Arthur and Tess continued down the road they were originally walking down with the hopes of spotting their friends. Luckily the task was fairly easy. They were headed towards the edge of the outpost where most of the mana beast and horses were kept, so their search area wasn't too big. Then after they arrived at the rental businesses all they had to do was ask a few people if they saw an elf leading a young group of adventurers. As soon as Tess asked someone if they had seen an elf, they knew exactly who they were looking for and were able to give Arthur clear directions.

Even though they had their directions, Tess was not very pleased about the fact that she was not the one responded to. The problem was that despite the fact that slavery of elves was abolished, there were many incidents where a now freed elf had nowhere to go, resulting in them gaining employment with the same family that once owned them. In the case of Arthur and Tess, many people saw her as a former slave that was now becoming an adventurer with the son of the noble or wealthy family she served. Due to this Tess was seen becoming an adventurer, either to act as a bodyguard due to an exceptional talent with magic, or because she had taken a liking to Arthur and wished to be close to him. It didn't take Arthur long to piece things together as to why Tess seemed to be in a sour mood, and wished that he had noticed sooner as to do something to make the person look like a fool, but it was too late now. Arthur didn't like Tess so bothered by this, so he put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in a little closer. Tess was surprised by this public act of affection, which she thought Arthur wasn't a fan of, but blushed lightly as she enjoyed it just the same.

After only a few minutes Arthur and Tess arrived at the rental business. There didn't appear to be anything special about the building, the only thing telling it apart from the others was the sign which had elfin writing on it. There were two large but very fancy looking carriages out front with a skitter harnessed to each. They had the look of carriages ridden in by nobles in Xyrus, not what one would expect to see in the beast glades. As they approached they could hear arguing, and soon saw it was coming from Feyrith and Elijah.

"Hey everyone. What are they arguing about?" Arthur asked the group.

"Oh hi Arthur, Tess," Claire greeted as she turned to see them approaching. "They're arguing about the carriages."

"What's wrong with our carriages?" Tess asked.

Curtis just pointed to the fancy carriages.

"Those are ours?" Arthur asked, sounding surprised.

"Yup. Elijah keeps arguing that they are embarrassing to ride in, while Feyrith claims there's nothing wrong with them," Claire explained.

"Feyrith!" Arthur called out, getting his attention. "What is with these? This isn't what I asked you to get!"

"Yes you did, you said carriages that can hold several of us and supplies, while also being durable enough to handle the rough terrain," Feyrith defended.

Arthur rubbed his temples. "What do you call that?" Arthur asked as he pointed to what he expected.

"Garbage collection cart," Feyrith replied with a disgusted tone.

Arthur sighed. "What you got won't survive. The axles are too thin and without a ring of metal around the wheels they're likely to break by the time we reach our first dungeon. Replace them with those," Arthur said pointing to the carriages he intended.

Feyrith appeared to be frustrated by Arthur's instructions, but walked over to a group of workers to have the carts switched. Everyone else was quite surprised to see Feyrith listening to Arthur so easily, especially after how hard he fought Elijah over the same issue. The difference between how Elijah handled the situation versus how Arthur handled it made all the difference. Unlike Elijah who based his argument around personal pride and dignity, Arthur kept his argument to simple irrefutable facts, which were in no way opinion based.

They were told it was going to take about an hour to get the carts swapped around due to the change, so they all went to one of the taverns for a quick lunch. Upon returning to their carriages they loaded up, six in one carriage and two in the other, because Grawder decided he shouldn't have to walk either and climbed in the back of one of the carriages, and left out for their first dungeon.

Elijah drove one carriage with Curtis sitting beside him, since Grawder took up all the space in the back and he felt he should be in the same carriage as his bond, the other carriage was being driven by Arthur. Originally Arthur was sitting with only Sylvie sitting beside him on the bench for company, however she fell asleep. Tess was sitting in the back talking with everyone, all of them excited for what the summer might bring. About an hour into their journey Tess felt that Arthur looked a bit lonely by himself, and decided to keep him company. Tess climbed up on top of the carriage and walked along the frame until she reached the front and jumped down and sat beside Arthur, making sure to pick Sylvie up before sitting, and placed her on her lap.

