Damn the balance of power on this continent. My master told me to keep quiet and not draw attention from the mighty of this world. So what was I supposed to do? I had no desire to go back into the dungeon—I’d had enough. But avoiding the control of the White Twin Church wouldn’t be easy either.


    I sighed and entered the nearest restaurant for dinner. It was quite crowded, so I picked a table in a secluded corner and sat down to think things through. Should I return to Matan now? I also wanted to visit the magic academy there to improve my skills.


    But Kruk said he needed three or four years to remove the seals that restricted his power. Once he returned to the level of a God of War, no one would dare cause trouble for me by coming after him.


    I took a deep breath and a long sip from the goblet brought to me. The plates of delicacies were slowly emptying, yet I still hadn’t made a decision. Though… there were still people I wanted to visit in this world. And perhaps, one particular red-haired catkin was still waiting for me. How was she doing? I smiled to myself. Well then, my path led to the Principality of Atun!


    The next morning, after returning the room key to the receptionist, I left the inn and headed to the Craftsmen’s Guild to prepare for the journey. Of course, I could reach the principality within a week using my power, but that would definitely attract the Church’s attention—something I wanted to avoid.


    After spending a hefty sum on several sets of clothing and equipment, I asked a guild employee where I could buy a means of transport and riding animals for a long journey. It turned out there was an entire market in the city where travelers and traders sold second-hand goods of this sort. So, I went there.


    The market occupied a large area in the eastern part of the city. The noise, the roaring of beasts, the dust kicked up by their feet, and the sharp stench of fresh manure made my nose wrinkle.


    After an hour, I purchased a sturdy, covered wagon with well-cushioned axles—one that, in my opinion, could travel thousands of kilometers without breaking down. I also bought a second-class tamed riding monster to pull it.


    The beast belonged to the Livzi class—an omnivorous, fairly strong, and swift creature resembling a short-tailed lizard with four pairs of sturdy, bony legs. I also stocked up on a significant amount of fodder for it, then climbed onto the driver’s seat and steered the wagon toward the market exit.


    An hour later, I reached the city’s eastern gates. After showing my golden plaque to the guards, I rode out onto the highway. Before heading to the principality, I had one more thing to do—deliver Lui’s letter to his wife. Not that I wanted to, but I had promised.


    After carefully studying the map, I guided the Livzi forward, urging it to pick up speed. The creature turned out to be quite fast and resilient, easily maintaining forty to fifty kilometers per hour without strain.


    The only issue was that I had to stop every couple of hours to give it food bricks and water. Afterward, the Livzi would tremble with anticipation, eager to run again. It didn’t care where—it just wanted to move. Yeah, this monster had a serious lack of brains. Nothing but instincts—to eat and run.


    By the evening of the next day, I arrived at a large village where Louis’s family lived. Judging by the auras around, more than half the inhabitants were beastkin of various kinds. I pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the house I needed, tied the reins to a post, and knocked on the gate.


    A minute later, a beautiful nine-tailed woman, still young, opened the door. I noted five tails.


    — Good evening. I’m looking for Lord Lui’s wife.


    — That’s me. What do you want?


    She stepped outside and approached me. I pulled the letter from my storage and handed it to her.


    — Lui asked me to deliver this to you.


    She hesitantly took it.


    — What… what happened to my husband?


    — He’s dead.


    — How… how did he die?


    — I killed him.


    Her lips pressed together so tightly they turned white. Tears welled up in her eyes.


    A scream rang out from behind the gate, and suddenly, a young nine-tailed girl with three white tails lunged at me, aiming for my face. I lightly pressed her down to the ground with my aura.


    — Spare her, don’t kill her! — Lui’s wife rushed to protect the girl.


    — I’ll kill you! — the girl struggled under the pressure of my aura, refusing to calm down. — I’ll kill you for murdering my father! I’ll tear you apart and rip out your throat!


    I approached her, grabbed her by the neck, and lifted her into the air. Her eyes burned with pure hatred. Louis’s wife clung to my arm, trying to free her daughter.


    — Every action has consequences. I believe that. And if you want revenge, I’ll be waiting for it, alright? But first, grow at least six more tails—I don’t fight children. My name is Aney. You’ll be able to find me.


    I let her go and returned to the wagon. As I rode away, behind me came either loud sobbing or a beastly howl toward the sky.


    So be it…


    I turned the wagon and left the village. My path now led to the Kingdom of Lygote, as I needed to cross a significant portion of it to reach the Misty Forest and, beyond it, the Principality of Atun.


    The Livzi moved swiftly, its feet drumming against the road as the wagon swayed gently, leaving behind mile after mile.


