I woke up well-rested physically, but still mentally exhausted. Effect of mana fever perished when I was sleeping, still, the burden at the back of my head remained, not letting me forget even for a second. Even though my body beamed with energy, I lacked any motivation to move at all. Simply, the bed was so soft that it was almost sucking me in, and Giselle felt way too warm and the world outside of the window looked far too cold to boost my desire to do things.

Maybe one day break won’t be so bad after all?

My memories flashed inside my head. Amelia Scarlet overpowering me with few moves, ancient insect priestess beating the shit out of me, Kim dying after a touch of a white flame. Oh, and Sebastian appearing in this world unsummoned breaking rules of hell just to warn me.

I had to get up.

I gave Giselle one more tight hug. After that, I wanted to get up and to "ze tings", still, I was slightly delayed by dragoness slightly tightening her embrace.

“Morning, sleepy-head, are you finally awake?”

Usually, I was the one who kept waking up first and welcoming her with a similar sentence.

“What’s the time? How long are you awake? I can’t be wasting time on lazing around!” “I don’t know what’s the time, but I didn’t have much sleep at all.” “Why is that so?” “Um… You were just too adorable and I wasted my night looking at your face.” She was bad at lying. Her whole mimic told me she was making things up on the spot, in an extremely clumsy way.

She was most likely watching over me.

“Thank you, Giselle.” “For what? For watching your drooling, sleeping face? Anytime, love!”

Her skin, even though hardened by training and battles, was still surprisingly soft. How much I would give for some more time. The time I could waste just sitting here basking in heat of her body.

I got up, washed my face and dressed up. I had so many matters to take care of that I didn’t know which one I should start with. Finding workers to make a plan for a company? Making potions? Take care of a few more quests or maybe investigate the people that were responsible for the slave-traffic in Neira. Or I could just train a little. Meditate, control the essence, grow a few more cores?

I had no doubt that I would get that land from Arthur, he was bitchy, but honest and as far as I heard he likes to reward people that were doing him a favor. Ha, look at Blackwood. The old man used to be a commoner, mere sergeant in the army – that was the highest one could get in the military with no connections or noble blood. He served well, even saved the king’s life on the battlefield. That was quite a story.

They won a battle – enemy scattered running to the forest, Arthur called, oh the irony – the Wise, decided to chase enemies and reduce their number as they were fleeing. THAT was a good part of the plan. In the end, scattered forces once they would reach the forest would either once again form a squad that could join the army and fight in other battles, or – what’s worse, they could become marauders or bandits attacking nearest villages.

The thing is, that Arthur didn’t quite stop when the enemy reached the forest. Enemies were infantry and the people he was leading were all cavalry - the heavy one. What you most likely do know about cavalry is that you try not making them charge into a dense forest. Because, you know, your mobility sucks, and if the enemy would pounce at you from few directions you were a goner.

But, back then still young Arthur, thirsted for blood and glory. He wanted his enemies to fear him, and annihilating the enemy army, or at least every enemy he had in range of sight, would give him a good “bad name” in the neighborhood countries, the one which makes you think twice before attacking or even then lowering spirits of the soldiers.

But, he was ambushed – the army prepared a small line of defending archer which was supposed to protect retreat of its forces if the situation would turn bad. But, seeing enemy king himself charging with just a small group of his elite knights they didn’t shoot right away, they waited till he entered the bushes, passed their hidden positions and shoot at his back. Only then, the running army turned back and attack the king from the front.

And so was the king trapped. With infantry from the front, archers on the backs. In a thick forest. It was carnage. His most elite men, even though they were fighting the best they could keep on falling because of – their king’s stupidity. It was but a matter of time till his forces would be eradicated and he himself either taken into custody or killed on spot.

Blackwood, back then not even carrying his family name at that time, seeing that his king is a fucking moron and would most likely get himself in trouble decided to go after him to help him, just in case. But, he was just a sergeant, the people he had were not numerous and were lacked equipment and horses.

So, he went to one of the captains leading light cavalry and demanded him to go help his king. Of course, he hasn't listened. So our wanna-be-hero punched the Capitan and took a banner before riding after him.

Now, the most sacred law of every soldier on the battlefield – protect and follow your banner. The situation was tricky, their Capitan was lying with a swollen face in the dirt, and someone who took a banner was riding after the king.

