CHAPTER 17 : LIFE IN BEAST GLADES
The same receptionist who had led us to the examination site handed me my bronze adventurer's card at the front desk. From E-class to B-class, the card was a copper color; an A-class adventurer's card was silver, then gold for AA-class and white for S-class.
I waited for my father for what felt like half an hour, after which he finally came out. Although I was quite surprised that my father used to be in the same party as kaspian, I didn't think too much of it. At least I didn't have to fight to get my adventurer's card.
"So what should we do next?" I questioned.
There were several options. We could take on missions that were at, or below, our ranks. These missions included a variety of tasks, from guarding nobles or merchants to acquiring difficult to find reagents, many of which were used to create magical items. We could transport ourselves to the Beast Glades and explore while hunting down mana
beasts. Or-
"Dungeon-exploring," My dad answered, a faint smile forming on his face.
Xyrus had more teleportation gates than any other city-the gates were the only way one could enter Xyrus, it being a floating city and all. My senses were jolted by the sudden change in scenery as we crossed through one of the many gates, stepping from a stone floor onto a worn path; we had been
teleported directly to the Beast Glades. The chirping of birds, occasional cries and roaring of beasts, and the constant burble of flowing water filled the background, creating an enticing symphony of natural sounds. With its beautiful landscape-tall trees and numerous hills covered in various plants and shrubs-it was hard to believe that this area was filled with magical beasts capable of killing even the strongest mage.
However, because of the abundant natural resources here on the outskirts, this area was primarily inhabited by the lower ranking beasts. The deeper an adventurer travelled, the more mysterious and treacherous the landscape became. The lairs of powerful beasts that had, in their solitude, amassed both treasure and power, filled the unexplored regions of the Beast Glades. I breathed in the crisp air as Dad arrived behind me through the teleportation gate.
"There's a place I want to visit first before we go to a dungeon. We have to hurry, though; it gets a little more dangerous at night." my father said suddenly. Willing mana into his body, he bolted off into the distance, his wind attribute mana propelling him even faster. I followed, utilizing gravity magic, using him as a point of attraction.
The journey lasted a few hours. "We'll camp out here for a few days," My father announced as he set down his bag and took out a roll of thick canvas and a small pot.
"This is the place you wanted to visit?" I set down my bag as well and surveyed our surroundings, looking for anything noteworthy. he simply shook his head and began gathering wood for a fire. I went into the forest and brought back some decent-sized branches. Before long, we had a fire crackling and popping in the middle of our camp. Making myself comfortable, I sat silently by him, next to the fire.
After several minutes of silence, my father finally said breaking it, "Son, regarding the talk we had yesterday, I....just wanted to tell you that if a war takes a turn for the worst, You should....stay at home with your mom. While only I participate from our household. You know your Mom has no one else in this world besides us. If the war really is gonna be as big as you say, then there will be a lot of casualties. I'm afraid --
Cutting him off I answered, sighing. "Dad, you already know that I love Mom. And I'll do anything for her. The same is true for you. As for the war, well.....Don't worry about it too much. we will survive it together."
My words earned me a slight chuckle from my dad. He must have misunderstood my words as mere solace, which is far from the truth. Although a lot of work needs to be done for it to work I've already thought of a way that would somewhat guarantee my family's safety during the war.
Lying down, I closed my eyes and waited to drift off. As eventually, I fell asleep.
Dad was up and cooking something over the fire by the time I woke up and crawled out of my sleeping bag. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon as I looked hungrily at the skewered fish being grilled on the fire. "Good morning! You should've woken me up, Dad. There's no need for
you to do all the chores on your own." I spoke, rubbing my eyes.
"Don't worry, from tomorrow, you will be doing all the chores yourself. In doing them today to just show you how it's done." My dad said with a flat tone.
Thought I knew, teaching me these kinds of things was one of the reasons he came with me but my eyes still rolled at his words.
After devouring our breakfast of grilled fish, we put out the fire. I washed in the nearby stream, then put on my clothes and sword.
"So what are we gonna do next?" I asked my father, sitting beside him.
"We will be clearing B-class and A-class dungeons until you get used to fighting mana beasts. We're doing this for a whole month. Then you're all by yourself." Looking at me, my father replied.