Phase 2

The clothes I got from my gramma way back when turned out to come in surprisingly handy considering how big they were. Even in my new form, they were a little baggy… Well… At least in the shoulders and around the waist… Still, it was FAR better than trying to wear my old clothes, which had even torn slightly squeezing so tight that my skin was being squished through the holes.

My hair had turned a shade darker, closer to my brothers. It also grew out so long it almost reached my ankles, and was strong enough that even if I did step on it, it wouldn't get pulled out. It almost didn't even hurt… Almost. My eyes melded into a pure white glow with small deep orange highlights here and there, spreading into golden veins surrounding them like faded war paint. My skin wasn't as pale either, becoming a bit more tanned instead of pasty white. Just like the dragon had said, even without magic my body had become tough as steel. I couldn't even scratch my skin with my own nails, which were now as hard and strong as talons, despite still looking pretty much the same. The rough calluses that covered my hands had been smoothed, giving me an unreal amount of feeling that I had never had before, even before I developed the calluses.

Of course, those were all nothing compared to the more obvious changes… The first time I saw myself in the mirror my jaw dropped and I got chills. To be fair… The dragon did describe his "Ideal" woman… So it made sense that's what I would become… I guess? But… That change was so extreme I almost fainted, staring at myself blankly for a good few minutes.

I had grown a couple feet in height, suddenly being taller than Isy. My legs, instead of feeling like rocks of chiseled muscle, were suddenly thick and much less defined… My hips followed that pattern even more so… Despite that, my waist had seemingly stayed the same size and tone, making me look almost inhuman, especially since my abs still showed through a bit, despite all the fat I had gained. Just like he said… A long narrow waist that made me look almost part reptile…

A part of me felt like I should be grateful… Suddenly having the kind of body I'm sure so many people wanted… But honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan… In the practical sense it was worth it though, so I tried not to complain…

It was all plenty strange, but none of it actually bothered me… At least not as much as my chest, which had grown so big that I felt like I had become fetishized… Though… I guess that is basically what had happened… And in reality that probably bothered me more than anything… It was all about as uncomfortable as it sounds…

Suddenly it felt impossible to hide my chest, and it was something I never even thought of before, going so far as to make me confused about whether it was something I should have even felt I needed to "hide" Luckily our school uniforms had pullover tops and not button-up ones, so I was at least technically able to wear Isy's spare, along with her old armored pants to go under her skirt which was too short… Both of which only really fit in the waist… Where they were a little too big without a belt… However, splitting open the sides and adding laces at least made it so that the pants would fit. And again, the uniform skirt was thankful designed to be frilly, so it wasn't too tight.

After the nightmare of getting dressed was over I couldn't help but sigh, staring at myself in the mirror. I had skipped physical training, and all our classes were in the classroom to let us rest our bodies before the exam in a few days. 'Nope… No one is ever going to believe me… And also… I'm not sure I want them too…' My cheeks turned slightly red imagining their reactions. I couldn't deny that I had become less shy somehow. I merged souls with a dragon… So I guess it tracked. If I hadn't, there was no way I'd walk outside my room in what I was wearing… Or maybe at all with how embarrassing my new physique must have felt without those emotions being suppressed. People stared at me and gossiped enough as it was…

'There's one more thing I need to check… My body's definitely changed… So… Status… Comparison.'

[Siya: cute]

[Height. 4'9 / 140 cm]

[Weight 95 lbs/43Kg]

[Age 15]

Strength

84

Agility

115

Endurance

130

Constitution

75

Intelligence

150

Wisdom

250

Total / Level

675

Faith

–

Divinity

***

Magic

52

****************************

[Siya: sexy]

[Height. 7'4 / 222 cm]

[Weight 244 lbs/110Kg]

[Age ***]

Strength

135

Agility

150

Endurance

150

Constitution

200

Intelligence

150

Wisdom

200

Total / Level

675

Faith

–

Divinity

***

Magic

80

What's with these labels… Can I change them? And why did my wisdom go down!' I let out a heavy sigh slowly lifting a hand to my forehead. 'I knew that dragon was stupid…'

[Siya: Tiny]

[Siya: Big]

'Well… it's better I guess… Go back to cute,'

[Siya: Cute]

[Siya: Big]

I dimly smiled, feeling a weird sense of homesickness.

"Siya, are you coming?"

