Helllo everybody! I have one wonderful info to share! Hm? Do you already know what it is? Lemme give you a hint! It’s connected with the date…

: “Easter event!”

- “I love you, random citizen! But unfortunately not. I was indeed thinking about some side event, but in the end I rejected it, for we have already strayed from main story bit too much… still, because we have holidays we have days off, and because we have days off it means I can focus bit more on story! So you can expect bit more chaps in next week than usually (no, I will not force myself into some sick 3chaps day marathon – simply lately I was releasing 2 chaps per week, now I will at least double that quantity)… that’s all. Now pardon me – I have some chaps to write”

“You have no idea how much it means for me! A living specimen! Do you know how often one of your kind appears? Once per era! A… and that would made you even a greater freak… for previous one lived about eight-nine hundred years ago, nothing more remains from him but bones… But soon…soon…”

Chills ran down my spine

“About the hydras…” “Not now! I am fat too excited to focus my mind on anything but you! I just want to know how…”

He kept talking and talking, I didn’t even notice when we entered the academy. Students in coats were moving past us gazing on me curiously. Is it because of ears? I thought so…

“… for sake of goddesses… ol’ Kleir is smiling… and he is not yelling at that guy…” “It almost looks like he want to impress him…” “No. No mere mortal can have such an impact on that asshole…” “That asshole is best specialist in his branch. You want to become alchemist and he cataloged alchemic ingredients harvested from monster than all specialist in last century combined… Oh, by the way, did you managed to finish your homework for…”

So… Mr. Kleir is harsh teacher. Asshole, but brilliant asshole. I could never tell. Around me he was always so polite and sophisticated. Apparently he treated me specially… Wait. Does he sees me only as research material that would push his labors even further? Don’t objectify me!

“If you would allow me to guide you bit deeper, I am afraid that most of my equipment is in dungeons bellow the academy. I must beg your pardon for this inconvenient but as most of creatures I am examining are less eager to let us study them… it is enough to say that they react violently…”

So… man who wants to examine me is leading me into a dungeon… It just gets better and better! No, honestly. I just hope that he won’t show me his “play room”… or at least that whips would not be involved!

Lower floors of university were divided into sections. There was a huge part where plant shade-loving plant for science purposes grew, the part where battle class were taking place… and section were only Kleir and his workers could enter. And that part looked exactly like prison, the only difference was that inside of cell rooms no prisoners were located, but beasts and monsters. Few of them as soon as they saw Kleir raised from the ground and began charging at bars trying to tear us apart, few ran into the other corners.

“Your pets loves you..” I chuckled trying to silence my own anxiety “All depend on specimen. I am trying to teach them, then when they behave better they shall be treated better. Plus not every room looks like those! You think I am some kind of savage!? No, mr. Zariel. Plus beasts here rarely are getting hurt… badly… usually as soon as examination is over we are freeing creatures. Well, indeed, sometimes we have to cut specimen into pieces, but that because science can not develop without sacrifice of blood… There is even one weird creature I haven’t classified yet. Fully intelligent and self aware. It can even talks… The point is, that we had a deal, it will stay here, in guest room, allowing us to examine it, and we will take good care of it and give it a gift as farewell… the problem is… THAT THIS BASTARD DOES NOT WANT TO LEAVE! Pardon me… so yes, we are releasing creatures…” “All of them? Just like that?” “If they are not longer necessary, then yes. We are putting them to sleep and then using teleportation altar we are sending them were we abduct… took them from. And yes all of th… No wait. There is one bastard I am not going to free anytime soon. Not that I have any business left with him, he simply earn that. Bastard. Ate two of my workers despite being chained and drugged. Another intelligent specimen. Looks upon human as nothing more than food. He was deeply offended when we took him here… Well, manticores aren’t especially friendly to anyone… But that not concerns of yours! Follow me, follow me! Almost there…”

We entered yet another cabinet.

