Chapter 11: The Helpless mage

After I was given confirmation to take quests and go further into the Great Forest, I felt excited that I will be allowed to hunt some real game and I intended to take full advantage of it. There were a few adventurers who were displeased by this sudden occurrence most of them coming from those were were in Iron or Bronze since they had to go through the system accordingly. For a while I was actually pestered by a lot of people, though it wasn't all bad. A lot of the newer adventurers came to me for some advice and inviting me to be in their party.

Asking advice is fine, but joining a party….. Sigh….. In the end I practically refused all of them when it came to that. It's not that I don't like being in a party, I will if it is necessary, but for the most part I really don't like being around a lot of people. And in this world, you don't know who you can or cannot trust so it makes it even harder for me to be in one. That was until I met a certain person….

After I received my payment, I went on a shopping trip.

My appearance looked like an average villager carrying a backpack of bits and weird whatnots at the same time cloth pouches at my waist along with holstering a sword in a scabbard. The protection I managed to buy were pairs of somewhat decent leather vanguards on my forearms and lower legs along with some gloves and boots.

I wasn't able to buy anything fancy, but having it is better not having it at all. I was finally starting to look like an actual adventurer.

I was making my way to the guild on another usual day. I step through the guild's doors walking to the guild's counter as I do. I notice something was oddly different though, the usual face that comes to see me isn't here. One of the receptionists approached me.

"Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Um, yeah. Is Stella not here today? She's always the one who's with me when I'm here."

"Ah, She's not in today. She said that she was taking a trip to visit some family outside the city for a couple of weeks."

She's out of town huh? Well, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

"Oh, ok. Could I ask what are the available quests today?"

She did the usual procedure as Stella and recited a number of quests enlisted to the guild. As I continue to listen, I feel the presence of something ominous and quickly turned behind me. It was a girl… she was wearing what could only be guessed as a mage's arsenal. She wielded a typical long staff with a large gem at one of its ends, a small bag and a large book that hung at her waist and a long robe with a hood on covering a lustful body.

Other than her outfit I could tell that she was a mage because I can detect magic radiating off of her, it's not much from the other magic users who flaunt it about, but doesn't she know how to control it?

I also felt...something else from her, that ominous feeling… I can't sense it anymore. Probably just my imagination...

Her soft voice then came to my ears and asks with a soft and shy tone.

"Um, excuse me. M-May I join your party?"

Parties huh? I guess I'm going to have to reject another one…

But before I could say anything her voice bursted out with her forced introduction.

"Um…! M-My name is Lilith Arde. I'm a 2 star fire mage from the Nara city magic school. My adventurer rank is Copper D rank...! Um…."

Other adventurers who saw this scene gave it a laugh and the newbie's present sighed as they saw this already knowing what's going to happen. I sighed while looking at her somewhat panicked expression.

"I'm sorry I don't really want to form a party as of the moment."

"B-But I'm a mage I-I can support you while you fight!"

"I'm not in any need of a support, you could probably be of use to some of the other newbie parties."

"Please…! I can fight, but not alone."

"Then that isn't my problem, again I'm sure there are other parties that are better off than me you know?"

"I want to join your party though."

"Join someone else's."

Her cheeks began to fluster as she heard my immediate response and persisted on.

"Hrrrmmm! Please let me join!"

"I told you no."

For a few minutes she kept asking me and kept going round about with her reasons and excuses. She hasn't mentioned what I have done just a few days ago with the goblins, I assume she doesn't know. So I can't understand why she's being so persistent with me. The receptionist and the other bystanders watched this scene interested on the result. Her eyes darted to the counter and found my guild card.

"Zachary Isaac Fallen… Eh…? Zachary? As in Zachary Fallen, the newbie adventurer who recently joined an is almost at Iron?!"

Crap… and now she does know who I am. Her eyes sparkled in admiration, but before she could even speak I repeated my same answer.

"No."

"B-But the Guild recommends new adventurers to be in parties-"

"Recommends, but not requires. I don't care if I'm new or not, I'm better off on my own. A lot of those who have offered to me see me as someone who is better and expect me to teach them. I don't want to be responsible for another person's life because of the advice I give them as they're "superior."

When I said that, some of the rookies present reacted with guilty expressions and the look of Lilith's face grew even more worried. Ignoring her expression I continued to go through my work and chose a random bunch of quests in an attempt to get away.

"Besides, as I am now, I'm not confident to be able to defend anyone but myself. Especially rearguards like you. So for your own sake it's better you find a different party. Thank you for the offer, but I'm sorry. Please excuse me…"

I tried to walk past her pacing quickly towards the doors, but her hand grabbed my shirt and halted me with her explosive voice.

