Chapter 1.7 — Training, Tutoring, Tension… Can’t Catch a Break

  Three months have passed since that day…

  “Leo Nachman” I stroked my chin, grinning at the sound of my new name.

  Yep... gonna need to get used to that! Sounds cool, but also a bit mysterious…

  No, I'm not desperate to sound cool for the ladies—very much!!

  ———

  I'm still settling in and told that the family business is almost up and running.

  Apparently Grey will introduce me to it soon... he seems really fired up when speaking about it, so it has to be good?

  I'm just happy Jen and Grey took me in.

  But there's this thing weighing on my mind…

  ———

  On my way to the orphanage I kept recalling that moment.

  Ann’s expression, she seemed happy… but also sad…

  "Hmm, how long has she actually been there?" I thought about stroking my chin.

  …Come to think of it, I don't know anything about her?

  ———

  Suddenly my vision flipped, I found myself—face-planted, on the ground.

  “Heya, Honeypoo!!” Ann screamed in my ear.

  She tackled me wrestling-style from behind!!

  “Gahh, get off me… please!!” I said, tears in my eyes.

  Ann grinning, stood up and gave me a hand.

  “Ohh!!” she examined me, looking excited—she patted my head.

  “Yay, you speak even better now! You're so smart Honeypoo!!”

  Multiple veins pulsating on my face, my eyes twitching at high speed… I composed myself.

  “Yes… now stop—school… go.” I failed to contain my composure.

  She nodded and we walked side by side. Seriously this girl?

  I know she only hangs out with me because Tess asked her to keep me company, but I feel like Ann takes it too far?

  Or maybe… she actually just wants a friend. I'm honestly not sure what goes on in her mind? But I do know her appraisal ceremony is in four months, she's probably mentally preparing.

  “Wait… you live orphanage, right? Why here?” I asked curiously.

  She glanced a smile at me, “Yes, but this is my new running route. Did you think I was lost?” She grinned.

  I sighed, “Ohh… I see… just curious.”

  I feel like she’s been ramping up her training… hmmm, she might be more nervous about the ceremony than i thought?

  Looking at her walking beside me, I feel a bit bad for what happened that day.

  Don’t get me wrong… Yes, I’m happy to find a family… No, I feel bad that I got adopted before Ann.

  Even though the orphanage appeared, no matter how many times I see that mega-giga-building!! I still almost fall over from vertigo…

  It's probably fine, since it's doubtless as the local school… Definitely Tess’s fault, but she did a good thing… even though the village pays her for that building… So I guess—yay for us??

  “Honeypoo, are you ignoring me?” Ann asked, pouting.

  “Ahhhh… no thinking… very deep” I replied, leaning my head back.

  She laughed “I see, well let's meet up after school, yes!” She said, bolting away in a dust cloud.

  Without a chance to reply, I simply nodded my head… It then hit me.

  “Ohh wait, what if i asked Jen and Grey to also adopt her.

  Yeah… should be no problem when the business is up and running!”

  ***

  A few days later, Nachman’s residence… also known as my new home.

  “Wait, repeat… slowly?” I said.

  I was sitting at the dinner table, my spoon half into my mouth. Gross yes… but I couldn't believe what I was hearing!

  Jen and Grey’s looked confused. Grey nodded to Jen.

  “Maybe you should explain it?” A pinch of sweat rolled down his face.

  Jen closed her eyes and cleared her throat. “Well, the thing is… we can't adopt her.”

  “Why… not?” Gnawing my spoon.

  They stared awkwardly… Grey then interjected,

  “we just… can't… it's complicated—so—no.”

  My eyes narrowed—the atmosphere tense…

  I scanned both their faces, like a hyper aware killer-robot.

  …scanning…

  Grey…dripping with sweat—Hmmm, suspicious?

  I shift my gaze.

  …scanning…

  Jen—deadpan flat face—Hmmm, even more suspicious?

  “You two… suspicious,” My eyes ping pong between them.

  “Anyway, no need to worry… she's fine,” Grey said with a half curled smile.

  I felt I couldn't get further if I pressed on.

  “If you say—I guess.” I leaned back, muttered under my breath.

  “Good, I think it's about time then.”Grey brimmed excitedly.