    From time to time, I stopped for a few hours to let the monster rest and to stretch my own legs. Along the way, I resumed studying Rom’s manuscripts and the books I had found in the vault of the old mage who had perished in the Misty Forest. But the texts were filled with so many unfamiliar terms that I could hardly understand anything.


    My progress in magic had completely and utterly stalled. The only thing I could do now was hone my skills in the three circles of magic I had already mastered. To move forward, I needed a magic academy—with its teachers and literature.


    Yes, after a few weeks, without drawing unnecessary attention to myself, I reached the Misty Forest. Riding through it, I almost felt nostalgic, recalling my adventures when I first arrived here. I carefully scanned the area, covering nearly the entire forest.


    I sensed only first- and second-class monsters. A thought flashed through my mind to wipe them out with a mere surge of bloodlust, but I stopped myself in time. That would cause unnecessary panic and rumors later—something I didn’t need. In the end, I passed through it peacefully.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The principality’s outpost greeted me with sleepy guards at the gate, who stirred slightly when I showed them the silver plaque Hek had given me and slipped a couple of bronze coins into one soldier’s hand. They also paid attention to the beast harnessed to my wagon.


    But they only murmured among themselves about it. Without stopping at the outpost, I guided the monster forward, and four days later, I was already standing in line at the gates of Atun. After paying the entry fee, I rode through the familiar streets straight to the Trade Guild. Over these two and a half years, the city hadn’t changed at all, remaining just as warm and welcoming.


    I stopped the wagon near the guild building, handing the reins and a small coin to the gate attendant before stepping into the foyer. The first to see and recognize me was old Marj.


    — Aney!


    — Shhh! — I said, pressing a finger to my lips. — I want to surprise the old man.


    I held him by the shoulders, looking him over.


    — You’ve bulked up nicely, bearded one! Peak of third-class warrior?


    — Heh-heh, not quite the peak yet, but I hope to reach it soon! But who are you to talk? I can’t even remotely sense your level.


    — I just got lucky, don’t worry about it. How’s Bern? I don’t see him…


    — He’s fine, don’t worry. He went with a caravan to Lygote.


    — Alright, I’ll go surprise the old man. I guess we’re having dinner together tonight?


    — That’s right! See you in the evening!


    I continued on and quietly knocked on the door to Hek’s office.


    — Come in! — I heard the familiar voice.


    — Well, hello, my old friend! — I said as soon as I stepped inside.


    — Aney! It’s really you!


    Hek slowly stepped out from behind his desk and approached me. The old man had aged. A lot. He was never particularly imposing, but now his back was bent, his shoulders slumped downward. His hands trembled as he touched mine.


    — Yes, my old eyes aren’t failing me. It really is you. I’m so glad to see you again! Ha-ha-ha, wonderful!


    He pulled me by the hand and practically forced me into a chair next to his desk.


    — Well, old man, how have you all been without me? Missing the troubles I used to bring upon your heads?


    — What nonsense! I may be old, but my memory is better than yours! If not for you, neither I nor my guild would still be here!


    — Alright, alright, — I raised my hands as if defending myself. — So, everything’s fine? The princely court isn’t bothering the guild?


    — Everything’s fine, everything’s fine, Aney. You, on the other hand, tell me what’s happened to you. You’re not the type to avoid adventures, so you must have some interesting stories—I love hearing them! Don’t torment an old man, spill it!


    I settled into the chair more comfortably and began a long story, omitting some details but staying mostly truthful. The old man listened with his eyes closed, nodding in approval.


    — Hek, tell me, what’s wrong with you? I won’t beat around the bush—you’ve aged a lot. Too much, in my opinion.


    He opened his eyes and looked at me for a long time.


    — Aney, what happened to me is simply old age. That’s a fact, and you need to accept it. I’m just a second-circle mage. People like me rarely live past a hundred and fifty, and I crossed that mark long ago. So it’s just catching up with me.


    — Old age isn’t a death sentence, — I said after a brief pause.


    I took out a vial of healing pills my teacher had given me.


    — Try one! — I said, handing him one. — I don’t know if it will work, but it definitely won’t hurt.


    — What is this?


    — Don’t ask, just take it. You’ll understand. I don’t want to harm you—I want to help.


    — I believe you, don’t start talking nonsense. I’m just curious.


    Hek brought the pill close to his eyes, examining it carefully. Then, shrugging, he swallowed it. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then suddenly, his back and shoulders straightened, the tremor in his hands ceased, and even the wrinkles on his hands and face began to smooth out and disappear before my eyes. His thick eyebrows lifted higher on his forehead, and his old, faded pupils gleamed with a predatory light. He even looked younger than when we first met!


    Wow! Even I was stunned by the result.


    — Well?


    — Aney, what kind of pills are these? What class?


