Cyril pov

"I need you to unlock Cyril's Dragon form."

"Huh?"

I thought I didn't need any ritual to gain a Dragon form. What's he talking about?

"Haha! A Dragon! Are you sure I can't have him? Ooh it's been so long since I've been a Dragon! Are you sure I can't have him?"

"What did I just tell you, you bug? He's with me!"

A clear look of disgust is on Ambrogino's face now. I really can't tell if these two have a good relationship or not. Gnat just keeps brushing all these insults aside like he's used to it. Either that or he knows what he is and doesn't care.

"Come over here and listen to me, Gnay. This is important."

Ambrogino then leans in and whispers something to Gnat. I can't really make out what he said.

"That? Are you sure about that?"

"Positive."

"Ugh fine! Although I must say I'm surprised you haven't eatin him yet. He must be special to you."

"Something like that."

"So am I going to transform into a real Dragon or not? How is it done? How does he know how to do it?"

There's an awkward silence after I speak. Damn, looks like I let my curiosity got the better of me again.

"He sure is inquisitive isn't he?"

"Unfortunately."

Unfourtunately? It's not a bad thing to be naturally curious. In fact, it's more of a good thing!

"Well I can do it, but obviously we'll need a more secluded and...open area. I'm not making any promises though. It's been a long time since I've performed the ritual. And lucky for you it doesn't require much mana."

"I got a good place. Just meet us at the gate tomorrow at dawn."

"Dawn?! This body is so old it has trouble taking a piss in the morning and you want me to wake up at dawn?"

Ambrogino suddenly grabs Gnat be the collar and shoves him against the wall. He's got a serious look on. Quiet different from his usual mocking attitude.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Listen here you shit eating parasite! This is very very very important. And you know I can't be here for long without that damned racist adventurer sniffing me out! Be there at dawn or I burn you to a crisp!"

Whoa...That was pretty intense. Gnat seems scared shitless. Considering he's just an old man that has no power he can't really fight back. This doesn't really stop him from swatting Ambrogino's hands away though.

"You think I don't know about him?! He's been hunting me for weeks and now I'm stuck in here with this shitty old body! Also if you 'burn me to a crisp' who will perform the ritual?"

"Tch!"

Looks like he hit the nail on the head. It's true though. Ambrogino can make all of the threats he wants, but we still need him. I don't know why this is so important either. Ugh I hate being kept out of the loop.

"Tell you what. You bring me a new strong body and I'll do it! it takes a lot of mana to perform this ritual and I'm afraid this body just isn't going to cut it."

"You bastard! You just told me it doesn't require that much!"

"Well now it does, so bring me a new body!"

You know, this is kind of entertaining to watch. Makes me wish I had a bag of popcorn. It does seem to be pissing Ambrogino off quiet a bit as well.

"FINE! Look atfer Cyril. I'm going out."

After his confrontation with Gnat, Ambrogino turn to me and kneels down to eye level.

"Remember what I said, okay?"

I give him a nod before he heads out of the door.

Now that I don't have that distraction I take a look at the place. It doesn't look like a home at all. Aside from a a single dining table with a few loafs of bread and a single chair. There aren't even any other rooms. Which begs the question, where does he use the restroom?

"Whoa!"

While I had my back turned, Gnat sneaked behind me. Now he's at eye level just staring at me. His completely black eyes really creep me the fuck out.

"Oh sorry sorry. It's just been so long since I've seen a Dragon."

He finally backs away a couple of steps.

"How long?"

"Hmm about 5,000 years. Of course, back then Dragons weren't forced into hiding."

Forced into hiding? Is that why my Village was in the middle of nowhere? Come to think of it, I really don't know anything.

"Why were we forced into hiding?"

"Well kid it happened a long long time ago. I don't really feel like talking about it. Plus it's a really long story."

"That's the reason you won't tell me?! Because it's too long of a story?"

"Damn right."

Lazy old fart.

"Then would you at least mind explaining what this ritual is? Ambrogino said I didn't need one."

"Unfourtunately I can't do that either."

Hmm I really don't trust this. It seems shady. Epsecially since Ambrogino is a servant of Tayrn. Can I really trust someone like that?

"I can see the doubt in you. Do not worry child. Ambrogino is a very trust worthy person. Even if he is an absolute shit face sometimes."

"Well he did save my life. I guess I can put my trust in him once."

Just once. I'm not going to put all of my trust in a servant of Tayrn himself.

"You've been walking all day haven't you? Why don't you...take a nap?"

"Yeah, I'm not going to do that around you. Considering you are what you are."

"Heh smart kid. Believe me, I wouldn't lay a finger on you. If I did Ambrogino would do God knows what to me."

I am damn tired. I didn't have time to eat dinner either.

"I don't have a bed, but there's a quilt over there on the ground and a pillow."

"Thanks, I guess."

In the corner is a small grey quilt laid on the ground with a pillow at the bottom. I kick off my shoes, lay down on the quilt and put my head on the pillow. Soon I fall asleep.