37th of Season of Air, 57th year of the 32nd imperial era

"Newstar, we are beyond the point where you can just say you owe me another favor, and I will not reveal a secret like that to you, nor anyone else, without getting something of equal or greater value in return."

Newt nodded. He had asked Dandelion for advice on how to keep using fire mana for longer periods of time. He had changed his approach, asking humbly, the way Dandelion asked Lady Frostgrave, but the man still refused.

There was only one secret Newt knew that was valuable enough to set the slate clean, but he didn't know whether he should share it. Or even how to do so safely. Lady Frostgrave could be listening to their conversation.

What if I mouth it without saying the words? Will that help?

"Dandelion, watch this."

'I know of the location of a tenth realm core.' Newt's lips moved without making a sound.

'Never speak of that again,' Dandelion mouthed back immediately, and Newt's blood froze. The man knew. There was no delay, no shock, no hesitation. Newt was certain Dandelion knew of his greatest secret, but remained quiet about it, and didn't eliminate him to make sure the magma dragon's core remained a secret. He knew right from the start.

'Your information is valuable,' Dandelion continued mouthing, 'and it is prudent you shared it like this, even though I believe nobody is listening, and this inn guarantees privacy. But you should never tell anyone about this ever again. A tenth realm core is a calamity. The royal families and ducal houses would do whatever is necessary to acquire one. Regardless of the cost and with no moral qualms.'

'But I didn't even mention its location?'

'It is in the mine you worked in, obviously. The information you just shared is priceless and worthless at the same time. Keep it to yourself, otherwise you might wake up dead one day.'

Dandelion wiped his face with his palm, shaking his head.

"Fine, I will explain. I will also teach you how to use the spear and the sword. With time, you will need a heavier spear than what you have currently, but getting practice is never a waste."

Newt should have been elated. He wasn't. Something about Dandelion's gestures put him off. He agreed too easily.

Maybe I just expected more of an argument? Or maybe that he wouldn't trust me?

"My method is useless for everyone who does not wield mana of the four basic elements." The disappointing words crashed on Newt like a mountain of rocks, but Dandelion kept talking despite Newt's defeated face as they exchanged invaluable, worthless information.

"I have made runic seals which convert one type of energy into another. I have a full cycle, allowing me to stop it when the energy is in the state I need and draw that energy into my body." Newt hardly listened to Dandelion when a single overly stressed word grabbed his attention again. "But before I developed that solution, I considered a crutch, which could prove useful to you."

Newt once more focused, waiting for Dandelion to continue.

"I had an idea about making reservoirs of specific energies I used the most so that I could draw mana from them whenever I needed it. I can teach you the runic configurations which will make such zones in your realm." Dandelion scratched his stubble, looking into the distance. "That said, I still have no clue how to evaluate your favor. The weapon training I mentioned will last two weeks, until you leave. Whenever I am not busy with Lady Frostgrave, I will do what I can to guide you and help you improve."

Newt frowned.

"Don't you mean until we leave?"

Dandelion shook his head. "I am staying another week to help Swiftbeak and finish some matters I was hesitating about until recently. Once done, I will head deeper into the empire. Currently, my plan is to settle in Glory City, the seventeenth prince's city."

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"You won't join an order?" Newt was certain Dandelion's plan was to enter a larger organization and grow like their star, but apparently that plan had changed.

"No. I will remain a hedge mageknight until I reach the point where I cannot support my own growth, probably the sixth realm. We might never meet again, but if we do, I hope we can remain friends?" Dandelion spoke without hesitation.

"But why? Didn't you say joining a major order is safer?" Newt struggled to understand the sudden and massive change in Dandelion's plan.

Am I making a mistake?

