"We'll meet in an hour at the carriage area." We'll take some time to shower and get ready to go to the river. Brendu offered her own carriage with her coachman; everyone agreed since it's one of the most spacious and comfortable.

"Brendu? Are you going with Maki?" Areci stops for a moment to question the princess.

"Yes, why?" Areci makes a strange face at that answer; everyone else looks confused. "I've slept with him a few times, I even got my own card." I can see mouths drop open quickly, Shawu and Ogine cover theirs in surprise. It's true — she asked me for a copy of my card, and I agreed after she promised not to drag me to a nobles' party unless absolutely necessary.

"Don't worry, nothing happened. We both have a lot of restrictions, don't imagine anything out of the ordinary." Brendu grabs my arm and pulls me along. "I hope this stays between us, group — I don't want more rumors about this." The princess raises her hand as she says it.

I feel a little less awkward because Brendu clarified things, though they still stand there like statues staring at me. I'll have to explain this whole thing better later.

From the road I can see several bonfires along the riverbank lighting the night; many groups are already drinking, laughing and having a good time. As we move among the crowds I notice different reactions: surprise, whispers, and the odd greeting.

We set up a little farther away—far enough for privacy, but close enough to not seem excluded. We bring out some chairs, a small table, and everything we need for a cozy gathering.

At first there's some awkwardness; people fall silent for a few seconds, but after a couple of glasses of wine or bottles of beer the atmosphere changes radically. Everyone talks comfortably about daily things or old memories, everyone except the twins, who remain serious and mute as always.

I'm sitting on the ground, my body between Brendu's legs, resting my head on her lap and my arms over her thighs; she gently scratches my hair. "This is so relaxing, apparently I did need a break after these three weeks." Almost every day I'd been training, in class, and reading huge books in the library.

"You're a training maniac! Now I understand how you got so strong so young." Shawu shouts, waving her wine glass back and forth; Humyr tries to stop her. Do those two have something going on? Humyr is always very attentive to her.

"It's not just that — I know people who trained as hard as him and aren't half as powerful. He's talented and a little crazy." Ogine adds her thoughts; at first I feel a bit flattered and then don't know how to take it — for my mental health I'll take it as something good.

"He's also a proper gentleman and many other things." I raise my head to look at Brendu; she's smiling at me. "But you're right — sometimes I think: he's missing a screw from training so much." I roll my eyes. Have they all turned against me or what?

I look to the twins for help; they only shake their heads. Areci is laughing at me and Humyr gives me a thumbs-up as if nothing's wrong. I'm alone this time.

"You think that of me? I'm not crazy — I just want to be stronger to help the people I love and protect what's mine." That's part of the truth; almost my whole past life I spent training, and in this new life I had the circumstances to keep doing it — it's part of me.

They all look at me and I blush a little; each of them wears a sincere smile, the kind you give a good friend who's doing the right thing.

"You're a great son and a sweetheart." Brendu's warm smile tightens my chest a little. "But those are totally different things — you're still a little crazy, you must have hit your head hard as a kid." We all start laughing at the princess's comment; I've reached the point where it's useless to argue, so I laugh.

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"Glia, do you want to meet them all?" She's been waiting a few days for this introduction; luckily she's fully healed and doesn't need to sleep all day now.

"Yes, now is better while everyone's still a bit sober." Hearing her answer, I look for the right moment to speak.

"Guys, I have something to show you." I take off my white sweater to show my tattoos. "This marked before and after in my life; in a moment of loneliness and desperation I found a light — I met someone who gave me the best gift I've ever received." Glia appears beside me, her beautiful fox fur and catlike-jaguar face gleaming.

Glia has grown in these days; now she's much bigger than a real jaguar from my past life — her head must reach about 120 cm. She looks truly majestic. "She's Glia — not just my companion, she's like my little sister." Everyone looks surprised, especially Brendu, who's the closest.

Shawu is the first to jump up and hug her. "Glia, you're so beautiful and soft." She strokes Glia's fur gently with her hands.

"I'm Areci Pors, nice to meet you." The leader steps forward to pet Glia's head.

"My name is Ogine." The healer pets Glia like Shawu did.

"Welcome to the group, I'm Humyr." The big guy winks at me as he introduces himself.

"Bruk, pleasure." The young noble gives a small greeting.

"Brak, welcome." His twin sister introduces herself just as briefly and directly.

"Why are you only introducing her now? We've been friends for over a month." Shawu reproaches me without letting go of Glia.

"There were some complicated circumstances; she just finished fully recovering." Shawu looks slightly dissatisfied with my answer; Glia nudges her with her head to calm her.

"So that's why the tattoos — you're a beast tamer. Glia looks very strong and special." Brendu speaks to me directly and then turns to Glia. "Hello Glia, I'm your new older sister — I hope we get along." She extends her hand to stroke my little sister's cheek.

"Yes, she's very special to me, she's my family. She's very happy to finally meet you all." I answer for Glia, who transmitted her thoughts directly into my mind.

Most of them have questions, and I answer as best I can without revealing things I shouldn't. Glia adapted to the group quickly; now she's lying between Shawu and Humyr — I still think those two have something going on.

The night goes on slowly. Laughter, comments, funny faces — everything seems more enjoyable today; definitely a night to remember. The normally quiet twins also share some stories from their youth. Those stories were hard to understand at first — interpreting them was tricky — but we got used to them.

"I'll be right back, I drank a lot of fluids and need to use the bathroom." I get up to go to the nearest toilets by the road; there are ridiculous numbers of restrooms along the roadside.

When I arrive I see a group of four guys about my age waiting outside; I get a couple of astonished looks and some more malicious ones — I ignore them and keep walking. Inside I find two boys laughing while talking about something; they stop when they see me. Their clothes look expensive.

"Look who we have here — the school's new star." The tall boy with blue hair and black eyes addresses me. Why does he look annoyed? Have I done something to him?

"Are you talking to me?" My question is sarcastic — there's no one else in the bathroom. I don't like his tone; hiding malice under a surprised voice won't fool me if your body gives away all that hatred. I try to remember his face, but I can't — it's definitely the first time I've seen him.

"Who else would I be talking to?" His feigned surprise disappears instantly; he slowly steps toward me and stands in front of me. He's half a head taller than me, but I don't care — I look him straight in the eyes. "Don't play macho here, idiot — I don't like that look you have." His friend comes up behind him and the other guys must have heard the noise, because they've entered and look serious.

"I don't have another face, and even if I did I won't change it. Got a problem with me? Do you want to fight?" I didn't want trouble, but this idiot is getting on my nerves — if he leaves I'll let it pass; if he acts, I hope he's ready for the consequences.

"Yes, I do. Stop playing up to people. You act strong and powerful to get the attention of Princess Brendu and Lady Areci's group — I don't like people like that." He raises his Imra a bit and his friends do the same, just in a threatening way.

I stare at him without flinching; that seems to annoy him and he frowns. "Do you know who I am? I'm Salej, the second son of Duke Vallac. Your mere presence nauseates me — seeing you makes me want to break that face of yours." Vallac? The older brother of that Jefran idiot? Are all members of that family idiots?

"I don't care who you are. Move or act fast — I don't have all day for your stupid words." I'm already angry; if I see one more attempt to provoke me I won't hold back. "I thought so — now move. Brendu's waiting for me." Those words are the trigger.

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