Chapter 4 - The City of Eblan

Today marks my fifth year here in this new world. No special thing noteworthy happened after that incident with my awakening. Just when I was able to hold proper conversations when I was around two years old, father asked me to not practice magic yet.

Joke's on him I started playing around with the four basic elements and is quite proficient now.

That said tho, I still can't find a way to use my other elements. Confirming from the lots of books in father's study, my elements are fire, water, wind, earth, light, darkness, time, and space.

Should I shave my head and paint a blue arrow over my forehead? Then fight some warmonger emperor and save the world?

I always practice making small spheres of the four basic elements while reading and making them float around me. The farthest I could control those without discharging them as a spell was just 3m max away from me.

Maybe it's because of my limited mana as a kid. But I was extremely careful no one sees me. Just when I was gonna brag to mother and father what I can do with my magic, I read in one of the books father gave me that what I was actually doing was chantless magic. A lost form of magic that the ones who could do it can be counted less than all the fingers a human has.

It turns out that even spewing out small spheres like the ones I make requires some basic chant. I tried it too but, the mana efficiency was too low as lots of mana was wasted in making the spheres, and some more wasted in making it so that I can control the sphere freely.

In layman's terms, magic when chanted wastes shit ton of mana and is not good enough for me. Large scale and ritual magic requires specific chants along with formation of magic circles tho, but that's too advanced for me right now, I'd gladly stick to the basics in the meantime and perfect it.

Time and space were considered extremely rare elements. They can only usually found on people who have undergone their third awakening. People of this world undergo a set number of awakenings based on their race and age.

Father has collected lots of books that even I who absolutely love reading is having a hard time finishing all of his library like collection. Partly because he keeps bringing home new books every time he goes out.

Maybe he noticed I spend a lot of time reading. He's a really good father, so I act so cute he could vomit rainbows every time he gives me those new books to devour.

Because time and space magic is rare, the books about them are even rarer, most of them are just actually theories and unproven hypothesis. But that matters not, I have the greatest compiled knowledge this world is not aware of.

The power of manga and anime! Hahahaha, when I got so bored in life I spent two years at home in solitude! Haha… I lied I wasn't bored I was just brokenhearted…

But still, reading those stories both illustrated and in novel form awakened me to a new world, since I grew up reading books that only gave me knowledge, a little fantasy helped me keep my mind of some sad things you realize when you're alone for weeks.

I just can't find a secure place to try out space magic, and I'm not confident enough yet to fiddle with time magic. Since I was not really always alone in our manor. Maids always follow me around but I got pretty used to them.

The biggest troubles for me were my sister and Bland's daughter, Oli. Whenever they have the chance to bother me, they never miss it. When I'm walking in the medicinal garden studying the plant's features, Oli tackles me from the behind and forces me to play with her. And wherever I may be hiding just to read books peacefully, my sister Ariessa always finds me and drags me around to play too.

Well I still indulge them since they are definitely gonna be beauties in the future, no harm in having sisters that would dote on me when nobody would take me as her husband in the future. Yes they are insurance, my sisters forever who will never leave me like those who would play with my heart like a ball and toss it around.

I asked mother for permission today to accompany the maids going downtown. Since I haven't really seen much of our city except those fancy diners father brings us to when there are celebrations.

I'm fairly confident since I have memorized the map of our district. My true goal was to see the weapons and armors shop, as well as the magic shops. Damn this is a real dream come true for me if I get to see blacksmiths doing their thing. A man's romance never fades.

Since I succeeded in acting cute in front of my mother, I was given a little too big pocket money for me to spend. Mother���s truly the best. I will indulge her later with my cuteness.

So now, I'm going along with Rita, the maid in charge of our inventory, and three other maids to assist her. There's also Flint, Bland's subordinate-apprentice, he's another good-looking dude that has that aura. He's pretty popular with the maids since he's mysterious and handsome and looks totally dependable.

Hmph, the maids love me more than you.

[Young master, are you ready to go?] Oh, speak of the devil and he will appear. Flint curtly asked me while slightly bowing his head.

He's really leaking of what the Japanese call ikemen aura.

