Magma Dragon's Heir

62nd of Season of Earth, 56th year of the 32nd imperial era

Newt couldn't believe what he was doing, sitting in a secret room, spying at Blackfist's back through a crack between the books lining the shelves.

"Do not get emotional about things I will say. I will act without meaning them. Besides, my standard for women is much higher than what rumors would have you believe." Blackfist's words did more than make Newt feel uneasy.

He feared what he was about to witness. His heart drummed savagely, certainly audible even from outside the chamber, while the veins in his neck throbbed. Then, suddenly, his heart stopped as someone knocked softly on the townmaster's door.

"Chaplain," Jasmine said, and Newt smiled despite himself.

The title didn't fit, since it was reserved for mageknights of at least sixth realm, but often much higher. Calling a common third realm knight like that was a step away from mockery, both of the man and of the monicker.

"Come in, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law." Newt winced at yet another disturbing title and stared at Jasmine as she walked in.

Her hips swayed with each step she took, while the tight, overly revealing dress made his heart race both with desire and with hate for those who had forced her to wear such humiliating garbs.

"I see Hardsteel has a fine taste, and your parents a good sense when it comes to naming. Please sit, have some tea."

Jasmin blushed, and Newt wondered just how much tea could Blackfist fit inside him without visiting the restroom. The girl moved with grace as she took her seat, crossing her legs to reveal her ankles.

Blackfist gave her a cup, and they sat in silence, enjoying the brew. Blackfist said nothing as minutes dragged on, and Newt felt uncomfortable, doubly so when he noticed Jasmine's face turning redder and redder.

"Is something bothering you, daughter-in-law?" Blackfist's voice was relaxed and natural, but Jasmine jerked, sitting straighter.

"Your gaze is very intense, father-in-law." Her smile made Newt swallow quietly.

"I was just admiring your beauty and youth. I can feel life throbbing within you as you are blooming into a beautiful woman. Seeing such fine feminine charm, I cannot help but think Hardsteel is unworthy of you. Did he ask you to wear that dress?"

"No, lord chaplain, I dressed up especially for this meeting with you. That's why I took so long." Jasmine beamed a smile. Newt's mouth went dry as he watched her. Her expression was not of flattered joy, but of hunger, of someone recognizing an opportunity. "As for Hardstone, he's a fine man, but he's never around. Always with his friends, leaving me all alone in our room. So very lonely."

She bit her lip, and Newt nearly fainted when Blackfist spoke.

"Really? Maybe we could use the chance while he is away to have some private lessons. Just you and me. Teaching such… lovely students is both a pleasure and a rewarding experience."

Newt wanted to see Blackfist's expression, to ram a fist into his smug face, to hell with the consequences. Then shock replaced his rage. Jasmine smiled coyly, leaning forward. She laid her hand on the back of Blackfist's and let her fingers roam around it.

"It would be a pleasure to serve you, Chaplain."

Newt couldn't believe his ears. His chaste Jasmine, the proper girl he knew for years, grew up with, was willing to prostitute herself just like that. All it took was a handful of words.

No, this can't be real. He shook his head, trying to shake away reality. That's not Jasmine. He drugged the tea.

Newt made excuse after excuse, but deep down, he knew it was all lies. Blackfist had spoken the truth from the start. Jasmine was not the person he believed her to be.

Newt no longer paid attention to the flirtatious conversation, feeling disgusted with himself. He was more a voyeur than a spy. He was almost surprised when Blackfist moved the book rack he was hiding behind.

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"So?" Blackfist said as Newt listlessly left his nook. "Are you going to say something about me controlling her mind, forcing her, drugging her? Maybe she was not your Jasmine, but a body double, an illusion?"

Blackfist sounded almost jovial, but Newt looked into his eyes and shook his head like a broken man. Another pillar of his childhood shattered.

"Cheer up." Blackfist clapped the youth on the shoulder, staggering him. "At least you discovered her duplicity early, before committing to the cause and making lasting mistakes. I would offer to parade my girls for you to see, but you are not in the mood, and they are no good for you. Prettier and less scummy than this one, but you can do better."

"Am I dreaming?" Newt asked with a hollow gaze. "Is this a nightmare?"

