Waking up to the sun shining through the window, I slowly stretch myself, letting my still sleeping limbs revitalize.

Opening my eyes, I can see the light thrown onto my bed, appearing like a soft beam. Yet, due to finally awakening, my tails also regained activity, throwing off the blanket at record speed.

Due to the sudden Chill running through my whole body, even though I don’t have problems with coldness, I raise my upper body, trying to grab my blanket once more. Yet, due to the power of my tails, the blanket completely flew off the bed. So after yawning once and once more stretching myself, I jump off the massive bed, landing on the cold ground with me feet.

Though unlike when I still was in the orphanage, I know it is cold, but I don’t feel it. Slightly staggering due to my still hazy sight, I pick up my house-shoes and put them on. I actually have no clue who came up with the idea to make my house-shoes appear like orange-black tigers, though I do have some suspicions. Especially since they were here instead of my previous ones a few days after I hung a picture of tigers I made onto the wall.

And I only know one person who loves to create stuff like that and regularly enters my room, and that would be Saria. Honestly, I am still unsure of how she managed to create these, yet by now I couldn’t care less. They are comfortable, so I stop this train of thoughts. Standing up again after putting them on, I pick up some traveling clothes and walk behind the changing wall, removing my pajama before putting on the new set of clothes.

They are made of solid leather, with a soft inlay to make them comfortable to wear and warm inside. The clothes are of a light brown color, to which I wear a normal pair of black pants, made of a wind-resistant fabric, just as Uncle Black suggested for the travel-time on the ship.

Finishing my preparation, I throw my pajama and blanket back onto the bed before leaving my room and walking down the hallway and stairs, making my way towards the ground floor washroom. I don’t feel like bathing, so after quickly washing my face with cold water, and letting my still hazy mind fully wake up, I try to grab one of the towels.

Sadly, there was no fresh towel yet, and the cabinet keeping them is too far up for me. So, thinking for a moment, I activate a tiny bit of wind-magic, and by infusing warmth into it, it dries my face and hands near immediately. Sadly, due to the speed of the wind, my long silver hair is completely messed up. So just as I want to grab the comb, I can hear a soft voice I know all too well behind me.

“Oh, so you were here Young Master. I was already wondering where you were when I came to your room to wake you up and no one was there.” (Saria)

Yes, it was the personal-maid assigned to me, Saria. Though, seeing her carry the pajama I left on the bed, I believe she probably was about to bring it to the washing-place deeper in the building.

However, the moment she saw me with my untamed hair and the comb in my hand, she dropped the pajama off in one of the corners of the room and walked over to me, sitting down on the chair while she placed me on her lap. Due to my light-weight it didn’t appear as though she had any problems doing so.

While I was still thinking about why I was suddenly on her lap, she only grabbed the comb in my hand before she begun to tidy my hair up. Combing through it carefully to keep me from feeling any pain, she slowly but surely unfurled my hair, making it more orderly while also removing all the annoying knots.

“I wonder, should I cut it?” (Arin)

Thinking loudly to myself, I watch as my hair already reached down and over my shoulder, bearing testimony to the long time I haven’t cut it. Yet, hearing my comment, Saria opens her mouth, talking to me as she continues to comb my hair.

“I don't think it is necessary to cut them young Master, they look good on you, they might just need some real hair-style.” (Saria)

Saying so, Saria gathered my hair at my back and tied it into a ponytail, while also using the comb to pull back my bangs and using some soap like liquid to fix them up a bit.

To my surprise, my hair didn't fall back anymore and stuck to its position. Being surprised by that, I turn my head to Saria with a questioning gaze. Yet, unlike expected, Saria only blushed slightly before she took a deep breath and begun talking.

“Young Master, those are solutions made by Sir Illois hundreds of years ago, they can fix hair into a position without negatively affecting someone health. I am surprised you didn’t know.” (Saria)

Slightly exaggerating her expression, she begun to explain. Listening to it, is it something like the hair-gel one of the older kids always used, especially when he went to go somewhere with that one girl?

Thinking about my past, some details I failed to recognize until now come to mind. Well, I don’t understand his reason for that yet, but I am sure that one day I will understand it.

Anyway, even though I thought that a ponytail was a purely girl-type hair-style, it oddly fits me. And now, with my bangs also being stuck back, and with the usual shiny silver color, I appear oddly elegant.

While I kept watching myself in the mirror as my ears kept twitching around, Saria suddenly hugged me from behind, holding me tightly while also repeating several words.

“Oh, you are so Cute, I don’t even know anymore!” (Saria)

She seemed very happy, as her face was red and a big smile decorated it. Anyway, after she kept hugging me closely for what I perceive to be a minute, she finally let go of me, seemingly having realized her behavior.

