I'm...a slave?

(Arlan POV)

"The breeze is good today..."

I muttered to no one while flying above the meadows of the Kara forest, a place spanning an enormous distance, and was what rested in between the Cheshire and Leone kingdoms if I remember correctly...

It's an interesting place, a place where the closer you get closer to its centre the more temporarily ailments you are afflicted with. These two kingdoms are at peace because it is known to be nigh impossible to cross unless you can fly over it like I'm doing now or take a boat across the oceans.

"Perhaps I should attempt crossing it again another time..."

It's a famous place amongst high ranking wizards such as myself, a place for unique beasts and flora alike. I remember my last attempt to cross it around 35 years ago of course in my youth I nearly managed to do so, but now I'd likely be able to.

I continue to wistfully have various thoughts in mind in regards to magic and the mysteries of the forest among other things. I've been loosely re-exploring this continent recently, or close to 80 years now. Every nook and cranny practically rests as a recording in my mind, well of course why wouldn't it? I'm me after all!

Feeling a bit listless I think I can visit a town near here on the borders of Cheshire, surely they won't have any issues with me arriving unannounced, even if they did... what could they do?

Having made my decision I conglomerated a few circles of earth magic around my body, created a sharp rift using space magic in front of me, and attached some wind and fire fusion magic onto my feet. When it was all ready to go I burst through the rift and found myself near the border having travelled a few hundred kilometres in an instant. The fire and wind magic were just for a bit of fun since it reminded me of my first city grade magic when I created my first sonic boom.

Haha good times though I remember being chased by the Noelle country elite magus task force... tsk, now it brought up not so fond memories.

Lastly, the earth magic was to defend my body from the impact of the speed. Ugh... speaking of impact I should probably rework my earth magic, can feel a few creaks in my bones. While stretching I heard a loud yell underneath me...

"Oh! Look at this boy..."

A young man with brown hair, and grey eyes,

"He has the scholarly vibe of a magus heh."

He seems to be struggling against a youngling species of Bork a mammal with that strange bottle-shaped head.

"Haha, this is fun!"

I yelled from high in the sky, the boy brought up his hands to his head in an experienced fighting stance.

"Ew~ it's fun watching this guy struggle but his form... I've seen magus have better form and that's saying something."

Though no matter how much I say it's uncomfortable to watch, it's also interesting to see this guy's mood fluctuate. He was extremely fatigued one moment and then determined but for some reason, he looked disappointed to focus. Then when he took out a stick from a space pouch, I was surprised to see.

'He probably comes from a family of decent standing since his clothes also look, middle class.'

When he finished, the most gratified expression I've seen in a few decades appeared on his face. A feeling of accomplishment like everything lead up to this moment in his life, but there was also solemn fatigue in his eyes.

To satiate my curiosity about what drives just as I was about to go down towards him gently, but then a group of borks were now approaching the young one and caused him to have this look of exhausted dread on his face. A look I remember seeing before and one that brought up memories that I fervently dislike. So I decided to help him out... it would seem it's his lucky day since now I'm here to save his life hahaha!

Well enough laughing inside my head down I go!

Letting go and applying an extreme grease enchantment on myself, like a meteor I crashed into the ground, and then I heard,

"An elf!"

Unintentionally I snapped my fingers and performed a bit of overkill on the borks.

'An elf!? An elf he calls me!? I'm nothing like those pompous bastards, with nothing better to do sure I have sharp ears and green hair... but has he not seen my face in the fine print of newspapers? I'm certain it's well known that I hate being called that!'

My super accelerated brain realised it could have been a mistake on his part, but my face had already contorted and my mouth opened out of instinct,

"Ha? What the fuck you call you stupid human scum, that can't make out the difference between an elf and a clearly superior half-elf!??"

(Lex POV)

"... and a clearly superior half-elf!??"

The disdain on his face was clear as this... uh actually pretty cloudy day. Anyways he was not happy with me calling him, an elf I think that his reaction is completely uncalled for! But I can't go around messing with a person on his level as I am right now, so instead, I used the skill that I haven't tried before...

