Arad woke up in the morning feeling refreshed. He looked from his corner to the bed and stretched his arms. Sleeping in the corner wasn’t that bad. He liked to sleep sitting.
On the bed, Aella rolled like a cat. “Wake up. The sun is out.” Arad stood and approached her, poking her face with his finger.
“Just a few minutes, mom.” She rolled back, covering her face with the blanket.
[I won’t give you any more time.]
^She is talking with you?^
[No, she sleeps talking about her mother. I took the chance to comment.]
Arad grabbed the blanket and pulled it out. Aella shivered from the cold, curling into a ball.
“Wake up. You will warm up when you start moving.” Arad shook her.
Aella turned around, sending a kick toward his face while half asleep. Arad easily grabbed her foot, “Come on!” He pulled her from the bed.
The moment Aella hit the ground, she finally started to wake up. “Arad, good morning.” She said, scratching her eye.
“You sleep like a log,” Arad sighed.
“Sorry about that. We elves usually don’t sleep.” Aella said, trying to stand. “We meditate, but since I discovered sleep, it was my favorite part of the day.”
[As a dragon, you sleep for half your waking time. And your upper limit is sixteen years.]
Awake for 16 hours, sleep for 8 hours.
Awake for 16 years, sleep for eight years.
[This is how dragons hibernate. You can choose how to live as your body can take it.]
^Are you saying I can stay awake for sixteen years? My whole wyrmling stage?^
[Yes.]
^I prefer to live as a human since I have nights. I can sleep then.^
Aella stood, stretching her arms. Since she only wore thin clothing, her chest almost exploded. “What are you looking at?” She asked with a smug smile.
[Don’t stare too much at her chest. I know you like them since you are still a wyrmling.]
“Ah, nothing.” Arad replied, while still staring at her, “Would you mind strapping those milk bags down?”
Aella stared at him with a smile. Thud! She sent a kick toward his face, which he caught.
“Idiot!” She shouted at him.
“Aren’t you the idiot for not strapping them?”
[Arad, I told you to stop.]
Aella sighed, “Fine, sorry about that. Can you get out so I can fix myself?”
Arad nodded, leaving the room.
[You could have pretended nothing happened and looked away,]
^We might end up camping outside with other members. I want her to start paying attention to herself.^
[Like Jack?]
^I will poke his eyes. He can find his mates on his own.^ Arad replied with a growl. ^I also don’t want to lose her in a midnight ambush.^
[I see that you can think a few steps ahead, But please explain it to her.]
^I understand,^
Arad walked down the wooden starts and looked around. The bartender Leon stood behind the counter as usual.
“Leon, is there a place I can wash my face in?” Arad asked with a smile, and the bartender stared at him for a moment.
“Are you sir Arad?” He replied, “My name is William. Leon is my twin brother. I take the day shift, and he takes the night shift.”
[Twins?] .
“Nice to meet you,” Arad replied with a smile, “I didn’t expect this,” He giggled.
“To let you know, not many people know that we’re two people.” William smiled, “It took Alcott six months to figure it out.”
William then pointed to the back, “There is a water jug and a bowl there. You can wash your face there.” He smiled, and Arad went to wash his face.
“Thank you,”
“Don’t worry about it. I will get breakfast ready for you.” He then looked back, “An elf girl should be with you. Is she awake?”
“Yes,”
“Then a few greens for the lady,” William walked toward the kitchen and pulled some lettuce.
Arad washed his face and looked toward the counter, “I will go check on Aella,” He walked back to the room.
Knock! Knock!
“Are you done changing?” Arad called, but he got no reply.
“Aella? Aella?” He called again.
Seeing that Aella wasn’t replying, Arad slowly opened the door and looked inside. He found her sleeping on the bed, topless.
[Did she fall asleep while changing?]
Arad glared at her, “This girl,” He closed the door and walked down.
“William, can I get a bowl of water?” Arad asked, and William smiled, “The lady wants to wash in the room? Of course, you can take the bowl and the jug.”