  “Huh? Wait, fast… say again?” I said blinking rapidly.

  Grey then gestured to me to follow, we went into his mysterious workshop—wish I wasn't allowed to enter, by the way.

  “Look at this Leo, what do you think it is?” Grey asked curiously, holding what looked like a small glowing stone.

  I knew immediately what it was, and my mouth parted on its way to explain when I forced it shut. For a moment I forget I'm just a kid, this knowledge was not something I should know yet. Soo instead.

  “Ehmm, looks like, fire in stone?” Like a puppy, I widened my eyes.

  Jen chuckled, “why do you look like that?”

  “Ohh come on Jen. He's just curious about it,” Grey proclaimed, puffing his chest proudly.

  “Well this is an Afinix stone, and this one has fire as its core.” Grey explained.

  I winded my eyes even more, while gaping at the information. “What's… Afnix?”

  Grey grinning and slowly began to educate me.

  “Well it's the name for the five magic elements.

  Fire, Wind, Water, Earth and Light.

  Jen still couldn't stop giggling, ”pffff… why do you look like that Leo?” putting her hands on her stomach, it turned into a full blown laughter.

  Grey and I stared at her—deadpan flat faced… Grey continued.

  “You see Leo, my job is to use magic tools using this Afinix Stone.” Standing with his chest still puffed. “Cool huh?”

  That told me absolutely nothing, yes Afinix is the name for the five magic elements, and yes, it is used for all kinds of magic tool creation… But, what is his specific job??

  “Grey… tell more?” My puppy-eyes were gone, replaced with a cold stare.

  “Ehh, well I'm not sure you'll understand?” Confused, he looked at Jen for reassurance.

  Jen shook her head, “Just tell him, you know he's smart”

  “I guess so,” Grey answered, scratching his head.

  He took a sword out and pointed right above the cross guard, it had a very peculiar shape.

  “Wait… no way… is—” before i could finish my thought.

  “I make spells that can be loaded into the weapon… I’m what you call.”

  My eyes winded as I recognized the It, this was the very reason I was able to survive the first boss in the game… this is…

  “A ShellCrafter!!” We said simultaneously.

  “Ehh… yes. How in the world did you know?” Grey raised a brow.

  “Gahh, I got too excited and messed up… better come up with something.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I struggled to find an answer—until Jen leaned in, arms crossed.

  “He obviously heard it from Simon or Tess.”

  “They teach him other stuff besides language, you know that, right—Grey?”

  She tilted closer, interrogating him.

  Grey leaned back with a cracked voice. “Of… course, honey. Yes, that must be it.”

  Jen smiled and threw me a playful wink.

  I couldn't help but smile back. She's so kind.

  Ahh, she's so sweet and kind… A bit like Tess, but without the gonna kill me vibe.

  A thought struck me. “Wait, then what about the Triskelion Tier? Don’t you have to add that into the Shells too?”

  Grey and Jen froze.

  “Wait—you're not supposed to know about that yet. Not until your appraisal ceremony? Jen said.

  “Ehhh, well…” My mind raced for an excuse.

  “Ahh, it's those two again, right?” Grey smirked.

  “ I swear they just do as they please… I’ll have to speak with them about boundaries.”

  “Aahhh, what?” I tilted my head.

  “Tess and Simon,” Grey bowled.

  “They shouldn’t be teaching you stuff you're not ready for.”

  Jen rolled her eyes. “Seriously? You do realize, Leo’s been learning an entire language for only two months, right?”

  Grey glazed at her, sighed, then turned back to me.

  “Fine. I see your point.”

  “To answer your question—the Triskelion only exists in living beings. It's basically your magic potential. For ShellCrafting, it's irrelevant, since we’re working with tools, not people.”

  “Ohh… I see.” I nodded, curious.

  “Don't worry about it now. It’ll make more sense at your appraisal ceremony.” Grey leaning back, voice softened.

  “Well… guess so.” My shoulders slumped down.

  I really wanted to get more into it, but—

  “—hey but, you know,” Grey scratched his head. Interrupting my thoughts.

  “Since you seemed interested in what I do. How about I teach you a little ShellCrating?”

  My eyes brimmed, “ohh yes… really!!”

  “Aheem, he's not done with his language studies you know” Jen interjected.

