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After another week in Cirgo, we finally departed. The farewells were brief and uneventful. Lilia was sad to see us go, and that made me a little sad too, but still... I'll miss that place. I hope to return there eventually.
We managed to get a ride to the nearest city, which, to my surprise, is still five days away. At least we got a decent ride. The wagon is sturdy, and the horse, despite its modest appearance, is incredibly fast thanks to its species abilities and a few extra skills—rarely, some animals are born with extra abilities. It's rare, but it can happen. The journey wasn't as bad as I expected. Now that we're just one night away, the idea of arriving in Valoria is starting to feel real.
"We're almost in Valoria! How exciting!" wrote Merlin, her words floating in the air with an enthusiasm I hadn't yet matched.
"Yay..." I murmured, trying to sound a bit more excited than I actually felt.
"Everything alright back there, Mister Victor?" asked Sebastian, the man driving us, over his shoulder.
He's a man around 37, gray-haired with a thick beard that makes him look far more experienced. His leather vest and brown overcoat reinforce the idea that he's used to these journeys and the challenges of the road. Despite that, his demeanor was calm, and the concern in his voice seemed genuine.
I stayed silent for a moment, trying to assess how I felt. My body was fine, not tired or sore, but the monotony of the journey was starting to gnaw at me. I was... bored.
"I'm... fine," I replied, but my lifeless tone betrayed my words.
"He's had that dead fish look since day two," Merlin commented, her letters floating in front of Sebastian, who let out a laugh.
"Looks like someone doesn't enjoy long trips, huh?"
I couldn't help a small smile. Sebastian was good company, and somehow, the lightness with which he handled the journey made everything less tiring. He was heading to Valoria to handle some personal matters and would soon return to Cirgo. As for me and Merlin, we were about to begin a new chapter in Valoria, thanks to Viola's group. Speaking of them, they left first, so they'd be waiting for us there. Since we left a day later, they've probably already arrived.
Now, Valoria, an accessible place with reasonable prices, and where all races, even monsters, could find a home, as long as they knew how to integrate—that is, had proper intelligence and sense.
In my case, being a Metamorph was an advantage. I could bypass magical defenses and analysis skills that identified monsters. In the fight against Orion, something awakened inside me, and now any skill with less power than mine can't track me. It's similar to an "evolution seed." In other words, I became more powerful as a being. I am, to the rest of the world, effectively human.
It seems that fighting and defeating strong creatures is one of many paths to power in this world. When you defeat a worthy opponent, the world may reward you with a new skill or some kind of blessing. In my case, I didn't gain any new skills, but some I already had, like [Analytical Awareness] and [Ultra-Regeneration], became a bit more efficient.
The king of Cirgo, having been convinced by Serena, gave me 1,000 gold coins as a reward for saving her. Honestly, that's more money than I know what to do with. We're very well off now, which gives us time to settle in Valoria without rushing.
"I'll activate the barrier now," Sebastian warned as he took a small artifact from his pocket and tossed it into the air. In seconds, an invisible barrier surrounded the wagon, shielding us from any imminent danger.
"No monster will get through now," Merlin commented with satisfaction.
"And now, old Sebastian's going to enjoy his dinner!" he said, pulling a lunchbox from his bag with the excitement of someone about to eat the most delicious meal in the world.
"Enjoy. I'm going to step out for a bit, alright?" I asked, already getting up to open the wagon door.
"Want me to go with you?" Merlin wrote quickly, always attentive.
"No need," I replied, trying to sound calm. "Just getting some fresh air. I'll be right back."
The barrier only works on low-class monsters, the most common in this area—Class E or C. For higher-class monsters like B and A, the barrier is ineffective, so I can come and go without problems.
As soon as I stepped out of the wagon, the night wrapped around me with a gentle breeze and a clear sky full of stars. We were in an isolated spot on the road, and the stillness of the night was almost comforting. There was something refreshing about breathing that pure air after hours of travel, something that helped clear my mind and prepare my spirit for the day ahead.
The thought of a new city, a new beginning, brought a certain relief. Not that I was running from anything, but the idea of being in a place where no one knew who I really was... where I could simply exist... had its appeal.
I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to just feel that moment.