"Ahh, this is nice. I wish we could have traveled like this instead of walking when we first met," Tess commented as she stretched out a little and got a little closer to Arthur.

"Wait, you two traveled together before?" Claire asked through the opening to the back.

Arthur sighed. "Yes, when Tess and I first met," Arthur replied.

"Care to share? We've all wondered how you two met, and hearing that you two were traveling too makes me even more curious," Claire asked.

Arthur looked over to Tess and saw her expression had darkened, no doubt from remembering the traumatic incident that led to their meeting. "A story for another time," Arthur replied.

"Fine," Claire replied and she turned back around and went back to talk with the others.

Arthur then reached his arm out and wrapped it around Tess as he pulled her in a little closer. Even though Tess found the side hug comforting, she couldn't enjoy it as much as she would have wanted as the memories of the incident before Arthur saved her flooded her mind.

They all traveled for a few more hours, giving time for Arthur and Elijah to give Tess and Curtis driving lessons. Eventually it was getting late and they stopped to make camp in a clearing by a lake for the night before it got too dark. Everyone began setting up their tents, although it was quickly learned that some of them had never set up a tent in their life. At this point Arthur was realizing he spent so much time preparing everyone to survive in a dungeon, but never thought to teach them how to survive traveling to the dungeons. Thankfully Kathyln and Curtis already knew how to set up a tent, most likely thanks to their guards teaching them, as well as Claire who Kaspian was probably to be thanked for that. Leaving Tess, Lilia, and Feyrith having no idea what they were doing. Elijah was actually no help, since he just used his earth magic to create a stone dome with an opening that he would close off with stone later. Arthur ended up helping Tess, while Curtis and Kathyln helped Lilia and Feyrith. This left Claire and Elijah to gather firewood to cook dinner.

After a little while the tents were all set and a fire was building as Tess and Lilia put their cooking lessons they received from Arthur's mother to the test, and were roasting some seasoned vegetables over the fire. There was also supposed to be some fish, but it seemed no one was capable of catching any fish. Claire was trying to stab fish she saw with her sword, while Curtis was trying the classic multiple fishing rods method. Feyrith was the closest to having any luck, as he used his water magic to raise balls of water out of the lake. Every time several fish could be seen swimming in the ball, but they always managed to jump out and back into the lake before anyone could catch them. It was a relatively humorous sight, at least it would have been if they didn't need the fish for dinner. Having finally had enough watching everyone try and fail, Arthur removed his boots, cloak, and gloves, rolled up his pants and sleeves and began to walk into the water.

"Arthur what are you doing?" Claire asked.

"You guys are taking too long," Arthur replied as he walked in up to his knees. He then placed his hands on the surface of the water and waited. His friends stood behind him on the shore wondering how he was going to have better luck than them. Soon Arthur gently moved his hands into the water, and pulled out a fish a little longer than his forearm, and as big around as his head.

"How did you do that!" Curtis gasped.

"He had to be using mana," Feyrith commented.

"I didn't feel any mana being used," Claire replied.

"Curtis catch," Arthur announced as he threw the fish in.

Curtis was startled but quickly got to his feet. His eyes were locked on the fish, determined to not let it fall back into the water. Curtis backed up, seeing that the fish was going to land further away from the water. Curtis stopped, seeing that he was lined up perfectly to catch the fish with his arms held out. They were all so focused on the fish that they all completely missed Grawder until it was too late. The world lion jumped up into the air and caught the large fish in his mouth just a few feet before Curtis.

"Grawder NO!" Curtis said sternly. But Grawder didn't listen and laid down on the ground with his catch. "Don't you dare, drop that fish!" Curtis demanded. But it was too late, as Grawder bit down and removed the fish's head with a single bite, then continued the feast. Everyone just stared at Grawder ripping off another bite of raw fish.

"Hahaha," Arthur laughed at the sight. Everyone stopped and looked at Arthur. Half of them were completely surprised, as in the past year, they had never once heard Arthur laugh. But knowing how Arthur behaved most of the time they all found it refreshing to see this side of Arthur.

"Ok that's it," Claire said as she began removing her extra clothes and armor.

"What's it?" Curtis asked.

