Chapter 2: Gender Bending Medicine

Since leaving the unconscious girl by herself in the woods would equate to her being a goblin bride, I took it upon my goodwill to carry her back to town. Daylight was fading when we returned and yet the girl remained asleep, so I brought her back to my home instead. No ulterior motives involved. Just pure goodwill.

But oh my reputation! The look my neighbors gave me while seeing me carry an unconscious girl to my home made me feel terrible. How could I clear up my image now? Even Gramps gave me a pat on the back with a sheepish grin.  

No matter.

I started brewing the medicinal herbs I just gathered while the girl was still sleeping on my couch. I couldn’t waste anymore time than I already have. I was only two weeks away from the allotted time. If I haven’t procured a [Galventine] by then, I would have to kiss this workshop goodbye — something that I couldn’t afford to happen at all cost.

I let the pot simmer with medium heat before putting [Magic Grass], one of the basic ingredient to every potion I know. Part of the leaves were still migrating from the rainy season and colored blue, which told me these grasses were of low quality. After all, good things don’t easily come by. I would have to travel somewhere far just to get a good ingredient but the me right now couldn’t afford to do that.

I grabbed a book from a nearby shelf and searched for Fonera. Most of its healing properties comes from its root and the leaves are more effective if I chew on them directly it seemed. The book even told me about the leaves’ bitter taste. Thanks Pops.

“Let’s see… The mixture should slightly turn pink if I do it right.”

I began to stir after tossing the root I snapped in half into my pot while the leaves were set aside for a different component. An aromatic smell slowly filled the room and like a beverage a woman would love to sip after work, the mixture in my pot turned pink indeed. I tasted it a little, and the hint of sweetness made me smile a little. It was quite the revitalizing potion.

I transferred the contents to the clear bottles I had prepared beforehand. Now that the potions were off my checklist, I could start checking my equipment. I strode upstairs and grabbed my father’s wooden sword. The emerald spirit stone engraved on the hilt was still as beautiful as I remembered.

When I returned downstairs, I noticed the girl mumbling words in her sleep. It didn’t seem like she was having a nightmare judging from the small drool hanging on her mouth, so I let her sleep some more. I went straight to the smithy and started to heat the forge by pouring mana on a magic circle attached to its left side. The red circle of fire started to glow a faint warm light followed by a more powerful heat from the forge. Unlike Elves who could directly communicate with Spirits, Humans would need to use magic formulas or spirit stones to use magic. I found the method inconvenient in the beginning, but after getting the basic formulas down in my head, the rest was basically a mixture of trial and error.

I started to adjust the size of the steel gauntlets I bought at Gramp’s store yesterday. How to describe this feeling? It felt great losing myself in front of the burning furnace. It reminded me of those years I spent learning to smith under Gramps.

I used my arm to wipe the sweat building on my brow. The next instant I regained my focus, I noticed the girl was standing by the door and looking at me work. A pair of hazel eyes glinting with curiosity. For a moment, I was dazzled by her silent staring.

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“What’s up man? You got a problem? What are you looking at my ass for, huh?”

Her words made me scratch my head. “Miss, I’m not looking at your ass. Look, you passed out in the woods all of a sudden I had no choice but to bring you here. How are you faring? Any headaches?”

She shook her head. “No, I just feel like I had this weird nightmare that I turned into a girl. Seeing you in this dream makes it even worse.”

I didn’t know what she meant but decided to go along with it. It could be that she hit her head somewhere and was having delusions — I tricked myself into thinking like that.

“Well, you are girl… right?”

“What part of me makes you think I’m a girl?!”

“That you look like an adorable young lady?”

The girl ruffled her hair and sat on a box on my right. “Well, I’m not. Stick that into your head.”

“You sure it’s not because of concussion? I mean, you are wearing a skirt after all. And quite the short one at that.”

She frowned. “Do you want me to hit you?”

“No.”

“Then shut up and quit teasing me. I’m already so confused I don’t know what to do.”

“What about your family then? Or your hometown? Surely you could ask them for help?”

“I’m not from here.”

“Meaning?”

“Whatever. You probably won’t believe me anyway. That aside, what are you doing?”

“This? I’m just adjusting these gauntlets I bought to fit me more comfortably since I couldn’t afford something that’s custom made.”

“Heh, so you’re a blacksmith then?”

“Somewhat. I needed to learn how to smith to obtain my license as an alchemist in this city.”

Her eyes lightened up as soon as I finished my sentence. “Wait, if you’re an alchemist, perhaps you could make me a medicine that will turn me back to normal? What do you think? Can you do it?”

She was having delusions alright.

“To shift you back as a boy you mean?”

“Right.”

I crossed my arms and stared at the ceiling for an answer. “Sorry, I haven’t heard of a gender bending medicine like that.”  

“So it’s hopeless then?”

“Well, it’s still too early to give up. I’m an alchemist remember? Helping people out is my job. One way or another, I’ll find a way. I promise.”

“But I don’t have anything in return.”

“Don’t worry. I’m still a newbie alchemist so you can help out in return by gathering the ingredients with me. Having someone who’s good at close quarter combat can be reassuring. What do you say? Shall we team up?”

She laughed all of a sudden — girlish, robust and genuine. I still couldn’t understand what was so boyish with her after all. Poor girl must’ve hit her head pretty hard.

“It’s funny how we’re talking about teaming up when we don’t even know each other’s name. I’m Blue, what’s your name?” she asked.

“Claude. Claude Lucille.”

“Sounds like a knight’s name.”

“And yours is that of a boy. Should we get you a more girlish one until you’ve returned to normal?”

“Heck no.”

I laughed. She laughed.

Thus, a long lasting friendship was sealed under the fire.