*This one is normal sized again. The next chapter is still in the city. But focused on something else. If your sharp, you could guess what happens next. Dectective Sherlock Holmes would be proud of you~*

Chapter 6: First time …. in the Capital City

(No pun intended … yeah. Sorry to shatter hopes.)

After a good walk in the palace perimeter.

We finally reached a guard post. I could see the street to the city. It was roughly paved stone. And not as artistically plastered with busts or cut plants, like most of the outdoor ways in the palace. It wasn't dirty. At least not visually full of waste, muggers, thief's or hobos. Looked rather secure and sanitary for a medieval city.

Random Male Guard: “Halt, please state your business and show your permission.”

Jacky: “I want to go outside, here is the permission.”

Random Male Guard: “That … I mean what is your duty for going outside.”

Jacky: “Exploring?”

Random Male Guard: “Give me that permission.”

The guard was a bit perplexed about me. After reading through the permission, he winked us trough. Probably didn't recognized me as the [Hero]. So I may be able to go incognito outside of the ones I was introduced too. Didn't I stand on a balcony and waved like crazy to the masses?

After getting on the sidewalk of the street. What wasn't marked at all. Just normal street too. But people just walked around freely there, so it's a sidewalk.

Jacky: “Oh!”

Sara: “What is it master?”

Jacky: “Don't call me master outside. That is. I just finally understood. Most people couldn't have seen me clearly, that far away …. So my face isn't known?”

Sara: “That seems right. What should I call you then~ How about [Master Pervert Hero]~”

…. Yes, Sara. Your going to get smacked someday. Stop teasing me, while I want to hide the [Hero] thing.

Jacky: “Just Jacky. When were outside, don't act like usual. Hmm, be friendly? But not too friendly?”

How do these two act normally. When I am not around? I never got to know them … before our [Hero] and servant relationship started.

Sara: “So we should act natural? That would be the same as always~”

Ari: “I-i think so too.”

Jacky: “It's fine. But let's walk together and not so far apart. Regardless on how I look at it. You two look like your following 'someone'.”

Sara: “You just could have said so~”

Sara was clinging on my side. While Ari pouted with a cute sound. And after a short moment, we began to walk around looking rather normally. No one was doing anything stupid or crass for now. Ari's eyes lit up sometimes when she saw a stand with grilled meat or one with fish. Sara was more focusing on the interior of the shops we went by. There was a huge variety. Armor Shops, Weapon Shops, Vanity Shops, Some Medical Looking Shops, Pet Shops, some rather dusky Shops that smelled of shady business …. Overall interesting assortment of different kind of shops. And we were only walking around a bit.

Jacky: “Let's get something to eat. Shall we?”

Sara: “Yes, sure~”

Air: “Right!”

Oh wait ….

Jacky: “Do you …. two have any money on you?”

Sara: “Oh ….”

Ari: “ ….”

Okay, we are penniless beggars outside. They probably have money. But left it in the palace. I for myself am penniless. Why should someone give money to the [Hero]? I didn't need any up till now.

Jacky: “That is ….”

Sara: “What can we do …. let go back?”

Ari: “ …. but we're out already. Won't it get late ….”

Hmm. It took us rather long with all that action with Elsa. Walking around and window shopping. Before we had a small breakfast in the palace kitchen, but that was like at 10 am. How late is it? Hmm, according to the standings of the sun …. maybe 2pm~3pm? I am not that hungry …. but I ate a lot this morning.

Sara: “How about selling off Ari?”

Jacky: “Don't joke about that ….”

Ari: “ …. Sara, don't be mean ….”

Sara: “Haha …. it was a joke, a joke. … come on I am sorry. Don't be like that.”

So you know when your going to far. At least to some degree.

Hmm, but the idea isn't bad in itself. Not selling off Ari, but selling something. Do I have something I can sell?

Jacky: “Hmm ….”

Sara: “? …. What is it?”

Jacky: “You two come here for a moment.”

We went into an back alley area. I wanted to talk with them a bit, about what I had thought of. This should work, probably. Maybe it will be even fun.

Jacky: “Do you two know about street performance?”

Sara: “Ah! That could work.”

Ari: “?”

Jacky: “So Sara knows and Ari doesn't.”

Sara: “ …. but what would we do ….”

Ari: “?”

Jacky: “Hmm. I thought about magic.”

Sara: “That is …. I can't use magic and Ari is the same.”

