This imbalance naturally occurs because substances soaked in mana get moved around, regardless of whether it is us or the manabeasts, energy-rich resources get centralized around those with greatest power.

  Then, when powerful manabeasts expire, their remains become the new mana-rich resources for others, slowly but certainly shaping the world’s mana zones throughout the ages.

  — Excerpt from On the Nature of Mana

  Day 244, 9:30 AM

  After a bit of haggling, I got Newstar his shiny new sword, and we went over to the two-bed-room I had rented the day before for Newstar and myself. There, I picked up the potions and gear I had prepared, as well as the package for Newstar, which I strapped to my back, under my trusty staff.

  One of these days I need to enchant Batsy III.

  “Next up is the guild, and then off to the gate to meet the pretty ladies.” I winked at Newstar, but he didn’t seem impressed.

  About two hours later, we were standing at the gate, and some fifteen minutes later, Everlast and Puresnow walked out of yet another alley.

  “What is it with these women and dark alleys?” I muttered before greeting them with a half bow. “Greetings, honorable ladies. We have not introduced ourselves properly yesterday. I am Dandelion, and my young friend is Newstar Salamandra.”

  “Everlast.”

  “Puresnow.”

  Curt. They disliked me, or perhaps it was the team dynamics they had trouble with?

  “Nice to meet you, Lady Everlast, Lady Puresnow,” I said earnestly. “Before we head out, we should say something about our skills. I will start. My area of expertise is unarmed melee combat and the staff. I dabble in alchemy and have some basic understanding of the healing arts.”

  I glanced at Newstar who stood frozen, just as I was about to elbow him, he cleared his throat and spoke.

  “Hello. I fight unarmed and with two swords and Dandelion told me I should pick up a short-sword too. I am very agile, and I can take more blows than most; I think. I can also shoot bolts of fire at close range, cauterize my own wounds, and purify foreign mana invading my body—”

  “Thank you, Newstar.” I said before he got to share his family’s medical history.

  “I use a long-sword, and I can handle myself.” Everlast said, and then Puresnow repeated the exact same words.

  Yeah, definitely a tough crowd.

  It was the first time I was actually going on the mission with the two, or even interacted with them beyond the dinner conversation.

  I guess they didn’t approve of their master’s decision.

  “I guess we shall figure out our tactics as we go along.” I said with a smile and, with that, we left the city.

  I ran with the pure power of my physical body. While not quite in the fifth realm, it was close, and more than a match to the rest of the party, who had to use spells and techniques to keep up. I was testing the new additions, and they were no slouches. We ran all day and all night, with everyone managing my pace.

  Eventually, Newstar, whose realm was the lowest of us all, ran low on juice, and I called a break.

  “Sit, rest, meditate to replenish yourself.” I sat and pointed towards a nearby mountain covered in snow and ice. “We are heading for that mountain, aptly, if unoriginally, named Frostworm’s Grave. The entrance to the tunnel complex is some thirty miles away, and we will reach it with a light two-hour jog to warm up before fighting.”

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Nobody said anything, they had no questions, and my tiny attempt at humor failed to move their lips. Well, we can stay quiet too.

  I took out a third realm crystal and started draining it, since I had the chance and the witnesses that would confirm I was drawing mana. Time passed, and soon enough, it was time to leave. I packed my crystal and cleared my throat.

  “Two hours are up. Ladies and gentleman, are you ready to continue?”

  Newstar moved to open his mouth, but the women just rose and nodded, stumping him. The cold atmosphere was getting to him. I nodded back to them, making a grave face, then winked and flashed Newstar a half-grin, hoping it would make him feel better.

  I couldn’t tell if it had made an impact, but it certainly didn’t make matters worse.

  We swiftly made our way, and soon enough, our true destination came into sight.

  “There is the entrance.” I pointed at the frozen cave covered in massive icicles.

  “Is that the dead frostworm’s mouth?” Newstar asked for the third time, shuddering.

