The duo walked briskly through the forest, retracing the Orc search team's path. Artis took them through dense vegetation, through shortcuts that were invisible to the inexperienced eye.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a rocky area with large boulders blocking the path. The duo had to slide sideways at times to pass through. Ultimately, they emerged in a clearing with a bubbling pool of water at the center.

"Whoa…" Ethan said in wonder. "This looks like heaven."

It was a hot spring, surrounded by hilly terrain on all sides. There was enough dry land for camping as well. Large-bodied beings could never find the exotic place.

"Orcs can't get through to this location," Artis explained. "We can stay here tonight."

Ethan couldn't wait for another second. He quickly approached the clear, bubbling water. Cold had seeped into his bones over the past day, and a hot spring was just the fix he needed.

It was evening already, and the sun was low on the horizon. Ethan hurriedly dropped his rags, stripping down to nothing. Artis' eyes widened, and he let out a gasp in shock. He turned around so as not to see his older friend's nudity.

Ethan was oblivious to the boy's awkwardness. He jumped into the spring, splashing water on his green-haired friend.

"What are you waiting for? Lose the clothes and come in! The water is perfect!"

Artis, already drenched in the splash, shifted uncomfortably. "I will bathe later."

"Nonsense! Come in!"

"How can you take off your clothes so easily? It's not civil…"

Ethan shot his friend a look of amusement. Was a wildling wolf-boy teaching him about civility? But then, maybe Artis lived all alone for a long time, never experiencing human intimacy. Nudity with another boy might be an uncomfortable situation.

"We are friends, aren't we?" Ethan exclaimed. "There's no shame between friends. Besides, we are both boys. What is there to be shy about?"

Artis furrowed his brows in contemplation and bit his lower lip deeply. His thoughts finally found a conclusion. "Yeah… We are… friends… Could you turn around for a second at least?"

The Cromwell heir, up to his chest underwater, rolled his eyes. He did as was told. "Fine. Anything to bring you into the water."

Hearing rustles, then a splash and gurgle, Ethan figured Artis had already stripped and stepped inside the spring. He turned around to see the boy up to his neck in water. There was a weird smile on his face as if he had never known such fun before.

"Are you having a good time?" Ethan asked, splashing water on him.

Artis giggled and returned the favor. "Yeah!"

The duo bathed in the spring for almost an hour until they were nearly tanned. In the end, Artis again asked for privacy. Ethan obliged the request but was tempted to peek while the boy climbed out of the spring. He resisted the urge after concluding that it was creepy to peep at naked teenagers.

Artis left safely without being molested by Ethan's eyes. He returned with fresh clothes for both of them. After drying up, they built a makeshift hut and started a fire.

The wolf-boy foraged berries and mushrooms for the two. After a decent meal, they sat by the fire, making small talk.

"Can you transform into animals other than a wolf?" Ethan asked curiously.

Artis nodded. "I can, but not into any random animal. I must study a live or dead one closely to mimic their anatomy. Moreover, I can't change into them once I forget their signatures."

"Hmm. If you can transform into any being, why not go for a large, muscular Orc? Surely, that robust build would keep you safe in the forests."

The green-haired boy shook his head. "Orcs are heavy-footed creatures and need constant meat consumption to stay alive. Maintaining their form would be very tiresome and draining for me."

"Besides, my gender is fixed no matter which species I turn into. The present appearance is the most efficient."

"I see." Sitting by the fire peacefully, Ethan was reminded of his family—his voluptuous mother, and perky sisters.

"Since you are a boy most of the time, don't you get horny? Have you had any sexual experiences with girls, be it human, Elf, wereperson, or others?"

Artis put on a bitter smile. "Most people I come across easily figure out what I am. They immediately run away or try to kill me. So, I've given up on making friends or lovers."

Ethan scowled at the boy's words. "That sucks. You're pretty cool to hang around with. It drives me crazy when I am horny and don't have a girl around. I wonder how you've managed to live without sex for so long."

