The four of them left the guild together. For a while, nobody said anything.
Then Ore broke the silence. "We need to get stronger."
Temi glanced at her. "After nearly getting eaten by a Mirefang, that’s your conclusion?"
"Yes."
"Fair enough."
Akin looked at Tolu.
"You relied too much on your weapons. Temi and I aren’t better."
Tolu nodded. "You’re right."
He thought back to the fight.
None of them had used their affinities.
They had simply swung their weapons and hoped they would connect.
Ore crossed her arms.
"We should start practicing them."
Temi raised an eyebrow.
"You don’t know how?"
Ore shook her head.
"I know the basics. But I’ve never actually trained it seriously."
Akin nodded.
"Same."
Tolu looked at Temi.
"What about you?"
Temi shrugged.
"I can use fire."
She held up her hand.
A tiny flame appeared above her palm.
Tolu and Ore looked at it.
The flame flickered for a few seconds before disappearing.
Temi lowered her hand.
"That’s about it."
Akin stared at her.
"That’s not very impressive."
Temi immediately turned toward him.
"What did you say?"
"I said it’s not very impressive."
"Want me to demonstrate something more impressive?"
Akin shook his head.
"No."
Ore laughed.
Tolu couldn’t help smiling.
Temi crossed her arms again.
"Anyway, if we’re going to fight together, we should all learn how to use our affinities properly."
Ore nodded.
"There might be someone who teaches basic techniques."
"Or a shop," Akin said.
Tolu looked at him.
"A shop?"
"I’ve seen spell shops around the city. They should sell basic spells for beginners."
Ore’s eyes brightened.
"Really?"
Akin nodded.
"They’re might not cheap, though."
Temi smiled.
"They should be too expensive after all it’s for novices and only covers the basics. So, let’s check for some."
Tolu looked at the three of them.
"Sounds like a plan."
Ore nodded.
"Let’s head into town to check if we find it and it isn’t too expensive then Tomorrow, we train."
Temi raised her hand.
"And after that, we check the spell shops."
Akin sighed.
"You’ve already decided everything."
Temi grinned.
"Someone has to."
Akin looked at her.
"I was going to suggest the same thing."
"Then you should have said it first."
Akin shook his head.
"I see this is going to be difficult."
Ore laughed.
Tolu smiled.
They made their way deeper into the city, following the eastern market street.
The road was busier than the one near the guild.
Merchants called out to passing customers while adventurers moved between the various shops, some carrying weapons and others carrying bags filled with monster materials.
After walking for a while, Akin stopped.
"There."
Tolu followed his gaze.
A small shop stood between a blacksmith and a general goods store.
Unlike the other shops, its front window was covered with rows of small glass bottles, scrolls, crystals, and books.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance.
SPELLS & ARCANE ARTS
The door opened with a soft chime as they entered.
The inside was much larger than it looked from outside.
Shelves covered almost every wall.
Some held bottles containing strange liquids. Others displayed small crystals that glowed faintly in different colours.
There were also scrolls, charms, and countless books.
Ore looked around.
"How are we supposed to find anything in here?"
"Probably by asking," Akin said.
Temi ignored him and walked toward one of the shelves.
"Look."
A row of books had been placed together.
A small wooden sign above them read:
BEGINNER AFFINITY MANUALS
Ore picked up the first book.
"Earth Affinity: Basic Manipulation."
She looked at Tolu.
"This should be yours."
Tolu took the book and examined the cover.
"How much?"
Ore checked the small price tag attached to it.
"Eighty bronze."
Tolu’s eyes widened slightly.
"Eighty?"
Akin picked up another book.
"Ice Affinity: Basic Manipulation."
Temi grabbed a third.
"Fire Affinity: Basic Manipulation."
She looked pleased.
"Perfect."
Ore found a book for her own affinity and held it against her chest.
They carried the four books to the counter.
The shopkeeper looked at the books.
"Eighty bronze each."
Tolu counted out his coins.
Ore did the same.
Akin placed his coins on the counter.
Temi reached into her pouch.
She counted.
Then counted again.
Her expression changed slightly.
She was short.
Akin noticed.
Without saying anything, he quietly loosened his pouch and slipped some coins into her hand.
Temi looked at him.
"What?"
"You’re short."
"I know."
"Then take them."
She stared at the coins for a moment.
"I’ll pay you back."
Akin shrugged.
"Fine."
Temi accepted them.
She placed the remaining coins on the counter.
The shopkeeper collected the money and nodded.
"Good luck with your studies."
The four picked up their books.
Tolu tucked his under his arm.
Ore did the same.
Temi held hers against her chest.
Akin simply carried his at his side.
They stepped back onto the busy street.
Temi glanced sideways at Akin.
"You didn’t have to do that."
Akin looked at her.
"I know."
She frowned.
"Then why did you?"
He shrugged.
"You needed the book. It’ll make you stronger so you’re a better asset to the team."
Temi stared at him for another moment.
Then she looked away.
"Whatever."
Ore noticed the exchange but said nothing.
Tolu noticed Ore noticing.
Neither of them said anything.
The four continued down the street, each carrying something that might change the way they fought.
For now, they were still novices.
But they had taken their first step toward becoming something more.
The four had barely stepped away from the spell shop when shouting erupted from the direction of the Adventurer’s Guild.
"Move!"
"Get a healer!"
Several adventurers rushed through the guild entrance.
Tolu, Ore, Akin and Temi stopped and turned.
Two adventurers were carrying a third between them.
The injured man was barely conscious.
Blood covered his clothes, and one of his arms hung limply at his side.
"Someone help us!"
A guild worker immediately rushed toward them.
"What happened?"
"We need a healer!"
The injured adventurer was carefully lowered onto a bench while another guild worker ran toward the treatment room.
A healer soon appeared.
"Bring him inside."
The two adventurers carried their injured companion into the treatment room.
Tolu and the others followed a short distance behind.
The healer examined the man’s wounds.
"What happened to him?"
One of the adventurers was still breathing heavily.
"The dungeon."
"What about it?"
"We thought it was empty."
The healer looked up.
"Empty?"
"Yeah. We cleared it before. There shouldn’t have been anything left."
The other adventurer nodded.
"But monsters kept rushing at us."
"How many?"
"I don’t know."
He shook his head.
"We killed some, then more appeared."
The healer frowned.
"Was it a normal dungeon refill?"
"We don’t know."
The adventurer looked toward his injured companion.
"It felt like they just kept coming."
The healer returned his attention to the wounded man.
"That’s all you know?"
"That’s all."
The healer nodded.
"Then let me work."
The adventurers stepped aside.