Neptune's Spear

I jumped down from the small cliff and slid through the wide pit that they were in to check on them. I had to make sure that all of the wolves were dead. Thankfully, it seems like it was the only pack that came in to greet them, with one member attacking me from the bushes.

"W-We're saved..." The guy with the broad sword heaved a sigh. "Umm, thank you for saving us—"

"Save the thanks for later, we've got more important things to do. Is there any healer among your group?" I asked while checking on the young mage who had been bitten.

"Ah! I'm here! let me see him..." The beautiful woman with long blue hair carrying the staff immediately approached the boy. 

I am not sure if I should be the one to heal him, but she was wearing the Field Apprentice mage uniform, which makes her a registered mage in this region. Someone who is registered is considered to be an exceptional mage, so I'll trust her skills.

"Ugh...! It hurts..." He cried silently.

"Graced by the heavens above, allow me to receive the blessing to save mankind and rejoice as I fulfill my duty as the servant of the Holy God. Light Magic: Heal..."

So that's how they do healing magic nowadays, huh...

The woman's staff ignited with white light as she prayed above. The young man's body began to glow, slowly purifying the wound that he had on his arm. After a few seconds, the deep gash disappeared, fully enclosing the skin and returning the blood that he had lost.

"Hah, t-thank you for healing me, Miss Aletta."

"Hehe, it's nothing. It's my job as a support and healer to protect our team." She smiled softly.

The other members of the group gathered together shortly. I normally would have left by now, but something tells me that this particular meeting will help me with my goals, so I decided to stay for a while.

"Ehem! Allow me to thank you again for saving us, young man." The muscular guy with dark red hair bowed. "My name is Gui. I'm the leader of our party, named Neptune Spear. As you might've seen earlier, we were ambushed by a pack of wolves on our way to the port. It's only thanks to you that we managed to survive."

"Ah, it's no big deal. I was just passing by. I'm sure anyone would've done the same... I'm Lugh Acrylis, by the way. " I smiled.

"You're quite good at magic, I saw you release multiple icicles earlier. Are you also a registered mage?" The woman with the staff approached me.

"Umm..."

"Ah, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Aletta. I'm a field apprentice mage. Nice to meet you, Mr. Acrylis. And thank you for saving us as well." She bowed.

"Nice to meet you, too..."

"Heh! Thanks for saving us, lad! The freaking wolves almost had us!" The rogue guy with green hair puts his arm around my shoulder. "Call me Rion! And this is my babe, Shekainah...!"

The ranger woman with the bow also approached me. "Thanks for saving us, Lugh... I am Shekainah." She shook her hands with me.

"Nice to meet you as well..."

Lastly, the young mage who was on the ground earlier stood up, albeit unsteadily. It seems like the wolf's bite affected his overall frame, seeing as his legs were shaking and his face was pale with fear.

"U-Umm—"

"Hey! Speak up loudly, you brat!" Rion shouted with fury. "This whole shit wouldn't happen if it weren't for you messing up your incantation. Tsk! I swear to god, you're a pain in the ass!"

"S-Sorry... I'm really sorry... I umm..." He looked at me in the eyes, his body twitching in fear and pressure. I don't know the circumstances of this group nor their relationship with each other, so I'm confused where Rion's attitude came from. But still, I have to remain neutral for now.

Sensing his anxiety flaring up, I moved away from Rion's arm and patted his shoulder with a smile."You're quite a brave mage, facing the wolves head-on. They were into you because you taunted them, right?"

"!" Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh?! What do you mean by that, lad?! Are you telling me this stupid brat is trying to get the wolves off of us?" Rion pointed his index finger at the boy and pushed him.

"That's exactly what happened. I noticed earlier that more wolves are gaining on him than everyone who was attacked at the same time. Wolves are not primarily sensitive to magic spells; they deem those who harness magical energy weaker than those who actively hunt them, so they prioritize those who are idle first."

"Wait, so the reason why he was in front earlier was because..." Gui pondered and looked at me for confirmation.

"It seems like your member did some quick thinking and cast his spell beforehand to taunt the wolves. Although the expected result didn't happen, he was still able to buy you guys some time to ready your weapons and prepare for defense. It just so happens that the timing is a bit wobbly. But he was still able to contribute..." I said.

