The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield
Chapter One-Hundred-Five: City Tourists – Part Three

Harmony Plaza.  

The name was ‘fancy,’ but it looked like a town square. A popular one, of course—with many merchants peddling their goods, stalls to get food and drink, and shops upon shops, yet it was wholly different from the Artisan Market.   

How?  

The vibe, I suppose. The atmosphere was more…down to earth? Less focused on ‘this’ and more on ‘that.’   

“You can find something to do here at almost all hours of the day,” said the guide, escorting us down the street. Sekh’s armor naturally attracted attention, although that didn’t last because people’s gazes turned to the nearby stage. A group of uniformed students with classical string and horn instruments had taken to it.   

“A public performance?” I asked. Our group had stopped to observe, only continuing when a whimsical and upbeat melody fluttered throughout the plaza.    

“Harmony Plaza is famous for it. You could say that’s why it was created. The stage is available to anyone. They’re from the Harmonia Institute, by the way.”  

“That’s a good way to get your image out there,” said Elly. She desired an urge to perform for people who genuinely appreciated music. I mean, how could she not? Her diary had said she hated singing for Meruria and those other nobles because they didn’t care for her songs. They wanted the ‘honor’ of having a Soul Warrior perform-- as if it brought them some newfound status.   

Anything to brag… Not to mention, Meruria auctioned Elly to the highest bidder. The damn bitch didn’t need money since she was practically a dictator. She only wanted to exert another ounce of control to say: ‘You’re my toy to do with as I please.’  

“The waiting list is over a year long. The only way to secure an opportunity sooner than later is for someone to give you theirs,” replied the guide.   

“Is paying for a spot frowned upon?” I asked.    

“I think it’s a test of integrity. Someone who really wants to change the world with music won’t accept an offer to give up after waiting for a year,” said Elly.    

“That’s the argument Lord Gloria used. Nowadays, offering to buy another’s position reveals the kind of person you are. Word spreads, my lord, leading to unsavory rumors concerning the potential purchaser’s ethics. One wrong move means ruining your chances at stardom before you’ve attempted to rise.”  

“But it does happen?”  

“That it does, Lord Springfield. Some frame it as a ‘gesture of goodwill' to give up your spot to someone in need, although the truth is rarely that simple. It very well could be that—someone who has tripped over themselves in a moment of regret and hands their opportunity to someone they feel is more worthy. However, once the citizens have decided their bias, it is not an easy task to change their minds. Public opinion set in stone is sometimes said to be harder than diamond.” 

I didn’t expect to have a discussion this deep or intricate about the ethics of paying to obtain the chance to play earlier. Securing a few top spots to auction them to the highest bidder seemed like a no-brainer. Gloria’s reluctance to do that probably hinted at her ‘true’ character.  

The woman was a right bitch. She would suffer—no dedication to the arts would alter her eventual fate.   

“Mmnn… The food sure does smell good.” Tilde licked her lips. “We had that snack earlier, but it’s getting a little late. What do you say to dinner, Master? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a show with our meal?”  

I looked around, and the positive atmosphere was almost infectious. People were eating, having a good time, and enjoying the music. It seemed like a festival, yet this occurrence probably happened daily. Variety was really the spice of life with so many genres of music.  

“I don’t mind. Any objections?” No one shook their heads. “Well, Ms. Guide? Do you have any recommendations in mind?”  

“I do! The plaza is home to our most famous hotel. The rooftop restaurant is quite elusive since reservations are not freely given. Certain criteria within the arts must be met before Lord Gloria even considers your eligibility to dine there.”   

“I take it your lord arranged this yesterday?”  

“You’d be correct, Lord Springfield. Please, if you’ll follow me…” The guide escorted us to the tallest building on the plaza. The inn almost vomited elegance. The gold-trimmed doors opened automatically, revealing a twenty-foot-tall fountain standing in the middle of the lobby. The top had a carved statue of a man playing a flute, which mimicked the function of that fountain at the academy’s branch campus. We had arrived on the hour, which meant its lovely melody warmed our ears as we walked to the receptionist's desk.    

“Ah, welcome back. Are you on the job?” A youthful receptionist raised his raised his head from a notebook.  

“I am. Reservations were made late yesterday evening. The name is Lyudmila Vredi Springfield.”  

“We’ve been expecting you.” The boy smiled. A quick look at his skills displayed he had nothing but etiquette-related abilities—not even a smidge relating to combat or magic. A map search revealed his relatives were like him, so being a concierge was probably expected. That was the family business or something. “Ma’am, we have an equipment room in the back for your armor.”  

“No. I will not eat, so I won’t take it off,” replied Sekh. “Will that be an issue?" 

“Not at all. We pride ourselves on making our guests happy. If that’s what you want, then we have no issue.”  

“Really? People aren’t afraid to eat around armed warriors?” I inquired.   

“Perhaps elsewhere, Lord Springfield, but only those trusted by Lord Gloria are allowed to dine here. She will personally involve herself in any disputes.”  

He speaks the truth, my lord. I detect a magic circle in an office on the second floor. The mana flows outside the indexed area, but I am sure it’s connected to something Gloria has on her person. Additionally, a button underneath the desk is presumably linked to her.    

