The Way Ahead

Chapter 92a: Petty Concerns

Chapter 92a: Petty Concerns

Guardian Mentor

Lefi Forolova- that guy that Tara stuck me with so I wouldnt immediately die and as a punishment for him.

Wow, I forgot how basic my Almanac tags were way back when.

Hi Lefi, Edwin greeted the man. It had been over a year since he and the adventurer parted ways, and Edwin could only hope that the man wasnt as annoyed with him as he once was. Then again, the guy was an extrovert. Holding grudges might not even be a thing they could do.

Tara had hoped that Lefi might keep him out of trouble, and vice-versa, which hadnt gone very well. Especially considering Edwin had convinced himself that Lefi hated him and ran off in the middle of the night straight into Nialls camp. That made Edwin suppress a shudder. It was a small miracle he hadnt killed himself trying to take down the serial killing alchemist, but he had and the man was long dead and buried by now. That entire debacle had been one bad decision after another, and Edwin could only hope that it didnt repeat with Lefis reappearance in his life.

You are doing well for yourself, I see! Oh yeah, the guy constantly shouted. Edwin mentally recalibrated Lefis interpretation for a more accurate representation of what he was probably trying to say, Youve made it to tier two with a truly exceptional set of Skills!

Wait, could Lefi see Edwins skill list? Skillful Assessment showed he was using some sort of silver Skill, but it didnt look like a perception or Identify-type ability. In fact, he couldnt tell what sort of Skill it was, just that he hadnt seen one like it before. Then again, Lefi was an absolute mess of constantly active Skills, so it was entirely possible he was just missing it.

Yeah yeah, Edwin agreed, Just carrying on, you know?

Lefi nodded exuberantly, his golden fire-like hair bobbing and flickering in perfect sync to the motion.

Ah! Before I forget, I must introduce you to my latest wards. Meet Yathal, he motioned to a young boy about eight or ten, with messy brown hair and curious, yet wary eyes. He stood next to the dog, hugging its neck like it was a giant stuffed animal.

Loyal Companion

And Kynigos, that was the dog, who continued to study Edwin with curious eyes. Other than the color- caramel and white instead of black and white- and the slightly longer fur, the pup reminded Edwin of a border collie. Kyni struck Edwin as far, far more intelligent than the smartest dog hed met back on Earth, though.

As he watched, both of them had their eyes flicker with the white Skill construct Edwin had learned to associate with Identify, and he realized he should introduce himself.

I see. Well, hello, Edwin awkwardly waved, Im Edwin. Lefi helped me get my feet a while ago, giving me some pointers for what I should do.

Yathal didnt say anything, shyly burying his face back in his dogs fur. With a surprising amount of care, Kyni turned his head to wrap around the boy as well.

Edwin turned a questioning eye at Lefi, who returned the look. After a moment, Edwin realized Lefi wasnt able to read his expressions like Inion was able to, and elaborated, Did you annoy Tara again? Are they the next me by any chance?

Well, no and yes. After Yathal here broke free of Management, claiming his truest destiny, his parents didnt want anything to do with him. Fortunately, I was passing through at the time and so was able to take them along and show them the basics of Adventuring much as I did with you. Hopefully I wont chase them away this time, eh? he winked at Edwin.

Ah. Yeah, sorry about that. Im not really sure what came over me. Edwin guiltily said, Really, Im lucky I survived that whole mess after leaving you.

Ah, you would have been fine. Lefi waved his hand dismissively, I made sure of it. It was my fault, after all.

I mean, it- wait, what? What do you mean, it was your fault?

A golden Skill bloomed in Lefis chest, emanating outwards. Edwin felt certainty descend onto him like a mantle, and he developed the unshakable feeling of being able to do anything. Climb a mountain, fight a dragon, brew the greatest potion ever.

Edwin shook his head, trying to clear it. He was way more used to dealing with mental Skills than he had been in the past, though getting rid of an ostensibly beneficial one was a new experience. He wasnt the only one affected, either, as Yathal stopped hiding in his dogs fur, standing straight and proud.

Edwin could tell Inion was stirring, too, but she stayed silent, hiding on the roof of the carriage. Then, Lefi released the Skill and the world finished returning to

So you used that on me?

Lefi nodded, You were so shy and scared of everything, it was the least I could do! However he awkwardly trailed off for a moment, I wasnt expecting you to think you could take care of everything on your own and run off. That was a new reaction, and I have since declined to utilize it in such excess for fear that it would cause others to jeopardize themselves as well! You managed to survive, but I would never forgive myself if my Inspired Courage caused another to die in their pursuit of glory, particularly if I was unable to guard them then!

Slow down, slow down. You followed me?

That is what you took from my statement? Indeed, I did, as I merely wished to ascertain that you would be alright. You mostly were, too! There were very few times I found myself needing to intervene to save your life.

So you watched me fight the bandits, too?