  “No need to be alarmed.” I assured him. “That is a hole the ancient frostworm dug ages ago. The teeth are mundane icicles, and the most powerful manabeast residing inside the cave system should be at the fifth realm. Are you ready for this?”

  Everlast and Puresnow gave Newstar a cold look the boy didn’t really deserve. It was his first time hunting monsters, and to his benefit, he ignored them, and gave me a brave nod.

  “Let’s go,” he said, and took the lead to prove that he wasn’t afraid.

  A short distance from the cave, just as the frigid air turned polar, Newstar activated his fiery shield. Then he turned around and tripped on a chunk of ice. He flared with rapid gusts of hot air, stabilizing himself and landing on his feet.

  “Showoff,” I said jokingly while running past him.

  We stopped before the entrance; the girls drawing their swords and staring into the dark cave. The entrance was empty, though. I knew the current location of each frostworm on the upper floor, though those might change depending on what we do.

  Newt arrived a moment later, staring at the humongous cave entrance with undisguised fear.

  “Ladies, remember your master’s instruction,” I said. “Ice jade marrow certainly is important for your progress and the tools and elixirs you need, but your lives are more important.”

  They glared at me, but I kept talking. “In all matters relating to combat, exploration, and taking risks, you are to consult me and obey me as you would your master. Those are your master’s orders, are they not?”

  “What lies have you told Lady Valiant to deceive her so completely?” Puresnow sneered at me. “She knows our abilities! Sister Everlast is a hair’s breadth away from becoming a questor. She is seventy years old and has completed many missions—”

  “Sister Puresnow.” Everlast said icily. “That is enough. Lady Valiant’s thoughts and decisions run deep, and she has seen something worthwhile in this man. Maybe she is returning the favor because he saved Flake.”

  Shouldn’t you have discussed this before coming here? At least present a unified front, it’s not like you two just met.

  Despite such thoughts, I remained professional. “I just need you to confirm that you will listen to my instructions once we enter the den of monsters, otherwise you present a liability.”

  I could tell they were holding back from making a scene. Puresnow pressed her lips into a thin line and clenched her fists while Everlast’s jaw tightened.

  “We will,” the latter said, and I nodded, pretending I didn’t see the hints of mutiny from half my team. Instead, I addressed the final member. “You too, Newstar.”

  “Sure.” At least he readily agreed. I was afraid for him on this trip. On one hand, completing a dangerous mission would do wonders for his self-esteem and his pockets. On the other hand, a failure would crush his confidence, not that I would allow it if I could help it.

  “In that case, take this.” I gave him one of my prepared supplies. “Hang it around your neck.”

  It was a pear-shaped vial filled with a green liquid, tied with a thin leather strap. Newstar put it on like an amulet, and in all the jolting, it started glowing. He watched the vial with fascination, and even the girls showed some interest in the green light which didn’t sting the eyes.

  “No need to worry about the vial. While not unbreakable, it is rather tough, heat and frost proof. The potion itself is harmless, so even if something, let us say a twenty-ton giant snake, strikes you hard enough to break it, you will merely end up sticky.”

  Newstar furrowed his brows, staring at the vial, as if trying to remember what was inside.

  “Glowers,” I said. “The same type of fungi I gave you before, but I developed a better medium to enhance their abilities. Now, once we head further into the caves, and our eyes adjust to the dark, that light should be sufficient to light our path without blinding us. Frostworms are blind, their vision heat-based, which makes these vials more special, as they produce no heat. Newstar is the vanguard both because of his mobility and the extreme heat he gives off, attracting the frostworms’ attention.”

  I fished out another two vials from my pocket and gave them to Everlast and Puresnow. “Dear ladies, please take these in case we get separated. You can keep them in your pockets or place them around your necks like Newstar.”

  Instead of putting them around their necks, they pocketed them, and while they didn’t say a word, they at least offered grateful nods. I had a natural urge to take the point, but Newstar needed the experience more, so I motioned him to lead. It was time to explore the caverns.