It was Monday and the girls were going to study, as always I had prepared a snack for each one, they loved my food, but it had to be nutritious and light. Usually she prepared something soft for them, other times fruits or one or another sweet.
I say goodbye at three and they go to study.
On Wednesdays my friend K'vool used to stop by, although lately he did it almost every day, he said that his wares were selling very well lately.
Today he would go with Enrs to the imperial registry offices.
Before I arrived I dedicated myself to doing housework, watering the plants and getting everything ready, I also put on those clothes that made me look like an old photo, I would like to be with my sweatshirt and white shirt, but the girls do not like it. I liked they always said "Dad must dress like a high class gentleman" this dress accentuates my foreign characteristics, the humans I have seen have blonde hair and black eyes, I with my brown hair and brown eyes stand out from the crowd.
I don't feel high class, maybe I look good, I don't know. Likewise, no woman other than my wife noticed me.
Antonia tells me about the young woman whose name I don't remember, I only remember her ears and her curious eyes following mine.
I think he said something about helping me get my citizenship, but Enrs is an army officer so it should be simpler.
Enrs arrives after half an hour, I serve a breakfast for two and we eat while we talk for a while.
"Then you're ready" he says to me while washing the dishes.
"I think so, will you ask me something weird?" I say while keeping some money in my hands-free bag, then I ask How are we going to travel?
He usually saw Enrs moving on foot.
"Well I thought we would go on foot, but seeing that you are not a magician you have to speed things up" he tells me as we leave the house. "Hold on tight to my shoulder"
I hold onto his shoulder and in the blink of an eye we are at the entrance of the village.
He explains to me how we get from home to town in the simplest way he can.
"We traveled in the form of lightning" he tells me "I just used my magic to travel fast, in total it took us 5 minutes to get there.
My body was shaking all over the place, I had become numb, my friend helps me to support myself while he laughs shamelessly at my lack of resistance.
"You really are one without magic" he exclaims quietly.
I know that I cannot use any of those things, it is not necessary to repeat it. Maybe it doesn't bother me, I'm not a hero or things like that, I just live quietly.
"When we do the papers, you can now look for work calmly"
"I hope so, I do not want to continue using money that is not mine, even if the girls say it is mine"
We walk down an ornate street and I can feel glances that are directed at us, exclusively at Enrs.
His elegant white uniform, long golden hair along with his radiant eyes attract the attention of women and others. I joke with him about that, but he laughs.
Enrs shakes his head "They are not looking only at me"
Who else could they be looking at?
"You really are clueless" he extends his hands and lifts his shoulders.
The street adorned with garlands of various colors, shops on each side and white stone sidewalks are frequented by buyers and sellers, most of them humans and elves.
We arrive at a government office where they make me wait half an hour while my elf friend talks to those who are in charge of the papers.
They carry out the medical examinations that they do in any country. I am attended by an elf doctor who asks me a multitude of questions.
Blood samples, temperature, they do a routine medical check-up, they ask me my age, height, they write the color of my skin, eyes and hair. They also take a photo of me (if a photo) I did not think that cameras existed, although because it surprises me if there are refrigerators and other things that work with magic stones.
I came out of the exam and while I was waiting we ate something in a restaurant run by a huge orc (I think I saw the girl named Bast)
After waiting, which I thought would be at least a month, but in reality it was only two hours, they gave me a folder with all my records.
Things were fast because Enrs sped up the documentation process, it is very good to have a friend like him.
"Now you are officially an imperial citizen" Enrs grabs my shoulder and we celebrate "and you know there is no better way to celebrate than to get drunk"
"I haven't done it for a long time" I say "but well let's take advantage, let's celebrate that with that document I can get a job"
"Don't worry about it, now we're going to get drunk like there's no tomorrow"
We both celebrate.
We went to a bar and stayed all morning and part of the afternoon.
We got home at almost 6:00 PM
The last thing I remember is that Maki scold me for arriving smelling of liquor, she scold my friend too.
You are a state official should behave like one! He said as he glared at him.
And your dad, I expected better from you! Then he shoots that same look at me.
