Laura's Journey

Chapter 10: Request of the potion maker (Part 1)

"We arrived at the Witchport city, I repeat we arrived at Witchport city."

Said the ship captain.

I stand up from my seat and go down with the other passengers out of the ship.

I'm quite dizzy because of me riding the ship earlier but when I step foot to the ground I feel a lot better.

To think that I have seasickness is really surprising for me. Someday I will gonna get used to it.

Now, what should I do next?

I did have enough money to last a month. But unlike before, I’m now able to use magic. I guess I’ll start making money by taking quests.  I’m confident that I can take care of myself now.

Moving on.

Walking in the streets of Witchport. I started to scent an aroma that I can't resist.

"Umm... his smell's really nice..."

I run and followed the sweet aroma and reach and restaurant expert in making fried chickens.

"I knew it, fried chickens. maybe it's fate that I came to this city after all. It's fate for me to eat the fried chicken in this city."

The cook saw my drooling face in the window and smile at me.

It's decided, I entered the restaurant and order a bucket of fried chicken and some popping hot rice.

I didn't eat last night because I'm too sick to stand up on the ship. I’ll fill my belly until I’m satisfied. Eating with a super hungry stomach really feels awesome.

"Yum... This chicken had the right crisp and juiciness. the aroma is still in the flesh and the gravy adds an incredible amount of flavor in my mouth."

The cook is really happy seeing my reaction to eating the fried chicken.

The other family on my side muttered.

"Mom that girl is just eating the regular fried chicken right, why she has to explain everything dramatically?"

"Well, just don't mind her. Some people have really weird tastebuds… Just ignore her."

"Like those picky chefs?"

"Yup."

I heard their comment in my dramatic way of eating fried chicken, but I don't really care as long as I can blissfully eat my fried chicken, that's enough for me.

After eating, the waitress gives me the bill.

It's 5000 quarts? I only got 10000 quarts in my pocket.

To think that I spent half of my salary on just one meal is really depressing but on the other side. I think it's really worth it.

It's fried chicken after all.

After paying my bill, I asked the waitress about the place where you go clear some quest.

"Ah... You mean the guild. the guild is located in the center of the city. When you find a big-looking statue with a hero on it. Go to the big building right next to it."

"Thank you for instruction."

"You're welcome."

I left the restaurant and go toward the guild the waitress is talking about.

Following her instruction, I'm able to find the guild. I entered the guild and saw a huge room where people goes to get some quests. Just like what I thought people make a lot of money in this kind of job.

I hold my sword tight and proceed.

"Hey hey hey, kids are not allowed to get inside."

Said the guard.

"I'm already 12 years old, I guess I'm old enough to get some adventuring quest."

I said to protest, but the guard didn't listen to me.

"The people who should go who can get quest is adult with experience. People who can protect others and themselves alone. Besides you're just a little girl. You should just go home and play with other kids.”

He said and throw me out of the guild.

That man didn't even listen to my words.

Maybe I should cut the door of this guild using my wind blade.

I thought while holding my sword with a terrifying stare to the adventurers guild.

No no no no, that is a crime. I don't want to cause a ruckus. Now, what should I do to survive?

I came to snap out of myself and just go away.

...

Looking around the city, I saw a herb shop. Looking at the mirror from the outside. The potion maker seemed to be in trouble creating her potions.

I’m imagining having an adventure as I battle a monster, but I never expect that I will think the same job I used to do back on the first day I left in Rum town.

I entered the shop thinking that I might get some work to do. Opening the door, The bell that installs on the door rings and pulled the attention of the shopkeeper.

“Good day customer… Eh? A little kid? Sorry little kid but this place is not a candy store.”

“No no no… I’m not looking for a candy store. Well, I was wondering if I can get a job in this shop.”

“Hmm… A job? A little kid? Well, this shop is small and we don’t really need much stuff here. Also, a little girl should be with your parents. A kid like you looking for a job is quite weird you know.”

“Well, many things happened…”

I don’t want to lie about things and just explain my situation. She seems to understand me and questions no further.

"If that’s the case then would you mind getting some herbs for me. My potions started to short on ingredients. I have my little sister that supposes to do the job, but she is not here yet. I wonder where she goes.”

I see she's lacking in ingredients.

I still remember the time when I'm still in Heirbell town. I used to gather herbs and mushrooms to sell in the potion maker.

"Miss, if I gave you some potion-making ingredients, will you pay me some money."

