After Kurama calmed down and put some clothes on, I questioned how she was even a frog in the first place. So, while working on creating a love potion, it spontaneously combusted for no apparent reason, and the effects of the failed potion caused her to transform into a frog.
Sitting opposite her, I rubbed my head. Although I understood the situation, I wasn't confused about why she was turned into a frog; I mean, if anything, I'd expect Kurama to perhaps lose the ability to feel love or fall in love with the first person she sees, not turning into a frog, that just doesn't make sense.
"But why'd you turn into a frog?" At my question, Kurama threw her hands into the air. "Your guess is as good as mine, Alex. Haa, it's honestly annoying. I don't even know why the process failed; everything was going good, then it just combusted." Grumbling, Kurama brushed her hair back, her tails slowly wagging as she grabbed a smoking pipe, her face occasionally twitching in annoyance.
'Hmm, the God of Love probably intervened.' Hearing Zartha's voice, I raised an eyebrow, internally speaking to her. 'What do you mean? Why would he do that?' 'Gods do not take kindly when mortals try to step into their domain. Alchemy has existed for many centuries. Do you think Kurama is the only Alchemist to try to make a love potion?'
Slightly widening my eyes at the implications, I furrowed my brows, rubbing my chin in thought. 'So, you're saying Sores, the God of Love, is the reason why Kurama's potion exploded? Did he also curse her to turn into a frog or something as well?' 'Yes, that most likely occurred. Otherwise, Alchemists would never learn.'
As I nodded, I couldn't help but find something wrong with Zartha's words; if Sores had cursed Kurama, why did she want me to kiss her, and when I did kiss her, why did the supposed curse break?
"Kurama, why did you want me to kiss you?" As I glanced at Kurama, she released a puff of smoke. "I heard a voice telling me to earn a kiss from the man in my heart if I wanted to return to normal. I didn't think it would really work, but well, I suppose it did."
"Well, I suppose you're lucky… Anyway, don't do that anymore, abandon the idea of making a love potion, that was likely Sores, the God of Love, who caused your potion to explode, and the one who turned you into a frog. It's punishment for a mortal sticking their nose into the realm of the Gods." At my words, Kurama quietly stared at me, her eyes slowly widening while the smoking pip fell from her mouth.
"Um, you okay?" Concerned, I gently poked Kurama, causing her to deflate like a balloon as she exhaled a deep breath, her body slumping as she rubbed her face, her expression exhausted.
"I-I see… That makes sense, so much sense. I feel so stupid now." As she muttered to herself, I rubbed my head, confused about what she was talking about, but after heaving another sigh, she grabbed her smoking pipe and brushed aside her hair. "Let's, uh, dwell on that any longer."
"You've got me curious, but okay… Though, why were you making a love potion? Was it for me?" Slowly nodding, I shifted the topic a little, winking at her as I tried to uplift the mood, causing her to shake her head, gently hitting me with her smoking pipe. "No. Don't overestimate yourself, I don't love you, Alex." "You sure? I broke that curse of yours with a kiss; that must mean I'm the man in your heart."
She once again hit me with her smoking pipe, while I tried to swipe at it, my hand just narrowly missing, dispersing the smoke instead. "Just because you're in my heart doesn't mean it's love." "Then why have you been trying to become my lover?" Thinking I caught her red-handed, I smirked, leaning forward, hoping to hear her admit her true feelings.
"Because I'm fond of you… I've lived for hundreds of years, and I'm still single; I've basically given up on finding my soul-mate. I don't care much either; my love is for alchemy, but I'm still a woman with specific needs. You're a handsome, kind man of integrity that I've grown very fond of; I'd be content settling as your woman, or a mistress, I do not mind."
I'd be lying to myself if her words didn't hurt my ego and pride a little, but as I listened to her, I folded my arms, nodding slightly. "I see. So that's your true feelings?" "Yes… So, what do you say?" Seductively smiling, Kurama leaned forward, rubbing me with her nine, fluffy tails, causing me to poke her nose and push her face away.