Causing a ruckus is one way to meet her ahead of schedule. You don’t recommend it, do you?  

Not currently. Let her preparation continue. It will make crushing her more satisfying.   

“Your guide will escort you to the teleporter pad linked to the roof.”  

I thanked the boy, and he wished us a lovely meal as we walked to the glowing circle where an elevator shaft should’ve been.   

A quick flash later, we were in another room. That door opened to a rooftop terrace. The left side was home to one large bar filled with human and non-human guests. Most were dressed formally—suits, cocktail dresses, and the like. Our group stood out like black paint splashed against a white wall. Sekh's armor wasn’t meant for fine dining.    

Surtr was out of place even in his ‘toy’ form. Lei rested on Niva’s head, but the slime scurried inside her sleeve when the uncertain looks came their way.    

I didn’t care what they thought because we wouldn’t be here long enough to give two shits about their useless opinion. We were here to pass the time until our primary goals could be accomplished. A waiter quickly noticed us. After pleasant introductions, he escorted our group to a prepared table.   

“This is…umm… It’s fancy…” whispered Yew. “I’ve never done anything like this. That’s wine. I think I’m a little too young to drink it.”  

“Can we get her a glass of water?” Sera asked the nearest maid. She silently bowed and left.   

“Huh? I thought only one group could use the stage at a time.” Elly pointed over the railing. We looked, and the band from the Harmonia Institute wasn’t alone. An opposing group had started unloading their equipment.   

“That is true unless two groups agree to a music battle. They take turns playing, with the crowd's reaction deciding the winner." 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one,” said Tilde. “I don’t think we could’ve asked for anything better to enjoy dinner with.”  

“You may be right. The opponents are from Aria Academy?” The guide nodded. “I see. So, it’s more than just a challenge. School pride is on the line.”  

The Harmonia Institute students replayed their previous song, yet about halfway through… 

The tone totally changed. The violinist ‘screeched’ her instrument, increasing the tempo to something fiery. The rest joined in, accomplishing a tonal flip that took the audience by storm.   

“Impressive,” said Quella as the song ended. Appetizers we didn’t order arrived moments later.  

Gloria’s probably behind that, too. I bet she curated this whole thing, including organizing that music battle.    

Sera approved of our food. She fluttered her eyes and turned to her salad. She was far more a noble than me, so she was used to this treatment. As such, I decided to mimic her.    

There’s something to discuss, my lord.  

What’s wrong?  

Please look at the window I’m about to open on your HUD. The one under the waypoint is Bart Barclay—Erin’s grandfather.   

The man was leaning against the railing. He wore a suit with a hat almost too big for his face. Still, he shared his daughter’s eye, hair, ear, and tail hue. Though it wasn’t necessary, Tris compared his unique mana signatures to Karen's, which confirmed his parentage.   

Bart subtly gripped a note in his gloved hands, which Tris read with [Deduction].   

The penmanship matches the guide’s itinerary, which I’ve compared to a letter personally written by Gloria. All three share the same author.    

It’s not like it was a hard guess, but it’s good to have confirmable proof she’s behind this stalling tactic.    

Bart’s probably here to perform reconnaissance, although the method is questionable. We haven’t the displeasure of meeting Erin’s grandfather, so Gloria falsely assumes we’re unaware of him. He is not the spy hidden in clear sight that she wanted him to be.    

This wrinkly bastard had abandoned his daughter to focus on obtaining an exclusive membership to Gloria’s inner circle. The shithead didn’t try hard enough to treat Karen. They thought her to be a social stigma due to her mental issues, then tossed her away to let the school handle her. Just looking at the coward pissed me off…   

Does he even know his daughter is gone? How will he react when I tell him I killed her? Will he accept Erin? Or will he disown her like Karen?  

I was too focused on that to enjoy the music battle, which ended in a draw. I wasn’t sure how that happened. A sharp-dressed man jumped on the stage while the performers packed up. 

“Ladies and gents! That was sure something! Ahhh… It’s always a good omen when we have a match as fierce as that! It really was anyone’s game to win, you know! They played amazingly! They played spectacularly well! The fun isn’t stopping here, though. Oh, no! No! No!” He twirled and posed, the tail of his suit jacket flapping in the wind. “I’m happy to announce a very special performance! It’s being led by a woman who surely needs no introduction at all… So… I’ll get out of your hair, okay? Take care now, bye-bye then!” The crier acrobatically flipped off stage—the indulgence of theatrics almost sickened me—but I had to admit I was anxiously curious to see this 'special performance.'   

Elly and Melusine conversed about it as the second round of appetizers came. Sera, Yew, and I got another salad, but everyone else got shrimp.   

“Woah… What’s that flavor? It tastes like lemon, but is it supposed to be that sweet? It’s getting spicy, too.” Ami sipped her wine. Strangely enough, the delicate precision to enjoy a fancy dinner didn’t suit someone as ‘down-to-earth’ like her—especially with me knowing what I knew.    

“I’m afraid that’s a restaurant secret,” replied the guide. “It is quite delectable. Everything here is exceptionally delicious! I’m partial to the strawberry banana pudding. Any lady with a sweet tooth must try it.”  