While I breathed in the fresh night air, something in the distance caught my attention. Among the shadows of the trees, a tall figure stood out against the dark backdrop. A woman, absurdly tall, with long pale green hair that shimmered subtly under the moonlight. She stood still, motionless, watching me with an intensity that made my spine tingle.
My eyes narrowed as I recognized her. It was impossible to forget that presence. Her red eyes seemed to burn in the dark, and her black outfit with the voluminous cape only amplified the sinister aura she exuded. The pointed witch hat, slightly tilted, barely hid the two thin antennae protruding from her head, piercing through the fabric.
Without warning, she raised her hand, waving slowly. It wasn't a friendly wave but something that felt... distorted. The gesture had a disturbing calm. For a moment, I considered ignoring her. After everything I've been through, common sense should tell me to stay away from mysterious figures on the roadside.
But something in her eyes, a spark that made them seem more alive, made me hesitate. She didn't seem threatening... at least, not like before. There was something different this time. Curiosity? Interest?
I stood there, evaluating what to do. I could simply ignore it, return, and forget I saw anything. But... for some reason, my legs began to move. Slowly, I walked toward her, almost as if my body were responding to an impulse my mind hadn't yet processed.
When I got closer, the woman's expression changed. A smile formed on her lips, one that felt both strange and... sincere? The glow in her red eyes softened, and for the first time, she didn't seem to be staring at me like prey, but like... an acquaintance?
"You're alright, Victor," she said, her voice low and almost melodic, but with a tone of satisfaction. "I'm glad to see you survived."
Her words caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting such a warm greeting.
"You... I don't remember telling you my name," I said, still cautious.
She tilted her head slightly, her antennae moving with a certain grace.
"You should know about analysis skills. I can see... the way you're named." Her red eyes glowed again, but this time, the interest I perceived in her was clear. "Again, I'm glad you survived."
Her smile widened, subtly unsettling, and a strange sense of familiarity stirred in my chest. Even with the strangeness she exuded, there was something deeper... a feeling that she truly was glad to see me well.
"You... you're that girl from Cirgo, aren't you?" I asked, trying to connect the dots. "The one who told me about the mountains."
She seemed to burst with joy, her red eyes widening as she clapped her hands in small hops, almost childishly.
"Yes, yes!" she exclaimed, her excitement clashing with her eerie appearance. "You're so smart, little one! It's me!"
I took a step back. What is wrong with this woman? Her attitude, her energy... it was all so strange. The way she referred to me, like she owned something, made me uneasy.
"Why did you do that?" I asked, cautious.
"Isn't it obvious?" she replied in a tone that suggested it should be. "So you could find out about Orion's plans. Also, it was the only way I thought to help you with that boy, Sentil. If you helped him, everything would work out. I did well, didn't I?"
I stared at her, trying to understand her intentions.
"I guess so... But I thought you wouldn't protect me anymore."
She shook her head with an almost condescending smile.
"You misunderstood. I said I wouldn't keep monsters away from you. But I kept watching you... from afar."
Watching? The discomfort grew, but at the same time, I wasn't as unsure as before. I had changed since our last encounter, grown in more than one way. That gave me the courage to push further.
"Who are you, really?"
She chuckled softly, tilting her head like my question was a bit naive.
"Haven't figured it out yet?" Her eyes sparkled with strange anticipation. "It should be obvious. Besides, you've grown a bit since I last saw you."
I looked at myself—I had noticed it too. I had really grown a few centimeters since then. But that only made my confusion worse. What did she mean by "obvious"?
"Sorry, but I still don't know who you are."
For a brief instant, her expression changed. Sadness crossed her face, a flicker of disappointment quickly suppressed. She forced a smile back, as if fighting against feelings she didn't want to show.
"That's okay. You still have time to find out. After all, we'll see each other again." Her voice softened. "Until then, take care, little one."
She stared at me without breaking eye contact, her smile intact, but there was something painfully lonely in that gesture. The silence between us stretched, and tension filled the air. It was uncomfortable, almost suffocating.
"Uhh... Are you... waiting for something?" I asked, trying to break the tension.
She blinked, confused for a moment.
"Hmm... I don't think so... Maybe?" she replied while adjusting her large hat.
On impulse, without thinking much, I reached out and held her hand. Her hand was huge compared to mine, cold and surprisingly soft. I just squeezed it, as a simple farewell gesture.
"Thanks for helping me. Take care too." The words came out of me automatically.
