Necessary Growth

The sun sets as the group makes their way through the city streets, heading south toward the Bronze Gnome Inn. Inside, they find a warm meal and a place to sit together. Over food and drink, conversation turns to what happened in the dragon’s lair and, more pressingly, how to divide the spoils.

Daiki drops a heavy bag onto the table. “Okay, so I got this. A big bag of gold—or silver. Money. Silver, gold.”

Amber quickly corrects him, laughing. “No, no, Daiki. The yellow ones are gold, this one’s silver, and this one’s copper. Don’t forget.”

Masaki empties a pouch of coins onto the table, counting out fifteen hundred copper pieces. Amber stares in disbelief. “All this time? I was walking with Wolfgang back to the entrance while you were hoarding money?”

Ash sets her own bag down. “It’s what Wolfie would have wanted.” She adds her coin—two hundred fifty-seven gold and three hundred eighty-six silver—to the growing pile.

The discussion drags on, numbers being calculated and recalculated. Ash soon loses interest, strumming her lyre in the background, while Amber shifts closer to her, preferring the music to the tallying. Masaki takes over the division, sorting coin by coin until the math balances. Daiki suggests, “So divided by five, everyone gets one hundred eighty-four gold, seven silver, and two copper.”

Attention shifts to the items pulled from the dragon’s hoard. Masaki lays them out: a necklace, a pendant, a shield, a spear, and a scroll. Amber eyes the spear but admits her preference lies with the blood axe she won in battle. When Daiki detects magic, it turns out only the shield carries enchantment. None of them claim it, and they decide it should be appraised and sold.

Amber leans forward when the pendants and necklaces are appraised—three pendants worth two gold each, two necklaces worth one gold each. She suggests, “Maybe we keep them. If we need to barter or charm someone, shiny gifts can work better than coin.” Masaki agrees to set them aside for the group’s use.

The talk shifts toward certification. Daiki frowns at the idea of needing papers to prove his magic. “If I can do it, that’s proof enough, right?”

Masaki explains patiently. “It’s about safety. The certificate shows you can control it. Without that, accidents happen. Fires, destruction, lives lost.” After some debate, Daiki relents. Masaki offers to help him study. Ash groans at the mention of reading.

Later, Wolfgang finally speaks. His interest sharpens when the others mention a contract with a being from hell. Ash admits brightly, “Yes, he gave me power, resurrected me. Isn’t that a great story?” She grins, though Amber watches her carefully, half-convinced Ash is hiding her inability to read – not wanting to read for studying, and even not reading the infernal contract she’s signed. Wolfgang insists he wants to see the contract another day, though for now he is too tired.

The talk grows softer, turning to what each of them offered to bring Wolfgang back. Daiki placed acorns on the altar—symbols of life and growth. Amber pledged her old contract, a renewed vow of protection. Masaki sacrificed a fireball scroll, valuable both in coin and in power. Ash claims to have poured Wolfgang’s very soul into her music, a song still too raw to perform again. Wolfgang thanks them all sincerely, his voice weighted with fatigue. 

When it comes time to pay, each is charged five silver for the meal and eight for lodging. But Ash is singled out and asked for more—five extra copper for food, an additional silver for her room. She bristles. “What? Is this because I’m a woman? Or because I’m red? You’re racist.”

The innkeeper only shrugs. “You were very annoying during dinner. Hurt my ears with that playing.”

Ash fumes, but the group manages to smooth things over before the night ends. Upstairs, Amber keeps a quiet watch near Wolfgang’s room, alert to any disturbance, while the others settle in for their rest.

---

Amber spends the evening writing in her ledger, recording the names of those she has met. She lights a fire, holds the shared necklace in her hands, and silently vows. She draws strength from her newfound paladin powers, promising Oktur that Wolfgang will never again come to harm under her watch. She renews her vow to protect her brother, Fury, dead or alive. The night is tumultuous for her—filled with determination, rage, and self-doubt—but it steels her resolve.

Much later, but still in the middle of the night, Masaki finishes his meditation and feels clarity. Energized, he knocks insistently on Ashira’s door. She wakes groggily, hair disheveled, and squints at him. Masaki bursts out with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, “Ashira, I finally got it! Thanks to you I finally understand it.” He holds up his book, explaining how music, steps, and magic are all connected.

Ashira perks up at the word “music.” “Do you want to make music?” she asks. Masaki nods eagerly, though he suggests waiting until morning so as not to wake the others. Someone does indeed complain from the hallway, so he quickly apologizes and retreats to his room. Ashira smiles and tells him he can wake her anytime for music before going back to sleep.