“Of course, I pay for the herb and potion ingredients you gather.”

Great I got a job. Jobs are not only found in adventurer guild some people around town also give some request o adventurers. Well, I’m not a full pledge adventurer yet, but I feel like a real adventurer now.

Looking around the shop. I notice a map of the city and the area surrounding it.

"Miss one more question?"

"Yes, what is it."

"Where can I find some ingredients in this map?"

The potion maker directly told me the location of the herbs and mushrooms she needed and give me a list of them. With this, I’m able to find the ingredients fast and easily. A potion maker lady is really a  nice person. I’m happy that I’m able to find someone like her in a place that I don’t know.

Arriving in the forest, I followed the instruction in the note she left with me. She teaches me the basic way of avoiding the carnivore's plants and poison thorns.

Looks like I learn a lot from the potion maker.

I gathered the ingredient she needed before sunset. With a bag full of mushrooms and herbs. I go back to the potion shop with a delighted face.

But before I get to the shop. I saw her closing the shop quite early.

Adventurers from their quest are just about to go home and nighttime is mostly the time where the adventurers buy their item. It’s weird seeing potion shops closing before the night falls.

She noticed my presence and look in my direction.

“Oh, you’re here looks like you get a bunch of them. This is really a great help for me and my business. Thank you so much.”

I handed over the bag full of potion ingredients and then she gave me my reward. I get a small bag of coins from her.

“That contains 7,000 quarts…”

“I think that’s a bit too much for an easy job like this.”

“Just take it, I feel bad about you for not having parents. I can see myself on you years before. I also lost my parents when I was young. My little sister and I are the only ones left. Meeting someone who meets the same fate as I make me heartache for a bit… That’s why I wanted to help in my own way.”

She truly is a nice person.

“Thank you very much.”

I said above my head in front of her. She took a closer look at me and asked.

“Is that sword on you're was it real?”

I put my hand on my sword and replied.

"Yes, this sword is real."

"Amazing I never think that a child like you was able to swing a real sword.”

“It’s true but this sword is a bit lighter than the normal sword weight.

"I want to introduce my little sister to you because you seemed to be the same age as her, but she's still not going home yet. I'm quite worried. That’s the reason I’m going to close the shop earlier. She not going home immediately is a very weird occurrence. I have a bad feeling about this.

She looks so troubled and she put her hands on her bosom. After that, she gets a broom and flies up into the sky. As a big sister, she needs to go and search for her little sister.

The potion maker makes me remember Mayu. She is like a big sister figure of mine.

After the potion maker leave. I get myself moving and search for an Inn to stay. Fortunately, I’m able to find a cheap Inn with a restaurant below it. I get to have dinner and a place to stay for the night. It’s been a while since I slept in Inn.

Right now I truly feel like someone who travels around the world.

With a joyful smile, I roll around my soft bed with a pillow in my arms.

Mama, today I'm traveling to the country of magicians. I was quite scared this early in the morning but I'm okay now. Don't worry so much up in heaven… Take care of yourself.

After I said my word to my mother.

The night is still young and the town just started to get livelier. I decided to get out of my room to have some stroll outside to digest the food I eat for dinner.

Looking around, I saw many types of adventurers. From magic-user and some knights wearing cool looking armors. Some shops only appear at night time.

The light is so colorful and it swallowed my eyes. I can’t help but look around with awe on my face.

Because of that, I didn’t notice my path and accidentally bump into a girl with the same height as me. After bumping each other we both fall on our butt to the ground.

“My butt hurts…”

I said and get up. I turn my glance to the girl and offer my hand to help her.

I heard a small stomp of the foot toward me.

"Are you okay?"

I asked.

She slowly turns her eyes toward me. She looks anxious and about to cry at any moment.

Is this my fault? It’s an accident right. I didn’t bump her intentionally. It also hurt my butt.

"Help me my big sister is in trouble… You're a swordsman right? Help me before it's too late."

She said and grabbed my arms.

"... I don't have money to rent adventurers to save my big sister, but I still want someone to help her. She's being attacked by a black monster, it got the horn and red eyes.”

"Black monsters?”

She looks very desperate. Also, the black monster she told me. Makes me remember the monster who destroys my peaceful life.

"Can you tell me the location?"

"On the eastern side of the town…”

Before she even finished her sentence. I kick the ground and search for the eastern part of the town. I hurried and run as fast as I can.

Those tears the girl shedding. I can’t let her felt the same experience I got. I promise to save youre, big sister.