At some point I must've fallen asleep, because next thing I knew Luci was behind me and gently shaking her hand on my shoulder.

  "Mira, you should really get out now. The sun must've set by now."

  "...hmm? Ah, right." I stretched with a long, drawn-out yawn and started climbing out. "Let's go then."

  She had already dried off before she had woken me up, and she handed me a towel as soon as I was out. I wasted no time in using it.

  "Thanks. Wait, did someone bring clothes already or..."

  The princess fshed me a patient smile. "Yes, the maid came by around an hour after we got in here, so maybe two hours ago now. She left our clothing in the entryway."

  I nodded in affirmation as we walked through the door. There were two piles, and I started digging through the one I was directed to. It had a jade dress which matched my hair, as well as a pair of panties. I obviously put those on first and noticed they were a little tight, but manageable. But the dress... was challenging. After a little coaching from Luci though, I managed to slip it on with only slight difficulty. The top was open, and was showing a bit more cleavage than I would like, but I had to leave it like that in order to wear it.

  "Sorry about that, I know I'm not quite your size, but it's probably the best they could find for you."

  "Huh? Is this yours?"

  "Yes. I wore it to my appraisal at st years festival."

  "Appraisal?" Another new word. It seems like all I do is ask questions.

  "Oh yeah, you don't know. How to put it... Every year at the twin-sun celebration a seer comes with the Dwarven envoy to appraise anyone of age. The appraisal is just a quick test to see how much mana you have as well as what types of magic you're able to use. Take me for example: The Regali-Pristel family pretty much only gets appraised as a formality since we can mainly only use nature magic, but very rarely somebody who can use two types like me appears. Of course, with genetic magic like nature it's more common than usual to use two types, but it becomes increasingly more rare to see someone have an affinity to each type of magic as the number increases. Basically three kinds are incredibly rare, and those who have attuned to four are nearly unheared of. History has never recorded anybody who can use more."

  I wasn't expecting such a lengthy expnation but I guess that works. Actually, I wonder...

  "What kinds of magic are there?"

  "I had a feeling you would ask. Basically, there are two main categories, elemental, and hereditary. Hereditary magic is passed down by blood, like my nature magic. There are many specific subcategories of it, but most of them are basically just single spells. Nature magic is like that, it's just one glorified spell that can control nature. Elemental magic is much better defined. It's divided into fire, water, earth, wind, light, and mind. The first four are self expnatory, but the others not so much. Light controls magic effective against undead, and while mind does have spells that effect a person's mind, most spells of the category are simple buffs for strength, speed, and others of the like. Any more questions?"

  "Thank you, that really helps. But will I be able to talk to this seer?"

  "Yes, of course. There won't be an official appraisal ceremony since nobody in the vilge is coming of age this year, so you'll be able to get yourself tested. Now, we've stalled long enough. Dinner should be served soon."

  We arrived back at the top floor that did turn out to be a dining hall just before the food was brought out. We were the st to arrive, but it didn't seem like anyone minded. Luci brought me to sit at the rgest table in the room, where her parents sat with Tahli, who was now wearing a cute, frilly dress. I asked if it was fine for me to be there, but she said I'm a guest, which is also why I'm staying in the guest room on the same floor as the royalty.

  Across the table there were also a few men I didn't recognize. There were four of them, and they were all around Tahli's height - which is to say about half of mine - despite clearly being grown men. I figured that out from their bulging muscles and thick, long beards that reached their stomachs. They each had various expensive-looking decorations all through their beards as well.

  The conversation suddenly turned towards me.

  "... and this young dy beside my daughter is a guest to my kingdom that we received only a few minutes after you had arrived. Mira, if you would introduce yourself."

  The queen turned to me with a warm smile as she asked me to greet the men.

  "Yes. Um, my name is Mira, as Her Majesty just said, I am a guest here. It's a pleasure to meet you."

  "This young'un has quite the manners! The four of us you see here are members of the Dwarf Council hailin' from the Stub Mountains. Brady Strongarm, at your service."

  The dwarves took turns introducing themselves.

  "Clearance Clearmind here."

  "Jordan Stalwart, 'tis a pleasure."

  "And I'm Jackson Ironwall."

  Lana gracefully cpped to get everyone's attention.

  "The food is arriving now, so please do enjoy. And before someone asks, there will be plenty of ale for you dwarves."

  As soon as she finished talking, dinner was served. It was simple, some kind of meat and vegetable soup with fruits on the side, but it was very delicious. I'm surprised I didn't get any weird looks, I must've eaten as much food as the dwarves drank ale, and they each had at least a whole keg. It really drove home the fact that I haven't eaten in a whole day and a half.

  After I had eaten I had been excused to my room. When I entered the first thing I did was strip my uncomfortably tight clothes off before I jumped into bed. It was incredibly soft. It really has been an exhausting two days. I'm definitely going to sleep like a rock.