Dragon Empire,
Argh. I've been trying for the last four days and still I couldn't activate my Raw Range Shiftling.
This is frustrating.
I promised them I would do my best… and here I am, lying on the ground, completely exhausted.
This sucks.
[Pratik] : I have to try again.
Saying that, I tried to channel my Dark Energy Reserves into my head.
I need to create a pattern in my mind. Physical manifestation won't be hard later.
But I have no idea how to visualize it.
I'm trying to imagine the range that will be affected by my technique.
Everything feels vague.
Everything is futile.
After groaning in irritation, I left my spot.
I can't stay like this.
There's no improvement. My head is pounding like hell. My hands are bleeding badly.
Maybe I should just free Mala from prison somehow… avoiding any face-off with that guy.
Right now, that's the best way out.
If they harm Mala, I won't forgive them.
[Pratik]: Where is their hideout again?
…
I realized I don't even know where their hideout is.
Oh no. Not again.
My body aches. The recoil of my training techniques is hitting back hard.
I've developed healing sorcery, but it's nowhere near as effective as Mala's, and it definitely doesn't work instantly.
I sat on a nearby boulder.
Pratik: If this continues, we will lose her. I can't imagine that.
While I was thinking, someone suddenly fell from a tree — right onto me.
A sharp pain shot through my head. Something hard had just smashed into me.
I looked up.
It was a girl. A kid, maybe. She was wearing some kind of armor.
The armor looked… extremely durable.
If I sell that, I'll become filthy rich.
[Girl]: You are thinking something rude about me, right?
No. It wasn't rude. I was thinking about your armor, not you.
Pratik: Hey kid, what are you doing here? Who are you?
She looked around 13 — if she were human.
But since she's an alien, her lifespan might be different.
She looks similar to other Dragon Empire beings. Two forelimbs, two hind limbs. Almost human-like face. Red skin. A pair of horns. Wings on her back. And a thick tail swaying behind her.
"I am Girishika and I am the prin— I mean, I am a proud Dragoling. Kneel before me, you insol—"
I gave her a small chop on the head.
Not interested.
[Girishika]: What are— how dare you give me a chop?!
She was boiling in anger.
I gave her another chop. Harder this time. The ground beneath her cracked slightly.
Pratik: Like this.
She started rolling on the ground, holding her head.
[Girishika]: Help! Someone help! This guy is beating a small, beautiful, innocent girl! Help!!
Wait. What? So I'm the villain now?
Also, she is anything but innocent.
[Pratik]: Hey, hey. Calm down. Let's talk it out. Have some chocolate.
I handed her a toffee. It's not chocolate, but if this idiot doesn't kno—
[Girishika]: Hey, isn't that a toffee?
Huh?
[Pratik]: I mean… where I come from, my family calls it chocolate.
[Girishika]: I accept this offering to a prin— I mean, a goddess like me.
Just take it and eat.
After she swallowed it, she looked… slightly more reasonable.
[Girishika]: You have pleased me, O lowly human. To show my generosity, I shall help you with anything you ask.
[Pratik] : Can you free a prisoner?
[Girishika]: Hahaha… sounds
interesting. Let's do a prison break. That will be fun.
This girl… I thought she was some wise being of this planet.
Nope. She's just an idiot.
I sighed.
Then she said something that completely shocked me.
[Girishika]: Hey. You were trying to learn Raw Range Shiftling, right? Your body looks quite damaged from it.
She knows?
[Pratik]: Wait — do you know anything about it? I mean… how to activate it?
[Girishika]: Yeah. Raw Range Shiftling is instinct-based. I can use one too. Obviously. I am great and have vast experience.
Vast experience? How old is she?
[Pratik]: Will you elaborate?
[Girishika]: I was 20 years old when my father taught me the theory. I practiced for one month and activated my first Raw Range Shiftling. I am a genius, right?I have 115 years of experience with it. Though… my Dark Energy Reserves are small.
She can actually use it?
[Pratik]: Is there any shortcut, ma'am?
Girishika went into deep thought. At least she's trying.
After a while… I realized she had fallen asleep.
I kicked her.
[Pratik]: I asked you a question, moron!
[Girishika]: Ah, right. There is a secret… however, it's quite risky. But I don't think it will be too risky for you. Your pathways are already aligning perfectly.
[Pratik]: So what is it?
[Girishika]: Simple. You must experience a near-death situation. Where survival is almost impossible. Your mind screams that you're going to die — and you believe there's no escape.
…
[Pratik]: I don't have time for that.
Hey girl, if you help me free a prisoner, I'll give you lots of chocolate. Deal?
[Girishika]: Are you trying to bri—
I threw a toffee near her mouth. She gobbled it instantly.
[Girishika]: Fine. I accept it, you lowly human. Let's get going.
I still can't activate Raw Range Shiftling.
But if I have a companion who can activate a complete Range Shiftling, that changes things.
I also know the Range Shiftling of my enemy. That helps.
Feeling slightly hopeful, we started walking.
…
We don't know the way.
Ah hell. Not again.