_________________________________________

Allis

Allis woke up to find herself coiled firmly around her sheets, causing her to let out an irritated huff upon wishing that it was Leo. She knew that she was drawing out her anger with what he did a little too much, especially after he apologized, but she wasn't going to let him off the hook as easily as Elaria did.

She frowned as she coiled a little tighter around the sheets. “Even if I do miss cuddling…” She muttered a little dejectedly.

…

After getting ready, taking care to look her best given the environment, she left her room and saw that Leo was waiting in front of her door. He was floating hundreds of beautifully colored flowers, while holding two trays of food. The flowers were flowing around in a hypnotic rainbow above his head while he balanced both very large trays on each hand.

The gesture set her heart into a flutter, but she wasn't going to make it that easy for him. She tilted her head up and slithered a few feet down the hall, before stopping to glance back at the crestfallen man.

The sight made her smirk, as well as feel just a tad bit of pity. “Are you coming?” She called out expectantly, and he immediately perked up to follow her to the dining hall.

Entering into the eating area, they saw that everyone was already enjoying a meal at the table. Allis took a seat as Leo placed her tray in front of her, a simple egg and cheese sausage platter with hash browns on the side, and a tall glass of orange juice.

Allis turned to Leo with a questioning stare, because eggs were definitely not in Kesl's provisions. “What about the food on the ship?” She asked with a tinge of concern, not wanting to be poisoned if she could help it.

He shrugged as he sat down to begin eating. “Got up early and went to the kitchen and cooked it all myself. Plus, even if I didn't, I don't think her majesty would like a very pissed off dragon showing up to find all three of her loved ones dead.” He ended as he casually took a bite of his food.

Turning to the queen, Allis saw her eating the same breakfast. “Your grace, aren't you concerned that we may have poisoned the food?”

Queen Anasslia nearly choked on her food as she tried to suppress a laugh. “If he wanted to kill me, he would have done it the moment I ordered my guards to kill him. Also, please drop the formalities. As far as I am concerned, we are equals.” She paused to look at Leo. “Though in terms of actual power, I guess that statement is very inaccurate, and I thank you for the delicious breakfast. I love a man who can cook, very endearing. Isn't that right dear?” She remarked sweetly while her daughter nodded in agreement, albeit a little forced.

Leo accepted the compliment, but then furrowed his brow as if he was unsure about something. “So… What's your opinion of the dragons now that you know the truth.” He questioned nonchalantly, and everyone took a casual glance her way, evidently also interested in her response.

Anasslia's mirthful front slipped for a brief moment, her face scrunching up in a scowl before resuming her positive air. “Well... They are a future problem. Right now we should direct our efforts on the nobility.” She answered with a very obvious deflection.

Allis saw the unsatisfied look in Leo's eyes, and knew that he was about to engage in his usual form of blunt force conversation. “Leo, you said that you wanted to visit the temple at some point?” She intervened to prevent him from doing something as stupid as pressing royalty for information they obviously don't want to share.

A confusion crossed over his features before his brow arched in realization. “Right, I forgot to mention that the gods tried talking to me when I got up this morning.” His remark caused everyone at the table to look at him like he was either a liar or a divine.

‘I'm a mage who is in a relationship with a summon, a dragon, and a Venomara, and am sitting at the queens table while she pines for him. Why didn't I realize before that the gods really are guiding my fate…?’

_________________________________________

Meanwhile

Voice two : You unintelligent, body whore!

Voice five : One million year old virgin cuck!

Voice three : No, he's going to visit the temple today.

Voice four : Well if you're so sure, then bet a vote on it.

Voice six : You know, I think if he just takes over the world he could spend way more time with his loved ones in the long run.

Voice nine : But that would compromise his morals, I don't think he wants to be the bad guy.

Voice eleven : Would still be a much faster method to get stuff done though...

Voice ten : So seen him fuck yet?

Voice eight : Nope… And I'm getting irritated with all the emotional drama garbage…

Voice six : Hey! It's not garbage, it's genuine love!

Voice nine : Something that you lower brain fucks don't understand.

Voice eight : Excuse me!?

Voice ten : Says the fun sponge.

As the arguments and conversations continue to overlap, voice one was positioned quietly near Leo.