She froze for a moment, staring intently at my hand on hers, as if the gesture had completely caught her off guard.
"Oh..." she murmured, her voice hesitant, almost trembling. Her red eyes sparkled with something undefined, a feeling I couldn't identify.
What kind of situation is this?! My mind raced in every direction, as the tension between us grew.
"..."
"... I see," she finally said, letting go of my hand with surprising gentleness. "Then... goodbye."
And just like last time, she simply disappeared. One moment she was there, and the next... gone into the air, as if she had never existed.
I stood there for a few moments, processing what had just happened. There were so many unanswered questions. She remained a mystery—and maybe now more than ever, I felt the need to unravel it.
I sighed, trying to shake off the strange feeling left in the air, and then began walking back to the carriage. That was stranger than I expected. At least this time, she took a bit longer to disappear.
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The morning sun gilded the stone ground beneath our feet as we came upon the gates of Valoria. Towering like fortress walls, made of a dark, smooth metal, they reflected the light like fogged mirrors. They looked less like an entrance and more like a barrier—cold, impersonal, and imposing.
But what really caught my attention... were the machines.
Huge metallic figures patrolled the entrance, with red eyes that pulsed at regular intervals, like artificial hearts. Their bodies gleamed as if made of polished steel, and their movements... weren't like humans. Not even like living creatures. They were precise. Calculated. Every step echoed with a dull, rhythmic thud, like synchronized hammers.
"What are those things?" I asked, unable to hide the suspicion in my voice. Until now, everything in this world felt like something out of a medieval tale. But this? This was another level. Something that didn't fit.
Merlin floated beside me, just as alert.
"[I can tell what they're made of, but I have no idea how they move like that...]" she admitted, still trying to decipher the metal guardians.
That's when Sebastian, a few steps ahead, stopped and turned to us with a light smile, as if he'd been expecting this reaction.
"Those are Valoria's War Robots. The kingdom is known for its advanced technology. Very different from Cirgo."
I frowned.
"Advanced technology? That's surprising. But... those things don't seem dangerous?" I pointed at the robots, whose eyes seemed to stare at me without even moving.
Sebastian shrugged, as if it was no big deal.
"They run on mana and are programmed to follow orders. Nothing deters them. They don't feel hunger or fear. They just perform their function."
I looked at the robots again. Their bodies looked hollow... and yet, there was mana inside them. A cold, impersonal presence, like a battery that pulses but doesn't breathe.
"They're strange. I can't analyze them properly. It's like they're... dead inside."
"[I agree,]" said Merlin, spinning in the air with a light laugh. "[If they're machines, they don't have a soul. And that makes them pretty unpredictable, don't you think?]"
Sebastian chuckled softly.
"You'd be surprised at what Valoria can do. Just one of those robots equals a Class B. Not useful against high-level threats, but for patrol and control... they're perfect. Tireless. Relentless."
We moved toward the entrance and I quickly noticed that it wasn't just the security that was different from Cirgo. The entire organization felt extraordinary. There was a long, yet fluid, line of merchants and travelers, all waiting patiently.
Small floating robots—resembling lanterns with wings—inspected goods and scanned documents silently. Automated booths stood ahead, each equipped with translucent panels that projected holograms of data and identities.
Sebastian approached one of the booths, pulling a small metallic card from inside his coat.
"Valoria is efficient," he commented, handing over his papers. "They can process hundreds of people in a matter of minutes."
I watched everything with a mix of fascination and suspicion. Everything was so well coordinated... so automatic. The technology from my world felt like a joke in comparison. I wondered how exactly they infused mana into these machines. What kind of system could keep so many operating at once?
When Sebastian finished the process, one of the metal gates began to open with a soft, almost elegant creak. The mechanisms behind the structure moved tons as if they were light as silk.
"All set, we're cleared," he said naturally.
We crossed the gates. And then... we saw Valoria.
The city stretched out before us like an impossible fusion between the ancient and the futuristic. Tall buildings with geometric shapes, smooth surfaces, and dark mirrors stood alongside stone structures, arched bridges, and sloped rooftops. In the streets, bird-shaped drones soared gracefully through the air, leaving trails of blue light.
"This... is definitely not like Cirgo," I murmured, still trying to absorb it all.
Merlin floated next to me, more excited than ever.
