After thinking about the situation for a while, Ralph got up from his chair and went into the kitchen to prepare something to eat.
Imamoto had a good dietary education, and the refrigerator was full of nutritious food.
Ralph, having inherited the culinary skills of Imamoto, who always lived alone, decided to do something very high in calories, Yakisoba.
After a long time preparing food and enduring hunger, Ralph arranged everything on the table and sat down.
"Itadakimasu!" Ralph put both hands together and thanked him.
Even though he is not Japanese, he is grateful for the chance he had after he died, and at the same time feels guilty that he probably killed Imamoto in the process, even without his intention.
This itadakimasu was not just for the food.
A tear came out of the corner of Ralph's eye as he remembered his family.
-I hope they are not so shaken by the news of my death.
Ralph thought bitterly.
He looked around, his apartment was dingy, and there was only one lamp on.
This is so different from his home in the previous world.
Ralph sighed, Imamoto had a hard and lonely life, he should at least try to resolve some of his obsessions.
While eating Yakisoba, Ralph thought of one of those obsessions.
-How his parents died ...
This is one of the mysteries that Imamoto never had a single clue as to how to clarify.
-When I have enough power in this world, I will definitely investigate that.
Ralph decided in his heart while he ate.
One man, one light, one chair, one table, one meal ... The apartment, which had the number 11, was just one among many in the building.
Nothing has really changed since Ralph Karman took over from Imamoto Ralph, the loneliness was the same.
But Ralph Karman is essentially different from Imamoto Ralph. His mind has a clear objective, to go back to his world, and his heart has images of people important to him, his family.
What Imamoto did not have, was obtained with the price being his life.
The moon in the sky illuminated Tokyo with a gentle light.
-
~ Ding
The alarm clock rang.
Ralph reached out and turned off the alarm.
He lifted his upper body while breathing heavily.
He was sweating deeply and an expression of fury was plastered on his face.
He had a nightmare.
In that dream, the military who killed him killed his entire family.
While gritting his teeth, Ralph got up and went to the bathroom.
After taking a shower and brushing his teeth, Ralph blew out a breath as he looked in the mirror.
He then went to prepare something to eat, and then got dressed to go to school.
After locking the apartment door, he started walking towards the bus stop.
There were familiar faces that he saw the day before, and also faces that he doesn't remember.
There was nowhere available for him to sit and he stood listening to music with the headset and waiting for the bus.
After getting on the bus and taking a seat, Ralph looked out of the bus all the way to school.
When he finally arrived in his classroom, he saw that someone had taken his place and he frowned.
It was a person he doesn't remember seeing, maybe a student who didn't come the day before.
Not wanting to make trouble for something insignificant, Ralph looked for an empty spot that he doesn't remember sitting.
It was in the back row, right at the back of the room, but Ralph didn't care much since it was by the window.
You can see the race track by looking out the window, something Ralph remembers is common in Japanese anime.
Smiling unconsciously, Ralph realized that he seemed to have been thrown into an anime world.
-But that's not really the case ...
Ralph sighed.
Since when he woke up, he had a somber expression from the nightmare.
On that day, it seemed that all the students had attended, since there was no more space available.
Ralph sneaked a glance at Aoi, and found that she was also looking at him, with a slightly strange expression ...
Ralph looked away and the teacher entered the room. After a few announcements, she started teaching.
It was math class, and Ralph decided to use that time to read the contents of the book 'Aura in history', which he had taken a photo the day before.
Of course, this is only after activating his ability to not attract attention.
On the outside, it looked like he was paying attention in class.
Although this is a little tiring, Ralph only needs to maintain two factors, since the place was composed of civilians. Sound and image.
He doesn't even need to perfectly synchronize the factors, so he doesn't spend as much energy.
Time passed, and at the same time that class ended, Ralph finished reading the book.
With a frown, Ralph dispelled the illusion and took a deep breath.
Looking at Aoi, a strange light passed in his eyes.
Aura, this is a term that has captured his attention since he was in his original world.
The book is didactic, it explains the basics of the origin of Aura and its uses. In addition to historical factors that contributed to the development of the use of Aura.
The aura of a living being is ... The signature of life, of the spirit, of the soul.
Every being has a unique Aura, but only those called "awakened" can emanate Aura out of themselves.
It is not known for sure when the first awakened appeared, but over millennia the techniques and uses of Aura have been improved. Today, those who manage to emanate and control Aura itself are called Aura masters.
There are several types of Aura masters, some specialize in combat, others specialize in healing uses of Aura, among others ...
The book does not specify how Aura should be controlled, nor does it give more information about Aura masters. The rest of the content is about Aura's influence on human history since its discovery.
Furthermore, it is said that the mystery of Aura is kept secret, and few people around the world know this. Even some governments are kept in the dark.
This is because there are few who awaken the gift of Aura. If humanity as a whole discovers this, what will happen? The awakened can be hunted and killed as threats, or it will be the turn of the human race to perish in war.
When Ralph finished digesting the contents of the book, three more classes had passed and it was time for lunch.
Ralph got up and went to the cafeteria. There, he bought something to eat and sat in one place.
-It seems that this society of hidden history is probably composed of awakened.
Ralph thought as he ate.
Suddenly, he looked to the side and saw Aoi sitting next to him with a Bento in his hands.
-What does this girl want? Is it because ...
Ralph thought and continued to eat, ignoring Aoi. Internally, he was actually curious.
Aoi was a little surprised to see that she was being ignored, and at the same time confused.