“Now, would you mind if I would take bit of your blood? Syringe should be laying somewhere here… ah-a! Bit in human form and another dose in morphed form… shame that I can’t take as much blood as I really need, yeah, one - the process would kill him, two – it still would not be enough…”

He really made me sweat. Up until now I thought I have no limitation when it comes to number of morphing. I mean I could morph as much as I wanted, but it was a really weird feeling…

“Interesting. Morphing takes up to few seconds… fastest take a second, yet no longer process than 8,3 second was noted. Same process took bit longer after time passed, fatigue? Maybe. Test objected complained [Stiffing of the body] after half of an hour of constant morphing… Mr. Zariel, I think that the only reason why you feel strange after this session is that you are simply not used to it. I beg your pardon if that could offend you, but apparently you are a type that does not force yourself when situation is unnecessary. You never really measured your own powers. If you would repeat those sessions on daily basis I am pretty sure you would get used to this feeling… Now, could you please tell me… do you know how do you trigger morphing, do you have control over this? Enzymes or…” “It is completely natural. I am barely thinking about this. Same way as you move your hands… But…” “Yes?!” “I remember the time when I was bitten by snake. It’s venom paralyzed me and my mana veins. Disturbed flow of mana triggered unwanted and uncontrollable shifting process. I was changing again and again…” “May I ask how did you survive?” “Lamias…” “Another intelligent species. Yes, that solve the mystery. And… would that be a problem I would ask about your… cores?” “What is wrong with them?” “…Ah, I see. You were not raised in any culture so you are lacking same reactions that normally would appear. I have to inform you, that there are pretty few species that grows them. Usually one, rarely two, extremely rare three, and those are elite of elites or legendary rare kin. And questions about cores are treated same way, as if you would come to maiden from royalty and ask her about her underwear in public. It wouldn’t end with slap in the cheek. You would be challenged by someone to duel till death… there is always an idiot that would fight for honor of pure maiden… You can’t have those conversation to no one but your mentor that guides you in developing of the core and loved one… But after seeing that you have no such problems…” “Ask whatever you want…” “Location?” “You… don’t want to cut them out, do you?” “No! Different races have different locations! Few grow them in brain, few in heart, few in liver so…” “All of those. Plus three are ingrown in spine, on in stomach and kidney. But yes. Most in heart and brain.” “H…how many in brain?” “Seven.” “What does these store…”

Sins. Sins are the only cores that are located in my brain. Up until now I didn’t pay attention to it.

“I would rather not answer that.”

Old teacher raised his head from his notes

“Yet I would still try getting this information. I think… that because of this question you realized something. Please. You have to understand! You are unique! Every piece of information is more precious than silver and gold…” “My alter egos.” “I beg your pardon?” “Did I stutter?”

Professor became really confused.

“No, it’s just… I don’t…”

~ Caaareful. Are you sure you want to tell him everything?

“Voices in my head. My other personalities, made partly of me and partly of beast’s instincts. Personalized desires. They saved me when I was really lonely. I am crazy only thanks to them… wait. I just noticed. I am a person that hears voices and tried to convince you that is not crazy… Heh.”

~ Aaaand you told him everything.

He is useful. Best in what he does. I may require his help in the future. Plus what can he do with information about voices in my head?!

“Fascinating! This is completely new level of adaptation! You can not only change your body, but also the way you view things! You may abandon your scruple! Do they… ask you to do things considered evil?”

~…

~…

~…

~ THAT’S TOTALLY US! HAHA! I love this guy

~Maybe… we should eliminate him?

~ If yes, then not now. Better wait some time and make it look like accident. No one would suspect us, in the end we helped him with research. Then part of his note would disappear, part about us. No one would even noticed lack of page or two among this small library…

“Six of them are already making plans of killing you without taking blame.”

~ FOOL!!

“Interesting… They recognize the threat. Ha! Preferring to stay in the shadows. But yes. Very primitive way of thinking. Solving everything with violence. Yes, they are probably great help in harsh environment… I really appreciate you sharing those information. I am not going to make those information public. Only specialist of same branch will be allowed to study this, at least that much I can do to thank you for your honesty. But may I ask you, why YOU decided to tell those things…” “You are a good man Kleir…” “But apparently you think that I am an idiot…” he rolled his eyes “And if you would not disturb me, then I would add, that you are a good man AND friend of woman that was like mother to me.” “AH, old good Hanna. She was pain in the ass for over fifty years of our acquaintance. But if those suffering are being paid off like that… worth it!” “And… I could really use your help in the future… oh, I am not going to ask you about every ghoul… but such hydra…”

