The rest of the trip was less chaotic. Elsie fell asleep. Her head was resting on Ana's lap as Ana brushed her fingers through her hair. She silently hummed a lullaby from their childhood.
Jasmine sat next to Claire in the driver's seat. She leaned her head on Claire's shoulder.
"Never in my life did I think it'd be like this," Claire whispered. "I imagined adventuring with you three since Ryley left, getting him back or earning him. Didn't think we'd have to stop and do what we just did."
Jasmine laughed at that.
"Me neither. But… If it comes with your buffs and potential, then it's all worth it." A slight pause befell the two before Jasmine added, "Feels fucking phenomenal as well."
"True," Claire giggled, "Now that I've experienced it, I don't think I could live without it."
Jasmine raised her head from Claire's shoulder.
"Got to talk about something else…" She uncrossed her legs and adjusted her pants. Claire caught a glimpse of her bulge. "Can't stop again."
"Then…what about…. us ?" Claire asked hesitantly. Her mind was still occupied by the brief glimpse she saw.
Jasmine pursed her lips, staring forward. "Obviously, I'm your lover… But I-I'm unsure…. I feel the warmth and the burning heat of attraction and… love."
She stopped. Hesitating before continuing, "I want to grow these feelings with you. But I'm… uh, scared"
Scared? Claire was not expecting that.
Her fearless teacher was scared to explore her feelings. She was curious now, but the sorrowful look on Jasmine's face stopped her from asking more. It would have to wait for her to open up.
With the mood now awkward, they sat in silence. Both were stewing on the words.
Jasmine sighed and said," I've got to think on it…. I just-."
Claire cut in, "It's okay. Really, I've waited 2 years, I can wait a bit longer."
"Thank you for understanding," Jasmine smiled. "I want to embrace your feelings head-on, with no hesitation. I just need time."
"I understand, please don't worry about it. Having you here is more than enough for me." Claire responded.
Her words were true; she could wait. It was easier on Claire's emotions to know it had nothing to do with her, but Jasmine's past relationship. Her lover just needed to properly move on from whatever pained her in the past. It wasn't that she didn't love Claire.
Jasmine smiled at her former student. The girl she had known from 5 years ago had truly grown up into a wonderful person. The woman before her had a bright smile that made her forget her own pain. It reassured the assassin that her feelings were in good hands.
"I'm gonna go take a nap." She whispered softly in Claire's ear. She kissed Claire on the cheek and joined the twins. Claire rubbed the spot with her hand, that feeling of warmth resonating throughout her body.
The smile she wore grew bigger as she resonated with happiness.
They made it to their destination only 30 minutes late. Ana woke the sleeping duo as Claire spoke to their contact. An older lady, tanned like Jane but 20 years her senior.
"Slimes are just over that hill, demolishing my crops. Get 'em off my fields." She commanded while pointing to a large hill.
Claire nodded in response.
"No problem, ma'am, let us know of any other areas," She said and then whipped the horses forward.
She parked the carriage before the hill and hopped inside. Her companions were gearing up as a feeling of excitement ran through her.
Finally, her first quest!
She grabbed her armor, getting as much as she could on by herself. Jasmine helped with the rest. Her armor was light, steel covered her vitals, but the rest was leather. Her buckler-style shield on her left forearm, the sword Jane gave her on her hip, and her helmet in her right hand. She was ready for the fight.
Jasmine would be holding back for this fight. She wanted to see how the three 3 fought together. She'd judge their teamwork and step in when needed. Everything else was on then.
Claire stood with her shield raised, slimes in front of her and the twins behind her. An arrow tip formation. The twins were far behind her, and she was at the point. Claire took a deep breath before activating her newest skill.
She let loose a powerful war cry, gaining the slimes' attention. They stopped eating the crops to swarm Claire.
They bounced toward her, single-mindedly chasing their target. The closest one was struck down by a fireball that whizzed past Claire. She flinched at the heat trail, a burning heat streaked across her left shoulder and arm. It was something she'd have to get used to.
The second one was batted away with her shield. Followed swiftly by Claire using her sword to swat a third away. She was able to eliminate the fourth slime by stabbing its core with her sword.
Now felt like a good time to test her Defensive Strike. Her shield glowed red as she thrusted forward, able to hit a line of slime with it. Eliminating another 3 in the process. She checked her mana.
