Desvey and the Closing Gate

"You don't know what a mage is?" asked the boy as he was oddly more curious by my lack of knowledge towards the being a mage.

"No, but aren't they just magicians? People who can do tricks and stuff?" I asked, answering him with a question back.

"Huh? How are you-!…how can you not know this simple fact?"

"...I don't know, I haven't been here that long." I said as I stared at him with the genuine ignorance and because of it, he scratched his head, irritated by the question.

"Listen, Mages are people who have the ability to turn anything based off of their knowledge. Their existence is a treasure to any kingdom that possesses them. One mage can change the tides of a war, the condition of a famine in the kingdom, they can fix a ruined city, they make a miracle out of an infertile land. Mages are like Gods!" he said so boastfully.

"...Hmm, they do sound very wonderful."

"They are more than just wonderful, they are rare and the people who are born with mana are rare." he said proudly.

"...Does this mean that only people born with "mana" can be the only ones to become a mage?" I asked.

"Yes. And about every kingdom there is, there is at least three mana-blessed people to have a title as a mage and a position in that kingdom. Their a very precious existence that contributes very well with the condition of the kingdom. One could even say that their a lifeline of sorts." he said.

"They sound like their pretty important." I said as I was amazed by this fact. But that doesn't change anything too much about my position, after all, I don't see myself as one.

"The one responsible for creating the Great Eden wall was a mage himself. One of the greatest actually." he said as he stared off into the distance, smiling into the direction of the wall.

"Hmm, but it sounds like those mages can do miracles. I don't think I'm one to make a miracle."

"...You saved old Josy's house faster than anyone before they made it here. That's a miracle itself…" he said as he points to almost burned house.

"...its was just a coincidence."

"Okay, I get it…you don't wanna be called a mage."

"Thanks."

"But I think you should consider yourself lucky to have mana, it's a great thing to have." he said, looking so envious at me.

"Hmm, yeah I guess I should."

"Anyway, have you told Old Josy about why you came to his place? Have you made any orders for a weapon?" he asked, darting away from the topic of being a mage.

"Oh, not yet. The fire started before I could even talk to the man and right now I don't think he has the time to worry about my orders." Knowing that Josy's house has just burned in the inside, I don't think its right to ask about my orders. He'll be pretty busy about his current situation and I don't wanna intrude on something that looks pretty serious.

"I don't think he would mind though. He's a nice old man and if you ask right, he might as well listen. After all, he owes you at least that much." after listening to the boy's words, I somewhat agree.

"Thanks umm, I didn't really get your name." I asked.

"It's Rodrick." he said as he stood firmly with his chest up and about. From my perspective, he sound like a very prideful kid, someone who's socially accepting and reasonably curious about everything new in town. And his connection with this old man makes it sound like their friends despite the gap of age. He's a good kid…

"Thanks Rodrick." I said again, and this time I called him his name.

Having said that, we made our way to Josy to see if everything was alright with him. Rodrick followed by and we both went inside the house where he was located. But before we could go in, was saw the town chief walking out with grumpy expression. He looked very pissed and couldn't bother to look our way.

*Thonk* *Thonk* *Thonk* *Thonk* *Thonk*

As we got closer, we heard the sound of metal banging against one another.

"Huh?" Rodrick was curious as to why this sound was coming from the house and so was I.

As we went in, we were shocked to see that Old Josy was already making something in the works. A new sword was already underway.

"W-what are you doing old man?" asked Rodrick as he clearly saw the old man banging down on a hot rod of an iron stick on an anvil.

"..." but the old man only looked his way to us and puts down the hammer after.

"...I'm sorry I can't tend to you today."

"Is this about the sword?" asked Rodrick conflicted by the sight of the man who was hammering away with the look of desperation in his eyes.

"..." but the old man stayed silent.

"...Listen, the boy here wanted to ask you for something, he wanted to have something ordered from you. The least you could do is hear him out. Just for a minute, that's all it will take." Rodrick's voice was a bit tense, as he could see that what Josy was doing felt disregarding. He prioritize the work of his own without even saying a thanks to the boy who saved his home.

"..." the old man looked my way and nodded his head.

Although it may seem as if he agreed, he was hesitant to do anything. As if he was prioritizing a piece of work in front him more than the others.

And after seeing his reaction, I felt compelled to simply deny his offer to hear my request. Its obvious that he was driven by something more important than my own need. It was his greed to finish a certain work…

And being greedy about this made me feel to understand his position. At this moment, from one man to another, I understand that he should not be forced into a matter when it derives them of their own needs and wants, as it will only put out the fire in their eyes from their greed.

"it's okay Rodrick, I can wait." I said as I stopped Josy from doing anything else.

"*Sigh*...Suit yourself. I'm going back to my work, so old man, you better not burn your house again." he said as he made his way out of the house.