"It is. For someone like you, it is a place to grow and learn from a mentor. You can learn how to use books properly and many other fundamental tricks, which you lack. But my method is different. I read, and through practice, I mold the theoretical knowledge into something which suits me. It will be a great path for you too, one day, when you have amassed enough knowledge and experience. I said you are a genius, and I mean it, you are much better at this than I am. My only advantage is time and experience. Without those, I would not have even considered reawakening, and I would have been a mediocrity until death. In a sense, I have you to thank for all of this."

Newt had no idea what Dandelion was talking about.

What do I have to do with you gambling with your life and starting over? I was there, but me sitting in the cave with you didn't seem all that helpful, and besides, nothing happened.

Despite Newt's confusion, Dandelion seemed sincere enough, and he kept his secret all this time, waiting for him to share it first.

"Thank you. Is that why you were willing to do all those favors for me?"

"In part," Dandelion admitted. "In part, it is because I wish to be your friend and ally, if you would have me."

Dandelion reached out with his hand. Newt stared at it for a moment before taking it.

"Gladly." He smiled, for the first time understanding that he had made a true friend.

Two weeks passed in a flurry of action. Newt spent his days at the adventurers' guild's training area, sparring with whoever showed interest whenever Dandelion wasn't teaching him personally. Most days, Newt sparred with Everlast and Puresnow, sharpening his sword and spear alike.

Whenever Newt failed to find partners for practice, he visited the scribes' guild. There, he read books to deepen his understanding of runes and runic seals, always searching for suitable seals he could use in his realm.

Unfortunately, like all good times, Newt's period of rapid absorption of knowledge came to an end.

On the fifty-first of Season of Air, it was time to bid goodbyes. The seven of them stood at Thunderbluff's eastern gate.

Lady Frostgrave looked at Dandelion with appreciation, while Everlast and Puresnow held a mix of emotions Newt couldn't name. The two other disciples seemed puzzled, both by their master's expression and those of their fellow students.

Dandelion gave a half-bow. "Lady Valiant, thank you for everything. The knowledge you shared and your ideas will shine like a beacon as I conquer the higher realms."

"You have also given me a lot to think about," Frostgrave's smile turned flirtatious. "My offer still stands. If you wish to join my harem, my door is always open to you."

"Thank you for that as well, Lady Valiant." Dandelion kept a straight face, while Newt and Lady Frostgrave's students turned away, their faces burning, wild thoughts and images stampeding through their minds.

"Everlast, Puresnow, take care," Dandelion continued as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "I hope our paths cross again, and that we get to take another interesting mission in the future.

"Newstar," Newt kept his gaze down. For some reason, his relationship with Dandelion had transformed into something he couldn't describe. He knew the spark which started it was when he admitted about the tenth realm core, but he didn't understand what had changed. Was it him or Dandelion or both?

While he was staring at the surprisingly clean cobbles, massive bear-like arms wrapped themselves around him, and Dandelion drew him into a hug.

"Survive all the troubles heading your way. Crush them all."

Newt felt tears welling up. He hadn't cried when he left his clan, but parting with Dandelion…

"Aren't you supposed to tell him to stay out of trouble?" Lady Frostgrave ruined the moment, and Dandelion released Newt.

"He is young, heading into an illustrious order, with nobody to guard his back." Dandelion tousled Newt's hair, and somehow it reminded him of the way his father used to do it. "Kill them dead if you need to."

Newt finally looked up, and met the gaze of a man bigger than life, his white teeth shining in the sun.

"Stay safe until we meet again. All right?"

Newt nodded, and Dandelion turned around, heading back into the city.

Newt bit his lip. He hesitated, then shouted.

"Dandelion!"

Dandelion turned around, and Newt regretted calling out to him. Shouting in the middle of the street was so embarrassing.

"You stay safe too! We need to compare notes when we reach the fourth realm."

It was a stupid thing to say. Newt was certain of it, but he didn't know what else to say. He couldn't say how much he bonded with the man in such a short period of time. Dandelion was a big brother, a father figure, a solid rock he could rely on, wreathed in a halo of inhuman charisma.

"Sure thing, kiddo." Dandelion laughed and left.

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