Dropping by Luel's to prepare for the request, I expected to find her passed out on her seat again, however she's not behind the counter.
"Ehh, it's not closed, right?"
I look to Rosebelle leans up against the counter before propping herself up with her arms and spies down under the other side of the counter.
"Hmm, not here... Oh," hopping off the counter, she walks towards the opening arch on the side as chatter soon sparked.
"Ah, Rose... I was wondering when you'd show up."
Luel soon appears followed by Rosebelle as a sweet aroma wafts the room which overpowers the usual scent of the Apothecary.
"Morning, Akira. I assume it was a success? Though I didn't expect it'd take a day to fulfill."
Sitting against her chair, she sips out of her mug while closing her eyes for a brief moment.
"Well, we did run into a problem, a big one."
"Hmm, so long as it's been resolved."
I hand her the sack of herbs as she leans in to inspect it before leaning back on her chair with a satisfied grin. There would have been more, however, I doubt the basket's still left intact after the mess Myria Forest became.
"A sustainable amount that'd suffice for a few days Adventuring, depending on the danger."
"Ehh, what do you mean?"
"I didn't need these in the first place, I get a steady supply by weeks end. Not to mention I can harvest the ones out back when they're due."
"T-That does make sense... but," I look to Rosebelle to see if she realised it, but she merely adverts her gaze like she knew the entire time, "Thanks, I guess. And before I forget..."
I pay off the debt I owe her as she counts them by the dozen.
"It seems you've earned quite a bit in your last travel, it's been a pleasure, Akira. Is there anything else you need?"
As much as herbs are the necessity for potion creation, it's useless if I don't have an actual recipe for them. Asides from the one she gave me already, it isn't one that'd restore ones vitals. I'm sure she notices this as well as she almost snickers when I ask her.
"First off, a little lesson. You don't need a recipe to create potent potions, they become more like a guide once you're experienced. Experimenting with many plants and herbs can lead to vast amount of potions with varying effects."
"I see... That does make sense, though I'm not sure where to start."
Measuring and mixing liquids was basically my profession, but it's not like I created anything original.
"Why not ask Rose? She may even share a recipe or two if you ask nicely."
"Oh, well I don't mind sharing a recipe or two, but... are you sure, Luel?"
"I don't see why not, after all," finishing off her aromatic beverage, she places it against the counter before resting her chin against her arched arms, "I'm sure you don't have the required amount to purchase even a universal red recipe, let alone one of my originals."
Reminding me of my predicament, I may not be as poor as I was; but I'm sure what I'm carrying on me is but change to her.
I shuffle over to Rosebelle as I nudge her arm with my elbow before leaning in to whisper.
"H-How much does a recipe cost, Rose..?"
"About 10 lumins for the standard red, her originals can go up in the hundreds."
She whispers in kind as I almost pass out.
"Then... thanks in advance..."
...
"You know, it's starting to feel like I owe you a lot, Rosebelle..."
On the road towards the orchard, we walk. We could've rode in a carriage, but Rosebelle said it's a good idea to use your legs.
"No no, you don't owe me anything."
Though she denies it, I'm sure she realises just how much she has done for me. I never asked why she wants to tag along with a newbie.
"Okay, are you ready to get going?"
"Get going? What do you mean?"
We're already walking at a steady pace.
"You gotta get your heart pumping, your blood pumping and your legs moving if you want to raise your agility."
...But, we don't even bleed, and do we even have blood in our body?
"You have to take advantage of the system. With the way it works, you can gain a tremendous amount of stats before your next level up if you train hard. After all, you don't gain status just by leveling, they're gained from what you've been doing in between."
"Like training? Then how should I go about it?"
Explaining all the different ways to raise our parameters, there appears to be a soft cap to how much you can raise with each level.
The moment the orchard came into view, I drop to my knees and hand gasping for air. Luel's potion may be a work of wonder, but it's nothing compared to Rosebelle's stamina. If she didn't pace herself, she would've disappeared beyond the hills.
"Hehehe."
Giggling on her own, she looks at me with extreme satisfaction. She's like a kid who challenged someone to a race and won.
"I'm... spent... I can't go on."
I lay my back against the ground and rest my arm above my brow. I don't think I've ran a great distance since my training at the academy. Running till your legs fall off; all sorts of rigorous training, it makes you want to skip a meal.
"Well you did well to keep up! Your AGI will surely rise a few numbers after that."
Perhaps if I looked after myself better after my days there, I wouldn't have such low numbers.
"Rosey..?"
An woman's voice calls out as I sit up.
"Hello, Aunt Mally.~ Thank you for the jerky the other day."
Rosebelle answers her as they exchange greetings and smiles. I could only watch talk in a familiar way, much like she does with Luel and the others.
"Oh it's nothing. What are you doing out here? Surely you're not here just to see me, are you?"
"Hehe, it could have been. But I'm actually here because of the request you placed in. Akira here, is a newly established Candidate."
She points to me as I take that as my queue to stand, despite my wobbly knees. She seems to have picked that up as she laughs just a slight.
"It's been five years since his defeat, it must've been confusing to be summoned without an actual purpose like the rest."
"I-It was... And if it wasn't for Rosebelle, I wouldn't have survived my first minute..."
"Haha, I'm sure she has been a big help to you. Well then, if you're here for the request then follow me."
...
Following her pass a large, iron gate, we enter the orchard as she further clarifies the goals of the request.
"The moment the repellent wore off, a bunch of arachnid kind have moved in and made its nest further in. I sure hope you've brought some anti-venom like I advised."
Rosebelle did create a plentiful amount back at the Apothecary.
"Arachnids, hmm..."
"Do you do well with them, Akira? There are many Candidate's who refuse hunting them, which occasionally allows the arachnid kind to quickly infest areas."
"Well, it's not about whether or not I'm good with them..." taking a good look up into the sky, I'm unable to see any outlines of a barrier, "There's no barrier here?"
"Oh there is. But only large enough to cover my home. 'Sides from that, I rely on potent repellents to keep the pests away."
"Hmm... they're that rare, huh?"
Raising both her arms, she shrugs and sighs.
"Both rare and expensive. Which is why I also rely on you Candidates to fend them off."
She turns around to us and places her hand upon her hips, before pointing back over her shoulder.
"This is about as far I'll go. They're just a bit further in. I assume the shack and all the produce inside's infested. They're most likely concentrated there, but they have branched out to some of the surrounding trees also."
"Mm, you can leave it all up to us.~"
Hearing her declaration further reassures me as I take a deep breath in preparation. Practicing the basics with Master may have helped, but the one I want to really teach me the ins and out is nonetheless...
"It reassures me to have you here, Rosey.~ I'll be baking a pie in advance for when you two return."
"Ahh, Aunt Mally's pie... I'll be looking forward to it!"
If she wasn't showing conviction before, she sure is now as she pushes me forward.
"Now let's get going, Akira. Apple pie awaits us for when we return, and we mustn't let it wait!"
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