Paul stared in awe at the improvements.

I just gained almost four times the power I managed to acquire in the seven months I have been here. And all with killing a couple low-ranking monsters. That’s like two years worth of training achieved in a few hours. And in physicality AND magic. Absolutely nuts.

‘Does it randomly choose a skill to transfer or why did I gain this specific one?’, he asked Grimiora.

‘It’s always a combination of some stats and skills. No choice for me on the stats specifically, but on the skills. I already had a hunch you weren’t particularly strong, but those really are rookie numbers. You should train a bit more.’

‘Do you know how hard it was to get that far? I started with half in the physical ones and zero in the magical ones.’, he admonished.

When Paul and his friends had arrived, they all discovered that a 10 in any stat meant professional athlete-level in the discipline. Jason, who regularly ran marathons, had a 9 in Endurance for example. They all had basically no points in any magic whatsoever, as there hadn’t been any in there homeworld.

‘Oh right, you said that you had no magic in your world. Even though I really can’t imagine that. How are things supposed to work?’

‘Alright, what is that skill I got and what does it do? Don’t want to accidentally set the forest on fire.’

‘Why not? You would find your town faster that way.’, Grimiora proposed jokingly.

‘Why? How the hell could I earn money from killing monsters that come out of the forest if they all burn to death? Or just overrun the town. I would lose my income!’, Paul responded earnestly as he ignored the joke on purpose.

‘What leech of society you are, building your wealth on the misfortune of others.’, she responded with a shake of her head. ‘Okay, that went slightly off track. So, the skill: One of my favorite magical attack skills. It’s fire that sticks to the target it hits until it’s defeated. As the name implies it burns more destructively than normal fire. So it’s enough to hit the armor, as it will just burn through to the flesh.’, she explained.

“Nasty.”, Paul smirked.

‘That’s why it’s one of my favorites.’, Grimiora smiled.

Well, let’s try it!

Paul got ready, stretched out his arm, focused on the skill and activated it. He almost fell on his butt at the sight of a bright blue flame spewing forth several meters from his hand. Luckily, he had aimed it to sky, as even the grass around him looked charred from the heat.

“Hehe, hahaha, hahahahaha”, he burst out in laughter.

It’s even crazier than I imagined! So absurd! It really does live up to its name just firing it into the air.

‘Wait, is that the level you have it on? I mean, that was crazy, but I don’t think I can slay any gods with that.’, Paul concluded.’

‘Obviously not. I had it on 173.’

‘You are joking, right? I could light the whole forest with that. ’, he sputtered in disbelief.

‘Doesn’t really matter if you believe it or not. You’re getting it on 173 sooner or later.’

Well, I will believe it when I see it. Hmm, maybe there is some good to this situation.

Remembering that he wanted to go somewhere today, namely civilization, he decided to schedule marveling in awe at the possibilities for later. Finally taking out his cloak, he cursed at his ridiculous height.

Fuck, the cloak doesn’t really help with hiding that all my clothes are way too small.

One could clearly see that his pants only reached to the middle of his shins, as the cloak logically was also a good twenty centimeters too short now. Which gave the impression of not wearing any pants, as the cloak just reached a bit over the hem of the linen product.

I think this just makes it worse. Looking like a flasher now. But maybe still better than being a flasher without it. Argh, I don’t think I can bear walking around like this for five days or more. Everything’s way too tight!

Perhaps even worse than his shirt, which resisted any attempts at properly closing it up for two rather sizeable reasons, were his pants and underwear. Those were obviously never made with wide hips in mind and Paul feared imminent material failure.

I really have to do something about his soon.

Fiddling around with the broche of his cloak he noticed not only his now slender and long fingers, but also the unusual colour of his fingernails.

They’re also azure blue. Guess I will never have to worry about matching nail polish, if nature already made the choice. Well, not like I have seen any nail polish anywhere in this medieval ass fantasy world.

Succeeding in pinning the fabric around the shoulders, Paul made to orient himself for his journey back to town.

