Today was the first day of Eel’s training but found that yesterday had given her a lot to think about.
At first it was simply whether she’d use the spear or maybe what weapon to use after she got the experience to choose a better weapon for herself. However, things quickly spiraled away after that point
She had always thought that she and Emily would be together but yesterday she noticed that Emily has never really told her anything about herself. She respected that she likely had a harsh past from what little she did know but what did Emily actually want? What was important to her? Did she enjoy it here, at first she seemed scared of everyone.
What did she herself actually want to do? Fuka seemed to have already pegged them for kindred souls but Eel didn’t really feel special feelings other than intrigue and not like that would just change because she got older, right?
What happened when she left the orphanage? In hindsight she may have f***** over the other kids a bit by flooding the place… Though at the same time their living condition couldn’t get any worse, Phik seemed quite lively at least!
Now that Phik has been arrested what will happen to the children there? She had found out quite quickly when she escaped going it alone… Well lets just say it wasn’t feasible and she was constantly told she was wise beyond her age – if so what could some kids do? Future Dick seemed somewhat competent and acted as a ringleader – more than she did anyway – but if he couldn’t take care of all those kids?
Was it even her problem though?
While all these thoughts swirled around her head she didn’t notice the finger that approached and flicked the end of her nose causing her to be disoriented.
“W-why did you do that?! And did you even bathe after last night?” <Eel>
“Seemed like you were over thinking something with your little scrunched up brow so thought I’d loosen it~. And yea, did this morning, why’d you ask?” <Fuka>
“Because you smell funky, similar to the base Lyada’s panties but different.” <Eel>
Currently the pair would be wearing matching outfits of black booty shorts and tank tops, running around the neighborhood and it was currently about 5am – hour before breakfast… Though every meal for Eel was the same porridge so there would be no chapter long cooking sessions.
Though it was early in the morning there would still be some people around… But whenever Fuka came close they would cover their nose with a disgusted look and avoid her like they would if they saw a {Prostitute}… Oh wait!
“Yea, thought that was the case~.” <Fuka>
Chuckling with an amused smirk as an old lady moving some apples to a stall gave her a black look like she had just shat on her stall… Though in terms of both being smells you wouldn’t want around fruit it was probably similar.
“Bunch of guys slept on top of me, specifically balls, making me a ball-rest~. On top of that they pulled the covers over themselves so ended up being a ball sauna instead… Hoping I can sweat it out or at the very least have it not impede me too much but it was hot at the moment~, in two different ways~… Now I have a question~! How’d you know what my girlfriend’s balls smell like~?” <Fuka>
Reaching down while jogging backwards, grabbing Eel’s cheeks as she went red and tried to avoid eye contact.
“I was smelling them to check if they were cleaned or not…” <Eel>
“Ah~ I’d believe you if you didn’t look like you did something wrong Eel~! So who’d you sniff?” <Fuka>
“…” <Eel>
“We~ll?” <Fuka>
“Everyone but Emily as she washes our underwear…” <Eel>
To this Fuka would just let her go and laugh her ass off, getting more disgruntled looks from windows as she wakes people up with her joyful state. Eel just looked away, she liked Fuka but she was like Lisa…
She would never be able to beat her.
“I won’t tell owner and boss if you let Lyada be the first c*** to fit up your ass~.” <Fuka>
“Eh~ b-but I’m still so y-” <Eel>
“I said the first~, she’s not interested in some kid but with how many of those poridges you’re downing she ought to have at least a fatter ass than me~. Not to mention {High-Elves} are meant to be quite busty.” <Fuka>
“Eh~ seems sly to call dibs on me like that and also think this is morally corrupt threatening a kid like this…” <Eel>
Eel just pouting while mumbling the last few lines, getting another chuckle for her trouble.
“Why’d you do it anyway? She told me before that if you love someone you’ll feel jealous over them, do you not feel jealous at the idea?” <Eel>
To her question Fuka would just hum softly, tilt her head to the side and tap her chin with an index finger.
