Day ~50~

After saying her goodbyes the night before, to Melody, and insisting that she really didn't have to worry about the arm, Rea made her way home for the first time in days.  When she got in it was just about time for breakfast.  Lark gave her a friendly greeting as he took off his apron and told her to go wake up Meril.  Rea complied and politely made her way to the sleeping maiden's chambers.  Once inside, Rea being Rea, she woke Meril up in an entirely inappropriate way.  Rea bent down next to Meril's pillow and lustily whispered into her ear.  As Rea's hot breathe could be felt upon her ear Meril only heard, "Ahhn..."

That was all it took to send the blushing maiden reeling backwards off her bed this morning.  After some slight, and entirely insincere apologies, the two were on their way to join Lark for breakfast.  Once they began to dig in Rea informed them of her past few days, and left out the... messy details, she'd tell Meril those later.  Once Lark heard that her training and education was unbelievably complete, he told her that the headmaster of academia had requested a meeting with her at their soonest convenience.  When Rea asked him why Lark simply told her that they were old friends and to get her enrolled so soon he had to not only pull strings, but tell the trusted friend a few key details about Rea.  She wasn't too happy about that but Rea had already decided to trust Lark on the matter and once more graciously complied to his request.  So without further ado, Lark sent off a message detailing the time and place of their meeting to the headmaster.

After whispering in Meril's ear as they hugged each other goodbye, and leaving the girl blushing profusely, Lark and Rea were heading towards the meeting place.  Rea wasn't too sure how she felt about meeting the man somewhere other than academia, but that really couldn't be helped.  As they waltzed through the streets and stopped at a few stalls on their way, Lark and Rea caught up on their missed time.  As it turns out she had already been officially adopted into the family and all of the busy work was out of the way.  With her studies over Lark had hoped to spend a little more time with Rea before she entered the academia.  Rea however, declined and stated apologetically that she'd like to take advantage of her blessing's remaining days and go delve into the local library.  Lark smiled fondly at her and stated, "That's actually where we're meeting today."

With that final statement there were no more detours, Rea was on cloud nine until she realized that for ten days her head would be buried in books... She didn't dislike books, but ten days straight may just kill her.  While pondering her imminent demise the library came into view.  Rea stopped in her tracks and marveled, in a city of so many things that look identical this building stood out.  Massive stone columns, vaguely reminiscent of ancient roman structured lined the front.  Rea was so pleased with the mix between earthen stone colors and lush greenery lining its balconies that she began to bounce a bit while continuing the march inward.  Going under a large archway she realized that as a library this place had to be airtight for the sake of the books, standing before her were two entirely out of place smaller, tightly assembled wooden doors.  The familiar scent of a library assaulted her as she passed the threshold.  While they waltzed in Lark began to explain, "The first floor here is reception, and basic reference materials for students.  Everything on this floor is written in Vestlei variant text, so you will likely spend most of your time here."  Rea glanced at him and just thought, You couldn't be more wrong.

Rea took one sidelong glance at a young librarian.  This girl, even though she looked about the right age, still didn't have a job level so she assumed it was someone who'd had yet to attend academia.  When the young girl noticed Rea she quickly averted her gaze, gathered up a few books, then escaped.  The long circular desk that centered on the ground level really did remind Rea of a few libraries she'd seen before.  Stalls extended in every direction filled with books.  For a library this place seemed rather, desolate as far as people go.  Once they ascended a spiraling staircase to the second level Lark opened his mouth again, "This level has some books in Vestlei, but for the most part there are books written in other languages.  I hear we even have at least one of every monster language, can you imagine that?"  At this point Rea got giddy and very nearly abandoned the meeting as she spun in circles looking at all of the shelves and massive bookcases.  Lark chuckled a bit then led her off towards the far end of the second level, towards the back end of the library.

Sitting there at a table, book in hand, was a rather old man, Rea smiled absently when her [Psychometry] picked up on him.  Level 78 [Hero-Thul's Chosen] Denarius Maltasu, this old man is a hero.  He looked surprisingly youthful for what Rea could only assume was a sixty year old man, rugged features and the expression of a seasoned adventurer.  Whoever this Thul is Rea would have to agree with him, Denarius, if it was a hundred years later, would not have been off the table as Elisabeth's father.  She wasn't sure if it was his flowing grey hair, or the supple muscle hiding below a mage's robes, but something about this man was setting a fire in Rea.  Trying to calm herself down before they greet one another she looked for his flaws, but the more she looked, the more faint outlines of scars she saw, and the less she saw the signs of age, a hero indeed.

