On our way back to the city, which took us around three days, everyone stayed mostly quiet. They all looked to be very uncomfortable around me from the time they saw the power of my fire. Whether it was fear, worry, admiration or awe, whatever they were feeling, they had to assess the type of person I am and how they should interact with me from this day onwards. I can't blame them though, the fire that I cast without a circle, the magic formula that all mages use, in almost no time at all was truly powerful.
Since I could feel their stairs whenever I would be close to them, I tended to stay away during rest hours while we weren't traveling. Whenever I came close, their conversation would cease immediately. It wasn't all bad though, I was exempt from nearly all of the camp's chores including guard duty. The first night I even thought that they would just silently pack up and go to the city without me while I was sleeping, but that concern was unfounded.
After we got back to the 'Great labyrinth city of Urs', we went straight to the adventurer's guild to report. The guild master was surprised about the fact that there were no more 'Wyverns' in the 'Great forest', but aside from that, everything went smoothly. After we received our payment, we went to one of the tables to divvy up the loot. Everyone was just standing around, not sure of what to do. I could see the discomfort on their faces. I sighed, took what looked to be around one fifth on the coins, leaving the extra 'Dragon' scales and wolf hides and, without saying a word, left.
I headed straight to the 'Great labyrinth', I found that there, despite all the monsters, I felt strangely at ease. Besides, right now, I needed to be alone, unwind, and rethink my life choices and there was no better place for that than the lower floors.
I did it, I showed them a fraction of my power and impressed them, that was the goal right? So then, if I have achieved my goal, why do I feel so shitty? Hell, I even forgot to brag at the guild that I was the one that exterminated those flying pests, that would surely have impressed all the guild members, they might have even raised my rank. Why did I even want to impress all of them in the first place though?
Agh, I've been like this since my mom died, always picking fights, causing trouble to those around me. Did I just want to show off or was there something more? Now that I have power and recognition, what do I want now? With this power, I can get money, with money, I can get women, with women, I can get sex, I have heard that sex is pleasurable, so with sex, I can get pleasure, with pleasure, I can finally be happy, right?
Right, let's start with that. First, let's collect the sellable materials from this dungeon. The upper floors are pretty barren since they have been looted by humans already, but the lower floors are full of rare gems, minerals, metals and, most of all, the body parts of powerful monsters.
The problem is that I have no idea what is valuable and what is not, so, I guess, that I will start with the things that I know are valuable from Alex and the 'Wolf's fang' members - mainly 'Dragon' scales, bones, skin, the pelts of 'Owl bears' - these items are great for making combat equipment and anything shiny should seal nicely for making jewelry.
… I might as well get something for the 'Wolf's fang' members… Because they helped me, that's all. Now, I have no idea what things are worth, not only that, but I have no idea about the worth of money in this world. For the three quests that we did, we were given somewhere around 15 gold, so I took 3 gold for myself, but I have no idea if that is a lot or not.
The inn and food for a night costs 7 copper pieces. If I remember correctly - 100 coppers are 1 silver and 100 silver are 1 gold, so for those three gold pieces I could stay in an in for like a… Gazillion nights, so the gold is worth a lot then. But then again, the inn was trash compared to my world, and the food wasn't good either. Once again, I have no idea what stuff is worth here!
Right, I'll just wing it. Four 'Owl bear' pelts for protection from magic and physical attacks, enough 'True dragon' scales for a set of armor, the 'Flame dragon's' fang to make a dagger out of, a 'Petrifying snake's' eye to make a wizard staff that has a petrification property, what else? Oh right, the spear gun that Alex made, I'll add that as well. This should be enough of a consolation for tagging along with me for all that time.
_________________________________________________________________________
AT THE ADVENTURER'S GUILD
Sara Bladeheart
"Gentlemen, sister, I think you know why I called this meeting, right?" I looked at my party members. "We have to discuss what we are going to do with the newbie!"
The first to speak was Clive. "His magic… I don't think that it was magic at all."
"What do you mean? We clearly saw the flames, if not magic, then what could it have been?" Diana asked, confused.
"In order for a mage to use magic, he must first form a magic circle - it's the magic formula that gives the mana flowing in the mage's body a shape, intensity, force, speed and so on. without it mages can't access magic. Not only that, but the more powerful or complex the spell is, the more time it takes for the mage to create the circle, and Adam cast such a powerful spell without any delay, so it simply can't be magic" Clive explained.
"Then, was it the power of a spirit? I've heard that some contracted spirits possess extreme power." I asked.