The guide continued explaining her favorite dishes. Somehow, I knew it wouldn’t be a coincidence if those were already ordered for us. Regardless, the chatter was pleasant, if somewhat sterile. Movement from the crowd caught my eyes as it parted like a biblical sea for a group of six wearing school uniforms.    

Okay, then. Let’s see what’s so special about this performance.    

Each carried a violin case, which wouldn’t have been anything unique since that seemed like the most common instrument. No—the specialness came from the ‘effects.’ An illusionist used a spell to add vibrant life to the stage. Another cast a darkening haze across the sky. A third enhanced the stars’ glimmering glow to act like spotlights from the heavens. The fourth imparted sparkly particles across their uniforms, clasping them into what I could only describe as celestial garb that left behind dancing fragments.   

The cheering exploded when a hidden firework from behind the stage erupted skyward. It exploded at its apex—when the song reached a furious tipping point mere seconds after it began. Radiant crimson infected the altered horizon. The effects shouldn’t have mixed, but they worked well—too well. It wasn’t just that—the choreography was on another level, too. The jumps, the twirls, the sharp, erratic movements matched the intense melody…  

I was impressed—I really was.  

But someone wasn’t.   

“That’s…” Niva’s voice was quivering, her tone matching her shivering body. Another firework made her jump. She accidentally thumped the table, knocking over an empty glass.     

Sekh and Primrose—sitting to her left and right—grabbed her hands.   

“What’s wrong? Do you know her?” asked Yew, concerned.   

“That’s Lillian Mesalitos…”  

Tris?  

I’ve confirmed her identity, but she’s not alone. Thaddeus, her father, and Valeria, her mother, are present. They each hold letters from Gloria requesting them to attend the meeting with ‘the Vredi High Elves.’ I detect an abnormality, though. Thaddeus has four rings. I’m unsure of the significance, yet a search shows he has one wife.   

Anything else? Let me hear your thoughts.   

This was orchestrated by Gloria. Everything was carefully ordained to acquire information for the forthcoming meeting. I’m certain she’ll use today to establish a common link to maintain control. Arella is still observing us from far away. Glintfang Ironhide is in that tree about 500 feet away. I’ve marked him with a waypoint.   

Tris’s analysis of Niva’s biometrics suggested she was about to have a panic attack, but she regained enough self-control to focus on her breathing. No doubt that was something taught to her by Aetos. She was still uneasy as the guide gushed about Lillian—about how she was the blooming flower of the Mesalitos's family. The praise oozed so much that it must’ve been another ploy by Gloria. As for how rhapsodizing about her would’ve helped?  

That was unclear for Tris and me. The only option was if her playing was exceptional enough to make me forget or forgive Gloria’s inaction?  

A dumb idea, but could you expect anything else from someone who would shut down a dungeon vital to a town’s success, thereby crippling her exports? Ria was an important shipping hub.  

Even if I caused it by killing Noelia, Gloria’s reaction proved she didn’t deserve to rule over others. She was nothing like Gretchen Plymoise or Ayroix Atrix.  

The performance continued as our entrees arrived. Those who could eat meat got steak and chicken, and Sera, Yew, and myself enjoyed a veggie casserole. It seemed generic, but it really was prepared by an expert chef. The onions were marinated in this delicious, slightly tangy sauce, which slowly spread throughout the dish during the baking. The crispy breadcrumbs accenting the top were a gorgeous golden brown.    

Dessert was strawberry banana pudding—with everyone getting a big bowl. Yew loved it so much she asked for seconds.  

Every child has a sweet tooth, huh?  

Sera thought it cruel that Sekh couldn’t enjoy the food, so she asked for a to-go order. The staff were more than willing to comply. “You can’t be the only one left out,” said Sera when a food cart arrived. “Be sure to enjoy it later, okay?”  

“… I will. Thank you,” replied Sekh as Tris stashed the plates. The staff didn’t blink an eye at it vanishing. Either it didn’t phase them, or they were trained to remain cool, calm, and collected.    

The special performance continued after we left, and the lengthy display of raw, unfiltered hard work almost guided our carriage back to Gloria’s castle.   

We could still hear the performance from four streets away.    

*****

*****

It was evening when we returned. A maid bowed as we disembarked. “It pleases me to see you’ve returned safely, esteemed guests.” She had a lisp. “Your rooms are prepared. Would you like to freshen up before dinner?”  

“Our guests have dined at Harmony Plaza,” replied the guide. She turned to us. “This is where I must leave you. It’s been an honor touring you around our fair capital,” she said with a smiling bow. “I hope you’ve enjoyed it.”  

“We did,” I replied. “You’re very adept at your task, so take pride in it. I don’t know where you live, but make it home safe.”  

“Ah… Your kindness invigorates my heart, Lord Springfield!” She bowed again before leaving with a noticeable spring in her step.   

I may have hated that bitch Gloria, but why turn my disgust to a mere tour guide? She probably had orders to give us a good time to soften our hearts for the meeting. As far as I was concerned? She had done an admirable job.   

“Would you like to see your accommodations?” asked the maid.    

“Yes. Thank you.”  

“You’re very welcome, Lady Vredi. Please, follow me…” The maid escorted us through two hallways and up a flight of steps. “You will be staying in the castle wing reserved for diplomatic envoys,” said the maid after unlocking the only door at the end of a corridor.   

