The journey proceeds smoothly on the first day.

  Since Akaras is completely reliant on supplies from the outside, the road is well maintained, and any wear and tear gets directly attended to by dedicated construction units.

  Thankfully, this means that it isn't as unpleasant as traveling on other roads, where you get shaken to the very core with every single bump the carriage takes.

  Also, the weather is sunny and warm.

  It might be quite hot this far in the East, yet I'm used to this temperature and, in general, never had issues with heat.

  Still, one issue keeps popping up.

  This weird woman, who had to sit, of all places, right on the neighboring seat, is far too jolly for me, who would just like to quietly get this journey over with.

  But to make it worse, I also seem to be her chosen target to pester!

  "Say! What makes a girl like you take the carriage completely alone?" (N)

  I decide to ignore her and avoid any eye contact.

  Which somehow gets her to start poking me in the side.

  "Now, come on. Tell. I'm curious!" (N)

  Urrgh!

  Why does she have to bother me?!

  "Will you leave me be if I tell you?" (Y)

  "Maybe?" (N)

  Urgh, her eyes are looking at me so curiously.

  I never like being the center of attention.

  Though satisfying her curiosity may work better, as she doesn't seem like the type to give up easily on a target she decided upon.

  Also, it's not as if I have many ways to avoid her, here in this cramped place.

  "Haven't you heard about the orc attacks? My parents got worried that there might be more to it. So they wanted to make me leave before this 'more' could come knocking against the walls of Akaras." (Y)

  "I've heard that too! I hope my investments stay unharmed." (man)

  Thank you for chiming in, unknown person.

  "I don't think we need to worry all that much. Even thirty years ago, when the Korash clan was running wild, the army had no real issues putting them down." (old woman)

  "Ah, I heard about that. It was one of the greatest incursions Akaras had to face since it was created." (man)

  "Yes. They raided farms and villages all around the East, but eventually, they were put down by the army. It was barely a battle, so I was told. Too few of them to face an expedition ten times their numbers. I'm sure, this time as well, it's only a single clan trying to cause some stirrup." (old woman)

  Well, she was probably right there to witness everything personally, so her expertise is welcome.

  I quite like to hear about these stories.

  To think that even such great monsters as Orcs can be taken down by numbers.

  Yet, of course, this is only true if there's strategy and coordination behind their efforts.

  An organization that I won't ever be part of…

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I can't help but sigh at the thought.

  "You don't seem very glad that your parents care this much about you." (N)

  "Didn't you say you would be quiet?" (Y)

  "I said 'maybe'! And isn't this in some way still part of the question?" (N)

  "Fine! It doesn't sit well with me to leave just like this. I know people there and would rather do something to help them, instead of bailing out in this way." (Y)

  "Don't you think you should leave it to the army?" (man)

  "I could sign up there right now!" (Y)

  And really!

  No one asked you for your input!

  "I get you, but honestly, you don't look like much of a fighter. Orcs are terrifyingly huge. There are some people who care for you, so wouldn't it be tragic if some orc would gut you?" (N)

  "Doesn't mean I need to like it." (Y)

  After this, the talk ends for a while.

  At least my participation in it.

  The other passengers keep on talking for a while about what could possibly be going on.

  They get on about politics, the supply of the army, and the effect on the economy now that Feros-mine is down.

  Nothing too interesting.

  I disengage from this stuff, but after a while, I notice that this woman strangely steals glances at me.

  I try to ignore it at first, but after some hours it starts to become evening, and she still keeps going on with it.

  Agitated, I start:

  "Is there a problem? Why are you staring at me like this?" (Y)

  "Boop!" (N)

  She just bopped my forehead!

  "Don't touch me, you lunatic!" (Y)

  "Don't be so hostile. I just wanted to confirm something." (N)

  Promptly, she places her whole hand on my forehead.

  "Why? What's gotten into you?" (Y)

  Instantly, I pull it away.

  "Fascinating!" (N)

  "What is 'fascinating'?" (Y)

  "My dear, did you know that you are a mage?" (N)

  Mage?

  How does she come to this?

  "What are you talking about?!" (Y)

  Only one percent of the populace has even the slightest affinity for a magical element.

  Also, they are all said to be weirdos, and I'm certainly not a weirdo.

  "Yes, you are a mage. No doubt about it." (N)

  Some of the folk in the carriage who got interested in the commotion even gasp slightly.

  Unfortunately, they don't really have another source of entertainment in here.

  "Seriously? Did you lose it?" (Y)

  The mere idea that I could be a mage is simply ridiculous.

  "I am serious here! I've got curious as you, despite the temperature, didn't lose a single drop of sweat." (N)

  What does my high tolerance for temperature have to do with this?

  Just because I have this trait, it doesn't have to be a mage's mark.

  Just like not everyone with brown hair is earth aligned.

  "To be a mage, you need to have an affinity, and I certainly have no such thing!" (Y)

  "Oh, but you have! I just confirmed it! Frost, I presume. Maybe even ice. Very rare." (N)

  "The heck? I’ve absolutely never done anything magical in my whole life." (Y)

  "Maybe calling you a mage was a bit much. You certainly have the affinity, but your innate energy is just enough to maybe cool the temperature around you a tiny little bit and not perform noteworthy acts." (N)

  "So you're telling me that, despite being objectively a mage, I am also not, as I don't have any strength to support it. So, in fact, I am no mage." (Y)

  "That's too simple a way to look at it." (N)

  "But this is true." (Y)

  "If you want. Your affinity seems rather small, hence why you never noticed it. But it is, in fact, there. More importantly, there are some tricks to it. Practices, so to speak, to get the mana inside your cells to circulate properly. I don't believe you would become especially powerful, but if you utilize them diligently, you might be able to throw snowballs during summer." (N)

  What is she saying?

  Circulate?

  Cells?

  Is she making up these words?

  "So you're a mage?" (Y)

  At least she is definitely weird and seems to know stuff about magic.

  "You could say so, but mostly just a bit of an enthusiast who likes to dabble." (N)

  For some reason, which mostly was that I had nothing else to do, we come into talking after this.

  She starts to refer about things like meditation, the right diet, being at certain places with an abundance of energy, and controlling your inner energy circulation.

  Honestly, I only understand half of it, but she is rather helpful towards a person she has just come to know.

  And she even repeats the stuff I don't get if I ask her to.

  If not for her weird attitude, her character would be almost agreeable.

  The others were at first interested as well, yet that soon dropped, as it didn't concern them the way it did me.

  Occasionally, they still throw me curious glances, lacking other sources of entertainment, but the many repetitions apparently quickly became boring to them.

  Even during night camp, Nuvia and I talk a bit about this magic thing before going to sleep.

  If I'm truly a mage, then maybe this could be my ticket into the army?

  Mages are like extremely rare, so if I can do anything worthwhile, this might convince the recruiters.

  Seems like things are starting to take a little turn for me.