(Just a quick note. For those who don't like more mature (sexy) moments, it's perfectly okay. I've written a mature warning, and you can not read it, you won't miss any important details about the story. Those matures moments are here to further the experience of the story but aren't required to understand it. With that said, enjoy^^)

Outside the inn, Woboc was carefully examining the three horses, Giliane silently keeping an eye on him.

"So, sir Woboc, how do they look to you?"

Woboc stepped back a bit, looking at the horses while playing with his moustache.

"Hmm...they sure are in good condition, not afraid of men...and you said you are willing to give away the equipment too?"

"Indeed. The saddles are specially made for them, and made to last long too."

"Yes, yes, I saw that, very fine work there...And what did you say you were interested in?"

"A bocow, if possible."

The tall man stayed silent for a minute, thinking.

"I'll take the two finer ones."

"Is there a problem with the third one?"

"Too big, too strong. This one would be better for farm work than for a raiser like me. I need horses who can run all day long, I do not need one who can pull high charges."

Woboc wasn't lying. The horse who belonged to the big dude in armour was really much thicker than the two others with his physic of a workhorse.

*Arold could keep it...this one would be helpful on the field.*

"Alright. I know a farmer who will be glad to have it. Where are your beasts ? Where can we make the exchange ?"

"Follow me, it isn't far from the village. Thirty minutes by horse, more or less."

"Climb on one, Woboc, I'll take the thicker one."

"Well, thank you."

"Oh, just before we go, I have something to ask of the smith. Could you wait a moment?"

"I have a bit of time. How long do you need?"

"Not much."

"Okay, listen. My land is on the south, follow the road and you'll find it. I'm going first with the lady to show her the way. We won't be going too fast, you'll be able to catch on us quickly."

Maximilian questioned Giliane with a look, she responded with a nod.

"Fine, I'll rejoin you soon."

The raiser climbed on the horse who accepted him without a sound and led Giliane to the south.

Maximilian went to the smith, a big and strong fellow currently working on some steel, hitting the shining red metal with his hammer.

"Good day, smith, do you have time for a customer ?"

"Give me a second..."

The smith examined the piece he just finished and, looking okay with it, plunged it in cold water, making steam come out of it. Once done, he put the steel on the side and faced Maximilian.

"Good day to you too. What can I do for you?"

Pointing at the horse behind him, Maximilian asked.

"This fellow here is going to work in the field. I need a shoulder harness for him. Best quality possible, be it in the leather or the metal parts. What I want is something that won't bother him and will last for long. Can you do that ?"

"I have the capacity, I have the material...what about you, do you have something to pay for it?"

"I have. What can you offer?"

"This..."

The smith went to the back of his workplace, inside a big wooden box, and came back with a big harness.

"I bought it some time ago from a farmer whose horse died, of old age, he told me. I can reinforce it and adjust it for your animal's size."

Maximilian scanned the harness in the smith's hands. The thing wasn't anything special to look at, but the quality was indeed there. It was clearly made to last more than to be pretty.

"Fine for me. Do your best to upgrade the resistance. How long would it take?"

The smith looked at the beast while scratching his head.

"I have the basic stuff already done. With the beast measurment...give me four hours, it should be fine."

"That's perfect. Let's take his measurements, then I'll have to go settle an exchange with the raiser Woboc, I'll see how it went when I'm back."

"Before I start working...We didn't agree on a price."

"Oh, silly me, you're right. How much do you ask for that?"

"Let's see...normally, it is my wife who take care of the money...to be frank, she as more the hand for it."

"So...is your wife here?"

"In a minute, she went to buy some sugar to the merchant. You see, this is our little princess birthday, and she loves galette."

The smile on the strong man's face showed just how much the lone idea of his wife and daughter made him happy. It was truly heartwarming to see...before Maximilian realised what he just said.

"When you say merchant, you mean the one just there?"

"Well...yes, he is the only merchant here, why?"

"This could be a problem..."

Just as he was saying that, a woman got out of the shop with a girl, not older than five, looking clearly sad.

If the smith was tall, big and strong, his wife was small and thin, although quite good looking. The smith put the harness down and came crouching near his daughter.

"Princess, what is it?"

"Mama says we couldn't make galette..."

The smith looked at his wife, nearly his size despite the fact he was crouched.

"Why is that, dear ?"

"There is no salt nor sugar left. The old merchant told me some noble in red bought everything from him."

"Some noble in r..."

Standing up, the smith turned to face Maximilian, examining him from head to toes.

"Yes, that would be me."

The smith came near him, managing to made himself the tallest possible, one head taller than Maximilian.

"Sir...please sell me some sugar and salt."

The polite tone of the tall man surprised Maximilian.

*Comming at me like that, I thought he was gonna try to threaten me or something...he is quite the honest type when you look past the burly appearance.*

The woman came next to her husband, with their daughter between them.

"Please, sir. This is our daughter's birthday..."

"I know, you husband told me about his little princess."

Maximilian crouched to face the little girl, smiling at her.

"And how old are your today, princess?"

"I'm five today."

"And your dad told me you love galette, is that true?"

She nodded.

"Well then, It wouldn't be good of me to take the galettes of her majesty."

Maximilian stood back up.

"Do you have something to put the salt and sugar in ?"

"Yes, here."

The woman took from her basket two small pots with tops, with a possibility of a few spoon, no more.

