Chapter Eleven: The Breezy Plain (Bonus Chapter)

Chapter Eleven: The Breezewind Plains

“So, you’re leaving again?” Catherine asked as she helped Shuster pack his belongings.

“Yes. Master Jasonki said it’s time for me to gain some experience. He told me there’s nothing more he can teach me now,” Shuster replied, also busy with his packing.

“Ah, I’m so envious of your talent! So young, yet already able to cast forbidden spells. If the Four Great Empires knew about you, I can’t imagine how they’d try to win you over. You’re a rare prize!” Catherine gazed at the beautiful youth before her, sighing.

“Tch, what a bother. It seems that no matter what you do, strength is always the key,” Shuster replied with a resigned expression.

“Shuster, if I were to ask for your help on behalf of my country, would you come?” Catherine suddenly asked.

“Huh? Why do you ask that, Catherine?” Shuster looked at her in surprise.

“The truth is, I haven’t told you who we really are. I’m actually a princess of the Eastern Empire, Somia is the daughter of the Minister of Finance, Amiru is the princess of the Elves, Copperhammer is the grandson of the Dwarven Chief, and Karvin is the son of the Eastern Empire’s Minister of Assassins,” Catherine confessed.

“I see. As long as it concerns you, Catherine, it’s my concern too,” Shuster replied calmly.

“Aren’t you surprised at all?” This time, it was Catherine’s turn to be amazed.

“Well, I’d already guessed you were all children of influential figures, based on your manners and behavior. You and Somia’s table etiquette, Amiru always mentioning royalty, Copperhammer’s worldly knowledge, and Karvin’s constant vigilance,” Shuster explained with a gentle smile.

“So you’d figured it out long ago! I thought you might distance yourself because of our backgrounds,” Catherine exclaimed.

“I’m not one to despise the powerful, and besides, you’re nothing like those arrogant second-generation nobles. Why would I avoid you?” Shuster’s expression seemed to say, “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Oh, thank you, little brother.” Catherine blushed under his gaze.

“All right, I’m done packing. I’ll set out tomorrow morning!”

The next morning, after preparing breakfast for everyone, Shuster left the dormitory without a word.

“Well then, back to life on my own. Three months—I must reach the peak of the seventh tier,” Shuster murmured to himself as he looked up at the rising sun outside the school gates.

“Head due north to reach the Monster Forest? All right, I’ll take the road notorious for bandits.” He pulled out a map and muttered to himself.

–––The Cross-dressing Adventurer’s Journey Begins–––

“Miss, I’ll take this assignment,” Shuster announced, standing in the White City Mercenary Guild and eyeing a B-rank escort mission. Behind him, four men lay twitching on the floor, while the rest of the crowd kept well over five meters away.

The receptionist, stunned by the sight of the stunning beauty who had just electrocuted four lecherous men, absentmindedly took the mission slip and mercenary card from Shuster.

A B-rank multi-party escort mission: escort a caravan across the Breezewind Plains to Breezewind Town. The total reward was fifty thousand gold coins, to be split among all hired forces.

“I’ll contact the employer right away, please wait a moment,” the receptionist said, hastening to her task.

Soon, an elderly man with his face hidden beneath a cloak was brought in.

“This is the person you mentioned? Is the Mercenary Guild joking? We have to cross the Breezewind Plains!” the old man snapped after a glance at Shuster.

“Sir, appearances can be deceiving, don’t you agree?” Shuster smiled faintly at him, arcs of electricity crackling around him as he released a tremendous pressure for an instant before withdrawing it.

“Ah, I… I apologize, miss. I take back what I said. Honored one, we would be fortunate to have you escort our caravan,” the old man immediately changed his tone, bowing respectfully. Such was the world—strength commanded respect.

“Tch. When do we depart?” Shuster asked coolly.

“Nine o’clock tomorrow morning, sharp. If that’s too early, we can delay—” the old man offered deferentially.

“No need. You may go. I’ll be there at nine,” Shuster waved him off.

“Very well, I’ll take my leave.” The old man bowed and departed.

“Miss, please prepare the best room for me,” Shuster said to the receptionist.

“Of course! Here is your key—the second room to the left on the third floor,” she replied hurriedly.

“Boring people,” Shuster muttered, taking the key upstairs.

“Phew, what a terrifying person,” the receptionist murmured, patting her chest in relief.

“Miss, may I see that mercenary’s card details?” a mercenary asked, approaching the desk.

“Ah, yes. Let’s see… An A-rank mercenary card. Name: Shuster. Age: Seventeen! Gender: Male! Rank: Sixth-tier, intermediate! Completed missions: 1,542 D-rank, 514 C-rank, 118 B-rank…” With every detail except the name, the receptionist read out in increasing astonishment.

“A… a monster!” “What did she say? A seventeen-year-old A-rank mercenary?!” “Sixth-tier, intermediate?!” “And male?!” The four men on the ground fainted completely upon hearing this. “Is this a joke?! Such monstrous accomplishments!”

–––The Unfinished Regrets of Four Fallen Uncles–––

The next morning at nine o’clock, in front of the Mercenary Guild—

“Ah! Honored one, you’re here. The others have arrived; we can depart now,” the old man greeted Shuster with respect.

“Wow, there’s a real beauty in this mission! Go find out her background,” a burly warrior with a brutish face said to a thief playing with a dagger beside him, as he watched Shuster board a carriage.

“Let’s move out!” the old man called as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the most ornate carriage in the center.

Outside the city, a figure approached the carriage where Shuster sat.

Knock, knock. “Come in.”

“Good day, miss. I’m Matthew, a B-rank mercenary. Our captain would like to invite you to dinner this evening, if you would honor us,” said a man in black, bowing as he entered.

“A-rank mercenary Shuster. I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not interested,” Shuster replied without looking up from his magic notes—after all, it was just a fifth-tier beginner thief.

“Understood, miss. I’ll take my leave.” Realizing she was an A-rank mercenary, Matthew knew this wasn’t someone his group could afford to offend, and took no offense at being ignored.

“Well? Do I have a chance?” the brutish warrior asked.

“Captain, she’s an A-rank mercenary, almost certainly above your level. If we fought, I’d estimate a sixty percent chance of total defeat,” Matthew replied.

“Ugh, so there’s no chance,” the warrior said with a bitter smile.

“Caravan, stop! Set up camp and prepare dinner,” the old man called.

“Is it dusk already?” Shuster put down his magic notes and stepped out of the carriage.

–––

PS: The stage is now Shuster’s alone. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about Sephiroth, and I feel my combat writing has leveled up a notch. Also, please recommend and add to your favorites!