Old man chuckled

“I see what you did here! Fine. Examination over… but if you would ever want to help our research, you are free to come! So, hydras. Royal class chimera. Sizes varies on species. From Hydra vulgaris to… Royal Hydra… No! I wasn’t then one who named it like that! And honestly? If that guy would still be living I would cut his balls off and shove them down his throat! Calling Royal-rank a Royal Hydra! Uh… to the point. They may be two meters tall and three long – in case of vulgaris. Up to 10 meters 20 long in case of royal. Number of head also varies. Usually three – vulgaris, up to nine – royal. But again, various mutation may occur. There are known individuals with thirteen, seventeen and twenty seven heads…. Yet, these were only known specimens, so they are not treated like new kinds, instead these were named individuals. What is common in all hydras – regeneration ability and extremely powerful venom. They will grow new head as long as they are not exhausted… and exhausting them is something more than just a challenge. Yet, they won’t regenerate if you would cut all their heads off in same time… Usually.” “Usually?” “Their regeneration is no joke. Ah. Magic. Yes, they are capable. Usually one spell… per head. Living in places with high density of mana. If you would like to fight with them… because you want to fight with it, I guess?...” I nodded “… try getting it out from his living area, forest… swamps… AND DON’T FIGHT IN THEIR LAIR! Not! Simply not! Sneaky attack won’t work. Many heads and each looks in different direction… teamwork is recommended. Try making jerked wounds – those are harder to heal. And for god sake! Antidotes will give you nothing! Venom spreads too fast. After being bitten it would be over you die within two minutes, you would be goner before potion would work. But… there is a very special medicine. You drink it half of an hour before the fight and for next two hours you are immune… But then you will vomit like hell and shit with blood for a day. Small price for staying alive.” “You… by any chance, don’t know the recipe?” “I have pass to all sections of library. Come with me. I will get it right away. We will continue our conversation on the way there.”

And we walked. He kept talking and talking. Differences between those living in swamps, forests and by lakes. Strategy, patterns on movements. He kept talking and talking till we got to the library. Again.

“They lay eggs very rarely. Sometimes even once in life time, so if in their lair would be eggs, they will fight till death. Great sense of smell. And very, very vindictive…. And now, as you can’t walk any further, please wait for me here…”

And he vanished in guarded section of library. He came back after half an hour.

“Sorry for making you to wait for me… But first I had to find the book and then memorized the formula… normally I would just wrote it on paper… but lack of eyes would make it hard to read. I hope you have good memory…” “To potions? Alchemy is for me same thing that examining races for you. Not even kidding. In a week I could send you back improved version.”

I smiled. Not only because I was step closer to getting my eyes back. NEW POTION! NEW RECEIP TO MY COLLECTION! EVEN MORE! From guarded private collection of alchemist guild!

I said my farewells with old professor and started walking back to the guild. Stroll once again was more than peaceful… until I reached the guild. It was loud. Even more than usually.

“Something wrong?” I asked from the doorway “We have new freshman!” Marika yelled “Come on! Just look at her! She is adorable!” “I thought that old Jericho doesn’t like recruiting fresh meat…” “She will melt your heart!” “Ok, let’s see her.”

The inn section was crowded, as always, but crowd was focused mostly around one table, not like always.

