Ada heard the dog whimper again and felt a pang of remorse at the action she took. "It'll be great if I knew a good chemical which can put the dog to sleep for a bit. Halothane? No, sevoflurane? He seems to be in severe pain."

"I'm no alchemist so I can't give you anything here but I really don't think there's anything wrong with it. He'll recover. Besides, he attacked us first!" Ruciella snorted with distaste.

The dog whimpered again and sadness flashed across Leanne's face. "Ayula would be able to calm him down but my bond with her has been severed."

"Ayula? Psh, I'm surprised anyone is ever able to reach her unless you're a temple acolyte or priestess. You might as well be playing the lute to a turtle if you expect the primal gods to pay attention to you," Ruciella scoffed.

There was a pained look on Leanne's face. She opened her mouth but then changed her mind and remained silent. Seeing this, Ada cleared her throat and said. "Let's get back on topic? Ruciella, can you kindly ask our friend here if he's willing to pledge his allegiance to me if we spare his dog?"

"You mean like a servant or like a slave? Also, wouldn't it be best to put this in writing? Verbal agreements tend to drop dead like flies on a hot day."

"Let me do it," Leanne spoke.

"Good idea, Leanne. No offense, Ruciella, but now I think about it, Leanne has done this before so she's more familiar."

"Sure, but I'm telling you that a written agreement makes a lot more sense."

"We don't need it if everything works out," Ada smiled.

Leanne spoke a few sentences with Sçæaisøh. She turned to the two of them. "The dog's name is Kayu by the way."

As if on cue, the dog named Kayu whimpered again.

"Sounds like his master's name," Ada observed.

"Well, being a thug doesn't require much creativity or intelligence," Ruciella said.

Leanne ignored the girl's comment. "I told Sçæaisøh that we will take Kayu to the closest Temple of Ayula or Temple of Mara for healing after he understands and agrees to what we request."

Ruciella shrugged. Ada replied, "We definitely will."

Leanne nodded and turned back to continue the conversation with the man. From the tone of voice, Ada thought that it was mostly the man questioning and Leanne answering. She was sure he would agree but it was good for him to have a clear understanding of what he's getting into. Deciding that it was none of her business what exactly they said, Ada turned her head towards Ruciella who was standing by the parapet once more. She was looking out at the city in the direction of the ocean. Ada followed her gaze and saw the lively city in the afternoon sun. The endless towers and blocks which made up the city stretched far into the distance towards the ocean which was hidden behind the densely packed buildings, many damaged but most solid and sturdy. A few larger ships with multiple sails could be seen from their vantage point. Ostrich-pulled wagons and pedestrians rumbled down paved streets. Commerce and trade was the lifeblood of the city and no war has been able to demolish its heart.

"Busy place isn't it?" Ada observed.

"It is. This city never sleeps. That is what Master Ar-, Obar, likes to say sometimes," Ruciella replied without turning around.

"Like the Big Apple. Good old New York City."

"Huh?"

"Never mind, just noting that there's another city that people say the same thing about."

"Anyway, I thought my geography was good but I haven't heard of that New York one."

"Yeah, it's not a big city so I wouldn't worry about it. The locals just think it's large and say that it's a city that never sleeps. I'm sure your geography is pretty good."

"I'm not sure if I introduced myself earlier. My name is Flora Tanning by the way. My companion is Leanne Shani. We are merchants from Tesia."

"You mean that's your disguise right? You said you're from the Southern Isles and you clearly know magic."

"Well, Leanne is actually from Tesia but you're right in that I'm from the Southern Isles. We met at the Academy together."

"Just like this place, you two are full of contradictions."

"What do you mean?" Ada asked curiously. She has always thought of herself as a fairly rational cohesive being. People have always considered her a nerd but no one has thought her terribly strange, at least among those within the nerd sphere.

Ruciella turned around and stared pointedly at Ada. "I'm not sure about Leanne but from what I see with your power there's no need to hide as merchants. Any city, principality, kingdom, or maybe even a god will hire you as their court magician."

"Well, as I said earlier, we try to stay out of the limelight. Politics isn't our cup of tea."

"Interesting expression. Tea is good but fishblood wine is better."

"What I mean is that we don't want to drink that poison." Ada explained. She would like to explain to Ruciella but not until she learned a little more about the girl.

Ruciella nodded. "I understand. How long have you two wandered as merchants? Do you like it?"

"Not long. Maybe under a year. It's pretty tame so far. This is definitely the most exciting thing that has happened on our journey. What about you? How long have you lived here?"

"Oh, I'm not from here. I just come into town from time to time."

"Where are you from?"

"Um uh, I live in a small town southeast of here. My relatives send me here to get supplies sometimes."

"They send a teenager here by herself? Wow, that's surprising."

"Uh, um, actually, I came with my uncle. He's out at the market getting some other perishables for our journey back."

"Where did you learn magic? That was pretty impressive."

"I'm not a magician but my friend taught me a few tricks. So did Master Obar," Ruciella replied. Ada noticed that the girl's face was turning more red. She is a terrible liar, Ada thought.

"How do you know Master Obar? Sorry if it sounds like I'm questioning you."

"Um, he's a family friend. My uncle has known him for a number of years. Even before I was born actually."

"From my own personal experience, the Academies are very vigilant on not letting outsiders know about their particular magics. I'm surprised neither you nor Master Obar had to face any consequences," Ada said. She has read enough fantasy novels to know that was typically the case where the mages never willingly gave the knowledge of magic to the commoners.