[Crocodile tears]

Immediately thick, salty tears started falling down the sides of my face, I was certain it looked over exaggerated but it also affected Arlan.

"Sir Arlan! Is that you? Sir please I'll do anything I'm very sorry for mistaking you to be an elf, I promise I'll repent but currently could I please request your assistance."

Arlan had an extremely pitying look in his eyes one I didn't expect to see, from the reportedly stoic and arrogant half-elf. He walked near me and asked,

"What's your name boy?"

Looking him in the eyes determined to have him help I spoke

"My name is Lex Armine, sir Arlan would you be willing to help me?"

Thoughtfully he still looked at me with pity,

"What is it you wish to ask of me? Someone of my stature?"

The confidence he had in himself, was something I didn't possess yet but if there's something I believe I can do it would be to have this seemingly soft-hearted half-elf help out.

A little bit of crying, a touch of begging and a series of intelligible words later the magus was willing to listen and asked something else...

"Ok listen here little Lex, I can provide your father the assistance to deal with the "Zodiac bandits" but there are no truly free meals in this world, so tell me... how are you going to pay me back for my help?"

My time was running out fast and I tried rummaging through my memories and offered a variety of things,

"I can give you money?"

"Nope! I already have enough wealth in all types of currency."

'But that's all I'll have if I go back!"

I cried tears of blood inwardly since money was the only thing of value I have, and if he had as much money as he says he does I can't buy him anything either... my only available option is,

"Then if you don't mind, what would such a prestigious figure like yourself want sir Arlan?"

I tried my first attempt at bootlicking in my life I mean I've done it with my parents, teachers and even friends on occasion but this was sort of a deal of different proportions for me...

Arlan Schmidt looked at me with scrutiny, up and down I wouldn't call it lecherous but it was uncomfortable. I was recovering pretty quickly from my fatigue but I was fully aware that it was a far later than I had originally hoped to get to the town.

Though if I can get his assistance I could get there faster and use less of what little energy reserves I had in the tank.

Eventually, Arlan seemed to come to a conclusion and he said words that shocked me greatly... whether this was good luck from the plot armour or something I'd come to regret later was something yet to be seen.

"Little Lex you are a commoner correct?"

Wondering where this was going I answered honestly,

"Yes, I am sir Arlan..."

A faint mischievousness glint appeared in his eyes but, I was far too inexperienced to catch it,

"I have an offer would you be willing to hear it."

A smirk on his face,

"Of course!"

I exclaimed trying to add a painful tone to my voice,

"Then... become my slave!"

1...2...3

"Whaaaaaaaaaat??!!!!"

Shocked! Baffled! Petrified! All were a mixture of looks on my face currently and so I unconsciously spoke,

"I'm sorry Arlan, you are handsome but I am not interested! Please forgive me for not reciprocating your feelings!"

Surprised! Disgusted! Disdain! These were the looks on Arlans face now as I responded in a way he didn't expect,

"What! No! I don't swing that way! And what do you mean you're not interested? So it means you could be interested in guys?"

I blinked a few times and I mean... not really but what is ky creator going to do, let's just say there's a 0.01% chance of me liking the same gender, want to expand the demographic you know?

*Cough!* Anyways ignoring the 0.01% chance for now I responded with my hands waving in front of me,

"No sir I didn't mean it that way! I'm not interested in this offer in that way I'm just jesting!"

Surprisingly he seemed to believe my truth as he said,

"Phew! Ok so! What's the decision? And be quick your father may die soon otherwise..."

Taking my very first goal since coming into this world into consideration and now that I've assimilated Lex Armine's feelings I couldn't deny the depth of my desire to save my second father.

So looking him directly in the mage's purple eyes I spoke genuinely and with a lot of consideration behind it,

"Yes, sir Arlan... I'll willingly become a slave if you help me to save my father."

Besides after three months, this sort of contract should no longer be there... right?