The Baroness' mansion, Ophilanna's chamber.

  The air in the Prophetess' study was thick with the rustic scent of aged parchment and dried herbs, and among this myriad of smells, a tea was strongest, blanketing the entire room with a thick, sweet smell. It was a fragrant testament to her tireless pursuit of knowledge.

  Sunlight, now imbued with the gentle warmth of early spring, streamed through the window, illuminating more than just motes of dust dancing in the golden rays.

  There, Ophilanna sat hunched over Der ?ther, with its ancient pages whispering many secrets in a language which became increasingly familiar to the elven girl. Concentrated on the works, her lips silently moved along, as she deciphered a particularly intricate diagram that detailed the principles of thaumology, and the magic force that permeated all of time and space.

  It was rather difficult, she thought, especially the interludes of science that seemed.. way too advanced, for this world.

  After all, even though she knew of a world much more technologically advanced than this one, Pariah, there would be no way for it to be stuck in an era of industrialization, similar to the 1900s of her prior world?

  Nay, she concluded, that couldn't be, and so, the only logical conclusion to this question is:

  The science of this world isn't as advanced overall, but the science detailed in this book certainly is. Much more than on Earth, even, with talk about particle physics and field theory. Even if she only skirted the rims of the realm of science, that much she knew; and so, with this book detailing findings even more advanced than in her old world, things were not as they seemed.

  The author of this textbook was not ordinary, for one. Also, she similarly read in Der ?ther, that magic was akin to a fundamental force, much like electromagnetism. Only knowing bare basics from school, that would help very little, and with that, she had to get into the nitty-gritty herself, studying complex mathematics to understand the actual magics and its interworking cogs.

  Across the room, Erica laid to rest on the elven girl's bed, something they frequently did together; since companionship was a treasure to the two, and their presence each they enjoyed, it felt like a given.

  Her sleeping silence cut through the quiet hum of Ophilanna's studies of magic; and even in her rest, she exuded an aura of intense focus and will, with her body being beautifully honed and ready for battle.

  In truth, Ophilanna quite.. liked Erica, and moreso even just looking at her. She was stunning, and had developed into a gorgeous form from the tomboyish one she used to have.

  Of course, she also knew of the stares Erica dedicated to her, quietly blushing in peace. Despite the initial embarassment, it relieved her greatly. Knowing that her attraction and adoration was reciprocated put her at ease.

  A fond smile played on Ophilanna's lips, watching Erica sleep. Usually so dedicated and unwavering in her discipline, a sudden thought struck Ophilanna. It was a realization that only sent a jolt of urgency through her.

  "Erica!", she exclaimed as her voice echoed throughout the room, startling a nearby sunbeam into a shimmering dance, "wake up, I have an idea!"

  Waking from her little afternoon nap, she felt a little to disturbed, even though she was safe. "Nghh.. what..? What is it?"

  "Come on, we only have a month and a half left before our departure to the Academy," Ophilanna stated boldly, words tumbling out in a rush. "There are so many things I still want to do before that. See.. like an adventure? Let's go register at the Adventurer's Guild and get some experience beyond the training yard."

  A thoughtful expression crossed Erica's face. The Adventurer's Guild. While a place they had often discussed, it was a hub for those seeking adventure, but also money. Some of the individuals offering their services were incredibly shady. It did offer opportunities to test one's skills and earn pretty coin.. "That.. it doesn't sound like a bad idea, Ophi. We could definitely use the experience for practical and tactical combat. You're right."

  With a shared sense of purpose, the duo decided to seek the Baroness' permission, finding Reina, as usual, in her office. The room radiated, as often it did, an aura of calm and efficiency, but currently it was mostly overflowing with ledgers and missives, and petty manuscripts.

  The Baroness looked up, her brow creasing with a hint of worry as they entered.

  "Fia, Erica," she greeted, her tone laced with gentle concern, "it's quite nice to see you. Is something the matter?"

  "Mother.." Ophilanna began, respectfully but determined, to plead at her, "with our departure to the Academy so close, Erica and I kind of hoped to.. seek some more practical experience. At the Adventurer's Guild. We want to register as adventurers. Promise.. only a few quests?"