Voice one : I miss alcohol…

_________________________________________

Leo

Even though Leo had to go over what happened three times, everyone still appeared to be somewhat doubtful. He couldn't blame them though, because the whole thing felt like a bad joke, but definitely went to explain why he always felt like he was being watched, because he was.

Even in the shower he got the sense that two or three people were looking at him, which made uncomfortable a seriously understated word to describe how he felt, especially if he was going to have any more intimate moments with his loved ones.

‘I avoided reading up on the gods because of all the sanctimonious padding that I'd have to shift through, but I might have to do some research before heading to the temple. I'll ask if the palace has a library, and- Oh right I also need some maps too.’

After breakfast, everyone present was guided by the queen into a private room far underneath the palace to talk in utter privacy. He had offered to simply use his sound spell, even giving a brief demonstration to the queen, but she insisted that they have complete seclusion.

He relented, understanding that if the wider nobility found out what she was doing, then they might just break off from Selaria immediately. Though some of the smarter ones could probably guess that he was already in the capital, because a flying ship just screams subtle.

So the next few hours were spent hammering out a plan for the next two weeks, which will most likely be filled with peaceful negotiations with those more willing to give up their titles for something in return, and everything after was him helping the army forcibly remove anyone left.

He attempted to work some kind of parliament into the talks, but the queen shot down anything that didn't involve her having total control over the kingdom. Somewhat reluctantly, he opted for suggesting a small court of elected advisors, which was a lot more palatable for her.

But as unmoving as Anasslia was on the position of her authority, Leo was many times more stubborn when it came to the issue of slavery. He told her that he would only provide full support for her claim after she agreed to ban the practice, as well as declare any that enter her territory to be freed. Initially, she was resistant to the idea, until he said that he would provide full support.

The talks finished up with planning a ball in two days, so they could start weeding out people who are non-cooperative up front.

‘Kinda feels like I'm helping a dictator… Though that's technically what monarchs are with extra steps- Ah, absolute monarchy… Right… Eh, she seems like more of a for the good of the people type, rather than the off with their heads type… Wait, is that worse?’ He was pulled out of his thoughts by Anasslia trying to get a marriage out of him, again.

“So, Leo. Why don't you teach my daughter a few things about magic? She may have graduated from the academy, but I'm sure she would love a private lesson with someone so knowledgeable.” Anasslia remarked while nudging her daughter, who looked initially disgusted by the idea.

He was about to call Anasslia out on her constant attempts to play matchmaker between him and her daughter, but Allis intervened. “He would love to! He has already taught me so much about how the body functions, and now I can heal injuries that were normally impossible for me. I think he can share a few tips with the princess to improve her own magic.” She finished while gazing a little pointedly at him.

He wanted to protest since he planned to spend the rest of the day making it up to Allis, and because Qassria seemed pretty stuck up. Unfortunately his veto power was removed at the moment, at least until she forgave his fuck up.

“I would love to, if you're sure that you don't need me for anything important today. I could always teach her tomorrow…” He inquired hopefully, but the amused expression on her face told him everything that he needed to know.

Allis simply smirked at his unspoken plea, which pretty much sealed his fate. “I was going to spend some time with Vipa, she'll only be free for today before returning back to her work, and we have a lot of catching up to do.” She paused to turn to Elaria with a sly expression. “And I imagine Elaria wants to do the same, right?” She prodded expectantly.

Elaria looked between Leo and Allis, then let out an exasperated breath before settling on him with a bit of pity. “Yeah, I'll be spending the day with Sairiss, so you're on your own.” She responded with an apologetic expression, but Sairiss started to radiate happiness, like she just won the lottery.

Leo glanced back to Qassria, and she appeared to look even more unhappy about it than he was, given that her mother was glaring daggers at her.

‘Since we're both in the same boat, though for different reasons, maybe we can find some common ground...?’

_________________________________________

Qassria

‘I have nothing in common with this mutt! He should be begging me for a marriage, not the other way around!’ The princess internally raged as she stood on the training field with Leo, just outside the palace.

Qassria hated that she had to treat him as an equal, as much as she hated that he was doing the same. And while she did have mild interest in how he managed to do some of the things in his little performance the day before, she would rather continue her lessons with Cauladra, who was a much more credited and pure blooded mage.

