Mika's head felt like it was swimming. He felt confused. Playing in the mud sounded like fun...?
No! He had to focus, even though it was hard. The spell that the barkeep used was affecting his mind, making him think like a little kid. He couldn't use any magic like this. Better to agree to help the barkeep and get changed back. He could bide his time and find a way to use his magic to escape and get revenge later. "...Okay," Mika said reluctantly, "I'll use my magic for you."
"Perfect." The barkeep gave that same ominous smirk, and Mika felt himself growing back, the room seeming to shrink again.
But when Mika stopped growing, he still felt wrong. He felt his teeth with his tongue and they were still dirty and crooked, even if the gaps were gone. He held out his hand and saw that it was still pale and freckled, and then lifted the hand to run through his hair, which still felt long, tangled, and unkempt... and was apparently still copper in color, judging from a stray lock falling in front of his face. His loincloth had become a pair of trousers, but an exceptionally ragged and dirty pair, and he was still barefoot and shirtless. Was he younger than he had been before, or just less hairy? Scrawnier, maybe? He felt a little dizzy... was the spell still messing with his mind, or was he just disoriented from shrinking and then growing again so quickly?
After staring at his new body in alarm for a few moments, it finally occurred to Mika to ask the obvious question: "I said I'd help, why aren't I changed back all the way?" ...Was there something off about his voice?
"I don't want anyone recognizing you, least of all that swordswoman of yours," the barkeep replied gruffly, "but more importantly you're easier to control this way. I don't want you getting any ideas. You're still my stableboy now, it just so happens that you'll also be helping me with magic. Helping me turn men into beasts. Satisfy me enough, and make me enough money, and maybe I'll even change you back all the way. Maybe."