“Well I suppose most would~… But, I guess I appreciate her? I mean, not many people would accept my way of life~. I’m qui~te aware I’m not living a maiden’s life, but she encourages me and has even gotten me a beginners volume of {Light Magic} and I found out I’m actually quite the competent paladin~! Imagine that, becoming a paladin because you wanted not to be too loose from takings d**** non stop~!” <Fuka>
Apparently finding the idea very humorous…
<I mean… It is kinda a funny – a holy warrior because she loves dick too much~>
Eel soon found herself laughing as her ruffled brow loosened, Fuka smiling and patting her head.
“You feel better now then~. What are you stressing about anyway, you’re too young to be doing that {Hero} or {Apprentice Prostitute}.” <Fuka>
“A lot… Lisa asked me and Emily about what we wanted to do in the future and then the owner of my ex-orphanage came around and I remembered I flooded the place before so maybe I ruined the living space of the other kids – then she got arrested so who will look after the kids but the charge also got me concerned… Why is Leaf counted property when she’s not even a slave anymore?” <Eel>
This would get a whistle from Fuka.
“Certainly do have a lot on your mind. But, if you want my opinion… Two and three with the orphanage isn’t your problem – sure you may have got a bit too ahead of yourself but I’m sure it was already a wreck considering you looked more like a zombie than a girl when we first met. For Leaf, it’s because she’s seen more as a plant I guess? Not a ‘legal peep’ so can’t give you the full rundown but likely because she’s not one of the {Core Races} she isn’t considered a person by law. Though she seems to be taking advantage of it since a plant can’t be blamed if they assault you if you approach them on someone else’s property without permission…”
Fuka would just sigh and shake her head, she was the one who ended up reporting the people from yesterday so she got to witness the woman being whipped over and over from a mixture of vines and strings.
“As for what you want to do with your life? Whatever you feel like~. You have no reason to really worry, your an ageless creature after puberty, even if you decide to not become a {Courtesan} by 13 but change your mind and want to do it by 45 I’m sure this place will be open and no way they’d pass up a cute girl like you~! Of course, I would like you to do it while I’m still around~.” <Fuka>
Hearing the last line from Fuka made Eel frown, it’s not like she’s never experienced death. She lived in a poor orphanage in a slum. It would be more strange if she hadn’t seen someone die – in fact she’d already killed two people just before meeting Ali.
But… The thought of Fuka and Lyada not being around… And then… There was also Emily.
Her heart felt heavy in a different way from before, like she swallowed a cube of ice and it sat in her chest. Heavy, cold and slowly dragging her down.
However, before she could dwell on it a finger poked her forehead.
“Oh don’t look so sad~. Plus we have a nymph~; if we wanted to live longer we easily get lil’ Leaf to whip up a potion the likes no human could. Hell, some even say that drinking dragons blood would give a similar effect so I’ll just have to nibble on you~” <Fuka>
Saying so Fuka would nom softly on the girls neck causing her to giggle and fumble a bit as they had nearly returned to the Brothel.
“S-stop it’s ticklish and you stink~!” <Eel>
“Promise to stop being a downer, Emily and Ali wouldn’t like to see you so sad Eel~” <Fuka>
“Fine, fine! What’s this got to do with those two?” <Eel>
To that, the teen would simply laugh at the little girl with a knowing (rather smug) grin.
<I hate when she does that…>
***
After parting ways with Fuka, Fuka heading towards the baths through the left route through the brothel, she would head down the right corridor towards the backyard where she’d be expecting Ali.
The backyard would have some tree’s beginning to grow and a few herbs and flowers but overall was quite sparse… Though in the same light it was impressive it had already gotten to such a point.
