The Road Trip I

When Aster left the training grounds he started to walk towards the Inn.

" I need to check where exactly is Restlesswind. I'm not in a hurry but if it ends up being too far away I might consider taking a ride. It's a village in the inner area of the Continent so some merchants should be going that way. Speaking of merchants."

Before arriving at the Inn Aster had run into the Father and Daughter he had encountered when arriving at Fresh Wood.

The daughter had a big smile on her face when she saw Aster and quickly ran towards him while the Father also had a soft smile in his face while waving at Aster and walking his way.

"Nice seeing you two." Said Aster while patting the girl's head as she hugged his leg.

"Ye, nice seeing you as well." Said the Father while taking a look at Aster.

"You look a bit roughed up there. I think I would be right to assume you are the 'Elementalist' that helped deal with the bandits."

Aster just gave an awkward smile as a response before speaking back.

"Well how have you two been hanging in there?"

"Surprisingly well. My daughter has brightened up considerably especially ever since I told her we won't have to worry about those bandits anymore. I also completely sold out in just a couple of days so at least I won't have to worry about money for a while. I still don't know how to thank you for what you have done."

"Please there is no need..." Aster started to say but stopped himself.

"Well if you really want to thank me. Do you happen to know where Restlesswind is ?"

After hearing so the father places his hand under his chin.

"Why? Do you need a ride? Cause I wouldn't min-"

"No, no, no I just wanted to know if it's to far away and if you knew anything about it." Aster quickly blurred out after noticing the father was just about to volunteer to take him there.

"Well if I were to do the trip it should take about 1 and a half to about 2 weeks. I don't know anything particular about the village expect..."

Then a grin suddenly appeared on the merchant's face.

"It is a village who surprisingly doesn't focus too much on agriculture but rather hunting and foraging... you know now that I think about it I'm probably going to go to it to sell some vegetables and what not. It surreally wouldn't be too hard to do so." He then started to massively exaggerate his voice. "It's such a same I don't I will be able to find a body guard to escort me there in his little village... SUCH A SHAME INDEED."

Clearly picking up what the merchant was saying Aster just smiled softly before he also answered in an equally exaggerated voice.

"Indeed. I also need to find a ride to take me there and would be more than willingly to work as an escort. It's such a shame I don't think I will be able to find anyone who is going to travel there in this village... SUCH A SHAME INDEED."

After that exchange between the two of them the girl who moments ago was hugging Aster just looked at the two of them with a puzzled look and tilting her head asking in the most innocent way possible.

"Why don't we go together then?"

The two of them just looked at each other doing their best to suppress their laughter.

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...

When Aster arrived at the Inn the first thing he did was to wash himself and change his bandages. At this point most of his wounds were closed and just a few deeper ones like the ones on his arm and shoulder still needed to be bandaged, while the others even though they were still healing, looked more like small bruises.

After he changed himself to a more comfortable attire. While he did so his eyes landed on the two blades still wrapped in cloth now sitting on top of his table.

He decided to unwrap them and take a better look at them.

"The commander sure as a keen eye."

The two dagger that just yesterday belonged to the Bandit leader were now resting on Aster's hands.

The two blades were very well-made.

"I'm no blacksmith but these look really sharp and durable. The metal is clearly of fantastic quality. Kind of makes me wonder how did he manage to get his hands on them."

Aster grabbed the two daggers and started to swing away at the air a few times.

They were light and swift and felt quite familiar to Aster on his hands.

"I know I can't really complain at this point but why couldn't the Knight just give me a dagger instead of a sword."

He then started to flow his aura through the blades.

"Well it's obvious an improvement from that lump of metal I was swinging before. I can flow my aura much easier the metal was definitely made to conduct elemental essence. Still, a long way from the Sword however."

He then stored the daggers away while summoning the Sword and flowing essence through it.

"If I had to compare the two... the sword feels like an extension of my arm while the blades feel like a good glove. Nonetheless, at least I have something to use if I can't use the sword... even though I'm going to a swordsmanship academy..."

He then facepalmed himself before doing some more essence training and going to sleep.

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...

After waking up Aster went ahead and checked out of the Inn with all his belongings. The innkeeper who had exited from her room when Aster started to call for her gave him a mixture of odd and angry looks as she massaged her temples. Aster then went to meet up with the Merchant and his daughter.

Or at least that was his plan before he realized that it was still completely dark outside. Because he had been waking up early he had assumed it was a bit before dawn but when he went back inside and asked the Innkeeper what time it was. She just signed while answering 4.a.m.

Considering he was up much earlier than he expected Aster decided to go to the woods and train a bit since he had time to kill.

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...

At the woods Aster's first instinct was to summon the sword and train his flow of aura, but he was quick to dismiss the thought.

"If the last few days taught me anything it was that even though my aura flow is fairly decent, It doesn't matter if I can't hit my opponent or block their attacks."

He then started to think for a while, as he leaned on a tree.

"Actual swordplay will have to wait. So the best I can do for now is increasing my speed and swinging accuracy. So... how do I train those...?"

Aster thought for some time before he had an idea.

Moving towards an older looking tree summoned the Sword and then...

"Tiiiiiiimbeeeeeeeer"

*poof*

'Always wanted to do that.'

He then proceeded to chop the tree into tinier wooden blocks before he took a breather.

"Ok then... here it goes I guess."

He then proceeded to throw one of the wood blocks into the air before slashing at it.

*slash*

*slash*

When the block landed it was sliced into three parts two small and one larger.

"Not great... again."

He then picked up and threw another block of wood upwards before once again covering his sword with elemental essence and slashing.

*slash*

*slash*

*poof*

*poof*

*poof*

"Again"

...

...

...

*poof*

*poof*

*poof*

*poof*

*pant* *pant* *pant*

It had been a couple of hours since Aster started, and he was now almost out of breath, yet he was still stretching his arm towards the wood pile.

"Ho..."

Only when he realized all the wood blocks were gone did he also noticed the sun was now up.

"Kind of lost track of time there."

He then moved his eyes towards the giant pile of wood on the ground.

"I'm sure someone will have a use for them when they find this."

He went to pick up his belongings before going back to the village but when he was reaching towards his backpack he noticed blood staining his bandaged arm.

"I probably overexerted myself... I should probably replace it before going back."

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...

The Merchant and daughter were packing some vegetables and supplies on the wagon when Aster showed up.

"Need some help with that?

The merchant finished placing the crate he was carrying on the wagon before wiping the sweat of his forehead and approaching Aster.

He then raised his hand which Aster shook before answering.

"Well I certainly wouldn't mind some help.

Aster then helped pack the rest of the supplies and merchandise on the wagon along with the Merchant while the girl half helped half played around.

When everything was packed they then attached the horses and started their travel.