“Get him up.”

My eyes snapped open upon being drenched in water.

The savages, how dare they ruin my nice hair.

I propped my torso up from the ground to see who in the world would come to the conclusion of pouring water instead of just shaking me for a bit.

Give me a shake with your filthy hands I don’t mind. But my hair, that’s another thing entirely.

The hunchback bald old man stood in front of me with the two robed guys on his sides. He donned multiple golden necklaces that could mistake him for the Pharaoh Mage across the ocean. What is with this gaudy fashion? Dark tinted glasses while wearing a glittered white robe with golden tassels.

There is one thing to want to stand out but another to make it so hideously obvious. 

“So, which one are you?” he asked, walking closer.

“Ha.” I smirked, rising to my feet and patting myself down, “I am the one and only Leo of course.”

I did a half bow and outstretched my blackened hand to him.

“Bowing? You seem to be more welcoming than that aggressive version from earlier. I can sense a more gentle personality has taken over.”

I twitched, how would he know. “I can assure you that I haven’t the slightest idea of what you are talking about, Elder. It is only natural that to have beauty on the outside, one must be attuned with their inside as well. Such, ah, arrogance can only get a wizard so far. Don’t you agree?” I lifted my head up and gave a little grin to the old man.

“I’ll pretend for now, but that false ignorance you play is useless.” He looked at my hand and waved, cleaning up the ashes.

I pulled back my hand and straightened my posture. Glancing down at my body, I felt no pain from my abdomen or arms. I unraveled the bandages and the wound vanished, my mana filling me up to ecstasy. How wonderful!

I brought my hands to my side and tilted my head upwards. Opening my mouth to a wide smile, I focused on the surrounding mana. My hands felt the energy flowing to it like a vacuum tube. Now, let’s show them true beauty!

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A dozen roses on both sides appeared and moved into an arc above my head. I flicked my palm upwards and they ascended into the air, starting to spin. I looked at the guards and raised an eyebrow as they focused mana into their hands.

“I’m not falling for the same trick!” I exclaimed, pointing my arm towards his direction.

My arm transformed into vines and they extended to bind the guard still.

“It seems you are not willing to listen to us,” uttered the old man, slicing the vines with light magic, breaking my connection.

“Light Slash? Isn’t that a little tacky, Elder? How about something that matches your appearance? Like say— this!” 

I flicked to the left and the binding stretched out to get a hold of the two beside him. The old man’s facial expressions didn’t seem to change. Somehow that irked me.

“Tell me, Elder. Do you fear death?”

I started to clench my hand slowly, tightening the vines around the two guards. Hearing their screams is like music to my ears. Can you hear it? The angels singing my graces.

“If you kill them, I will have to acknowledge that as a threat against the city.” He said, his energy levels rising inside the binding.

He will make for a fun plaything. Hahaha.

“Leo!” yelled the cutie, Leah, running towards them from the side.

She rubbed her hands then placed them on the vines.

“Do not disturb us, beautiful. We are simply having a chat.” 

The vines ignited upon her touch, disintegrating into ashes. My smile started to fade, my face twitching.

“Are you really going to kill your saviors? And ‘beautiful?!’ Have you finally lost your mind? I knew you were arrogant, but the killing of innocents is not what I would have thought.”

I clicked my tongue. Saviors? Glancing back down at my torso, and feeling the absence of the wounds. Is this not because I have taken control? I looked up at Leah. If it is true that they healed me, I must show my gratitude. I brought my hands together and the vines fell down to the floor.

“I seem to have misunderstood the situation. I thought I was to be tortured for information.” I did a side glance to the old man before turning back to Leah.

I did a light bow again and outstretched my hand. The clones in the air gravitated towards my palm, morphing into a singular rose. I opened my hand and it floated elegantly towards the beautiful Leah.

“Beauty must always be recognized. My sun.”

Her face reddened and I could sense her mana ramping up inside her.

“W-what are you saying!”

She put her hands together and summoned a whirlpool of flames beneath my feet. I stood straight and showed her a smide grin and winked.

Ah, such is love.