A/N: Hey hey hey all! When I started this story, I never expected it to get as big as it is. It began as a little passion project, just a random thought I had that turned into this book. So far, I have gotten multiple offers for commissioning both art and even a comic, but I have to decline all such offers. I'm putting this here while I post this week's chapter early: Any offers for commissions, while much appreciated, will be denied for multiple reasons.
1- I sadly can't trust any offers that come from this site, as bots and scams are common even on much more policed sites like RR.
2- I myself am a digital artist, and if I want art I can and will draw it myself. Alternatively, I have a close-knit group of fellow artists that I can commission should I want to.
3- I am, quite simply, broke :,). I currently do not have a steady source of income, and I'm living off the generosity of a friend and intermittent paychecks for odd jobs while I search for a proper job.
Alright, and with that explanation out of the way for any new people trying to ask for commissions, I have a genuine question for all you lovely perverts and normal people alike: If I were to make a and post story art I occasionally draw in addition to allowing members to vote on certain important story details, would anyone actually join? It wouldn't be expensive, just a few dollars or so, and only one tier since I actually have no idea how often I can post stuff to it, but would it be worthwhile to do? This is not a way to beg for money or anything, this is just me asking if the effort to set one up at some point.
If you would like to answer, please vote in the poll at the end of the chapter. If nothing else, enjoy the chap :3
The library is what one would expect from a port city, having several massive shelves dedicated to oceanography and sailing. The true bounty was on a shelf just labeled ‘Schooling Material’.
It has several large tomes containing everything I need and then some, so I finally got the basics of this world, which I found out is named Atmaria. The Pantheon is indeed called the Overseers, though why I never quite find out. I’m what's called a Reborn, which are apparently not entirely unheard of, though definitely rare. Many other basics slot into place, filling in gaps in my admittedly spotty knowledge of otherwise common things.
I also take the time to search up what an Overflow potion is, and I nearly burst into laughter at the description listed in the alchemy textbook hidden on a back shelf.
Overflow Potion (Uncommon, Consumable): A potion used for enhancing intimate experiences. Grants near-limitless sexual stamina and triples ejaculation volume. Grants increased elasticity for all orifices and organs.
Lasts for 30 minutes.
Sounds like they were having fun.
After discreetly copying the recipe and making a note to buy the ingredients later, I shelve the book and continue to practice my runes and conjuration.
It doesn't take long before a third summoning skill is acquired, the unseen servant ritual I learned a while ago crystalizing into a skill. A faint chime brings my attention to my status as the three skills merge into a generalized summoning skill. What I had been working towards this entire time: Lesser Summoning.
Lesser Summoning (Active): Summon common creatures from other planes.
Currently Available: Sand Wight, Aetherhawk, Unseen Servant, Lesser Undead
The undead part surprised me a bit, but other than that it was as I expected. As I learn more rituals and summons, they will be added to the list of available ones until the skill evolves. Checking a nearby window tells me that it's starting to get late, so I return the books to their respective shelves and head back to the inn. Keira is sitting in the tavern portion, looking like she just woke up. She visibly brightens as I walk in, and waves me over to her table.
I call out an order for some stew as I sit down beside her, giving her ears a quick scratch and eliciting a rumbling purr. My tail curls around to its usual position beside me, and her own tail wraps around mine in a comforting gesture. We share a smile as our food is brought over, and eat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Of course, that doesn't last long before she speaks up.
“So… about last night…”
I raise an eyebrow, leaning over the table and waiting for her to continue. Keira fidgets with her claws for a long moment before resuming her nervous and obviously rehearsed speech.
“I-I know that I was the one to… to make advances last night, but I don't want you to feel like you have an obligation to stay here with m-me after… after…”
She seems to run out of steam for a second, so I take the chance to interrupt the awkward attempt to keep me from changing everything just for her.
“After I fucked you senseless?”
Keira sputters in shock at the sudden outburst, but I don't give her a chance to recover.