‘Cauladra would understand that this dog needed to be taught to respect their betters.’ She thought assuredly, believing that her close friend and mentor would rightly agree.

Leo cocked his head while staring at her with confusion. “Um, are you fine with the cold? Because you don't wear much with how chilly it is.” He questioned dumbly.

Amusement fell over Qassria, because of course someone so low would know nothing of their betters. “I am a unique and rare breed of selarin which are not affected by the cold in the slightest. It's said that the gods themselves blessed the royal family line with this gift, and we can only produce a pure blooded selarin of our kind, no matter who we bed with.” She boasted while her tail swayed with pride.

“Oh, neat.” Was his curt response, and Qassria nearly berated the ill bred for not being awed by such an exclamation, especially after his own blatant lie about the gods speaking to him, which made her even doubt his relationship with a dragon.

‘I need to keep my head, this is for the good of the kingdom. I'll have plenty of time to train him once we're married.’ Qassria thought while she took a breath to calm herself.

“So, what's your preferred type of magic?” He asked while crossing his arms.

She straightened up to list off her mastery while her tail swayed with pride. “I am an expert when it comes to ice, fire, and nature magic.” She remarked proudly, believing there was little else in those fields that could be taught.

Leo arched a brow, as he was right to, with her declaration of magical prowess. “I…don't know much about nature magic, but show me what you can do so that I can get a baseline for your capabilities.”

Qassria hated the idea of having to prove herself to the mutt, but she was going to impress him with her own magical expertise.

Stepping forward she cast a spell to form a perfect ice sculpture of herself, the sunlight outlining every detail from her smooth scales, to the wrinkles in her clothing.

Then she summoned fire in her general form, and the elemental danced and glided around with her, the ease and grace of its movements demonstrating her perfect control over the element.

After that, she and the elemental took a bow before it faded away, then she pushed some mana into the ground to grow the grass into ten foot long tendrils that twisted into thick vines, before using them to snake around her statue to crush it into chunks.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Qassria turned to the mutt with a deeply smug expression, because what she demonstrated was the absolute control and elegance of a practiced royal, but her blood started to boil again by his unimpressed visage. ‘Cauladra was right, he's nothing but a half baked arch-mage. No proper training to even comprehend the level of skill it takes to accomplish this.’ She thought bitterly, because even if he just taught her a new concept, she was sure that she would refine it to an even greater degree with her natural skill and royal lineage.

Leo scratched his chin in visible thought before speaking. “Gonna be honest, there is nothing that I'm particularly comfortable with teaching you. Most of my ideas would give you way to much power if used a certain way, and I don't trust you enough that you won't accidently kill yourself while handling that kind of magic.” He remarked with a certainty that finally pushed her over the edge.

Qassria stormed up to him and prodded a finger into his chest, continuing to step forward while he retreated back. “You low born garbage! How dare you question my competence with magic when all you have are tricks and blunt force spells! You are nothing but a peasant that was handed a weapon! You have no grace or skill, yet you lecture me on how to handle magic! You filthy, ill bred, weak blooded, mutt!” She stopped pushing him while ending with utter contempt for the man in front of her.

Fear began to overtake her, because she realized what she had done, and that it had probably killed any chance at a marriage with him, but his first response caused her scowl to return.

“Wow, you really do need that belief fucked out of you…”

‘No, calm down, I still can salvage this…’ Unfortunately, the next thing out of his mouth sent her into an unstoppable rage.

“And you know... You keep calling me a mutt, but you're the one constantly snarling at me like a bitch.”

_________________________________________

Leo

Usually Leo would have just yeeted any other stuck up person who attempted to kill him, but he couldn't help but pity the poor woman. Even as she was flinging every spell she knew at him in a blinding frenzy and yelling every expletive under the sun.