I bow my head "I'm sorry darling, I haven't done it for a long time and I wanted to celebrate with Enrs"
She is folding her arms in the doorway frowning, Antonia and Anna are laughing at how I stumble from side to side.
"Daddy smells a lot like liquor" Antonia covers her nose while giggling mischievously.
"Daddy got drunk and little sister scold him" rhymes Anna.
"Less me, Dad you should be the example of the house, but apparently you have bad company" Maki looks questioningly at my friend, who apologizes again.
"Now I understand what you were saying about her being the boss in the house," Enrs whispers to me.
"I'm sorry darling it won't happen again" I say as I put my hands together in prayer, Enrs laughs and does the same.
"I promise not to make your father drunk again"
Maki places a hand on her forehead and squints her eyes.
"It's not about that, just that the next time they go out first, let them know where they are going, we were worried about dad."
Anna points to something on my clothes.
"Look, little sister, daddy has lipstick on the collar of his shirt."
Maki comes over and looks askance, since I don't remember what happened I can't give her an answer. Then she coldly looks at my friend.
Where did you go with my father? Mr. Officer? She asks even with that cold look.
Enrs takes a step back and waves his hands denying that he had taken me to other places, he just responds.
"He was the jackpot at the bar, the woman who won the drinking contest could kiss him"
BUT WHAT THE HELL! EXCLAMA MAKI ANNOYING.
And did a pretty girl win? Antonia asks.
"Yes indeed a young woman from the guild won" replies Enrs.
THAT'S NOT THE CASE, YOU LET THEM USE DAD AS A PRIZE IN A STUPID CONTEST!
"I-I'm-sorry Maki, I swear it won't happen again."
I hope so!
Anna and Antonia cross their arms like their older sister and they also frown, although it really looks like they are going to laugh.
That night Enrs stays at home and sleeps on the furniture, as punishment Maki tells him that he must prepare everyone's breakfasts, without my help. Maki really behaves like an adult, I hope I don't worry her and the girls again.
As soon as I touched the bed I fell into a deep sleep.
I hardly remember what happened in the bar, I hope I didn't do something stupid.
The punishment was real and when I woke up at almost 5:00 AM Enrs had her apron on and was preparing breakfast, we both said hello, we had dark circles, we both smiled and shook hands, although Maki scold me a long time ago I had not had fun as an adult.
Happened yesterday?
"Maki made me promise not to tell you"
Did we do a lot of stupid things?
"I would say that quite a few and in the majority I drag you to them"
Why do my clothes smell like women's perfume? And also because I had lipstick on my lips?
"That's one of the things Maki promised me not to tell you"
Then I felt remorse, I betrayed the memory of my wife and went out to have fun with other women, what I did was stupid, I did not want Enrs to see my face full of remorse, he only invited me to have a few drinks to celebrate and I ended up in another thing.
I swear I will never do such a thing again or ever tarnish the memory of my beloved late wife.
I decide to get in the shower and take a bath. Around 6:00 AM the girls wake up.
Maki was the first, she was heading to the bathroom with a pink towel in her hand and the shampoo I made in the other. When I wanted to say hello, she averted her gaze and went into the bathroom.
I look sadly at the ground. Maki was upset about what I did with Enrs yesterday.
Antonia comes out of her room and takes my hand.
"Don't worry daddy, Maki is like this because you didn't tell us where you would go after having your documents"
Anna takes my other hand.
"Shii daddy, you must not make us worry, little sister did not know what to do, she even thought that you had disappeared"
"I'm sorry girls" I reply, "I did something stupid and forgot my duty as your father, besides I tarnished the memory of my wife.
They both smile "Don't worry daddy, just don't go out again without warning" they respond in unison.
"Besides, I don't think Mommy will be upset that you go out to have fun."
"Yes, yes, since you can find a sooooo good woman like mommy"
"I doubt that such a woman can exist" I reply sadly.
The girls have breakfast and go to study, Anna and Antonia hug me and say goodbye, Maki doesn't do it at first. But as soon as he activates his ability he returns and hugs me tightly.
"Don't worry about us again, Dad," she exclaims.
I hug him back and promise not to do it again.
Then she looks into my eyes annoyed.
