What do you want?
— You promised to teach me, and I came here for exactly that reason.
— What do you think defines happiness?
— Don't change the subject, old man.
Veikh angrily struck Edmus with a spinning blow — the boy didn't even have time to react. He flew about fifteen meters, then stood up, gritting his teeth, and shouted:
— What the hell are you doing!?
— You wanted to be my student. Respect for the teacher is very important, right? — said the teacher, turning around to face the rising grolph.
— You're right. Forgive me, master. It won't happen again.
Edmus quickly realized his mistake and took the reprimand to heart.
— Well then, maybe now you're ready to be taught. But taught what, exactly? Let's try hand-to-hand combat.
— Sorry, Veikh, but you're not exactly great at it yourself. Even though I didn't fully keep up with your fight against Fira's father, your movements looked like someone not very skilled in fistfighting.
— And what was the outcome of that fight?
— What do you mean?
— Who won?
— You did, master…
— You see, Edmus, sometimes you have to let your opponent feel in control so that they drop their guard.
— I understand, master. I'm paying attention.
— First of all, when you fight with your fists, you unknowingly use negative energy. Correct?
— I guess so… I haven't had much experience in close combat.
— Well, that's something to pay close attention to in melee. You must channel the energy flowing through your body forward, past you. This creates the effect of pushing yourself with it — your strikes become heavier and faster.
— Sounds easy.
— But in practice — insanely difficult. Get into stance.
Edmus took a stance and looked at his master in confusion — and was immediately knocked off his feet by a punch. Getting back up, he was shocked but calm — not a hint of doubt or hatred toward his teacher.
— Why did you take the hit?
— I didn't see you… — Edmus said this with a tinge of shame, looking at the light-haired man.
— Correct. That's because you lack experience. You can't just rely on your genes, boy! Try tracking my legs — the direction they move, the moment I lift them off the ground. You don't need to fully watch me — only the silhouette. You need to learn the path I take toward you with your eyes, catch the moment of my strike — and block it!
— Yes, master. As you say.
Veikh continued to literally beat Edmus for three hours. Not once did the boy manage to block a blow. Every attempt failed. Fira and Guko came aboard the ship, sat down, and started watching. Veikh called Guko over.
— Guko, Edmus is not ready to spar with me yet. No matter how much I hold back — he can't keep up, my speed far surpasses his. Why do you think that is?
— Because Edmus is using his speed incorrectly. As soon as he sees your strike — he should tense his muscles immediately, not stand and wait for the hit.
— Correct, Guko.
— But you told me to try to spot the hit! — Edmus protested, looking at Veikh.
— And for that, is it better to prepare your body or stand like a statue? Edmus, you clearly weren't paying attention during lessons. Alright, enough for now. We've got more pressing matters. We'll soon be near the island of "Ney."
— You want us to stop there, I assume? — Fira stood and walked up.
— Yes. Otherwise, we'll run out of supplies, and some communication won't hurt either. Especially for you, Edmus — you've been too tense lately.
Edmus nodded humbly. As their ship approached the island, Veikh took out a pouch and gave each of the group ten silver coins.
— Couldn't I have just created some? — Guko asked.
— No. There's bound to be someone with sensing magic around. Do you think magic and material creation are the same? Coins don't contain energy.
— Got it, Veikh.
After that, they docked at the shore and disembarked. The island looked quite decent. Everyone went their separate ways. Edmus walked forward — it would be easier for him to return simply by walking back. He moved slowly, taking in the surroundings. After about half an hour, he reached a town and entered.
Suddenly, a rock hit him from behind.
— Haven't beaten a Grolph in a while! — said a rather short guy, about 160 cm tall. He came out from behind a hut and stood facing Edmus.
— What do you want? Don't touch me — and I won't touch you.
— Just kidding, relax — he stepped right up to the green-haired one and extended a hand.
Edmus could now see the guy clearly: yellow hair in a bowl cut, light violet eyes. He was also dressed fairly well — a chainmail, much more valuable than leather. Edmus shook his hand and, looking into his eyes, asked:
— Then why throw rocks?
— Honestly? I was bored. Trying to get some attention — and hey, got yours. — The guy smiled sincerely, looking up at the tall and lean Eltvian.
— You realize that if you keep acting like that, few people will want anything to do with you? There are other ways to get attention — you don't need to throw rocks at people.
— I know. I really do understand. But the problem is — I can't stop myself. I keep doing the same thing. I apologize sincerely, but it doesn't help. It just keeps happening.
— You're an interesting guy. We haven't even introduced ourselves, and you've already told me your life story. Pretty social, huh? What's your name?
— Hyde. And yours?
— Edmus.
— You know, Edmus, what I told you is true. But I lie all the time. Keep that in mind. I'm actually very closed-off. Just fond of wearing masks.
— Don't know why, but I like you, "Sunflower."
— Says the walking moss!
They both laughed and began walking through the town — together now. Then suddenly stopped: their attention was drawn to a scene — several corpses impaled on spears in the main street. Edmus froze in horror, while Hyde seemed used to it.
— What kind of animals could do such a thing?.. — Edmus stared in shock.
— The Greystone family. They… enjoy savagery, violence, brutality, and the like.
— A family? How many of them?
— Four, if I'm not mistaken. And they're brothers — the last surviving "Greys."
— Would you like to destroy them? — Edmus glanced at the short guy.
— Yeah. Everyone would. But no one here is strong enough to take them on. They even abused me once, to be honest… — Hyde turned pale as he said it.
— How?
