Kitted out
A/N: answers to comments at end
"Speech"
The Anderson's place was a nut house, we'd been awoken at four in the damn morning for training. I say training, I mean torture.
Stretching, a 10-mile run, press-ups, sit-ups, crunches, and sprinting followed by more stretches and then sparring, because apparently both parents met and got their Fiore citizenship from joining the army.
And Alexie was no better, wanting to follow in his parent's footsteps. Apparently, the whole magic interest thing was just that, an interest, a hobby of his.
3 hours later and I was the only one left standing, compensating with pure physical aptitude and only using magic sparingly, though barely. Never had I been so glad that I had taken up morning training, but this was ridiculous. We are 8, Alexie was 5, What. The. Hell.
"Please, just kill me," I panted as my body finally gave up the ghost and I collapsed like a wet noodle.
Sasha was a damn monster with a blade, and since Carla was no longer... Available for sword training, I was her next victim with my knife.
Sasha stood there laughing like a loon, even Alistair was sweating and giving the woman a wide berth.
"Yerunda, you did well for beginners," She sighed happily and sheathed her long sword.
"Indeed my dear," Alistair chucked mirthfully, now back at the woman's side.
The sword mistress pecked her husband on the cheek, reducing him to a sputtering schoolboy, as she, actually, skipped off back to the house.
"Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes," She called behind her... She scares me.
"Don't worry, soon Mommy will stop holding back, and you'll get tons better," Alexie, that poor naive boy, stated kindly.
I felt myself pale, she had taken all three of us who were using magic, while holding back, granted I hadn't used any named attacks because of collateral and my small reserves, but still. No wonder Natsu had been scared of the army when he fled Hargeon town.
"She was holding back!" Carla of all people shouted, looking rather put out at the idea.
"Of course, you are just children after all. She rather likes you three, she wouldn't want to put you off of visiting again," The large man bellowed. I faintly heard Wendy whimper.
"R-Right, thanks for that," I said nervously, now quite sure the Northern Lions must have been suicidal to go after the royal family.
"Yeah, but you did really well, most of my friends can't even make it through the run. Don't worry, you'll learn even more when we train tonight," The huge boy said ecstatically.
"Yes, quite Youthful ain't they my boy, a little whipping into shape, and you'll have some sparring partners of your own," The unholy combination of Major Armstrong and Might Guy chuckled, giving us a thumbs up and a literally, sparkling smile.
"...Great," I deadpanned, I no longer had the energy to be distressed. This time, even Carla whimpered from distress.
After a rather large yet quick breakfast complete with bacon, egg, and hash browns. We were finally ready to go to town, and with directions courtesy of the Anderson's, we had a good idea of where to go.
"They're insane, nice, but insane," I commented as we walked to our first destination from the manor.
Wendy groaned in agreement, while Carla actively twitched.
"I say we should look for an inn," Carla stated, still rather paranoid of attack from the morning training.
"We already accepted their offer, backing out now would be rude, and the training IS good for us," I replied shrugging, though honestly, I doubted my own words.
Carla sighed, "I knew army soldiers were trained in anti-mage warfare, but that was ridiculous.
Wendy groaned, "They're really strong."
I hummed in confirmation. "Yeah but I don't think it's the standard, maybe they were officers?" I thought aloud. "Still, even if it's only officers at that level, that's still hundreds if not thousands at that level, not people to mess with," I affirmed my previous thoughts, no wonder the mercenaries weren't seen in canon.
Wendy nodded vigorously in agreement, while Carla hummed the same.
"Wizard's rest is our first stop, correct?" Carla asked, as we entered the shopping district about 15 minutes later.
"Should be, Alexie said it would be open around now," I responded. The boy apparently went often enough to know its hours, usually to find information on types of magic he found interesting.
"Do you think we'll find something cool?" Wendy asked.
"Perhaps," Carla commented, humming to herself, "Though Salem and myself are looking for specific magic's to start on."
I nodded in agreement, "Lucky for us they are rather common magic's, so they should have some beginner stuff."
I knew Carla would be able to take up transformation magic, but I wasn't sure about myself and defensive magic, barriers were my first thought, though perhaps earth magic would work as well. It was a moot point if my own magic wouldn't correspond with it though.