"Please wait!"

I was already annoyed and thought about pushing her aside, but when I looked… She was shaking with her head facing down, trying to hold back her true feelings she forced out her voice.

"I-I just started being an adventurer, I don't know much about the area and the great forest. I thought it was going to be easy since I was a beginner, but after what happened a few days ago when I went adventuring solo… I-I don't want to die…"

She's being desperate because of the thought of not wanting to die. I guess I can't really empathize with her, even though I've been in a few life threatening situations, I've never really worried about it. Perhaps part of my mind still views this world as a game making me avoid my perception on this reality. Though it's a selfish and naive excuse, I can understand why that influences her. I was about to turn her down again, but looking at her, I can't help but reminisce an old feeling.

A loud noise rang through my head giving me a slight headache.

Why did I have to remember that!

For a few seconds I concentrated to forget about that memory and looked back at her still with a begging expression.

Dammit! I grit my teeth in frustration to my thoughts. I let out a defeated sigh to answer them and turned back to Lilith's scared expression. I don't like being a carry, but, if I reject her, it would be the same thing as possibly sending her to her death….

"Fine. I'll show you the ropes and some things about the forest, I'll party up with you."

Her face then brightened up looking at me with a thankful gaze.

"T-Thank you-!"

The other bystanders look at me in surprise, the newbies who offered to me before jeered at me and many jealous gazes from the male adventurers.

"That's unfair! Why did we get rejected, but not her? Pervert!"

"Grr...How lucky of him to find a partner like that!"

My face twisted into an annoyed look from all the bystanders. I continued to talk pretending to ignore the noise around me.

"But, only for a while. Once you've gotten a hang of the environment, I'm leaving."

Everyone at the moment stared at me and after a few seconds the jeering changed.

"Why are you so stubborn?!"

"To make a girl go that low only to leave her! Cruel bastard!"

What's with this crowd? Do they want me to be with her or not?! Annoying...

"I-I understand. I'll follow your lead, I promise not to get in the way."

I was surprised by her immediate agreement, I thought she would complain. She then noticed my eyes and averted hers.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't know who you were at first. I'm sorry we had to make a scene there."

"It's not a big deal, I'd prefer if less people know me, though I guess it's inevitable with what I've done. C'mon we're burning daylight, we'll talk more about our partnership later. I'll get a few quests for your rank, prepare yourself we'll be leaving in a few minutes."

"Y-Yes!"

And that was how we became a party. On the way to the forest I assess her knowledge of the forest's environment, the monsters, what can be collected, the locations of monsters and plants and appropriate strategies to approach them. My worry is assessment related to her role as a supposedly mage, I can probably use what I can from experience to do that, however I have to take into consideration a realists view and I don't think I can give any advice towards magic since I don't use it. I'll just see once we get into the forest. From my assessment she has a lot to learn, but she patiently and intently listens to me. I just hope she can put whatever I'm telling her to good use.

Later that day we entered the forest….

"Alright, I got a number of quests for you. Don't move carelessly, follow me and stay within my range of sight."

"Ok!"

We then ventured into the forest. Usually I would be more cautious when I enter the forest, but today was different…

"Zach what's that beast?"

"Zach what's this plant?"

Lilith kept asking me so many questions?! I know that she's new and all, and as her "Trainer" is good, but does she really not know anything? I answered most of her questions, thankfully none of the beasts tried to attack us. God, I feel like a tour guide…

"You really know a lot Zach."

"It's not that I know a lot, it's that you know nothing. Do you seriously have no information about this forest?"

"I-I know some things that you haven't told me!"

"Like what?"

"L-Like….."

Her eyes darted all over the place in an attempt to answer me with her cheeks puffed up like a child. I sighed. Lilith saw that and her cheeks flushed a slight red out of embarrassment.

"I-I do! Just give me a moment!"

She then spotted a red flower with many cup-like petals and eagerly tried to picked it up.

"Ah, you shouldn't pick that."

"Eh? Why? It smells good."

Oops said it too late…

Lilith's body began to sway losing some of her balance with eyes spinning in their sockets.

"Zach I'm my head is spinning…"

I covered my nose, took the flower out of her hands and placed it back on the ground where she found it.

"That's the Red mistress, it's a predatory plant that uses its scent to lure in insects. The smell however gets more stronger the closer it is, eventually the smell becomes too much making its victims fall into its pitcher traps. Though not lethal it can still affect larger life forms, the size often determines the duration and for humans that would be a few a seconds. I recommend you study the forest environment, always be prepared when your going into a new area otherwise don't think about venturing there in the first place."

