Antonina

Today is a nice day. I’m full of energy to take care of the housework. We live in the rural area of the city of Choca. It’s a lovely and tranquil place. Our neighbors live far away from us. I take care of protecting the home from monsters, feed the few animals that we have, and take care of the kids. It's a lot of work, but it's such a pleasant experience compared to being an adventurer. I started adventuring at the age of 15. My family was struggling financially, risking becoming slaves. I tried a few jobs, but the pay was not enough. I decided to work as an adventurer to earn some money to help my family. I have a good aptitude to learn magic. I was not sent to the Academy because of money, so I had to learn magic on my own at home. I was able to learn fire and water magic, both of which are pretty helpful for adventuring. In my party, we would never run out of water or fire to cook. But also, fire magic is good for offense, and water magic is good for defense.

My years of adventuring were hard. I started at a party of one of my dad’s friends. I would do the basic chores of the party while learning more offensive and defensive magic. I was put in the middle of the party to be protected. I was given plenty of consideration, but the offer was for minimum wage. I usually had to take the weapons of the offensive close combat duo to be sharpened or repaired.

“Boss, we need to take our swords to the blacksmith. That’s the downside of hunting dark armadillos for resources. They always chirp the swords.”

“I can take care of the weapons! The regular place, right?”

“Please do, Antonina. Why are you blushing?”

“Eh? I’m sorry, I need to go quickly, boss!”

“Hey! Where are you going without the weapons?”

The blacksmith shop, that's where I met Paulus. His father comes from a family of blacksmiths. Paulus would always be focused on working in the back. His body was bulky, but that didn’t matter. He always looked so cool forging. What I fell in love with was how happy and kind he was with people. He would always give me a smile. I knew he smiled at everyone, but that smile just made my day every time. I’m pretty and strong. He is not so, but he was a hard worker, a free man with a profession, and a kind soul. He probably doesn’t have many prospects because of his looks. However, I knew I had to act before any other girl with a better family situation than mine would come around.

“Can I help you?”

“Eh?” I was deep in thought, and without noticing, it was my turn. When did he stop working and come to help in the front? “Two swords, heavy guy, I need them by Sunday.” Why am I being so rude?

“You got it, Missy.” Said Paulus, smirking.

“Sorry!” My brain heated, and I ran away.

“Missy, you have to pay half now!”

One day, when I was walking home tired after adventuring, I heard two guys picking a fight with someone. It looks like the two guys wanted compensation for a bad job, but they were getting violent. When I was close enough, my heart sank. The two guys were bullying Paulus, the blacksmith of the shop. It’s normal to see the weak getting bullied by the strong. Magic is everything, and if your body looked incompatible with magic, most certainly you would have a hard time everywhere. The two men were complaining about a couple of knives not being sharp enough, while Paulus was arguing that he did the job right.

“This job was more than three weeks ago, the sharpness in your knives is because of use, it has nothing to do with my work.”

“Listen, we have sharpened our knife in other places, and this time they didn’t last at all. Your blacksmith abilities are lacking because of your lack of magical ability, fatty.” I was so mad, I didn’t even care if they were in the right or not. This was my chance to show off and get acquainted with Paulus.

“Hey! You’ve got some nerve to treat my blacksmith like that. He has done plenty of jobs for me and my party, and his work is top-notch.” Immediately, I did my incantation for fire magic, making two fireballs, one in each hand. I’ve been adventuring for two years now and have had plenty of experience dealing with monsters and people who made fools of themselves. They were nobodies trying to get work for cheap. The strong can always smell the weak.

“Tsch, we will let you out of the hook this time, let’s go.”

This is my chance. I came close to Paulus, put my hand on the wall, and looked him in the eyes. “Are you okay, Mr. Paulus? Did they take anything from you?”

“Thank you so much!” Paulus’ forehead was five inches deep in the ground.

“Eh? Do-do-don’t worry abo-about it. I know your work is the best in the city.” That threw me off. I was blushing and couldn’t stop playing with my hair. Keep it together, Antonina, this is your chance.

“I will give you a discount next time you go to the shop. Thank you for doing business with us.”

I need to be bold. Adventuring not only make me strong, but also more confident in myself. “Mr. Paulus, why don’t you invite me to dinner instead? I’m inter-keh-ested in you!?” I bite my tongue. That was way too bold! What am I saying? Paulus was blushing.

“Ah? Sure, if Miss Antonina doesn’t mind hanging out with someone like me. It would be my pleasure.”

That’s how things started between us. After that, I joined another party, saved some money, Paulus started his own business, and we got married. Paulus helped my family financially until my father died, and my mom went back to her hometown to take care of her parents. Adventuring is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and only a few make a good profit out of it. Adventuring is a slave’s work. Marrying Paulus saved me from dying at a young age and gave me a blissful life.

“Life is good.”

“Mama! Cato! Cato!”

I moved quickly. I found Cato in the bathtub, unconscious, while Paul was trying to pull her out of the water. What just happened? There wasn’t enough water to drown. She was lifeless. I could hardly perceive her breathing. Her temperature was high. Her eyes were watery and drowsy. Is she sick? The room was humid. What just happened? I was looking in Paul’s direction. He was crying.

I took Cato to her bed and put her to rest. I prepare towels with cold water and put them over her head, armpits, and stomach. I also prepared a chicken and vegetable soup and mill it. But she couldn’t eat. She was not reacting to anything.