Ari: “HEY! Don't leave me out!”

Staring at Ari, I was grinning. Sorry~

I will explain it. So stop looking at me like that.

Jacky: “Ari, it's like dancing in front of others. Or doing fun tricks. Singing for them or anything your skilled at.”

Ari: “ …. why would someone do that ….”

Jacky: “You're entertaining people. So they might give you some small change. It's an simple business idea. Used by travelers, nomads and such.”

Ari: “ …. we will do that?”

Sara: “I think we will. It might work out~”

Jacky: “No getting Ari naked. That will only be disadvantageous.”

Ari: “!”

Sara made a 'tch' sound. I am ruining that fun for sure. I don't want Ari dancing nude while being in public. With an emphasis on public. Hmm, so I am the only one being able to use magic. Could /that/ work ….

Jacky: “You two listen to me for a moment. Are there spitfire artist's here?”

Sara: “You mean dragons?”

Ar: “Why should there be a dragon here.”

Jacky: “No I mean like. Someone who spits out fire for entertainment. Not in a race sense.”

Sara and Ari were looking at each other. Both made  a nodded 'No'. So there aren't any …. great! This will work. I just need to get hands on alcohol …. wait I can do this without buying alcohol!

Jacky: “Okay. Come closer you two and listen.”

I explained roughly what I wanted to do. Made some gestures of me breathing fire. Ari seemed pumped up, Sara had eyes that shone dangerously from greed. Hehe, this might work.

Jacky: “So you two will have to work as my assistants.”

Looking at them …. just now I saw something that was putting this into jeopardy. They both did wear their uniforms. Why didn't I notice …. Won't they get noticed?

Ari: “Assistants?”

Sara: “Ari, like gathering up people. And cheering and stuff like that~ It's like that theater that is shown to the royalty.”

Ari: “Ah. I understand. We get their attention, then master will spit fire at them! …. But how is that fun?”

Sara and Me couldn't believe our ears. Ari, it seems I need to educate you on some common sense. Okay, maybe I should  better ask someone else. Sara is out of that list ….

Jacky: “Ari, more like. You two gather peoples attention and I show them fire tricks. No killing off people on the street for money ….”

Ari: “I-i know!!”

Sara: “Ari ….”

Ari: “Don't look at me like that! I know!”

Anyways. I shall rag in some pocket change. We will need some money for snacks at least. If it goes well …. maybe I can get some normal looking clothes. I want to stop wearing frilly dresses …. Who's making them anyways ….

Jacky: “Okay. Gather up people. And when I am doing tricks. Just go around and ask for a tip or token of gratitude~”

Ari: “Right!”

Sara: “Sure~”

There I stood now on the sidewalk of an street. It was rather lively. A short headcount and I stopped at around 40 or so people that were in sights range. Ari and Sara began to tell people we were going to do a street performance. Many came …. at least that's what I wanted to think. 4 Kids were standing before me. Ari and Sara looked a bit heartbroken. Ahh … no good.

Male Kid 1: “Are you gonna start?”

All 4 Kids: “Start~!”

Ahh. Fine, whatever. People will see me doing my performance. Then more should gather anyways.

Jacky: “Step back a bit. I feel like sne-sneezing ….”

All 4 Kids: “???”

Jacky: “Ha-ha-TCHY!!”

A green flame shoot out of my nose. Or better to say I made flames that were close to my face, not in my nose. That would hurt …. Why was it green? It's like snoot, colored greenish. Mix some Cooper[II] metallic ions into a flame. Whola, it's green. It was an first try. But success was given, imagination was the driving force behind this kind of magic. Still how did I manage to actually great cooper like that? Never mind the details. I know everything about the basic information of elements …. that was crammed into my head for some tests from apprentice times.

Jacky: “Ah. So much! Sorry~”

All 4 Kids: “!!!”

I flung down the green flames onto the ground. As they vanished, while being stared at by the kids. I took a deep breath and closed of one nostril with my index finger pressing against it.

Jacky: “Hrrggz.”

All 4 Kids: “!!!!”

I shoot out some purple flames that directly vanished. Did this 3 times in an row~ Making an aggravated grimace of righting my nose with my fingers. And made a proud stance with my hands seated on my sides.

Jacky: “So let's start~”

Silence. Pure Silence. I thought that was funny …. It should at least be somewhat original. The nobles were perplexed by that blue flame. So coloring flames seemed a good choice.