*That seems normal, seeing the worth of those, they cannot buy more at the same time.*

Maximilian took the two pots and reached inside the Havenbag, filling them with sugar and salt.

"Here you go, sugar and salt. Will this be enough?"

"Thank you, sir. Let me get the money and..."

"It's alright, madam. Please accepts this as an account for your husband's work...if this is enough, of course."

"Yes, yes, it is quite enough as an account, thank you, sir. Come, dear, let's prepare what we need for those galettes."

"Yeah, galette, galette."

The woman saluted Maximilian before going inside with her daughter. Maximilian tapped the smith's shoulder.

"Don't worry about the money, I trust you and your wife will ask the honest price for your work. Take the measurements and I'll let you get to it."

The smith took what he need for the work and immediately began to work on Maximilian's order.

Maximilian climbed on the horse and followed the south road like Woboc indicated earlier. Trotting, the big horse advanced rapidly on the calm road. The sunny day made the way easy to travel on.

After a while, he rejoined with the other two.

"So, how is this new mount of yours, sir Woboc?"

"It's a well-trained animal. I have to say I was a bit hesitant at first, but seeing how it went until here, I'm more than ready to make the exchange...how did it go with the smith?"

"Quite well, I ordered some harness for this fellow."

"I bet you will be satisfied. This man does a good work."

"He seems to be fine, yes."

"You can say that again. Let me tell you, this man is as tall as a Bobull, but he has the sweetest heart when it comes to his little princess. And his wife, this little lady can count, let me tell you. Honest, yes, but harsh when it comes to money business."

"I'll have to trust you on that...what is a Bobull?"

...........................................................................................................................................................

While advancing on the road. Woboc took the time to explain to Maximilian what exactly was a bobull. Actually, it simply was the Bocow's male. If the Bocow looked a lot like the cow of his old world, the Bobull was looking a lot like a bull. Bigger than the Bocow, very hard to tame, and with horns so strong they could be a threat for a plate armour.

"The good thing is, once they are tamed, they won't try to attack you, never. They have some kind of fidelity to their owner. They are very possessive with the females, so we cannot put two Bobull with females or it is sure to turn to blood. But on the other hand, a Bobull will serve as a guardian with his females against predators. We don't even need fences to forbid them to go away, they always stay near the house, as long as there is some grass to eat."

"You mean there could be fences who would stop them if they charged?"

"...maybe a stone wall? No wood fence could stop them, that's for sure."

As they were talking, Woboc's land came into view. His house wasn't tall, but quite large, at least twice the size of Arold's old one. It was a raiser's land, no field in view, just a small vegetable garden for family use. All around the house, a group of Bocows were calmly eating grass, a massive Bobull was there with them.

"So, those are Bocows..."

"You've never seen one of those?"

"Never before. I'm coming from a far away land, where there is no Bocow at all."

"That's strange...well, let's go, we will discuss the exchange when we arrive."

They soon reached the raiser's house, where they were greeted by his family. Three sons, tripled of sixteen years old, nearly as tall as their father, a golden blond wife with a natural gentle look on her face, and a slightly younger girl, eleven years, with a golden hair braid and some freckles on her face.

"Hello family, I'm back."

Woboc introduced Maximilian and Giliane to the family, and why they were here. It appeared that one of the horses was for his daughter, the other one for him, his old one was dead not too long ago.

"I was going to go to the capital to arrange an exchange anyway, so you made me win a journey."

"I'm happy for you Woboc."

"Dear, if I can talk to you a minute."

After saluting Maximilian and Giliane, Woboc went inside to talk with his wife, the children staying out with them.

"I hope our visit isn't a bother?"

The triplet answered, one finishing other's phrase each time.

"Not..."

"...really."

"Mum is just worried about the well."

"The well we were supposed..."

"...to ask help for."

Maximilian sighed.

*This is going to bother me very soon.*

Next was the daughter. She quickly saw the triplet were bothering Maximilian.

"Please excuse them, sir. They like to talk like that since always."

"Only..."

"...when we want."

"And that..."

"...would be every day."

The triplet looked at each other then laughed a bit. Giliane coughed in her fist to suppress hers. Maximilian decided that it was the daughter he would speak with.

"Can you explain to me exactly what is the problem with the well ?"

"Oh, that's simple. We had a very old well behind the house. Dady said that it was his great grandfather who dug it long ago with the help of a mage. But, a month ago, it crumbled down. We were using it to fetch water, now we must go to the river and we lose a lot of time."

"I understand...but what does it have to do with me and my friend?"

"Dady was supposed to get help from the mages in the capital while he was there for the horses. Now that he is talking about not going, mum is simply worried about that."

"Oh, that's all...tell me, do your father would be willing to sell me a Bobull with the Bocows ?"

"No Bobull who can..."

"...be sold right now..."

"...the only one available is too young..."

"Too savage...."

"...Not tamed yet..."

The triplet had started to spoke again.

"Can you go get your parents please, I'd like to speak to them about the well."

"Okay..."

"...we do it..."

"...immediately."

The triplet went inside, calling for their parents. Maximilian smiled sadly at the blond girl.

"I respect your patience with those three. I'm going mad after two minutes."

She shrugged.

"It's not that bad. Once you get used to it, they are gentle and work a lot."

"Yeah...I suppose it's me."

...........................................................................................................................................................