We entered behind her. It was dark, but light appeared once our escort clapped her hands twice.   

It was a common room—more like a broader, bigger studio apartment, with twelve doors to bedrooms with their own amenities.   

At least everyone has a bath.   

The dining room sat a large round table near a fully furnished kitchen. A dozen shelves in the living room shared the space with four couches, a few coffee tables, and a recliner. A glass sliding door emerged onto a balcony that overlooked the back courtyard.   

“I hope it meets your standards?” She turned around.   

“It does.”  

“Wonderful!” The maid clapped once before pointing to a bell on the round table. “Should you require anything, simply ring it, and someone shall appear at the door within a minute.” She revealed a small charm hidden in her apron. “Every servant has a receiver on their person at all times. They’re magically linked to the bells.”  

“How do you know where to go?” I asked.   

“Each bell echoes a unique melody that cannot be replicated by another. We memorize the song and related location. There aren’t many, so it isn’t difficult.”  

“I see… That’s an interesting solution.”  

“I’m glad you find so, Lord Springfield. Oh, Lord Gloria has confirmed she’ll return shortly before midnight. She has sent word that the meeting you requested will occur tomorrow morning. She also sends her deepest apologies for not being prepared. Is there anything I can do before I leave you to your privacy?”  

“No. You’ve done more than enough. Take care, okay?” 

“I wish the same for you, dear guests. Please, have a wonderful evening.” The maid bowed once more before quietly closing the door behind her.   

We were finally ‘alone’ even if we weren’t ‘unchaperoned.’ A Dark Elf still had us in her sights a few hundred feet away. That Dragonfolk—luckily—wasn’t in the room, but he was just down the hall. He’d probably remain there.     

“So… What now?” Tilde raised a good question as Niva yawned.    

“Today must’ve been exhausting. Go rest for a little bit, okay? We can talk later if you’re up for it.”  

“Okay. Lei?” The slime emerged from Niva’s sleeves, then relaxed in her arms as the summoner and her spirit departed for the closest room. 

“Guess that’s our cue, huh? I could use a little nap. That huge dinner’s making me a little drowsy.” Elly yawned—followed by Ami.   

“Food has that kind of effect,” replied Greggie, scratching his chin.   

“Why don’t you follow Niva’s lead?”  

“I think we will, Lord Springfield,” answered Quella. She didn’t hear any protest from her team, so off they went to their chosen rooms. 

“This is where I take my temporary leave,” said Sera. She retrieved a journal from a storage skill before hugging it. 

It meant nothing to me.   

To Susize?  

It was everything. She had given it to Sera as a birthday gift. Even the best-cared item would deteriorate over a thousand years—this was no exception. The difference, however, was the methodical care that went into its repair. The bindings weren’t the same vines Susize had woven throughout the spine. The papers weren’t original, either.  If I had to guess… Sera had probably carefully torn out the pages, secured them in a safe spot, and added more. Only she knew how many times she had repeated the process.   

“Today’s given me much to think about. I want to organize my thoughts before we continue.”   

“That’s fair enough, sister. I think we all need to do the same. I suppose we’ll see you in a little bit?”  

“Yes!” She gleefully smiled before skipping to one of the remaining rooms, leaving me, Tris, Sekh, Yew, Tilde, and Surtr. Instead of remaining in the common area, we picked a room to claim as ours, leaving a handful that would probably go unused. 

A faint flicker warmed the walls after Tris shut the door.   

“Was that sealing magic?” asked Yew as she hopped on the bed. Surtr wiggled free, stretching upon landing like a house cat. He grew to his original size before flopping over. 

“Yes. We’re free to discuss what we wish without anyone being aware. Arella is concerned.” Tris looked eastward before grinning. “She’s currently debating if attempting to crack my barrier is worth the disrespect it will bring her lord if she’s discovered. Don’t worry, though. She cannot pierce it.”  

“If that’s the case… Can I resume my training?” Yew raised an arm. “I still want to get better at it.” 

“Go ahead,” I replied, sitting beside her. I plonked to my back before stretching. 

“Do you remember what we discussed?” Sekh sat beside Yew. She instinctively touched her helmet, where her hands froze solid. She didn't finish what she had intended. 

“It’s okay to remove it, you know.”  

“Is it, Tilde?”  

“Uhh… Yeah? Sera can’t see through walls, can she?”  

“Not these. Rest assured, Sekh, I am constantly surveying her. She will not catch us unaware.”  

“…”  

“Look. I get it. It’s risky. So…how about this? Tris, can you like… I don’t know how to explain it, but can you plop a waypoint the size of her noggin over her head? If it’s only visual to certain people, then even if Sera pulls a sneaky, she’ll see a glowing ball. We can say it’s a spell or something Master is practicing. One designed to make it easier to keep track of allies. That’s not a lie, you know. They say the best place to hide is in plain sight.”  

“That’s not the dumbest thing I’ve heard,” replied Sekh.   

“Eh? Oh, Sekkie, how cruel must thou be to harm a delicate cake’s heart like me?”  

Sekh rolled her eyes after removing her helmet. Tris then confirmed the waypoint’s placement by making it visible to everyone within the room.  

Tilde chuckled, then clamped up when Sekh asked her to explain.   

