Jerry was kind enough to take me to a guest room with a healer to help me sleep off my fatigue. My Perception stat made me jolt awake when the door opened in the morning. A man dressed as a butler opened the door holding a tray with a glass of water on it. I look down at my body and see that I’m shirtless and wearing someone else's pants. My body seems fine now, but the strange tattoos are still there. I was secretly hoping that they would disappear if I ignored them long enough.

The butler bows and leaves while still at the door. Next to me, I find Flash Gordon and my gear cleaned from the gooey mess the snails created. I check the time, and It’s almost midday. I couldn't get out of bed before the door opened.

Jerry and a tall red-headed man walk inside the room. The man has a curly mustache above his impressive red beard. His clothes show that he has some money, and a gold watch chain hangs from his coat. This must be one of Jerry’s brothers or his father.

Jerry seems to be uncomfortable in front of this man, Jerry speaks up.

“I’m glad that you are alright, Ellis. I told you that the crag was a dangerous place to be alone.”

“I’m fine now, aren’t I?” I turn to look at the person I don't know. “May I have your name, sir.” It’s best to be polite to those with who you have no idea if they can squash you with one hand.

“I am Bartholomew Dacre, I own the bed you are sitting in and the fracture which you and my son intruded on.”

I look quizzically at Jerry, I thought he had permission from his parents to let me go in their fracture. Jerry speaks up after all the eyes in the room focus on him.

“I’m sorry that I lied to you Ellis about the permission that I got to bring you here. I was fearful that if my father said no to you being able to come over, we couldn’t be friends. And I’m sorry father, for breaking your trust and bringing a stranger to our family home.”

His father nods and speaks to Jerry, “Wait outside, I’ll talk to you later.” Jerry leaves the room.

“You are a pretty lucky kid.”

“Pardon?”

“Lucky that the [Snail Matriarch] wasn’t at the [Giant Snail] nest. The matriarch is a creature that you couldn’t handle, not even with your new levels.”

There was a matriarch? That makes sense since the patriarch wouldn’t be the one laying eggs. (Ellis doesn’t know my cool snail facts.)

“What level is the matriarch,” I ask.

“She is level 126, and her cap isn’t until 150, she is known to travel from nest to nest visiting the many types of snails that inhibit the fracture, mating, and laying eggs whenever she can.” Bartholomew Dacre looks me in my eyes and continues speaking. “Even if you did manage to kill it, I would have to kill you for killing my money maker.”

His aura is almost visible, steaming off his body. If I was anyone else I would be terrified of this man, but since I didn’t kill the matriarch I don't have to worry about being murdered right now.

[Insanity D has triggered and negated the fear effect!}

Hush.

There are two types of fractures, one type is similar to an ecosystem on Iona. They have a balance that has to be artificially kept by humans or otherfolk to maintain the stability of the fracture. They are another world entirely. The second type is more of a zerg fracture, an unstable mess of mass spawning monstrosities that want nothing more than to break free and create havoc for the denizens of Iona. Mages and scientists have tried to figure out how such an ecosystem is sustainable.

“I apologize for entering your home without your knowledge, it was an honest mistake and I would have never come here if I knew that I wasn’t welcomed.”

“If you are sorry then you can do something for me.”

I hate getting into debt, and now I’m in the debt of someone else. As long as the task is not too complicated to handle, then it shouldn’t be a problem. I nod in understanding.

“I have done my research on you Ellis Vincere, I know who your father and your grandfather are. My family, the Dacre household has been around along with the Vinceres. Unlike the Vinceres we started to dabble in politics, causing our current disheveled state.”

If this is disheveled, then I don’t want to know what my current living situation is.

“What I need you to do is watch out for my son Jerry, he is a naive boy that can be led astray by wayward thoughts. I also need you to not talk about the Dacre fracture,” he emphasizes that last sentence, it seems that anonymity is important to this guy.

“I understand.”

“Good, good. Now you should get going.”

I question him, “How many kids do you have?”

“Forty-three, all of them have the same mother”

“Damn! How old are you?”

Bartholomew ignores me and leaves the room. I finally get up and grab my stuff. Since Rob is nowhere to be seen I activate [Master’s Whistle] and he apparates in front of me. He is confused at first but then gets overjoyed at my recovery, hopping around and chattering his teeth.

I have a rough idea of where I am so I head to the front door. On the way there I spot Jerry looking around for something.

“Hey, Jerry.”

“Ellis, Rob was right next to me and now he is gone,” he frantically searches until he spots him right behind me, trying to get into my bag.

“Oh, there he is. How did he sneak past me?”

“Don't worry about it, are you in any trouble.”

“Kinda but not really,” a flash of realization shines in his eyes, “I told your family that you were sleeping over here since I didn’t know how they would take it if I went over and told them you were lost in a fracture again.”

“Good call but don’t do that again,”

“Are you saying that because it won't happen again?”

“No, I’m saying that because I won’t get lost again.”

These tattoos are really bothering me, I show Jerry my arm and say, “Hey do you notice anything atypical with my arm?”

“No I don’t, why does it hurt?”

I guess that these tattoos cant be seen by other people since they are not hallucinations. Isn’t that the definition of a hallucination? I ignore my question.

I end the conversation and leave the premises. I have two days left before the showcase/test at the tamer’s course so I better get my Feathered Boa before It’s too late.

~

I managed to remember that I’m not wearing my clothes. I quickly went home and got changed into my uniform. While I was here I decided to research the Feathered Boa, to see what leverage I can use against this snake. After gathering some information, my [Lexicon] updated

[Species: Feathered Boa

Variant: N/A

Rank: F

These rare snakes are found deep inside hostile rain forests. Their main diet is seeking out weaker songbirds and feasting on them and their eggs. The Feathered Boa has no known abilities and no uses in a fight. They have been seen perching at the highest points in treetops, peering over the land.

Scientists have never found an egg of a Feathered Boa and have no idea what defense mechanisms they have if any.

Ancient tribes used to depict any feathered snake as a sign from their god, whether or not that applies to Feathered Boas are unknown.]

The campus is sparse, but the tamer class is still ongoing. I haven’t been here for a while, but I remember exactly where that prideful snake resided. I squeeze through groups of students until I reach the Feathered Boa.

The snake is still there and still looking down on all the students below them. I know that standard taming will not reach this creature, so I put on my Champions Helmet and activate Its ability.

[Declare Challenge

The user targets the challenger to a challenge, if the challenger accepts they will be compelled to complete the challenge until they are defeated or if they declare defeat.

The challenge must involve the User somehow.]

“Snake, I will challenge you to a battle of willpower. My prize when I win is the right to bind you as a servant. If you succeed you will get me in return.

In my mind, a voice rings out.

[Why should I accept your challenge, human. I live in luxury between these bars, while you have to work for every scrap of food.]

The snake is still staring right at me, the voice in my head is probably not a hallucination. My gut feeling was correct, this is no ordinary Feather Boa. I check it with [Scientific Insight+]

[Featherd Boa F lv10]

“I can take you places you have never seen before, reach evolutions that no one has recorded,” I don't have much to offer this snake, if this fails I’m just going to beat it up until it submits or can’t resist my skill.

[Tempting, human. I guess I am willing to get a free slave. Now don’t resist.]

I didn’t understand its last statement until I felt a tugging at my mind. I feel like I can resist Its effects but I’m willing to test my luck with what scheme this snake has under its sleeves (scales?). My vision goes dark.