Chapter 17: The griffin
In the center of the garden, the shadow abruptly stopped moving, as if it had teleported in an instant. The steps that preceded it were so swift they barely touched the garden soil, leaving only large boot prints as testimony of its passage.
I watched with admiration and fear as the shadow, now appearing as a solid figure, raised its voice in a mixture of disdain and irritation. "Ah... How I hate lost acolytes. Surely this damned griffin is some resource-less child who agreed to be part of a magical experiment to gain something and ended up in this wretched situation as a result!" he declared.
A shiver ran through my body upon hearing those words, and a question formed in my mind amidst a whirlwind of thoughts: "Acolyte? This abomination was once a wizard's apprentice? Could it be that at the magical academy where this poor soul went, he couldn't adapt?" Before I could fully process what was happening, the chip in my head issued another alert, interrupting my thoughts.
"Energy detected... Extreme danger," announced the chip, its electronic voice sounding grave and urgent. "Compared to the griffin, this shadow is a nuclear bomb of concentrated energy, and the griffin is like a small candle with a weak flame."
The truth of the situation unfolded before me: that shadow was actually a wizard, surely the owner of this airship I was on. I felt my legs tremble like never before, as if I were facing something incomprehensible, something that transcended the limits of my understanding. The air around me seemed charged with an oppressive static energy, and even my black hair began to stir in response.
I closed my eyes and swallowed hard, trying to control the tremor running through my body. If the griffin had represented danger before, the presence of this wizard represented death itself.
"Deactivate combat mode and please shut down until I give another command!" I mentally ordered the chip, my internal voice firm and determined.
The chip responded promptly: "Shutting down program..."
And so, the chip's voice went completely silent, and all its functions disappeared along with it. I felt a momentary relief to see that the chip's constant presence in my mind had been temporarily suspended. Still trembling, I opened my eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
"Only a brainless person would try to analyze a wizard," I thought, my mind racing with turbulent thoughts. "Surely he would discover something strange coming from me, and if he takes an interest in me..." I couldn't finish the thought, as images of the worst atrocities a wizard could inflict on me flooded my mind, such as the prospect of being dissected alive in cruel magical experiments.
As I struggled with my fears and concerns, the griffin interrupted my thoughts with its imploring voice. "Please, Wizard! I need just one magic crystal, I'll do anything. I can even hunt a Spined Whale and bring it here for you. I heard the whale's eye has some value to wizards like you!"
The shadow, now hearing the griffin's voice, sighed deeply, and something magical began to happen. The shadow started to dissipate from its body, gradually revealing the form of a humanoid being.
The being revealed has a duck's head and is a peculiar and intriguing figure. Its head is the most notable feature, harmoniously combining human traits with those of a duck in a magical manner. Its face is elongated, ending in a yellow beak that stands out against the soft white feathers covering its skin. Its eyes are deep and intelligent, shining with ancient wisdom and a mysterious gleam.
Its attire is befitting a renowned wizard. He wears a dark brown cloak that falls in elegant folds around his body, adding an air of mystery and authority to his figure. Under the cloak, a high-quality tunic made of fine, richly colored fabric wraps around his humanoid body, highlighting his majestic posture. The belt adorning his waist, matching the cloak, is intricately detailed, revealing the wizard's refined taste and status.
On each of his hands, he wears immaculate white gloves, contrasting with the skin and feathers that envelop him. The gloves add a touch of elegance and sophistication to his already impressive appearance.
I watched the scene before me with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "What? A duck?!" I thought, astonished by the unexpected revelation. However, I did not let my surprise show on my face, maintaining a calm and unperturbed expression.
As I processed the strange transformation, the now-revealed wizard, with cold and intelligent eyes, looked at the creature with disdain. Opening his mouth to speak, he uttered his words with authority. "Abomination, go away! Otherwise, I won't warn you again."
"Ruhhº Skku"
"Ruhhº Skku"
"Ruhhº Skku"
"Ruhhº Skku"
After 4 seconds, the magician begins to whisper some words, while moving his palms upwards and green smoke appears from his hands, which takes the form of skeleton heads.