---

At breakfast, Daiki slips out early to train in a nearby park. Inspired by dreams and memories, he runs through his martial movements with more focus than before. Soon after, the group discusses plans: Tachibana suggests going to Mageguard Keep for their goblin quest reward, while Amber reminds them of their appointment with Telos Kane. They agree to head there after.

At the Keep, they present the goblin head as proof. The officials recoil at the stench but record their names and story. Payment will come the following day, pending confirmation of safety. The group also learns that the Medusa has been placed under house arrest rather than prison, paying restitution to the city.

With business concluded, they head to Wise Manor. On the way, Wolfgang lags from fatigue, so they pause in a park to eat dried fruit before continuing. James greets them at the door and leads them to Telos Kane, already waiting in his black robe with a staff topped by a red gem. Tea is ordered—English breakfast for some, green tea for others—though Amber impatiently refuses, eager to proceed.

Kane thanks them, noting that he has heard of their deeds from Lord Wise. He offers not money, but a recommendation for third-level magical certification. Daiki, confused, wonders aloud why they cannot simply receive certification directly. Ashira tries to explain, half-seriously, that this is just how nobles arrange things. Kane corrects her firmly. Masaki bows politely, assuring him they understand.

At last, he asks if they understand the certification process. Masaki confirms that he has explained it to the others: there will be both a theoretical and a practical test. Kane nods in agreement.

Tachibana asks how much the certification costs. The answer comes readily: ten gold for second level, fifty for third. The theory exam is free, but if anyone fails they must wait ten days before trying again. “I recommend studying for the theoretical exam,” Telos adds.

The explanation is thorough: first, one must cast a leveled spell on a magically enhanced dummy that reacts like a living creature. Then the candidate must describe ethical considerations and safety measures of the chosen spell. Finally, they must overcome a random magical obstacle—anything from an illusory maze to retrieving an item from acid without damage.

Kane lifts a hand, showing faint dots between his fingers. “When you pass, you receive an invisible tattoo here, proof of your certification. It shows how many levels of spells you may cast.”

Daiki’s eyes widen. “We have to get a tattoo? But what if I don’t want one?”

“It is invisible unless you wish it shown—or unless someone casts detect magic.”

Daiki groans. “I’m not looking forward to this stupid test.”

Tachibana reassures him that many see the tattoo as a mark of pride. Telos Kane bears seven dots himself, proof of his mastery. James arrives with steaming tea. Daiki tries to gulp his cup quickly, grimacing at the heat. Tachibana secretly whispers a magical message, asking to cool the drinks. The answer is polite but firm: “That is not my specialty. Please take your time.” 

When Daiki asks about druids in the city, he learns there are several temples of nature—the Earth Mother, the Grove Eternal, the Song of the Roots, the Wild Roots Sanctuary, and the Stone Circle of the Four Winds. Daiki muses about learning there instead of in the “hell of dead trees,” as he calls the library. Ash laughs, warning him of the “evil overlord” of silence—the librarian. Tachibana frowns, insisting librarians are honorable helpers, not enemies.

Amber grows impatient with the chatter and ushers Daiki and Ashira outside. She sighs heavily once the door closes, then asks what everyone wants to do next. Daiki grins cheekily. “Miss Ablaze, you should lower your temperamental fires and just go with the flow.” Amber ignores him.

The group discusses studying. Daiki resists the word, calling it “boring growth.” Tachibana counters that it is necessary growth, like roots spreading so branches can flourish. Ash tries to soothe him: “It’s not about understanding, Daiki. It’s about them thinking you understand. That’s what studying is.” Reluctantly, Daiki agrees to try.

Masaki scribbles a note with book references for the librarian and hands it to Daiki, then another to Amber, who quietly thanks him. Only Masaki and Wolfgang know about her quest to find her brother, and that it was an Oni who took him, so she knows Masaki probably has a lead or more information on that subject, and has just given that to her.

The companions split plans: Daiki and Ashira, plus Wolfgang and Amber will go to the library; Masaki will sell the shield.

Masaki heads toward Mage Guard Keep to seek appraisal. There, he finds Roderick Sinclair, a senior guard. Roderick examines the shield and identifies it instantly as a magical shield, shimmering faintly with force when worn. It is worth about five hundred gold. Masaki considers selling it, but Roderick admits he cannot afford such a price. He suggests a shop instead.