Light knights decided to follow Blackwood in order to honor their duty. Also because the “banner thief” would be killed at the end of the day for war crimes (attacking higher in rank, taking command of the squad he was not supposed to and such) – it cost them nothing, just a few minutes of ride.

Blackwood and his “stolen troops” arrives just in time. They attacked archers from behind, massacring them and then managed to aid the king in his battle with infantry. From 50 king’s guards only around ten remained, heavily outnumbered. They managed to get off their horses, but the situation wasn’t going well for them.

This is when “thief’s” brilliance shined. He was great with his sword, but even better with commanding his people. The way he ordered around, the way the kept on adjusting the position and all of this while maintaining cold blood facing the enemy on his territory! With help of sixty people in total (fifty following the banner and mentioned ten following the king) he not only protected himself but even pushed back the attacker which got aided by his allies – two hundred in total.

They were fighting for three hours, with the rest of the army not even being aware of what was going on in the forest about four kilometers from them. Only when they came back they learned what happened.

About thirty people returned painted in red and black because of blood and mud. The Capitan which demanded “thief” being executed was punched again, this time by the king himself.

For not only saving the king’s life but also willing to risk his own while doing what he deemed as rightful he was promoted to the rank of a noble. And because he came out from the forest, covered in so much dirt, that you could barely recognize him as a human being, he was given the name of a Blackwood.

Well, maybe I didn’t save his life, but for about three years my action have been constantly strengthening his position and right now I managed to prevent quite a crisis. I was more than sure that Arthur would give me almost everything I asked for, pouting little while doing so, but only so I wouldn’t get too accustomed to being rewarded.

Not that I wanted to be rewarded by him either way. To get something means being bound to him with this possession. Later, he could try making me a noble and that would mean becoming his “servant”. And that means politics. And as much as I can allow myself for that - I chose to stay as far as possible from this filthy business.

We both sensed our resistances toward being abused by the other one, so we try keeping our relation informal. This was a win-win situation. And because of that Arthur knew that I wasn’t asking that just for a self-gain, but because it was the best solution for that particular situation.

I massaged my temple.

That’s decided. I will try contacting someone from the merchant guild later on. Ha, maybe I will even ask Rosewood for some architects' suggestions…. No, that’s a bad idea. I want a functional building. No ornaments, no needless stuff, no golden toilets. I should aim to make a deal with some medium-level builders. But that’s the matter for later.

Damn, I have to write it down somewhere so I won’t lose track of myself!

I picked a piece of paper from a drawer together with quill and inkwell, then I started writing my action-plan.

“Whacha doin’?!” Gis popped her head over my shoulder “My day plan. I have quite a few matters to cover and I don’t want to forget any of them, also, it helps me to use my day more effectively. For example, if some asshole would want to waste my time, by inviting me for dinner or other useless stuff, I can just wave this piece of paper in front of his eyes saying that my schedule is rather cramped and I can’t meet with him today. You can also call it a to-do list.” “Weird. Why is my name on the bottom of it?” “Which part of list don’t you get?”

My brows started to quickly go up and down.

She snorted and rolled her eyes.

“Zariel, you are a merchant demi-god that could rule half of this country from the shadow if you wanted to. Stop being such a huge embarrassment.” “Huge embarrassment?! Do you know what else will be huge toni…” “There there…” she patted my head “… you are acting like a moron again, too much stress?” “… You know me too well, don’t you?” “I do, I also try to be understanding, but the urge to punch you is slowly rising in my guts, so I will just take my leave.” "Something is also rising in me, but it's not in the gu..." "Goodbye Zari, Have a nice day."

She started heading toward the door.

“Gis?” “What is it?” “Thank you. I love you.” “Of course you do, silly, I am me. And everyone loves me.” That cocky assholish smile on her face.

Why is it so beautiful?

The door behind her closed and I face my table. Everything I needed was there. Few sets of glass vessels of different sizes, magical fire rune for heating everything that would be placed on it and rows of dried herbs. I took a knife and a mortar.

Then, the “mad scientist” title took effect and my mind went adrift.

There were no longer herbs and tools in front of me, but colors and shapes dancing between the starts. Each having life of its own, each having a purpose and destiny to follow. I no longer had just a knife or mortar in hands, but huge blacksmith’s hammer, the table was gone replaced with an anvil.