"That's not possible either, do you remember that right before Adam unleashed his flames, a barrier appeared in front of us that protected us from the 'Wyverns'?" Clive swallowed. "Well, it wasn't mine, it probably was Adam's doing. That would mean that Adam has a contract with two spirits which is unheard of since spirits form exclusive contracts. In other words, he can't be a 'contractor'"
Zen, after listening to all that, interjected. "His mana capacity isn't normal either. After the 'Wyvern' fight I got curious and touched his hand. As a 'monk' I can feel the mana of the person I touch and his man was… In the 'SS' class."
"What? I thought that the highest a human can be is 'S' class." Diana said.
'You aren't wrong, Diana, the human with the highest mana capacity in the history was the legendary king - Alexander Cheliyan - while of lowly birth, he toppled that time's king and became the new ruler of the human kingdom and the starter of the Cheliyan dynasty. But his mana is said to have only been in the high 'S' class." Clive answered.
"Guess calling Adam a human is out of the question then." Zen stated.
"I guess so…" Diana added.
"So what in the world is he then?" Asked Clive.
After a few minutes of silence, I smiled, slammed my hand on the table and announced. "The newbie is a 'Greater dragon'! Think about it - his insane strength, speed, magic, mana, and the mask that he always insists on wearing. He's got to be a 'Greater dragon'!"
Clive interjected. "Don't be absurd, t-that isn't proof enough to call someone a 'Greater dragon'. While it's true that 'Greater dragons' have the ability to take a human form, what you are insinuating is that a literal walking disaster is roaming free in the city."
I fired back. "He must be wearing the mask to hide his incomplete transformation, besides did you hear about the clothes that he was wearing when he first came to the guild? I heard that they were all raged and bloody, he probably took them from one of his victims after transforming."
"There are other ways to explain the mask and the clothing, for example he actually lost someone important to him and the clothes… OK, I don't know how to explain the clothes, but there has to be an explanation."
I kept pushing. "What about his monstrous abilities and absolute lack of common knowledge?"
"H-he might be some extremely talented young prodigy that spent all of his life secluded in some training hall that decided to experience the world." Clive continued. "Yes, his master or parents have died in some gruesome accident or, better yet, were murdered by a powerful foe. He in a tough fight, while getting revenge, destroyed and bloodied his clothes. That is also why he wears a mourning mask."
I pushed for the last time. "Then how do you explain his curiosity towards the price of 'Greater dragon' scales? Remember, he did ask that while we were camping at the 'Lesser dragon's' nest."
"T-that's because…" Clive stopped to think up an argument, but couldn't find one. "That's just a coincidence."
I slammed my hand on the table and with a wide grin declared. "It's decided! The newbie is a 'Greater dragon'!" Everyone looked uneasy. "Now then, let's formally invite him to join the party!"
Silence.
Finally Clive spoke. "Are you insane? You want to invite a 'Greater dragon' - a walking disaster into our party? I vote no!"
"Well now, weren't you the one that adamantly refused the fact that he is a 'Dragon'?" I laughed.
"That's not the point, he's dangerous, just look what he did to those 'Wyverns'!"
"While trying to protect us, that is." I retorted. "Think about it, when in all of our time together he so much as threatened us? Never! He is odd, but he's a diligent student, hard worker and, most of all, a true protector that we can count on!"
Clive was speechless for a moment, then he turned to the other two for help. "Are you going to go along with this nonsense as well?"
The first to answer was Diana. "I… Agree with my sister, 'Dragon' or not, he seems to be a nice guy…"
Clive turned to Zen. "I also agree with Sara, he's a good guy."
"You have to be kidding me…" Clive looked dejected. "Fine, let's let him join us, but I warn you, he's dangerous."
"Deal!"
A week had passed since our meeting and finally the newbie waltzed into the guild hall like he'd owned the place. He was carrying a huge backpack on his back and, once again, was covered in blood. He looked around the room, noticed our party and went straight for me. When he approached, he suddenly stopped, looked uncomfortable for a moment and handed us the backpack saying that it was the payment for all of the lessons.
I smiled and said. "You go off the grid for a week and instead of 'hello' you start with a gift? You think that's what we want?" He looked confused. "What I want, what all of us want is for you to tell us where you've been and how you have been. We've missed you, newbie."
"A-aren't you guys scared of me?" The newbie asked, puzzled.
I laughed. "Clive sure is, but we trust you, so no need to worry! We would officially like to invite you to our party!"
"The newbie thought for a second. "Fine, but don't hold me back. And just so you know, I am only teaming up with you, trash, because I can't take on 'gold' ranked quests alone."
"Fine by us!" I smiled. "Oh, right, what did you bring us? Can we open it?"
"It's for you, so do as you like."
We opened the backpack and saw the 'Dragon' parts at the top. I knew it, this guy is a 'Greater dragon'!"