"I didn't expect you to see through it so easily. Impressive," Alistair remarked, acknowledging Kaede Kuryuin's insight.
"An ability this powerful must demand a steep price, though," Kaede said, locking eyes with him. "Reality isn't a video game; you can't just edit the source code for free."
"True. The cost depends on the magnitude of the command. Within a certain range, it just drains my mana. Beyond that, it eats my stamina and eventually my life force. I've experimented; there is no upper limit to what I can command, only an upper limit to what I can pay."
"That sounds much more logical," Kaede noted, pouring herself another cup of tea. "However, if that's the nature of your power, I'm afraid I cannot help you personally."
"Is there really no way?"
"Not for me. The elders of my clan might have a solution, but they aren't as approachable as I am. You'll need a significant bargaining chip to get them to even look at you. I'm helping you now because of Yukino, but they don't do favors for free."
"Would this suffice as payment?" Alistair opened his hand. On his palm lay several obsidian-black, polished scales. They radiated a faint, oppressive pressure that made even Kaede feel a weight in the air.
"What creature did these come from?" Kaede's composure broke slightly.
"See for yourself. I'm sure someone of your stature can identify high-grade materials." He pushed the scales across the table. In reality, he had pulled them off his own body on the hike up. Since 'World Gates' were closed, Dragon materials were essentially extinct.
Kaede took the scales into a back room, presumably to run tests. When she returned, her expression was grave.
"Extremely durable, magic-nullifying, and carrying a lingering Draconic aura. These are Dragon scales. But they feel... fresh. How is that possible? Dragons haven't been seen in ages. If you can provide the preservation spell used to keep these in such a state, the Kuryuin clan will solve your problem and grant you three additional favors."
"So you can fix my voice?" Alistair pointed to his mouth.
"I can't. But... my people can." Kaede paused, her eyes lingering on the back of Alistair's hand where a tiny, nearly invisible smear of blood remained.
"Fine. Take me to your clan's territory. I'll do whatever it takes to fix this."
"So you agree to trade the preservation spell?" Kaede asked.
"I don't have a spell. But these scales should be enough, shouldn't they?"
"No," Kaede smiled. "The World Gates will open in three years. We can buy scales then. Your problem is complex; a few scales won't move the elders."
"What if I have more? Dragon blood, teeth... even a live specimen?"
"Can you guarantee they are all this fresh?" Kaede asked with an unreadable look.
"Fresh enough," Alistair replied. He reached into his pocket and produced a sharp, white tooth. As he handed it over, Kaede's fingers brushed his skin, lingering longer than necessary.
"Your skin is remarkably smooth, Mr. Alistair," she whispered, her index finger tracing a line across his knuckles before she took the tooth.
"Thank you, but I'd prefer if you called me handsome."
Kaede chuckled. "You are indeed handsome. There is no doubt about that." She disappeared into the back room again.
"She's getting weird," Alistair muttered to Yukino. He had ripped the tooth out of his own jaw the moment she stepped away; the 'Horse' power had healed the wound instantly, but the ghost of the pain remained.
"I agree," Yukino whispered. "Kaede is usually very strict about personal space. She doesn't touch people unless they are family."
In the back room, Kaede looked at the analysis from her magical instruments. The blood on the tooth and the scales matched perfectly. She touched a stray drop of blood on her finger to her tongue, her eyes fluttering shut in a trance-like ecstasy.