He's too bright for my eyes! He totally doesn't match being Bland's apprentice!

[Mhm.] I nodded and walked in front of him and we headed towards the carriage.

Waiting for us there were the maids and the coachman who will drive the carriage. Also mother chatting with Rita, who seems to be giving reminders about me.

I approached my mother and tugged on her clothes.

[We're going now mother.] I said in a definitely cute tone that matches my cute voice.

[Ammon remember to be safe and not cause trouble for Rita and the others alright? Also don't go to strange areas. Don't talk with shady people okay? Also don't let beautiful big sisters take you away when they see you okay? Always stick with Flint alright? What else is there…] Mother squatted to talk to me within my eye level.

[Of course mother I will keep myself safe. I promish.] See that promish there at the end? That's called professional cuteness. I'm five years old and plays my hand correctly, with women I'm invincible!

[And that, I know you will. Flint, Rita, I leave my son in your care.]

There it is, mother's scary as hell aura. I pretend not to be affected by it. But I can tell that Rita is shaking and Flint is barely able to maintain his ikemen smile.

[Yes, Mistress Leta.]

[As you command Mistress Leta.]

Both of them replied in formal fashion to mother, while my mother kissed me on the cheek before standing up.

[Off you go then, and don't forget my reminders Ammon alright?]

Rita and the maids helped me get into the carriage were using and followed me inside. While Flint stationed himself in the rear of the carriage while riding his own horse.

We set off into the market area of the city and I felt for the second time that I was really reborn into another world.

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Even before reaching the market, the views outside the window of the carriage was clearly not one you will see back in Earth.

There are people from other races walking on the streets either dressed with armor, or not at all. I even saw some elves entering what seems to be a boutique for clothes and cosmetics. The variety of carriages too are shocking, there are ones like the one I'm in that's being pulled by ground dragons, there are some pulled by bull like beasts and some drawn by Centaurs themselves.

I need to learn more about the state of other races in this world. I was too focused on magic and neglected it, I'm sure father has some books about those back home.

While Rita and the others were enjoying the sight of me being enthusiastic about what I'm seeing outside, the carriage slowed down and stopped shortly after.

[Pretty Miss, there seems to be an accident ahead and the road is clogged. There are no other alternate routes but we're close to the market from here. What shall I do?] Our coachman peeked his head from the window in the front part of the carriage.

[How unfortunate. Does the traffic show signs of clearing soon?]

[I'm afraid not pretty miss. Some huge container and carriages seemed crushed ahead. But the sidewalks seem fine at least.]

[Shall we just walk then big sis Rita?] I boosted my cute look, damn this is a chance sent by the heavens. No way I'd miss it.

[Hmm… but Flint on his horse won't be able to follow us then young master.]

[Don't worry! Big brother Flint's horsey is intelligent! It can stay with the carriage!]

The maids looked at each other, obviously troubled with my request. Heh, its pointless. No woman can resist young kids puppy eye look. So I stared at them while looking as hopeful as I can.

Bingo. When they turned their heads on me, they lost immediately.

With a sigh, Rita said. [Alright. Let's have Flint order his steed to stay with the coachman and the carriage then. Shall we go young master? Should we carry you?]

[No! I'm fine with walking! Thank you vewy much!] Oh damn my moe self. Tsk, I'm such a lady killer. I know, I know I'd regret everything when I look back in my past in the future.

They opened the door of the carriage and went down first instead of me, then Rita helped me get down the carriage while one of the maids tell Flint what Rita and I decided to do.

[Young master, for your trust upon me for your safety, I'm really delighted.] Flint said those cringy words to me as soon as he got off the horse in front of us. Why doncha kneel like a knight too then? Damn ikemen, the maids are transfixed to him now.

[Everyone let's go!] I said it will full of excitement and even raised up one of my fists. Heh, I'm not losing to some handsome young man somewhere on my side.

Me, along with the four maids, and one unnecessary handsome bodyguard, set off towards the market in foot. The carriage will follow us there once the traffic is cleared up.

Then it happened.

As soon as the accident site loomed into our view, I lost control of my body and felt constricted.

The world has stopped moving.