- 8 - Broken Rock! Becoming A Human in Papers

I grasped the necklace that Dagon had given me before I departed, struggling to figure it out. It wasn't working.

There had been no mana signature that I could sense from it, I closed my eyes, feeling my mana slowly trying to enter the magical item.

"Did it break?" I pondered, fingering the lava rock in my hands, and scratching the back of my head.

"Strange."

Normally, communication items like this were used in wars between commanders and soldier heads. They stored mana for a year, which proved beneficial for long, surrounding sieges of larger human bases.

Yet, this item appeared to have died, not even taking in any mana. I sighed, slightly disappointed at being unable to contact my generals. I was curious about the situation back in the territory and if they needed any advice.

Unfortunately, it appeared that I would have to find an item technician, hoping that humans could restore it. I knew how to fix it but with my current situation, I had no equipment to do so.

I shrugged at the situation, pulling the necklace back over my head and tucking it into my shirt. I'd figure it out eventually. Besides, I had other matters to deal with. I was able to spend the rest of the night unbothered and rest as much as I could.

It was bittersweet to place the transmutation magic back. My mana levels were back to what they were originally, but this form was like a physical timer.

"I'll have to be careful to monitor that," I made a mental note to myself, as I hopped a small rock ledge to the last stretch of forest.

I squinted my eyes at the bright rays of the morning sun, lifting a hanging branch out of the way as I stepped into the grassy plains of the town.

From the distance, I could hear the commotion at the gate from the other edge, as I quickly made my way closer to the walls.

It was probably because the patrolling guard never made it back.

Technically. I looked down at my stomach…

"Well, I guess you did," I whispered to myself with a chuckle. Genuinely, I never intended to engage with anyone in my banishment to the human lands.

But I was a prince of one of the most violent races in the land. My patience was thin. I tried. 

I glanced up at the wall in front of me. The plan was simple. All I needed to do was jump it and make sure I remained unseen.

With one final look around me, I sprung upward, landing on the edge of the wall. It wasn't thick but I was able to balance myself to peer down into the town.

The morning was young with the rising sun, which meant no human was out. I leaped down with a huff, rolling into the impact to reduce any noise.

"I still got it," I gloated, hopping up to brush off my clothes. I peered up at the position of the sun, shrugging. I wondered if it was too early.

"Well, he did say sunrise." 

Hm.

Oh well. If he weren't up already, I would just wake him up. All right.

I went along my way, walking along the early streets to the potion shop. It wasn't long till I noticed candles lit inside the passing houses. Closer to the center, shop owners stood outside their businesses with keys in hand.

Mornings start early here, huh? That was interesting, I guess. By chance I did have to attack here, I'd just do it earlier than now. That was good to know for later.

Heh. Look at me, being so tactful with gathering human information.

The potion shop's door was cracked open. Mr. Homburg waved as he sipped a cup of tea at the register.

"Good morning, laddie!" The cheerful, older man smiled. His voice was energetic for that time of day. Business owners were impressive types of humans, social monsters if that was the correct definition for them.

I peered around for Jamie but returned his greetings, "Hello, Mr. Homburg. I was told by your worker to arrive at this time."

The jolly man beamed, "Oh yes! He's in the back. He'll be out shortly once he's finished packing!"

I could only visualize rays of jolliness radiating from this older human. My eyes squinted at the light coming from this man. He was a literal ray of sunshine.

He pulled another cup from under the counter, reaching over to pat the extra chair next to it, "Come enjoy some tea while you wait!"

I waved my hands, "I'll pass. I don't drink tea-"

"Nonsense, I insist!" He smiled wider.

"It's really fine…"

"I insist." Another beam of sunshine. Truly, blinding.

This was for sure a new type of magic.

I exhaled, walking over to sit on the chair, "...Thank you."

The jolly man hummed as he fixed my tea. I watched him make sure he didn't try to slip anything into it. Although, I really doubt that this human possessed an ounce of malice in him.

The cup slid over, stopping in front of the chair. A slight fragrance of lavender and jasmine rose from the steam. The jolly man gave one last smile before exiting the counter with a duster.

I stared down at the cup, wondering if it would be okay to drink. I didn't have experience with the consumption of human drinks or food. My diet in Hellion consisted of raw meat from livestock and unfortunate enemies that wandered into my warpath.

I gulped, doing my best to fake a smile as I picked up the cup to my lips. It was just plants and hot water… I should be fine. 

The hot liquid trailed down my throat, and hints of jasmine and lavender touched my tongue. This concoction wasn't bad. My head tilted as I continued to stare down at the liquid.