"We've been out here trying to catch fish with no luck. Then Arthur comes in and in no time at all catches a fish big enough to feed at least two of us." Claire then stood back up after removing her boots and began to walk into the water. "Arthur, I want you to teach me how you did that!" Claire practically demanded.

"Ok, come on out," Arthur replied casually as he pulled out another fish, just smaller, and threw it in.

Upon hearing this Curtis and Tess decided to do the same.

"Me too Arthur," Curtis said as he pulled off his boots.

"Same here Art. I want to learn," Tess said as she hopped over while removing a boot.

Arthur waited, catching more fish as his students arrived.

"Alright everyone it's very simple, but will take some time to master," Arthur explained, resulting in the others rolling their eyes. Considering how old Arthur was they couldn't imagine that it could take too long to master. "Fish are simple, they don't think, they just react." Arthur put his hands above the water. "So if you know how they are going to react, you can predict what they'll do next and be ready," Arthur concluded as he caught another fish in his hand.

Each of them realized this same logic can be applied to combat as well, and felt this was a major key to Arthur's skills with his sword. Training began and after a while there were still no results. Each of them got close a few times, feeling the fish's scales as they managed to get away. As Arthur watched he couldn't help but remember Lady Vera, his mentor from his life in his previous world who taught him using this very example. Since they needed the fish for dinner Arthur kept catching fish and throwing them in to Elijah and Feyrith while Kathyln kept Grawder from going after them. Several times they moved to a different location in the lake as they started to have trouble finding fish.

"YES! I caught one!" Curtis yelled out with pride as he held a small fish in the air at the tail.

"Nice work," Arthur replied, sounding impressed. Arthur never expected any of them to actually have success, and even though Curtis only caught it by the tail, which was probably just luck, it showed he was learning.

"Dinners ready!" Lilia called out.

"Ok that's enough for today, let's go in and eat," Arthur said.

Curtis turned around and started walking back to shore, carrying his fish proudly. Claire did the same but disappointed that she wasn't having any luck. Tess however stayed bent over with her hands right above the water.

"Tess come on," Arthur called out.

"Shh," Tess replied quickly. A second later her hands dipped into the water, then quickly came out as she straightened herself, holding a large fish in the air that was fiercely flailing in her hands. "Got one!" Tess announced excitedly.

"Congratulations Tess!" Arthur replied, sounding almost as excited while he started to walk closer.

"I think we found the teacher's favorite student," Claire commented to Curtis quietly. Curtis smiled as he gave a light chuckle, then looked from his fish to the large one Tess just caught. His triumph suddenly didn't feel that great anymore, and he threw his fish to Grawder, who caught it and swallowed it whole.

The fish Tess caught was fighting wildly in her hands, to the point she was beginning to lose her balance.

"Hang on Tess I've got you," Arthur called out as he splashed through the water rushing to her.

Tess turned around as she fought to keep a hold of her fish, but lost her balance and fell on Arthur as the fish won its freedom. Both Arthur and Tess became submerged under the water from Tess falling. They both burst out of the water gasping for air.

"I'm so sorry, are you ok?" Tess asked with concern. She was right on top of Arthur, her eyes gazing into his.

"I'm fine, are you ok?" Arthur replied, sounding concerned as well. His blue eyes locked on to her green eyes.

Without thinking or realizing it their faces were inching closer and closer together. They could feel the heat from each other's breath, when suddenly it got colder, and they were being raised out of the water on a circular portion of ice. They looked back and to the shore to see the spell originated from Kathyln.

"It looked like you two were sinking," Kathyln replied, with a tone in her voice so subtle the meaning couldn't be determined, but it was clearly there. She then stood up and quickly walked over to the fire.

"Oh um, thanks," Arthur replied as he and Tess looked away from one another, bright red blushes on both of the faces.

They carefully climbed off each other, and Arthur helped Tess off the ice and back into the water.

"Why Kathyln? My ship was about to sail!" Claire commented under her breath with an annoyed tone as she turned around and walked back to shore.

Despite standing right beside Claire, Curtis didn't hear her. He had his eyes focused on his little sister, and unlike everyone else, he could clearly see what was wrong with her.

