Volume 2

Chapter 3: Pathfinder's Manuel

The library looks like it hasn't been touched for decades. There's dust collecting in every possible corner of this room. It gives off a comforting feeling though so it's not all that bad. An old man who looks to be a former soldier is shouting at who knows what. Maybe his age is finally getting to him. I do not want to be noticed by him to be caught in some wackass mess- "YOU, BOY. YOU LOOK LIKE SOMEONE WHO LIKES SHOUTING" His mere words pierce my weak ears. I hate him already. "WHY DON'T I TEACH YOU A THING OR TWO."

"no ablos ingles"

"SAY, HOW ABOUT I SHOW YOU THE WAYS OF SHOUTING? IT'S BEST YOU LEARN IT. UNLESS YOU LIKE TO BE SHOUTED AT"

"how about I shout at YOUUU!"

"…"

"…" Silence fills the room. The silence is as loud as this man. It tells me that I've done something very wrong. "there is no such thing as a bright future for you, small fry. you will soon learn the true horrors of these lands and seas. you don't even look to be as strong as a single mudskipper. perish under my fist as you drown ever so deeper within the waves"

After the brilliant experience with the old man, I find myself a book named "Weapon Manuel: Pathfinders edition" written by…it doesn't have an author? the most "Author-like" man in this book is a guy called "Ragoozer". His name sounds stupid. He keeps appearing in the book which irritates me even further. I hate it. There's another bloke who goes by the name "Arch_mage". He seems like a cool dude, at least cooler than Ragoofy over here.

I take this book to the checkout despite the stupid Ragoozer guy being all over the book. It seems promising. "Weapon Manuel: Pathfinders Edition Chapter 1:Posture.

There are many different weapons in this world. Each weapon has a different stance, whether it be something heavy or something light. No matter which weapon you use, it all comes down to your posture. Bad posture doesn't get you far In this world. Your posture needs to be strong and confident. Weak and scared people tend to have poor posture which leads to the inability to block multiple attacks. The two best way to negate attacks and retain good posture is Dodging and Parrying. Dodging is the action of getting out of the way of the attack to not get hit. Parrying is the action of deflecting the attack away from you which will return the force of that attack on whoever is attacking you which tends to leave your attacker with bad posture.

Before I realise it, night had come upon me. This book is good. It tells me all the things needed to become a great adventurer. Or as this book says. A great "Pathfinder". The food at the Inn is good. Lance Leshi's brother made it. Nobody knows his name. Only ever Lance Leshi's brother. The food is pretty good. The egg omelettes and the mushroom bisque fill me up. I guess Lance Leshi's brother's food stall isn't getting many customers. So that's why he came here. I wonder if they're paying him properly. He looks as bad as I was when I first woke up.

I'll go to sleep and study more tomorrow. I'm going to be stuck here for a while. Maybe I'll try to remember who I was or what I was doing before I came here. No place for a 15 year old. What was a 15 year old doing out in the sea anyway? Whose great idea was it to let them on a boat?

Chapter 4: The Weeping Boy

So it's about a month since I first came here by...floating, I guess. The library really helped with my research, not the loud guy though. There are a lot of mysteries that I didn't even know. The main thing is The Song. I'd always hear stories and folktales about the Song and what it does. Was never really into that kinda stuff. Turns out it existed wayyyyy before The Great Drowning. Everyone was abusing the power of the Song and ended up sinking the entire world. After that, we started to count the years from then. Currently, it's the year 1289. That weapon manual really helped me. Before I couldn't even block an attack, now I can, at the very least, parry which I'm proud of. Which reminds me that i better head to the temple for training.

Mr Instructor's name is Mattheus. He's skilled with the spear, and alright on other weapons in that category like the sword and club. He doesn't like talking, the most he says is "Get ready!" and then shit talks you after the match. And that kid that was crying is always in that corner. Sometimes he isn't there, maybe for his lunch break or something. But almost all the time, he's in his favourite corner. I'll go ask him today, maybe see what's up.

After training, I walk out of the room and up the stairs to see, the kid, crying as always. I wonder how long he's been sitting here. "aye, dude. you good or what?" He sniffs up his tears and looks at me still crying waterfalls. "It's nothing". I can see the obvious lie behind those words. There definitely is something if you've been crying for the past month in the same exact spot. "Listen, man. I'm willing to help if I can"

"Well, you won't be able to."

"What do you mean?"

"You said 'If you can' meaning anything in your power. But one look at you, all hope that I had is long gone"

fuckin prick..he's lucky enough that someone is even talking to him. All the other vigils look like their too busy thinking about how to sharpen their katanas. There's no point wasting my time on this guy if he doesn't want help. As I get up to leave he tugs onto my pants. "I mean..if you want you can help" nice one ya gronk. I don't wanna help you anymore cuz of what you just said to me. "I'll pay you. if that's what you want"

"So what can I help you with?" I ask him. He sniffs up his sorrowful tears once again and lets it all out with a sigh.

"My brother. He's been sent on his first mission as a vigil. He was sent to Erisia about a month ago, and he hasn't given any letters back. I've been worrying non-stop. I would want to go but, I'm too afraid. I know a coward like me shouldn't be asking you for help but, please. Check up on my brother"

"and how much would that be?"

"1500 notes"

And so we struck a deal. That day I began my slow progression to make fat stacks and rescue someone. 1500 notes probably aren't much, but it's the thought that counts. The problems are, however, I don't know where Erisia is, I don't know what dangers are at Erisia, and where in Erisia can I find this man's brother? Before I hop on a ship to sail there, I'm going to need more training. But if I wait too long I may not be able to rescue his brother in time. So the only other option is to sail there now and train at Erisia.