Change of Plans

It was a simple mission really. Far too simple. Well, not that Leo could really judge.

“So that makes 50.” He said as he gathered another horned rabbit. He was expecting something called a horned rabbit to have something similar to a unicorn horn or narwhal, not a rhino’s. “This is so strange to look at.”

This proved as a good experience to get used to his skills… well skills he used. They were all skills that the Party that summon him had cultivated over the years. Each one he used was completely natural natural to him. Well… almost. Thanks to Zentella’s observation and the cloaked man’s words Leo figured out that he wasn’t just using their skills, he was using their mana.

He figured since he was summoned in a similar manner to the Demon King he absorbed the remaining mana from the party. Meaning each skill Leo used called upon them and used his body as a media.

Loo called the system screens and looked at his stats. He had an MP bar which seemed indicate how much a “magic” skill consumed from him. Each magic skill he used from Alicia and Rebecca were quantified for him with number. However, as he found that he could use skills without summoning the system screen, it was more on him to remember them than hope the screen to help him out.

He had a level (currently at level 10) but it was useless to him without an experience bar. Nothing indicated what it would take to level up nor did it give him a quantifiable number of enemies or experience gained from slaying an enemy to work with. All he really knew way that his stats went up with each level. He would pay more attention his stats, but without a way to adjust them or interact with them, Leo decided to only focus on his health, magic, and skills list.

While he had access to skills, some of the stronger ones seemed to be locked behind conditions. This was an assumption thanks to Aleister’s weapon mastery and especially Zeke’s kill strike. Weapon master needed a weapon in Leo’s hand while kill strike needed a dagger or motive. Yet again though, there was no hints on the system screen. While nearly as useless as the rest of the system, Leo could use the skill’s names as hints to see if he could unlock them later and memorize their cost so he won’t be caught off guard in his time of need.

Some part of him also assumed that with more shards, more features would unlock.

“Well, that’s just assuming that this is just another isekai.” Leo said getting up and dusting himself off. “Time to turn in may first job.”

XxXx

Now, Leo wasn’t expecting a hero’s welcome. Heck he wasn’t expecting any welcome. So he was surprised to see a nun with a bandaged on her cheek holding the hand of a small dark red haired girl, and Sophia breathing a giant sigh of relief as soon as he entered the guild hall.

“Thank Teressa you're back!” The nun sighed.

“See sweetie, I told you it wasn’t a dangerous mission.” Sophia said also letting out a breath. Her voice was trembling as she held her chest.

“Hmm…” Zentella just nodded not letting her face show any emotion as always.

Leo knew he shouldn’t asked, he knew he shouldn’t involve himself, but it was too late. “Uh… what happened?

The nun spoke up, “Zentella… broke a boys arm.” Zentella nodded.

Leo looked at her bandage cheek on the nun's cheek, “Was…. that all?”

To his surprise, Sophia spoke up, “She… did not take too kindly when I told her that you were out on a request.” Zentella looked away, “It took three b-rank adventures to clam her down.”

“Please tell me they are alive.” ‘Please’ He looked around and notice that the guild hall was, in fact, intact. This did not ease his concerns.

“Yeah… luckily Sister Luna was here to provide first aid.”

“So… I apologize mister Salazar… we won’t be able to accommodate Zentella at the orphanage.” The nun named Luna then preformed a deep bow even though Zentella did not let go of her hand.

Leo sighed, “I… understand… but what is it you want me to do?” He then looked pleadingly at Sophia, “I mean, I am an adventurer now. I can’t exactly take her with me. I also don’t know any of her living family to send her too.”

Any lingering adventures in the guild soon glared at him. It seems most were present at Zentella’s… outburst.

“They are probably hunting me.” Zentella said casually.

Whatever preconception of anger for bringing a destructive child into their lives the other adventurers had, had turn more violent in against him in Zentella’s defense.

‘Then why don’t any of you assholes take her in!’ Leo screamed at them through his head.

“Well, I don’t see a problem here.” A older gruffer voice chimed in. It was the Guildmaster. He was definitely an older gentleman with a strong physic and building muscles that he showed off. If it wasn’t for the wrinkles on him and the snow white beard Leo would only assume that he was around forty. “Sophia, go ahead and register the little squirt and assign her to her dad’s party.”

“Uncle.” Zentella stated glaring at the guild master.

In that moment any lingering noises in the hall stopped. A pin could drop and refuse to make a sound. No one had the gull to question the Guildmaster. Let alone when a wave of something washed over the entire room. Leo would call this term killing intent; an intense pressure emendating from a person that anime and manga used to show someone’s strength or willingness to kill. This same pressure was now being emmenated by a small child and an old man. For everyone else in the hall, the fact that couldn’t feel who was winning in this battle of wills scared them more.

A full two beats dropped before one made their move, “ My apologies, of course I meant uncle.” The guildmaster relented first dropping the pressure in the room. Everyone seem to be gasping to a breath after the exchange.

“Of course… Guildmaster…. Nicholas.” Sophia squirmed out as she went to grab the proper registration equipment.

“And sir,” Nicholas then shoved what looked to be a small bag of coins into Leo… hard, “Be sure to keep an eye on this one. She is going to be a real handful, Bwhahaha.” He then took his leave. The coin bag was obviously from the materials that Leo sold earlier. The “sir” was to indicate Leo’s new role.

Leo looked to the girl who was in the process of obtaining her Adventure card and tag. She turned to him and simply nodded. Even without a true expression, Leo knew she was proud of herself.

“Little brat…”