He was deep in thought while he was engulfed in fire, shot at with ice, constricted with vines, and had boulders thrown at him. ‘Anasslia seemed pretty peeved about her daughter's attitude, so maybe this is another Allis situation…? Though if that was the case, then she would have dropped that attitude after I made a joke out of her mother's walking armored convoy. No, she was raised from birth with the belief that she was better than everyone else, the academy would have only cemented her view even further. Hmm… I have the time to fulfill that request, but I have a feeling that Allis would be angry if I turned my punishment into a reward… Guess I'll just stand here until she tires herself out…’

The enraged woman finally stopped her mostly ignored onslaught after a few dozen spells, her breath a little labored from the rapid use of mana and constant screaming. “So, got that out of your system?” He asked casually as she was hunched over, trying to reign in both her breath and emotions.

She scowled at him with unrestrained fury still burning in her pitch black eyes, while her tail curled oddly in a stiff and rigid shape. “If you didn't have knowledge from another world, you would be kissing my heel you cur!” She spat with venom hanging on every word.

A sigh escaped him as he accepted that this was what he had to endure for the rest of the day. “For your information, the whole pure blood lineage thing died out on my world generations before I was even born. So if we went by your logic, then technically my entire world would be ill bred.” He remarked with annoyance, and the look on Qassria's face was that of utter disgust, like he said that he came from a world of garbage.

‘Gonna have to schedule the rehabilitation at some po-’ The thought was cut short when he noticed the loud thunder sounding from far above him, and he looked up to see that there was a single large black cloud in an otherwise completely clear sky.

It took only a split moment for the situation to register in his mind, and he immediately pushed out a spell around them to direct any electrical flow far away into the ground. Seconds later a lightning bolt flashed from the storm cloud toward him, but the spell made it arc a few dozen meters away from him.

His brow was very much arched at the attack, because something like that would more than likely have killed him, since during his tests with his stun rifle he found out that the mana shield did not block electricity. “The fuck?! You know how to summon lightning?” He asked with a genuine surprise, but saw that Qassria was just as confused as he was.

“Huh, thought you would have dodged. I may have jumped a little too early in my assessments, you're not as half baked as I initially believed…” A voice remarked from behind, and the human turned to see an elf walking toward them.

The woman was about five ten with snow white skin. She had long pure white hair, large and faintly blue eyes, sharp facial features, and the unnecessarily long and narrowly pointed ears. She was wearing very padded garments for the winter chill, and looked more dressed like an adventurer than a soldier or royal dignitary with her firm fitting clothing that seemed well insulated. She was also Sparsely equipped with light leather armor, a few straps for what looked like a harness, a cloak that was tucked back behind the shoulders, and a worn leather satchel.

As the confident woman sauntered up to him, he crossed his arms with only a slightly displeased expression, because that lightning bolt definitely was from her, but he didn't really care that much since people trying to kill him had unsettlingly become the norm. “I take it that you're the one who tried to make a lightning rod out of me?” He questioned pointedly while they were both sizing each other up, and he also mentally noted to now add a faraday cage spell around his mana shield.

The woman's gaze felt both analytical and a little hungry to Leo, which once again reminded him that he was on probation for the day. “Excuse the hostel introductions, but my name is Cauladra Everstride, arch-mage to the selarin throne.” She paused to give him a once over again. “And I would like to have something of mine back if you don't mind.” She finished candidly.

His expression fell from annoyed into confusion at the demand. “Uh, and what exactly did I take?” He inquired a little skeptically.

Cauladra crossed her own arms with an annoyed expression. “My enchanted artifact, the large floating one that you reportedly destroyed. I know exactly what you took from it, and I want it back.” She accused in irritation.

The human tried to come up with a bullshit excuse, but really didn't have the patience for it. “What do you think I took?” He asked a little curiously, believing that she couldn't possibly know abou-

“The mana rune, or whatever else you took, I know you have it. I've been studying those runes for years in my off time, and I know for a fact that there was one in the compartment. The only reason I never removed it, is because only an idiot would do that without knowing what the rest of the runes do, especially if it uses something as powerful as a mana rune to begin with. And if you didn't take the mana rune, then you most certainly took something even more powerful.” She explained harshly with narrowed eyes, studying his face for the faintest reaction at her words.

Coughing a little awkwardly while he broke eye contact, Leo wore the worst poker face that he ever put up. “I have no idea what you are referring to…” He lied blatantly before he could hear the thunder start to rumble above him again. “Alright, fine! I have the mana rune, but it was forfeited the moment that bus was used to carry those bastards to Telnar.” He relented, not wanting to get into a fight with someone who might know of another way that could bypass or overwhelm his shield.

