THE POTION MERCHANT

Aki heaved a deep, contented sigh as he finally completed the task of fortifying the camp's perimeter. To his surprise, the wine he had indulged in had a more potent effect than he'd anticipated, causing the task to drag on longer than he'd expected. He estimated that it took him a good hour to finish the job.

To make matters worse, a throbbing headache now tormented him. He tried to relieve the pain by gently massaging his temples as he made his way back to the main camp.

With a specific purpose in mind, he chose the path that would grant him a view of the horses. Aki had always held a deep affection for domesticated animals. Even in his solitary moments, typically spent in the library, he found himself drawn to reading about potential pet companions to accompany him on his journey. A loyal, quiet companion intrigued him. He immersed himself in details about horses, giant wolves, and even the mythical dragons – the steeds of legendary warriors. However, after some time, he dismissed the idea, realizing he might prioritize his mount's well-being over his own.

A radiant smile lit up his face as he finally laid eyes on the half-dozen magnificent stags. Aki rushed toward them and came to a stop just in front of these majestic creatures, struck by their sheer magnificence. He couldn't help but notice the enormous stagecoach they were tethered to, and he couldn't help but feel sympathy for the horses tasked with pulling such a heavy load.

"What's your name, buddy?" Aki asked with enthusiasm, his excitement bubbling over. He began to stroke the horse, introducing himself and murmuring soothing words in an attempt to calm the animals. He picked up a bale of hay and fed it to one. He wished he could do the same for all of them. However, the laughter coming from behind the carriage diverted his attention.

"They're still drinking?" Aki thought, a slight frown creasing his face. Despite his solitary nature during his time at the Academy, he had often dreamed of sharing a drink with friends once he was out. But the merchant's family was certainly not his kind of people. The mother's awkwardness exceeded even his own, Schylo was excessively boisterous, and Landon, to be frank, was the creepiest person he'd ever encountered.

He couldn't help but wonder how Yumi remained oblivious to the way Landon gazed at her. Aki reminisced about how Yumi had been smiling at him before he left, almost as if she was urging him on. However, Aki couldn't bring himself to accept the idea that Yumi appreciated Landon's gaze.

The horse seemed to sense his annoyance and tilted its head at him. Aki gave the horse a slight smile and said, "I know. Maybe that's normal, and I'm just being overly critical."

More hollering reached his ears, and Aki took that as his cue. "I'll catch up with you later," Aki bid farewell to the stag, grinning as the stag seemed to acknowledge him with a nod.

As he walked toward the campfire beside the stagecoach, Aki came to a stop as he recognized familiar scents wafting in his direction. He looked up at the massive carriage and realized that the merchant was likely selling potions, or at the very least, the ingredients required to make them.

"That could make for an interesting conversation starter," Aki thought. "I might not be fond of them, but if the merchant is indeed a prominent and renowned businessman, it's in our best interest to be polite. It could open doors for us in the Capital."

With renewed determination, Aki made his way back to the campfire once more. However, once he arrived, he stopped in his tracks, frozen by what he saw.

---

Aki found himself frozen, his jaw hanging open in sheer disbelief. The expressions on the faces of his companions clearly conveyed their surprise, reflecting their astonishment at his sudden appearance. It was as if they had momentarily forgotten he was even with them. While Aki couldn't be entirely certain, Schylo visibly recoiled as he swiftly withdrew his hand from Yumi's thigh. Meanwhile, Landon, his face a mix of perplexity and a touch of fear, remained just as immobile as Aki himself, his arms were wrapped around Yumi's shoulders.

Yet, it was Yumi who truly caught Aki off guard. She had shed her armor and now sported a form-fitting white shirt that accentuated her figure, a stark departure from the black attire she had been wearing beneath her armor when they left the Academy. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she made an attempt to disentangle herself from Landon's grasp, but he held her firmly, and they ended up tumbling to the ground together, their goblets of wine spilling their contents all over them.

While on the ground, Yumi and Landon locked eyes, their expressions mirroring their shock, before they both burst into laughter at their unexpected predicament.

Aki initially moved to assist Yumi but hesitated when he noticed her drenched white shirt, her pink bra could be seen by everyone. In fact, Landon didn't even try to hide that he was staring at it. Aki's struggled as he grappled with the decision of helping her to her feet or fetching her satchel for a change of clothes.

"That's the second one tonight!" Yumi remarked with a giggle.

"This one was purely accidental," Landon chimed in with a smirk, though his gaze remained undeniably fixed on Yumi's exposed bosom. "Looks like you'll have to take it off again!"

It was apparent that Aki wasn't supposed to overhear that comment, Yumi's eyes briefly as she briefly glanced at him. She raised her fingers to her lips, trying to hush Landon, who simply laughed in response. After a brief moment, Yumi also burst out laughing, joining in the laughter.

"What?" Aki thought. "Did she change right here?" His mind resisted the idea, unwilling to accept what he had just heard. In his inner turmoil, he convinced himself that Yumi must have changed her clothes inside the stagecoach, refusing to consider any alternative.

His face must have betrayed his thoughts, as Schylo took one look at Aki and immediately stood up. He opened his arms in welcome and approached Aki. "Welcome, Aki! Come join us by the fire," he said warmly, grasping Aki by the shoulders as if greeting an old friend.

