“Ah… what is this thrilling tale of adventure you speak of? Can you not simply recount it to me here?”
“I lack both the poetic talent and memory of musical instruments.”
Lord Faige spoke casually, not matching his outward appearance, and I strained to not become utterly deflated by his lack of spirit. I see, so this is the sort of thing that resonates with your sensitive tastes.
Two days had passed since then—after all, it took one day to regain the ability to move—and we had finally returned to Vstrow.
While returning, we both excessively worried about each other, and at one point, our mutual compliments turned us both as red as tomatoes. I’ll skip those details though, because neither of us particularly wants to remember them, and if we accidentally recall them in about ten years, we’ll probably need a pillow to cry into.
Ah, yes, in addition, there were no unreasonable random events on our way back that cruel systems might be inclined to include, like those caused by GMs or players who are harsh on outsiders. There was no situation where a swarm of the forgotten undead were abandoned—although the numerous missing people remain an issue—or any tragic outcome such as failed quests leading to total party wipes.
In any case, having left my companion at the inn, who, despite still suffering headaches and numbness all over the body, I visited the study of Lord Faige. This was both to report on the incident to confirm the completion of our quest and to seek an introduction to a proficient healer.
If medicines already cost a pretty penny, naturally, seeing a healer would demand further reward. What’s more, a truly skilled healer often turns away strangers.
In this world, specialists don’t cheaply sell their skills—it’s both their source of livelihood and the value they place on themselves, and thus, one can’t blame them in a place where life is cheap and everyone strives desperately to survive.
And healers, among the mages — importantly, they are not sorcerers — are extremely specialized and wield advanced magical techniques, thus choosing their clients carefully. A visit for something as trivial as mild hernia wouldn’t do, and those recognized by the Magic Academy require approval for complex treatments. Given their ability to even procure “replacements” for lost limbs, their careful handling is understandable. A poor person knocking on their door is likely to be dealt with dismissively at best.
So, I thought I should seek the support of a local authority, hence presenting the situation and asking for help.
After a condensed explanation, Lord Faige delivered his first response.
“Indeed, I had no idea the forest had deteriorated to such a state without my knowledge”.
The ancient old man, his appearance resembling that of a tree, stroked his lush lichen beard and murmured.
“True, I’ve heard that recently traveling merchants are suffering many losses, and there are hunters and travelers who aren’t returning from the forest, but I never expected a demon palace to have appeared. We must write to the Lord and report this immediately.”
“…You believe me without question?”
The fact that the Lord accepted my report so effortlessly and intends to express grievances to the Lord responsible puzzled me greatly.
Think about it. I’m no more than an apprentice employed by a researcher of the Magic Academy, not yet an adventurer in my own right. How in the world could anyone possibly believe such adventures recounted by such an insignificant youth?
Not only is Lord Faige not treating this as some child’s made-up tale but is actually preparing quality stationery and ready to draft a letter.
Embarrassingly, despite delivering a report so confidently, it seems one should normally face more skepticism.
“Funny… it seems you underestimate me slightly”.
However, Lord Faige chuckled and explained why he believed me.
“There’s an immensely dense residue of magical energy that clings to you; it’s unimaginable for you not to notice this. It’s not everyday one encounters such a cursed aura unless they’ve been traveling where they shouldn’t.”
His eyes, gleaming like gold, sparkled as they fixed upon me. Though classifiable as human, a tree-like being close to an elemental spirit, seemed to perceive something invisible to our kind.
“And above all, there’s no hesitation in your narration. While you appear to try to recall details, there’s no trace of deliberation.”
The Lord laughed heartily and offered tea, considering how parched my throat might be after such a sincere discourse.
Yet I blush incessantly. For someone claiming inner maturity akin to middle age, I thought I was navigating social interactions rather deftly.
Or, rather, I convinced myself that was the case.