  Sigh, there they went again. "Really?", Reina put down her pen and glasses, rubbing her temples. "You two? Again? Haven't I deliberated on the.. shady creatures that congregate there?"

  Reina's expression definitely tightened, her worry deepening. Just then, Adalbert, with his imposing figure filling much of the doorway, stepped fully into the office. His knock evaded Reina's senses, apparently, and he let himself in. Great, she rolled her eyes, another troublemaker.

  He seemed to have overheard their request, and a knowing smile played on his lips, as he addressed the Baroness. "Lady Reina.. my dear, dear friend.. I think it's time to let go of that image in your head. These two are mature enough. Besides.. sooner than later, they would do it anyway. Better now than when we won't know.. right? Release the baby chicks from the nest and trust the wings you have helped them grow. They shall carry them."

  A somber look settled on Reina's face, and reluctant agreement flickered across her eyes.

  "Right.. you're right. Of course. Thank you, Adalbert," she sighed, and her words tinged with a most motherly concern, one she occasionally displayed openly. "Very well..", she cleared her throat, "Erica, Fia, you have my permission. Just.. be safe, alright?"

  Adalbert's gaze immediately fell upon the ornate ring Erica wore on her left hand, the one they had recovered from the ancient ruin not too long ago, a few days at most?

  Ophilanna studied the ring throughout for its properties. Turns out, the ring exhibits many magical properties. Hell, it'd be considered a legendary artifact by the Crown's artificers. In that vein, it's smarter to keep quiet.

  But perhaps.., she thought, telling mother would be fine?

  "Mother.. the ring Erica is wearing," she nudged Erica to show the Baroness the ring, is one we found when we... *accidentally* stumbled upon ancient ruins, and explored them. As you can see, we're both safe.. though we recovered some longlost knowledge, as well as this artifact and a gigantic crystal. A gem. It is.. huge. Can I give it to you, so Brynhilde could take a look at the crystal? The ring, I found when studying it, is safe. I gave it to Erica, as a present. It enhances her physical capabilities and protects her life from fatal injuries.. though I don't know how often."

  Sigh. "That.. is a rather.. unusual ring, Lady Erica," Adalbert remarked and drawing his gaze to Ophilanna, "and you, Lady Fia, might I take the gem to Lady Brynhilde? I promise, I will be careful. Of course, with Lady Reina's permission."

  A reaffirming nod on the Baroness' face had Ophilanna jump up to get the gem, Adalbert following her. Erica stayed behind, the Baroness sending her an inquiring gaze.

  "What happened in that.. ruin, Erica?", she asked her carefully and reassuringly, "I'm.. not mad, just curious. You two got out safe?"

  Nodding, the girl replied hastily, stumbling over her words. "I.. you see, Lady Reina, the ruin was something I stumbled across on a morning jog. When we went hiking, I dragged Ophi into it. Don't blame her, she was initially sceptical as well. But.. the ruin turned out to be trapped, and we escaped because of her magic knowledge. She also mentioned something.. about light magic, and filtering the light. It didn't make any sense back then.. but it got us out of the locked room, that quickly filled with poisonous gas."

  "Where is this ruin, so we can make sure no one accidentally ends up trapped?", Lady Reina pressed the girl. "I'll show Adalbert later, if that's okay..?", she replied, intimidated by the Lady's attitude.

  Unbeknownst to the Baroness or Adalbert, both Ophilanna and Erica had been diligently saving their weekly allowances, amassing mostly small stashes of coins for... unforeseen circumstances. In the process of doing so, they had become quite... wealthy, and fortunate. Ophilanna, in particular, had also been spending a considerable amount of time in the surrounding woods, not just for her leisurely hikes, but to meticulously collect various herbs and flora, as well as other items of interest. With her growing knowledge of alchemy and magic, she had been.. producing various useful concoctions, potions, and scrolls for quick-use.

  Even then, the girl found time to create an incredibly delicate, floral bracelet for her friend, Erica, woven from specific blossoms that subtly enhanced her recovery and capability after strenuous training. Furthermore, both their weapons, Erica's steeled sword and Ophilanna's - still crude - staff, were coated with protective and subtly enhancing ointments of Ophilanna's own making.