"The boys told me you had something to talk to me about the well?"

"I think so. But first, I must ask. How do you tame Bobull?"

"With patience, time, and force. We lock Bobull once they are old enough before they started to look after females. It takes a lot of patience to make them learn who is the master, who decide if they eat, if they can go out, those kinds of things. We mustn't let them flee, or they could realise too soon they are stronger than us. If it happens, it is nearly impossible to tame one, because they only respect strength in that case."

"So, if I understand. Once you showed them you are stronger, they will never again go against you?"

"That's it. But why are asking me this?"

"Simple. I would like to buy a Bobull with the Bocow."

The family looked at him in silence for a minute.

"I'm sorry, it is not possible."

"Why?"

"Because the only Bobull we could possibly sell isn't tamed, at all. Letting him go out now would be disastrous."

"What if I show him I'm stronger ?"

"Beleive me, you're not."

Maximilian thought about a way to make the situation go his way.

"I have an idea. The Bobull you are taming now is old enough to breed, yes?"

"He is physically able, yes."

"Okay, here is my proposition. You take the two horses with the equipment, and in exchange, I take one Bocow, just old enough to breed. "

"That would be very advantageous for me, why would you do that?"

"Let me finish, you'll see. After that, I'll take care of your well. In exchange, you give me a chance to tame that Bobull we were talking about. If I don't succeed, you keep the Bobull and the horses, I'll only take the Bocow. What do you say?"

Woboc looked at his wife, before answering him.

"Sir Maximilian...you could die facing a Bobull, you realise that, yes?"

"I do, but believe me, I won't die, not like that."

Woboc scratched his neck, thinking.

"Okay, listen. I'm willing to let you try if you promise me my family won't have to face any consequences if you happen to die here. I have the idea you are part of some strange noble family and I wouldn't want to see soldiers coming for my head later. If you survive and go without the Bobull, I make the promise to let your Bocow be mounted by one of my Bobull so she at least has a chance to give life afterwards."

"What they say about you is true, you truly are an honest man, Woboc. Be assured, I am not a noble. Should I die here, you won't have anyone coming to take revenge for me."

"Do we have a deal?"

"We do."

The two men shook hands.

...........................................................................................................................................................

The triplet took the two horses, now property of Woboc's family, and lead them to the place they would now stay at. Woboc, his daughter and wife led Maximilian behind the house, Giliane staying with the last horse for a bit.

Like the daughter explained, the well wasn't anything more than a little pile of stones at the moment, all the inside had crumbled.

"We agreed on you taking care of the well, but how are you going to do that? Are you a mage?"

"I know a bit about magic, yes. Step back, please."

The three did as told while Maximilian stomped one time on the ground.

"Earth vision."

This spell allowed Maximilian to see, or more precisely sense, the earth around him. He had used it the night before while building Arold's new house and was now using it to know what to do.

*The well wasn't strong enough, that's why he crumbled. First, let's get rid of it.*

He came just before the pile of stones and stomped on it. The stones were projected inside the ground, all the way down the hole, to fall into the underground lake.

"You truly are a mage!"

Woboc was appreciative of Maximilian's work.

"Well, yeah. It wouldn't be honest of me to tell you I am otherwise."

"Do you know why the well crumbled?"

"Yes, it wasn't strong enough, simple as that. That's okay, I'll make this one far stronger."

"Thank you for that."

Using earth magic, he redid the hole, straightening it and making it slightly bigger. After that, he made a single big rock well. Descending all the way into the underground lake, Maximilian made sure it wouldn't crumble like the old one.

*That is done, now for safety, let's do that...*

Inside the well, he dug a natural ladder. If for a reason or another, they had to go down the well, they now could.

*God I wish someone could have had the same idea that time at grandma's house...*

Maximilian just had a flashback about a day when he had dropped his grandpa's old watch inside the well in his grandparents garden by accident. His bottom still remembered his grandma's belt.

"You'll just need a rope and a bucket, is that okay?"

"That we have, don't worry."

"Fine then, now to finish it...."

From the ground around, Maximilian made four stone pillars, of approximately two meters, appeared. They took the form of legs, upon which Maximilian made the replica of a Bocow's body, all of stone, serving as a roof for the well. The bocow's tummy was empty, the mechanism with the crank used to pull the bucket out situated inside.

"Waouh!"

Maximilian smiled to himself as he heard Woboc's daughter exclamation.

"Finished. How do you find it?"

The raiser and his wife were examining the well, nodding while doing so.

"You are skilful, sir Maximilian, this is truly some good work."

"You just have to attach a rope long enough, and you'll be set. If you don't mind, maybe could we go see the Bobull now? I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time."

"Are you sure? This is dangerous, please reconsider."

"It's alright, Woboc, really."

The raiser sighed.

"Very well, a deal is a deal, follow me."

They all went to an enclosure made of high plank measuring three good meters.

"Why the planks? I thought the Bobull could break them easily."

"He can. They are here to block his view. He won't see the outside before the taming is done, believe me, that's for the best."

They climbed on a ladder, going on some kind of platform with a view on the inside.

The enclosure was simply made, with only one exit, a dozen meters wide, and in the middle, the famous beast.

Like Woboc had explained, it was a serious piece of meat. All black with red eyes, muscular and freaking big, with curved horns looking tough enough to pass through armours.

