16 Meeting my Traveling Party

2 days came and went quickly as I finished the final preparations for my journey. The ring that King Glayder bought for me proved its usefulness here, as even with my outfits, a couple months worth of rations, my sword and my now extensive collection of various tea leaves and brewing kit, as well as a tent and bed roll.

I believe my past life is bleeding through here with my fascination with tea, while truthfully I really only drank sweet tea. I had tried various others such as, green tea, chamomile and a few others. Now I'm trying every tea that the tea shop had, and a little side quest of my own is to find some herbs to maybe make my own tea.

Shaking thoughts of my tea obsession out of my head I notice that I'm catching quite few glances from the other people walking the streets, which is to be expected with my current getup. A few more paces and I see the square that holds the teleport gates to enter and exit the city, and i quickly spot the caravan that I will be defending for the next year.

A fat man sat in a chair that was covered by an umbrella and 2 beautiful women were fanning him while he sipped on a cold drink, which I inferred from the condensation collecting on the outside of the glass. I couldn't blame him, it was hot. Thankfully my outfit was able to combat that so I didn't feel the least bit warm, it was like a constant breeze was running across my body.

As I approached closer I could get a better look at the man. He had a thin and curled mustache and equally thin and curled eyebrows. His cheeks were red and puffy, glistening with sweat. His hair on his head was thinning as well but a tiny hat that resembled a fez sat on his head, no doubt hiding a bald spot. His clothes were only of a slightly worse quality than what I wear when I go out with the Helstea's so it was obvious the man was wealthy if I didn't know that from the huge caravan or the absurd amount of money he's paying to keep himself safe.

He wore a bright green fluffy button up shirt and you could see the buttons were hanging on for dear life. His pants were a dark brown soft leather, with pockets on the sides. He wore a fluffy slipper looking shoe, to cushion his feet from the hard ground and they were a gaudy orange color.

However when he spoke I was quite surprised or rather I would have been had I not researched Williams Zany beforehand. Turns out despite his appearance he's not a slime ball, though I only had 2 days from what i observed he's actually a good person. He donates to a couple other orphanages around Xyrus, the one I attended just happened to be sponsored by the Helstea's or I imagine he would donate there too.

The reason he takes these year long trips every couple years is to find new things to bring back, but to also bring back stories to tell the kids. Now I know what you're thinking and I can't say for 100% that he's not a pedo, but truthfully from what I've been able to observe he's actually a stand up guy with unfortunate genetics.

"Ah! You must be the 'Rez' Sir Kaspian told me about. A pleasure to have an adventurer vetted by Sir Kaspian himself." He said as he stood from chair to greet me. His cheeks jiggled as he nodded his head as if agreeing with himself.

"I am." I plainly responded.

"Oooh! As disturbing as the rumors say, and to the point with your words. I believe we will get along fashionably." As he said that though, he looked at my attire and grimaced slightly, but enough for me to catch.

"But dear Rez your outfit looks dreadfully hot, are you sure you'll be alright during the summer months?" He asks in genuine concern.

"No need to worry Mr. Zany. I'll be fine." He nods his head before waving his hand and taking a seat.

"Please, call me Williams or Will. No need to be so formal since you'll be here the whole year."

"Very well Will. I look forward to our journey. Are the other adventurers here yet?" As I said that his pleasant smile turned to a frown.

"Yes they're here. Brutes the lot of them though. So loud and boisterous, I do hope they aren't the singing type. Oh oh dreadful that would be, certainly not fashionable at all." He said as he gestured for the women to pick up the fanning.

"Oh before you go dear Rez, these are my assistants, Katarina and Alaina. If you ever need me or anything please speak to them if I'm unavailable." Katarina was a brunette with long curling hair that reached her hips and wore a deep blue dress that ended at just past her knees. The dress also had a deep cut at the breasts that revealed her abundant cleavage. Alaina had dark, straight black hair stopping at her shoulders, with a soft yellow color that went nicely with her golden brown eyes. She was of a modest chest size and her dress fit snugly to her body, showing that she might be more than just an assistant as he toned body showed.

