I thought there's an exemption if you were called onto another world, but hell, my body still aches from the battle we did yesterday. But that was then, and as the new day began, the sun rose from behind the mountains and smiled brightly down on the plains where I and the others were. Yep, it is indeed a sight to behold.
With the warmth of the sun's rays, I regained my senses and awoke from my slumber. Wow, that sure is a good thing to say!
This morning breeze reminds me that it is officially spring. I'm wondering how Sakura and Hikari are doing over there.
As it blows, the gentle wind caresses my body and softly sways my hair. Such a pleasant feeling is impossible to find in the city. This is a fantastic world.
We took advantage of the opportunity to rest for a while under the lone tree that stood on this vast plain. We decided to let it pass because it was difficult to travel in the dark. Besides, I'm not exactly familiar with this location in the first place. As I previously stated, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Hrmm... My arm does seem to be heavy.
Oh? This cutie... She did used my arm as a pillow did she? I'll let it slide because her sleeping face is adorable.
Oh, and where is Benjirou? Oh, there. So he was perched on the limbs of a tree. He's watching over us, isn't he? That's somewhat reassuring.
"Good morning, my Lord!"
Benjioru's greeting, with a courteous bow, welcomed my still slumped body.
*Yawn... I'm still exhausted. Oh, he didn't even sleep? Sleep deprivation is not a good thing. That's something my sister always says to me. Is it not applicable to a demon? For the time being, let us return the greeting.
"Umu. Good morning... hmmm?..."
I shifted my gaze away from him and toward my side. This girl really does sleep like a log, don't you think? I've always believed that she doesn't require it. But she's been sleeping with me since the first time she tried to fall asleep. Is she gaining knowledge? Haaa... What should I do with her...
"She's still sleeping? (sighed) What a prickly girl."
I couldn't help but smile. Despite this, I was never going to bother waking her up from her nap. Rather, I could just sit and stare at her sleeping face. Kuku, this cute sleeping face is a rare sight to behold, so for the time being, I'll enjoy this cute-little-cat sleeping on my arm.
"Hgnnnmm... Myaster... pshpshhh..."
Sleeptalk? She murmurs... Fufu, let's try poking her soft, smooth, and cute sleeping face while she rest out of commission.
"Ahem..."
"Hgha!" *Startled!
Oh, crap! I forgot Benjirou was here! I almost lost it! This sleeping face is so adorable that I...
For the time being, I must relocate... Ngghh. How does a small body like this weight so much...
I looked around as I lifted her head off my arm. This plain sure is something. I'm unable to see what's on the other side. Just how vast is this place is? I looked around for a second time; I needed to find her an alternative pillow. Where... Something I can use as an alternative to my arm as a sleeping little cat's pillow.
"Ah, I see, there's 'that,' which I can use."
"Your lord?"
Oh, did I say that out loud? That's embarrassing!
"Ah, no, it nothing. More importantly, come here Benjirou, I need you to witness this as well."
"As you wish, My lord!"
He collapsed. Look, Fufu, and be amazed by an Isekaid protagonist's cheat system! (He's enjoying this...)
"{Inventory!}"
It reappeared with those words. The system that appeared to be a floating screen. From then on, a collection of various items was laid out in front of us, sorted by type and classified by kind. Cloaks made of various leathers, swords of various types, and monster fangs Of course, this isn't just any old collection. This collection is uncommon even among other Player of Origin (Note: Refer to Chapter 1). It is the result of my 5 years of playing. I'm relieved that, aside from the clothes I and Andrea were wearing, nothing else had vanished. My third conclusion is beginning to win me over.
"M-my lord... That's—"
Kuku, you're surprised, aren't you?
(He likes to brag.)
"Yes, this is my INVENTORY; these are all the items I accumulated during my five years of playing VLF."
Fufu, it sure feels nice to flex your items. I'm acting a little cocky here. But that's beside the point. There's something important I need to know about this.
"Say, Benjirou... Is there anything in your knowledge that is similar to this INVENTORY in this world?"
"I apologize My lord, for my ignorance... But in my 300 years of existence, this is my first time seeing one..."
He said in hushed tones, shaking his head in disapproval. Is it possible that I had unrealistic expectations? It appears that not everyone is aware of this one. But he can see it, just like Andrea and I, so it must exist, right? It's quite a hurdle.
"So, this isn't normal, is it?"
"Yes, my Lord. As for one, that is too strange even for this time, and even though I was out of the world for 200 years, I don't think anyone in this world, Fantasia, has the same magic as that, My lord."
Oh? Are you serious?
"Umu, that's useful information; thank you, Benjirou!"
"You honor me, my lord!"
