I was slowly getting used to sensation of having sight back. Despite the fact that room was very dark, mostly because closed window, I still needed to have my eyes partly closed. I gave up idea of forcing my way out of Gisele’s grip. It was far more likely that she will break me in half than let me go. So, I simply got as comfy as it was only possible and looked back on dragoness face, just to have something to mock her with later on.

She was smiling a little, her cheeks were blushed and the grip of her tail was getting stronger and releasing with time, as if squeezing me. I am pretty sure that if it wasn’t wrapped around me, she would be waving it as happy pup….

Minutes passed, by vision was getting better and Gisele was slowly waking up.

“Morning sleepyhead. You took your sweet time, didn’t you?”

She fully opened her eyes. My face was close to her. How close? Let’s just say that her personal space was at least violated.

“Bonjour…” I said titling my head to the side. “THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” right hook-punch came from nowhere. I was amazed far more than hurt. She actually managed to perform a strike in such close distance! “TO CLOSE! AWAY!” “I WOULD DO SO AN HOUR AGO IF NOT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE HOLDING ME!” “W…what? Well… you can go now…” “No, I can’t.” “Why?! My arms are no longer…” “Gis.” “Yes?” “Your tail.” “What’s wrong with it?” “I wonder. You tell me.”

This was the moment where her eyes went down to my belt-level.

“S…SORRY!” she let me go and quickly tried rising from the bed. That’s right, tried. As she almost jumped from the bed she lost her footing, stumbled and once again fell on bed, and precisely – on m.

Part of her nightshirt moved revealing her arm, her knee landed dangerously close to my crotch and she supported her whole body on her palms, placed on both sides of my face.

And then door opened.

“Sup, guyz! I came to check if you have already…” It was Marika who opened the door. “… I am so very sorry for interrupting! Please, forget about my existence. Finish what you were doing… I am taking my leave…” “W..w..w..wait! It’s not what you think it…”

Little fairy already slammed the door behind her. It was quiet for few seconds, and then we could clearly hear that Marika started running toward inn section yelling [GUYZ! I HAVE INFO! TOP PRIORITY!]

“… YOU!” Dragoness turned her angry gaze back on me “What me?!” “It’s all your fault!” “It was my fault that you have used me as body pillow through whole night and then fell on me!?” for a moment her expression turned toward shock, but then once again I was looking on really angered dragon “I AM SURE THAT YOU HAVE PLANNED THIS!” “Just listen to yourself, woman! Even you don’t believe in it!” “… I am going to tell them truth! And you will do it as well!”

I tried my best to hide my evil grin.

“Sure, I don’t mind speaking the truth…” “GOOD!”

… poor little creature. Don’t you know that truth is subjective?! Oh, I will enjoy it!

“Gisele, one more thing…” “WHAT?!”

I only smiled with corners of my lips

“It’s good to see you again.” “I mean… oh, because of this madness I completely… congratz!... Tsh. Cheater…” “What?” “Most of adventurers would be force to retire. Tis’ not just a flesh wound! But nooo! I am all mighty Zari! I can tear my heart away and grow it back, cuz’ why not?!” “Sooo… you would prefer for me to stay blind?” “You can get those weird ears! And move around without any troubles! For what do you even need eyes?!” “Just think! How else could I admire your beauty? Hm?” “… bastard. Stop mocking me!” “Why do you think I am joking?” She raised her fist “… Ok! Ok! I surrender! No mocking!” “A-ha! So now you admit that I look as some hideous monster!?” “… women…”

That was the moment when she burst into laughter

“…Wait. Did you just…” “How being mocked feels like? Huh?! Also, good to have you back!”

A pat into back. Yes, it knocked me down

“I AM SORRY!”

I needed a minute or two to put myself back together. Then, we head down for a breakfast preparing to [explain misunderstanding]. We didn’t had to wait for jokes from rest of adventure guild too long.

“How was your night?” Panther girl asked in innocent way “Normally. It was completely normal night, right Zari?”

I only made painful grimace

“Speak for yourself. My whole body hurts!” truth – I was speaking about violent regeneration process, but no one has to know. “Couldn’t you be more… delicate?” now I was referring to being trapped in Gisele’s grip “You acted like an animal! Shame on you.” “W…w…w…what da ya mean?! It didn’t happen! None of that happened!” “I swore to tell the truth, and only truth…. Hey, I am curious if I have any marks on my body after sleepover with y..”

A pouch.

“HE IS LYING!”

Yet adventurers knew what to do

“All hail Zari!... Though kid… remember for future… SLAY the dragon! Not LAY the dragon!” “STOP IT!”