I groaned, splashing more cold water on my face and grabbing my sword. I couldn't wear any real armor… But at least holding a weapon in my hand helped put me at ease enough to not want to breathe fire at every man I saw looking my way… I knew it wasn't fair to them at all… But my feeling more agitated by things was just another thing I blamed on merging souls. Considering how angry the dragon was at everything, it seemed plausible at least…

Normally I would be shy, timid, and embarrassed given the circumstances. But walking down the halls, and even once I reached my seat, I was more so just annoyed if anything, casually crossing my legs and leaning back in my seat as I waited for the teacher. 'My heart's so calm it's making me anxious… Does that make sense?'

When Kal finally came in and eventually looked up at the class to see me in the back row he froze stiff, and although I was a little embarrassed, I actually enjoyed seeing the look on his face quite a bit, finally able to pay attention to things other than myself again.

He slowly swallowed, looking around the room to make sure everyone was there before clearing his throat and beginning the lecture without even bothering to ask the obvious question. Although, I could tell by how often he glanced at me while speaking that he was certainly curious. I didn't think about it until about halfway through, but every time he looked at me, his eyes didn't track to my crazy hair or my freakish new form, but rather to my eyes. Which, to be fair weren't normal either… But it did make me feel… Something. A sense of relief maybe.

 The lecture itself wasn't anything interesting; it was just some basic information about formations that prepared us for the next wave of classes after our first exam. It was probably for the best too, since I don't think many people were paying all that much attention…

"Siya… You're distracting everyone…" Isy muttered.

I rolled my eyes at the sound of my name as if instinctively rejecting whatever followed. "Hmph, Well what do you want me to do? Hide under the desk? I don't fit anymore…"

"Well… No… But you could at least stop sitting like a guy and… Maybe look more reserved?" I raised an eyebrow at her, at first thinking it was ridiculous… And then realizing he really was asking because of the other students… And that I was the reason they weren't paying attention…

"As far as I'm concerned I'm wearing pants under my skirt, so I can sit however I want… And… I'm pretty sure that whether my hands are behind my head, or neatly lying on my lap… That it's not going to make much of a difference…"

She sighed. "You're probably right..."

"Siya, do you know the answer?"

'Wait what…' I chuckled, scratching my head. "Can you repeat the question please?"

Everyone practically gasped as my response confirmed the question on everyone's minds.

"What's the standard size of the most basic unit block in our military?"

'I legitimately don't know…' "Well, adventurers use groups of three. But since the minimum number to form a guild is four, I'm going to assume it's that."

"Yes, that's correct."

I casually raised one of my hands. "Actually I have a question. We all learn how to use bows and swords right? So within this context, does any group of four ever incorporate both? Or is it usually groups of four as a whole on the front line, and groups of four as a whole unit on the back with bows."

He scratched his head. "It depends. For large Battles, it is usually organized with whole units taking one weapon over the other, but for skirmishes, hunts, and fights with smaller numbers, groups tend to do whatever they think is best, which sometimes involves a split, much like how groups fought in the tournament before the guild wars."

'This feels… Does that mean that we have one commander for every four troops…' "Wait… What's the structure like in large-scale battles? Like the chain of command. For instance, if I were on a battlefield, it would start with Isy here, who would just be a knight, and then I would be right above her and command Mo and Bear, and then who would give me orders?"

He turned to the massive chalkboard and laid it all out.

King

General

Commander

Guild master

Lieutenant

Centurian

Chief

Although, people were organized according to guilds in unspecific numbers, being more like a feudal medieval structure, rather than an organized Roman legion, or a Napoleonic command structure… It was disappointing, but not entirely surprising.

"Although realistically, due to your accomplishments and strength so far, if you were to graduate now you would most likely be established as a lieutenant until you prove yourself on a real battlefield."

'So I'm a lieutenant now huh… I'm about halfway there…' I pounded my fist against my chest. "Guess I'll have to keep working hard then If I'm going to make General. I smiled 'With this new body I bet I could even beat him.'

Realizing my shirt had slid up from my gesture I quickly pulled it back down, sitting up straighter in my chair, and clearing my throat. 'Even my mannerisms have changed… How big exactly was the dragon compared to me?'

"At any rate…, Your temporary ranks will be granted after your first examination the day after tomorrow, so take it seriously. Should you be able to hold onto, or even improve this rank, you will be able to maintain it upon graduation. In order to inherit any land you must at least be a lieutenant, and to control a province you must be a guild master. Class dismissed."

Despite him saying that… No one was in a hurry to leave… It was like they all wanted to come up and talk to me, but none of them knew where to even begin, especially those that had said or thought that I looked like a boy… That certainly couldn't be said anymore, but it was hard to feel smug about it… 'Well… Whatever…' I looked down at my hand as I took a deep breath and watched my chest rise. 'My lungs feel huge now too… Better for fire breath? I wonder if I could get him to change this form some more, maybe after he grows up… Well, it's not technically causing problems…'