I wake up nice and refreshed after yesterday’s exertions. The mid-afternoon sun is filtering in through the window as I get up from bed. As usual, Lemon is hogging the entire lower part and I have to carefully extract myself so as not to disturb her draconic slumber.

  Turns out what they say is true, exercise really can help improve sleep. Though maybe it has something to do with all the yummy food too. The instant I start thinking of food, my stomach lets out a loud growl.

  Stephen has already gone off somewhere, to contain the danger that is Liv most likely. I leave Lemon alone and head out for some grub. She probably won't burn the building down. Probably.

  The streets seem a heck of a lot busier, I wonder what is going on so I ask one of the stall tenders while buying myself a nice meal. Apparently there is an evening festival tomorrow about the great jellyfish migration. It only happens once every ten years in this area, so it is a big spectacle. I should consider asking Violet to go with me, but there is no way she would possibly agree, right? If she did, I might just die of happiness on the spot.

  I find a nice park and sit down to have my meal. I opted for more of those delicious rice balls and some sort of stew. The broth is quite thick, and is filled with all sorts of vegetables and what I presume is fish. It's delicious and the sweetness of the rice balls work really well to finish it off. Turns out that these seafolk really know how to make some delicious food. I wonder if I could get the nutrient dispenser to stock anything similar to this place.

  Afterwards I take a brief walk through the park, which is full of tourists lounging in the grass and playing all sorts of games. After a while I head back into the markets and am immediately drawn to a store. An old woman sits behind it and smiles when I approach. In front of her are several pearls, gemstones and other such things.

  “My my, what a young laddie. Are you looking to get a gift for a certain someone?” Her voice is gravely, yet has a sort of homey feel. I can't imagine how old she must be that age reversal can't remove the signs of aging. Perhaps she is one of the weird people that decide to age naturally.

  “Perhaps, I don't know exactly.” I pick up one of the blue gemstones. It seems to be a larger version of one at the beach. It reflects the afternoon light nicely, and it reminds me of Violet’s eyes in a way. It's perfect.

  “Hmm, a tear of the water goddess. A fine choice indeed, they are said to bless one with luck and calm days.” The woman smiles at me, certain that she has a sale.

  I buy the gemstone and the woman even puts it in a nice necklace. Though I can't help but feel she ripped me off. I walk through the market until I come upon a crowded intersection where there is quite a commotion. I push through the crowd, which is quite easy thanks to being a superhuman.

  There is a gap in the crowd and to one side stands a tall Upper man in a very expensive looking outfit. His hair is slicked back and he looks like a whole lot of trouble. Which is only accentuated by several of what I presume to be bodyguards around him that are armed to the teeth.

  To the other side is Violet. A blank and apathetic expression is on her face, she looks super bored. Her outfit is quite cute, it has some frills at the end of her sleeves which are just awesome. She is all alone, people are giving her plenty of space.

  The man takes a single step forward. His voice is super snobbish and I recognize the telltale signs of a noble. “What do you mean, no? You dare refuse I, Reginald, Grand Duke of the Third Province? I could do very many things for you, you know. I have been said to have a variety of talents, especially in more delicate matters.” Now that I pay attention, on his lapel is a griffin, which must represent his noble house.

  “I have told you time and time again, Reginald, I will have nothing to do with you. Nor your family. We may be equal in status, but that does not require me to give a damn about who you are or what you want.” Violet’s voice is cold, with a firm sharpness that I have never heard her use. It lacks all emotion and feeling, different from how she normally insults me.

  “Damn nouveau riche. You think you own everything and are sooo much better than the rest of us? My bloodline stretches all the way back to the end of the ancient times, know your place, battle-mad scum.”

  Before I know what is happening, my fist smashes into his jaw. It is a very simple movement that produces a simple result. But, the effects are devastating.

  A sickening crack resounds through the street, echoing off the nearby buildings. Reginald goes flying back and slams into one of his bodyguards with a thud and they go tumbling onto the ground. I raise my hand and shake off a bit of his blood. Thankfully, it didn't get on my clothes. Though, I cant say the same about his.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Time seems to stop for a moment as people take in the situation. A random guy from the crowd just walked in and punched an asshole noble to great effect, and is completely unfazed by it. So naturally, everyone cheers.

  I take a slight bow but am quickly interrupted by a sharp slap to my face. “Idiot, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you to not go around punching random people?” I look up and meet Violet’s eyes, they are blazing with a blue fury, but also a bit of amusement.

  “Well, you did say that. But that guy deserved it, like, really badly. After all, how dare he insult such a cute girl? That is a crime that should be punished by death in my opinion.” I smile at her, despite the pain in my face.

