Returning to Rida

As we travelled toward the town of Rida, I explained everything to the girls.
But they had questions.
The same questions I had.
I simply didn't know what happened...

Astra- Judging by your classmate's words, it seems he thinks you did a bad thing. Something bad enough to get him to come all the way here to attack you.

Faylinn- Leo is being framed! He has been with us the whole time!

Astra- That might be true, but they don't know that.

Leonel- One of our classmates, Agustin, went with two girls to protect them. They had no way to defend themselves, that's why he had to be there with them. But something Mateo said has been bothering me... it seems that another one of our classmates is protecting the girls... I wonder if something happened to Agustin... I hope I'm overthinking it...

Astra- You will find out once you meet them. But for now, let's focus on our current goal.

Faylinn- Yeah, you need to retrieve something from Rida's blacksmith, right?

Leonel- Yeah, and we should probably try to get some info from the bookseller.

Our trip along this road, surrounded by mountains, didn't last long. The land dragon reached the town of Rida quite easily, as if the distance between towns meant nothing to this dragon. These dragons are almost like an autonomous taxi, but faster than an average car.

My shoulder and right foot were already healed thanks to Astra casting her regeneration spell while we were riding the dragon.
We got off the dragon, and it started its trip back to its hometown all by itself.

Leonel- Astra, thanks again for the healing. Many of my bones have been broken since I arrived in this world... I would have been crippled forever by now if it wasn't for you.

Astra- Well, I'm glad my ability has been useful, but I must warn you that my regeneration spell technically has its limits. If something is damaged beyond repair, like an arm that has been reduced to ashes, or a shoulder that had its bones turned into fine dust, then my regeneration spell won't be of any use.

Leonel- It's okay. It's already a miracle there are healing spells in this world. There was no such thing in my world.

Faylinn- Are we going to the blacksmith first? I want to see what he made for you.

Leonel- Yeah, let's go. Having one more weapon in our arsenal will be great.

We went to the local blacksmith; the three-meter-tall sword stuck in the ground next to the blacksmith's shop entrance could be seen from the town gate.
Once I opened the door I immediately saw something on the counter. It was wrapped in rags.

Blacksmith- Welcome back. I've been waiting for you. In fact, this thing right here has been waiting for you.

Leonel- I guess you managed to do it. Were there any issues with the alchemy ingredients?

Blacksmith- No issues at all. In fact, I tested those alchemy ingredients, and it turns out it was something I never expected to see. I now understand how this whole artifact works. It's quite dangerous.

Leonel- Well, it's supposed to be dangerous, it's going to be used as a weapon after all.

Blacksmith- I'm wondering how you are actually going to use it in combat though. It seems a bit impractical.

Leonel- You know what they say, if there is a will, there is a way.

Faylinn- So, are you unwrapping it now? I want to see it!

Leonel- Not yet, Faylinn. I will unwrap it when the time is right.

Faylinn- Eeehhhhh... I wanted to see it.

Leonel- I'm concerned that your body's temperature will be a problem if you get close to it, so I will be keeping it in my backpack for now.

Astra- I guess it's time to go to the bookstore then.

Leonel- Yes, but please, don't pick a fight with the blue girl...

Astra- Don't worry, I will behave properly. I have no intention of antagonizing the LITTLE blue girl. Hehehe.

Leonel- Not this again...

Faylinn- Astra is the enemy of every girl out there that isn't as well endowed as she is...

We left the blacksmith shop and went to the bookstore, knowing very well that Astra was probably going to cause trouble...

As soon as we opened the door, problems started. But it wasn't Astra's fault.

Faylinn- HELLOOOOO BLUE LADY!!!

Aku- You are banned from entering this building for 45 years. Now leave.

Astra- Excuse me, LITTLE blue girl, didn't you sign a contract with Leo to share information? Surely you are not planning on denying the existence of such a contract.

Aku- The contract only forces me to share information with Leonel. You and your daughter have no reason to be here. Now leave.

Faylinn- DAUGHTER!!!???? I'M NOT ASTRA'S DAUGHTER!!! Faylinn was furious and was yelling louder than ever.

Astra- DAUGHTER!!!??? Excuse me, how old do you think I am!!!!??? Astra was angry. I've never seen her being this angry or this loud before.

Aku then pulled a magical staff with a blue crystal from a box and aimed it at the girls.

Aku- You are being illegally loud. Get out now!

Leonel- Girls! Calm down! Faylinn, Astra, you girls wait outside, I'll try to get all the info we need!

Astra- I will reluctantly leave just so Leo can get what he needs. But this isn't over.

Faylinn- YEAH! We-- Astra quickly covered Faylinn's mouth to prevent her from yelling.

Nice assist, Astra!

Astra reluctantly left the bookstore dragging Faylinn with her while covering Faylinn's mouth with her hand.

Leonel- I'm deeply sorry. Sometimes the girls can't control themselves...

Aku- I don't know how you can survive travelling with those noise-makers.

Leonel- Actually, they are the reason I've managed to survive this far...

Aku- So, you came here for information, right?

Leonel- Yes, I need info about quite a few things this time. I need info on anything related to summoning people from another world, the ritual used to summon them, any ritual that could send them back to their world, any people summoned in recent years, and anything about a massive fire pillar spell witnessed outside certain towns.

Aku- Hmmm, that's a lot of stuff. But there is a chance we might be able to find a little bit of info in some of the oldest books around here.

With Aku's help, I went through any books that had even the slightest mention of people being summoned from another world.
But the ONLY thing of interest we managed to find... was not exactly what I wanted.