Our tails of Grimgar

Chapter 1: Team Up

(Vex's POV)

A boy named Vex lived in the town of Grimgar. He knew life would be difficult, but he always tried to look on the bright side. When he started out, he chose the samurai class. His teacher was strict, pushing him hard to learn the proper way to hold and wield a sword.

After a month of grueling training, Vex finally mastered the basics. But starting out as a rookie wasn’t easy—finding a team was even harder. Most of the groups forming their own parties refused to let him in. He sighed and decided to train alone, determined to get stronger.

He knew the risks of fighting solo. Without a healer or backup, he had no one to rely on but himself. Playing it smart, he used what little money he had to buy potions. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

Asking around, he learned that the Old City of Damuro was a good training ground for beginners. With no other options, he headed there. For three days, he hunted goblins, taking them down one at a time. He made sure to attack while they were asleep, making the fights easier. It was a slow but effective way to earn money.

With his earnings, he bought new clothes and food that would last him a week. But being seventeen years old with a big appetite, it was hard not to eat everything in sight.

A week later, he was on a roll. He started challenging himself, fighting two or three goblins at once. His confidence grew, but he stayed cautious, always carrying four or five potions in case things went wrong.

Then, he got careless.

Vex found himself surrounded by five goblins. He fought as hard as he could, but the numbers were overwhelming. Backed against the crumbling wall of a ruined building, he held his sword tightly, his hands trembling.

Was this the end?

Just as one of the goblins lunged at him, a bolt of lightning struck from the sky, killing it instantly.

Before he could react, three more bolts rained down, taking out three more goblins.

"What is going on?" he muttered in disbelief.

The last goblin burst into flames, its agonized screech echoing through the ruins.

Vex frantically scanned the area, searching for whoever had saved him.

"Are you okay?"

A voice called out from behind him. Turning quickly, Vex spotted someone stepping out from the shadows of a broken wall.

It was a girl.

She had tan-dark skin, long purple hair, and lavender eyes. A blue ribbon adorned the left side of her head. She wore the standard female mage uniform, but her witch's hat had two tails, making it stand out. Her black boots paired with knee-high purple stockings, and she wore a long black lab coat, giving her an air of mystery.

Vex exhaled, still shaken. "Um… thank you."

The girl smiled. "No problem. Sorry I didn’t help earlier. I thought you were doing fine until you got surrounded."

Vex blinked, frowning. "Wait… have you been watching me this whole time?"

She nodded casually.

He couldn’t believe it. She had been watching and didn’t step in until the last second. He wanted to ask why, but he let it go.

"So, are you here training too?" he asked.

"That’s right," she replied. "I come here often, but I take breaks on some days."

After a bit more conversation, the two decided to head back to Grimgar for a break. They stopped at a tavern, sitting together to talk and get to know each other.

"My name is Tsume, and I’m a necromancer."

Vex’s eyes widened in surprise. He had assumed she was a mage based on her attire, but a necromancer? That was unexpected.

"I’m Vex. I’m a samurai."

Tsume’s face lit up with excitement. "Awesome! I’ve never met a samurai before!"

She smiled warmly, and at that moment, Vex knew—this was the start of a new friendship. From that day on, they traveled together.