But they didn’t stop. Not for next 30 minutes. When it was finally over, and Gisele was red all over her face, someone was punched. Someone didn’t deserve that! Someone was innocent of the crime! Someone was only speaking the truth! So what that not full? So what that out of context!?

Still, her reddened face is worth all of the punches.

“Nice to SEE you!” I yelled to rest of my party “High time, kid, high time… still, bloody monster.” “Less about my eyes, what we have in agenda for today?” “Me and Aloizy have to visit blacksmith. That hydra has seriously damaged our armors. We can’t do many quests without it.” Gerwazy said scratching his temple “I ain’t going anywhere! It’s too hot, air is too dry, and too… just not. Staying here. Here, at least, I can find booze. Just tell me when we will be leaving.” Fairy said between sips “Jericho still have some more paperwork to do, but Zari should provide us some entertainment. That noble kid challenged you, ya remember? And you said that you would never let opportunity to humiliate a noble…” “I know what I said” I yelled raising my hands “I am not going to let such opportunity to slip. I simply hate those bastards. They always hide behind family’s back. And now he literally asked me to come and kick his ass. Give me a moment or two, I will prepare myself.” “When you would be ready go to guild master.” “Roger roger.”

Fatty told me that he will cheat, either by using enchanted equipment or by drinking whole pot of elixirs. So, why shouldn’t I do the same? I took three vials from my bag. Those were “just in case” potions I made in case of dealing with certain type of boss monsters. Hey, I am going to the party with nobility! I have to present myself as good as possible!

I sat in corner of the inn waiting for potion to start working. Warmness spread through my veins, for a moment my skin turned pale, vein blackened, bloodshots appeared on my eyes.

You are under effect of self made potions [Eyes of Madness]Attributes boostRFX +25

DEX +10

INT +10Poison effectCurrent toxicity level +4%Creator's noteJust what the fuck was I even thinking while making this?!

In theory plants that were used in this potion should drastically boost reaction time...

That is only if toxicity won't kill poor bastard that drank it

Something I found out while playing with potions… that shouldn’t be played with... it’s too complicated to just explain such complex process to newbies so… Ok, who am I kidding? I will tell you anyway!

Of course that there are elixirs that heals and boost statues – potions, and elixirs that are used to hurt the target – poisons.

But, as mad scientist kicked in, I HAD to try new things. So, I made elixir that are no potions nor poisons! Hybrids! Why I did that? Well…. Back then I asked myself [Why not?].

How they work? They poison the body increasing Toxicity. The greater toxicity is, the stronger are boosts. Healing magic reduce toxicity, but also lower stats given by elixir.

So – the whole fun here is balancing toxicity level to boost stats, but not to the level when it kills you!

I slammed the door to the guild master’s office

“Zari! Al least pretend to have any manners!” Jericho acted to be offended “Let’s go visit those bastard!” I yelled with smile from the doorstep “Ok, just wait a minute so we could finish our…” “I have just drugged the shit out of myself. I advise moving quickly.”

Guild master looked upon each other

“On the other hand… paperwork can wait, can it?” “Well, it doesn’t look like as if those document is going anywhere…” “Good then, let’s go!” Jericho yelled overjoyed “Good!” Fat man followed “Good.” So did I, just not to felt awkward

We were walking through streets of Agrah, heading toward noble district. Fatty, despite his huge belly and short legs, prove to have barely any problems while moving, unlike the other day and Jericho was humming a happy melody.

“Master, I can understand why local adventure guild branch’s master may enjoy the fact that I am going to pulverize little bastard… but you?” “Hm? Oh, that’s cuz’ I owe shitload of money to the nobility. And, kid, they are almost all the same! I will just pretend that those lowly Mortworhs are same as Steigers… or Magroughts… or Rosewoods…” “I thought Rosewoods are merchants.” I pointed out “Not any longer. You see, old Rosewood has a daughter – clever beast, and he has moneys. And there was a noble house that at the moment had financial problems…” “Let me guess, that noble family has a son?” “Correct. There was a marriage and BAM! Rosewood are now middle-rank nobility. Still, why they did that? Supporting that noble house cost them a small fortune. I have no idea why would they…” “Quite simple…” I allowed myself to disturb Jericho “… One – as nobility they would be allowed into noble balls – and there they can meet their future clients for luxury goods, Two – being a noble boost one position in negotiations and gives political influence. Three… nobility can borrow more moneys from banks.” “… Can they… I used to be quite popular, you know? One of them even asked me to marry his daughter… If I only knew… Fuck. And here possible fortune ran away from me…” “Or possibility to get into even bigger debt.” Fat man chuckled

As soon as we got to the big plaza in noble district, a fancy dressed butler approached

“Mr Jericho, Mr Makoolch and Mr Zariel, I presume?” he asked bowing his head a little “You presume right.” “Mr Morthworh awaits you… If I am right, you young may will be the one dueling young master?” “It won’t be much of a duel. But yes” “Sir… I hope that I can ask for… discretion?...” I only nodded “… Mr Mortworh asks you to visit him before the very challenge.” “What for?” “Pardon me sir, I am but a messenger.”