"Muu…! Show off!"

I giggled a bit at the sight. She puffed her cheeks again embarrassed.

In the next second weird sounds came to our ears as we continued to search. Both of us were alerted and looked in its direction.

I slowly approached the sound and anchored my feet crouching on the ground behind a tree. Lilith did the same with her hands clenching on her staff behind me. When we took a peek at the source of the sound, it was a tall bird like creature feasting on newly killed wild boar.

"There it is, a Raptor. Our quest is collect its feathers. Stay down and don't make a sound they have excellent senses."

"How should we proceed?"

"I'll let you take it."

"Eh?!"

Surprised by my response she became panicked and nervous on what to do next.

"I want to see what you could do against live targets so that I can understand your strengths and weaknesses before I can give you any advice."

"B-but..!"

"Don't worry, I'll be here if things go south just focus on your opponent."

With my response, she nods

"Ok!"

She says determined, but her magic levels has been fluctuating ever since we entered. I don't know what kind of effect this will have on her performance, but I don't think it's going to end well.

I slowly move away to another position to observe her. She looks back at me waiting for my signal. I nod at her, she nervously looked ahead at the meter tall bird and summons her strength and stands to recite a chant.

The air around her slowly changes as she gathers her magical energy into her staff.

Magic began to gather around her ignited the air in flame and began to materialize into a shape into an arrow hovering just above her shoulder. It was formed in no more than a few seconds and was a spectacle to my eyes. In the next few seconds 2 more appeared around her. Wow, this looks really different from when this used to be a game...

"Flame Magic Arrow!"

At her command the blazing arrows flew towards their target leaving fiery trails in their path.

Upon finishing the Raptor also heard fiery bolt release and reacted far too late to notice the fiery bolt coming straight for it.

*Boom!*

Lilith's flaming arrows hit the raptor square on its breast spreading flame onto the bird's feathers. The raptor screeched running around panicked. Once it found its sights set on Lilith and began to sprint directly towards her ignoring its burning feathers.

Her magic levels began to concentrate indicating she was collecting magic to cast another spell, but her levels destabilized as she noticed the raptor was closing in on her position and quickly dodged out of the raptor's line of attack.

Why isn't she casting any spells?!

I went into my bag and took out one of my new tools.

It's appearance was of four ropes knotted together with stones tightly tied to their ends. It seemed like it wouldn't be able to do any significant damage at first sight, but that wasn't its purpose from the start. I grabbed it from my and twirled it around above my head, after two spins I launched it towards the raptor's legs.

The four ropes tangled around its stalks quickly incapacitating it right next to the fallen Lilith. It squirmed on the ground and before long found the rope hindering its movements and began to peck on it.

"Lilith! Attack now! That won't hold for long if it keeps up!"

The same flaming arrows began to gather above her shoulders and directed it once again at the raptor.

"Flame magic arrow!"

Her arrows fell upon the bird's body. With it incapacitated and its feathers acting as fuel for the flames it was not long before the raptor's entire body was immolated. When the fire died what was left was a pile of flesh burned to coal black.

15 EXP

What? Experience? But I wasn't the one who killed it. Is it because we're in a party? No there isn't any system that links experience, so why is it giving it to me? Nevermind that for now, at least I can still get resources out of her kills.

Well I was right, thankfully it didn't backfire on us. She needs to work on a lot of things based on my observation...

We both then approached the now dead Raptor. As I examine the raptor, a small voice spoke in my head.

Look at that damage! I've seen magic and know its effects, but seeing it here really entices my yearning to learn it now!

Lilith then speaks with exhaustion in her tone.

"T-Thank you. W-What was that thing you threw at the Raptor that made it fall?"

"That was a bolas. It's a throwing weapon used by hunters to catch their targets."

"It's an unusual design. Did you make that on your own?"

"Yes. Though I guess that one's ropes are all ashes now."

"S-sorry…"

She said with a worried expression.

"It's fine, they're disposable, I wanted to make them more sturdy, but I just made the ones I'm using with some grass and stone around here."

"Wow, you're really creative!"

"Yeah, and you should be too. If you aren't left with anything you have to make use with whatever you find around here in any environment."

When this was a game these were regarded as a low level weapon meant to be used as a starter for noobs just starting out. I don't want anything to get away so these came handy. I wasn't really fond of the conventional ranged weapons like bows and crossbows, though I did take my time to master some of the less conventional ones just in case because I found them easier to use and had more utility. I even have a sling here in my backpack.