"Is this him, the one you want to try taming?"

Giliane had followed them on the platform, the horse calmly eating a bit of grass not far, waiting for them. She wasn't looking too sure about Maximilian's idea.

"Yep, impressive beast if I can say. So we are clear, I just have to show him who is the strongest between us two, and he will obey me, right?"

"That's the idea."

"Okay then, let's do this."

Not waiting for them to say something else, Maximilian jumped inside the enclosure. He landed in front of the beast, one or two meters away, while all the others gasped.

"Sir Maximilian! Look out, you're on his territory, he is going to attack!"

While Woboc was ordering his upcoming triplet to go get him some rope to pull Maximilian out, the beast roared. Although, compare to what a bull could do in his old world, this roaring was deeper, more powerful, showing the impressive power of the beast.

"Yeah, yeah, you're a big strong fellow, I get that."

Maximilian, nonetheless, wasn't impressed in the least.

*Compare to a giant spider or a freaking dragon, there's nothing to be afraid of.*

The Bobull scratched the ground with his hooves, pointing at Maximilian with his horns, readying the charge.

"Sir Maximilian! He's gonna charge, you have to evade it or he will kill you!"

Maximilian didn't answer back, simply activating his colossus strength skill.

"Come, boy, I'm ready for you."

The beast charged, the speed simply unbelievable for his size. Maximilian calmly lifted a hand, palm facing the Bobull.

"SIR MAXIMILIAN!!!"

And the animal rammed in Maximilian, a cloud of dust appearing around them as a loud sound of a collision could be heard.

"Maximilian? Maximilian?"

Giliane was desperately trying to see through the dust, fearing the worst.

"I'm okay Giliane, don't worry."

*Thank ancients, he managed to ev...what!*

All opened round eyes as the dust disappeared, showing the scene in the enclosure.

Maximilian hadn't moved an inch, his hand forbidding the Bobull to take a step further in his direction, pushing with all his strength on the human's hand in front of him.

"You are a tenacious one..."

Maximilian , still with his hand on the beast's forehead, between the horns, looked in the animal eyes. He let a bit of his aura be felt by him.

"Look at me..."

The fury in the beast eyes disappeared in an instant, replaced by fear. It was as if something a thousand time bigger was in the place of the man.

"...I am stronger than you, do you understand?"

The Bobull stopped pushing, stepping back a bit, he let his head go down. Maximilian came in his direction and put a hand on the beast head, slightly patting it.

"Good boy."

A new skill appeared and was maximised by Maximilian.

Taming Level: 10/10

Maximilian then looked up at Woboc and the others.

"So? Is he mine to take now?"

...........................................................................................................................................................

Less than an hour later, all was ready. Keeping his word, Woboc had given a young Bocow, in good condition to mate with the Bobull, who was already keeping guard around his soon to be female. He also gave a good dozen bocow's milk litre Maximilian had put in the havenbag.

"You're sure you're not willing to become a full-time raiser? You have a gift with the beasts."

"Thank you for the offer, Woboc, but I must decline. I won't be on those land for long, and those are farewell gifts for some friends. You are sure the Bobull will be okay even after I've left?"

"That's for certain. Give him the order, and he will follow it till death...or till you order him otherwise."

"It's alright then. Woboc, thank you and your family for this good deal."

"Ho no, sir Maximilian, thank you. The deal was honest, and you gave us a beautiful well, plus an incredible show. I don't know who are your friends, but tell them they are welcome if they one day need any advice concerning the Bocow or Bobull."

"It's Arold and Molly's family, with my friend here and her family. I'll be sure to tell them about your kind offer. Good fortune on your family, Woboc."

"Same with you, come back again if you can."

They shook hands and bid farewell before Maximilian and Giliane were on their way, going back to the village.

...........................................................................................................................................................

They travelled silently for a bit, walking next to the animals. It took them nearly twice the time to come back at the village, because of the Bobull and Bocow, really not the running type of animal if not threaten, and Maximilian didn't want to scare them only to make them go faster.

"I think it was stupid of you."

Giliane had kept silent for a while, not looking very pleased.

"You'll have to be more precise, Giliane."

"Do I really need to? The Bobull of course! You shouldn't have act like that. What if he had hurt you, or worse..."

"Were you worried about me?"

"Of course I was worried!"

"That's kind of you. Thank you, really."

The wolf woman looked at him as he answered with a wide smile, then sighed.

"I don't know how Lin-Lin manages to travel with you...you are something else."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"...that was one."

The last words were whispered by the wolf woman.

They arrived at the village in the afternoon, the four hours asked by the smith passed a good thirty minutes ago.

"Giliane, I have something to finish with the smith, can you continue on the way to win time? I'll catch up with you."

"Hum...is the Bobull gonna obey me?"

"Yes he will, he saw me trusting you, if I ask him to, he'll listen to you."

Maximilian came in front of the Bobull and showed Giliane, taking her hand.

"Let him smell you, juts in case you should "change" "

"Oh...alright"

The Bobull smelled the woman's hand and waited.

"You listen to her, you obey, okay?"

The beast eyes showed he understood. Giliane pursued on the way, followed by the Bobull and Bocow.

With the horse, Maximilian went near the smith, who welcomed him warmly.

"Sir, you're back! The work is done."

"Good news, let's try it on."

"Of course, I still have to make the slight adjustments."

