I slipped away as they engaged in heated conversation about guild planning, rules, quests, and other boring topics. I needed to check the GGC and my quest, but more importantly my hair! I chuckled at my train of thought, I needed to trim my hair and get rid of the burnt portions. After deploying my camper and taking a much needed shower I checked myself in the mirror. I was surprised that I still had very few scars, Reid had done a great job. There was only a faint outline of a burn that looked as though it would disappear if just given a little time.

My hair on the other hand was wrecked. My medium-long hair had a huge chunk missing in the back, just evening out the rest of it left me with short hair. I sighed, it wasn’t the end of the world but it was annoying. It’d taken me years to grow it out that long. Maybe I should’ve asked Caro for help… I wondered as I fussed with my now shoulder length hair. I didn’t think it suited me.

“Mia?” Speak of the devil.

“In here!” I shouted without taking my eyes off of my hair.

She was taken aback when she walked into me holding a dagger up to what looked like my neck, but quickly grasped the situation. “Here, let me help. I’m better with my hands than you.”

“I’m not sure if crafting skills will be that helpful since cutting hair isn’t a common thing to do when making weapons.”

She chuckled as she pulled out a crude looking pair of scissors. When had she made those? I watched her as she worked, her eyes serious and focused on the task at hand. I smiled as her brows furrowed.

“Look down!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

After a few minutes of fussing and directing me to look in various directions and to “Just sit still!” she took a step back, cocked her head to one side and eventually nodded with a smile. Nervous, I turned back towards the mirror and was surprised to find my hair was much shorter than just above my shoulders. But… I had to admit she’d done an excellent job. She’d put layers in and it was just down to my chin, and I had bangs which was new.

“What do you think?” a tinge of nervousness colored her words.

“It looks great, thanks.” I replied with a smile. I meant what I said, but it’d be hard to get used to it. I found myself turning my head to either side examining the changes.

“I had to cut it shorter than I wanted because of the burn damage, but I’m glad you like it!” Her smile slowly fell, “So you’re going to be leaving soon right?”

“Oh… yeah.” I paused as I glanced over towards the GGC and pulled up the quest window for ‘Protect the Weak’, the timer had disappeared. They came to a decision huh? “I'll probably be leaving today, probably.” I gave her a sad smile.

“Shouldn’t you rest more? You just got up after getting injured.”

“I rested a lot while recovering, I feel fine.”

“Well… we’re going to miss you. Be careful. You should come and have a meal with everyone before you leave. I doubt you’ll hear the end of it if you just disappear.” She tussled my hair with a resigned look that she was trying to hide. Then gave me a hug and lingered as she pulled away, her eyes searching for something in mine before heading out the way she came.

Once I was alone I took a deep breath and accepted the rewards for the quest.

[ Congratulations on completing Protect the Weak! ]

[ Rating was determined to be ‘A’ ]

[ Please collect your rewards: Additional skill for all current and future familiars, Dual Daggers of Sorrow, 22,500 XP. ]

I leveled up again, but didn’t have time to enjoy it since after I collected the rewards another window popped up:

[ Please redeem the skill. ]

There were no other instructions, “Is this just like how we chose classes?” I wondered aloud.

[ Please redeem the skill. ]

Aureus, is there something you want as a skill? Something you think might help you and the other familiars I’ll have in the future?

I’m not sure, but I'd like to be able to converse with those annoying humans directly. They’re quite haughty since I can’t directly chastise them.

That doesn’t feel… like good enough? Just the ability to talk to others?

Sorry Master, but I’m already a dragon, how else should I improve upon myself?

I sighed, he wasn’t wrong. But I shouldn’t decide hastily. What else would the rest of the familiars also need? The ability to talk to anyone isn’t a bad idea. Ugh… I don’t have a better idea. “Can I give them a skill to become like human? Like transform into a human form of themselves or something?”

I waited for a few seconds before a skill appeared. I was surprised I thought it would give me a couple of different skill options rather than just the one.

~~*~~

Polymorph

Description: Users will be able to transform themselves into a humanoid version of themselves. The higher the mastery the more humanlike the transformation can become. User has some control over the transformation. Mana isn’t used to maintain the skill, it has a flat cost on initial transformation and detransformation.