"Do not ever let yourself be kissed by how many strangers appear, it is a warning"
"Heavens Maki you're too jealous"
"Little sister I thought we had a deal"
"Yes, if anyway I don't think I can do it, it's difficult for me to see another woman flirting with dad"
The three say goodbye and I continue the ordinary day, while Enrs tells me a part of what happened (what he is allowed to tell)
"Well, what really happened was that the owner of the bar, seeing that we brought so much female attention, proposed to us to drink as much as we wanted if one of the two was the prize in a drinking contest for interested women"
"After what happened"
"You volunteered and practically 100 women participated, including the doctor who treated you and some girls from the union"
"I dont remember anything"
"I doubt you will remember, before that happened we were already in the eighth round"
"Damn it was pretty stupid what I did" I say while placing a hand on my forehead.
"Heee no, the winner seemed very happy, in fact, she is very cute. You know she is one "
"Don't keep telling me, I'm ashamed of my behavior"
Enrs puts the story aside and tells me about something I had asked him a long time ago.
You had asked me about magic right? "Well it's time I told you how it works"
We both sit around the table on the simple chairs we have around the house.
I pour some coffee to wake us up.
Take a sip and begin your explanation.
"Magic is the expression of the strength of a being, but it really depends on the mana that runs through our veins, you should know that the body of a magician has two types of circulatory systems, one where the blood runs through (blood) and another where the mana (magic) of said magician flows, depending on the amount of mana that flows through the magician's body, it will also be strong. In addition, the circulatory system of mana overlaps the blood circulatory system "
"So can it be said that the heart regulates both?" I ask.
"Correct" Enrs raises his finger "the heart is the pump that sends and receives the mana that runs through the body of the magician or summoner. If it is used in excess it causes exhaustion in the body since the mana stops flowing through it and causes the muscles to overheat and stop all their functions "he takes another sip of coffee and continues" in a magician it only makes him faint , in a summoner he makes his invocation disappear, but witches are killed by not having mana "
"Can you explain the latest specifically to me" I say curious, he knows that the three girls are witches, although Maki is a special case.
"You are a good father, I will tell you. Witches are almost mana beings, their body possesses exaggerated amounts of mana, but at the same time makes them emotionally unstable, the magical power of a witch is almost dependent on her mood. This happened and happens in distant countries of the empire or Liare, they are persecuted for the danger that they "represent" he looks at me seriously "listen well friend, every witch is beautiful is a gift and a curse that they carry, in countries outside the Empire or Liare are persecuted and sold as slaves, sometimes given as prostitutes or worse. The empire's state policy is to rescue every witch we can find and this is done by the three great primordial witches, Velvet general of the imperial forces and primordial witch of the wind, aunt of your daughters, Meme marshal of the imperial fleet primordial witch of the sea champion of the seas and Anastasia primordial witch of the earth and governor of the original area of the empire (north), in addition to being one of the brightest minds in the empire. Of course Liare does the same, but that is another thing that does not concern my story, what really interests you to know is that if a witch uses all her mana, she immediately disintegrates, we still do not know why, although it is said which is due to their bodies overheating and causing spontaneous combustion "
Doesn't the empire attach much importance to witches? I ask without knowing why "although I like that they save people who need it"
"Good friend, when a witch has saved your ass so many times, believe me you will know why, if it weren't for them the three republics would have ended us long ago, that is why science and magic are used, one works with the other" Enrs emphasizes.
There was another point that interested me, it was the part that they persecuted them "If a witch has so much power, why don't they defend themselves when they try to turn them into slaves?"
The "Church" was created in order to persecute them in order to exterminate them since my people were extremely racist and xenophobic, thanks to the gods we are no longer like that, at least in the empire "Enrs takes another sip of coffee" the witches They have something called charm, which makes them irresistible to any man or woman, some know how to use it, others don't. For this reason, their eyes are removed and sold as prostitutes, or used as sex slaves for aristocrats. "
"I thought I would not find these things in this world" he commented annoyed. It's not much different from where I come from, human history has been full of horrible moments.