"What about you, Wendy? Aera magic seems to be working well for you if that show was anything to go by," I was admittedly impressed. I'd spent most of the week working on my cat eyes spell to complement their performance. So I hadn't been able to really see the fruits of the girl's labor through the light show, but they had done well from what I had seen.
Both the girls blushed at the praise, but Wendy did respond, "Carla's a really good teacher."
"Nonsense, you worked hard to be able to fly like that," Carla praised her friend.
I watched amused as the two girls went back and forth praising each other, up until we entered the store.
"Welcome to the wizard's rest, Ah, can I help you with anything?" An old man, with a long silver beard and hair on wrinkled pale skin, greeted us as soon as we entered the shop. Holy shit, it's a Dumbledore knockoff, with purple robes to boot.
"Ah, yes, we're looking for any beginner books you might have on Transformation magic and types of defensive magic," Carla accepted the man's offer while I was busy gawking. Wendy's eyes, however, were busy looking around the shop, it looked a lot like a library with a few display cases featuring magic items, I even spotted a silver key in one of them. The shop itself though was covered in light wooden bookcases, cream carpeting, and a white ceiling.
And much to everyone's surprise, the elderly man smiled, not batting an eye at the young Exceed, then replied gently, "Of course my dear, of course. If you would, please follow me."
The elderly man guided us farther into the shop, "Now then, I believe I saw you children in the paper a while ago, yes? Already capable mages at such a young age, may I ask why you are looking for new magic?"
Carla seemed to hesitate, so I took it upon myself to answer first, "Detonation magic is dangerous even if wielded correctly, I want something to... Help control it, a layer of protection, so I don't hurt anyone unintentionally."
The man nodded in acceptance, "A fine goal, but remember, it is your magic and a part of you, do not fear it."
I winced slightly, he'd hit the nail on the head there. While I was more than willing to use it to protect at any cost, even kill if need be. It would be something done deliberately, not by accident, not unintentionally, not when my friends could be in the line of fire. I would choose and live with the consequences... I hope that day never comes, not again.
Carla remained silent, and I cocked a brow at her, as she uncharacteristically fidgeted before answering, "I'm looking for a way to blend in, I tend to stick out." Her manner of speech was slow as if testing the words.
I frowned and Wendy looked somewhat concerned. We, of course, knew already that she wanted to learn the magic to blend in, but how she had said it, there was more to this. Still, I wasn't about to push, not here.
"Carla?" Wendy asked. I put a hand on the bluettes shoulder and shook my head, not the time or place.
"Ain't nothing wrong with you," I smiled at the Exceed, "And I'll fight anyone who says otherwise.
Carla blushed at the announcement, which was adorable, but she should know better, we are a team after all.
The elderly man chuckled, "Such good friends, yes. But be sure you don't forget who you are now. A lie can become truth and truth a lie, quite easily."
Carla's jaw tightened at that.
"Now I do believe I have what you are looking for," The elderly man, picked out a book from one of the wooden bookcases behind him.
"Yes, The Changeling, the author of this text was quite the wizard and held a preference for partial and full feline transformations based upon her own body, perhaps the reverse will be true of you, hmm?" The man held out the book to Carla, who took it in paw, looking the book over.
Another book was selected, "And you young man, the Shaped Shield should be to your liking, a rather combat-centered wizard that was attuned to barrier magic learned how to use it for offense, making swords and the like with it, as well as strong bastions."
Well, that sounded up my alley, I took the book from him, his eyes twinkling all the while.
"Now is there anything else I can do for you," The purple-robed man asked.
"I don't suppose you have something to tell one's age, do you?" I asked hesitantly, Carla regained interest in the conversation immediately.
"Alas I do not, you would need a hospital appointment for such information," He smiled kindly... Wait, that's it? That's all we needed to do.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, mostly annoyed I hadn't thought of that, of course, they'd have magical items. Carla sighed in irritation, likely along the same train of thought.
"Thank you, mister..." I trailed off not knowing the man's name.
"Please call me, Albert it makes me feel quite a bit younger than Mister Mead," The man chucked.
"Well then Albert, I think that's it, if we could pay for these?" I quickly realized I had no idea how much they were.
"Of course, for two rather decent beginner books, let's say twenty thousand jewels," He stated in a Grandfatherly tone.
That. That wasn't bad, that's about 100 dollars per book, and from the small search I'd done prior, by which I meant, asked the guild master. They were normally double or even triple that price.
