"I won’t. I don’t want to get anywhere near your face right now." The Dwarf grimaced. "That’s disgusting, wipe your damned mouth!"
"Wait." I put a hand out. "Not yet. I feel… another… bleghhh."
It took me another five minutes before I could get back on the bike; we were off again quickly enough, but the nausea persisted even after I threw up the contents of my meal.
"Why did you even insist on reading that for," the Dwarf asked, eyes facing forward. "That’s the Essence of the Elements, right? It’s got more theory and history than actual practical spells, doesn’t it?"
"Yes," I said, still curled up in a ball next to the backpack that was as big as me. "I don’t really care about learning new spells. At least, not from any of the books I have. I’ve already read up on all the important spells of note. And I can cast most of them— some I have not tested until recently. I’m actually reading it for the theoretical ideas presented in the book."
"Why’s that? Most of the theories postulated in these old books have already been debunked. If they have been proven to work, it’s probably still somewhat inaccurate, and there’s a much better grimoire or tome out there for you to read."
"I know." I sighed— not because of the question, but because I felt a headache coming over me. "I just don’t have access to those. This is all I have, and if there’s some magical theory in here that actually works, I’m sure I can figure out how to do it. I’m sort of… talented when it comes to spellcasting."
Gennady laughed. "Hah, I would believe most people when they say that. But you? That’s an understatement, lassie. You know—"
"Wait!" I cut him off frantically.
We slowed to a stop. I hopped out of the bike, running to a patch of grass on the side of the road. I hurled once more.
"I think we should take a break for today," Gennady commented, scratching his beard. "There’s a town just ahead. We could probably find an inn for you to rest in."
I raised a weak thumb. "T-thanks."
We arrived at the town a few hours before evening. It was early, but I spent far too long reading while on the road thinking that I could deal with it, until I couldn’t anymore. For the sake of saving money, Gennady and I shared the same room, even though he insisted he should get his own. However, he ended up giving in to my request that we share a room.
The reason I gave which convinced him was simple: he was my escort and if something happened to me while I was asleep, he would not be able to protect me. Sure, I did not have any assassins going after me (at least, I think) but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Now the real reason I had for pushing for this sleeping arrangement was slightly different; I might have ostensibly trusted Gennady with my life, however I still had my apprehensions about him. We only met this week, and I was not sure if he was somehow tricking me. He might have been a Dark Crusader or a member of the Church for all I knew— if he tried to sneak out at night, I would at least be there to catch him if we were in the same room.
We slept on separate beds, of course.
The next morning, Gennady brought me for a quick look around the town market since he wanted to buy some things.
"Superior mana crystals?" I asked, cocking my head.
"Yes," he said, walking just ahead of me. "I took a quick look through Locke, but I already knew they didn’t have any. They probably don’t have any here either, since they’re rare and expensive. Luke is a port city, and the Capital of Laxis, so they probably sell them there. However I just want to make sure— see if there’s possibly any here, and if it’s being sold at a good price."
"Are they that rare?" I mused, remembering the Inquisitors decorated in what were clearly Superior mana crystals. "How much would one cost?"
"It depends on the size, lass. And it’s rare. It’s the second most mana dense form a mana crystal can take. If you want to buy a Superior mana crystal this size"— the Dwarf spread open his fingers, as if he were holding a large pebble— "it would cost you up to 500 gold coins."
I tripped at his words. "500 gold coins?!" I sputtered. "That’s more money than I have seen in my entire life!" That was more than what the slavers thought I would sell for in the Free Lands!
...I'm not sure how to feel about that.
"Don’t need to repeat me," he said, grinning. "Yes, it would probably cost 500 gold. You’re dealing with a military grade mana crystal. And one that big? You could power a dozen Iron Golems for the rest of your life with just that." Gennady pointed at me for emphasis, adding, "And you’re a child!"
I grabbed the Dwarf’s finger before he could snatch it back, and used it to help pull me up from the ground. "That’s… certainly impressive," I remarked stupidly.
"It’s certainly worth the cost." Gennady nodded his head. "However, most Superior mana crystals don’t get that big. Most would require you to pick it up with your fingers, and not your hands. Of course, even a dozen of those is beyond my budget. I can probably get four— maybe five— Superior mana crystals with what you’ve paid me."
We finally arrived at a shop selling some mana crystals. Gennady began looking through the wares as I shook my head, looking at the prices of some of the mana crystals. None of them were as exorbitant in cost as