Now other than crafting these weapons, my problem was hitting my target. I was never big on ranged weapons, but I still placed time into learning how to use such weapons if the situation required them.

However since this was real life my confidence of actually hitting my target as I am now shrunk to minuscule size. In the game, the system was there to assist so that a person's shot would actually hit its target depending on their strength, dexterity stats and their own personal accuracy. Meaning that people can whirl it around like a tornado and it would land on target.

To compensate my initial lack of skill, I spent three days to practice my throwing. It was a pain, but totally worth it. I have to admit my throws still aren't perfected to where it could hit my target every time. There were a few beasts that still got away, though so far it's of an adequate level to land on my targets.

Lilith's face posed an anxious look. With a stuttering voice she asks...

"H-How did I do?"

She's still showing signs of exhaustion. Since magic is the same as mental energy she's probably starting to feel the effects of slight fatigue. After she casts a spell and allocates magic for it, I can feel excess magic leaving her body. She really needs to control that in order to rid of fatigue happening frequently. Time for me to give her my comments.

"I wanted to measure your power to see how much damage you could do, and I'm impressed."

A smile came upon her face, though I abruptly interrupted it with my verdict.

"I want to say however, I don't know much about magic and its fundamentals, but by the looks of it you have a problem of controlling your power. As a mage your magical energy is essential for your survival in a battle, showing it off like that isn't going to cut it. If you waste too much energy you'll eventually be fatigued and unable to battle just like you are now. Magic control is even more important since your a fire mage with high destructive abilities, if you aren't able to contain it it could hurt other people or objects without your intentions."

She stood looking at me speechless. Did I say something wrong? I'm actually quite worried here!

"What? Say something!"

"I-I'm just a bit surprised. You don't look like the kind of person that would know much about magic, but you were still able to give sufficient advice about it."

"No, I've just read it in some books. Back to what I was saying you need to learn how to control your magic, I don't want to harvest smoldering bits of dead monsters."

"Yes. I-I'll be sure to improve next time-"

"I'm not done yet. You only used one spell during that whole fight. Don't you have other spells? Like one's for defense or countering attacks."

"I-I do."

"Then why didn't you use them? As a mage you have a wide arsenal of spells along with a good amount of magic power to cast a couple of them of at a time. You have to understand since you are a mage and not a fighter you must be more prepared if your enemies get too close, if you are not it will be fatal."

"I-Its because I lost concentration."

"Lost concentration?"

"Magical theory suggests that spells are like a sequence created through magic. A mage must be able to concentrate their magic in order to successfully reassemble that sequence to cast a spell. If a person isn't able to concentrate then their spells would have a lesser effect or otherwise no effect at all."

"I see…Then you need to avoid losing concentration, I don't want to see you freezing up in crucial moments. I advise you to please use your other spells in battles to make full use of yourself."

So that's it. That's quite interesting, I'm basing all my opinions at the moment from experience, and a lot of it is common sense in the context of mages and I'm sure she are taught this as well. There is a certain extent where my common sense won't be effective if I don't understand the laws of magic in this world. I'll have to dive deeper into the subject of magical theory if I really want to become a magic swordsman. I must say that I am surprised that that explanation came out of the mouth of Lilith, well I should at least expect it from a girl who went to magic school.

"C'mon let's see if we can harvest anything of what's left of this smoking bird. Once you've regained your magic we'll get a move on."

"Yes!"

Hours into the day we completed our quests and stumbled upon other animals that came our way. All the while I continued to watch and observe Lilith and gave her whatever advice I can. She's got ways to go…

We just finished cutting down a few more animals and preparing to harvest them…

I wiped the blood off my sword and sheathed it back into its scabbard, glancing at them for a few seconds whilst catching my breath and turned my view to Lilith. She looked at me with another amazed look.

"As a new adventurer like me I'm amazed you handle yourself so well! Where did you learn how to fight?"

"Well, um… I used to be taught by someone in the village I grew up in."

"Really? H-He must have been a good teacher then."

"Y-You flatter me too much. Were technically still within the reaches of the safe zone, it's nothing to boast about."

"Why don't you use your bolas more often? Wouldn't it be easier for you if they couldn't move?"

"It's good to have options and strategies, but I don't want to depend on the same tricks all the time, I wouldn't learn a thing and I couldn't train my other skills besides throwing."

"I see."

She looks around in a few directions and points into a direction.

"Zach, I need to um..."