"Ah, sure?" I was confused, this man confused me. These books were different from the normal beginner books, they were personal accounts and tailored to what we needed, and he was basically giving them away. Where had he gotten gems like this in the first place? And how did he know exactly what we needed?
Regardless, this was a good opportunity to advance, so I pulled out the money from my little hand-woven pouch, courtesy of the guild, and handed the money over.
"A-are you sure, sir," Wendy timidly spoke up.
"Of course my dear, I have long since retired, and I do not need more money. This little shop is simply how I wish to spend my retirement, helping with the next generation. Now off you pop, I would think you children have more important things to be doing than listening to an old man rattle on," He then proceeded to guide us back toward the shop entrance.
"Please tell Alexie I said hello, and feel free to return, when you wizards need a place to rest," He closed the door behind us.
"Ah, sure," I replied right before the door shut... How did he know we knew Alexie?
"Carla?" Wendy asked again as we began walking, gaining my attention. The little Exceed was looking rather intently at the book she was holding.
"It's nothing Wendy, I'm simply... relieved to have a way to... fit in," She spoke softly.
"Oh, Carla, I'm sorry," Wendy sadly proclaimed, and took that to mean that our swordswomen in training needed a hug.
"Ack, Wendy!" Carla sputtered as she was dragged into a hug, much to my amusement, again.
Though I admit when I brought up the subject of transformation magic last week I did so because I knew she would get some use out of it.
I didn't think it would affect her this much, then again, as far as she was aware she was the only 'talking cat' she knew of, and her only comradeship was with humans, I suppose it's natural to want to fit in.
"Alright, Wendy, I don't think Carla can breathe," I interrupted. The white furred girl going unnaturally pale even through her fur.
Wendy eeped and let go of the girl, "I'm sorry."
Carla quickly composed herself before answering, "It's alright, I appreciate the thought."
"You good?" I asked.
Carla smiled happily, "Yes, I believe I am."
I nodded, "Alright then that's what matters."
Carla cleared her throat, "Now then I believe you wanted some new armor, yes Salem?"
"Ah, yea, I guess, I'll need fitting though," I confirmed.
"We have time," Carla replied.
I chuckled, the girl was definitely in high spirits at the moment.
"Then onward we go," I smiled, taking the lead. The Needles Path was Oscar's shop and the man was a friend of Alistair's, so why not?
Said shop was also just up the street, still in the more magical part of town, meaning they must do something to their clothing magically.
Entering the shop itself was a strange experience, there were textiles everywhere, alongside half-finished garments stood completed ones and others simply thrown to the side, it was an assault of colors that quite frankly hurt to look at and gave me a headache.
Wendy loved it, her eyes lit up, and she was already moving to get a closed look at some of the garments, Carla trailing after her with a sigh.
Now where is the staff?
"Hello," Came a voice from nowhere.
"Gah," I exclaimed and spun on the spot trying to locate the person responsible.
"Sorry, sorry," A dark-skinned woman emerged from within a rack of clothing, who I could only guess was Holly's mother considering they looked near identical, only older... Not that I'd tell her that, I choose life. "How can I help you?" She asked.
"Ah, I spoke with Oscar yesterday, he said he might be able to help me find a gambeson," I pulled out the business card he had provided me.
"Oh, Oscar sent you, how wonderful, yes, yes, I would be happy to help you," She replied rather ecstatically.
"Riiiight, so- Gah" Was as far as I got before I was dragged into the rack of abominable colors, by said woman.
I'm not sure how I ended up in, I think, a changing room of sorts? But here I am.
The woman was sorting through numerous fabrics muttering, "Green, no blue, yes, maybe? Short sleeves, hmm."
"Em, excuse me," I tried getting her attention, which unfortunately I did.
She zeroed in on me like a hound to meat. "Too young to be a knight, a mage?" She questioned, I think.
"Yes?" Was my answer, unsure if I should be indulging this woman.
"Too young to be in a guild, no-" She continued rambling.
I held up my yellow guild mark at the-... I'm not sure if that question was directed at me.
She gasped at the sight and began examining me, "Color of magic" She was staring at my soul, this was definitely a question.
"Orange?" Was the best answer I had.
"Ooh, Orange, doable," She looked at the Brown colored pants I'd gotten from the guild. "Hmm, maybe," She continued.