It seemed like Schylo intentionally used his massive frame to shield the two from Aki's penetrating gaze. Aki shifted his attention to Schylo and whispered, "What did Landon mean by that?" His voice held a touch of barely concealed anger. Aki was on the verge of losing his temper, only holding back due to Schylo's apparent connections within the Capital.

Schylo's grin remained, but Aki thought he saw a slight narrowing of his eyes. "You must be a bit tipsy, Aki," he whispered back, tightening his grip on Aki's shoulders. "Landon said no such thing, he only said it was an accident."

"Could Yumi really have done that? Is your trust in her so little?" Schylo asked, a friendly smile playing on his lips.

Aki closed his eyes for a moment, thinking. He chastised himself for entertaining the idea of Yumi taking off her shirt in front of strangers. Schylo was right, the idea was beyond absurd. Yumi was not that kind of girl. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, "I'm sorry, Schylo. I might be more intoxicated than I thought."

"That's okay, Aki," Schylo replied, nodding understandably. "Come. Join the fun."

Aki found himself being guided to a seat by the campfire. Once Schylo was sure Aki was comfortably seated, he took a seat next to him. Aki couldn't be entirely sure, given Schylo's obese body in the way, but it appeared Yumi settled in on the other side of Schylo, and Landon took a seat close to Yumi.

For a moment, Aki thought he saw Yumi lean back against Landon as his arms raised to encircle her shoulders, but before he could be certain, Schylo leaned forward, obstructing his view. Schylo picked up the goblet Aki had abandoned and handed it to him.

Aki furrowed his brow, as the goblet was already filled. He was sure it had been empty when he left it. He shook his head, saying, "I'm sorry, Schylo. I must decline. We need to leave early tomorrow morning."

In response, Schylo pressed the goblet into Aki's hands. "It's fine, it's fine. I have potions that can rejuvenate you for the journey tomorrow. I'll give them to you for free, in addition to the gold I'll be paying you." He smiled at Aki, but he was clearly emphasizing that, for the moment, they were on his payroll.

The notion didn't sit well with Aki, but he took the goblet to end the discussion, with no intention of drinking from it.

"Aki!" Yumi suddenly said.

Aki turned to see Yumi rising from her seat, Landon's arm falling from her shoulders. Aki frowned and shot a disapproving glare at Landon. He now realized that Landon's arm was back around Yumi's shoulder, and he was about to warn Landon not to do that when Yumi approached Aki, pouting her lips, her brows knitted in disappointment. Her clear dissatisfaction tugged at his heart. She knew him well and understood perfectly that he had no intention of drinking. "You're in trouble now, Aki!" Landon said, laughing.

For the moment, Aki ignored him, his gaze fixed on Yumi as she stood over him, her hands on her hips, still pouting. Her white shirt was still wet, and Aki did his best to avert his eyes from her pink bra peeking through her drenched shirt. "Come on, Aki!" she urged. "You didn't get to celebrate our graduation! Drink with me!"

Hesitating slightly, Aki would have loved to have a drink with Yumi, but not in the company of these people. He attempted to look at Yumi with a hint of disapproval, but as always, Yumi's infectious enthusiasm broke through his ****. "Alright, but I want you to change your clothes."

Yumi grinned in response, and Landon handed her a goblet. She raised it, initiating a toast. Schylo and Landon followed suit, with Aki following last. "To Aki!" Yumi exclaimed. "The best fucking student the Academy has ever seen!"

Except for Aki, all three of them sipped from their goblets. Aki took a moment to furrow his brow, as it was the first time he had ever heard Yumi swear. Aki shrugged after a while, acknowledging that they weren't kids anymore. He drank from his goblet, which was noticeably fuller than the others.

Landon finished first, he grinned at Yumi and said, "You really got a potty mouth, huh, Yumi?"

Yumi put down her goblet, and wiped her mouth, "Oops," she said mischievously. "I'm not usually like that."

"Really? So you don't swear when you..."

"Well..." Yumi said, interrupting Landon with a glimmer in her eyes. "I didn't say that. I meant in public."

Landon clapped his hands excitedly and rubbed them together. "So only in private company then?"

Aki finished his drink and, as he set down the goblet, he fixed his gaze on Yumi. He wanted to clarify and ask what Yumi meant, but suddenly, Aki felt his senses dulled by the ****. However, something about this goblet seemed different. It hit him like a sudden storm, and, along with the usual signs of inebriation, he felt an uncomfortable sense of disconnection from the situation. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Schylo and Landon exchanging glances. He should have felt suspicious, but he felt nothing. It was as though his emotions were dulled to the point where he lacked the motivation to react.

"A lady doesn't tell her secrets," Yumi slurred, swaying slightly.

"That is rich coming from you, Yumi!" Landon exclaimed, guffawing. Beside Aki, Schylo was also laughing.

"Yumi," Aki managed to say, his mind so muddled that even speaking took a great deal of effort. Yumi turned to him, her brows raised expectantly. "You said you'd change your clothes..."

"Oh! I did!" Yumi exclaimed, grinning mischievously from ear to ear. Her hands reached down to the base of her drenched shirt, seemingly about to take it off in front of everyone. Landon and Schylo cheered and hollered, chanting for her to remove it.

Yumi motioned as if she was about to take it off and Aki's heart skipped a couple of beats. He raised his hands helplessly, "Not here..." he said, almost pleading.