Male Kid 1: “HAHAHAHAHA!!”

Female Kid 1: “Woah …. you sneeze flames.”

Female Kid 2: “A Dragon Sister!”

Female Kid 3: “ ….”

Oh delayed reaction. But it worked~ Being called a Dragon Sister. Kind of makes me proud~ Garrh~

Jacky: “That was nothing~ Hahaha~”

3 of the Kids: “More! More!”

Female Kid 3: “ ….”

Ari and Sara were fascinated too by it. I waved my hand with an /go and get more people/ intention. But I already could see a few adults standing around and observing me. This can work~

Jacky: “Ehem~ Next I will make some strings~”

I took a deep breath. More out of show effect then anything else. And concentrated on making new flames. I just created flames close to my lips. It was a bit hot, luckily they aren't as hot to the casters body as they are to the set enemy or target. So I could go trough with it. I formed the flames instantly to an thin string. I did only press them into that shape, not compressing them that much. Made it really easy to produce a large amount.

Jacky: “Ha~”

The Kids and People that gathered stared at the amount of flame string. The pile was higher as myself. I grabbed the end of the string.

Jacky: “String~ String~ My little String~ Climb, Climb~ Make a ladder~”

I managed to actually move the string to my will. Weaving and knotting. It became a simple string ladder. The thickness was that of an normal rope now. As many layers of string were weaved together. Hmm, can this hold out my weight …. Probably …. not. I touched one of the steps with  my free hand. The step felt quite solid, but still rather soft. Warmth wise …. still around 40 Celsius. Even when I tried to imagine it being a cold flame, it didn't get colder. Bummer ….

Jacky: “Let's climb~”

Random Person: “Whoa …. what's with that magic.”

Most adults that gathered around were in awe. The kids around increased in number and had sparkling eyes. Huh~ Hu~

This is working well~ I took off my shoes and socks, as they would burn from the flames. Like what happened with Ari's clothes. And began to climb the self made flame ladder. While avoiding to burn the dress I had on me.

Jacky: “Heav~ ho~”

Mass of People: “ ….”

I climbed the stairs with slow and steady steps. While changing the color of the strings that I touched to an carmine color, duo lithium ions that I made appear in these flame strings. When I reached the end of the ladder. I bent it a bit more flat. So that I could stand on a platform.

Jacky: “Hmm~”

Mass of People: “ ….”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

About 4 meters from ground. It wasn't all that high. But I stood on a ladder made out of rope of fire. To me it lacked a bit of the fire characteristic. As it was rather static, so ….

Jacky: “Ha~ Come to me fire~”

Mass of People: “AHH!”

The whole flame ladder began to burn violently. I managed to infuse more [Mana] into the strings with my imagination and the will for a showy effect. And set some of the strings, free from the pressure. So that the rope was now clad in a normal flame color. As I stood there some people began to show a bit of panic. Others where clapping cheerfully. Or cheering me on with their voices. The ladder felt a bit woobly now, but still was rather solid.

Jacky: “Hatchy!”

Some People: “ C-c-Catch her!”

Some of the audience came running closer to the flame ladder. Why? I just had the idea of adding nickel ions into all of it. I just hope …. that I am not allergic to it. It shouldn't be a problem. The amount is minuscule. Faking sneezing is stupid ….

Caused by the whole flame becoming silver-white and more like colorless duo to the sunlight. Some people wanted to save me.

Jacky: “Don't come closer. I am alright!”

I stomped onto the semi-invisible ladder. And applause was coming from the crowd. The once that were kind enough to try to help me, where feeling relived or a bit embarrassed. It was hard to make out in the mass of people. Sara …. yeah she is working. Going around and asking for money. Ari was just standing in the crowd and applauding …. Get to work!

Jacky: “Okay ladder~ Descend~”

I imagined the ladder folding up. While I stopped adding nickel to it trough magic means. The effect was more hilarious and grand then I had imagined. There I was getting closer to the ground. While whipping a bit forth and back. The ladder folded itself in terms of 2 steps. Change a part a bit below me to an < ankle. While the platform was stable. And fold it up. Then keep doing that with the other direction of an > ankle. The flames played cheerfully around that whole spectacle. And I was soon on ground level again. Standing on top of an bulky mass of flaming mass. Great success~

Jacky: “Good work my flames~”

Proudly standing there it was getting a bit hot. I had my arms stretched out into the air as a victory pose. I can endure this degree of heat. It's around normal bad water temperature, when it's cold outside.

