Chapter 170: Spoils

Chapter 170 - Spoils

Sorry for the cup, Kai smiled apologetically.

What did you do with it? Lou crouched beside the metal scraps, more confused than upset.

He failed a magic trick. Flynn teased him, taking advantage of the distraction to whisper in his ear. Dont worry about your sword, Ive hidden it. He slipped away, muttering hed check that no more beasts fell from the sky.

Thank you, this might not be a complete disaster.

What kind of trick does this to a cup? Lou asked, studying the tin shards.

It was an accident. I tried to use an element Im not good at. Kai blushed embarrassed. He hoped to leave it at that, but the spirits must have been distracted.

Space? Lou watched him with disbelief. Youve also got an affinity for spatial magic?

How the fuck

Kai was too taken aback to hide his surprise, and there was no point denying it. How did you know?

Its the only option that makes sense. Lou picked up a slice of his cup. There are a few elements that can cut metal like this at your level, and you also said it wasnt intentional. That leaves just a failed spatial transit.

Kai arched his brow. Did you learn that in your special class? He thought it was a shadier and more pompous version of the program Flynn had attended, but there might be more to it. There were hardly any mages in the archipelago, and the different types of elemental magic werent common knowledge. What else did they teach you?

You know I cant speak about that, Lou mumbled uncomfortably.

This is not fair.

Right Kai scowled but didnt press, examining his injuries to hide his annoyance. The wounds were hidden beneath the layers of gauze that had been expertly tied better than he or Flynn could have managed. Something else Lou had learned in his mysterious class.

Kai winced when he moved his right thigh. The creatures fangs had sliced him open just by grazing him. If he recalled the bestiary correctly, about half of the species of sea serpents were venomous. He must have won the coin toss there.

Id already be dead if I was poisoned by a yellow beast.

A wave of searing pain flashed up his right leg when he attempted to stand up. Gritting his teeth, Kai pushed the weight on his good leg and got to his feet.

Wait, Lou hurried to his side as if he expected him to topple. Youll risk making it worse if you strain yourself.

Kai let him fuss over him but refused to sit down. They needed to talk before the twins and Ana returned, spirits only knew what a mess it would be with four people poking around. I drank a few enhancing elixirs to help me in the fight. Im feeling much better now that the side effects are fading. He took a few tentative steps with a relaxed smile. These wounds are barely a scratch.

Fuck, it hurts.

You still should take it easy. What kind of elixirs did you take? Lou checked him over again. I know it was an emergency, but you should be careful with those things, they can be dangerous.

Its fine, Ive brewed them myself. Kai grabbed his arm to make him stop. Remember that Im an alchemist, I made sure they have no long-term consequences.

Dora said it would be fine if I didnt take too many.

Kai rummaged through his backpack, grateful someone had the foresight to bring it down here. He let Lou help him put on a clean pair of clothes, careful to avoid his injured side. He also picked a tonic for blood loss from his official stash. He had stronger potions in his ring, but he preferred not to overdo it after all the vials he had already drank.

Youve got anything to eat? There was only so much the potions could heal on an empty stomach, and he had vomited his guts out after the fight. He chewed a few mint leaves to clean the taste from his mouth.

Ill get you something, just dont jump around.

Deal. Kai tried not to sound exasperated. Lou had to look after the twins for the last seven years, so he could forgive his caution. He sat down to wait and prepare for the inevitable questioning. He needed to check on the beast's carcass and retrieve his sword. The sea serpents scales had been absurdly tough, and hed be damned if he let them go to waste.

One thing at a time.

Lou came back carrying salted jerky from an unspecified animal, dark bread and a wooden cup of water. Questions and concerns were still apparent on his brooding face, but he seemed willing to wait.

Lets rip the band-aid right off.

Ask away. I can see you want to, Kai chewed the jerky. He was ready to deal with it, but he wouldnt complain if Lou was hesitant to argue because of his convalescence.

Can you tell me what happened?

A sea snake tried to eat me, and I killed it. You must have seen it. It was pretty damn big.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on N??v€l--B1n.

Good job killing it. Flynn balanced his steps on the body of the serpent. A flock of seagulls cawed indignantly when he hopped down. It must have been awkward on land.

