In a tiny shabby room, I fumble around my nightstand drawer trying to find my magic lamp,
Only a good minute later, I finally find it deep in the myriad things stuffed inside.
Whew!
It would have been annoying if I lost this thing.
Thankfully, however, I didn't, now I can finally go take a shower without stubbing my toes.
So, I grab my towel wrap it around my waist, and head for the common showers.
It's 5 in the morning, so It's still dark.
Once outside my room, I flip the switch on top of the lantern like device to activate the rune carved inside.
It doesn't produce much light, but I've, fortunately, gotten used to the semi-dark path by now.
No toe-stubbing this morning.
I quickly arrive at the showers on the first floor of the building and take a nice, warm shower.
It has to be said, while there is no technology in this world, the magic runes like on the lamp and cooled milk bottle make pretty much make up for it.
I do my best to savor the shower being fully aware that today's not going to be as peaceful.
My shower finished, I dry myself off and step up to the mirror with my lens case. I turned out pretty good-looking in this life.
Medium length wavy, black hair; sharp eyebrows; and a good jawline make for quite a handsome 6-year-old.
But of course, the most eye-catching and cool part of my features are my crimson eyes. Like the eyes of all the other babies, they turned crimson after the ceremony, called the pledge which, as the name indicates, pledges my life to the God of the Rising Sun, Elat.
Using the mirror I put on my lens, style my hair a bit, and head out again with the towel around my waist again, no exhibitionists here guys.
Back in my shabby 9 square meter room in the basement, I sit back down on my twin-sized bed which, apart from the nightstand, is the only piece of furniture I have space for in this shit hole.
Even though there is still space in the big comfy rooms on the second floor where all the other kids are, I got put down here.
Ever since if arriving in this world I've had a constant streak of bad luck.
First, I got mysteriously abandoned by my parents and thrown into an acoustic torture chamber where my caretakers ignore me.
After that, I was thrown into that hellish ceremony, and now someone has it out and put me in this dump.
This sucks, I'm supposed to be a protagonist, and get crazy lucky cheats.
Come on man...
Oh well, no use wracking my brain over it now, I can't do anything about it anyway. Looking at the clock it's almost 6, so the others should be getting up now.
I really thought I still had time. Well, I did take a really long shower, so I should have expected this.
Anyhow, better get to the cafeteria if I want to get my hands on any of the hot cocoa.
With the thought of my precious little delicacy fueling me I put on my uniform at light speed and head up to the ground floor and enter the cafeteria at a similar speed.
Yes! First!
I head up to the half-asleep nun with a bright smile on my face pick up a tray, get the food, and a big glass of hot cocoa then sit down at my usual spot.
Sadly, as I plan to take my first sip of freshly made hot cocoa I hear a laugh.
Oh no! It's him!
Sure enough, Fred just entered the room. Goodbye, my good mood.
Cry baby king's evolution, Fred, is just as annoying, but with added independence and so have his goons.
To make matters worse he also has somehow gained the favor of the nuns.
If I have to wear this uncomfortable black robe and red biretta so should you, damn it!
Oh god no, he's coming over.
With two goons in tow, he approaches my bench.
"Hello Austin, you're up early."
"My name is Alex, Fred."
Rude, I actually really like my new name. You could at least use it when talking to me.
Surprised, he looks at the goon on his left. Who just shrugs.
"Oh sorry, Tomos told me that it was Austin. Anyway, aren't you tight with Mother Zelda? I noticed that she visits you often."
Eh, it still feels weird when the demoness is referred to by name.
"Yeah, I'm really 'tight' with her. We're best 'bros'."
"Alright, could you introduce me to her?"
Does this kid not understand sarcasm?
"No."
"Come on, please man."
"No."
"Bro please."
"Not your bro and still NO."
Zelda is already overworked, plus she's been on an important mission for a while now. I'm not going to contact her for this prick.
"Alright have it your way. Tomos, Fitz grab him."
Before I could react his two Goons pinned me down by my arms.
Tsk!
Bullies exist in every world I guess.
"Oh wow, Lord Fredrick is mad at me. What is going to happen to me now? Will he go cry about me to Sister Bloodrain. I'm completely paralyzed by fear."
Why can't I keep my mouth shut? These comments are going to cost dearly. It was kinda worth it though.
Bam! Bam! BAM!
———————————————
Ouch!
I wince as the water passes over the burns on my forehead. That psycho! I could take the beating, but to weaponize hot cocoa against me was monstrous.
These burns from him pouring the hot liquid on me have wasted a perfectly good glass.
Honestly, that kid is way too cruel for a six-year-old. It's a little terrifying. Still, I'll make him pay for this one.
My vengeful machinations aside, today is a big day, so after having quickly finishing my second shower of the day in the now rancid common showers that tried to avoid by waking up early and putting on a new uniform I leave the youth residence for the Mosque.
Fortunately, the youth residence is just down the street from the church. So, I still have plenty of time to get there before seven.
I was originally annoyed at the extra walk when they moved us here at the beginning of winter saying, "You're six now, you can walk down the street, we need the space". But by now I have come to appreciate it not having to deal with the younger kids running around.
An added benefit is that the older kids keep to their age group, so it's pretty chill.
The route to the church is really scenic, to be honest. Especially now in winter when the pine trees and the surrounding mountains are covered in pure white snow while the houses are illuminated by warm fires.
The cold is annoying though.
Today however I'm too stressed to appreciate the scenery or get annoyed at the cold.
I feel the butterflies in my stomach batting their wings harder and harder as I approach the church.
I can't help it, I might learn magic soon after all.