Yumi's grin grew wider, and she twitched her hands upwards, revealing a glimpse of her firm abs. However, her exaggerated movement made it clear that she was merely teasing. She chuckled at their expressions – Landon and Schylo appeared disappointed, while Aki looked horrified. Seemingly satisfied at teasing them, she let go of the base of her shirt. "Of course not, Aki. I'll go and change," Yumi said.

"Boo! Aki!" Landon said, playfully turning toward Aki with mock anger. "Let the lady do as she wants!"

Aki sighed with relief. As Yumi turned toward her satchel, Aki shifted his gaze and shot Landon what he hoped was a triumphant glare. Landon had been getting his way all night, and Aki was just pleased to win one small victory in his **** state. Strangely, Landon wasn't looking at Aki anymore. His gaze was towards Yumi.

Yumi's back was turned to Aki, so he couldn't see what she was doing. She might have been whispering or gesturing to Landon. All Aki could discern was that her head was tilted in Landon's direction. An almost imperceptible nod from Landon prompted Yumi to finally walk over to her satchel. Aki frowned, wondering what had transpired between them.

"Aki, my boy. Do you know what I sell?" Schylo said beside him, causing Aki to jump as he had almost forgotten Schylo was there.

"Potions and... their ingredients?" Aki replied, his words slurring now. The thought of getting drunk and passing out horrified Aki even more, and he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Correct!" Schylo said, sounding somewhat patronizing. "Not the usual kinds, but potions for everyday purposes. The potion I'll be giving you tomorrow is our best-seller - the Hangover-Over potion!"

Despite his mistrust of the merchant, Aki found himself grateful for the conversation, hoping it might help him regain some of the faculties that seemed to have been dulled. He gazed at Schylo with renewed interest, which prompted Schylo to continue.

"Rejuvenation potions are easy to make but have a lengthy process," Schylo explained. "Imagine wasting a rejuvenation potion on a simple hangover. We also have potions that can help you focus, style your hair, and even regrow thinning hair!"

Aki nodded at Schylo, appreciating the cleverness of the potions he mentioned. The last one he spoke of might not be of much use to an Academy filled with young people, but the first two would likely be a success. He wondered whether the Academy would permit the use of the focus potion when he realized that Landon was no longer with them.

His heart began to race as he scanned the area, searching for Landon. Observing his anxiety, Schylo grinned mischievously. "Looking for Landon?"

Aki nodded, concern evident on his face.

"He left to relieve himself," Schylo explained, his eyes glinting playfully. He raised his glass. "You're overthinking, Aki. Come, have some more to drink."

Schylo refilled Aki's goblet and handed it to him, watching intently until Aki took a small sip. He then clapped Aki on the shoulder as if congratulating him for complying.

Schylo began to share more stories with Aki, who tried his best to listen. However, his mind was drifting, and it had been too long since Yumi had left. He felt his worry increasing, but he lacked the motivation to take any action. All he could do was wait.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yumi returned. Aki couldn't help but smile slightly, relieved that she was okay. But his relief was short-lived as he spotted Landon right behind her, grinning widely.

Aki's heart sank, and he let out an audible groan. He observed Yumi with a puzzled expression. She had changed into a black tank top that showed some cleavage, which didn't bother Aki, but something about her appearance seemed off. With her left hand, she gave Aki a wave, but her right hand was awkwardly positioned in front of her, suggesting she was hiding something. Yumi made her way to her satchel.

"Well," Landon announced to Aki and Schylo. "I have to say. She's one for privacy."

"Is that so?" Schylo responded, his eyes shifting toward Yumi. Aki also gazed at Yumi, wondering what Landon meant. From her satchel, Yumi retrieved a blanket and wrapped it around her entire body, inspecting what it covered before turning to look at Aki. "A bit cold," she said sheepishly.

Despite his unease, Aki found himself relieved that Yumi had covered herself with the blanket. At least, Landon and Schylo wouldn't be ogling her cleavage anymore. He glanced at Landon, expecting some objection to the blanket, but Landon didn't seem to care. In fact, he had a satisfied expression on his face, even though he appeared to be slightly out of breath. Landon settled back into his seat, holding two goblets filled with wine.

"C'mon, Yumi," Landon said. "Come and drink. Recharge your energy. We still have a long night of fun ahead of us."

With the blanket draped around her body, Yumi jogged over and took the goblet from Landon before settling into a seat next to him. Aki's unease continued to grow.

---

As the night continued, Aki managed to steal glimpses of Yumi and Landon despite Schylo's substantial presence obstructing his line of sight. To his relief, Landon's arm was no longer around Yumi's shoulders, though they remained intimately close, sparking a twinge of jealousy within Aki. They exchanged soft whispers and shared affectionate smiles.

Meanwhile, Schylo had been an unceasing chatterbox beside him, reeling off the names of illustrious and affluent individuals who had placed orders for his potions. He persistently sought Aki's opinions on the various potions he intended to sell.

"How about a potion that could make you taller?" Schylo inquired.

Aki had been sipping from his goblet gradually, allowing him to avoid any chiding for not drinking more. This approach enabled him to maintain some semblance of composure, despite the lingering sense of inebriation and the peculiar feeling of disconnection. Every movement, even the simple act of speaking, required extra effort from Aki.

