Asshai society fascinated Anurys, and if it weren't for the many miracles and disasters that mutants caused in Valyria, he would never have believed the things his son said. He then sat back in his chair and carefully read about the races his son had created…
"The first experimental race is the Half-Demon… I've already mentioned it to you in previous letters… It's very powerful and has enormous longevity, but it has weaknesses… As for the second race, we call it the Red Leader. It allows a person to become a sort of alpha leader for the blood raven race I created when I was still young. This race doesn't have a very long lifespan compared to the Half-Demon, but it still allows the person to control a huge number of these vicious birds, removing the weakness of only having three animals that a tamer possesses…
…The race also has a transformation that allows the person to gain wings to fly through the skies. This is an irresistible attraction for apprentices, and this race has been a popular topic within the Order… Speaking of race, we're very close to completing the experiment involving the dragons… Omar is quite anxious about it, as he'll also undergo his racial change soon… But I'll tell you about that." In the next letter…"
His son was trying to become a Dragon Lord using magic… Anurys was eager to witness this with his own eyes, and he hoped he would be alive to see him achieve this goal…
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you something important, Dad… We've reopened the Sage Store. This time, the store has many unique products made inside our new tower. One of them is a very unique and popular sweet that I was only able to create thanks to Jhon's help… I sent you a small sample in the letter. I'll send even more by ship fleet, so wait a little longer… There's news about our fleet as well, but that remains a secret for now, so I'll tell you when I visit you in person…"
Anurys saw a strange metallic paper wrapping something, and only then did he realize it was the "sample." Before opening it, he was fascinated by the existence of this metallic paper. His son said this item was very difficult to make without magical aid, and that he only had it in small quantities, which was why metal cans were more common when he received food from so far away.
As soon as he removed the foil, a sweet, strange, and intense aroma hit his nose. Anurys didn't know what it was, but the smell alone made him want to try it. It was square, very thin, and its color was dark brown. When he brought it to his mouth and bit into a piece, a bittersweet, creamy, and intense flavor invaded his taste buds, and his eyes widened at the divine taste of that sweet treat…
Anurys quickly devoured the rest of the small bar, and when he finished, he wanted even more. This was certainly addictive and would be very popular… In the rest of the letter, Rafael explained that the item was called chocolate, and that there would be more products related to it…
Furthermore, he also said that some of his subordinates had finally become Masters. Anurys didn't quite understand the title, but he knew it was equivalent to the most powerful rank of the ancient Blood Mages of Valyria, and this made his son quite excited and motivated…
An hour after reading the letters, a knock on his cabin door pulled Anurys from his thoughts.
"Knock-Knock"
"Yes?"
"Sir, we'll be making a stop at the next island in 15 minutes."
"Okay, thanks for letting me know."
Anurys then took off his clothes, revealing a wrinkled and frail body, and finally ate the Fruit of Immortality. His entire body immediately changed, returning to its youthful self in a matter of seconds...
Anurys admired his young and healthy body; at that moment, he saw magic as something divine... He wrung his hands a few times, realizing that he had regained his former strength, and he also no longer felt the aches and weaknesses that his advanced age had caused.
Smiling, he put on the new clothes he had prepared in advance, and put on a red cloak to hide his appearance as he finally left the ship's cabin.
When he landed on the small island, he never returned to the ship. He then hired a smaller vessel and returned to Dragonstone...
Upon returning to the island, he smiled at the familiar faces in the harbor who no longer recognized him. On the horizon, he saw the beautiful Vhagar flying, and finally returned to his shop...
Less than a day after Anurys returned, Commander Tristan came to visit him. Anurys felt bad for lying to the boy he had known since childhood. But he still maintained the disguise of being his great-grandfather's new heir.
***
"Your great-grandfather always took great care of me, so if you have any problems, don't hesitate to ask for help, Young Anurys…"
"Of course, I appreciate your kindness, Commander Tristan. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, I'll help you immediately."
"In private, you can just call me Tristan; there's no need for titles."
"Sounds good, Tristan!"
"Hmm, Anurys 'The Younger'... That nickname will surely spread quickly since you look so much like your great-grandfather," Tristan commented, laughing.
"Haha, I won't stay young forever, so that name seems wrong…"
As Anurys said the last words, he took a pipe from his pocket along with some herbs and began preparing them in a rather peculiar and unique way.
Tristan's eyes widened in shock. He'd seen that methodical way of preparing herbs too many times over the years to forget. What were the chances of that happening? Besides, he recognized the pipe from a small crack in its handle…
"Old Anurys, is that you?"
Anurys's mouth dropped open, unsure how he'd been recognized so quickly and easily. Had he planned everything with this new persona, but had it already been discovered? His plan to assume a new identity fell apart on the first day…
"Oh, whatever. If it's only you who knows the truth, that's fine. It makes things easier for me... Tristan, can you help me keep this secret from other people? I don't want to draw attention and just live my life quietly…"
"Is that you, sir? Are you a Blood Mage? That would explain how you've lived for so long…"
"No… I'm not a Blood Mage… It's a long story. I recommend you stay for dinner since you'll be my confidant and help me keep this secret…"
Tristan made a pitiful face at the thought of having to keep such important secrets from his King; it went against one of his oaths… But Anurys was like a grandfather to him, so in the end, he just sighed and agreed to become an accomplice in the secret of his new identity…
****
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