“Kinda wasted a bit of time this morning. It’s almost midday.”, he grumbled and climbed the hill where the exit of the caves was located.

‘I think it’s important to know how you look and what you can do. You didn’t waste any time in my opinion. Also, are we in that much of rush?’, Grimiora tried to alleviate Paul’s somewhat souring mood.

‘I guess not. I just want to see my friends again and make sure they are safe. They’re also probably worried sick about me right now.’

Reaching the top, the dragon-powered human breathed a sigh of relief.

“I can make out the road and I think we are closer to town than I thought if I can already spot the edge of the forest.”

‘That’s probably only an effect of your improved sight. You thought your new eyes were just for show?’

Improved sight? Can’t complain about that.

“I still think we will at least be a day earlier in town than I estimated. And good thing too I don’t have hike through the forest all day.”

Climbing down the hill in the direction of the road, Paul noticed that the ascent hadn’t exhausted him at all and that traversing the rocking terrain of the descent was remarkably easy, even with his changed height, balance and ill-fitting clothes.

The power of stats. Can’t believe I’m just strolling down an incline that probably would have taken some serious climbing equipment back in my old world. And experienced people.

Reaching the road a couple hours later after a relaxing and rather uneventful walk through the forest, Paul decided on a break. Not because he was exhausted, but because he was quite hungry after skipping breakfast this morning.

‘Kinda munched down a bit too much yesterday. Have to hurry if I don’t want to go on nothing for a day until town. Grimiora, did I eat for like ten people yesterday because of the, well, umm, ...transformation?’, he asked, scrambling for proper terms. Or words that weren’t “sex-change”.

‘Probably? Can’t think of anything else. I mean, that is the only thing that makes sense. Your body’s gonna need some energy for a complete rebuilding.’

Ughh, as much as I don’t want to think about, I don’t think I can avoid the topic of me being not quite a man anymore any longer. Especially if I want to meet my friends and not pretend to be someone else.

‘You’re doing it again!’, Grimiora exclaimed.

‘What am I doing?’

‘Getting so gloomy and depressed! You should see yourself in a mirror right now, you could accidentally kill someone with that scowl if you’re not careful!’, she chided.

‘Not like I’m doing it willingly. Just happens when my thoughts drift off.’

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

‘That’s why I’m telling you to stop it! I can also feel how bad your mood is. Even better than before actually. So, out with it! What’s going on?’, she demanded.

‘I don’t really want to talk about it.’

‘I doubt you’re gonna be able to work through whatever it is alone. And you’re not alone with your emotions anymore. I also have to bear them.’, she rebuked him again. ’Oh, wait. It got worse right about when I mentioned your face. It’s the change isn’t it?’

‘...’

‘Well, that’s enough confirmation. So, you don’t like your new face?’

‘That’s not it.’

‘Then because you have to buy clothes and have no money.’

‘That’s the least of my problems.’, Paul glowered.

‘The hair colour?’

‘Who cares about the colour? The sex! What else, but the sex, could annoy me?!’, he finally exploded.

‘Good. You finally said it yourself.’, Grimiora remarked with a satisfied expression.

‘You knew? Why the hell did you ask then?’, he snapped.

‘I think you had to admit it yourself. I can’t help you if you don’t even want to see the problem. So, what’s the deal? Is your sex such a big deal to your identity or are you worried how the people you know are gonna react?’

‘Both. Obviously. Well, I’m not really worried that my friends are going to reject me or something like that.’

‘But how strangers are going to change your behaviour towards you? I don’t see the downside, I doubt you are ugly by any standard of the imagination.’

‘More like the opposite is the problem. You don’t really know much about human society, do you? They are fucking patriarchal, just like they were in my old world in the past. I thought it would be a bit better here, with women equally capable of getting strong, but no. Male adventurers are already seen in a bit of shady light. Female adventurers are seen the same as prostitutes. I mean, some are both, but that isn’t the point. People think that it is super wrong that they don’t settle down and have a family like a “proper” woman. They think of them as greedy sluts who would do anything for money. Can’t count the times how often Joanna or Lindsey were insulted just because they were adventurers. At least Lindsey doesn’t get asked so often for “service”, because she’s literally hanging all day on Eric’s arm. But do you know what a patriarchal society hates even more than independent women? Women who are are stronger and more successful than them. And now the other adventurers are included too. Imagine just how absolutely mauled I’d get, interacting with anyone when I look like an Amazon personified!’