  “You’re impossible.” She mutters and turns away from me. I see a bit of red on her face and neck, it must be the evening sun. The afternoon has flown by so fast, I guess I got caught up in admiring the sights of the town.

  I look at Reginald’s bodyguards who are standing dumbfounded and unsure what to do. After a few minutes they make the smart decision, grab Reginald and flee. Some security looking people make their way into the space and I grab Violet’s hand. “I think this is the point where we flee.”

  I pull her through the crowd, and surprisingly she doesn't even resist my pull. The warmth of her hand is nice, and her skin is super soft as well. I wonder if she will tell me what skincare treatment she uses, I would like to try it as well. Though knowing her, it probably costs enough to bankrupt a small city.

  We make our way to a less crowded park, away from any prying eyes. I release her hand and collapse onto a nearby bench. “That was super fun, it feels like we were in trouble or something.”

  She sits down next to me, with a painful distance that I wish to close – but don't for fear of my life. I may have a death wish, but I am not suicidal. “You mean you are in trouble. Reginald isn't going to let that go.”

  I turn to look at her beautiful eyes. “Well, luckily I have you to protect me from the big bad noble, right?”

  She sighs. “In your dreams, imbecile.” I have dreamed about her swooping in to protect me more than I would like to admit. But I don't see how that is relevant to her providing me legal protection.

  “Who was that guy anyways? He seemed to know you quite well.” I push my luck a bit.

  “Just the classic provincial duke. That old bastard has been trying to get me to marry him for years.” She puts her face in her hands and looks quite exhausted.

  “Thats…”

  “Fucking creepy? Yeah, though unfortunately very common.” She sighs. I watch her, she seems to be thinking about something. I didn't notice it, but her hair is in a really cute braid.

  “Hey I have a great idea.” I take a shot, maybe just maybe.

  “Please keep it to yourself.” She shoots me down before I can even start.

  “Aww, I was going to ask if you wanted to go to the jellyfish festival tomorrow with me. Guess I’ll just have to go all alone.”

  The silence stretches between us, only broken by the sounds of a few kids playing nearby.

  Violet sighs deeply. “Okay.” It's barely a whisper, but she definitely said it.

  I turn towards her, and a big smile spreads over my face. “Really?” I feel warmth spread throughout my body.

  “Not if you are going to be that happy about it.” She turns to look at me as well, and her lips are bent into a faint smile. It's barely there, but the cuteness makes it a certainty.

  I jump onto my feet. “You really mean it?” I am utterly confused, but if she agreed then she agreed, right? Wait, what does one even do at a jellyfish festival? I have to do some research.

  “Ugh, just shut up you idiot.” To me, that is about as good a confirmation as I can hope for.

  “Well then, tomorrow at 20:00 on the pier it is!” Without waiting for another confirmation I rush out of the park, I've got some information collecting to do. I make my way all around the market. First I stop at food stalls and ask for ideas, anything they can give me. I also acquire a bit of food as well, this super powered body of mine can never get enough food it seems.

  I write down everything to ensure I don't forget it. After all, I might never get an opportunity like this again. Lastly, I stop at the old woman with all the gemstones.

  “Hmm, good things to do at the festival you say.” Her brow furrows. “Well there is this nice and secluded spot, it has the best view of the entire thing. But you see, I can’t just go giving this information for free.”

  A price she says, I know just the thing to offer up. I lower my voice a bit, “Well then, how about I come back here after and tell you all about what happens.”

  “Ha!” She cackles, “You are an expert negotiator, boy. You sure know how to drive a hard bargain. Well then, come here.” She motions for me to get closer.

  I move in and she whispers the location to me. It sounds absolutely wonderful, I cannot wait. When I step away, she has a bit more advice to offer.

  “Boyo, do be sure to enjoy the moment. Don't get too caught up in what comes next, you’ve only got the now, everything else is merely an illusion.” She speaks like she is sad about something.

  “I will make sure to do just that! Thanks for all your help.” I leave the old woman to her gemstones and head back to the hotel.

  The moment I get into my room, I crash face first into the bed and bury my face in the pillow. I think back at all that happened today and I feel really happy. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring. Hopefully it can be even better.

  Next Chapter: My Pants Are Full of Sand

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  ? Mysteries of Sacra [Isekai] [Weak to OP] [Beast Companion] ?

  by Robert Wolf

  Thrown into a world of beasts and magic, Kai must fight to survive and hold on to the last pieces of his humanity.

  What to expect:

  In a world where kindness is weakness and morality is a luxury only the strong can afford, Kai must decide who he wants to be and what he's willing to sacrifice.

  Umbra, fierce and loyal, and Scry, wise and offlandish, refuse to let him lose himself to the darkness growing within.

  But every step forward brings him closer to a prophecy no one dares to speak.