Mistake

The lesson with Thomas proceeded without any problems. As Leo had prior experience with reading, he only had to remember the form and pronunciation of the letters.

Seeing which letters made up the words and practicing with them was not too hard for him.

"Not bad, you get the knack pretty fast." praised Thomas, seeing how Leo wrote some simple word on a wooden board with a charcoal stick.

"It is quite logical, and I only need to remember how they look. The rest comes from alone."

'Thank good the letters have characteristics like my old ones, if this would be like Chinese, Korean or so, I would need far longer.'

Leo finished today by writing a short word on the board: -magic-.

'This will be my next goal after learning to read and write.'

"Good work today Leo. Glad to have you here." said Thomas sentimental.

"When Sam and Bron are away, I feel somewhat lonely here. You make my day less trist.

"Why not visit your flame Diana more often? Keith seemed to like you having around, too."

Leo wanted to push him. He knew Diana and Thomas had a thing for each other, but were to tense to make the first step.

"Not my flame." refuted Thomas, but a light flush on his face gave him away.

"I like them, but somehow feel out of place there. Also she is busy all the day. Managing an Inn is a full-day job."

"Bet if you ask her out, she would leave everything to be with you." He tried to persuade him.

"Like hell she would." Thomas returned.

"I get you two together. You will see.' Leo promised Thomas.

The old bear here was such a bundle of friendliness and courtesy, he deserved to have a woman by his side.

And Diana appeared like a good match for him.

'But Keith and Sam..., could be a problem. Maybe that keeps Thomas from moving forwards.'

"Can I do something else for you today, Thomas?"

He thought for a moment.

"Appreciate it if you could bring some water. I need some for cooking tomorrow and to make a foot bath. Old solution against colds."

Not wasting time, Leo brought him the water, heated it up and filled up a tub, enough for Thomas to enjoy it.

"Then till tomorrow, stay healthy." Leo bad farewell.

Thomas, enjoying his little bath, leaned back in a chair, dozing off a bit. He just winked, saying:

"See you tomorrow."

Leo went back towards the Guild. He walked by the East Gate, looking out upwards the hill.

Shan Forest looked peaceful, as if no threat comes from it.

'I got more proficient with my weapon, and my reflexes improved. Should I venture out a bit?'

He took out his ID, letting with his newly acquired skill in magic the card light up. The same muster appeared, confirming his identity.

'No, not now. At least not alone.'

He turned, walking away from the gate. Pocketing his ID, he began to jog around the town, as it was part of his training to improve his endurance.

'What can I do, besides training?' Leo wondered. He looked around, checking what other people did when they were bored. He saw children playing with wooden weapons, elderly ones smoking pipe and the wives together in groups, talking and laughing.

He noticed many bars, filled with tired man coming from field work, and adventurers at the guild rarely did anything else as listening to the bards and playing with cards.

'Maybe introducing a new type of game is the solution for my money problem?'

Thinking it was a good idea, he tried to remember some good games that would have a chance in this world.

But he soon realized, from many games he knew not the rules, had not the materials for crafting or the right target group.

"Maybe Chess, Chequers, Poker and Roulette. Easy to learn and everyone can play. Chess more for nobles, Chequers for commoners as well as Poker. Roulette is a betting game. And not to forget," Leo remembered a card game that many liked," Gwent."

He got excited again. A way for his empty wallet to be filled again, and he just has to bring these games to the people.

"But how to sell it? And prevent other stealing my idea?"

He arrived by the Guild, taking a detour while thinking, so it took longer.

Out of breath he sat down by a table, ordering a water and listening to the bard on stage.

This time a guy with colorful hat, decorated with feathers, and stylish doublet plus black boots stood there. He hold a violin like instrument, playing it skillful and made appropriate movements, fitting the music.

'A beautiful sound.'

Leo loved music, listening every time he had the luck to see or hear a performance.

'Maybe I can play something, too?'

But that though was just flying by, not receiving much attention. His mind was now focused on his idea for games.

'For starters I have to make Chess and Chequers. Easy to produce and only need some wood and carving tools.'

He also thought how to distribute it, as he could not visit different towns and cities to promote his games.

'Maybe Laurence can help me. And if I let him keep a percentage for spreading my idea, he will earn enough to pay my debt.'

Leo smiled, happy about his stroke of genius.

'Tomorrow I have to make a prototype of the board and figures to present them. Then I need to find Laurence and present him my idea.'

He nodded, satisfied with himself. Now a plan for the next day, he got up, ready to run some laps around the training field in the back.

After he had made his rounds, lying again on the ground grasping for air, he heard the sound of arrows splitting the wind.

He turned his eyes to the archery stand, and saw Zero, no, Aria there, practicing her archery skills.

A hood covered her face, but slightly to the side, he could barely see the scar on her cheek.

He walked over to her, watching her shooting arrow after arrow. Most of her shots hit the target, but after a certain distance the shots grew farther from the center.

