Freedom's daughter

Lyet and I decided that from now on we would spend hours every day to develop her magical abilities, maybe with my help, she will improve faster.

Admittedly, all I can do is understand and explain the theory to her; being unable to interact with magic complicates everything, but still, she seems to get better, even if slowly.

It's the quickest way for me to find a way home and for her to eventually be able to protect herself.

We are currently in a forest, breaking rocks and trees as she tries to use basic spells.

From what I understand, this is how it works in this world:

'Basic' is considered a level most people should be able to achieve, even when not focusing on training them. They are useful for everyday life, but in combat, they are seen as weak, unless you use them with a tactic in mid.

'Low' is where the requirement of constant training starts. Most people do it in specific schools, and around 10-15% of people have reached this level. 

The higher the level becomes, the harder it is to master and the fewer people can achieve it. Almost no one is capable of using high-level spells.

While a basic fire-based spell might allow you to shoot a bullet of fire, a high-level one would incinerate an entire forest instantly. And semidivine-level spells are completely out of mortals' league.

Mana pool is also an important factor. As I already knew, the more mana you have, the harder it is to master even basic spells, but the higher the achievable level is. It regenerates naturally at his own rhythm, and every time a spell is used, a portion of it exits your body.

There is a set quantity for everyone, and it mainly depends on your family. If your parents have nothing to do with magic, you are doomed to use only basic spells, and you won't have enough maximum mana to cast a low-level spell. If you are Lucifer's nephew, like someone I know, then there's no limit to what you can achieve.

We are currently taking a break.

"Lyet, out of curiosity, are demons completely identical to humans, or is it a camouflage?"

"We are similar, look..."

A pair of black horns, crow-like wings, and a small tail appear, revealing her true aspect.

"Any human would run away if they saw me like this, that's why I use my power to hide my distinctive traits. It's not even magic, it's more of a bodily function. Lucifer created all demonic races to have a way to hide that they are demons; otherwise, with the current social situation, we would never be able to interact with the mortal realm."

"Oh, so there are more. What's the name of your race?"

"I'm a succubus."

"I see, are there other characteristic traits of being a succubus?"

"Don't you ever ask me that again!! Let's get back to work quickly!"

"...Sorry."

...I was just curious.

-

We return to the village during the evening to have dinner at the inn where we rented our rooms; we are in the main hall.

"Histrio... There's a little problem."

"What happened?"

"I'm going to finish my coins soon..."

Eh... Fair enough, she had to pay for me since we met. With everything that happened, I never thought about this, but I should find a way to make some coins myself.

"How much do you have?"

"Enough for a few days at most."

"How did you use to make them anyway? I never saw you working."

"It's what my mother and father had before, but I spent it over these years."

"You never worked in your life?"

"Don't say it like that!!"

"...Can't you ask your aunt to give you some? I bet she is rich."

"We use another type of coin down there. She can create them with magic, sure, but I think it's a bit unethical, don't you?"

"Eh... Fair enough. What do you suggest then?"

"Requests, they don't require any academic level or experience. You can just pick them if you want. Once you complete one, you might get the established reward from the commissioner. They are always in the inn, hanging on the walls, so many people can see them."

"Oh, those... Let me check..."

...

"Some are too dangerous, while others smell of scam... I bet anyone can hang a request, and no one can verify if the reward is guaranteed."

"Do we have another option, though?"

"Well..."

"Hey, you! With the cute chick! Come here!"

The voice comes from a group of four men playing some kind of card game in the corner of the hall.

"You need some money, right? I couldn't help but listen, sorry."

I look at Lyet, and she is worried as well. 

"Lyet, stay here, I'll check what he wants."

I approach the table and I notice there are some coins scattered all over.

Will they ask me to join their gamble?

"Why don't you sit with us? I'm Ethan." Asks one of the, not very reassuring, men.

"I'm Histrio. What are you playing?"

"We were playing card games. We wanted to propose something different for you, though."

"Such as?"

"Dice. Simple, every turn, both players make a bet which must be equal, after that, the dealer places a card face down. Both players roll two dice each, after the card gets revealed, and whoever rolled the closest number of dice to the card's value wins; if it's a draw, we simply roll again on the same, now face-up, card.

I mean, I have one or two tricks to use for these kinds of things, but I'm not willing to bet Lyet's money.

In this village, they have their guards, so they can't really steal or scam people, unlike in the requests where the commissioner is safe at his place; if they try, they won't be able to run far away.

They are also all men, so they can't use magic to cheat.

Might be worth trying.

"Is there a way to bet that doesn't involve coins? I don't have any on my own, and I don't want to bet my friend's one."

They smirk, as if expecting this.

"We can make a contract saying if you lose, you'll have to do something we want."

"Specify it now, or there's no way I'll accept."

"Fair enough. You'll become our property—"

"Does this usually work on people? Do you think I'll accept something like this? If you want, I can make a contract saying I'll be in debt with you by the amount I lose, and I'll have to pay you in, let's say, a month or so, but there is no way I'm going to risk becoming your property."

"Two times whatever you lose, and we have a deal..." He says while disappointed.

Eh, of course, he wouldn't be satisfied with my proposal, but at least I was able to make him compromise.

"Sure, deal."

"Deal!"

And so we shake hands, his one emitting magic, probably because of the contract.