Alythia

After a good dose of scolding, we took a much-needed break. Finn and Elara, both experienced in dealing with game, set to work on the spoils I had collected. They began by draining the blood from the creatures. I watched in fascinated horror as they skillfully cut and maneuvered around the bodies, their hands stained a gory red. I know I was the one to hunt and kill these beasts, but all I really did was shoot magic to poke at them from afar, nothing like their actions of cutting it open from up close. As gruesome as the process was, it was mesmerizing to watch. Their dexterity and experience shone as they worked, skinning the creatures and preparing the meat with outstanding speed.

To my surprise, they found a small magical crystal buried in each creature. I knew the wolves had it, as it was visible on their body, but the monkeys had it buried deep within their round bodies. Though, they were small. The wolves were maybe the size of a pinky tip, but the monkey’s gem was even smaller, barely visible even. Each of them gleamed with an enchanting glow. 'Magical beasts…’ I thought, my mind filled with questions.

Once the creatures were dealt with, Finn decided to grill some of the meat. With Elara's help, they quickly set up a makeshift grill using a couple of sturdy branches and some flat stones. The aroma of the grilling meat soon filled the air, making my mouth water in anticipation. Taking a bite of the grilled meat, I looked at Finn. "What’s this I’m eating?" I asked, curious. It tasted like a fusion between pork and chicken, a bit lacking in seasoning but delicious nonetheless.

“That’s Fluff Imp, the monkey, and the larger chunk still cooking is from the Shadowfang wolf. Very delicious and quite a delicacy!” Finn replied enthusiastically. “Though can you kill it more cleanly next time? All these holes ruined the value of the fur!” he berated.

I bobbed my head to show I understood. Taking another bite, I pointed at the turkey he was grilling. “What’s that called?”

“Wild turkey”

“Oh.”

As night fell, we set up our camp and settled in, taking turns to keep watch. The nocturnal sounds of the forest seemed oddly comforting after today's series of events.

The following morning, we resumed our journey, but this time, I obediently walked alongside Finn and Elara. After seeing my ability to carry stuff using magic, I was punished with the task of carrying most of our group’s luggage. It wasn't physically taxing as I didn't have to physically carry them after all. Instead, it was the sustained use of magic, carefully manipulating my mana to float multiple items behind us was proving to be a test of my mental endurance. As a result, I couldn’t have been happier when the dense forest receded behind us, revealing the sight of the quaint settlement.

'Finally' I thought, my eyes scanning the horizon, 'civilization!' Finn seemed to share my sentiment, his tired face brightening up as we approached.

The settlement was small, almost picturesque, and consisted of small thatched houses that were distributed randomly, their only order being the broad paths that seemed to weave them together. It was surrounded by lush meadows and neatly stacked log piles, the smell of fresh-cut lumber lingering in the air. People milled about, some dragging logs, others carrying baskets of herbs or wildflowers. There was a sense of bustling activity that seemed strangely calming.

I say small, but Elmwick, with a population of almost 2000, was apparently the biggest ‘town’ in the nearby region. It was even big enough to support having its own Adventurers’ Guild branch, a two-story building made of the same wooden logs as the rest of the town but much larger. The front facade had a huge signboard bearing the emblem of the adventurers' guild, the simplified world map on a shield. This was a familiar sight, but its small scale served as a stark reminder of Elmwick's modest size.

Entering the guild, the smell of food, alcohol, and smoke hit me. The ground floor was bustling, designed as a pub with adventurers and locals alike, talking, drinking, smoking, and occasionally arguing. The receptionist but more like waiter, a robust lady with red hair tied in a braid, greeted us with a warm smile.

Unloading our spoils, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as everyone’s eyes widened at our bounty. We sold most of the extra leftovers, earning a respectable true silver coin. After the transaction, we retreated to the upper floor of the guild, which served as an inn for travelers. We each got our own rooms, with a simple wooden bed, table, and an open window overlooking the rest of town. The sight of the sunset painting the sky with shades of pink and purple was truly a sight to behold. 

With the loud ruckus going on on the first floor, I found it difficult to sleep. Deciding to not lay in bed any longer, I decided to get up and head down. The first floor was more lively than I had expected. I spotted Finn sitting at a table near the corner, a mug of ale in hand, and a plate of roasted seeds in front of him. He looked relaxed, his earlier demeanor replaced by a boisterous smile as he chatted with others. I moved toward him, the chatter and laughter in the pub feeling infectious.

Once I reached Finn, I flagged down a passing server and ordered some snacks and a pint of whatever Finn was drinking. He looked at me, lips curling into a frown. “Alythia, children shouldn’t have this.” He gestured at the mug in front of him, his voice stern.

Taken aback, I scoffed. "Hmph, I’m 18."

Finn, an eyebrow raised, scanned me once over before laughing "I thought you didn't remember anything?"

“...” He had a point. Racking my brains, I mulled over a response. Eventually, I just gave up and retorted, "Well, I know I'm at least 18!" There was a certain determination in my voice, as we entered a staring contest.

After a brief moment of silence, he conceded with a sigh. "Alright, but don't drink too much." 

I nodded eagerly, the challenge of trying something new intriguing me. When the server finally arrived with my drink, I held the pint up and took a big gulp. The taste hit me immediately, a sharp, bitter flavor that made me cough and choke. Following up was a rough and scratchy texture in my mouth. The potency and texture were overwhelming and not at all what I expected. I stuck my tongue out, shaking my head and pushing the drink away. "Nasty" I muttered, regretting my earlier eagerness.

“Not drinking anymore?” Finn asked, a smirk evident on the edge of his lips. 

“No” Shaking my head, “You can have it.” I said, pushing my cup to him. As much as I wanted to prove him wrong, I hated the taste.

With no drink and the snacks barely edible, I found myself growing bored. I observed the merry crowd for a while, watching the locals engage in animated discussions about lumber prices and hunting expeditions. 'This isn’t as fun as I thought' I reflected.