Refuge Part 1

Roy slapped Desmond's back while still laugh at what Desmond told him "I'm sorry for prying I'm just a bit jealous is all, not everyone has that much spare cash lying around especially me".

Desmond gave Roy a look of understanding even though he was faking it "I saved up for a long time so I could read the book stored here there's no reason to be jealous I'm just one man with an obsession.

One lie after another escaped Desmond's mouth as he assured Roy he was no one special.

"I understand you're not the only magic obsessed maniac wanting to become an official magi despite what everyone tells you. Once you reach rank 1 your life is no longer the same opportunities open up everywhere. Letting even someone forced to live in the underground live a life of luxury. Either way, I should head back to district C before those refugees arrive and cause a lot of traffic".

Roy went towards a corner where his stuff was and started packing up his stuff Desmond followed a bit interested in what he said.

"What do you mean by refugees were coming here" Desmond while cracking his back because Roy slammed him to the floor.

Roy didn't face Desmond he was focused on packing up to go to work "what you forgot the date already? The refugees from the Loran Isles are scheduled to show up today".

Desmond vaguely remembers the geography of the world he had spent significantly less time studying that then he did magic. "So why are there refugees coming here?".

Roy was shocked that Desmond didn't know what was going on with the refugees "Desmond you do know about what happened to the Loran Isles right?".

Desmond shook his head completely oblivious to what Roy was talking about. While Roy was stupified someone didn't know about what happened a few months ago.

"How could you not know half the Loran Isles sunk into the blood sea it was such big news a few months ago don't you read The Astral Messenger. Millions of people died, it is only just recently the Magi Empire approved the transfer of refugees to different locations.

Delmar City is one of them they will most likely all be thrown in the underground. So food, clothes, homes, and even jobs are going to be harder to get. It's going to be worse for people who live underground and in district D or inside the walls because that's where the city shoves all their problems".

Desmond understood the problem it wasn't something that could easily be solved with magic only a pen and some negotiation. He never focused on anything apart from magic for months partly because he feared the day the Mirror Man would return.

So, he focused on developing his own strength to protect himself but it was a slow process. It has almost been a year since Desmond reached beginner apprentice rank and was almost finished carving the last runes in his core to rank up to intermediate. To many Desmond's speed would be the equivalent to flying, but for him, it wasn't enough death could come for him at any moment.

He wanted to see more and do more, while Desmond was in thought his ears picked up on someone being thrown onto the floor. Looking over to the other ring Desmond saw lance lying face down on the floor while John stood over him smiling just as he always does.

Their battle may have taken longer, but it was fairly one-sided. Lance is proficient in wind magic since that was what he was is most talented in. This allowed him to increase his speed a bit making him able to react quickly as he releases a flurry of attacks. All of that should have allowed for the battle to be in his favor, but John was better.

His attacks were savage and precise, John doesn't like to use his hands to fight for some reason. He prefers to use his legs to fight which seems limiting yet because John had a flexible body he is able to make it work.

The fight was only long because of lance's wind magic increasing his speed and throwing John's kicks off. Getting kicked by John is like being hit with a sledgehammer lance could only bear the pain for so long before he finally gave in to the pain.

As chipper and bright as always John consoled Lance "Come one get on up there is no point in staying down its not like you dropped a magic crystal on the floor so what do you expect to find".

Lance sucked in a mouth full of cold air as he held his arms in pain "I'm not down here because I wanna be I feel like my arms are gonna break. What are your bones made of its like your hitting me with a metal pole?

John scratched the back of his head smiling wide as he apologized to Lance for hurting him too much. Glancing over to the wall towards his right John saw Roy and Desmond packing up to leave getting ready to leave.

"You guys leaving already", said John as he walked towards John and Desmond with lance following behind as he rubbed his arms.

Roy replies "Ya its almost time for my shift at The Leaping Lizard I'm one of the chefs there" as he tosses his bag on his back and carries it with one hand.

Lance's thoughts were overrun with food as he was reminded Roy was a chef making him forget about the pain in his arms "you say you a chef but you never make anything for us or bring anything from your work, how cruel can you get?".

"I'm sorry it's not really my fault though I'm working all the time so I'm too tired to do anything on my break or days off. Plus it's not like I own the place I'm not even allowed to bring home the leftovers people don't eat".

Desmond thought about the food that could possibly be served at restaurants and was saddened by all the possible kinds of food he never got to try. He had been living off of the street food near his house which wasn't that bad after you ignore the part where you're basically just served a fried rat on a stick.

It took a bit of bravery on Desmond part, but he got through it and was quite surprised by how juicy it was. Going to a different world and not trying every aspect of it is an unforgivable sin. Regardless if you're being hunted down by a Mirror Man or not.

"Roy you know he does have a point so how about this" Desmond took out one magic crystal and handed it to Roy.

"Why don't you by the best food your restaurant serves and bring it here so we can all judge your cooking skills for ourselves". Desmond showed Roy his gums as he gave him the crystal.

"This is too much I don't work at a fancy restaurant like in district B or A this amount can buy everything on the menu ten times over".

Roy wanted to refuse but Desmond insisted "its only one magic crystal if it's too much then buy whatever that can get you and surprise me with a bunch of tasty food. I expect a chef to have good judgment so don't disappoint me". Desmond drooled a bit as he awaited the day of his feast.