  Just then, Adalbert and Ophilanna returned. In his strong hand, he carried a large, sparkly gem that refracted the light falling into it. It captivated the Baroness greatly, though soon, it vanished under a piece of cloth he wrapped it in. Reina sent the girls on their way, to register as adventurers.

  Adalbert, throwing her a curious look, idled in the room.

  "Speaking of.." the Baroness remarked, "Adalbert."

  A slight smile graced her lips, and she interjected, "Fia's birthday is next week.. How about we give her a present she will never forget, using that gem? Please, take it to Brynhilde, and instruct her to fashion it into a magician's staff, if possible. Can you do that for me?"

  He nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Gladly, Lady Reina. I think this gem would be perfect, it suits the young Miss."

  With those words, he was already on the move.

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  With their permission now granted, both Ophilanna and Erica exchanged excited glances. They quickly gathered their meager belongings, and a sense of eager anticipation propelled them towards the mansion's entrance and the path leading into the heart of Silvale's capital city, where, in the Adventurer's district, the Adventurer's Guild was located.

  Now, this guild was not like most others. They had permission to operate across borders, though with some scrutiny. This made them ideal spies, and targets, for countries that the guilds set up in.

  The bustling streets of Silvale's capital were a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds alike.

  Merchants hawked their wares, children chased stray dogs, and nobles did well strolling their districts in expensive, elegant attire. The Adventurer's Guild was housed in a sturdy, stone building, with copper pipes running along its sides. It is so obvious, looking at the houses here, that the capital is incredibly old - hundreds of years of age, and the buildings have only recently been modified. Near the city's center, the Guild's entrance was marked by a weathered wooden sign depicting a sword, crossed with a staff.

  -Ophilanna

  Inside, the air was palpable and thick with mingled scents of sweat, leather and woodsmoke. A boisterous crowd of adventurers, clad in various states of armour and wielding an assortment of weapons, ranged to melee, filled the main hall.

  At a raised counter, a kind-faced receptionist with tightly-bound, black hair meticulously sorted through stacks of paper.

  As we approached the counter, she looked up, and her gaze lingered on our youthful appearances with a hint of skepticism. A furrow appeared on her brow, and she seemed.. about to voice a dismissive remark, when Erica subtly presented a small, official badge, bearing the Baroness' crest.

  The receptionist's eyes widened ever so slightly, her stern expression softening into a begrudging acceptance.

  "So, you want to register as adventurers, huh?", she asked, her tone carrying a note, or two, of doubt.

  "Yes, ma'am," Erica and I replied in tandem, polite but firm. "We wish to register."

  The receptionist sighed, pushing a thick ledger towards them. "Very well then. By any chance, familiar with the ranks?", she asked dismissively.

  "We aren't," I admitted, clearly and politely. Leaning back in her chair, the receptionist's gaze swept over us once more.

  "The ranks, from lowest to highest, are..", and she listed them all, "Copper, Silver, gold, Pyrodium, Cryolith, Chasmalite, and, finally, Ferchor."

  "Named after metals? Is it in ascending order?", I asked, curiously. Of course, I immediately recognized the rank names as metals, some of them exhibiting magical properties, others useful for technology.

  "Precisely. Copper is for novices, whoever has just begun their journey. Ferchor, on the other hand, is reserved for legendary, seasoned adventurers, those a cut above the rest. To reach that rank, you need to overcome unbeatable odds. Naturally, when registering, you two will be assigned Copper. To advance, the two of you need to accept and complete requests, which," she gestures and points at a nearby pinboard, "can be found there, when there's any. The requests range from gathering herbs, materials, finding pets, people, killing monsters, or escorting merchants, individuals, and the like."

  Erica and I exchanged a determined look. "We understand," Erica nodded. Quickly, we filled out the registration forms, and I carefully inscribed the name "Froststar" in elegant writing, while Erica penned herself as "Razor's Edge", with a more pragmatic flourish.

