Side Story - Jyraiu - Chapter 2

Author's note: Hey there. Had a lot of fun writing these :D. Let me know what you think.

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Side Story - Jyraiu - Chapter 2

“Very pretty,” the noble said as he watched from his chair, three more empty bottles sitting on the table next to him.

Jyraiu was sweating, finishing with a modified smaller version of the phoenix spectacle inside the hall. There was just enough space to make sure nothing would get damaged.

He wondered how the man could drink this much without passing out.

Even the highest level adventurers he had met would have difficulties forming a coherent thought at this point but the noble didn’t stop.

Just a higher level, maybe some skill to deal with the alcohol.

“I liked that,” the man said.

Jyraiu gulped as he looked at the now entirely disinterested man. “Mister Redleaf,” he said.

“Call me Edwin, and don’t mention that other name ever again,” he said.

“Of course, Edwin. Well… you know I’m down on my luck… and it’s customary to pay for a professional performance,” he said.

“Ah, now that,” Edwin said and stood up, hitting his knee on the table hard. The sound made it seem like something broke but the noble ignored it entirely, walking up to him before he once again pushed his finger into Jyraiu’s chest. “That’s a problem.”

He spread his arms and laughed.

“I’m broke,” he said.

“What? What about the bottles, all the art, this house itself? You’re a Redl-” he said when a blade rushed past his head and clattered against the wall.

“Not mine,” Edwin said simply. “But… maybe… hmm… yeeesh. You’re terribly lost. Come on, hit me with your strongest spell. Those arrows you used before, those looked powerful,” Edwin said, the last bit in a mocking way.

“Why? What?” Jyraiu asked. He was irritated enough to just take one of the paintings and leave.

“Do it or I’ll kill you,” the man said, a wicked smile on his lips. “Don’t think I’ll do it? I’ve killed hundreds. Who would give a shit? You’re nobody.”

“I’m-” he was interrupted again, the man suddenly standing before him, another sword drawn.

“Do… it,” Edwin said.

Jyraiu gulped and formed his bow. Manifesting the flame was simple enough. When he was just a fire mage, it was an illusion, simply fire formed to look like a bow, the arrow just a normal bolt of magic. His evolution at level one hundred had given him the actual skill.

The thing was powerful enough to distract Elves. He often regretted that his skill level hadn’t been as high back when he had been an adventurer. By now it was near instinctual to use it.

Maybe he could have killed the monsters, could have prevented them from being slaughtered. In the end he couldn’t change the past. He had survived thanks to his wings and he was sure they would have died at one point or the other. His team simply hadn’t been capable enough. They took too many risks and lacked the experience.

Even for him it had taken their deaths to act as a wake up call. Adventuring was silly, dangerous, thankless, and a sure way to an early grave.

He thought back and again found it impossible to remember their faces. Their screams on the other hand echoed through his mind as if they were right here. He released his spell.

His eyes opened wide at the ridiculous action he just took. He watched the projectile slam into the noble’s chest, propelling the man backwards before he slapped into the wall.

Fuck.

I killed him.

He was wrong.

Edwin groaned and stood up, his robe burnt around his chest but he didn’t seem to mind, walking back to the table as he put out the flames still sticking to him. He grabbed the nearest bottle and took a swig.

“Not bad, not bad,” he said. “I agree then, but only because I’m benevolent.”

Bored.

“Wait, agree to do what?” Jyraiu asked.

“Help you become a powerful adventurer of course. Isn’t that why you came here? I’m famous for being a veteran instructor!” Edwin exclaimed.

“Sir, I just wish to be paid for the performance. I have no wish to become an adventurer,” Jyraiu said.

“You already are one!” Edwin said and showed him his badge.

When did he get that?

The noble chuckled before he started choking, simply emptying the rest of the bottle into his throat.

“Oh shit,” he said suddenly, glancing at Jyraiu with a frantic look. “Hide, come on, she’s back,” he said and ushered him towards the windows.

Jyraiu had no way to oppose the man’s strength, finding himself covered by curtains.

“Don’t m… ake a noise,” the man said and giggled before he stepped away.

He could still see everything, the drapes sliding away from his face as he remained partially covered.

“You’re a mess,” a female voice said.

He saw the woman now. She had short brown hair, well made light armor in gray and red.

Army? he asked himself but couldn’t know.

[Mage – lvl ??]

Again someone he couldn’t identify.

She raised a hand towards Edwin.

“Not ag-” he started before a torrent of water formed between them, crashing into the man with enough power to slam him into the table behind him.

“Dry yourself,” she said and summoned a towel from somewhere, throwing it onto the disoriented man.

“Aliana, y-” he started but she had already changed her focus.

“I can see you,” she said to Jyraiu.

He winced, stepping out from behind the curtain before he bowed. “Apologies, miss. My name is Jy-”

“He’s my pupil,” Edwin said in a muffled voice, drying his face with the towel as he stood up.

“Pupil, what? Edwin please… you know how busy I am. Can you not stay out of trouble for a SINGLE day?” the woman pleaded. “Have you at least eaten anything today?”

He pointed at nothing in particular before his finger landed on the bottles. “Counts as a meal,” he said with a shrug.

“You’re his pupil? An adventurer or why are you here?” the woman asked, obviously suspicious.

