With the reluctant help of Colin and Safira, the heavy furniture was dragged to the corners, opening up space in the center of the dusty room.
Brighid landed on the wooden floor and, with intense concentration, began to trace glowing lines on the floor with the tip of her tiny index finger. The lines connected, forming an intricate pattern, a magic circle that pulsed with a faint greenish light.
It took a few minutes, during which the only sound was the soft swish of the fairy's finger gliding on the wood and her concentrated breathing.
"Done!" she finally announced, puffing out her chest with pride and wiping her tiny hands. "Now sit in the corner and get ready for the show!"
Colin and Safira settled on the distant sofa, watching with curiosity. Brighid flew to the center of the circle, clapped her tiny hands once, and the circle exploded in light. An intense green glow flooded the room, so strong it momentarily blinded them.
A sensation of vertigo enveloped them, the floor seemed to disappear beneath their feet, and then, as quickly as it began, the light diminished.
When their vision returned, they were no longer in the cramped inn room. They were sitting on soft, verdant grass, under a perfect blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, bringing the scent of wildflowers. Colorful butterflies danced in the air, and the melodious singing of unknown birds only made everything more alive. The sun shone gently, warming their skin without burning. It was an idyllic field, a miniature paradise.
"Welcome to my little private garden, the plane of Rosglos!" Brighid announced, flying animatedly in front of them.
"Okay, cool. And what are we here for?" Colin asked, looking around, impressed.
Brighid landed on Colin's raised index finger, looking very serious.
"This place is special. It's a stable plane, almost without chaos. Here I can... well, do things. Remember how you keep complaining that we attract too much attention, little Colin? Especially me?" she paused dramatically. "So, I'm going to fix that! I'm going to do something I haven't done in centuries, but it always works!"
Safira and Colin's curiosity grew. "And what would this 'thing' be?" Safira asked, tilting her head.
Brighid grinned mischievously. "I'm going to become a grown-up! Like you!"
Colin and Safira exchanged confused glances. "Grown-up? What do you mean?" Safira asked, scratching her cheek.
"Ugh, you guys are really slow, aren't you?" Brighid sighed, rolling her tiny eyes. "I'm going to assume a larger form, human size! That way I can walk around without anyone pointing or trying to capture me to put in a jar! Many fairies and other beings like me do this to blend in. Of course," she quickly added, "it will take some time to get used to the new body, and my mana will be a bit... unstable at first, until it normalizes."
Colin's mind was already processing the implications. A disguised Brighid would be useful, but what if she became weak? "Will you still be able to fight? Use your powers?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
"Of course I will, silly!" she replied, offended. "Even if my power temporarily drops by half, I'm still a Faerie Monarch! And best of all: no more strange looks! They'll think I'm just another human. Which, technically, won't be a total lie, since my fairy essence will blend with the human form I'm going to create."
Colin pondered for a moment and shrugged. "Sounds like a good plan. Go for it, Brighid."
Excited by the approval, she flew to the edge of a small, crystal-clear lake nearby, picked up a handful of dark, damp clay with her tiny hands, and deposited it in the center of the field. She also threw in all the ingredients Colin had brought from the market: the herbs, the glittering powder, the moss. She drew another smaller magic circle around the mixture and a third, even smaller, hovering above her own head.
"Okay, this will take a little while. Hold your excitement!"
Stretching her tiny arms, she made the ingredients on the ground begin to stir and mix on their own, transforming into a bubbling, greenish paste with a frankly disgusting smell. The final touch was missing: the ogre drool she magically stored.
Brighid sat on the ground cross-legged, like a tiny yogi, and clasped her palms together. The magic circle above her glowed, and a thick, sticky thread of ogre drool began to fall, covering her tiny, glowing body.
Colin and Safira exchanged glances of pure disgust, but remained silent, observing the bizarre ritual.
With her entire body slimy, Brighid opened her mouth and, somehow, made the foul-smelling paste from the ground levitate and begin to flow into her. The taste must have been awful, judging by the grimace she made, but she swallowed everything, every drop. It was impressive how such a small being could contain so much disgusting liquid.