"Now I'm definitely saying no." "Eh, w-why? I-I've gotten friendly with your wives; they like me. I-I'm not a virgin, but it's been several decades since I've done it with a man. C'mon, don't be like this, Alex." Pouting, Kurama gave me an annoyed look while I stood up, preparing to leave.
"It might sound a little cheesy, but my relationships must have a foundation based on love and trust." Grabbing the door handle, I pointed at Kurama, my voice stern, though she just scoffed. "Is that so? Then why have I heard from Michelle that she was initially your mistress?" Flinching slightly at her words, I looked away, awkwardly coughing.
"T-Times have changed, i-it's been 16 years since then." "Just agree, dammit!" "B-Bye!" As Kurama lunged at me, I ran off, sprinting past the highly focused Kana as I entered the room and stepped onto the teleporting pad, teleporting away just as Kurama lunged at me once more.
"Haa, that was close." Wiping imaginary sweat, I stood up and quickly left, leaving the Magic guild and stepping out in Cassandra, returning home.
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3rd POV, Daemon Continent
Carrying a stack of reports, Marston strided through the manor, passing the cowering servants and slaves as they did their work. As he neared Mavis's office, he slowed to a crawl, sweat dripping down his face; he pulled his collar and nervously gulped, stopping just before the office door.
Taking a few calming breaths, Marston steeled himself and knocked on the door. "M-Mistress, I've come to deliver a report regarding the ongoing investigation." There was a brief silence, only for a hoarse voice to respond. "Enter."
Nodding, Marstone opened the door and stepped into the office, which looked to have been ransacked by a pair of thieves; shelves were thrown to the ground, books scattered, paintings and decorations damaged and strewn about the room. Lastly, the desk was embedded into three different parts of the wall, leaving Mavis sitting in her chair before nothing but scrap wood.
As for Mavis herself, her appearance was mostly hidden; her head was down, her black hair, usually lustrous and silky smooth, was dry and brittle, hiding her face like a curtain hid a window. Her hands, which were resting on her lap, were split and cracked with blood leaking through.
"Have you found him?" Lifting her head ever so slightly, Mavis eyed Marston through her hair, the atmosphere seemingly dropping several degrees as Marston quickly lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.
"No, not–" Marston was unable to finish speaking, as several dark-red blood tendrils shot out from Mavis, latching onto his limbs and slamming him into the wall. "No? No? All you do is say no. Where is a Yes? Is that so hard, Marston?" As Mavis's hoarse voice echoed off the walls, the tendrils holding Marston in place tightened, causing him to bite his tongue, suppressing grunts of pain.
"M-Mistress, we've searched several major Kingdoms for any news of Alexander, w-we've found nothing b-but only a few remain; g-good news will come soon, I-I am certain!" Quickly speaking, he looked at Mavis, who stopped crushing his limbs, causing him to sigh in relief, only for his arm to suddenly be crushed, causing him to grunt in pain.
"Find him. If you return to me again and I hear a no, I'll kill you myself… I don't need a useless servant. LEAVE!" Glaring at Marston, Mavis released him, causing him to drop to the ground, gasping for air while weakly nodding.
Leaving behind the stack of papers, Marston quietly left the room, closing the door behind him, causing Mavis to loudly shriek, her voice echoing through her estate as she threw a tantrum, numerous tendrils going wild within the room, creating an even bigger mess while she grabbed her head.
"I NEED IT! I NEED IT! I NEED IT!"
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Alexander POV
"Eh, did I use my teeth?" Frowning, I glanced down at Jasmine, who was kneeling between my legs. I flashed a smile, shaking my head. "No, I was just thinking of something. Sorry." "Hmm, was it another woman?" "Ha. Ha. I-Ironically, yes. Ouch." Frowning, Jasmine bit my tip, causing me to hiss.
"Focus on me and me alone." Nodding with a wry smile, she descended back onto my cock, bobbing her head while I leaned back, groaning in pleasure at my wife's oral skills.