Mined Games chapter 19

Getting through my next day’s classes was annoying and tedious, but I managed. I paid special attention to the glares, and as I expected the students with the most powerful families seemed to feel the most antipathy toward me for whatever reason. Since I had plans, I didn’t end up confronting anyone, just kept my head down until classes ended and then left dorms, heading for Selton Apothecary.

Since Tara had a place to stay outside the tower I doubted she would opt for the dorms. It was weirdly a relief to get back to familiar territory. Starting at the Guild had been a jarring experience to say the least, and while I LOVED it, there was something soothing about walking my old streets and seeing my old familiar sights.

When I arrived at the apothecary I pushed open the door, calling out a greeting as I did. There was a familiar dark haired blue eyed woman behind it, but not the one I’d come here to see. Olivia shot me a beaming smile. “Well now, welcome stranger. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here. You kind of look like this scrawny kid that used to spend time with my daughter, but that young man has clearly had some terrible fate befall him to go so long without visiting.”

I chuckled awkwardly as I approached the counter. “Ah, yeah, sorry about that. I don’t know if Tara told you, but I’m in the Blacksmith Guild now. It’s been pretty crazy and I haven’t had time to check in. Is she here?”

Her smile was warm. “She is. And I heard about the Guild. Congratulations. I ALSO heard you hit Apprentice rank like me. If I’m not careful you’ll pass me up, and what kind of clan matriarch would I be if I let a teenager become stronger than I am.”

“I have a long way to go before that happens.” I said, hoping to brush this off. Olivia knew me pretty well, my lie about the pool might hold up at first blush, but if she got me into a conversation about it she was going to notice problems, I was sure of it. “So Tara got into the Mage’s Tower, right? I haven’t talked to her since the recruitment.”

“Of course.” She said proudly. “She’s brilliant. Been studying like mad lately, not that you would notice given your own training.” Her perpetual smile slipped as she looked at me with concern. “You need to take it easy sometimes, Caleb. I know how important it can seem to get stronger, but don’t hurt yourself. I told Tara the same thing.”

I swallowed hard as I felt a surge of affection for the older woman. Olivia had been part of my life for a long time. She and my mom had been friends and she and dad were on good terms still. She was always there for me when he wasn’t around, always there to give me advice or feed me when I was hungry.

Tara was damn lucky to have a mom like her, and while I’d never considered a replacement for my own (nobody could be) I did care about her a lot and knew that she felt the same way. I’d have just brushed off anyone else making a comment like that, I was driven by the experiences I had growing up and felt the need to push but… Olivia was right.

I just smiled. “Well sure, that’s why I’m here. Hoping to spend some time with my favorite ladies. Think you drag Tara out of her studying and come with us to dinner? It’s on me.” If Tara had been as busy as I had, Olivia would be running the apothecary on her own. While she was more than up to the job, she was probably burning herself out with all the effort.

Checking my inventory, I made sure I had enough on me. Two platinum, two gold, pretty much. I’d been spending tons on crystals, but this was yesterday’s full haul and what I had from the day before to boot.

She stepped out from behind the counter, giving me an affectionate hug. “You’re a good boy Caleb. Tara’s lucky to have you. I suppose I could take some time off for the evening, as long as you’re sure having me around won’t be an imposition.”

“I’m always happy to escort a beautiful young lady for a meal.” I said solemnly. “And we can let Tara come too, just to be nice.” That got an eye roll and a giggle, but she turned and headed off to go get my best friend.

They were back in minutes and Tara threw herself on me in a flying tackle that probably would have broken bones if I wasn’t at Apprentice rank. Then she pulled back and kicked me in the knee cap.

I yelped and groaned, grabbing my knee, not feigning because she had slammed her foot into the edge of my knee cap and Apprentice or no almost dislocated it. “OW!” I said, making sure all of my offense and outrage was expressed through the word.

“DAYS?” She shrieked at me, trying to kick me again. I dodged this time. “It’s been DAYS, Caleb. What’s wrong with you? I was so worried. I had to hear about your acceptance from TALA ARDANE when she came in to buy potions. Smug little twit dragged out telling me for fifteen minutes just to watch me squirm. She’s just bitter because I beat her exam record.”

“Congratulations.” I grunted in pain as I tried not to put weight on my knee. It wasn’t actually that bad, but it would make Tara feel better to know she’d done some damage.

I must have done too good a job though, because her face fell. “I didn’t really hurt you did I? Is it ok?” She turned to Olivia. “Mom go get him a healing potion.”

Olivia just laughed happily. “No need, sweetie. He’s an Apprentice, you aren’t strong enough to hurt him.” I glared at the traitor, but she just winked as her daughter rounded on me to go into a tirade about how rude it was to scare her like that.

