The three companions spent an incredibly relaxing and pleasurable night after a copious meal and, the following 'morning', they began thinking about the few magical techniques that they knew of but had pushed aside because of the situation. For example, the Weaving of Elements and Body Enhancement. One allowed performing feats from a School using another energy, while the other was the equivalent of very advanced and actually useful plastic surgery.
(Rose) I'm not sure I am comfortable with all of that. To say my body satisfies me entirely would be a blatant lie, but this feels like a danger we could go without …
(Enora) I like mine.
With a quick look at tanned woman, Nick continued :
(Nick) Me too, but mine feels unsuitable for our circumstances. I am not very strong, and I don't know if we have time to waste training. Maybe we can get mightier fast through this.
(Rose) It feels unnatural. I don't like it.
(Nick) I am willing to try it on a small scale, to check how dangerous it is, and how it works.
(Enora) Like what ?
(Nick) I don't know … making my hair grow a bit longer ? It would be harmless all in all.
Pondering over this matter for a bit, they agreed to at least try the Body Enhancement technique for this, only to gather information on its inner workings. If it happened to be less dangerous than it sounded, then maybe they would give it a shot with something more significant.
Sitting on the carpet near the fire, the three companions began reviewing the little intel they had on the procedure, to make sure they understood everything. First, a certain quantity of wild magic must be gathered at the place that is about to be modified in an adequate amount. What that means is that if there is not enough, the change will be interrupted and could result in a painful and definitive mutation. However, one should not take too much either, as the excess will be applied even after the modification is over. Since the procedure would be finished, no plan would be in place, making this excess turn wild and random. Any number of things could go wrong in that situation, and even crippling would be a somewhat positive outcome. Second, a simple will has to be made in advance, with as many details as possible to make sure nothing is forgotten. The purpose is to be clear on the actual goal. Third, the carving. That step is a lot blurrier, as it depends on the modification. The situation would change with it. Increasing muscle mass or, in the trio's case, hair length, are very different matters that require different quantities of energy and different planning. The three steps were experimental and very much improvable, but that was a good enough basis.
When everything was said and done, Nick began focusing. The will for increasing hair length was as simple as one can be and, with the help of two other minds, there was a relatively low risk of him getting distracted by his own stray thoughts. He took out a low quantity of Basic Energy from his appendix, slowly moving it through his body towards his hair while simultaneously keeping a very clear idea of the goal to achieve. Oddly, it felt easy. Since he was not alone, the process was smooth and almost logical. Still, the journey from appendix to hair took a dozen minutes, and staying completely focused for that long was quite difficult.
Once this first step was over and the energy arrived at the destination, Nick began applying his will more forcefully to it, trying to imprint it as deeply as he could. Apparently, he had to make sure that this specific cloud of energy was different, not neutral. It was weird since there was no way for him to know if or when it was done. No feedback or anything. He just spent a minute on it before arbitrarily deciding it was enough.
Then came the actual application of the energy on the body through the will. That was supposedly the tricky part. Any number of things could go wrong, for any number of reasons : loss of focus, ill-built will, lack or excess of energy, those were the most obvious. However, even exterior event might disturb everything, like the wind or someone passing by a few meters away. In Nick's case, there was peace all around him, so he could only worry about the first three reasons. But, again, the procedure went remarkably smoothly … until he ran out of energy. Though not by much, he still failed to fully realise the will and suffered the consequence.
Truth be told, he did not really feel anything and was confused about it. Was it because the subject was his hair and hair had no pain receptor ? Soon enough, an image appeared in his mind from Rose while Enora tried to refrain a sudden emotion. That image was one of himself, sitting on the floor, with a head covered in half brown, half coloured hair. The tip that he just grew was bright pink, lightly glowing, and utterly ridiculous. A second later, Enora finally exploded in a loud laugh, rolling on the ground while clutching her stomach.
(Nick) Very funny you dumbass.
(Rose) I like your new style girl !
That remark from the little blond made Enora go even louder and stronger, bringing tears to her eyes. Rose got affected by this hysterical reaction and, eventually, Nick followed. In truth, they were not really mocking him, just teasing. Taking oneself too seriously, and getting angry over it would have been quite childish. It was more appropriate to be able to laugh. After a few minutes of relaxing comedy, the three of them settled down, bringing order to their minds. Enora's stomach was hurting.
(Nick) Guess more energy is needed. I'd like to modify this.
(Enora) Why ? Suits you well 'sweetheart'.
(Nick) Come on, get over it, please. I can't go outside like this ! Even without caring about what people might think, the weird looks would make me a bit uncomfortable.
(Rose) Fine, let's just increase the dose this time. Although, I don't know how much exactly, as you need to revert colour this time : nothing to do with length.
(Nick) We'll see. Please Enora, try to focus.
Suppressing her light hysteria, the tall woman followed the other two in the procedure yet again. It took a little more than an hour to find the correct way to right this neon pink atrocity, but it eventually worked. Nick ended up with hair a few centimetres longer, with the right, brown colour he was used to.
(Rose) Conclusion of this experiment : Nick looks cuter in pink.
(Nick) Fuck off !
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Chapter's Glossary
Body Enhancement : experimental technique created by an ancient mage that allows one to permanently change their body. Dangerous in many ways but possibly powerful.