Yeah, it was also injured. Kai jumped on the chance to downscale the fight. As the name suggested, sea serpents lived in the ocean. Another factor that had played in his favor, though slow wasnt an adjective he would use to describe it.

It was much harder to judge the grade of a beast after it was dead without specialized skills, with a little luck, no one would suspect the snake was Yellow. He just had to chop it up and Reishi would find a way to sell it discreetly.

Wait! Do they think it swallowed me whole by accident?

Kai wasnt going to argue with them, though it stung his pride.

I think we should warn the authorities, Lou said like the matter held little importance.

Why? Flynn and Kai spoke at the same time. That was exactly what they needed to avoid. He would tear the scales off barehanded and drag it on his back before he let someone else steal his spoils.

Lou didnt back down under their gazes, but he switched to his reasonable tone. It was your kill, so you have the final say. Im just wondering how you plan to skin it without the proper equipment. And what about carrying it? The hide alone will weigh a couple tons, to not even talk about the bones or

With hardly a pause for breath, the teen listed half a dozen logistical problems that made the task highly impractical or downright impossible. Even if he used his ring, it would be far from enough.

Also, do you have a hunting license? Lou switched his eyes between them, meeting blank gazes.

Do we really need one? Flynn grumbled. The Republic doesnt even enforce half of their laws.

Damned bureaucracy, always needs to ruin things.

Lou scrunched his nose. Thats true for small game or red beasts, this is not the same. He gestured to the several tons of dead sea monster. How do you plan to enter into Higharbor without the enforcers noticing?

Wouldnt that be a reason not to involve the Republic? Kai said, happy to have a solid argument. Theyd certainly take it from him with some bullshit excuse.

Lou faltered before answering. They gave me a license when I graduated. We could say I was the one who dealt the killing blow, and you supported me. I can get at least half of whatever they manage to salvage.

Perhaps I should burn it for the spirits?

Kai discarded the possibility just because Kahali might not receive well an offering out of spite. How do we explain finding a sea serpent on land? I dont want the governor demolishing another Vastaire site.

Its rare but sometimes beasts stray on shore, and the serpent was injured, Lou said. And theyre going to find out either way, it will look less suspicious if we go to them on our own.

Kai glared at the deep blue scales, clenching his fists. He remembered how his dagger had snapped without making a dent from the inside, and theyd need more than a little cut. Even if he bought more knives in Grey Quarry, the task would still take weeks and not address any of the other problems.

Fuck me.

Are you sure they wont scam us? Kai glowered at Lou even if it wasnt really his fault.

Ill ask for a contract.

Fine, well do it your way, but Ill take out its fangs first.

Im not sure that

Kai raised a finger to stop his objections. You said it came to shore because it was injured. Losing its teeth will make the story more believable. We should also take a few scales to make it look more battered. Cmon Flynn, you can keep whatever you manage to take before the thieves get here.

The scales were as tough as he remembered, though it was possible to pry them apart along the seams with a sharp knife and a little help from Empower. He used the time to refill his elemental reserves, there was no shot he could dislodge the fangs without Water Magic. Lou left them shaking his head, but Flynn readily took him up on his offer. It's so long, no one is going to notice if a few are missing.

Im so proud of you, I think Im gonna tear up.

Kai had managed to tear off five palm-sized scales when a shout announced the return of the rest of the group.

Where did that thing come from? Did it wash up on shore? Uli abandoned his supply bag to run quicker, while Oli stamped his feet towards them, grumbling. Why does the fun shit always happen when Im away.

Thank the spirits, Lou reappeared with a backpack to explain what had happened, already including himself and Flynn in the fight. Ill go find someone to take care of this. I should be back before night, or early tomorrow. With a final round to ensure they had everything they needed, he disappeared among the greenery.

I dont think we should be doing that. Ana looked disapprovingly at them, a hand over her nose to protect her from the smell.

The twins didnt have the same qualms. So I can keep every bit of scale or hide I manage to free?

Yep.

Can I keep a fang? Uli stared in wonder at the glass-like teeth.

Kai grinned. Go wild.