Chapter 29: On the Right Track
Dinner at the Church The kitchen buzzed as Veyi helped after eating at home. Late-working families sent kids to the church. Reila, the only cleric, managed everything. She didn’t mind, so it was fine. Despite the sky’s shocking display, Reila calmly cooked for the children. Winger entered silently, looking troubled. “You seem worried,” Reila said. “Is it that obvious?” Winger pointed to herself. “Help out. Eaten yet?” Reila asked, sensing her mood. Winger avoided the kids’ table, picking a spot. “I’ll try your cooking, then.” She sat on the backyard grass, staring at the starry sky. A breeze tousled her silver hair. Her robe hid most of her legs, revealing a hint of pale skin. Tonight’s sky felt colder than usual. Just a bit more so.
A Friend’s Concern Veyi managed the kids. Reila joined Winger later, her meal half-done. “How’s the food?” “Same as always,” Winger said, appetite low. She ate most, too stubborn to admit it. “No need to worry,” Reila said. “Maple Whisper’s harvests are strong. The school’s building, the ranch expanding. Stay close, you’ll protect everyone.” “You’re talkative today,” Winger noted, sensing something off. Reila smiled without answering. She trusted Winger’s steadiness, but not her self-care. Words lingered unspoken. “Are we friends?” Reila asked. Winger’s eyes widened. “What nonsense is that?” “That’s not ladylike,” Reila teased. Friends worried naturally. Reila’s insight came from divine gifts, not expressions. She saw Winger’s lakeside loneliness years ago. “No one’s watching,” Winger said, curling up. “You lead me astray, breaking your doctrine.” Reila coughed, embarrassed. “I don’t break rules. You don’t even believe.” Winger stood, dusting her robe. “I’m off. You clean the bowls.”
Settling Back Home Reila wanted to call her shameless but held back. It’d break doctrine. She watched Winger leave silently. At the treehouse, Winger shed her clothes. She flopped onto the bed, then sat up. The dragon egg and Peach were missing. It was early, just after dinner. Veyi was likely playing with them. Reila was right—construction was steady. No need for worry. Unlike her early days, this was smooth. If she’d just arrived, she’d call it a perfect start. Do your best. That was enough. The “meteor” paused above the capital, then flew west. It passed Dangarol. The sky cracked like glass, then healed. Winger didn’t see it. Her focus was here. Maple Whisper was on track. She’d keep it that way.
A Distant Mission Beyond Gentle Breeze Ridge, the meteor’s gusts lifted a woman’s hood. Her black hair tangled, her face icy yet brokenly beautiful. “Roger.” “Lady Green,” the knight answered, armor glinting under firelight. His cross shimmered with prismatic light. “Not staying in Glennmbak?” she asked, gaze resolute. “No.” “Good.” Her delicate frame seemed frail on horseback. Her stunning face held an inhuman coldness, yet her voice was warm. “Thanks for coming this far.” “It’s the Church’s duty,” Roger said, voice firm yet trembling. “The Sanctuary was built for this. Rifts demand action.” “So rigid,” she muttered. Maybe just him. “Let’s go.” Their horses moved toward the valley. Roger followed without hesitation. Against the mountains, they were specks, vanishing into the rift.
A Breakthrough Morning Morning came. Veyi knocked, got no answer, and entered. Winger wasn’t in the living room. As Veyi turned to leave, the door burst open. Winger hugged her, reeking of potions. “Success! Thanks to you, Veyi!” Veyi grimaced. “Teacher, did you forget the fume hood?” Winger couldn’t explain easily. She’d tested ripe Sun-Moon Roses. Dawn and dusk harvests failed. Then she recalled Veyi’s damaged plants. Mixing them triggered an advancement. It wasn’t about stabilizing energy at sun-moon alignment. [Advancement: Dexterity, Progress: 50% (30 years accumulated, Night Moon Lily collected, Holy Source Crystal × Sun-Moon Rose 0.01)] The quality was low. Winger sat, ideas swirling. Using remaining roses for potions was inefficient. Even optimal conditions wouldn’t help much. Leveling up was so hard.
Village Duties Await Veyi saw Winger’s mood swing. She thought she’d been too harsh. “Teacher…” “What’s up?” Winger asked, focusing. Decades could wait a day or two. “The school’s nearly done. They need you for final checks. The village chief’s waiting, too.” Veyi woke early for Rhine’s request. He was likely at the site. Winger tidied the room, locking the door. Daily tasks weren’t hectic, but constant. She recalled the hillside chamomile, nearly blooming. Reila could use it for holy rituals. The mine was manageable. Maple Whisper was on track.