Spirit Taming

Chapter 413: Back In The Wild

Resting had been the main focus for everyone after Illia had left them to do so. They had all been interrupted in their goal to do so due to the growth of Isa's beast, the invitation to meet Illia's father, and now their plans to start moving sooner than later. Too much was going on to hold themselves back from making their next move.

It was unfortunate that they could not stay, the developments and announcements that a large tournament to find the best young blacksmith was a very big deal. Many of the cities would be in awe that Nebula was having two large competitions back to back. But the temptation to learn a skill that no one possessed would be enough.

Clark had taken a big weight on his shoulders as one of the only people to know how to use this skill. The ability to forge eternal ice would make anyone wonder just how they had been studying thus far. It was a skill that focused on energies that were not manipulated normally during the forging process. A different style that would normally not be used at all.

Luckily, Clark had taught the first blacksmith they had met in turn for gaining some items himself along with letting Ralph learn from the blacksmith. The sword that had been forged was still a mystery to be used since Clark had no training with swords. The girls could use it but it was not a saber or a rapier. If he wanted them to be able to use it properly, then it would have to be those two.

Even Brad had no use for an ice affinity type sword. He was focused on metal and blood. Neither of which had any relationship to ice. Adding a third energy would cause his possessed helm to have issues along with interrupting his growth as a tamer. Overall, it would not be worth it.

The only hope was that the possessed helm finished absorbing the black iron shield and helm sooner than later so that it would gain strength from them and potentially be able to alter metals to some degree.

"I understood that all of you would be leaving sooner, I came when I was notified. However, you all appear to need to rest longer." Professor Wright had arrived at Illia's mansion just to find that everyone appeared half asleep and definitely not ready to move at all. It was like she had just interrupted them to go to class an hour earlier than usual.

"This is an understandable side effect of being within a large dungeon that has a different time flow. We are left with odd symptoms due to being affected by time energy that none of us can control or even sense due to the mysterious nature of time." Ella gave her theory in a tired tone. It was sound though.

This was the generally accepted theory for why time existed and how things could change dungeon to dungeon. Not that there was proof. No one had ever found a time type beast or had been able to prove they had.

"Good, then you do have an idea of what your bodies have been through. Eat something sweet. It will invigorate your body slightly so that you can shake off this slump." Professor Wright had this advice since she had been under the same things before. These effects were rough but would be able to be gotten over in a few hours.

As the group listened to professor Wright, they noticed that six guards had appeared wearing nicer armors than most of the other guards. With them were a few maids with a small box of what were clearly energy crystals. While this was the gift that Illia had mentioned her mother sending, they also wondered why they were receiving so many.

"There are fifty of each elemental crystal of the basic elemental energies. Then fifty of metal, poison, light, darkness, and even fifty of spiritual crystals." Isa had checked them carefully. Her exhaustion from the events the day before seemingly gone for the most part.

"This is a farewell gift from the lady of the mansion. She instructed us to escort you to the gates and wish you a safe journey and a healthy one. The doors of Nebula will always be open to you as long as you come with open arms." one of the guards spoke up with a respectful attitude. He appeared to be one of the stronger commanding guards which made sense, the group was important to Nebula now.

"Then make sure to tell her that we will definitely come back to visit. We have to check on our friends now and then, right?" Clark smiled softly before he looked around and took the lead out the door. He wanted to do more here since he was sure that there would be more to learn about Nebula. The history along with the history of what nebula was before humans had come here.

Unfortunately, time was not on their side.

There was the fact that healers were unable to fix Ella's older brother's arm here. That meant that it couldn't be simple. The injury could not just have been a cut that severed the arm. Instead, there had to be residual energies left behind by whatever had been used to attack Ella's older brother.

This proved that the average healer with the ability to heal a lost limb would be at a loss. They were unable to separate the energies to that degree. To purify and heal while regrowing a complicated body part like an entire limb. Those acts were revered for the top healers that normally taught the younger healers. The older healers with more years of experience as healers than many others had.

The real thought that Clark had while they walked through Nebula getting some waves and a little commotion from the people was simple, what was the price? Healing came at a price. Someone had to pay. That was always the case. If Ella wasn't going to pay then it would be simple to see where the cost would be paid.

Maria was already a sought out target by the white robed healers due to the fact that they had learned Maria's beast was not a glow sting jellyfish. It was a princess jellyfish. They thought that they had queen jellyfish. That was proven false and that Clark's group had created a better and new growth plan. The only thing they cared for was how to get it.

This wasn't some evil doubt. The healers wouldn't resort to murder and evil to get their answers. They would bargain like merchants. They would back the group in to a corner when they were in need of the white robed healers. Therefore, they would be able to charge the information they wanted as the price for the healing.

"Clark?" Maria looked at Clark's worried face and knew that he was starting to think too hard. "We can get there plenty fast. The carriage with Ella's brother is already ahead of us. Ella sent them earlier than later since we would be able to catch up more easily." While Clark wasn't necessarily worried about this, he was glad that Ella had done so. It would make the best use of time.

"And here we are at the entrance. Thank the guards." Professor Wright made sure to remind the group to say their thank yous. The guards had helped them during the attack of the blood moon cult. It was only right to show respect for that and the work the guards do every day.

The guards responded with polite nods before marching away and meeting with other guards nearby the gate exit to the city. The rest of the group looked at professor Wright then at Clark waiting to hear what was next. "Well, we start walking. We aren't flying anywhere this time." This was a little bit of a disappointment, but the group had plenty of thicker clothing now.

They also had some energy back to start running toward their destination.

The route had been mapped. Normally, following a cart on foot would be a poor idea. Most merchants who had the average level of strength would not be able to catch up to a cart. However, a tamer group like theirs would be able to run and catch up based on their strength.

"As I agreed, I will take my own route. I will watch." Professor Wright looked like she was smiling kindly but the group felt a little threatened. She was letting them take the control of their journey since they had planned it. Professor Wright was there just as guardian to ensure that thing went smoothly. Not to make sure that they would be safe from even the weakest monsters.

"So this time we run through ice and snow? Great." Ralph grumbled a little as Clark started them off. Crim and Devi showing themselves to also get the exercise and be ready to defend from any beasts that were dumb enough to attack them.