Everyone looked down at the ground as they finally realized how critical their situation would've been if this young man hadn't taunted the wolves and gotten himself bitten. It is quite similar to how a person would use their body to shield a bullet if someone gets shot.

"Is that true, Kosma?" Miss Aletta asked.

"Y-Yes..." He nodded submissively.

"Kosma is your name, right? You did a great job de-escalating the situation and saving your party from more injuries." I commended him.

"Thank you so much! Umm... You also saved my life, so..." For the first time, he smiled. The anxiety and fear that he was carrying earlier were washed away.

"Haha, as I said, it's no big deal..."

"Tsk!" Rion clicked his tongue. "Don't go thinking that we owe you anything, you're still the most useless member in our party."

"Now now, enough spouting nonsense, Rion. It is clear as day that Kosma saved us." Gui went in-between them.

"Hmph!" Rion walked away and stayed with Shekainah.

"In any case, we also owe you for saving us, Lugh. How about we treat you in the tavern tonight?" He offered.

"No need, Sir Gui. I have a feeling that your party is very busy..."

"No, but we insist, right guys?" He turned toward them, earning collective nods. "We, the Neptune's Spear, value relationships and connection above all. You just did something exemplary, and with that, we want to treat you to a dinner." He grinned.

I sighed. I guess hanging out with them for a while isn't that bad.

"So what do you say...?"

"I would also like you to join us, Mr. Acrylis..." Kosma insisted as well.

"Very well. I accept the invitation..." I smiled and joined them.

***

Upon reaching the port town, Gui and the whole party led me to a busy tavern just beside the inn building. Rion and Shekainah ordered pints of beer and a few large servings of dishes and some specialties. They weren't kidding when they said that they're gonna order a lot just for this occasion.

"Fuwah!!! This is the best!" Gui slammed his now-empty mug on the table and took another one. "Feel free to drink as well, Lugh. It's on the house!"

"You moron, he's still a minor!" Miss Aletta scolded him with a frown.

While it is obvious that I have the mind of a middle-aged man, no one can deny that I look like a teenager outside, which makes it difficult to act in a situation like this.

"Sorry, sorry, you can just drink juice then!" He pushed another cup.

"Thanks..." I took a drink of the juice and felt my dry throat being refreshed. I then looked at Kosma, who seemed to be uncomfortable with the crowded atmosphere.

"..."

"You okay...?" I asked.

"Ah, yes... I'm fine..." He replied in a small voice. I couldn't tell if Kosma is uncomfortable because of what happened earlier, or maybe he is just an introvert in nature. But either way, he's not used to this.

"Tell me, Lugh... What is a young man like you doing in this place? Not to mention, you're alone and barely have anything on you." Gui inquired while sipping.

"Hmm..." I pondered for a moment, thinking whether I should tell them the truth or not. If I make my goal unclear, they might suspect me, but I kinda doubt it'll happen. And no one would believe me if I told them that I am here to capture a viper snake.

Should I tell them my goal or make up some reason? No. There's no point in overthinking this. I have to be careful about the information around here.

"Actually..."

***

I explained to the party my goal for coming to this region, but still hid a few important details. I told them that I am looking for someone while also trying to find a job by being a mercenary, so I can cover some of the needed fees for living here.

I also told them about my dilemma of not having the required party to register as a mercenary, which they pretty much understood. Gui then offered me a choice to join their party temporarily so I could get registered, which goes back to why I decided to stay with them for a while.

And now that I solved my registration problem, it's time to register for the Volkster Mercenary Guild. However, since most of them are already tired and drunk, we decided to end the day and go back to our respective rooms in the inn.

While I was setting up my bed, I heard a knock on the door.

"Who's there?"

"U-Um..." I heard a faint voice, so I decided to open the door. Turns out, it was Kosma carrying his grimoire.

"Kosma? Is there something wrong...?" I asked.

"Umm... e-earlier when you saved us, I noticed that y-you didn't say any chant." He started. "Is it possible that you're one of those mages?"

I'm not sure what he means regarding that, but I'm assuming it is a category in which mages can do no-chant or multi-casting.

"Hmm, it's hard to say. But what makes you ask that, Kosma?"

He then gave me the grimoire that he has been carrying this whole time.

"If it is okay with you, can you teach me more about magic?"