78

Chapter 78

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2030, Planet: Grimoire

Determined to take advantage of this priceless opportunity to thoroughly cleanse all parts of him, Grifton found that he could dunk his head once or twice beneath the surface. He felt wholly refreshed and discovered another benefit of the water: it contained curative properties. He didn't notice the difference until Denby peered and gawked at him in shock.

"Huh, this is what you look like beneath the scarring and grime of dust and dirt." Denby grinned. "You have quite the handsome countenance." He tilted his head in surprise. "Though those eyes of yours, they resemble gemstones, like crystals, in how they gleam in the light."

This flattery was making Grifton uncomfortable. He'd never heard such nonsense before. "What makes you think I've changed so much?" He was baffled as he rose from the water.

There were startled exclamations from the other team members.

Oh, now what happened? Indeed, wasn't he the one who produced such a reaction yet again? Exasperated, Grifton looked around for a mirror. "Is there somewhere I can see my reflection?" All he ever saw was a hideous scarred monster with glazed orbs that didn't remotely come across as human.

"Over here," Denby motioned for him to go to his left. "Take your time walking. The stone floor is wet."

Conscious of the slippery stone beneath his feet, Grifton nodded to him. "Thank you for the advice, Denby."

"No problem, Tinroy." Denby and the others moved slower as they prepared to leave the hot spring's warmth.

Grifton didn't blame them for taking their time. The only reason he left when he did was because he'd begun feeling somewhat lightheaded from the heat. That warned Grifton that he'd almost remained in the water for too long.

The others chattered amongst themselves while he sought out the reflective surface that Denby pointed him toward. He certainly didn't want to slip and fall, Grifton reflected. There was a distinct chance of potentially breaking his nose or cheekbone. He'd already gone through such pain before. Grifton grimaced in recollection. He didn't want to repeat it again. With that thought in mind, he found the mirrored area and frowned in consternation. Since when had he lost all the horrific scarring and glazed vision?

The reflection peering back at Grifton had violet, indigo, black-hued hair and blue-green-grey faceted eyes. His skin was darkened from hours spent in the sun. Not only that, but there were sparkling purple, silver, azure, and pearlescent scales covering portions of his body, and much to his bemusement, there was now a slender tail swaying behind him. Though it disappeared at his startled, dismayed reaction upon sighting it. Grifton exhaled in relief. It wasn't a permanent attachment unless he wanted it. As for the rest of his appearance, his heart sank. "This is going to get awkward really fast." He muttered. His body was whipcord thin and muscular. He didn't reflect his age at all. He was starting to look closer to thirteen or fourteen years of age. "Someone is going to take issue with my physique not matching anywhere close to my biological age."

Now, he also had slender, needle-thin, and sharp horns. "Ouch," Grifton pricked a fingertip on the horn. Much to his bemusement, his horns turned a dark crimson-red hue that stood out from the rest of his appearance. "Drat, that is awkward." He brushed his hair across the horns, and immediately, the hue changed and blended in with his surroundings. "So, they can camouflage with each change in appearance and background, huh?" Maybe that was more useful. Could the horns do other things? Grifton would have to experiment with them later. Even as he thought it, the horns retracted into his skull. He winced from the pain but noticed there was no blood accompanying the movement.

"You finished with examining your newest additions?" Denby sounded amused.

Soft chuckles made Grifton blush crimson. "Yes," he muttered in sheer embarrassment. "I'm sorry you had to witness me acting like a fool."

"Nah, we all go through that stage at least once or twice," Morton commented. "I'm just glad that you look and feel much better after coming to this bathhouse's curative healing pool."

Grifton stared at him in shock. "Uh, is this normal for most places?" That made him wonder.

"Nope," Denby shook his head. "Had I known it would work wonders for your mental and physical health? I would've brought you here several months ago."

In other words, when he started working with them. Grifton hesitated and shook his head. "While I appreciate the thought, I think there would've been some official problems if you had." He didn't want them getting into trouble for violating rules.

"He has a point." Morton frowned.

"Too true," Gabriel murmured.

"Oh well, at least you'll have experienced what a hot spring can do for you." Denby seemed less than pleased with Grifton's response. He was also resigned that they could no longer bring him to this place.

A loudspeaker crackled to life, making them wince at the whining, scratchy noises.

"Now it is time to gather for a meal in the arena. All teams will remain together. All students and instructors will regroup from earlier classes." It was Director Moline. "We have guests on the grounds, so put on your best behavior. We will announce changes to the format of the magical combat exams from this year forward."

There was a brief pause.

"Don't wait too long to reach the arena, or there won't be enough food to feed everyone."

With that, the loudspeaker went silent, and the strange noises disappeared as well.

"That was a waste of time," Denby muttered. "I would've just preferred hearing what new assignments would take place instead." He heaved a sigh, and grumbles of agreement followed.

Well, that was something they all knew was going to happen. What wasn't obvious was what else would happen. Grifton noticed that he and his team were clearly the last to leave. "I think we should be going,"

Denby nodded. "True, we wouldn't want to be the last to arrive because we dawdled too long," he said.

Once everyone had enough time to bathe and recover from the previous hours of work, they were ordered to leave the bathhouses. They were dressed in freshly laundered and repaired clothing.