  Officially, the two of us have now become Copper-rank adventurers. Our first mission would now be readily available: It was the extermination of a small infestation of slimes, reported initially in the nearby woods a few days back. The task is considered relatively simple, and is conveniently located close-by. With a nod and little hesitation, a thrill of anticipation coursed through our bodies, and we took the mission.

  Slowly, we journeyed for the next hour towards the reported slime infestation. It took us along a well-trodden path, leading straight out of the capital. A spring sunshine, warm on our faces, guided us.

  During the walk, the two of us discussed a potential strategy.

  "Slimes should be straightforward to beat.. relatively," I mused to Erica, my hand resting on my chin. "Their weakness is, primarily, their magic core. It floats within their insides.. and should usually be visible. Destroy that, and its... gelatinous form just dissipates. Easy as that."

  "Indeed," Erica agreed, her hand gripping her sword hilt, "since they're primarily water-based, couldn't you.. use your ice magic, Ophi? You know..."

  "Exactly. I freeze them..", I smugly remarked, waiting for Erica to finish my sentence with a grin, "so I can shatter their gooey form. That way, we can even keep the core intact. Simple. This'll be a piece of cake!"

  We ventured deeper into the woods, and soon enough, familiar sounds gradually replaced bustling noises of the city, resembling those of the forest. It wasn't long before we encountered our first slimes.

  They appeared like small, blue translucent blobs of a shimmering liquid, oozing slowly through the undergrowth, making a sloppy noise. True to our expectations, my quick chant of ice encased the slime in a shell of ice, making it vulnerable to Erica, who then promptly shattered it, using swift strikes of her sword. Exposing the slime's core, it was glowing in her hand.

  Amazed, mine touched hers when I ran my fingers over the core. She blushed, but said nothing.

  In this manner, we quietly continued, working as a team to systematically clear the entire area, dispatching around thirty slimes. My pouch, which I set aside to collect the cores, grew heavier with each harvested slime core. They contained a variable amount of mana, too. With stamina left to spare, we ventured further into their territory, and a sense of unease began to blanket our minds, creeping into Erica's awareness faster than into mine.

  Here.. the forest felt.. different, with the air being heavier, and the silence more deafening.

  "Ophi.. I think we should head back. Something's wrong." Erica suggested, her eyes scanning the increasingly dense foliage. "And we're deeper than initially intended. This is dangerous."

  Just as I was about to agree, a piercing scream, filled with terror, ripped through the quiet of the forest. It was followed by a smaller, equally frightened cry - of a child.

  Erica exchanged looks of immediate concern and unease with me, and our instincts kicked in faster than our brains. Without a word or any sort of fear, we scrambled and made way through the thick undergrowth, following the screams' direction, our hearts pounding up and down our chests.

  Not much time has passed when we arrived at a small clearing. My gaze wandered across. There was no sign of struggle, nothing of any attackers. The only thing was a discarded basket, laying overturned on the muddy ground, and a pile of clothes, a woman's dress and a child's tunic, beside it. Whoever was here, a mother and her child, they were gone.

  Just then, a low, liquid sound reached our ears. It sounded.. wet, and like it was dragging.. across the ground, as if it was slithering around. Cautiously and alert, we moved towards the sound, our weapons at the ready. I stuck behind Erica, who would be the vanguard.

  Whatever sound we followed, led us to a small, stagnant pool, whose surface was covered in viscous, shimmering liquid, far larger and substantial than any of the slimes we had ever seen or encountered before, much less heard of.

  In its center, a massive magic core pulsated, glowing with unsettling intensity. This was.. a mutation, and powerful, no less.

  Encased within were two separate, translucent bubbles in the slime's form, suspended, where a woman and a little girl unconsciously floated, pale-faced and still, with eyes closed, but looking undeniably alive. For now.

  Panic flared in my chest, and likely Erica's as well. This slime was far more powerful than the others we fought, and able to swallow people. Freezing such a massive volume of liquid would be nearly impossible with my current mana reserves...

  "I can try reversing the magical energy of the slime.." I declared loudly to Erica, concentrating and readying myself, "that might shrink it enough for you to hit its core."

  Erica shook her head. "No, Ophi. There's little time. I can.. sever the slime from the girl and her mother, to create an opening. You'll have to freeze the slime's half instantly, before it can reform and engulf them again."