"Thank you Will. And thank you for your future help, Katarina and Alaina." I said with a slight bow getting bows in return from the girls before heading off to find the other adventurers.

(AN: don't worry not everyone will be described this in depth. I just felt since we're going to be traveling with them for a year that I should make them easy to visualize. The other adventurers will just get short descriptions.)

I quickly spotted a crowd of people that definitely looked like adventurers based on their attire. 9 other people were gathered beside a cloth covered wagon, so I approached to see who I would be working with. I do recognize one person though and that's the water mage from the exam I saw take place before my duel which confused me. Kaspian said this was for B ranks only, so how was she able to join up?

With a closer look I see she wears black mage robes and has her wooden wand strapped to her forearm, she has dirty blond hair that goes just past the shoulder and wears large frame glasses that cover green eyes. One of the adventurers catches sight of me and speaks while pointing at me

"Seems the last one is finally here." The others all turn to look at me and numerous expressions cross their faces. One man with short black hair and a scar over his right eye approaches me with an outstretched hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Durk. AA rank adventurer and captain of the group for the adventure until I'm traded off in Etistin. We were just about to start introducing ourselves, but we wanted to wait until the final member arrived." He said while pointing a thumb over his shoulder.

"This wagon is for all of our use, we can use it to store our bags so we don't get weighed down as we will have rotations of people walking beside the wagons while others ride." I just nod and join him in the circle of people.

"Alright I'll begin first since I'm the Captain, then we will go by ranks." He pauses and gauges everyone's reaction before continuing.

"My name is Durk Cassel AA rank water augmenter, 20 years as an adventurer and solid yellow core stage. I'm 38 years old and I use the sword and shield, I look forward to adventuring with you all."

Next a bald man with mage robes stepped forth.

"Velk Bellow, A rank wind conjurer. 10 years as an adventurer, solid orange stage core. I'm 30 years old I'll be providing support from the back lines."

Another man stepped forward who had an arrogant smirk on his face.

"I'm Maverick Marceau A rank fire and earth conjurer. 20 years old and 2 years as an adventurer and graduate of Xyrus academy, you don't deserve to know my core stage and don't get in my way if a fight breaks out." He gave off the air of a self righteous noble brat, and when I looked at his core I saw that it was solid orange stage. Which is actually really good for a normal 20 year old, add on the duel elements it's no wonder he's so cocky.

"Rez. A rank fire augmenter. I use the sword, and have no adventuring experience. Core stage is solid yellow, I look forward to learning from the veteran adventurers." I say with small head nod. Though they had all heard the rumors they still looked shocked when I said I was a yellow core. Maverick merely snorted and turned his head away.

"And we'll be glad to teach you." Durk said with a bright smile on his face.

"Patrick B rank earth augmenter. Only 2 years as an adventurer and I use the mace. Core stage is only solid red, but I hope to prove my worth to the party." He seemed the nervous type, but he was tall and wide and had a muscular body. I could tell he would be lethal with that mace.

"Amanda B rank fire conjurer, I specialize in mage archery. I will do my best to go provide support. Solid red stage and only 4 years as an adventurer." She had a fit body and I could see that Maverick thought so too if that disgusting lecherous grin on his face was any indication as his eyes roamed her body. What a pain.

"Damien B rank wind augmenter and I use the sword and shield just like Durk. 10 years as an adventurer and light red stage core." A long brown haired man said with his arms crossed on his chest.

"Corvin B rank fire augmenter, I use the spear. 7 years as an adventurer, light red core stage." A stoic looking red haired man said quickly.

"Waylon B rank water augmenter. 6 years adventuring experience. Dark orange core stage." His blue hair was left flowing down to his middle back and he even had some blue stubble for facial hair with equally blue eyes.

Finally our eyes landed on the last and seemingly youngest of the group the girl who just became an adventurer the same day I did.

"Naomi C rank adventurer with no current experience. I'm a water conjurer and my core is at the light red stage." She was sneaking glances at Durk and Maverick throughout her introduction and I could see the smirk on Maverick face when he caught her looking at him. Ah a love struck girl, and she doesn't even realize what weasel Maverick is. But I ask a different question.

