After the Quest

Chapter 12 — After the Quest

The walk back to the guild felt shorter than the trip into the forest.

Maybe it was because we weren’t looking for plants anymore. Maybe it was because we actually finished the mission. Or maybe it was just because the tension from earlier had faded.

Either way, I felt lighter.

The small sack tied to Latris’s belt made a soft rustling sound with each step. Inside it were the herbs we’d collected—our proof that the mission was complete.

I kept glancing at it without thinking.

That little bag was our first real result.

Our first quest.

Our first AP.

And somehow… it felt bigger than it should.

We entered the town through the wooden gates, and the familiar sounds of people, carts, and chatter filled the air.

Compared to the quiet forest, it felt almost overwhelming.

Latris walked straight toward the guild.

Izuo followed her as usual, calm and relaxed. I just trailed behind them, looking around.

Latris approached the counter and placed the sack on top.

“Request complete,” she said.

The receptionist, the same woman from before, opened the bag and checked the contents. She picked up a few of the herbs, examined them, and nodded.

“All correct. Good work.”

She reached under the counter and pulled out a small pouch. The faint metallic sound inside made my ears twitch.

“Eighteen AP, as stated in the request.”

Latris accepted the pouch.

“Thank you.”

The receptionist gave us a small smile.

“Not bad for your first mission.”

First mission.

Hearing that out loud made it feel more real.

Latris stepped away from the counter, and we moved to the side of the guild hall.

She opened the pouch slightly and peeked inside.

“Eighteen AP,” she confirmed. “Just as promised.”

Izuo crossed his arms behind his head.

“That was easier than I expected.”

“That’s because it was a beginner mission,” she replied.

I stayed quiet.

My eyes kept drifting back to the pouch.

Eighteen AP.

It didn’t sound like much. But for some reason, it felt important.

Latris tied the pouch back to her belt.

“Let’s step outside before we talk about it.”

We left the guild and returned to the street. The afternoon sun had started to soften, and the smell of grilled food drifted through the air.

My stomach reacted instantly.

Only then did I realize how hungry I was.

Just a few steps away from the guild entrance, a small stall had been set up. A man stood behind a charcoal grill, turning skewers of meat over the flames.

The sizzling sound made it even worse.

Latris stopped.

“Let’s use some of the AP.”

I blinked.

“For… food?”

She nodded.

“It’s our first reward. It would be strange not to celebrate at least a little.”

Izuo grinned.

“I like the way you think.”

A few moments later, each of us held a skewer of grilled meat. The smell alone was enough to make my mouth water.

I took a bite.

Juicy. Salty. A little smoky.

Simple… but really good.

We stood near the stall, eating quietly. People passed by, carts rolled through the street, and the sky above us was clear.

It was a normal, peaceful moment.

But my eyes drifted toward the two of them.

Izuo looked completely relaxed, like nothing in that forest had even bothered him. When the wolves attacked, he didn’t panic. His movements were fast and clean. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Latris was the same.

She had stayed calm the entire time.

Her magic was precise. Efficient. No wasted movement.

They were strong.

Not just strong… but experienced.

Even though we were all first-years, it felt like the gap between us was obvious.

I took another bite of the skewer.

Compared to them… I barely did anything.

Sure, I helped. But if I wasn’t there, they probably would have finished the mission anyway.

If they weren’t there…

I’d probably be in trouble.

The thought left a strange feeling in my chest.

I didn’t like it.

I didn’t want to slow them down.

I didn’t want to be the weak link in the group.

I looked down at the skewer in my hand.

EighteenAP.

A small reward. A beginner mission. Nothing special.

But for me… it was proof that this world was real.

That this academy was real.

That the gap between me and the others was also real.

If I stayed like this… I’d only fall further behind.

I chewed slowly, lost in thought.

I need more experience.

Not just classes. Not just training sessions.

Real fights. Real missions. Real situations.

I spent too much time locked in that house.

Otherwise… I won’t keep up with them.

I finished the last bite of the skewer and tossed the empty stick into a nearby bin.

Latris wiped her hands with a cloth and looked at us.

“About the herbs,”

Izuo tilted his head.

“What about them?”

“I was thinking… would it be okay if I kept them?”

I blinked.

“Kept them?”

She nodded.

“I have a friend in the alchemy department at the academy. She buys ingredients for practice. She’ll probably take all of them.”

“So… you’d sell them to her?” Izuo asked.

“Yes. It should give us a little extra AP. Not much, but still something.”

That sounded reasonable.

It wasn’t like we needed the herbs for anything ourselves.

I shrugged.

“I’m fine with it.”

Izuo nodded.

“Same here.”

Latris gave a small, satisfied smile.

“Good.”

She untied the pouch from her belt and opened it.

“Eighteen AP from the mission,” she said.

“We already spent Three on the food.”

Izuo laughed.

“Worth it.”

She ignored him and continued.

“That leaves fifteen AP. We’ll split it evenly.”

She handed five coins to each of us.

The metal felt heavier than I expected.