Note: User’s body is configured into the desired shape; this is not an illusion type skill.

Mana Cost: 50

~~*~~

[ Accept | Reject ]

I considered the skill for a moment but I genuinely couldn’t think of a better option. I accepted the skill. Whatever if I need something else down the line I can just make a familiar with that ability.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

[ “Traveling Spring Painter” praises you for considering your familiar’s wishes. ]

[ “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” is surprised you did something so selfless. ]

[ “Playful Cat Hates Yarn” cackles and states that you chose something truly useless. ]

[ “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” urges you to bring Aureus to try it out. ]

[ “Abandoned Bloodied Sword” asks why you didn’t request a skill that would allow you and your familiars to take on each others’ traits instead. ]

[ “Reflection of an Empty Throne” gasps and says that “Abandoned Bloodied Sword” said something smart for once. He then mutters asking why he hadn’t thought of that. ]

[ “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” argues that a skill like that would require more practice to use effectively. ]

I sighed, “I didn’t even consider that as an option… I guess having wings would be cool, but I can barely use the elemental manipulation let alone something like that.”

[ “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” wonders if you have a brain. ]

[ “Gentle Autumn Breeze” advises you to build your basics first, stating that a strong foundation will not betray you. ]

[ “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” complains that the others should shut up since he was getting good data from you. ]

[ “Traveling Spring Painter” asks what they mean. ]

[ “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” tells you that at least you don’t have to learn from someone like “Traveling Spring Painter” ]

[ “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” nods vigorously. ]

[ “Abandoned Bloodied Sword” asks why “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” is nodding and states that he’s worse. ]

[ “Traveling Spring Painter” looks around in confusion asking what they mean. ]

[ “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” exclaims what?! ]

Aureus, did you see the new skill? Could you come here so I can see you try it?

I saw, I’m almost there.

I closed the GGC as they bickered about teaching ability and the importance of basics. Have I been trying to go about those skills wrongly?

Uh… well, forgive me Master, but yes you’ve been trying to learn in a rather dumb way.

Why’s that?

I mean… You tried to run after you tried to crawl like once, I don’t understand why you thought it made sense.

Why didn’t you say anything?

You seemed so determined… I wanted to cheer you on. Plus you were learning new things about mana even if you were doing it wrongly. It will definitely take you much longer to learn it if you continue the way you’ve been doing it though.

Before I could reply I heard a clinking sound on the door. I opened it to see Aureus sitting down with his wings wrapped around his torso. His eyes peeked out from behind them. You’re so cute, what a precious baby! Did you feel bad because you said I was learning in a dumb way?

I am NOT a baby!

Yes, yes, you’re about to be a humanoid dragon temporarily. Come on, let's try it!

His tail flicked in annoyance, but he agreed. For the first time in weeks I saw a familiar sight of his body dissolving into light, his form shrinking significantly. His chubby limbs becoming thinner and small fingers and toes forming. Overall he became thinner and smaller, but his wings, horns, and tail didn’t disappear. As the light dissipated he uncurled and slowly he floated down and his feet unsteadily took on his full weight.

He looked sort of similar to me, but his face looked close to flawless so the little bits of similarities were overshadowed by that fantastical beauty. As expected of a dragon. I wondered if he modeled his face after mine or if I was just the only human he paid any attention to so it happened subconsciously. His skin was the same color he normally was, a light rose golden color. It was still scaled in a few places. He hadn’t managed to make ears, and his hair was a light shiny bronze, it looked like thin strands of the metal itself. His eyes hadn’t changed much; they still swirled like molten silver and had the angular look of a dragon’s.

The least surprising thing was that he was about the height of a young middle schooler. Ten to twelve maybe. I pulled a blanket out of my inventory and wrapped him up in it. He wasn’t really exposing himself since he didn’t have anything to expose, but it felt odd to let a child stand there without covering them. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent Caro away. He needed clothes.

“Mashter?” He furrowed what would’ve been his brows, “Mahh, mm… hmm. Master, how do I looook?” He got out awkwardly. Looks like he’ll need a little bit of practice talking.

