“That’s what I told the other guards, uh, Officer Mason, sir. I was attacked by those thugs and didn’t see who saved me. I was unconscious.” He pointed to his head, now wrapped in bandages. “I thought I was a goner! Glad whoever it was saved me.”

“Even though the burst caused you to faint? You’re just one of the handful of cases about people collapsing from mana overexposure. It’s important we find the person responsible so it doesn’t happen again. We don’t want any coma cases.”

“Hard to tell which caused the fainting, given I took a blow to the head. Either way, it got you guys to come help me and nab those thugs.”

Officer Mason squinted, the pen pausing above the paper. “Why would those men attack you? You piss them off?

“Beats me. I didn’t do anything to them. Wait, you got them in custody, right? What’s their story?”

“Hm,” Officer Mason let out a suspicious hum, his gaze never leaving Kasla. “I’m not at liberty to discuss an open investigation, but we’ll be interrogating them soon enough. Since the medics cleared you I wanted your statement first given you clearly were a victim and sorely outmatched.”

Kasla had no idea that while the medics tended to him while unconscious, the guards had seized the would-be kidnappers. Careless mutterings of “murdering the brat”, merchandise and their leader being pissed painted a fairly clear picture for the investigator though details were still muddy.

“Only cuz they got the drop on me! Hitting a guy over the head from behind isn’t exactly fair!” he insisted, pouting slightly at the memory. “Cowards.”

Officer Mason cleared his throat, leaning forward with a severe expression, his tone matter of fact. “I have eye witnesses saying that a young boy around ten years old or so was seen with you. Why were you with that child and where is he now?”

“Rabbit?” Kasla titled his head and scratched it lightly, wincing from the touch as he tried to think quickly. I dragged the kid all over the city. We were seen by how many people so it’s no secret… I’ve really gotta watch what I say… but I don’t want him to get in trouble.

“Rabbit?” Officer Mason repeated, an eyebrow arching upwards.

“Oh… well, that’s what I called him. He looked like a little rabbit with his white hair and red eyes.” Kasla let out a nervous laugh, shrugging. “Dunno his real name, stranger danger and all that. You know?”

“Uh-huh…” Officer Mason didn't break eye contact as he wrote down Kasla’s statement, as if daring him to lie.

“Um, I found him when I was looking for the Adventurers' Guild. I just got in today.” Kasla sat up straight, feeling like he was back home, about to have a stern lecture. Focus, Kasla, don’t make it worse. Just tell the truth, but omit for kid’s sake. “I stumbled upon him and he said he was lost and looking for his dad. I couldn’t just leave the kid be so I took it upon myself to help him. It took a bit, but eventually we found his dad.”

“Were they there when the thugs attacked you?” Officer Mason pressed.

“Oh… No, they were long gone,” Kasla lied, hoping the thugs would shut up about the boy, especially if they were trying to get their hands on him.

“Uh-huh…” said Mason as he wrote, his mouth pressed into a firm line. “Why is it you didn’t alert the guards about the lost child? It is our duty to assist all within our city’s walls.”

“Well… it didn’t seem like a big deal to bother you guys, since you’re busy with bigger things and all that. If we couldn’t find his dad on our own we would have gone to you.” Kasla gave his best sincere smile while the investigator silently wrote. “So, am I off the hook? Or am I in big trouble or something…?”

“Only if you’ve lied then you will be.” 

Kasla felt sweat start to break out under Officer Mason’s gaze and was grateful for his long sleeves and rather warm attire to excuse any perspiration. 

Officer Mason gave him a long look, eyes searching before he finally let out a sigh, his expression falling. “You can go, Mr. Kamao. It’s not like you can provide anything more useful to this investigation.”

“What?”

“Nothing, go and collect your belongings outside. If I catch you doing anything shady I’ll throw you in jail.”

“Will do, officer.” Kasla stood up and gave a quick salute, heading towards the door at a careful pace so as not to appear suspicious.

“We will contact you if we need you. Be sure to stay in touch.” 

Kasla nodded and shut the door, feeling Officer Mason’s eyes burrowing into his back. He started to let out a relieved sigh, but caught sight of some nearby guards. He straightened and headed for the front to pick up his confiscated belongings.

