“Mizeiya!” Elena cried, swiftly approaching and embracing the younger woman. “It’s so good to see you, alive and well. It’s almost impossible to believe that Rai managed to bring you back from the dead. How are you feeling? Any lingering effects from being dead?”

Mizeiya hugged Rai’s mother back. “It’s good to see you, too. You’ve hardly aged in my absence. As far as I can tell, the only effects are that I was turned into a mage. When I was incarnated, my qi core was regenerated at the same level as before, but I also received a third-circle mana heart. I’m still figuring out how that works, though.”

“So that’s why you have that snowflake pattern on your face,” Elena said, pulling back so she could get a better look. “But you feel fine?”

“I do.”

“Who that?” one of the twins piped up as they both gathered around their grandmother’s legs.

“Oh? And who are these cuties?” Mizeiya said with a smile.

“They’re my children, Ray and Leo,” Terra said, walking up behind Elena. “Hello, Mizeiya. I don’t know if you recognize me, but—”

“Terra! Of course I recognize you! You’ve grown up a lot!”

“Well, I am older than you now,” Terra said with amusement.

“You probably don’t remember me, though,” Leon said, joining his wife. “I’m Leon, Terra’s husband.”

“Nope, don’t remember you. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize; I don’t think we ever spoke.”

“Miss Isa! Mister Rai! You’re back!”

Sylvie ran up excitedly. “Is that your girlfriend?” she asked.

“Well, technically, I’m his betrothed now,” Mizeiya said. “He proposed to me last night.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Elena said delightedly, clapping her hands together.

“I’m Sylvie. I’m Miss Isa’s apprentice.”

“I’ve heard about you. Make sure you don’t strain yourself; training too hard when you’re your age can be counterproductive.”

“I know.”

“Where are the drakes?” Rai asked.

“Off flying around,” Sylvie answered.

“Aw, I was hoping to see them…”

“You’ll see them soon enough,” Rai assured her.

“We should have a picnic lunch together!” Elena said.

“That sounds great!” Mizeiya agreed.

“All right then, let’s help prepare it,” Isa said.

“Oh, but you’re guests…”

“We plan to stick around the area; right, Rai?”

“Yeah. You know, since the house isn’t really big enough for all of us long-term, I was thinking that I should buy one. Are there any big ones like this one in the area?”

“I don’t think so,” Leon said. “But if you wanted to get one built, there are some nice spots further out. In the woods to the northwest, for example. That’s always been a pretty nice area – I used to sneak out and hang out with Terra and the others all the time as a kid – but about a year ago, the geography actually changed, and this small cliff rose up and started pouring out a waterfall into an also newly-created basin, creating a really neat pond. There’s a stream that flows out from the pond and runs through the woods before exiting at the south end and turning into irrigation for this one farmer’s wetland crops he started growing when he fields got too soggy for what he had been growing. The main one’s a grain called rice, which is normally an imported crop. Nobody’s claimed the pond or its surrounding area – officially they belong to the Lord Mayor, but he hasn’t seen fit to either use it or prevent people from traipsing through.”

“Wait, the geography just up and changed one day?” Rai said in surprise. “Any idea why?”

“Nobody knows. I’ve heard rumors that it’s not the only place that’s happened, though.”

“Why do you want a big house?” Mizeiya asked.

“Well, it’s got to be big enough for you, me, long-term guests like Isa, and of course, our future kids,” Rai explained. “Then we need a place for the drakes to stay, a library, one or three labs or studies, a full bath and toilet rooms, a room for relaxing and entertaining guests, a room for our treasures, an auditorium for playing music (which Sylvie has shown interest in), a storage area, and of course space for gardens.”

“That sounds like you’re describing a full-on manor,” Terra said. “Our house is big, but not that big. Are you even going to be able to afford it? I know you said you’re really rich, but I don’t think you realize how much that would cost.”

