CHAPTER 29: Insecurities
Picking up the money from the desk of a sleeping giant, Lyria and I made our way to the apothecary guild to purchase some potions and healing salves. Unfortunately, on our way there, I collapsed near a wall, I miraculously muscled through the shift without making it obvious that I was in some serious pain, I should've listened to Lyria and called the day off.
Lyria: You look bad Claudio…
Claudio: Sorry, I don't think I can walk any more; can you carry me back to the sanctuary please?
Lyria's heart ached for the young man, she knew he was at his last leg since he asked her to carry him despite her dislike for physical touch.
(Most definitely not his pride and ego) .
Lyria: Here, get on my back, I will visit the apothecary after so don't worry about that.
Lyria had her hair in twin ponytails today, I wanted to tug on them and make some horse noises but I figured that it's time I gave Lyria a break from my childish endeavors.
Claudio: I appreciate it, thanks a lot.
Day 6 since entering the city
I woke up with a mild fever, besides my bed there was notes of everything that I needed help understanding from the books that I was reading before going to sleep. I got a surprised visit from Julian last night and this was how it went
***
Lyria: Claudio, you have a visitor by the name of Julian, should I let him in?
Julian? At this hour? I hope no one missed with him on his way here.
Claudio: Let him in, he is from the orphanage that I used to stay at before coming here.
Lyria: 'Orphanage? Why would someone this wealthy be living in an orphanage?'
After a while, I could see Julian's shadow under the door for a couple of minutes before I yelled at him to enter the room.
Claudio: Finally, what took you so long?
Julian: Claudio! What happened to you!
Claudio: Good to see you too kid, how's your sister and the other kids doing?
Oh shit, he had tears in his eyes, I noticed that a little too late, I forgot that I was talking to a sensitive kid and not one of my buddies.
Julian: Why?! Who would do this!
I stood up and went to comfort the crying muscled up kid with a hug and a head pat.
Claudio: Sorry Julian, I was being reckless and got myself injured, I'm doing fine, you should've seen the other guy.
Julian: I'm so-rry for coming here, I will leave, you should rest Claudio.
Claudio: You won't have another chance to meet me Julian, I'm pretty busy.
Julian: Oh it's nothing serious it's not somethi-
Claudio: Julian, please.
He started circling his fingers before gathering the courage to state his reason for the visit.
Julian: I uh… I don't know what to do Claudio.
Claudio: What do you mean?
Julian: I don't know how to explain it, its… I feel like I'm lost.
Claudio: You too feel like that? Looks like we have something in common then.
Julian stared at me with a surprised face, he scratched his head, trying to place his next words carefully.
Julian: Do you also feel like… I don't know the word.
Claudio: Lets me guess, overwhelmed? While also feeling like you don't deserve anything good that happened to you? You feel like you are trying to get used to this new life that you're living?
Julian: YES! Yes just like you said it, how did you know?
Claudio: *sigh* it's normal to feel like that Julian, you was born a slave and now you are a free man, you are young, strong and you have a future.
Julian started thinking for a moment before asking once again.
Julian: But… Do I really deserve this? What did I do to deserve this opportunity?
Why is he talking like an old man?
Claudio: Yes, you deserve it Julian.
Julian: But why? Why did you save us from the slavers?
Claudio: Do you want the truth?
Julian: Yes please.
Claudio: I am not a good man Julian, I am trying to make amends by doing as many good deeds as I can, you just happened to be at the right place and time.
Julian looked at me confused trying to figure out what exactly did I mean by saying that I am not a good man.
Julian: So everything that is happening to Mira and me right now is just luck?
Or probably that.
Claudio: Mhm, all luck, your luck finally turned around Julian, congrats.
He pieced everything together and had a satisfied look on his face, as if he found an answer to his problem, unfortunately he frowned once again, looks like he found another problem.
Julian: So… What do I do now? I'm still lost Claudio!
He got up from the chair and got close to me, as if I had an answer for his problem.
Claudio: Julian, from everything I've seen so far in here, it seems like strength is the most important thing in this world, get stronger, for you and Mira.
Julian: What about you? I will get strong for you as well so that you don't get beaten like that once again!
Was that a sneak diss?!
Claudio: I appreciate it Julian, I really do, but listen.
I got up as well, stared him hard in his hazel colored eyes and put both of my hands on his shoulders.
Claudio: Julian, you don't owe me shit, do you understand?
Julian: But…
Claudio: I am not suggesting kid, focus on protecting yourself and your sister, and do not prioritize anyone else unless you are strong enough to do so, am I clear?
Julian: Then I will become strong enough to protect everyone!
My God he said that with so much convention that I forgot that I was talking to a child, his words struck me like thunder.
Claudio: I see, wait a moment.
***
Much, much earlier
I went to my rucksack and pulled out the appraising tool that used to belong to Doradoran, it looked like a regular monocle. Yesterday, I played with it and asked Lyria if she recognized what I was holding.
Claudio: Yo Lyria, do you recognize this?
Lyria: Of course, if I'm not mistaken that is a Monocle used for older people with fading vision, do you want me to explain what the sharp thing that is on the table besides your fork as well?