Male Kid 1: “Oh! Look! Even burning she's not bothered by it!”

Yes, that is right I am not bothered at all when I am …. AHH!!

Jacky: “!”

I was trying to extinguish the flames that were starting to burn up the dress I wore. With a bit panicked slaps to the dress. I stopped the flame magic immediately, which I had left going on. Oh God! I didn't notice that mishap! Half of the dress was gone already. And some shortened version of it was remaining.

Jacky: “Hehe ….”

Uhh …. People were staring without a sound. This is embarrassing …. Then suddenly the crowd began to clap their hands and call for encore. Cheerfully not minding that I burned my clothes. While using magic unknown to them with an haughty professional attitude. After regaining my footing and somewhat gaining command of my woobly legs, duo embarrassment. I bowed to the crowd that didn't stop with their appreciation of my performance.

Sara: “Please~ Leave a token of gratitude if you enjoyed the show. That was the last dress we had~”

Sara was blatantly using the chance and increased her money grubbing skills with lies and flattery.

Sara: “God sir, wont you give us some more?”

Some Man: “Ah … yes. Here.”

Puh that was more exciting then my heart can hold. I should …. get some fire resistant clothes. There needs to be some kind of that here ….. Ari, still wasn't doing much. But people came to her. Giving her some small change. So I will tell her /good job/ later on, even if she just kept watching and cheering me on ….

Jacky: “Thanks for watching everyone. Thank you very much.”

Some People: “Another round~ More~”

Ahh, stop it … That was already more then I thought I could pull of. I wanted to just make some colored fire first. That rope surprised me in it's usability. And …. I can only make varying shades of red, green, yellow, purple, white and blue. With what knowledge I have about the so called /flame test/ from basic chemistry. Hmm .. wait. I could do that, even if it's not dark. If I make it bright and big enough ….

Jacky: “As gratitude for watching the performance and leaving something behind. Please look at the sky~”

Mass of People: “The sky?” “Hu?” “What's there?”

If we had a thief on us. Now was the chance to pickpocket~ Hehe~ No, I won't fall that low.

Let's make the end flashy. I gathered a bigger amount of [Mana] and shot some compressed flame balls into the sky. Which I added varying mixes of metallic ions to. As they reached a decent height. The visibility wasn't enough to make them out anymore. I stooped compressing them, one after another with a delay in between.

Fireworks lit up the sky. With some bangs and only small amounts of smoke. The different mixes of ions, made the flames be colored wildly. The ones that had magnesium/ titanium mix salts added to them, sparkled violently. Whoa, first try success. I want black powder now …. or better cellulose nitrate ….

Everyone: “ …!.”

This is nice. I wonder how good that would look when it's dark. After going around collecting some money myself. The crowd slowly dispersed. Luckily no guards showed up. But I am sure …. that some people are in panic right now. That looked dangerously, if you didn't knew from who it came.

As the crowd dispersed more and more, some kids were always hanging around me. Trying to talk me into making more flames in the sky.

Jacky: “Sorry, sis is tired now. So some other time~”

With my best smile I could muster. I tried to chase them away. The numbers dwindled, but I needed a lot of such statements till there was only one fellow left.

Jacky: “I am sorry. But there won't be more for now.”

Female Kid 3: “ ….”

What a strange one …. Starring at me like that. Your starting to bug me. Please get going, go play~ Shu~ I wanted to say such words, but I just ignored her. She will go away without making a scene, if I keep ignoring her ….

Female Kid 3: “ ….”

Aww, never mind. I need to meet up with Ari and Sara. Toilet time …. and I am getting hungry too. The tea from that Elsa is making haste now of all times.

Ari: “Look~ I got so much~ Master is so great~”

Sara: “I didn't think it would work so well. We should do this regularly~”

Jacky: “Yeah, yeah. So do we have enough for some dinner? I kind of want to make haste. Ari …. stop with the Master, it's Jacky now.”

Sara was collecting the money we had gathered up. I don't know the value of these. Most coins were cooper colored, but they had some varying signs engraved in them. A few ones were silver, they all had the same signs engraved. No gold ones …. as expected. No one would give that out, they are most likely precious here. I need Sara to educate me on the worth of these sometime. I should note that down.

Later in a pub like establishment.

Jacky: “Ah, I am feeling alive again~ Did you order already?”

