No, nothing. Time to go back and tell everybody about what has happened.

Everything is done. You help Tocar back to his feet and support him on the way back to the village. He probably does not like it, but he knows that waiting for him every few steps would keep you much longer than this way. And he is just not ready to walk without help yet. It is already around sunset, when you arrive at the border of the village.

The villagers immediately start to rush towards you and Tocar and bomb you with questions. They heard some echoes of your fight and saw the smoke. Now they want to know what has happened and if the danger is over. They all start to cheer and celebrate when you tell them the chimera is gone. Of course they believe it was mostly Tocar and it takes several attempts by himself to explain them it was you who finally killed the beast. Good to know Tocar is not keeping the fame for himself like some other mages you know would do.

The whole village heads to the tavern and throws a small party for you. Since it is not a very rich village and they already lost several farm animals, it really is just a small party. Some beer and fruit juice, warm bread and carrot stew. Two farmers make music and many of them dance. Tocar allows the local herbalist to look after his wounds. She gives him some fresh bandages and an ointment.

You when the party slows down and some of the children are sent home, the village elder has a few words with Tocar and you about what to do next. They agree that some farmers will head to the forest tomorrow to bury the remains of the victims and burn the corpse of the chimera. Tocar explains more than once that the chimera is not going to come back to life, but the village elder is stubborn about this. He wants to make sure it can never come back.

The tavern owner offers you to stay the night for free, which you both gladly accept, since it is already late. Tocar went to bed to rest and you stay with the villagers a while longer. You did a great deed and are a hero now. You think you deserve getting a little drunk now.

You regret it next morning when you ride back with a slight headache. Tocar does not want to ride fast because of his injuries, but the sun and the awfully loud birds make the first two hours a very unpleasant ride. Around midday you arrive at the Capital and head straight to the guild.

Raka first greets you with a usually bity comment before noticing Tocar being injured. She immediately runs to the director, who follows her straight to you and looks at both of you worried. Professor Tiberius orders Raka to get one of the healing mages. Since nobody else is there, you just talk in the entrance hall.

It is mostly Tocar who talks. He tells the professor Tiberius about what has happened, about your research, how it was you who found the hideout and in the end, he tells him about the fight. And how intelligent the chimera was. Professor Tiberius is more than just a little impressed when Tocar tells him that it was you who finally beat the beast.

“It was you, Clare?” Professor Tiberius asks to be sure, “but … this creature almost killed one of our fully trained and most experienced mages. How did you do that?”

“Professor, I honestly have no idea,” you answer a little shy, “I just used my knowledge about magic and my will to survive. I had no superior tactic or spell.”

“And you said that the chimera had remains of a metal chain at one of it’s feet, right?” Professor Tiberius asks thoughtfully, “so, it was kept by humans who most likely intended to use it as a weapon.”

“It was, Professor,” Tocar answers and nods, “it must have escaped some time ago from a renegade dark mage or a hidden criminal outpost. It knew humans, magic and was trained to fight them.”

“Well, impressive,” Professor Tiberius mumbles, “you did the guild a great favor, young novice. Not only did you fulfilled an important mission, you also rescued a high ranking member of your guild. You have outdone yourself and well deserved your reward. We are proud to have you in our ranks. In the future, we will recommend you for higher missions. Well done. As usual, the guild will withhold five coins of your reward to pay off your dept. Should I pay you the other five or send them to your family?”

“Sir, I am sorry but I don’t think this is fair,” Tocar interrupts, “this girl not only found the hideout, she also defeated the monster and saved my life. I think she should get much more than an assistant wage. I barely did anything of use. She should get the whole reward.”

“That … is a bit too much,” you reply a little shocked, “you fought the monster first and injured it. And you also paid for the food and the room for the night. I am fine with my payment.”

“Then how about we split the reward in two equal parts,” Professor Tiberius offers, “15 silver coins for both of you. Plus five each for the venom gland.”

“Alright, that would be great,” you agree.

“Sounds fair,” Tocar gives in too.

“Excellent,” Professor Tiberius says pleased and hands you a small bag with ten coins, “five for your family like last time, right? And again, you did an outstanding job. And you, Tocar, I would suggest you head to the hospital wing and get some rest. In a day or two I am sure you are back to your old strength.”

“I will do that, but I have one last thing to say,” Tocar says and stands up, “I want to recommend novice Clare for the exams to become an apprentice.”

“Wait, what?” you ask shocked, “but … I am only …”

“Are you sure about that, Mage Usarius?” Professor Tiberius asks unsure, “don’t get me wrong, I trust your opinion as a mage, but Clare is still very new and had only a few years of training.”

“I saw her in action, sir,” Tocar answers firmly, “she is ready. And as a full member of the guild, I recommend her.”

“Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I have a little talk with her teachers to see if they see it the same way,” Professor Tiberius mumbles and nods, “she was indeed impressive. We could put you in the list of the candidates for the next exam, Clare. If you feel ready for this, of course.”

“I … I am not sure,” you mumble overwhelmed, “of course it is my goal to become an apprentice very quickly … but … I am not sure I am ready.”

“Understandable,” Professor Tiberius says calm, “how about you rest a little now. Take some time to think and have a talk to you professor tomorrow. This is an important decision. By the way, you have the rest of the day off.”

You walk down the floors in silence. You are still a little overwhelmed. It is great that the guild appreciates your efforts and successes, but you were not ready for such a promotion. Of course you hoped to become an apprentice soon. It would get you access to better spells, better missions with more income and even more freedom. But this was very sudden. The director is probably right. You should come to rest and think about this. However, fate has no interest in letting you rest. As soon as you open the door to your small room, you are greeted by another surprise.