As she approached the table he spoke, "Denarius, but you'll be calling me Mr.Mal or headmaster at the academia."

Rea smiled, "So I'm already in?"

Denarius nodded, "I requested the meeting to test the waters and talk about one of your abilities, that was before you nearly died to protect the people of my city.  If you were willing to attack a skinwalker, then you can study at my academia."

Rea chuckled ruefully, "I'd have been dead if it wasn't for that hero."

The man sighed at that point, "Yes, thank your lucky stars that damnable woman was there."

She had been very amused by his reaction but decided not to ask what Lucatiel had done to him in the past, "You wanted to discuss something about my abilities?"

He nodded, "Sorry Lark, I know we don't meet often but I haven't got much time.  Mind postponing pleasantries till another day?"  Lark politely exchanged a quick greeting before saying his goodbyes and leaving the two alone. "Where were we... right the ability I'm interested in is your [Job Access], is it true?"

Rea nearly floored him with her answer, "I've already got nine jobs."

Denarius quietly took Rea in from head to toe, "If you survive the early years I've no doubt that you may just become a force to be reckoned with.  Something like this, I've never heard of it before... Not only that I'm told you're more than human as well."

Rea nodded in agreement, "I've got all of the ophidian traits, even a few unique ones from what the doctor told me."

"Affinity?"

"Water"

Denarius gave her another inquisitive look, "Hmmm, water isn't exactly bad... am I correct in assuming that you plan to take full advantage of this [Job Access]?"

"I do, I want to live for more than a hundred years and become strong enough to ensure the safety of those near me."  Rea unconsciously moved her hand over her stomach as she said that.

Denarius, being the observant man he is didn't miss the gesture, "Women who lose a child often place their hands that way when they remember the child..."

She was a bit taken aback by his observation, "I did have a daughter once... Denarius, I...  I won't lie since you can obviously see through me pretty well.  I've done terrible things before, I'm not sure if spending an entire lifetime atoning would make up for what I've done in the past.  But that won't stop me from trying, I will always act to do, as I see it, the right thing.  I won't hurt people with anything that I learn at academia.  My goals, what drives me to move forward rather than seek death, is too much, too great to risk failure... " Rea let out an awkward sigh,  "I lied again didn't I?"

Rea had the headmaster's full attention, "About what?"

She looked him straight in the eyes and spoke without any emotion, "I may do terrible things with what I learn at your academia, I can't guarantee that I'll be able to control myself in the end.  If I meet people, terrible, loathsome people... there are some people out there that may just set me off.  I could relapse into insanity and tear them apart with what you teach me...  So yes, I lied, I can't promise you that what you teach me will only be used to do good things, I can promise you that'll I'll always try to do what's right... but that doesn't change the monster that I am, that I always will be."

The headmaster was pleased with her honesty, he himself had a few dark days in the past and her could see what she must be feeling. "Just because you were born a monster..."

Rea cut him off, rage clouding her features, turning a beautiful young woman into demon incarnate, "I don't mean literally Denarius, I mean inside.  I mean what having my daughter murdered turned me into all those years ago."

He really wasn't sure there was anything he could say at that point to console her, "You will be welcome in my training school, you will also receive instruction from any teacher of your choosing.  Although some can be eccentric and you may have to coax their cooperation out of them... Your ability presents a unique opportunity, my brother left a relic behind that I've been trying to find a worthy owner for.  The function of this relic matches very well with your [Job Access], if you can promise me that you'll make good use of it... well, the damn things just gathering dust as is and I'm not getting any younger, want it?"

Rea was a bit stunned by the change of pace but decided not to pass up an opportunity, "Sure?"

Denarius smiled gleefully, "Got somewhere you don't mind having this," the man unfolded a cloth that was wrapping a small metal template, "embedded into your flesh?"

All Rea's [Psychometry] was picking up is that it's a legendary item, she took off her left glove and presented the man with her mangled left arm.  Denarius didn't hesitate to press the template to her skin, "Bind."

Rea winced at the painful searing sensation as the template welded to her skin, to beneath her skin.  It was an odd sensation to say the least.  When she looked down at it Rea could now tell exactly what it was...

Garb ApparatusEquipment Loadout-

Set 1: Casual

Set 2: ~~~

Set 3: ~~~

Set 4: ~~~

Set 5: ~~~

Set 6: ~~~

"Is this what I think it is?" she asked excitedly.

