The chandeliers gleam with a soft golden light, bathing the table in a luxurious glow. The sound of laughter and light chatter fills the upscale restaurant. Not the fancy kind, but certainly the type where one would have to leave a generous tip. I knew a truly high-end place would have been a disaster, especially with this lot. The whole place oozes sophistication, which is exactly the opposite of what our table represents right now.
I release a deep sigh as I watch Lysandra devour another plate. 'Is she trying to clean out the entire kitchen?' Her silver fork attacks the plate with a ferocity I've not seen before. "Just how much can one person eat? It's her twelfth plate, for crying out loud!" I mutter to myself.
Eira, grinning mischievously, nudges me with her elbow. "Hey, is that your girlfriend? She sure eats a lot." Her playful voice is like the sound of nails on a chalkboard.
I click my tongue in annoyance, barely able to meet her teasing eyes. "Do you seriously believe I'd date someone like her? Tsk, why even bother? you know damn well I don't have the looks to date anyone,"
From across the table, Ash, practically drooling, shoves another piece of steak into his mouth. "Hehe, this is delicious~."
Des, her youthful face twisted in frustration, suddenly bangs her fists on the table, making half of the utensils jump. "Ash! You-! You Bastard! Stop taking my food!"
Sera, exasperated by her brother's antics, grips his collar. "Ash! Sit your ass down now! You're going to regret it when we get home!" She pushes him back into his seat and he pouts but doesn't dare retaliate.
I grit my teeth, trying to drown out their noisy exchange. 'Damn it, why did I even think this was a good idea? Also, that damn itch... my aura's acting up again.'
Just as I'm contemplating making a hasty exit, Lysandra lets out a surprisingly dainty burp, placing a hand over her mouth as her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Hahaha! Human food is good! I think I'm full."
Relief washes over me. 'Finally, this nightmare might end!' I hastily pull out a handful of gold coins, thrusting them towards Eira. "Can you please take them back when they're done eating?"
Eira sighs, rolling her eyes in a manner that suggests she's already resigned to her fate. "Fine. But you owe me."
Grabbing Lysandra's wrist, I practically drag her from the restaurant. She offers no resistance, seemingly content after her feeding frenzy. When we find a relatively quiet spot, away from prying eyes, I whirl around to face her. "Alright, you bastard, don't try anything stupid. Just follow my lead."
Lysandra, looking down her nose at me, snorts derisively. "I told you I'll do what I want." There's a challenge in her gaze, almost daring me to defy her.
'Of all the dragons to get stuck with, why did it have to be the most disrespectful one? Most of the dragons I wrote about are powerful but calm creatures, why am I stuck with her?' I think, exasperated. I rub my temples, desperately trying to remain calm in the face of her arrogance.
"This isn't some buffet where you can gorge yourself, you know? And by the way, I paid for your twelve plates of food, you greedy lizard!" I retort, not holding back my irritation.
She smirks, obviously enjoying the rise she gets out of me. "Hmm... It's not my fault human food is so... delectable."
'Great. I'm stuck with a dragon foodie. I didn't think it would be this bad, the owner kept giving me this angry look. I don't blame him, why did she have to eat six steaks!?' I lament internally.
I lean against the cool brick wall of an alleyway, staring at Lysandra with an air of nonchalance. "Hey," I begin, "tell me. What is a blood-brother to you?"
Lysandra, who'd been on the verge of stalking back to the restaurant—likely to eat another round of steaks—stops in her tracks. She tilts her head, eyeing me skeptically. "Oi, why are you asking such a stupid question?"
I offer a noncommittal shrug, smirking inwardly at the flustered lizard. "Hey, I'm just curious."
She rubs her chin in thought, eyes squinting slightly. It's comical watching her try so hard to think, her expression almost childlike. After a moment, she turns back to me with a raised eyebrow. "A blood-brother... Someone you pledge your friendship to. Two people who swear they'll always be there for each other."
That earnest change in her tone catches me off guard. I've always known the importance of connections with dragons. The tragedies of their past, the near extinction—all rooted in misplaced trust and broken bonds. When Darius suggested I make her my blood sister I knew what he meant, I just didn't expect this. To hear such seriousness from a young dragon like Lysandra... her father really did a number on her, if only he put the same effort in fixing that personality.
A mischievous idea forms in my mind. With a deep sigh, I straighten up. "Lysandra, I request a duel."
She blinks, confusion flashing across her face. "Huh? A duel? What the hell's that?" Her tone is almost comically indignant.
Rolling my eyes, I clarify, "Let's fight. But let's make it interesting with a little bet. If I lose, I'll follow you around and cook whenever you're hungry. But if I win, you have to become my blood-sister. How about it?"
Her eyes widen in surprise and she stares at me like I've grown a second head. "Are you out of your mind!? Why the hell would I want to be your blood-sister? You're a weak bastard who i just met, you are not worthy."
I smirk, tapping my chin mockingly. 'Oh, this is going to be fun.' "What's the matter, is the little lizard scared? Afraid of being bound to a lowly human like me? Don't tell me this is all a dragon amounts to?" Hehe, a hot-tempered girl like her wont let this slide.
Lysandra's face reddens, whether from anger or embarrassment, I can't tell. "You fucker! Fine, let's do this stupid... duel. But when I win, I expect gourmet meals every single day. And you better follow me everywhere I go."