And here I was, as a blacksmith between stars forging fates of countless beings. Each vial, whatever it was filled with, was a thread of fate I forced into a canvas of existence. Each was a wave, steam, which forced a river of life to turn around and go different branches.

Were the vials filled with healing meds? Or was it a potion? It didn’t matter. Not during creation. Each of them was but a flash of fate. Sealed doom. At the bottom of each vial, I poured a liquefied universe.

Will it save someone’s life? Will it end it? It doesn’t matter. When an artist performs on the stages, he cares not about his critics, not when the show is going on. He dances. He sings. He makes the world spin atop of his hands until the curtain falls. And so the gods danced in flames bending to my will each time I shut the lid of the glass vessel.

I was not MAKING potions. I was performing the sacred art of creation. And each time I saw or heard about my mixtures working, it would awake something deep inside of me.

Only those who create can understand the ecstasy of making something out of nothing. Of creating a world of their own.

Truly, the power of gods.

I ceased the flames. In front of me, a row of twenty finished vials was standing in wooden stalls, ready to be packed, used or whatever.

I felt hungry, exhausted and deeply satisfied. The sun was already high on the sky, around noon it is. As always, I lost the feeling of time flow.

I dropped on the chair and slowly inspected the bottles.

Strong Potion of Health Regeneration

A potion made by [Mad Scientist Zariel]. A piece of art in the world of alchemy.

Start working immediately after drinking.

Effect:

Duration: [3h00m00s]

Max: [HP]+50

Health Regen: +10HP/MIN + [10% of base HP Regen]

Can Cure: [Bleeding] / [Weak-Medium]

Can Reduce effect of: [Bleeding] / [High-Critical]

Can Cure: [Paralyze] / [Low-Medium]

Can Reduce effect of ....

I skipped the rest of the message.

Nice. Far from perfection, but will do.

Medium Quality Potion of Dexterity

A potion made by [Mad Scientist Zariel]. A piece of art in the world of alchemy.

Start working immediately after drinking.

Effect:

DEX: + 10

RFX: + 5

This one has a long way to go. I either want to make potions which would turn soldiers into a superhuman, or that would grant stats permanently.

Now, let’s see the other notifications, how’s my progress?

You have finished [Digesting creature ???]

Ah, I forgot about this one! Let’s take a closer look into change-log..

[Diggesting failed] [???] Creature is part of [User] - self-cannibalism prohibited Differences between [???] and [User] detected Resuming [Adaptation] [Spider-kin] DNA detected - [Adapting] [Bee-kin] DNA detected - [Adapting] [Human-kin] DNA detected - [Adapting] [Greenskin-kin] DNA detected - [Adapting] ...

The wall of text followed and followed, apparently I was adapting everything that Kim ever swallowed, and there were more than thousands of creatures, dozens of species! But what shocked me was:

[Chmiera Cellestiale-kin] DNA detected - [Adapting] CRITICAL ERROR!!! CRITICAL ERROR!!! CRITICAL ERROR!!! CRITICAL ERROR!!! CRITICAL ERROR!!! Can't adopt! Self-cannibalism detected! Can't adopt! Self-cannibalism detected! Can't adopt! Differences detected. Environmental changes detected. Metal changes detected. Structure erosion detected Adapting Changes. Adapting Changes. Adapting Changes. Adapting Changes. Adapting Changes. CRITICAL ERR... CRIT-ER-C.E? Cr174L [email protected] Er47-01* & Adapting failceeded? Organism [???] genetically equal to [User] - can't adopt Organism [???] structurally different to [User] - can adopt Successfully adopted [Chimera Cellesitale-kin] DNA - [Adopting] Success Separating skill-sets. Adapting. Reorganizing. Increasing rank of [Devourer] passive skill in process

[Two souls one body] skill granted

[One soul two bodies] skill granted

[Replication] skill granted

[Bestow] skill granted

[Drone] skill granted

[Dopplenganger] skill granted

Do you wish to achieve [God-hood]? [Yes] [Yes!] [Yessss] [YES] WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

External Interference Detected

External Interference Recognized as [4LL F4T83R]

Breaking the [Universe Law]

Paradox in process.

Emergency protocol access shut down.

Paradox stopped.

[User] safety secured

The previous message no longer valid.

Ignore.

… my plans for today could change a little. Only slightly. Or it other words – completely.