Perrin awoke to a ping in his mind. Wiping his sleep-filled eyes, he lifted his head to see he was now lying in the large bed. Mazikeen's warm body lay snuggled tightly against him. He wanted to complain that he wasn't her teddy bear, but the human contact gave him a reassuring feeling. If that was how he felt, then Perrin was confident it gave the same to her. The thought of her crushing him accidentally while she slept was still a strong one, but he could ignore it.

He must have fallen asleep last night during her massage. And what a massage that had been. All of his muscles were refreshed, and his body felt beyond amazing. The oils and her ministrations had really done their job. He looked down at the sleeping silver-haired woman in appreciation.

The notification drew his attention once more, and he mentally prodded the thing.

Congratulations!

Knowledge assimilation complete.

Nothing else was available. He read the short text multiple times. Confusion roaring through his mind.

That's it? Where is the knowledge…

The moment he thought about the Body Stage, information came available in his mind clear as a pure mountain stream. Everything was organized like he was holding a book, scanning every page. So organized, in fact, that it felt like he now had a shelf in his mind. The single tome sat there, and he could pick it up and search through it as quick as thought at his leisure. He pondered the adamantine body that Mazikeen talked about, and he instantly knew what was required to achieve the body type. The starting path and how he was supposed to cultivate the anima into his body. Adamantine body starting requirements called for establishing a poison body for resistance, followed by steel for initial hardness, orichalcum for conductance, osmium for density, and finally a compression technique that finishes everything off to Adamantine body.

The information went on and on with the different body types that could be achieved, some of which could only be done in individual planes. He obviously couldn't do anything with those, but it was still fascinating to him what was possible. The most precious information, though. The information that would set him on the road to power and bring some modicum of control back into his life. The directions on how to accumulate anima in his body and begin the body stage. His heart soared at the understanding the crystal had given him on the process down to the most effective method. He had to start this right away.

Gently removing himself from Ms. Cuddles, he moved to the front of the bed. A box of sitting pillows was up against the bed, almost as if they were meant for this very thing. He grabbed one and sat in the prescribed position the info recommended. It wasn't necessary per se, but he was advised to use it the first few times until he achieved the first step.

The first step required him to build a temporary anima storage construct in his anterior mediastinum. He wasn't familiar with the words but in between his lungs right behind his sternum is where the information pointed to. A brief primer was covered on the subject of the construct and its purposes in the first two stages of ascension. One construct in his chest at a central location for body stage and then one in the brainstem right below something called the pons. He didn't know much about neuroanatomy, but the info had shown him where it should go, so he didn't concern himself with it.

The chest storage construct would help draw anima in through the lungs into the container. It would be altered into his needs then returned to the lungs where some type of exchange happened with his blood. The blood would then carry the altered anima to all of his body. There were complicated graphs, something called a shifting sigmoidal curve, mathematical equations on outputs, and things that really just hurt his brain. He knew the information, but he didn't find it useful. It felt medical based and assumed this was why medical students became cave hermits during their time in school instead of throwing kegger’s on the weekend.

The information on the blood had been more than just interesting, though. The anima would go to the cell, where it would slowly start altering the DNA. Over time the DNA would be perfected in some way that wasn't fully explained. The fact that had him at a standstill was his body wouldn't age past maturity when he finished the mind and soul stage. If you were past maturity, then your body would slowly shift back to its peak form. This depended on the person, but it was around an average of twenty-seven for humans. If you were below maturity, then all the flaws would slowly be erased as you aged naturally. It confirmed what Mazikeen had said about touching a path and being able to alter yourself to your perception.

All this was very shocking. He had believed Mazikeen's words, but now that he knew all this information, he could fully digest the changes' implications. This anima stuff was like a real deal gene modification therapy that safely made an alteration to the body. It was mind-blowing, to say the least. Perrin put the thought aside for later dissection and focused on what he needed to do to start the process of sensing anima for the first time.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath then let it out slowly as he searched within his mind. This part was supposed to be difficult, depending on the plane you were on. In his mind, he pictured a starry sky with a still pond reflecting it—all of his thought and images as tiny pinpricks on the dark canvas. The pond's reflection disrupted as thoughts popped up, and he willed then to populate his starry night. An image of the purpled eyed beauty smiling at him while they walked down the road rippled on the pond. He plucked it up and examined it before hanging it with the rest of his thoughts.