Sara: “Yes~ I ordered for us. We made quite the haul back there~”

Jacky: “Hmm, how much did we earn?”

Sara had exchanged the smaller cooper coins to silver ones in this pub. I saw that when I went to the toilet. But I didn't count them from afar. So I was rather curious, what my short performance brought in.

Sara: “We got 17 Silver coins and 32 greater cooper coins~ The exchange did cost 5 greater cooper and the meal will cost 8 greater cooper~”

Ari: “So much ….”

Jacky: “Is that much?”

Sara: “Yes~ It's more then I earn in a month of service!”

Uhh, it's that much. How much is it exactly …. in terms of time I could life from it. A meal + drinks for three is 8 greater copper?

Jacky: “So what would a night at an normal Inn, with meals and drinks, cost?”

Sara: “Hmm, the region matters. But it should be around 5 to 20 greater cooper coins.”

Jacky: “And a silver coin makes, how many greater cooper coins?”

Sara: “100~”

Okay. So I earned enough money to go …. hmm about 17 days of lodging. If it's about 10 greater cooper days per day. That's quite something.

Jacky: “Thank you Sara. You're quite knowledgeable about this.”

Ari: “ ….”

Sara: “I have to thank you Jacky~ I rarely get the chance to drink and eat outside~ And that was fun~”

Jacky: “Yeah. Even if I burned my clothes rather badly.”

Ari: “ …”

Jacky: “You two did well. Thanks for the good work.”

Ari: “Yes!~”

Sara: “Yes~ Will gladly do that again~”

Both of them were happy what came off that performance. It was a lot of fun. The amount of money we made, was really nice. I could live like that. I could probably make a run for it …. but they won't let me go that easily.

Waitress 1: “Here's your order~”

Jacky: “ ….”

Sara: “Thanks~”

Ari: “Thanks.”

Whoa, a genuine cowgirl. And that size …. humongous ….

She was even taller then Sara, about 240cm? And her bust size …. I dunno. M for Melons? It was clear why she did work here as waitress. Eye candy + strength. She had 3 huge mugs of something ale like with her and an tray with an huge amount of grilled meat and some salad. The tray was pressed a bit against her bosom, so that it wouldn't fall. Her outfit was similar to what I would call /October festival style/. A kind of short rock made out of cloth, a leather over top with a white blouse underneath. And that characteristic /free zone/ ….

Sara: “What is?”

Jacky: “Ah …. nothing lets eat.”

Ari : “ ….”

Ari looked at her own breasts and was a bit down. Argh …. don't compare them to that monstrous size. These are  inhuman …. okay she is a demihuman and the waitress too. But still …. all the waitresses here had rather large bust sizes. Now that I took a look around. Sheepgirls, cowgirls, some human ones too. From C to can't be described …. Is this a hooter's variant of another world ….

Jacky: “Oh, this is quite good.”

Sara: “It's the best in town~”

Ari: “This Meat is tasty~ More then the palace kitchens~”

Sara: “Haha, shall I tell them that~”

Ari: “Ah …. p-pleaes don't.”

The meat had an rich and smooth flavor. It in itself was crisp outside and juicy inside. Aww, this is really good. The Ale was so-so, not much better then a cheap stale beer. I really miss germane beer ….

Jacky: “*sigh* ….”

Sara: “Something wrong?”

Ari: “?”

Jacky: “No, nothing. Just remembering something about my home. It's okay, don't worry too much.”

Sara: “ ….”

Ari: “ ….”

I didn't think much of it. But still, I miss home. My flat, my lifestyle and the drinks, sweets and foods that were associated with it. I wonder if my mother and father noticed that I am gone. I am living alone …. not always answering the phone, never calling back on missed calls. So probably around 12 days aren't enough to call me /missing/. At the moment from the summoning I was on holiday leave. Christmas happened a few days before I found myself here. Most likely police already opened up my doors, because the human resources secretary couldn't get a hold of me. Missing workdays without prior notice …. wasn't my style.

Jacky: “Ha … It's alright. Let's eat and drink to the fullest~”

Ari: “Y-yes!”

Sara: “Yes~”

There's no gain in thinking about what's gone. I need to focus on the here and now. …. …. I had set a password on my pc and my data …. please don't find anything weird. Hmm still, I need to actually see how long I am here. It's spring like outside. Probably some small talk with Sara should clear me up on the side of seasons and time. Maybe later.

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