Village

“I’m home.” Julia said as she opened the door.

A man rushed towards her, and hugged her. “Don’t be sad. There’s always next year to register.”

“Dad! But I did register. You should have more faith in me.” Julia said grumpily.

“Oh! You did. Congratulations! I always believed you could.” Dad said.

“No you didn’t believe in me. You just assumed I failed.”

“Anyways, dinner is almost ready. Prepare the table while I finish up in the kitchen.”

“Before that, I picked up some fresh plum fruits for mom. I’ll be quick.” Julia ran inside the cottage.

———

In a poorly lit room, a woman was in bed next to a glass window.

“Mom, look. I got a registration medallion. I’m officially a Mage just like you.” Julia said excitedly in a quiet tone before sitting on a chair next to her mom.

*cough cough* “Good girl.” She raised her hand slowly to pat Julia. “You have a bright future ahead of you.” *cough cough* “Make me proud.”

Julia got a plum fruit from her bag. “Mom, I picked this nutritious fruit for you on my way.”

“You didn’t put yourself in harm’s way to get it, did you?” Mom asked.

Julia looked away. “I… uhm… I am fine.”

“That’s not what I asked.” *cough cough* “Julia! Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn’t act recklessly just because you are a registered mage now.”

Julia faced her mom again “I… I just went to the edge of the forest outside the gate.” She lowered her gaze to the ground. “We only encountered three slimes. There was no dangerous monsters.”

Mom flicked Julia’s forehead. “This time there was no dangerous monsters, but the wild is too unpredictable to wander carelessly.” *cough cough* “Promise me you won’t go into the forest again. Not until you train sufficiently at least.”

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Dad interrupted with a plate of food. “Julia, that wasn’t quick. Dinner is ready. Go eat before it gets cold.

———

Mom ate her dinner in bed, Julia ate her dinner alone before dad left mom’s room, then dad ate his dinner alone too.

Then there I was. A forgotten gopher in a bag full of herbs and fruits. Now that I know Julia picked the fruits for her apparently sick mom, I settled for eating some herbs while remaining in the bag.

Few hours after dinner when it got too quiet, I left the bag to explore the cottage. I assume everyone asleep. Also, something is keeping me up. I left looking for Julia’s stick.

‘Appraise’

‘Appraisal: Stick (+99 attack)’

It has been half a day already. When is my blessing going to wear off? I’m dreading the accidents Julia could get herself into by not realizing the actual power of her stick.

I bit the stick again thinking ‘-99 attack’.

‘Appraise’

‘Appraisal: Stick (+99 attack)’

Nothing happened. My blessing doesn’t work in reverse I guess, or items can only be blessed once, or I can only apply one successful blessing a day. This blessing is a real mystery. I need to figure out my overpowered blessing before I cause a disaster.

I returned to the bag to sleep after exploring the inside of Julia’s room.

———

The next morning, I woke up when I felt the bag picked up by Julia. She’s leaving home quite early. I wonder where she’s going…

-alchemist store-

“Hi Lisa, I have some mana flowers to sell.” Julia said.

“How many did you find this time?” Lisa asked.

“Twenty low grade ones.” Julia answered as she opened the bag to get them out.

“Bigger haul than usual. That will be two small silver coins.”

“…ten, eleven, twelve…” Julia counted as she got the mana flowers out of the bag. “Where’s the rest of them!”

I popped out of the bag with a leaf in my mouth.

“I totally forgot to feed you last night! Did you eat the mana flowers out of hunger? I’ll give you proper food soon.” Julia said before turning to Lisa. “I only have sixteen mana flowers.”

“That is still more than your usual yield. It will be one small silver, and six large copper coins.” Lisa handed Julia the coins. “What is that white critter in your bag? Is it a tamed monster?”

“No I can’t use taming magic, but it is friendly and cute. Do you know if it is safe for animals to eat mana flowers?” Julia asked.

“I doubt it is harmful, but you should check with hunters just to be safe. They know more about animals.”

“I’ll be back when I have more materials for you.” Julia said leaving the shop.

“As always, happy doing business with you.”

———

-hunters hall-

“Hey kiddo, what are you doing here?” A man asked Julia soon as she entered the hunters hall.

