Chapter 1 Chapter 1
As I descended, the thick clouds parted under my feet to reveal a beautiful city . If my estimates were right, this would be my destination—the city of Martiling .
As the last step in this aerial journey, or, to remember my trip, I took out my water flask and drank all of the wine and water mixture, to which I had added my favorite wild honey . I had arrived; there was no point in saving it . On my way here, I was drinking bit by bit to make sure I always had water . You may ask why I didn’t buy a bigger flask . This was the biggest water bottle I could find; any bigger I’d have to custom-make, and I had no patience for that .
As I lowered more and more, people on the ground noticed me . They shouted and started running away . While this was convenient for my descent, I have to admit I had hoped they would be greeting me instead, or even better, give a welcome parade . My childhood dream was to become a royal magician and be accompanied by a full honor guard at every show . Now, this dream of mine probably has little chance of being realized . In this world, what palace needs a magician? Even if one did, would they have someone as young as me be it? Magicians tend be more respectable the older they are . The young ones are all considered to be untrained brutes .
As the magic dragon I rode continued descending, it kicked up a gust of wind and dust . Once it fully reached the ground, I turned elegantly to jump off its back . I looked so smooth I impressed myself . Since I was a perfectionist, very few things satisfied me .
No one was around, but I could feel the gazes of nearby residents gawking at me from inside their homes . It was nice to be the center of attention . I believe my posture earlier didn’t go unnoticed .
The magic dragon’s teeth grinding made me take a look; its eyes were filled with hatred for me . Its teeth kept moving, as if it was ready to take a leap and swallow me up . I fully understood why it despised me . I caught it and forced it to be my carriage, flying me all the way here . This poor beast worked for six days . While I ate and drank leisurely, it was flapping its wings with fatigue, and given no food or water . To be fair though, if it were caught by anyone else, it would probably be instantly killed and made into dragon jerky; at least I allowed it to live .
The restraints on its back loosened the minute I hopped off its back . The dragon was free now, yet, it held back from moving . Like all animals, it knew who was weak and who was strong, and it knew who was the prey and who was the hunter . It let out a pained cry—something only an animal-lover like me could hear—and then spread its wings and flew up into the sky . It may not understand, but I still waved goodbye . After all, we spent six days together, so we were sort of partners .
Fifteen minutes after the dragon flew away, people started appearing on the plaza . They stood at a distance, looking at me with fear, as if I was a monster . . . So that was the impression I made .
“South of Martiling, gray bear, hotel, across . . . ” I took out the note inside the package and started analyzing it . I had to analyze it since I had no idea if the note writer had ever gone to school . The illegible handwriting was hard to read even for the mother of language, if there was such a thing .
I spent quite a bit of effort, using deduction and guessing, to finally figure out the message . If you had to spend twenty minutes reading ten words, you'd probably want to kill the person who wrote it . No wonder that pathetic man had been stabbed by someone so many times . He was lucky that he'd run into me before he died . After he'd promised me a generous compensation, I had agreed to take this package of his to the destination on the note . I was really too rash, leaving as soon as I read the first few words . While I was on the dragon’s back, I should have studied the note more so I wouldn’t be confused by it now .
My laziness won . I decided to stop spending so much time on this note . Since I figured out part of it, I’d head to that Gray Bear Hotel first . Whatever happens later would happen later . I had always worked like this anyway .
“This is the Gray Bear Hotel?” I looked up at the banner; the name certainly matched the place . Looks aside, the odor alone let me know what type of guests this hotel attracted . I had no choice, though . There was a wasteland across from the hotel; looked like something had been dismantled not long ago . I walked inside the hotel despite wearing a brand-new robe .
“Hey, hottie, how can I help you?” A heavily made-up waitress came up to me as soon as I came in . Though she smelled of cheap perfume—a scent more annoying than the hotel’s other odors—I was a little flattered . A man being called good-looking was always nice . I believe I’m good-looking, but because of the mask covering half of my face, very few called me “hottie . ”
“Just a soda . ” I had to buy something before asking questions or no one would help .
“Just a soda . ” I had to buy something before asking questions or no one would help .
