Changing Her Looks

The next day, roughly around nine in the morning, somewhere by the feet of Raskiel mountains where forest covers a large area around it, an unusually tall and slender young man donning the robes of a wizard is visiting a small village. He stops by a boutique shop, shouting at the door with a shrilly voice.

"Wee-woo-wee-woo! Miss Katze, are you hoooome?"

A little girl is with him. It is Oria.

"Nyuhuhuhu~ I wonder if her shop is open..."

Oria, looking a bit confused as she stares the door of the store.

"(Well... the sign says 'CLOSED'...)"

She looks at the tall wizard, bearing curiosity as ever. The wizard looks back at her, smiling at her with a goofy grin.

"I honestly expected you to be... umm... more of an old person, Master Dux..." said Oria.

The seven-feet-tall young man beside her is the squid-like wizard, Sqidral Dux. He has morphed into a human form that has features that of a young man with jet black spiky hair. His clothing remains the same as ever, a purple and black ornamented wizard outfit. He also brought his cane along.

"Hmph. How mean of you, Oria," Dux pouted. His jade eyes rolled towards her. "I may be an Arcane-class mage, but it doesn't mean I should share the looks of a withered old man!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings... It's just that... umm... when you were in that 'form' from before... those tentacles I see trailing down your face, I thought they're like beard."

"Well, truth be told, yes, it does look that way. But hey! I'm not qualified to be called an old man!"

"I... I see. I'm sorry. I wasn't being considerate."

"Nyuhuhu, can't blame you, though. I rarely use this 'human' form, after all. It's just necessary when I need to grab some goods from general stores."

"I understand. But... why did your arms are still... tentacles?"

"Hm, ah, this? Nyuhuhu, it's just some part of things I'd like to build for my characteristics!

Oh! A young naive mage, exercising his magic, using extremely dangerous ingredients. Hoping to see a fruit of his success, but alas, he was failed, causing some parts of his body to turn into tentacle~! Tragedy, oh, tragedy~!"

The wizard's dramatic act makes Oria ponder more in confusion.

"(W-What...?)"

"Nyeh. That's the gist of it. Besides, people of Fred Village always recognize me in this form. If I decide to change into real human arms, they'd be suspicious of me, won't they?"

"I... I see. (Master Dux is weird... but I think he's trustworthy. Though, his never-ending smile really creeps me out more than him in his 'monster' form.)"

Not long after their conversation, the boutique shop door is opened from inside. A bespectacled elderly woman emerges.

"Oh... Dux, is it?" she asked in a husked voice.

"Ah, Granny Poly! Is Miss Katze at home?"

"Damn you, Dux... can't you see we're closed?"

"Nyuhuhuhuhu, I never recall Miss Katze ever retract her feelings from me~!"

"Want to go to the abyss now, hm, Dux?"

The old woman smiled, yet that smile is as good as threatening with a gun pointed directly to the head. Dux shrugs, wanting to brush off the rising tension. He may still retain his smiley face, but in contrast, he's sweating inside.

"Ah... Ahahaha, rest assured, Granny, I'm not in a mood to hear your seven-minute lecture. After all, today, I'm bringing a special guest that you and Miss Katze might like!"

"Special guest...?" the old woman noticed a child beside Dux. She corrected her glasses to get a better look at the little girl.

"My... what a cute child!" she almost shouted, spellbound by Oria's cute face. Without being noticed, she immediately hugs little Oria, almost as if the wrinkles in her skin disappeared instantly.

"Grandma, what's going on?" a young woman appears behind the bespectacled old woman. "We're going to go to the market soon, you know... huh?"

"Ahh, Miss Katze, cheers!" Dux waved his tentacle arm to greet her.

"D-Dux!? Didn't think you'd visit us again so soon... aside from that, Granny! What are you doing, hugging someone's child like that?"

"Look here, Katze, isn't she a cutie?" the old woman said in delight.

"Whoa... s-silver-haired... moreover, a girl... a cute one, too!" Katze got amazed. Her heart melted by the cutesy of the young child. She then grunted, gazing at Dux.

"Hey, Dux! I know you've always been up to no good. Not so long ago you stole a sniper from the military outpost, now you overgrew into abducting children!?"