Completely covered in goo and with the mixture inside her, the fairy began to chant words in an ancient, sonorous language that vibrated in the air:
"Auir Tregunor Maruso tusan outri reuinuir misori cresunoru destufiur aquirobuni jutreuir bunir moruwa lupici weuitu…"
As she sang, her body began to glow with a dazzling emerald-green light. And then, she began to grow. Slowly at first, then faster. The green light pulsed, and the tiny form stretched, gained volume. Her iridescent wings flickered and shrank, being reabsorbed into her growing body, until they disappeared completely.
The disgusting goo that covered her seemed to be sucked into her skin, which changed texture and color.
The entire process took about ten minutes of pure, silent tension. When the light finally diminished, it revealed the result.
Where the little fairy once stood, there was now a woman. A young woman, appearing to be between twenty and twenty-five years old, with a body that was an impressive mixture of curves and defined muscles, like someone who trained a lot, but without losing her femininity. Medium and firm breasts, a slender waist, slightly wide hips, and strong, toned legs. Her hair, once short and spiky, was now long and a vibrant, silky green, cascading over her shoulders to her waist.
Her eyes opened slowly, revealing irises of the same intense, bright green as her hair. The small leaf dress she wore before, being magical, had adapted to her new size, but now looked like an extremely tight and low-cut minidress, further enhancing her forms. Her lips were full, naturally reddish, and her face possessed a stunning beauty, an intriguing combination of provocative sensuality and an almost childlike innocence in her large, expressive eyes.
She blinked a few times, as if adjusting to the new perspective, cleared her throat, and spoke. Her voice, once high-pitched and childish, was now sweet, melodious, and undeniably feminine, like the whisper of an angel.
"So? What do you think of the new me?"
Safira was literally open-mouthed, her eyes wide. She had never seen anyone so beautiful. For an instant, she thought she was standing before a princess or a goddess.
Colin, on the other hand, remained impassive, arms crossed, observing her with the same neutrality as always. To him, despite her stunning appearance, she was still Brighid, the annoying and bossy little fairy. The packaging might have changed, but the content...
"Is that really you?" he asked, skeptical.
"Of course it's me, you silly!" she replied, putting her hands on her hips and striking an exaggerated pose, almost like a model. "So? Do you like the upgrade, little Colin?"
He shrugged, unperturbed. "To me, you just look like a normal woman now." He turned his back, looking at the idyllic horizon. "Are you done? Can we go back to the real world?"
Colin's reaction was like a bucket of cold water. Brighid was furious. All that effort, the disgusting goo, the transformation... only to receive indifference? She expected shock, admiration, maybe even a timid compliment! But nothing. She clenched her fists tightly, making a huge pout of frustration. If she could, she would punch his hard head.
Her irritation seemed to affect the plane itself. The blue sky began to darken, the grass lost its luster, and the air grew heavy. Fine, spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the horizon, spreading rapidly. The idyllic world of Rosglos began to shatter like a broken mirror. The pieces floated for an instant before dissolving into particles of light that extinguished.
And they were back. Back in the dirty, cramped room of the One-Eyed Dwarf Inn.
"Well, since you now take up more space..." Colin broke the tense silence, looking at Brighid's tight dress. "We need to buy new clothes. For you... and for us too, Safira. Ours have seen better days."
Brighid, still sulking, crossed her arms over her chest, which made the dress's neckline even more pronounced, and turned her face away. "At least that..." she grumbled. "New clothes. Big comfort."
"There's a decent-looking shop across the street," Colin said, taking off his own worn leather jacket. He approached Brighid and, with an unexpectedly gentle gesture, placed the jacket over her shoulders. The fabric was too big, but it covered the revealing dress. "Wear this for now. Until we get there."
Brighid was taken by surprise by the gesture. Her green eyes met Colin's yellow ones, and for a long second, she was paralyzed. The eye contact seemed to spark with a strange electricity. Still adapting to the intensified sensations of her new body, she couldn't look away.
She felt the blood rush to her face, a warm blush coloring her cheeks.
