Morgan was shocked by that woman with gray, reptilian-like skin.
The woman stood up from her desk and positioned herself right in front of him.
– Allow me to introduce myself: I am the director and protector of this academy, Zarathoz Dragunov, and I welcome you to my academy.
The woman made a rather elegant bow while Morgan tried to process all this new and bewildering information.
– Tell me, young man, where do you come from? Which realm do you hail from?
(Said the woman with curiosity.)
– Ahhh… ahhh… ahhh…
(Said Morgan, nervously.)
– By your appearance, I would say you are one of mine, but from what I see… you don't have wings to fly.
The woman began to circle around Morgan, inspecting him carefully until she stood behind him. Then, she placed one of her hands on his chest.
– Interesting… it's neither hot nor cold.
Morgan flinched at her action. His face immediately turned red.
The woman kneeled and began to touch Morgan's tail.
– Oh… you don't have scales on your tail. It has a different texture.
(Said Zarathoz, analyzing Morgan closely.)
Morgan jumped from the shock and took a few steps back. No one had ever invaded his personal space in such a manner. He was very confused and utterly embarrassed.
The woman covered her face with one hand and, with a mischievous smile, said:
– Interesting…
She stood up elegantly and adjusted her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles. Morgan held his tail with discomfort and a little fear as the woman slowly approached him again.
– Tell me, tell me then… what race do you belong to, boy? Where do you come from?
Morgan began to step back slowly as Zarathoz approached him with calm steps.
– Definitely, you don't seem like one of mine. We are not of the same species… but you're not a marine either; they can't leave the water. So, what are you, boy?
Morgan's back hit the wall. Zarathoz placed her hand right next to his head, trapping him.
– While I am interested in knowing exactly what you are, what matters most to me… is that you tell me where your dharma is. When I changed your clothes, I didn't see it anywhere visible.
(Said Zarathoz in a somewhat seductive tone.)
Morgan, upon hearing that she had changed his clothes, deduced that she had seen him without them while he was unconscious. His face turned a deep red, and he let out a scream worthy of a princess.
– Nooooooo!
The woman, seeing his reaction, began laughing hysterically to the point of tears.
– Sorry, sorry… but when I saw you, you seemed like someone very, very interesting.
(Said Zarathoz, wiping away her tears.)
Morgan waved his arms up and down rapidly, embarrassed and angry.
– So… what's your dharma? Tell me! Hahaha.
(Said Zarathoz, catching her breath.)
Morgan recalled that the Zorath he had fought earlier had also mentioned something called "dharma," but he still didn't understand what they meant by that.
– I don't know what you're talking about. And please, don't do that again.
(Said Morgan, somewhat annoyed.)
– Hahaha, come on, don't play around. Tell me what your dharma is! Come on…
(Said Zarathoz, with insistence and curiosity.)
– I already told you I don't know what you're talking about! I don't know what "dharma" is.
Seeing that Morgan said this with confidence, without a trace of lying, Zarathoz's smile disappeared. She suddenly grabbed him and began to examine him carefully, part by part. Morgan tried to move, but Zarathoz wrapped him up with her tail so tightly that he was completely immobilized.
– It's not here… it's not here…
Seriousness and surprise overtook her face. She inspected every part of his body: his head, fingers, legs, eyes… even his tongue. But found nothing.
– Impossible…
Zarathoz suddenly pushed Morgan away from her, stepping back. Her face showed a mixture of doubt and uncertainty.
– You… you're not connected to her…
(Said Zarathoz, somewhat concerned.)
Morgan was more confused than ever. He didn't understand the sudden change in her attitude, but it seemed to be related to the absence of what she called "dharma." It was clearly something very important.
– Ah… is everything okay?
(Said Morgan, worried.)
– This is impossible… Only they are not connected to her. But he is clearly not one of them… Could this be possible? One of us without connection to her?
Zarathoz stepped back a little, putting her finger to her mouth, murmuring softly as she analyzed the strange situation. Then she began walking back and forth anxiously.
It was then that someone knocked on the door. Zarathoz, still lost in thought, barely reacted. The knocks became louder until, slightly annoyed, she responded:
– Come in.
The door opened, revealing a young woman with long reddish hair, dressed in white and black. She wore a black blindfold covering her eyes, with a star woven into it.
– You called for me, Director?
(Said the young woman sweetly.)
– Ah, it's you. Take this boy and show him around the academy. I need to think.
(Said Zarathoz, still distracted.)
– Go with her. She'll show you around. I'll talk to you more later.
(Said Zarathoz, seriously.)
Zarathoz sat back at her desk, clasped her hands together, and fell deep in thought, her gaze intense and serious.
– As ordered, my lady.
(Said the young woman softly.)
– Sir, I ask you to please follow me.
(Said the young woman as she bowed.)
Morgan didn't say a word. He decided to follow her. At that moment, all he wanted was to leave that place.
Both of them exited the room while Zarathoz's expression remained unchanged.
Upon leaving, Morgan saw that he was in a vast, ostentatious, and refined place. Without a doubt, it was a fantasy world. He realized they were in a very high area, so he leaned over what appeared to be a lookout and marveled at the immensity of the place. He could see many more buildings; he had never been in such a large and majestic place.
Morgan turned around. The young woman made another bow and then said:
– I introduce myself, sir. My name is Zatana, and it will be a pleasure to accompany you on this tour.
End of Chapter.
Next Chapter: One Among Many.