Cauladra scowled and opened her mouth to no doubt argue for it back, but then her expression dropped. “Bus? You know what that was called?!” She yelled in surprise before throwing question after question at him.

Leo found himself backtracking as yet another woman was stepping forward to pelt him with her words, though with an entirely different attitude. “How did it function? What was it used for? Was it a weapon? What other runes were in that compartment? How did it float without a levitation rune? Can you make more? Is that how your ship flies? How did the metal survive the eras? Was there nothing stronger than that rune? Why take only that one? Wait, did you take more than one? What exactly happened to the bus? Can you tell me abo-” Her barrage was interrupted when he cast a spell to hold her mouth shut.

It took a moment for his thoughts to catch up from the sudden turn in situation, being a little overwhelmed by the very inquisitive elf. “Okay, you need to chill and ask me one question at a time, I owe you that much for destroying it.” He told her before letting go of the spell.

She looked a little bewildered before asking. “What magic did you just use?”

Before answering, Leo remembered who he was supposed to be chaperoning for the day, and he turned to see Qassria just passively watching them with a puzzled expression. Considering that she was more than likely spent from her small tantrum, he decided that a break was in order. He asked Cauladra if the palace had a library they could continue their conversation in, because he wanted to grab a book on the gods and check if they had a general map of the continent.

‘Well, today could have been worse…’

_________________________________________

Cauladra

Cauladra originally thought that most of the rumors regarding Leo were just that, and that even if he was an arch-mage, then he would be half baked at most. She also didn't view him in any more of a positive light after finding out that he destroyed one of her prized artifacts. That was the reason she didn't bother with attending the introductions the day before, because she put meeting him on a low priority compared to her usual plans for the day.

Her interests were more aligned with studying relics from the era of progress, which brought her mind back to how her floating marvel was destroyed, and the comparison to the summon's sudden form of travel was pretty blatant. So she cursed herself for not taking him seriously when she was finally told about the ship and how he fared against the queen's guard.

Even though she wanted the mana rune back, she knew that no mage in their right mind would ever give it up, but that didn't make her any less pissed off about it. She chose to go confront him and at least attempt to demand for it back, especially if it was some other rune that he took, because she would definitely want it to study.

When she got to the training field and saw him completely unfazed by Qassria's magic, presumably from a seriously strong and translucent mana shield, she was curious to see what he would do against an attack that would go right through it. So she waited for him to notice the storm magic, and was going to attack if he cast something to prepare for it, or to strike at the spot after he chose to run away.

What she did not expect was for him to deflect a lightning bolt as well as put a name to the ancient mystery artifact. With those two displays, she instantly recognized that he was a genuine potential gold mine of knowledge, and that summons might not be as over sold as she once believed.

So seeing that her initial assumptions were way too rushed, likely because she was upset about her valuable artifact, she now found herself in the library, giddy with excitement as she waited for him to find a book on the pantheon and a map of the continent.

Qassria finally spoke up after being unusually silent since Cauladra intervened. “You do know he's a low born right…? I assume mother told you, so why are you treating him like an equal?” She asked with confusion, and was met with confusion in response.

Cauladra knew how passionate her student could get in regards to birth, and often tried to avoid the topic altogether whenever possible. She didn't want to ruin the relationship over something so minor as a divergence in world view, but it seemed like she was now forced to cross that bridge.

With a resigned sigh, she went on to explain. “Uh, Qassria. I don't place blood above magical aptitude and knowledge, in fact I believe in the opposite.” She answered truthfully, and Qassria was visibly taken aback by the admission.

“But, you're an arch-mage from a line of famed and accomplished mages. You should be demanding him to give you what's yours, and to answer whatever questions you ask, not cowing to his requests, or treating him like…” She trailed off trying to find the words, before just gesturing a hand to her. “This. He is beneath you.” She finished with a certainty that made the elf wince.

Between Leo's unseen mana shield shrugging off all of Qassria's attacks, and the deflection of a lightning bolt, something that she thought was impossible, he was by no means beneath anyone. If she had to be completely honest, her overwhelming curiosity was the only thing preventing her from out right begging him for a quick lay.

