The merchant didn't blink and smiled mysteriously. He looked around to make sure people were too busy to hear their conversation.
"Mythological creature, I am a Griffin."
"Don't joke, you look very human," argued Arzan, giving her a flat look that quickly turned intimidating.
The merchant stared sharply, raising one eyebrow, his gaze no less intimidating reaching deep into the brain. "I accidentally entered an unknown foreign portal while practicing. To answer your question I learned shape-shifting magic from my ancestors."
"So you're a half-breed?" Ain asked, his shoulders relaxed a little, not as tense as before. The idea of interbreeding between species is interesting, especially between wizards and mythological creatures.
The merchant smiled faintly, and his hands began to rub spices on the meat. "Yes, but the witch's blood and abilities have been lost. I am the umpteenth descendant in the cross-marriage lineage."
"No problem, even ordinary humans can learn magic if they have the advantage." Ain smiled. "Let me guess you can't go home?"
"Yup. I'm very grateful to have met you guys. It's been decided that I'll come with you guys."
Arzan hissed sharply, "Sorry, we don't know you and won't help."
"Enjoy your meat," said the merchant, handing over two cups of processed meat, ignoring Arzan's words. Ain wanted to pay but was stopped by Griffin's words. "It's free, especially for cute girls and nice boys."
Arzan acted normal, in contrast to Ain, who was amazed to the point that his mouth formed a proportional o shape.
"Excuse me, I would like to order a cup of spicy meat." One of the ordinary people in her position as a customer came in such a hurry that Arzan's injured left foot was accidentally stepped on.
Arzan grimaced. "It hurts, please be careful, Miss." She wanted to get angry but held back to maintain the common good. Arzan doesn't want to cause problems.
"I'm sorry Miss Werewolf."
Both Arzan and Ain were shocked. At that time, Arzan was very grateful that her facial expression could be conditioned to look as if nothing had happened. There's no need to question Ain, he's a pro player playing with facial expressions, it's just that in Arzan's eyes, he looks annoying.
"No problem, you just have to be careful." Arzan nodded naturally, pulling Ain's hand away when the business was finished.
"Werewolves."
The striking remarks at least attracted one's attention until people who walked by looked at them in surprise then looked away thinking it was just nonsense coming from a fool.
"Azza, she's a wolf," said the woman to Griffin.
Arzan was uncomfortable and wanted to leave if the strange woman didn't hold her hand. Arzan's eyes blinked, wondering when this strange woman dared to be so goddamn it.
"Ahem Miss, you have to let go of my girlfriend's hand."
Arzan had a flat expression, of all the reasons Ain could have used, he instead used a stupid one.
"Excuse me," said Ain.
"Okay."
Arzan stared flatly at the strange woman and Griffin who was playing some kind of secret code. She knew the two knew each other.
"Who are you?"
Arzan looked at Ain, it was a bit strange to see him talk a little but it was more annoying when he kept quiet first, watched then spoke. For Arzan, Ain doesn't appropriately look cool.
"Ades Alfeir, I like supernatural creatures."
"Don't be friends with this meat seller, you're still too innocent to think wildly," Arzan spoke to advise a woman named Ades as if she were her older sister.
Ades smiled broadly, "I was the one who told him werewolves, vampires, wizards, and other magical creatures exist and now I can prove it."
"No, you're wrong." Arzan was starting to get annoyed, if Ain was annoying then Ades was stupid.
"Okay, let's leave this conversation. Don't you guys want to go?" Griffin said.
Arzan's brows furrowed, not liking to suspect the strange duo in front of her, even if they left, it felt like something was bothering them so Arzan decided not to do it.
"Okay, your request is accepted. Come join us."
"Hey, you can't do that." Arzan stared at Ain sharply, invading his personal space to strangle the wizard.
"Yosh, let's talk somewhere else. Do you mind closing your stall for a moment?"
The two men chuckled together. Arzan doesn't like how easily Ain gets along with other people.
"Up to you." Ain took a piece of meat, put it in her mouth, and ate it. She ignored the people around her looking at them confused.
Behind Arzan, Ades followed like a duckling following its mother away.
Arzan stopped at a dead end and just looked up, the skyscrapers stood firmly staring at them like small ants.
"A strange girl obsessed with supernatural creatures is not enough of a reason for me to let you come with us. Trust me your stubbornness will not end well."
Ades smiled broadly, her enthusiasm did not decrease one bit. "Sounds fun."
Arzan snorted, folded her arms across her chest, and looked at Ades sarcastically. "Okay, then your fun journey starts now."
In an instant, Arzan's claws appeared and aimed straight at Ades' arm. She ignored her surprise cause Ades easily dodged. Arzan smiled and took the best time to kick Ades' leg, which again only ended up not hitting anything.
It was only in the third Arzan attack that hit Ades's stomach on target.
"Arghh."
Not far from the two women, Ain and Azza watched, not wanting to miss the interesting scene, neither of them wanted to get involved.
"This isn't much, in the future you could even die if you still stubbornly want to leave."
Arzan narrowed her eyes to find Ades smiling broadly, a green light emerged from her scar like Ain did.
Arzan's eyebrows rose. "You're a human. A Muggle who studies magic, huh?"
Ades smiled wider until Arzan was worried her cheeks would tear. Her first smile was already big!
"Yes! But I'm short of teachers. Azza is hopeless."
"Hey, you hurt my feelings," concluded Azza, looking hurt, which he showed by holding his chest. His face of sadness.
Ain chuckled while Arzan snorted. "If your goal is to learn magic, then you don't need to go anywhere, as long as we're here you can whine to Ain until he wants to teach you."
Ades shook her face vigorously and Arzan stared in horror, afraid that her head would be cut off. "I want to become the strongest wizard to prove that ordinary humans can surpass wizards."
"Oh." Ain was a little stunned but quickly recovered, liking the idea of rivals fighting for the title of strongest mage. It was very entertaining when the strongest magician was him. Then the concept of providing opportunities for adventure is more interesting than giving the title of strongest wizard to Ades. "Then let's go," he said.
"Hey, we can't-"
"Lots of friends will be a big help. This adventure should be fun." Ain chuckled and then exchanged high-fives with Azza, making Arzan annoyed.
"Yeah! Thank you very much." Ades smiled.
Arzan snorted, inside she was busy grumbling. "Damn, he's so annoying. It's not him who can decide."
***
"Wow..."
Ades' mouth was open enough to accommodate several insects but that never happened. The woman patted Ain's arm while smiling broadly and Arzan found herself angry but able to hide it well. They entered the world of the human kingdom without a word.
Right in front of them, the King stared flatly, looking like he had been waiting for a long time.
"Oh shit," Arzan muttered to herself.
*****