[Rosalie] Chapter 4: The Dragonknight Ceremony

[Oath]

Rosalie stood over the unconscious man and leaned down to wipe his brow. He might be an idiot, and he might have stabbed her, but the least she could do was get the charred hair out of his eyes before he woke up. "I suppose that settles it then?" She looks out at the silent audience, unsure of what to do next. and while she waits decides to check out her status, "Status."

[Throndir]

You have gained a new title『Efficient Enchanter』

Rosalie Park
Efficient Enchanter
Level 20

Condition: Injured,

HP: 24/36
MP: 434/440
STR: 18 +
DEX: 20 +
CON: 18 +
INT: 20 +
WIS: 10 +
CHA: 12 +
MAG: 23 +

Blessings: Quick Learner, Mana Sensitivity, Translate All, Personal Status, Mana Capacity, Enchant

You have 4 unspent ability points.

Valeriya smiled as she strode into the arena, then a moment later gave you a hug seeing as no one else was contesting your choice.

She grabbed your hand then.

"Now we wait for everyone else... After the ceremony, it launches into a feast and party, and after that is when we..." Valeriya stammered as she blushed.

"I'll tell you later..."

Feel free to do any actions and interrupt the flow of events.

One by one each of the knights picked out their chosen companions. They went in the order of rank, except for the guy you knocked out of course. unfortunately, it seemed as if he would be picking last. Many of the dragons who were being picked looked young. At least, much younger than Valeriya. From Valeriya's age, you assumed that the dragons were older than they looked, but you weren't quite sure on how mature they were either. From your guesses along, they looked to be mere children. Perhaps 10 years old in some cases. You couldn't help but notice that the knights too had quite sleazy looks on their faces when they were 'picking out' their dragon companion.

Eventually the ceremony drew to a close as Valeriya's mother announced the completion. At that same time, you noticed the chef before that Valeriya had introduced you to command a bunch of other workers to roll in long portable tables on wheels. Loaded onto them were all sorts of foods. It looked like most of them were loaves of steaming bread, meat of some sort, pies, fruits, and cooked vegetables.

[include u=2]Rosalie HP: -10[/include]

[Oath]

Rosalie reaches out in her mind presses the plus by MAG twice, and the plus by CON twice. She watched the ceremony unfold and whispered to Valeriya while holding her hand. "If this is what humanity has left to protect them, it is no wonder that you guys need heroes... The more I see around the camp the more I realize exactly how dire the situation is."

After the ceremony comes to completion, Rosalie's eyes grew wide as the tables of wood were wheeled out. She noticed something was missing however. "Hey! Where's the drink!?"

[Throndir]

Rosalie Park
Efficient Enchanter
Level 20

Condition: Injured, Slightly Tired

HP: 27/40
MP: 474/480
STR: 18
DEX: 20
CON: 20
INT: 20
WIS: 10
CHA: 12
MAG: 25

Blessings: Quick Learner, Mana Sensitivity, Translate All, Personal Status, Mana Capacity, Enchant

"Drinks? Nooooot if it's what I think you're talking about Ms. Hero! We have some jugs of water for everyone! Drunks Dragonknights are no good!"

[Oath]

A look of confusion washed over Rosalie's face. A party without alcohol? Hard to believe. Especially when it would be the dragon knights' happiest day. At least after taking into account their general lack of prowess. "Let me see one of those jugs of water. I'd like to try something!"

After taking the jug of water, Rosalie focused her mana on it and tried to freestyle an incantation "Oh water! Bless mine drink and make it potent! Enchant: Wine!" She wasn't sure that it would work, but it was worth trying to liven up the party.

[Throndir]

Since that's hilarious and this specific use is harmless, I'll let it work, lol.

Add the spell in your list as a Tier 0 spell. I'll figure out details later.

The moment you cast the spell, it took hold, and the jug of water turned into a deeper color. Tasting it, it tasted just like wine.

"That... didn't really work, did it?" Valeriya asked as she stared at the jug. "Let me taste it..."

Once Valeriya had a taste, her eyes widened.

"I didn't think magic can be used this way... Changing water into something else?"

[Oath]

Rosalie took a deep drink from the jug. She was pleased. "Now this is what I call a party! Anyone who wants some, come get some! All that is left is some music."