Only 1 point was used, and the cooldown timer began.
Jasmine watched her student, Claire's stance was rock solid. No slime could knock her over as she marched forward. Her footwork was deliberate and methodical, with no hesitation in the placements and no way of tripping. Her shield and sword movements matched her footwork, planned motion with little to no wasted movements.
Jasmine smiled, her former student had truly taken her lessons to heart..
The twins were mostly observing Claire, just as Jasmine was. Their skills needed to be mindful of Claire's movements, lest they hit her. Elsie did cast her fireballs when she could.
Or trying to.
Guessing wrong meant nailing the paladin in the back or arms. Claire barely flinched. Though the burning pain hurt, Jasmine would be mad if she lost track of her enemy. Ana was quick to heal her wounds, too.
Claire knew this was part of the learning process. She knew Elsie wasn't trying to hit her. She was trying to read Claire's movements, and that meant she'd be wrong quite a bit in the beginning. It'd take time for them to truly get it down. Luckily, her resistance was high enough that Elsie barely damaged her health. She just needed to bear with it and be patient with the mage.
This process repeated itself for several minutes. Claire would use her Defensive Strike, Elsie would use her fireball to clean up stragglers, and Ana would heal if Claire was hit. Each repeat led to Claire being hit less. Each rotation of skills led to Elsie learning Claire's habits better. Adrenaline filled Claire as she continued her slow march into the swarm.
Now, Elsie decided to add her firewall ability.
After a defensive strike, a wall of flames would appear parallel to the paladin's path. A clear sign that Elsie was getting the hang of everything. Relief and confidence filled Claire.
She took note of their progress, mentally counting 27 slimes eliminated. Claire's fatigue was evident as her breath became ragged. The twins were in similar conditions. Elsie was more tired than Ana, currently leaning on her sister and covered in sweat.
So Jasmine decided to step in.
She knocked an arrow on her bow, drew, and released several in rapid succession. Six arrows flew before the first hit its target, with deadly aim. The remaining six slimes were eliminated.
Claire looked to her former teacher as she killed with incredible speed, a face of amazement peeking through her helmet. Jasmine nodded to the girl and beckoned her to come over.
"It was rough, but you slowly got the hang of it." She said to Elsie.
"You two moved differently. Claire would stay in one spot longer than you would. Was not expecting that." Elsie responded while nodding. "Expected her to move quicker and more often."
"Wanted to see how you'd adjust, so I didn't explain our differences," Jasmine smiled. "Sorry, Claire, it was also a test of your physical and mental fortitude."
"No biggie," Claire laughed breathlessly. She was used to Jasmine throwing in extra lessons by now. "Ana's taking care of the burns. It was nice when I wasn't being hit, though. Was in a rhythm there."
Claire's body was glowing with yellow light as Ana's magic rid her body of cuts and burns. Ana added shyly, "I threw in my ward when I could to protect you from Elsie."
"Thank you, Ana," Claire said. "I'm sure Jaz was assessing your use of the healing and wards as well."
"Indeed," Jasmine confirmed. "Elizabeth taught you two well. Ana was able to predict Elsie's trajectory and ward correctly, and Elsie began to read Claire's movements. Good job, Claire, for not losing your cool. Seen many tanks blow up at their back line for being hit."
"I'm so sorry, Claire. I'll make it up to you when we get back to Restol, I promise," Elsie said. "And thank you for not blowing up at me. I know it would have been warranted."
Claire nodded and blushed at the praise. It felt incredible to receive. "No worries, Elsie, truly. I knew you weren't doing it on purpose and just needed time. Get me some of your mom's cherry pie and we're even."
Elsie hugged Claire and nodded. "I promise"
With the fight over, they checked their experience. Claire gained 30 points while Elsie and Ana gained 15. Jasmine gained 2 points in total. Her level was too high for slimes to matter. Claire was now only 20 points from another level up, her mind filled with possible skills she could acquire.
They walked back to the farmer with the news. She thanked them generously and handed 10 gold pieces to the party.
It was their first reward as a party.
She quickly followed with 4 homemade dishes. She served the four women their meals in boxes. She cooked them meat and potatoes, which was perfect for their tired bodies.
The farmer waved to them as they funneled into the carriage. Their next stop was Bon Mountain range on the border of their neighboring fief.