Now, this is where it became difficult, depending on anima density. He carefully started somehow covering the stars' reflections one by one so that they were no longer visible in the pond. It was mentally taxing to achieve, but the more he erased, the easier it became. Once he finished this task, he focused on the pond, searching for something. He wasn't sure as it was different for everyone. The longer he searched, the more he felt that he could see something rising out of the depths of the dark placid waters. Yes, he was sure now that something was coming.

An azure blue crystal stake of bricks pushed up out of the water. A soft inner light emanated from the center of the crystal bricks. He mentally moved over to the stack and laid his mental hand on one of the blue transparent bricks. The warmth seemed to flow through his body at the touch, and that warmth was anima. These bricks would lay the foundation to the construct that would reside in his chest.

The stack was much larger than he was led to believe from the information, but he attributed it to this place's density assuming Mazikeen was correct. He now had to decide what to build with the things. He wanted to use all of them, but the structure, however temporary, needed to be in some type of geometrical shape. Once he laid that shape on the still pond, a 3-D representation should be construed from said structure's reflection. He should be able to pull that completed structure out of the pond and place it in the correct spot in his body. Without this construct, the anima that permeated all around him would never be absorbed. It would merely enter his lungs and exit. The construct is supposed to draw in the anima for storage and alteration.

"What are you doing, lover" came a soft voice.

The pond rippled, and the crystalline bricks sank back into the now turbulent waters. He opened his eyes, letting the pond and the starry night sky fade away. Perrin had now created the mental place so he would be able to bring it up again when he made his decision on the shape.

Standing up from his seated pose, he turned to see Mazikeen's sleepy face gazing at him in curiosity. The sateen sheets covering her body, sending his thought straight to the gutter. His cheeks reddened slightly as he coughed and said, "I was preparing to build my anima storage construct."

A look of shock crossed her face, "Already, but you just started. How? It should take you days or more commonly weeks to find your material."

He shrugged, "I don't know. I followed the instruction and bam, shiny blue crystal bricks came up out of the water. It was kinda hard but not as much as the information led me to believe."

She just shook her head and chuckled, which did exciting things under the sheets distracting him. He mentally chided himself for the constant inappropriate thoughts. He wasn't a hormone-filled teenager, but she seemed to bring it out of him. She said something getting his thoughts back into focus.

"Must be nice. It took me six days. Full days mind you, before I could get my material. I don't recognize the pond thing. You must be using something different than what I learned. No matter. The faster you build the faster you get started. I'll remind you tonight before we sleep to work on it."

"Thank you, ma’am. Welp you ready to get this ball rolling. I'm sure our charges are getting ready to leave."

"Yes, we should get "the ball rolling," as you say."

Mazikeen moved out from under the sheets, and Perrin got a full view. Jerking around so that he couldn't see the woman, he cursed. She was intentionally trying to provoke him. Like he didn't have a hard enough time sleeping in a bed with a woman that refused to wear undergarments and cuddled with him like the lover, she called him regularly. He considered asking her to wear something, but he was confident that it would be something that would have him even more in the mud with what the garment promised, if she did agree.

He swapped out his clothing in the inventory screen and made his way to the door, refusing to look back. Perrin realized that he had been in only boxers when he swapped his clothes out, which meant… she had put them on him, i.e., she had most certainly seen the goods. His face and neck heated up even more as he rushed out of the room to the faint laughter of Mazikeen.

******

As it turns out, the merchant's house guards knew about the lure the forest had. They assured them that it was safe to travel the road as the writing on the sides blocked out its effects. Just don't step off the road. Perrin had no intentions of stepping off the road. The quest gave a clear warning, and the dark thing had already almost suckered him in.

"I'm going to go confirm what they said and scout ahead." Mazikeen said as she touched the outhouse, making it disappear.

"Okay, sounds like a good plan. I'll… well I'll be here watching the guards break down the tent. Not much else I can do."

"In time, lover. You will be able to come with me in time." She patted his shoulder, then disappeared.

Perrin turned to watch the elf house guards started to prep to break down the tent. Their charges were still inside, and he could hear the annoying voice of Hagatha. He wasn't sure what the woman was going on about this morning but wasn't surprised that she seemed to be unhappy about something. He moved beside the carriage and leaned up against it to listen in.

"Mother! Are you listening to me? How am I supposed to meet my future betrothed when I look like this? We will be there this evening. Do you hate me so much that you will force me to see him after a hard day on the road?"

