Chương 64: Dragons To Mana

A girl with shoulder-length blood red hair stood tall. Beneath her was a small part of the grass that went on for miles. On the top of the girl's head were small pointy horns similar to that of a baby sheep's. She had golden eyes and her face was filled with arrogance and pride. She wore a tight-fitting but noble-looking white shirt with a red vest. Protruding from her back were two small but elegant wings, signifying her noble race.

For her lower half, she wore long, black pants that stuck to her legs and black boots that clung to her feet; A long, reptilian tail flowed to the ground starting from her tailbone. With crossed arms, she watched as the goblins spawned in 50 meters in front of her. A look of disgust appeared on her noble face. She scoffed, her wings flapping along with her mood. As the goblins charged toward her, she didn't wait for them. Sucking in a large breath of air, she ran forth. Soon, the goblins were in range.

Hailey's golden pupils turned to slits similar to a snake's eyes. A light reddish glow started to show through her clothes, illuminating a line going from her core to her mouth. Not even a second later, red flames spewed from her mouth. Whatever touched the flames path burned; the grass beneath caught fire, turning to ash. At the end of the flames were four goblins who had already become char. The fifth and final goblin had somehow avoided the fire, whether by luck or instinct, no one could tell.

Internally complaining, Hailey turned to the last goblin while still spewing fire. [Floor Cleared!] [Time Taken: 0: 22] Everything that had touched the dragon's flame had incinerated. Only scorch marks and the wisps of ember remained to tell the story. …

"Woah!!!" I let out, shaking Luna, "She can actually spew fire!" Luna's arm firmly grasped my shoulder to prevent me from shaking her,"Yeah, I'm impressed." Luna nodded thoughtfully, "That firepower is no joke. I reckon it's similar to B ranked skill."

"Wow…She's a walking flamethrower."

"Pfft," Luna shook her head, coughing a little, "That's mean." She scolded.

"Mm… I'm just giving my first impressions. She looks very haughty and arrogant; her horns were cute as were her other dragon parts, but I didn't like the outfit at all. Looks like a medieval noble in some fantasy world setting. Her eyes were cool, I especially liked when they turned to slits. Reptile eyes are so cute… I'm curious about where the fire comes from though? Did she gain a new internal organ, specifically for it? If so, do all dragonkin gain similar organs? That's pretty powerful if so.

All dragonkin would be born with an organ equivalent to a B rank skill. Is it limited to fire? Or could there be more elements like electricity, earth, wind, and so on? Though, it's also a little worrying. I can imagine people kidnapping dragonkin to experiment with that organ and trying to modify their own bodies into being able to using it. Plus, for an alchemist, if we were trying to create a strong chimera, that organ would be one of my immediate thoughts." I mumbled all my thoughts.

Usually, I'd keep them internal, but I figured Luna would be curious.

"…" Luna stared at me for a moment in silence, "Um…Please don't kidnap any dragonkin."

"…" I looked at her incredulously, is that really what she got from all that? Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Pfft!" She started to laugh, "I'm joking, joking. Somewhat. Ahem, yeah, she does have a strong RBF, I wonder if it's just her personally, or something that all dragonkin have. That outfit is definitely custom made and enchanted to all hell, it has to be at least B grade, I wonder how much the government spent on it? As for the organ stuff…I'm seeing you in a new view."

"Eh?? I'm not actually going to kidnap her!" I defended myself. No, I mean, who wouldn't be curious!? There'd be so many uses outside of chimera creation as well! I just used the most obvious example I could think of at the moment!

"Pfft," She chuckled, "Not that, silly. It's just reaffirmed me that you are a true alchemist, mindset and all." She explained, "I thought you were only interested in potions, but, you actually think more broadly about alchemy than I thought. But…Chimeras are a little scary."

"Tch," I puffed up my chest, "Of course I think broadly. I am a alchemist. The reason I'm focusing on potions right now is because it's the most easily available and profitable. Plus, I do really like it. Eventually, I do want to try out other paths, like transmutation, homunculus, material refining, engineering, and the such. I want to try everything and find out which one suits me the best and that I like the most. It's not a race, it's a marathon. All things come in due time. As for chimeras…

Well, I think you're mistaken. You probably have a preconception that chimeras are all these huge, hideous beings that is just an amalgamation of various lifeforms. Like something you'd see in anime or read in a novel. And it's certainly possible to make them like that—only picking out the best organs and parts out of creatures to create the best lifeform. But, it all depends on the creator. If you're thinking of some comically evil mad scientist, than, there's a higher chance of that.

If you're thinking of the cutest alchemist you know, there's no likelyhood of that." I explained.