“Is that something you can do all the time?” Yew’s fur-covered finger tapped my palm.   

“It doesn’t require any strenuous effort from me, so…” Tris became quiet. “The one concern is explaining why the spell hasn’t turned off—if we take that route. Concerns will naturally arise. The psychology of people is as follows: to the masses, most will only trust another after seeing their face. You can learn much from a person by observing their expressions. On the other hand, mysterious knights who refuse to take off their helmets can achieve a higher level of respect on account of their actions. Yet for someone whose face is obscured by what the masses perceive as ‘magic?’ The unfamiliarity will build distrust faster than trust.”  

“It’s semantics, basically. Really, what’s the difference between a head-sized helmet and a glowy orb if both hide the face? One’s far more common. A person wearing a helmet might have a lot of reasons. Scars. Disfigurements… A bad case of acne. Maybe a mole they want to hide. That’s rooted in ‘reality.’ A waypoint ball? Some people’s first thoughts would be like: ‘That poor sap was cursed.’ It’s the little things, Yewie, that make all the difference.”  

“But… Does this mean you can never take it off when Sera is around?” Yew’s hands—now covered in black scales from a Lizardfolk I must’ve assimilated somewhere—grasped Sekh’s gauntlets. “That’s not fair. It’s not.”  

“It’s sweet you’re concerned for me, but it’s okay, Yew. I… This is my… This is what I must bear. The world may forgive me. The world may even accept me… Yet Sera won’t. To her… There is no forgiveness. There is no acceptance. I will forever remain her greatest enemy.”  

“But… But… But… Aetos… The village… They… You…” Yew sniffled. “If Sera talks to Aetos…”  

“I can’t put that on the eagle. He’s suffered too much at my hands. Their relationship has just recovered, so I cannot be the knife that severs it. You may think it unfair, except it’s not.” 

“…” 

“Come now, there’s no need for tears.” Tris gave Sekh a handkerchief to wipe Yew’s watery eyes.   

“I… I won’t stop hoping. Is that okay?”  

“It is,” replied Sekh. “I will keep my promise to Aetos. I will look after Sera as long as it can be permitted.”  

“Then I’ll look after you! That’s only fair, right?”  

Sekh smiled with a priceless expression. “I suppose it is. Thank you, Yew.”  

“Why’d you say her name twice?”  

“I didn’t…?”  

“Uhh… You did,” Tilde argued back. Her lips curled like a naughty cat who saw prey to pounce on.   

“Your old age must be catching up with you. You may want to test your hearing.”  

Those two friendly bickered, reigniting their harmless rivalry as Yew laughed at their antics. I conversed with Tris, who had used a few bird clones to scout the city. “Requiesta is larger than Plymoise or Atrix, my lord. Caching it into my databanks will take a few hours.”  

“That’s fine. Is Gloria back?”  

“Not yet.  There's nothing to report about Dirge's Soul Warriors, either. Information on Noelia is readily found. I even discovered her ‘grave’ in what looks like a cemetery for heroes.”  

“Oh, yeah. There was that funeral. The Barclays set that up, didn’t they?”  

“They did. They went along with it even though they knew it was a farce.”  

“Guess we can confront them tomorrow.”  

“So, about that… I’ve much to discuss concerning the plan, but I’ll refrain until Sera has joined us. Her input will be invaluable.”  

We chatted for a few more minutes about the secrets the city probably held, only stopping when I heard something concerning.  

It was a whimper…  

A painful grimace.    

“Owww…” Yew suddenly groaned. She nursed her hand as if it was broken.  

“What happened?” I asked, scooting over.    

“I… It felt like something popped,” Yew replied, voice quivering as if she had done something naughty.    

“You have no damage. Nothing is broken, fractured, or bruised.”  

“Leave it to Nurse Tris with the health inspection. Hmm… Wouldn’t you like to see her in a nurse outfit? I know I do.”  

“Is now the time for that?”  

“Calm your flames, Sekh. Yewie’s fine. Look, you’re a natural chimera, so your abilities weren’t instilled like Master’s version, so… To put it into weightlifting terms, Master’s transfiguration muscles are developed. Yours aren’t. Besides, you were switching from hide to scale, fur, and flesh too fast for your skill level. I bet a thousand gold you got your wires crossed and forgot to cancel a muscle or nerve.” 

“I didn’t know that could happen.”  

“To be honest… I’m not too sure, either. I saw her wince after the fourth cycle swap. A proper maid must be observant of not only her lovey-dovey Master, but also the ones she keeps close.”  

“The deduction is sound. I believe you’re right. Hmm…” Tris produced a syringe. Inside sat an orb smaller than a blood cell. “I can verify the issue if you let me. The slime will be a video camera, delivering its feed directly to my processing center. It won’t hurt. You won’t even feel it.”   

“Okay…” Yew took the injection like a champ, then repeated what she had done to cause the pain. “I did this…” She laid her hand flat, transforming that soft skin into the hide of a boar. “Then this…” Sparkling scales manifested as the fur dissolved. That turned into fur, which returned to her skin. The cycle continued three times until she suddenly jerked her hand away.   

