In Search of Change

As we walked past the forest, a shadow of doubt was still looming over my face. Even though I was carrying the skulls of perished villagers, I did not feel anything about it, only regret and resentment seethed within me. I was loathing a lot about my ability to take down the darewolf, however, now as I remembered my trembling hands back in the cave, I was not sure if I could take on even a normal wolf. I remained weak, which could have ended with my death somewhere in the forest if it was not for Nila who saved me.

Maybe I treated her too harshly? Was I in the wrong, assuming that the whole world is under my thumb? I certainly was not like that back in my home world, always scared and cautious, so what has changed after I came here? I was not sure, I doubt any living being had an answer prepared for me. In the end, this is all my doing, as well as my own mistakes. I always told myself that I would be more careful next time, yet I kept finding myself at the mercy of others. Something had to be changed within my mindset, I had to adapt, but I was not aware of what should have been changed.

I peeked at Nila who was strolling behind me, she had a note at hand and was writing something down, barely looking where she went. Her staff was not with her yet again, it seemed like she was capable of summoning it at whim.

I sighed lowly and murmured, "Your magic is really cool."

To my surprise, she raised her eyes and answered, "I am perfectly aware of that, do you have an interest in studying it?"

"Studying? I doubt I am able to use magic." I shook my head and turned away to face the road. I was not from this world, a foreign element, thus I did not think that I would be blessed with an ability like that.

"It is quite the opposite, you will be able to learn magic just fine."

I raised my brow and asked, "What makes you think so?"

"Your soul is in motion, which means that besides learning ways of human magic, you are able to use natural magic as well under mage's guidance."

Well, that was the revelation! Not only did soul exist in this world, but there were different types of magic as well. I could not help, but to be eager to learn more about it.

After a few seconds of doubts and contemplation, I proceed with my questions, "What do you mean by my soul is in motion? And what is the difference between human and natural magics?"

"Those are some basic questions, have you not been studying?"

"I am illiterate."

"That figures." Nila sighed, then closed her notebook and smiled, "Basically whether your soul is in motion or stagnant decides whether you can use natural magic or not. Among humans, a motionless soul is the norm, however, there are oddballs like you as well."

"Is your soul in motion as well?" I hummed, to which Nila replied, "This is the case for all elves. As for the difference between human and natural magic… it is a rather difficult topic to explain, are you sure you do not know anything about it?"

I nodded in approval, my expression more serious than ever before. Nila sighed yet again, but instead of giving an explanation she said, "Then how about we will talk about it during our ride to Wiskoschia? We have already reached the village after all."

She was correct, as the trees became more scarce, we exited the woods and found ourselves in the meadow with the village on the horizon. Despite my interest in the topic, I agreed to postpone it for the time being. I could finally relieve my timid act from the pressure of asking questions. Our stroll continued in silence, whilst I was looking straight, Nila observed the space around us full of flowers and grasses.

As we stepped into the village, we were first met by happy gazes of children, who immediately became more cautious as we came closer. I realised that the skulls of villagers eaten by the monster were still resting in my embrace. I squinted at the skulls and raised my head to face forward without looking anyone in the eyes. I would rather be questioned about this luggage than yap excuses along the way.

For the time being, Nila overtook the lead, and we came in the direction of the church. The sun was shining brightly at the zenith, thus, only the priest was present at the church. As we came in silence, Olek also did not say a word. He only glared at the skulls in my hand and waved his hand to follow him with a dropping smile. We reached his room, which was not too spacious, but contained a big table at the centre.

"So you were able to find them, after all." he said wearily, to which Nila replied, "That's right, would you be able to identify them?"

"Yeah, I would need to ask their relatives to give items like clothes, and I will be able to assess which skull belongs to whom. I think we will hold funerals tomorrow, will you be able to attend?"

Nila nodded, then they both turned to me. I was quite taken aback that I had a say in it. I did not know them, but felt bad that they had to go through death by the petals of this monster. The least I could do is to visit their funeral, huh. I gave my permission with a slight nod, to which the priest smiled and patted both Nila's and mine shoulders.

"I am very thankful to you two, now that the road is clear from dangers, Zanuff will be able to get to Wiskoschia as soon as possible. He will leave tomorrow, as I understand you will be going with him?"

"That's right, the funeral would also be our final farewell." said Nila, her face lowered a little in thought, however, I did not notice a glimmer of sadness. The priest, on the other hand, patted her shoulder again in reassurance and murmured, "I will be praying for your journey to be safe."

For the rest of the day, I was helping Zanuff loading cargo on his wagon. The villagers managed to harvest quite a handful throughout today and yesterday, yet it was not nearly as much as was left in the field. As Derek explained, who also helped out at the end of the day, they only exchanged a fraction of their harvest for goods in Wiskoschia or another town, the rest of the harvest would fit their plates throughout all winter. This only meant that it was currently early autumn, not a good time to head South, but it could not be helped.

While we were working in Zanuff's stable, Nila was nowhere to be seen. She did not exaggerate her wish to put me in charge of things here, merely to teach me a lesson. I was quite offended by her deed, but could not find a fraction of time to think about it. We were busy and after being done, I was too exhausted to hate her either.

Upon parting my ways with Zanuff and Derek, I strolled through the dusk, not to our hut, but to the church instead. Congregation was long over and only the priest must have been there. As I reached the front door of the church, I waited for a little while. Crickets fully embraced the late hour and began singing their serenades, thus, I did not hear anything inside. After a while, I finally knocked on the door and waited for a little while. As I was ready to run from this place, the door suddenly opened and out came the priest with his eyelids half closed.

"Ah, Blake, I believe? What brought you here to this hour?"

I hesitated for a moment, but then said while looking to the side, "I would like to talk to you about something."

The priest nodded with a smile and pulled the door open, revealing the insides of the church, "Come in, then, I will answer any of your questions to the best of my ability."