I woke up with the rays of the sun in my eyes coming through the windows and and the gentle chirping of birds outside. I took a look around and was able to confirm something for good.
I wasn't dreaming last night. I'm in another world.
I got off my bed and was getting ready for the day.
Karl told me that I'm special to him, but we've only known each other since yesterday, so I think he knows more than he wants me to believe, unless now he's in love with me... I thought, then suddenly got chills.
I'd rather not think about it.
After I finished getting ready, I was heading to the dining room to have breakfast.
I hope Shaylee isn't gone yet; we're supposed to go to town together. Come to think of it, can we consider this as a date ?! No, no, no ! I haven't clearly invited her to go on a date with me so we're just hanging out for now, but what if people think that we're a couple ?! No, no, no ! It's to early to think about this kind of stuff but... Just imagine...
"Gross ! What's with this expression on your face ?! You were thinking about something perverse, right ?!", Lore said with a disgusted face.
Ah... Here's Lore who interrupted me on my way. Still in such a bad mood it seems.
"Good morning Jemuel, how are you ? Did you sleep well ? Good morning Lore, I'm fine, and Yes, I did. Thanks for asking. How about you ? Is it that hard for you to say something nice even in the morning ?"
"O-of course I can do it. Anyone living here can attest to that, but why would I do it with you ?", she said while blushing.
I doubt about it.
"To be nice."
"Huh ?"
"Don't huh me !"
"Ohla, ohla what are you arguing about so early in the morning ?" Erna said sitting on the couch as a cup of coffee flying towards her passed between me and Lore.
"Oh ? Erna. Morning. Is it magic ?"
"Morning Jemuel. Indeed, it is."
"Oohh, can I use it too ?"
"Of course, you can. Everyone should be able to. There's a spiritual life energy called mana flowing through our body. You converge it at the center of it, then you expel it out. Want me to figure it out your type ?"
"Yes, please."
She got up from the couch and put her hand on my stomach. Suddenly a light appeared from there.
"Whoa !"
"Magic-users are usually divided into four basics types: Earth, Fire, Water and Wind. In addition to them, there're two rare ones which are shadow and light-
Huh ?! That's weird. I can feel your mana flowing through your body but I can't determine what type you are."
"What do you mean ? Is it like I have a talent for all the elements ?", I said with stars in the eyes.
"It's true that some people can use multiple elements, but in your case it's more like you don't belong to any of these categories... As if you can't use magic."
"I can't use magic !", I shouted, being in shock with a sad expression.
"Hahaha ! You really suck ! Not even able to use magic despite the mana flowing through your body", Lore said while laughing.
"Shut up !"
"It also reminds me that yesterday, when we first meet, I should have been able to felt your aura since you didn't know you could hide it but there was nothing emanating from you, except during you're duel with Karl. Then, it disappeared again...", Erna said.
"How can we explain that ?"
"I don't know but that's interesting. I'll do some research about it."
"Okay, thank you."
I left the living room and resume my way to the dining room. When I finally got there, the table was wonderfully set. It was a feast for the eyes, watching it made me want to eat even more, but first, I wanted to check if Shaylee was still here.
"Good Morning Pia, have you seen Shaylee this morning ?"
"Good morning Jemuel. Yes, she's practicing sword in the backyard."
"Thank you."
I went to the backyard, and as Pia told me Shaylee was practicing sword. She was using a wooden sword and was repeating the same vertical movement several times. Judging by the way she was sweating; she must have been there for at least an hour already.
"Oh, Jemuel ? Good morning."
"Good morning Shaylee. Sorry, I didn't want to disturb you during your morning practice."
"Don't worry, I was about to end it anyway. I'm rather surprised you're already up. I thought you would have preferred to sleep a little longer since yesterday seemed like a long day for you", she said, wiping her sweaty face with a towel.
"On the contrary, I am fully recharged and ready to start a new day, but thanks for worrying about me."
"If you're okay, that's good."
She sat down on the bench behind us and drank some water, which she then poured over her head. The rays of the sun refined the details of her wet hair and those of the drops of water falling from it even more. At the sight of this magnificent spectacle, I couldn't help but tell myself whether it is day or night, she remains beautiful at all times.
"Jemuel ?"
"Ah sorry, I was lost in my thought. So, do you do this every morning ?"
"Yeah, pretty much. I have to stay in shape. We never know when our next job will be."
"I see, that's right. Actually, I also usually do some exercises in the morning."
"Really ? What do them look like ?"
"Huumm, get up. I'll show you. We'll do them together."
"Eeh, I just finished my morning practice you know. I don't know if I'll be able to-"
"Don't worry, it'll not take too long."
"Okay, but if it's too exhausting, I'll quit", she said after sighing.
We did some stretches, push-ups, sit-ups and squats to finish.
"I see, so that's what you do every morning. It's a light exercise setup, making it a good start to the morning. That was interesting to learn, thank you.
I'm going to take a quick bath after that, we can go to town."
"N-no problem..."
She did them all so easily it's almost bewildering, but I shouldn't be surprised. She's a knight after all. Now I guess I'll have breakfast while waiting for her.
As I was lying on the grass, Pia came at the entrance to the backyard.
"Jemuel, you have a visitor."
"For me ?"
And from behind her appeared captain Sohor.
"Hey kiddo, how are you ?"
"Captain Sohor ?"
She was in her formal outfit with a bow and a set of arrows.
"I thought we could have a little chat."
"Yeah, sure. About what ?"
"Firstly, I wanted to apologize to you. I greatly underestimated you. I didn't expect you to did what you did yesterday. Like what, don't judge a book by its cover", she said while bowing.
"Huh ?! Come on, please straighten up. I can't blame you for acting the way you did, it's part of your job, I guess. Besides, you weren't totally wrong."
"Karl really got me this time. You were a real surprise. I would also have wanted you to be in my unit if I knew that, but it is what it is."
"Ahah..."
Since we don't have enough information about you, you were sent here but I'm glad you're on our side kiddo", she said, holding out her hand to me.
"Me too. I'm grateful to you for accepting me, so thank you Captain", I replied while we were shaking hands.
"But I know what I saw, and I can tell you're not an archer. I don't know who or what you are but always stay on your guard, you never know who's around you."
After what she said, a breeze of wind passed caressing our faces.
"R-roger that..."
"Good. I should be going now. I've a lot of work to do."
"Don't push yourself too hard please."
"Yeah, don't worry. Oh ! I almost forgot. I also noticed that you didn't have a bow with a set of arrows, so here. This is for you. Accept this as an apology and a welco- No, just as welcoming gift from me, please."
"R-really ?! Now that I take a close look at it, that's the same bow I used during the entrance test."
"Yep ! I thought that if I had given you the choice, you might have at least chosen this one."
"Nice ! I don't have to buy one anymore. Thank you very much ! I'll take good care of it !", I said while bowing.
"You're welcome. See you kiddo."
"See you captain and thanks for stopping by."
I guess my presence remains enigmatic to them, that's understandable. I should try to earn their trust first, including that of my teammates.
I can finally eat now, I thought while walking to the dining room.
"Jemuel ! I'm ready, we can go now."
"Huh ?! Already ?!... But I haven't had the chance to taste anything yet-", I was talking under one's breath with tears in my eyes.
"Eh ?"
"Okay, let's go..."
I'll just have a fruit for now.