The Elf laughed, tears forming at the edge of her eyes. "Don't worry. I can help you with those." she caressed my face and kissed me on the cheek. "If you prove yourself to be a good student, I can teach you a looot of things." she whispered in my ear, nibbling at it.
"I'd like that." I smiled, the idea of the smoking hot Elf giving me 'private lessons' lighting a spark inside me. I'd never done something like that with previous girlfriends. Is that what we are? I thought for a second. "What's the word we'll use to refer to each other, now that we are lovers?" I looked away, embarrassed after saying the words.
"Girlfriend, lover, partner, companion, sweetheart, darling. Whichever you're comfortable with." she scratched her ear, a slight blush on her face.
I rested a hand on a long tanned leg, feeling her thick limb's skin, she lifted them and placed them over my lap. She took my face with both hands and stared at me. Running her thumbs over my eyebrows, she gave me a peck on the lips, her soft tongue giving them a lick. Her eyes drilling my own, a smile on her face. I gave her puppy eyes, a pout and let out a whimper. She chuckled and kissed me again, leaning her body against mine.
We continued like that for the rest of the ride, kissing and chatting. When I asked her about buildings we passes, she'd tell me what they were. Nothing of note to mention in detail, howerer.
I was focused on her entire being.
Around an hour later, the carriage came to a stop.
"High Grounds!" the driver called.
Lapia fixed her hair and posture, then opened the door. Turning to me, she grabbed me by the collar and pulled me in for an aggressive kiss.
"You'll know how to find me. We bonded this morning." she gave me a playful smile.
"Here, take this." I took her hand, placing a ring on her thumb. The item increased stamina and health regeneration along with boosting status. I figured I could give her something in case anything happens. A weapon was overkill, and armor too stuffy.
"Thank you, Natasha." she kissed me again and got off the carriage, closing the door after her.
I looked out and saw her waving at me with a huge smile on her face.
Behind her, a wide and tall building had opaque purple words that read 'Punten & Co.' on it. It was massive. I assumed people worked and stayed there, looking more like a palace than a company building.
The carriage continued on and Lapia turned around, walking to the entrance of the building. I took out a journal and continued reading where I had left off. The archaeologist had found the last piece of a puzzle in ancient underground catacombs. Naturally, that had been the player who defeated a boss and looted the piece, but there was no mention of that. I didn't give it a second thought.
Then an idea struck me. I should keep a journal. With any luck, the Church would sell things that served that purpose. I mentally patted myself on the back.
Slowly, all the dopamine on my brain wore off. I stored the book, rubbed my eyes and let out a long sigh.
This is going way faster than I'm used to. I looked at my hands, the golden skin contrasted by the silver fingernails. Is this normal in this world? To save someone, spend the night together, then fuck and become partners for life? I stopped for a second. I even killed ten people. In the blink of an eye. No hesitation.
I was a little surprised that I was not as shell-shocked as yesterday. While I was well aware that nature itself is the most brutal aspect of reality, I couldn't simply laugh it off. Is this world so dangerous that we need a team to go around exploring? I didn't see any dangerous creature. No hydra, dragon, wolves, goblins or fantasy monsters that show up in forests native to this kind of world. I balled my hands into firsts. Was I the predator they were hiding from, if there were any?
Though I didn't know if those even existed in the first place, the chance was still there.
She jumped on the boat instantly, too. Like, girl, hol' up. You have a life here. A job, 'young boys' to chase. Friends or whatever. Am I that much better of a choice? Certainly, the sex was amazing, but is that enough? Did she see that much in me?
I looked at my reflection on the window. Golden eyes with a horizontal line across stared back at me. Just what is a Halve? I touched my cheek, the face I knew my whole life, magnitudes more beautiful, sharper, more refined. Am I such an amazing being? Was the roll of the dice that good?
There was no denying I was exhilarated on becoming something else, something more. Yet still being the same, more or less. Incredibly stronger, faster, tougher. A smile formed on my face. It does indeed feel good. There was no back pain from leaning over desks drawing for years. The utter liberation of the pandemic afflicted world that became Earth. My wrists at their best. No, even better. Young, healthy lungs. No more blurry eyesight.
Objectively speaking, it was absolutely better than before. I might've escaped dying from cancer, too. If I didn't get the viruses before that, of course. I chuckled.
My family, friends, job. The talents I did avatars for. The fame that came with it. The many series I worked on. If I died, it'd suck. I did hit my head before passing out. I had forgotten about that.
But all that weighs so… little now. It felt like millions of years ago. The memories there, but the emotional attachment barely registered. Did the trial numb me? Was it that long? Was it that brutal? I remembered the dream and the raw emotions I apparently had. That did look hellish. I was like that one guy trapped in hell. I chuckled, imagining the metal-like music playing on the background while slaughtering demons barehanded.
"Until it was done." I nodded.
