After half an hour of hard work, the room was cleaned up.

“Much better,” Grynoth nodded approvingly, ”it seems you are not completely useless. How do you like it?”

“Ignoring the potshot, compared to the places I've slept in lately, this is like a palace.”

As much as people liked me, not many were willing to lend their beds to me while sleeping on the floor, let alone offer a private room. Usually, I use my sleeping bag in a corner somewhere. Though I didn't mind and even refused some of those offers out of modesty, my noble spoiled self was always trying to steer me in the wrong direction.

Now, however, it sure was jumping with joy, letting me know how much it missed such luxury.

“Well, I'm glad to hear it. The shelves are yours.”

It took me a while to organize my bag. I began carefully and thoughtfully stacking them one by one.

The first was a limited edition of The Flaming Crest with a super cover, updated illustrations, a pointless prequel, and many other small improvements. I've never been a fan of politics, but this had the power to draw me in from start to finish...at least the main plot.

The second was “Time’s not waiting”: a story of how a moneylender quits his job and goes on a journey to help the common people. For me, this book has always been a symbol of true freedom; if you want to, you can show the capitalistic system a piece of cake and go to live for yourself, not for money or status. It does need to be said, though, that my overall impression was soured when I discovered its author committed suicide, ending life of being a hopeless alcoholic prior. But hey, at least he left a legacy. May you sleep peacefully, Jack McCandless.

The third was a horror called “Morgana's Witch House”. I have never liked horror, they are all scary, black and end badly, but this one managed not only to entice me but also to give me hope. Hope that even absolute scumbags have a chance for redemption, and even after tragedy there is a chance for a happy ending... no matter how absurd it sounds in real life. It's also not a bad study of human nature: what makes us both bad and good people.

The fourth book was titled "The Black Falcon," a striking tale of vengeance featuring a goth vigilante rocker as its protagonist. This installment was particularly captivating, as it challenged my initial aversion to revenge stories and showcased the true importance of seeking righteous retribution. The lure of becoming a rebellious and enigmatic figure, wielding an axe-guitar and taking matters into one's own hands to bring justice to those who have escaped it, was irresistible. Who wouldn't want to be a cool edgelord, operating outside the constraints of the law?

After that, there was a wish-fulfillment book “Eternal Summer” — a story about how a dull librarian gets transported to a summer camp of the past where he learns to enjoy life again.

That was followed by “Dragonkin Village” which had exactly the same premise except for a more… sophisticated audience.

...as I laid out my library, I realized something was missing.

Suddenly it hit me:

“Wait... where are the Chaos Rings?!”

Startled, I began to rummage through my bag looking for the most important book of mine. After a while, I finally found it within its depths.

This book was very special to me. It had been inherited from my late grandfather, and though it was no longer in the best of condition, it was no less valuable to me when I first read it. A book that had me laughing and crying, delighted and angry, and that nearly sent me into a lifelong depression when I thought there would be no happy ending in it. A story that at first assures you that it will be just another light-hearted adventure, but which then expands and becomes an extraordinarily epic and multifaceted, beautiful tale of young adventurers becoming heroes. And fighting for the fate of their world, including their own personal demons.

Definitely a masterpiece of all time.

As I wrapped “Rings” in the jacket and put it a little apart from the other books, I suddenly noticed that my library had come to an end, but other things followed after that.

Next, I took out my camera, on which I captured all the beautiful scenery and interesting people I met along the way.

Then there was the music player. The last time I took it out, I almost parted with it for good as the kids loved it way too much. Well, I have a good opportunity to unearth it again.

…Suddenly I felt someone else's presence and, turning around, noticed how Grynoth, as if by an actual magic, appeared behind me out of nowhere and was now standing, glancing over my head with a bewildered expression for some reason.

“Wha? Envy of my collection?” I asked cheekily.

For a moment I was afraid that he knew these books (as well as all their forbidden content for minors) and now again will begin to mock me for it.

“I see you have brought the most… *essential* equipment for your journey”, he commented, ignoring my question.

‘Ah, I guess not... he's just up to his old tricks again.’

“You know, your sarcasm could melt steel. Also, you're unironically right!” I said, pointing with my both hands at him.

“Right about what? That it's easier for me to more conveniently punish you now for misbehavior?” he asked, and suddenly I found all my stuff entangled in vines.

“Yo, man! WTF?!” — I exclaimed, indignantly.

“What did you just say?” He asked threateningly, and I noticed thorns suddenly appearing on the vines, “you think I don’t know what that means?”

“No, Not the Rings!!! Okay, okay, I give up! Just stop!!!”

“Well, that's better,” he said, and then the vines retreated and I could breathe a sigh of relief, ”from now on, I'll make a deal with you: if you insult me, swear at me, and disobey me, I'll take your stuff for myself. What does it say in your mythology? Dragons like to sit on the treasure they hoard? Well, here’s an analogy for you.”

“N-no fair! Coercer!” I rebelled, “You have no right to manage other people's property like that!”

“Don't want to hear anything. You volunteered to stay with me yourself. Sooo, from now on you will follow my rules like a good boy. By the way, I have many more spells, so you don't even try to hide anything from me — I'll find it anyway,” he said, and — I couldn’t even believe my eyes — actually bleped at me, disappearing behind the door shortly thereafter.

“Wow… I mean… wow. Goddess, give me strength...” — I begged. Seems I underestimated the initial difficulty of this ordeal after all.

***

“Man, how inhuman you actually are, Grisha,” I chastised him, while having lunch, “to use your authority to take away my books for your collection… I’m so ashamed of you.”

“Well, let's start with the fact that I'm not a human to begin with. Secondly… What is the deal with all those weird nicknames of yours?”

"Oh, you mean Grisha? It's just a friendly nickname. Makes you feel almost like a kind grandpa, heh."