  “He can't spend his time learning Crafting too?”

  Grey leaned back, thinking. “Of course not… How about after his appraisal ceremony in two years? He should be done by then, right?”

  She nodded in agreement, “yes that's work.”

  Jen smiled and threw me another wink.

  I smiled from ear to ear, thinking how amazing my new family was. Maybe life would be so bad after all.

  ***

  “You—are you serious?” Tess stood flabbergasted.

  “Hmm… something, wrong?.” I titled my head.

  Tess leaned onto her table; beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

  The tension in the room rose, while a cold sweat began running down my spine.

  I slowly leaned in. “Ehmm… Miss, Tessaria?”

  Her eyes widened as stayed hunched over, frozen.

  If I didn't know better, she looked like she'd seen a ghost?

  “A child… no way—can’t be?” she muttered.

  Tess cleared her throat. Composing herself, she sat down in her chair.

  “Just to be clear, you completed all of these, right?”

  A stack of papers were placed in front of her.

  “Well, yes… is it bad?” Unsure, I leaned back.

  “I have to admit something… Leo.” Her expression, stern.

  Wait, did she just say my name?

  Oh no. I've never heard her use my actual name before?

  Her gaze sharpened as I felt her scanning my every move.

  “Did you do this by yourself? Answer!!”

  I stiffened up. Fear crept in and I began to shiver. “Ehmm… weeeell…”

  Why is she mad? No, what could have made sweet, kind, beautiful Tess so mad?

  While I was contemplating the possibilities, Tess lowered her head.

  “I just want to know if you had help, Leo,” she said in a composed voice.

  Huh? That's all?

  I cleared my throat. “I promise, I did this.”

  Her expression unchanged. “I see…well then.”

  She pulled out a paper from her desk.

  “Here, I want you to solve this.”

  I raised a brow, scanning the paper. It looked quite similar to the one before.

  “You want me solve this? And nothing else?

  Tess nodded. She leaned back into her chair. Before I knew it, smoke filled the room. She's seriously gonna smoke in my face again?

  One thing I knew: Tess smoked in chucks. Sometimes she could go for hours without smoking; sometimes she would puff all day walking around the corridors—Like a runaway chu-chu-train!

  Whatever. I'll just solve this as fast as I can and get out of this mist of death.

  Finally, after a while, I handed over the paper. I was completely exhausted, using all my energy just to get through the damn thing. Since I'd shrunk down to a kid, my energy level was not the same.

  Tess scanned the document. She became more unsettled.

  “No way… it just can’t?”

  She stood up, tightly holding the paper.

  “Tess… you're scaring… a little.” I took one step back.

  With a serious demeanor, she slowly looked up from the paper.

  “There's no mistake—you really did it…”

  “Hmm… well i hope?” I forced a grin, easing tension.

  Her expression softened as she let out a long breath.

  “Ahh sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.” Her lips slowly formed a smile.

  The tension had dissipated, replaced with a feeling of warmth.

  She took another paper out of her drawer.

  “This is what you were supposed to solve, but I accidentally gave you this other one instead.”

  I looked at both papers, not fully understanding the meaning.

  “You were supposed to get the one for grade schoolers, but I accidentally gave you one that’s far beyond that level.”

  “Huh? Wait, what level?” I leaned in closer.

  “Well… you see, the one you solved was not perfect but just enough for you to pass.” Tess bit her lip nervously.

  I narrowed my eyes. “What level did you give?

  She averted my gaze and finally admitted:

  “I kind of gave you a test used at the Feuerhartz Royal Academy.”

  What!! That's basically giving a five year old a university level test?

  “Wait, so that's why you reacted?”

  She sighed. “Yes… I'm truly sorry.”

  Tess then grabbed me by the shoulders.

  “We need to change everything—you're way too smart… so please—”

  “Become my apprentice!!” Her eyes shimmered.

  “Huh? What?” My eyes winded, my mouth gaped, completely frozen.

  “But… you, headmistress for, orphanage and school?”

  She raised a brow. “Yes. What about it?”

  “I mean… you have time for apprentice?”

  Tess stood up proudly, smirking. “Of course. You wouldn't be the only student under my wing, you know!” Her grin stretched so wide I thought her teeth might pop off.