Denarius made an amused expression, "I don't know, what do you think it is?"

"How do I equip the set?"

"You can say it aloud or in your mind, Casual Garb, would activate the default one, so call accordingly."

To the old man's chagrin, it took Rea all of five seconds to make a second set, "Aphrodite Garb!"

Denarius looked on in disbelief, first off he couldn't believe what she'd just called herself, second off Rea was now standing in the library nude while happily bouncing up and down. "Switch back, I can see the scales woman."

Rea chuckled ruefully as she switched back, he then went on to reprimand her and tell her to delete the set.  Rea reluctantly obeyed, he then went on to explain that his brother had once used this relic to great effect as a guardian class hero.  Rea listened gleefully as he told tales of how his brother had been widely know as the most versatile front line combatant in the region because of the relic.  Quickly switching between light and heavy armor, or fire resistant armor to water resistant armor.  Rea took a moment to ponder the future possibilities...  she then decided that reading about heroes would be very important before she makes any sort of long term decision.

For now she stood up and pulled out her mythril tipped ashwood spear, that done, she registered a set.  She then repeated the process for a third set.

Garb ApparatusEquipment Loadout-

Set 1: Casual

Set 2: Spearman

Set 3: Swordsman

Set 4: ~~~

Set 5: ~~~

Set 6: ~~~

When she switched back to her casual set Rea realized that the falchion and spear were both completely gone.  A few seconds later she'd realized that this relic had some sort of storage function for any of the set equipment that she'd not been currently using.  Once more upsetting the old man she re-equipped spearman then proceed to throw the weapon and stick it in a nearby bookcase.  Without the weapon in hand she changed back to casual and watched the weapon instantly disappear, switching back to spearman it was once again in hand... Rea was a very happy ophidian right about now.  Judging from her nude antics earlier Rea assumed she hadn't actually needed to equip the spear or sword to make the sets, but it had made visualization easier.

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Rea gave the headmaster a forlorn smile, "I'm sorry Denarius..."

He cocked his head, "What for?"

Rea grinned wholeheartedly while twisting her hips slightly, "If I hadn't sworn off men for a hundred years you'd be getting a very pleasant thank you right now."

*cough cough* Denarius dropped his book on the floor and got up, "Well, that's all I wanted to say today.  I look forward to hearing of your various exploits in my academia."

As Denarius started to walk off Rea decided to make one more jab at the poor man, "You know I may have sworn off men, but I still wouldn't mind a small thank you... want me to devour your [Vigor]?"

Denarius nearly tumbled down the spiral staircase as he left, the headmaster made a mental note that Rea was a very problematic woman to be around.  Stopping about halfway down the stairs he remembered one final bit of business, "We're telling everybody that you gained a rare ability in the wildwoods and it made you grow scales and fangs, understood Rea?"

Rea was a bit surprised but that did seem like it could happen, "Yeah, cool... I don't have to hide it?"

The headmaster shook his head, "I wouldn't show them off, and I wouldn't tell them that those are ophidian scales... but yeah, just use that story with whomever you please and whenever necessary.  You'll be known throughout the city as a young woman of the Ainsworth estate soon.  The story can easily be verified as truth even though we're spreading it as a lie."

Being the lover of guile and deceit that she is Rea just left him with one last goodbye, "Are you absolutely sure you don't want that small thank you?"

After, to Rea's utter amusement, struggling with his inner demons for a moment the man ignored Rea and left the library. Rea on the other hand waved the man off happily and went back to experimenting, the only other function she could figure out at this point was a reset one that returned her spear to hand without making her change back and forth, Rea made a mental note that she'd probably make a useful archer if she learned to maintain high quality arrows...

Rea took a moment to look over her current status before moving forwards... there was a lot more than she had realized.

Species

[Ophidian: Rare Variant]

Jobs

[Job-Spearman Lv. 32]

[Job-Swordsman Lv. 1]

[Job-Miner Lv. 1]

[Job-Marine Lv. 5]

[Job-Artist Lv. 2]

[Job-Survivalist Lv. 13]

[Job-Craftsman Lv. 4]

[Job-Leatherworker Lv. 7]

[Job-Wrestler Lv. 9]

Passive Abilities

[Venom]

[Poison - Aphrodisiac Mutation]

[Fangs]

[Aquatic]

[Water Affinity]

[Double Jointed]

[Power Boost Lv. 1]

[Explosive Power Lv. 1]

[Improved Piercing Power Lv. 3]

