Chapter 8

Power

At the tavern, me, Haruka, and the fan club celebrates Haruka getting her license. She was even promoted straight to Copper II, skipping Iron entirely for taking down the golem. The fan club happily drinks ale and sings the night away. I sit with Haruka, drinking orange juice since I don't really like alcohol that much.

"What you did was amazing!" I tell Haruka, all starry eyed. "On top of being super pretty and super cool, you also know magic? You're like the most amazing person ever!"

"Aw shucks, you flatter me." Haruka replies with a huge grin on her face.

"How did you get so awesome? How did you learn to use magic like that?" Maybe I could learn some magic like her.

"Well, the thing is...I don't have a clue." Huh?

"What do you mean?"

"It's kinda like this." Flashback time about a year ago. I, Haruka Karibou, was just a regular chimera girl from Niles. I was taking a trip to Houkaina for a little vacation, but as I was heading through Susururu forest for the first time...

I take a look around. "Yup, I'm lost." I let out a huge sigh. Well, I suppose it was my own fault for forgetting the map. I've been walking around aimlessly for about an hour and was getting pretty tired. Then, I felt a cool breeze. A sea breeze? Houkaina is by the water, so it must be that way! I walk in the direction of the cool breeze and eventually hit the water. But it wasn't the Pacifica ocean, it was just a huge lake. A really pretty lake, sparkling and reflecting the orange sky. The sun was setting soon so I guess I should rest here. My feet were aching a bit. I think I'll take a quick dip. I sit next to the lake, take off my shoes and slowly put my legs in. Ah, that feels nice. I just sit there, taking in the sights. All the little animals of the forest gather around the lake as well, beautiful flowers are just in bloom everywhere, and the fireflies are starting to glow. This is so relaxing, I'm not even worried that I'm lost.

I hear some rustling behind me. I turn and look and see someone's poor attempt at hiding. "Hello?" I call out. The figure comes slowly out. "Oh, it's a kid." She looks super amazed to see me, but is very hesitant to come closer. "Don't worry, I don't bite." She comes rushing over to me almost as if in a trance. I give her a big smile. "So what's a little one like you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"

"I usually come here to see the pretty lake. How about you miss? Do you live here?"

"Don't be si-WAIT! Do you know the way to the nearest town?"

The girl takes me to Houkaina. Kinda embarrassing relying on a kid like this, but she seems like a good girl. I head to the nearest inn and get a good night's sleep.

The next day I enjoyed my time in town, but came dusk, I decided to go back to the lake. I can't really explain it, but it was just so relaxing there. While I soak in the lake once again, the girl from yesterday shows up again, but this time she brought friends. They all keep their distance, so I give them a wave. "You're right, it is a fairy!" I think I heard one of them say. A fairy? Well, they're just kids, so I'll let them be.

Come the next day, as I relax at the lake, the kids return, but there's someone...bigger with them. "See? See? I told you there was a fairy here!" I hear one of the little ones say. Could it be they're talking to an adult? Next day, there were even more people. I'm not sure if they are trying to stay hidden anymore or not. Each day, more and more people show up. Eventually they even began leaving offerings, like apples and local specialties. Yeah, I can tell this got out of hand. One day, I decided to confront them. I got out of the lake and walked over to them. "Um, excuse me. I believe there's been some sort of misunderstaaaaa..." and I see what could be possibly hundreds of people here.

"The Queen of the forest! She speaks to us!" Queen of the forrest?

"Ooookaaaay. Everyone!" I shout, "I am not a queen of any forest, I am not any sort of fairy, I'm just a regular girl here on vacation, so can you all just go home?" I shoo them away, but as I do, my hands begin to faintly glow and grass begins to grow around me towards the people. Everyone stands there in amazement, including me. I look at my hands, and then at the people, then they erupted, singing praises and such.

The flashback ends. "After that, my magic began to grow, and more and more people followed me. I used my powers to help people when I went back home and someone recommended I become an adventurer, so here I am, a full fledged adventurer!"

"Woah! Do you think that lake was magic or something?" I ask her.

"I don't think it was the water." Zuri interjects as she comes by to take the empty mugs. "I'm sure it was because of the people's love and adoration for you. There's a saying, 'bonds are our strength', or something like that. Who knows. Maybe something similar could happen to you to Leaf."

"Really?" I Jump out of my seat. "So I can get superpowers if I become really famous!?" Zuri smiles at me and walks away. A thought crosses my mind. I'm already pretty well known in the guild by now. Maybe...

I hold my hand in front of me. "Haaaaaa!", and of course, even after a few moments pass, nothing happens. I was hoping for an energy beam, or at least a small blast or something. I slowly turn to Haruka. I couldn't tell what kind of face she was making because all the embarrassment flown into me at once and I could see anymore.

"I-I-I-I need to bathroom!" I say with a completely red face as I rush off to the restroom to cool down. I sit on the toilet, regretting my life decisions in that moment. What's wrong with me? Why am I always so cringe? Why do I always do things that make me look so stupid? Uuuugh! I wish I could just live in here so nobody has to see my stupid face again.

While I'm busy self-deprecating, I hear a conversation right outside the door.

"So, you think we'll be able to recruit that Leaflit girl? She seems like a big fan of Haruka already."

"Without a doubt, and with someone like her in our ranks, we'll be able to spread the glory of our great leader even further than before!"

Huh? Recruit? Ranks?

"And it looks like Queen Haruka fancies her as well. Just imagine how happy she would be. I wouldn't be surprised if she got a power up from having Leaflit by her side."

"Then it's settled. We shall indoctrinate her immediately! Speaking of which, where is she?"

INDOCTRINATE!? Wait, that thing Zuri said before. 'I'm sure it was because of the people's love and adoration for you.' Could it be...some kind of cult!? Did Haruka actually get her powers from some sort of dark ritual!?

"Oyo!' I'm in trouble.