Cauladra also wanted to admit that even as famed as her family was, most of them did originate from low birth, everyone placing magical prowess and intellect high above the notion of blood, which meant that she too fit into that category. “Qassria, my family is also of the same mind. Actually, I think my grandmother married into the family from peasantry.” She told the visibly shocked selarin, who seemed panicked for a moment before running off when she moved a hand to comfort her.

The arch-mage felt a sharp pain in her chest at the reaction, and she knew that whatever relationship she had with Qassria might have been ruined, since with her deep seeded beliefs she might have felt betrayed by the confession.

And now She would need to have a talk with Anasslia, because this was one lesson that she had been reluctant to teach.

‘But putting it off for so long might have made it worse...’

_________________________________________

Leo

Leo saw that the princess had gone missing when he returned to the table, and after asking Cauladra about it, she said that they left to deal with something private. He was initially going to go get her or see what was up, because he didn't want to get into trouble with Allis, but Cauladra stopped him and insisted that it wasn't something that he should interrupt.

Remembering the last time he tried to pry into something personal, he simply sat back down and unrolled the map he found, which showed the size of the continent and general racial territories, though it was not at all detailed and probably out of date.

‘Guess I lucked out, now lets see what we have he-[MAP]...Oh… I now see why the Elven and Dwarven kingdoms are so...Strong… Christ, they're both massive… Even though these are general border outlines for the races, it's still overwhelming. God, I wonder how many smaller kingdoms are actually within those borders, and all having their own kind of fucked politics.’ He mentally complained at the thought of having to go and deal with every kingdom.

As his eyes wandered over the map, he cocked his head at a few of the names he recognized. Yggdrasil's in the middle of the dryads, sounds about right… Wait, Faun? Weren't those goat people in Greek mythology? Oni, that was a demon orc thing in Japanese folklore and a staple monster girl in anime, interested to see what they're like. Ah, and there's the Arachne right next to the dragons… No, stop it brain… The beast clans look like the largest out of all of them, though that's probably just a broad stroke over the entire north. And speaking of broad strokes, the waste land is just as massive, but no real kingdoms are out there, except for whatever the Sha are.’

He started to play one hundred questions with Cauladra while he continued to study the map, answering things about the bus, his magic, and earth. He also learned the proper name for this world was Sinum, but it was strange that not many people cared to use it, and that there was no real name for the continent, but that was most likely because it was a pangea.

He also made a note to look up a few of the smaller territories, because he noticed that the merchants guild had their own, and if the rest had some kind of influence on the other kingdoms too, then he wanted to explore his options for when he inevitably did cross them.

Setting the map to the side, he opened up the book on the pantheon.

‘The gods were holy… Bla bla bla bl- …?’

[ ...the explosion was immense, causing the pantheon to ascend to their divine seats… ]

‘Explosions are not usually a good thing for those on the receiving end…’

[ ...The first seat on the pantheon is held by Mikhail, who became the leader of the pantheon following the war in heaven. His duty is to guide and oversee the rest of the pantheon, and to maintain their compassion for their precious world… ]

‘Probably the one that told me to go to the temple…’

[ ...Eugene, in charge of the creation of wildlife, deity of nature his ho-… ]

‘Most of this world has been following a pretty generic naming scheme, so the fuck kind of god name is 'Eugene'…?’

[ ...James the god of weather and keeper of the skies, his divi-... ]

‘...James?’ Was Leo's trailing thought as he started to quickly flip to each god to read their names.

[ ...lord of the deep earth, Robert… ]

[ ...mother of life, Elsie… ]

[ ...guardian of nature, Lee… ]

[ ...Jack reigns over the domain of chaos… ]

[ ...Sara, god of fertility… ]

[ ...keeper of history, Mawusi… ]

[ ...Chad, lord of truth, confidence, and festivities… ]

He had to do a double take on that last one.

[ ...protector of the heavens, Astrid… ]

[ ...father of magic, Ezekiel… ]

Leo sharply closed the book, and even though it seemed very unlikely, his mind was stuck on a single link in the names that he couldn't shake, especially given how they acted.

“Human…”

_________________________________________