"Okay! So, from what I'm hearing there's no reason why we can't leave for the Elven Kingdom tomorrow morning. It should take us two full days of flying on Nina's back in her dragon form to reach your country's eastern border. How should we enter the country? I can turn us all invisible and fly straight in, but I'm guessing that'd be bad." (Mizuki)
Ilina shakes her head in exasperation.
"Yes, Mizuki, that would be bad. We should land outside the eastern gate at the edge of Gelrod's pass, then enter with the soldiers' permission. That way, nobody thinks it's an invasion, and the guards can clearly see Nina transform into a human and confirm that she's an Elder Dragon. That's not something anyone would know that she can do, so it will save us the trouble of proving it later. Otherwise, your timetable sounds fine to me." (Ilina)
I nod with a sheepish smile. After a moment, Ilina's annoyance breaks, and she smiles back at me.
"Alright, I understand. I'm going to go round everyone up so we can head back to the inn. When we get back, can you explain the travel plans to Klaus and the elves, and the cover story to Klaus only? I'll take care of Alto and Zara." (Mizuki)
Ilina nods her agreement. Great! Now to see about Nina. I focus on Nina's emotions through the connection, and I sense…enjoyment? That's a good sign.
[Hey Nina! How's training going? Ready for me to come pick you up?] (Mizuki)
[Fufufu…the wolf-kin girl is quite the fast learner, Mizuki! When I match my strength to hers, I'm having a little trouble at this point. Bringing her into the party was good, I'm going to have someone to practice my dagger techniques with now.] (Nina)
Wow, that's high praise from Nina. Even just her liking your company is rare.
[I'm glad to hear it, Nina. In that case, the two of you are welcome to go to the guild alone and take any job as training if you want? You're A-rank, so you should be able to take anything, and Zara is G-rank, so she could use the experience to rank up at the guild. Might be a good way for you to observe her as a teacher, huh?] (Mizuki)
[Oooh, Mizuki, I like this idea! Yes, I will let Zara know. Please come get us and let's go to the guild while we still have time!] (Nina)
I chuckle internally and can't help but smile. Looks like Nina's found a new friend and sparring partner. I guess it's not surprising that she likes Zara's whole strong and stoic vibe. I teleport to Nina's location.
When I arrive, Zara is breathing heavily with a crazed grin on her face, and I can see dried blood at spots around her body. Her sword is already crackling with lightning. Nina is smiling back at her, still full of energy, but having dried blood on her limbs as well from several healed wounds.
Seeing me appear, Zara seems to calm herself and sheathes her sword. Nina sheathes her daggers and runs over to hug me. After she pulls away, she's all smiles.
"Mizuki, this was so much fun! Can we go to the guild now?" (Nina)
I glance at Zara, and she seems to be nodding excitedly. They're so cute when they're getting along like this. How could I say no?
I smile back at them and nod, then gesture for them to get close. They squeeze in, and I teleport them back to Nina's and I's inn room.
"Alright, you two, go to the guild if you want. Have fun!" (Mizuki)
Nina and Zara nod excitedly, then head off out of the room. I teleport back to my clearing with Ilina and Alto, and I walk over to Alto. Seeing me approach, she smiles and waits patiently.
"So, Alto, apparently Nina and Zara are getting along so well that they decided to take a job together at the guild. What do you say, do you want to go do a job as well, just the two of us? Alternatively, you could train some more, or I guess I could try teaching you more. It's up to you." (Mizuki)
Alto seems to think it over for a few minutes before responding.
"I actually think I want to train some more here myself if you don't mind. I'm just realizing that there's so many ways to experiment with what I've learned today. Thinking of magic this way instead of as a series of spells is really groundbreaking, and there are lots of possibilities I want to explore." (Alto)
"Hey, that's great, Alto! I don't mind in the slightest. It looks like there's maybe three hours of daylight left, so why don't I come back and pick you up a little before sunset? If you get bored before then, the city is north of here, almost an hour away." (Mizuki)
Alto nods appreciatively and I smile back, then I wave goodbye and walk towards Ilina. Ilina's been watching me, and she smiles as I approach.
"So, Nina and Zara have gone off to do a job at the guild, and Alto wants to stay here and experiment with her new magic some more. Looks like it's just the two of us, so is there anything you'd like to do together? Training, a guild job, food, you name it!" (Mizuki)
Ilina looks surprised, then seems to think on my question for a moment. Eventually, something seems to occur to her, and she looks at me with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
"Uhm…yeah, actually. Alto mentioned what flying was like the other day, and it sounded beautiful. I know I'll get to fly with Nina tomorrow, but could we go flying using your gravity magic now?" (Ilina)
I smile at her broadly and nod.
"You bet! Here, just come hold on to me like we're going to teleport." (Mizuki)
Ilina smiles and walks over to wrap me in a hug from the front. I see her begin to blush, and she responds.
"Okay, I'm ready!" (Ilina)