Enlightenment

Ivy looked skeptically at Grop.

"Annnd what do you want me to do about it?" She stated, confused. Grop only looked at her seriously before grabbing a nearby book.

"A newbie! He needs to learn how to control his magic!" Grop looked at Ivy expectantly. "Even wee lil' babies release some magic through emotion sometimes. But that boy! It's as if he never let out any since birth! His core will lose magi-"

Grop suddenly stopped when he glanced at Ivy's face. Ivy was frowning, tears threatening to pour. He looked solemnly at her. "Look, dear Ivy. I did not mean to go there."

Ivy raised her hand towards Grop, while wiping her eyes with the other. "I-its fine. I understand. I know I wasn't... lucky. Yet, I-I know what it feels like to have nothing."

"Lass, you know that's not what 'ah meant. Ya' have me... the Inn... meeting new people."

"I-I... I guess I do have something." Ivy smiled, her eyes drying up. "I'll take you up on teaching that guy some magic, even if I don't have any."

The feline smiled, his bushy stache tilting upwards. "Now this book, Magic and Meaning, has everything to know. 'Ah figured ya' can give this to him." He said, holding the book out to Ivy.

-----

Outside, Ark waiting beyond the counter. Everything now made sense with the quest orders, how everything required an affinity. But he still could not grasp how his friend, a girl he had know all his life would arrive at this world much earlier. He then pondered about where they were - a dark and eerie room. He then remembered the others. Greg. Cass. Jessie. Where exactly are they are now? And what if they are brought to this unknown world in different timelines. What if he was the last on to be transported and his friends are long gone, disappearing into legends? At least, he know where Avery is. Regarding the others, he does not know.

As Ark pondered, deep in thought, Ivy had arrived with a book. She waved in front of Ark.

"I'm sorry for making you wait. I just need to put a bit of information about you and you'll be on your way." Ivy said, pulling up the old book once more.

Ark, who was deep in thought, was broken out of his trance. "On my way? I don't even know where to go."

Ivy glanced at him. "It's fine, Grop suggested going to the capital to get your magic checked." This made Ark very confused.

"But I thought he checked mine already. I have both earth and air affinities." Ark explained. Ivy smirked and rolled her eyes.

"Correction, earth and water affinities." Ivy smugly told him. "But Grop also said that something was going on with your magic so you have to go to the capital to do so."

"Capital?" Ark asked, perplexed.

"You know? Big city, really talented people with magic, the mage capital of this kingdom?" Ivy explained, waving her arms to gesture the importance. Ark scratched his head.

"I guess I do not know anything in this kingdom."

Ivy beamed. She lifted the book that Grop gave her in front of Ark's face. "That is where this book comes in. It teaches a lot of stuff about magic and it also contains some kingdom history. Grop wanted me to give you this." She held the book towards Ark, expecting him to take it. Ark, however, just stood there like a wall.

"Is this... free?"

"Yep! You can also take your kit and start going the capital. All you need to do is follow the town road. It leads to the town outskirts but it's a straight shot to the capital. A one-day trip." Ivy said.

Ark nodded and took everything Ivy told her to take. An adventurer's kit. Well, starter kit. It included a leather backpack, a lantern, a journal, and a leather canteen.

Before, Ark can leave open the door of the Inn, Ivy gave him a bit of advice.

"Remember, read the book!"