Everyone sat for dinner that night. Jerry praised jet while explaining what happened to Eva.
Nerissa kept quiet at Jett the whole time while giving Jett a suspicious look. "Was there anything off about the fight?" Nerissa inquired, her eyes fixed on Jett.
"Hmm, it felt like he got faster and stronger during the second trial," Jerry pondered thoughtfully. Then, he turned his gaze to Jett with a discerning look. "Ah, right. Is there something you're not telling us?"
Jett, who had been eating quietly, suddenly choked on a piece of meat upon hearing his father's question.
"Well... umm... You see..." Jett stuttered, trying to find an excuse. "I got a new skill after we got home from the appraisal ceremony," he finally admitted, attempting to laugh it off nervously.
"I knew it," Nerissa finally said, breaking the tension.
"It was going to be a surprise. Anyways..." Jett attempted to change the topic. "I get whatever I want, right?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes, if it's attainable. What is it?" Jerry inquired.
"I want you to take me to the capital for the Adventurer's Fair. I overheard some tourists talking about it, and I thought it'd be fun," Jett replied.
"Hmmm," Jerry mused.
"C'mon, father. That way I can go with you guys. Mom can come if she wants to," Nerissa chimed in.
"Ah, that's true. I also have some business at the capital," Eva added. "We're going," she declared.
"Hehe, is that really your request? A vacation?" Nerissa teased Jett.
"Yeah, well... and ten gold coins too," Jett replied, smiling innocently.
"Ten!?" Jerry exclaimed, almost immediately.
Jerry's reaction was understandable. 10 gold coins was an outrageous amount to give to a six-year-old. 1 gold coin was equivalent to a 100 silver coins, and one silver was equivalent to a 100 copper coins.
"Alright, a promise is a promise," Jerry conceded. "The fair isn't until a month from now anyways..." he added.
"Yes, and tomorrow's my turn," Eva interrupted.
"Your turn for... Oh, right," Jerry realized. "Tomorrow, your mother will be teaching you magic," he said to Jett. "When you're ready, I'll be teaching you about aura."
"I'm so jealous. It took me months to get him to teach me aura," Nerissa pouted at Jett.
Jett smiled and watched everyone happily. "Good, now I can get some limited items at the fair to secure my fate."
*****
Eva ignored him, walking faster as though she didn't hear, obviously trying to cook up a good reason. "Umm, it's too dangerous. End of discussion."
"Well... Can we get something from the market?" Jett persisted.
"What?" She inquired, surprised, as he hardly asked her for anything.
"A bunch of burn flowers, frost flowers, and venom flowers," he replied.
"Hmm, I don't see a problem with the frost and burn flowers, but why poison flowers?" She asked, feeling worried.
"Just an experiment," he replied with a smile.
"Alchemy, perhaps?" Eva guessed.
"Not really, I just need them for something important," Jett replied.
"And you won't tell me?" Eva mused.
"An experime..." He began to reply, but she interrupted.
"What kind?" she asked.
"Alchemy," he admitted.
"Aha. As long as you promise it's not dangerous, I'll get it for you," she replied with a smile.
He wasn't really going to use them for alchemy, but explaining his original motive would prove more hectic. She bought and handed them to Jett, and they continued home.
*****
Back at home, Jett opened the bags and inspected the contents.
"Better late than never. I hope they don't taste too bad as described," he thought to himself, taking a deep breath before eating a petal from each.
*
*
*
Hope we've cleared the air on Mana
I wonder what he bought those flowers for. <( ̄) ̄)>