"Uh...um...uh, they were smart and didn't get caught. Also, you know everyone likes Master Obar and um...I..."

"You're a magician aren't you?" Ada smiled as she interrupted the girl's stammers.

Ruciella sighed. "I really need to work on remaining incognito."

"So you aren't Ruciella?"

"No, my actual name is Aurian. Aurian Silvera of the House of Silvera."

"House of Silvera?" Ada hoped she didn't sound ignorant asking that question. The girl might be from a well-known nobility.

"I'm kidding. I am a Silvera but we're not famous. Maybe my uncle is in my hometown since he's friends with Master Arbon, who by the way is the real name of Master Obar. Yes, he'll probably hopefully not kill me that I just revealed his identity so try to call him Master Obar and call me Ruciella when you see him again."

"What Academy are you from?"

"The Unseen Academy. It's in the mountains a few days by ostrich east of here. You may not have heard of it."

"I haven't."

"Not too surprising. It's fairly small and we're still trying to establish ourselves. I was glad that they sent out some scryers to even the smaller towns to look for those with talent. You know most places like where you're from probably wouldn't care to do so but here they really need more people. Magic took a while to gain acceptance on this continent thanks to no small part on the Club of Rose."

"I thought they were enlightened."

"I may sound like I'm spouting blasphemy saying this since I'm also a member of the Galacia Club which is a direct offshoot of the former Club of Rose. But! But, it's historical fact that the Club of Rose dissuaded all magic users from starting any school around here. They considered it to be too close to emulating the power of the gods which was dangerous and inhuman. For people considered to be wise, truly they can be a bunch of idiots if you ask me." Ruciella has once again went into full verbal assault mode and fired off the words without a pause.

"I see your point. What you call magic I think I would call science. Speaking of which, how did you make that ball lightning?"

"Oh, you liked that one? I messed up but it is a little complicated to create."

The dog whimpered again pitifully and interrupted Ada's train of thought. It was much more subdued than before. Ada looked at the steel cage with concern. Concurrently, Leannes spoke up. "He says he understands and he's ready but he needs to know that his dog is still alive."

"I probably should have done this sooner," Ada said. She quickly called up systemhelper and transformed the water and cage back to gold coins which once again jingled in her pocket. Interesting how the system knows where I want the transformed objects, she thought.

In the bright sunlight, everyone could see that the former threatening dire wolf now looked like a pathetic mutt. It or he was still large but with his skin burnt grey and several pink patches of skin clearly visible as well as his giant paws covering up his eyes, no one thought the creature as threatening. The man gasped. Ada wished that she could feel more sympathy for the man but really she felt more for the dog. She felt sorry that the creature had to suffer because of the human.

"Sazruk farkl dse," the man said.

Leanne fired a response back. "I told him we'll bring Saish to one of the healing temples as soon as our ritual is over. It needs to be done in the Divine Tongue."

"I had no idea he knew the Divine Tongue."

"He does not. But he wants to hear your words in the Divine Tongue before he agrees to it."

Ada approached the steel cage where the man was still entrapped. "Will you swear your trust and compliance to Me, the Holy Divine One known as Goddess Ada, from now on? Will you free yourself from any other gods and dedicate your life and your faith to Goddess Ada and no other deity?"

Leanne translated for Ada. Words echoed from within the cage and then the voice became silent. Ada waited for the familiar systemhelper message. A few seconds passed and nothing happened. She waited some more. Nothing.

"Hmm, did you translate that right?" Ada asked. "I mean I don't doubt your language skills but this is really strange."

"Holy mackerel! Are you a divine being?" Ruciella exclaimed. Her emerald eyes were glowing with wonder.

"I am. I am a new goddess called Ada," Ada nodded.

"Well, I guess I knew your name wasn't Fl something. Ada is actually easier to remember."

"Yeah, I do like my name. It's a palindrome and --" Ada started to say.

Ruciella interrupted. "What are your powers? What can you do? How did you end up here? Why are you pretending to be magicians? Do the other gods know? What about the Galacia Club? I can't believe this! Holy mackerel!" Ruciella stopped as she caught her breathe. She was about to speak again when Ada raised a hand to tell the girl to stop.

Ada wondered how many times the girl will say holy mackerel in front of them. Well, this was a holy mackerel moment for her for sure. "I'll answer all your questions but maybe you know why nothing is happening here?"

The man was still not considered a follower of Ada. Leanne looked as puzzled as Ada felt.

"Oh, that's simple. He doesn't truly want to follow you," Ruciella explained. "He may say he does but his heart isn't convinced. I think further intimidation is necessary."

Ruciella barked off some words in the local tongue towards the man. Then she formed a dancing current of lightning between her fingers on her right hand and pointed the hand towards the dog. Leanne's face paled. Ada smiled and suspected that whatever was said was the opposite of very nice. The man gasped and said a few words shakily. Ruciella smiled and turned to Ada. "Try it again."

"Will you swear your trust and compliance to Me, the Holy Divine One known as Goddess Ada, from now on? Will you free yourself from any other gods and dedicate your life and your faith to Goddess Ada and no other deity?"

Leanne translated again. The man replied louder than before with the echoes resounding in the chamber.

"Oh good, my divinity is still intact." Ada sighed with relief.