Limits

I knocked on the doors, and Kara opened them after a while. She asked confused "May I help.. YOU!". I laughed, and said "Wow, you actually recognised me". She asked "When did you come back?". I replied "Just now. How are you doing? How is your medical knowledge advancing?". She laughed for a while, and replied "The books you gave me? Ha! Old and boring!". I raised my eyebrows while asking "Oh, is that so?". She recalled something, then quickly apologised.

I smiled and shook my head. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I was strict with you, because I wanted to push you. If you are that confident, that's great. I came to teach you a few more things", I said. She asked excitedly "What will you teach me?". I replied "Come with me". We walked through the streets, until we arrived at the old house. It was the same house, me and Finch used to interrogate the spies. I didn't need access to the basement, only the privacy of the house.

Inside, I said "Today, I will give you two books. This book… it's mine. It contains the knowledge that will allow you to make Extracts. Don't be fooled though. Extracts are very strong, and much purer than simple medicine. Besides that, I'm giving you the book about poison". She shook her head, and said "I don't need poison. I don't want to kill people, I want to save them".

I smiled slightly, then replied "Silly girl. Poison can be used both ways. That is what I want to pass onto you. Besides, with your potential you can achieve a lot. You will become a hidden card of this village. Not only a great medic, but also a lethal poisoner". She didn't seem to like that idea, so I reassured her "I'm not asking you to go around killing people, simply defend this village if such a need arises. Besides, poison can cure stuff to, of course if used in appropriate proportions". She said "I don't know… I never killed anyone". I replied "Humans are weird, you know? I also didn't want to kill, but sometimes it is the best option we have. If the village is invaded, do you think they will let you go? Just because you don't want to kill anyone. You will have to make a choice at that time, just like I made a choice…".

She looked at me for a while, then said "I will defend this village, I promise. I will only defend our friends here, and will not invade any other villages, or become some sort of warrior". I nodded, and said "No one will require that from you. Here are the books I compiled". She took the books, and asked "Is there a time limit as well?". I replied with a smile "Not this time. Just make sure you memorize them, and then burn them down. Although there is no time limit, you are of course not allowed to share this. Alright?". She nodded, and looked through the books.

She was instantly hooked, and didn't even respond when I called out to her. Only when I said "I will burn those books, if you ignore me", she finally closed the books quickly, and hid them in her storage bag. I said "No rush, you have time. Study them carefully, and apply the knowledge to your practice. Work ha… ah whatever. You will practice and work hard, I don't need to tell you that. After all, you are a maniac when it comes to this". She pouted while replying "I'm not a maniac! I just like to know more".

I felt like her talent was wasted, and not wasted at the same time. She was very curious, similar to Arien from the story of the Art of Stealth. She could practice the Art of Stealth, and maybe even become a master. I had no idea, how they knew someone could be a master in the Art of Stealth. 'Doesn't matter. She has a chance to overtake me in the Art of Medicine' I thought. Within those books, I described how to grow the herbs as well. I knew she would attempt it, because she was crazy about anything concerning medical knowledge.

I then asked "How's your training going along? Any improvements?". She laughed, and said "Ha! I almost broke through to the Outer Limits. I didn't learn sword, but I learned some first techniques. It's good right? Considering I started so late". I replied "Great. I will give you the 2nd diagram. You can use that to practice now. Also, you will have to develop your own Aura. I can't tell you how, that is something you need to figure out on your own". She nodded, and said "I will try my best". I then draw the 2nd Modified Diagram for her, and handed it to her.

She looked at it for a while, then asked "What about exercises? Should I continue the same way?". I replied "Increase the weight, this will help you break through. Remember, these are your Limits, therefore you have to push past them". She nodded, and said "I will!".

We then left the abandoned house, and returned to her house. I said hi to Olav, and left. 'I hope she can provide a lot of help for the village in the future. With my Extracts, she should be able to improve this village even further. With the poison, she should be able to defend it too' I thought, and returned to Finch's house. When I entered, I saw Tina and Finch surrounding Fox, as if interrogating her. "Something's wrong?", I asked.

Tina replied "Oh! No, no. We were just chatting". I nodded, and said "I dealt with everything here. I will just visit Paul on the way out". Finch asked "You don't have to leave so soon. Stay at least a day or two. Don't you want to see your cousins?". I smiled, then replied "Let them live their lives. It's not like they have to rush here, just because I visited". Then I recalled something, and asked "Oh right. I retrieved my Moon Blade. Wanna see?". Finch exclaimed "Oh!", and then extended his hand.

I took out the Moon Blade, and showed it to Finch. He took the sword, and said "A fine weapon indeed. Great that you finally got it back. After all, it belongs to you". 'Yea. After so many years, the sword is back to where it belongs' I thought. Tina insisted we stay for dinner, but Fox was somehow reluctant. I had no idea what they did to her, but she was too shy to even lift her head up. I declined the dinner, and said farewell to them. We left Finch's house, and headed to the workshop. I also wanted to say farewell to Paul.

Loud noises of metal striking metal, came out of the workshop. Paul was working away, while Gerond looked at Paul's work. He wasn't there to make sure Paul worked properly, he was actually learning stuff from Paul. 'He is a Master Blacksmith after all' I thought. I waved at them, and called out Paul's name. Paul stopped working, and replied "Nex, glad you made it here! I see your friend is with you too". I nodded, then replied "You made it as well. I hope Finch provided everything for you. After all, we owe you a lot".

He shook his hand, and said "We were more than welcomed here. Elen made some friends already, and event took upon herself to teach children the proper history of our continent. I help Gerond here, learn a few things. His knowledge is not bad at all. He just needs to practice with his technique, and this village will have another great blacksmith". I nodded, and smiled in response. "I just came by to say farewell. I will be leaving for the North, and probably for a very long time. I don't think I need to worry about you guys here". Gerond said "Not at all. We all bonded together, the last time you left. The village is more unified, than it ever was".

I said "Great to hear", and bid them farewell too. We left the Savala Village soon after. Outside, I asked Fox what did they ask her about, but she wouldn't answer. 'I guess it's their little secret then' I thought. "Towards the North eh? You know, I will make you train throughout our whole journey, right?", I asked. Fox replied a bit angry "What? With no breaks?". I said "You wanted to learn, not me. Do you think I had any breaks during that time?". She replied "You did! You visited the Elysian Empire!".

'I forgot about that' I thought, and said "That was different. It was a training too. You have no clue what weird rules Elysians have. Don't complain. You said it yourself, you sat on your ass for over five years in Ortava. Time to train properly now". She didn't comment back, so I took it as a "Yes".