A/N: I am so sorry for the delay. I'm finding it more and more difficult to really sit down and write like I used to because I've been busy lately. I know how annoying it is having to wait for a chapter to update, my apologies!

“I still can’t get used to it,” Xaltiq muttered while staring at Mae through the corner of his eyes.

She wasn’t the blonde-haired, cat-eared and tailed woman anymore.

Instead, she adopted the appearance of a good-looking human woman in her early twenties. Her mahogany-colored hair was cut into a long, asymmetrical bob. Gunmetal gray eyes were set under thick eyebrows and eyelashes and she had a small mole under her left eye.

Mae’s skin had changed from being tanned from the sun to a more natural shade of olive. The biggest difference to be noticed about her, though, was that her clothes covered her body. There was no skin showing other than her face.

The silver jacket she wore had a turtle-neck and long-sleeves, she donned white pants and heeled boots, too. The jacket was on the form-fitting side, but it wasn’t tight enough to be considered inappropriate. Even her hands were covered by leather gloves.

It was that transformation that shocked both Tear and Xaltiq. She had changed from the woman who refused to wear clothes that didn’t showcase her curvaceous body. Her previous appearance screamed of sex appeal while this one was the visage of elegance and femininity. It was a jaw-dropping change.

Mae recrossed her long legs. “Can’t get used to what?” she questioned innocently.

“Your new persona,” Tear answered for Xaltiq since she was in the same boat. “Lord Erebus,” she turned to the man who was completely unconcerned about their conversation, “isn’t it strange?”

Erebus looked up from his book. “Why would it be strange?”

Xaltiq and Tear both opened their mouths and closed them.

“In the first place, that person changes their appearance and personality far too often to fit the new look. It’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Right?” Mae responded. “I wear what I want whenever I want. That includes the face, too.”

“I see,” Tear said softly. It’s better if Mae didn’t parade around half-naked, Tear thought to herself.

For Xaltiq, it was just strange. The mental image he had of her had to be completely reshaped and molded to fit the new. In the first place, why had she even changed appearances?

He knew nothing other than the fact that they were now on “vacation”. He wasn’t sure why he had to go, but, alas, here he was.

They had recently arrived in the Kingdom of Mathas which was located in the far most southeast corner of the Main Continent. It was a popular place to go to because of the beautiful tropical scenery and beaches.

Tourism was the main source of income for Mathas because it thrived basically all year round.

Xaltiq had known about this place and was surprised to hear that they were going there. He wasn’t expecting Erebus, being who he was, to choose such a place. He felt as if Erebus’ definition of vacation was watching others suffer while sitting back and relaxing.

Apparently, he was wrong.

They were sitting out on the plaza on a patch of grass underneath a palm tree. There was just enough space for the four of them to sit and stretch out together comfortably.

It really feels like a vacation, he thought to himself.

To others, they must’ve looked like a group enjoying their youth.

It really feels off, Xaltiq concluded.

If he was still in school, he could see himself in a place like this with his friends. But instead, he was with a masochistic (yet also sadistic) High Human, an ancient dragon, and a psychotic doppelganger.

They all scare me, that’s how Xaltiq felt.

Tear, surprisingly, scared him more than Erebus did. He could still remember her completely character switch when not in the presence of Erebus. Flashbacks from the infirmary occurred quite frequently.

Xaltiq’s stomach twisted as he recalled the brutality and her vicious smile. She was a completely different person in front of Erebus, though. She could be called “nice” in comparison to that monster he had seen.

He snuck a glance over at Tear who was as close to Erebus as she could be without touching him. She brushed her glossy hair away from her face and smiled softly as she spoke to Erebus and Mae.

They blended in way too much, Xaltiq couldn’t help but remark again. Somehow, it kind of pissed him off.

“Where exactly are we going?” Tear asked as she batted a bug away from her.

Mae patted Tear’s head. “It doesn’t matter, ‘kay?”

Tear ducked under Mae and threw her arms around Erebus. “Lord Erebus, there’s a strange woman touching me.”