"If it doesn't have a permanent effect, then I'd have to decline," Aki replied slowly, now fully aware that most of Schylo's potions had temporary effects, a deliberate design choice.

Schylo rubbed his round face, lost in thought. "I see. But permanent effects could be detrimental for business," he mused, more to himself.

Schylo sighed, "That's disappointing to hear... Oh!" he suddenly raised his voice. Aki winced as his headache surged from the sudden loud intrusion into his eardrums. Annoyed, Aki glared at Schylo as the corpulent merchant leaned towards him. "I have a potion you'd surely appreciate! Want to know what it is?" he whispered.

Aki gave a resigned nod, understanding that any response he gave wouldn't deter Schylo from sharing the secret potion's purpose.

"A potion for young lovers!" Schylo announced, grinning.

It took a moment for Aki to process what Schylo meant, and when he finally understood, he looked away, blushing. He had no intention of discussing such personal matters with the merchant.

Schylo laughed heartily. "I can't believe that was possible - you've turned even redder than before! Young Aki is more innocent than he seemed!"

Schylo then turned his attention to Yumi. "And we know Miss Yumi is VERY innocent, don't we?"

Despite himself, Aki found himself curious as well. After a few seconds, he leaned forward, peering at Yumi, expecting her to shake her head or respond in some way. To his surprise, Yumi merely smiled and then took a long sip from her goblet.

Strangely, Schylo laughed even louder, and Landon raised his left arm in a cheerful toast. "That's what we like to see!"

Aki frowned, puzzled by Yumi's response. "Did she nod or not?" he wondered. "Their reactions are odd..."

Aki closed his eyes for a moment and massaged his temples, as the situation became increasingly strange. He regretted allowing himself to drink so much in the first place.

Then, a troubling thought occurred to him. He opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Yumi and Landon. "Where... where is his right hand?"

While Aki pondered, Schylo raised his goblet once more. "To Yumi and young love!"

Aki raised his goblet in toast, but he wasn't paying much attention to the merchant; there were questions in his mind that he wanted answered. Where was Landon's right hand? And what was it Yumi was trying to hide?

When everyone else started drinking after the toast, he only took a small sip of wine. Knowing he was close to fully losing himself, he refrained from drinking more, as it wouldn't provide the answers he sought. Unfortunately, Landon noticed him, and Aki observed Landon whispering to Yumi. Yumi, who was in the midst of emptying her goblet, halted and stood up, scowling at Aki.

She had suddenly risen, which took Landon by surprise. Aki finally saw where his hand was; it was relatively quick, but he believed it was resting on Yumi's side. "Just on her side, right? He can't have been touching her chest," Aki thought.

"Don't be a buzzkill, Aki!" Yumi exclaimed, walking toward Aki. She was clearly intoxicated, nearly stumbling a few times. She stood looking down at him, hands on her waist. Aki shook his head at her, explaining himself, "I can't drink that much, Yumi."

Yumi contemplated for a moment, and then with fierce determination on her face, she grabbed Aki's arm that held the goblet and raised it up, causing Aki to stand as well. He just followed her lead instead of risking injury by resisting, knowing she was much stronger than him.

"Then just do it with me," Yumi whispered as she took his arm and linked it with her own. With their arms locked together at the elbow, they stood closely, and Aki could smell the **** on her breath. But there was something else in her breath. But before he could think of it, "Are you ready?" she asked, fluttering her eyes. Aki nodded, and with their arms crossed, they both raised their goblets and drank.

They emptied their goblets, and Aki struggled not to vomit. Meanwhile, Yumi raised her glass and cheered with Landon and Schylo, both of whom were whistling and clapping.

"Good job, Aki!" Landon said.

Aki ignored him and focused on Yumi. It occurred to him that she wasn't wearing the blanket anymore, which meant he could see what she was trying to hide beneath. Aki's eyes widened as he spotted marks on the upper part of her cleavage. He wondered what they were as they looked like tiny bruises. Then he gasped as he noticed that Yumi wasn't wearing a bra. Her nipples wear poking through the soft fabric of her clothes.

He wanted to ask what they were, but then the wine had finally hit him hard. Aki slumped back into his seat, so drunk that everything that happened next became a blur. He knew he no longer had any say in what happened next. He could look around and hear, but he felt completely disconnected from the situation. Even his strength had abandoned him. If the merchant and his son were to tie him to his chair, all he could do in response was look at them helplessly.

Aki opened his eyes and his eyes followed Yumi who picked up the blanket that had fallen on the ground and quickly sat back on her seat beside Landon. As she sat back on her seat Landon pulled her close to him. She covered herself with the blanket once more but Aki was able to peer inside. Aki thought he saw Landon's right hand reach out to grip Yumi's left breast but the blanket closed around Yumi before he could be certain. "Yumi?" Aki said.

Yumi shifted her gaze toward him, responding with a simple, "Hmm?" Her lips pursed, waiting for him to say more.

But Aki found himself at a loss for words. He had called her name almost instinctively. Shaking his head, he attempted to clear his mind and focus on the peculiar situation. But it didn't help. Aki breathe deeply and looked down on the ground as he massaged his temple.

Despite everything he was feeling, Aki wanted to be certain. This would be the biggest turning point of Yumi and his relationship. He needed to see it first hand. He needed to see where Landon's hand rested and to know what were those in Yumi's cleavage.

