After his conversation with the dragons, Cale spent several days on the island. His primary purpose was to tend to Chioni's mark, but during that time he became embroiled in conversations with curious dragons, whom he did not wish to turn away. That's why he spent his days surrounded by dozens of dragons, telling them about the world of humans, until Velence intervened and asked the dragons not to bother Cale.

On the forth day, Cale said goodbye to the dragons and left the Holy Island together with Fengari. She made no secret of how much she was looking forward to this journey. Like an impatient child allowed to play outside.

However, her impatience was the result of her limited abilities while in human form. Since Cale had asked her to behave inconspicuously, she adapted to his pace. That didn't stop her from constantly doing spins and other acrobatic moves to pass the time.

"Fengari", Cale finally spoke up when they were near the coast of Altona. "Remember to reduce your mana output when we're near humans. Leave the talking to me and just try not to attract attention."

"I know, I know. I'm a dragon, not a baby. You know me from your other life, have I ever behaved inappropriately?"

"No", Cale confessed and sighed. "Not really, but you did occasionally try to get yourself discovered. I gave you the form of a cat back then."

"A cat?"

"I couldn't explain a human who suddenly appeared out of nowhere", Cale defended himself, even though that was only part of the truth. He didn't particularly like the idea of giving a dragon a human form at the time. "I also thought of a story and a relationship for us. A cover identity, if you will."

"Tell me more, dear Apostle", Fengari said ironically, overtaking Cale, turning around, and bowing as she headed while flying backwards toward the coast.

"We are both relatives of the Leuen family from Sylve, on Olivia Leuen's side. She is my mother's younger sister, which makes her my aunt and your great-aunt. You, on the other hand, are now my daughter."

"How exciting!"

"Pay attention, okay? Your mother, my wife, was named Liana and died when you were born. You never knew her, and I rarely told you about her. We lived on the south coast of Altona and wanted to visit Olivia Leuen, her husband Vincent Leuen, and their son Caleb Leuen, but the news of the attack on Groka prevented us from crossing the border."

"Understood, Father", Fengari said mockingly and turned back to face forward, her long blonde hair blowing in the wind like a bedsheet.

"I'll get us the necessary papers from the Eldest to prove our identity. I also thought you should get yourself a different name."

"Like you changed yours from Caleb to Zod?"

"Exactly. Just in case."

"Understood. So, a new name, hm... should I choose it myself?"

"If you want?"

"I don't know what's normal for you humans. You pick one for me."

"I should pick one for you?", Cale replied, surprised.

He had actually thought that Fengari would be so excited that she wouldn't be able to decide what name she should live under as a human, but she was leaving the decision up to him? Was she already afraid that her cover would be blown?

"Wouldn't that be better?"

"Well then... let me think", Cale announced, looking down at the delicate figure in front of him. She had long, honey-blonde hair and blue eyes that faded slightly into silver. Her head was round, making her look like a sweet little girl. Complementing her natural beauty, she wore a polka-dot dark blue dress with high black stockings and a loose black coat over it. Her entire appearance was based on Cale's former neighbor's child, but with his own accents added.

No one looking at her would think she was capable of using magic, let alone that she was a dragon.

"Something that sounds beautiful and suits me!"

"Suits you?", Cale repeated, immediately recalling old memories. The first thing that came to mind was the confident demeanor Fengari had displayed since their first encounter. But Fengari was far more sophisticated and skilled with words, not to mention the joy she radiated with every new discovery. "What do you think of the name Ahri? Short for Fengari. Among magicians, some names have their own meaning, and Ahri means something like 'sublime' or 'superior'."

"That sounds great!", Fengari exclaimed enthusiastically, glancing over so that Cale could see her broad grin. "Ahri! The superior One!"

Cale also smiled with relief at the sight of her. At that moment, he decided to show Fengari as much of the human world as she desired. In this life, he would not hesitate to give her what she had always deserved.

And to be true to his new identity, he also changed his appearance. A dark blue shirt quickly appeared, tied with a belt above the hips. His pants became plain and black, as did his boots and the short gloves he wore. Cale matched the colors of Fengari's clothes and deliberately presented himself as a middle-class, educated man. He refrained from wearing jewelry or fine decorations so as not to establish any connection to the nobility.

A few minutes later, just after the sun had set behind them, they finally reached the coast. Cale was so focused on the road to the capital that he paid little attention to the people in the trading town of Persiven. But among the few who already lived here at that time, Cale rediscovered a familiar source of mana.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The source of mana belonging to a certain person whom he wanted to win back as a friend at all costs and therefore could not resist paying a visit to.

Grischa Vonstetten.

"Fengari, we're making a short detour here."

"Here?", Fengari asked in surprise. "May I ask why?"

"I would like to... see someone who is here."

"Someone important?"

"He is important to me, let's put it that way. Grischa, the High-Magician I told you about."

"The Apostle of Cold. I remember", Fengari confirmed quietly and fell down behind the nearest tree. "I'm curious to see him!"

Cale did the same and stood next to her on the ground while he took a quick look around. The city of Persiven was nothing compared to its future glory. Instead of dozens market stalls and lodgings, there were mostly fishermen who docked in the harbor before nightfall. The small town would only develop into one of the most famous trading towns when the royal house of Sylve and the Magistrate of Altona publicly announced their cooperation, thus forming two primary ports as starting points for the shipping route. Only with time would they develop into clean, popular cities and take the masses by storm.

But there was no trace of their former glory. The city had no city walls, no guards, and its houses had also seen better days. Therefore, it was easy for Cale to spot his friend in the city's alleys. Followed by Ahri, Cale walked along the paths and greeted the residents politely, who were used to unknown visitors and also wished them a pleasant evening. They emerged from behind a row of houses and looked at a small square where two men were standing.