"What my people did is unforgivable, first we must be grateful that they receive us in the empire and even in the three republics, but the elves here and there are completely different. What you should also know is that the church still exists outside the borders of the empire and they continue with their crusade, but commanded by elves and humans who not only persecute witches, they also persecute demihumans, beastmen and sorcerers. I must say that ignorance is daring, believe me that if you met the elves of other countries you would immediately hate them, however I think I deviated from what I should tell you "
I pour another cup of coffee and we continue.
"Magic is divided into 5 branches"
Enrs form a magic diagram on the table, then point to a point and it opens up creating a tree.
"The first branch is destruction magic, magic designed to do damage and the most common of all, in turn this is divided into ranged attack, melee attack (creation of magic weapons) or field magic, destruction magic consumes mana depending on the spell cast "
"The second branch of Protection magic, designed in defense, can be used to reflect or repel almost any type of magic or physical damage, it can even create objects with magic, create seals, although it cannot be used on living beings, the that uses less mana, a good protection mage can save a war "
"The third branch of reinforcement magic, designed to improve the physical qualities of a magician or another person, can be used in physical weapons, allows to infuse accessories, clothing or other objects with magic power, allows affinity to create potions, depending on what that can reinforce or imbue itself will be the expenditure of mana "
"The fourth branch of support magic, designed to heal, is the most complicated to use and learn, it takes excellent anatomical knowledge to use its full potential, it can regenerate lost parts, break curses, decipher seals, it is the one with the greatest mana consumes due to its extreme difficulty of use "
"The fifth branch of magic is alteration, designed to curse, confuse and create illusions, an experienced alteration mage can change the battlefield, illusory magic affects all the senses, it can only be repelled by support magic or in some cases that a magic object that possesses qualities to repel curses, neither the magic of protection or destruction stops it.
The explanation is simple but feasible. Enrs deviated several times to answer my questions, he told me one last important thing.
"In the eyes of one without magic, a witch is the same as any woman and remember this, my friend, only the union of a witch and a human gives another witch, they can only give birth to women, they will never give birth to a man. "
"So a witch only gives birth to another witch if she is pregnant by a human man." Doesn't the same thing happen if she gets pregnant by someone else?
"No, only a human can get her pregnant, it's rare, but that's the way things are and otherwise, no witch can be born in the empire"
What is the cause of that? He asked curious.
"Well, some believe it is from a curse from 500 years ago" he takes his last sip and leaves the story up to here telling me "if you want to know more about it you should ask a witch"
Enrs is getting ready to go to make his rounds, I told him to bathe at home, but he denied and replied that he would do it at home. According to him, he did not want to be a nuisance anymore, although I don't see him that way, after all he is my friend and he helped me to become an imperial citizen, I really appreciate that.
We said goodbye and I dedicated myself to my daily tasks, I remembered that I had the seed in my suitcase and I decided to plant it near the garden.
I lovingly sprayed the plants, removed the weeds, took out the trash, the normal thing I did every day. It sounds boring (partly it is) but it's all I can do being a no magic. I want to get a job, even if it's something simple, I really don't like depending on girls' money, even if they always tell me that it's mine (the "me" of this world was their real father).
I have been reading some texts by Maki and some that K'vool gave me and the Rum Empire is practically identical to the Roman Empire of my world, of course with a technology similar to that of the 19th century. According to what the text says, the first emperor gave the church such a beating that he practically took away half of their territory, the other emperors dedicated themselves to protecting and organizing the territories. It was until they faced the three republics that they stopped expanding and from then on the two powers maintain a truce or war.
The main characteristic of the empire is how multi-ethnic and cultural it is. The north is inhabited mainly by elves and humans, while the center and south by demihumans and beastmen, also the distribution of imperial forces, the south is where the largest number of troops stationed there due to the proximity to the other power, is also the base largest naval, the weather helps a lot, although it is hot it is always cool in the mornings, I wonder what the southern capital will be like? The center is the cultural and administrative part of the empire, art, science and magic are developed in specialized academies, although the most important universities are in the north, according to the girls, their aunt lives in the capital of the central area I wonder if he will be as kind as them, according to the girls he is strong-willed like Maki.