Aki's consciousness held onto the hope that Landon's hand was innocently resting behind Yumi, maybe the hand wasn't heading towards her breast but was now gripping the back of her chair for balance. A voice deep down inside himself screamed at him that this was not the case. But he couldn't accept it.

Aki felt Yumi's eyes on him, and he gazed back at her. He realized that she was still waiting for him to address what he had called her for, as she wore an expectant expression on her face. Suddenly, Landon cursed beside her, prompting Yumi to shift her attention to him. Yumi appeared on the verge of bursting into laughter as she observed Landon.

"Landon, you're shivering. Do you want to share this blanket?" she asked with a mischievous grin.

"Fuck yes," Landon replied, his annoyance evident. Yumi then removed the blanket to share it with Landon. Aki's heart leaped as he noticed that Landon's hand wasn't resting on Yumi's breast. In fact, it emerged from behind her. "He must have been gripping the chair," Aki thought hopefully.

Landon raised his right hand, and as he did, he shook it as though it had gone numb. He commented to Yumi, "That's tight."

As Yumi smiled at Landon and replied, "I'll take that as a compliment!" she glanced briefly at Aki before focusing on spreading the blanket over them. She then turned her attention to Aki and said, "Umm, Aki, this won't fit both of us - I'm scooting closer to Landon. He's too big."

Not even waiting for Aki to reply, Yumi and Landon shifted closer to each other, sharing the blanket, which made their seating arrangement more intimate. Now, Landon leaned forward ever so slightly, positioning his shoulder in front of Yumi. In this configuration, Landon's right arm remained in front of Yumi.

"Did you just call me fat?" Landon asked playfully.

Yumi licked her lips seductively and replied, "No, silly." Yumi's eyes move downwards and she pursed her lips, like she was reaching for something. There was a distinct but small movement in the blanket in the side of Landon, "But yes.... Hmmm... You are quite huge."

"Sorry," Landon said. "Not everyone can be... tight!" he said and Yumi's lips slightly parted, she bit down on her lower lip, closed her eyes, and a small, suggestive smile appeared on her face. Meanwhile, Landon intentionally averted his gaze from Aki, focusing on the forest. However, Aki could detect subtle movements in Landon's shoulders, intensifying his unease.

Aki's concern deepened as he pondered the implications of this closeness. He desperately thought about how to separate the two. "Yumi, would you like to change seats?"

"No, thank you, Aki," Yumi replied, her eyes closed as if she was savoring something that Aki couldn't comprehend. "I'm comfortable here."

Yumi seemed to be struggling, her mouth opened and closed and she pursed her lips. She then turned to Landon, her voice purring, "Can you hand me my goblet?"

Landon grinned, and with utmost care, his left hand emerged from under the blanket. He reached out to get Yumi's goblet, but it was just out of his reach. To reach it, he had to lean forward, and as he did so, Yumi leaned with him, and a small moan escaped her lips. "That's too deep," she murmured.

Landon quickly apologized, "Oh, sorry," as he handed her the goblet. Yumi's right hand also emerged from beneath the blanket to accept it. Aki struggled to comprehend what was happening, as they seemed to be extraordinarily careful with their movements, ensuring the blanket did not expose too much. It felt like they were performing a complex, coordinated act from the circus, two heads in one body.

As Yumi tried to take a sip from her goblet, Aki's unease heightened when he noticed Landon's shoulders twitching, causing Yumi to lean back and let out a sultry moan. Some of the goblet's contents spilled onto the floor. Yumi initially glared at Landon, but it didn't last, as another moan escaped her lips, and a suggestive smile formed on her face.

Beside Aki, Schylo interrupted his observations. "Tell me, Aki," he said, leaning in closer. "Are you and Yumi together?"

Taken a back with the sudden question, Aki quickly replied, "No! I mean, not yet."

Schylo raised his brows, "Not yet?"

Aki looked away, he groaned inwardly, he didn't want to divulge that with these two listening. But then a thought occurred to him, if Yumi heard this, she might stop whatever she was doing underneath the blanket.

"Oh, Aki!" Yumi said, smiling at him. Aki shifted his gaze at her, she sounded touched by what he said and he felt a glimmer of hope that she'll stop. Unfortunately, it didn't last. Her body suddenly convulsed. Aki noticed that Landon shoulder was moving quickly now, like a tremor. He was also gazing directly into her eyes. Yumi pried her gaze away from Aki and looked back at Landon.

"Fu... Shit," she said, her mouth open, raggedly breathing. Their face was inches away from each other. Aki wanted to stop them but he found that he couldn't, he felt his strength was gone. He glanced at Schylo who was looking at him with a wry smile. Almost as if he knew that Aki couldn't do anything.

"Aaaah, fuuck!" Yumi exclaimed and her head drooped down as she her body spasmed.

"Shit, that was tight," Landon said, grinning widely while Yumi convulsed beside him.

Finally, Yumi's spasms stopped, she was gasping for breath. Landon shifted his gaze from Yumi to Aki. He winked and suddenly removed the blanket covering them. Yumi gasp and she leaned forward grasped her thighs.

She was still wearing the black tank top, but the horrified look on her face made Aki wonder what she was hiding.

Landon stood up and stretched his arms up in the air. A satisfied smirk in his face. He slowly pulled out his finger and sniffed it. "Smells good." he said.

Schylo then piped up, "She's ready then? Landon, I think it's time to feed the horses."