Clearing her throat, she picked me up under my arms and lifted me back onto the ground, before she stood up and walked towards the clothes she left in the corner. I am surprised at her sudden change in attitude, yet I don’t think too much into it. Honestly, I don’t mind it when people hug and pamper me, as long as I already know them well. Though, sometimes I also feel uncomfortable with stuff like that, so I refrain from letting anyone get close.

Anyway, shortly after Saria finished delivering the clothes down into the washing-chamber, She returns with a set of freshly washed clothes, seemingly dry already. They are adventurers clothes if I didn’t misjudge, as Clothes in that design were shown off in class not too long ago.

To my inquiry about why she had those clothes with her, she only said that she hadn’t prepared herself to leave yet. However, the moment I realized that already quite some time passed and the sun already rose completely over the horizon, I break into a run towards the kitchen. I hope I am not too late to eat breakfast together with the others.

Luckily, the girls were still busy preparing, so after I showed up, both me and Uncle Black begun eating a light breakfast only to be joined by the girls and Saria a few minutes later.

Sumi let her black hair fall loose down her head to her shoulder until her back, yet even without a specific hair-style, it looked incredible. After finally breaking my eyes away from her, I take a look at Anna and Alice, who have a bun and large braids respectively.

The three of them all wore similar clothing, with a dark-brown jacket and black traveler-pants.

The three smiled once they took a seat, and everyone commented on my hairstyle. Anna actually once more tried to capture my tail (it is a rule that I can only have one out when eating), yet due to me actually pulling it in and leaving it resting above my legs she was unsuccessful.

Anyway, after everyone finished eating and preparing, our whole group prepared to leave for the air-ship-port in order to board the Crystalliz. Leaving through the Mansions gate, Uncle Black suddenly picked me up and placed me on his shoulders, carrying me while he continued walking, seemingly unminding of my weight.

Well, sitting above Uncle Blacks shoulder, I can see the whole group that is traveling with us. There is of course me and Uncle Black, the girls: Sumi, Anna and Alice, Cyan who keeps walking next to me and Saria behind us. Additionally, the three meter crimson wolf-mother and her Pup are also walking behind us, appearing like a mighty guard.

For whatever reason, Cyan behaves weirdly as of late, like he is in pain or holding something back, I can’t understand, yet when I ask him about it, he only Answers that he is alright with a weak smile. I hope that whatever is the problem, he will be able to overcome it, so using the height advantage from sitting on Uncle Blacks shoulder, I pat Cyans head.

To this little action of mine, Cyan only thanks me and before we know it, we arrived at the port for the air-ships. Due to their rarity, aside from the Crystalliz, there is only one other ship visible there, and in size it is quite a lot smaller that the Crystalliz. However, there were several constructs strewn along the port, reminding me of hot-air balloons, and there is even something akin to a zeppelin.

Yet, due to me not being here just to investigate, Uncle Black quickly crosses the bridge and boards the ship. Once on there, he walked over to the one who appears to be the highest ranking officer on the ship. Seeing from his form, he is only an Adult Dragon, as his features are still the ones from a bipedal dragon.

Though, unlike most Dragons I met and passed this morning, his face reminds me more of Luna with her oriental styled dragon-features, so I wonder… does he belong to a wyrm-species of dragons?

“Sir, do you belong to one of the Wyrm-species?” (Arin)

Blurting it out without even thinking, I only realize my mistake when the captain looks at me with a weird look in his eyes. Luckily, he didn’t seem to be angry, and only begun laughing shortly afterwards.

“Hahaha, indeed little one, You seem to have some knowledge. Then let me ask, what kind of Wyrm do you think I am?” (Captain?)

Asking this question, I begin to think about it for a while. Luna had silvery white scales and was a Lightning-Wyrm, so seeing as he has scales that are of a pure blue color and seem to reflect the light…

“A Water-Wyrm?” (Arin)

Hearing my answer, the blue Dragon begins to laugh loudly, yet it didn’t take long for him to calm himself again and give the answer.

“You aren’t wrong, yet we call ourselves Aqua-Wyrm, as we don’t really want to be compared to the small unintelligent monsters living in the water that go by a name that sounds likewise.” (Captain)

Hearing his reply, I apologize for not thinking about it, yet he doesn’t appear to mind and only keeps laughing, while his whiskers jump around as well.

After several seconds, the captain finally relaxed again, as afterwards he turned to me and said that I shouldn’t mind. Following this, he said some words to Uncle Black before he left and climbed up towards the steering-wheel.

Meanwhile, Uncle Black on whose shoulder I was still sitting on, smiled towards me and begun introducing the Captain that just left.

“Arin, that man is Granorl, as said he is an Aqua-Wyrm, and a veteran when it comes to flying air-ships. During this journey you will have many opportunities to meet him, so I hope you won’t annoy him when he is working, okay?” (Uncle Black)

Saying so in a sarcastic tone and a huge grin, Uncle Black begins to snicker. Yet, slightly embarrassed and angry at him, I punch Uncle Black on the head without using much strength.