  Risky, but the best shot we got. Time was running out. I nodded, we'll try this. Erica took a deep breath, steeling her nerves, and with a swift, but powerful strike, she cleaved through the massive pool of slime, creating a temporary breach. Then, she lunged forward, pulling the woman and girl free, separating the slime into two halves.

  But the slime was far more potent than we imagined. The severed edges writhed and tried to flow back together, to reconnect, with alarming speed. The ice I managed to conjure cracked and splintered, but for the moment, seemed to freeze the slime's half. With its immense magical energy, the pressure freed it, however, and the reforming creature lunged towards Erica, liquid surging with terrifying speed towards her.

  Before Erica could react, I stepped in front of her, determined to end this thing for good. Crying out, my last hope would be to reverse-cast the water orb spell I learned as the very first magic. It worked, and drew the slime towards me, siphoning its liquid, water-based mass slowly, until it shrank rapidly. When it was a fraction of its former size, too small to effectively attack Erica or me, it collapsed under the immense weight of its magic core, not able to sustain its liquid form. With that, it died, giving us time to breathe.

  As we rested and caught our breaths, the little girl and the woman began to stir. They blinked, slowly, and then their eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding their features.

  "Are you alright?" Erica asked, genuinely concerned. "Are you hurt anywhere?", I added, albeit with a weak voice, but nonetheless relieved.

  The woman sat up, cradling the little girl in her arms. Erica went to get their clothes, and she thanked us. "Y..Yes. Yes, I think we are. What.. what happened?", she interjected, "Thank you.."

  "A slime absorbed you", I told her straightforward, "and we saved you. Here, your clothes, and the basket.."

  "Who are you twoo?", the little girl asked with her small, tremulous voice. "You're so young!"

  Erica proudly glanced at me. "Us? We're adventurers!", she exclaimed, "I am Razor's Edge, and this", she gestured at me, "is Froststar. Thank her, she's an amazing mage!"

  After they were clothed, the two of us escorted them to the city, and they were on their way.

  -Erica

  Back at the Adventurer's Guild, we presented the surprisingly large and intact magic core, that we got from fighting the mutated slime, along with the smaller slime cores, to the receptionist. She, in turn, called for the guildmaster, causing a ruckus and putting us into the spotlight. He, a grizzled veteran with a scarred, mean face and perpetually weary expression, stared at the massive core, wearing nothing but wide-eyed disbelief.

  "By the Twin Moons..." he muttered, his voice hoarse with shock. "A slime.. of this size? That's a beast, alright. You two, both copper, did it in? How?", he eyed our youthful appearances with skepticism. "Tell me what happened, leave out no detail. In my office."

  He escorted us to his office, so we could have a more.. discreet conversation.

  "My name is Corvo. I'm the guildmaster. So, you two?"

  "Fia", "and Erica", we introduced ourselves. Then, Ophi spoke for us.

  "My ice magic", she started to speak and motioned towards me, "and her sword skills, taught to us by the great sorceress Mena, and the renowned swordsmaster Adalbert, helped us greatly."

  His eyes widened slightly at the mention of Adalbert and Mena, both being our instructors. Then, he let out a low grunt, seemingly satisfied with our explanation, albeit still clearly bewildered.

  As a reward, we were allowed to keep the large core, and were awarded a large sum of money for slaying the mutated slime. It was a testament to our strength. He also said we would be allowed to take the Silver-rank ascension quest.. to reach a higher rank. With that in the back of our heads, we made our way back to the Baroness' mansion, with weary bodies, but soaring spirits.

  It was time to party, after all!

  In his office at the Guild, the guildmaster stood by the window, looking out at the bustling city. In this district, everything could happen. His brow was furrowed in thought, a deep concern etched onto his weathered face.

  "Another mutation," he murmured to himself, worrying heavily, "Their appearance is indeed cause for concern. I'll have to send word to her.. To have the mages investigate the source.. of this instability."

  He shook his head slowly, gaze drifting towards the distant hills.

  "If it were anybody but those two, they'd be dead now. I'm glad the Prophetess and the swordswoman took care of the monster. More work..."