Landon nodded, smiling. "Yumi, care to accompany me?"

Yumi, who was still leaning forward, vigorously nodded. Her eyes pleaded. "Cover me for a bit?" she muttered, smiling hopefully.

Landon laughed as he glanced at Aki. Using his massive frame, he stood between Aki and Yumi, obstructing Aki's direct view. Yet, Aki could still see in between Landon's legs, with some visibility. Aki was able to make out enough to notice Yumi quickly standing up from her seating position.

Landon suddenly moved sideways, and Yumi's eyes widened as Aki saw her clearly, at least as clearly as he could in his **** state. Her hands were at the waistband of her pants, either pulling them up or pulling them down, leaving Aki uneasy.

"Let's go," Landon said, still laughing slightly. He walked away, with Yumi giving Aki a guilty smile before following him.

As they departed, Schylo's disinterest in conversing with Aki became palpable. The two of them sat in silence, with Schylo intermittently sipping from his goblet.

Moments later, Aki's ears caught a sound that resembled Yumi's voice. His immediate instinct was to move towards the sound to ensure Yumi's safety, but he quickly realized that he had no strength left.

Schylo must have noticed Aki's concern, casting a sidelong glance at him. "Did you hear that too?"

Aki inquired, "What was that?"

Schylo responded nonchalantly, "Just a woman having a good time. She must have been riding.... one of the horses."

---

Aki raised his head when Landon and Yumi returned, both of them clearly out of breath. "Those horses were quite spirited tonight, pops," Yumi remarked.

Schylo let out a hearty laugh. "My turn?" he asked Landon.

A faint frown crossed Landon's face, and he hesitated for a moment before eventually nodding.

Schylo rose from his seat and offered a courteous bow to Aki. "I apologize, young Aki, but now it's time for me to get some rest."

Aki didn't respond. Even if he wanted to, he had almost no strength left, using every ounce of his energy to stay awake.

Schylo bowed once more to Aki, his wide grin remaining plastered on his face. Yet, beneath the surface, Aki detected a sinister gleam in his eyes. To Aki's utter horror, Schylo started moving towards Yumi, who still wore that distant look, her breaths coming heavily.

Aki held onto hope that Yumi would deny Schylo's advances, but she merely smiled and allowed herself to be led away. Aki desperately wished he could intervene, but his own strength had abandoned him. All he could do was hope that Yumi would come through this unscathed, despite the unsettling realization that her drink, like his own, might have been laced with potions.

Aki drew in a deep breath, and as he did, the sound of Landon drinking from his goblet reached his ears. Aki glanced up, locking eyes with Landon, who seemed to be observing him intently as he sipped his drink.

"You're a lucky man, Aki." Landon said. "She's the most beautiful girl I've seen. Tight too. you would never have known with the amount of guys that had her."

Aki's mouth hung open in disbelief. It appeared that Landon was no longer pretending, no longer concealing his true intentions. But Aki was unwilling to accept this reality. He clung to the belief that Yumi's drink had been spiked. Landon continued to sip his goblet, all the while watching Aki's reaction with a twisted sense of satisfaction.

"You... spiked her drink," Aki managed to say, tapping into his anger for a surge of strength.

Landon laughed before shaking his head dismissively. "Aki, there was no need to spike her drink."

Fury boiled inside Aki, his every instinct urging him to rise and confront Landon, even to exact ****. He tried to wield his magical abilities, but nothing came forth. How could Landon lie after divulging such damning information?

"That won't work," Landon declared, noting Aki's raised hand. "We have potions for everything. Strength saps, magic saps. Even your own body won't heed your commands."

"Yumi... What did you do to her?" Aki's voice came out weak, his eyes barely open.

Before replying, Landon leisurely refilled his goblet with wine, savoring the moment. He locked eyes with Aki, a sinister expression mirroring his father's on his face. "I already told you," he said, emphasizing each word. "Nothing. I even tried to spill wine on her, just so I could pour a potion into her drink. But there was no need. She started laughing and undressing right in front of my pops and me."

"Then my pop used his silver tongue on her, and before we knew it, she was spilling everything she'd done behind your back."

Aki tried to process this bewildering information. He knew Landon was lying, but the question remained: Why was he sharing this with him? "You're telling me all this... Are you planning to kill us?"

Landon shook his head with a wicked smile. "No, Aki. I have no intention of killing you. I'm telling you because, in a strange way, I feel sorry for you. Of course, That won't stop me from wanting to sample that tight and sweet pussy." He laughed heartily to himself. "Oh, don't worry Aki. You won't remember any of this tomorrow."

"Do you want to see her?" Landon asked. He pointed at the stagecoach, "She's in there right now, getting fucked by pops. There's something she does with her mouth that tells you she's a fucking slut. They way she sucked, it's like my cock was getting pulled in her mouth. Just absolutely perfect."

"Isn't your mother in there?"

Landon nodded, "She's asleep. She won't be waking until tomorrow. Like you, she won't remember any of this. And she isn't my mother anyway. A woman my father remarried for wealth and station. She's the cousin of some powerful family."

Aki processed the information, but he found himself drifting from sleep and waking up. All of his focus is now directed towards not sleeping as he didn't want to sleep as he wanted to remember everything. If he was to exact his ****, he would need to remember everything. He imagined what he would do to all of them, and he helped him in staying awake.

