After then, It was quite between them. They stayed like that for a while, Bell trying to keep him a sister warm and Astoria staring at the sky. Bell decided to break the silence, if Astoria was going to be with him, it’ll better if he knew her as much as possible.

"Astoria, was it?"

"Yes?" Astoria replied almost immediately and turn facing Bell.

"When we were fighting those wolves, you used some kind of magic. What was that?"

"Oh" Astoria said it more casually then surprisingly, she forced herself to sit up. " My magic was taught to me by my big brother. He actually taught me two spells, fireball and engulf. You should know about magic, right?"

"Not really" Bell replied. "I’ve only heard about magic but I’ve only seen it once in action. And I couldn’t help but notice that you depend on your staff to use your spells"

"Well, that’s because human can’t naturally use magic, the flame crystal attached to my staff is what create my spells, but I use my mana to power it"

Bell wasn’t really sure of what she was trying to say but if he understood correctly is that human can only use magic with the help of a crystal.

"And the magic crystal in particular needs to be compatible with you mana or it will drain you" Astoria continued her explanation. " My mana is more compatible with fire, so I can only use flame based magic"

"So where can I find this magic crystals?"

"Monster drop, of course. But you can also consider the black market but I wouldn’t even bother if I was you" Astoria said, dismissing the idea as soon as she brought it up.

"Why not?"

"They don’t last that long" She replied. "Besides, nobody in their right senses would sell a new magic crystal until they used it to it’s last leg and then sell it at a ridiculous amount, by the time someone else tries to use it, it’s already dead"

Judging by Astoria reaction, Bell immediately know that it had happened to her. But the fact that she was bought it in the first place show that she’s a daughter to a wealthy man.

"Then how did you get yours?" Bell asked. "I pretty sure you didn’t buy yours"

"Well..." Astoria expression changed, she reached for her staff and held it close to her, her grip tightening on it. "It was a gift from my brother"

"Is he dead?" Bell asked feeling a little sympathy for her.

"No!" Astoria yelled angrily. "Why would you think about something like that!?"

"You looked sad, what else did you want me to think?"

"I guess you’re right, but he’s not dead" Astoria expression went back sadness. "Since our parents died few years ago, be became an adventurer for the golden dragon guild and I haven’t seen him much ever since. He barely visit and never made it to my birthday anniversaries, the flame crystal and grimoire were given to me by a friend of his. At least he sends me letters about three times a week"

"That seem great" Bell manage to say, he hadn’t even sent a letter to his mother since he came to the capital with Ryu, and he had been there for a week. His mother must be worried sick. _i have to write a letter as soon as a pass this exam_

"I guess it wouldn’t matter soon because after I pass this exam and become an adventurer, I could join the golden dragons and then I’ll get to see my brother everyday" Astoria said with a smile. "We could be in a party together and I’ll provide support as he fights in the front line"

After hearing Astoria speak with so much confident, Bell felt something. He shifted his gaze to Ryu who was sleeping soundly.

_is that what she wanted? Maybe that’s why she was pushing herself so hard this afternoon_

And then there was another silent between them. Astoria kept her staff and lay down looking at the stars, probably daydreaming, or was it suppose to be nightdreaming since it was nighttime. Bell decided to break the silent again, this time he wanted to know about something else.

"So, what happened to your partner?. You said you had one right?"

"Yeah, he ran away on me"

"Who wouldn’t?" Bell chuckled at his comment.

"It’s not funny, Lugan is my best friend. He has been trained every since the first day my brother bought him to be my personal bodyguard and my best friend. We even choose to become adventurers together but when the wolves attacked, he ran away, leaving me behind"

"Then, I guess it’s a good thing I came" Bell said with a smirk.

The system translucent screen flickered into existence.

[NEW QUEST]

[KILL LUGAN]

[REWARD: SKILLS.....]

Bell didn’t even read it before rejecting the quest, he wasn’t going to kill someone because he tried to save himself or even worse, because he tried to save himself.

"Yes, it was" Astoria replied, a smile appearing on her lip. "Thank you"

"It has been a long day, you better get some rest" Bell stood up and walked towards the entrance of their little camp.

"W-what about you?"

"I’m taking the first watch, I’ll wake you when it’s your turn"

"Okay. Goodnight" Astoria yawned and quickly fell asleep.