Okay, so here are some more conclusions: first, the basic dimensional storage, Inventory does not exist in this world. And the other was, "I'm the only one who has it." But still I lack proof. Sighed. What's the deal with this dearth of information? This world is far too bizarre. Is it real or a game? This feels too real to be a dream and too complicated to be reality. Is my third 'conclusion' the only one that can be accepted?
I need more proof. I require more.
I took a leather cloak from the inventory and folded it. After that, place it on Andrea's still-sleeping head. How long will this girl be able to sleep?
I stood up and stretched after letting Andrea go. I felt the chill of the winds and was reminded of something else. I went through each event, sorting it out and analyzing it one by one.
I can only give perplexed expression sorting everything. There are proof, but I don't want to believe it. Is the only thing I can do is to do the decision from the very beginning? Is the search for my secret base will be the right choice? Sigh. The problem of a brother who has to come home...
"My lord?"
"Ah, no. I just thought 'how strange'."
I showed something pathetic. I mustn't let them see my worried face. So for that, time to role the protagonist play! Yosha!
I looked at the sky and closed my eyes, feeling the breeze of the morning wind. And now that the preparation is done... the cool line follows! Here we go~
"I never told you this, but since you are worthy of my trust, I shall bestow knowledge onto you!"
Hell yeah!
"My lord! Though, I am not enough, I shall treasure this knowledge and take them with me until the day I die!"
That serious?! My God... What do I do? His sparkling eyes are beaming at me. Do I have no choice but to tell him the truth? Argg! Off with it!(In the end, he decided to tell him seriously.)
"You see, from afar I came here just a week ago. With my mind set and the belief that this is all a game I remained composed and calm. But even so, I am not so dumb. I watched myself disappear in the front of my childhood friend in the real world, and found myself in Fantasia without logging in. There was a summoning spell but I never landed on the {SUMMONING CHANEL}. I punched myself and bleed, in VLF characters never bleed. I know that all from the beginning was strange. And what's more I came here looking like my usual self not my avatar, Gleren. My inventory works and magic also are present. Even though my other skill are nerfed and locked, still its there. But... I don't want to believe it with this proof present. Mixing the game with reality is the number one thing I don't want to do. So, I believe that if I went to my secret base I can confirm everything. With that, will you help us find the truth, Benjirou?"
"...."
Was it too much? He fell into silence. Did I messed up and overload him with something he think nonsense?
"My lord..."
"Hmm..."
What? Is he going to tell me I'm crazy?
"Though for me, as a being of this world, everything my lord said sounds all impossible. However, I believe and trust my lord's words. I, from the very beginning my time restarted, will devote my self in responding with your wish, my lord!"
Damn it, boy! I underestimated your resolve!
I smiled with his answer and stretched my arm with my fist closed for Benjirou.
"It's reassuring to have a reliable ally on your side!"
"You honor me, My lord!"
Bumping our fists, I felt the connection between us deepen. "With the shinning morning light, a friendship was once again born." What a good line to practice!
It was a good mood. But then there was...
"Fuhek...fuhekhekhek!!!"
...an aura that shouldn't be released in this world oozes once again. The aura that shouts rottenness. A dark atmosphere that came from a certain individual. An aura that came escaping from the grinning Andrea. She's laughing like an abysmal darkness being freed from the deepest... and with her creeping speech she, said.
"GurenXBenjirou!"
What?!
"Gunjirou! Fuhikhikhik—oww!!!"
"If your awake, then stand up already you damned awakened fujoshi!"
Damn it, just what did she read to be this extreme? (Note: 'Fujoshi' is a term originally Japanese that means a rotten girl. Especially girls who love romance between boysXboys, or Boys Love.'BL')
I landed a chop on the head of this dreaming girl. The heck is she even dreaming? Sigh...
This world stores a lot for us. But with the three of us...
"Andrea, gear up already, we need to start moving."
It feels as if...
[{Query: Where will be our distination, Master?}]
"You sure do 180% turn in your speech lines, huh?"
[{Your imagining things, Master!}]
"Really, now?"
I said with doubtful eyes. But after that, he shifted his gaze to Benjirou.
"Hide yourself in my shadow, Benjirou. It might cause trouble for you to walk in the light with full of humans."
"As you wish. However, where are we heading to, My lord?"
"To the Magical Academy!" I said with a smile of full confidence!
...everything will be a piece of cake!
...To be continued...
Chapter Quiz!
If you got isekaid in a world of swords and magic, will you still find your way home?
A. Yes. After all my family are still on Earth.
B. No. I will enjoy my new life and indulge my self with adventures!
C. Yes. I am satisfied with my life now!
D. No. I will lead a life of a protagonist and live freely in the new world presented to me.