My first AP.

Just five coins… but it felt important.

I slipped it into my pocket.

Latris then picked up the sack of herbs.

“I’ll sell these later. When I get the payment, we’ll split it the same way.”

Izuo nodded. “Sounds fair.”

She looked at him.

“Actually… can you help me carry these?”

He glanced at the sack.

“That’s it?”

“I also have my other bag,” she said, lifting a second pouch slightly.

“And the alchemy workshop is on the other side of the academy.”

He shrugged.

“Sure. No problem.”

Latris handed him the herb sack.

“Thank you.”

He slung it over his shoulder.

“Lead the way.”

She turned to me.

“We’ll see you tomorrow at the academy, Rikuo.”

I nodded.

“Yeah. See you.”

The two of them started walking down the street together, talking about something I couldn’t hear.

I stayed where I was, watching their backs grow smaller in the distance.

They looked… natural together.

I put my hands in my pockets.

Five AP coins rested in my palm.

Cold. Solid. Real.

I closed my fingers around it.

Izuo is strong.

Latris is strong.

If I don’t catch up… I’ll just slow them down.

I looked toward the road that led back to the academy.

I need more experience.

More fights. More situations like the forest.

Because I don’t want to fall behind them.

With that thought in mind, I started walking back alone.

The sun was already going down when I left the small street near the guild.

The smell of grilled meat still clung to my clothes, and my stomach felt warm and full.

It was a strange feeling.

Just a few days ago, I didn’t even know this place existed, and now I was already finishing my first quest and spending my first AP with friends.

Friends.

I still wasn’t used to that word.

As I walked back toward the dormitories, I passed near the training field. The wide open space stretched out in front of me, lit by the orange light of the sunset.

A few students were still training, swinging swords or practicing spells.

Then a thought crossed my mind.

I wonder if Senior Elaira is here today.

Without thinking too much, I turned my steps toward the field.

I walked closer, scanning the area. For a moment, I didn’t see her. But then, near the far side of the field, I spotted a familiar figure.

Red hair.

Elegant posture.

She was practicing alone, holding a thin sword. Her movements were calm and precise.

Every swing looked clean, almost effortless. It didn’t feel like she was just training. It felt like she was dancing with the blade.

I stopped a few meters away, not wanting to interrupt. But she noticed me anyway.

She lowered her sword and looked in my direction.

“Oh. Rikuo.”

Her voice was soft, but it carried easily through the quiet field.

I scratched the back of my head and walked closer.

“Senior Elaira. Sorry, am I interrupting?”

She shook her head.

“No. I was just finishing for today.”

Up close, I could see a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. Even then, she still looked perfectly composed.

“What brings you here this late?” she asked.

“I was just heading back to the dorm. Then I passed the field and… wondered if you were here.”

She gave a small smile.

“I see.”

For a moment, neither of us said anything. The evening air felt cool, and the training field was slowly emptying.

Then she tilted her head slightly.

“You look… different today. Did something happen?”

I couldn’t stop the grin that formed on my face.

“Yeah. I went on my first quest.”

Her eyes widened just a little.

“Your first quest already? That was fast.”

I nodded.

“It was just a simple herb collection mission. Nothing dangerous. But on the way back, we got attacked by wolves.”

“Wolves?” Her expression grew curious.

“Were you hurt?”

“No, no. We handled it. Izuo and Latris are insanely strong. I still feel like I’m just trying to keep up with them.”

I rubbed my neck, remembering the fight.

“But it was… fun,”

I admitted.

“My first real battle. I was nervous at first, but once it started, everything felt clear. Like my body just moved on its own.”

Elaira listened quietly.

“I think I finally understand a little bit.”

“Why people train so hard. Why they risk their lives. It feels… exciting. Like I’m actually moving forward.”

She smiled softly.

“That’s a good sign. Many freeze during their first real fight. If you were able to enjoy it, that means you have the right mindset.”

“Maybe,” I said.

“But I still feel weak compared to everyone else.”

“That’s normal. You just started.”

She stepped a little closer. The distance between us felt smaller now. The field around us was almost empty.

“If you keep training, you’ll get stronger,”

“And you won’t always feel like you’re behind.”

Her voice was gentle.

I nodded slowly.

“Yeah. I want to get stronger. Not just for AP or missions. I don’t want to be the one holding everyone back.”

She looked at me for a moment, then gave a small nod.

“That’s a good reason to grow.”

For a while, we just stood there, side by side, watching the last students leave the field. The sky was turning darker, and the first stars were starting to appear.

It felt peaceful.

I suddenly realized how close we were standing. My heart started beating a little faster. I didn’t know what to say next.

“So… uh…” I looked toward the dorm buildings. “I should probably head back.”

Elaira nodded.

“Yes. It’s getting late.”

I turned to leave, then stopped.

“Senior… thanks. For listening.”

She gave a small, warm smile.

“Anytime.”

I felt my face heat up a little.

“Good night.”

I walked away from the training field, trying to act normal. But my chest still felt strangely light.