Lara's Point of View

  "You mean I just need to go collect the materials in what country?" I asked, furrowing my brow at Fernin. I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. It seemed every time we needed something, it was always from some far-off place.

  "The Kingdom of Benirchachy, where all trades happen," Fernin responded, barely looking up as he continued tidying the table.

  Benirchachy? I wracked my brain, trying to place the name. "Where's that?"

  "It used to be called the Kingdom of Crafts," Caelum chimed in, sipping his juice without a care in the world.

  My mind clicked into place. "Oh! The place where they sell everything and you can trade goods too! I remember it now. It's far, though," I said, a sinking feeling creeping into my chest. I wasn't exactly thrilled about the prospect of another long journey.

  Fernin continued cleaning, barely phased. "Every item you need—waterproof, fireproof, stoneproof, you name it—it's all there."

  I paused, my hand frozen mid-motion as I counted our earnings. "That's great, but... The Kingdom of Crafts? If I'm remembering right, it only took me three days to get there last time on foot." I looked at him, trying to shake off the unease building in my chest. I wasn't in the mood for another long trek, especially not if we were short on time and just the monster on the way also make it exhausted.

  Fernin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Three days? It takes six months on foot also to considered the monster it might take longer" He gave me a look as if I had forgotten how long distances worked.

  I laughed, trying to hide my irritation. Really? Last time, I made it in three days with a little bit of speed. Still, the idea of walking for days, even with my speed, wasn't appealing. It would be exhausting, and I didn't have the luxury of wasting time. I can use my teleportation power but if I did I might get stuck in a wall since so much time is past I need to change my coordinates.

  Thailon, who had been silently helping with the cleaning, suddenly spoke up he is wearing an apron and all other employee leaves early too. "Why not use the teleportation portals?"

  I turned to him, feeling a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "Teleportation portals? What are you talking about child?"

  Thialon glanced at me, clearly surprised I wasn't aware. "Remember the portals we used when we entered and exited dungeons?"

  I nodded slowly. "Yeah, but those were for dungeon use. What's the connection?"

  "Well, they use them for travel now," he said, almost too casually.

  Wait... what? My mind raced. They're using dungeon portals for regular travel now? That's... genius. I stared at him, my thoughts spinning. "So, you're saying I could just teleport to the Kingdom of Benirchachy instead of walking?"

  Caelum, still munching on his food, nodded from across the room. "Yup. They're everywhere now."

  I blinked, trying to wrap my mind around this newfound information. This changes everything. If we had access to teleportation, I wouldn't have to waste time on the road. I could get there in an instant and back again. It would make everything easier. But there's always a catch...

  Fernin didn't seem as enthusiastic as I was. "Teleportation portals are only accessible to high-status individuals," he muttered, and the frown on his face deepened.

  I felt a small surge of disappointment. Of course there's a catch. "That's a problem," I sighed. "We don't exactly have the status for something like that."

  "No, it's not," Caelum piped up again, his tone far too relaxed for my liking. "I can get us access," Thialon added confidently, a grin spreading across his face.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  I looked at them, suddenly feeling a flicker of hope. "Really?"

  "Yeah, we can get through easily," Caelum said, putting on an apron and getting ready to help with the dishes. "So, when are you planning on going?"

  I crossed my arms, considering the logistics. If I can teleport, I won't have to worry about the journey at all. Everything could be handled in a day, maybe even less. "As soon as I can. There's a lot of things I need to buy, and if I use my magical bag, I can store everything without any trouble." The thought of getting everything done so quickly filled me with relief. No more long treks. No more exhausting trips.

  Thailon raised an eyebrow, looking at me thoughtfully. "How about tomorrow?"

  "That's what I was thinking too," I said, feeling the excitement building. If this teleportation portal works, I could be back before anyone even realizes I'm gone. "I've got enough money for the trip, and if I don't, I can always sell a few items along the way."

  "Tomorrow works. I can handle things here while you're gone," Fernin said, his tone casual as if the decision was final.

  I snapped my head towards him. "What do you mean you can handle things here? You're coming with me" Did he seriously think I'd let him stay behind? I needed him—he was my financial advisor, my brother. There was no way I'd be doing this without him and also not with my sense of direction and I always get scammed nowadays so-

  Fernin looked at me with wide eyes. "Wait... are you dragging me along on this trip?"

  "Of course I am, is that even a question" I said, . He should've known better by now. There's no way I'm doing this alone.

  He hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "But what about the shop?"

  I waved his concern away. "We can just close it for a day. We've earned enough during the festival. One day off won't hurt us."

  Caelum, who had been silently watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "How about I join you instead of Fernin?"

  I blinked in surprise. Caelum? He never volunteers for anything. "Oh, no, Caelum, I don't want to bother you with this," I said quickly, feeling a little flustered. I didn't expect him to offer, and while the help was tempting, I didn't want to impose.

  Thialon stepped in, a grin on his face. "What about me? I could come."

  I shot him a look. Thialon, as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, this isn't your problem. "Not you either."

  "They're offering to help, Amelia," Fernin said, looking almost relieved. "You should accept it. It'd be better for them to come along than dragging me into it."

  I glanced between all of them, my thoughts swirling. Should I really let them come along?

  "I can't let them come; they're both busy with their lives," I said, trying to dissuade them.

  "No, we're not," they both said at the same time, their voices in perfect sync.

  I couldn't help but chuckle. They're always like this, aren't they?

  "I also have some business in that place, so it's better if I come along," Thialon added, folding his arms like it was a done deal.

  "Yeah, same here," Caelum chimed in, wiping down the window as if this conversation didn't need his full attention.

  I raised an eyebrow at them, my suspicions growing. "Are you two sure you're not just saying that so you can tag along? I mean, what are you, children?" I shot them a playful glare, trying to get to the bottom of their eagerness.

  Caelum shook his head, clearly amused. "Do I look like a child to you?" he asked, wiping the last of the grime from the glass. "Besides, we both know who the real troublemaker is here."

  I crossed my arms, a grin tugging at my lips. "It's no problem if you both come along, but... I'm just worried you two might destroy something along the way." I raised an eyebrow, half-joking, though I knew full well their combined chaos could lead to exactly that.

  Their reactions were immediate—shock and disbelief written all over their faces.

  "Are you seriously calling us the troublemakers?" Caelum asked, his voice tinged with mock offense. He turned to Thailon, pointing a finger at him dramatically. "Who's the one always destroying things? This elf over here, not me"

  Thailon glared at Caelum, slapping his hand away. "Excuse me? Why are you pointing the blame at me? I'm not the one always causing problems. Even you considered yourself a priest but you kept on destroying things, just remember the times you burned a church and how does even happen you don't even have affinity to fire?"

  I groaned, rubbing my temples as the bickering began. "If you two are going to start a fight, then it's never mind. I can do this alone."

  "We're not starting a fight!" they both said at the same time, their protests loud enough to make me laugh. They can be such children sometimes.

  I sighed, shaking my head. They're determined, I'll give them that. "Alright, alright. I suppose you both can come. But—" I held up a finger, silencing their protests before they even started, "—no fighting, no destruction, and you both have to follow my lead. Got it?"

  "That's not a problem for me" Caelum said "Same here" Thailon said a he finished drinking his wine.

  Caelum smirked, throwing his cleaning rag over his shoulder. "As a deal you are our leader as always so-. But if anything gets destroyed, it won't be my fault. Blame that elf"

  Thialon rolled his eyes. "Same here. I'll keep everything in one piece... mostly. So if something happen it's not me"

  I couldn't help but smile at them. They might be trouble, but they're my trouble. "Alright, tomorrow it is then. Let's get ready."