Chapter 21-Departure

Over the next few weeks, York spent his time to repairing his armor and modifying his dual swords, along with taking Dustin out to the woods for hunts. Dustin got to see first-hand just how impressive York's crafting skills were. It seemed like almost half the things York did shouldn't have even worked; somehow, he had managed to change the color of one of his swords by hitting it with a rare gem harvested from a Lagiacrus.

"Okay, now how did that even happen?" Dustin asked as York picked up his modified sword. The blade was a clear blue, just like York's eyes. It was originally one of the two Sworn Rapiers he usually used, but he modified the handle to use a hand guard that covered his fingers, and the blade curved slightly at the end.

"Hell if I know, I just thought it might do something," York responded casually, eyeing the blade. "Wait, you don't… you don't even know how you changed the sword's color? Do you even think any of the things you try will work?"

"No, because it's unbelievable when they do. I usually try to come up with a more complex explanation, but as it turns out most things I make are just from me hitting something the right way. Must be my magic touch," York said.

"Dustin, trust me, even I don't get how he does it sometimes," Rose said, walking into the cluttered living room. "Doesn't mean he can't make ordinary equipment either, though! York actually made my armor, too!"

"Which was deceptively hard. Rose wanted the normal design, but better protection," York explained. "I managed to actually make the armor resistant to most elements. It's lighter than normal, too. Never would have guessed that using monster fluid on an armor sphere would make it weigh less."

"What made you think to try that?" Dustin asked, growing more and more confused. "Actually, that was my fault," Rose said, smiling slightly. "I dropped a jar of it onto the armor spheres York was going to use."

"But what about his armor? That's not a standard design, and it sure as hell didn't get made from hitting something," Dustin continued. "This was the product of about a year's planning, and a few weeks hunting, and maybe a month total putting it together. See, if I plan it out, then I can make something really incredible. Take my bracer for example," York said, picking up the piece of armor. "I made a small blade that can spring out from the bracer when I pull this pin here." Dustin looked at it closely. "How will that help with a hunt, though? Against small monsters, sure, but something like a Rathalos?"

"This blade was made from the strongest, sharpest Nargacuga tailspike around. It can easily pierce scales and hides, but it's more of a last resort than anything. It's got a shorter reach than my other weapons, meaning I'd basically have to be as close as possible to do any real damage."

"So… why did you make it?" "You sure do ask a lot of questions, you know that?" York stated. "I made it so I would have something as a back-up weapon that I wouldn't have to carry. That good enough?" "I guess… But what about that thing?" Dustin said, pointing at an object in the corner of the room.

"That's a bit of a work in progress at this point. I'm working on a bowgun that doesn't use an external mechanism to fire," York said, picking the object up. "This part under the barrel slides back and forth to load a round in, like a pump. So far, I can only get it to fire pellet shots, but it packs a serious punch too. Any other questions?" "No, I think I'm good." Dustin replied, still somewhat confused.

"Good, because you need to finish getting ready to leave for Loc Lac. The Hunter's Exam is next week, you know." "Right, I have all my gear packed already." "Good, we'll move your things to the dock in a few minutes," York said.

"Is there a reason you aren't coming, York?" Dustin asked. York simply sighed. "I've already told you; it's not that I don't want to be there, it's that I'm not supposed to be there. The judges might find it suspicious if an apprentice's tutor is in the arena at the time. I don't want you to get disqualified. I'll be there after the exam for the celebration, along with most of the other mentors. Besides, I'm not completely throwing you out into the open. I've sent word to a… friend of mine in the city. He'll be able to show you around."

Rose suddenly went wide-eyed. "Wait… you don't mean… you don't mean Joshua, do you?" "Eh… yeah. I do," York replied, scratching the back of his head. Dustin had a nervous look on his face. "Is there something wrong with this guy?"

"No, not exactly. I wouldn't say it's what's wrong with him, it's… ah, screw it. He's a bit of a wacko, but he's a good guy. Kinda. Just don't agree to help him with anything, unless you want to get your face blown off." Dustin swallowed apprehensively. "Why are you friends with so many weird people?"

"Trust me, even I ask myself that sometimes. Come on; let's get your stuff to the boat. You'll definitely want to beat the crowd this time around; I hear only the first forty applicants will be able to participate this year," York said.

York, Dustin, and Rose moved Dustin's trunk to the boat he would be sailing on. The sailors on board were more than happy to help, one of them easily hefting Dustin's things into the cabin he would be staying in.

Dustin said his good-byes to the people he met around town who were seeing him off. York stopped him before he got on the boat.

"Dustin, let me give you a few pieces of advice. One, don't worry; you'll do fine. The test really isn't that bad. Two, don't go drinking. Hugh wasn't kidding when he said it could kill you. And three, don't do anything stupid. I don't want to show up and find out you failed because of bad conduct, got it?" "Yeah. I got it." " Good, now go kick some ass for me, kid."

Dustin nodded, then boarded the boat. Not long after, the final call was made, and his ship departed. York and Rose watched it sail off until it was barely visible. "So, what now?" Rose said, turning to face York. "What do you mean?" "Well, since we don't have to help Dustin out for a while, what should we do?"

"I guess we could see if there's anything going on at the tavern. Maybe old man Felix is there. I'd like to ask him about this thing I bought at the market the other day." Rose looked at York's hand, and the small black object it held. "That? What would Felix know about it?"

York shrugged. "Not sure. He's probably the only one around who might know something about it. He's seen all sorts of things, maybe even this. Can't hurt to check, right?"

"I suppose that makes sense. Maybe Hugh and Karah are there too. We should go on a hunt with them!" Rose said. "Alright, then let's go," York said, turning towards town.

He stopped when he saw a group of seven hunting fleet members waiting. York recognized three of them; the ones he beat up last time must've brought some friends. "Alright, bub, how do ya like yer chances now!?" one of the men yelled.

"Rose, if you don't mind, just wait on the edge of the dock for a sec. This shouldn't take long," York said as the sailors approached.

Rose sighed as she took a step back. The fleet members always tried to one up hunters, but these guys clearly didn't understand who they were messing with. "Alright, fine. But just don't get hurt, ok?"

"Rose, when have I ever gotten hurt in a fight with these guys?"