I stifled a chuckle, “You look cute, as always.” wait that feels narcissistic since I thought he looked like me… I scrunched up my face at the thought.

You don’t like that I look like you?

“Ah no, that’s not what I meant.” I paused, but changed the topic quickly, “Let’s go see Caro, you need some clothes.”

“Ookie. I like Karo!”

I did snicker that time, he said Caro with such a hard ‘k’ sound. We made our way back to where I’d left the rest of the guild members, he spent the whole time chattering about this or that. He was trying to improve his pronunciation. His frustration that he wasn’t able to speak clearly was palpable. Thankfully he was improving remarkably quickly.

“Hey, is Caro still here?” I asked as we walked in.

“Uh, I think she went back with Reid or maybe to her workshop? I’m not sure, who’s this?” Mateo asked as he looked down at Aureus. He was massive in comparison.

“I’m Aureus!” He said proudly as he put one hand on his hip and smacked his chest with the other for emphasis. The blanket I’d carefully wrapped him in sliding down to the floor when he let go to take such a proud stance.

A mischievous grin sneaked onto Mateo’s face and he tapped one of Aureus’ horns before asking, “Mia don’t you think Aureus will be quite upset if you help kids pretend to be him?”

“What?! This human! You! Howl dare you!” Aureus yelled angrily.

“Howl?” He responded.

“HOW! DARE!”

“Oh, I see, yes how dare I indeed. I can’t be insulting an impostor of Mia’s great dragon, that would be ridiculous!”

“That! You… Uh. I, you… I’m going to find Karo!” He held a wide stance while pointing at Mateo for a moment before gathering up the blanket, turning too quickly and nearly toppling over as he stomped out. His chunky tail flicked in frustration under the blanket that drug on the ground as he walked.

“He got a new skill huh?” Mateo asked casually after Aureus was out of earshot. Though, I wondered how he was listening to us without ears. Maybe he had those small reptilian ear canals?

“Yeah, it’s his first time using it. He wanted to be able to talk to you ‘lowly humans’ so I used a quest reward to give him that skill. I need to catch up with him though, if you see Rosalynn can you ask her for my portion of the wave rewards?”

“Will do, see you later Nova’s Guild Master!”

I rolled my eyes at his jab and ran after Aureus who was gathering a lot of dirt on his blanket train behind him. Once I caught up he looked up at me, “Why didn’t he recognize me?”

“He did.” I said with a small laugh as I ruffled his hair, there was quite a lot of it. His hair was long and wavy, it framed his face nicely and gave him a more feminine look. It was hard to suppress the urge to find a dress to put on him.

“Then why did he…” He kicked at a rock on the ground and it went flying.

“Aureus, you have to control your strength. What if that rock hits someone?”

“Fine.” He muttered.

“Mateo was teasing you, you don’t look very similar to a human and you’re with me, people might not recognize you at first glance but they’ll probably figure it out pretty quick. You are the great and mighty Aureus after all.”

“That’s… true…. Can’t I fly to find Karoline?”

“If you really want to, I won't stop you, but you’d be naked. Why didn’t you when you stormed out?”

“I didn’t want to leave your blanket on the ground…”

“Haha, but you’ve drug this part all across the ground this whole time?”

“Huh? Oh… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Are you going to fly and find her?”

“No…”

“Why not?”

He tugged at his blanket and buried his face in it, “You said I’d be naked…”

I nearly snorted from laughing so hard, and he buried himself even further into the blanket. Once I’d gained some composure I stopped him and got down onto his level, “Aureus, I won’t push humanities ideals on you. You aren’t a human and I won’t force you to live like one… But I would feel more comfortable if you weren’t naked in this form. Still whatever you want to do is fine.”

“I don’t want to be naked! You think nakedness is nasty! I’m not nasty!”

My heart sank, “No, it’s not that I think nakedness is nasty it's just… humans look different from you when they’re naked and I don't want to see the way they look. You aren’t nasty, don't worry.” I didn’t want to give him some sort of complex, how was I supposed to explain nakedness to a dragon? A young one at that. Should I give him some sex-ed?

“Okay I understand.” It still felt like he was a little upset.

I picked him up like a swaddled princess, “Now why don’t you fly us over to Reid’s temple?”