She begins pointing to her underside. I guess she needs to take a leak.

"Alright, make it quick and be careful!"

"Y-Yes!"

She then went into the direction she was pointing to in a hurry.

When she was out of sight, I sighed to myself.

This whole senior thing is exhausting, especially if it's Lilith. Well she's obedient and she seems ok so far, she looks determined as well. She could probably help me while I'm with her too. Maybe this wasn't such a bad decision on my part.

In the next minute I hear a scream.

"ZAAACCH! Please help me!"

"Eh?"

I was confused at first. After a while I saw Lilith with her face drained of color and running towards me. Suddenly I hear barking coming from behind her. Squinting my eyes in her direction trying to see what was chasing her. Behind her were 5 big grey dogs chasing her.

Wait, those are wolves?! The next thing I knew I began to run as well.

I guess I spoke too soon!

"Why did you bring a pack of wolves to me?!"

"I was wandering around then suddenly well…"

"I told you not to move carelessly!"

"I'm sorry!"

We continued to run for a few more minutes trying to lose the wolves, but their speed is not something to joke about, no matter what, we can't outrun them.

Just when I thought our luck wasn't getting any worse. Lilith's foot slips and makes her falling of a slope. Her body rolled down nonstop, the wolves turned their gaze and opportunistically followed her down with haste. Her body then came to a halt. She struggled to get up, and once she looked in front of her a pack of hungry wolves cornered her. The horror upon her face as she realizes that this may be her end.

I quickly took out another one of my new tools, which looked like a long line of rope with a thicker rope crafted into a shape as if to hold something in it at its middle. At the same time I pulled a stone from my pouch and cocked it in and started whirling it around at my side. Energy began to gather as I spun it around with my wrist directed it at the wolves.

The wolf was pounced, but was knocked down with the stone I launched at it. I threw a couple more stones so that their eyes would face me and not Lilith allowing me to approach her with their aggro still on me.

Once I was in front of them I found a thick branch right beside us and wielded it with both hands.

The wolves growled at us and slowly tried to get closer to us. One of them lunged forward to make a quick strike. I whacked it away and moved backward with Lilith behind me. I continued to swing the branch to keep them away until the branch's durability was exhausted producing a crunching sound.

"Lilith, use a spell now!"

"Yes!"

Her magic began to gather in front of us to form a wall and with her command activated...

"Flame wall!"

In the next second a blast of rippling heat fell on us, I shielded myself to avoid some of it. When I finally reopened my eyes a 6 foot wall of fire stood between us and the wolves. The wolves wide-eyed and confused were frightened by the sudden fire wall that appeared in front of them and tailed back running.

"C'mon, let's go before the wall wears out!"

"O-Oka-Hyaa!"

We kept running until we were closer to the forest's edge. Once we were in the clear we started to head back to the city…

"Don't ever do that again!"

"I-I'm sorry! I-It won't happen again!"

I scratched my head frustrated at her, but brushed it off. Lilith feeling guilty for what happened stayed quiet for a few seconds before speaking nervously.

"Z-Zach why did you use a branch instead of your sword? I've seen how you are when you're fighting and animals such as wolves surely don't compete with your skill."

I rubbed my nape upon hearing her question which was by all means logical to ask. I kept looking ahead and gave my answer...

"I don't need to kill everything that comes my way and just because I can take them on doesn't mean I have or want to, especially for animals, it's in their nature. The same goes for other living things, that is depending on the circumstance, a balance must be kept."

She giggled at me trying to hide my expression from my answer.

"Hehehe. So Zach is actually quite nice."

Annoying! I broke the atmosphere with my next response...

"There is also the fact that it was because of you being careless that they were led to me. It wasn't their fault that they found us"

Her face immediately changed and realized what I just said dyeing her face red in reaction to my statement.

"It's not my fault!"

"It is. How did they even find you? There weren't any signs of wolves at or near our location."

"You see, I found an adorable puppy, I wanted to rub and pet it, but it's family showed up and…"

"Then it is you're fault."

"H-Hey! It's not!... well….. I'm sorry."

Knowing that I was correct she didn't persist on arguing and faced down. I sighed...

"It's only our first day, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. I'm sure you'll do better in the coming days."

She then looks up to me with a more or less relieved smile with pink cheeks and with a mellow voice.

"Thank you."

I smiled back.

Though a small voice inside me is saying: What did I get myself into? It was a nice change of pace for once though. Well I'll just hope for the best for us now.

Both of us continued travelling until we came back to the city.

END OF UPDATE