William handed Arad a jug of water, a bowl, and a small white towel.
“Thanks,” Arad took them and walked back to the room. Aella was still asleep.
SPLASH! He poured a bit of the water on her face, forcing her to wake up like a scared cat.
“KYA! It’s cold!” She cried, rolling away.
“I told you to wake up and change. We have a quest with Alcott. Do you remember?” Arad glared at her.
Aella covered her chest with her hand, “Sorry,”
“You don’t need to apologize. Here wash your face and get ready,” Arad handed her towel and bowl.
Aella took them with one hand while staring at him, “Are you going to sit here?”
“Yes.” He stared at her, “I don’t want to get back to sleep,”
[Arad, give her a second chance. Let’s leave.]
Arad sighed, “Fine. I will see you downstairs.” He walked out of the room.
When Arad got to the counter, he saw Jack sitting there as well, “Good morning, chief!” Waving his hand.
“Call me Arad,” Arad sighed, sitting beside him.
“Say, chief. I heard that a group of scholars is coming from the capital.” Jack started eating his breakfast, “Words in the street that they are looking for a dragon around here.”
Arad froze for a moment, “Is that so?”
“Yeah. It’s an ancient green dragon that passed through this forest.” Jack stared at Arad, “You know that Alcott rushed to deal with a wyrmling yesterday. They think the wyrmling belongs to that dragon.”
Jack pulled out a letter and showed it to Arad, “Look here,” He pointed.
“They want the wyrmling to use as a negotiation tool with the dragon,”
As Arad looked at the letter, he saw the church’s seal at the bottom, which Jack quickly covered.
“I think you hid something important. Where did you get this?” Arad glared at Jack, and the man smiled.
“I didn’t steal it from the church,” Jack replied, “A certain paladin happened to drop it,”
[This man. But we at least have a warning. Let’s lay low until they leave.]
“When will they arrive?”
“I say two to three days. Want something from them?” Jack smiled,
“Why would you bring me this information?” Arad asked with a glare.
“Trying to prove my worth.” Jack patted Arad on the back, “This still hasn’t hit the street.” He laughed, “See? You can rely on me to gather information, even the most obscure ones.”
[We might need him if he’s this skilled. But keep your guard,]
“Thanks for the info,” Arad continued eating. It was then that Aella walked down, yawning.
Arad looked at her, “Good morning,” she said with a wry smile.
“Come eat. We have to meet Alcott. Do you remember that?” Arad called her.
After finishing breakfast, the three of them walked out of the tavern. “Cold!” Aella shivered, blowing on her hands.
“You don’t take the cold that well?” Jack asked with a smile.
“I hate mornings, especially waking just after dawn like this.” She replied.
“You have to get used to it.” Arad said, and Jack nodded, “This is the life of adventurers.”
After walking a bit, Jack looked at Arad, “Are you a monk? I saw you bust that paladin’s sword,”
“You know I’m a sorcerer,” Arad replied.
“It’s hard to believe. The woman used smite, you know?” Jack swung his hand down, “One hit like that, and most would die. You caught it and broke her sword.”
“I have a red dragon bloodline, don’t underestimate the toughness of my scales.” Arad glared at him, “My flames are strong as well,”
“Even so, it is hard for me to believe it.” Jack smiled, “You’re on your way to S-rank. I can feel it.”
“Is that why you are sticking with us?” Arad glared at him.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Aella stared into the distance, “Isn’t that Alcott and Ginger?” she shouted.
“Calm a bit. Most people are still asleep.” Arad stopped her.
“If I’m not asleep, they shouldn’t.” She replied with an angry face.
[This girl,]
“ARAD! IS THAT YOU?” Alcott shouted, BAM! Ginger punched him in the side, “Be quiet. Most people are sleeping.” She glared at him.
Alcott scratched his head, “I also want to be asleep,” he replied, and she caught his ear, “You’re the one who suggested this time.”
“Sorry, I know it’s the best time to shop for weapons, but I just don’t like waking this early.” He sighed.