As the woman walked away, I noticed many angry looks toward me . I didn’t care . Apparently my lavish robe was expensive and attracted a lot of jealousy . I doubted that anyone here would pick a fight . They should be able to tell I was a magician from my clothes—making an enemy out of me would be very unwise . Not to mention my half-face mask . Sometimes, an odd accessory would confuse people, and anyone who wanted to confront you would have to believe they knew you already .
As the angry looks increased, and I was tallying them, the waitress delivered a glass of ice water . Before her hand left the glass, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me, then I looked into her eyes with what I knew to be my most seductive look . Just as I predicted, she giggled and sat in my lap . The unfriendly looks multiplied around me .
This swift victory made me uneasy . I didn’t know if it was my charm or my pricey robe . Some people said being a magician was a path chosen by those who were too smart, and maybe I was too smart . The flirty words I had planned evaporated in my mind . As the cheap scent assaulted my nostrils, I didn’t do what I should have done . After a few seconds, I decided to end this interlude .
“When did they take down whatever was across the hotel?” I interrogated her, and then realized my mistake as everyone around me turned to watch us . The lusty smile disappeared from the waitress’ face as she stood up .
“Why are you asking?” Her expression was very different from a moment ago . Past experiences have taught me that women were a capricious species, but this quick change still made me marvel .
“Someone asked me to deliver a package to a place across from the hotel, but now that it’s taken down . . . Do you know where they went?” I didn’t like to lie, so I usually said half of what I knew . Some people told me this was the same as lying, but I didn’t listen to them .
“Taken down?” Her smile was dismissive and sarcastic .
I didn't understand how her flirty face could look so different now . Well, at least she was still smiling .
I didn't understand how her flirty face could look so different now . Well, at least she was still smiling .
“Of course I know where they moved to, but this information isn’t free . . . ” Her hand reached to almost under my nostrils . Her strong perfume once again hurt my nose .
I put my hand inside my pocket . Before I felt the first silver coin, I noticed the people around us looking at me . It was the way people who thought they were smart looked at an idiot, so I revealed my empty hand .
I grabbed her hand and twisted it . I may be a magician, but I was confident in my strength . Her hand cracked, but her screams covered the noise .
“Ah–”
“Don’t take me for a moron!” I bit out the words . I was a man, but my face could change fast, too . I pressed her down on the table, with her cheek shoved onto the dirty tabletop and her right hand twisted behind her back . People stood up around us, but as I looked at them, no one dared to make a move .
“Tell me what happened!” I loosened up my grip a little . I didn’t mind spending a coin or two, but I couldn’t let a woman treat me like an idiot . I was a magician, after all—a profession of which I was proud .
“Didn’t you see the notice when you came into town? That place was destroyed by the necromancer’s first attack . Everyone there went to hell! Ouch, you’re hurting me!”
I loosened my hold on her hand . I suppose being lazy wasn’t the best idea after all . If I had stopped outside the town and walked in on foot, I’d have seen the sign . Too bad I didn’t want to travel that little bit . It’s fine . Now this mission wouldn’t earn me any compensation . That was disappointing . Working for free felt awful . There was no reason to stay at this dump anymore . I stood up to go .
“Didn’t you see the notice when you came into town? That place was destroyed by the necromancer’s first attack . Everyone there went to hell! Ouch, you’re hurting me!”
I loosened my hold on her hand . I suppose being lazy wasn’t the best idea after all . If I had stopped outside the town and walked in on foot, I’d have seen the sign . Too bad I didn’t want to travel that little bit . It’s fine . Now this mission wouldn’t earn me any compensation . That was disappointing . Working for free felt awful . There was no reason to stay at this dump anymore . I stood up to go .
“Wait, you haven’t paid yet!” the woman yelled as she rubbed her wrist . She really wanted that money .
I turned to look at her with my sternest gaze, but she wanted money more than her life as she actually met my eyes .
“Use my package as payment,” I uttered weakly, though I only had a sip of the drink . The package was useless to me now; the 100 gold coins the dead man promised me were just empty words . I ducked out of the Gray Bear Hotel quickly . As soon as I got out, I took three deep breaths . Ahh, air never felt so good .
“What to do next?” Just as I was feeling listless, things took a turn . A group of soldiers came around the corner, and they stopped in front of me .
