A day has passed since our arrival in Galdur. Aside from the adventuring in the morning, I didn't do anything special. I proposed going out with everyone after lunch but they respectfully declined my proposal.
"We didn't get to much time to spend together. Spend some time with us as well."
Hazel, Fay and Aura told me. I guess I have to let them do whatever they want to me. It wasn't anything special. They just pampered me to the fullest. Like I was a baby.
After the babying was over, I told them that a new member would be joining our party.
"A new member? Is it a boy or a girl?" (Aura)
"It's a boy. He is a priest but he was kicked out of his previous party today. I interrupted their argument and decided to let him join our party. I wanted to train a priest."
"A priest! Well, they are experts in healing magic and purification. Effective against curses and wounds. They can ward off wraiths and specters as well." (Fay)
"They said that he was an extremely weak priest. I wonder how weak he really is."
That's the gist of our conversation about the priest.
We all head to the guild. Me, Aura, Hazel, Fay are present. Eden has gone to the singularity.
After reaching the guild, we enter and the gossiping stops. The receptionist who dealt with me yesterday is looking at me with tired eyes.
I look around and find the priest boy. He is sitting at the waiting area.
It's not our appointed time yet but he is early.
"That's the boy. The one wearing a tunic."
I tell everyone.
"He looks a little too skinny. Is he not eating well?" (Aura)
"He looks a bit unreliable. He probably has a lot on his mind." (Fay)
"But his mana says otherwise. He isn't weak if we just take his mana into account. Maybe something is hindering his abilities." (Hazel)
They are trying to analyze him before even talking to him. Well, let's just go to him. He hasn't noticed us yet.
As we approach him, he also noticed us. He stood up stiffly and greeted me.
"Good morning, Mr. Clive Belmont. I am honored to be in your presence once again."
He is trying his hardest to sound really formal but it's only making him seem more clumsy.
"No need for such formality. Just call me Clive. And they are my partners and party members."
He looks at them. I have to say, he is more nervous than before.
"No need to be so shy. They will your seniors from now and will train you."
I want to have a good conversation with him so let's go somewhere else.
"Let's change the location. Come with me."
He picks up his staff and starts following us. After we are out of the guild, I teleport all of us to Amaryllis.
"Where are we?"
He is looking around nervously. He is even shaking.
"We are currently on a planet that I own. Calm down. You won't die. Breathe. Keep breathing."
He was starting to panic so I tell him to keep breathing. After his panic attack subsided, we changed places once again.
Amaryllis is a planet similar to earth and is almost the same size. But I have made one point of this planet my base. In earth's terms, it would be the equator.
The sun in the sky is artificial since I don't own a star yet. Maybe someday I will have a star of my own. That's beside the point.
"Have a seat."
We all sit down.
"Ah.. I still don't your name."
"Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Levi Walker." (Levi)
"So Levi, before you start panicking again, let me tell you this. You better get used to it. The absurdity that will occur from here on, you should just accept it and go with the flow."
He is only shaking his head like a bob.
"Any words of encouragement for the new recruit?"
"Levi, I can sense a decent amount of mana from you. So why is it that you are having troubles as a priest?" (Hazel)
Levi looks conflicted. Hazel did ask a straight question. It will solve a lot of problems if he answers this honestly.
"I come from a family of knights. No one in my family has ever become a mage. But I was the only one who couldn't become a knight. My mother was disowned by my father. I was thrown out of the house.
Because I possessed no skills to become a knight. And then, my mother killed herself right before my very eyes. Till this day, I get nightmares about that scene." (Levi)
He cries as he says it. So, mental trauma. But damn, right before his very eyes? That woman must have been through a lot or it's something else.
"So, you are unable to utilize your skills due to a mental trauma." (Hazel)
A mental trauma is bad. Those take a lot of time to heal. But let's be patient.
"Fay, what is with this world and its women? First, it was Aldo's mother. And then his mother."
"Some are just like that. That doesn't mean all of us are like them. So Levi, are you from the Walker family? Like the main family?" (Fay)
"Umm…I am. My uncle is the current family head. And my father is the second in charge." (Levi)
"Then you are Johnny Walker's son?" (Fay)
"You know my father?" (Levi)
It seems that Fay knows his father. A knight family. Then Fay must know about them.
"His father was supporting the first prince before his untimely death. We were acquainted but I wouldn't say that I know the man too well." (Fay)
Levi seems confused. Ahh…they still haven't introduced themselves.
"Before doing anything else, you all should introduce yourselves."
"Ah..come to think of it, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. That was rude. I am Aura Belmont. His wife and an A rank adventurer." (Aura)
Levi looks confused. But why?
"I didn't think that you were married." (Levi)
"You met my daughter yesterday, didn't you? The little girl who was talking to your party. She's my daughter, Eden Belmont."
He is surprised. He seriously didn't think that she could be my daughter.
"I am Hazel Belmont. His faithful partner and first mate." (Hazel)
"Hazel, I am not a captain of a ship that you would be my first mate."
"But master, I am the first to meet you and join you." (Hazel)
"That is true."
Hazel is the first one to meet me before I met Aura and Eden. Fay would be next.
"I am Fay Adams. His third partner and also an A rank adventurer." (Fay)
Why are they linking them to me? They could just normally give their names and profession.
But Levi isn't saying anything. He is frozen in place.
"Levi, are you okay?"
"Master is amazing. You have three women at your beck and call. I thought you were just strong. But you have the charm and charisma as well." (Levi)
This kid, why is he saying things like that?
"First, they are not my servants. I don't order them. On the contrary, I let them do whatever they want."
"Ehh? Isn't that a waste?" (Levi)
Is he like that? The women should be subservient to men and follow their orders type.
But Fay stopped me from saying anything further.
"Levi, the house of Walker is a traditional knight's family. So your way of thinking old. Clive is a bit different. And you should change your perception of women too." (Fay)
I don't know what will happen. But it won't be easy training him. His way of thinking is inflexible and dated. It would just hinder his training. I guess I have to start from fixing his perception.
I have a bad fever and headache. This chapter might be a bit off due to it.