Artis looked offended and got to his feet slowly. "I'm exhausted. Let us go to sleep."

The duo had built a makeshift mattress out of wildgrass. It was large but enough for the two to sleep sideways. They added more fuel to the bonfire and entered the hut. They faced away from each other and lay down on the mattress.

Perhaps an hour passed, and Ethan didn't get even a second of shuteye. With a full belly, a clear mind, and a comfortable bed, intrusive thoughts haunted him. He opened the system gallery and played back his precious lewd moments with Velma, Gwen, Ivy, Hilda, and Elaine.

Ethan resisted the urge to pleasure himself or even direct his thoughts towards an erection. Most likely, the Chaste Devil's Curse was still an affliction within him.

Ethan shifted uncomfortably and changed sides, instinctively wrapping his arm around Artis. The boy trembled in surprise but did not resist. He was clearly still awake like him. What was he thinking?

The fire crackled loudly, and they could hear scary animal noises from deep in the forest. Ethan shifted forward and spooned Artis. "You're pretty cool," he whispered with his eyes closed. "I wish you were a girl."

Artis did not respond in words. After a minute, he lightly grabbed Ethan's hand and placed it on his chest.

The Cromwell heir's eyes fluttered open. What did he feel just now against his palm? Was he imagining it? There was some mass to Artis' chest that clearly shouldn't exist in a male. Was he a—

Ethan couldn't remember Artis ever referring to himself as a boy. He was young, probably fifteen. Did the limited teenage growth give him the appearance of a boy?

Ethan took a whiff of Artis. There was no masculine smell to him. But how could he make absolutely sure of the wolf-boy's gender? There was one sure-shot way.

Without asking for permission, Ethan quickly slipped his hand down to Artis' crotch. The latter jumped up from the mattress with beast-like agility and landed on his feet.

"Wh-what… What are you doing?" he demanded, his face red in humiliation.

Ethan sat up with a look of conviction. His hand had felt nothing between Artis' legs, which was a vindication of his suspicions. "You're a girl, aren't you? Was that why you refused to strip before me?"

Artis looked tongue-tied and had no response to offer. His eyes shifted rapidly with guilt. "…"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ethan asked sternly. "What was your intention behind keeping it a secret?"

Artis sighed heavily and finally spoke up. But now, his voice was feminine. He had probably been modulating to sound like a male.

"I… I don't know…" Artis stammered. "I thought you liked me better as a boy… If I revealed my gender to you, you may not have wanted to adventure with me…"

Ethan tilted his head at the green-haired beauty. "Didn't I just say I wish you were a girl?"

Artis pursed her lips slowly. "So, do you desire me now that you know what I am? Will you have me?"

The Cromwell heir scratched his head. "Umm… You are young and definitely underage. Even though I think you are cool and pretty, even kissing you would be a moral issue."

Artis's look of great expectations faltered, and she lowered her eyes, her hands touching her flat chest. "I'm not as young as you think…"

"Be that as it may, you are clearly in your mid-teens. If you looked at least eighteen years of age, I would definitely have no problem—"

Artis suddenly looked up and smiled at Ethan. "Give me a moment."

The bonfire's flame trembled momentarily as if there was an abrupt change in the microclimate.

Ethan's jaw dropped and stayed that way. Before his eyes, Artis' body was transforming. She grew a few inches taller, her green hair lengthening to the waist.

The girl's non-existent breasts popped up under the rags, forming an alluring bust. Her entire body changed—her hips, thighs, and even facial features.

It was as if Artis Lupine had aged three years within moments! The girl dropped her rags, revealing a stunning naked body. "What about now? How do I look? Do I pass the moral requirements?"

Ethan gulped anxiously. "You're gorgeous." He pushed aside their makeshift blanket and patted the wildgrass mattress. "Come to me…"

Artis lay down beside him. "Please, I need to be loved tonight…" she whispered eagerly.

Ethan climbed over the girl, his erection threatening to tear out of his pants. "So do I."

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