“Listen, Keira. We may have only known each other a couple days, and last night was incredible. But I want you to know this; it'll take a bit more than that to keep me from exploring the world. I want to visit every corner, find at least fortune if not fame, and maybe make some friends or more than friends along the way. I like you, and would absolutely love to get to know you better and travel with you, if that is what you want to do.”
Pausing in my own speech to gauge her reaction, she's staring at me in mute shock at my implied offer to travel together. Just in case she manages to convince herself that's not what I meant, I decide to just ask her directly.
“Would you like to travel with me, Keira? Of course, I'm going to be sticking around town for at least another week, so please give me an answer by then. No pressure either way, so please don't feel like you have to join me. This is entirely up to you.”
Keira stares at me in silence, seemingly stunned by the sincere offer I just presented to her. She doesn't answer immediately, which is good.
Means she's actually thinking about whether or not she wants to go with me. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥
We continue to eat our now-cold food, Keira staring off into the distance as she mechanically picks her way through her grilled perch. I finish up first, and move to stand before she grabs my wrist.
“M-Mai wanted to talk to you. She's up in our room right now.”
Nodding, I make my way upstairs and over to the fourth room where the pair are currently staying while Mai recovers her strength. Knocking, a soft voice calls me in, and I step inside with a low greeting.
“Hey, Keira said you wanted to talk?”
Mai sits up from the bed, closing the thick book she was reading and giving me her full attention. Now that she's clean and no longer skeletal, I can fully appreciate just how pretty she is. Long dirty blonde hair, tall but not towering, generously proportioned with fair skin. Of course, there's also the classic pointed ears, but surprisingly there's also a pair of stubby antlers growing from her temple. All in all, she's every weeb’s dream elf. She beckons me over, patting the bed beside her.
I sit dutifully, waiting for her to speak as she gathers her thoughts. A moment of silence passes before she finally speaks up, voice solemn and serious.
“Lady Siris, I thank you for all that you have done for both myself and my dear friend Keira. Words cannot properly express just how thankful I truly am.”
She bows her head to me.
“If there is anything within my power that I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to request it. I will endeavor to help you in any way that I can.”
Mai takes a deep breath before returning to her normal posture. Like a switch is flipped, she lights up with a genuine smile and chuckles softly.
“Now that the formalities are out of the way, allow me to thank you once again. You saved me from that horrible half-dead state I was kept in by those thugs, and saved my childhood friend from a fate far worse than death. Please, if you ever need potions or other herbal remedies do not hesitate to seek me out.”
That gives me pause for a moment.
“Wait, you're an alchemist?”
“Yes? Did Keira not tell you this?”
I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of what I'm hearing.
“Why in the hells were you out clearing a goblin den then?!”
She grins sheepishly, scratching the base of an antler.
“W-Well, I was supporting Keira by carrying our bags and some potions while she assassinated the goblins. But a hobgoblin was returning from a hunting trip and chased me into the den, where I tripped and it managed to get a cut on me before Keira got to it.”
Shaking her head, she chuckles a bit at the memory.
“Trust me, I never plan to go adventuring again! All I want is my herbs and workshop back.”
She continues chuckling, before breaking out into full–on laughter, and it doesn't take long for it to shift into hysterics. The laughing turns brittle, and a moment later Mai is weeping into my shoulder as I hold her gently. Over a year of bottled up torment and sadness pours out, and through it all I simply sit there with her, acting as little more than a giant plushie. We sit there, not saying a word until Mai finally calms down to the occasional sniffle.
“Are you alright now?”
I ask gently, receiving a slight nod in response. Carefully extricating myself from her embrace, I lean her back onto the bed. Mai slowly blinks reddened eyes, and falls asleep nearly the instant her head hits the pillow, her still weakened state unable to handle the stress. Standing and quietly leaving the room, the door closes with a soft click as I lean my forehead against the cool wood.
Another person traumatized by fuckers who have no right to ruin someone's life.
Turning abruptly, I return to the main room to find Keira gone, and the bartender waving me over with a note.
Gone to check on Mai’s store and house, will be back soon - K
Thanking the orcish gentleman and tossing him a silver, I leave the tavern for the third place I intend to visit for today.