I looked at Jericho looking for approval.

“Your decision kid.” Old man only waved his hand “Very well. He piqued my curiosity. I will listen what he want to tell.” “I am glad to hear that. Now, please, follow me.”

Why I decided to visit ol’ noble? Butler’s behaving. When he said [Young master] he almost frowned, yet he spoke pretty highly about the very head of the family.

We walked through the street till we reached a wealthy mansion. Quite few armored men were standing in the front polishing their weapons. As we approached they looked in our, pardon me, my direction. Few giggled, few chuckled, few only shook their head in disbelief.

Three of them approached me. Old man covered in scars and two much younger black haired twin.

“You’re that kid that made so much fuss?” He title his head a little, came closer and put his hand on my shoulder, patting me twice.

He stood there for a movement, his gaze became absent, then he slapped himself twice and said to the butler

“Jack, tell your boss that we are leaving today.” Twins looked upon old man surprised “As you wish, sir.” “Come on, lads! Old Mortworh is not the only man that can hire us!”

They left.

Heh. Strange.

We entered the mansion, there butler – Jack, directed guild leaders further into the mansion, and asked me to follow him on the higher floor. He knocked the door, opened it a little, put his head in the gap and said

“Sir, Mister Zariel came.” “Good, let him in and leave us.”

Butler opened door wider letting me inside and then shut it behind me.

I came closer, to his desk, and not waiting for invitation I sat opposite him.

“…So… You are the one that cursed my son…” He said after not so short silence “You really have to ask?” “May I simply ask, why?” “Does it matter?” “For father? Yes.”

He was… weird. He was far too calm

“The curse wasn’t deadly at all. He, with all due respect, behaved as cunt. I merely taught him a lesson not to offend someone he does not know.” “Priest that healed him said something different. That curse was complex and serious.” “Because you paid him. When do you pay healer more? When you ask someone to treat finger cut or when he is told to reattach whole limb? Sir, my curses are at very best on novice level. I am pretty sure that they would disappear with time. All I wanted was to make him feel like shit for a day or two.” “So… you are trying to avoid battle?”

Oh, now I noticed how it sounded.

“No. I will gladly wipe the floor with his body.”

For a moment he covered his face in palms and waited for a moment.

“Do you know why I challenged you in the name of my son?” “… No. At least no longer. I was sure that you are going to find a loophole and cheat. But now…” “It’s hard to be father and head of noble house in same time. I had to chose how to raise my son… and I failed. I wanted him to be proud of what he is but…” “In the very end he is no one.” “Precisely.” “Yet I heard you were quite furious in the guild.” “I had to. Part of my family was attacked. I had to react to not make my family look any weaker than it already is. I made my son an adventurer, for I hoped that he would learn humility. That dealing with quests would forge his spirit. This is why I am asking you to… how you said that? Wipe the floor with his body? But. I have to warn you. It is not going to be easy. You said that I was going to cheat? Indeed kid, indeed.” “Enchanted weapons and potions?” I asked “I am not going to ruin your fun. Kid, you still cursed my son.” “Whatever. Let the deadly show begin.” I just shrugged my arms

Old man and his two apprentices-twins were leaving the town

“Teacher, why are we leaving? That old fart offered lots of moneys. Such easy job is rare and…” “Easy coin? Kid, do you remember what I taught you? What is a very core of fighting? What is most vital in fighting?”

Answer was simple. He literally smacked that formula into their heads

“Knowing yourself, and knowing the enemy. By comparing yourself to your foe you can pick best possible strategy of action, and avoid confrontation.” “Indeed. I am still alive because I have one particular skill. I can measure the power of those I approach. It’s gift from a goddess I got long ago. When I focus on someone… words… appear in my mind. Those words tell me what kind of threat someone is. It’s very plain, yet simple. Weak. Equal. Strong. Very Strong. Out of your league…” “…You are going to tell us that this kid was that strong?!” “[That strong]? No. I have managed to beat someone [out of my league] once, but I was fully prepared and I got few scars as memento… I have never measured human with such threat level.” “What did words said, master?”

Old man turned his head.

“For the very first time it wasn’t single word or phrase. My head almost split in half, kids… but few words I managed to catch were… [Certain Death] and [Avoid at all cost], together with [Flee]. Kids, I could have saved our lives.”