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nI looked down to the Cerberus girls that have been waiting patiently in dog form.

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"Use your SYTT-Link with me, and then I want you to go find a stick, but no magic ones!

" I joked, and the girl's tail started to wag, but then they transformed back in a puff of white smoke.

nThe girls all gave me a hug, and then I felt the link like a bolt of power, chaining the girls and me as they nuzzled their faces into me. I smiled at the feeling, stroked the hair on each girl's heads, and scratched behind their ears.

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"Okay, go find something, and then I will throw it for you all. I know we can get your ability to work, but using a magic item was just a mistake on my part,

" I said to the girls as they pulled away from me, but Bera shook her head, both hands came up to block her blue hair from Riez and Cera's faces.

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"No, it's okay, thank you,

" Bera said to me with a small smile, but I wasn't sure what I was getting the thank you for.

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"People don't stick up for us; they just use us. So, thanks,

" Cera said with a smile.

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"It's just nice to know that you really are different. I didn't think that I would ever be able to say thank you to a male again without being forced. Thank you,

" Riez said, but then the girls exploded into a ball of white smoke and then took off running to find something.

nIt really bothered me that they had to go through something like that, but I was watching over them now, so they would be safe. I wanted to believe that was true, and it was, but only in these walls with…

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"So, did you hear?

" Mex whispered in my ear opposite from where Mary was sleeping, jolting me out of my thoughts.

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"Stop it! Appear in front of me, you sneaky bastard! And yes, I heard that you have invaded my private living spaceeee!

" I said rounding on Mex, but I got a hard constriction from Mary, and I made a weird noise.

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"Well, it would be weird for me to live in a smaller castle, would it?

" Mex asked.

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"It's a Keep, and I did not tell her to build it that big!

" I said, trying to keep my voice level, but I was exasperated with Mex.

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"No, I did, well, I asked her if she could, and she thought it was a good idea. Plus, with the whole, my wife is a traitor, and my great ate-the-rest-of-my-grandmothers-and-mother grandmother! I need a break, and you will hardly even notice me around!

" Mex said, turning me around and giving the area of the building with a sweep of his hand; one of those, this could be all yours.

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"Whatever, but have you tried talking to Nixi? I like going to see what the problem is with her and if there isn't a way around things?

" I asked, and Mex looked at me like I was brain damaged, tilting his head.

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"You have no idea what it is like to feel what I do every day from that little woman! It is like being under constant watch, but also like she will come for me at any moment when my usefulness is up. I do not enjoy living near her, but I am linked to this area, and she is linked to this place,

" Mex said with a sigh.

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"Fine, when I come back from training, I will go and talk with her; maybe have some tea. Since I don't seem to know what is healthy for me, this is the best solution, since now your daughters well being is a concern of mine as well,

" I said to Mex, but turn from him and to the Cerberus girls that were running up with a good-sized stick, and it was in Cera's mouth.

nI grabbed the stick from her mouth, and the moment Cera let go of the stick, it started to glow like the energy in her mouth. I didn't feel anything different, and I took the stick in both hands, and still nothing, but that was just the first test.

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"Mex, get your sword out and hold it out flat; I would like to try something,

" I said to the Demon Lord, and he shrugged at me and then reached out into a hole in the air that appeared as he did.

nI waited for him to get it out, but this time it was nowhere near as big, but maybe Mex had more than one in there. Once his blade with the stick, but on its flat, and a couple spark came up, but there was no damage or even burning.

nNext, I tried hitting the sword five times in a row, and then I put my hand over the blade where I had hit it. Yes, it was scorching, but this was a magical blade, and more than likely, it wouldn't be that effective,

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"So? Do you have a verdict on your glowing stick?

" Mex asked, and I nodded my head to him but then turned to the girls.

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"Excellent work Cera! It took me a bit to figure it out, but I know what it does. Your enchantment transfers heat into the struck object. With enough strikes, I could melt through a sword or a shield! And even if it doesn't metal the weapon, the heating and cooling of the weapon will weaken its durability and increase the chance of it breaking!

" I said with excitement, and Cera beamed with happiness.

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"Can we have our turn now, please?

" Bera asked.

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"Yes, I really want to know what my ability is! This is exciting!

" Riez said, and I could see that Cera's emotions were flowing into the other two.

nI thought the stick was hard and then turned back to Mex, and the girls exploded into smoke and took off. I turned back to Mex, and he was grinning at me.

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"Quite the interesting character you are turning out to be. Always stepping on my expectations, I don't know why I even try to assume I have any idea what's going on inside that head of yours,

" Mex said, shaking his head at me.

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