Maximilian helped the smith putting the harness on. While the man made sure all was adjusted correctly, Maximilian scanned the material once again.

The man had worked well, the structure was greatly reinforced, with well-forged metal replacing the older one, it was going to last long for sure.

"Here, all done, the harness is just the good size. I did as you asked, upgrading the entire thing, how do you find it?"

"An excellent work. I'm glad to have stopped here. Tell me, my good man, how much?"

"Let me call my wife, she will tell you how much. Also, she wanted to see you when you came back."

The smith disappeared a moment inside his house. In the meantime, Maximilian took off the harness and put it inside the Havenbag, not wanting to bother the horse with it while on the way.

The tall man came out with his wife, their daughter following behind.

"You wanted to see me, madam?"

The little lady smiled at him.

"Yes. First thing first, concerning the payment. For the materials and the work on it, this will make a total ten silver coins."

Maximilian had already an idea of the price, thanks to one of his last skills obtain. Like he thought it would be, the price was honest. He took out the coins and gave them to the little lady who seemed surprised.

"Is there a problem?"

"No. It's just that...It's actually quite rare to have someone paying what we asked without trying to bargain."

"That's because I only bargain when I feel like I'm asked to pay too much for what I'm given. You asked an honest price, so there is no need for me to bargain."

The couple looked at each other before the woman put the money in her pocket. She took out something with a tissue folded around it.

"I made too much galette, and because it is thanks to you I manage to make them for my daughter today, she and I want you to take some."

Maximilian took the offered food.

"That is...very generous of you, thank you."

Putting them inside the Havenbag, Maximilian had an idea.

"Would it be alright for me to offer something to your princess?"

"Oh it's alright, you don't have to..."

"No,no, I insist. You are good people, honest, and I think she deserves something too."

The couple looked at each other once again.

"Very well, if you're sure..."

"I am."

Maximilian crouched to face the little girl between her parents.

"Thank you for the galette, princess."

"You welcome..."

The simple way of speaking the girl was using had that cute side the children could have sometimes.

"I heard that the princesses can do magic, is that true?"

The little girl looked at her parents before shaking her head from left to right. Maximilian took a false thinking face while picking up a stone on the ground, on which he quickly draw some runes.

"Oh...are you sure? Why don't we try? Here I think if you take this stone..."

Slightly pushed by her mother, the girl stepped further and took the little stone Maximilian gave her.

"Now tell me, what is the animal you like the most?"

"...butterfly."

"Ah yes, they are beautiful with their wings full of colours."

"Yeah, they pretty."

"So now, if you tighten your hand on it while thinking very strong about the animal you like the most, there could be some magic."

The little girl did as tell, tightening her hands so much her hand became whiter. From inside her fist, some ray of light could be seen. Maximilian made a surprised face, like the little girl.

"What was that? Isn't that magic? You should open your hand to see."

"...sure?"

"Of course, it's your magic, princess."

As she opened her hand, the stone had transformed into a magnificent crystal butterfly with wings of a thousand colours. The eyes of the little girl shined as she looked at it.

"Woaaah!"

The parents came and looked what was inside their daughter's hand, only to opened their eyes wide.

"Pretty..."

"This is beautiful."

Maximilian was happy his present was working. But it wasn't over yet.

"You should blow on it...I heard that's how princesses make their magic work."

The little girl looked at her parents who encouraged her, then did as told.

As she blew on the crystal creature, the still figure animated itself, flapping its wings and getting off the girl's hand. It turned around her several times before landing on her wrist. As it landed, the wings grew several times before turning around the little girl's wrist, it finally shined white a bit and became a crystal bracelet with the little crystal butterfly on the top of it.

The little girl admired the jewel on her forearm, as did her parents.

"When you'll need to take it off, just pass your finger on the butterfly's back."

"Like this?"

The little girl did as told, and the bracelet took back the form of a little crystal butterfly.

"Happy birthday, princess."

...........................................................................................................................................................

After being warmly thanked by the smith's family, Maximilian thanked the man for his work and climbed on the horse before going back in Arold's land direction.

as he let the horse calmly walked on the way, he took the time to examined his stats screen once again. His fuller skills list gave him a nice feeling, like some kind of accomplishment.

Name: Maximilian Baltazard Van Nilmerus Age: 35 years Gender: Male Level: 399 Class: Non defined Race: Human HP: 999999/999999 Mana: 999999/999999 Constitution: 99 Charisma: 99 Strength: 99 Vitality: 99 Agility: 99 Intelligence: 99 Luck 99 Skill points remaining 3490 Titles: Not appraised Skills ancient runes understanding, colossus strength, scan, knowledge Assimilation, Wind magic: resistance, wind magic: control, mana refuelling, fairy language, Fire magic: resistance, Fire magic: control, Water magic: resistance, Water magic: control, Earth magic: resistance, Earth magic: control, Pain resistance, weapon mastery: axe, weapon mastery: sword, weapon mastery: knife, weapon mastery: polearm, weapon mastery: bow, weapon mastery: crossbow, weapon mastery: shield, weapon mastery: staff, weapon mastery: blunt weapon, martial art mastery, bare hands fighting, mana coins making, rune magic, Ingredients recognition, aura control, Ice magic: control, ice magic: resistance, electricity magic, control, electricity magic: resistance, teleportation skill, trap detection, danger sensing, jumping, Ingredients gathering, Salvage, reptilian anatomy knowledge, cooking, calligraphy, Incapacitating noise resistance, cool head, inspire, Humanoïd anatomy knowledge, Tailoring, Anatomy knowledge: spider, Teaching, Riding, Goods value knowledge, Bargain, Taming.