This was called tea, right?

I perked up, my eyes going to a door behind the counter, as steps approached. Jamie walked out, carrying a satchel on his side, and closed the door behind him.

We made eye contact, as I placed the tea back on the counter, walking over to him. His eyes danced along my figure, slight confusion on his face.

Jamie looked up with an eyebrow raised, "We'll be leaving for Trane after we head to the town hall for your identification card," his head peered around to nothing behind me, "...Did you forget to pack your things?"

Oh. That's what he was looking for.

I shook my head, "I don't have anything else."

His face relaxed, sighing. He walked past me towards the door, "It's fine. I have extra shirts that you can wear. We'll have to wash your pants in a creak since you're taller than me."

I nodded, heading to follow him out.

"I'll see you, old man. I'll be back after I'm working in the army, so don't kick me out next time I'm back." Jamie called out to the old man, who waved as we exited the shop.

I moved to walk aside from this human, who yawned as we bounded down the opening shops and waking houses.

My attention bounced to the wheeling of vendor buggies set up for the day. No one around here used mana that much. The buggies seemed like a pain to move. Vendors had already set up and were calling out their merchandise.

"Bread! Loaves! Fresh from the Oven! Get them while they're hot!"

"Are you hungry?" Jamie peered over, shuffling with a small bag that had the smell of copper.

"I ate not too long ago," I shook my head.

He rolled his eyes, "Sure, you did…"

It's true though. The other guard could attest to that, whether he knew already or not.

Jamie headed over to the vendor that had been calling out for the bread. He reached into the small bag and pulled out four copper coins.

"Two loaves please."

The vendor nodded, handing him two bread loaves that were wrapped in small cloths.

"Thank you." He reached out, grabbing the food items. He mumbled, taking a bite out of one and shoving the other into my arms.

I fumbled, grasping the bread in confusion, "But I already ate…"

Not bothering to look back, he spoke with a mouthful of food, "I don't care. Just eat it. It'll be a long day and I'm not sure when the next time we'll get to eat will be."

His hand waved in the air, dismissing any further rebuttal of the subject.

I glanced back down at the piece of bread in my arms. The warmth of the bread seeped through the cloth that it had been wrapped in. I sighed.

This would be the second human item that I would consume.

I raised the bread to my mouth, taking a bite.

I paused in my tracks, using my other arm to grab Jamie's sleeve which caused him to almost drop his bread loaf.

"Hey! Asta, what are you doing-"

I cut him off, pointing to the warm dough of the gods, "This. You called this bread, correct?" I stared at him with stars in my eyes.

He nodded, sporting a deadpan expression, "Uh…yes. Why?"

I muttered under my breath, "I can't believe humans were capable of such heavenly creations."

Jamie decided to ignore my praise, turning his heel and leading to the town hall in silence.

I had wolfed down the bread way before we stood at the entrance of the town hall center.

Jamie guided me in, "It's early so no one else is here yet," He pointed to a teller sitting at a wooden desk, "If you talk to her, then she'll be able to sort it out and we'll leave.

I nodded, watching him head over to a chair to wait.

The desk lady stared blankly, as I walked over to her station.

I exhaled.

Okay. I had it planned out. If I stuck to the story that I composed last night, then I'd be good. If things got out of hand, then I'd bypass them with magic.

"How can I help you?" Her eyes looked dead, as she questioned me with an emotionless tone.

Crap. I forgot to ask Jamie about magic. I wanted to slap myself for the rookie mistake. Still, I would figure it out. Somehow, at least. 

"I'm here to replace an identification card. You see, I'm from-"

She interrupted me, scribing on a paper in front of her, "Name. Age. And Employment Status."

"...Oh uh. It's Asta," I paused," I don't have a last name. Sixteen and unemployed."

"Any history of drug use, criminal record, or debt holdings?" She asked.

Multiple accounts of murder, war crimes, arson, mass killings, and poison training. 

I shook my head.

She stamped the paper that she was writing on, then reached under the desk and transferred the contents to a small card, stamping it with a red seal.

"Here, it is. If you have any questions or concerns, you can present this to any town hall representative in any city. Understand?" She automated.

I nodded, hesitantly grabbing the card out of her hand.

Um, that was it? 

I walked back to Jamie, not lifting my eyes from the tiny card.

Jamie stood up and walked over. His eyes peered down at the paper.

"Oh, sick. You got it." He cheered, already walking towards the exit.

"I think I did…"

I peered down once more time at the card, stuffing it in my pocket.

Why did I feel cheated, though?