I'm not sure what was going on, but it ended with me in front of a mirror with tan boots, and cargo pants, no t-shirt, which admittedly showed off my forming 6-pack. Along with a burnt orange gambeson style Faulds complete with a dark brown hem... Sort of like a kilt, that went down to my shins. This was followed by a burnt orange, though currently unbuttoned, long sleeve gambeson with a dark brown placket and collar. Finally, I had some new dark brown leather, though fingerless, gloves. All of which she pulled from... Somewhere.
"Wonderful, come." The woman commanded, and the next thing I knew I was back in the store... What just happened? One second she's grabbing me, the next I'm here, can she teleport? No, I was constantly moving, and I don't think she cast any spells?
"Salem! There you...Are?" Carla trailed off staring before shaking her head. Well, I was in entirely new clothes, sans shirt mind you.
"Where have you been?" She demanded.
"You know what? I have no idea," I said absent-mindedly, checking myself over and confirming I still had my new spell book. Oh, neat, the jacket has pockets.
The feline shaped girl blinked in astonishment, "You've been gone an hour! Even Wendy couldn't sniff you out."
"An hour?" I could swear I was only gone 15 minutes, max.
"Yes!" She confirmed.
..."I think I need to sit down," I said, though the dinging of the shop door interrupted my search for a seat.
"Honey I'm- Oh, dear," Oscar had arrived and was now looking fairly concerned.
...
Crash
"Ahhh," Wendy's panicked voice came from further into the shop.
"Wendy!" Carla and myself shouted, moving toward the noise.
Unfortunately, as we approached we collided with a ballistic Wendy who latched onto me like a barnacle and sent me careening over, including Carla who had been in front of me and was now sandwiched between us.
A second later came the chaotic woman from earlier, who proceeded to trip over the three of us.
Thud
And crash into Oscar, "Hi, honey!" She exclaimed happily, and earned 3 pained groans along with a whimper from Wendy, who she had apparently been chasing.
"Air," Carla begged, which thankfully separated the panicked Wendy from me, and allowed the Exceed to get back up from where she lay on my chest, rather flushed, likely at nearly been crushed.
Ah, note to self, button up jacket for combat operations.
"What happened? What's going on?" I inquired, rising from the ground, myself.
Wendy, however, ducked in front of me, making use of my body as a living shield once more. Though considering my new armor, maybe that wasn't to far off.
"I am so sorry," Came Oscar's voice from behind me, who was currently holding the manic woman. "I see you've met my wife, Millie."
I blinked slowly, "Met is a... Word, I'm ninety percent sure I was kidnapped."
"Millie what have I said about ambushing customers," He said sternly.
"But Oscccar, he said you sent him," Millie apparently argued, I think?
Oscar sighed, "Sorry she's one of the best rune smiths around but not exactly a people person."
"I think you and I have two different opinions on what constitutes 'not a people person'," I deadpanned, she was very much a people person, a crazy one.
The man laughed awkwardly, "Sorry, sorry, I wasn't expecting you this early."
"We were up at four a.m," I responded, twitching, this whole town was crazy.
"Ahhh, right, I would've thought you'd need time to recover," He commented.
"No," I said flatly. While the training had been nuts, we were in good shape and breakfast was more than enough recovery time, especially as our magic returned.
"Right, well, I see you've already got some new clothes, and seeing as it was Millie helping you I am guessing you like them," He cocked an amused eyebrow.
"Somewhat," I twitched again, because he was right. First the old man, then this woman, is there something in the water here, or what?
"Right, considering you're one of the few people that Millie's successfully dressed without trying to run, I'll get you a discount on those," He chuckled as his wife pouted.
"Thanks," I agreed, but my sanity does not.
So, 80,000 Jewels down for materials only and we were able to leave the store, credit where it's due apparently the clothing would actually grow with me and was magically resilient, the last rune itself could cost at least 100,000 jewels so I'm not complaining.
"So, what did happen to you?" Carla asked.
"I don't want to talk about it," I twitched, feeling somewhat violated. She had man handled me the entire time, the only reason I hadn't detonated anything was because my underwear had stayed where it was, thank Hestia.
"Can we go to the library?" Wendy spoke up. Getting both of our attention, she had an adorable determined face on, like she gathered all of her courage for this question.
"Of course," Carla agreed easily.