The soldiers’ leader stared at my face with an unpleasant look . I swear, other than the half-mask, there was nothing on my face worth a man’s gaze, and I wasn't interested in men either .
“Sir, are you a magician?” His eyes were still on my face .
“Yes!” I wasn't happy answering . Anyone could tell that from how I was dressed . If he was a beautiful woman, I might have been more courteous . There were no women among the soldiers though, never mind a pretty one . In fact, no one here looked decent .
Chapter 1 Chapter 1 As I descended, the thick clouds parted under my feet to reveal a beautiful city . If my estimates were right, this would be my destination the city of Martiling . As the last step in this aerial journey, or, to remember my trip, I took out my water flask and drank all of the wine and water mixture, to which I had added my favorite wild honey . I had arrived there was no point in saving it . On my way here, I was drinking bit by bit to make sure I always had water . You may ask why I didn t buy a bigger flask . This was the biggest water bottle I could find any bigger I d have to custom make, and I had no patience for that . As I lowered more and more, people on the ground noticed me . They shouted and started running away . While this was convenient for my descent, I have to admit I had hoped they would be greeting me instead, or even better, give a welcome parade . My childhood dream was to become a royal magician and be accompanied by a full honor guard at every show . Now, this dream of mine probably has little chance of being realized . In this world, what palace needs a magician Even if one did, would they have someone as young as me be it Magicians tend be more respectable the older they are . The young ones are all considered to be untrained brutes . As the magic dragon I rode continued descending, it kicked up a gust of wind and dust . Once it fully reached the ground, I turned elegantly to jump off its back . I looked so smooth I impressed myself . Since I was a perfectionist, very few things satisfied me . No one was around, but I could feel the gazes of nearby residents gawking at me from inside their homes . It was nice to be the center of attention . I believe my posture earlier didn t go unnoticed . The magic dragon s teeth grinding made me take a look its eyes were filled with hatred for me . Its teeth kept moving, as if it was ready to take a leap and swallow me up . I fully understood why it despised me . I caught it and forced it to be my carriage, flying me all the way here . This poor beast worked for six days . While I ate and drank leisurely, it was flapping its wings with fatigue, and given no food or water . To be fair though, if it were caught by anyone else, it would probably be instantly killed and made into dragon jerky at least I allowed it to live . The restraints on its back loosened the minute I hopped off its back . The dragon was free now, yet, it held back from moving . Like all animals, it knew who was weak and who was strong, and it knew who was the prey and who was the hunter . It let out a pained cry something only an animal lover like me could hear and then spread its wings and flew up into the sky . It may not understand, but I still waved goodbye . After all, we spent six days together, so we were sort of partners . Fifteen minutes after the dragon flew away, people started appearing on the plaza . They stood at a distance, looking at me with fear, as if I was a monster . . . So that was the impression I made . South of Martiling, gray bear, hotel, across . . . I took out the note inside the package and started analyzing it . I had to analyze it since I had no idea if the note writer had ever gone to school . The illegible handwriting was hard to read even for the mother of language, if there was such a thing . I spent quite a bit of effort, using deduction and guessing, to finally figure out the message . If you had to spend twenty minutes reading ten words, you 39 d probably want to kill the person who wrote it . No wonder that pathetic man had been stabbed by someone so many times . He was lucky that he 39 d run into me before he died . After he 39 d promised me a generous compensation, I had agreed to take this package of his to the destination on the note . I was really too rash, leaving as soon as I read the first few words . While I was on the dragon s back, I should have studied the note more so I wouldn t be confused by it now . My laziness won . I decided to stop spending so much time on this note . Since I figured out part of it, I d head to that Gray Bear Hotel first . Whatever happens later would happen later . I had always worked like this anyway . This is the Gray Bear Hotel I looked up at the banner the name certainly matched the place . Looks aside, the odor alone let me know what type of guests this hotel attracted . I had no choice, though . There was a wasteland across from the hotel looked like something had been dismantled not long ago . I walked inside the hotel despite wearing a brand new robe . Hey, hottie, how can I help you A heavily made up waitress came up to me as soon as I came in . Though she smelled of cheap perfume a scent more annoying than