New Game

Chapter 12: Level Up

They spent the next three days training in that little cavern; only leaving occasionally to return to town and buy some supplies. The skeletons, that served as their moving targets, had a chance of dropping a short bronze sword, a steel dagger, and a small amount of gold.

Although Nixie assured Aquila there was nothing to worry about – he was slightly intimidated by the skeletons, so Slie was the one who would go into the next room, cross the bridge and pick up the drops every ten to twenty minutes; while Nixie healed him, negating any damage from the skeletons. In fact she was insistent that he take his time. She didn't get to train her healing magic – except for the few times that Slie crossed to collect the loot.

The spoils from the skeletons got divvied up between them (though Aquila had a feeling that Slie was giving him the greater share). It wasn't much – but Aquila sold the loot to the blacksmith, and it provided him with enough money to buy arrows and do it all over again.

For those three days that little training cavern was their home. They even slept there, and they didn't even set a watch. Nobody knew about this place, and there was only one entrance, so there was a low chance that anyone would actually try to sneak up on them. All Slie had to do was cast alarm on the ladder at the entrance. Aquila was surprised when Nixie laid out three bedrolls in their small little room.

'I thought we only had two?' Aquila remarked.

Darkness had now set over the land. A warm little fire created bright light, and shadows that danced in the corners of the room.

'I bought a third one while we were at the camping shop,' Nixie said.

'But,' Aquila protested, 'you already gave me your token of teleportation. And well...you didn't have to.'

'You're part of the team now. If you ever leave us to find your friends, then you can pay me back. But for now, what's ours is yours.'

Aquila almost expected Slie to protest; and tell her not to speak on his behalf. But he didn't.

'Thanks,' Aquila replied.

'Don't mention it.'

***

Aquila woke up refreshed and energetic the next day. He was beginning to see what Slie had meant about getting a good night's sleep. Whenever he did, he felt nice and refreshed. He'd done a few all-nighters when he'd been alone in Novus Town, although he didn't realise it at the time, looking back, he could see how lack of sleep had taken its toll. Plus, there really was a bonus for getting seven hours of sleep – it wasn't just a theory, it literally appeared in his stats screen.

Nixie made them all bacon and eggs for breakfast, apparently her little cooker was quite versatile. It could fry, bake and stew. The food itself was delicious, the bacon was salty, and the eggs were cooked to perfection. Of course it wasn't on par with players who focused on pure cooking, like Roselyn, but it was extremely satisfying food.

'Are you ready to cast some healing spells today?' Aquila asked Nixie as he shoved the last rash of bacon into his mouth and the plate disappeared from his hands.

'Why? Are you planning on training your light-handed skill?' Nixie asked

'Yesterday you didn't even want to go over there to pick up the drops,' Slie teased.

'I'm feeling better today!' Aquila responded, 'what do you think Slie. Want to join me?'

Aquila wasn't sure if he was on a high because he'd increased his archery from level 3 to level 6 in a day, which was extremely quick for him, or he just felt comfortable in his present company. Maybe both. But one thing was for sure, he wanted to focus on his light-handed skill, and keep archery as his secondary skill – at least for the time being.