“You were correct, Tilde,” confirmed Tris. “People with scales have an interconnected web of nerves connecting them to each other inside the body. Those with fur, hide, or flesh don’t have that. Yew kept them transfigured, so when you returned to having scales, you had two sets. You added a third upon completing the next cycle. They twisted, causing a blockage. Your panic induced an emergency cancelation of all transfigurations. Think of it like a failsafe, although such a feature is not always good.”  

“There’s no need to rush anything. Remember, take it slow. Once you’re better…” I shot a thread of crystal webbing at the roof, ascending while retracting it into my wrist. “We can do stuff like this. After reaching the top, I crawled around like a spider. “This can be fun.”  

“Will I ever get that good?”  

“I’ve no doubt in my mind.” Seeing Sekh be so supportive made me love her even more.  

“Right! I won’t let you down.”  

“So, let’s reframe your training. I’ll transform my hand, and I want you to follow along. Focus on accuracy, above all else, if it takes forty or fifty seconds. Tris will give you a grade on how much the innards match mine, okay? Speed can come later. We want to get this mastered first.”  

That was the proper order to do this. Yew first grasped how to transform, so next came accuracy. Transfiguration literally involved altering something about yourself into a separate entity, which meant partially becoming whatever you transfigured into. Therefore, having the nerves connecting the underside of the scales be as accurate as possible is one thing. Yet when you swap to something else, you must remove all traces of what you just were.   

Some hidden philosophy was probably buried in the depths of chimerism.   

Anyway... 

Yew had fun learning from me, which was the only thing that mattered.  She called it quits after ten minutes because she wanted to mess around with the songleaf bundles we had gotten. The room had a big table, so we moved from the bed to there.    

Yew and I quietly discussed flutes as Sekh tended to her new journal. She hesitated the first word, though. I was sure she hadn’t done anything like this before. Her helmet laid softly atop her head like a ball cap.  

Tilde readied her harp. My ears silently begged me to stop her.   

I didn’t make it in time.    

“Oh, this is for the lioness that burns. Your mind is thinking too hard. For all you have to do…is ask the best maid in the whole world to help you… Yet too much pride… Ironic coming from a lion girl… Can make a girl dull… Ohhhhh, my little Sekkie… Let the—”  

“I doubt you could be any more tone-deaf if you tried.”  

“Eh? Don’t be like that. I’m trying to serenade your creative juices with my delicious singing. Doesn’t it make you hungry?” 

“It makes me full. I’ve had enough, thank you. There’s no need for that.”  

“Fair enough. As long as you’re satisfied!” Tilde winked. Sekh rolled her eyes. She tossed the harp to Tris and rolled closer to Sekh to help her. “You can’t go wrong with the basics. Picnic? That’s a staple. She’s gotten into fighting, so going a round or two would make her day. You two have tails, so why not a tail hug? You can take her to Aetos’s new home. Maybe go shopping around town. What about baking some cookies? Fishing? Hunting? Cooking? Conquering a dungeon or two? The possibilities are infinite, Little Lion, when the sole objective is to spend time with each other.”  

“…”  

“I know that look. Your narrow mind is too narrow. You gotta flex your imaginative muscles. Starting is the hard part. So, go on. Write something down.”  

Scribble!  

“Good. Now—No. Don’t do that!” Tilde couldn’t wrap her hand around Sekh’s pen, so she blocked the paper with her arm.    

“What? I’m just scratching it out—”  

“You don’t do that while brainstorming because you’re fishing for ideas. Even if it’s dumb… You gotta keep it, okay? Every bright idea was once part of something less than bright.”  

“It’s fun seeing them get along,” whispered Yew.   

“They’ve always had a unique relationship,” I replied.   

Tris slightly rocked back and forth in her chair with a giggling smile. “Oh, are you hungry? Sera’s still writing, so now is the time to eat.” Tris tapped the table, producing two plates and a bowl. One had a pile of steak, chicken, and shrimp. The second supported a large helping of that veggie casserole. The last was filled to the brim with that dessert.  

“It does smell good.”  

“All the more reason to chow down,” replied Tilde, stealing the largest shrimp. “Consider that my tax for helping. Oh, and that, too.” She plucked the biggest strawberry.    

“Don’t take my food, you glutton!”  

“Brainstorming’s easier when your belly isn’t empty.”  

“You just ate not even thirty minutes ago.”  

“They say time is relative. Thirty minutes is only thirty minutes if you perceive it to be. Besides, I’m still recovering. I need more calories than usual.” 

Sekh rolled her eyes again as she picked up the fork. She almost seemed… timid to eat? Regardless, the hesitation vanished after tasting the chicken. Her ears perked, and she swapped to the steak before tossing back a few pieces of shrimp. The casserole wasn’t the biggest hit, but I couldn’t say the same about the dessert.   

It really was that good. Sekh noticed Yew subtly licking her lips and offered her half. Yew refused, although her growling belly told another story. “It’s yours,” said Yew upon being asked again. “I already had a lot.”  

“You also transfigured a lot,” replied Tilde. “Get your biomass back, girlie. You really should take any opportunity to chow down.”  

“Except don’t follow her,” said Sekh, who shook her head at the dwindling shrimp supply. A certain maid was responsible for eating half. “Some people aren’t good role models.”  

“Aww, you wouldn’t let me do this if you didn’t love me, Sekkie. Lions don’t share their food with just anyone.”  