"Good morning, Karman-san." Aoi spoke and started to eat.
"Good morning, Aoki-san." Ralph spoke and went back to eating.
They didn't say anything else and just ate.
When Ralph finally finished eating, he blew out a breath and looked at Aoi.
She was still eating, and she had noticed Ralph's gaze, but ignored it.
Ralph waited for her to finish eating and said:
"Do you need anything? Aoki-san."
Aoi used a napkin and said with a smile:
"I do not need anything."
Ralph nodded and prepared to get up, but was stopped by Aoi.
"W-Wait! I have something to talk to you about." She said with a bitter smile.
Ralph smiled and looked at her while narrowing his eyes.
"I thought I heard that you don't need anything." Ralph said.
Aoi looked away and said in a low voice:
"It's true, that was a mistake on my part ... Can we talk?"
Ralph found her reaction a little cute and sat down.
"What do you need to talk about?" Ralph asked with an indifferent expression.
"... I hear you heard my conversation with Ainz-san." Aoi spoke while looking at Ralph with a strange expression.
"Yes, I apologize for that." Ralph nodded.
"Hmm, that was really something you shouldn't have done, I hope you understand that." Aoi sighed and said.
Ralph remained indifferent.
"But the reason I want to talk to you is about choosing the club." Aoi spoke slowly.
"... If your goal is to invite me to the hidden history society, you don't have to give yourself the trouble. I already decided to join that society." Ralph smiled.
Aoi didn't look surprised and said:
"On the contrary, I advise you not to join this club!"
Ralph looked at her in surprise.
"And what is the reason?" He asked.
"... There are things you don't understand about this club. They are not the type to support each other. Listen, I know this seems to be sudden, so I advise you not to get too involved with this world." Aoi spoke in a serious tone.
Ralph frowned and looked at Aoi sharply.
"And why would I trust you?" He asked.
Aoi took a deep breath and said:
"I'm not going to join this club myself!"
Ralph was surprised to hear this and said:
"It doesn't mean anything."
"Y-You! Do you think I would waste my time talking to you if I didn't have a good reason?" She spoke in a shaky voice.
Ralph looked at her strangely and said:
"I've been wanting to know that reason since the moment you sat at that table, but you seem to be avoiding it."
Aoi took a few more deep breaths and looked straight into Ralph's eyes.
"It turns out ... That this society is just a puppet." She spoke in a low voice.
Ralph saw the seriousness in the girl's eyes.
"From whom? And what is their purpose?" Ralph asked in a low voice.
"I'm not allowed to say that ... But I can guarantee that you will regret it if you enter this society! They will just use you and discard you after a while! Mainly because you don't even have someone supporting you!" She tried to explain.
Ralph was about to ask another question but was interrupted by Aoi, who said:
"I can't tell you any more! I already said everything I was allowed to!"
A strange light passed in Ralph's eyes, who said:
"So someone ordered you to speak to me, huh." That was not a question, but Ralph watched Aoi's expression.
Upon hearing this, Aoi's expression changed and a drop of sweat appeared on her forehead.
"A-Anyway, I already said what I had to say, but you decide whether to listen to me or not!"
She then prepared to get up but was stopped by Ralph, who said:
"Wait, Aoki-san."
Aoi looked at Ralph doubtfully.
"I may not enter the occult history society ... But I have a request, would you like to hear me?"
Aoi looked surprised and said:
"I can hear you, but I don't guarantee anything. After all, it is not my obligation to grant any kind of request."
Ralph nodded and said:
"I want ... that you teach me everything you know about Aura and the Aura masters!"
A strange light passed through Aoi's eyes, who said:
"I can try to guarantee your wish, but you must keep in mind that the world you are getting involved in is very ... very dangerous!"
Ralph remained silent with a determined expression.
Aoi sighed slightly and smiled.
"I need to get a permit first but ... Consider this as a favor, I hope you won't forget it in the future, Karman-san ... or, Imamoto-san."
Ralph smiled slightly and held his hand out to Aoi.
"My last name is Karman, don't forget that."
***
"Interesting, so he asked you to ..."
In one room, a man sitting in an armchair by a fireplace looked at Aoki Aoi, who was steps away from him.
He had short black hair, a strong body and a sharp expression.
There were several bookshelves in the room, and there were also several bottles of wine lined up in one.
Aoki Aoi looked at the man with a kind look and said:
"Yes, father. What do you think?"
The man who is Aoi's father raised a glass of wine with one hand and took a sip.
"I don't think anything, you decide whether to try to take him to your new club." He said after a while.
Aoi looked surprised and said:
"I thought you didn't want anyone else at the club beyond to the ones we've already decided on."
"He is a rare exception. He has no history in this world, which makes him a safe and trouble-free person." Her father smiled.
Aoi seemed to reflect for a moment.
"If you're still in doubt, why don't you test him first? To see if he's talented?" He spoke when he saw hesitation in his own daughter.
"Test? What kind of test?" Aoi looked surprised.
The man held out his hand in one direction, and a book floated up to his hand.
"Here, this is the most basic Aura control manual I have, see what he can do with it." He threw the book to Aoi.
Aoi looked at her father in disbelief and asked:
"Are you sure about that?"
The man just smiled and went back to drinking wine.
Aoi swallowed his own saliva and looked at the manual that had the title 'Aura Flow'.
Although this manual is quite common in the world of Aura masters, it is really unbelievable to give it to someone who until days ago was just an ordinary person.
"In that case ... I say goodbye." Aoi left with the manual in his arms.
***