Wolf's life became a routine. He sparred with Mandy in the morning and ate breakfast. Then he attended his private torture sessions, struggling against dozens of Scribing Quills, before collapsing into Mandy’s or Anna’s bed, only for the cycle to begin anew. On Sundays he visited South; on Mondays he held lectures, eating with Anna, Matilda and Wayde or Mandy whenever he had spare time.

Mandy ensured she shared two meals a day with Wolf. Breakfast after morning spars and late supper. When she found the time, she cooked. When she didn’t, she brought dinner from Will’s, always waking Wolf to enjoy a proper supper.

Nearly four months passed at this idyllic pace. During this period, Wolf, Mandy, and Anna each grew in their own way.

Thanks to the forbidden, constitution-altering potion and vigorous training, Mandy accumulated enough Internal Energy to execute Fifth Order Sword-Sage maneuvers. Her combat ability was poor, but spars with Wolf honed her one bit at a time. At Wolf’s insistence, Mandy agreed to stop advancing her Sword-Sage Order. Because of her subpar Internal Energy control, Wolf feared she would suffer an injury if she continued forcing herself.

Anna’s development was more academic. She studied Wolf’s notes and developed her soul. Unlike Mandy, she didn’t get a dose of the constitution enhancing potion. Wolf figured he’d give it to her later once she wanted to advance as a Sword-Sage.

Finally, Wolf improved the most. After weeks of labor and forcing himself, he learned to transcribe twenty-six books at once, mind-boggling Richard. What disturbed Lord of Wind the most was that Wolf’s development didn’t surprise Lord of Steel. He watched the boy’s terrifying evolution as if everything was going according to plan.

The only one who didn’t appreciate Wolf’s rapid advancement was Silver. For the first time since she hatched, Wolf ignored her. Her little scratchies and claw grooming sessions became a thing of the past. Wolf replaced her pleasant daily rituals with passing phrases like “Hi!”, or “I haven’t forgotten about you!”

While those additions and tiny tokens of appreciation were better than nothing, they couldn’t replace a good shell-rub. Since she felt neglected, Silver took an active approach. She started commenting and observing Wolf’s everyday life. And nothing helps a manling focus on splitting his mind in twenty-odd triangles of thought like a random: “Oooh, those squiggles look interesting. How do you read them? What do they mean?”

Wolf’s carefully organized mental constructs came crashing more than once because of enthusiastic commentary regarding penmanship, palindromes and fancy diagrams. What interested Wolf the most was - why palindromes? Silver only said they appeared pretty no matter how she looked at them, making Wolf roll his eyes.

Today was one of those days. Silver ruined Wolf’s training over a ‘never odd or even’ mentioned in a book on quantum superposition. The egg applauded with two sets of limbs.

Master, what does that say?

Wolf answered. Then, he explained the answer. As he did, Wolf cleaned up his mess and left, trying and failing not to be vexed by the early termination of his session. But some benefits existed. Wolf didn’t overload his mind, allowing him to do something other than crash and sleep.

Returning home, Wolf realized he could grab a bite with Anna, Matilda, and Wayde. He took a turn, and instead of heading towards the academy's senior management’s living area, he hurried to the school block.

Around him, random people muttered lines from the Tales of the Perverted Mage. He was used to mocking, but his heart quivered whenever a derisive quip struck true. Even though he learned to control his body enough not to show it, humiliating words wounded his ego.

Master, why did you get angry when he said: “But she couldn’t play the flute, because it was too short”? Is it because of ‘too short’? You’re not short, Master. Mountains are just tiny bumps compared to you.

Silver tried to help in her own way. Often by using Barbara’s colorful language, asking Wolf to let her devour offending bastards or sluts. However, sometimes she didn't understand how random words angered Wolf.

Thanks, Silver. Wolf helplessly expressed his appreciation. He wasn’t aware of it, but Silver’s random outbursts helped him learn how to keep his thoughts private to an extent. Wolf’s Mental Aspect no longer stated aloud everything that ran through his mind. Unfortunately, he failed to figure out the rule behind his irregular successes.

After several minutes, Wolf reached Anna’s classroom. He chatted with Silver until she fell asleep.