“Haha!” Yew laughed at their bit, then asked for a spoon. “It’s still yours. I’ll only have just a little bit.”  

“Mila?”  

“Sure, why not? I could eat another spoonful or two.”  

“Dessert naturally calls for refreshments.” Tris prepared some tea.   

I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about diabetes.  

Sekh cut off a chunk of steak before calling Surtr’s name. He raised his large head to catch his treat. “Do you like it?”  

“It’s delectable, my lady.”  

“Point taken,” said Tris, sipping her drink. Her tail happily wagged. “I’ll add the recipe to my database.” Surtr growled his thanks.    

“Having a good time, Little Miss AI?”  

“Oh, verily. I value moments like these.”   

“You aren’t the only one.” Tilde plucked another strawberry and returned to Sekh’s journal. Yew, Tris, and I joined, offering our takes on what Erin, Sekh, and I could do. The possibilities were infinite—they really were. Even if Erin’s choice was to visit another country…  

So what?  

Ira could turn into a dragon, so I’d force her to transport us. Remy’s warping? It wasn’t finished—yet—but that was another option.    

“An ocean adventure might be fun. Our ship is still parked near the village, yeah?” Tris nodded, and Tilde continued. “That’s an option. We might find a sunken treasure ship. Or a ghost ship. I think I heard something about a lich and its undead crew roaming on a boat somewhere.”  

“That’s a new one for me,” I replied  

“Just wait until you hear they sail on the desert, not the sea. I can’t remember where, though.”  

“They’ve probably been wiped out if it was a long time ago.”  

“Give or take a few decades, so… Yeah. But hey, they can’t be the only desert undead ship.” 

“That might be too much for Erin.” Sekh raised a good point. “I refuse to put her in danger.”  

“True enough. We can put that idea in the ‘maybe we can do this in the future’ list. Hmm…You have the guild. Haha! Erin’s stronger than you in the guild's eyes. You too, Master.”  

“We didn’t spend much time there, did we?” Sekh asked me. “Nothing really came from it.”  

“Might be time to make something come from it,” I replied. “It could be fun. I think it’s worth considering.”  

“I agree! Guess that means you’re the newest member of Pawsome Fables.”  

“Ah, the group you started with Erin?”  

“Can’t forget about Chax and Ginnie, either.”  

“I was surprised when I learned about them from Surtr’s summary. Didn’t think we’d meet again so soon, but I’m happy they’re doing well.”  

“Me too. They’re good people, y’know?” Tilde stole another strawberry. “Erin likes them a lot, too. Besides, they’re a cute couple. It’s totes fun to give them a little teasing.”  

“It won’t be long until you see them, Sekh.”  

“Umm… Do you think they’ll be my friend?” Yew innocently asked.   

“Definitely. You’re already an honorary member of the group. You can go questing with us once you’re a little stronger.”  

“Really?!” Yew looked at Tilde with sparkling eyes.   

“Totally. Pawsome Fables is an all-inclusive group. We do not discriminate.” Tilde puffed her chest with pride. “That’s a Tilde Guarantee with a lifetime warranty of a Tilde Promise.”  

“Tilde Guarantee, huh? Can you offer a Tilde Promise to stop stealing my food?”  

“It’s not my fault you’re spending more time writing and not eating,” said the fairy after swallowing a strawberry. Seriously, the fruit seemed endless. “Anyone worth her pride can do both. Get it? Pride? Lion? Hehe!”   

“Yes. Yes. Ha. Ha.” Sekh’s sarcastic tone and smile accented Yew’s chuckle at the joke.   

“Anyway, I’m sure you have a few good ideas. Let them stew around your head, okay? Once we reunite with Ichiha and the others, you can talk to Erin to finalize the plan. I’m sure she’s thought of stuff that skipped our minds. Although you can ask her right now through Longtooth.”  

“I could, but no. I want Erin to be surprised.” Sekh closed the journal. She stared at the blank cover before asking Tris to put it away.   

“Done for the evening?”  

“I am with that. I want to let my mind rest a little.”  

“Liar. I know your stomach’s rumbling. You just want to eat.”  

Sekh ignored Tilde’s playful annoyances to focus on dinner. Gradually, the piles of food shrank until she joined the Clean Plate Club.   

“It really was good,” said Sekh as she finished her tea.   

It’d be nice if she could eat with us next time, not after us.    

The atmosphere was lively—a different feeling from our first few days together—when the most pressing issue was living with an oni and her mother without revealing my chimerism.  

Suddenly, Sekh’s and Tris’s ears twitched. Mine did as well, which meant one thing.    

“Sera’s left her room,” said Tris. “She’ll arrive in twelve seconds.”   

Click!  

Sekh immediately equipped her helmet. Yew frowned, although she hid it well.   

I feel the same.   

Sera soon knocked and entered after I gave permission. “I hope I’m not interrupting. Oh, I see you’ve eaten. That’s good. I was worried you’d skip dinner again.”  

“I didn’t intend to worry you.”  

“Pay it no mind, Sekh.” Sera sat beside me and thanked Tris for the glass of tea. Her eyes locked into the bundle of green sitting in front of us.  “Are you two ready?”  