[Spear Proficiency]

[Major Lung Capacity]

[Moderate Stealth]

[Minor Alteration Mastery]

[Stamina Lv. 7]

[Satiety Mastery Lv. 6]

[Cold Resistance Lv. 1]

[Heat Resistance Lv. 1]

[Sketching Lv. 1]

[Swimming]

[Improved Swimming Speed Lv. 1]

[Gathering Boost Lv. 2]

[Gathering - Keen Eyes]

[Weeding Master]

[Awareness Lv. 3]

[Tracking Lv. 4]

[Tracking - Keen Eyes]

[Digging Mastery Lv. 3]

[Carving Mastery Lv. 6]

[Prospecting Mastery Lv. 1]

[Relaxing Aura Lv. 6]

[Narcissism Lv. 7]

[Charm Lv. X]

[Coercion Lv. 1]

[Sadism Lv. 7]

[Jester Lv. 3]

[Masochism Lv. 2]

[Grappling Lv. 3]

[Throw +]

[Choke +]

[Insomnia]

[Tenacity]

[Unbreakable Resolve]

[Hardiness]

[Apt Pupil]

[Leatherwork Goods +]

[Swift Climbing]

[Improved Grip]

[Balance Lv. 3]

[Toxin Resistance]

[Minor Elemental Resistance]

[Moderate Fire Resistance]

[Major Endurance]

[Pack Leadership]

[Human Language]

[Human Vestlei-variant Text]

[Lizardman Language].

Active Abilities

[Choke]

[Throw]

[Pummel]

[Vicious Bite]

[Sprint]

[Swift Javelin]

[Disrupting Throw]

[Impale]

[Maiming Spear]

[Barrel Roll]

[Adrenaline Rush]

Unique Abilities

[Psychometry]

[Restorative Anti-toxins]

[Alluring Natural Beauty]

[Thermoregulation]

[Job Accesses]

[Chieftain's Exiled Daughter]

[Dying Will: Nathaniel Ainsworth]

Blessings

[Divine Blessing: Ability Guidance]

[Blessing: Fresh Water Divination]

[Language Comprehension]

[Text Comprehension]

Equipment Effects

Cloak - [Water Repellent], [Durable]

Gloves - [Dexterity Boost]

Boots - [Agility Boost]

Chalking the fact that her memory blessing wasn't showing up to ~it's a temporary blessing~, she began to look around.  This wasn't working out too well for her so Rea decided to ask a librarian for help.  Just before she could make it to the stairwell Rea spotted Denarius returning... a knowing smile graced her features as she turned around and sat on the table to wait for him.  It had been a long time since she'd seen a snake much less devoured one, and this new jaw that can dislocate may make things interesting.  Her last thoughts before hurriedly following him to a dark isle were that thanking the handsome headmaster of her new school would have obvious perks... but the perks weren't why she was doing it.  Even thinking about the perks had made her feel a bit like a wanton trollop and almost made her call it off, but just as she was about to apologize Denarius disrobed...  "Oh dear... that's... impressive."

One figuratively speaking small thank you later, Denarius was on his happy way with a spring in his step.  Rea absently rubbed her jaw, even if snakes could force a dislocation to swallow large prey that doesn't mean it's an entirely pleasant feeling.  Rea would never again offer a thank you without seeing the merchandise first.  While she sat there Rea picked up on someone with her awareness and turned to find the young librarian... the girl's expression said that she'd seen.  Chuckling ruefully Rea pulled some salty jerky from her pack and started to eat, removing the taste from her mouth was a priority at the moment.  As the girl just watched Rea in silence she happily gnawed on her jerky, realizing that the girl's attention was focused on her maw Rea began to imitate some of her earlier theatrics.  That made the girl look away, so Rea figured it was time for introductions, "Rea Ainsworth, you are?"

The small girl glanced at her, then quickly looked away as Rea teased her some more, "Selene Lancaster... was that the headmaster of our academia?"

"Hahaha, uh oh." Rea decided it was time to pay better attention to the girl, she'd barely given her a second thought since Rea usually only considered people from their mid-twenties and higher for courting.  A blushing librarian, "How old are you?"

The girl didn't even try to look at Rea, "I'm eighteen, I'll be enrolling in the Vestlei academia ten days from now... was that the headmaster?"

Rea ignored her question and took in all of the girl, petite, small maybe four eight, just a bit shorter than Rea by that standard.  Square black glasses, long black... no almost blue, a very dark blue shade of hair, pale complexion.  A normal girl? Rea began to feel a bit apologetic for what she'd just shown the possibly pure maiden, "It was him... why?"