Paul had anticipated many reactions from Grimiora, but not roaring laughter.

‘Hahaha, are you serious? You are scared because other people are going to be jealous of your power? Because you will always look the most badass in the room? Because they will be scared of you? Because they will try to make you fall? Hahaha, you can’t be serious! I didn’t think you were a professional comedian!’

‘But...These are serious problems for me!’, he feebly exclaimed.

‘Problems? I think you haven’t understood what a dragon actually is. That is the problem, if you will become one in the future through merging with me. So, what do you think a dragon is, Paul Ray?’, Grimiora said with a seriousness that even eclipsed her apology this morning.

‘A flying creature, which is strong and has scales?’

‘Well, that is the outwards appearance, not the concept lying behind it. But you already mentioned the first hint: The strength.’, the dragon announced. ‘I imagine you at least know some rendition of the classic “charming knight slays the dragon and saves the princess”, right?’

‘Yes. Those existed even in my old world. But what’s your point?’

‘Patience, Patience, young one.’, Grimiora respond in a sagely tone.

‘What do you think were the thoughts of the author of one such story?’

Am I in English class again? I thought that was behind me.

‘Depending on the rendition, the author wanted to enforce the rule of nobility or just wanted to write a story small boys and girls could aspire to?’

‘Yes, yes, but those are the intentions, not his thoughts. The knight has to slay the dragon to achieve his goal, so what does that make the dragon? An obstacle, something to overcome, something to beat against all odds and make a stand for humanity. Something that normally no one could beat. Something to be feared for its power. Something to be jealous of. Something that has to be defeated, so humanity can take its “rightful” place at the pinnacle of existence. Do you understand now? Remember, how in many renditions, the dragon also has huge hoard and regularly captures all the beautiful women in the country? It has everything a human could ever dream of. Power, wealth, women. And more than any human could ever achieve in their lifetime. And what do humans do, when they can’t achieve something? They will be jealous of those who can and have. And they will try and make them fall on their way to achieve more than they could ever dream of.’

‘So, you are saying a dragon is intrinsically enviable? Or like an incarnation of enviable-lity? And to reject that nature is dumb?’

‘Exactly.’

‘But I’m not a dragon. I’m a human.’

‘You’re right. In more aspects than you’re talking about. What you’re thinking of is “looking like a dragon”. I’m talking about “being a dragon”. You will merge with me, so the looks will come with time. But you’re not a dragon, and that is why you falter. So, become a dragon! Become someone whose mere presence instills fear and awe wherever you go! Become someone whose gaze is enough to quell any resistance against you! Become someone whose name is enough to keep anyone from daring to stand in your way! Remember, nothing they could ever throw in your way will be enough to keep you down when I’m with you! So go forth, and show them!’

So, Paul stepped forwards and took off his pack and sat against a tree. His hunger definitely hadn’t gone away during Grimiora’s pep talk.

‘Well, that was anticlimactic.’, Grimiora stated in a disappointed tone. ‘Argh, this wouldn’t even have worked if you continued on when I’m in your head. No dramatic moments for us, huh?’

‘No, thank you.’, Paul said while taking out a piece of bread. ’Your speech really woke me up though. I guess I haven’t really looked at the big picture yet. I just stayed in my small human world. Even though that world isn’t my world anymore. I never considered that. Or probably didn’t want to consider it. Closing my eyes in front of reality isn’t something I want to do. And definitely not something I even could to for very long. Not without seriously tripping up.’

I can’t say I accepted it completely, but I will work on it from now on and not close my eyes again.

Chewing on his piece of bread and swallowing, he suddenly noticed something that had somehow evaded his attention.