"..." the old man looked to Rodrick and then looked to me. He nodded his head and turned his way to his work back. As Rodrick left, it was only me and Josy stuck in this room.

"..." Looking at his work, before he could raise his hammer and on before he could continue on his work, he asked me a question.

"...What did you want from me?" he asked.

"I just wanted to have a few things made…Equipment good enough to make a home by myself." I said.

"...I see." and by then, he hammered his work for that day and I left his home.

The day passed as it would and I was on my own. With my mana slowly recovering, by my assumption, I could fully recover before the sun would set.

During that time, I looked around the town for a bit and got to know the stores and its values. And to my surprise this town did not have a school, nor a library or any proper way to prosper education.

But it did have all the other things necessary, like an infirmary, a bakery, a cattle farm, a market, the town hall, a plaza and finally a church.

For the infirmary, it was small, capable of only caring for about five people at a time. And I can see why it is what it is, as it relies on some magical factors like a potion or even the miracles of a nun from the church, the nurses and the church are no different from one another. In fact the buildings are just right beside each other. It proves the point that the medical technology of this world was far behind compared to my past world.

When I came to check out the bakery, I was quite shocked to find the lack of the variety in the choices in this bakery. Their was only about four different breads displayed in front with a limited amount, not enough to feed the whole town. When I came to ask them why it was so, they said that ingredients were expensive. From sugars to salt and even a wheat-like substance called Barly-dust, it was very hard to purchase because of the lack of production. When I heard that Barly-dust was a substitute to wheat, I came to ask them if I can take a look at this dust.

Showing it to me, I was shocked to find out that it was very similar to flour…but it had this pepper like dots mixed in it, and the texture was more grainy, taking in the indication that it was not milled well.

Knowing so, this world probably doesn't have a plant called wheat with them. It makes it depressing knowing that I have to find a way to grow such a plant…after all, wheats and bread are the sole identity of a farmer. If I can't show this world a proper wheat, then I fail as a farmer.

Next up was the farm for cows. Their cattle farm wasn't much. Only about fifteen cows were in the area and it all belonged to about 4 cattle farmers who seem to own quite a land in the town. Their production of owning cattle comes to the fact that its only purpose was to produce milk and cheese. Their meat however were very limited in terms of cow meat, that is why they turned to pigs caged in a fence, which is double the amount of the cattle. Pork was a necessity to meat produce.

But despite this, I came to find out that some people hunt deer in the forest for meat, some hunt for edible monster meat, and even a few freshwater fishes by a river. This town was self-dependent when it came to their source of meats.

Having counted the number of people in this town, only about 500 people were situated. It was a lot if compared to some.

Their security here was different. They were guards who wore fully plated armor as they were under the dragon empire and only about 50 guards were here to watch over the town. From the surrounding areas, to the entrances and exits.

Seeing as how this town was popular for its production on iron and copper, as well as the view on the great Eden wall, it makes sense on the number of people who decided to live here.

But I did not consider myself moving in here. I asked the All-known book about the situation regarding me moving in here. And its answer was just like what I expected.

One reason being that I have to own a land for me to grow a farm by myself, and to own a land isn't as easy as it comes by. You can't just go about your day by placing a house on a flat land and calling it yours…its not as easy as that. Especially when it comes to be owned by an empire. It requires a lot of paper work, and taxes…the implications of taxes JUST puts a tear in my eye.

The only possible way for me to be free from all of that is to actually live in a land not owned by any kingdom at all. A neutral ground is what I needed. And the answer to that place was the Flat Bioma.

The book gave me the right place the moment I came into this world. And although it may be a high risk factor, it is also a high reward in the long term.

So in the end, I decided to live my life away from everyone. Forest living often offers more privacy and solitude compared to living in a town or city. Some people prefer the quietness and seclusion that a forest environment can provide, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. I'm one of those people.

By now, I made my way back to the gate of the great Eden wall by Riding the Horse. After spending my time walking around the town, I was finally able to get my mana back, so I was ready.

When I got there, I saw that the bear-like man was standing by the gate with his arms crossed. I think he's name was Tofan.

"H-hi." I said as i tried to greet him, but all he came to say was nothing.

"..." he didn't seem to talk much, so I just went and walked up to the gate.

By then the sun was setting, and I had to do this before it would finish.

I had thought this through over and over in my head, the flaws that I made while trying to open the gate. One of those flaws was about the fact that while I was trying to push and add more power to my body at the half moment, it wasn't concentrated…and by doing so, mana seemed to just went all over my body without focusing on the main parts of the muscles in my body. Mana was wasted by then.

Today, I planned to focus more when applying more mana on to my body but this time, its going to be at a steady rate.

And with the factor that I'm closing the gate back to the way it was, meant that I had to use more of my leg power than usual. Compared to before where the upper body had about 70% of mana gathered and 30% on the lower, today, I will try to even those odds.

