Lanterns hanging from ropes tied between buildings cast a soft glow over the snow capped roads, shadows fill the street as people wearing beanies, caps, and wide brimmed hats move around, their gaits purposeful and their steps full of weight.

  With the thick woolen clothes over their bodies, full fingered gloves covering their hands, and long pants on top of their legs, it made them look like titans moving through snowy ruins.

  Most of these guys are the middle class of Ghorise, the kind of people who can afford to go out during winter time because they have a home to go back to and a pantry full of food. The rest are adventurers, the successful kind, the ones who have money to spare and don't mind enjoying the festival in full.

  Poorer people are not here, instead they're in shelters provided by the church, huddled up together in a tight space, giving each other warmth, diseases, and, of course, sharing their body odors.

  It may seem like I'm mocking them but I'm simply telling the truth, personally working alongside the poor during winter when I was an acolyte has opened my eyes to the kind of struggles they face.

  Clinking resonated from the chimes by the door as someone walked into the shop, he was a thin adventurer, with a leather cloak over his entire body and a perpetual scowl on his face. His large nose and small eyes makes him look a bit ugly, his personality isn't helping win any favors either.

  Bumping into someone probably isn't a good idea when the store you've just entered is filled with adventurers but this guy is apparently confident enough to do that casually. That's one hell of an impression, I gotta give him that.

  Stepping in isn't the right move for now so I just observe him, my eyes catching his every action as he moves between his fellow adventurers. The rogue stops in front of the counter, specifically in front of Wardcruncha, which means he's not here because of Laself's pretty face. Interesting.

  "You the shop that sells that protection scroll?" His glare barely made Wardcruncha flinch, and he seemed to notice too because he suddenly turned docile. Seeing his demeanour shifting in real time was a sight to behold, "Well? I'm interested in em."

  "Sorry kid, but if you're looking for scrolls like that then they're not available right now, maybe come back when the festival ends? Otherwise it's only food here." Wardcruncha's answer was punctual, blunt, and spoken without an ounce of hesitation. Or fear.

  A flicker of irritation flashed in the rogue's eyes before it got quenched down, he then nodded, pulled down his hold, and walked out of the shop. Now, I'm not psychic or anything like that but even I can tell when someone is bad news, and that guy? Eesh. Feels like a hurricane.

  The only thing I got from him is that someone has heard of my scrolls, or hell, has personally used one. That particular person became impressed, wanted to know more, and sent a rogue to investigate.

  Nobles and their games. It made me want to roll my eyes, still, I can't believe that it was me who attracted attention to the store, I half expected it to be Laself getting an admirer who wouldn't respect the fact that she's engaged and wants something more with her.

  Nobles are dangerous in a sense that their status lets them do things normal people can't, the one looking for me just happens to know how to hire adventurers. I just hope that the one who sent that guy here wasn't Ifira, otherwise I am fucked.

  I haven't confirmed if this is the case so worrying about it now is pointless, not that it will stop me from preparing for the worst. And my gut is telling me that I'll be meeting Ifira soon, so I would have done it regardless if the rogue came or not.

  "Rontress! Can you help with the kitchen for now?!" My mother shouted from behind the counter, voice hectic. "We really need someone to help!"

  "Fine! I'll be there!" I yelled back and left my spot by the window to run past the counter and enter the chaotic kitchen.

  Like goblins pumped full of caffeine, Laself and my mother are moving back and forth constantly, they are rushing so much that stuff is spilling to the floor and I can even spot a fallen bowl in the back. The soup hasn't been cleaned yet, the vegetables and meat it had are also on the floor.

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  Rats are gonna enjoy that later huh? Should I buy a rat trap? Can't believe I forgot about that...

  I should get a cat!

  "Why are you nodding smugly to yourself?" Mom asks as she came over the stove, she placed the pot she's on top of a fire and just stared. "Rontress?"

  "I'm thinking we should get a cat."

  "A what? Why?" She looked like she had gotten the shock of her life, crossing her arms, she adds. "We don't need a pet Rontress, and if you're gonna get one on a whim then just know that you'll have to take responsibility for them."

  "I think they're a good idea mom!" Huh, since when did Laself start calling my mother mom? My sister-in-law walked over and nodded at our mother, I guess? "A cat wouldn't hurt us would it? I can see it being useful even! Like uhm..."