From the texts that I have read, the great information about the north stands out, practically everything was formed there. Culture, art, strategic importance, mountainous regions difficult to access, I thought it would be like Italy and its valleys, but it is more like Russia and its difficult terrain, also each area manages its own administrative zone, but the imperial throne is in the North, decisions are made around the 3 men or women who administer each region. Currently they are the witch Anastasia in the north, the elf Fedor in the center and the general Adriano in the south, each of them is chosen by popular vote and even the emperor is subject to popular elections, although he says empire they seem more like a democracy, or perhaps certain touches to the Roman Empire of the hundred years of peace that Trajan started.
That day I dedicated myself to reading, I would like to have the newspaper, but I have to wait on the weekends.
It was almost 10:00 AM on Wednesday K'vool, as I always stopped for coffee, Enrs was helping me in the kitchen.
For my part I was in the garden with my leather gloves pulling the weeds, when I noticed something particular a small plant was writhing in the ground.
It seems that it is trying to get out of it, I bend down to observe it and the small plant of a beautiful green color and with a multicolored flower raises its petals, then with its small branches it points to the land where I planted it.
Do you want me to take you out? Say.
The little plant seems to nod in response to my question, and points again.
I take one of the tools and very carefully take it out, its roots are so close together that they look like little legs, it looks like a plants vs zombies experiment. The little girl is very restless, as she begins to run around the garden trying to lift the others to do the same, but after a few minutes she realizes that she is the only one who can do it and seems disappointed, I go to the kitchen and I bring her a small bowl full of water to soak in. She immediately perks up and throws herself into the bowl.
"You actually made a contract with a low-level elemental being," says Enrs, whom he had called to ask about the peculiar plant.
So what if I am a sorcerer? I ask excitedly and how did I do it? The little plant climbs on my shoulder and begins to rub its petals against my right cheek. (Gives off a delicious smell)
"I doubt it, if you were a sorcerer, your form would be different from this" says Enrs, which offends the little plant. "And it's a female" the little one seems to agree.
How do you know? I ask her, looking incredulously at the little girl on my shoulder.
K'vool gets up from his seat and also comes to watch.
"The only sorcery you possess is to attract women," he points out, while Enrs laughs at him.
"You're the one who studies biology, not me" exclaims Enrs as he shrugs his shoulders.
It is true that I study biology, but the plants of this world are not exactly the same as those of the earth, (but I should study them thoroughly) what does K'vool mean by attracting women?
As the morning passes and I do the housework, the little plant goes around the house using its roots as legs, it's funny to see it, sometimes it stumbles and sometimes it tries to climb on the chairs. In addition, she uses her flowers to trap insects, she simply releases a sweet aroma from her flowers and attracts her prey, after they are close enough she uses her filaments to trap the prey.
Suddenly the atmosphere becomes heavy, the little "tera" so I place my elemental on the defensive and makes a strange sound.
Enrs comes out of the kitchen and takes off her apron, then looks at K'vool who also notices something strange.
"Hey Augusto can you help me with something" he says "I think I made a mistake in the recipe and I would like you to rectify it"
Of course! I answer.
I find it strange that he makes a mistake since he has improved a lot, sometimes he stays up late helping me and even prepares a snack with the girls.
I put away the tools and go to the kitchen, little Tera accompanies me.
"K'vool, you are a merchant, I am more than sure that you know how to defend yourself by yourself. But would you do me the favor of protecting our friend without magic while I do my job "
The old troll smiles "be sure nothing will happen to him, I don't want Maki to scold me"
Enrs raises his eyebrows "believe me for what I did last time I thought he would not let me see Augusto again" he says as a chill runs through his body.
"You know well that she is the boss in the house"
K'vool also enters the house, then uncovers one of his bottles and releases a skeleton in ancient robes who proceeds to create a barrier that covers the house.
Enrs, prepare to use magic
"Radar" he recites, a wave coming out of the surrounding ground spreads throughout the house, then a small screen of magic appears on his wrist.
"It's time to work" he says to himself, then he draws his sword with which he deflects an attack that came from above, then he proceeds to return the attack by cutting his attacker in half.
Both parts of the hooded subject fall to the ground.
Quickly two other subjects come out of the forest carrying daggers and try to attack the elf by surprise.
The elf does not seem surprised, in fact, he is very calm, deflects attacks easily, one of his attackers stabs his sword in the heart, while the other blows his head with a magical lightning attack.