<Wah~ Leaf really is good at what she does~>
A bit inside there would be a clearing about the width and length of a sports field where Ali would be waiting. Apparently to get this much space the two B-Rank adventurers (Ali and Lisa), 1 C-Rank (Kee) and the D-Rank (Lyada) put all their money together for a year – buying many houses in the process. Back then Elizabeth’s Paradise was actually called Lily Paradise and only involved the 2 B-Ranks and D-Rank as Lisa and Ali were daughters of {Prostitutes} they went to an orphanage and later they picked up Lyada when she was 7.
Everyone else was unable to leave the brothel as they were slaves or they were Fuka. Fuka doesn’t say much about her past but has also made it clear it’s not because she’s got some hidden tragedy in her past so it’s kind of strange.
Ali would be wearing a similar outfit as when they first met – a simple top with short skirt – and in each hand would be a wooden pole.
She would throw one to Eel.
Fumbling to catch the pole she would hold it in her hands and look at it… It was just a pole. Looking up at Ali, Ali would hop softly causing her chest to bounce while circling her arms. Doing basic stretches.
“Well, just try to land a hit on me, let me see how you are before I decide how to train you up into a real Adventurer.” <Ali>
Giving a warm smile before she’d settle down, holding the center of her stave with her right hand but said hand would be positioned behind her.
Shrugging Eel would proceed to take the staff between her two hands, leaping forward and ramming the spear as fast and hard as she could towards Ali’s face. She didn’t want to hit her but at the same time she wasn’t going to sell herself short when it came to training!
However, as one would expect, it wasn’t so easy for an amature to hit a professional at the top of her class.
Slightly tilting her head she would let the spear pass by her head, raising her knee so it would connect straight into Eel’s solar plexus using her own momentum against her while sending her flying back.
“You shouldn’t usually go for the head with such a basic head on attack – easy to dodge with minimal effort and leaves you wide open. Not to mention you shouldn’t put all your force into an attack – makes it harder to recover from a failed blow if you do. Torso is not only a bigger target making it need less accuracy to hit but requires more effort to dodge as it’s bigger. One can also say that it may even cause their stance to break as they will likely be required to move their shoulders thus moving their arms.” <Ali>
Ali did look a bit worried at Eel but Eel had still managed to stay on her feet.
If by pure luck, stumbling around and only catching herself by using the pole as a support. Her breathing ragged but the fact she managed to hold back her porridge despite feeling all her body’s weight plus some on her gut was testament to her high {Con}.
“I-I thought you were meant to teach me how to use a spear not kicks!” <Eel>
Eel said – looking quite betrayed – while looking up and leapt again, this time thrusting towards Ali’s stomach in some form of revenge but that would be easily pushed aside by Ali’s left wrist. Raising her foot again Eel would of course an arm to her stomach with a smug smile, planning to catch the knee this time. After which Ali would slide her spear across the floor to knock out legs – causing her to fall downwards only to then shoot forward with her reeled back right leg. Kicking Eel right in the face – a crunch as Eel felt her nose flatten from the blow – while sending her back. Bouncing a few times over the floor and leaving the wooden pole behind.
“I really don’t wish to lecture you but your being dumb Eel. Only jabbing over and over makes your attack predictable – it has its place and uses but if you are predictable you will die in a real fight. Not only that but you keep leaping which means you can’t easily retreat when you sense danger – if you could control your form to partially summon your wings it may be fine but you can’t, can you? Well… That is if you have wings but you had {Flight} above 0 so you should. Oh, and lastly, you let go of your weapon. Nearly never a good idea.” <Ali>
It would take awhile this time – after all she had taken the blow to the head so it took her awhile to orientate herself and figure out what happened in those few moments. A while late when she would finally manage to get up on her hands and knees – fresh blood dripping from her nose but the wound was only small so it had already healed.
Of course, if this was a real fight she would already be dead.
Her pole was soon thrown in front of her one more time, looking up she’d see Ali standing there not even in a proper stance but still throwing her around like an idiot. In fact, she felt like Ali wanted to say more but was holding it back so she could learn through experience…
Closing her eyes she would take a deep breath and slowly grab the pole to aid her in rising to her feet again.