Time passed, and Aki could hear the faint sound of Yumi moaning with pleasure.

"Pops taking a while in there huh?" Landon said. "I'll tell you what, I'm going to tell you what we have done. Just for fun."

He took a seat beside Aki and wrapped his arms around him.

"Where to begin? Ah! The moment you left to up your defensive runes, I spilled wine on her. You know this already but when she took off her shirt, she started to kiss me and pop. My father was fingering her through her pants and we suckled her tits while she told us stories of her entanglements. My man, with all that brain of yours, you couldn't even see her for what she was? Well, that continued until she said you must be done with your runes and she wore her shirt."

Landon grinned wider, "When you told her to change her clothes. She told me to follow her! I left and went straight to her! She was already there waiting for me. She pushed me to the ground and rode me while I suckled on her big tits. When I came, she swallowed it all."

"The blanket - well you already knew. The funny part came when she toasted you. She was so hot that she really wanted to fuck after that. Knowing you were so close that you should've smelled my cum in her mouth."

Landon burst out laughing after that, Aki turned to look at him. He whispered. "You better hope your potion works. Or this will be your last night alive. Then Aki closed his eyes and focused on battling the effects of the potion.

---

Aki's eyes fluttered open, and his gaze immediately fell upon the scene unfolding before him. Dark emotions surged within him, a potent mix of anger and powerlessness. He longed to rise, to unleash his fury upon everything in sight, but his body remained immobile, trapped in a cruel paralysis.

Beside him, Landon sat with his pants around his ankles, while Yumi knelt on the ground, her lips wrapped around Landon's throbbing shaft. The wet, slurping sound of Yumi's mouth working his cock filled Aki's ears, sending waves of revulsion through his body. He desperately wanted to look away, to escape the twisted tableau before him, but his eyes were locked in place.

"Just like that, you filthy slut," Landon groaned, his voice laced with pleasure.

Yumi's mouth moved with practiced expertise, her saliva dripping down Landon's length as she bobbed her head. Her gaze, once filled with tender affection reserved solely for Aki, now fixated on Landon, brimming with the same devotion. Aki's heart twisted in his chest, aching with betrayal.

Sensing his unease, Yumi momentarily released Landon's cock from her mouth and whispered, "A father and son, all in one night."

Landon chuckled, his voice thick with arousal. "You're such a fucking slut. Are we the first father and son you ever fucked?"

Yumi noticed the precum releasing from Landon's cock, she obediently licked it up before answering, "Yes. But I had two brothers take turns fucking me in their dorm."

"How can Aki not know all of this? You must have fucked half the guys in the Academy!"

Yumi slowly let a drool drop down onto Landon's cock, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I just told them not to say anything. It was pretty easy to convince them because they want to do it again. Aki's a loner, feared by everyone. No one's going to tell him. The guys were too scared to even look at me when Aki's around." She laughed, the sound dripping with a mix of satisfaction and wickedness.

Yumi's eyes darted towards Aki, her voice laced with worry. "Are you sure he won't remember?"

"Not a fucking thing," Landon replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Gripping the base of his cock, he began to slap it against Yumi's eager face, the resounding smacks mingling with her moans of delight. His wet cock, coated in a mixture of Yumi's saliva and pussy juice, left wet marks on her flushed skin. Yumi closed her eyes, relishing in the sensation, her lips parting in anticipation.

"But why did the adventurers leave if the spell worked?" Yumi asked, her voice muffled amidst the rhythmic slapping of Landon's member.

Landon shrugged, his movements never faltering. "We had a few other girls here, just for show. But we forgot to give one of them the rejuvenation potion. They sensed something was off and got suspicious, so they left. They still remember nothing."

"Fortunate for you that they can't report anything, then," Yumi remarked, her mouth opening wide as she prepared to swallow Landon's cock once more. However, Landon mischievously shifted his hips, causing his engorged member to sway from side to side, teasing Yumi's waiting mouth.

Yumi glared playfully at Landon, she wrapped her hands around Landon's hand and quickly swallowed his cock. She used her mouth as a vessel for her anger as she moved up and down on the cock quickly. Causing Landon to moan.

"Suck that cock." Landon said, his eyes gazing hungrily at Yumi. "God, you're so fucking good."

Yumi reveled in his encouragement, her moans of pleasure vibrating around his throbbing member. It was clear that her countless hours of practice had molded her into an expert cocksucker, capable of driving any man wild.

"Stop! Stop!" Landon exclaimed through clenched teeth, his body teetering on the edge of release. Yumi reluctantly released his cock from her sucking mouth, her lips glistening with her saliva.

"Don't tease me like that," Yumi purred, gasping for breath, her eyes still filled with desire.

Landon quickly regained his composure, his voice a low whisper, "Before you swallow my fucking load, tell Aki exactly what you're going to do."

Yumi's mischievous smile widened, her eyes sparkling with a devilish glimmer as she shifted her gaze towards Aki. Her thoughts filled with wild, unbridled desire, she let her lips part, ready to unleash a torrent of explicit fantasies.

"I'm not some innocent little girl, Aki," she purred, her voice dripping with raw seduction. "I'm a cum-hungry vixen, and tonight, I'm going to swallow every single drop of Landon's scorching, creamy load. Just like I did with his father. Their potent essence is swirling inside my belly, making me crave more."