Something, on the other hand, caught his attention for the first time, title and class were empty. Well, to be frank, there was something wrote in them, but only to signal he didn't have any class or title.

*It is said "not defined" and "not appraised"...that's strange, How is it possible? I can see everything about me but that? I'll have to gather some info about that.*

He quickly caught on Giliane, pursuing the travel on foot with her.

.........................................................................................................................................................

The least you could say was that there was a good mood on Arold's land. When Maximilian and Giliane came back, everyone was around the windmill, admiring the great wings slowly turning around, thanks to the thick layer of Octavia's white web.

"I see our eight legs friend has done a good work."

They all turn around when they heard him, and were surprised to see the beasts behind him.

"A bocow and a...bobull? How did you manage to have one?"

"The raiser Woboc and I made a deal. I tamed this one."

"You tamed a bobul? In a day? How..."

"Arold, it isn't necessary to ask how at this point. I think we all have understood Maximilian isn't normal."

"You're right dear...But why the bobull?"

"Well, I thought if you had a bocow here, better have this strong fellow to look after her."

"Here? Are you willing to give us those two? Why?"

"Simple, so the horse would not feel lonely."

Maximilian laughed heartily when he saw the couple's faces.

.........................................................................................................................................................

The next hours, Maximilian gave what he bought for everyone, from the tools to the clothes material.

"When I look at Giliane, I think you can do wonders with clothes, Molly. This will help you."

He also gave a part of the food, salt and sugar, but kept half of it for the journey to come.

"That is a lot of food."

"Indeed, but I felt like you should have something to stock while the crops grow and you manage to hunt some good prey."

Molly was worried.

"That's generous of you, but a lot of those things will rot if we don't eat them in a week."

"Not necessarily."

"What do you mean?"

Maximilian stood from the bank he was seating on, going at the centre of the room.

"This concern the last rooms I have to show you all."

"There are other rooms? I thought we saw everything."

"That's the idea. If some enemies manage to invade this land, there is the last protection for you all. Come in this room and say the password "Refuge of the dragon's friends, open." "

As the words left his mouth, a part of the ground moved away, revealing the underground hallway. All of Maximilian's friend gasped, taking a step back.

"A secret passage?!"

"It was there all along?"

"I didn't remark it at all."

Maximilian explained.

"None of you could have. When closed, this secret passage is completely invisible. There is more than enough space for everyone to fit, but at the moment I would like to not have more than one or two people with me, Arold and Molly. "

"Molly and me? Why?"

"Because there is a thing I want to talk to you about, and something I need to show Molly. The others are welcomed, of course, but please, not everyone at the same time or it is going to be crowded in there."

Maximilian went in, followed by Molly, Arold, Gang and Gara. They all went to the pantry first.

"What is this room?"

"This, Molly, is a pantry. You'll be able to keep in here all the food and drinks you want, it will never rot. Did you make too much stew? Keep it here for a week, a month, a year if you want. You have too much meat at the moment and do not want to use the salt? Put it here, It will stay as fresh as the day the beast was killed."

Molly took some steps in the pantry, looking around.

"And it's so vast, I can put enough food to feed an army in there..."

"Well, you and Arold opened your door to slaves once, I have the idea you would do it again, so better be prepared."

"Thank you, really. I'll see with the others upstairs, let's keep what we need for now and put the rest in here."

"While you do that, I have the last room to show Arold."

Maximilian lead the two wolfkins and the farmer to the underground field. They all looked amazed by the place.

"There...there's a sun under the ground?"

"And a field? Why is there a field underground?"

"That is the last thing I want to talk to you about, Arold. There are some plants I would like for you to grow here."

"Plants? What kind?"

"Bloodleaves and Hollyberries."

The three facing him looked at each other before asking.

"Really? You want me to grow weed? Why?"

"That, Arold, is something I'm only willing to tell you if you accept my proposition."

"Wich proposition?"

"A partnership, my dear Arold, a partnership. But let me explain to you with details."

.........................................................................................................................................................

The next hour, Maximilian explained in details his plan. Those common plants could be used in certain potions, although no one knew it. The idea was that Arold and the others could easily make them grow underground in secret, so none would ask questions about it, be it friends or foes.

"I'll do it."

"We'll do it"

Arold accepted immediately, seconded by Gang. Maximilian was surprised.

"Really? Like that? I didn't even talk to you about your advantage in the matter."

"The advantage? Are you kidding us? You came and helped us out with the slavers, offered us this place, this paradise to live in, you brought us new tools, clothes and even beasts to help us....I think we have already a very good advantage here, Maximilian."

"Please, hear me out. Those things here, they are presents, not bargain arguments. If you chose to help me with those plants, I promise you a monetary retribution."

"Money? For weeds?"

"Indeed. Now that you have accepted to help, I can tell you. Those are ingredients for health potions."

"Really? But health potions are so expensive. How can weeds be parts of something with a price so high?"