Fuck, if I tell her I broke in.

Edwin gave him a meaningful glance. “Come on Jibalu, tell her.”

“Yes, I’m his pupil. Jyraiu is the name. He saw the potential in my magic and agreed to teach me. I heard great things about his inst-” he said when Edwin appeared and stopped him with a hand to his face.

The man laughed. “Jariu here is a funny lad. A performer too but you know how it is, hard to find employment here. But there are lots of jobs for adventurers, right? Monsters have taken back the surroundings.”

The woman kept staring at them with suspicious eyes before her gaze softened.

“Do what you must. Only fight things below two hundred. And you keep an eye on him!” she said.

Jyraiu gulped and nodded.

“Keep the charm on that Baltimore gave you and don’t go further away than a few hours. Take enough food with you. Can I trust you to do that?” she asked.

Edwin waved her off. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t you worry. I won’t join the war. Just low level beasts in the area,” he said and winked to Jyraiu, quite obviously at that.

“Get your armor then,” Aliana said. “And your swords.”

“Yeah, yeah,” the man said and let go of Jyraiu, walking towards the exit when another torrent of water washed over him.

“Why!?” he shouted after hitting a pillar one hall over.

“You stink,” the woman said quietly before she walked towards Jyraiu.

“You’re not here because he’s a famous instructor. Why did you come, out with it,” she said, her eyes focused on him.

Jyraiu gulped and nodded.

“I stumbled upon this place and he attacked me out of nowhere. I’m a performer and he asked me to show my bit, which I did. I asked for payment afterwards when he came up with the idea to train me somehow. I’m not an adventurer, miss,” he said, the last bit in a pleading tone.

She looked at him for a moment and smiled. Not in a sweet way.

“May I see your license, Mr. Jyraiu?” she asked.

He gulped again.

“I thought as much. You’re not the first idiot who thinks they can rob an abandoned mansion. You’re just the first he didn’t kill,” she said and rubbed her temple. “At least no mess to clean up.”

“Miss please, I can expl-” he started when she put a finger on his mouth.

“Please. I’m taking Classes on politics. Do you know how much bullshit I have to listen to all day? Now, let’s make a deal,” she said.

Will she ask me to help for not reporting me.

“I won’t kill you if you go along with him,” Aliana said.

Close.

“Just make sure he actually keeps the necklace on and don’t take any jobs that would take you more than a few hours out of town. And fill your pack with enough liquor to drown a few horses if you want to survive this adventure,” she said.

“I don’t have gold to buy that,” he said. “Let alone any gear.”

The woman sighed and summoned a few leather armors, some full plate sets, and several chests filled with bottles.

She added a large backpack of quality make and gestured towards it.

“If you can keep him off my back for a few days, you’ll get paid for more than just your performance,” she said with a distasteful look on her face. “Didn’t think he liked men,” she murmured and walked away.

“That’s not-” Jyraiu exclaimed but she was already gone.

He was sweating now, looking at the windows and the gear on the ground.

She would kill me.

Would she?

Would he?

Paid more than just for my performance?

She knows my name.

Fuck, why did I not make one up!?

I’m such a bloody idiot.

He sighed, deflating when he started to look at the gear.

“Take the second one from the left. Best for mages like yourself,” Edwin said, suddenly sitting on one of the chests.

He ripped the one next to him open and grabbed a few bottles. The man was now clad in bloodied light armor, obvious repairs and damage showing in a few places. Two swords were sheathed on his belt. He didn’t wear a helmet, his hair still wet.

Edwin opened one of the bottles with his mouth before he took a swig, putting three more into his own large pack. “Why does she get to keep that ring,” he murmured. “Get dressed.”

Jyraiu nodded, getting off his fancy looking gear that served nothing more than as an illusion for the spectators. It wouldn’t exactly protect him against a monster. Everyone with at least some experience would see that.

He rushed to put on the leather armor, finding it a rather good fit. He grabbed his pack and filled it with bottles as the woman had suggested. Seeing the man whistle away as he downed his drink made him fear a time when he sobered up.

Did she say he killed everyone else that broke into the mansion?

Focus on the task.

He found rope, torches, oil, knives, dried, and fresh meat in the pack already. A few bandages and some pills that would likely be helpful against pain were in there too.

She took it seriously. This stuff is worth twenty or thirty silver at least. Let alone my armor and the liquor.

He assumed the bottles were the most expensive of it all, grabbing one before he opened it with a shaking hand.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Edwin asked with a focused gaze.

“I’m sorry,” Jyraiu said and put the cork back in.

The man started laughing.

“I’m kidding. Don’t get drunk though. My pupil has to survive after all!” he said and stood up, swinging his pack behind his back. Dozens of glass bottles jingled against each other when the thing came to a stop. The weight didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest.

Jyraiu shouldered his own pack as he took a sip of his own bottle.

His eyes opened wide before he glanced at the thing.

Holy shit.

Edwin laughed as he looked at him. “Right? Being a noble leads to some,” he dry heaved for a second. “Privileges,” he added.

“Now where’s the next adventuring guild… and where did I leave my badge?” he said and looked through his pockets.

Jyraiu watched on with a mix of pity and fear. It can only go up from here.