Vallynor sat behind the exquisite table, next to Ashley, Henry, and Mia. The latter gracefully served cups of fragrant tea and various sweets, then sat next to Henry and began to flirt with him intently. Their tender kisses were better left unseen, but Ashley seemed to pay no attention to it.

But I noticed it nonetheless. It didn't evoke disgust, rather anticipation. Maybe she had fallen for me. But even if that's the case, I better not take the risk. After all, she has a dangerous father.

Watching Ashley and her exquisite figure, which could surpass any model ready to jump on any member and go public as a real slut, I understood that her innocence and purity made her a hundred times more attractive than those cheap harlots.

Or maybe it's all just my fantasies. And she's waiting for a continuation in the form of intimate scenes. Although I'm not against it. I'm not a fan of zoophilia. Because I came not for that but for Mia. Coughing a few times, I noticed how she quickly turned away and adjusted her clothes.

"So, you're Vallynor, I've heard a lot about you. My name is just Mia. I've long forgotten my last name, and it doesn't matter because I'll take the surname of my future husband," she addressed Henry, ready for a new kiss.

"Darling, I've said that I'm rejecting my past. I no longer want to be the one who brought death and conquest in the name of my father," Henry softly said, stroking Mia's cheek.

"You fool, you can always create a new surname. No one is stopping you," she retorted.

"They are stopping me. You know they won't leave this case without attention. I'm afraid they might do something to you," Henry gloomily replied, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to look into the eyes of his beloved.

"And again, you're a fool. I'll always be by your side. Besides, I'm not that weak... Darling," she said, looking into Henry's charming eyes. She couldn't resist and approached to kiss him.

Vallynor, observing and listening to the conversation, turned his head to Ashley. She also turned her head to him and smirked. Thinking, Vallynor sent a message using his magic, not wanting to disturb this couple. He also wanted to ask a few personal questions.

"Henry mentioned that he used to conquer and kill for Cthulhu. Do you know what he's talking about?"

"Every creation of Cthulhu is a deadly and dangerous weapon, ready to do anything for its God and Creator. They conquered worlds, sacrificed living beings in the name of the father. And Henry was one of them... One of the best. Maybe it's not clear from his appearance, but don't forget that this world is already dying, and the magic supply is decreasing and continues to decrease. That's why he reduced his height. To avoid dying from exhaustion," explained Ashley with tenderness in her voice.

Vallynor silently nodded and turned his head back to where he looked at Mia and Henry. Mia, with her long bluish hair, possessed a beautiful figure and face, like all the girls in this world. I hardly encountered any ugliness here, except, perhaps, two beings more resembling beasts and dragons. Even huge, pumped-up women aroused in me the desire to experience love with them. But, unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I couldn't do that.

And now, reflecting, I understand that this city is not a paradise where all carnal desires can be satisfied. There is only one thing that spoiled everything here—everything has been processed for centuries. But someone like Ashley... Well, I don't know how to describe her. She's blushing a bit now, seeing this couple kissing. And she didn't care that people were engaging in carnal pleasures outside. I still remember how that little girl was fucked by two guys, and they shouted various perverted words. And then it turned out it was her brother and father. At that moment, without thinking, I said, "Incest is a family matter." And because of that, Ashley looked at me strangely.

How she managed to remain chaste in such a place, I don't understand. But looking at Gabriel, I always remember how he starts destroying and killing just to save his daughter from belonging to someone.

Mia, moving away from Henry, sharply looked at Vallynor and said:

"Chemistry is very similar to alchemy. It's a new twist in science that raises doubts."

"Mmm?" - Suddenly snapping out of my deep thoughts, I turned my head to Mia, expecting her to continue.

"This science, which many consider strange and useless, is similar to alchemy in our days. After all, almost all plants have died, various resources are exhausted, and most importantly, mana has almost disappeared and become polluted. I offered my lessons, but didn't hope for much success. And then you came... So quickly!" - Mia exclaimed with delight, inspired by my appearance.

"Then I'll go upstairs. It's time to tidy up our chaos," I said, getting up.

"You rascal," flirtatiously replied Mia, watching Henry leave. Seeing this, she also stood up and said, "Let's go to the basement. All the devices are there."

Vallynor and Ashley nodded and got up, following her. Peering into the depths of the basement, they were greeted by a stunning sight—a spacious, snow-white room scattered with bottles and various devices.

"Here, I will teach you the art of chemistry, its mysteries... And what do you have in your hands?" Mia froze, seeing that Vallynor pulled out something mysterious and couldn't resist asking.

"It's an artifact capable of generating time bubbles and accelerating its flow threefold. This way, you'll be able to teach for not just two hours, but a whole six," explained Ashley, her eyes sparkling, as she examined the devices.

