“He sent us into danger, and then he simply disappeared,” Max took a sip of his tea.

“But we alive!” Boorg said. He was sitting next to Max, with a cup of tea in his big hands, making it look like he was playing with dolls.

“But you guys got out alive, safe, and much stronger,” Maya poured tea into another cup for Piggy.

“Three days have passed, stop complaining so much and listen to this,” Piggy prepared a small piece of paper with something written on it. “Do I look more like a Feera or Pey to you?” She asked.

“Why?” Max asked as he grabbed a cookie from the table.

“Well,” Maya began explaining, “while you two were away, the two of us looked for names, for her, you know,” she pointed at Piggy who was now drinking her tea.

“Why is that?” Max still couldn’t understand the need for that.

“Well, she is a human now, not a pig, you can’t go around and call her Piggy!” Maya raised her voice.

“Boorg need to learn new name?” Boorg, covered in sugar, looked concerned. “Boorg hates learning names.”

“Well, Boorg, you also need to understand her,” Maya explained to him like he was a child. “She doesn’t like her name Piggy, you need to understand it.”

“It is like we called you a Bull and you are a human,” Piggy said, her gaze lowered.

“That make sense,” Boorg admitted, tapping his beard, thinking of something.

“Do you have any other names?” Max peeked over to see what’s on the list.

“Yeah,” Piggy said, “but I like these the most.”

“I don’t know,” Max admitted, “I can’t see you with those names, they don’t suit you.”

“Oh…” Piggy lowered her gaze once again.

“But, that is just my opinion,” Max felt uncomfortable, Maya slashed him with her eyes, and he took a lot of damage.

“Don’t listen to him,” Maya said. “Men don’t have taste.”

“Rakia,” Boorg said all of a sudden.

“A what?” Max looked confused.

“Piggy new name, Rakia!” Boorg looked happy.

“Well, I don’t know if she-” Maya tried to explain to Boorg that Piggy might not like it.

“Rakia,” Piggy said, “I kind of like it.”

“Y-you do?” Maya looked surprised.

“Yes, I actually do. Rakia. Hmm… I guess that’s settled then.”

“Well, if you like it that’s the most important part, not all of us have the chance of picking our names,” Max giggled.

The day was nice and warm, but not too warm. Perfect for a cup of tea outside the alchemist shop, joking with friends. The different herbs that hung outside the shop smelled unique, every single one in their own way. Max could see himself living like this forever. “Fuck the demon lord,” he thought, “this is the life.”

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“Hero!” a female voice interrupted his thoughts, “they need you fast!”

“Wh-” Max jumped out of his chair when he saw Isidora standing in front of him. “Where?”

“Why did I ask where?! This is probably none of my business!” Max complained.

“In the guild, X is waiting for you. He is back.”

“Finally he decided to show up, I have some things to discuss with him,” Max started complaining once again.

“Shut your mouth and don’t waste our time, weakling!” Isidora yelled at him.

“I can’t believe that I forgot how scary this bitch is,” Max was irritated. “Do you need my help or do I need yours? Be polite!” He couldn’t hold it in anymore. “You summon me to this shitty world, you kidnapped me, a minor! And now you are giving me orders. Well, that fat king gave me orders the very first day he KIDNAPPED ME. Then, I can’t even count how many times I almost died! And now you are giving me orders. Did I get that right?”

Everyone around them stopped and looked at Max who was red in the face now, more screaming than talking.

“If you don’t come with me this second, I will drag your dead body to the guild,” Isidora looked mad because she was.

“Let me see you try that,” Max took out his wand.

Isidora raised her hand, and a staff appeared.

“Why is everyone using this trick? Can you think of something else? Or just use a fucking wand, something you can put in your pocket and go?” Max didn’t plan on stopping with the complaints.

“Staffs are more powerful you fucking moron,” Isidora now started levitating.

“Well…” Max stood there for a second. “Why did no one tell me that?” He stood there for one more second, then he started running away.

“Why are you running away?! Come here, you coward!” Isidora chased him.

“I don’t want to be a hero, just let me go!”

“I’ll catch you, I hope you know that!”

“Let me see you try, I’m a pro at running!”

----------------------------------------

Max sat in a chair in X’s office, his face swollen and red. He carefully touched his bruised cheek, muttering complaints under his breath, but this time he kept his voice low.

“Stupid levitating bitch… could’ve just asked nicely… I’m not some sack of potatoes…” he grumbled.

X, sitting across from him, seemed unfazed by Max’s grumblings. He folded his hands on the desk and looked at Max with a serious expression. “Glad you could finally make it, Max.”

Max shot him a glare but wisely kept quiet, still rubbing his sore face. Isidora, who was leaning against the wall with a satisfied smirk, clearly enjoyed the sight of Max in pain.

“I understand you have some complaints, but we don’t have time for them right now,” X began. “A war is brewing, and we’re running out of time.”

“A war? Against who?” Max asked.

“The second continent,” X explained. “The non-human nations are preparing to launch an invasion. They’ve grown increasingly hostile, and their forces are gathering strength. We need to be ready.”

“But, it is a war, I wasn’t brought here because of a war. I mean not this war, but a war with the demon lord,” Max said.

“This is the work of the Demon Lord, that’s why we have to prepare you.”

Max didn’t even know there was another continent, he knew nothing about this world he was in. “And what’s our role in this?”

X leaned forward. “We need to form alliances, gather our forces, and prepare for battle. But more importantly, we need to prevent them from gaining control of the portals. If they do, they’ll have a direct path to our cities.”

Max frowned. “So we’re on defense duty?”

“More than that,” X said. “We’re going to need to be on the offensive as well. Which is why I’ve called for some… extra help.”

Before Max could ask what he meant, a portal began to form in the center of the room. Max’s eyes widened as a figure stepped out from the portal, dressed in robes with a long, white beard that trailed down to his chest. The bald head exited first from the portal.

“Merlin?” Max blurted out, forgetting his complaints for a moment.

Merling, the legendary (bald) wizard, stood before them. He looked at Max as if he found something amusing about the situation. “So, this is the hero I’ve heard so much about,” Merlin said, his voice deep.

Max blinked. “Uh… yeah, that’s me. Nice to meet you again… sir?”

Merlin chuckled softly. “No need to be so formal, boy. We have much to discuss, and even more to prepare for. The war that’s coming will test all of us. And did you say “again”? Did we perhaps already meet once?”

“Uhm yeah… I called you bald, and you got a little bit mad at me,” Max laughed, “funny times.”

“YOU’RE THAT BASTARD! Where was it, in Brighthaven? Oh, I’m going to teach you some manners, you shitter!” Merlin started to roll up his sleeves.

“Merlin, sit down,” X said. “We have no time for that now, this is serious.”

“You’re a lucky one!” Merling pointed his finger at Max.

Max shot a quick glance at X, who seemed to enjoy this more than he should. Isidora, however, remained quiet, though Max could have sworn he saw a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

“Well,” Max muttered under his breath, “at least this day isn’t boring.”

Merlin raised an eyebrow. “Boring? Oh, my boy, I suspect your adventures are just beginning.”

“Great, just what I needed. More excitement,” Max smiled.