Both of them promised more in the way of unique things than what Arod's offer did.

I need to think bigger scale than this world, and his offer was of limited use.

Another factor I need to consider, I have to stay out of the spotlight.

I'm weak in this world, far too weak. I mean sure, I may be stronger than an average man back on earth, but when I look at the levels of the people in this world it sounds a lot like I would be curbstomped into a paste.

If not in a outright 1v1 duel, then with numbers.

Arod's offer included a potentially bad t.i.tle, new a.s.sortment of spells and skills with all of them being variants of (Voice) stuff. And that (Voice) part makes the entire offer that much less attractive.

I mean sure, I could likely learn those spells and at a later date convert them into a voiceless spell. But I would also lose the chance for the beastking quest.

I have no idea if the quest can fail if I appear to abandon it, but logic dictates that making enemies with the quest giver can't go down well, it wouldn't be logical to retain the quest.

I also doubt another kingdom could give the same quest.

But really, if I had to be honest.

It would be my disdain for (Voice) and the unsureness of that t.i.tle that made the decision. When I consider disappointing my teammates, failing the beastking quest and studying (Voice) magic..

Kinda makes my choice obvious doesn't it.

I still can't help but regret it, wondering if I made the right decision.

Stopping outside my room, I looked blandly at the door.

What do I even have to do in there?

I can read the book yeah, double my mana reserves.

But.

I can't help but wonder.

Is it a one-off? Wouldn't I gain greater benefit's if I read it later?

I'm not in a hurry.

Placing the book inside and turning around, I ignored the way my guard sighed as I started walking to the courtyard.

At the very least, I could see what I'm allowed to do here.

I can't practice spells, but maybe I could work on developing new spells. That shouldn't be too much of an issue should it?

The others ignored me as I entered the courtyard, focusing on their training. I noticed that Rob had snowflakes stuck on his clothes, yet he didn't seem to notice as he seemed to focus on something, formless mana flowing about him.

I'm a.s.suming there's other types of mana I can't see frantically frothing about him, it certainly gave that impression.

His level had also risen.

Rob Barnes lv.18 Heroic Ice Mage

Looking at it, I feel almost ashamed of my own progress.

The other's had levels similar to him.

Josh Carter lv.16 Heroic Swordsman

Kira Harris lv.14 Heroic Rogue

Mark Nelson lv.11 Heroic Archer

I felt a little sorry for Mark when I compared them, its probably a good thing they can't see those levels..

Finding my own spot in the courtyard corner, my guard leaned against a wall several meters away as he watched me.

I was about to launch into meditation and experiment with some of what I had learned recently when I had a thought. Not a good thought, or even likely to work. But still, a thought.

Addressing the guard, I asked him a question ”You are supposed to be following me everywhere right?”

Looking at me silently, he stared me down before he gave a curt reply. ”Yes”.

”As you are going to be following me everywhere, do you think you could teach me some magic?” I asked naively, almost as if I didn't know it wouldn't work.

His face almost seemed to sneer, a cruel smile tweaking at the corner of his lips.

”No.”

Quickly checking my skill level with a thought, interesting. He believed my act, thought I was being serious..

I turned away however, the way he looked at me give me the s.h.i.+vers. Light disdain in his eyes and a ill-disguised sneer. Just what did I do to him? Do to them?

I noticed Kira had been looking towards me, but as I caught her eye she turned back towards her instructor as if she hadn't been watching.

The current state of affairs isn't likely to last long, I get the feeling the others will step in soon.

When I thought about it, there was one question I had meant to ask Arod yesterday, but given the current.. fiasco. I would prefer to avoid him for now, perhaps this guard could answer it.

With an intent expression I focused on my guard, he steadily met my gaze as he tried to stare me down. But not giving in, I asked ”If I'm so unwanted, why not send me back”.

His face seemed to erupt them, a snarl practically springing on his lips as his expression filled with fury.

Startled and a little scared at the suddenness of it, I quickly turned around and played with a stone I picked off the ground.

Not only did I not get answers, he had actually scared me..

It made me feel unhappy. Its been some time since I've last been frightened.

Where his gaze had felt like pinp.r.i.c.ks previously, now it felt as if redhot pokers were stabbing into my back. I couldn't help but wonder what landmine I stepped on.

When I glanced warily towards him, he didn't avert his angry gaze. Daring me to do something. Openly hating me with his being.

What's with this hostility?

As I stared at the stone, I was completely unable to relax in his presence. Kira's a.s.sa.s.sin tutor spoke to him after which he visibly calmed down, but my concentration for the day was totally shot.

I wouldn't normally admit this, but the insensitively of his hate had shocked me.

This is going to be a long long stay. Can I leave earlier?

I should request that. I definitely can't continue on in this situation.

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My name is Jarod, I'm an apprentice fire mage to the great mage Deca.

Three years ago there were nine kingdoms, and to the side of the nine kingdoms were the beastlands.

And three years ago, the human lands were attacked, hordes of monsters crawling across the lands in a plague we had never seen the likes of. Not a single warning was given in time, not a single hint. Before this happened, the beastlands had been a mere constant pest making unorganised raids onto our lands.

They had been easily droven off then, and after we built forts things had quietened down. But three years ago, they grew bolder and bolder, until at last they toppled a fort.