Michael held his sword in his hand. Whatever Stefan asked, he had to follow behind him. Michael couldn't just live on his life by the edge just taking quest after quest and hoping to make a living. He needs to build a character for himself. He was no longer a slave or an adventurer.
He was Evelyn's ego master. He wanted to learn how to fight, learn how to control his mana, and how to survive in this world. From a boy that didn't care about his life into a burning will to protect someone he liked, Michael had to change his attitude. There was no more turning back.
Stefan took him to buy new clothes and light armor. Apparently the clothes they handed him were too poor for the public. Michael even asked how he was going to repay Stefan but it turns out he was just using Michael's cut from the quest reward.
Though Michael didn't argue. This was the first thing he would've done if he had the money. To look better for Evelyn. He finally had clean clothes he could call his own. He was starting to look like an ordinary person.
Then Stefan walked them down the block and entered an armory, to solve the issue of Michael holding a sword in public daylight. To remove the anxious looks from city guards, he needed a sheath for his sword. Stefan even asked him if he wanted a new sword, seeing that Michael's looked too impractical.
The gold lining on the sword made it look ceremonial, never to use for combat. But Michael immediately refused against that idea and insisted that this was his sword to use. He even heard a snicker in his mind after that.
Michael placed his sword on the smith's table as the man measured it. It felt strange watching him run his fingers over the blade as tried to find the right size for her. He imagined this was her version of finding new clothes to wear just as Michael did.
The smith returned and handed them a leather sheath with a sling so Michael could wear it on his back. He was a bit short to hang it on his waist.
Michael smiled with relief, having the convenience to wear Evelyn without having the thought of being arrested as a possible thief on the streets. His only concern though, he couldn't hold her anymore. He wouldn't be able to hear her thoughts as she was sheathed on his back unless he held her hilt.
Stefan paid the man and suggested they find something to eat and have the time to talk. He found it strange that Michael kept holding his sword as if he was ready to fight.
Michael's face probably looked uneasy. He liked the feeling of being bonded with Evelyn and hearing her voice inside his head. If he didn't hold her, she would've felt alone.
I'm fine, the voice said, I'll just be right behind you. You don't have to hold me all the time, Michael, it's okay.
Michael reluctantly released his hands off the sword. Though it did feel weird reaching behind him as if he was ready to cut someone down. He would have glances from the commoners thinking he had some type of mental condition.
It was just the thought of Evelyn trying to talk to him and Michael wouldn't even hear her. He figured out that every time he was with Stefan's party, Evelyn would be a sword until they were alone. Michael wanted to figure out some type of way he could spend time with Evelyn normally without her being a sword.
Stefan sat them in a nearby restaurant, ordering mounds of meat just judging how thin Michael was. He asked Michael what he did before deciding that he wanted to become an adventurer then almost risking his own life.
Michael forged his story again, excluding the part he became a slave. His parents died as adventurers and he wanted to take care of Evelyn. She was the only person left in his life that he could care about.
Stefan didn't mind the gaps in his story but was only interested that Michael really insisted on becoming an adventurer.
"The Adventuring guild is the guild itself," Stefan said. "My party works to take their assigned quests."
Michael stuffed more food in his mouth. "Assigned quests?"
"They're different from the ones you see on the board. You see, we're not like those other members in the guild. The guild asks you and your party directly for quests they believe you can carry out."
"Did they ask you to kill the lich too?"
"That one became an emergency quest," he stretched back. "You know those yellow papers beside the board? That's someone asking for help. Someone must have been concerned about you."
Michael imagined the man at the receptionist desk must have doubted him before he took the quest. He had saved his life.
"Just so happens I know a kid, a very stubborn kid, had taken a quest to kill the lich himself so he could make his girlfriend happy. Is that right?"
Michael chewed his food harder in response.
Stefan leaned forward. "You want to get stronger? I can help you with that as long as you join my party."
"I already said that I would."
"I know," he pointed at Michael. "But you have to let them know. You saw how they talked to me, do you think they'd keep listening to me? I would rather die than begging on my knees in front of Mave. "
"Do…you want me to do that instead?"
"No, kid, I'm asking you to grow some hair on your chest. Tell them how bad you want it, even if you end up making fun of Ellis's height."
Michael tightened the sling around his back.
"Make them scared of you, or something," Stefan waved a waiter for more booze. "Because all they see in you is a scared child. What I see is someone crazy enough to do whatever they want."
"Why are you doing this for me?"
Stefan shrugged. "Why not?"
"I don't have anything to give to you."
"You can by joining my party."
Michael thought his smile looked too obnoxious. He could understand why his own party disliked him.
Stefan burped, beating his chest. "Alright, you find something to say. I'll be in the bar burning whatever money you have left. No hard feelings, right?"
