...

9x7=63

9x8=72

9x9=81

9x10=90

...

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Kidneys - filtration, fluid control; located at...

...

Two days ago I was bought by a strange person. At first I couldn't understand my new master at all - from the very beginning his words, thoughts and actions were an enigma, they came, went and changed rapidly without rhyme or reason like a flooding lake swallowing a village only to return back to its gentle contained flow after a minute. That time I was feeling very insecure.

A scary, strong and confident man entered or room, owner was fawning over him as if he was someone very important and influential. "Perhaps a noble in search of a new plaything" - I thought. However, he didn't look like he wanted to be there, was visibly annoyed by the owner and there was no lust in his eyes when he looked over the girls in the room. And then... His eyes stopped on me.

It felt strange, as if he could see right through me. He calmly told what fate is in store of me if things stay the way they are. Then he told me that there's a different way.

I was given a choice. The first time in a long while when my future wasn't set in stone and somebody allowed me an alternative.

Keep living like this, knowing it will be horrible. Or grasp the offer and either change my life for the better or make it infinitely more miserable if my new owner turns out to be even more evil than old Wilkins.

And so I chose to gamble, taking the hand that was offered to me.

Strange and wondrous things just kept pouring out from that point on.

Like when master boldly stolen money from the store owner when he was in the room and paid for me with them. I thought that he was actually a penniless but skilled criminal at the time, but soon afterwards I've found out he could've easily bought me without resorting to theft. Maybe he wanted to prove a point or punish the owner or... I was drawing a blank.

He wasn't aversed at all by my body that even drove the other girls away from me and held my hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Images of mother and father resurfaced in my mind and I tried to drown them by starting any kind of conversation. Turns out master doesn't want to be called by the title he has the right for, he even asked me to call him by his name. Does he not know the rules of this country? Maybe he came from a faraway land...

He took me to many expensive shops, I was shocked when I realized most of the things we got were for me. The set of high-class clothes alone was so costly, a family of four could live for a month with that kind of money. And despite that, he seemed displeased with the quality and begrudgingly bought them. Just what kind of life did he lead to this moment?

Wherever we went, people got scared and made way, to the point that even a demihuman like me was allowed to enter places restricted for humans.

I was scared. I needed to somehow make a good impression on this man.

He didn't seem like an evil person, so I tried making him feel pity for me by bringing up my wounds, but I got scolded instead. With no shame he took off his covers and bared everything that was underneath.

Scars. Plentiful. Signs of battle, signs of torture. There were ones that I couldn't even recognize - circular in shape with slight burn marks around them.

They were beautiful in the way they served as a proof of hardships that were overcome with strength and will. Mine suddenly seemed insufficient and shameful - instead of getting them because I resisted, I got them because I did nothing and allowed this happen to myself.

As I was starting to feel depressed, I suddenly got thrown into the water. For some reason I forgot my place for a second and splashed at him. Before I could get scared of possible consequences of showing such disrespect towards the person who owns me, he responded in the same way. It felt nice to play with someone and unwind after such a long time. Hot water felt heavenly too.

He told me many fascinating stories that happened long ago in a distant place. This sage and his friends seemed funny and interesting, it's a shame I'll never meet them.

When I was helping master wash, I seen a tattoo of a sword sprouting a single wing on his back. Below it was a scroll with words that were written in some ancient arcane language I never seen or heard of before. I hope that one day I will be able to find out what they mean. For now, as master is sleeping, I'll copy them here for further study.

Legio Patria Nostra

...

We were walking towards the inn, I carelessly let happiness show on my face and in my actions, but I didn't care. I didn't feel this good ever since mother passed away. But good things never last long. A giddy couple of humans appeared and started degrading me. I went crashing down from my happy cloud onto the solid earth and shamefully hid behind master. When I looked up, I noticed that his eyes changed. Nice gentle master was gone, a person with eyes of a predator looking down on his prey took his place. It only took a second before that expression went away, but the change was so drastic it couldn't be ignored. He pulled my hand and pushed the hoodlum out of the way, subtly threatening him without saying a word. Several steps later I could feel a fluctuation of mana, bad person yelped and fell down on the ground. Could it be?... Master is actually a magician, something that wasn't that common even among my mother's tribe that was famous for its magi? Just how many talents does my new owner have...

...

The food was plentiful and delish. I might've behaved very unladylike before him, I should reflect on that later.

...

It was one of the best days of my life. I had nothing to give in return for all the kindness and wonderful treatment, so I steeled my mind and prepared to show my sincerity and gratitude with my body. However, I was shot down immediately. My self-confidence as a woman is shattered...

But it's alright, I got to hear another wonderful tale. Somehow, it reminded me a little of the time long ago, when mama and papa told me a story of how they met. It was very similar to this one.