"Wait!" exclaimed Mia, realizing the purpose of the object Vallynor was holding. Vallynor was about to activate it, but he stopped upon hearing her cry. He looked at Mia, wanting to ask why she blocked his path.

"No need! If this bubble doesn't cover the entire laboratory, several processes may go awry, leading to an explosion and the loss of all my equipment," explained Mia.

"Ah, I see. I apologize for not thinking about that," regretfully said Vallynor.

"It's okay, luckily nothing happened. And can this time bubble cover the entire room?"

"Mmm, yes. It can even cover two such rooms," replied Ashley, carefully surveying the space.

"Then wait a moment," said Mia, taking several bottles with various substances and mixing them in one glass, quickly uttering an incantation.

A slimy creature burst out of the glass, stopping in front of Mia, completely obeying her commands. Mia cast a new spell, summoning water that absorbed the slime, growing in size to almost a meter.

Mia ordered the creature to follow her and help while she fetched a few items. She told Vallynor and Ashley to watch over the devices and their work but not to touch them.

"Curious, what could chemistry be useful for?" asked Ashley, watching as red liquid boiled in one flask.

"Chemistry helps study substances and create new compounds by combining different components," replied Vallynor. – "Also, with its help, one can craft various elixirs and much more," he added. He observed as two liquids of different shades mixed, as if two different destinies intertwined, completely changing their color and creating something new.

"In my opinion, this is a useless pursuit. All of this can be done with magic and alchemy. You're simply wasting time on such trivialities," came a skeptical response.

"Useless? Perhaps. But tell me, how else would you study tissues and blood to later extract necessary substances from them? For example, mix mithril with something unusual to extract its properties. But in unusual ways. That's where chemistry can help," retorted Vallynor.

"A strange example. And somewhat useless. But if you think it's necessary, I won't stop you. Be prepared for possible regrets," Ashley replied, slightly embarrassed by her own words.

"Alright! Are you ready?" - Vallynor turned and saw Mia, busy with slime and delicate instruments. Behind her were several bubbles filled with water, in which more robust instruments floated.

"You can activate your artifact, and we'll start our lesson," Mia said, neatly arranging all the tools on new tables she pulled out from her ring. When Vallynor activated his artifact, Mia began teaching Vallynor chemistry, while Ashley listened attentively from the side.

***

"The supply will be increased by 25%," said Horkim. "But you have to complete this trifle in one week, or I know how to make you do it. I'll come with a torch and pitchfork, and you won't be able to escape the work. Because until someone touches you, you won't get your damn ass out of women's affairs. Maybe even out of men pretending to be women."

"Don't laugh. It happened not only to me," replied Gabriel, recalling the incident when he almost slept with a beautiful girl who turned out to be a man. He caught and publicly warned all such deceivers that they would suffer if they approached. The culprit was subjected to torture and expelled from the city, where he was eaten alive.

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"All right, all right. But I can't believe such absurdity is born in these people's minds. Unfortunately, we don't have a God who could bring order and stop this disease," said Gabriel.

"The artifact will be ready in three days. But what to do with mana, decide for yourself. You can try to get permission or buy mana stones. Ashley, we can go!" - finishing speaking, Gabriel stood up and shouted towards Ashley, but received no answer. He began to look around and turned to a passerby near the garbage bins: "Have you seen my daughter?"

"Huh? You're talking about Ashley? She left the workshop more than an hour ago," replied Horkim, stroking his beard and pondering what to do with two elves in the adjacent room, especially with her brother, who was an alcoholic. The sister needed to rest a bit; it was evident from her face that she had a tough day.

"What?" - shouted Gabriel, approaching Horkim and grabbing him by the shoulders. He began to pull him forward and backward, shouting, "You knew, and you didn't tell me anything?"

"I knew you would run after her right away, even without finishing the deal with me. Relax, she's a grown girl and can stand up for herself for a few hours," replied Horkim.

"NO! You don't understand! This guy is dangerous!" shouted Gabriel, rushing out. In his mind, a horrifying scene unfolded: the sinister Vallynor had mixed an aphrodisiac into an exquisite cake, robbing Ashley of her free will. She, subjected to unprecedented arousal, began devouring her clothes, trying to quench the fire burning inside. The malicious Vallynor ripped off his pants and began flaunting his disgusting device, which enticed the unfortunate Ashley. And now, in a few moments...

"NOOOOO!" screamed Gabriel, running out of the workshop.

"Who's shouting there?" asked the elf girl, coming out of the adjacent room. Her gaze was filled with concern, and her shoulders drooped as if she were weary.

"Gabriel, my love," said Horkim.