"That's because the common health potion uses other ingredients, more expensive and rarer ones. I'm going to create better health potion I'll be able to sell for a cheaper price, it is sure to be successful on the market. On the other hand, I'll certainly catch some attention after a time. To be sure you won't be bother by some unpleasant visitors, I prefer to hide this field. I'll come back from time to time to buy the crops from you, all you have to do is take care of the field, harvest and stock those plants in the special space I create for them."

"The ones other there?"

"Yes, you will be able to stock quite a bit, so I don't worry about the time I take to between my visits."

"But...how can you be sure this will work? the health potion I mean."

"That's a good question, Gang. Let me explain to you quickly how this place works then we'll go upstair again, I'll make a health potion just for you."

...........................................................................................................................................................

After taking some more time to explain how the idea of day and night was recreated underground and how they could make "rain" fall on the field, Maximilian and the others went back up in the living room.

There, Maximilian used a small cauldron he had to prepare a health potion like the old book was explaining. It didn't take that long actually, the cauldron soon filled with a blood-red liquid with a golden reflect in it.

"Here, all done. If my scan skill is right, this health potion is of the best quality. If someone wants to try?"

Everyone was present in the room, but none said anything. After a minute, Gang stepped forward, taking a kitchen knife from Molly.

"There is only one way to know if a health potion works well..."

he passed his palm on the knife, deeply cutting his flesh.

"That's a way to do it I guess...No need to let you suffer for nothing. Here, drink this."

Maximilian filled a cup with the potion and Gang drank it, his injury healing itself in a few seconds. Everyone came looking at the wolfman hand, impressed by the potion's efficacity.

"So...now we know it's effective...let's put it in flasks to conserve it."

While Molly and others continued to take care of the dinner, Maximilian used earth magic to made flasks of stone he filled with the potion. When the cauldron was finally empty, fifteen stone flasks were filled.

"And done, good work if I say so myself. Here, Arold,you take those."

Maximilian pushed ten of the new-made flask on the table in Arold's direction who seemed hesitant.

"That much? Maximilian, I cannot accept..."

"Take them, they could be useful. Who knows in wich states some could arrive here. Rest assure that I'll refill your stock each time I'll come back, so do not worry about using them if necessary. Now, be careful, those are health potion, used to heal physic injuries. They won't be of any help to cure illness, so you must stay prudent."

"I understand, we'll be careful."

Titus, who hadn't say a thing for a while, finally spoke.

"And concerning enemies? You say the soldiers won't be a problem, but I'm still not sure about that. And even without them, there could always have bandits or some human noble who can find this place, then what? If I understood you well, this fog of yours only affects monsters. What will we do when humans come?"

Maximilian thought for a bit while Gang was arguing with his friend.

"Titus isn't wrong, Gang...I, indeed, have hopes the soldiers won't be a threat to you all. But there could be others who try to attack and take this place from you. I'll give you weapons to defend yourselves. Bows, arrows, swords...I have those. Now, if a slaver should come, it is probable he will have one of those sceptres again, that would mean you beastkins won't be able to fight back. And, no offence Arold but, to be honest, you and Molly alone wouldn't be able to defend this place..."

"So? What do you propose?"

And like that, in a flash, Maximilian had an idea.

"Simple! Call for help."

"That's...an idea, but if you haven't realised, we aren't exactly near other people who could help..."

"That's right, Titus, and this is why I'll make something for you...I'll give you a ring of free talkers, charge to the max. Leave it where any of you can reach it. If one day, or one night, you shall need help, one of you will have to put this ring on and call me for help, I'll be sure to come as soon as possible."

While speaking, Maximilian took a silver ring out of the Havenbag and started to engrave runes on it.

"From this day on, I'll always have mine on, so I'll always hear your call. But don't forget you already have a bobull here, if a slaver tries to invade the place, simply order him to attack."

"It would listen to us?"

"I'll make sure he will."

Molly clapped her hands once.

"Perfect. If this discussion about future danger is other, I propose we eat, everyone."

"Indeed, I'm starving."

"I think everyone is, Arold."

"Thank you, dear."

The good mood quickly returned as they all eat together.

.

.

.

"So you'll be gone tomorrow?"

"Indeed, we still have a long road ahead and we cannot wait anymore. I want Lin-Lin and Octavia to enjoy a good bed tonight, then we will go tomorrow morning."

"Where to? If I may ask?"

"To the capital, Griffinia. I have some business to take care of there."

Gang was the one to spoke next.

"I advise you to take care, Maximilian. Even as slaves, we could feel something was off in this place."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't really know. Of course, things have never been easy for us, but the two last years were worse than everything...it's as if something dark as taken control of the capital. I'm sorry, I don't know anything else."

"One thing is sure, the king will set things right."

Molly was speaking, seconded by Arold.

"That's right, King Aremik has always been an honourable king. As peasants, we all know he has personally led his army against invaders numerous times. If bad things were menacing his peoples, he would not sit still and do nothing. Trust king Aremik to do what's right."

"If you say so..."

Gang didn't seem as sure as the couple but wasn't going to argue with them about it.

"Nonetheless, this is our destination."

The rest of the dinner was pleasant, small talks replacing the heavier ones from before.

...........................................................................................................................................................

That night, when everyone was asleep, Maximilian went out of the house.

Under the night sky full of stars, Maximilian stood silent for a bit, simply looking at the shining points on the dark veil.

*What a beautiful night...no clouds to be seen and warm just enough.*

"You cannot sleep?"