The elf does not like to trust himself in battle so he uses reinforcement magic "Double physical reinforcement". Enrs recites a spell to improve his stamina and speed, then uses his free hand to hit the ground and recites a spell "probe" his spell to him. allows you to find out what living beings are within a radius of 2 kilometers, as soon as you use your spell, you feel around 30 targets with an unusual bloodlust.
"Quadruple physical reinforcement" Enrs's body is now revitalized with more strength, power, agility and momentum, he prepares for a large-scale attack, "magic sword wind" his sword begins to glow and suddenly a small whirlpool is formed on his blade, then he grabs his sword with both hands and strikes an attacking pose.
Are they all going to attack? Or one at a time? He says defiantly, he knows that he has to attract the attention of most assassins, (Augusto does not know how to use spells, and his contract is too weak to defend him)
Suddenly he is bombarded by a large number of spells of different elements, which he dodges or repels with his weapon, others hit the house, but are rejected by the shield created by the invocation of the troll.
_ Inside the house
Is trembling? I ask K'vool.
"Not at all, it should only be your imagination" he answers calmly.
I was explaining about the recipe to my troll friend, he just nods what I say.
"It's time to call Enrs" I say, but K'vool stops me.
"He's busy receiving a message" he says and continues "while why don't you tell me how you met your wife?
Of course! "He communicates with magic as if he had a cell phone"
What is a cell phone? K'vool asks, "sometimes I forget the strange things you say, my friend"
We both sit down and I begin to tell him my story.
_Out of the house
The subjects did not stop arriving, at first they seemed only 20, but they kept appearing. Although they were not strong, there were many.
Enrs shoots a great whirlpool with his magic sword, killing ten of his rivals, but he also destroys part of the forest.
His enemies seem fearless and continue his attack.
"I hate fans, they disgust me" says Enrs contemptuously, taking his weapon in his hands and throwing himself at his enemies.
He cuts them, pierces them and destroys them with his magic. The bodies continue to accumulate along the way, but their enemies do not seem to end.
(How much I have killed) Enrs thinks as he deflects stabs. For the elf it is not a problem, after all he is an imperial guard.
Enrs jumps up and thrusts his sword into the chest of an enemy mage, lays his sword on his enemy and uses his hands to cast wind magic and electricity (wind blades) (lightning)
Wind blades slash limbs as lightning blasts enemies.
Limbs, organs and blood everywhere. Enrs was not worried about that, he wondered how he would explain to his human friend what had happened, members of the cult had found out the location of one of the sorceresses.
His enemies had diminished, now there were only 3 of them left, they looked like 3 magicians, but in reality they were three necromancers, they were making an unholy prayer to summon a demon through the flesh and souls of their fallen comrades.
The flesh is shed from the dead bodies, while the souls scream in pain.
A pentagram is formed around the necromancers.
If indeed Enrs wanted to kill them, he would have done so and would not have allowed them to perform the profane ritual, but he wants to fight against the summoned demon.
But his wish and the wish of the necromancers is not fulfilled.
3 precise shots hit the heads of the necromancers, the three subjects fall and the pentagram breaks.
Enrs clicks his tongue irritably, then takes out a handkerchief and begins to clean his sword trying to remove the blood.
"Stop playing games" comments a female voice "I just did my job"
"You were supposed to arrive tomorrow" replies Enrs, as he got up, his white uniform was covered in the blood of his enemies.
"Yes that was the idea, but I wanted to know the place where you like to waste your time" exclaims the unknown woman as she puts away her pistols.
"What I do with my time is not in your interest" replies Enrs who keeps his sword.
"Sure, sure, but our superiors do. Especially if they send us to protect this sector "
The woman was another elf, with golden hair, she wears it up for obvious reasons since she does not want it to bother her in the middle of a fight, after all she is a soldier, she also wears a small golden ornament in her hair, very white skin, Long ears and red eyes like those of a rabbit but serious, her thin face and rosy cheeks together with her slim and harmonious body made her look like a fairy tale maiden, although the maiden was wearing a military uniform just like Enrs's and had just killed to three subjects without any remorse.