She really is a baby. She dozed off mid-sentence. Wolf sighed, then waited, mobilizing Internal Energy into cyclones which caressed his skin from the inside. Ghost Shroud seems trivial after training with Scribing Quills. Even though my mind is fatigued.

He smiled, sensing Internal Energy perfectly sealed inside his arms, legs, and torso. Only the neck and above remained. But Wolf didn’t dare experiment on his head until his mental state was perfect.

“Hey, Wolf,” Anna exited the building, smiling at her fiance.

Matilda and Wayde trailed after her. The girls stood in front, while behind them Wayde raised his eyebrows twice, then moved his eyes oddly.

Wolf knew his friend had something to tell him, but he didn’t understand the message. We need to communicate without words. Maybe a common language for everyone and a separate one for Wayde and me?

While the four of them headed towards the canteen, Wolf invented two sets of facial expression languages. He even added the signals they used while adventuring. Unfortunately, Wolf couldn’t teach Anna, Mandy, and Wayde on the spot.

Wait. Why can’t I? Wolf thought, then explained the concept to his friends.

The girls loved the idea. Shifting your gaze, mixed with various degrees of frowning or raising eyebrows and touching parts of your face, hair and ears easily formed a cant.

While girls experimented in fascination, Wayde conveyed his message in secret. Clever. Got my letter?

Wolf moved his head left and faced Anna, signaling a ‘No’.

Mother heard new place open. Wayde used the moments when Anna and Matilda weren’t looking. Only for open will have virgin.

Seeing he had little wiggle room, Wayde shortened his message. Even so, he only managed a dozen words before they finished their soup.

When he processed the message, Wolf’s pupils widened, but he reined them in immediately. He had stopped visiting brothels. He even had to pause carving his Mind Palace, not that he had much to do now, other than the door.

Wolf started asking a question, but Wayde signaled a ‘No’ with his head.

Talk later. No women.

The seemingly peaceful lunch continued while Wolf’s mind churned. Should I go? I recall benefits being significantly better, but is it worth it? Maybe I could figure out something new?

I could go wearing an unfamiliar face? Yes, that would solve the problem. I still have to tell Anna and Mandy, though…

The second half of the lunch became a hazy memory. The four of them chatted, girls messed with their cant while talking, fascinated by the baby version of what True-Namers used to exchange information. Meanwhile, the gang finished their meal. Wolf waved his friends goodbye and left for Mandy’s flat. He picked up Wayde’s letter from the doorman, and after entering the penthouse, read it at a glance.

Wayde wrote its simple contents with that disgusting Scribing Quill, and after reading it, Wolf incinerated the evidence.

Wolf, come visit me as soon as you can. I found out something you would be interested in. Don’t tell Anna and destroy this note for good measure.

Wayde

Lack of new information disappointed Wolf, but after a moment’s thought, he realized Wayde had made a sensible decision. If Anna or Mandy got ahold of the letter, he could claim this had to do with Anna’s birthday in ten days, or something else.

Seeing he had five more hours before Anna’s lectures ended, Wolf went to sleep. Unfortunately, instead of a relaxing afternoon nap, he tossed and turned, drenched in sweat. Bizarre nightmares hounded him. In them he was naked and small, chased by virgin prostitutes. Beautiful women mocked him, called him the Perverted Mage, a lecher and even impotent.

After two hours, Wolf woke up screaming. Finally, virgin prostitutes caught him and he couldn’t stand tall.

This is getting ridiculous. Wolf drank a glass of water to calm down, then closed his eyes and entered his Mind Hall. “These dreams started haunting me ever since I started practicing with Scribing Quills and sleeping naturally. Is someone sending nightmares my way?”

Wolf’s Mental Aspect scratched his chin, still sitting on the throne. “There are nightmare sending spells, but the caster would have to be much stronger than me. Does Lord of Dream exist?”

Wolf thought, but couldn’t come up with anything. He opened his eyes, stored his damp clothes into Archibald’s Ring of Holding and went to have an icy shower. He dismissed Protection from Elements, then screamed like a little girl as the freezing water scattered his nightmares.