What’s going on with my tongue? Feels really weird when eating stuff.

Pulling out his pocket mirror again, he opened his mouth to see his already known array of sharp teeth and stuck out his tongue to see something he had not expected.

The heck! Why is it so long? I think I can at least reach my eyebrow with it!

‘I like your completely flabbergasted expression a lot better than your gloomy scowl.’, Grimiora immediately chirped.

‘That’s nice and all, but why is it so long?’

‘That’s what she said.’

‘No, seriously. Why?’

‘Well, I’m not an expert on dragon biology, but a long tongue is really handy to get out the odd bone stuck in your teeth. Or arrow you got in the eye.’, she said with a shrug.

‘Why do you have arrows in your eyes? Wait, I’m not supposed to lick my eyes with it like some lizard, right?’

While Paul didn’t really mind the teeth and reptile looking eyes, he really didn’t want to adopt any mannerisms from the animal class.

‘Supposed? Oh, you mean the reptiles without eyelids! Well, you obviously have eyelids and this morning you did an in-depth test of your tear ducts, so I don’t think you have to keep your eyes wet that way. I mean, you can still try, of course. Don’t mind me.’, Grimiora gleefully replied.

Wouldn’t be the weirdest thing I did today. And it can’t really hurt, can it?

Carefully, Paul stuck his tongue out and upwards. It had a similar width to his old one, but was significantly thinner vertically and also grey-blue. It wasn’t split like some reptile tongues, but how he could still articulate normally and how the thing had enough place in his mouth was definitely a mystery to him. Also how he hadn’t noticed it until he had eaten something. Slowly, he moved it closer to his left eye. The reflex to close his eye that he had expected didn’t appear. So, he moved closer until he finally touched his eye with his tongue. And immediately drew back.

That...wasn’t unpleasant. Weird. Just didn’t feel much when I got scared there for a moment.

Again, he stuck out his tongue and moved closer to the left eye. This time, he started to lick it. And drew back again.

Oh-oh. I think I found something I’m not going to recover from. This is gonna be way worse than cracking my knuckles.

He suddenly noticed the silence coming from Grimiora and the feeling of apparent amusement she was giving off.

‘You like it?’, she asked with a huge smirk.

‘No...No! I really hate it! Who would do something like that!’, Paul denied in his best tsundere rendition.

‘Hihi, I knew you would! It feels soooo relaxing~, does it not?’

‘Yes…’, he couldn’t deny any longer with a slightly red face. The sensation had blown his mind. Even the best cigarettes he had, a habit he had easily gotten rid of after his arrival in this world, mainly caused by the lack of tobacco, couldn’t even begin to compare to the feeling of relaxation he got from licking his eyes a little bit. Regardless of how unnecessary it was.

‘Why does it feel so good? Isn’t it completely unnecessary? Do all dragons do that? Why have I never heard of that?’, he implored after having licked his eyes multiple times already. And with no small amount of embarrassment.

‘Uhh, such a maiden-like expression. Really mixes up your usual fierce look.’, Grimiora teased.

‘Answer me!’

‘Okay, okay. It’s one of the unsolved mysteries of dragons.I have no idea why it feels so relaxing, even though it’s entirely unnecessary to do it so often, as basically all dragons do. And you haven’t heard of it, because the majority of dragons feel the same you do about it. Namely, embarrassed. Doesn’t keep them from doing it though.’, she explained with a smile.

‘Doesn’t that go against what you told me about dragons earlier?’

‘I didn’t say that all dragons are actually dragons and not just look-alikes. And I didn’t say that dragons were free of contradictions. The same as all species basically.’

‘But I’m gonna look super weird if I do it in front of my friends!’, Paul complained, Grimiora’s wisdom not really assuaging his worries.

‘Do I have to spell everything out for you? Don’t do it, do it when they’re not looking or be a dragon and don’t give a fuck about it! What’s so hard about that?’

‘I think you know exactly what’s so hard about it.’, he scowled.

“What is a fair maiden like you doing alone on the wayside?”, Paul suddenly heard a voice.