Claudio: You know what Lyria… whatever.
Uh I swear ever since she discovered sarcasm she has been insufferable, I'm afraid to ask even the most basic question for fucks sake.
I played with the tool for a moment and decided to place on my right eye, the tool somehow made some electric sounds before latching on my cornea startling the shit out of me.
I stared at Lyria and she was buck naked in the middle of the room, I gasped at the sudden situation and yelled at Lyria to turn her body around, and she complied while glaring at me.
The tool finally finished loading and I could see a computer like screen with a lot of writings and ratings which bamboozled my cognitive, how did the Herathians gain access to logarithms and algorithms?! How?! nothing makes any fucking sense anymore.
I felt bad that I was peeping at an unsuspecting Lyria and decided to speed through her stats through my tool, I could control the computer screen like statistics with my mind and here was everything that I've found.
Lyria W. Ashcroft.
Age: 29
Mageia synchronization: 28%. Potential: 44%
Mageia control: 46%. Potential: 54%
Mageia elements: Wind and Sand.
Quirks sync: 10% proficiency increase under a full moon.
Quirks elements: Can directly manipulate Sand if both of the subject's soles were directly touching the ground.
Quirks Physical: Anxiety can burn the food consumed greatly, can cause insomnia.
Constitution: 43,400.
Power: 29,303
Intelligence: 2,243
Charm: 2,342,678
Dexterity: 44,788
Lyria: What the hell are you doing Claudio? This is taking too long.
She swung her body around and flashed me with her bosoms, making me remove the tool from my eyes instinctively, the last thing that I saw before scrolling up and exiting was the words "View previous scans", my eyes were red from the dirty and apprising tool so I went to my rucksack to took out some eye drops.
Lyria: You know Mr. Claudio, you are not supposed to put the monocle directly on your eyeballs-
Claudio: OHMYGODSHUTTHEFUC-
***
Back at the present
Claudio: Turn around for a little bit Julian.
Julian: Yes!
The appraising tool was sucked into my eyeballs again like a magnate; it took longer for it to appraise Julian than Lyria for some reason.
Claudio: Sorry Julian this will take a little bit longer be patient with me, you can eat the cookies and the tea while I'm finished with what I'm doing.
Julian: I don't mind it's fine I can wait all day *yawns*.
Finally after 5 minutes, the results started pouring in, there was way more information for Julian for some reason.
Julian R. Hycaden. Descendant of Constantine E. Herathae.
WHAT?!
Age: 12
Mageia synchronization: 3%. Potential: 92%
Mageia control: 9%. Potential: 96%
Mageia elements: Fire, Earth, Wind, Energy (Electricity), Shadow, Sound.
Minor control: Ice and Magnetism
Quirks Sync: The subject is able to double the Mageia Synchronization for 30 minutes.
Quirks Sync: Subject can disrupt the synchronization of someone else for 15 seconds.
Quirks Sync: subject can naturally increase the synchronization by sun bathing.
Quirks Element: Subject is able to emerge from an enemy's shadow for 8 seconds before returning to the previous place if they willed.
Quirks Element: Subject is able to control the air in the enemy's lungs (transmutation)
Quirks Element: Can increase the Mageia control by 50% for 30 minutes, backlash, his skin pores double in size causing an unbelievable amount of pain.
Quirks Physical: Needs less time to recover from life threatening injuries.
Quirks Physical: Needs less time to sleep.
Quirks Physical: Needs less food to function.
Quirks Physical: The subject can increase his physical capabilities at the expense of Mageia storage, no drawbacks.
Constitution: 3,123
Power: 1,531
Intelligence: 120
Charm: 7,970,456
Dexterity: 412
Mageia capacity: 2,768,901
Strength: 1,653
Surge: Zero
My god at least he has a zero in something, his stats compare to Constantine's grandson Izar, I'm sure he will get even stronger if he started training his body.
Claudio: You can turn around now Julian.
Julian was sitting still for some reason, I got up and went around the table to find him sleeping soundly.
Claudio: Awww…
I pondered for a little bit if I should let him stay here, but came back to my senses when I remembered that Nola would be tweaking at the sudden disappearance of Julian, and I can't forget his little sister as well.
Claudio: JULIAN!
Julian: HUHG?! WHAT HM?!
Claudio: Wow man I can't believe you slept through my story.
Julian rubbed his eyes before saying:
Julian: Sorry I'm pretty tired.
Claudio: It's fine, it's time you went back to the orphanage now don't you think?
Julian: Yeah sorry for troubling you.
Claudio: I enjoyed the company Julian, anyways listen.
He perked his ears and gave me 110% of his attention.
Claudio: Listen Julian, if any women or man tried to talk to you, Arktos, and Masha, don't listen to them, they will never have any good intentions to any of you.
Julian: I don't understand? Can you explain?
*sigh* kid have you looked at a mirror recently?
Claudio: I used to have a friend, he was good looking, and that brought him a lot of attention. One time, an older women asked him to come back to his house, he complied and went back with her. After that we never saw him again, a week later we found his dead body in the forest with all of his organs removed, and he had a smile carved on his face.