"Is that him?", Ahri asked cautiously.

"Yes", Cale confirmed quietly.

Grischa always stood out with his light hair, even in the dim light of night. Although the surrounding houses still had lights on, they were not nearly bright enough to make out faces.

Cale couldn't tell who the second man was. Even his mana source seemed unfamiliar to Cale, so Cale assumed he was a local. Just as Cale began to wonder why Grischa was here, the stranger punched him square in the face.

Surprised, Cale flinched and watched with wide eyes as Grischa slammed into a plant pot and knocked it to the ground.

"Get out of here!", the stranger shouted at the same time, drowning out all other sounds in the area. "No one wants to see you! You... MONSTER!"

With a raging voice and loud stomping, the stranger headed straight for Cale, as this was one of the two ways out of this small square. When the stranger spotted him, shame seemed to take over immediately, as he literally hid his face behind the collar of his coat.

"Pardon me", the stranger said as he passed by and disappeared into the darkness.

"Interesting", Fengari said quietly, discreetly observing Grischa, who remained motionless. The sight alone was reason enough for Cale to approach his old friend. He was lying on the ground, leaning against the remains of the pot, staring at the sky. It was almost as if he needed to gather his strength before he could get up.

Cale asked Fengari to remain quiet and then approached Grischa. The closer he got, the better Cale could see the dark bruise on Grischa's face. The smell of blood also indicated that he had other injuries that Cale couldn't currently see.

"You could have defended yourself, you know?", Cale said boldly, stopping in front of Grischa. In response, he received only a blank stare as the cloud cover broke, and the moonlight illuminated the square. "Are you okay?"

"Where are you Frignezers when we really need you?"

"Probably where you'd expect us to be. In Frignez."

"That was a rhetorical question", Grischa replied irritably and sat up straight. "What do you want from me? You don't live here, as far as I can tell."

"We were just passing through and had seen your...", Cale began cautiously, but Grischa's gaze spoke volumes. "...are you hurt?"

"If that's all you're worried about, then feel free to fuck..." Grischa shot back angrily when his gaze fell on Fengari. She had been hiding behind Cale's body until then, which is why Grischa probably hadn't noticed her. "...off."

"Altona and her nice manner", Cale replied ironically. "You never get used to it."

Nevertheless, Cale reached down and gave him a weak smile. Grischa hesitated for a moment before standing up without accepting Cale's help. Grischa carefully brushed the dirt off his surprisingly normal clothes, which seemed weard to Cale. Grischa took care of his appearance and loved to tell the world that he was a High-Magician. Accordingly, he often wore his uniform, which is why Cale wondered why he wasn't wearing it today.

"Your face seems to be swelling, you should get that checked out..."

"As long as nothing is broken", Grischa simply commented, placing his hand on his nose before letting out a quiet, pain-wracked sound.

"Bruises and contusions can also be painful. At least put some ice on it", Cale replied, deliberately placing his hand on Fengari's head, who listened silently to the two men.

"That's doable", Grischa replied, tearing off a piece of his clothing and conjuring up some ice cubes in his hand. He wrapped them in the cloth and placed the block on his face before turning back to Cale.

"Hooooo", Fengari murmured fascinated as she saw Grischa's magic for the first time. Surprised, she held her hand over her mouth and looked up nervously at Cale.

"Interesting, isn't it? The magic here in the south."

Fengari nodded eagerly.

"If you keep practicing diligently, you'll be able to do something like that in the future", Cale acted and lifted Fengari into his arms, as Grischa obviously had no desire to talk to him.

"I doubt that", Grischa interjected instead. "You can't just learn something like that. Such a thing comes from the gods."

"Oh? Are you a follower of the Three-Gods-Faith?"

"Absolutely not", Grischa defended himself immediately. "But someone must have put a curse on me."

"Curse?", Cale repeated, confused, before realizing a moment later what exactly Grischa meant. "Ah. Now I understand... You're Grischa Vonstetten, the new High-Magician of Altona."

"Great", Grischa replied, followed by a long sigh. "My reputation precedes me. How wonderful!"

"I've never heard of a High-Magician fighting with strangers in the alleys of a dead city."

"And I'd be surprised to hear that healers interfere in the affairs of Altona."

"Then you seem to be misinformed", Cale countered immediately, as Grischa gave him the perfect opportunity to change the subject. "I'm actually on my way to Exarion at the request of the Eldest, you know."

In the next moment, Grischa's face lost what little color it had left. Completely stunned, he stared at Cale without saying another word.

"It seems you really weren't informed about my visit."

"Who are you?"

"Me? Zod Adenia, and this is my daughter Ahri."

"I must confess, the name means just as little to me. Forgive me."

<"Suddenly he's being polite?">, Fengari inquired.

"I'm not surprised. I also made an effort to remain unknown."

"May I ask why you were asked to come to the Magistrate?"

"Since your colleagues didn't inform you, I'm afraid I can't simply tell you either. I'm sorry, but I want Raph... The Eldest certainly has his reasons, which I respect."

"The reason is probably that I haven't been to the Magistrate in two weeks."

"That explaines everything", replied Cale, suppressing a grin when he saw Grischa's irritated face. Without turning away from him, Cale gave an instruction. <"Fengari. Can you please tell me that you're tired now?">

"Dad", Fengari replied on command.

"Hm?"

"I'm tired. Can we go to bed?"

<"Thank you">, Cale replied, pretending to be a surprised father.

"If you're looking for a place to stay...", Grischa immediately spoke up. "... then I know a place."

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