The name “Grisha” originally came from the country of “Svabodia”. Or at least that's what my friend Alex told me. I generally like the way they all sound in abbreviations.

Unfortunately, Grynoth seemed to be of the opposite opinion, as his reptilian eyes narrowed. "Interesting. I guess we are already on such familiar terms for nicknames, then?"

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the sudden chill I felt. "Well, you did take me in, gave me a room, and now we're sharing a meal. Seems pretty familiar to me."

The dragonkin let out a low rumble that might have been a chuckle or a growl. "You humans and your presumptions. Very well, call me what you like. But remember, familiarity does not equal leniency. My rules still stand."

"Fair enough... Grisha," I said, unable to resist testing the waters. To my relief, he didn't ensnare me in vines again.

“Have to say though, you are very lucky it is me you just happen to come across among everyone else,” he sighed heavily, “Do you have any idea what other dragonkin would do to you for giving nicknames like that?”

I chuckled nervously, suddenly very aware of my precarious position. "Uh, no... what would they do?"

Grynoth's eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and warning. "Let's just say you'd be lucky if all they did was roast you alive."

“Whoa, you guys are all kind of tough… I thought you'd be a little softer.”

Jokes and all, I was actually glad it was Grynoth and not someone else. Even though his demeanor seems to be both trustworthy and sweet, and, all things considered, I really, really didn’t feel like trying out my fate with another dragonkin.

“This may be news to you, human,” he said, ”but we're raised with steel and iron from the very birth. Did you expect us to be anything other than tough?”

“Well, you know, according to the rules of our realm’s fairy tales, you're supposed to take me under your wing, feed me, water me, kiss me on the top of my head every night and love me forever.”

“Oh? Did those rules, by chance, say anything about whipping you for your misbehaviours as well?” He asked, his scaly hand resting on his cheek again.

“Not yet. But hey, there's always a place for innovation in storytelling! Like, say, ‘My Dragon Summer: The BDSM Version!’ What do you think? Also, hey, you even have your vines to fulfill your kinky needs. Pretty dope, huh?”

"You're pushing your luck, boy.” he said, closing his eyes, although a slight chuckle on the edges of his mouth gave away he was enjoying this banter to an extent, “Tease me too much, and one day I might just do it. And on that note…"

After returning his neutral expression, he added:

“…if you *are* still stuck in your childhood, — I can do all that, but you will be treated as a child too. This includes, but is not limited to: you lying down in a cradle to sleep early in the evenings, getting up strictly on a schedule, eating from the spoon I’m giving you, being under my strict supervision all the time, and reading only what I allow you to read... which means that everything that has even the *slightest* hint of adult content will be swiftly confiscated. Oh, almost forgot: no traveling or adventuring of any kind, not alone, not with me, not with anyone.”

I nearly choked on my food, eyes widening at Grynoth's words. "Whoa, whoa, hold up there! I was just joking around. No need to go full helicopter parent on me."

Grynoth's scales rippled with what I could only assume was amusement. "Oh? That’s a shame, I thought you were in it for a *full* fairy tale experience."

At this point I realized that physique isn’t the only thing.

“You are merciless… Okay, I give up. No more fairy tale expectations. Gonna be a proper adult now, with responsibilities and all. Hurray…”

***

As we were having this conversation, we finished lunch.

“Okay. So! What's our routine going to be?” I asked, “What are my duties?”

“Watching over my house and being a diligent student,” Grynoth said, rubbing his chin and adding, “We'll start tomorrow, but for now I'd like to briefly tell you how our lessons will go.”

Grynoth decided to divide our classes into practical and theoretical: one will include physical training and the other will teach how to survive in his kingdom and how to forage and cook their food without getting poisoned. All in all, a familiar process. The theoretical part was a familiarization with the dangers that I can face and how to overcome them. What monsters dwell here, what their weaknesses are... and I suppose flora was also included. I got a little goosebumps when I thought of living plants, but tried to chase those thoughts away... for now.

“Since the training will be serious, I'll ask you to keep our personal relationship out,” he said, ”only respectful behavior is allowed to a mentor.”

“How am I supposed to show you my deep respect then?”

“First of all, it would be nice if you'd forget about your jokes and quips for a while,” he began, causing me another bout of embarrassment.

“I see… well, I suppose I should tone them down.”

“No. Keep them out *entirely*, please.”

He added, after a moment's silence,

“To be honest, I don't really have anything against them. On the contrary, I respect your boldness. But everything should have its time.“

“Got it.”

’I would have to rewire my brain quite a lot to adapt to a new code of interaction.’

“Secondly... during training you may only call me “Master Grynoth,” so please refrain from other nicknames.”

“...yes, Master Grynoth.”

“In order to teach you discipline, there must be a certain distance between us, at least during class. Please, maintain it.

“

I felt as if the atmosphere had really changed at that moment: as if I were sitting in front of an examiner again. It seems that I can't escape from studying after all…

“Third, don't interrupt me and always obey. If I tell you to run, you should run. Not playing hero, not hiding and waiting for the moment, not getting in the way, just run. Is that clear?”

“...y-yes, Master Grynoth.”

“Finally, while I will try to teach you everything I can, much will depend on your patience and hard work.”

I nodded solemnly, trying to show I was taking his words seriously. "I understand, Master Grynoth. I'll do my best to be a good student."

Grynoth's expression softened slightly. "Good. I know this may seem strict, but it's for your own benefit. The wilds here are unforgiving, and I won't always be around to protect you."

The air became so heavy that I was afraid that Grynoth... uh, Master Grynoth would talk to me like that forever. Fortunately, right after that, he smiled and said:

“At ease, squire.”

And I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, now I'm ready and willing!”

“That remains to be seen”.