"Haha—HEY! It's not like that! Trust me, it's not! R-Right, Oria?"

"U-Ugh... hard to breathe..." Oria's been hugged for a while. And there's no sign the old lady would give up on her. She's totally took a liking on her.

"Ack... w-well! For now, s-shall we go inside and have some cup of tea...?"

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Katze retorted.

"Well, who are you to tell your potential customer what to do!?" Dux retorted and threw her words right back at her face.

"Erk! Damned tentacles... Argh, fine, then. Come on in. And Granny, please, don't hug people out of the blue like that! She's suffocating!"

"O-Oh, right... my apologies, sweetie."

Oria feels an instant relief flowing to her body as she let go of her. Afterwards, she takes Dux's tentacle arm and follows him inside.

In the boutique shop, at the receptionist, Dux shows Oria to Katze.

"So, I would like you to make a simple dress for her. Not too expensive, not too cheap. Preferably the ones that most female adventurers wear." Dux said with his everlasting grin.

"Before that, mind telling us who is she? It's rare to find silver-haired people nowadays..."

"Nnngh... it's kinda hard to say. Let's just say—"

"I'm sorry... I've been silent all this time and caused Master Dux a lot of problems. I should've introduced myself earlier..."

"No, no, you're not the one to blame, Oria."

She shakes her head, "Hhmm. I really should've said it. 'He' already told me to avoid making trouble before, right? As his protege, I s-should've been more careful..."

"My, not only a cutie-pie, she's also a polite one. Your parents must've taught you good manners, eh?" the old woman said.

"Indeed. I wonder where you lived before. It must be a 'great' place." said Katze.

But those words of theirs proved lethal to her mental state. They meant no harm, but it causes a severe impact to the little girl, rekindling her memories. Oria caresses the sides of her head, as if trying to ward off something painful.

"Nnngh..."

Oria's legs felt weak. She nearly fell to the floor, only to be stopped by grabbing the wizard's tentacle arm.

"Oh, dear, are you feeling unwell, sweetie?" asked the old lady, worried.

Dux realizes this, tells the two owners about the situation, "Oh, dear... Granny Poly, Miss Katze. If I may ask you but one thing, please refrain from asking her about that and most importantly, anything regarding her past."

Unusual for the playful wizard, he says those words without giving any jest in it. He truly means it in a serious way.

"We're so sorry. It appears we've hit a wound in her soul. If not recalling memories will do her good, then Katze and I shall not speak of it."

"Much obliged, Granny."

"Hmm... putting that aside, you said that you came here because you are a potential customer. Looking at your weird figure, I really doubt it is you that wants to have new clothes."

"Truth be told, it's actually Oria here that needs it. Well, no matter how you look at her, those tattered clothes mixed up with, I don't know, let's just say strange substances, don't look fitting with her looks. That's why, I'd like you to get her a dress. The ones that adventurers mostly wear will do."

"Is that so? Fine, then. I have no objections if it is a girl's dress you want me to make," Katze turned her attentions to Oria. She crouches near her, smiling away to her.

"Hey, sweetheart, what's your name?"

"Umm... O... Oria... Oria Argentora..." Oria disclosed her name. Her voice is still shaken after a bad memory struck her mind.

"Oria Argentora, huh? That's a cute name. I'm sorry for making you feel hurt."

"I-It's okay."

"I see. Well, would you mind come with me? I would like to take measurements for a moment."

Oria is worried. She looks up at Dux's face. The wizard notices and looks back at her, smiling kindly.

"It's okay, Oria. Miss Katze and Granny Poly are good people. As long as I'm here, you'll be fine."

Hearing those words convinced her little heart.

"M-Mm." Oria nodded a little. She then takes her hand off Dux's tentacle arm, taking Katze's afterwards. Katze carefully guided her to the room in the back.

"Hey, Dux..." the old woman spoke.

"Hng?"

"That child... where did you found her?"

In a calm voice, Dux answers: "Saying that I 'found' her is practically not true, Granny."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"Wwweeelll, it's really a long story. Sorry, I do not want to spill the details to anyone else to keep her unstable emotions in check. After all, she's just a poor little child who got 'lost'."