However, it merely seems to be a presumptuous overreach. With the ability to read intent from my words and fully understand my situation, I was oblivious to his insight and even doubted his comprehension. Certainly, there was no need to fabricate falsehoods, but I still recounted it straightforwardly. Upon reflection, recognizing this as a strong factor must have been quite clear.
“I… I deeply regret my immaturity”.
“It’s not something to be ashamed of, young one. You’re still young, after all”.
And this old growth, despite looking ancient, is not a frivolous existence. Lord Faige smiled as he penned a note on parchment. Sorry for sounding too mature earlier—it was indeed a lie…
“In any case, I’ve prepared a letter of introduction to a healer. With such severe magical exhaustion, there is also a chance of blood rushing to the brain. It would be best for them to examine you promptly”.
“Thank you so much! With this, my friend can rest easy”.
Knowing that the healer Lord Faige recommended is skilled, I now feel assured. Taking his word, I’ll leave for the healer’s place first and call it a day. I must ensure Mika gets treated quickly.
“Yes. Though unfamiliar with the matter, sending you both into such peril was indeed my responsibility, so you won’t need to worry about treatment costs”.
What a fortuitous development. Though I had some small savings from working, my anxiety over treatment costs only increased—especially after learning later that currency here typically involves gold pieces. The thought of jeopardizing future savings while accumulating new debts is not amusing.
As I rose to leave, Lord Faige motioned me to stop, sighing in exasperation.
“Let it be known; you also require medical attention”.
“Huh?”
We both stared at each other blankly, questioning each other’s logic.
“A surge of irregular magical flow has been detected throughout your body. In other words, erratic, inverted… typical signs of severe magical affliction”.
Apparently, within Lord Faige’s perception, I was sufficiently injured to the degree that he believed I should not even be walking, let alone here.
“How is it that you can show concern for your friend but not extend the same courtesy toward yourself…?”
Shaking his head with a hand on his forehead, Lord Faige looked genuinely disheartened. And in the next instant, without warning, the walls, floor, and ceiling of the room swelled outward, ensnaring me in moments.
“Ah!?”
My limbs were mercilessly bound, leaving me completely immobilized. This wasn’t simple brute force but an intricate restraint targeting all pivotal joints, namely shoulders, waist, knees, and other key points.
“Take a proper rest… whether you wish it or not, I will ensure you do so”.
Ah, I see, tree beings are born from and unify with the trees of their origin. So, this study itself was Lord Faige.
“Anticipate a reward. Rest assured, I’ll handle everything for you. It’s the privilege of the young to rely on their elders who have lived too long”.
Before I could react, that frightfully considerate action left me unconscious within seconds…
….
….
…
The gravest illnesses and injuries often go unnoticed at the time of occurrence. Lord Faige was no exception without a status window to indicate such abnormalities.
I awoke with slight headaches and a peculiar discomfort in my body.
“Ah… good. I’m still alive”.
Upon opening my eyes, a vast ceiling hung high above me, adorned with numerous herbs. Buried in a clean bed layered with sheets and a blanket, the delicate scent of incense flowed gently as I took shallow breaths, reminding me of the rare times I visited the herbalist’s home from my hometown.
Yesterday, an esteemed healer, frantic with concern, had me drink various remedies—absolutely horrid in taste—before being dumped onto the bed in the clinic’s infirmary. Given the change in patterns on the blanket covering my nose, it’s clear I’ve been asleep for days.
Glancing to the side, there was my friend, Erich, lying just as I did. Ah, no, more accurately, he was bound much more thoroughly than I—indeed pitiable, but somewhat amusing in that condition too.
In short, our injuries were so severe as to necessitate such measures.
I’m grateful I could wake up. The mentor had repeatedly warned about the dire fates of reckless magicians who end up either having their brains cooked and collapsing or losing their minds altogether… indeed, even with resolve, I was afraid.
I was nearly in tears during the healer’s examination. Facing death did not terrify me because I was willing to risk everything for my friend, but once the survival instinct to return and play with him again surfaced, it overwhelmed me in fear instantly.