the hotel s other odors I was a little flattered . A man being called good looking was always nice . I believe I m good looking, but because of the mask covering half of my face, very few called me hottie . Just a soda . I had to buy something before asking questions or no one would help . As the woman walked away, I noticed many angry looks toward me . I didn t care . Apparently my lavish robe was expensive and attracted a lot of jealousy . I doubted that anyone here would pick a fight . They should be able to tell I was a magician from my clothes making an enemy out of me would be very unwise . Not to mention my half face mask . Sometimes, an odd accessory would confuse people, and anyone who wanted to confront you would have to believe they knew you already . As the angry looks increased, and I was tallying them, the waitress delivered a glass of ice water . Before her hand left the glass, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me, then I looked into her eyes with what I knew to be my most seductive look . Just as I predicted, she giggled and sat in my lap . The unfriendly looks multiplied around me . This swift victory made me uneasy . I didn t know if it was my charm or my pricey robe . Some people said being a magician was a path chosen by those who were too smart, and maybe I was too smart . The flirty words I had planned evaporated in my mind . As the cheap scent assaulted my nostrils, I didn t do what I should have done . After a few seconds, I decided to end this interlude . When did they take down whatever was across the hotel I interrogated her, and then realized my mistake as everyone around me turned to watch us . The lusty smile disappeared from the waitress face as she stood up . Why are you asking Her expression was very different from a moment ago . Past experiences have taught me that women were a capricious species, but this quick change still made me marvel . Someone asked me to deliver a package to a place across from the hotel, but now that it s taken down . . . Do you know where they went I didn t like to lie, so I usually said half of what I knew . Some people told me this was the same as lying, but I didn t listen to them . Taken down Her smile was dismissive and sarcastic . I didn 39 t understand how her flirty face could look so different now . Well, at least she was still smiling . Of course I know where they moved to, but this information isn t free . . . Her hand reached to almost under my nostrils . Her strong perfume once again hurt my nose . I put my hand inside my pocket . Before I felt the first silver coin, I noticed the people around us looking at me . It was the way people who thought they were smart looked at an idiot, so I revealed my empty hand . I grabbed her hand and twisted it . I may be a magician, but I was confident in my strength . Her hand cracked, but her screams covered the noise . Ah Don t take me for a moron I bit out the words . I was a man, but my face could change fast, too . I pressed her down on the table, with her cheek shoved onto the dirty tabletop and her right hand twisted behind her back . People stood up around us, but as I looked at them, no one dared to make a move . Tell me what happened I loosened up my grip a little . I didn t mind spending a coin or two, but I couldn t let a woman treat me like an idiot . I was a magician, after all a profession of which I was proud . Didn t you see the notice when you came into town That place was destroyed by the necromancer s first attack . Everyone there went to hell Ouch, you re hurting me I loosened my hold on her hand . I suppose being lazy wasn t the best idea after all . If I had stopped outside the town and walked in on foot, I d have seen the sign . Too bad I didn t want to travel that little bit . It s fine . Now this mission wouldn t earn me any compensation . That was disappointing . Working for free felt awful . There was no reason to stay at this dump anymore . I stood up to go . Wait, you haven t paid yet the woman yelled as she rubbed her wrist . She really wanted that money . I turned to look at her with my sternest gaze, but she wanted money more than her life as she actually met my eyes . Use my package as payment, I uttered weakly, though I only had a sip of the drink . The package was useless to me now the 100 gold coins the dead man promised me were just empty words . I ducked out of the Gray Bear Hotel quickly . As soon as I got out, I took three deep breaths . Ahh, air never felt so good . What to do next Just as I was feeling listless, things took a turn . A group of soldiers came around the corner, and they stopped in front of me . The soldiers leader stared at my face with an unpleasant look . I swear, other than the half mask, there was nothing on my face worth a man s gaze, and I wasn 39 t interested in men either . Sir, are you a magician His eyes were still on my face . Yes I wasn 39 t happy answering . Anyone could tell that from how I was dressed . If he was a beautiful woman, I might have been more courteous . There were no women among the soldiers though, never mind a pretty one . In fact, no one here looked decent .Chapter end
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