"You will do it for me."
Those words still circulate inside Fritz's head. The man introduced himself as Demiurgus. He was tied up on a chair. They were still inside the room. Demiurgus has the ability to create things he wants. As long as logic still lies within it. The pain was extremely excruciating as Demiurgus forcefully pulled Fritz's toenails. He, one by one, pulled all of it. He would then heal him, not letting the kid pass out on him. Demiurgus was putting Fritz in so much stress and pain. Though the kid does not know why he was doing it to him.
"Bear the pain. All of this is for your sake."
Fritz was blindfolded. And he was put inside a perfect cube that blocks all the incoming sound. Making him unable to hear anything but just his own screams, panting and, Demiurgus' voice. They went on like that until Demiurgus hit his boredom. Although, he left Fritz as is. He brought out all of the ingredients he would use to cook a delicious meal. He then began cooking.
Going through endless suffering of physical and mental pain. Fritz lost all of his energy. Demiurgus kept healing him after pulling all of his nails off. Yes, however, that does not mean he restored Fritz's lost energy.
The strong scent of the food Demiurgus was cooking, escalated throughout the perfect cube. Fritz started to crave what kind of meal it was. His stomach growls and, he began drooling for it. For some reason, the smell of the food intensifies his hunger, even though he was not hungry at all earlier.
"Ooooohhh! Look at this. This looks really delicious!" Demiurgus emphasized his last two words. "Time to dig in!" Fritz could hear
Demiurgus gobbling his food. He had meat in a stick on his right hand. He surged and let Fritz have a smell. Fritz was famished. He began imagining the food Demiurgus was eating. He imagined how much he was enjoying all the meat, kinds of beef, and fish in the world.
"A-at least... let me have a... bite." He could not beg for more. Something was really wrong with the smell of the food. It made him like a wild hungry beast. That would jump onto its prey, ripped it apart, and feast on its flesh.
"No. All of this has its own reasons." Demiurgus did not cook that much. What should be adequate only for him? "Time to start our so-called 'Looks Changing and Gem Polishing Operations!' Though that title sucks."
Demiurgus wants to put Fritz under extreme stress and prematurely have his hair turn gray. That was his only reason for doing such a painful thing to the kid. That way, Fritz does not have to worry about those five recognizing him. They went on like that for a whole day. With Fritz's stomach extremely hungry.
***
Allesha, or should I say the reincarnation of Alice woke up under the tree where she fell. She does not know the fact that Fritz was also reincarnated as her. What she could remember was the fact that she was stabbed, and then she was brought to the blinding place of nothingness. She surged and began wandering around the forest. She saw the big entrance of the dungeon and decided to take another path around. Allesha's memories were passed down to Alice's mind.
With all the weird things she learned, she immediately concluded that she got reincarnated to another world where monsters feared by normal humans exist, and also, the fact that other races exist gave her the idea that this world was a utopia. Sir Thomas More (1477 - 1535) was the first person to write of a 'utopia', a word used to describe a perfect imaginary world. More's book imagines a complex, self-contained community set on an island in which people share a common culture and way of life. He coined the word 'utopia' from the Greek ou-topos meaning, 'no place' or 'nowhere.' It was a pun - the almost identical Greek word EU-topos means 'a good place.' So at the very heart of the word is a vital question: can a perfect world ever be realized?
Alice found the road towards the Auslixeoris Empire. Different races were going in and out of the Empire. From merchants, adventurers, and weird humans who were wearing clothes from Earth. She understands their language. They were Japanese! Another theory struck her mind.
"Were they transferred here? So, I was not the only one."
***
"You should have a look at yourself." Demiurgus brought out a mirror. Fritz took it and stared at his own reflection for a while.
He could not believe it. His face was like he was looking at himself when he was 7 years old. Esecleus looked the same as him. Although, his hair color became gray. And the color of his eyes was ebony. His skin color was the same when he was a kid when he was Fritz.
'I really do look like my old self. Thank God for that.'
"Okay, okay. Enough with staring at yourself. We should start with the first weapon I'll teach you." Demiurgus have all of the weapons be it spear or sword and bows. He even has two-handed weapons. "So, where do you want to start?"
Fritz glanced at all of the weapons presented to him. He has no experience when it comes to using real weapons that could kill humans, monsters. He set his sight on the bow. He wants to learn the long-range weapon so that he can hunt down food. When the time where Demiurgus leave comes.
"I want to start with the bows."
"Hmm."
Demiurgus nodded his head continuously. He does not look like he was expecting Fritz to choose the bow. He was sort of expecting Fritz to learn how to use a sword or shortsword. Since he saw the kid holding a dagger.
"Okay. I'll set up the targets. Get ready." He placed the targets about a few meters away. Fritz had the bow in his hands. He puts the arrow on the bow's string. Pulled the string stretched to his shoulder. He closed his left eye to make it easier for himself to hit the bullseye. And when he was all confident about his aim, he released the arrow. It flew at a normal speed, and eventually, the arrow hit nothing but the ground.
"Ehh! Why did it not hit the target?! I'm sure my aim was just about right."
"All of what you've done was wrong!" Demiurgus exclaimed in exasperation. "First, your stance, prior to shooting the bow: Stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart, and feet at 90 degrees to the target." Fritz did as Demiurgus said. "Second. Your grip, keep a relaxed grip on the bow handle. Third. Turn the bow so that it is horizontal and the arrow rest is facing upwards. Place the arrow on the shelf of the arrow rest. (the picture shows the type of arrow rest usually supplied with Archery World bows) Push the nock of the arrow onto the string between the two brass nocking points, ensuring that the cock fletch (the odd colored one) is pointing upward. Bring the bow back to vertical. Next, your finger's position. Position the fingers on the string with the index finger above the arrow and two fingers below as shown in the diagram. The string should sit in the last crease of your fingers (nearest to your fingertips). After that, Do not grip the arrow with your fingers. Pull back the string using your back muscles, not your bicep/arm. Pull back the string so that the index finger of the pulling hand is under the chin, and the string touches your nose and lips. And use your dominant eye when aiming. And last, relax your grip on the string and allow your fingers to slip backward. After shooting, maintain your body position."
Demiurgus' last words end with Fritz releasing the arrow on his hands. Just like what Demiurgus said. He hit the bullseye with his second try. Demiurgus seemed serious on the outside but, on his head, he was grinning.
"Okay! Hit the bullseye a thousand times and, we will move on to the next weapon!"
***
Alice had entered the Empire. There were elves, dwarves, demi-humans, humans, and other races. She was astounded by the fact that she would be living in a world where her dreams were not a dream anymore. She always wanted to live in a different world. She finds Earth too plain and boring. She seeks thrill. A never-ending thrill in her life.
Her clothes were too dirty. Others were staying away from her. Her feet pulled her to the food stands section. The snacks and the food they were selling were different from Earth. It looks all weird. However, the residents of the Empire seemed to like what they were eating. She had no money, and her stomach was growling. What can a 5-year-old kid do in the real world? She can't fight nor hunt her food. She's too small and frail for that. She thought she needed to use her head.
She looked around. Glancing one by one at the humans who looks noble and are willing to take someone in. After looking for her target, she set her eyes on an old couple. They look wealthy and, they seemed like they were in Auslixeoris for so many years. She began towards the couple. She was staggering on her feet, making herself pitiful.
And when she was about in front of the couple, she deliberately made herself fall. She faked the fact that she was unconscious. The old couple was surprised, but they right away picked up the kid and asked if she was okay. She stayed silent and unconscious. The old lady touched her head and felt that she was slightly burning up. The two hurried back to their house to treat the kid. It's a success! Alice said inside her mind.
~