[NR] A Name From The Past - Chapter 727

Jason claps his hands, “Anyway! Peter, since it isn’t your husband that sent you out here and Rosha doesn’t need more lessons yet. Who sent you?”

Peter laughs, “Well, a new acquaintance of mine, all thanks to you, by the way, wanted to pass on some information and get some from you in turn. Does the name, Andrew, ring any bells?”

Courtney frowns, but the other two laugh.

Rosha, “Andrew? That crazy wizard? Man, it has been months since we left Shinefish! What does he need from us?”

Jason shakes his head, “It’s probably because of me. I sent him a letter about something I found out in the wasteland next to where I met up with Lilly.”

Peter nods, “That sounds about right. Though he also has some other stuff to go over.”

Courtney snaps her fingers, “Right, the guy you mentioned doing a quest for. My people didn’t find anything of note about him besides his tower’s odd entry requirement. Is he actually someone important?”

Peter snorts, “Well. That’s a hard one to answer. Is he important? His station isn’t much, just the leader of the local magus circle for a starter town. Which, admittedly, is more important than a similar position in a regular town or small city, given the connection it has with new travellers.

“The man doesn’t even do most of that job, letting someone more suited to the bureaucratic side of things handle it. Admittedly, that is how most magus circles work. There’s even an entire branch of magic specifically for doing the various things needed for a smooth-running bureaucracy. And Andrew’s assistant who handles stuff for him is quite good at it.

“In fact, I’d say that man is more important, politically, than Andrew or any other head magus in that kingdom. Maybe even more important than the other bureaumages.”

Rosha, “They do sound important. His assistant, that is. Though for him to have someone like that either means he is important himself or was lucky in making friends.”

Courtney, “Yes, and I must say, if I didn’t suspect that such magic isn’t exactly useful on an adventure, I would be searching for a trainer as soon as possible.”

Peter shrugs, “Yeah, there is the slightest of use when dealing with the guild or any local authorities, but you’re better off learning spells to help on the road.

“As for how Andrew ended up with the guy? You aren’t wrong, he got lucky and the assistant is actually a friend of his from their academy days.

“However, the only reason Andrew isn’t in a politically important position is, well, honestly the same reason most like him aren’t and why bureaumages are so sought after. Because when you’re a magic user that powerful? You tend to get distracted by diving deeper into magic. Especially researcher types like him. All of which leads to him technically not being important, but only because he forced everyone else to make it so.”

Rosha nods her head, “Ah, yes, I see. He’s important, but no one is allowed to admit it because he doesn’t want to be. I’ve met a few ‘retired’ elders like that, where the only reason they aren’t still in charge of their companies is because they refuse to be despite what others might want. Though those guys tend to be more of the ‘doting grandfather’ type, putting all their focus on their younger relatives.”

Jason sighs, “And I’ve seen my fair share of ‘ancestors’ who only show up when something interests them. Why bother running things when you can just occasionally swoop on and skim the cream off for yourself? Though Andrew definitely feels more like the obsessed researcher type.”

Peter nods, “Yep, he’s a researcher. Though his focus is a little taboo and I bet the two of you know what’s up.”

Rosha looks at Jason who nods and they both say at the same time, “The System.”

Jason continues, “He’s researching the System itself.”

Peter, “You said it, not me.

“Anyway, first a few general updates he wanted me to pass along to Jason. Ahem.

“The tribe of animal-headed kobolds have responded quite well after being transplanted out of the wasteland. Their development has been of great interest. Though I doubt they will remember you.”

In a lower voice, Peter stage whispers, “He means you, Jason.”

Peter continues, “Besides that, Penny and a certain Rabbit wanted me to scold you for not sending letters to them as well. Though I can understand why you haven’t sent a letter to the Rabbit, you don’t exactly have her address. In the future, you can send them directly to me and I’ll pass them on.”

From there, Peter informs Jason of a few other things, but most of it is just catching up.

Jason, “Huh, that was nice. Guess I should send them a letter. I simply haven’t ever been one for that kind of thing. Though I thought there was going to be some other request?”

Peter nods, “Yep, that was just the update. Not sure why he didn’t just write a letter? Anyway, somehow he knew where you were located and so had some questions specifically for you three to answer. Feel free to not answer any you don’t want to.

“Now, the first question is whether you’ve experienced what felt like outside interference while you’ve been here? And not simply some other regular folks messing with you, but rather a ‘higher power’ sort of thing.”

The group gladly explains what happened earlier with being stuck on the settlement.

Peter frowns the whole way through. “Yeah, that shouldn’t have happened. Guess that explains the question. Now, Jason specifically, do you know the name of the person who taught you through the System?”

Jason shakes his head, “Nope, I don’t know her name and the skill is just called ‘War Stomp’.”

Peter nods, “Okay, more than nothing. Can you describe how the skill works for you?”

Jason does so and Peter raises an eyebrow, “Well, Andrew might have an easier time figuring things out than I thought. That skill sounds a lot more distinctive than I expected.”

And from there, Peter grilled them on a bunch of minor details about their experience within the Deep Wilds and their time setting up the clearing. In particular, Peter dives deep on the monsters they had to fight to claim it.