“Mm, I could say the same,” he agreed.

Tear perked up. “You think I’m strange? Perhaps even disgusting? Tell me what you really think!” Her breathing was labored as she imagined Erebus talking down to her. If possible, it’d be great if he asked her to do things too embarrassing to speak of! “Lord Erebus, tell me!” she cried, her voice quivering with pleasure.

Erebus selectively ignored her reaction. “Mae, let’s go take care of what you wanted us to come here for.”

She exhaled deeply and jumped to her feet. “All right, all right! If you insist, Erebus.” Mae spun once on her heels before snapping out her arm to point to the castle not too far off in the distance.

The castle was nothing special, it was unimpressive, actually. The Kingdom of Mathas was quite small and didn’t hold much power, so this fact wasn’t surprising.

“We’re going there!”

Erebus scratched his head and yawned. “Well, let’s hurry it up then.”

Tear simply rested her head in the crook of Erebus’ neck as she gazed out at the castle.

Xaltiq’s face fell instantly. Whatever this woman had planned, he knew it wouldn’t be good. In fact, he felt sorry for everyone who was going to be involved.

...

Xaltiq had concerns of how they were going to enter the castle without breaking in or killing anyone.

Much to his surprise as they approached the castle guards, none of them attacked them.

Instead, Mae walked up to them nonchalantly while wearing a beguiling smile. “Hello.” Her smile deepened as the younger guard stared at her, eyes slightly bulging.

“State your business,” the older one said gruffly. “Or leave.”

Mae reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a medallion with runes carved onto its aged and warped surface. The medallion glowed faintly before fading back to its original dullness. “My, my,” she said while clucking her tongue. “I’m simply here to do business.”

“T-that is! Sorry for my rudeness,” he pushed out the words hurriedly, his stern face slackening into something pitiful. “Please, Ms. Magician, enter as you will!”

“I was going to anyway, though.” Mae cocked her head slightly then smiled again. “These are my apprentices, you understand what I mean, right?”

“Yes! They will be allowed entrance too.”

“Wonderful,” Mae drawled, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Hurry up,” she urged when neither of them moved their spears.

They hurriedly apologized and allowed the group to pass through the gates without further hesitation.

Xaltiq looked around nervously. Was no one else bothered by Mae’s position? What exactly was she? He was expecting Erebus to be nonchalant... but even Tear didn’t seem to care? “Uh,” Xaltiq started, deciding it’d be better for him to just ask and get it over with. “Mae, if I may ask a question?”

She didn’t so much as glance in Xaltiq’s direction. “Go ahead.”

“What exactly was that medallion that you showed the guards?”

Mae laughed. “Oh, this old thing? Well, ya see... It’s the token only awarded to the Head Royal Court Magician of Mathas.”

Xaltiq paused. “Huh?”

“I’m not really that good at magic, but apparently, it was enough to impress these humans.”

“Even if you say that--”

“What are you stopping for?” Tear asked Xaltiq. “Who cares about titles appointed by those weaklings? Don’t waste our time with stupid questions.” She snorted haughtily then wrapped her arms around Erebus’ arms.

Xaltiq’s face tightened. “Stupid questions, you say...”

Mae smiled kindly. “Well, I have to meet with the king and the fastest way of gaining interest was flashing this.”

“The king?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

Xaltiq swallowed. Ah... Them meeting with the King of Mathas. He had a feeling that they were here for that reason, but it was different when he actually heard it from her mouth.

Mae had a problem with courtesy. Considering that she had been raised by someone with a strong sense of entitlement and a twisted personality... It wasn’t surprising that the concept eluded her.

He had absolutely no doubt that she wouldn’t give him the proper respect. Xaltiq knew that they (probably) wouldn’t get thrown into jail; however, Tear was here. And, well, she had obvious problems with humans. He wondered how she would act if she was in front of one she was supposed to show deference to.

No positive mental image formed in his head.

This could only end badly, right?

Suddenly, he really wanted to go home.

These people would certainly wreak havoc. Ah... definitely, this won’t end well at all.