"Sure, if it gets me away from here, I'll jump into a volcano. Just, please no more poking and prodding" I commented, making the two girls chuckle uneasily.
"Anything specific?" I questioned as we started back up.
"Ah, umm, t-the village, Sun Village I mean," Wendy stuttered out the answer, wow that woman HAD rattled her hadn't she. And yet, it's me she kidnapped.
So, that's what we did, I mean it isn't like I can just google this stuff, and the library was the best source of local information. I should probably look up where the closest hospital is as well, if Carla does want a check-up... May Hestia help them if they direct her to a vet, from me or Carla is yet to be determined.
The library was a bit further into the town. You know, now that I think about it, I'm surprised that the Mount Hakobe settlements even had a magic district and a library.
We arrived a good ten minutes later at a relatively large building made of wood, like most others in town, but with three stories unlike the common one or two in the settlement.
Entering the building brought us into a large singular open room with dark wooden bookcases, and flooring along with dozens of tables and chairs made of the same dark wood. And was surprisingly empty, save for one man.
Behind the checking desk sat a rather large man at a good six feet if he was standing, with a braided brown beard and brown hair in a ponytail. But it was the rather large scar on the right side of his pale face, complete with eye patch that drew attention.
"Mornin' Kido's can I 'elp ye?" He said in a Scottish accent though slowly, to be fair, he was obviously forcing his pronunciation to speak clearer.
Wendy hesitated and made several attempts to communicate, all of which were failing.
"Sorry, sir, she isn't good with people. We're looking for any information you might have on surrounding villages, giants, or possible flame deities," I cut in, sparing Wendy further embarrassment. How that girl can fight and bring down several mercenaries and a bandit yet still be afraid of talking to strangers is beyond me.
The mid-aged man cocked a brow in interest or perhaps amusement before talking, "Aye village information is on th' firs' floor and the third 'ull have anythin' ta do with fairy folk and the like." He pointed out certain areas of the floors as he spoke, on a floor plan, which he was now holding up, indicating the correct areas.
"Thank you," I made a polite bow of my head then guided the pouting and embarrassed Wendy Marvell with me as Carla trailed after us, garnering another raised eyebrow from the man but nothing more.
On arriving at the pointed-out area I realized this might take a while, there were at least four bookcases dedicated to topography and information of the local area.
"Well this might take a while," I commented, both Wendy and Carla groaned at the sight. On the bright side, I might be able to find out where the closest hospital might be, I wonder if I could get Happy from Fairy Tail to take the test later as well, you know, to compare results.
Carla sprouted her wings to get a better look at all the books. "Indeed," She agreed.
"Maybe if we started with looking for giants?" Wendy wondered aloud, finger under her lips.
"Maybe, we need to start somewhere," I responded, browsing the books while I held my own spell book under my left arm.
"Right, let's get to it," I sighed out. The next few days were going to be a pain, my head was already hurting, no seriously my head was starting to hurt. How many times had Sasha hit me this morning?
A/N: So the teams finally done with their jobs for now and are finally starting to get some real training even if by accident, and Salem and Carla have some new magic to start on. And the people in town are by no means normal, though they do live right next to a mountain with Vulcan and Wyvern, so yeah the people that immigrate to town have probably seen worse, are desperate or crazy. Or have simply been born there.
Gambeson; For those that don't know a gambeson is metal plating with fabric on either side, though it did come in many forms, arming gambesons for example weren't armored only quilted to put armor over, usually.
Faulds; are a type of combat skirt, think like star wars clone armor for captains, their kama's, only armored like a gambeson is with plates between the fabric.
Carlmike94: Yeah not far off, Salem see's Carla as a person but is aware that she looks like a feline, though through constant exposure to Carla that's basically become a subconscious thought that he's vaguely aware of.
Zerak: Yes there is a reason he can't tell people, he knows he can't speak of it but not why at the moment. I doubt he'll ever really be able to tell people, but there are work arounds. You'll know in about 2 chapters or so, though there will be hints in the next chapter.
As for magic, yeah I thought that it was annoying that the explanation we get on magic was, for the most part, vague and explained away with natural talent a lot of the time.
The fact that so many mages didn't branch out when it's shown they could also annoyed me, but there's also a clause here of sorts that means you can't just learn anything, meaning a lot of mages just can't be bothered to find anything else they could be compatible with outside of their natural magic, where they put all of their time instead.