Rai bit his lip. “I wonder. I’d also want the house to be full of magical appliances, like magical lamps, baths, sinks, toilets, heating and cooling system…”

“And how are you going to manage that?” Mizeiya asked.

Rai’s expression suddenly brightened. “I just had the best idea. I’m really good at magic crafting. I bet that, if I got all the necessary materials, I could make a magic item that could turn into the house, with everything already inside. Though, for the craftsmanship of the furniture and the like, I’d need to enlist some help… and an architect to help me draw up the plans…” He drifted into a mutter. “But… I think I could do it. I’d wager that, from the research to the acquiring assistance and materials to the actual crafting, I could complete the house in less than three months, tops.”

“I haven’t seen Research Rai in a while,” Mizeiya said with a smile. “It’s good to know he still enjoys his work.”

“Yeah, he gets pretty engrossed,” Isa said. “Still, building a magic item that turns into a house? What’s next, making it portable?”

“A portable house?!” Rai exclaimed. “Okay, now I have to add that feature! That means that I need to figure out how to make it reverse the process… or no, maybe just how to miniaturize the house afterward? Yeah, that’s definitely the right call…” He slapped his cheeks. “But first I have to alter the Floral Blade and work with Isa to craft a replacement sword for myself.”

“Actually, first we have to prepare lunch,” Mizeiya said teasingly.

“Right; priorities,” Rai said with a grin.

-x-

Ten days later, Mizeiya had ownership of the Floral Blade, altered to deal a double-dose of cold elemental damage instead of fire and lightning, and Rai had a new sword made of the prismatic metal. The weapon was a true work of art, with engravings of the name Celestia on one side and flowers styled after the ones on the Floral Blade on the other, but more expertly done. Like Isa’s halberd, it was a fully-realized nine-star magic weapon. In terms of enchantments, it was the same as the original Floral Blade, except that critical damage was increased (in addition to just the likelihood of critical hits), the intensity of the flame and lightning was increased, and the effect of its boost to Deadly Strikes and critical hits was doubled – the twice-a-day ability to ignore armor was the same. However, Rai had the sense that there was something else special about the weapon, some hidden property that he was unaware of.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

It was several days after that, while they were all relaxing at the house, that the family received a visit from the town watch.

“Rai Flamme,” the lightly armored middle-aged man said without preamble as he stopped a few feet away from where Rai and Mizeiya were sitting on the grass. “It’s been a month since you arrived back in town with your dragons. His lordship the mayor has finally decided to address the issue. I think he original figured that you were going to leave again, as no one powerful enough to tame a dragon would want anything with a small town like this, or so he assumed. However, your family is here, so he’s finally realized that you intend a longer stay.”

“The ‘issue?’ What issue? Our drakes – not true dragons, by the way – are perfectly well-behaved.”

“Be that as it may, they’re obviously dangerous creatures, and they make people nervous. Beyond that… power invites danger, and you’re clearly powerful now.”

“Ah. He wants me to leave. Well, unfortunately for him, I have no intention of doing that. In fact… I would like to buy some land from him for a place to build a house. Are you here to chase me away, or to invite me to a discussion with him where he will try to convince me to leave?”

“The latter.”

“Very well. When?”

“I’m meant to escort you now.”

“Give me a few minutes to get properly dressed. Oh, and I’ll be bringing my companions with me.”

“You were the only one summoned…”

“So?”

“…I understand.”

An hour later, the Lord Mayor of Creeping Vine, a man in his early fifties with a bald head, rotund body, and nervous expression sat on a cushioned chair across from Rai, Isa, Mizeiya, Slyvie, and Braveheart, who all sat side-by-side on a large sofa (except Braveheart, who sat in Rai’s lap. The adults were all dressed in formal attire – Rai and Isa clothing that they had acquired in the Tower Era and Mizeiya an outfit she had taken from the Magic Tower. Sylvie’s outfit was more casual, but higher quality than most clothing made in the current era. The mayor’s eyes kept flicking between Isa and Rai.