I chuckle to myself. 'I can't believe I'm actually going to do this. What am I thinking? Picking a fight with a dragon? And all for a bond? Ah, the things I'll do to control her annoying ass.'
With a mischievous glint in my eye, I reply, "Deal. But let's do it tomorrow, Lysandra. You're going to become my blood-sister, whether you like it or not."
Lysandra snorts in disbelief. "In your dreams, you cocky human."
✦
Finally, the familiar and nostalgic smell of the store wraps around me like a warm blanket. I exhale deeply, my heart still racing from the whirlwind evening I've had. I push open the door to my upstairs room, flicking on the dim overhead light. The last thing I want is to explain to my rowdy guest about my personal space.
"Feel free to use my bed," I say with a sigh, tossing a brief glance at the slightly unkempt sheets. "Unfortunately, at the moment I don't have a spare room."
Lysandra shoots me a defiant look, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "No way! I'm not going to sleep with a bastard like you!"
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to muster some patience. "I haven't used this room in a long time. Plus, I don't plan to sleep anytime soon." Striding over to my desk, I rummage through my bag, pulling out a familiar-looking box.
"Oi! You don't plan on chickening out right?" Lysandra's sharp voice pierces the room's tense atmosphere. "I won't let you, you bastard!"
I give her an annoyed glance. "Don't worry. I don't plan on doing that. You can sleep here, but if you don't want to, feel free to roam around the shop. Just… don't enter any other room or exit the building. And please don't bother me."
Her eyes narrow, lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "I'll do what I want! You're not the boss of me! Whatever you're doing, I'll do it better." She declares with a sadistic grin.
'Oh no...' I internally lament, but then an idea flashes through my mind. I take out one of the body-cleaning pills from the box and toss it towards her. Without any hesitation, she pops it into her mouth.
Quickly, I swallow one as well, immediately feeling its effect as I close my eyes, focusing on channeling my aura. The room goes silent, save for the steady rhythm of my breathing. All thoughts of Lysandra fade away as I let the pill's power do its work. The last thing I faintly register is her coughing and saying, "This tastes like shit!"
The sensation surges through me, faster, pushing all the impurities out. I force my breathing to remain steady. 'Come on, just a bit more. Faster, a bit faster…'
Suddenly, I cough, my body convulsing with the effort. But amidst the discomfort, a profound realization dawns upon me. "Yes! I finally made a breakthrough! Ugh, why am I so proud? If I was using a different technique, I would've been here long ago. Tsk, stupid curse." I grumble.
I open my eyes, still feeling a bit dazed, and glance around. Everything appears blurry and out of focus. My clothes feel sticky and gross, a clear sign of the pill's effectiveness in purging my body's impurities. My gaze then settles on Lysandra, who's sprawled out on my bed completely knocked out. Despite my annoyance earlier, a small smile tugs at my lips at the sight of the mighty dragon in such a vulnerable state. Should I troll her? No way! What am I thinking, she'll kill me. Drawing a mustache on her would be fine right? I mean would she even notice? Tsk, I can't let my intrusive thoughts win!
[❃Congratulations❃]
[You have made a seemingly impossible achievement!]
[Charisma: -2 ➩0⇅]
Staring at the message, my emotions bubble over. The weight on my shoulders feels slightly lighter, my long-standing issue finally improving, albeit slightly. I drop to my knees, laughing hysterically. "YES! I KNEW IT! HA! Take that you useless stats! I'm not in the negatives anymore!"
My thoughts race, 'If I just repeat this a few more times... I might actually... look somewhat presentable?'
I groan as I catch a glimpse of myself in the hazy reflection of a glass frame, disgust swirling within me. "I'm freaking disgusting!"
Stumbling into the bathroom, I turn on the tap and watch as water flows into the tub. Once it's full, I submerge myself, letting the water cleanse every part of my grime-covered body. It's ridiculous how something as simple as a bath can bring such a profound relief. "Finally! I feel ten times better; that annoying itch is finally gone." I say aloud, reveling in my own sense of accomplishment.
Emerging from the bath, I focus my attention on circulating my aura. The sensation feels smoother, more refined. A slight grin forms on my lips. "I should now be able to last twice as long in battle," I muse. Pondering a little more, I realize, "Hmmm, despite training my aura for a longer time, my mana is a bit more developed. Well, it cant be helped, I got no choice but to continue using this method."
Pulling on some clean clothes, I glance out the window. The horizon is starting to lighten up, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple. 'From the looks of it, the sun will rise within an hour or two.' Time seems to be flying.
As I walk upstairs, a thought strikes me. Eira. There's absolutely no way she's asleep. Especially not with all the commotion earlier. I need her help to prepare for the duel. No, wait. I need her toys.
I knock lightly on her office door, and almost instantly, her voice sounds from within. "Yo, Kael. Come in."
Pushing the door open, I step inside to see her, seated comfortably behind her desk. She turns to look at me, her chin resting in her hand, and smirks. "You don't look like a troll anymore. So, what brings you here so early?"
I let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling my eyes for good measure. "I still have a long way to go, huh?" I mumble. Then, trying to be casual, I say, "Thinking of taking a bunch of body-cleaning pills. Think they'd make a difference?"
Before she can respond, I quickly continue, "Actually, Eira, I need you to help me prep for a duel. Let me borrow some of your toys, and in return, I'll let the fact that you swiped a couple hundred gold coins from me slide."
Internally, I'm smirking. 'Hehehe. I'm gonna beat that dragon, one way or another.'