They were on the road again, back on the way to the great port city, Corvailles. They had left the next morning, after the day of the exorcism, since Alwyn was in a hurry to get away from that infected city.
"So why the hell are you following us!?" Alwyn asked.
Aliza was walking alongside them, carrying a comically large bag on her back. Each step took immense effort, and she gritted her teeth the entire time.
"You burned my shop... to the... ugh... ground! And didn't you... say it yourself!? You're gonna cure me, asshole!"
"Did I say that...? Oh, I did, didn't I...! I'm an idiot!"
It only made sense. Ignoring their poor attitude towards each other, at least. She was both the cause and solution for the illness plaguing the town, which meant she wouldn't have to treat the cityfolk as long as she wasn't there to infect them.
Alwyn had also formulated his own powerful reinforcement spell, which required semi-close proximity but in turn prevented her from being contagious and kept her condition from seriously deteriorating.
"...I suppose it's alright. But I'm not cooking for you," he said.
"I didn't want your shitty cooking anyway."
"Actually, he's a pretty good cook," Linnie said, his stomach growling. He was thinking of dinner.
"I know that already...!" Aliza mumbled, slapping Linnie on the back of the head.
This made her lose balance, though, with the large bag on her back. She nearly toppled over like a stone tower and took a few moments to steady herself.
"That thing is way too heavy. How did you manage to pack so many things, anyway?" Linnie asked.
"This is... only the necessities," she huffed.
"It's not good for your health, let me carry it for you. It's only what a man like me should do!"
She looked at him, only barely 2/3 of her height, and couldn't help but laugh a little.
"If you say so," she said. "Thanks a lot, strong man!"
Aliza dropped the bag into his arms, but instead of catching it, Linnie was crushed into the dirt. After a few attempts to stand up, he started clawing at the bag weighing on his chest.
"I... can't... breathe! Get it off me!" he barked. "Get it off!"
"You're so dramatic," Alwyn laughed. He pointed his staff at the bag, causing it to levitate into the air. "Since it's only slowing us down, I'll store your bag in my hat for now."
The much larger bag surprisingly squeezed into the hat's not-so-large opening, to Linnie's awe.
"Thanks?" she said, surprised by his sudden gesture.
"Uh-huh."
"Oh, a river!" Linnie shouted, running ahead. "Look at this, there's tons of salmon!"
"Those aren't salmon, idiot. These guys are good to eat, though. Why don't we stop here for some dinner?"
Aliza nodded in agreement, and Linnie rolled up his pants and sleeves. He jumped into the river, swatting at the hundreds of fish rushing past.
"You're never gonna catch a fish like that, you've gotta—" Alwyn started.
He was cut off by an explosion which sent dozens of fish flying into the air and onto the bank. Linnie had given up and started casting fireball.
"Hey, what'd I say about casting fireballs!?" Alwyn shouted in annoyance. "This is all your fault. I wanted to teach all of my apprentices magic bullet before any of the elements..."
"Ahem, sorry," Linnie said, going back to clawing at the fish.
Though, there was already enough fish charred to perfection piled in the sand.
"Woooow, who knew you could be so strict. Here I thought you'd just skip right to the most powerful spells, especially considering his mana potential. Seriously, it's a rudimentary spell, I've met infants who know how to cast fireballs."
"Tch, even I learned the fundamentals before becoming great. Plus, it's not like the other two are going to be as physically talented as he is. It's even more important for wizards like me and Linnie to learn fine mana control before even rudimentary magic."
"You... really thought this out, then."
"Why'd you say it like that?"
"I guess I'm just surprised. You never even mentioned wanting to teach before, and considering your goals—well, I just didn't expect it. You teaching all of a sudden, out of nowhere."
Alwyn was silent for a second. "It's not for no reason. But, just because I didn't choose this doesn't mean I'm gonna half-ass it! My three apprentices are gonna become the strongest wizards this world has ever seen, and that's because I'm their teacher! Well, strongest besides me, of course."
"Ha! Right. But who're the two kids you're picking up? Would I know them?"
"Oh, no, it's nothing like that. Actually—yeah, you've definitely heard of them, just not for the reason you're thinking."
"Hey, guys, how's this?" Linnie called out to them, pointing at his collection of fish.
"Oh, gaud. You've committed a massacre..." Alwyn said, looking at the towering pile of fish. "How're we supposed to eat all of this!?"
"What? No, those two piles are for you guys. This one is all mine."
To the left were two small piles, three or four fish in each one.
After they finished eating, the sun was already nearly set and they decided to set up camp. Though, it seemed like Alwyn wasn't pleased with the new sleeping arrangements.
"What are you doing...?" he asked.
"I'm setting up my sleeping sack, why? Is there a problem?"
"Uh, yeah! Why are you putting it right next to mine?!"
"Oh my gaud, you're so annoying. Why's it gotta be a big deal?" She rolled her eyes. "You're acting like a total kid."
"No... no I'm definitely not. Go sleep next to Linnie if you don't wanna be alone. He's real strong, he'll protect you," Alwyn said, laughing at the last part.
"No, please don't. I sleep alone," Linnie called out, already climbing into the sack.
He was very far from the fire and the other two's sacks. It was a solitary habit he'd had his whole life... and since before it, too. It's not like he couldn't sleep near others, he'd just rather be as far as possible.
"Whatever..." Aliza mumbled, moving to grab her sack.
"Just—forget it. You better not move around and touch me in the middle of the night, though!"
"Can you guys just go to bed already? And please don't cuddle, I think I'd puke if I saw that in the morning..." Linnie said.
"We're not gonna cuddle, you idiot!" Alwyn shouted. "Wh—Hey! Why're you all twisted around onto my sleeping sack!? There's no way you're asleep already, you lying hag! Huh? You're really asleep...?"
"What are you bothering me for...? Let me sleep!"
"You—stop kicking me, you ugly wench!"
"Ow! You dare hit a woman!?"
"You're no woman!"
"They're so loud... I can't fall asleep." Linnie thought, staring into the stars of the night sky.