"Hm…" When I looked at Luna after finishing my speech, I noticed she was propping her chin on her palm while staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," She shook her hand, "I was just thinking, as always, you look cool when you're serious and passionate about something." My face heated up and I turned away.

"Ahem," I coughed, "So, any other questions?"

"Mm-mm," She shook her head, "I'll try to avoid my preconceptions when it comes to chimera beings from now on, but, it's not easy."

"Eh, you don't really have to." I waved my hand, "I don't care what you think about other alchemist's creations, just think of me when you think of alchemy creations."

"…Okay." Luna turned away, "…I'm gonna go play games."

"Alright, have fun." I waved her off and picked up my knitting equipment. … The next day I had completely finished the blanket. A mixture of relief, happiness, excitement, and even a little disappointment flooded within me as I stared at the completed product. The blanket was 90 by 90 inches or the standard queen size. It portrayed a raccoon and mouse sitting side by side on a field of grass gazing at the clouds above.

If I was a bit more skilled, I could have added easter eggs like a potion vial or a lightning bolt somewhere, but with at my current level it'll have to do without. After taking a few pictures, I jumped straight into the blanket and rolled around. It was incredibly soft and comforting. Without a doubt, this'll replace the main blanket I use for when I go to sleep. I absolutely need to get this enchanted. Maybe some self-repair and enhanced softness would be good. Oh! Auto-cleaning too. Mm…

I'm gonna work the enchanter to the bone. … Somewhere, the future enchanter of the blanket and scarves shivered. They looked around but didn't notice anything unusual so they sighed and continued their work. … Just like the scarfs, the blanket was also considered an item. [Comfy Raccoon and Mouse Blanket] Grade C Creator: Raccoon A blanket carefully knitted by an amateur filled with love and effort. This blanket was made for two people to share.

The design is of two animals sitting close together, gazing at the clouds.

"Mm…The description is a little…" I mumbled, "Whatever." I shrugged, leaving it alone.

"Haah…" I yawned and stretched my arms wide. Glancing over, Luna was playing some roguelike indie game. I wanted to get up and let her see the finished product, but, the blanket had me in it's clutches. The detestable thing wouldn't let me go! I feel like a princess in a cage trapped by a dragon! This darned blanket is formidable! No… It's taking over! I'm sinking into the depths… My consciousness… … Luna saw the 'You Died!' message on screen and leaned back in her chair.

She stretched her arms and sucked in a deep breath. As fun as this game was, there was a huge, glaring problem with it. After 10 minutes, skeletons would be added to the mob pool. Honestly, what is the developers problem? Why add such a stupid and broken mob to fight. Sighing, she closed the game and glanced back toward the bed. Her eyes widened a bit as she saw Stella sleeping, wrapped up like a sushi roll. Curious, Luna stood up and approached her,"She finished the blanket and… immediately fell asleep?"

She concluded. A small smile came to her lips and she softly chuckled, "Sounds just like her." Though she couldn't see the full completed blanket yet, she could still check the description.

"Mm…A simple name as usual. C grade? Impressive." She murmured. With a C grade item, more and stronger enchantments could be placed on it. Finally, she read the description.

"Ah…" A slight blush appeared on her face as she noted that it was 'made for two people to share'…

"Ahem…" She shook her head and gently touched the blanket, "It is quite soft…" She mumbled. Just then, the sleeping girl stirred away, her eyes gently opened revealing a beautiful amethyst purple. Her long eyelashes softly fluttered as she adjusted and looked at Luna.

"Mouse?" A sleepy voice sounded.

"Ah," Luna, who was seemingly lost in thought while looking at the waking girl, snapped back to reality "Sorry, Bin, did I wake you up?"

"Hehe, Mouse~" Stella unraveled herself, letting the blanket spread wide, "Come here, join me~" Luna stared in thought for a moment before sucking in a deep breath and gently lay on the blanket. It really is comfortable. Luna thought, then, she remembered the description of the item.

Before she could think more, she heard a giggle from beside her,"Hehe," Stella giggled before rolling closing to Luna, pulling the side of the blanket with her, she practically laid on Luna and wrapped the both of them up to make a Luna + Stella sushi roll, "Comfy, right~?" Those were the last words Luna heard before she malfunctioned. …

"Mm…?" I looked up, "Mouse?" She wasn't responding. Noticing that Luna seemed to be asleep, I gently unraveled us and stood up without waking her. I didn't realize she was so tired. With a soft chuckle, I snapped a few photos and yawned. That was a nice nap. Placing the blanket over her, I headed to the living room.

"I guess I'll start cooking dinner." I mumbled. Though it wasn't time for it yet, it would be in a few hours; I'll make something that takes a while so that by the time Luna wakes, it'll be ready. And then… It was time. Time to finally start my mana manipulation training. For real this time.