Blackfist pinched him, and Newt cried out.

"You seem awake to me," Blackfist said with a smirk. "Never doubt your senses or instincts. Do not blindly follow them either, since the scene happening before you might not be the whole truth—"

"Why?" Newt asked.

"Well, she cares little about men, possibly not at all, and she believes she can use her body as—"

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Newt clarified, not wanting to listen about his best friend. Another traitor from his past.

"I told you, I want to make friends with you. You are a talented individual who will go far, Newstar. And amiability is king. After careful consideration, I have decided to make it my path some two weeks ago."

"Path?" Newt looked at Blackfist's face, still as pale and lifeless as a ghost.

"Yes, path." Blackfist grinned, spreading his arms in a grand gesture. "The direction you wish to advance as an awakened and a person. Violence and aggression can only take you so far, and committing myself to someone else's laws does not sit well with my personality. I have dabbled a bit in alchemy and forging, but I do not see crafting as my path. That said, I would like to improve my expertise when I get the chance, but that is for the future. Especially when it comes to alchemy."

"Could you speak slower?" Newt tried and failed to follow Blackfist's tangled train of thought.

"Certainly. I have gone ahead of myself. What is confusing you right now, save for your anger and disappointment? I'll ask freely, now that you know I'm not a kidnapper and an abuser of women."

Everything confused Newt. He couldn't wrap his head around the situation. Why was Blackfist acting the way he was for a complete stranger? Why was Jasmine like that? Was that her true nature even when they were little, or had she changed in the past three years? Was it his fault? His uncle's?

Ironically, Blackfist had already answered those questions, but Newt failed to process them.

"What do you want me to do now?" the confused youth asked after a lengthy silent spell.

"Have some tea. Go and sleep or meditate on what you have learned, and think about what you want to do with your life. Come back when you set your mind straight. We can talk then."

"What about the tournament?" Newt asked what was probably the most absurd and least important question at that moment.

"What about the tournament?" Blackfist threw his words back at him, and Newt nodded.

Really, who gave a damn about some silly tournament? He had more important matters to attend to. For example, sort out his life.

"Do you want me to join your gang? To become a guard or an enforcer, is that it?"

"No. This place is a dump, and I am leaving it after the tournament." Blackfist flashed Newt a smile. "Got to see things through to the end."

Newt blinked. He was fairly certain about what he had heard, and then he recalled what Blackfist told him just a few short moments ago about doubting his senses.

"Why? Where?"

"A lot of questions from someone who refuses to give answers, but I'll indulge you. Those short questions have a rather lengthy answer. Do you think my answer will help you process your own thoughts better?"

Blackfist still looked at Newt with a friendly smile and with considerably more patience than Newt believed he himself had.

Instead of answering, the youth nodded, and Blackfist started talking.

"First, why; because this place is a dump. It is a chain binding me to this backwater, where even the imperial library merely has documents fit for awakened of fourth realm and below. But even those documents are enough for me to understand that my realm has deviated, and that my mistakes will cost me a bright future."

Blackfist's constant smile changed, going from friendly to self-deprecating.

"I am old, but I wouldn't mind living a long life full of adventure before eventually reincarnating. Someone dear to me once said I should enjoy myself more without binding myself with things I do not find worthwhile. Even with all the time in the world, you should pursue your interests, and not those of others."

Sorrow and loss found their way into those cheerful eyes, and Newt felt crushed by the weight of emotion. The gloom disappeared, and the giant sitting across from Newt smiled again. Blackfist was tall, but not too tall. He was muscular, but again, Newt had seen muscular men before, and yet, he somehow made Newt feel small and insignificant.

"Are you a god?" the youth asked, immediately embarrassed by the slip of his tongue.

Blackfist guffawed.

"I killed a pair once," he joked while shaking his head, "but no, I am human, and despite what the rumors about me say, I do not share their preference for virgins."

Newt was about to smile when Blackfist continued, "experienced women make much better company."

Newt choked on spit while Blackfist winked and kept smiling.

"As for where, the world is a big place. What I am interested in the most right now are the imperial libraries and the guilds. I still cannot believe such a treasure trove of knowledge is available to everyone, and yet so few use the privilege."