Helped as well! Now, you managed most of it on your own, I merely assisted your assault go easier than it might have otherwise! Did you not notice the ease at which your limbs responded with your every attack, the way your Skills responded at the blink of an eye? That was my doing. My mere presence brings out the most Exceptional skills of my allies!

Edwin found himself speechless, Why didnt you stop them, then? You must have known what they were doing.

Ah, but doing so produces a crutch for the learner! It then means that the mentor will inevitably be disposed of and drop the student in a situation for which they are wholly unprepared for. You make both yourself and Edwin vulnerable to the vagaries of fate by introducing such an obvious weakness into him.

Well, better that he be in the situation where hes alive and has to run away rather than- wait a minute. Joriah doesnt work like that!

And what would you, my dear lady, know of the manner by which tales are carried out?

Edwin tuned the pair out as Inion floated down to the ground to argue with Lefi on his own level, walking to join Yathal and Kyni.

So. You seem generally pretty nice. Whats your story? he asked the shy boy, If you dont want to talk, thats fine. But I promise Im not that scary, He gave what was hopefully a friendly smile.

Yathal didnt seem particularly impressed hiding his face back in the fur of his dog, but Kyni nuzzled his master with his nose until the boy finally relented, Im Im from the town, and I really love Kyni and trust him too. So when I got the Path offered, I he trailed off, mumbling into the dogs fur.

Sorry? Edwin asked, I didnt quite catch that.

So Kyni helped me, but mom got really mad and yelled at me and him about something. Oh, but Kynis known me from when I was really little and he jumped Well, he didnt like the new medic, you know? Got mad at mister mister but he was just trying to protect me, I know it! Dont like the guy. But Magistrate Tok magistrate Tokl So Kyni just wanted to help, and I knew he did! And he did help! If he hadnt then

It took a while, as the kid kept jumping around between total non-sequiturs and telling the actual story, but Edwin eventually felt like he pieced together what had happened. Once Lefi and Inion were done arguing for the time being, he talked to Lefi to fill in the last few pieces and felt vindicated that his guesses were actually accurate.

Essentially, Yathal was a shepherd boy from a town in the greater Rhothos area, and Kynigos his sheepdog. At some point, the boy managed to evolve his Animal Handling skill into Companion, either as part of an unexpected upgrade or maybe an incorrect evolution? Edwin wasnt totally clear on the specifics there. Either way, the boy was no longer under Management and had a non-typical Skill set, and so fell under the outlaw banner. While he might have still been able to function more or less alright in society, his parents had basically disowned their boy- who wasnt even ten!- for disgracing them in such a manner.

It made Edwin furious, but there wasnt anything he could do about it. He was mostly just glad that Lefi had been able to step in when he had, getting the boy registered and trying to protect him while getting hi to a place that he would thrive in. That said, Edwin was somewhat confused about what went wrong with the kids Skill.

So how does the Companion skill work again and why is him getting it such a problem? he asked as their group walked down the road. Well, Yathal rode on the cart, Kyni keeping the young boy company.

Well you see-

Its quite simple!

Inion and Lefi glared at each other as they tried to answer Edwin at the same time. Inion opened her mouth to speak, but Lefi beat her to actually speaking, The Animal Companion skill enables one to fashion a bond with a creature that they have a very close connection with. It is fairly typical for shepherds to get it, by evolving Animal Handling with a Friend of Path. Now! The Animal Companion skill functions akin to the Status for your companion, akin to the Management of the Empire. In this way, it is possible to complete Paths and accept or reject Skills, strengthening your companion.

So its just Status for a pet?

Not entirely inaccurate. Although there are additional benefits at higher levels.

So what was the problem?

The problem, you see, was that our good young friend did not get the Animal Companion skill, but the Companion skill.

And thats bad because why?

Because it goes the wrong way round! The bravest and smartest dog that is Kynigos, the adventurer leaned over to where the duo were and scratched the pups head, was already classed! Now, instead of Yathal guiding and controlling Kynigos skills, Kynigos controls Yathals! Fortunately, hes a good boy, arent you Kynigos? He knows he can do a lot of harm to Yathal and he doesnt want to! But who would teach Skill-lore to a dog? Other than myself, at least.

The dog barked in agreement, wagging his tail.

So you can understand me? Edwin asked the dog, getting a nod in reply, Huh. So that messed things up?

Youre smarter than that, my friend! You can answer that question yourself surely.

Yeah, yeah. So basically the dog adopted the boy, not the other way around?

Lefi nodded, Which is why I must teach them! I learned about Companions from The Beastmaster herself, back when she still lived on the continent. Now, who I give the advice to is different from normal, but it is nonetheless valid!

You dont have a Companion, though? How do you know your advice is good?

I do not have a companion for personal reasons, not because I know not the method!

Are those personal reasons because you havent found one that is exceptional enough for you? Edwin teased.

Personal reasons!

Yeah Edwin, arent you the one whos always talking about privacy and stuff? Inion was double-teaming with Lefi now. That was just great.

I think I liked it better when you two were arguing. Edwin muttered.