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The griffin, nervous in the wizard's presence, responded urgently. "Wizard! We are in the White Lotus family's airspace, and I have the license to beg in this airspace." With difficulty, he moved his claws and held something resembling a small white crystal shaped like a lotus flower.
The wizard had anticipated this response, demonstrating a calculated serenity in the face of the situation. He sighed and continued with his warning. "I will only say this once: I am not interested in giving. Now leave!"
The griffin met the wizard's firm gaze and felt a shiver run down his spine, as brutal and threatening memories flooded his mind. Trembling almost comically, the griffin flapped his wings and retreated at high speed, as if he had seen a demon.
Watching the scene before me, I silently noted that the wizard hadn't attacked the griffin, likely due to the protection guaranteed to this mutant creature in this airspace. Otherwise, I'm sure the wizard would have annihilated that poor griffin with some dangerous spell.
As I pondered this possibility, the wizard uttered some strange words in a soft whisper for about six seconds.
"MuvSha~~"
"MuvSha~~"
"MuvSha~~"
The air around him began to condense into a dark vapor, enveloping him in an enigmatic aura. In the blink of an eye, the duck disappeared from my sight, dissipating as if he had never been there.
The wizard did not bother to look a second time at the students who witnessed the event, as if the presence of these youths was as insignificant as a group of ants, which could be annihilated with just a gesture.
With the sudden disappearance of the wizard and the griffin, the environment around me returned to normal, leaving behind only the fallen youths on the ground and a few spectators, like myself, who watched the scene from afar.
I took a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs as I settled onto one of the steps leading to the garden.
This world was proving to be much more complex than I had previously imagined. Who could have predicted that the mutant griffin was actually an acolyte, a victim of some magical experiment, now begging for magic crystals from the airships crossing the White Lotus family's airspace?
I sighed, feeling my heart burn with desire for the magic and supernatural world unfolding before me. I too longed for abilities like that of the wizard, who seemed capable of instantaneous movement.
Nicolas, who had fled earlier, returned to check the situation. Seeing that both the griffin and the wizard had already left, he approached me with a direct question. "Have you chosen a girl yet?"
I stood up from where I was sitting, pondering my decision. "I haven't chosen yet. But by tomorrow morning, gather all the girls from this airship here in the garden. At that time, I will come here and make my choice among them."
Nicolas nodded, his gaze shifting to William's unconscious body on the ground. A subtle smile curved his lips. "Alright," he replied, indicating his acceptance and willingness to help.
I sighed as I began to make my way back to my room, avoiding looking back as I descended the stairs towards my refuge. Despite my attempts to ignore it, it was impossible not to notice the stares that followed me down the corridor, a mixture of fear and admiration.
Since the news of my victory over William's gang spread, people's attitudes towards me had changed drastically. It seemed that in this world, respect was earned through strength. It was a concept I was well acquainted with, but seeing it in action in such a different context was intriguing.
Some time had passed since the incident, and the details of the battle with William had spread among the youths on the airship. My image, smiling as I defeated William, had become almost legendary among them. The noble teenagers trembled at the sight of me and quickly stepped aside, fearful.
As I continued my way, a noblewoman who lived near my room approached, displaying curiosity and interest. Her elegant attire gave her a captivating aura, and her long legs, adorned with something akin to stockings from my previous life, exuded a seductive charm.
"Hi, Charles! Would you like to play with me?" Helena's voice echoed through the corridor, tinged with a tempting invitation.
The custom in this world was clear: respect the strong. Now, on the airship, I felt a different atmosphere, more receptive, as if the others recognized my strength and did not dare challenge it.
"Thank you, Helena! But I'm tired and need to sleep!" I replied kindly, excusing myself for not being able to accept the invitation at that moment.
"Oh! I understand. I don't want to interrupt. You must be tired! I'll invite you later. Brumine and some other girls are also interested in you!" she said, her radiant smile and eyes expressing genuine curiosity and interest.
As I watched Helena walk away, I pondered how open this world was regarding sex. It was something strange to me, accustomed to the more rigid conventions of my previous life.
I shook my head to dispel such thoughts, dismissing her with a wave before entering my room to rest. But before that, I took a moment to practice the warrior's breathing exercise, centering my mind and body after the recent upheavals.
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