What was that feeling?
"Let's go," Colin broke the moment, moving away and heading towards the door, seemingly having noticed nothing.
Safira, observing the scene in silence, noticed the change in the air. A different tension, something she had never seen between the two before. She didn't quite understand what it was, but she felt that something had changed.
Brighid adjusted the jacket on her shoulders, pulling the long sleeves over her hands. She discreetly inhaled the scent coming from the collar, an odor of leather, road, and... Colin. Is that his smell?"she thought, confused. It's not bad... but he could really use a bath.
"Hey! Are we going or not?" Colin called from the door, already impatient.
The two followed him out of the room and down the stairs. In the reception, the One-Eyed Dwarf was exactly where they had left him, smoking his pipe. He raised his eye to the trio and almost choked on his smoke when he saw Brighid. His jaw dropped, and his pipe almost fell from his mouth.
What the...? When did the elf get a woman like that? the dwarf thought, his eyes scanning Brighid from head to toe with a mixture of shock and lust. Is she a high-class prostitute? But from which brothel? I've never seen such a beauty in the capital. A woman like that would make a fortune here...
They stepped out onto the busy street. Immediately, Brighid felt the stares on her. Men and women stopped to stare at her, some with admiration, others with blatant curiosity, others with envy. Instinctively, she pulled Colin's jacket closer, trying to hide inside it, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Why is everyone looking at me like that?" she whispered to Colin, feeling incredibly exposed and uncomfortable. She had never been the center of attention in that way.
"Ignore it," Colin simply replied, pushing open the glass door of the clothing store. A small bell tinkled softly.
The interior of the store was surprisingly elegant, with well-organized clothing racks, large mirrors, and soft lighting. The attendant, a middle-aged woman with a professional smile, also widened her eyes when she saw Brighid enter, followed by Colin and Safira.
Wow! What a stunning woman! the attendant thought. She must be the wife or lover of some powerful noble... or perhaps a famous actress? But then she saw her companions: a dark elf in worn clothes and a girl who looked like an Asmurg refugee. No... royalty or high society would never walk with people like that. The hypothesis of a rich client dissolved, but the attendant kept smiling. Business was business.
Despite the initial disappointment, the woman was extremely helpful. She showed them the best pieces, gave style suggestions, and helped them find sizes.
Brighid, initially shy, soon got excited about the novelty of trying on human clothes. She spent a good amount of time in the fitting room, coming out with different combinations and asking for opinions from Colin, who usually grumbled a "it's fine," from Safira, who praised everything with genuine enthusiasm, and from the attendant, who offered practical advice.
After much deliberation, Brighid chose an outfit that satisfied her: a long-sleeved white shirt of soft fabric, well-fitted dark green pants that accentuated her long legs, and comfortable leather boots of the same color. The clothes were simple but elegant, and accentuated her curves without being vulgar.
Safira, more modest, opted for a similar white shirt, a pleated black skirt that reached her knees, dark tights, and simple, sturdy black shoes.
Colin, as always, went straight to the point. He chose the basics: a black leather jerkin over a white cotton shirt, sturdy black pants, and black boots. Practical and discreet.
Excited, the girls picked up a few more pieces—simple dresses, other pants and shirts—and Colin, thinking about the future, picked up two more identical sets to the one he had chosen for himself.
The attendant was radiant to see the pile of clothes on the counter. She had never made such a large sale at once. Maybe he's a rich mercenary, she reconsidered, or a very generous pimp with his... protégées.
Realizing they had plenty of money, the attendant took the opportunity to advertise. "If you're hungry, I can recommend a wonderful restaurant nearby. The owner is my friend, she cooks divinely!"
Brighid, now in a good mood with her new clothes, promised they would try it.
The shopping session took a long time, mainly due to Brighid and Safira's excitement. The two had fun trying on clothes, talking to the attendant, and rediscovering the simple joy of having something new to wear. Colin spent most of the time leaning against a wall, observing them in silence. Every now and then, a small, almost imperceptible smile would appear on his lips as he saw them laughing. A genuine smile, though restrained, happiness for them.