Dux smoothly evaded suspicion. His straight expression adorned with that smile totally bought by the old lady regarding how Oria and Dux met each other. Though, the granny seems to have a slight idea of what Dux is hiding.

"I see... well, I suspect you're not the only person acting as her guardian."

"Nyuhuhuhu, sharp as ever, Granny. It is true, I'm not her sole guardian."

"Heheh. It's unusual a debaucherous bastard like you looking after someone. But, with your all-seeing eyes, I suppose she's in good hands."

"Yeah. I will take care of her, of course."

"I'm going to brew more tea. Dux, if you ever need some advice on how to raise a child, you know where to find me."

"Nyuhuhuhu, I'll take you up on that offer."

An hour later, Miss Katze enters the front room where Dux is. She looks behind her and guides the little girl in.

"Come on, sweetie."

Dux on the other hand, is reading a small book while retaining his comical grin.

"Oh! It's done? Took you longer than I expected. I thought you have something in reserve for female children such as Oria... whoa..."

Dux feels like he's witnessing a totally different person. Her long hair is braided with utmost care, tied by a black ribbon. Her outfit is a set of adventurer clothes, a dress with strappings over a brown coat. Obliging to Dux's request, the dress's skirt part doesn't stretch too long. She's also wearing a pair of black shorts now that allows freedom of movement and agility while retaining the aspects of beauty and fashion at the same time.

"Thanks for waiting. Sorry it took so long. I decided to bathe her. Red and black stains all over her body... I can't let her wear a dress in that condition."

"I'm sorry for taking too long, Master Dux..."

"Nyuhuhuhu, it's okay, Oria. After all, you totally look cuter that way. Hehe, you really know your stuff, Miss Katze."

"The way you say that has a different meaning... but yeah, it's not a big deal."

Dux stands up and digs his wallet.

"So, how much should I—"

The young woman stops him.

"No need, Dux."

"Eh? You sure? You also gave an extra service, you know?"

"I don't mind. Just for this time, though. I'm sure Grandma would approve."

"Nyuhuhuhu, beginning to get generous, eh? Hm, hm. Not bad!"

The young woman's fist stiffens. Her eyes are sharper than a knife.

"You're looking for a fight? Don't start teaching her any dirty tricks or I'll send you to the deepest part of Gehenna!"

"Eek! Y-Yes, ma'am! (She can be considerate AND scary at the same time.)"

"Knowing you, I'd rather keep her company to make sure you don't mess with her. Anyway, Oria, take care now. If this weirdo ever tries to take advantage of you, just get away and run here. We'll welcome you with open hands."

"Mm. Thank you for your kindness."

"Nyuhuhuhu~ as if I would."

Afterwards, Oria and Dux leave the village. They are heading north towards the Raskiel Mountains, journeying through a forest. The young girl holds Dux's tentacle tightly, fearing of any possible threat in the woods.

"Miss Katze is a kind lady, isn't she?" Dux asked her.

"Mm," Oria nodded. "She is very kind. She seems worried, though."

"Oh? Is that when you're bathed by her? Now I'm curious. What did she say about me?"

"Miss Katze says not to say a word about it. She says, 'do not share it to that horny perv'."

"Uwagh! H-How mean of her..."

Downed by the young couturier's harsh words, now Oria asks a striking question, which adds up to the stressing pain the wizard already having.

"Master Dux, what's a 'horny perv'?"

"(Shit. How am I supposed to tell her? Damn you, Katze! What the hell did you teach her!?)"

Sqidral Dux's impression of Miss Katze dropped significantly. When he just thought he's having a good day where he's free of charge, he immediately has a growing remorse for bringing an innocent child to the boutique shop.

"(How am I supposed to tell her...? Ah, I know! Faruk, you'll be doing this instead of me! Nyuuuuuuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu~!)"

Meanwhile in the Silver Dragon's cave...

"Oooh... what is this stinging cold feeling?"

The Silver Dragon feels a chilling breeze spreading across his entire body. Somehow, he intercepts it as a sign. ...Yet he doesn't know what kind of sign it meant.