“Do you know where I can find Mike?” Julia asked.

“You almost missed him. He’s in the stable.”

She rushed to the stable next to the hall.

-stable-

There was four men preparing their mounts.

“Hi Mike, Can I ask you some questions before you leave on your hunt?” Julia asked.

“Sure, but make it quick.”

She grabbed me from the bag. “This is a gopher isn’t it? Or is it a monster variant of the animal?”

The man grabbed me. “Hmm… it is definitely a gopher. It has an interesting coat color. Do you want me to skin it for you?” Mike said.

Julia quickly pulled me from him. “What?! No! I wanted to ask if you know what gophers eat? It ate mana flowers earlier. Is that safe for gophers to eat?”

“Sorry I mistook your intention. Normally they would eat nuts, plants, and fruits. Any vegetation could work. They’re herbivores. If it ate mana flowers, then it is definitely a monster variant. That makes it omnivore. Did you use taming magic on it?”

She hid me back in the bag. “No, but it is very friendly.”

“A monster is a monster. Until a taming magic is used, it remains a danger to the village. I’ll have to inform your father about this. It doesn’t look dangerous, so I won’t take any actions for now. I suggest you learn how to tame it quick or sever your attachment with it.”

“I understand. Thanks for the information.” Julia held the bag tightly between her arms. “Good luck with your hunt.”

———

Somewhere on the edge of the village, Julia pulled me out of the bag.

“I don’t know if you can understand me, but we may have to part ways soon.” She said giving me some berries.

I do understand human speech, but I wonder if I can speak it. Would that make her more wary of me if I can? I simply started munching on the berries.

“Of course you can’t talk.”

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When I finished eating, she closed the bag with me inside, and left to a secluded cottage outside the village edge.

“Master Grace, is it too early for me to learn some real magic?” Julia asked.

“What brought this up? You already know how to detect mana. That is real magic.” Her master replied.

“I know it is real magic. I just… I found a gopher I really really really want to tame.” Julia said.

“Hmm… that is a nice incentive to try new magic I suppose. Alright listen. For taming magic to be successful, the caster needs to have more mana than the monster. In addition, the two need to have established a link of trust.”

“I know my mana is low, but I wanna try it. Please teach me how?” Julia said pulling me out of the bag.

“Wow that’s a unique color gopher. Did you find it with your mana detection?” Master asked.

“Yes, there was 3 slimes attacking it.” Julia answered.

“That is good news. Since mana detection only sense lower or equal mana objects.”

“Does that mean I can tame it?” Julia questioned in excitement.

“Before we get to that, I need a closer look.” Master grabbed me with both hands. She ran her thumbs across my belly towards my claws, scratched behind my ears, went down my back, lifted my tail, and continued analyzing me slowly. “Hmm…”

“Master, is something wrong?” Julia asked.

“Not exactly. I’m just intrigued. Ask it to come back to you without making any gestures.”

“Hey little gopher, it’s time to come back.” Julia said.

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The room was silent for a moment. I knew this was clearly a test to see if I understand human speech. I shouldn’t go back right away. I’ll just wait a little while then go back naturally.

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“Well that settles it. I thought you had already tamed it based on how well behaved it is, but turns out I was wrong if it doesn’t understand simple commands.” Master said.

“That’s exactly why I’m here; to learn how to tame it.” Julia said.

“I’m sorry to say this, but I’m afraid I can’t let you leave with it.” Master tightened her grip on me.

I may have waited a bit too long to go back. This might be a problem.

“But why, master? I promise it’s not dangerous. Please give it back.” Julia begged.

“Relax, I’m not keeping it forever. It’s only until you learn how to tame monsters, but I can’t teach you just yet. Come back in three days. I’m keeping it for safety measure since it is technically still a wild monster.”

Julia sighed in relief. “I understand. I’ll be back in three days, little gopher. Don’t anger master when I’m gone. I can save you from slimes, but I can’t save you from master.” Julia waved before leaving.

*gulp* that warning sent shiver down my spine. I noticed some tears in Julia’s eyes, but I’m more worried about what will happen to me after I heard that door closes.