She took the guitar that still hung from her back and laid it across her leg. She started to play a song for all of those in attendance. She didn't have any lyrics, but she felt her soul move with each pluck of the strings. She didn't know what to expect in this new world, but it seemed like she would be just fine.

[Oath]

requested performance check

Rolled 1d20+8 : 14 + 8, total 22

[Throndir]

As you began your tune, some of the nearby knights began lining up on getting their hands on a cup of the wine. The first people who drunk some had their eyes light up. To you, it didn't taste anything special, but to the knights it was something else entirely. Even the chef girl who didn't want drunken knights, after tasting it herself, changed her mind completely. As your music played, there was plenty of laughing and cheers, even the knights who once glared at you gave you a huge thumbs up whenever you noticed their stares, as they happily drunk the enchanted water.

Valeriya too, had her helping of it, along with many other dragons, and even among their kind, the drink was proving to be a complete success.

"Valeriya! So lucky of you to have the hero pick you..."

There were compliments all around given to your dragon companion, and Valeriya herself did her best not to blush at the remarks. When her eyes met yours, she looked genuinely happy. More trays of food kept being sent, and more wine was distributed, and as the night began to peter down, a familiar face came stumbling towards you.

It was the knight who challenged you earlier that day during the ceremony.

"Hey... so... my... *hic* dragon companion told me this... but... you aren't so bad..." The man seemed to have wanted to say more, but a moment later he stumbled again and passed out asleep.



Valeriya looked towards, and reached out for your hands. Her face was blushing.

"There is one last part of the ceremony..." Valeriya said, glancing at you. "It's a bit more... personal, which is why this part of the ceremony wasn't done while everyone else was gathered..."

[Oath]

Rosalie did her best to enjoy the party, glad that her magical concoction was a hit. She continued to play song after song, laughing with the other patrons. Every face looked friendly, a much welcome changed compared to her previous reception. As people were falling asleep or otherwise leaving, Rosalie heard Valeriya talking about the next step of the ceremony.

"Do we need to go somewhere else for the rest of the ceremony?"

[Throndir]

At first blushing, Valeriya eventually smiled and grinned at you.

"Come with me and I'll show you."

A moment later, there was a bright flash of red, and Valeriya transformed into her dragon form again. She looked towards you, and you heard her voice in your mind.

We'll be going to my home... There's a room that we've prepared that hasn't been used yet, and it's only saved for only after I've found my companion...

Mounting her should be easy, with no roll required due to your high stats already.

[Oath]

"As you wish, Valeriya. Rosalie hopped on to the dragon's back and grabbed on to her neck. She hoped that this experience would be better than the last.

[Throndir]

When you hopped on her back, she took off. Like before, you noticed that there wasn't any wind resistance, as if a shield was covering you as she gained altitude. You soared above in the night-sky, heading back towards the peaks of Mount Velothia. Soon enough, you found yourself back to the same grounds in front of the cavern that Valeriya first took you too, where both of you had cast spells the first time.

Gently setting you down, she transformed back to her human form. She grabbed your hand then, and lead you into the cavern. On the far back end of it was a door, she stood in front of it. She was about to reach for the knob, but ended up blushing. Instead she squeezed your hand, then turned towards you.

"Rosalie... I was avoiding telling you this part, because it's still embarrassing... But..."

Her eyes turned towards you, a mixture of both warmth and embarrassment.

"Have you ever kissed a girl?"

[Oath]

So that's why Valeriya had been so shy. It made a lot more sense to Rosalie now.

"Of course. It's not too uncommon in my world, or in my profession. Is that what you've been so worried about?"

[Throndir]

From your words, Valeriya eased up and let out a short laugh. Where there was a tenseness before, it was replaced with a simple warmth.

"It's different for my world... But, I bet..."

Spoiler

"You've never kissed a dragon."

[close]

At that moment you felt, or rather, saw a faint red light come from within Valeriya, spread from her lips, to yours. The sensation felt similar. It was like earlier that day when Valeriya took your hand, and transferred mana to you. That same slight warmth and the tingling sensation that felt good. This time however... she seemed to be attempting to push more mana into you than that time before. At the same time too, she continued to hold and pull you closer into the kiss.