"How are you here if you're a C rank adventurer?" I said with a tilt of my head. She shrunk in on herself slightly before 4 people gathered around her.

"Because she joined our party, we are the 'Dark Knights'. Er well we're still working on the name haha." The one who spoke up was Patrick, and the other 3 that gathered around her was, Amanda, Damien and Waylon. Not a bad party I suppose and now made sense what she was doing here.

"I see, then it is of no concern." I said with a nod and that's when we heard a whistle and Katarina was walking towards us.

"We depart shortly, please prepare." She said with a slight bow making all the males except me and Durk flush a deep red. Whether I flushed underneath the mask, no one would know. The females of the dark knights party elbowed their male counterparts and threw flares their way before looking at the retreating form of Katarina in jealousy.

"You heard her everyone form up. Conjurers on the carriages and to start off it will be me and Rez walking while rest of the augmenters also ride the carriage. We will switch out every couple hours to prevent fatigue, and this will also keep us warmed up and ready to fight. Understood?" Receiving nods from everyone except Maverick he nodded as well before sighing.

"I'll take the lead, Rez you take the rear and just give shout if you see anything." I nod to his words

"Understood." He nods in return and makes his way to the front, and I linger towards the back. Which is where I come across Naomi sitting on the last carriage in the back instead of beside the driver. Taking up my spot she looks at me with face that says she wants to ask something, and she finally worked up the courage to do so.

"How old are you Rez?" She asked shyly almost as if expecting me to snap at her.

"Old enough to be an adventurer." I responded evenly.

"Right… It's just you don't seem like…" she trailed off as she tried to find the right words.

"Like I'm tall enough?" She went deep red as she waved her arms frantically.

"Nonono, that's not what-… hey you're just making fun of me." Once she heard my slight laughter she immediately gained a pouting face as she glared at me.

"I would never, miss Naomi." She grimaced a little at the word 'miss'.

"Please don't call me 'miss' I'm only 20 years old." She said with a slight whine. I just give her a nod and begin walking as the carriages lurch into motion.

"So?" She asks me.

"So what?" I question in turn.

"How old are you?" She seems to be the persistent type. Oh well 2 can play at that game.

"Old enough to be a solid yellow core mage." I say with a cheeky grin hidden behind my mask. She just huffs in exasperation, before relenting.

"Fine, I won't ask how old you are." She gains a slight cunning light in her eyes before asking another question.

"When did you graduate the academy?"

"I did not attend the academy." Her face showed shock.

"But you're a yellow core mage at so young. How could you not have attended the academy?" I merely responded cheekily.

"Who's to say I'm young, I could be older than you after all." She just huffs again and turns around before speaking over her shoulder.

"You'll never get a girlfriend with such a disagreeable attitude." I just chuckle which causes her to look back at me in confusion.

"What's so funny?"

"Well you could say that I'm already courting someone at the moment, and I plan to write to her about this adventure." Shock crossed her face.

"How old is she?" She asks quickly.

"As old as I am." I was quick to respond.

"What's her core stage?" She asked right after.

"She has not formed her mana core." She seems to frown at that. Her face seems to say why would a yellow core adventurer court a non mage.

"You seem confused as to why I would court her?" She merely nods.

"Not every choice needs to be made with power in mind. Sometimes picking the thing or the person that will help you most in other ways is the best choice in the long run." She scrunches her nose before speaking.

"Maybe you're not as young as I thought." She says as I just chuckle, but stopped as we were beginning to pass through the teleporters. I sent a mental message to Tuk right before.

'Make sure to follow from a distance, but feel free to range off on your own if you get hungry.'

'Will do hatchling.'

With that we passed through the gate and my first adventure began.

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Author's Note

Bit of a boring chapter all things considered, but it needed to happen as these people will be here for at least 2 chapters maybe more. Not much to really say but on to the next chapter.

Thanks for reading.

-SocioPhobia