Chapter 34- Pram’s Training and an Interruption

Chapter 34- Pram’s Training and an Interruption

[Keeno POV]

The easiest part of Pram’s pre-journey training was getting her Guild card registered in the adventurer branch and getting her a mace. Turns out, there are several different kinds of bludgeoning tools available for several different purposes. They ranged from hammers to morning stars, to flails, to cudgels. There was even something that looked suspiciously like a steel baseball bat and one that was just a big rock on a stick. Although I didn’t need one, I bought the baseball bat looking weapon while Pram got an iron cudgel that was heavy enough for her to do some damage, but light enough that she wouldn’t get tired from just carrying it around.

After getting all of the prerequisite shopping and quest accepting done, we left the city and went to the forest nearby. Most of the quests we picked up were ones for gathering plants and exterminating small monster dens. I had been making good use of the storage ring Fia gifted me, so it looked like we were traveling extremely light. The usual gate guard waved both of us through after we explained we’d be back in a few days and we were off.

It took some time, but we finally made it to the forest. We traversed to the place I usually went when I came here and I immediately started to set up a small base near my usual campfire spot.

“So, this is where you usually go when you trained and hunted out here? It isn’t as deep into the forest as I imagined it would be.” (Pram)

“This is just one of the spots I frequent. Speaking of, Huginn, Muninn, you know what to do.” (Keeno)Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com

The two steelfeather ravens ruffled their feathers and took off from my shoulders. They both flew in opposite directions and disappeared into the trees.

“They’ll be back in a bit to report on anything interesting or of note.” (Keeno)

“I see, so is this the part where I refresh my memory on setting up camp?” (Pram)

“We can do that another time, I want you to take some practice swings with your cudgel. Get used to the weight, maybe smack a few things with it. I’m not really sure how you use something like this, so what could it hurt?” (Keeno)

{A lot of things actually. While I didn’t mention it earlier since I think a weapon like this fits Pram, they can be somewhat unwieldy when not used to it.}

“Then I’ll be careful, and if I hurt myself, I’ll just heal myself.” (Pram)

“Speaking of healing, Ama, isn’t it about time you let Pram use chantless magic?” (Keeno)

{She already can. One of the perks of being a potential Apostle of mine is chantless magic and the ability to speak with me like this. Of course, if she fails the Trial, refused it in the first place, or gives up, then she’ll lose these perks.}

“I’ve been meaning to ask why I could still hear you even though Miss Fiametta isn’t here anymore.” (Pram)

{I thought I explained this already? Anyway, Keeno can teach you to process for chantless magic while you two are out here.}

“Ama, you are the literal Goddess of Magic.” (Keeno)

{Yes, but did you consider I want to see what you look like teaching? Let me have my fantasies, Keeno!}

“...” (Keeno)

{Hehehehe. I think I know what you just imagined.}

“Would you two please stop flirting!? I’m right here!” (Pram)

{“No offence, but you are going to have to get used to it.”}

“...So, this is what Miss Fiametta was talking about. *sigh*” (Pram)

Pram just heaved an exasperated sigh and turned to start her training. Like that almost a month of us going back and forth from the city and the forest to get Pram used to a life of travel and combat. At first she wasn’t very proficient with her cudgel, but after being put in several somewhat dangerous situations with bigger animals and one or two bears she got a shaky handle on her weapon. Today was our rest day before we made our final preparations to leave Solheim. Pram went back to her home to say her farewells to her family while I was sitting on my bed waiting for the suns to rise so I could finally get to see Ama again. The second the first ray of light breached the horizon, briefly lost consciousness. When I came to, I saw Ama standing in front of me, and to say her wardrobe, or lack there of, made me nearly lose any reasoning I had.

{Well? Why are you still dressed? We only have a day, Keeno, we need to make the most of it.}

Those words blew the last bit of reasoning I had away. I practically ripped my clothes off and leapt at Ama, pushing her down on a conveniently placed bed as my lips met hers. Just as we were about to completely lose ourselves in passion, we heard someone appear behind us.

“Amaterasu, I have come to make a request.” (???)

Before I even realized what I was doing, I was behind the stranger with my Soul Weapons manifested, one against his neck, the other poised to kill a certain other part. When I spoke, my voice was full of so much venom, you’d think I was the snake who kept Loki imprisoned. I could also tell the temperature in the area was steadily increasing.

He then vanished.

“...Well, that ruined the mood.”

{He IS known as the mood-killer.}

“I should have stabbed him.”

{It wouldn’t have mattered. You can’t really scratch him yet.}

“Tch. And what was with all that over the top everything?”

{He takes his playwright act too seriously. And despite what he said about tragedy and how it was great, he actually hates it.}

“So, he’s a dramatic hypocrite?”

{Sometimes. He mostly just cares about the betterment of the world as a whole, and since his Authorities are what they are, he acts like that to mitigate the killjoy attitude he’d used to have.}

“Sounds so interesting.”

My voice was dripping with sarcasm.

“So...what do we do now that we don’t feel like doing anything steamy?”

{*sigh* I don’t mind just sitting like this for a while. No talking, just being close. You need a break after all.}

“Hehe. Guess I can’t hide anything from you, huh?”

{Nope. I know you’re still stressed that you’re practically on your own, so just relax in my arms and tails.}

I nodded my head and leaned further into Ama’s embrace.

Chaos Realm:

*sigh*

Order: Payto, you know what comes next.

Yep. Just let me get Phobos here so he gets the same treatment. *snap*

Phobos: Eh? God of Chaos? Why am I here?

You saw things that you shouldn’t have, same with me. It’s time to pay the piper.

Phobos: I still fail to understand? Wha...Ah. I see...*sigh* My title of mood-killer happened again, didn’t it?

Yep. Now, face forward, stare at the silver tube Order is holding, and don’t blink. It’s adjusted so that you remember the conversation and agreements, but not the actual event you witnessed. Order, whenever you’re ready.

Order: *flash*

...

Phobos: ...

Order: Good.