Turning around, Maximilian faced Giliane, dressed like she was to accompany him earlier, with her human form on.

"Not really, I'm not that tired, to be frank. And I thought the night sky was a good thing to look at to pass the time."

"Is that so? After the night before and all you've done today, you're not feeling tired at all?"

Maximilian shrugged as he smiled at her.

"Not really...is it strange?"

"yes, that is strange...impressive also."

"Impressive? In what sense?"

As she talked to him, she took some steps to come near him.

"The way you are. You help others like it is a normal thing to do, you could take anything you want but choose to ask for them, you pay and do not rob...you who are so powerful, the way you act is impressive and strange at the same time."

"Would you find it more normal if I took everything I wanted? Money, lands, women..."

"You know, there are things you don't need to take..."

Looking him in the eyes, the Gipsy beauty smiled at him, her Golden eyes reflecting the starlight. Her hands came resting on the man's chest.

"... there are things that could be offered to you...if you were willing to take them, that is."

"Giliane...you know I'll be gone tomorrow, right? I cannot stay with you."

The wolfwoman looked down for a bit, as if she was ashamed of what she was going to say.

"I know...I don't ask you to be mine alone forever...just...tonight?"

Maximilian slowly lifted her head up with his index, smiling at her.

"For tonight...I'm all yours."

And to prove his words, he put his lips on hers.

...........................................................MATURE WARNING.....................................................

They didn't need a house, they didn't need a bed. That night, under the moon and stars light, not far away from the stone bridge, a human and a wolfkin were embracing each other.

Giliane opened her eyes when the kiss ended.

"I want you, Maximilian. Here, now, take me as your female, for a night. Be my male, and mine only under the moon."

"I'm all yours. But if I am to lay with you tonight..."

He reached for her hand and took off the ring of masquerade.

"...I want you to be yourself, not in disguise."

As she was taking back her true Wolfkin form, Giliane had a worried look on her face.

"Are...are you sure? Isn't my physic...unsettling for you?"

"Try to take a guess."

And he kissed her again, his tongue feeling the woman teeth taking back her sharper appearance. His hand travelled on her back, reaching her bottom, and passed on her long tail, moving between his fingers. His other hand went up at the same time, slowly caressing her hairs and, finally, her pointy ears. To that, she made a surprised gasp.

"Sorry, did I hurt you?"

The wolfwoman blushed as she answered.

"No, it's just that...my tail and ears are quite sensible..."

"Oh, is that so?"

The next minutes were used to tease the young wolf woman, a hand passing on her tail while the other was slightly caressing her ears.

Giliane wanted to protest, but her tongue was too occupied dancing with the man's one. Her hands were caressing him, his front, his back, his hairs, everything she could reach.

After a while, when he finally let go, she had a feral lust in her eyes.

"You! Your clothes! Off!"

"Same to you, sexy wolf."

What happened next could have been misinterpreted as a fight, the two almost tearing the other's clothes off. Maximilian had to help the wolfwoman a bit, his gear a bit harder to take off, but she managed to leave him naked in no time, the same state as she was.

Once done with the clothes, she literally jumped on him, her mouth claiming his once again as her hands discovered the man's body without clothes on.

Maximilian wasn't still either, the furry body of his one-night lover even sexier without the clothes on.

After a while, they fell down, Maximilian laying on the ground with Giliane on him. She sat, looking at him in the eyes. He knew what she wanted, she knew what he wanted, they were both ready for it. She took his manhood, went up a bit and slowly sat back on it, closing her eyes at the feeling of the man filling her womanhood.

She took a minute to accommodate, Maximilian waiting without a gesture, then started to undulate her hips, their joined parts emitting so much heat you could have forged a sword with it.

Panting and moving, the wolf woman let her upper body dropped a bit, leaning on Maximilian's torso. Her face, inches from his, was betraying the pleasure she was feeling.

"Kiss me, my male. Touch me, caress me, bite me, make me yours!"

"With pleasure."

The man's hands came at her while their mouths connected one again. The woman's breasts were beautiful, rounds, not too big nor too small, perfectly fitting for the wolfkin body. His hands caressed her chest for a while before going to her round bottom, Maximilian using his own strength to accentuate the hips movements.

The new force in the movement made her stopped the kiss, her hot breath directly on the man's face.

"Yes! yes! Stronger, my male, harder!"

And stronger he went on, lifting his own hips at the right moment to connect with force to the ones of the wolfkin.

They were both panting harder and harder, their bodies glistening with sweat.

"Giliane...I'm gonna..."

"With me, my male! Come with me!"

And she dropped her head on his shoulder, biting hard on his flesh to muffled her orgasmic cry. Maximilian was doing the same, as if the feral lust of the woman was contagious.

They stayed like that for a bit, simply appreciating each other's warm body.

After a while, she let go of his shoulder, liking the bit of blood she had on her teeth and smiled at him.

"That was great, Maximilian. I can feel your warmth inside of me, this is so satisfying."

"And you know the best part? This could not be other."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is..."

Putting his arms around her, he turned around, putting her down this time, still inside of her.

"...You asked me to be your male for the night. The least I can do is to offer you another round...if you're up for it?"

A newfound sparkle of lust shined in the wolfkin eyes as she put her arms around his neck.

"My male..."

And it was at that time Maximilian realised he just found the best application possible for his high endurance level.