"Impressive" commented Leo.

She did not frighten, leisurely shooting her last arrow on the target, hitting it at the edge.

She turned around, asking:

"What can I help you with?"

"I wanted to ask what you people do when you are bored."

"You don't know that?" she asked. Truly, a person not knowing what to do when nothing is around is strange.

"You know, I..." he told her the made up story about losing his memories.

"So it's like this. Then my actions had an even bigger impact on you, now that you are quite influenceable." she reflected.

"I manage somehow. Back to the topic." he changed.

She pondered a moment, and then listed:

"Many people, me included, challenge other people to contests, like archery or strength. Some also play card games, but there are few popular ones.

Then there are bars, brothels and arenas for entertainment. Some betting games are there, but I'm not a player, so no clue."

She finished, then adding:

"Most people are busy with working, family, friends or just surviving. There is barely a need for these things."

That gave Leo a small damper, as it could influence sales.

'Still, when there is spare time, humans want to do something. Or even if these people are just noble or wealthy ones.'

"Thank you, Aria. Did I ever told you my name?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"No, only your alias Caesar."

"Call me Leo in the future, okay? Much more natural that way."

"Alright."

He said goodbye, letting her continue her practice.

Going inside the Inn, he sat down by the bar. Not to order something, but to gather some intel.

As the barman came, he asked:

"Sorry, but do you know some stuff about some adventurers?"

"Depends." he answered. "How, and how much are you willing to pay?"

'Is this one of these informants? Well, what did I expect.'

"The person's name is Lanter, should be back from a recent mission. What would then info cost?"

The barman put down a tablet he hold, leaning forward and tipped two times on the counter.

'Two copper? Bet not, sadly. Likely twenty or even silver.'

Leo shook his head, as he hadn't enough money.

The informant pulled out a small card, handing it to Leo and left, returning to his duty.

After receiving his first lesson in reading, he recognized some letters, but was not accustomed to the writing, so he pocketed it, trying again later.

He went then up to his room, as the bard stopped playing, and he had no motivation at the moment to run around.

"My awakening is near, so I should prepare myself as good as possible."

Sitting on his bed, he repeated the same lesson he took at Mr. Sieg's home.

Feeling the energy within, grasping the flow and directing it around his body and guiding it to his hands.

Then, forcing it out from the palm of his hand, creating a vortex and upholding it for some time.

The process took him till the vortex around an hour, and bringing the energy outside another half.

But as a reward due his concentration, the vortex he created was created, staying for over 30 seconds.

"Great." Leo rejoiced.

'My first one only lasted two seconds.'

Motivated by his success, he tried again, this time concentrating even more, gathering a lot of magic before pressing it out.

The result thou wasn't something he expected.

'I'm losing control!' he noticed.

Instead of a small, controlled vortex, a pile of energy formed on his palm, deforming and slashing out.

"What do I do?" Leo panicked. He waved his hand around, like that would cut off the connection to the energy.

He lost concentration long ago, but the gathered magic fed itself with surrounding energy.

The air around Leo vibrated, as if the energy was angry. Panicking, he went out of his room, searching for help.

Before descending, a whole group of people came towards him.

"What is going on?" someone asked hurried.

Leo was frightened.

"I... practiced controlling magic. Then-"

"Lost control? Stupid." scolded another man.

"Get those proficient in energy control up here, or the whole upper story is going to blow up!"

'Blown up?' Leo questioned shocked. "Is this that dangerous?"

The gathered people looked at him, some angry, others distressed.

"It sure as hell is! Did no one ever told you not to practice magic on your own?"

Leo shamefully thought back to Mr. Sieg, how he mentioned something along this.

He looked to the ground, feeling guilty.

"Never mind for now, have to get that under control.

We go in your room now, taming that bundle of energy."

Many people, some in light clothing, others in robes but all had the same aura of mystic around them.

They hastily showed Leo away, stood besides the growing vortex. It had taken a dark greenish color, more than a meter in diameter.

"Will it blow up?" Leo wanted to know. The magicians or people proficient in magic began to concentrate, not chanting or making gestures, just holding out their hands and concentrating.

The guy calling him stupid answered him.

He was big, broad and looked like a veteran, with a skin tight shirt and a big spear on his back.

"No, else we would have evacuated everyone in this building. Glad you are shit at gathering magic."

He made a pause, observing the people getting the outburst of energy under control.

Leo stood beside, wondering what they were doing.

"Seems like they made it." the broad man said.

"Made what?"

"Cleaning up after you. Keep yourself safe in the future, little guy. You may have the favor of the guild at the moment, but nearly blowing up their first floor doesn't make a good impression."

"Done!" called out a woman with long silver hair. The group let down their hands, sighed out and sent a scornful look towards Leo.

"....Thank you?" he said quiet, somewhat embarrassed.