Could I truly die? The mere thought of it was so terrifying that tears welled up uncontrollably.
But I’m alive. Though there’s a headache stubbornly remaining like an unwelcome guest, it’s considerably better than before. Prior to falling unconscious, my eyes felt akin to having red-hot tongs probing and stirring them.
Speaking of which, the sensation in my body… something’s a bit off. My cough feels unusually higher-pitched, which led to my awakening. Feeling this unfamiliarity, I instinctively touched my own body and was surprised.
I had breasts.
I’ve always had a chest, but not in an essential way; rather, it was more like… you know, like feminine breasts.
They were small, but certainly noticeable because I know my own body. Upon touching them, the subtle softness on the surface and the firmness beneath transmitted a foreign sensation, registering as pain to my brain.
My parents once mentioned that during periods of significant emotional upheaval, such changes manifest. Instances like losing someone close, a major societal change, or perhaps “spiritual” moments of significant magnitude…
My mother—culturally, the one who bore me—is known to joke saying it’ll happen when I experience first love, and my father humorously suggested risking life in an endeavor would trigger change. Though I wouldn’t have thought they’d be right…
I was somewhat shocked by the transformation in my body, yet surprisingly open to accepting it. Thinking from a mage’s perspective, this must be natural. Our brain and psyche were built to be receptive because for our type, the neutrals, it’s natural enough to accept changes.
I’ll need to check down below too. Since we don’t possess any genitalia as neutrals—only a smooth, flat area—when we do change gender, the forms adjust, meaning all facets of “intimacy” shift as well.
How will my friend react to this change in me?
Will this night remain the same as the last one when he accepted me? Or… no, I mustn’t entertain such sentimental thoughts. After all, I decided to protect him, to be his friend. That’s what I aim for.
If I put in the effort, this peculiar body might turn out to be an advantage.
Just like my parents occasionally tilted their heads at the gender relations within the manor. They’d say that human males and females separate distinctively because their understanding of each other is limited, creating inevitable conflicts. Lacking mutual experience as both genders, they inevitably clash. Since I am neutrally human and capable of embodying both, I may understand Erich more when I become male next. Furthermore, I can empathize with women and men, allowing me to support him fully…
There’s a good chance I could become his closest “friend”.
Contemplating this way, my new body seems not too bad. I won’t be turning into a damsel in distress like in the bard’s songs. Carrying a sword gallantly as a heroic warrior is a far-off dream. But that’s not how stories progress, right? Magic users that build bridges, innkeepers who refresh weary heroes, friends who buoy fading spirits—all are essential for the hero’s blade to pierce the dragon’s invincible scales.
I may not be a princess or the hero, but if he takes on those roles, I will be content.
Though, with our usual “play” in mind, this topic might be too cheesy even to voice aloud. My swordsman, indeed.
Ah, it appears to be a fine time. The light outside the window begins to brighten. Although standing up might invite reprimand…
I still need to check on the “flowers” down there, so….
The end of the busy season might have arrived, but we’re encountering considerable difficulty.
The projects I’m involved in all present unforeseen complications. Mistakes are occurring in areas far removed from my oversight—frankly, beyond my control. Once, at 11 PM, while looking up at the night view from the building site, I absentmindedly muttered “the sky is beautiful,” and the contractor standing beside me seemed concerned.
Nevertheless, I am making every effort, so I humbly request a little more time.
Next time, the story will shift its focus to the rewards and growth.
[Note] Significant differences exist in romantic and marital customs, as well as concepts of chastity, among various species. What might be deemed natural behavior in one could often puzzle outsiders with “what are they doing?” reactions, especially within the tripartite empire, a multi-species nation.
The hectic period after the previous one has brought unforeseen challenges to navigate.
With utmost efforts, I seek your patience for a bit longer.
The upcoming episodes will delve into the narratives of rewards and growth.