— I was their slave until I was eight… Though I don't remember the first five years, the last three I do — and they were hell. They mocked me, tortured me, beat me… and I couldn't do anything.
— Why not? — the mossy one looked at the blonde with discontent.
— My sister… She's ill. Even now she's not doing well. But they spared her from critical condition because I obeyed them.
— I see… I can help you — both with your sister and the Greys.
Meanwhile, Veikh was walking the town streets further west from Edmus. He browsed the market and, seeing many stalls, approached one. He filled his backpack with all sorts of food: honey, canned goods, sauces, sauerkraut, dried meat. He spent a full twenty silver.
"As long as I'm with them, they shouldn't lack anything. Even though there's a lot of food on the ship, it might spoil in half a month. Maybe I should train Guko in unarmed magic. I doubt it'll be as easy as with Edmus, but the stronger the team, the better the chance of achieving my goal…"
Suddenly, a cat and a dog ran past Veikh. The dog chased the cat but stopped sharply upon seeing Veikh. It approached, clearly happy but very hungry. The old man gave it some sausages, which the dog gently ate from his hand. Veikh smiled sincerely and petted it. He instantly thought of the others — especially Fira, with whom he felt a strong bond. They had both lost what was dearest to them. Both could never get their loved ones back.
Veikh stood up and walked, the dog following him. The old man thought:
"I hope no one minds if I bring him with us? He seems good — didn't even bark once since we met. Though… bringing a dog might be risky. But I have an idea. Besides, from what I sense, Edmus loves animals. Even when he killed that beast — the 'Rukh' — he felt a tinge of grief…"
— Follow me! — he waved his hand and ran to the ship — just as the others were also returning: the grolph and the blond together.
⸻
Fira and Guko went together. Guko wanted to buy chainmail to replace his leather armor, and Fira — an amulet that would help replenish energy much faster than normal.
At the armory, Guko tried on the chainmail:
— Feels like it fits well. What do you think, Fira?
— Yeah… good armor. Really good…
— What are you thinking about?
— Veikh. He seemed odd at first, but now he looks responsible — like someone who actually cares about us. You know, yesterday when you guys left, he comforted me. Even my father would never cry… Oh!
— Veikh cried? — Guko was surprised, then smiled.
— More like a tear slipped. Still — that surprised me.
— Yeah… And he gave us ten silver each. That's a lot of money. Wonder where he even got that?
— He could've taken it from soldiers back in Yussia, for example. Ever think of that?
— Possible, yeah…
A shopkeeper approached and looked at Guko.
— You sure you have enough money, kid? — she said nastily.
— Don't worry, granny. Here. — He handed her ten coins and, walking out already in chainmail, turned to Fira:
— What is it?
— Where will you look for the amulet?
— Pff… You think I'm dumb? — Fira smiled.
— No, definitely not.
— While you were trying on armor, I bought a map. With sensing magic it'll be even easier. A place like that should radiate unique energy.
They headed toward the shop Fira needed. After twenty minutes, they arrived. Fira entered and saw the very amulet she wanted. Price — four silver.
— Just what I need!
She bought it, then grabbed five special linked amulets — connected by energy. She gave one to Guko and kept one herself. Wearing them allowed them to sense each other, even with minimal sensing magic.
— Why five? — Guko asked.
— Backup. In battle, anything can happen, — Fira replied, and they headed back to the ship.
⸻
Soon, back at the ship: first came Veikh, then five minutes later — Hyde and Edmus, and fifteen minutes after that — Guko and Fira.
— Well, let's introduce ourselves! — Veikh said cheerfully, sitting on a rock and scratching the dog's ear gently.
— I'm Hyde. I'd like to ask your group for help. I don't need money. All I want is for you to heal my sister. Please…
— What is she sick with? — Fira asked, suspiciously eyeing Hyde.
— Why are you looking at him like that? — the grolph stood up for his new friend.
— His energy is incredibly calm, and his emotions — crystal clear. Either he knows how to mask his presence well, or he's truly miserable and poor…
— Let's hear him out first, — Guko placed a hand on Fira's shoulder, smiling gently.
— Thank you… guy with the sword. My sister has Hayne disease.
— What stage? — Fira's tone softened.
— It once reached stage four, but currently — stage two.
— That's easy. I'll just need a knife and some healing herbs. Good thing I brought the best ones before we sailed.
— "Easy"? The Greys said this illness is deadly at every stage…
— Nonsense. Hayne is a stomach illness. Maybe not ordinary, but the procedure is super simple.
— What exactly do you have to do?
— Incisions on the stomach, then herbs applied directly. The illness fades within a day or so.
— So we're staying an extra day? — Veikh looked at Fira, smiling.
— Seems like it. And who's the dog?
— This guy? I haven't named him yet, but I like him. He's so sweet and obedient!
Guko tried to pet the dog, who barked — but then allowed it, rolling on his back in joy and making delighted noises.
— Told you — a cutie! — Veikh exclaimed joyfully.
— Have you thought about where you're taking him? — Edmus asked respectfully.
— Yeah… I'll protect him. And actually, you can develop a dog's energy just like a person's. All you need are a few days in the spirit world — with breaks. That way, the dog could sense emotions — almost as well as a human. Like you did in the beginning, Edmus. I just need to direct the energy flow myself. He might even understand our thoughts.
— How do you know all this? — Guko asked with interest.
— Well, I lived in a village. Lots of dogs. And many talented folks who taught me. Let's eat, shall we? Hyde and dog — you're with us! — the bearded man stood and walked toward the ship with the dog, but was stopped by Edmus's voice:
— That's not all, master. I need to ask you for something else…