"Again Ashley!" whispered the elf girl, approaching Horkim and gently touching his lips, which quietly lowered. "My brother is sleeping in the next room; he won't wake up until tomorrow," she whispered.

"Then let him stay here. Let him work as a guard for free. And we'll go home. I missed you so much," Horkim said affectionately, embracing his beloved.

"And I missed you too, my little gnome," she chuckled in response.

***

Gabriel ran towards the castle, muttering to himself, "Where could she be now?"

"Gabriel? Is that you? Can you join me for a moment?" called the girl in bikini armor, holding a cigar in her hand.

"Not now, bitch!" he shouted, continuing to rush towards the castle.

"Bitch? How rude! I'll remember that," she whispered to herself.

Gabriel stopped, standing in place, and repeatedly slapped himself in the face. Then he pulled a metallic sphere from his ring and tapped it several times. He began to wait, pacing back and forth until he heard:

"Good day, Grand Archmage..."

"Shut up and quickly contact the defense squad! Find out where my precious Ashley is!" he shouted, silencing the person behind the sphere. "What happened?" he added in a loud voice.

"If something happens, you'll know," a voice interrupted from the sphere.

"She's currently at Mia's house," the person behind the sphere replied after a few seconds. Gabriel heard the answer and threw the sphere to the ground. The sphere bounced several times and returned.

Like fire, Gabriel rushed forward, piercing the air like a whirlwind. Then he abruptly stopped, struck by the power of his own speed. Then, as if possessed, he dashed towards Mia's house. When he reached the door, he began to knock and shout, demanding to be let in. But without waiting for an answer, he panicked and tried to break the door, realizing that it was magically sealed.

Wild fantasies engulfed him. "No!" He quickly analyzed the magic on the door, trying to find its weak point and dismantle it. But when he was almost successful, the door unexpectedly swung open, and a long, thick mana-iron rod flew out, passing by Gabriel as if an evil spirit warning of disaster.

"What do you want? I told you..." Henry, who came out, growled in anger, thinking that those scoundrels had come again. But seeing Gabriel, who pushed him aside and ran back into the house like a frightened animal, disappearing into the darkness.

Henry scratched his head in astonishment, closing the door behind him, and ran after Gabriel, not understanding what he had forgotten in this house. But when he saw how Gabriel ran through all the rooms and witnessed the chaos that he and Mia had created in a moment of passion when she comforted him, Henry felt shame, as if guilty for all the sins of the world.

Gabriel was growing paler, like a corpse, seeing the chaos around him and feeling the sickly smell of male and female passion, as if he had ended up in a brothel. He immediately realized that something indecent had happened here. But who was involved in this disgrace? Horrible images flashed in his mind, how this disgusting Vallynor raped and abused his daughter, while she screamed in pain or moaned in ecstasy. He searched all the rooms for his daughter, but found only emptiness. Until he heard a voice behind him:

“Are you looking for something?” - asked Henry, who watched Gabriel and finally decided to talk to him, like a grim keeper of secrets.

Gabriel, whose eyes sparkled with rage, rushed to Henry and grabbed him by the shoulders, almost shouting:

“Where is my daughter?” - his face reflected panic and horror, as if he was lost in a boundless labyrinth.

“Ashley? She’s with Vallynor and Mii in the basement. The entrance is there … there” - Henry pointed to the door, where Gabriel ran, leaving Henry puzzled. Thinking a little and connecting all the pieces of the puzzle, Henry realized why Gabriel was so restless and worried. Realizing this, he turned and ran to the bedroom - “Sorry, dear, but I don’t want to have anything to do with this.”

Gabriel ran with the last of his strength, unable to comprehend everything that was happening, including the threesome and other shameful scenes. Opening the door and going down the stairs, he saw his daughter and Vallynor, who were sitting and listening to Miy. Hearing a noise behind them, they turned and saw Gabriel, who sighed with relief, as if saved from death.

Ashley frowned, already guessing what that scoundrel had done. Shame engulfed her, and she unconsciously looked at Vallynor, waiting for his reaction. But seeing his bewilderment at the sight of Gabriel, and then his indifference to what was happening, Ashley felt some relief. Apologizing, she left the time bubble and headed to her father.

“What are you doing?” - he asked, piercing her with his gaze, like an artist trying to understand the meaning of an incomprehensible work of art.

“Me? And what are you doing? I’ve been a grown-up girl for a long time, father. Why do you always interfere in my personal affairs?” - Ashley whispered, like a bird escaping from a cage, but still feeling the weight of shackles. “Oh, outrageous!” - Ashley exclaimed, inside her boiled the desire to hit her father and at the same time restraint.