In the middle of the night master left. I thought he went out to see a woman, but when he returned, he had a very cold look in his eyes and his knuckles were bloodied. That blood was definitely not his. I pretended to be asleep and didn't make a sound.

...

I received this diary yesterday. Along with it I was allowed to train and learn under master. I'm ashamed to say I felt great greed at that moment - training under a professional fighter is a privilege and not a cheap one. As for education - you can forget it as long as you aren't a noble, knight, of royal blood or lucky enough to have been born into a wealthy merchant family. I readily grasped at the once-in-a-lifetime chance. I promise to work hard and not be a waste of your time, master.

...

Just as I thought the day was over, master performed some sort of manual therapy that elders enjoy - although this was much rougher and much more painful. However, halfway through it started feeling good, too much even. I was always afraid of the pain, but at this point I was craving to have my body broken and remolded more and more, while trying to pretend that I don't want any of it. By the end of it I had to stealthily change my underwear because...well...I don't want master to think I'm a shameful woman.

...I'm really looking forward to the next séance.

◇

...

Wounds can be treated with honey.

The right way to fixate a broken limb is...

...

Today was a bad day - I accidentally wounded master during training. I will never be negligent with weapon in hand ever again.

◇

I embarrassed myself second day in a row, I don't know how to look him in the eye after this.

My first real trial - taking another living being's life.

Although I were training so hard, although it was just an evil monster, I couldn't do it.

Even when master said mean words to reassure and help me, I couldn't help but do nothing like a coward.

However, what he said next... Me watching him die and be powerless to help... Something snapped in my head.

The only person who is kind to me. The only person who cares.

This thing wants to hurt him? Wants to take him away from me?

No mercy.

Enemy.

Kill it.

All I could see was red. "That thing is an obstacle, I must destroy it" - was the only thought in my head.

When I regained my sanity, I noticed that he's still here, he's still with me. Without thinking I clung to him and cried myself asleep. Later I learned that master carried me all the way home while I was out.

I'm so embarrassed with myself. I need to find a way to make myself useful to him and soon.

◇

Today there was no training. I was afraid he gave up on me, but it turned out were going around town for entertainment today.

...I'm getting taken care of again. I don't want him to worry anymore, so I try to honestly have some fun together with master.

Feels nice to stroll around like this, just the two of us.

Today master learned about the existence of dungeons and seems somewhat interested.

That's it!

If we go there, I could show the fruits of my labor and prove that the time spent on me wasn't wasted.

◇

...

...magnetic fields...

...

...gravity...

...

We were sparring all day today. Master seems to be a distant, unreachable goal, but I wouldn't stop chasing after him. I wouldn't earn his respect and favor if I present him half-baked effort, so I go all-out today from start to finish.

If I become stronger, I'll become useful.

If I become useful, I'll be loved.

If I'm loved, I wouldn't be abandoned.

Give it my all, me.

◇

...

...snake eyes...

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...21...

...

...flash royal...

...

Playing games with master was fun. It is surprising how many games can someone make with just one deck of cards or a pair of dice.

...

Today master got to show his cool side when he silenced a whole flock of lowlifes without even touching any of them, and saved a captive fairy when he thought nobody was watching.

Looks like some women finally realized how wonderful master is and are contemplating on coming up and striking a conversation. Too bad, I wouldn't let you have him~

When master returns, I start teasing him, knowing full well how much he hates losing and being on the receiving side of bullying. I get dragged away to receive my punishment, gloating inside at the disappointed stares of those stuck-up bit...ahem. Ladylike, ladylike... Even if I can't interest master with my body, I should at least keep my character in check - then I'll have a chance.

Today's rewa...punishment was wonderful. Little devil on my shoulder is telling me to annoy master everyday to be disciplined like this, but I shall persevere. As much as I love receiving such treatment from him, I'll surely not be so selfish as to hurt him in any way just to get my fix of master abuse.

...maybe I'll ask for some directly when we return back from the dungeons.

____________________________________________________________________________

- ...well shit.

I'm not touching the little pervert ever again. Goddamn it woman, you actually managed to trick me.

*It's not nice to read a girl's diary, such actions will make you hated.*

What are you talking about? I'm simply checking my student's homework.

*...*

Jeez, lay off my back. Reading it was half the reason I got it for her. People that have a tendency of leading diaries often get carried away and write down things that should be hidden. However, I was expecting to find spiteful things like "what an asshole, working me to the bone every day!" or an elaborate plan of my assassination, not a...whatever this is.

*Sigh. Well, anyway. Now you know things that you shouldn't have. What are you going to do?*

Isn't it obvious? I put this back and go to sleep. Tomorrow we quickly check out the dungeons and leave the city.

*Every time I assume I can't think less of you, you somehow manage to prove me wrong. Impressive.*

Screw you. Good night.

*'Night.*