Ah, that was intense! I never imagined my first day in the city would land me in the guard station! That officer is another kind of scary. He shuddered as he thought of the critical gaze, the probing purple eyes that seemed to pierce him.

“Think Mason’s got a lead?”

“Tray? Man’s a beaten secondhand dog barking up the wrong tree.”

Kasla overheard two guards talking in hushed voices and tried not to glance in their direction, crossing his arms as he suppressed a shiver. It’s like walking into the dragon’s lair. You don’t know who’s on your side or not. He hurried and picked up his leather pouch from the front, reclaiming his money before he headed out the door.   

As soon as he stepped out Kasla took a deep breath, taking in the fresh air of the deepening night sky, feeling freedom at last. Between all the excitement and recovering from his injuries it seemed at least two hours had passed since the incident. The air had thankfully grown to a comfortable temperature in that time. “I wonder how Rabbit is doing… Hm, I hope he’s well.”

Kasla headed away from the station. He managed a few feet before stopping in thought, rubbing his chin. “Who was that man who took him? They seemed to know each other since he was not struggling. His dad perhaps? I couldn’t see his face clearly…” He tried to remember the incident, only recalling a hood and part of the man’s words.

His mind skipped over the puzzle of the mystery man and instead fixated on the fight. On the display of magic that had dazzled Kasla despite his injured state. 

“It’s so cool they can do magic without incantations! Maybe I could ask the Guild if someone teaches that. Ah! It would be epic!” He grinned widely, eyes brightening to near sparkles. “I’d better get over there right away!”

⁜

“WHAT? They’re closed?! I thought they never close!” Kasla stared in disbelief at the shut doors and the sign hanging on it. Despite the fancy writing on the sign expressing apologies about the closure, Kasla felt once more roadblocked for the time being. 

He glanced around in confusion, checking other businesses. Despite not being even eight lampposts had been lit and people were still buying goods and chatting, enjoying an evening stroll. No one seemed alarmed by the Guild’s present state and Kasla took it as a sign it was no use pressing about it.

“Man…” Kasla scratched his head, managing to get around his bandages with a slight wince. “I guess I could register tomorrow… Right. There’s always tomorrow! I guess right now I’d best get some rest and shuteye. Get an early start tomorrow. Plus my head still hurts from that blow...”  

“I see that you survived.” 

“Who said that?” Kasla jumped, jerking his hand away from his injury. He spun around to face the source of the voice. His eyes widened, seeing Rabbit who looked like he had been crying while next to him was the tall, lean man from before. The man lacked a hood, which actually was his scarf, allowing Kasla to get a good look and he couldn’t help but stare.

The long haired, pale man looked menacing, particularly annoyed as he frowned, furthering his scary impression. “I wanted to thank you for saving my son earlier. He was worried about you and wanted to check if you were alright. He told me that you would be here.”

Kasla gawked, watching the man’s mouth. His teeth were pointed like a shark’s, adding to his unfriendly appearance as he looked more inconvenienced than grateful. Rabbit’s drawing into Kasla’s head and he blurted, “You do look like a grumpy piranha.”

“Excuse me?” Rabbit’s father’s frown deepened and an eye twitched. Kasla was unsure if it was due to his apparently exhausted state, evident by the dark circles, or if he had accidentally hit a nerve, if not both. 

“Whoops!” Kasla slapped a hand over his mouth, mortified. He quickly realized twice in the same day he had earned the scrutiny of two purple eyed men—a record he was hoping not to break any time soon.

Rabbit’s father let out an annoyed sigh. He looked at his son with a slightly less annoyed expression, still tired. “See, he’s safe. You don’t have to worry about him. Adventurers like him are tough.” He gently placed a hand against the boy’s back, giving him a tiny nudge. “Do you want to say anything to him before we go?”

Rabbit nodded and approached Kasla, gripping his chalkboard that was slightly different than before, evidently replacing the one he had dropped. His lowered gaze tentatively met Kasla’s as he held up his board, his expression worried and guilt ridden. “Thank you for everything today and I’m sorry that you got hurt.”  