“I still thought you were supposed to be a {Spear User}?” <Eel>
She was no longer as mad over the knee but she still wanted to confirm what was up about these foul plays!
“Ah~ I suppose it would seem like that. Let me ask you, how did you beat those two men in the alleyway?” <Ali>
This would get a head tilt and a confused ‘eh?’ from Eel, causing a warm chuckle to leave Ali’s lips in return.
“I guess I just tried my best and got them by surprise?” <Eel>
“So you used everything you had? Why would that change when you pick up a weapon? The phrase is ‘become one with your weapon’ not replace yourself with it. A weapon is meant to add to your option in my opinion – not impede them. Obviously certain weapons are good for certain things and weak in other areas but I think personally that a spear may be easy to use but difficult to master as it requires great footwork, hand placement, {Dex} and familiarity with the weapon to feel comfortable enough to run to hide behind it when it’s range is breached. The greatest {Hero} of all, Photon {The Pillar of the Warrior}, uses a spear as well though in a far more defensive style than myself apparently. Clearly something about the weapon must be advantageous.” <Ali>
To this bit of trivia Eel’s eyes would widen.
<The greatest {Hero}? A pillar? Ah~ I’ve still got so much to learn…>
“So what’s-” <Eel>
“Ah, ask Lisa or wait for her to mention it in her lessons. For now let’s continue…” <Ali>
Eel would sigh before smugly smiling as she brought the spear up once again. Charging, but this time keeping closer to the ground to make herself a smaller target…
***
|< Congratulations Earned {Spear User Lvl 1} Through Actions >|
|< Congratulations {Hand User Lvl 1} Became {Hand User Lvl 2} >|
|< Congratulations Earned {Foot User Lvl 1} Through Actions >|
Sweat dribbled from a panting Eel as she collapsed back on her back.
Ali had already headed inside to prepare for breakfast (or rather let other people prepare her own breakfast while she waited and looked busy). It was already decided that she would return to follow behind Ali and then the two would train once again. Afterall, no better exercise than this.
Recovering her breath enough, Eel would rise from the floor. Leaving the pole behind, as she’d be back soon enough so no point to bring it around with her, she would enter through the back door.
Quickly dropping by her bedroom she would enter to see a peaceful Emily completely enshrouded under their covers. Giggling at her sleepy friend she would quickly reach into the bottom draw of the closet on her side of the room… Well was supposed to be her side of the room but she wouldn’t complain about Emily and her becoming such close friends.
Fetching a towel she would quickly wipe her sweaty body down, thinking maybe a darker shirt would be best for working out in the future as white had very clear issues, before resting the towel over her shoulders. Sitting beside the bed she would gently go to pet where she expected Emily’s head to be.
“Wakey sleepy head, it’s break- Huh?” <Eel>
Being surprised because instead of finding a head she instead ended up patting the girls feet causing her to pull up to cover to see a nude Emily face down on the bed with a red face as she turned up to look at Eel.
<Huh, well I guess it seems comfy but must’ve been hot…>
“Y’know if you were hot under the covers you could’ve just slept without them?” <Eel>
“I-erm, find it more comfortable to sleep without a nighty though… “ <Emily>
<Huh, I can actually imagine that being the case. Guess it would be awkward if only she was naked in the room though.>
“Ah~ okay, well you should get dressed before getting something to eat. I’m going to be training with Ali in the back garden so I’ll see you in the afternoon~.” <Eel>
Reporting to her room mate and closest friend with a smile as she would begin to head out to give her some privacy as she was pretty nervous and timid by nature.
“R-right!” <Emily>
Next step, she would head towards the main room for her porridge.
“You really sure you don’t want anything else… I mean we added some meat but just that stuff none stop will cause havoc on your spine when you hit your teens and be like a cow…” <Ali>
“Nope, you refuse my porridge I’ll become a shitty {Hero} in the future!” <Eel>
“*Sigh*” <Ali>
And so another morning would go by as well as three more bowls of the pink porridge.