  "Helping out with the rats." I supplied.

  "Yes! Like helping out with the rats!" Laself snapped her fingers, the joy in her eyes crystal clear.

  Mom didn't seem amused though, she didn't even look like she's considering it. Now this is a thing I also didn't know about: that my mother didn't like cats? Why?

  "You do realize that a cat is a heavy responsibility correct?"

  Naturally? Before I could reply, Laself held her hand and gave her the best puppy eyes I've seen. Does she have a class that helps with that? "Please?"

  "... I'll think about it."

  "Yes!" With a big grin, Laself ran off to do whatever it is she needed to do. Fry food? I'm already doing that.

  "I've never seen her act like that before." I start, willingly not pointing out that I also haven't seen her act so against something. "Guess she likes cats?"

  "Do you?" Instead of agreeing or something like that, she asked me that instead. Does she want to know if it'll also make me happy if she says yes?

  "I do." Cats aren't bad, even if the ones here are a bit on the feral side. Dogs too, a lot of them look almost wolf-like with only a decent few breeds— the ones owned by nobles. — looking cutesy.

  "Mmm." My mother hummed.

  I know when someone doesn't want to talk anymore so I wisely kept silent. I do hope we have a new friend here in the shop soon though, and we could really use the help with the rats.

  Things started to calm down eventually so after doing my fair share of cooking, I left the shop. My reason for it was to simply just watch the festival.

  Everywhere I look I can see people enjoying themselves, drinking beer, laughing, or maybe even play fighting. I can see a few women in the ground, some are adventurers, most aren't, either they're wives or maybe looking for a husband. One of those two.

  The mirth in the air is so thick that I can taste it, everyone was really enjoying the festival to their fullest.

  On the other side of the street, under the darkness of the alleyway, my eyes caught on to people locked in a passionate kiss, both are teenagers. If the shop didn't exist, I'm guessing that would be Howaph and Laself right now.

  Slightly disgusted at the thought of my brother kissing, I quickly turned away. Minor night vision is as much of a curse as it is beneficial. Eugh.

  My mother would probably scold me if she saw me but I sat down on the edge of the pavement. I'm just glad that the festival is going well.

  The Day of Piling means a lot of things: in the local religion, it means to celebrate the end of peaceful seasons while also acting as a "show of force" of sorts, a rebellion against winter, where people tell the world that they aren't afraid of winter and are in fact, greeting its arrival with jubilation.

  The festival also has a second meaning, in that it tells people to be with each other during tough times, acting as a reminder that there are others around you who will help if you can't go through the winter on your own.

  Mostly though, The Day of Piling is a type of propaganda encouraged by the church because of two reasons: It attracts a bunch of adventurers who will help with the cull, and it also strengthens their hold over the populace, with them as the center piece of the festival and all that.

  Of course this isn't a bad thing, both for the people and the nobles. For the latter, even if priests hold influence over the citizens, it is fairly beneficial, as the church holding power means that the local Lord doesn't have to keep people in line. It brings order, so to speak.

  For the people, the church benefits them in the same way it did back on earth: it gives them food, healthcare, and faith. As much as I hate that last one, it's pretty much needed, because without it depression would be widespread.

  Personally, I think that it's better to test someone's faith— even if It's in something that doesn't exist. — than their will, faith can be regrown through sermons and masses, self doubt on the other hand will eat away at someone until they inevitably succumb to it.

  Some people stay inside their homes, depressed, others? They try to look for trouble.

  "Who wants to fight me huh?!" A clearly drunken man is making a ruckus in our store, just outside of it thankfully. I pulled out my wand despite my suspicion on the whole situation, waiting. "You all can't even give me a single piece of food! So I'm gonna... I'm gonna take it!"

  When he flipped one of the tables, I pointed my wand at him. "[Water Ball]!"

  Seconds later, the man is encased in ice and people are staring at me. I'm not gonna bother giving them any attention though, instead my eyes are stuck solely on the man that I've captured.

  My gut tells me that this is a ploy, that I'm being led astray, and I accepted that reality. The alternative would be more adventurers harassing the store, so whoever is doing this better show themselves or I'm gonna make them.