Onyx

[ CH 6 ] - Tempest

"Why're you here...?" Richard grumbled, looking at the two boys within his home. A wooden cup stuck to his hand while watching his two students as they idly sat at his kitchen table.

"What do you mean? You were all for waking us up early to train." Jon commented, a sly smile growing on his lips as he adjusted his new outfit in his seat. "In fact, I'd say you were having fun with it."

Jon's jacket, a deep, faded dark blue, was a new addition over his usual black button-up shirt, concealing the leather padding beneath. His new silver-colored pants, just grazing his black shoes, had a sleek look. His daggers were secured at the sides of his legs by a pair of standard leather belts, with pouches and vial carriers at his hips. They were already supplied, carrying some thin metal picks, alongside a trio of healing potions.

"That was before." Richard sipped his cup with a grumble. "I don't get to make fun of you guys being tired of it anymore." He huffed, shaking his head. "You actually get up early just to practice throwing your knives and those throwing picks and Kory gets up to read magic stuff. It's like you somehow swapped positions, where Kory is the book guy and you do physical stuff but you both actually go outside now."

"I'd honestly say that you guys go out too much." Naomi walked in from behind them. "Have you guys even taken a break since getting your new gear?"

Kory shrugged, adjusting his tan-painted jacket, making sure his shortsword was secure at his lower back. His new outfit, complete with a black shirt, ink-colored pants, and a pale white scarf, matched his practical yet stylish approach to gear.

"I'm convinced that you'll only stop because Rebecca told you guys to leave some quests for everyone else." Naomi scoffed as both boys looked away. "You guys are starting to have a rep for being quest-crazed, you know? Not everyone wakes up to do three quests that same day."

"It's not our fault that those quests are all in the same place." Kory frowned.

Jon on the other hand, raised an eyebrow. "Why can't it be both?"

"'Cause, knowing you two- it's more one over the other." Richard scoffed. "Seriously though, why're you here this early in the morning? You're supposed to be questing instead of training today."

Kory handed over the quest paper with a sigh. Richard, surprised that they were asking for his input, took the paper. As he read, his eyes widened and he began to choke on his drink. Naomi, curious, snatched the paper from him and quickly scanned it. She shook her head, laughing at their audacity. Richard, recovering, asked if Rebecca had given them this quest.

"No, it was some other tired looking guy," Kory answered. "I think Rebecca was doing something in the records room when we stopped by."

"Ugh... Mark." Richard pinched the bridge of his nose. "You guys just went along with it though? Dungeons are a whole different thing. They're never the same—especially not this one since it changes every month."

"Well, we asked for something new, and he gave us this." Jon replied, leaning against the table as he rested his cheek on his palm.

Kory scoffed. "And then Jon got pressured, because he said the first run of a dungeon always gives something fancy." He watched as his party leader gently placed some items onto the table.

Jon grumbled, "He gave me these to persuade me too, unfair." Naomi stared at a pair of diamond-shaped crystals on the table, void of any color.

"Free?" Naomi watched, taking them in her hands as the boy nodded. "You uh... don't need it then, do you?" Her eyes sparkled in the gentle glow of sapphire blue coated it like paint.

"I don't think so-" Jon stopped, seeing Richard walking up behind his wife before gently chopping her on the back of the head.