Taking Amber’s advice, Masaki makes his way north to find a place to sell the shield, but discovers Madam Ora’s Occult. The shop looks like a vast stone tent draped with bright fabrics. Inside, incense swirls, and a woman in green robes with coins, beads, and crescent earrings greets him warmly.

“You must be Madam Ora,” Masaki says, introducing himself. He explains he seeks scrying—he believes a relative may be nearby. She listens intently, recognizing his family names.

Her price is steep: one hundred gold per scrying. She offers a package of three for two hundred fifty. After some bargaining, they agree on one scry today for one hundred, with the option to return later.

Masaki pays. Madam Ora sets a crystal sphere before him and asks, “Who would you like me to find?”

“Let’s start with Jin, the youngest,” Masaki says. 

The fortune-teller asks Tachibana if he has anything belonging to the person he seeks. “A garment or a possession,” she says. “A body part, a lock of their hair, a bit of nail—that would be perfect.”

Tachibana frowns. “What about this?” He mutters an incantation and conjures an image of Jin’s face in his palm, the way he remembers him—perhaps a little younger. He holds the image out. “That’s all I can give you.”

“There is a risk,” she warns. “Without something of the target, it is more difficult. My knowledge is second-hand. He can resist.”

Tachibana’s jaw tightens. “That is quite a big risk.”

“Of course. But I want to be honest beforehand.”

“I appreciate that,” Tachibana replies. He steels himself. “Your fate is in my hands, as they say.”

She nods, opens a container, and begins her work. Her chanting grows low and melodic. Shadows thicken around the room. The table trembles, powders burn faster, candles float before dropping again, and the crystal ball glows. Black smoke curls inside its depths. When her eyes snap open, they are clouded.

“Yes,” she whispers. “I can see. He is in a dark place. Everything is grey.”

Tachibana leans forward. “Is he… is he doing well?”

“He looks healthy. He is not alone. He is surrounded by people. But everything seems grey.” She tilts her head, glancing at him between words, as if gauging his reaction.

“That’s good,” Tachibana says, his expression carefully professional, the mask of an interrogator gathering information.

Her words falter. “Some things are off. If I look into his eyes, he does not look that bad.”

Tachibana mutters, “He shouldn’t have…” He catches himself. The woman’s eyes return to normal, the vision gone.

“That was quite an adventure,” she says, leaning back.

“I had full faith in your skills to reach my brother,” Tachibana replies smoothly. “It is great to know he is doing well.”

“Of course. Come back again tomorrow. And if you need anything, please tell your friends about me.”

Tachibana half-smiles. “Do you have a referral fee, or a coupon? Free scry after every ten?”

She laughs lightly. “Word of mouth is enough.”

Tachibana thanks her for her work and rises. 

---

The other group, meanwhile, heads to the Spiral Archive, a vast tower of knowledge he remembers glimpsing from the Don Brinks Cathedral. Inside, the building is wider and grander than expected. A kindly gnome behind the counter notices Daiki’s inexperience and helps him find his way. The gnome explains the sections, the floors, and even points out the levitation platforms that can carry him up quickly.

Amber overhears this advice and curses under her breath, realizing she had trudged up to the twenty-eighth floor on foot earlier.

The Archive is filled with books, some dense and dry, others laced with diagrams and symbols. Daiki gravitates toward the visuals, studying charts and markings more than text. He takes his work seriously for the sake of the group, though he admits to himself he is no scholar.

Ash joins him, her study method entirely different. She reads slowly, humming softly, sometimes plucking a note on her lyre. Her notes are written not in words but in musical notation—melodies standing in place of sentences.

Daiki notices this for the first time. Their gazes meet often, as if to confirm their interpretations. Ash keeps humming, melodies repeating, until someone approaches and points her toward a silence box.

Inside, she can hum and play without disturbing others. Daiki grins. “Then I can think out loud too, because sometimes my head makes no sense.” They move into the soundproof space together.

Amber considers her own course of action, together with Wolfgang, who will study for the certification too. Amber plans to follow up on the information Masaki gave her about portals, as she had already confided in him about her brother. She also wants to investigate Ashira’s contract—someone must take responsibility, since Ash seems unconcerned. And there is Bell, the demon. Amber wants to know more, and perhaps, in her own quiet way, to understand if there is any link to oni—though she deems it unlikely. 

Ash continues her odd musical notation, while Daiki experiments with his own tricks, turning pages with small gusts of conjured air. The two sit surrounded by books, melodies, and shifting parchment, each struggling through their own peculiar way of learning.