“Just wait till you meet Za… Oh, speaking about the devil! Zari! Come here!” I heard Jericho calling “That our newest addition to the family! You will show her around.” “You are asking blind man to do what?” I snickered “Plus I don’t really like the idea of being babysitter.” “Ha. Almost sounded as if you thought that your opinion is taken into consideration! Come on girl. Present yourself to your colleague.” “Um… N..nice to meet you! My name is Rus… it’s short for… Rus…”Young. Very young. Is she even 15? “Not too young for adventuring? It may be bit harsh for a lady…” Of course I was disturbed my Gisele. “Ha? Say what? I can beat all of men here! Expect master Jericho, of course… I will tell even more…” “Gisele! For gods sake! You are not a woman! You are a monster! Trained by monster since you were five!” it was my time to disturbed her “And I am not asking because I am an asshole… I am an asshole but it’s not the reason! What you did before joining guild?” “I… I studied in Magic University… but… my family is… in bad financial situation… My… main affinities are nature, mostly focused on fire… and I can cast a spell or two from chaos domain so…” “No.” I disturbed her “No and no!” “But Zari…” Gisele tried to say something. “NO! Babysitting is one thing, I could show her around, tell her how things looks like around here, but I am NOT going to teach her! No!” “You don’t have to!” “N.. oh.” “Indeed. [Oh]. Next time ask before you would start yelling!... and now, maybe you would present yourself to your younger friend?” “Zari. Short for Zariel.” “O..Ok, mr. Zariel..” “No. Just Zari. My full name sounds like curse, or name of some disease. Plus if someone would ambush me from behind, I would be dead before you would even call my name.” “A…as you wish, sir… I… I really look forward to work with you! I heard so many good thi… mghh!” someone covered her mouth “No. I am interested in what she was about to say” “If I may…” Rus continued “I know that I will have to work for long, long time to raise in hierarchy. Yet… you are climbing like mad. In the end reaching C rank in less than two months..”

I raised my eyebrow..

“Which rank? Tell me again, something I missed?” “Fuck. He found out.”

Rus looked around

“I… wasn’t supposed to tell about it?” “Yeah. Now that brat will get even more cocky” Loki said from the crowd. “So, Rus, you will start with some basic herb gathering, and…” “About herb gathering” I couldn’t not use this opportunity “I need few herbs. If that’s the case I could really use Rus’s help…” “You will pay her, of course?” Jericho asked harshly “Depends. I wanted to make a medicine for next quest. The one we were talking about. Will rest of team pay me for it? Of course you do know, that potion’s price is about price of herb multiplied twenty times?” “…” “So I wonder, will I?” “Y…y…you are an alchemist!” Rus yelled “A real one! I… I really look forward to work with you!”

Tsh. Such a pain in the ass. If I had eyes, I would roll them right now.

“Whatever! Master Jeremy, tomorrow at the morning I will give a quest for very specific herbs. Till then, pardon me. I am exhausted.”

I took plate with dinner and walked on floor.

Rus POV

“Don’t mind him.” Gisele said to me “He is actually nice guy! Really nice! He cares about others and helps whenever he can. He must have harsh day… plus he was not always blind. All those things combined must have influenced him.” “N…No! It was really nothing! I… I was a burden for everyone since I remember. I always kept messing things, I am clumsy and annoying… Ha, my talent to magic is not great, I think that I was send to academy because my parent got tired of me… But I am not going to stay weak forever! I… I will do my best to get stronger!” “ATTA GIRL!” Gisele hit me in my backs. Because of that I fell under table “SORRY! DAMN! I DID IT AGAIN! ARE YOU ALL RIGHT!”

I only managed to raise a thumb from below of the table. That made everyone laugh.

“Up you go, kid. One, two…” mister Jericho helped me to get up. Everyone here is so nice to me… yes, only mister Zariel was bit cold. Still, everyone speaks very highly of him.

I recalled what they told me about him.

“We will ask Zari to guide your for first couple of days. That kid, is a monster. He climbs in hierarchy as fast as Gisele. That man can do everything! Magic, close combat with and without weapon, ranged combat, tracking, camping… He even slain a dragon!”

Amazing, right? I was really looking forward to see him.

And when I did… I was afraid. His skin was pale, eyes were covered with some fabric and his ears were huge. And then he told that he can create a potions! Alchemy! I was in academy only for a year, but if I learn something, is that alchemy is most desirable branch! You could pick lessons of alchemy at 3rd year, but there was a restriction. Only top 10 students could attend those classes.

“Teacher…” I heard Gisele talking to old man in whisper “I want to spar with Zari. Could you arrange that? And I mean real spar. With all he got. All. I won’t mind him morphing. Bah! I would be offended if he wouldn’t!” “He will do everything do avoid it… but I can call him for training to the spar room… and then you would already wait there. I could tell him that if you are already there, then you can have a spar…” “Thanks!” Gisele cheered.

She wants him to morph… but what could that mean?

10 pages 3.6k words. just sayin'