Episode 10

In the city of Antares, an annual event is much anticipated—the grand migration and capture of flying fish.

These creatures typically reside within the world's coldest hemispheres, embarking on journeys to warmer climes to spawn. Happenstance dictates that their migratory path intersects with our city.

What's distinct is their non-repetitive route preference for outbound and return flights, making this phenomenon a singular occurrence.

Standing before us, guild master Lulu spreads her arms wide.

"The moment we've all been waiting for is upon us. As per tradition, we've prepared holding pens for the fish. Your task is to catch them and secure them inside. The guild staff will tally your haul and compensate you accordingly."

This is the most lucrative aspect of the festival, given the usual downturn in shop sales. It presents an opportunity to revitalize our finances.

Not just I partake, but lady Heliet and Vivia involve themselves, though locked in constant debate. They aren't guild members yet are permitted to partake in and savor the fresh catch, albeit prohibited from selling.

"I'm claiming Aksa to stay with me, away from a flirtatious sorceress like you—I worry for him."

"It's you who's the flirt, Vivia. My dear student and I have lived in peaceful coexistence until you showed up to disrupt our lives—a true homewrecker."

"What?"

The two grapple with each other, their tumble through the grass suggesting a familiarity far from recent origin.

As the shoal of fish makes an appearance, cheers erupt. The fish, resembling standard-sized tuna, differ primarily in their wing-like fins enabling flight.

"The flying fish event begins!"

At Lulu's direction, we all engage in the capture process. Live catches are more valuable than dead ones, though significantly more challenging to accomplish.

Some attempt the live capture but instead find themselves airborne amidst the flock.

"Whoa, help me!"

The one adrift is Kazel, soon to vanish for days on end.

The quantity of fish is formidable, likely hundreds.

I wield wind magic to down them en masse, while my teacher and Vivia are still entangled—no one foolish enough to intervene.

Ultimately, intervening falls to me.

The women are fearsome adversaries, their tousled hair and tattered garments testament to their strife.

"It's her fault, Aksa."

"She started it."

Their squabble causes me to miss out on this prosperous event, though I manage to dispatch some fish to the guild for sale, saving the rest for communal dining.

At a river's edge, some ways from the city, I prepare a fish soup from our catch.

Lady Heliet and Vivia petulantly turn away from each other, eliciting from me a rueful smile.

"I hope you two can get along in the future."

"Not possible."

They only unite in contradiction.

"I'm trying to save you, Aksa. You may be oblivious, but this woman is not to be trusted."

"Who isn't to be trusted, when you're the one with unsavory habits? Yes, you dress conservatively in public but at home, you don't even bother with a bra," retorts lady Heliet.

"That's perfectly normal."

"Not at all normal."

In truth, they are much alike.

For now, let's simply savor this meal together.

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