Marking the X

We walked the cobblestone pathway, strolling through the market, finally arriving at our second stop. 

This should be our final lay-over before Port Kalyiar, afterwards we’ll go by sea and enter the territory of the Imperial Vascht. It’s a few days’ camp to get to the port so we plan to buy tents and blankets… 

I looked at the buildings around me, the memory of the urban architecture still lingering in my head. Thankfully, I’ve been here before, so I recognize the structure… Wait, no… That's not good at all, I’m worried if they will recognize me.

“Marieka… Keep an eye, okay? I’ve been here before, so some might know me..” I whispered to her.

“Huh? O… okay, no problem…” Marieka nodded.

We passed through the crowds, trying to find a shop that sells what I need… I looked to the far right and saw a stall that sold exactly what I needed. I separated from the two and squeezed through the crowd.

Approaching the stall, I looked around the display stand. “Excuse me. Do you sell tents? And blankets?”

“Why, yes we do! Give me a second miss,” The shopkeeper went to the back storage.

Looking behind the counter, my eyes drifted to the magic staff in front of me.

Woah, a magic staff? It's rare to see one in these types of places, so there’s adventurers here too? That’s nice to know. This one looks great and capable of combat. Does Marieka have a staff? I could buy her one…

As I reached for the staffーsuddenly, I felt something hit my lower leg. I jolted, turning my head to the right and saw a wheelbarrow flipped to the side. Tons of coal carried by the wheelbarrow scattered everywhere… The old man who was pushing it had tumbled on the floor. He looked to be in his eighties.

I quickly rushed to the man and gently pulled him up. “Are you okay mister? I apologize… I wasn’t looking, and now it's spilled everywhere.”

”It's no problem, Miss. Perhaps I’m getting too old now… It's hard for me to pay attention these days...” He tried to assure me.

He isn’t hurt or anything… But I can’t heal. I’m not a member of a church and only a mage for offense. I can only heal my wounds and nothing else…

The crowd starts to fill upーsurrounding us to assess the situation. I looked around trying to find the two till just a stroke of luck, Marieka and Annaliese heard the commotion squeezed through to get to me.

“So that’s where you were!? What happened here…?!” Marieka asked.

I explained. “I wasn’t looking and accidentally hit his wheelbarrow… I want to make sure he’s okay, but here’s the problem… I’m not part of a church, and I’m not allowed to learn healing magic.”

Marieka’s face brightened, she quickly approached and held the man by the other shoulderーraising a hand before casting a magic circle in her hand.

Closing her eyes, the circle began glowing greenーindicating the use of healing magic.

My eyes widened. “Did you learn how to use priest magic??!! Marieka…?!”

“I was taught by someone… I was told this might be useful in the future.”

That’s surprising….!? We have a priest at our party…!? Now I don’t have to worry about both of them getting injured along the journey…

Assured, I let Marieka heal the man as I stood up and freed my support, approaching the flipped barrel to assist Annaliese in cleaning the spilled coal.

Looking down, I placed a hand on my chin. We can’t individually put them back in the wheelbarrow one by one, that’ll take a long time… I’ll use a spell for this… Something common.

I raised a finger, and a magic circle was summoned underneath the flipped wheelbarrow.

“Annaliese, could you step back?”

She nodded and gave me distance before I began casting.

“Klavー” Immediately closing my mouth, quickly realizing what I’ve almost done.

WHAT WAS I THINKING…?! I ALMOST SKIPPED THE CHANT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!

I continued, clearing my throat. “V… vorth saith, Klavin Vasione.” I chanted with an awkward tone.

Then the wheelbarrow unflipped itself, one by one the coal scattered on the ground began levitating and sent back to the wheelbarrow. The crowd’s eyes were wide open, like it was their first time seeing a true mage in person.

I removed the magic circle and turned around to approach the old man, who was fully healed. “You’re okay now? Old man?”

“Yes… Thank you, young miss. You as well, you’d make a fine church member.” He turned to Marieka.

“R… really? Then I’m glad I could be of any help! Be careful on the way, gramps!’

The old man grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow, and lifted it upーready to move to his designated location. As soon as everything was finished, the people began to move forwards and dissipate.

He turned to me. “Mages like you are so kind… I hope that some day, we can always rely on them in the future… Like the great Pointed hat, Mistress Eilise Frediereke… Who helped me the same way three years ago…”

My eyes opened. Wait, what…? Have we met before…!? I don’t really recall…

“ーBut obviously, we don’t want to leech on mages for our own benefit… What we want is for us to be useful… So that we can always repay them back…”

Really…? But… I’m not like….

Scoffing, I responded. “......I’m sure one day it’ll be like that, Mistress Eilise Frediereke will inspire the mages to think the same way. Some day.”

The old man exhaled, slouching as he grew concerned.

“Mmm. She’s been missing for a year… Though, I don’t seem to think she is dead, but I’m rather worried for her. Whatever could be the cause. I just hope she will one day come back to us…”
I stayed silent. I clenched my fist and my brows wrinkled… “Don’t worry, she’s alive and well. Old man…”

“Haha~~, that’s the spirit young miss! We will keep believing till there’s no end… Oh, I’m sorry… I have chatted for too long, I still have plenty of errands to do.”

Jolting, I stepped back slightlyーbowing my head. “Ah…! I’m sorry for wasting your time… Please keep going.”

“I don’t mind… Being late is not rare for me… What’s your name, young miss?” He asked.

…

I stayed silent, clenching my fist and biting my lip.

“.....Eilise Frediereke.” I quietly muttered, averting my gaze, expression filled with irritation.

The old man froze in place, his eyes openedーleft speechless. His body began shaking, letting go of the wheelbarrow causing it to drop to the ground before holding my hand.

He began to cry out. “I… I can’t believe it… You’re Mistress Eilise Frediereke… The Great Pointed Hat… I never thought I would be able to meet you again…”

Exhaling, I pressed my lips in a straight line.

“Please… Utter no word of this. I hope I can trust you with this request.”

The old man nodded, still trembling… To realize that this old man reveres me this much, is a shock. I didn’t move nor do anything, letting him cry out. As it would be rude to interrupt him…

Five minutes later, he finally calmed down, wiping the tears from his eyes while continuing to sniff. 

“I’m sorry… Mistress Eilise. You were just so inspirational… I’m happy to have met you once more… I will take your word to the grave…”

He let go of my hand and gripped the wheelbarrow once more. “I’m sure you have your reasons…?”

I nodded and said nothing.

“Then… I hope all is well on your side, Mistress Eilise…”

“Yeah. Do take care. Old man.”

The old man smiled and pushed the wheelbarrow, continuing through the cobbled pathwayーstaring at him as he pushed.