They all enjoyed their flame roasted fish and vegetables dinner, and thanked and complemented Lilia for it. She tried to give credit to Tess as well, but she gave all credit to Lilia since all she did was help cut the vegetables. As the sun set and the stars came out everyone eventually started to retire to their tents for some much needed sleep. Leaving Arthur and Curtis being the last ones up.

"So Arthur, what's going on with you and Tessia?" Curtis asked, sounding awkward.

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, wondering why he cared.

"You two seemed like you were about to kiss while you were in the water. Not to mention all the rumors from school and the kiss she gave you before your AA match. I guess I'm just curious," Curtis replied making sure not to make eye contact.

"Why, are you interested in her?" Arthur asked, a slight tinge of anger in his voice from the thought.

"Oh no no no," Curtis replied quickly as he raised his hands in front of himself. "She's cute and all but I have no interest in her like that."

"I see," Arthur replied, now knowing why Curtis asked. "You're asking because of Kathyln aren't you?"

"No of course not! Why would you think something like that?" Curtis replied defensively.

"You saw just like I did. The way she acted when she raised Tess and I out of the water, she saw Tess and I were about to kiss too, and didn't like it," Arthur explained. "So to answer that question you don't want to ask, no. I have no interest in dating your sister."

"And what makes you so certain that I was thinking that?" Curtis asked as his eyes narrowed on Arthur.

"Because I saw it plain as day while at Xyrus. You're a dotting brother just like me," Arthur replied confidently as he looked over to Curtis.

"Ok, and if you're so smart, then how do you think I feel about your answer?" Curtis asked.

"Relieved. You can see she has a crush on me, and you don't like it. Since you can't stop her your only thought is to discourage me somehow. Tell me, if I said I was interested in her, what would you have done?" Arthur asked.

"I'm not sure. If you were any other guy her age I would have just threatened you, but that clearly won't work on you," Curtis replied, scoffing at the end.

"Probably not," Arthur replied with a chuckle.

"So you want to keep guys away from your little sister too?" Curtis asked, changing the topic slightly.

"Yup. That's part of one of my goals while I'm out here. I want to find Ellie a bond that not only will she love and find cute, but will be strong enough to keep those little boys away," Arthur replied with a dark smirk.

"Hahaha, that's a great idea. Maybe I should do that for Kathyln," Curtis then leaned forward as he put his hand on his chin as he entered deep thought. "But what kind of bond would be good for her?"

"I can imagine some kind feline or bird for her," Arthur commented.

"Yes! Like a shadow panther, I hear that they can disappear and reappear right behind their prey," Curtis commented excitedly.

"I can attest to that. My former mentor has a shadow panther beast will. He used it once on me in training after I fully assimilated my beast will. Even telling me he was going to sneak up behind me I didn't realize he was there until I saw his clawed hand right beside my face," Arthur replied as he remembered the first time he saw Elder Virion using his beast will.

"That sounds scary," Curtis replied with a chuckle.

"It was trauma inducing. Oh if you get her a big enough bird it can just pick the guys up and drop them somewhere," Arthur said as he came up with another idea.

The two of them laughed as the mental images of both ideas ran through their minds.

"Well I'm going to go get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning," Curtis said as he stood up.

"Goodnight," Arthur replied then looked back into the fire.

"Oh Arthur," Curtis said as he turned back around. "You never answered my question about you and Tess."

Arthur's brow furrowed as he didn't know how to respond to the question. All of this time with Tess over this past year, and more so recently as they got ready for this trip, Arthur's feelings for Tess had been growing harder to control. The part of him that was still Grey yelled and screamed at him that he didn't deserve love for what he had done, that he was disgusting for even considering a relationship with Tess at this point. However the part of him that was Arthur, the part that was growing stronger every day, kept reminding him that he was still a kid, and that loving Tess was normal and ok, as long as he kept their relationship PG, or at least normal for a young teen.

"Well, you don't have to answer," Curtis said as he scratched the back of his head. "It's pretty clear to all of us that there's something between you two. So, I guess I'm saying, I know you're still pretty young and probably not really sure what to do. And I'm eighteen with some experience dating, so if you have any questions or need some advice, just know you can turn to me. I'll help you out."

Arthur smiled at his friend. "Thanks. I appreciate it."