"[I can't wait to explore this place! Imagine the surprises around here! There must be secret labs!]
I sighed, eyes still wandering through the scenery.
"Surprises... I just hope none of them involve anything like what happened in Cirgo. I'm not going into any lab."
"[Ah, I don't think we're that unlucky. Hehe!]" she replied with a smiley emoji.
Come to think of it, there was a kind of machine in Orion's hideout, but I don't know what it did. I guess I need to pay more attention to technology too—like monsters and magic weren't already enough…
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A few hours passed. With Sebastian's help, we found a place to stay—and to our surprise, it wasn't difficult. After crossing a few districts and negotiating with an odd man with a weird mustache and nasally voice, we managed to buy a modest yet elegant house for a fair price.
The key was still warm in my hand as we entered for the first time.
The house had five rooms. The polished wooden floor creaked gently beneath our steps, reflecting the golden light that passed through windows framed by beige curtains. The walls were painted in light tones, almost white, but with a pearly glow that gave a sense of freshness and peace. In the living room, a soft fabric sofa invited rest, accompanied by a dark wood coffee table—elegant without being flashy.
The kitchen was small but very well equipped, with utensils lined up with surgical precision. A round table for four awaited us there, almost as if saying: "Welcome. Stay as long as you like."
The bathroom was simple but surprisingly cozy. The shower looked sturdy, and just looking at it made me want to stand under hot water for hours.
We still needed a few more pieces of furniture and decorations... but the essentials were there. The house had soul. It had silence. It had space.
Sebastian decided to stay in the city a bit longer but chose to rent a room in a nearby inn. He said he wanted to give us space.
I got new clothes too—well, I bought them. Merlin told me to try wearing red, so here I am: a red shirt, black t-shirt, and matching pants. At least I still have my boots from Cirgo.
As for Merlin... She didn't change much, but I have the impression her crown changed... Now it looks more like a halo that rotates around itself, and I think it got a bit bigger.
As we explored each room, I was left speechless by something I thought I'd never see again in my life. Something wonderful. A blessing…
"There's a television... and it's huge..." I said, my eyes sparkling.
Merlin floated next to me, looking at the screen with curiosity.
"[Is that good?]" she asked, a bit confused.
"Yes! We can watch TV, Merlin!" I exclaimed, excitement overflowing in my voice.
She floated closer, observing the television as if it were a magical artifact. The big screen gleamed.
"[I see! You had these things in your world, right?]"
"Yes! I'm so happy to see things I know."
"[Oh! Your eyes dilated!]" Merlin noted, twirling playfully.
I paused for a moment, embarrassed by her comment. I raised my hands to my face, trying to hide the blush rising to my cheeks.
"What? I'm not... it's just..." I stammered, unable to finish the sentence.
"[You look so happy, Victor!]" she said, full of delight in her speech bubble. "[It's good to see that.]"
A thought crossed my mind: it was a trait of mine as a Metamorph. My emotions manifested physically, like my eyes dilating when I was happy—something that might seem like an animal trait.
"I'm... just getting used to it," I replied, trying to hide behind the sofa. "Don't look at me, now I'm shy..."
"[I hope you know hiding like that only makes you cuter,]" she said with a smile in her bubble. "[Come on! It's a good thing!]"
I tried to look away, but the truth was, deep down, I liked the feeling of happiness washing over me. Trying to hide it felt like a losing battle. In the end, this body of mine works that way... I better get used to it.
"I don't know... It's weird, you know?" I murmured, now a bit more embarrassed.
Merlin floated closer. "[Why not let your feelings flow? After all, you're a Metamorph, and that's part of who you are.]"
I sighed, trying to relax. The idea of accepting these traits in myself was a challenge, but seeing Merlin so willing to encourage me made the effort worthwhile and left me feeling a bit more at ease.
"Okay, maybe I just need a little more time," I agreed with a faint smile.
I turned on the television. The screen lit up, colorful and bright. We found a cartoon channel and sat down—or rather, I sat down, and Merlin floated above the back of the couch, watching every movement as if it were her first time seeing anything like it.
We laughed together at silly jokes. Shared silence without discomfort.
Tomorrow, I'll look for Viola's group. They said I'd find them at the local guild. They've probably registered by now.
But today... I just want to enjoy the simple pleasure of watching cartoons next to my best friend.
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