Reincarnated as the Strongest Dragon

Chapter 28: Card’s Influence II

While our suite was impressive, the bathroom was on a whole other level. It was bigger than my room at the Blue Stallion Inn and was adorned with marble and gold decorations. It made any place I had stayed at in my previous travels pale in comparison.

“I’m afraid to touch anything,” Liz said with a slightly anxious voice as she looked at the shower. “What if I break something? I don’t have the money to pay for any of this.”

“I doubt it breaks that easily,” I smirked and pushed her into the shower. “Now get in there.”

I turned on the water and began washing Liz’s hair when I noticed the five bottles standing on a shelf. “They sure got a lot of options here.”

Liz opened a bottle with a picture of a rose and smelled it. “It’s got a scent of roses.”

I took another bottle and poured some of the slightly pink substance into my palm.

Isn’t this shampoo? 

I held out my hand. “Do you know what this is?”

“Isn’t it just soap? But liquid soap is expensive. Are we even allowed to use this?”

Maybe it’s not called shampoo here? It sure looks and feels like it. I wonder if conditioner exists as well? I’m getting more eager to see what other conveniences they have invented since my last trip.

“Of course. It wouldn’t be here otherwise. Now, which one do you want me to use?”

Liz grabbed a random bottle and gave it to me. Before long, the scent of apples filled the shower. After the refreshing shower, we submerged ourselves in the massive bath.

“It’s almost silly, but wasn’t the small bath we had at the inn in Baruda better? This one is too big,” I said while stretching my arms and legs out in all directions.

“You know, up until last week having my own bath was a rare luxury.”

“Last week, huh…” I muttered and leaned against Liz’s shoulder. “So what do you want to do now?”

“What do you mean?”

“My business in the capital is pretty much done. Do you want to stay here for a while or go back to Baruda? Or go somewhere else entirely?” I asked and tilted my head so I could see Liz’s reaction.

“I haven’t really thought about it.”

“It’s just that… I feel like I kicked in the door and dragged you along at my pace and never really stopped to ask what you wanted.”

“I have never felt that you forced me into doing something I didn’t want to do,” She said and put her arm around me.

“Not even the first time we took a bath? I basically had to drag you in.”

“I wanted to. I was just self-conscious about my scar.”

“Oh, did you now? That explains why you were so quick to join me in bed. You already planned on sleeping with me from the start, didn’t you?” I said and poked her cheek.

“No, or well, not exactly,” Liz said, looking embarrassed. “You had made it quite clear that you wanted to and I wasn’t exactly ‘not interested’ either.”

“Well, that is good then.”

“I never could have guessed it would lead to me being here a week later, though.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Not at all. It’s just been an eventful week.”

“I guess so?” I pondered. “I never really thought about it. I get bored easily so I don’t tend to sit around doing nothing for long.”

“Didn’t you just spend two days sitting around?”

“Don’t you worry, I kept myself occupied.”

“Really? Doing what”

I gave her a mischievous smile. “I might tell you someday.”

Liz looked at me with a frown. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“That it’s a secret?” I smirked.

“Okay then,” She pouted.

“And it’s not like I was alone. I had Roxy and Boxy with me to pass the time.”

“Not Woxy?”

“Woxy didn’t leave your side for a second. I think he likes you more than me,” I muttered.

“Aaw, how cute. I like him too.”

“You can’t have him.”

“I would never,” Liz giggled. “But is it okay if I borrow him sometimes?”

I looked at Liz and squinted. “To do what?”

“Snuggle his bushy tails?”

“Don't spoil him too much,” I sighed. “The other two will start to sulk.”

“That’s almost too cute. I didn’t think summons could behave so… human-like?”

“It depends on the type. My spirit foxes are high-level summons that I made a contract with. It’s not the same as summoning a random dark wolf.”

“What’s the difference? I know next to nothing about summoning.”

“Basically, there are two types of summons,” I said and raised a finger. “The first type is normal summons. You summon a wolf, you get a wolf. The next time you summon a wolf you won’t get the same one.”

“Oh, I get it. And the other type summons the same one every time?”