The girl sighed audibly, "I'd heard that the headmaster, Thul's chosen hero was an unerring standard of righteousness and heroism... it's a little disappointing to find out he'd do such a thing in a public library with such a young woman."

Rea took in what she was saying and silently apologized to all of Denarius' fans, "I don't think he normally would, he did walk out when I first offered after all."

The girl glared at Rea, "But he did do it!"

Grinning maliciously Rea closed in, "In case you haven't noticed I'm quite irresistible."  By now Rea had noticed that this girl held an absurd threshold for mana, and would likely become a talented mage in the future.  Rea wanted to be closer to her.

The girl pulled back and bumped into the bookcase behind her, "So?"

Rea licked her lips, "Could you resist me?"

Selene scoffed at her, "We're both women, of course I can resist...," at this point Rea had closed the distance and taken off her glasses, "...what are you doing?"

Rea placed the glasses on a shelf and replied, "Prove it..." Rea's normal girl assessment had been wrong, without the glasses on her eyes... her inner iris was burnt umber and the outer iris progressively became sky blue.  Not only that, without the glasses on this girl immediately seemed even more timid, the way her eyes slanted inwards and cute bushy eyebrows scrunched together in confusion was nearly enough to drive Rea over the edge, to be kinder... but Rea was on a mission here and no matter how nice she wanted to be to the girl, well, some things you just gotta do.

As Selene reached for her glasses, Rea gazed into those alluring eyes and slowly moved a hand to the girl's lower back. Selene pulled back while placing a hand on Rea to keep her away, "I know what you just did with that mouth..."

"Ahahaa, and how long were you watching?" Selene averted her gaze, Rea's lips curled into her normal sadistic grin, "That long huh?"

"Wha.. no, it's not like I was really watching, I just happened to...*ahnn*"

Rea had snaked her free hand up the girls thigh and under her skirt, "Oh, an honest mouth, you really enjoyed watching us, didn't you?"

"Touching me without my per.." Rea forced the attack and pressed her weight into Selene, *ahn mmmn ah ahh*  With the girl now against a slanted bookcase her feet weren't even touching the ground anymore.  Selene was giving into her with relative ease, every quivering gasp she made let Rea know that she wasn't completely opposed.  Rea would have left, she would have given up, she wouldn't have pushed the issue any further but Selene didn't struggle, the hand she had first pushed away with now grasped onto Rea's vest tightly and pulled her closer.

Rea continued as she gently lowered Selene to the ground, "I like the honest mouth more, Selene will we be getting any visitors in the library today?"

With her back arching off the ground the librarian continued to avert her gaze, "The library was... *mnnn* closed for the hero's private meeting, I came *nnnn* to see the hero..."

Rea paused for a moment, "I'm sorry Selene, I didn't mean to mess with your view of the man."

The girl looked back at her with needy eyes, "I shouldn't have expected for someone to be a good person just because they're a hero."

That ticked Rea off a bit so she stopped playing with Selene, "He, Denarius Maltasu, seemed like a good man to me.  I, Rea Ainsworth, am a good woman.  Why would doing something that feels good make us bad people?  Why would enjoying some less moral aspects of life make us bad people?"

Selene was gasping for breath at this point, "It just isn't right."

Rea got up, took a seat on Selene's waist, and challenged, "What isn't?"

"..."

Her glare intensified, "Well?"

The girl looked like she was about to cry, "I'm sorry...  I know it's normal, so please, please..."

Rea laughed at that point, "It is normal, although men should honestly always be able to control their urges, when a woman like me offers it'd be rude to say no, don't you think?" Selene gave Rea a slight nod, "Most people, not including myself, think of what we're doing right now as bit less normal, much less savory..." Rea unlaced her vest and removed her undershirt without getting off Selene's waist, she then leaned back down over the girl until they were face to face, "... want me to stop?"

Selene's expression became perplexed, "Can you wash your mouth out first?"

*hahahaha* "Of course Selene, show me to a washroom?"

The librarian just nodded and led Rea past the area where she'd devoured a dragon earlier.  Selene was unsteady on her feet and nearly collapsed before they'd made it to the washroom, Rea ended up carrying her the rest of the way.  As she looked down at the petite young woman in her arms Rea knew that this was gonna be trouble.  She really didn't like getting intimate with anyone who might get attached to her, and this girl looked damn needy right about now.

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