"...*Sigh*…Concentrate…"

With my hands up against the gate and my legs in a proper position to burst on to close the gate, I started to let the mana flow…and this time, with a more focused sense than before. Starting by the legs, I dug my foot deep into the ground.

At first, I tried to slowly add up mana into my muscles just like before, not trying to rush things as much…not trying to break my body with a overflowing rate of mana…right now, it was just continuously adding at a slow rate.

"..." I felt it…mana concentrated at my legs…I felt it…I felt my body so willing to jump…it made me feel like I a springload of power in my legs at this moment…but I can't burst through…I can't let myself be drawn by the emotion to just let go…I need to be steady….I need to be patient…

"...*Step*" I made my first step…and as I did, the moment my foot stepped on the ground, it dug straight down to bury itself…to try to hold on to the rocks and dirt…

And by then, I felt it move…the gate was closing and everything was moving. And with its momentum at its pace, I could not risk the fact of slowing down….but I also could not risk going forward at a high rate…

The pushing power behind everything was so much that the ground that I was standing on, began to break apart like mud. Because of this, I started to lose footing…

*Step*

But I did another step and by then, the gate was closing a quarter way through.

'!!' my back was aching…it felt like it was going to snap….and I felt it…my arms…they could not hold well against the power of my legs…

'Shit!?'

I had to distribute more many up my upper body…

…My arms were starting to shake…My back was sweating up a storm and my face was as red as a tomato. Even my reactions were quite shown to be wild

But I did not stop, not when I know that I was making progress.

Although I cold not see it well, I could feel Tofan looking at me with such a curiousity, that it felt like he was burning a hole through my head.

At the next five seconds, I made it past halfway…

And by then, about 70% of my mana was already passing all over my body... The veins in my body felt like bursting and for some reason, I began to start to struggle in breathing in the air. I lost the chance to think of breathing…and all I did was push and push and push…until finally.

*Boom*

I heard the sound of the gate closing. It sounded like two trees rubbing against one another. By then, I felt like I was not making any progress anymore, and so I decided to stop.

When I looked up, I saw that the gate was finally closed back up and the sun finally sets.

It was just right on time before anything could happen.

"haaa….haa….haaa" I was catching my breath..

And looking to find Tofan, I could already see him making his way back to the town. He could not care less about what I did, as long as the job was done. He made his way back to the villa of Marquess Toral.

I was left on my own…

Feeling my body, I noticed that compared to before when I fell to the ground after pushing, I was still standing but just barely…

And looking at the amount of mana left

[Character Profile:]

Name: Shay Winston

Job: Farmer

Mana: 15/100

Health:100/100

Strength:28 [E+]

Speed:25 [E+]

Dexterity:30 [D]

Intelligence:12 [F+]

Endurance:22 [E-]

I had double the amount saved up compared to the first time I opened the gate. It just shows the fact that instead of recklessly letting mana flow without consideration will only result in trouble. I learned from this challenge very well…

So I guess today was a success.

And as I made my way back to the town, halfway through, I saw old man Josy by the road.

"Mr. Josy?" calling out to him, he turned his head my way and raised his hand as if saying hello.

But as he raised his hand, I saw him carrying a bottle of rum on his hand.

"...Yo! M-mage Boy!" he was drunk alright.

From the smell of his breath to the look of his beet-red face, he was probably drinking for hours now.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

He responded by walking up to me and the Horse and raised his hand up again, as if telling me to drink as well. But I had to decline, it felt weird accepting a drink from a drunk if they were found loitering in the streets.

"W-well…it's official." he said in his drunken tone.

"What is?" I asked.

"I'm a complete failure! An utter complete failure!!" he said as he raised his voice with a tinge of hate.

"...Hmm, so what is this about?" I asked again.

"My sword…that worthless sword won't ever start…it's a dud you hear me! A Dud!!"

"Is this about your sword?"

"You're God-dam tright!@ Mage @#@# BOY!!!"

"...Huh."

"If only…If only!!"

"..If only what?"

"...If only I could read the Dwarves!! Those @#$%^&* greedy DWARVES!!!!!!"

"...Hmm, Dwarves huh…I don't get it." I said as I looked at the drunken man.

"What he means is that he wished that he could read the words of the Dwarves." said another voice that came out of nowhere.

"Who's there?" I asked.

"It's just me."

As I turned my head, I saw the town chief walking up to us with a lantern on his hand.

"Oh, Town Chief."

"Boy, if its alright with you, can you bring my friend back to his home. I would like to discuss something with you along the way." asked the Town Chief.

I wasn't curious bout the fact that he wants to bring his friend back to their home, but I was curious as to why he wanted to talk with me.

I guess this day won't end with a simple accomplishment of me closing the gate after all.