A long silence stretched on for nearly a full minute.

“Should I be the first to speak, Lord Domov Selsdin?” Rai said with a raised eyebrow. “You seem a bit nervous.”

“N-nervous? Why, whyever would I be nervous? Aha ha…”

“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I’m not leaving. This is my hometown, and I’ve been away for a very long time… I’ve decided to move back. I would like instead to buy some land from you.”

“P-pardon? Buy some land?”

“Currently, I am staying at my family home, but that will not work long-term. On the recommendation of my brother-in-law, I’ve been to see the new waterfall and pond in the forest. It’s a very nice, picturesque area with a wonderful atmosphere and significantly higher-than-average ambient mana levels. For a powerful mage like myself, it is a perfect place to build a family house. I would like to acquire the waterfall, the pond, and the surrounding land. I plan to build a manor there.”

“A manor? Not just a house?”

“Yes. You can’t expect someone of my stature to live like most commoners, now, can you? I’m officially recognized as the one who discovered the first Tower Era ruins, and I’m in a partnership with the Magic Tower. I’m also as strong a mage – more powerful, if less versatile – as the Chancellor of the Magic Tower herself.” He raised an eyebrow again. “Clearly, I am worthy of living in as fine a manor as I can afford.”

“I-I see…” The mayor swallowed. “But, you know, manors aren’t cheap.”

“That’s all right. I’ll be the one dealing with the expenses. All you have to do is sell me the rights to the land.”

“W-well… I’d love to, but a noble selling land to a commoner requires royal permission…”

“Does it? Well, let’s work out the price now, and I’ll acquire permission before we sign the documents of sale. I was planning to get an audience with His Majesty soon anyway. I hear that the situation with the war is still uncertain; I can’t have the Republic messing up my home country, now can I? I’m sure that he’ll grant permission after I do a little military service. Name your price.”

“I-I need to think about it…”

“My offer is ten acres for a thousand gold. The land is currently unused. I would also promise not to upset the water source, as I know that the rice farmer relies on it.”

“A thousand gold? You have a thousand gold to simply… spend on land?”

“I do. Is this acceptable?”

“I…” The mayor looked at a loss.

“Father. The land isn’t earning any revenue as it is. This is essentially a free thousand gold.”

Rai turned his head to see a man only a few years his senior who shared similar facial features with the mayor, although the younger man was neither bald nor fat.

“But, Andre… I don’t actually know the value of the land.”

“Ten gold per month in taxes,” Rai said, holding up a finger. “I’ll pay you ten gold per month in property taxes.”

“I’d like to negotiate on my father’s behalf,” the younger nobleman said. “A thousand gold for the land and ten gold per month in taxes? Sounds acceptable, but considering you’ll be controlling a water source that affects a farmer who produces a unique crop, I think ten acres is too much. Six acres.”

Rai smiled. “Eight acres and we have a deal.”

“Eight acres it is. Now, as my father said, we can’t actually sell the land to you until you obtain permission from the King, but we can draw up the contract now and sign it – have it be contingent on obtaining permission. Shall we?”

“That sounds like a good idea to me.”

As the mayor’s assistant was drawing up the contract, Lord Andre replaced his father in the chair across from the others and conversed with them.

“So, Rai… if I recall correctly, you became a mage on the night of the attack,” Andre said. “And yet, you’re already on the same level as the most powerful woman on the continent?”

“Indeed. Isa is also a mage/fighter like I am, though while I focus more on magic, she focuses more on physical combat.” Rai gestured to Isa. “We’ve been… training in seclusion from the modern world for the last couple years. We’re both very powerful individuals.”

“I can figure. Who is the non-reptilian woman with you, and the child?”

“The child is Sylvie, Isa’s apprentice. This woman is my betrothed, Mizeiya. One of the people who was killed the night of the attack. Part of my… seclusion… was discovering a way to resurrect her.”