Julian was clenching the table hard as he visibly strained his face.
Julian: 6 women and one man asked me the same thing on my way here Claudio! If I went back with them, then! That would've happened to me as well?!
Claudio: Yes, or something worse if you're unlucky, be careful Julian. Tell Masha and the others the same thing as well please.
Julian: Yes! I will!
Lyria entered the room with a couple of snacks, I asked her if she can pack those meals to go and escort Julian back to the orphanage and she happily obliged, bitch.
Before leaving, Julian turned his back around one more time and asked:
Julian: So did you win the fight?
I did not respond to him, I simply stared at his face for a minute before he got the gesture that I did not win the fight.
***
Back to the present
I took some antibiotic pills and hopped into the cold bath, this fever is going to be a problem, my limp was almost gone, the flesh feels a little tender but that's it.
My ribs were a problem, but I'm positive that for the same magical reason that my hands healed pretty fast after I munched on them back at the forest, my ribs would also hopefully, Maybe, heal as fast.
***
Entering the lounge, Jenna was already standing up on her feet, she looked like a completely different person. I'm glad that I thought about hiring her as my hand with a large pay.
Jenna: Good morning Claudio!
Claudio: Mhm good morning.
Lucia has been a constant worry for me so I rushed towards her bed first thing, she was just lying there, fever still going strong.
Claudio: Lucia are you okay?
Lucia: Mhm.
What's up with her? She is not behaving as herself.
Claudio: Did you drink the chamomile honey citrus drink that I made you?
Lucia: Mhm it was delicious thanks.
Okay something is definitely wrong here, I helped her up, did a quick perception test to see if she had a new concussion or something.
Claudio: Okay everything seems fine except for the fever, what's wrong Lucia? You can talk to me.
Suddenly as if a dam has been destroyed, tears upon tears rolled down from one of her eyes that wasn't covered by a bandage, shit I should've boosted her morale or something earlier but I did not think that was necessary.
Lucia: *sniffles* I'm such a fai~lure, I almost got every~one get killed!
She started breaking down hysterically in front of me, like when cotton candy meets water only faster, she looked so much older. I eyed Jenna as If I was indicating that this was her first test, she immediately understood me and rushed towards Lucia to comfort her.
Lucia: I'm so sorry Jenna I almost got you killed!
Jenna: It's fine Lucia, I was just not strong enough, it wasn't your fault!
Lucia: Waaaaaah.
Shit should I join in? naah not in a million years.
Claudio: Time to take off the bandages Lucia, I'm sure you will feel better if you see how much better you were recovering.
Oh my god, she looked so much better than yesterday! The bleeding stopped and her wounds were fully closed! Her head had a scar that was going from the back of her head to her eyebrows, when she came in, her skin was falling apart and now, she miraculously looked like she underwent plastic surgery.
I handed her a mirror to let her see how much she had recovered:
Lucia: Waaaah im so ugly nobody wants me!
She rushed towards my stomach to cry and I hesitantly patted her head, I've seen people change for the better after I had helped them, this was my first time seeing a soul be destroyed.
Claudio: What are you on about Lucia? You look fine!
Lucia: Stop lying Claudio nobody wants a woman with a scar as ugly as mine!
I pulled her back and wiped her tears with my long sleeves and said:
Claudio: The scars are not ugly Lucia, I think they made you look cooler.
She stared hard at my eyes to see if I was lying and honestly, I was not, she had a straight line of scaring on her head and a moon shaped scar near her eyebrows, kind of like Mike Tyson's tattoo.
Lucia: You think so? But look at my hair it's ruined!
Claudio: Don't worry about it, I will fix it just trust me.
I pulled out a comb and a pair of scissors and started to work on her sun bleached blonde hair. Her hair was medium sized, which caused her to be mistaken for a man most of the time, her one million freckles didn't help either, as if a goblin sharted on her face at random.
I planned for her hair to fade under the scar and have her top her combed over, but midway through fading the side with the scar, Jenna gasped all of a sudden scaring everyone in the room.
Jenna: Oh my! You look so cool Lucia!
Yo I haven't finished… She wants to be on my good side this badly huh, you are doing more damage than you're thinking love.
Lucia: Really?! Let me see let me see.
Claudio: I haven't finish…
Lucia gasped, her blue eyes sprinkling like glitter. I trimmed the loose ends and only started on one side man… is she really…
Adventurer 1: Oh shit Lucia? Did a horse fix your face with a kick or what? You look gorgeous!~
Yo… Am I going crazy? It must be the fever dream.
Adventurer 2: Yeah! And that hair style suits you! Please go out with me!
Not a hint of sarcasm was found in their voices, Lucia giggled like a child and jumped off the bed, she looked away for one second and turned back to me and said:
Lucia: I don't know how to repay you Claudio, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I placed my hand under on my mouth with tears in my eyes, from their point of view, I looked happy for her but deep inside I was biting the fuck out of my hand not to laugh! She looked like a lesbian in an action movie named Todd Bangers with a Z. Oh my god this is going to be a long day.