One of the guards who'd also been listening in snorted at the woman's words. Perrin agreed. They had to walk all day while the women road in a comfortable cushioned carriage. He doubted the daft woman had ever had a hard day in her life.

"I'm sorry my dear but we mustn't delay. The contract needs to be signed today." Said the merchant Floriana.

"But why! Mother, do you not want me to stay with the family?"

The merchant cleared her throat, "That's… not it at all." She said unbelievably. "Agatha my dear we need this. You are to be wed to the city's governor’s son. They are more than a simple trading family. You will be elevated to a governess after his father passes. This match is perfect for you and we need to get there before they chan… so that we can complete the contractual agreement."

"But mother!" Hagatha whined.

"Enough Agatha! I will hear no more of it. Put on your slippers and let’s go. The tent needs to be taken down and they can't do that with us still inside."

"I hate you mother! I hate you!"

Floriana walked out of the tents opening. She looked over at Perrin and gave him a look that conveyed something very similar to how he felt about the woman before getting inside the carriage. Her daughter stepped out shortly after her. Hagatha's face seethed with rage as she stomped towards the carriage. Looking his way, she spat out,

"Peasant!"

Perrin looked at her and said nothing.

"I'm talking to you. Are you an idiot? Where is that ugly cow you were with. Never mind, I don't want to confuse your small peasant brain. Go retrieve my things and bring them to the carriage."

He was conflicted. On the one hand, he just wanted to ignore the troll elf. On the other, Perrin considered taking her over his knee. The woman needed a good ass whipping. She was the most arrogant, overly spoiled brat he'd ever had the displeasure of experiencing. The only thing stopping him from doing just that was the fact that Hagatha might actually be able to hurt him at the least or kill him at the worst. Mazikeen had said they were all in mind and soul stage. He didn't know what all that meant combat wise, but he did know that it did give you something more. As frumpy as the homily elf looked, she moved in a way that didn't fit his expectations. She was too light on her feet and a little too graceful. He guessed she at least had more strength than an average human.

"I will use small words you dolt. GO GET MY STUFF IN THE TENT. PUT IT ON THE CART." She said in a loud, slow manner while gesturing like he was mentally challenged.

He decided that he had enough, but he would be respectful, "Get it yourself. I'm not your slave."

Hagatha went purple in rage, "What did you say to me filth! Do as I say!" She started walking towards him.

"Fuck off. I'm here to escort you, not be your man servant." He shot back at her casually.

Guess respect is out. I just hate her, though. She is an awful person. I can't stand that type. The moment I start doing things like that, she will think it's okay to have me doing everything. Plus, her personal guards are right there. The only reason she's saying anything to me is to start trouble.

"You… You… trash! I'll have you and that whore hung by your testicles outside the cities gates!" She screamed at him.

Mazikeen picked that time to pop back up from her scouting. Her face had a manic filled glee plastered on it as she walked up behind Hagatha.

"What did you just call me? I distinctly remember warning you the first time. I did warn her didn't I lover?"

"You did indeed." He replied, shaking his head regretfully.

"What did I tell you I would do to you if you insulted me again?"

Hagatha went pale at her words as Mazikeen began walking towards her.

"You won't. I'll… you can't." She stuttered out as Mazikeen seized her arm.

"I will and I can." She said as she made her eyes got wider.

Mazikeen then took a knee-jerking the now fighting Hagatha down. Flipping up her skirt, Mazikeen began to paddle the ever-living shit out of the woman's bottom. The cracks from her hand were like gunshots that had Perrin's ears ringing. The elf screamed for help, but no one dared oppose the action. The entourage wasn't stupid enough to do that. Two of the guards watched on in delight, exchanging coins, as Mazikeen's punishment played out in front of everyone. Clearly, the woman had made their lives just as miserable.

When she was finished, Mazikeen dropped the now sobbing woman on the ground—a look of satisfaction on her face.

"Well… at least you didn't killer her," he said.

Hagatha was glaring at Mazikeen's back balefully. Perrin didn't think that boded well for them, but she didn't say anything despite the hateful looks she was giving. She had been warned twice, so he couldn't feel sorry for her.

Hopefully, she will learn to shut her damn mouth.

He was slightly worried, though. The woman could cause them trouble depending on the situation they were walking into. All he really wanted to do was finish the escort and get back to turn it in. The information on Dio wasn't even that important at the moment. Now that he had the information on the body stage and had taken the first steps. Getting a foundation for his construct built needed to take priority. To do that, Perrin needed time. The faster they dropped off Hagatha, the better.