    — I can’t say for sure. My teacher gave them to me during training. I think they’re fifth… maybe sixth…


    I placed the vial on the table.


    — Here, these are for you.


    More than a dozen pills remained inside.


    — Aney, put them away. This is not something that should exist in minor principalities.


    I looked at him in surprise.


    — I truly appreciate what you’ve done for me, but this could provoke an investigation by the Church. I can’t keep them. These are the rules of this world.


    — And you agree with them?


    — Aney, we’re too weak to change what we don’t agree with.


    — Fine.


    I put the vial of pills away.


    — In that case, I have an idea. I have a potion recipe from my teacher—it has the same properties as this pill but weaker. Prepare a few hundred potion bottles for tomorrow. I’ll brew it, and then you can say that the potion had this effect. Alright?


    — Oh, now that’s a different matter!


    — The potion is only second-class, so there won’t be any trouble. Just say a friend gave it to you.


    — Thank you, Aney! We have a deal!


    — And one more thing—I always return everything twice over. Evil to my enemies, and good to my friends.


    I took out three eighth-class monster cores and placed them on the table in front of Hek.


    — These are for you.


    The old man’s hands trembled again, but this time not from frailty. He picked up the iridescent core.


    — My gods, eighth class… I’ve never seen one in my entire life!


    Hek pressed the core to his cheek and smiled happily.


    — Thank you, my friend! This is truly a generous gift! Where did you even get these?


    I silently watched the old connoisseur of monster cores.


    — Don’t tell me you hunted them yourself!


    I gave a slight nod. Hek almost dropped the core on his foot.


    — Yourself?! What level are you now?!


    — High-rank Battle Ancestor.


    — Unbelievable! Simply unbelievable! In less than three years, from lower-rank Battle Master to high-rank Battle Ancestor?! How is that even possible?!


    The old man hid the cores and sat in his chair, deep in thought.


    — Aney, I’m really glad to have met you. You’re definitely the most remarkable person I’ve ever encountered!


    — Oh, stop it. Tell me, is the house I used to live in still vacant?


    Hek had just opened his mouth to answer when a fiery whirlwind burst through the office door and crashed into my arms.


    — Masteeeeeer! Masteeeeeer! I’ve been waiting for you for so long! I was starting to think you’d forgotten about Mia!


    — How could I ever forget you? What nonsense are you talking about!


    I stroked her fiery hair and scratched behind her soft ears.


    — Now, calm down. It’s me. I’ve come for you, just like I promised.


    — Really, really? You came for me? Then why are you sitting here with this old geezer instead of looking for me?


    Mia glanced at Hek. Then she rubbed her eyes and looked again. That didn’t seem to help. She climbed off my lap and walked up to him. She sniffed.


    — Hmmm. You smell like Hek, but you’re not Hek. Who the hell are you, and where did you put my employer?!


    The old man burst into a hearty laugh.


    — Mia, it’s me, your old Hek.


    — Strange, you even sound almost like him.


    — Mia, calm down. It’s really Hek, I guarantee it.


    She looked at me, clearly suspecting I was in on some kind of scheme.


    — Master, I don’t know how much they paid you, but my employer is way older than this guy. You won’t fool Mia!


    She started extending her claws.


    — Your joke has gone too far. Either you confess right now where you’ve hidden Hek, or I’ll spread your guts out on this table!


    Whoa, that escalated quickly! I gently caught her with my aura and pulled her back to me.


    — Idiot, this really is Hek. I just fed him some medicine, and this is just a side effect—he looks younger now!


    — Oh, so it’s medicine… Master, do you take me for an idiot? No such medicine exists!


    — Mia! Enough! Check his aura, it’s Hek!


    The redhead finally calmed down after verifying it but still kept eyeing him suspiciously.


    — Ohhh, Mia, please take Aney to his old house and look after him.


    It seemed the old man was wary of staying near her. Mia grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the office.


    — Let’s go, Master, now!


    She didn’t let go of my hand the entire way to the porch.


    — You’ve gotten stronger.


    I didn’t know what else to say. I was happy to see her, but words felt inadequate.


    — Yep! Lower-stage Battle Master! Aren’t I amazing?


    She was openly proud of herself. It was actually kind of funny.


    — Of course, you are! Come here, let me hug you!


    Mia sniffled a couple of times.


    — Master, you need a bath. Right now!


    I burst out laughing, realizing how awful I must smell to the sensitive nose of a beastkin, and headed for the bathroom.


    I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling when the bedroom door opened. Mia walked in, dressed in nothing but a sheer, short nightgown, and straddled me. I tried to resist, but she stopped me.


    — Master, do you remember that you’ve already turned Mia down twice? Do you remember that I won’t forgive you a third time?


    — Alright! — I said, pulling her close. — Thanks for the reminder!