POTENTIAL HELP

Ravan and Lailah finally arrived at the Blacksmith Department with Lee barely conscious, leaning heavily on them.

As they reached the infirmary, the healers on standby quickly took charge, whisking Lee away to tend to his injuries.

The early morning sun began to rise, casting a pale light on the bloodied trio.

"Take care of him," Ravan muttered to the healers as they assured him Lee would be fine.

The magic users' hands glowed with healing energy, and Ravan watched as Lee's painful expression gradually eased.

As Ravan and Lailah made their way through the hallways of the Blacksmith Department, whispers and curious glances followed them like shadows.

The early morning light cast a faint glow through the windows, but the two figures drew more attention than the rising sun.

"Hey, isn't that Lailah?" one apprentice whispered to another, both of them pausing in their tasks to stare.

"Why's she covered in blood?"

"And who's that with her? He looks like he's been through hell," another voice added, eyes wide with curiosity.

Lailah held her head high, ignoring the comments, but Ravan could feel the weight of their stares.

'I hate the feeling of someone staring at me.'

His mind was preoccupied with the early events, but the whispers penetrated his thoughts like needles.

"Do you think they were in a fight?" a young woman asked her friend as they passed by.

"She's carrying an axe, for heaven's sake!"

Ravan clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to snap back at them.

Instead, he focused on the path ahead, each step bringing him closer to some semblance of normalcy.

Lailah, her clothes torn and blood-soaked, kept her gaze forward, though the whispers continued.

"Did you see that? She's practically naked!" a voice hissed from behind them.

"Must have been a serious battle," another responded. "Hope she's okay."

They reached the dormitory wing, and as they turned a corner, a few more apprentices paused to gawk.

"Morning, Lailah!" one called out, his eyes widening as he took in her disheveled state.

"Rough morning?"

Lailah managed a tired smile.

"You could say that, James. Just... a little run-in with some goblins."

"Goblins?" James repeated, his eyebrows shooting up. "Here? How?"

"Long story," she replied, not slowing her pace.

Ravan noticed a girl leaning against a wall, chatting with a group.

She pointed at them, whispering something that made her friends gasp and giggle.

"Just ignore them," he muttered to himself, though his fists clenched at his sides.

As they approached Lailah's room, a tall boy with glasses stepped in front of them, concern etched on his face.

"Lailah, are you alright? What happened?"

"Just a fight, Paul," Lailah replied, trying to brush past him.

Paul's eyes flicked to Ravan, suspicion clear. "And who's he? What kind of trouble did you two get into?"

Ravan glared at Paul but said nothing. Lailah sighed, "Paul, it's fine. Really. We just need to clean up and rest. Can we talk later?"

Paul hesitated but eventually nodded, stepping aside.

"Alright, but you better fill me in later."

Finally, they reached Lailah's room. It was small but cozy, with two beds neatly made. A dresser stood against one wall, and a small desk with a few books scattered on top was by the window.

Her roommate, a pink-haired girl with bright pink eyes as well, looked up from her bed, where she was reading.

"Lailah! What happened?" she exclaimed, jumping up. "And who's this?"

'Why is everyone asking who I am?'Ravan thought.

"Ravan," he introduced himself tersely, taking a seat at the chair by the desk.

The window beside him showcased a panoramic view of Amber City, with the large Tower looming in the distance, its silhouette stark against the morning sky.

Lailah waved her roommate off as she grabbed clean clothes and headed for the bathroom.

"I'll explain everything in a minute, Rina. I need to get out of these clothes first."

Rina glanced at Ravan, who had a bit of goblin blood on him but seemed mostly unfazed.

"So, Ravan, what's your deal? You're new here, right?"

Ravan responded with a simple, "Yes."

He wasn't in the mood for conversation, his mind replaying the early morning's events.

As Lailah disappeared into the bathroom, Rina couldn't help but probe further.

"How did you end up covered in goblin blood? Did you go out fighting too?"

Ravan shrugged, "Something like that." He kept his answers short, hoping to deter further questions.

Lailah soon emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp and freshly clothed. She wore a new department coat, which contrasted with her slightly exposed cleavage. Blushing, she quickly adjusted the coat and sat on her bed.

"Alright, Rina. So, we went out early this morning, and we stumbled upon a dungeon break. Goblins everywhere," Lailah began, recounting the battle with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion.

"I had to fight them off. Good thing my father trained me in combat since I was young."

Ravan listened, staring at the bag he had been carrying all along, remembering how close he came to death.

Lailah noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's in the bag, Ravan? You've been carrying it this whole time."

Ravan hesitated for a moment, then placed the bag on the table and opened it.

Inside, round mana cores of various colors glowed softly, casting an ethereal light in the room. Lailah and Rina leaned in, eyes wide with awe.

"Wow," Rina whispered. "Where did you get these?"

Ravan simply shrugged, "A deal I made. It's part of a job."

Lailah glanced at him, understanding the significance. "Looks like you're already deep in it," she said quietly.

Ravan nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the tasks ahead.

'Should I draw them in the situation too?'Ravan thought.

'Now that I think about it, the cores are alot...'

'I would need all the help I can get if I'm going to make every single one of them into daggers,' Diaval mused.

'Then again, that would mean splitting the price later.'

"Hmm..."

"What are you thinking?"Lailah asked Ravan holding a blue core that was practically glowing on her hand.

'I mean there's no harm in splitting the money a bit, atleast compensating them for their help.'

"How do you guys feel about helping in a certain....commission?"