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nAfter dinner, the next thing I did was practice writing. Miki did teach me a little bit, but mostly I worked on getting comfortable making the letters. Since we had the entire general stores supply of paper and ink, I had plenty to work with. Finally, when I felt I was ready, I began to transcribe an entire book. The book I chose was a small fictional story that we had found on someone’s bedside. It was absolutely the shortest one.

nMy scribing wasn’t the best, and I kept getting hand cramps. When I did, Lydia would come over and rub my hands until they felt better. Then, I got back to writing. Finally, after three nights, I had managed to finish the story. Although the original book had art pictures and mine was just text, I still felt accomplished.

n{You have transcribed a book in a language you do not know. You have unlocked the job: linguist.}

nSo… I didn’t get a transcribe job, but something called a linguist. I quickly equipped it.

n{Translate has been unlocked.}

nTranslate wasn’t an amazing skill, but it wasn’t a sucky one either. It allowed me to tease out the meaning of words by using context. It wasn’t to the point I could read, rather, it had a more of a how-to fish feel than just giving me the fish. I could break down words and determine things based on context. This wasn’t the miracle ability I had hoped, but with Miki’s help, I was starting to learn how to read and write in the common tongue. In a few more weeks, I’d probably be at Miki’s level. Of course, all the reading I was making her do, she was also improving as well.

nAfter having a night cuddled with my two girls, we woke to a sound outside. No, it was more than a noise, it was a commotion. It sounded like a few dozen people talking. We quickly got dressed, putting on our tattered adventuring equipment. This week had been rough and we had worked hard. My spells kept our bodies together, but none of us were leather workers, clothing menders, or equipment manufacturers. Our equipment that looked clean and new a week ago now was looking pretty haggard.

nLooking out the window and down the street, my eyes widened. Standing outside the barrier was a massive group of people. Standing at their head was a familiar face too. I opened the door and stepped out. I had a big smile on my face and started running to greet them happily. However, then I remembered that a little over a week ago, I had parted from them in really bad terms, and I was still a bit miffed at how they had treated Miki. Now that Miki was my very important lover, I’d be even less tolerant.

nBy the time I reached the Guild Master, I had crossed my arms and given him a stern look. “What are you doing here?”

nThe Guild Master gave a gentle smile and then bowed. “You really have been living in Old Chalm this last week. I’m amazed.”

n“You get used to the ghosts after a while.” I shrugged.

nThe Guild Master nodded, then a guilty expression formed on his face. “We heard from Figuro that you needed to be resurrected, yet still you came back to keep fighting.”

nI glanced back at the two girls as they approached, Miki hiding slightly behind Lydia. “I had to. I want a home for the people I care about. That means doing things that are hard sometimes.”

nThe Guild Master smiled, nodding his head. “Thank you, Deek.”

nHe suddenly flipped a coin and I caught it. I looked at the coin in my hand. It was the same hero token I had thrown to the ground a week ago.

n“I’m not…” I immediately tried to hand it back.

nHe lifted his hand. “You were right… about everything, Deek. This place was once our home too, yet we were so terrified that we left it and never looked back. Only a true hero would have the bravery to face death and fight like this. When you left last week, you said that we could come and help reclaim Old Chalm. That is why we are here.”

n“R-really?” My eyes widened but then narrowed. “None of that prejudice bull crap?”

n“None…” A pudgy man walked out. “Your rules. Everyone here Is 100% dedicated to reclaiming Old Chalm and making it open for all people.”

n“Mayor…”

nThe man shook his head. “I’m not anymore. I’ve stepped down from my position. I realized that I had a thing or two to learn about real leadership. Sometimes, simply keeping the peace isn’t always what is right.”

n“Not the mayor… then who is leading you right now?” I asked.

nSuddenly, all of the eyes turned to me, the Guild Master speaking up first. “Why… you are.”

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