“Exactly. You will always summon the one you have a contract with.”

“Isn’t that just better then?”

“Generally true, but It’s not worth it for every summon.”

“Why not? I would want to summon the same wolf every time if I could summon one.”

“Wolves are weak. If a contracted summon dies, you can never summon them again.”

Liz’s eyes widened. “So your foxlings would be gone forever?”

“Yes.”

“That’s…”

“You don’t have to worry. They have been my travel companions for thousands of years.”

“Really?”

“Which is also why they act like that, especially Woxy,” I sighed. “I may have spoiled them a bit too much.”

“Who could resist?” Liz said with a smirk. “So where are they now?”

“I don’t know.”

Liz looked surprised. “Huh? You don’t know?”

“Why does that surprise you? I have no idea where summons go when you unsummon them.”

“I just assumed you knew everything by this point.”

“I’m old, not omniscient,” I said with a grin. “Do you have any other questions about summoning?”

“No, I think that’s all. I’m sorry for making you hold a lecture.”

“I don’t mind. It’s not like I could say no on your birthday, right?”

“Just how many birthday gifts do you intend to give me? Levels, hot spring, necklace, and now the best room in the fanciest inn in the capital,” She said and frowned. “How am I supposed to react to being this spoiled?”

“I haven’t done anything I didn’t want to do. If anything, I inconvenienced you by incapacitating you for two whole days.”

“You didn’t mean to do it, though?” She said before gasping. “Oh right! I can change my class now!”

“I wouldn’t do that now if I were you.”

“Why not?” Liz pouted.

“I can almost guarantee you will get promotion sickness.”

“You think so? Not strong enough to pass out, right?”

“Probably not, but you will most likely feel sick for a while. I don’t know the exact stat multiplier increases of a Cryo Mage. But you can expect quite a bit of extra stats since you overshot the level requirement by seventy or so.”

“I see… So when should I do it?”

“I would suggest you wait until tomorrow.”

“Okay!” Liz answered excitedly.

“That sure pumped you up.”

“I have been looking forward to this moment for a while. Thank you for helping me.”

“Don't mention it. By the way, do you happen to know the requirements for the next advancement after Cryo Mage?”

“Cryomancer needs level 175 and water and wind magic at level six. I don’t remember the stats needed. My base intellect and mind have always been high, so I don't usually have any problems with that.”

“What’s your water and wind at now?”

“Luna! It’s bad manners to ask that,” Liz said and faked a gasp. “They are both at level four.”

“Oh, hush. Want to increase them to level six? I can whip you in shape if you are prepared to train until you throw up and beg for mercy,” I said with a menacing smile.

“That sounds really scary,” She said, looking anxious.

“I will be right there next to you with some Elyxire in case you feel like dying,” I smirked. “But this won't be like with the levels. You will have to put in the work yourself.”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

“It probably won’t be super fun, but it will be worth it. But it’s up to you. You can take your time to thi-”

“I’ll do it.” She said with conviction.

“That was fast. Are you sure?”

“Getting personally trained by a dragon? It’s an opportunity to get stronger that I would be a fool to pass up on,” Liz shrugged.

I have never had a student before. This might be fun.

“In that case, I have two different options where to start for you to choose from.”

“Two?”

“The first one is to train your spellcasting to adjust to your increased mind stat from the levels before you advance your rank and train again. The other one is to advance right away and train after.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Two easier training sessions or one harder one,” I said and put a finger on my chin. “I can't say which one is more efficient since I don’t know how good you are when it comes to adjusting to your stats.”

“I didn’t really have any trouble the last time I advanced. Would it be worse now?”

“Hmm, if you advance first, you might have doubled your mind stat since you last used a spell,” I said and turned toward her. “What do you think would happen if you tried to cast a spell like usual with twice the amount of power put in?”

“I see… the first option sounds better then.”

“Then we will start tomorrow,” I said with a smile.

“I’m gonna regret this, aren’t I?”

“Let’s get out of the bath.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Liz said, looking slightly worried.

I turned to her and smiled. “I know.”