  “Wait—you have another?” I blinked.

  She froze for a moment, clearing her throat. “Ahem. Well it's not uncommon giving special students—special lessons. Besides, it's only you and one more—but the other is… helping an acquaintance.”

  Tess leaned in until her face was only a hair's breadth away.

  she's too close—my face went bright red.

  “Come on… won't you say yes.” Her eyes widened into a pleading pout.

  My heart nearly stopped—Ahhh, she's too cute!

  “Ehm… well… if you, ok with it… I guess—yes.” I averted my gaze, cheeks burning.

  Tess’s expression blazed brighter than the sun. She hugged me really hard—

  My soul almost left my body.

  ***

  A few days later.

  “Are you serious?” I raised both my brows.

  Tess glared at me. “Yes I am. Why? You can't do it?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Noo. But… Why me?”

  “Because she trusts you and also—I'm telling you to!” Tess’s expression grew serious.

  Flustered, I scratched my head. Tess seemed to feel my disappointment.

  She knelt in front of me. “You're the only one who can do this… I've tried different tutors, but none have succeeded.”

  I glanced at Tess, “Why don't you then?”

  She let out a small chuckle. “Well I already am, but she needs someone to help her with the common language… No one is better than you.”

  “I'm a kid.” I scoffed.

  “That's why you are perfect. What she really needs is someone to help her study.

  And there is no one better than you—my apprentice.”

  I crossed my arms and lowered my head, thinking.

  “Ahhh, fine… I'll do it.” I answered reluctantly.

  Tess smiled and tapped me on my shoulders. “As expected from my apprentice.”

  ———

  I walked out into the yard. Ann was swinging her sword.

  “Fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven… fifty—ohh hey Honeypoo.” Her eyes shimmered.

  She stopped swinging her wooden sword and turned towards me.

  “Aren't you supposed to be studying?” she tilted her head.

  I cleared my throat. “Ahem… yes, that's why I'm here.”

  “Ehh, what do you mean? Aren't you too young to study swordsmanship?”

  Ann looked confused.

  “Yes, but that's not it… I'll be your study partner.” I extended my hand.

  “No. I don't need it.” She turned her face away, pouting.

  “Oh… you don’t?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “Yes, I'm perfectly fine as is,” Ann said, turning and walking away.

  My shoulders slumped. “Oh… well, I guess there’s no point continuing your sword training then.”

  Ann froze and turned her head towards me. “What do you mean?”

  “If you don't get good grades, you cannot go school when fifteen.

  You know?”

  Ann gulped. “Ehm… sure I can, if i train hard enough—”

  “Fool! Sword swinging is not enough! You need to read, write, numbers, trade stuff and more! If you want success.”

  Ann’s grip tightened around her wooden sword, her face became tense as she looked down.

  I furrowed my brows. “Why… don't you want help?”

  A beat. Tears rolled down her eyes. “Because I can't, I'm just… too stupid!”

  I tilted my head.

  She turned towards me. “No matter how hard I try, I just can't understand.”

  Ann took a deep breath. “Everyone else seems to understand, but me. I only know how to swing this sword… so it must mean… That I’m just too stupid—right?”

  I closed the distance between us and sighed, then flicked her nose with my finger

  “Auuw! What was that for?”

  I smirked, “Yes, you're stupid… to not study?”

  “Heh?” Ann looked more confused.

  “How, you get smarter if you not study enough?

  If you feel stupid—just study harder… got it!”

  With tears in her eyes, she reluctantly agreed. And that was how I became Ann’s study partner, growing closer as friends.

  ***

  The next couple of months were a blur of studying, training, spending time with family, being tutored by Tess, and helping Ann out. I used different study techniques from my old life to help her. It wasn't easy but with the right push, she finally began to slowly improve her grades, which came at a good time since the Appraisal Ceremony was right around the corner.

  Three months later at the village temple.

  “Huf, huf, huf… ahh, my feet” I was completely winded.

  Ann smirked. “Come on, you still get so tired?”

  I glanced at her, “I'm a kid, of course I get tired quickly.”

  “Hey you. Hurry up,” Tess called.

  Jen, Grey, Tess and Simon stood outside the temple waiting. I looked at Ann.

  “Come on, it's time for your appraisal!”