Michael shook his head.
"Good kid."
Stefan walked away, leaving Michael alone at the table and leftover food that he couldn't stuff in his stomach anymore.
Michael looked around. The place was empty, apart from the few commoners eating at their tables from afar. They had come pretty early in the morning and he imagined this place must be more active at night since they served alcohol. He reached over his shoulder and unsheathed his sword. He wanted to know if she was okay.
Are you sure about this, the voice said, you're putting a lot of trust into somebody you don't even know.
Stefan didn't look like a bad person at all. He might come off as an uncontrollable drunk but he had good intentions for the people around him. Michael even thought Stefan was the only decent adventurer that he's met. Drinking problems or not, he wanted to help Michael get stronger. Michael couldn't do that alone.
I understand, the voice said, but I don't like the way they treat you. I don't care if they're here to help you, they shouldn't talk to you like you're less than them.
Michael thought she was being considerate.
You would have said the same for me, the voice said.
He smiled.
After forcing himself to scarf down any leftover food, he checked back on Stefan. It wasn't a surprise he was trying to haggle for more drinks despite already being spent with coins. The waiter kicked them both out.
Stefan groaned, rubbing his eyes to the bright sunlight. He said that he'd train Michael after everyone has a mutual agreement to accept him in the party. There wasn't some signature or official branding, he just needed their approval or liking. And by the direction they were walking, Michael thought this was far away from the Adventuring guild.
"Relax," Stefan patted his back hard. "You ever been up this high before?"
They were moving up into the noble's residents. These types of housings were way different than the ones in the city. Even from the texture of the streets and lights, this felt like a whole new area. There were even more guards present, accompanying nobles as they walked by.
"Don't look any of them in the eye," he told Michael. "There aren't a lot of adventurers with this type of privilege. But it is nice to experience what the rich feel everyday."
"Are…you a noble?"
"I wish." Stefan snorted. "I was raised by adventurers, nothing noble about that."
Michael thought they had practically the same upbringing.
"We shouldn't be too far. Just remember to speak properly when you meet them again."
"You guys have your own house?"
"It's under Mave's name. Well, actually, under her father but she lets us stay there if we pay our own share from quests."
They turned on a street and stopped in front of a graceful two-story house. Michael thought the place looked amazing even before stepping inside. He would have never guessed it was a house and if anyone lived in there.
"Luckily," Stefan dragged Michael along. "We turned her place into our own base, whether she liked it or not. Me and Ellis couldn't stand sleeping in the guild anymore. It took a while but we twisted her arm enough."
"Why were you in the guild if you already had a place to stay?"
"They serve cheap booze. It's bad, but it's cheap."
Stefan knocked hard on the door and called their names. Silence in response. Without an answer, he threatened to break down the door.
Mave opened it. "I thought you quit."
"You people will never get the last of me."
"I know—"
Stefan stopped her before she shut the door. He pried himself through and pulled Michael along. Mave's face was something to remember as she found the same child he still hung onto.
"Why is he still here?" Mave grabbed Stefan aside. "Are you out of your mind? Is all that drinking finally getting through your head?"
"Relax, woman," he pulled off her hand. "Where's Ellis? We're having a quick meeting."
"We have a quest today, did you forget that too?"
"Actually, I didn't," Stefan moved into the living room. "Come on, Michael, this way."
Michael even felt uncomfortable passing by Mave. He wasn't even looking at her but he could feel her eyes staring straight right through him. A random child that Stefan had brought is freely walking through her noble home. He couldn't help but look at everything in the house. One room was almost the size of his home back in Alanor. The amount of space almost felt nauseous just how freely they were moving around.
Ellis stood next to a raised table with a map scribbled around and small figures placed. It had felt like they had been planning something before Stefan wanted to recruit Michael.
"We thought you quit," Ellis continued drawing. "Or are you here to raid the pantry for the last drops of alcohol?"
Stefan strapped on his armor. "I quit drinking."
"Bullshit."
"Can we have a meeting?"
"We just had a meeting. We're about to leave now—"
Stefan pushed Michael to the front. "Whoops, where'd he come from? I guess now he has to be part of our party."
Ellis sighed.
Mave came into view. "Be realistic for once, Stefan. Whatever attachment you have with this child, how does this help any of us?"
"He has potential," Stefan said. "Just a little bit of training and you would have never doubted him again."
"There was nothing to doubt at all. He looks like you picked him off the street."
"Hey!" he frowned. "I bought these clothes for him."
That was a lie, Michael thought, he actually used Michael's own money to expense everything they bought today.
"Hey, kid," Ellis snapped his fingers, drawing his attention. "Whatever deal you made with this man, don't think about it anymore. You can leave if you want. You don't have to be here—"
"No, I want to," Michael finally spoke. "Please let me join your party."