13 Preparations
Due to Toni's Magic, Master Will proposed that she should join the Selection day and ally with Ned.
Reluctant, they asked Mama Zoreena to convince Toni.
But they found out that, Mama Zoreena had been eagerly asking Toni to join the Selection.
"With your magic, you'll achieve an unimaginable feat," Master Will expressed his opinion. He added while winking his left eye looking at Ned. "And Ned will be there, I assure you, he will take good care of you."
Since when did Master do this kind of stuff. He muttered. Ned was surprised to see his Master doing odd things lately. "How about, you try. And if you don't feel comfortable you can always back out." Ned added.
"Look, I already told you before. If you want to protect your brother, you need to control your Magic," Lady Zoreena emphasized. "And I'm getting old, I need someone to take over the orphanage, and I don't want someone to look over with the kids when their Magic is going berserk all the time."
"Don't worry my child, I will take good care of your brother," Lady Zoreena comforted Toni's back. She saw that Toni's eyes were going stream again. "Academy will help you control your power."
With a face of worry, Toni clutched the cat between her body's upper front. The cat was overjoyed with the feeling of something crushing his small furry body. Normally, if someone or something was being crushed they would fight back, but this cat was happily accepting his faith.
After all their convincing and some little tears, Toni agreed to join the Selection with Ned.
Overjoyed, Mama gave Toni the old twin dagger she had been keeping for some time. Mama trained Toni to use daggers since she can't control her Magic. Saying that without magic, she must at least, have a way to defend herself.
Ned was surprised to see Toni has been training to use daggers. With her shy trait and counted movements. Ned wondered how will Toni handle the daggers.
After some hugging and tears. The four of them, Ned, Master Will, Toni, and the lucky Cat, went to the market to buy some armors. With enough Pica earned from selling monster parts, common herbs, and low-grade Cores. They earned enough to buy a new set of novice hunting clothes.
On their way to the town, Toni became aware of the fact that the Cat doesn't have a name. Ned was embarrassed by the two of them. To Toni and the Cat. The cat that was able to transform himself into a magnificent tiger doesn't have a name. In the end, Toni named the cat, Coco. Which, of course, the cat didn't disagree at all.
On the market. Ned bought novice hunting clothes. The Butterfly strapped on his left waist locked by a leather belt, and a pouch made of creature skin - that's able to hold five to six monster Core the size of a fist.
Ned thought he should buy a shield, but with their limited Pica, Ned bought an iron pad that's able to cover his left arm. It stretched from his elbow down to his wrist. A good item to defend from small attacks.
Since Toni was using a dagger, Master Will bought her a tight outfit, made of brown leather, sewed together. With this, she was able to move freely without tearing her clothes. Embarrassed by her outfit, Toni insisted to cover her upper body with her old hanging clothes.
For them, they thought Ned was just a young boy undergoing adolescence. But he knew well, that he was older than Toni by many years, and could be older from his Master if he added the fact that he was more then 300 years old. But, thanks to technology, it was able to preserve Ned's youth inside the Pod. But still, Ned can't hide the fact that the only female he interacted with was only Kamma. So in terms of experience with ladies. He was a newbie. From time to time, Ned can't control the needs of his growing body. Especially, that a lady in front of him was wearing tight clothes. Together with the daggers attached at the back of her waist, making an X. Ned could see one single smooth curve coming from Toni. Ned must really master the way of the steel.
After they bought Coco a slice of meat, they then went to the town square.