Uncle Black didn’t even flinch, and only kept laughing. Luckily he didn’t dwell on it, and after everything was loaded into the ship, we took off.

Actually, isn’t that like only my second flight on it? Thinking to myself, I keep watching the busy crew on the ship from Uncle Blacks shoulders. I wonder, Uncle Black said that the ship wasn’t made to be guided by monsters or non-human races, so aiming the question to Uncle Black, he only answered with:

“Illois took care of that, so we can now use it freely.” (Uncle Black)

Well, Illois is a High-Human who is even older than Uncle Black or even Scyrra, so I guess it isn’t surprising. Also, uncle Black mentioned that those ships were a product of high-Human cooperation with adamantium dwarfs before, so maybe he just changed some minor setups.

Well, Illois is also coming with us, so I can ask him later what he changed to let the non-humans use it.

Anyway, after everyone took their positions, with the crew busily running around, the ships ropes were removed as it slowly begun to ascend. As I was curiously looking down to the ground that grows farther and farther away, behind me the rustling noise of the opened sails could be heard, fluttering in the wind.

After several minutes, the ship was finally high enough and accelerated, flying towards the south-eastern direction while putting up a shield to protect both crew and passengers from the wind-pressure.

Uncle Black by now lifted me back onto the floor, stretching his shoulders lightly before telling me to be careful, just as he walked towards the blue dragon, Granorl, still standing behind the steering-wheel on the elevated platform.

Watching Uncle Blacks leaving back, I just barely manage to doge Anna's sudden hug-attack, jumping to the right. It seems that while I was conversing with Uncle Black, the others dropped off their material and stepped onto the deck, coming towards me as I keep waiting near the railings.

Anna who had failed at surprise-Hug me sat dejected next to me, pouting as she kept looking at the wooden floor beneath her. Honestly, I don't believe she is truly sad, I can't feel any negative emotions from her. So, my guess is she wants me to try and encourage her with my tails, only to snatch them as soon as I present them to her.

I fell for that once already, I won't fall for it again like back then. Especially, back then she pulled really strongly, causing me to yelp in pain, which was embarrassing... and painful. And no, it wasn't my high-pitched yelp that was embarrassing...

Remembering that event, I feel my face becoming slightly hot, so using one of the currently three tails I have, I hide my face. Then, while still feeling embarrassed, I wait as the others approach mine and Anna's location.

After Saria, Cyan, Sumi and Alice finally catch up, they all join me as they watch the mountains in the surrounding while the ships keeps ascending. To my surprise, Alice wasn't bothered by the height of the ship, and I always thought she was afraid of heights.

Seemingly realizing that I was staring at her, Alice turned her head to look at me, asking if there was something on her face. Being called out of my Stupor by her question, I only ask her if she was afraid of heights, which resulted in her making a bitter smile.

“I was, yet having flown this ship for the second time, as well as a massive black dragon without any security killed that off to a certain extent. Though, when we flew on Sir Geyser, you were the one to secure us, so I can't say there was no security.” (Alice)

Showing a kind smile, Alice runs her hand through my hair, to which I begin giggling. Yet, seeing me like that, Anna suddenly jumps out of her melancholic mood back onto her feet with envy plastered over her face.

“Hey, I want to do that to, why can't I?” (Anna)

Yelling loudly, she kept staring at Alice who was stroking my head until just before.

“Because you are reckless and it hurts.” (Arin)

Giving my opinion without any mercy, Anna becomes wide-eyed at my declaration, and then collapses crestfallen.

“Don't Misunderstand me Anna, I have nothing against you stroking my head or tails, but when you pull on my tails and cuddle my ears you always pull or stroke very hard, and that hurts. Mostly I can tolerate it, but I still don't like it.” (Arin)

Finally telling her the truth, I keep looking at her, waiting for a reaction. To my surprise, Anna still didn't stand back up, yet she at least raised her head again. Looking me in the eye, Anna kept staring for a while, emitting a unique kind of pressure. Yet, I don't back down and don't even blink.

After a while, she finally stood up and apologized, saying she won't do so anymore. She somehow calmed down finally, yet she kept having a sightly dark expression.

To Anna who was like that, Alice walked over and whispered something into her ear. I on purpose didn't listen in, as I think that would be rude. And as a result, shortly after Alice walked over again, Anna's expression lighted up, seemingly having come to an understanding with something.

In the end, she also walked over to us, and as she took her place, she placed her hand on my head, apologizing once more. Yet unlike before, she didn't wildly stroke it, yet carefully waved through it, before she then realized that she ruined my hair-style, resulting in her becoming flustered.

Luckily, Saria next to me didn't mind, as she quickly used a comb she had with her to rearrange it. Anna was perplexed where she took it from, yet I somehow didn't even want to know.