“How can I leave you? I can’t lose you,” the father replied, gently stroking her beautiful face.

“Father…”, Ashley understood that her father became so caring after the death of all her brothers, sisters and mother, who were kidnapped by gods and demons, after they fell into a sinister trap.

“You are the only thing I have left,” he continued, speaking with warmth.

"Don't worry, I won't do foolish things like before, wanting to hurt you," reassured Ashley.

"Let's go home. This artifact seems to be working properly. We can return," suggested her father.

"Father, but we have to continue training Vallynor," Ashley reminded, nodding in agreement but recalling her commitment to Vallynor, she warned her father.

"Oh, right!" Gabriel responded reluctantly. "Then I'll wait here for this guy, and you can continue with what you wanted to do."

***

"And that's why..." - Mia fell silent, admiring the melody played by the wall clocks. She looked at the dial and saw that it was already 21:00. - "Amazing, this artifact, time bubbles."

"That's all for today!" - Vallynor stood up, surveying his workspace, and then glanced at Ashley's table, who had returned to listen to Mia. He also turned his head to glance at Gabriel, who was looking at him with a threat in his eyes.

"Exactly, tomorrow I won't be able to teach you. So, see you soon," Mia nodded and, turning to the clocks, began to scratch her head, muttering to herself: "How do I fix these clocks?"

Vallynor turned off the time artifact and left the basement with Ashley. Gabriel followed them, silently staring at Vallynor. When they exited the house, they saw Henry, beating creatures similar to himself, shouting for them to leave him alone.

Vallynor felt a strange unease and didn't want to stay nearby. Using his ring, he tried to teleport to the tower but was stopped by Ashley.

"Two more hours, and six with the artifact. We can teach you magic. No point going to the tower. Let's go straight to the arena where we were in the morning. Isn't that right, Father?"

"Yes, yes... Do as you wish. But I won't teach him," Gabriel said maliciously. After everything that happened, he began to regret and blame Vallynor for his foolish decisions.

Teleporting to the arena, Vallynor was greeted with cheers and applause. He surveyed the crowd watching and clapping, and he found himself almost in the center of the arena, where two beauties were fighting—one using magic, and the other with a bow. They clashed like two whirlwinds, burning with passion and a thirst for victory. Around them, the energy of tension lingered, like a magical storm piercing the air and making hearts beat faster. They paid no attention to the surrounding world because their attention was captivated by each other.

Vallynor stood aside, observing this confrontation. A hint of jealousy flickered in his eyes because who wouldn't dream of two beautiful women fighting for him. But then his attention was drawn to Ashley, who called out to him, inviting him to come to the training grounds. There, a small group of people had already gathered, fighting and training in different biomes. They were swift and agile, like shadows, transitioning from swamps to deserts and back. Vallynor felt his heart beating faster because he knew that the lesson would be extraordinary.

Approaching Ashley, Vallynor heard Gabriel's complaints expressing his displeasure with the chosen time for the lessons. Looking at Vallynor, Gabriel noticed that the crowd, forgetting their own disputes, began to approach them. The only thing holding them at a distance was Gabriel's presence.

"Sorry," Ashley began to apologize and suggested moving to a more secluded place. But Vallynor declined her offer.

"Then activate your artifact, and let's start the lesson," said Gabriel, pulling a folding chair out of the ring and settling comfortably in it. From under his clothes, he took out an ancient book, covered in dust and mysteries.

"Alright, I'll activate it," Vallynor replied, holding the time artifact in his hands. With a magical gesture, he activated it, and suddenly invisible bubbles appeared in the air, as if magically speeding up time threefold.

The amazement of Vallynor and Ashley knew no bounds when the bubbles enveloped not only them but also the majority of those present. Even those who were outside the bubbles found themselves inside, as if penetrating through a thin veil of reality. Looking at each other, Ashley and Vallynor felt a strange sensation, as if they were witnesses to something otherworldly. Sighing, Ashley began to open the door to the world of magical secrets before them, explaining the rules of invoking magic.

At this point, a girl from the crowd intervened, telling about unusual methods of chanting magic. Ashley's initial irritation turned into curiosity when she realized that this girl was Iselda, a mage of verses. With each passing moment, Ashley calmed down and became more engrossed in the interesting facts that Iselda shared.

After Iselda, other mages, with permission, began to talk about their knowledge. They complemented each other and added new information to what had already been said. Inside Ashley, amazement grew at the fact that despite all her learning, she still couldn't grasp some intricacies that these heroes and villains had learned, using magic for centuries.

Casually observing what was happening, Gabriel watched as mages assisted Ashley or corrected her mistakes. He smirked, seeing how their efforts led to new discoveries and progress.