It did end, I'm here after all. A hot Elf wizard wants to be my lover, I'd be lying if I said that didn't feel the best. The way she squirmed in pleasure under me vivid in my mind. Her voice calling my name.
Though I had plenty of experience, the tool had drastically changed. I followed my instincts and memory, catching up quickly.
Am I whining over an incredibly enviable situation? I laughed, picturing my brother in my position. Though women don't share, according to Lapia. That'd suck for any male, the harem dream shattered. Is it even a harem, being all women? Because I don't think a man of this world would go at it with me having that. The thing even bigger than any I had seen. And Eastern Europe had big ones. I laughed sadly. Is size important to the men in this world, too? I sighed. I didn't mind missing out on men, to be completely honest.
What mattered was not the past, or the 'what if', but the present, and the near future. I was on my way to get another partner, which was anxiety inducing for my monogamist mind. I felt like I was cheating, but the person herself sent me.
"Anyway." I sighed. "New girlfriend, books, and later a long discussion with Lapia." I smiled. "Some sexy time too, perhaps." I giggled with excitement.
I took the journal out and resumed my reading.
I had finished the volume and was halfway through the next, when the carriage stopped once again.
"Church!" the chauffeur's voice woke me up from the book. I stored the journal and fixed my clothes. I let my hair down and exited the vehicle.
A massive cathedral greeted me. It was easily three hundred meters tall, Gothic architecture and massive gardens surrounding it. Two words instantly came to mind, the similarity was distressing. An*r L*ndo. I unconsciously searched for a yellow flask I did not have.
"Have a good day, Your Excellency." the driver called and cracked the reins.
"Thanks a bunch." I turned and gave him a thumbs up.
The man chuckled and shook his head, the carriage advancing through the street.
I returned my attention to the cathedral and set forth, humming the plin plin plon song. The gardens were well tended and I saw a surprising amount of people on grounds. Probably looking for companions just like me. I noticed a good amount looking at me with interest, gesturing to their own companions and discreetly pointing at me. I realized the appraising action was not infinite in reach, the more interesting looking fellows out of range.
I saw a good amount of Archer and Wizard related classes. Too low level, however.
The front gate of the cathedral was wide open, people going in and out as if it was their own house. I came inside and noticed a robed woman approach me. Her white robe had golden details and the image of an open eye in the chest area. A few belts kept it in place. The fabric reached the floor, her feet barely visible, sandals covering them. The contours of her body displayed, but paling in comparison to my Elf partner.
"Your Excellency." she gave me a deep nod which I returned. "How may I be of service?" she gave me a smile. Her face was half covered by a hood, only her mouth visible, long brown hair flowing down her shoulders.
[Celez Human, Lvl 121 Priestess]
Creepy. I smiled back.
"Looking for companions. I'd appreciate you guiding me." I said, my hands behind my back.
"Certainly, Your Excellency." the hooded woman nodded and turned. "This way, please." she gestured for me to follow.
I walked behind her, crossing the massive entrance hall and into a long corridor, deep into the building. Windows on both sides bathed us in light, small inner gardens in sight. Various people similarly dressed in white tending to them.
"Excuse me for asking, Your Excellency." the woman said, looking to the side. "Is Your Excellency looking for a group to join, or individual companions?" her voice was calm and respectful.
"Individuals." I answered.
"I see." she nodded. "Is Your Excellency perhaps looking for a healer?" her voice held a note of excitement. Perhaps hope.
"Yeah, actually." I appraised her again. "I don't mean to be rude, but I'm looking for strong people." I wanted the healer to at least be higher level than Lapia.
"Oh." she said, a mix of humorous surprise and flattery. "I wouldn't dare to offer myself. Your Excellency is beyond my capabilities. I'd be but a burden." she chuckled gently.
"Do you have someone in mind?" I asked, taking the bait.
"Yes. She's staying with us for a while." she kept going when the corridor opened to another hall, smaller this time. A double door stood on the opposite wall. "I'll present you with her form once we are inside." she pushed the doors open with a little effort, faint white light on her hands. "Welcome to the Archives." she bowed, allowing me to enter first.
A library welcomed us. Walls with rows upon rows of shelves filled with books, manuscripts, scrolls and all manner of written media. It was decent in size. Tables occupied the center of the room, lamps on each of them. Paintings covering the walls where shelves were absent, exquisitely crafted chandeliers hung from above. The ceiling was surprisingly high. The musk of old books slapped my nose.
"This way, Your Excellency." the priestess guided me to the right, then towards the back, where a sign read 'T Clergy'.
She took a stool next to the shelf and brought it in front. She put a hand on it and it grew taller, a ladder forming from the wood. She climbed on it and reached for a thin tome. It looked recently used. She opened it and leafed through it. Near the end, she took a page and gently detached it from the body.
"Here." she offered me the piece of paper. "I truly hope she's to your liking." she smiled, got down the ladder and moved away a couple of meters, where she waited.
Just like that? I thought. That was simpler than I expected.
I looked at the paper and was surprised by the contents.