After that little event, everyone begun talking, while also watching the ground below passing by. Sometimes we would also play 'I Spy', yet due to Alice and Anna being inferior when it comes to eye-sight, and mine being even superior to Saria, we quickly stopped playing, mostly due to me winning non-stop.

As we kept being occupied by the scenery below, a sudden shout coming from one of the crew-members brought us out of our thoughts.

“Everyone prepare for Cloud-Breach!” (Crew-Memeber)

Unable to understand the meaning behind the word, Cyan tapped me on my shoulder and pointed forward, towards the direction the ship was traveling to. In front of me, a mass of clouds appeared, meaning we were already flying at a extremely high altitude.

Though, I did finally understand what was meant with Cloud-Breach, as just a few seconds later, the ship passed through the clouds, taking away all visibility. Yet, after holding the railing for a few seconds to reassure myself, the ship resurfaced above the clouds, suddenly regaining stability and flying strait.

Honestly, I don't know if this is on purpose, but the ship is halfway sunk into the clouds, making it appear as though we are really on cloudy waves, drifting along the sky. Yet, there is something I noticed, aside from looking good, it is actually usable.

By now, I am sitting on the floor of the ships deck, while Sumi silently sits behind me, making my ponytail into braids. Though honestly, I didn't really mind or even notice at all, as I found out that I can manipulate the clouds by using water magic.

Due to being more focused on wind and water attribute when it came to magic, I didn't find it hard to actually make myself able to control, or even make clouds while also manipulating them. I first made a very thick cloud in my hands, forming it into a bird with massive wings, while I had another interesting idea.

Recently I learned how to combine elements that normally don't belong together, so by fusing some fire into the mix, the former bird turned into something interesting. Well, I had to try more then thirty times until it actually worked without evaporating, but once it did, the result was even more satisfying.

The result was a cloud- & mist like bird, that seemingly emitted flames from its beak, eyes and feathers. Well, the feathers themselves were still watery and misty, yet the flames seemingly shone through, making a unique pattern beneath the “feathers” while small flames were emitted from the wings, even the one on the back.

The bird itself was modeled after a simple swallow, yet it had wings disproportional to the body. Anyway, after I finished it, I opened my palms and let it free, manipulating the magic to make the bird move.

Unfurling its massive wings, a short wave of heat caressed my skin, yet before it could even reach a level where it becomes uncomfortable, they flapped once, and the bird took off from my palms.

Still sitting in front of Sumi, with wide eyes and a happy expression, I watch as the bird flies around, coursing through the clouds, passing the sails and riding on the wind.

Watching as it passes over us, even Sumi and the others get impressed, sometimes even forgetting what they were doing at the moment. The Pup of the Crimson-Wolf mother even jumped, trying to catch the magic-swallow, yet before it could do something dangerous that would harm others or even itself, the wolf-mother released a low growl, calling him back. Honestly, seeing the pup walk towards his mother with dropped tail and ears, I couldn't stay uninvolved, and directed the magic-swallow near it, allowing it to play with it at a safe location.

And so, while all of us had fun, be it with talking, games or magic, the air-ship we were on made its way further and further south, passing many countries on its way. Yet, just as the evening sun was about to set, and our first day traveling came to an end, Sumi who sat next to me while we were eating suddenly collapsed, falling into my direction, with her breath uneven and beads of sweat permeating her forehead.

Bringing Sumi to her room with the help of Saria, we realized quickly that Sumi seems to be affected by the air-travel, having some kind of mix between sea-sickness and flight-sickness. Luckily, Illois had something that could ease the effects and calm the body, allowing her to stabilize. Yet, seeing as she kept breathing roughly on the bed, with her hands grabbing strongly onto the blanket, I remember the time when she had that terrible nightmare-past thing, the time when I was next to her, able to feel all kinds of negative emotions gushing out from her.

Maybe now the emotions aren't being shown, aside from a uncomfortable feeling, yet deep in my heart, I feel hurt seeing her like this. So, deciding to not leave her alone, I grab Sumi's hand and hold it, even channeling some of my chaos energy into it which somehow seamlessly resonates with hers.

Yet, having not realized how tired I was from everything that happened, I quickly surrounded myself with my tails and slowly closed my eyes, feeling sleepy from all the fun I had today.

Half-conscious, I even move one of my tail under Sumi's head, hoping for it to comfort her, even if only a little. Yet, unaware, I fell asleep, dozing off while still holding onto Sumi's hand.

If I had remained awake I may have noticed, yet shortly after I completely fell asleep, Saria entered the room once more, directing a kind smile at me who was breathing softly while sleeping with my head on Sumi's bed. She then picked me up and laid me next to her, covering me with the blanket as well.

Though, the consequences of that action... I would only learn of the next day.