The berating sadly lasted until we got to the restaurant we were heading for, upon which time it stopped as Tara gaped at our destination. “Vendaro’s? We can’t afford this place Cale, they charge an entire gold just to be seated here.”

I snorted. “Please, I’m a Blacksmith now. Everyone knows we’re all rich.” Of course, BEING a blacksmith had nothing to do with my money, but it was a convenient excuse. Tara was too awestruck to question it, though Olivia raised an eyebrow in suspicion before shaking it off.

We headed inside, and I was blown away by how impressive the decor was. I could see mana tinged gold on the chandelier and plenty of other fascinating and expensive fittings. Tara’s eyes were like saucers, practically vibrating from excitement.

My best friend did like to eat, especially good food, but her main motivation for wanting to come here wasn’t that. While the Selton clan was pretty well off and had a bit of political muscle, Tara had always been ambitious. Part of why she joined the Mage’s Tower was to become a respected mage and help bring her family to new heights.

I approached the waiting host and passed him two gold, one for the seating fee and one as a tip to make sure we got decent service. He gave a deep, professional bow, and then led us back to a secluded table close to the kitchen. I could smell the cooking and thoroughly enjoyed the variety of scents.

“We’ll take three plates of tier two Phantom Feasant, and a bottle of the Radiant Apple brandy.” I looked at my dinner companions. “What kind of sides were the two of you interested in.” I’d chosen to order because the Phantom Feasant was twenty five gold per plate, and I knew that neither of them would even think of ordering it for themselves with me paying, even if they would love it.

Olivia noticed and gave me a warm but reproving smile, but she didn’t say anything, clearly not wanting to ruin Tara’s meal. My best friend ordered the Golden Cloud potatoes (which were only tier one) and some Astral Asparagus while her mother got a salad and an order of normal mortal yams.

When the pheasant arrived, we all tucked in without waiting, and I groaned in approval as I felt the mana melt into my body through my taste buds. The preparation for this had to be difficult to learn, considering how much mana remained in the meat. Beasts traditionally condensed most of their mana into their mana crystals, allowing them to condense mana like humans though in a more physical fashion.

Tara’s eyes lit up. “This is AMAZING. I think I might be able to break through to the sixth or even seventh circle from eating just this one plate. If I could come here more often I could hit Apprentice rank in no time.”

I wished I could do that, but as useful as this stuff was, it wasn’t as energy dense as the crystals I used. Food like this wasn’t a substitute for condensation, not just because of cost, but because since most of the mana was in the crystal a beast condensed, there was a very limited amount in the meat. Tara was in a good position to benefit because she was a rank lower, but I’d need to buy tier three beast meat to see a decent effect and I couldn’t afford that.

Olivia hummed approvingly. “Ok, I’ll admit. That’s wonderful.” She poured herself a glass of the brandy, taking a small sip, and smiled in satisfaction. “This is a wonderful evening out Caleb, thank you for this. I’m afraid my poor girl will work herself into an early grave, even WITH my advice.”

My best friend snorted. “Please. I’ll be fine. I’ve just been studying. It’s not like I’m actually USING mana. I can’t yet.”

“Be grateful.” I groaned. “We’ve started Mana Control classes and they’re hellish. So complicated and draining. Put it off for as long as you can.” I paused. “Though I guess you are at the tower training more in spellcasting than anything. Oh well, sucks to be you.”

Rather than react like I expected and jab back, Tara’s face became concerned as she set down her fork. “Actually, I wanted to ask about how the Guild is treating you. I was worried some of the animosity from when you were weaker might have made things tough for you.” She stared fixedly at me, eyes scanning for any sign of discomfort or unhappiness.

Shrugging nonchalantly I just brushed it aside. “I’m fine, I’ve been working non-stop until today, no one bothers me.” Some of them apparently tried to bully my roommate into severing ties with me, but I wasn’t planning to volunteer that information. She looked at me worriedly, and I briefly considered telling her. Telling her everything. The mine, the looks, the thing with my dad…but that wouldn’t be fair. She had enough to worry about.

She gazed into my eyes a bit longer, and then Olivia, deciding to help, asked her about the tower. She started chattering about her research, and classes, and the people she’d met, and all her worry melted away under the blazing heat of her sheer enthusiasm for learning and becoming a better mage.

As she talked about meeting other clan heirs and young nobles, as well as how the tower worked, I tried to push away all my problems. I was out for dinner with two of my favorite people, good food, good company. I needed to relax like Olivia said. After this I’d have to head back and get to work again, but for now, I could just be myself, and that was all that really mattered.