Loaded with bags of new clothes, they crossed the street back to the inn. They quickly went up to the room, put away their purchases, and went out again. Brighid's stomach was already rumbling loudly, and the idea of the restaurant recommended by the attendant was tempting. But Colin had other plans first.
"Before eating, there's something I need to do," he announced. "That selection tournament the students were talking about. I'm going to sign up."
The capital was a labyrinth, but imperial guard posts, with their black flags and dark-armored soldiers, were easy to find. Colin guided them to the nearest one, a small stone building nestled between two shops.
A guard was on duty at the entrance, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He watched the trio approach with a bored look, which became slightly more attentive when he noticed Colin. Those black armors still caused Colin discomfort, a constant reminder of the empire's oppressive power.
"What do you want?" the guard asked, his voice muffled by his helmet, as he sized them up.
Colin didn't respond verbally. He just pointed to a poster tacked to the wall next to the door. It was a simple, hand-drawn design, announcing the "Great Annual Imperial University Selection Tournament," with the date and a university symbol.
The guard let out a short, muffled laugh. "Heh, looks like we're going to have a lot of pointy-ears trying their luck this year." He straightened up and took an application form, an inkwell, and a quill from inside the post, placing everything on a small wooden counter. "Just read the rules there and sign if you want to participate. And pay the fee, of course."
Colin took the form. The clauses were vague about the trials themselves, mentioning only "tests of skill, strength, and intellect." The prize, however, was clear: those who passed would receive full scholarships to the prestigious university, with all materials and fees covered. The only expense was the application fee: five gold coins per participant.
"Colin..." Brighid called, now in her human form and peeking over his shoulder. "What exactly is this?"
"It's our chance," Colin replied, without taking his eyes off the paper. "The three of us are going to participate. If we pass, we get into the university for free. With access to the library, training... maybe we can even register as a guild afterward." He looked up at the guard. "That's right, isn't it? Those who pass can form or join a guild?"
"Correct," the guard confirmed, seeming a little surprised by the question. "As long as they meet the requirements of the university and the Guilds' Association."
Colin was still learning to read the alphabet of that world, but he managed to decipher the text with some concentration. When he finished, he picked up the quill, dipped it in ink, and signed his name firmly. Then, he passed the form to Brighid and Safira. Neither of them bothered to read; their trust in Colin was absolute. They signed their names below his.
The guard took the signed form and went to the back of the post, returning with three small red stones that glowed softly, resembling cut rubies. He placed them on the counter.
Colin took his heavy coin purse from his belt, counted fifteen gleaming gold pieces, and pushed them towards the guard.
The guard collected the coins and pushed the rubies to Colin. "Good luck to you, then." He pointed with his chin towards a distant hill, where the silhouette of an imposing palace could be seen against the sky.
"The tournament starts seven days from now, counting from tomorrow. It will be at that palace. Bring these rubies on that day, they are your entry passes."
Colin put the precious stones in his pocket and nodded, turning to leave, followed by his two companions.
As the trio walked away down the street, another guard came out of the post and stood beside the first.
"Hey, isn't that the elf who showed up yesterday dragging a Bakurak's head?" the newcomer asked.
The first guard raised his eyebrows under his helmet. The information was, at the very least, interesting. Imperial soldiers were trained to avoid dangerous routes precisely so as not to encounter monsters like Bakuraks, capable of decimating entire patrols.
"Seriously? A Bakurak? That kid?"
The second guard nodded, observing Colin's group, who were now chatting animatedly further down the street. "That's him. The beast merchant near the gate was making a big fuss. But do you want to know the strangest thing?"
"What?"
"The kid has a chilling gaze, it's true. But I felt a much more dangerous energy coming from the two girls with him. Especially from that pretty one with green hair."
The first guard, who was more experienced, narrowed his eyes, trying to sense something in the departing group, but they were already too far away. He hadn't noticed anything special about the girls. However, something else caught his attention.
"You know what I noticed?" he said. "It's the first time I've seen a Dark Elf with yellow eyes... and without pointy ears."