Her hands instinctively moved towards her pussy, fingers teasingly rubbing through the fabric, igniting a fire of arousal that consumed her. "But that's not enough, Aki," she moaned. "Their potent seed is also coating my hungry, aching pussy, and I can't wait to have them both fuck me senseless, filling me up with their pulsating desire. This night won't end until I'm deliciously spit-roasted by them, their throbbing cocks plunging deep inside every hungry hole."

With those tantalizing words hanging in the air, Yumi eagerly took Landon's cock back into her mouth. The intensity of their sinful affair grew as Landon laughed, the sound filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Aki's numbness enveloped him completely. It was a protective cocoon from the chaos. He allowed himself to drift back into the realm of sleep, seeking solace in the temporary reprieve. Grateful for the respite, he longed for an end to the torment, the pain, the memories. He wanted to forget, knowing that forgiveness was an unattainable horizon.

---

Aki felt a firm shake, jolting him awake, as Yumi's wide eyes bore into his. "Wake up!"

"Hey," Aki greeted, a smile forming on his lips. He cherished those moments when Yumi woke him, even back at the Academy. The soft yellow campfire glow painted her face beautifully; it must have been dawn. "What's in your hair?" Aki asked, noting a peculiar stiffness in her locks.

"It's nothing," Yumi replied, her voice trembling. "You need to get up!"

Suddenly, the sight of Yumi, bathed in the campfire's golden light, seemed almost otherworldly. Her entire form glowed in the warm reflection. The acrid scent of burning wood and chemicals reached Aki's nose, accompanied by an intense heat.

Aki sprang to his feet and spun around, his eyes widening as he witnessed the entire stagecoach consumed by flames. Small explosions erupted amid the inferno, triggered by concealed chemicals. It was nothing short of miraculous that they were still alive.

Yumi grabbed his arm, her urgency palpable. "Aki, what do you remember?"

An unusual question, but there was no time for a lengthy conversation. "I remember nothing after the drinks," Aki replied hastily, taking a step back as the searing heat reached his face. He glimpsed a movement just in front of the stagecoach; a woman held a torch in one hand and a katana in the other. Her eyes blazed with fury, and her disheveled hair stood on end, like a banshee.

A portly young man, likely Landon if Aki remembered correctly, was slowly retreating from the woman, bizarrely disrobed, his large belly exposed. "Dad!" he cried out, his voice trembling with terror and despair.

"He's gone!" the woman shouted. "You'll never terrorize anyone again! I warned you to stop! I knew those adventurers didn't leave for no reason! I am from the family of the Great Knight Hoshikaze! You've deceived me for the last time!"

The woman raised her katana, pointing it at Landon. "Your reckoning has come!"

Aki couldn't bear to hear more. The fire was engulfing everything. He turned to Yumi and pushed her. "Go! I'll catch up with you!"

Yumi hardly budged from Aki's push, but she yielded. "Where are you going?"

"Just go!" Aki implored. He aimed to save whatever lives he could. He didn't believe the woman was lying about Schylo's demise, but perhaps there was still a chance to rescue others.

Landon staggered backward, away from the woman. She tossed the torch to the ground and wielded the katana with both hands.

"No, please!" Landon pleaded, his arms raised helplessly. He heard Aki's footsteps and saw Aki sprinting toward him. A glimmer of hope flitted across his face, and he offered a hopeful smile. "Aki! Save me!"

The woman noticed Aki and turned, ready to confront him if necessary.

However, Landon's hopeful expression was short-lived. Aki leaped over him. He had no intention of saving the rotund young man. An overwhelming loathing for him had taken root, although he couldn't quite explain why, and he was disinclined to help. His true target lay in front of the stagecoach.

"I'm sorry, Aki. Please!" Landon implored, his arms outstretched toward Aki's back.

Aki ignored him and made a beeline for the horses, which were still tethered to the stagecoach. While Landon screamed in terror, Aki sighed with relief when he saw that the horses were still intact, though the fire was closing in on them. On his way to the horses, he detected the acrid scent of potions.

"This isn't good," Aki murmured, recognizing the chemicals that could cause powerful explosions. "This stagecoach is about to blow."

Aki wasn't about to abandon the horses. He unsheathed his sword and cut the tether, all the while urging the horses to run. "Go! Go! Go!" Aki yelled, refraining from giving them a swift kick to hasten their escape.

As the horses raced away from the burning stagecoach, Aki stole a quick glance back, just in time to witness the woman raising her katana high and thrusting it into Landon's gut. Horror washed over him as he considered his options: to save the woman or to flee.

"If she was part of the Great Knight Hoshikaze's family, it would be in my best interest to save her," Aki thought to himself, but he knew that deep down, his decision was not rooted in her lineage. A compelling voice within him insisted that he must rescue her, believing her to be the only innocent person in this nightmarish scene.

Gritting his teeth, Aki sprinted toward her, his gaze locked onto the woman. "C'mon!" he yelled urgently. "We need to go. It's about to explode!"

The woman offered him a small, sad smile, one tinged with resignation. Aki observed as she reached into the pocket of her robe, deftly placing something in his satchel as he neared her.

"Live," the woman whispered. Magical energies swirled around her, and she pushed her hands toward Aki, propelling him away with great ****.

In that very moment, the stagecoach exploded, its devastating shockwave reaching Aki just in time.