“I’m sorry, what? Did you say she’s been resurrected?”

“It took me seven years to find and execute a way to bring her back to life, at great effort and expense. Part of my research into the Tower Era, you see.”

“I… assuming that’s true… that’s the stuff of myth.”

“And so was the Tower Era, until I proved it existed.”

“I think I understand why my father is so intimidated by you now,” Andre Selsdin said. “So then, will you be heading to the capital immediately?”

“We will leave in a few days.”

The contract was presented, read over to ensure it said what they had agreed on, and signed by both parties. After that, the group left the manor.

“That was kind of funny,” Mizeiya said. “I’ve never seen nobles so off balance before. I’ve been hired – or more accurately, groups I’ve been a part of have been hired – by nobles before, but they’ve always thrown about their status and lorded it over us commoners. To see you completely dominate like that was refreshing.”

“I have to admit that I enjoyed it too. I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable dealing with people in positions of power, but I’ve never had the upper hand like that before. To be fair, the Selsdins are minor nobility, but still.”

“You know what I think?” Isa said. “You should try to get… what’s it called… granted peerage.”

“You think I should try for nobility?” Rai said, surprised.

“Think about it – it’d be a lot easier to throw around your weight in high society if you were a noble, right? And considering your power, performing some sort of grand feat to get recognized for should be easy. Plus, I suspect that the powers that be would rather appease you than antagonize you.”

“That… is a fair point. I’d never considered being nobility before… huh. What do you think, Mizeiya?”

“Long term goals? You’d have to deal with taxes more directly, right? You wouldn’t be able to just give stuff to the mayor, you’d need to send money to the crown.”

“That’s true… and I’d be required to attend certain gatherings… I guess it has its pros and cons. I’ll think about it.”

-x-

A week later, a few days before the start of summer, the whole group climbed onto the drakes – Rai, Mizeiya, and Braveheart on Paxta, Isa and Sylvie on Skycloud – and set out for the capital of Landsgrace, a city by the name of Spiral Crown. Rai had never been there before, so teleporting wasn’t possible, but he knew where it was, and using the drakes as transportation, it would only take a few days to get there. As a result, they arrived at the city right as summer began. From the air, they could see the whole of the city. The geography of the city was one of the stranger ones Rai knew of and was clearly the result of some magical incident: the entire thing was a slightly concave spiral that followed the banks of a river that spiraled inward, concluding in the moat around the quite large palace, then flowing underground beneath the palace into an underground cave system, resurfacing at a lower elevation further to the south.

They descended just outside the east gate, near the back of the line of people and wagons waiting to enter. Rai had two badges with him to expedite things: Lord Henrik’s badge of House Amit, and the Chancellor’s badge of the Magic Tower. Still, he expected that the main thing that would either speed or slow their entry was the presence of the drakes.

He turned to Isa.

“This is probably a good time for you to use that illusion spell of yours,” he said.

“Illusory Form? To disguise myself as human, I’m assuming.”

“Yes. You know how much trouble we’ve had in the past, and this is the capital of Landsgrace. The potential problems could be considerably magnified. This isn’t like the Tower Era, where saurians were considered just another race of people. The fact that you wear clothes might help, but…”

“I got it. Illusory Form.”

And just like that, Isa’s appearance transformed. In place of the saurian, a beautiful, muscular red-headed human woman with tanned skin and black tattoos on her face and arms now rode on Skycloud behind Sylvie.

“Good enough?” she asked.

“Perfect. You look like an exotic foreigner, but you still look like a warrior thanks to the muscles and tattoos. Now, we just wait until we reach the front of the line. Hopefully that’s before nightfall; the line’s pretty long.”

“Look, some guards are already on their way,” Mizeiya said. “I don’t think we’ll have to wait long.”

Rai took a deep breath. “Confidence, Rai,” he muttered. “Confidence.”