“We didn’t do much,” replied Yew. “I just wanted to see what songleaf felt like.”  

“Does it feel… What’s the word…” Sera pulled up a chair. “Retrospective?”  

“I don’t know if it’s that. Holding it makes me feel warm.”  

“That’s a good feeling. My sister once told me the quality of your flute depends on your emotional connection to the material. She took it to the extreme, though. Bathing? Eating? Sleeping? Susize did it all.” I retrieved the flute. Sera gently grasped it like the national treasure it was upon asking permission. “I cannot say she was wrong, though. A thousand years have passed, and it still looks brand-new.”  

Although she looked at the instrument, I knew she saw anything but. Untold memories historians would’ve done anything to get their hands on flashed through her mind.   

Mine as well. It was less a memory and more of a perfect recreation of a world Sera used to desire to return to. She knew focusing on the past wasn’t how to move forward—that…was a flaw—no, not a flaw. I wouldn’t call it a weakness, either. It was something else—the point was that Sera now looked to what was awaiting her rather than what had already passed. She might falter—she might even grow weak and momentarily wish to re-experience those better days when the weight of the present became too much.  

No one could blame her.    

“I’m excited to learn.”  

“Great!” Sera jovially returned the flute. “Tris? What about you? Sekh? Tilde?”   

“Thank you, but I’m content with watching. Besides, there’s another matter we must discuss.” Tilde and Sekh echoed Tris’s sentiment.    

“The meeting?” Tris nodded. “I’ve thought about it, but I’m curious to hear your take on what we should do.”  

“I believe there is an optimal flow of discussion to be found,” said Tris as Sera began her lesson. We had ample stock of songleaf to work, so it didn’t matter if we made mistakes. Besides, we could always get more at the shop. Sera did say the quality couldn’t compare to the stuff found in Vredi Forest. Then again, almost nothing could.   

It was that legendary.    

“The optimal flow is determined by many factors. The most pressing is how much time we spend on one topic before moving to the next. We must always remain in control. Likewise, the length of Gloria’s response is another variable. It is…” Tris went silent. “It is…paramount to keep her guessing. Not by rudely interrupting but by asking questions we know she cannot satisfactorily answer. Every stammer or stutter becomes a strike against her.”  

“I see… That’s your angle? Yew, tie the knot like this. See this loop? Hook it around your little finger. Yes! Just like that.”  

“You’re not surprised?”  

“I’m more impressed than surprised to see you go this far. You said you obtained the [Beacon of Wisdom] title, and now I see it is not for show even if I’ve never heard of it before. You embody it—through and through. That’s why I’ll defer this to yours and Mila’s judgment.”  

“Eh?” Tris blankly blinked. “Are you sure? Don’t you want to take the lead? You knew Lord Aetos in his prime, Sera, so I thought you’d have done much of the talking.”   

“I agree with her,” I replied, still stunned. “Are you fine with that? I care for the village and Lord Aetos, yet this should resonate far more with you than me since you have known him since the beginning. I don’t have the same kinship as you do.”  

“It does. I’m partially afraid I won’t be able to hold my tongue. Besides, I wouldn’t have said that if I had reservations about your capabilities. Tris, you’re putting an unimaginable amount of thought into every little detail. Call it curiosity, I suppose.”  

Tris and I shared a look. “Your trust won’t be misplaced, sister. Thank you.”  

From there, the conversation turned more serious. Tris stepped up to her role and determined who should be present. It was, perhaps, clear in hindsight since we landed on myself, Sera, Tris, Yew, and Sekh. I wanted Tilde to be there. Yet my maid thought otherwise.   

“You need someone to watch the others,” she said, hinting at Team Quella. “Gloria’s certain to have her Soul Warriors present. I don’t think they’ll be in the meeting room, but if there’s a waiting room? Maybe something like a ballroom with food and drinks? Then yeah, they’d be there. We don’t know their personalities. They might be screwed up in the head like Noelia. Maybe they’re actually decent. Anyway... The chance is small, but what if they try to start a fight for no good reason? Me—your personal maid—being ‘in the line of fire’ would be a deterrent. They’d think twice before starting something stupid.”  

“That’s devious. I like it a lot.”  

“Mmnn… Glad you picked up on it, Sera.  Basically, it puts Gloria in another shitty situation. Just think how badly a mistake by them will reflect on her. It’ll add more stress. So, it’s a win-win, yeah?  

“Okay. Fine. You make a good point. Now, what about Niva?”  

“Niva…is what I like to call a wildcard, Master. In essence, she’s a dead woman walking. It’s not up to you, though. Niva’s the one who determines if she wants to show her face.”  

“I know. I won’t force anything.”  

“Her unconfirmed appearance aside, I’m currently running simulations,” announced Tris. She relaxed in her chair before crossing her legs. “There’s an optimal path to be excavated. Everything must be precise to the last second.”  

The next topic determined just that—the topics we’d bring up. Gloria would likely begin the meeting by asking about us—that was almost certain. The real question was how to branch from that? Jumping into the meat and potatoes too soon could harm our position. So, the logical thing was to extend any amicable conversation a few minutes longer—maybe add another pleasant talking point or two before slowly transitioning to the root cause of why we were here.    

Tris vowed to find that golden path. 

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!