“Oh geez, it’s no problem! I’m happy to help! Big brother Kasla will always be there to protect! Besides, it looks worse than it is. I’ve got a rock hard head.” Kasla smiled and tapped his head for emphasis. Rabbit brightened with relief, giving a big smile that showed off his slightly elongated cuspids. 

Huh, like father like son.

“Good luck, big brother! I hope you’ll be the best Adventurer out there!”

“Thanks, Rabbit.” Kasla smiled softly at the words, relieved the boy was reunited with his father and out of the thugs’ reach. “Glad you found your dad.” 

“Please call me Chrono. I’m not a rabbit.” The boy underlined once more to emphasize his displeasure about the nickname.

“What’s this?” asked Kasla with a look of surprise, giving the boy a mischievous look. “Aha, does this mean we’re not strangers anymore?”

Chrono nodded, turning red, embarrassed by their earlier encounter. He shrunk into his cloak to hide. Kasla couldn't help but smile wider at the development. “Does this mean that we’re friend’s now? That’s good to know.” The sound of a throat clearing drew the duo’s attention to Chrono’s father.

“Chrono, I think it’s time for us to leave. We have to get back to the inn. Miss Ara will be really upset if we check-in late.” He tenderly patted Chrono’s head. “You have to say goodbye to Mr. Kasla.”

Chrono nodded and wrote his farewells hurriedly. “Goodbye, big brother Kasla. I hope to see you again.”

“As for you.” Kasla stiffed as Chrono’s father pinned him with a glare, suspicion radiating off of him. “It’s getting late as well. The Guild is closed because of an emergency meeting. They won’t be open till morning.” Kasla nodded wordlessly, frozen.

“My son told me you are new to this town,” the man continued, his gaze unrelenting. “It would be wise for you to find an inn as soon as possible. Room vacancy runs out fast in this city so better get going.”

“Yeah, sure… Thank you for the head’s up.” Kasla felt uncomfortable and confused. The man seemed genuine with his warning, but the gaze like a watchful, judging cat was unnerving. What’s up with those sus eyes, man?

“Well then, goodbye, Mr. Kasla. We’ll take our leave.” 

Kasla looked on as the father and son retreated. Chrono’s father took hold of his son’s hand, Chrono grasping it firmly before the two melted into the crowd. He watched them disappear with a feeling of accomplishment knowing Chrono was safe. Though it had not been ideal nor gone the smoothest, his first real adventure was a success. Maybe it was not a formal Guild commission, but it was a mission accomplished.

I even got to witness something amazing with that magical power— 

Kasla’s eyes widened with realization. “OH! WAIT!” He raised his hand futilely, the pair long gone. He grasped his head as a frustrated sound escaped him, mentally smacking himself. “I missed my chance to ask them!”

⁜

Kasla shuffled into his small room, fatigue setting in. He placed his hat on the bedside table, his hair sticking up in two points underneath. After tugging off his gloves he plopped himself onto the bed carefully, minding his head. 

Two small lanterns illuminated the room thanks to their mana gem sources, casting a cozy glow on the cramped but clean quarters. Outside the window was the full moon, its pale light casting itself over the bed.

“Man, I’m beat. Finally, I’m lucky to even get a spare room. I was ready to take a closet or shed to avoid the streets. That piranha guy was right.” As he lay down, not minding some lumps in the mattress, staring up at the ceiling, he thought of Chrono’s father. “What’s his deal? If looks could kill I’d been dead twice over. I’m not a bad guy, sheesh.”

He let out a sigh to dispel his confusion and frustration, crossing his arms. “At least… I managed to get Chrono back to his dad. That’s what matters. I can’t believe how accurate his drawing was… Kid actually has talent.”

There was a knock on the door. “Your hot water is here, sir,” the innkeeper’s helper called from the hall.

“Ah, thank you! Please leave it outside. I’ll get it myself.” He proceeded to fetch the water, using the bucket and towel to rinse off. Once done he lay back on the bed, letting out a sigh. “What a day… I wonder what tomorrow has in store.” 

As he pondered on his back his eyelids grew heavy. Soon he was fast asleep with a smile as he let out a snore, blissfully dreaming of the adventures awaiting him.